Annual
review season. Special education
teachers know exactly what that means!
Getting ready to meet to discuss the progress of your students and put together
a plan for the following year is time-consuming and hard work! Preparing takes up a ton of time from
planning, collaborating with classroom teachers and service providers, meeting
with parents, actually writing the IEPs, and sometimes even more meetings. I can’t even begin to calculate how much time
I spend during this season getting ready for annual reviews. I have 15+ students on my case load and two
young boys at home who HATE to sleep, so it’s really important to be organized so that
I can be productive with the little time I have.
It's the end of the year for many of us in the south!
Those last few weeks can either FLY BY or drag on FOREVER!
Each May we play lots of math games to keep us on task and engaged.
More than anything they help me keep my SANITY!
Guess My Number!
This laminated chart has been with me for several years. It is super easy to use.
Pick a "secret number" and write it on a sticky note. Put the note in your pocket.
The kids take turns asking YES or NO questions to try and figure out what the "secret number" is. If someone guesses the number, they get to be the next teacher. Just write on the laminated chart with dry erase marker and it comes off so you can play another round. You can use any set of numbers that would work well for your age kiddos. The kids love this game!
ZANG Card Game
We teach beginning multiplication skills at the end of the year. We work on 0, 1, 2, 5, and 10 with all the on level kids and the advanced kids quickly move towards working on the other fact families. One of my favorite games is ZANG. You can't buy it a retail store, but you can order it online. I bought mine at Amazon.
It is very much like Uno and the kids love it. The kids have to say the fact as they put the card down. They quickly learn that having a WILD CARD is part of the strategy to win. So they have to figure out when it would be best to play it. We hold a Zang tournament the last week of school and the kids complete against each other. We make a Zang bracket and they watch each other play in totaly silence to see who wins!
The winner gets to play ME to become the ULTIMATE ZANG CHAMPION!
I first found this game many years ago when I was trying to help my son learn his facts. He was struggling HORRIBLY and I tried everything... then I found this game! He learned them all in a matter of a week! If you know a older kiddo struggling with these facts, give this card game a try. It might be the answer.
Math BUMP
Of course my favorite math game is BUMP! We play it all year long for lots of different skills. The game is really simple. Here is a video I found to show you how to play.
The best part about BUMP is that TPT has a BUNCH of them for FREE! You can find them for addition, subtraction, telling time, and much more! Just click on this picture and it will take you to all the different BUMP games on TPT that are FREEBIES!
Those last few weeks can either FLY BY or drag on FOREVER!
Each May we play lots of math games to keep us on task and engaged.
More than anything they help me keep my SANITY!
Guess My Number!
This laminated chart has been with me for several years. It is super easy to use.
Pick a "secret number" and write it on a sticky note. Put the note in your pocket.
The kids take turns asking YES or NO questions to try and figure out what the "secret number" is. If someone guesses the number, they get to be the next teacher. Just write on the laminated chart with dry erase marker and it comes off so you can play another round. You can use any set of numbers that would work well for your age kiddos. The kids love this game!
ZANG Card Game
We teach beginning multiplication skills at the end of the year. We work on 0, 1, 2, 5, and 10 with all the on level kids and the advanced kids quickly move towards working on the other fact families. One of my favorite games is ZANG. You can't buy it a retail store, but you can order it online. I bought mine at Amazon.
It is very much like Uno and the kids love it. The kids have to say the fact as they put the card down. They quickly learn that having a WILD CARD is part of the strategy to win. So they have to figure out when it would be best to play it. We hold a Zang tournament the last week of school and the kids complete against each other. We make a Zang bracket and they watch each other play in totaly silence to see who wins!
The winner gets to play ME to become the ULTIMATE ZANG CHAMPION!
I first found this game many years ago when I was trying to help my son learn his facts. He was struggling HORRIBLY and I tried everything... then I found this game! He learned them all in a matter of a week! If you know a older kiddo struggling with these facts, give this card game a try. It might be the answer.
