Tacky the Penguin Sequencing Activity

Since coming back from Christmas break, my class has been learning about penguins and other arctic animals.  We just finished up this unit, but before it came to a close I thought I would complete my 2nd lesson for my yearly principal evaluation.  I decided to tie in what we have been learning about in our reading program (sequencing) to what we have been learning about in class (penguins), and thus Lesson 2 (Literacy) was created.
When learning about penguins we read both fiction and nonfiction books and so of course I had to throw Tacky the Penguin somewhere into the mix!  I saw this anchor chart from Life in First Grade and decided to change it to the story we read, which of course was Tacky the Penguin.

I premade the anchor chart with everything you see above, except for the blue writing of first, next, then and last.  That part we did as a class after discussing elements of the story.  I gave each student 4 index cards and we began to break apart the story.  We talked about what happened first in the story and came up with the important thing being that Tacky was an odd bird.  The students wrote that on index card #1.  Next we discussed what happened next or secondly in the story and wrote that on index card #2 and so on until all 4 index cards were filled up.  The students then went back to their seats and were each given a 12 x 18 sheet of construction paper and told to fold it in half "hotdog" way.  They wrote the title of the book on the front along with their name.

 When the students opened their paper, they were to glue their 4 index cards down on the left side in order or events.  Then they were given 4 more index cards to draw a picture to match up with the event described in the story.  The kids had fun with this activity and I thought it was a fun twist on learning more on sequencing.

Fun with Geometry

What a CrAzY week month it has been so far!  (Notice the lack of posts!)  This week along with the 100th day of school, I had my yearly principal evaluation.  My principal said he wanted to sit in on 2 - 30 minute lessons, one for math and one for literacy.  I always try to throw some kind of integrated activity into the mix, whether it be math with art, writing with art, writing with math, etc.  You get the idea.  Anyway, I thought I would share with you what it was I chose to do.
Lesson 1 (Math)
In the chapter of math, which we just finished, we have been learning about 2-D and 3-D shapes so I wanted to do a lesson that would reinforce what we have been learning about.  To start out, I read the story The Greedy Triangle. 

In case you are unfamiliar with this story, it's about a triangle who becomes dissatisfied with his shape and asks to be transformed into another shape.  He goes from being a triangle to a quadrilateral, from quadrilateral to pentagon, from pentagon to hexagon and so on until he becomes a decagon (10 sided figure).  Eventually he realizes that he was most happy being himself, the triangle.  Because I knew that some of the words would be unfamiliar to my students, I made this anchor chart to look at before reading the story. 

We discussed how a quadrilateral is any 2-D shape with 4 sides and drew a few as examples.
After reading the story I told the kids that I was going to give them about 10 minutes to create a snowflake using only the 5 die cut shapes provided.  They could use a triangle, hexagon, square, rhombus (a fancy word for diamond), and a trapezoid to complete their snowflakes.  (I found the idea on A Place Called Kindergarten).  I told them they had to be as unique about aking their snowflakes as real snowflakes are and that they needed to fill up the whole 8 x 8 blue construction paper square.  The kids did a great job at not only creating their snowflakes, but also being UNIQUE! 

Once they completed their snowflakes, I gave each student a chart where they filled out how many of each shape they used.  We then graphed the shapes used by the class to determine which shape was used the most and which one was used the least.  The kids had fun with this activity and it was a good variation from using only the math book all the time!!
Here are a few more shapes ideas which could be used for a math lesson:

3-D shape poem from Lil' Country Kindergarten

Why not teach your studnets about 3-D shapes but taking a snack break! 

Idea from Busy Bees

Mrs. Plant's Press also had some super ideas for teaching her kindergarteners about 3-D shapes!  She also suggested using food to teach, but I love her anchor chart!

Make a shape collage like the one found at Miss Renee's Kindergarten Pad.

FREE shape poems from TpT!  Thanks Skipper's Jungle!

A shape flip book foldable by Kindergarten Crayons.

100th Day of School

If you are an elementary teacher, primarily grades K-2, you know just how important the 100th day of school is!  In my classroom we keep track on a 100's chart how many days we have been in school, including adding a popsicle stick to the ones pocket and then bundling at each 10.  Trust me, my kids KNOW when the 100th day of school is!!  That crazy day just happened to fall yesterday and can I just say how sad I am.  The reason you ask?  I thought I was totally prepared with my camera for some good pictures for our class end of the year video, but in truth my camera's memory stick was not in my camera and would not work for me. :(  Here are 2 pictures that I snapped today of projects that were left in the classroom...
One project was to make a classbook of what the kids would buy if they had $100.  Some of the answers included a horse, a limousine, a truck, and a fancy place to live, but this student must be thinking more of the future!

