Is “Tried it Tuesday” a blogging thing? If not I’ll make it
my thing! Yesterday and today we tried interactive notebooks in math. I know, I
know – we are just now trying interactive notebooks. We’re stuck in dinosaur
times in room 21. Actually I just really love how fabulous math already works
for us. “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” ya know? I’ll share more about what’s
working another day!
The motivation came from buying Not So Wimpy Teacher's Interactive Notebook on fractions forever
ago, printing it a while ago, and finally having the courage to jump
in with the scissors and glue!
Yesterday I modeled it briefly (yes, cutting rectangles in
third grade still needs to be modeled) and then set them loose to tackle the
chaos in math centers. I believe my saving grace was a model notebook that they
could refer to ANNNNND the fact that our wonderful para-educator was in the
room to assist. It also helped that we are well into our fractions unit and
most of the heavy lifting (thinking) was review.
Overall I would say I am a fan of interactive notebooks and
will continue to use it as a center rotation! (no need to use our very little,
and even more valuable, whole group time)
Take a look our process and progress:
Examples of my examples :)
Here is our set up, fool proof and OCD approved. Everything
has a place and stays organized is unrecognizable after. Such is life.
Interactive Notebooks in Action!
Day 2… a little less messy? They know how to make their
clean-freak teacher proud.
Student samples, not bad! Only two students ripped them out
of their notebooks and took them home. And only one glued their flaps right over
their answers.*face palm*
Thanks for another read! I appreciate the friends who read
through all the teacher talk and other teachers who read and share their own
experiences!
