Open-Ended Test Questions

We can't even escape test prep in Kindergarten :(. Not only do we take a bubble-in standardized test in December (which is supposed to be used to identify GT kids, but unfortunately, that's not all it's used for). We also have a 100 multiple-choice question test that the students take beginning and end of the year for me to show growth; since that's 50% of our evaluation. So from day one, the kids are taught how to answer multiple choice questions and fill in bubbles. Every week our common assessments are required to be in that format-to prepare them. However, I don't believe I can really see what they are learning that way (and I'm a bit of a rebel :). So for my weekly test, about 1/3 of my questions are open-ended. 

Open-ended questions are ones that could have multiple accepted answers-that's what I love about them! The kids are not boxed in with showing their knowledge that one way. Do they take longer to correct-honestly, yes-especially since I have some kiddos who are still struggling with writing, so I have to tag that one and ask them what they wrote. But I selfishly love seeing what they can come up with. I use them a lot for vocabulary-draw something you are "enthusiastic" about, what is something someone who is "wealthy" would have. I also use them often in science and social studies: if you lived in the rainforest, what would be different ( my favorite answer was a pic of the little boy riding an animal around-really, do you see roads for cars :)?

Anyway, long story short, I wanted to share their answers on the question about MLK. What can we learn from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? Here's what they came up with-can you tell they really understand the concept?

Polar Bear Facebook Updates

So this activity was not on my lesson plans. :) I was struck by inspiration. I knew we were going to do a polar bear craft because we have been talking about arctic animals and Friday afternoons we usually do some sort of project. Well, the kiddos started talking about Facebook. I had videotaped them singing a song earlier and they asked me if I was going to post it on there (of course, I won't). But I was surprised they knew what Facebook was, they are 5 after all, it seemed most of them did.

Here's what I asked them to do. They made a polar bear with paper plates-as you can see I leave it very open-ended. Then I asked them to write what the polar bear Facebook updates would look like. I told them many people write about their day-what they are eating for dinner or something their kids did. I was really hoping to see the vocabulary we have been learning about arctic animals.  I liked the idea because technically, they are using their multiple perspective icon, however, not writing "if I was a polar bear".

This is what they came up with:

It's getting hot now ice is melting (we talked about global warming).

Good Things Friday

So continuing with some more weekly pics to highlight the GOOD STUFF!

It was a semi- productive week. I finished the one-on-one testing we were required to do, still working on the sight word/fluency testing for my own knowledge. I was afraid we might have regressed a little bit over the break; however, the students do still seem to be making progress.

1) Is something a GT kid would make or what? Of course they are supposed to be making words, but I couldn't resist taking a pic of this creativity!

2) One of my kids told me that my antennae were sticking up-apparently that's what Kindergartners call bangs! LOL :) Luckily, I don't have a photo of that one.

3) Now, I know this doesn't look like much. Last year our school finished construction on a new building. We also, at the same time have the city building a Metro Rail on our street. We are certainly used to the sights and sounds of construction! But this is my view outside my classroom window. They planted some trees! Yay! Of course, it's winter so they don't look that appealing yet, but I was excited. In the Spring we'll definitely have a much prettier view! 

4) I love it when a lesson plan comes together! We read Tacky the Penguin and besides doing a bubble map to describe Tacky, didn't really discuss much else. So I asked the kids to write whether it was right or wrong that Tacky was odd--these were the 2 answers that blew me away. Definitely goes along with the philosophy that I've tried to teach them.

5) And last but not least: I was incredibly lucky to get a Donorschoose proposal filled on Christmas Eve. With literally 6 hours left before it was archived, someone funded it and said "Merry Christmas". Most exciting present I received this year. My kiddos finally have materials to use in their housekeeping center! This isn't all of it, but what I did get to take a pic of:

Hope everyone had an amazing week too! :)

If Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Were Alive Today....

My favorite book about MLK is Martin's Big Words. Discovery Education has the story in its library if you have access to that site. Being a word-lover myself, I really can relate to the concept of how Big Words can influence people. It's just a really beautiful story.

So anyway, I asked my students to imagine that Martin had not died in the '60's. If he were alive today, what impact would he be making on society. Here's what they came up with-sorry, the pics didn't come out very well:

He would pray for us.

Help people not be rude to each other.

He is still a good man.

Use his words.

You can tell what's on this little kiddos mind! He had just lost his first tooth :)

He would be smart.

Help people be better at school.

Books That Celebrate Differences

Personally, I don't think there are enough of these out there! Since kids all have different quirks and attributes; I think they can learn a lot from characters being accepted for who they are. Here are a few of my favorites:

A character who is a little OCD-he learns he doesn't need a list for everything. 

Love this spin on the Ugly Duckling. The moose can't quite figure out how to quack and waddle.

A collection of poems from a very diverse group of writers.

A portrait of Dr. Suess when he was younger. Believe it or not it seems like his cartoonish drawings were once thought of as a waste of time!

I love to share this with my class because I think it's a great inspiration for my struggling readers.

A classic about being one-of-a-kind. I was reminded of this one recently, hadn't read it in a while.

You don't usually find youngsters as excited about history as Imogene is, but the history buff saves the day (or at least a city landmark).

A great reminder for perfectionists-it doesn't have to be perfect, just perfect-ish! :)

And for your older readers, or if you do share chapter books with your kiddos:

A family who wake up with some sort of power on their 15th birthday. It's not always as fun as it sounds.

You may have to edit this a little if you are reading it aloud for younger readers because there are some things mentioned connected to the war. However, what I love about this story is the refugee from Africa goes to school for the first time and is stunned by simple things like a desk. It's a great example of an ESL student overcoming the odds.

On my top 10 all-time favorite books to share with kids. Told from the perspective of a little girl with cerebral palsy. It doesn't exactly have a happily ever after ending either-it actually made me mad for Melody!