Reading Activities

We have been VERY busy during our reading block working on finishing up our Cereal Box Biographies.  Next Friday, we have a big celebration with friends and family.  The kiddos dress up like the person they researched and present in small groups out on the front lawn of the school.  I am still attaching everything to their boxes (takes forever), but when I am done I will be sure to share lots of photos!

My kiddos have LOVED the activities I created to use with Instagram or other photographs!  Check out my full blog post here!

Today I displayed the photograph below, which I actually found on Nat Geo’s website.

(So even if you can’t access Instagram at school, this pack is still very usable!  Fabulous Photographs are all over the web!)

As a group we discussed the many aspects of the photograph in great detail.  My kiddos remembered the activity we did from my Two Bad Ants unit with descriptive settings.

The kiddos had to describe the photograph so that if we took the photograph away we could still visualize it.  They LOVED this activity  

Then they conferenced with a classmate to make sure they included all the details they could!  They were fabulous little editors for each other!

We started using some great texts from Reading A-Z in the classroom.

Since our big focus has been biographies, over the next few days we are working on Summer Olympic Legends.

The site offers great activities but I wanted to create something I *brainstormed* while driving to work

With my commute being about an hour one way each day,

I have plenty of time to think!

Before showing the kiddos the text, I had them use the first oval to illustrate/write what they think a legend was or what they think it was.

Here’s one kiddo’s Big Foot drawing!

Then we talked about how there are different types of legends- all are pasted down but some are verifiable and some are not. 

The kiddos dived into the text to learn about the Olympic legends.

The kiddos used the middle oval to illustrate/write what a legend was or give an example according to the text.  Then, in the last oval, the students extended their learning by illustrating what kind of legend they want to be.  On the lines below, the kiddos explained why they wanted to be that kind of legend. 

I will share final pictures tomorrow!  We ran out of time today because of the 4th and 5th grade races we watched and cheered on!

Grab this freebie activity by clicking below!

Classroom Must-Haves

Today I went on a little lunch and shopping date with one of my besties….

the one, the only,

Lyndsey from A Year of Many Firsts.

We enjoyed some delicious Noodles & Company. 
We stopped by Loew’s to check out some materials for upcoming classroom redecorating (you can read about this in upcoming blog posts!)

Then we headed to Ikea.  I LOVE IKEA.  I don’t even think the word love fully describes my feelings for Ikea. 

Let’s see… obsessed, can’t live without, captivated, hooked on, infatuated…

Are you understanding our relationship a little bit better now?

After a lot of wandering around the store, stopping and discussing possible uses/options, Lyndsey and I both had a cart full of goodies. 

We already know we are going back for more but I wanted to share

the must-haves I found!

This upcoming year I am implementing Daily 5, along with Investigations for Math, and a brand new Language Arts program.  I have been feverishly working on how I want my room to be organized in order to be the most practical, useful, and inviting space for my students. 

(Crazy that I am already stressing over next year when I still have 3 weeks left!) 

I plan on using the Malm Table and Marius Stools as a moveable writing center.  I want my kiddos to have special areas for each of the Daily 5 stations.

My plan is to have the table pushed against my back wall, with the stools underneath, and necessary supplies on top. 

My kiddos ALWAYS ask for drawing paper and I feel horrible saying no.  We reuse backs of old papers, but when I don’t have any, I give them computer paper.  When I noticed the Mala Paper, Lyndsey and I both grabbed a roll instantly!  When I got home I found the Mala Paper Holder, which I will be going back to purchase!

The Kusiner Box will keep my cushions and pillows clean and organized.  In the past, I have had them left on the rug in the library and I HATED that.  This will keep them nicer in between washes and uses. 

The Trofast Frame and Trofast Storage Boxes will be the easy storage for each month’s Work on Writing activities for Daily 5.  Lyndsey is going to let me use her brand new Cameo to label each bin.  The students will be able to grab the bin and pull out the activity they chose to work on!  (Second Story Window has fabulous resources for free for this station by month.  THEY ARE AMAZING!)

The Vessla Crate will stack and stay under the chalkboard.  These will hold the materials for Word Work.  The Glis Boxes will hold the smaller supplies within each bin. 

(Stamps, Magnetic Letters, Playdoh, Whiteboards, etc.)

As I continue to find great items and plan out my classroom for next year I will share pictures with you!  I am very excited for new curriculum and programs to use in my room!  I am even more excited that I have Lyndsey around to work on all of this together!

What do you love to buy from Ikea

for your classroom?

