Special Days for January 31st-February 6th

There are so many special days this week, you'll have a hard time choosing!

This week is National School Counseling Week.

 

Honestly, I didn't even know there was a set time of the year to honor our school counselors!  I'm glad to have discovered this and will be better prepared NEXT year.

We think we have tough jobs in the classroom.  Our school counselors touch EVERY student's life in our buildings!  We should take a special moment this week to express our appreciation for all their hard work.  Our counselors not only help students in time of emotional need, but high school counselors help teens plan a career path.  Their responsibilities are endless.

There is a free kit that can be ordered from the American School Counselor Association to help with a week long celebration.  Unfortunately, the "free shipping" promotion has passed.  Maybe this could be ordered for use NEXT year.

Here are several other ways to honor your school's counselor(s):

*Make a special announcement at the beginning of the week.

*Decorate the counselor's door with a "hero" theme.

*Each grade in the building order lunch for the counselor a different day each week.

*Every class take ONE rose to the counselor during their scheduled time.

*Talk to the principal about giving the counselor VIP parking for the week.

*Students can pen thank you notes and make a special delivery.

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Monday, February 1st is National Freedom Day.

 Discussing National Freedom Day is a great way to begin a unit on Black History Month.  This special day is in honor of the abolition of slavery so many years ago by President Abraham Lincoln.  Since discussions vary greatly on the learning age of every class, I've provided some informational links below.

~ Here is some information from timeanddate.com.

~Family Education has a page containing various links for all ages concerning African-American history.

~This page from The Library of Congress that contains more information and  a picture of President Harry S. Truman signing a bill proclaiming February 1st National Freedom Day

Make the day even more memorable...CeLeBrAtE with a bang...just like Independence Day!  After all, we do live in a nation of FREEDOM!

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Thursday, February 4th is Rosa Parks's Birthday.

Now, what is the BEST way to celebrate a birthday?  None other than with a birthday P...A...R...T...Y!  Of course, there would have to be lessons regarding Ms. Parks's importance in desegregation and equality.  After all, she is known as "The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement".

Begin the day by reading a book or two about Rosa Parks.  (Go to the Black History Month page at my Amazon aStore to view a list of books and resources about Rosa Parks.)  Then, follow up with a couple hands-on activities from the list below.

- Head on over to BrainPOP Jr. for some information and activities.
- Go to Education World for a printable activity, called "Rosa Parks Changed the Rules".
- Here is a coloring page from  Teacher Vision.  You must have a membership to access more than three printables.  However, there is a free trial.  This could be one of your three free printables.
- Click here for a site suitable for upper elementary and middle school students.
- Don't forget to check out Scholastic's resources.
- Finally, celebrate with a birthday party!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROSA!

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Friday, February 5th is National Meteorologist's Day.

According to this article by Jim Allsopp, National "Weatherperson's" Day is to commemorate one of America's first weather observers, John Jeffries.  My students each have an several opportunities throughout the school year to be our "Classroom Meteorologist".  I incorporate this daily job into my Math Meeting Board routine.  Not only is "meteorologist" an awesome word for elementary school children to learn, but they also LOVE recording the daily weather on graphs and charts.  My "Classroom Meteorologist" reads the outside thermometer, helps the class count to that temperature on the demonstration thermometer, colors a piece of the bar graph based on his/her observations of the weather conditions, and changes a pie graph to match the bar graph.

So, how would a classroom celebrate this rather unique day?  For starters, if you don't already have a "Classroom Meteorologist", maybe now would be a great day to begin!  Next, this day can be an introduction to a science unit on weather.  Or, you could simply watch The Weather Channel with your students and help them discover aspects of a meteorologist's job.  Whatever way you celebrate this day, your students are sure to be interested!

Friday's Finale

We've once again ended with an abbreviated week because of snowy weather.  The local meteorologists are calling for upwards of 10 inches now.  Ugh... I'm certainly glad "Groundhog Day" is coming SOON!  Let's hope for a cloudy day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania so Punxsutawney Phil DOESN'T see his shadow.  I'm definitely ready for some warmth and sunshine.  My students are feeling the same.  They FINALLY got a recess outside before the snow and thoroughly enjoyed it.

How was your week?  Anyone enjoying sunshine?  Share with us your Friday Finale!