 We made these hats (which now I can't remember where they were found.  Let me know if you know.)

 The headband was a strip of 2 x 18 construction paper.  Before stapling the hat together, the kids had to write to 100 using tally marks.  Surprisingly, they thought it was really fun math!

If you are in need of a hat design, here is a link to a 100th day of school crown from The Virtual Vine.

Ok so this is where you use your imagination to visualize the other activities.  For a snack, I surprised the kids when they came back in from recess with a "100" on their desks made from a wafer cookie and 2 donut holes. 

We also played this math game from Making Learning Fun.  I shrunk the 2 pages down so they fit side by side on one paper and had the kids play the game in partners.  (Click the link above for directions on how to play.)

The kids were each asked to bring in 100 items that fit inside of a paper lunch sack I provided.  On the front of the bag I had stapled a paper explaining what were doing, but basically the kids were to write 3 clues of what was in the sack so we could guess.  Once everyone had a turn, we shared all the items so the kids could take home a piece of everyone's collection.  I think this was my students' favorite activity!  Yesterday was such a fun day, and one that my students had been looking forward to for...well...100 days!

If the 100th day of school is equally important to you or your students, here are a few ideas I have come across:
* Make a classbook using one of the following ideas: 
I would like to have 100 _________ , but I would not like to have 100 __________ .
If I had $100, I would buy ___________ .
In 100 days of school, I have learned how to __________ .
* Have the students fill out a blank 100's chart...good assessment tool too!
* Do 100 math problems.
* Have the students make posters using 100 items.  Here are a few I came across...

100 sugar cubes makes an igloo.

100 gumballs

OR you could use this FREE gumball printable from Plum Adorable.



100 Flowers (Idea from Circle of Quiet)

Here's an easy one you could put together at the last minute...10 hand prints!

Looking for a super cute bulletin art project?  This one was put together by Mrs. Williamson in Room 36.

Still need more ideas?  Check out my 100th Day of School board on Pinterest.  Hope you have a happy and hectic 100th day of school too!

January Bulletin Board

Even though January is half way through, you can still use this idea for a few more weeks, or store it away for next year.  One thing about me, is that I love scrapbooking, being crafty and doing art (with my students), but changing out the bulletin board may be one of my LEAST  favorite parts of teaching.  I love looking at what others do in class and display on their bulletin boards, but with everything else there is to do as a teacher, I feel it falls to the back burner sometimes.  So, with that in mind, I like to keep the ideas simple and preferably last for a month or longer.  In fact, if you look at the background for my bulletin boards, you may even notice to same butcher paper ALL YEAR LONG! lol  At least I am saving paper right!?!

I actually saw this art idea on where else, but Pinterest!  (The idea came from Oopsey Daisy.)  When I saw it, I knew I wanted to try it! 

First we read the book Snowmen At Night by Mark Buehner (great book by the way!)  I had a parent volunteer in class that day to help, so I decided it would be a perfect day for a potentially messy art project.  After reading the story, I called about 5 students over to my kidney table at a time to make their snowmen.  The other students stayed at their seats cutting their "extras" out, such as scarf, carrot nose, etc. out of scrap paper.  Truthfully, had I had any scrap fabric on hand at the time, we would have used that for the scarfs.  The kids didn't seem to notice or mind though.  I had my parent volunteer walk around the students to ask what their snowman did at night.  She then wrote their responses on a post it note so they could copy it onto their already printed out paper.  (Their paper said:  "My snowman _____________ at night.") 

I must say that I enjoyed this activity and can see myself using it again in the future, however the next time around I would like to involve more writing.  I think that by mid-year my students could have written a story to go along with their snowman, but like I said that will have to wait until next year. 

The snowmen were created by mixing approximately equal parts of shaving cream to Elmer's glue.  The students painted their snowman with their choice of a popsicle stick or their fingers onto a 8 x 8 piece of blue construction paper.  Before their snowman dried, they attached googly eyes, carrot nose and anything else they wanted to add.  Once the snowmen were dried, we backed them with a 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 sheet of white cardstock for more support.  I couldn't believe how soft and fluffy looking the snowmen dried!  The hardest part has been keeping the students from touching their masterpieces as they have been on display in the hall!  The kids were definitely proud of their projects!

Here are a few up close shots:



"My snowman delivers presents at night."

"My snowman goes sledding at night."



"My snowman feeds my horse at night."

Working on the House

Ok so I only was able to post 22 out of the 25 promised Christmas ideas.  Perhaps I will post 3 LATE Christmas ideas later this week just to say I was able to complete my goal! :)  As it turned out, our family had a wonderful Christmas and I am enjoying being at home in my PJ's all week with no work.  We had family come to visit and parties to attend, but the BEST news of all was that our 3 year project of finishing our basement was completed!!  Life has been busy trying to get everything put away and in the proper place. So even though there is no work for me this week, there is still plenty of work to do around the house! 

