SMART Cookie & Super Speed 100

Whew, it has been a WEEK!  It is only Tuesday and I am completely exhausted.  Our 3rd and 4th graders started the EOG (end of grade tests) today.  I know they are prepared to do their best!  Being in 2nd, we don't take EOGs {PTL!}.  We did get to show some of our 3rd graders love and support.  We made this poster...

and made these little inspirational tags and attached them to Little Debbie cookies

and took them to the third graders.  

We read the poster, gave them their notes and cookies, and wished the LUCK!  No like they need it...I know they are amazingly, talented kiddos.

Click HERE to pick up the taggies.

Super Speed 100

Since they were testing, I decided to give my students a challenge.  I have been reading about Whole Brain Teaching for months (See the video in an older post.  It is brilliant!).  I wanted to use some of the resources and found this website http://www.wholebrainteaching.com/.  I read all about Super Speed 100.  It is basically a highly effective sight word practice reading system.  I decided to try it out with my class today.  {I wish I had found this sooner!}  Not only did my students love it and keep asking to do more and more so they could pass their last goal, but they were able to work in partner teams without fussing or bickering.  I was very impressed on how many students kept passing their goals.  It is not as simple of a read as one might think.  I used my document camera and projector to model with another student.  I kept getting tripped up, and they would laugh.  I think it made them feel good to know that even teachers make mistakes (no secrets here).  There is a training tonight to get certified to be a Whole Brain Instructor.  I am definitely checking it out and will fully implement it next year.  Meanwhile,  I am having fun practicing with my current students these last 11 DAYS OF SCHOOL!