Sunday, July 28, 2013

Teacher's Favorite Find

After posting Students' Favorite Things, I have to add one of my favorite things that I think is definitely worth sharing.

Writing Resource:  Getting to the Core of Writing

Here's the best writing resource I've found in a long time.  It is aligned to the Common Core and includes a pacing guide.  Great mini-lessons for August-April.  There is a book for grades K-6.
Book link

Friday, July 26, 2013

Students' Favorite Things

                                                                 
                                       
A few favorites.....

1.  I like to start the year out with Second Grade Rules, Amber BrownStudents are introduced to Deskarina and learn that she will fly to our classroom and visit once a month.  It really does help promote clean desks!  Sometimes students choose to write Deskarina while they are at the Work on Writing center.
 

2.  Hopefully a new favorite -  The first chapter book read aloud will be How to Eat Fried Worms.  My goal is to make a worm farm for the students to observe.  Temporary pets!


                         Worm science experiment:
(See my science experiment post to see a photo of this experiment.)


3.  The next several read alouds:
 
 
Last year my students enjoyed all five Gooney Bird books!

4.  Quiet work music....
Great to use during Writer's Workshop.  Students often request it if I forget to turn it on.  I love music in the classroom!

5.  Martian fingers... for Read to Self
link

Find many more ideas here:  Mrs. Bainbridge - blog link
               

Friday, July 19, 2013

Paper Bag Book Project

Here's one way to teach story structure, character traits and the writing process.  This paper bag book was made by stapling three lunch bags together. 

1.  Title and author


Paper Bag Book Example

2.  First main character and character traits



3.  Second main character and character traits


4.  Setting and beginning - insert cardstock page for beginning of story

 
the first cardstock insert  (beginning)
 
5.   Problem and middle of story - insert second cardstock page
 
 
6.  Solution and end of story - insert third cardstock page
 
 
 
 
In case you need some character traits mini-lessons before doing this project....
 

I found this great character traits anchor chart on Pinterest.
 
Click here for another fun character traits activity.
 
Character traits posters and graphic organizers - link
from A Year of Many Firsts
 





Thursday, July 4, 2013

Guided Reading and Read to Someone Center

EEKK Poster - from One Extra Degree
                                               

For Read to Someone Center:  Check for Understanding Discussion Cards - from The Teacher Trap!




Check for Understanding - from Dots-n-Spots blog 

                  

                                                           

Brain Feelers - Guided reading group questions 

                                    


Bloom's Taxonomy Question Cards for Guided Reading - by Traci Clausen - Dragonflies in First blog

                                                 

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Rewards


There are some great free rewards online!  Good alternatives to the treasure box.... or these rewards can help you buy less for the treasure box.
 
Necklaces:  necklace link 1      necklace link 2
 
 
 
Bracelets: bracelet link
 
Coupons: coupons link 1        coupons link 2
 
 
 
Some of the necklace cards will fit in a lanyard pocket.  (Walmart has these.)  Others could be used on a chain necklace.  I have bought some in the past from Oriental Trading. 

 
Bead Chain Necklaces