The 100th Day of School

...the 100th Day of School, oh yes, oh yes, it is the BEST...the 100th Day of School!  (Try that little jingle to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell".)

 My students and I will be celebrating the 100th day next week during the first week of February.  I've already planned some exciting activities and the students can hardly wait!  This is always a great day to learn more about the number 100 and of course, to celebrate only 80 days of school left!  Go to carsondellosa.com to download a free 4-page booklet containing 100th day activities.

Here are several other activities I've successfully used in my classroom:

*100th day snack - Each student brings ONE snack item such as mini marshmallows, Goldfish crackers, M&Ms, Cookie Crisp cereal, Fruit Loops, raisins, etc. to share with classmates.  The students then take turns picking groups of snack items...25 pieces of 4 different items, 20 pieces of 5 different items, or 10 pieces of 10 different items.

*100th day project - Each child collects 100 of ONE particular object such as 100 beads, 100 noodles, 100 toothpicks, 100 buttons, etc.  They glue them on a piece of posterboard in the same groups mentioned above.  They can even choose a "theme" to draw for their posterboard such as 100 stars grouped in colors in space above the Earth, or 100 noodles in groups of 25 in 4 bowls of "soup", or even 100 gumballs grouped in colors inside a gumball machine.

*Write a "googol"plex...the number 1 with a googol of zeroes after it...this one is NOT easy with 2nd grade, but a blast.  They didn't realize numbers just keep going and going!

*100th day writing - "If I had 100 ____, I would ____!"  Have the students complete this on a sentence strip to share, then hang up.

*100th day necklace - Using yarn, students string 100 Fruit Loops, Cheerios, beads, pasta, etc., or a combination of the items in specified groups.

*100th day exercise - Students work out the wiggles with 100 jumping jacks, 100 skips, 100 ups and downs, 100 claps, 100 snaps, etc.  If the weather permits, take this wiggle time OUTSIDE!  Or, do a combination throughout the day to equal 100.

*100th day books: (Click here for my 100th day Amazon aStore)
- One Hundred Hungry Ants
- G is for Googol
- Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day
- 100th Day Worries
- Ready, Freddy! The One Hundredth Day of School
- Fancy Nancy: The 100th Day of School
- Jake's 100th Day of School
- 100 School Days

*100th day Grammar - Depending on which part of speech you are studying...you can have students locate 100 nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc. and make an individual list or a class poster.  This activity will take the entire week of the 100th day.  Take a few moments after reading a particular text or book and have students search for the nouns, verbs, or adjectives.

*100th day Measurement - Most schools have tile floors.  They are usually 1'x1' tiles.  Students can count 100 tiles down a long hallway and discover the length of 100 feet!


There's a GOOGOL of other sites with 100th day activities, including printables.  How do you celebrate the 100th day with your students?  Please share in the comments below!!

More Snow Day Fun - Snow Cream...Yum!

 SNOW CREAM

So we are out for snow...well, guess it's time for some more snow day fun.  My girls have already asked to make more "Tortilla Snowflakes" from the last snow day.  Since we are supposed to get upwards of 4 inches of snow, I've got a hankerin' for some good old fashioned Snow Cream!  I've located several online recipes.  So, if you are in a snow-covered area, check them out and give it a whirl.  If you don't have snow near you...just pack a small bag, hop in the car, and drive until you find some!  Don't forget to bring along your Snow Cream ingredients.  Please come back and share your Snow Cream yummies or a recipe of your own!

*Click here for Allrecipes.com Snow Ice Cream II recipe.

*Click here for Cooks.com Snow Ice Cream recipe.

*Click here for another Cooks.com Snow Ice Cream recipe.

*Click here for a Cooks.com Snow Ice Cream recipe that includes raw eggs for a little protein.

*This Snow Cream from foodnetwork.com  really sounds tasty with sweetened condensed milk!

Thursday's Thought

Thought for today...NEVER get an inexperienced substitute for your classroom no matter how desperate...

I'm not sure I even need to elaborate, but my recent experience with a substitute was no less than disastrous.  It's amazing how seven and eight year old children just know how to show their worst side when a fresh substitute takes over for a day.  As a result of the "junglized" behavior, I placed my unruly monkeys under classroom arrest today in hopes of making an impression upon the importance of "BEEing Responsible", one of our school rules.  I later overheard one of my rather wild monkeys say, "Yeah, classroom arrest is no fun, either!"

