Saturday, July 30, 2011

I Strongly Dislike Worksheets!

I can't stand worksheets.  There.  I said it.  I would rather see my students apply skills in other ways than just fill in a bunch of blanks on silly worksheets.  As such, my team and I try to think of ways that we can have our little avocados practice skills apart from those dreaded worksheets.  Here's just one way we do that...Proper Noun Jot Down.  The concept is really simple.  Kids turn over a proper noun card and use it correctly in a sentence.  My students L♥VE doing this station because they are able to create some awesome sentences.  And I l♥ve this station because I can easily differentiate it for various levels.

The preparation for this word work station is rather simple.  Print the proper noun cards onto cardstock.  (There are two pages of cards for a total of 24 cards.)  Laminate them and then cut them out.  I store each set in a snack-size Ziploc bag, and I made 8 sets.  Of course you can make as many sets as you'd like.  Also, I put a copy of the first page with the directions at this station in case my little bean burritos forget the instructions.  Easy peasey, lemon squeezy!

One last note...I live in Texas, so some of the proper nouns are indigenous to my great state.  If you'd like the Word version of this station so you can make any necessary changes to proper nouns that might be more recognizable to your students, just leave me a comment with your email.  

Oh, one more word...well, really, this one would be a note.  Here's a Proper Noun song: 

Tune: “If You're Happy and You Know It”

A noun is a person, place or thing.
A noun is a person, place or thing.
A common noun is general.
And a proper noun's specific.
A noun is a person, place or thing.

70 comments:

Hamilton's Blog said...

HOW CUTE...what a great game for kiddos! I would like a word copy if you are gracious enough to give one!
Thanks so much for your great ideas!
Jennie in Indiana

Hamilton's Blog said...

WOW....really....LONG day/week....
my e-mail is
hamiltonfamily@insightbb.com
Thanks again!

Caroline Brantley said...

Thank you very much! Can't wait to use it in my class.
Caroline

April Brown said...

I love the fact that you put out your dislike for worksheets out there for the world to see. Very brave of you. Like you, I don't like them either. Not LA, comprehension, writing, or even math. While were being honest, I don't like timed math facts either.

Kids need to know STRATEGIES on how to solve a math questions/problems not memorize them. Timing students - well how completely stressful is that? No where in the world are you given a page of 25 or so questions & then asked to solve them in a certain amount of time. I think our students would jump for joy if teachers removed this hideous task. Some may agree and some disagree. Research proves that timing students to do math facts doesn't improve their comprehension or instant recall or their understanding.
Ms. Brown's Grade 2 Class

Mrs. Mikos said...

This is GREAT!! Thanks so much! If you don't mind, I would LOVE a word copy just to change a few nouns. :) Thanks so much!

libby.pearl@gmail.com

Kim said...

I love this and hate worksheets too! I saw this on Pinterest and am now following your cute blog. Thanks for sharing neighbor (I teach in Keller, TX). Kim @ SaylorsLog

Jasmine said...

I love the noun jot activity!

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Inspired Writing Teacher said...

This is an excellent way to practice proper nouns. Thanks for sharing!

=)Beth
http://www.inspiredwritingteacher.blogspot.com/

A. Burge said...

Could you please send me this document in word? I just found your blog and I love your ideas. Thanks for sharing!

aburge@tooeleschools.org

Unknown said...

My kids will love these! Can you send me the Word version so I can customize it for our state?
Thanks!
Mary Pitner Pitner's Potpourri pitnerm.blogspot.com
pitnerm@bedfordk12tn.net

Mrs. Fehrenbacher said...

Thanks so much for this! I would love a Word version as well.

Thanks!

Anna Fehrenbacher
mslisa314@gmail.com

Constance said...

Great idea! I live in the great state of Texas also, but would like the Word version as well.

Thanks!

Constance Douglas
crhdouglas@gmail.com

kschwab said...

