Critical Thinking-Throwback Thursday

At the end of the school year, all the teachers at my school had to pack their classroom because the school is being reorganized. Our community is growing and portables are being added for next school year. Therefore, we are all anxiously awaiting late July to get back into our classrooms. I have been critically thinking of my new classroom arrangement and getting ready for the new school year. Therefore, I thought this post from August 1, 2013 was fitting for Thursday's Throwback post. 

Common Core is all about evidence (just at Bloom's Taxonomy and Marzano). In my classroom, you will hear me say--
"Show me"
"How do you know"
"Why do you think so"
"PROVE IT"

Here are some cool websites that can spark critical thinking:

Wonderopolis provides a wonder each day. Students can write, debate, discuss.....the possibilities are endless

Writing Prompts at Tumblr has a new writing prompt each day. There are even Common Core standards on the prompts. Again, the possibilities are endless.

Be sure to check out my Critical Thinking board on Pinterest.

I created Question Stems

Click the picture to grab your Freebie!

If you haven't check out Educator's Guide to Quick Critical Thinking List, I recommend taking a quick peek.

Don't forget to refer to the Depth of Knowledge Wheel

Happy Questioning!

Be sure to join in the fun over at Hope at Second Grade Shenanigans

Summer Lovin' and a Freebie

With summer among us, I'm sure many of us have done many (well, maybe some) things on your Summer Bucket List, and.....

I am sure many of you are preparing (maybe even planning) for your return to home away from home (school). Yes, I am guilty too. However, I mainly have been loving my summer break-Sunshine (until 8:30/8:45 p.m.), relaxed schedule, lots of family time, pool, beach, farmers' market, berry and veggie picking, fun with friends, visiting family, vacation, kids sleeping in (well at least 2--but for the past week all 3 and, I've been getting up later too.), meeting hubby for lunch dates, catching up on house projects, tutoring, at home learning with my kids, library, movies, and the list goes on......

Then, reality sets in or my teammate says, "Let's talk business." (Meaning-Let's talk about Meet the Teacher, binders, supplies, procedures, behavior management, and the list goes on.....). So I get to thinking, reflecting, and dreaming. Then, I sit down to create new games, activities, and practice or edit things that I created.  I teach Math, Science, and Social Studies. Last year, I used the UPS check problem solving method.  This is a previous post.

Here  is my newest set of posters. This will be a limited time freebie. Then, I will place it in my store. I ask you leave a comment and become a follower to my blog. (I am in process of figuring out how to add the Facebook button again. I had it, but all was lost when my total blog was wiped. See previous, AHHHH, post.

What is on your Summer Bucket List? What have you completed?
What are you preparing and planning for school? Be sure to grab your freebie and leave a comment.

Problem Solving In Math

 I found this quote from Howard County Public Schools wiki space in regard to problem solving:

Problem solving is not an isolated activity. It doesn't occur every Friday. Instead problem solving is a skill that favors every mathematics lesson. Problem solving is more than just one-step word problems. Problem solving should feature risk tasks, authentic purposes, and multiple ways to be solved.

I completely agree. 

Each day students should be posed with critical thinking. Students should be challenged to think "out of the box". Students should be guided through questioning and class discussion. Problem solving should not only occur in Math class, but it should also involve life matters (which all teachers do each day). These life skills not only foster and promote critical thinking, but they also teach students independence, patience, tolerance, courage, collaboration, discovery, exploration, and so much more. 

However, Math opens a door to problem solving. Therefore, problem-solving strategies are established and used in Math classroom quite often. In the past, I have used a method with the acronym R.O.P.E.S.

R=Read the problem

O=Omit the unnecessary items by marking them out

P=Plan

E=Effectively solve the problem

S=Study your solution (check your work)

This past school year, however, I used the  UPScheck method because this is what our Math series uses. I like the method. As the year has progressed, the students and I have added hints for each step. I love it! It is simple and easy to use.

The above picture shows our anchor chart. It started out:

Understand-What is the problem asking?
Plan-Decide on the problem-solving strategy you will use.
Solve-Solve the problem. Show your thinking. PROVE IT!
Check-Does your answer make sense? Is is reasonable? Do you have proof? If a word problemDid you find the solution to the question(s)?