What's Up for the Week...Checking the Schedule!

All aboard for another fabulous week in 4th grade!  Thought I'd take a minute and share what's on the schedule for us for this week.  In Social Studies we have been studying biomes, and in Science we are busy learning about barrier island ecosystems.  

This week we will study the marsh, the dunes, the beach, and the maritime forest.  We will also take a field trip to a GA barrier island to see these ecosystems for ourselves!  So excited!!!

My students will also turn in their homemade bird nest projects (can't wait to show you pictures)!

Lastly, we will round out the week with special Mother's Day crafts and activities.  Looking for some ideas?  Here are a few of my favs from Pinterest...

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/252201647859184618/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/252201647859176153/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/192317846564441667/

And here is my own Mother's Day unit in case you are interested in checking it out!  

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mothers-Day-Resource-Pack-130724

OR

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/shannonbryant75/mother-39-s-day-resource-pack

Hope you have a wonderful week!!!

It's a Sweet Treat...a New Georgia Blog!!!

I am so excited to be a part of a brand new journey!  I am joining with about 30 other GA elementary school teachers, administrators, and bloggers to create a collaborative blog FULL of goodies, tips, and treats for YOU!  I'd love for you to join us on the journey!!!

To get things rolling on our new blog, we are doing a blog hop FULL of FREEBIES!  This way you can get to know the blog authors and find TONS of end of the year resources as we make the final push towards summer!  HOORAY...we hope to make your May and June a little smoother!

But first, let me introduce myself to you...

  

My name is Shannon Bryant.  I author this blog, as well as the website Bryant's Brain Train. I also am on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, TpT, TN, etc.  Check out my right sidebar to find me in these various locations.  

I am currently teaching 4th grade, but over the course of my 20 years in education, I have been fortunate enough to teach all grade levels PK-5th...what a ride!  I love reading, home reno, lazy days at the beach, and time with my husband--Kevin--and our 3 Bryant blessings--Tucker, Tate, and Sadie!

Now on to your end of the year FREEBIE from me...I actually have 2 for you, both centered on Memorial Day...hope you enjoy!!!

Memorial Day Critical Thinking FREEBIE

Memorial Day Writing FREEBIE

Want to register to win even more fabulous prizes from us?  Make sure to check out the Rafflecopter giveaway over on the Primary Peach and be sure to follow our collaborative blog there as well!!!
Enter the Primary Peach HUGE Rafflecopter Giveaway Here!

Now, would you like to meet the next Primary Peach blogger and collect another FREEBIE?  Just click the link below to hop on over!

Meet Lacey from The Fabulous Life of an Elementary Teacher

Thanks so much for joining us for this new adventure!

Exciting News Tomorrow...

Something exciting is coming tomorrow!  Stay tuned to my blog and FB page for all the details!!!

600 Follower Celebration SALE!

Hi!  Long time, no blog!  The last 5-6 weeks have definitely been some of the more challenging ones that I have had lately!  Unfortunately, I have been out of commission with a terrible case of SHINGLES!  Who knew?  I certainly didn't!  If you have ever had them before, you certainly have my sympathies!  

I feel so blessed to finally be on the mend!  The doctor said 3-5 weeks to heal, and he wasn't kidding.  My students, coworkers, and family have been so great to help and encourage me throughout this ordeal, and it spite of it all, we did have a great spring break and Easter!  For that, I am super-grateful!

I am just praying now for healing with minimal scarring, so I would certainly appreciate your prayers as well!

But on to more happy news...I have reached the 600 follower mark in my TPT store, and am so excited about throwing a sale in honor of so many new followers!!!  Visit my store to save throughout the weekend...20% off of everything!  Thanks so much for helping me reach this milestone!!!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Shannon-Bryants-Brain-Train

Be sure to also check out my newly revised Cinco de Mayo unit while you are there!  All the best!!!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Lets-Celebrate-Cinco-de-Mayo-Mexico-Resource-Unit-129956

Monday Math and More...Graphing, Surveying, and Charting

Hi, and welcome back for another Monday Math installment!  Today I wanted to share some ideas that I love for how to add Graphing, Surveying, and Charting across the curriculum and some resources that I have found super helpful!