Math BUMP
Of course my favorite math game is BUMP! We play it all year long for lots of different skills. The game is really simple. Here is a video I found to show you how to play.
The best part about BUMP is that TPT has a BUNCH of them for FREE! You can find them for addition, subtraction, telling time, and much more! Just click on this picture and it will take you to all the different BUMP games on TPT that are FREEBIES!
I hope that you try out some of these games so that the end of the year FLIES BY!
Want to read more about my classroom? Just click on my logo to see what we have been up to!
Happy Teaching!
Tracy
The beginning of the school year can be hectic. It doesn't matter if you have taught 20 years or 2 years, we all struggle to stay organized and focused with the millions of tasks we need to complete. Preschool and kindergarten teachers not only have recreate their rooms each year, they have to have them up and running prior to the school year starting due to open house and orientation. This can leave teachers frazzled and overwhelmed. However, there are things that you can do now that are simple and won't interfere with your already crazy schedule.
1. Laminate Nameplates and Cut-outs you Plan to use the Following Year.
After teaching 8 years in a district based 4K, I have learned that if you don't start prepping before the end of the school year-you may be paying out of pocket costs. Most schools have employees in charge of making copies and laminating and many of these positions start a few days before school and by then, you have already had open house. So I always have nameplates, name tags and bus labels laminated by the end of the year. When class lists are posted in August, I label everything using a permanent marker.
1. Laminate Nameplates and Cut-outs you Plan to use the Following Year.
After teaching 8 years in a district based 4K, I have learned that if you don't start prepping before the end of the school year-you may be paying out of pocket costs. Most schools have employees in charge of making copies and laminating and many of these positions start a few days before school and by then, you have already had open house. So I always have nameplates, name tags and bus labels laminated by the end of the year. When class lists are posted in August, I label everything using a permanent marker.
2. Prepare Child Folders
As a part of our program hours we have a preschool orientation and open house. At the open house each family gets a folder for their child to use throughout the school year. When school starts and there is no one to make copies, I end up making a stop at a copier store and foot the bill. Prepping folders prior to the end of the year saves time and money.
What I include in the folder:
- Welcome to Preshool (Overview of the Year with contact Info)
- Preschool Schedule
- Contact Information (a personal one for myself)
- Bus Rider/First Week of School Label
- Meet the Teacher Letter
- Newsletter Sample
- Media Release Form
- School Background check
- Volunteer Form
- Business Card
I make sure that each page is a certain color. That way when I discuss the pages at orientation I can refer to the color in case they are out of order. District forms that change each year, I place in piles on a table near the entrance. While parents wait for their child's folder, they can grab the needed forms.
3. Classroom Week by Week Calendar
Items that are used on a daily basis like the calendar, alphabet, weather chart and job charts receive a lot of wear and tear throughout the year. If there is damage to the items I will reprint and laminate or replace. I place the items in a tub labeled "calendar," which I can easily find at the beginning of the year. The calendar is the focal point of the classroom and can be very time consuming to set up, so having all of the pieces fresh and ready to go will help with set up time.
Week by week calendar available (here).
4. Classroom Behavior and Routine Charts
One of my behavior management tools that I use is a play center rotation chart. This board takes a lot of wear and tear throughout the year as well. To save time my assistant or myself update this activity during our last few days of school by replacing the ripped library and center cards. I store this board in a poster box and it is easy to pull out and have attached to the wall prior to orientation.
4. Classroom Behavior and Routine Charts
One of my behavior management tools that I use is a play center rotation chart. This board takes a lot of wear and tear throughout the year as well. To save time my assistant or myself update this activity during our last few days of school by replacing the ripped library and center cards. I store this board in a poster box and it is easy to pull out and have attached to the wall prior to orientation.
5. Arrival Routine and Folder Box
Another activity that I like to prepare ahead of time is our arrival board and folder label. Each day the boys and girls place their owl on the board and their folder in the folder box before heading to the carpet. Get a copy of the folder label and "Who's here today? sign (here).
Most of the items that I like to have prepped and ready are things that will make the room presentable for open house/orientation. I want the parents and children to have an idea of how our daily routines work and I like to make reference to these important routines throughout orientation.