Please post any thoughts you have for today in the comment section below.

Wednesday's Website

"An empowering place

where teachers buy & sell original and used teaching materials

and make teaching an even more rewarding experience."

 

If you haven't checked out this site, you've got to click here and go now!  Sign up is free and you can begin to buy materials you find useful and/or sell your own original created works.  There is even a martketplace full of used items that others are trying to sell.  Maybe you create many of your own worksheets, projects, and/or templates.  You can now offer those for sale to others.  Go now and learn more.  This could be a steady part-time income for all you creators out there!

Tuesday's Tip

Pencil Cups

How many times have you heard a student screech, "That's MY pencil!"?  Or, how many times has a student come to class WITHOUT a pencil?  Or, how many times have pencil leads broke during a test and the entire class MUST listen to the grinding of a pencil sharpener?

After several years of these problems and other similar ones, I came up with the "Pencil Cup" system and it has eliminated SOOOOO many pencil problems!  I also eliminated the need to purchase a new pencil sharpener once or twice each year!

Since I teach elementary students, I DO NOT allow mechanical pencils of any sort.  They are just a play thing to be taken apart! Next, I make the school supply list specifically state...20 - PLAIN #2 pencils, so the students have no surprises about "special" pencils.  One the first day of school (when the little fellows look like bag ladies), I take up ALL the pencils.  Later I sharpen enough pencils for each child to have at least two each.  I also keep pencil top erasers in a little container next to the pencil cups. 

On day two, the students begin learning their new morning routine...which includes getting a pencil from the "pretty, painted" cup.  I chose these two words because they begin with the letter "p" just like the word "pointy".  The sharpened "pointy" pencils are in this cup.  Yes, the cup is painted!

 

One of the best parts - if a pencil breaks anytime during the day...the student simply puts the broken pencil in the "ugly, un-sharpened" cup and get a new one.  No fuss, no noise, no hands waving in the air and the ring of "My pencil broke!"

One unfortunate drawback, YOU have to sharpen the pencils EVERYDAY!  Ugh!

Now, how do you make a pencil cup.  I used an over-sized tin can and hot-glued popsicle sticks to the outside of the can.  Then, I painted one cup and left the other alone.  I will try to post a picture of my pencil cups soon.  This system has been a lifesaver is my classroom!

Monday's Moment

Today's moment came around lunch time!  We've once again been delivered an Arctic blast and our temperatures are hovering at a rather frigid 30 degrees.  During our recess time, we noticed that our local TV station was reporting some surrounding counties closing school at NOON!  So, we decided to take a peek for ourselves.  Of course, being a "hands-on" teacher, I couldn't just stand at the window and look at it!  I had to feel it!  I noticed a pile of the cold, white stuff in the corner of my outside doorway.  So, needless to say, I stuck my head out the door to get some of that stuff...and the snow blew in like a blizzard!  I was covered!

Special Days for January 25-29

Tuesday, January 26th is Australia Day!

What could be more fun that going to the outback?  You could make this special day into a Geography mini-lesson!  Here are a few suggestions for making this a special day in your classroom!


*Have the students label a map of Australia.
*Compare the time on your local clock to a clock in Australia.
*Research an animal that lives in Australia.
*Draw Australia's flag.
*Go to this website here for loads of printable elementary activities.

Friday, January 29th is National Puzzle Day!

I can't think of a better way to end a week!  Have a puzzle afternoon!  The students can bring their favorite puzzles to share.  Get out your puzzle stash that's been lurking in the depths of your closet!  Assembling puzzles is great brain exercise.  Group time helps students grow accustomed to sharing, using polite words and responsibility.  Plus, you will get an afternoon break.  Woohooo!

Friday's Finale

It's Friday!  As much as I love to teach, I'm always glad to see the weekend.  This week has been rough...getting back into our normal classroom routine after an extended snow break.

We've studied about the six animal groups this week, and I'm anxious to see my students' animal projects on Monday!  We've experienced geometry by making pyramids from straws and twist-ties, learned "cowboy" vocabulary, and practiced cause and effect relationships.  As my second graders become more independent, I can't help but marvel at their progress in the last 93 instructional days!  They are independent and full of confidence.  It's yet another finale to a busy week of fun-filled learning.