For Science and Social Studies, these math skills can be linked quite easily.  They are the perfect way to link real life math skills to real world content areas of study.  Whether interviewing parents about their favorite landforms or surveying classmates about which planet they would most like to visit, surveying allows students to connect with the curriculum in a personal way.  

Data collection and graph-making can also be used for projects (like the one above that we completed during our recent study of weather--http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/We-Love-Learning-about-Weather-and-Climate-1522420) or even when gathering data for persuasive writing arguments in Language Arts.  The possibilities are numerous!  

For example, here is an example of how we made line graphs this week when measuring and calculating magnetic force

Once survey results are gathered, interpreted, and tabulated, students may use stickers, graph paper, hand-drawn graphs, or even classroom technology to share their data and results.  

Excel is always a great tool to use for older students, however Mr. Nussbum shares other kid friendly versions using programs and games to practice graphing skills as well.  Simply follow this link to see his fantastic suggestions:  http://mrnussbaum.com/coolgraphing/.

I also found some basic/beginner ideas on Pinterest I really love...For example, Jennifer Roys shares this adorable idea for a birthday graph from Snippets by Sarah (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/542613455076822381/).

   

The Measured Mom also shares some awesome ideas (like this lego graph) in her blog post at http://www.themeasuredmom.com/7-ways-to-make-a-graph-with-kids/#_a5y_p=1925658.

Even Sid the Science Kid loves charts.  I love this adorable song!

Or how about a more complete video on data collection from Math Monsters?

Hope your week is wonderful!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  See all of the posts in this math linky by visiting http://lovealwaysdianalynn.weebly.com/blog/march-9th-math-madness-monday.  Shannon :-)

St. Patrick's Day Devotion FREEBIE

Happy Wednesday!  The downhill slide to the weekend has begun!  Lacrosse season is in full gear here at my house, so the weeks literally seem to be flying by!  3 games for big brother this week, 2 practices and a game for little brother, and baby sister is just along for the ride!  LOL

In the busyness of the month, I wanted to make sure you knew about a fun St. Patrick's Day devotion freebie available in my store on TpT.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Family-St-Patricks-Day-Devotions-and-Resources-121751

Download for some fun and easy ideas for celebrating the gift of Christ throughout the month of March.  

There are even more of these seasonal devotion freebies also available.  Simply click the "Free Downloads" tab at the top of my blog to see more.  And thanks so much for your sweet feedback!  I always LOVE reading it!  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Happy Hump Day!  Shannon :-)

Skimboards and Resilience

I will never forget the summer we bought skimboards!  Have you seen them?  Little ovals of wood that seem like they should be so easy to master.  You just toss them across the shallow surf, get a running start, and slide across the sand as easy as can be!  Right????  LOL NOT SO!  At least not for my apparently uncoordinated family.

Those skimboards got the best of us time and time again that summer!  So much so, that what began as an afternoon of fun at the beach ended with stomping, growling, and lots of family angst!  Just how many times can you land face down on the sand in front of a beach full of strangers?

Getting up again and again and again in the face of failure takes a special skill--RESILIENCE!  As a parent and teacher, I realize often just how important the art of resilience is--both in the classroom and in life.  I love this quote by Winston Churchill...

So how do we help our students and our children develop a resilient attitude?  How do we help them see the value in perseverance, diligence, and determination?  Here are just a few tips from me:

1) Remind children that failure is just a normal part of life.  It is not the end of the story; it is just part of the story! 

2) Remind children that repetitive trying is a key aspect of learning.  (Think learning to read, riding a bike, learning to walk...)

3) Provide an environment that allows for safe failures, encouraging hugs, and lots of constructive coaching!

4) Model a "don't quit, won't quit" attitude in your own life!

5) Seize teachable moments!  Some of these opportunities will will come at the bottom of a valley, and some will come at the top of a mountain...Learn to recognize these opportunities when they arise.

6) Expect excellence, not perfection!  One encourages children to do their best, while the other emphasizes shortcomings and leads to frustration.

7) Love them...unconditionally!  Teach them...continuously!  

  Thanks so much for the resilience you model to your little ones everyday!  "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!"  Blessings, Shannon

PS--And on a positive note...we discovered the following winter, skimboards make excellent sleds for the snow!