I too share your dislike of worksheet, and would love a word copy of this to customize for the state of Ohio. I love your blog!
Thanks,
Kate
kschwab@phpatriots.org

allisong said...

I love it! Thanks for sharing :)

Allison
awholebrainteacher.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

This is very timely. Nouns are up first. I would like a copy in word. Thank you for all your work! I've started following you on Pinterest. I hope your dislike of worksheets spreads!

cwilder269@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I love this! Could I please have a copy to modify for my state? Thanks!
924167169@gsc.edu

bchatham said...

Can I please have a copy of the word file? Great idea! Thanks for sharing!

bchatham@forsyth.k12.ga.us

Becky

Lisa Moreno said...

May I please have a copy of the WORD document for the Proper Noun Jot Down? thank you,, Lisa Moreno
lisa.moreno@knoxschools.org

Lisa_Lis said...

I LOVE this! I also dislike worksheets. Can you please send this to me in word so I can make a few changes for my state of Maryland. lisaortiz79@yahoo.com
Thanks!
Lisa

KT said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Working on this next week! Please email me the word document! Thanks so much.

katiemwooley@gmail.com

Hollie said...

I love this!! Just saw it on Pinterest!! Could I have the word copy?

hollie.booth@blairschools.org

Thanks again!!!

Mel D said...

I would love to have a word copy. This would be perfect for my observation on Tuesday! Thanks so much! My email is: melissaalonzo@sbcglobal.net
Peace, Mel D
Oh the Places We’ll Go

Mrs. Palmer's Classroom Happenings said...

I would love the word copy please. I live in FL and want to change it up a bit :) Thanks in advance. heatherwagn@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Id love a copy. Im a first year teacher and am always looking for ideas that I can borrow or steal- so thank you!
ahollingworth@maysprep.org

misslaurend said...

WOW!!! I am only in my 2nd year of teaching this year and I have been moved from my 3/4 class to a 1/2 level... It's holidays here in Australia so most of the other teachers in my school are relaxing and on vacation, whilst I am at school every day making games and the likes! your site is AH-MAZING~~ if you could please send me this so I could make any American-Australian spelling corrections I would be so appreciative! Is there anyway I can know when you update your blog...I am new to the world of blogging but hopping around A LOT~~ so many generous teachers in the states!!!! Also, I wish we had such amazing looking dollar stores... oh well I will improvise :)
My email is drumming_baby@hotmail.com
thank you so much and I can;t wait to try some of these tasks with my kiddlywinks!

Casey Wiggins said...

I know that this post is from a while back but the subject line totally caught my eye! I am a worksheet hater who feels that I am sometimes surrounded by those who feel that learning only takes place when there is a "product." Anyway, good to know I am not alone.

Melissa G. said...

Your blog is fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful resources!

CraftyKaty said...

I would also love a copy of the Word version. Thank you so much for sharing!

katyn@cksd.wednet.edu

Anonymous said...

I am with you and really dispise worksheets too! This idea is soo cute! I would love it if you could send me the word version...

dwyerc@knights.ucf.edu

thanks!

candiss67 said...

These are great!! Could you please send me the word version so I could use them for my school? Thanks so much

Candice

candiss67@hotmail.com

Yvonne Dixon said...

This is perfect for what we are working on now Belinda! Thank you! Could you email me the link for the word version so I can modify it for Georgia? Thanks so much!-Yvonne Dixon (Sassy in Second)
vonniedixon@gmail.com

katryce said...

I too would love a Word version of this activity. Love and follow your blog!
klanspa@district158.org

Thanks!

lori said...

WOW! This is great! I would love a word copy! My email is loriheinz@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

would love to have a word copy, please!!
Thanks for all your great ideas!

Carol
jackson@culver.k12.in.us

Denise@Light Bulbs and Laughter said...

LOVE this! Thank you for sharing with us! I would like to tweak this for my little third grade green beans in California... please send me the Word version when you have time. And thanks again! dbese@comcast.net

Brittney said...