Thursday's Thought

I'm reminded today of WHY I love to teach...my students are currently working on Geometry in our math series.  Well, some of the lessons have been rather "abstract".  However, our lesson on pyramids today was very hands-on...Yay, my style of teaching!  As we were using our 8 straws and 12 twist ties each to construct a pyramid, I heard numerous comments that made me smile and caused me to really think.  The following words from several students make all my efforts worthwhile:

1. "Wow!  This is fun!"

2. "Thank you for letting us do this today."

3. "Oh man!  This is so cool!"

4. "Can we do this again tomorrow?"

5. "Can we try to make the other ones listed in the book?"

6. "I'm going to make another one at home. Yeah, me too!"

7. "I really like doing this."

8. "Can we take these home?  I don't want to leave mine here!"

Excitement...is WHY I became a teacher.  As a child, I HaTeD school...in any shape, form, or fashion.  But, for some odd reason, I wanted to become a teacher!  Now, I love it...despite the disadvantages we all experience...  Days like today make me know I'm in the right place!

Do you have a thought you'd like to share with us?  Please ShArE!!

Wednesday's Website

Standards Based Lesson Plans...

Online with  Standards Toolbox

I happened upon this website last summer while searching for a new lesson plan template.  Well, what I discovered was better than just a new template!  All of my plans, homework assignments, materials lists, differentiated learning plans, and BEST of all correlating standards for each subject are ONLINE.  No need for a hard copy.  These can even be emailed, shared, or printed, if necessary.  I have not taken advantage of ALL the aspects of the site.  But, one of my favorites is the fact that you can "copy" your current lessons over to the next week using the "X-Planner".  This enables you to keep your daily schedule and routine week after week...with NO RETYPING!  Any attached standards also carry over.  My school requires us to write the standard numbers beside each plan...with Standards Toolbox, I just have to click open the"apply standards" box and check the correlating standards.

Some other useful tabs include: Tests, Grades, Website (Classroom), and Network.  These are the options I have not needed.  I used to be a "hard copy" teacher, so I could mark through the lessons and/or make notes.  But, I've weened myself from that habit...(I call it a habit because I could barely go to the grocery store without my lesson plan book).

Check it out.  As with anything new, you will have to spend some time "figuring it out".  If you use Standards Toolbox or give it a whirl...please, fill share in the comments your experiences.

Click here to discover this unique online lesson planner.

Tuesday's Tip

Magic Trash...aka Golden Garbage

Do you ever need a quick way to clean up your classroom floor...or even your living room floor?  Play "Magic Trash"!  I have two students assigned the "Floor Crew" job each week,  but it never fails...I am teaching to the last possible moment and this job gets thrown to the wayside way too often.  So, rather than expecting two students to clean the entire classroom floor full of the daily magazine cuttings, paper wads, pencils, erasers, crayons, and the like...have all students to "pitch in"!

As the teacher, you locate a "special" piece of trash...and as the students throw their findings away, watch for the "special" piece.  When you see it, shout "Magic Trash"!  Give the winner a small token of your appreciation.

You may also "pick" your trash while students are throwing their handfuls away.  I do this if I know a student is having a bad day.  This usually brightens the icky day!

Monday's Moment

Since school was not in session today for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, I have a distinct feeling that this week's Monday moment will come on Tuesday.  Today rolled along smoothly while I was at home with my four little darlings.  The girls spent most of the day playing outside with the neighbors...yeah, it was 53 degrees!  Little man and I also played outside, planted some daffodil bulbs, finally put away the last of the Christmas decorations, and cleaned out the van.  Busy day!  Maybe this week won't have a Monday Moment????

Special Days for January 17-23

Monday, January 18th is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Our school system is closed for this holiday.  I like to introduce Martin Luther King to my students and discuss why we have a holiday.  This prepares the students for more in depth lessons during February, which is Black History Month.  Please comment below on any of your interesting activities.

Friday, January 22nd is National Popcorn Day

Yum...popcorn!  Popcorn is so easy to enjoy in the classroom with your students.  And, most of them LoVe it!  There are SO many ways to teach about popcorn across the curriculum.  I've posted several resources below.

1. So, why does that little kernel explode into a fluffy white puff-ball?  Click here for a podcast about the "magic" of popcorn from "A Moment of Science".

 2. Education World  has an abundance of popcorn themed activities.  Click here to check them out!


3. Help develop fine motor skills by making popcorn necklaces.  Students use a needle (cross-stitch needles are dull) and thread to make edible necklaces.  My own children, ages 5 and 6,  LoVe to do this, but make garland for the Christmas tree rather than necklaces.

