The Sunday Scoop {7/26/15}

The Sunday Scoop is based on the popular 3-2-1 graphic organizers so many of us use with our students. Tell us three things you HAVE to do, two things you HOPE to do, and one thing you're HAPPY to do. If this is your first time linking up, check out all the details on our Sunday Scoop page, then link up below! If you're sharing your Scoop on Instagram or Twitter, use #thesundayscoop and #teachingtrio so we can find it!!

Here's the Scoop on my week...

I can't believe I go back to work tomorrow. This has felt like the shortest summer EVER! At the same time, I am excited to see what this year has in store! What's on your to-do list today?



   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Growing a Healthy Classroom Mindset

You know how you browse the internet while mindlessly watching something on T.V. Well one day I happened upon a video. That video really caught my interest. I just couldn't shake some of the things the lady said. That video led me on an extensive internet search. I just had to find out more. That video then led me to a book. And eventually led me to a change in my thinking about my students, my teaching, and myself.

The woman speaking was Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. And the title of the video was "The Power of Yet". She was teaching on mindsets - the fixed mindset versus the growth mindset. And what she was saying shook me to the roots of my being. No joke. It was like a classic AHAAAAA! moment. To summarize: fixed mindsets lead to failure and growth mindsets lead to success. Even briefer (use your best caveman voice)- fixed mindset "bad" and growth mindset "good". When I reflected upon myself, I realized I had a mixture of both mindsets. In some areas of my life, the growth mindset is absolutely embedded in my way of thinking. But in other areas, the fixed mindset ruled.

Here is a graph to help give you the basics of each mindset.

I couldn't help but connect what I was learning about mindsets with my Christian beliefs. It actually fits right in with God's way of thinking. The word is filled with people that were chosen to become more than what was expected of them. Examples are David, Gideon, Joseph, Esther, Ruth, Peter, and Paul. God helped each of them rise above their circumstances of birth. One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  My question is, "Why have I not been applying this to every area of my life?"

I also started thinking about my students and their mindsets. I see so many students that fall into that fixed mindset category. They give up so easily. They don't try new things. They back away from challenges. How can I help them?

I came up with a plan- start the year off training my students in the growth mindset. I plan to teach my class about each mindset and why we need to have the growth mindset. I also want to instruct them in what I feel are the "tenets" of a growth mindset.

Of course I created a product to help!

Growing a Healthy Classroom Mindset is designed to cover at least 20 days of instruction. Teachers introduce the basic knowledge concerning mindsets and brain research. They then present a growth mindset statement each day. Discuss the statement and what it means. As each statement is covered, add the accompanying poster to a bulletin board to create an inspiring display that can be referred to throughout the year. Introduce concepts with a PowerPoint, posters, and student handouts.

Growing a Healthy Classroom Mindset!

 Here is Dweck's video that started my journey.

If you would like to know more, here are a couple of links to articles about Dweck's research and book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.

Educational Leadership: The Perils and promises of Praise
Scientific American: The Secret to Raising Smart Kids

What mindset are you?

Sunday Scoop! {7.19.15}

The Sunday Scoop is based on the popular 3-2-1 graphic organizers so many of us use with our students. Tell us three things you HAVE to do, two things you HOPE to do, and one thing you're HAPPY to do. If this is your first time linking up, check out all the details on our Sunday Scoop page, then link up below!

Here's the Scoop on my week...

Can't wait to hear all about your week/day!! Link up below with your Sunday Scoop!

An InLinkz Link-up

3 Ways to Find More Time in your Day (w/ a freebie!)

This post has moved! 

Check it out at the link below.

https://www.chalkandapples.com/2015/07/3-ways-to-find-more-time-in-your-day.html

Sunday Scoop: {7/12/15}

The Sunday Scoop is based on the popular 3-2-1 graphic organizers so many of us use with our students. Tell us three things you HAVE to do, two things you HOPE to do, and one thing you're HAPPY to do. If this is your first time linking up, check out all the details on our Sunday Scoop page, then link up below!

Here's the Scoop on my week...

What are you up to this week? Vacation? Visitors? Or maybe a pool day? Link up with us and let us know!

An InLinkz Link-up

Using Arcademics to Build Skills

Technology Thursday is a USUALLY a weekly linky dedicated to all things technology related. Check out our Tech Thursday page for details on how to link up!

During the summer Tech Thursday will be a MONTHLY link up! The link will begin on the 2nd Thursday of the month and stay open until the next month!

This month I am going to share all about a great website (that is also available as an app) that I discovered towards the end of the year.

Arcademics is a great website that has skillfully combined academics with fun arcade like games. Students do not need an account to play any of their 60+ FREE games that practice a variety of skills (both language arts and math). Check out what games are available... don't they all look like fun!

Did you look closely at that top picture? You can select games based on a skill or based on a grade level! There are times when I will tell my students to pick a multiplication practice game. They select "multiplication" and up pops 7 games for them to choose from. All of which practice multiplication. Sometimes I just want them to focus on language arts games but only focus on fourth grade standards. They would then select "Language Arts" and "Grade 4" and the website narrows it down for them! Pretty fabulous!

Here are some shots of some of the games in progress. All of the games are played with multiple players so students can play against friends, or they can just play against a computer player.

Those last couple games are spelling games which my students just LOVE. The computer tells you a word to spell. You type them out (they don't even realize that they are practicing their typing skills at the same time) and if you get a letter wrong it gives you another chance before quick flashing the letter. This allows some of my lower learners to still feel successful!

Another bonus to Arcademics, it is available as an app too! When we roll out 1:1 devices next year, this is definitely an app that I will be requesting!

I thought I would throw it out there that there is also a paid version of the website (I think the pricing is $100 a year for a classroom or just $20 for homeschool or small group). The paid version (Arcademics Plus) allows you to data track your students and customize game content. You better believe I will be asking our tech director if this is something I could pilot in my classroom! The data looks pretty fabulous and it is something my students could work on at home if they have internet access or access to smart devices.

Check out Arcademics, you seriously won't be sorry that you did!

** Remember, Tech Thursday is monthly for the summer. The linky will stay open all month long so feel free to link up whenever you get a chance! Can't wait to see your tech tips, tricks and fun new websites and apps!**

An InLinkz Link-up

Sunday Scoop - Vegas Edition

The Sunday Scoop is based on the popular 3-2-1 graphic organizers so many of us use with our students. Tell us three things you HAVE to do, two things you HOPE to do, and one thing you're HAPPY to do. If this is your first time linking up, check out all the details on our Sunday Scoop page, then link up below!

Here's the Scoop on my week...

Woohoo! So excited to head to Vegas on Tuesday. If you're coming too, let me know in the comments, I'd love to meet you!

Link up your Scoops below!



   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   

Favorite Things: Spending Time with My Teens

It is often hard to find time to spend with your own children once they reach a certain age. Mine have reached that age. They are teenagers. Yikes! My son is 19 and a sophomore in college, and my daughter is 16 and a junior in high school.  

It has gotten increasingly hard to find any time to spend with them and that they WANT to spend with me.  They have jobs, friends, sports, etc. Mom is just not as cool as she used to be! Movies are great- got them introduced to Jurassic Park- and they love to let me pay for dinner, but here are a few of the other things we do that help keep us "bonded" together.

I know some of them are T.V. related, but a mom does what she needs to when trying to catch a minute (any minute) with her uber busy teens!

The Favorite Things Linky is a great way to share your 3 favorite anythings! Grab the template and button and link up below! If this is your first time linking up, check out our Favorite Things page for more details!

An InLinkz Link-up