Also, the summer is a precious time to myself and family. I want to spend as much time at home as I can prior to returning, so the more prepared I am the less time I have to spend in my hot classroom:)
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Who doesn't love this song?!? |
Unlike a girl, a teacher's best friend is not diamonds (although I really, really wish they were). A teacher's best friend is Donors Choose. For those of you who don't know what DC is, get ready to have your mind blown. It's a website where teachers write proposals for materials, trips, visitors they want for their classes, etc. People donate money and you get your stuff. (It's only for public school teachers in the USA, sorry everyone else!)
It really is that easy. I have been a member since 2005. In that time I've had over 200 projects funded. The average project was about $200. That's $40,000 worth of materials I've gotten for my kids!!!!!!! What have I asked for? It's more like what haven't I asked for. I've gotten dozens of class sets of book (When You Reach Me, Cinder, Divergent, The Hunger Games, The Lost Hero, Oogy), hundreds of individual books for my classroom library, 30 Chromebooks, markers, pens, paper, field trips, you name it. My biggest project was definitely the 30 Chromebooks, but many of my projects are $100-$300.
Kids on Chromebooks on Grammaropolis.com. (both funded by DC) |
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Need a book? DC has that covered. |
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Every kids gets their own copy of When You Reach Me. |
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Another DC Double. Colored paper for Interactive Notebooks and The Lost Hero books. |
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Who wouldn't want to get this in the mail? |
Does every proposal get funded? Of course not. One of my proposals for Kore Active Stools just expired because it didn't get fully funded. Bummer, but not the end of the world. The donated money goes back to the donor and you can always repost. I recommend starting small, a $100-$150 proposal. DC works on a point system. Each project is worth so many points. You get points for completing steps and the more you have, the bigger projects you can post.
On the serious side, Donors Choose does an amazing job especially for schools hit hard by natural disasters. The tornado that went through Moore, OK, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, even the Flint water crisis have all affected schools in those areas. And DC was there every time to help rebuild. They have also started specialty proposals for Life Essentials. These include healthy food and snacks, clothes and back packs. There's a match offer on right now for eyeglasses for your kid, as well.
Since the school year is winding down, it's time to start planning for next year. Get onto Donors Choose immediately, open an account and start writing proposals for the classroom of your dreams.
Spring has Sprung in our Classroom!
Hello! It's Gloria from 2 Scoops of Kindergarten! We are very busy in our kindergarten room! Right now we have chick eggs in the incubator, butterflies coming next week and planting seeds happening right now! What fun!
Every chance we get we try and integrate Science into our curriculum. One of our required assessments in kindergarten is for our students to write an expository paper.
The writing prompt is "How do you plant a seed?" So before the kinders start to write, we read a lot of wonderful books about flowers and seeds. Here are a few:
From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons
From Seed to Plant by Allan Fowler
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Elhert
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
Then we plant seeds. One way to show the labeling of a plant is to use a cd case, like this one.
This year we even have a green house where we are taking care of our plants before we plant them in the school's garden outside.
Now we have some background knowledge of how to plant a seed.
Here is the graphic organizer we use and an example of one filled out. This is what we will be doing in the next couple weeks.
These organizers are a part of the product Kindergarten Expository Writing. You can view this product here. This product can be used in a K-2 classroom.
Please visit 2 Scoops of Kindergarten for more Spring ideas!
I can remember the day it happened. I was sitting across the media center from a group of seasoned teachers, listening to them bash the inservice we had just received, saying they got nothing from it. It was in that moment that I decided that I would NEVER be that teacher. I knew deep down inside that there was always something to learn, always something new to get, even from a "new" inservice that was, in essence, an old inservice. And then, it happened to me...
This year, I was sitting through and inservice, thinking, "I know all this, why do I have to go through it again!" My radars went off, my mind quickly switched back to that moment so many years ago, and I reminded myself NOT to be those teachers. Yes, I did glean some new information, yes, many parts of it were the same, but the point is, I never gave in to that feeling, that thought. Instead, I reminded myself over and over, "I MUST INSERVICE MYSELF!"