DIY Wooden Christmas Presents

Christmas Idea #22 - DIY Wooden Christmas Presents

I am really liking these presents made from blocks of wood and scrapbook paper.  All you would need to do is Modge Podge scrapbook paper cut to size (edges inked if you you like that look...I do!) and tie some ribbon or tulle into a bow on top.  Simple decoration for your home or to give to someone as a gift.

Source:  Spotted Canary

Speaking of crafts, I saw this JUMBO JOY sign on Pinterest (without a link) and love the way it looks.  Simple and cute.  I'm not sure I would want to store something as big as that for the other 11 months of the year.  Maybe a small version would work instead.

Polar Express Party

Christmas Idea # 21 - Polar Express Party

Can't you imagine a Polar Express party with eveyryone nice and comfy in their pajamas!  her This idea could work for either a classroom party or family party.  Obviously you could include the book (read by Santa would be neat) or watch the movie, but here are a few more suggestions:
Of course, you would have to provide hot chocolate at this party and what better way than in a crock pot!?!  Mrs. Happy Homemaker has just that!

 If this is an idea for school, how about using this invitation from Erica Bohrer's First Grade

or make this candy train treat:

She also has a Venn Diagram where your students can compare and contrast the book from the movie.  All this for FREE.  Love it!!

The Dowell Family posted about their Polar Express party at school.  Including frosting sugar cookies, a visit from Santa, musical chairs and a trip inside of a train (made by the teacher) to listen to the story and drink hot chocolate.  Incredible!
You could make a cake train (or gingerbread, cookie, whatever works for you) like Alpine Berry did.

Oopsey Daisy shows you how to make a more simple train using graham crackers and frosting

or even this little candy train that might work as a craft or party favor.

Mrs. Johnson's First Grade has a FREE build a train download on her blog.  Hop on over to grab it!

I like the train ornament that Bishop's Blackboard did for her students.

First Grade is Fantabulous did a recent post on what they did at her school and she has included some great links to other resources.

Last Minute Teacher/Neighbor Gift Ideas

Christmas Idea # 20 - Last Minute Teacher/Neighbor Gift Ideas

Have a Holly JOLLY Christmas from Pioneer Party

I have seen Twizzlers given with a tag attached saying "TWIZ the season!", but here is another saying you could use:  "Twiz the night before Christmas, and all through the house, they were munching on Twizzlers with very happy mouths!"

Source:  Brassy Apple

May your days be merry and "SPRITE!"

From One of A Kind Gift Ideas:

Oven mitt filled with spaghetti and sauce:

We know how hectic the Holidays can be with all the Christmas rush and fuss,

So relax a bit—Open this MITT, and have some Spaghetti on us!!

I'm totally diggin' this snowman Jiffy pop gift card holder from The Stamp Doc.

Christmas Treats To Make For A School Party

Last night I went to bed late and didn't have time to post anything, so I am combining post 18 & 19 today.  On top of everything else crazy that happens in December, our family is trying to finish our basement before Christmas.  Crazy? Yes, but it's going to be totally worth it!

Christmas Idea # 18 - Decorate Snowman Sugar Cookies like Betty Crocker!

 When I saw these snowman sugar cookies I thought of how fun they would be to make for a classroom Christmas party.  Items needed:  sugar cookies, frosting (white), red string licorice and an assortment of candy.  A few ideas might include life savers, mini M&Ms, candy corn (nose), runts, etc.

Christmas Idea # 19 -  Christmas Tree From An Icecream Cone

Source:  The Frugal Girls

This activity is one that I have used many times.  I have used this for a family Christmas party, classroom party and this year we used it in our class when we studied Germany for Christmas Around the World.  Take a sugar cone turned upside down and spread green frosting around.  Cover your tree with "ornaments" by using mini M&M's, string licorice, sprinkles and anything else you think might be fun!

Fun with Santa!

Christmas Idea # 17 - Santa fun with your kids!

Earlier this week I had my 2 younger kids e-mail their Christmas wish lists to Santa.  Imagine how excited they were to not only get an email back, but to also watch a video of what Santa was doing!  They were both told they are on the nice list, but that he would be checking in to see if that stayed true.  Good...that means I still have some leverage.  If you want to have your children e-mail Santa and even view some pictures of his house, the reindeer barn and more, check it out!  Oh and by the way, this site is also so fun to check on Christmas Eve when  you can view the Santa tracker to see where's he's been and how long until he reaches your house!!

 Seeing is believing right?!?  How about a picture that captures Santa leaving gifts at YOUR house?  My kids would flip if they saw this!!  Want to know how to create your own?  Check out Capture the Magic to learn how.