Learning centers are a favorite time of the day.  My kids love the hands on activities and I am thrilled they they are engaged in skills based practice.




Teachers are often asked my administrators about student accountability.  Many choose to use a recording sheet to check student work. I have to say, at time I have used a recodring sheet but I truly believe it placed the accountability of student learning on the teacher and not the students.
Not to mention, 1-copies are always an issue, 2- I dislike checking excessive papers and 3- students need instant feedback so their practice has meaning.




So then what is a teacher to do? I searched long and hard for engaging centers that promoted student acountability.  Children WANT to complete the work with accuracy but usually have no instant FEEDBACK for their answers.

                     

Drum Roll Please....Swingables!! Say what???  Yes, you heard me right, Swingables!
English translation:  Center Activities that focus on a particular skill with a Swingable piece (connected with a brad) that reveals the answer!

                       

YES!  Students can now self check their answers! Y'all, they LOVE having the power of the teacher!!
Students LOVE being accountable for their work and more importantly, they get INSTANT feedback on their work so there are no misconceptions.

                       


Are you looking for a particular skill that you would like a Swingable for?  Chances are if there is one you need, someone else needs it too!  Leave a comment here on the blog or email me at theresourcefulapple@gmail.com.  If I use your idea, I will send you a FREE copy when the Swingable is completed like the teacher who asked about Making a Ten Snowmen!

                     

To check out all the Swingables available, head on over to The Resourceful Apple on TpT and check out the custom categories on the sidebar where you can click on SWINGABLES for the latest and the greatest or you could grab the Swingable Growing Bundle now to SAVE big!

I can not count how many times we have said this during the week!  We have introduced not only nouns, BUT nouns in a series!!  Yikes!  Anywho, thank goodness there are so many fabulous resources out there to get the kids thinking and moving!

Visuals are the name of the game.  First graders need a connection.  We started off the week with Pumpkin Noun Sort by Michelle Oakes. The kids loved coming up to pick a card and decide if the picture and words was a person, place or thing.  The best part was because everyone wanted a turn you could hear a pin drop!  You can click on the picture to see Michelle's blog post.



My poor intern had a fabulous lesson planned with this activity today and was going to be observed by the college supervisor.  However,  he came an hour early as we switched for intervention groups.  I have to say as a middle school principal, he was very impressed by intervention groups, the rotation we had set up and my intern's higher order questioning.  Needless to say, the noun lesson was still engaging and the kids loved it!

We then used this super cute nouns interactive activity.  I wish I know who to credit, but is was a single page download with no named creator.  Does it look familiar?  I would love to give credit!


And last but not least is Pinterest.  I have to say I do not spend a ton of time on there anymore, BUT I love the app on my phone when I have a minute or two.  There are so many wonderful anchor charts for nouns, but I will just share my new favorite one for nouns.  You can click on the picture to find the pin...


Or you can head over to Mrs. Dwyer's A+ Firsties and check out Tanya's blog!  Super fun and jam packed with lots of fabulous ideas!

OK, tomorrow is Friday.  WE CAN DO THIS!!