Bringing Technology into the Classroom

With my adorable kiddos not having Technology as a special this year (not happy about this), I try my best to incorporate technology into my everyday lessons as often as possible.  Currently in my room I have one student computer, teacher computer, and my laptop/ELMO/projector set up. 

I recently started an Instagram account for my blog/shop and love the quick way to connect with followers.  Even if I can’t blog as much as I want to, I share photos from my class on a daily basis. 

I started following NATGEO, NATURE_MAGAZINE, THEANIMALPLANET, & WILDLIFEMAGAZINE.  I began projecting the fabulous photographs for my kiddos to write poems, stories, newspaper articles, etc. 

They started to BEG me to do this!  I always project the photograph and explain their activity.  They brainstorm and organize their ideas in their heads for about 2 minutes.  For about 1 minute they conference with a buddy to share their thinking. Then I pass out the activity and they get right to work.  I usually give them 10-15 minutes depending on the activity.  

With this being such a huge hit in my room, I wanted to create more structured activities to use with the photographs.  I was so excited to get it ready for my kiddos. 

Here are some action and work shots:

 

Here is what comes in the pack!

Grab this pack on TPT by clicking on any image

above or by clicking HERE!

My Shopping Cart & A Freebie

I am linking up with Blog Hoppin’ to share what I bought during the

Teacher Appreciation Sale and to share a freebie!

Here is what was in my shopping cart!

Clipart first!  I need this for some future projects

Melonheadz Pond Set and Punctuation Set

Bayside Math Teacher’s Dice Set

Linda Kamp’s  Life Cycle of Plants

Now for your fantastic freebie!

I am sure we all feel and think the same way when there is a substitute in our classroom. 

Are the kiddos behaving?

Is my special friend making smart choices?

Does the substitute have control over the class or is it a zoo?

Sometimes explaining your typical behavior management plan to a substitute can be difficult if you are doing it on paper and not in person.  You always have those exceptions/special cases. 

I needed a sub three times this week!  Urgent business on Monday, Math training Wednesday morning, and DIBELS testing/grade level planning today. 

I whipped up this little poster to hang on the board.  Easy peezy!  Jot down names of students who are impressing you.  Names can be erased—so the impressing has to continue all day!

You can print this paper on a regular size piece of computer paper OR you can print it in four parts and assemble it to make it larger. Just laminate it and use dry erase markers so you can reuse!

Here’s what it looks like :

To download this poster click on the picture below!

Animal Wax Museum & Sale

Hi friends!  I have something SUPER AWESOME to share with you all! 

A week ago my kiddos had an Animal Wax Museum and because it turned out so fabulous, I made it into a pack.  Here is a peek:

This was an extra credit project in my room.  I sent home directions, organizers, and suggestions to parents.  The kiddos completed their research, report, and any extras at home (costumes, dioramas, posters, etc.)  Then, in school when the project was almost due, we made wax museum buttons, animal crossing signs, colored invitations, advertisements, and made some informational posters about our animals. 

Let me share some photos!  Here are costumes:

Here are some dioramas and posters!

Here are some wax museum buttons and animal crossing signs!

If you think your kiddos would love this project, check out what is included in my pack!

This pack comes with different options as far as assigned animals or choice, choice of parts to include, paragraph report, organizer book, and organizer poster.

If the animal report pictured above would not work for your kiddos, you could put your choice of organizers into a book or poster.  Here is an example of what you could do with a poster:

Grab this pack by clicking the picture below!  If you grab it on May 7th or 8th you can get it 28% off for the Teacher Appreciation Sale!  

My whole store is on sale so…

 get your shop on! 

 

It’s the Final Countdown!

The weather is getting nicer…

The kids are getting CRAZY rowdy…

We ALL know what that means…

A BREAK IS COMING!!!

For many of us, it is our long-awaited summer break. 

I know some of my faithful followers are year-rounders,

but I still think that means you have a break coming.

Before your break, I have two craftivities that not only your kiddos will enjoy but you will too!  I love to hear what my kiddos have planned or are looking forward to! 

My first craftivity is one of the first products I created last summer.  It is perfect before summer break or when you come back to school.

Included in the pack:

Grab this pack from my store by clicking the cover below! 

I just posted this new craftivity… Speeding into Summer!

Your kiddos can use one of the brainstorming maps to develop ideas as to why they are ready to speed into summer.  Then they can create these adorable race car crafts!  Click on the cover below to grab this in my store!

Come on SUMMER!!!!

We teachers are anxiously waiting!

June 14th hurry up!

One thing that is helping me keep my sanity is Tuesday night volleyball with some good friends down at the Inner Harbor.

When do you get out? What keeps you calm, cool, and collected?