Things are changing.......

Summer is in full swing!  June and July were chock full of curriculum work days and a few learning workshops.  It was enjoyable working with teachers from other grade levels I usually would not have the opportunity to work with.  Our time was EXTREMELY productive! Adopting a new Mathematics curriculum, 1:1 computers for the first time, and being part of a pilot for a new Structured Word Inquiry  program are a tall order for one grade level. I'm confident our 5th grade team will handle it like pros!

I took part in a three day workshop on Structured Word Inquiry, or SWI.  SWI examines words in a scientific way through word morphology, phonology and etymology.   What I like most about it is the level of engagement students have in the inquiry process.  Another 5th grade teacher and I will pilot SWI this school year, and we've chosen to incorporate it across all content areas.  

We will be using Eureka Math this year and I had to opportunity to learn about it through a training and curriculum work this summer.  Our team created rubrics for Mid-Module and End of Module assessment, created a calendar for lessons throughout the school year, and wrote quizzes for each topic taught.  We created pages for our Back to School night PowerPoint, as well as a parent letter that will go home with students at the beginning of the year.  

The Eureka Teacher training incorporated fluency activities in the classroom, lesson set up, pacing, and other facets of implementation.  I'm so appreciative for this training - I feel confident and excited to utilize Eureka in the classroom!

Fifth grade teachers met this summer to upload our English/Language Arts UbD into Microsoft One Note - one tool chosen to help implement 1:1 computers in the classroom.  Next week we'll check in with Technology Instructional Leaders to review and practice before the kids arrive. 

I will receive my class list in a week, and can start classroom set up on August 14.  I'll take the next couple weeks to unwind, read a little, plan a little, and "Pinterest" a lot! 

My "blank slate!"

Technology Experience

I believe technology is a great tool to engage students in learning.  Differentiation can be easily achieved using technology.  It is also a collaboration and communication tool students enjoy using.  By integrating technology into classroom activities, educators empower students and encourage them to take greater responsibility for learning.

I have had ample opportunities to integrate technologies into instruction.  Some of those are:

*Utilized 1:1 I Pads, 5th Grade Level

*1:1 Chromebooks, Google based applications, online textbook, 7th grade ELA

*Schoology:  Class Discussions, differentiated assessments, homework hotline

*Hapara:  Instructional management tool, distribution of digital material

*Classroom website/blog:  Awarded Scholarship during Master’s Program for technology use

*MAP/NWEA & PARCC test administrator, Khan Academy user and IxL Mathematics

*Professional Blog:  maureenobrienteacher@blogspot.com

 

 

 

 

A Tour Around my Mathematics Classroom!

Mathematics Instruction

 

I am an experienced instructor of Elementary Mathematics and differentiate math instruction so all learners can attain success.  I do this using a guided mathematics model.  I have experience teaching a range of learners; those receiving RtI services to Gifted learners.  I incorporate Problem Based Learning experiences to advance students’ understanding & increase achievement.

 

I have had the honor of presenting at the NCLB statewide conference on the topic of “New Math Standards.”  Many of these standards are now the Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice.

Students make an estimation of items in the container. 
Student closest to actual amount chooses a prize from the prize bin!  :)

This is on the floor at my classroom door. 
 It shows measurement in degrees of different angles.
 

Classroom Door - a visual of Area and Perimeter!

Virtual Number Line!  I like to use this as a warm up - students are given a number or expression
 and place it correctly on the number line.

Students created Tessellation Tiles using Geometric slides, reflections and rotations.

Square root practice on the clock!


 

I bought this great towel and made a math warm up out of it!
Students determined mileage of summer travel and shared it with the class.

 

   

 

 

Welcome to my Teaching Blog

Hello!  My name is Maureen O'Brien.  I am an experienced educator who champions students with enthusiasm and engaging lessons.  I have taught over 15 years in grades K-8, with subject expertise in Language Arts and Social Studies, Gifted Education, Advanced Mathematics and Math/Reading Interventions.  Please find my detailed resume by using the link below.

Maureen O'Brien's Resume

Regarding 

Classroom 

Management....

Of course the best way to handle student misbehavior is to have a great lesson plan and engage the students in learning so there is no time to misbehave.  By having a system in place gives students clear expectations and consistency.

After creating a Classroom Contract the first days of school, students are aware of expectations.  Every student is given a clip on a classroom chart; they start their day on green.  After a warning, misbehavior is cause to clip down.  Students always have to opportunity to clip back up from any point on the chart through exceptional behavior.  Most days, I am able to handle student behavior entirely through positive reinforcement using this chart.

Should a student not meet expectations, I ask them the “4 Questions” from the Capturing Kids Heart model.  These questions help students to reflect on their behavior and refocus as needed.  Students are reminded of classroom expectations in a calm, quiet manner; often non-verbal cues can achieve this.

I find encouragement and positive outcomes for positive behaviors are excellent management tools!  I motivate students by using a stuffed toy who likes to sit with a well-behaved group.  Tables can also earn table points toward extra incentives (reading/writing free choice, learning game time, choice of classroom job), and should the whole class “fill the jar,” the class can earn a whole class reward of their choice (a free learning period with a really great learning activity to fill the time!). 

 STEM LEARNING

I enjoy teaching Mathematics and Science. During the past school year, I led 5th graders on a STEM exploration in which they studied energy, air, and the Laws of Motion. Students then constructed Hot Air Balloons from tissue paper. Supplies where furnished through a grant from our Education Foundation. We had to make adjustments to our original flight plan due to weather conditions (it actually became too warm!), but the balloons flew indoors. Students formulated future test ideas (make balloons larger, test in colder conditions) that teachers plan to incorporate in the future.

I am attending the STEM Summit at Argonne National Laboratory in June. I look forward to discovering how to better incorporate STEM into my classroom.