Seasonal How-To Writing

Thanksgiving Fun!

How to Make An Apple Turkey

What a fun way to introduce how-to writing!  First, we watched a BrainPOP Jr. video clip on how-to writing.  (one of my favorite sites)  I modeled how to write this type of paragraph since it was the first time we focused on how-to writing.  After I completed each step of making the apple turkey, we decided on a sentence that would describe the step. Students wrote their own paragraph and then made their own delicious apple turkey.  

We used this site for the idea:  Candy Apple Turkeys

My favorite part was the feet.  Too cute!  (Circus peanuts are one of the only sweets I can say no to.)

December

I'm looking forward to more fun how-to writing in December.  I was so excited to learn there's a new book in the how-to series by Jean Reagan.  (author of How to Babysit a Grandpa)   

                                How to Catch Santa

Amanda Madden has some great writing extension activities that I plan to use in December.    

Skip Counting to 1,000

I found the hand sticky notes at Wal-Mart.  You never know where you will find inspiration :).
Counting by 5s - Crazy Hair Activity:

                  

(Such creative, artistic students!)

For math stations.....

This idea was found on Pinterest. 

Curriculum Corner Skip Counting Activities

Counting by 5s Song

Fruit Splat - Skip Counting Game

Sound Unit

    

                        

                             

Sound Unit Resources            

We just finished this unit and had a lot of fun experimenting with vibrations.  The internet is full of great ideas... You'll see my favorites below!

Sound unit links: 
http://www.ikeepbookmarks.com/PWE_Second_Grade/Sound

Sound Freebie- Tap Those Bottles! Pitch - from TpT

Kazoos

5 Experiments Link  - for stations or whole group activities

5 Experiments include....

Palm Pipes

  
                                    Telephones

Synonyms

Synonym Garden

Idea found on Pinterest... My class added butterflies

Video and Games

Synonym Symphony A Song That Teaches Synonyms by Melissa

Squanky the Tooth Taker 

Word Toss - ABCya!

Word Frog - Arcademic Skill Builders

Butterfly and Flower Synonym Match - found on TpT

Resources for Teaching Persisting

            
              found on dreaminganddoing.com
1. Biographies
There are so many biographies that show great examples of people who exemplify this trait. 
 
Just a few....
1. Helen Keller
2. Walt Disney
3.  The Wright Brothers
4.  Dr. Seuss
5.  Albert Einstein
6.  Harriet Tubman
7.  George Washington Carver

2.  Discuss inspiring quotes.... Here's two of my favorites for second graders. 

 

found on buzzfeed.com
                 
                                                
      found on spoken.ly


3.  Fiction books with the theme of persisting:
            


Can't forget this one!

 

A list of more books with the theme of perseverance

4.  Videos
Motivational video - Perseverance

Amazing Kids of Character: Portraits of Perseverance

KIWI! | Heartfelt story about perseverance By Dony Permedi

2nd Grade Reading Strategies.... Letter C

                         


This resource includes CAFE reading strategies, Common Core Standards and mentor texts.  I tried to include books that are familiar and easy to find.  
                2nd Grade CAFE Menu Linked to Common Core


                2nd Grade CAFE Menu With Mentor Texts
                Comprehension Reading Strategies