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Coach's Corner: Bell Work to Start Each Day!

July 30, 2016

Bell Work to Start Each Day!


August is quickly approaching, and with it the slow realization that I actually need to start thinking about September! I'll be teaching a Grade 5/6 split for the first time in my career, and it dawned on me that I had no suitable bell work for this particular grade.   It was time to get to work!


September Grade 5/6 Bell Work
For many years I've had my students do "bell work", in the form of answering one prompt each morning while I take care of attendance, reading notes from parents, etc.  Most of the tasks are directly curriculum-related, while others are on the creative side.  I mix things up daily:  one day they might be working on a probability task, the next day on analogies, and the third day responding to a persuasive writing prompt.  I've found that this approach prevents boredom, both for me and my students!  It was time to gather my resources and get some bell work ready for my new students. 

I had already created bell work for Grades 2, 3/4, 5, and 6, so I decided to take out the Grade 5 and 6 bell work and see which prompts I felt would work well for both grades, both in terms of curriculum expectations AND interest level.  I always make September's work fairly easy, so that everyone is able to handle the tasks independently, and then increase the challenges as the year goes by.  I took the same approach as I put together a year's work of Grade 5/6 bell work.

Each month's bell work fits on one double-sided sheet of paper; I usually print on coloured paper just to make it stand out more inside a student's desk, should it come loose from his/her notebook.  I copy ALL 10 months the month before school starts, and file them by month.  I keep the original sheets in page protectors within the file folders as well.

When students enter the classroom on the very first morning of the school year, I have them find their desk and put their backpacks, lunches, etc under it.  I have already put a lined bell work notebook on their desks, along with the September bell work sheet, two sharpened pencils and an eraser.  I ask them to write the date at the top of the first blank page of their notebooks, and put a "1" to the left of the margin at the left hand side of the page.  (Sometimes I'm even organized enough to have this displayed on the Smartboard as well!)  I then have them read the first prompt and answer in their notebooks.  I want them to know from the very first minute of the year that work will be the priority in our class.  Only once I've taken up the work will I start dealing with the nuts and bolts of how we will run our classroom!  From then on students know that this is how every day will start, and I don't need to remind them what to do (well, maybe sometimes:)!  

If you'd like to try this bell work in your own classroom, click the image to the left and download this freebie from my store!  I'd love to hear how it works for you.



This bell work is also available as a PDF/Google Slides bundle.  This makes it easy to have students with IEP accommodations working on the same tasks as the rest of the class.  It is also perfect for distance learning!


Check out all my Canadian Grade 2 - Grade 5/6 Bell Work resources by clicking here!

American versions of the same resources are also available.  Click here to peek at them!

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30 Comments:

At August 1, 2016 at 1:54 PM , Blogger The Raudy Teacher said...

I definitely love all of your products! Your underground to Canada is currently on my wishlist ��

 
At August 1, 2016 at 1:57 PM , Blogger Erin said...

I'd love to try your bell work for grade 3/4. So hard to find split resources

 
At August 1, 2016 at 2:01 PM , Blogger Garden Full of Knowledge said...

Your resources are phenomenal! I would love to win your Bell Ringers for 2nd Grade resources. What a great way to keep students engaged. Thanks for a chance to win.

 
At August 1, 2016 at 2:08 PM , Blogger French Buzz said...

I'd love the Communities in Canada Word Wall - FRENCH Version since I teach French Immersion!

 
At August 1, 2016 at 2:08 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

I have The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Literature Unit on my Wish List

 
At August 1, 2016 at 2:14 PM , Blogger sami_b said...

I love the wonder interactive book study and it's on my wish list

 
At August 1, 2016 at 2:17 PM , Blogger Mrs. Walton said...

Would love to get the grade 2 bell work :)

 
At August 1, 2016 at 2:21 PM , Blogger Jenn said...

The grade 2 place value bingo, awesome idea

 
At August 1, 2016 at 2:26 PM , Blogger Thalia said...

