Book Study: Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites: Chapter 7

We took a little break from the book study because of spring breaks and just overall craziness this time of the year! We are back and Deanna Jump is hosting the linky party today over on her blog for Chapter 7.

In college, the class that I was the MOST excited to take was meteorology. I am a closet weather nerd. Barometric pressure really gets my gears going. I was SO excited about this class. I knew I  was going to be a teacher but there was this teeny little inkling that if I was really good at this meteorology stuff…then maybe I could be the weather girl ;0).

This class was the ONLY class I have ever received a “C” in. It was the worst class I have ever taken. The professor was (for lack of a better word) a total jerk. He basically barked information at us from the minute we got to class until the second we left. I was so disappointed through the entire thing. I really lost all motivation and basically just did whatever I could do to just not fail. The content was really difficult so it has gone down in college history for me as the worst class I’ve ever taken. When Marcia Tate was describing her daughter’s chemistry class…it reminded me of this joy sucking meteorology class.

Here are some pictures from math workshop this year. Deanna and Deedee have done an UH-MAZING job putting these math workshops together. There is so much exploration and kids just get their hands on manipulatives every single day. It has changed the way I teach math!

My kids also do BUILD math tubs each day which allows for even more hands-on time with manipulatives. They eat it up. Making sure that there is more time for math with manipulatives is SO so important. It’s even more important in the lower grades. Obviously,  you have to model, but don’t stop there. Make sure to leave some time to let the kids practice.

I have been trying to be better about science experiments and exploration with science tools this year. I haven’t been the best, but I have been better than in years past. We have an awesome STEAM room that has been set-up at our school and I haven’t gotten up there yet to do a lesson. I am going to make it my mission to get up there either next week or the week after and do a fun lesson with my kiddos.

No excuses.

Plus, it kind of takes on the whole “Field Trip” feel when you take your lesson outside of your classroom.

A couple of weeks ago, we did a whole day of “Work-sheet Free”. If you want to read more you can click on the picture and it will take you to the post.

It feels so good to be back in this book study after a little bit of a hiatus! Here is the graphic organizer in case you need it.

Make sure to link up with Deanna and check out the schedule for the rest of the book study!

The First Grade Parade  Chapter 8 (March 31st)

In April, you will be visiting these girls for the remainder of the study:

Mrs. Ehle’s Kindergarten Chapter 9 &10 (April 4th)

What The Teacher Wants Chapter 11 (April 7th)

First Grader At Last Chapter 12 (April 11th)

Erica’s Ed Ventures  Chapter 13 (April 14th)

KinderGals Chapter 14 &15 (April 18th)

A Rocky Top Teacher Chapter 16 (April 21st)

The Inspired Apple Chapter 17 (April 25th)

Little Warriors Chapter 18 (April 28th)

Falling Into First Chapter 19 (May 2nd)

Kickin’ it in Kindergarten Chapter 20 (May 5th)