4. Pop popcorn using a hot air popper.  You'd be VERY surprised at the number of children who only know popcorn from a microwaved bag!  My students are ALWAYS intrigued with the air popper.  One year, I even had a parent buy one after our popcorn lessons.

5. Graph it - How do you like your popcorn?  Choices could be plain, buttery, salty, and cheesy.

 
6. Estimate it - If your students are having trouble with estimation, this is for you!  First, read the books Great Estimations and Greater Estimations by: Bruce Goldstone.  Then, have students estimate the following: How many kernels in a teaspoon?, How many in a tablespoon?, How many kernels will pop from a certain amount (maybe 100)?

7.  Here is a page that contains many more links to popcorn fun!  However, I haven't tested all the links to see if they are still available.

Popcorn is too much fun.  The possibilities are endless!

Saturday, January 23rd is National Handwriting Day

 

Let's face it...with so many standards to teach, tests to give, data to maintain, programs to follow, full schedules, and VERY limited classroom time...handwriting is an important subject that gets pushed to the back burner.  I recall my elementary days when my teachers stressed handwriting, both print and cursive.  They spent TIME with us, making sure we learned to form our letters correctly and create neat work.  Now, it seems the TIME just isn't there.

In recent years, I've noticed a steady decline in penmanship despite the new and improved modern handwriting.  So, what can we do to teach and motivate good handwriting.  Below are several things to try.

*On your wall alphabet, make a BIG BLACK dot at the beginning point of each letter.  (I'll try to post of picture.)

*Introduce only TWO letters each week (maybe Monday and Wednesday).  Be sure to show students the correct and incorrect ways to form the letters.  I like to "make light" of the incorrect ways since so many of my students do this.  Stress the fact that they are not allowed to make the letters incorrectly anymore!

*Letter poems - These poems make handwriting practice more fun because they are silly.  You can create your own, or stay tuned...I'll start posting the ones I use...2 a week!  I always have my students illustrate for practice with creating mental images.

*Have a weekly handwriting contest and pick the top 3..."Best of Show", "Neatest", and "Most Improved".  Of course, give small tokens for the winners.  I like to give a "homework pass" for the Best of Show and a special pencil for the other two winners.

Just remember, it's VERY difficult to RE-learn a skill that had been learned incorrectly.  Patience, practice, and praise!  Do you have an activity to make handwriting fun for your students?

Friday's Finale

Despite being a short work week for our area, I worked my students all day yesterday and today...and I have a pile of papers to wade through this weekend.  Luckily, it's a three day weekend.  And, despite the devastation that so many people have encountered in recent days, this week ended with a burst of warm weather and beautiful sunshine!  Mmmmmm, sunshine.  It's an awesome pick-me-up.

This week ends with gratefulness for the abundance of blessings in my life.  I am on a mission to find a way for my students, their families, and my family to help those hurting and needing in Haiti.  Please, stay tuned for a post concerning this special project I feel will instill more than just book smarts in my students and children.  No matter how young, these little people can help!

Do you have an idea you would like to share?

Thursday's Thought

As we returned to school today following five consecutive "snow" days...my thoughts turn to my students' lives away from the classroom.  We departed last Wednesday with hopes of a little snow for playing and keeping us at home for a day or two.  We got way more than we bargained for...then, I wonder what did my students do at home for the last week???

Only three out of twenty came in with homework complete...hmmm.  Guess they thought we were on winter break again...  During our "morning message", several students shared interesting moments about snowball fights, basketball games, and mishaps with a BB gun and a four-wheeler.  Sounds like they are busy little bees.  But, I wonder...are they really happy and secure?

 

I like to THINK they know love and security in their emotional hearts.  Then, I'm saddened remembering the little ones whose parents can't read them a book before bedtime, and the ones who've witnessed sick loved ones passing on, and the ones who probably didn't have a healthy meal during those snow days...  This is all they know despite our efforts...school is just a different setting.  Family time...nothing substitutes for spending time living life with family.  Just being together...not going and doing constantly, but spending precious moments together.

I'm thankful for those parents and caregivers that love their children and family unconditionally and teach them everything good they know.  For these are the children who will be taking care of us and our blessed country one day.

