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

Students' Favorite Things

                                                                 
                                       
A few favorites.....

1.  I like to start the year out with Second Grade Rules, Amber Brown.  Students 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 Farm Link

                         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

               

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.

Originally from this blog:  http://bonniethrasher.blogspot.jp/2012_07_01_archive.html

 

Click here for another fun character traits activity.

 

Character traits posters and graphic organizers - link

from A Year of Many Firsts

 









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

                                                 

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