I would love to have a word copy please, thank you! bsbilling@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I would really love a word copy of this please! Thanks so much! monkeycutemonkey@gmail.com

Karen said...

If it isn't too late, I would love a word copy of this. Kaliza520@hotmail.com Thanks!!

Unknown said...

Hi! May I please have the word version? Thank you! justagirl897@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I'm right there with you about worksheets. I try to never use them in my classroom. Love the noun activity. Please send the word document to momlvsc@aol.com. Thanks so much.

Unknown said...

Could I please have a Word copy? Love your blog! I have found TONS of great activities to use with my thirds!!
tscott74881@yahoo.com

Meggers said...

May I please have the Word document form of this? Thank you so much!

megan.jones@mnps.org

FrancesDL said...

Could I please have a copy of the Word document so that I can update it with Canadian info?
Thank you so much!
Frances
Fd-lyons@hotmail.com

Unknown said...

Hi there!

I love this activity! May I have the Word document of this?

Thanks so much,
Maria
Mrsmariasaah@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I too would like a Word copy of this activity. I live in Alabama and my students may not recognize some words. whitneydricks@yahoo.com Thanks!

jezzie said...

Just found this on Pinterest and it looks great! If you are still willing to share the word document, I would love a copy. Thanks :}
jherbst@csdk12.net

Tippy said...

I would love a Word copy also!!! tippy14@gmail.com

Elaine Laws said...

Just found this today on Pinterest. Can you send me the Word document? eclaws18@gmail.com

Thanks for your ideas! They are great!!

Lauren said...

Great idea! I would love a word copy, also.

lauren.stone@sendit.nodak.edu

Thanks so much for sharing!!!

Unknown said...

Just found you from Pinterest!! LOVE,LOVE,LOVE!!! Could I please get a copy of the word doc? THANKS a MILLION!!! raymichelle605@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this nice post. Proper nouns are one of the most essential parts of the English language, so Learn proper nouns to improve English Language skills.

Unknown said...

Love this idea! Could you send me the word document to the cards? tmontgomery@lhsd.k12.oh.us

Anonymous said...

This would be a really great activity to use in centers. May I have a Word copy? Fruedien001@aol.com
Thank you!!

Unknown said...

I would love a Word copy!

Tweetersway@hotmail.com

Thank you!

FosterParent said...

Thank you - this is great. May I have a Word copy please celebre777@yahoo.co.uk

JBlank said...

I would love to have the Word copy!

jlynnblank@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I would like a Word copy also...5bucks97@sbcglobal.net

Unknown said...

would love a word copy please. melissastamp@live.com.au

Jill Casserly said...

Hi Belinda! First, I LOVE how you call your students little bean burritos, haha. Second, can you please send me the Word version so I can customize it for my kids?
Thank you!
Jill
jcasserly10@gmail.com

Unknown said...

Hi Belinda. I love the game and can't want to modify it to my SC Standards. Please send me the word copy Didehenre@rhmail.org. Thanks!

Carol Ann said...

Hi,
I love your dedication and ideas. I am coming from a play based Kindergarten and now am in grade 2 where I would love to keep the hands on, minds on ethic. I would love a Word copy of you proper noun activity please.
Carol Ann

Unknown said...

Hi, I would love the Word copy of the station please. My email address is fmjones86@gmail.com. Thank you in advance!

Unknown said...

Hello :) I would LOVE a word copy too please! My e-mail is sydney.nichols@maine.edu Thank you!

Rogue007 said...

Hi there! I just stumbled upon your blog. You have some really awesome ideas. I would love a word document version of this file so I can fit it more for my kids. Thanks so much for sharing! My email is: bbetz@trschools.com Thanks again!

Unknown said...

This is a nice activity! I would love a word document so that I may change a couple nouns. Thank you for sharing! mselmi@sps5.org

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Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I would love a copy of this in Word. If this is still available, can you please send a copy to kross84@comcast.net? Thank you for sharing.

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