 

Parents are a child's FIRST and MOST IMPORTANT teacher.

Please, share a thought.

A Fun Poll...

Which way do you roll? Click here.

You can be a winner!  Enter the "Team Over" or "Team Under" poll and have a chance to win.  Just leave a comment to this post and you will be entered to win 1 of 10 Cottonelle gift baskets randomly chosen on January 29, 2010.

Now, we all know that teachers and students use A LOT of toilet paper...even if it's just to stroll all over the bathrooms or roll a yard!  So...when the roll is new, which way do you like it to roll... OVER or UNDER?  Hey, discuss voting with your students and do this at school!  Make ribbons for the winning TEAM to wear after votes have been tallied!

I've made my choice and am now entered in a contest for a month's worth of Cottonelle toilet paper from the Mom Bloggers Club.  Let me say...this would be AWESOME for a family of six!

I'm now a member of TEAM OVER!  

Wednesday's Website

Starfall.com is an EXCELLENT website to get the youngest children reading!  My five year old has been "playing" on this website since she was three!  After just turning five in November...she is already reading Dr. Seuss books with a 1st grade Accelerated Reader (AR) level!  She LoVeS this site!  The little man of the house, age 2, now sits with her and "helps" her with the reading games.  Hopefully, he will obtain some reading skills, too!

The games and activities are leveled - 1. ABCs, 2. Learn to Read, 3. It's Fun to Read, and 4. I'm Reading!  This site is geared more for younger children, preschool to grade 2.

Check it out and leave a comment to let me know your experiences.

Update on "Snow Themed Food Fun"

Well...we had fun with our snow day(s) menu!  Plus, we added the Snowflake Crystal science activity!  Here are some of the results...

Snowflake Crystals from Borax laundry detergent

Banana Snowman!

Mashed Potato Snowmen

Tortilla Snowflakes

I guess you can say this was a fun mess!  The girls enjoyed the tortilla snowflakes the most!  I enjoyed the snowflake crystals best.  And, our little man...well, he enjoyed it all!

Tuesday's Tip

Hula Centers

If you enjoy having small centers out for your students, here is a way to keep them corralled!  Just use a large sized hula hoop for all the center manipulatives.  Tell the students that all the materials must be kept INSIDE the hula hoop or placed back inside when finished.  My two year old responds very well to this.  He enjoys playing with dried beans and kitchen utensils.  This has kept him from kicking the beans everywhere when he finishes.

Monday's Moment

Well...even though we are still off for snow, I managed another Monday moment!  Luckily, I have recovered from last week's moment and the window in the van is fixed.  And...believe it or not, this moment involves my van, too!  Ugh.  While doing my usual errands, I made a quick pit stop to see my mother and pick up a package.  Well, I managed to lock my keys in the van with the van running...good grief!  My "quick" pit stop turned into a 30 minute ordeal as I waited for my hero husband to come to my rescue.  Thank goodness I wasn't on my way to school!

Did you have a Monday moment that you would like to share?  Please share!

Special Days for January 10th-16th

Thursday is National Clean Off Your Desk Day!

The "busy"ness we all juggle while school is in full swing tends to leave our desks in heaps.  Even my students' desks tend to be in shambles.  I've been unable to discover a quick, effective fix for my desk.  I usually spend an afternoon cleaning before each of our 9-week breaks.

However, I have tweaked a system and an incentive for my students to KEEP their desks tidy!

1. ALL papers have a home...turned in, mailboxes to take home, OR file 13 - recycled!
2. Journals are kept in student mailboxes until needed.
3. Books from our classroom library are kept in "Book Pockets" on the back of student chairs.
4. The Desk Fairy appears during the evening occasionally and leaves a special A+ cone with a treat on the three tidiest desks!  The students LoVe this part!
   

Do you have a trick or organizational system to help yourself or your students maintain a tidy desk?  If so, please share a comment below!

Friday is Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday and Hat Day!

Since Martin Luther King Day is Monday, you can finish your week with a short study of his life.  Black History month is February, so you could easily introduce him now and elaborate later.  Simply share a read aloud to your students, such as "Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King" and discuss his importance in desegregation.  Click the title above to view the book at Amazon.com.

Hat Day!  What fun!  Have your students wear their favorite hat to school and share why it's their favorite.  Then have them describe their favorite hat using as many adjectives possible.  They can draw their hat and write the adjectives around it.

