Visualization - Writing

One of our Reading skills this week is visualization.  So to tie that into Writing, I proposed an idea to my class.  We could write our own stories with vivid verbs and awesome adjectives and really capture our audience's attention (we're continuing to improve on our style and how interesting our stories are)!  I reminded the kids that their stories shouldn't reveal the answer, but instead give the reader enough clues to think of 2-3 possibilities.  The kids are pumped about "tricking" their audience!

I wrote a story to give them a better understanding of what I was asking them to do.  My story included details about sunny weather, kids playing, and the smell or tanning lotion and sunscreen.  Before I could even finish the story, my kids were jumping up and down, begging to guess where my story took place.  Guesses included the beach, the pool, the water park, and even the lake - which are all great guesses.  And to be honest, I still haven't chosen the setting.  It was amazing to see their excitement!  This was the "ah ha!" moment when they realized they needed to be very detailed, yet a little secretive.

 We're going to use extra large pieces of construction paper and fold them in half.  Then we're going to glue our stories to the front half and our illustrations on the inside (as a surprise!).  I can't wait for the kids to finish write their final drafts and get everything put together!  We're going to hang them in the hallway and hopefully generate some buzz about their awesome work.  :)

Here's a picture of my story in the hallway.  I'll post a picture of the final product tomorrow or Friday.

FDR

Our latest historical figure is Franklin D. Roosevelt.  I adapted the LBJ timeline and added in FDR facts.  I also created a vocabulary activity to go along with our study.

FDR Timeline

FDR vocab activity

Ten Things I've Learned While Teaching

I saw this on another teacher's blog...such a cute topic!  Here are the top ten things I've learned in my seven years of teaching:

1.  Bathroom breaks are crucial!  Hopefully your schedule is conducive to at least 2 during the day.
2.  Give the kids jobs!  They love helping.  Plus, this makes life easier on you.  :)
3.  Laminate as much as possible (and leave a little extra around the edges after cutting)!  You can use things year after year.  (Again, less work for you!)
4.  Glue sticks rock!  Gooey, yucky bottles are such a pain.
5.  Consistency - stick with your routine.  Your kids will begin to do things without even thinking about it.  Life is so much better this way!
6.  Become friends with the janitors, lunchroom staff, and office staff.  This group of amazing people can make or break you.  Stay on their good side!
7.  Be organized.  My friends say I'm OCD, but it works.  My students and I know where everything is and where everything goes.  The kids catch on really quick to your system (as long as you're consistent).
8.  Keep a hanging file for each day of the week.  Put copies, books, or other necessities in the correct folder so you'll be prepared for that week's activities.
9.  Join the teacher websites.  They are SO helpful!  Sites such as Scholastic Printables, ABCTeach, and Reading A-Z offer great resources for lesson plans, activities, classroom management, and clip art.  And don't forget to explore the blogs!!!  There are boocoodles of awesome ideas floating around! 
10.  Leave as much as possible at school.  Lesson plans, papers to be graded, bad moods...try your best to keep work and home separate.  Cherish your "free time" and remember to be YOU!

Possessive/Plural/Singular "s" posters

Here are some posters to help the kids keep track of "s" and the apostrophe.  Enjoy!

Posters

Historical Figures review

Over this year, we have (or will have) covered several historical figures.  The following activity is a sorting activity the kids can do to review all of the historical figures.  The figures include:

Paul Revere, Susan B. Anthony, Mary McLeod Bethune, Frederick Douglass, Thurgood Marshall, Lyndon B. Johnson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Cesar Chavez.

HF Sorting Review

Hope everyone has a great week!

Area FREEBIE!

I created a center about Area.  The kids can use rulers (inches) or square color tiles (1inch) to complete the activities. 

Area Center (reg/irregular shapes with inches or tiles)

Historical Figures

We're learning about different historical figures that have a significant role in our nation's past.  Some of our historical figures include Susan B. Anthony, Thurgood Marshall, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

Here is a graphic organizer that can be used to compile research and other important information while learning about these figures.  I'm also going to have the kids compare and contrast our figures using Venn diagrams.  I'm adding a timeline I made today.  All of these documents could be adapted to fit the specific historical figure being studied.

Graphic Organizer

Timeline