Easy Star Goals

At the beginning of every trimester I like the kids to come up with new goals.  We hang them on the sides of our room from the ceiling using pipe cleaners and paper clips. Well it's not the beginning of the trimester, but it is halfway through the school year, so we made some New Year's resolutions to stay focused.  The students created the big stars themselves using construction paper, some patience, and a ruler.  After drawing the lines, we cut away the outside pieces to form the shape.  

Inside the star, the students had to write their name in the smallest section at the top, then had to think of 5 things they want to work on in the coming weeks.  I gave them some examples.  :)  

Did your students make new goals?  It's always nice to look ahead.     

Star Goals {Freebie File}

It was time to have my students create new goals for winter, so this year I had them create Star Goals.  They chose to either create their stars either horizontal or vertical, and they just made them huge on a piece of copy paper.  Each of the 6 sections contain their name, a math goal, reading goal, writing, social studies, and science goals.  I have them hung from the ceiling back to back from our pipe cleaners and paper clips.  I also created a version on powerpoint that might help you.  

 Grab it from Google Docs if you want.  :)  I hope it help you!

Rainbow Trimester Goals

I can't believe it's already the third trimester.  I mean I totally can feel the ache for summer in my bones, but the fact that it's already the home stretch makes me so happy!

The sunshine was out in full force this past week, at least until Thursday when it was foggy, cloudy, and drizzly... then I wanted the springish weather to come back.  At the beginning of every trimester my kids review their goals, and make new ones.  I have been itching to put up rainbows, so I put the two together.

Now if I give my 4th graders a piece of 9x12 white construction paper and ask them to cut a cloud I know that I will end up with a 4 inch version, definitely not big enough.  I grabbed up some old file folders and cut 10 templates out and the kids traced them before cutting.  The strips are 2 inch by 9 inch pieces (I used a paper cutter on them).

One subject per color, the kids had to come up with their own goals.  I make up some examples of goals, and then the kids went at it.    

Here's what I put on the board to help keep the kids organized, I had to flip around the example rainbow so they could glue on the colors in the correct order... I don't own a yellow whiteboard marker... 

I hung half of them on one side of the room, and half on the other.  It's so easy to place them back to back, and hang them with paperclips.

The kids got to decorate their clouds to personalize them more, so cute!

Do your students share their goals with each other? 

Olympic Themed Trimester Goals

Today was the first day of the third trimester.  I make a big deal about how the kids are getting close to 5th grade, and how expectations have now increased.  Today we brainstormed our new trimester goals using the Olympic rings as a template.  

The kids took a piece of copy paper and a plastic cup to trace the 5 circles.

Then they colored them in with the actual colors of the rings.  

The kids have 5 main subject grades that work toward their GPA for each trimester, I went over the report cards with each student this morning (before it was time for this writing activity), so they had an idea of the areas they needed to focus more on.  This wasn't new information though, it was just a reminder.  Each subject needed to have 3 specific goals to work on.  

For example in Math students could write:

*get an A - but they also had to write down that that meant they needed to understand the standards

*have mastery of their math facts

*turn in all their homework

*etc.  

Basically, there had to be a specific plan to accomplish the goals.

From here the kids are taking their goals and writing (at least) 3 paragraphs about them.  Some of the kids want to turn it into a 5 paragraph essay (which isn't required, but they are going the extra mile).  

Just a little something I "tried" today!  Linking up with Holly!  

Hope you had a good day!  

June Goals and Currently

It's June... IT'S JUNE!

Today is my middle son's birthday - he's 7.  I can't believe he's already 7.  This June is a very busy month for us in regards to his birthday, my husband's 40th birthday, and Father's Day.  Add in the end of school, a messy "end of school" house, my dad's birthday 2 days ago, and needing to pack for a 10 day Alaska cruise, and it's starting to feel a little overwhelming.  

Onto goals...

First linking up with I <3 Recess

 

to share my June Goals.

How am I supposed to pack 5 of us for a 10 day cruise to Alaska in enough bags that the 2 of us adults can manage it all?  I have no clue since little bits is just starting week 3 of potty training... how much of what to pack?  The weather is so different than around here...

But it's Alaska - and it's going to be beautiful... and even if my boys wear the same thing over and over again I'm sure it won't really matter... since other than the 15 of our family members who will really care?  It's mainly just the potty training thing that might throw us for a loop.

As for the Blog/TPT goal - I feel really guilty that I haven't made anything new in a while.  I did bring home all my teacher editions and a copy of my classroom read alouds so I can take my time planning meaningful activities to go with it all.  I just have been feeling like I'm letting someone down by not being able to balance family and work and life.  I have had fun buying stuff though.  :)  

But it's only day 2 of vacation - so plenty of time to get it all accomplished, right?  I'll keep telling myself that.

...and then it's Currently Time with Farley

Pretty self explanatory.... I don't like the heat wave - already miss my spring temperatures.  Loving family time (we played Monopoly last night around the kitchen table) and vacation (hubby and I watched a marathon of Netflix last night).  Vacation essentials for me would be my Kindle, my new iPod Nano with armband so I can go walking (my phone is just too big and bulky to try and carry on my arm), and my Diet Berry Ice Tea.  

Better get ready for the rest of the day.  Breakfast, church, and family birthday party.

Have a great day!