Right now, I have your Wonder integrated book study on my wish list. Hoping to get it tomorrow before the sale ends!

 
At August 1, 2016 at 2:47 PM , Blogger Ash Dwight said...

I've used your Social Studies units before and I loved them! I've wish listed and would love to have your Canadian Bell Work for Grade 6!

 
At August 1, 2016 at 2:48 PM , Blogger Jen W. said...

I put your Place Value Bingo with a Twist on my wish list! I think I could use it with my special education students.

 
At August 1, 2016 at 2:53 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Communities in Canada Word Wall - FRENCH Version. I love that you have also made some of your resources available in french as well!

 
At August 1, 2016 at 2:57 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

Number Bingo 0-20 with a twist would be very helpful thus September.

 
At August 1, 2016 at 3:18 PM , Blogger Mac said...

Love your social studies units! I've wish listed your Grade 6 Bell Ringers.

 
At August 1, 2016 at 3:58 PM , Blogger Marianne said...

The day bell work for grade 3/4 is at the top of my list, since I will be teaching a 3/4 split for the first time. But I spotted lots of other items of interest, including the activities connected to Wonder and to Auggie, both of which I am going to be reading in the next week with intent to use them in my classroom this year if I think they will suit the students.

 
At August 1, 2016 at 3:58 PM , Blogger Marianne said...

The day bell work for grade 3/4 is at the top of my list, since I will be teaching a 3/4 split for the first time. But I spotted lots of other items of interest, including the activities connected to Wonder and to Auggie, both of which I am going to be reading in the next week with intent to use them in my classroom this year if I think they will suit the students.

 
At August 1, 2016 at 4:07 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

The 2 things that I would really love are the end of the year "Create Your Own Boardgame" unit review and the Underground to Canada Literature Circle Unit. I've used your Grade 6 social studies units before and loved them!

 
At August 1, 2016 at 4:28 PM , Blogger Mme Morgan said...

I would love to see your Grade 5 Social Studies unit in French. It's nice to see more resources being available.

 
At August 1, 2016 at 4:45 PM , Blogger KaThLeEnBoNd said...

I would say the boy in the striped pajamas unit would be my top choice on my wish list!

 
At August 1, 2016 at 5:14 PM , Blogger Jennifer said...

Number Bingo 0-20 would be a fun and educational addition to my new grade 1/2 classroom!

 
At August 1, 2016 at 7:15 PM , Blogger Annie T said...

I want your Bell Ringers for 2nd Grade among other items.

 
At August 1, 2016 at 7:41 PM , Blogger Margie said...

Shauna, I really enjoyed putting that unit together!

 
At August 1, 2016 at 7:42 PM , Blogger Margie said...

Erin, I've spent almost my whole teaching career teaching split grades, so I know the challenges!

 
At August 1, 2016 at 7:42 PM , Blogger Margie said...

Thanks for the lovely compliment!

 
At August 1, 2016 at 8:16 PM , Blogger Linda said...

It's not on TPT yet, but I am excited about your combined 5/6 social studies unit! :)

 
At August 2, 2016 at 5:40 AM , Blogger Mrs. Soave said...

Your 3/4 Bell Work looks great! Off to look at more of your store!
Stacey
PS: Sorry, my Google sign in is my school one, thus the 'Mrs.' LOL!

 
At August 2, 2016 at 6:08 AM , Blogger Margie said...

Marianne, you won! (I had my husband draw a name.) Can you please contact me with your email address and I will send along the gift card in late afternoon or early evening!

 
At August 2, 2016 at 2:08 PM , Blogger Marianne said...

Hooray!

 
At July 23, 2019 at 3:46 PM , Blogger Dawn said...

The bellwork looks fantastic. This is my first year teaching grade 5 after many years in kinder/grade 1 and I really appreciate the amazing resources! Looking forward to a great year!

 
At July 23, 2019 at 4:52 PM , Blogger Deanna said...

All of your resources are amazing. Interactive book study looks great!!!

 

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