Make a Class Jeopardy Board!

With the focus of our lit groups being on asking deeper questions and generating summaries to improve comprehension, I decided to build a Jeopardy board for my lit group meetings to encourage better participation and buy-in for students to ask more implicit vs. explicit questions. 

Materials Needed:
-Velcro squares (used on the number cards ONLY - whatever you want to remove)
-electrical tape (black lines)
-cardstock of choice
-paper cutter
-hot glue or permanent glue dots
-display board
-punch out letters
-H.O.T. question stems
-silver sparkly star stickers to differentiate the Teacher ? cards (from Lakeshore)

JEOPARDY! Board Directions:
1.  Find a colored display board and/or paint a white one you already have
2.  Position the JEOPARDY letters as desired (I hot glued mine)
3.  Print out these files below:
 -First, use 2x4 shipping labels print out 2 copies of the number cards
 -Next, using 8.5x11 paper, print out 2 copies of the question labels
 -Then, print out the question stems & use a paper cutter to trim edges
4. Assemble the pieces of the board as shown in the picture
5. Laminate the number cards after labels are affixed to cardstock so they last
6. Layout the number cards in center of board, then make electrical tape strips
7. Attach Velcro so the rough square is stuck to the board & the softie is on the card
8. Hot glue or glue-dot remaining display board signs (I liked the hot glue better)
9. Create MINI Jeopardy cards if you want the ability to reward one member of your group with a special privilege at the end (i.e. next scorekeeper, a clip-up, etc.)
10. Store MINI Jeopardy cards in a plastic bag and clip with a clothespin to board!

**Update - 02/17/2014** It has been about 3 weeks since I first implemented this lit group discussion strategy and I must say it has worked wonders!  The students look forward to this time of day and remain actively engaged throughout the entire activity.  Also, their questioning skills have definitely improved as well.  I have many students who come to our lit group with several questions prepared hoping to ask a 500-level question!

January Currently

Good Morning and Happy 2014!

As I'm not one to really make resolutions (besides most are given up by the end of the month anyway) I thought I'd just set attainable goals.

This year, I'd like to set a goal of posting a Currently blog by the 3rd day of every month. So here goes the first one:

Truly, I am a homebody by heart so being able to cuddle up in my sweats with my pups and catch up on missed episodes of Braxton Family Values and discover a new TV show, American Horror Story and the addictive nature of Candy Crush is how I spent the past couple of days.

However, nearing the true weekend I can find myself transitioning from using my time for things I want to do to things I need to do.  The pressure to pop out some grading is becoming more pressing!  Oh well, I'll see what progress I'm able to make by the end of the day and report back tomorrow!

:)

'Tis the Season

On Donner, on Dasher, oh here we are now in December!  I tend to skip a couple of months with Farley's Currently blog linkup, but I'm back for the final month of the year :)

Listening - "Let it Snow" Holiday Movie premiere on the Hallmark Channel with the former child actress who portrayed DJ Tanner on Full House (gotta love the 90s).

Loving - I love the Bath & Body Works' fragrance: 'Tis the Season and have been waiting until December to finally put it to good use.  It's the perfect seasonal scent to transition from the lovely Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin of Thanksgiving.  According to Bath & Body Works 'Tis the Season is, "a holiday blend of rich, red apples, green pine and a touch of golden cider."  I'm so excited that I'm finally allowed to use it!

Thinking - I purposely avoided the claustraphobic crowds and ridiculously long lines that began Thursday evening and on Black Friday, therefore I need to get a move on with my online shopping to make sure I have some thoughtful and great gifts to share with my loved ones this Christmas!

Wanting - With my sweet tooth and Thanksgiving, Christmas parties and all of the abundance that is so widespread this holiday season I certainly hope that my waistline doesn't suffer too much from goodies galore!

Needing - My poor nails have been neglected over the past month.  I haven't given them a fresh coat of polish in over 3 weeks - so I will definitely be fixing that problem as soon as I log off my laptop!

Favorite Tradition:  I just love the glow and look of luminarias!  My family and neighborhood make it a tradition to light luminarias on the night of Christmas Eve.  At first we used to fill the paper bags with sand and use tealight candles, then Walmart began selling Luminaria kits with an electric powered light display, and more recently the flameless candles have allowed a less risky way to enjoy these holiday lights!

In addition to my hopes to check off some gifts off my Christmas shopping list, TpT will be celebrating with a sale for the season.  Be sure to use this time to cross some items off your wishlist as well!  I've been adding to my personal wishlist for the past hour... gah!

Finally, with the Winter Wonderland catching us all, I wanted to share my math poster for the Perimeter song as it is sung to the tune of Jingle Bells.  I know this is a 3rd grade concept that is retouched in 4th grade, but my students definitely don't recall the difference between perimeter and area when it showed up in our math review warm-ups.  Hopefully this will help keep it straight in their lil' noggins!

Pleasant Planning! :)