Friday's Finale

When we returned on Tuesday, I overheard several of my students talking about the hopes of snow.  However, one student's voice bounded over the others', "are you kidding, I'm glad to be back at school!"  I couldn't help but grin.

This week of teaching was rather...ummm...relaxed.  I barely got started with new lessons when the snow fell! A nice finale to a cold, wintry week!

Snowflake Science

So, it's the time of the year for snow...now what?  Get ready for some snowflake science!  I'm not one that enjoys the frigid temperatures, but snowflakes are just plain interesting!  I share a book with my students EVERY year about a man named Wilson Bentley.  This book is about his lifelong love and photography of snowflakes. Click on his name below to view or purchase his book and others about his photography.

Snowflake Bentley

Below are activity ideas for some snowflake science fun:

• Download a flipchart for your ActivBoard.  There are several other resources available at Promethean Planet.
• Examine Wilson Bentley's snowflake photographs up close and personal.
• View a very short snowflake science video.
• Grow a snowflake from Borax.  I've tried this once...but, it was a LONG time ago.  Think I'll try this one again (at home first)!
• Cut out some snowflakes and decorate your windows...especially if you live in an area where you DON'T get snow!  Check out these snowflake patterns for kids.
  
• You can even try snowflake catching!  Give each child a black piece of construction paper and a magnifying glass.  Bundle up and venture outdoors before school is canceled!  As the students catch the snowflakes, they can also examine them up close.  Extend the lesson by having them write and draw about the types of snowflakes they caught.  My students LoVe this activity!  Click here for a link to the different types of snowflakes.  This link also has MANY other activities for snowflake science.

Share your snowflake science ideas!!!

Thursday's Thought

We've had our FIRST snow day of the school year and will enjoy another tomorrow.  The snow fell late this morning and quickly covered the roads, making them a solid sheet of ice by the afternoon.  As I prepare to enjoy my long weekend...right after a long winter break, another wintry moment comes to mind and makes me appreciate our director's decision to close schools BEFORE the snow fell.

The morning went as most cold, wintry mornings...bundling up, hustling and bustling to arrive on time.  On my 20 minute commute across town, the dark snow clouds gave way to a fury of snow that seemed to glisten!  Yes!  We'd get to go back home.

My students had situated themselves and had been writing and sharing about the impending "snow day" for roughly thirty minutes, when the announcement was made!  We would be dismissing NOW...not in a few minutes, but NOW!  Although I've never seen a blizzard, I'd say this was fairly close.  We had no less than three inches of snow pile up in 45 minutes.  For our area...that's debilitating!

Of course, teachers must stay until their last child is safely on the road home...so, by the time I headed toward home the grass and roads were blanketed in the fluffy, white stuff!  My 20 minute commute turned into an hour long battle.  I'm thankful to still be sitting in my pjs this evening!

Please - share your thoughts for Thursday!

Wednesday's Website

This is a great website for creating your own personalized lists.  I've used it for spelling, vocabulary, sight words, and high frequency words that relate to a particular story or theme.  My students LoVe the practice games.  Just today, I enjoyed working with two students on the game "Hang Mouse".  If you already use this site, tell me about it!  If you are new to the site, give it a try and let me know about your experience!

Tuesday's Tip

The Thematic/Monthly Box

After a couple years of teaching, I really needed a way to organize all the resources fellow teachers had provided to help me get started.  It seemed to take hours just to plan for a single day's lessons because I would scour through books and files looking for special activities.  So, I purchased several plastic tubs with lids. As I planned and taught a particular theme, I gathered handouts, books, activities, manipulatives, etc. and threw it all in the labeled tubs.  I have one for each month of the school year.  Other labels include - frogs and amphibians, reptiles, weather, oceans, All About Me, space, Native Americans, plants, and penguins.  This has simplified by planning, organized my closet, and proven a tremendous timesaver!

Monday's Moment

Well, we headed back to school today for inservice sessions.  The temperatures were around 20 degrees and the snow was steadily falling.  Boy, did I want to just curl up on the couch with my kids all day.  We could have spent the day coloring, reading, and napping!  Instead, I headed out the door...reluctantly.

My first couple of sessions seemed to fly by...thank goodness, since my stomach was telling me it was lunchtime.  To my surprise, when I stepped out the door, it looked like a winter wonderland.  My plans of going home to have lunch with my children were exchanged for a trip to the grocery...since I hadn't been in nearly two weeks.  I couldn't bare the thought of being "snowed in" with an empty fridge.

After my 45 minute fly through to get the essentials, I walked out and realized that someone had turned off the snow buckets and employed the sun...there was NOT one drop of snow left!  So, I stopped to get some lunch to scarf down on the way back to my afternoon inservice sessions.  The Monday Moment came as I attempted to roll my power window BACK UP.  Well, it wouldn't budge...ugh!  Okay...so, I'm going to be late AND I have to ride through town with my window down...and it's 20 degrees???

The groceries rested nicely in a cold car while I finished my sessions...and to no avail, the window remained down on the way home.  My fix-it husband discovered the power window motor was shot.  Not an easy fix, but at least not expensive.  For the mean time, I must drive around town with duct tape holding my window up...hmmmmm.  I hope this isn't an example of all Mondays in 2010.

Special Days for January 3-9

There are two special days that may be of interest to you this week!

Tuesday, January 5th is National Bird Day

Birds are an important part of our lives.  They help to fertilize plants, consume weed seeds, control harmful insects and rodents, and spread seeds to other places.  You can make it a bird themed day or just a short science lesson to celebrate birds.  I've listed a few links below.

• Printables

• Riddles
  

• Click here to get information about The Great Backyard Bird Count that takes place in February.  Lots of activities, too!
  

Saturday, January 9th is National Static Electricity Day

Wouldn't it be FuN to end the school week with a lesson on static electricity?  I remember my mom  and dad teaching me all about it!  We rubbed balloons against our hair and clothing, then watched them "stick" to the wall.  We scooted across the carpeted floor with sock feet "shocking" each other and anticipating the sNaP, cRaCkLe, pOp!  I remember hating the cold weather because I'd have to wear sweaters that caused my stringy blond locks to "fly-a-way".  Now, I joy in watching my youngsters' hair stand on end as they zoom down a slide!

So enjoy a static electricity mini-lesson with your students.  Below are several links for you to view.

•  Click here for a link to a 4th grade lesson, but could also be simplified for younger students.
  

• This link leads you to a lesson designed for 3rd and 4th grade, but for younger students could be demonstrated by the teacher.
  

• Surprise your students and go to school dressed like the word "static" by attaching dryer sheets, socks, and other stray items you might find in your dryer.  Or, better yet...have your students come dressed like "static"!  (Got that one from an inservice today.  Thanks Mrs. Anderson!)
  

• Click here for a link to a PBS Zoom activity.

Channeling the Excitement of a New Year

ImageChef.com Poetry Blender

Hopefully, all is well and you are ready to rejoin with your students and colleagues after a well-deserved break!  I've thoroughly enjoyed the last couple of weeks.  With pajama days, family get-togethers, food, parties, gifts, late-night movies, and the like, my children and I feel a bit spoiled.  But, sooner than we can blink, we'll be back to the hectic life juggling school, homework, ballgames, church, and family time.  We are blessed to have these special times and make the most of all our time together.

I've been grinding at record speed to complete lesson plans and finish up those last minute grades.  I can safely say I'm about 75% ready for my little sponges next week.  I can just image the exciting conversations and bubbling energy, which is what lead to this post.  So...

Just how do YOU manage the first day after winter break?

I've learned that most younger elementary students have never heard the word "resolution".  And, because I'm a stickler to increasing vOcAbuLaRy...my first activity on day one of the New Year revolves around this word!  My students and I create a colorful class chart during the activities listed below.

• First, we examine the word "r e s o l u t i o n"... syllables, prefix, suffix, base word.

• Next, it's definition time.  This is a great time to practice dictionary skills!

• After we have the gist, we discuss examples of resolutions for our parents, grandparents, friends, etc.

• Then, each child gets a few moments to reflect upon the previous year.  They each write and draw about something they said or did that was not their best.  They are allowed to share their mistake with the class.
• Then, each child gets a few moments to write and draw about a resolution for the New Year that will help them be their best.  They are again allowed to share.
• Finally, the finished products are either displayed on a bulletin board or placed in a portfolio for future reference.
  

This activity usually takes around 45+ minutes for 2nd graders, depending upon how many students share their work.  Following this activity, we can usually hit the ground running with little to no interruptions.

Please share your best "First Day Back" Activities!!