There are two types of teachers. The type that I described in the first paragraph, willing to let knowledge about their field of excellence disappear into the abyss of past learning, and those that stay up-to-date, willing to put in time and effort into learning the deeper meaning of their field. I decided to stick with being this type of teacher. So, here are some ways to Inservice Yourself:
1. Find like-minded teachers/administrators to work with.
Many teachers will have this environment naturally at their work location simply because their administrator has a philosophy of learning more about the profession. I have not had the greatest of experiences with this. When I did, I skyrocketed my knowledge level in many areas. Yet it was the constant challenge of one of my Intern Level Teachers and now one of my best friends who has been the constant push to inservice myself. We frequently will decide on book studies that we complete, together, to further our knowledge collectively. This way we can talk, plan, design, implement whatever we have learned, even while in different grade levels. Find that friend, and inservice yourselves together!
2. Sign-up for Company Newsletters
Heineman and Stenhouse both offer free newsletters where you can preview books and hear from the experts in the field. Then browse every one of them that comes into your inbox. Click and browse the books, listen to podcasts, discover where they are going, sometimes for free! This is a great, easy way to stay on top of what is on top of the field right now! Then note what you are extra excited about!
3. Pay attention to what is on your teacher evaluation.
On mine, we must say what we want to improve upon-BINGO! There it is, your next great inservice idea! And, you can use it on the next year's evaluation in area 4 of Danielson! What a great way to instantly bump yourself up within that system and improve yourself and your classroom along the way!
4. Go to Amazon
Yes, this is an easy way to find what you may be looking for. Type in the specific topic you are looking for (such as deeper comprehension) and you will find many ideas. Click one and then check out what "others are buying". This just may show you what you were looking for!
5. Join online communities of learners just like you!
I am in a number of communities that provide a valuable service to me. If they don't, leave that community! Plus, during the school year, I will frequently find blog posts about topics where teachers have shared a book study on their blog! Sometimes that's enough to either move me along to find the book and purchase it, or enough to really understand the topic and then apply it. There is a wealth of information out there, you just have to be willing to INSERVICE YOURSELF!
So, with that being said, I am proud to announce a couple of opportunities I am involved in this summer!
1. Right here on Conversations From The Classroom we will be doing a book study on Fearless Learners! This text is written by real teachers in real classrooms examining what a Student Led Classroom looks like! It's a simple read and is interactive! If this interests you, plan to join along with us! We will be sharing our learning on this blog and within our personal blogs as well.
2. Join my over at The Best Days to follow my journey in learning about improving classroom discussions in the Student Led Classroom with the book study, Talk About Understanding. I will probably throw in a few more ideas from other texts that I will be looking at!
I'm super excited about both of these topics and that you will be joining along! I'd love to hear any tips or ideas you have for Inservicing Yourself too! So, leave a comment and let's get a good discussion going!
Let's start off with a quick exercise. Ready? Okay. Clear your mind and focus on one word: Mathematics. What are you envisioning? Numbers, surely, but what else? In your mind, how are you using those numbers?
If you're like many people, the word "mathematics" probably conjures up images of paper, calculators, pencils, and scrap paper. Right? Well, I guess it makes sense since years ago, that's basically what math class entailed. But with time, more teachers are realizing that math doesn't have to be that way, and we sure don't have to teach it that way.
Although
mathematics itself has not changed, the way we teach it has. A lot.
Peek into a math class today and you'll likely find students building, interacting with manipulatives, and doing way more than boring old workbook pages. With more hands- on activities, multi- sensory lessons, and flexible seating, I think everyone's starting to realize one thing...Kids like to move.
Peek into a math class today and you'll likely find students building, interacting with manipulatives, and doing way more than boring old workbook pages. With more hands- on activities, multi- sensory lessons, and flexible seating, I think everyone's starting to realize one thing...Kids like to move.
But
we already knew that, right? Why make kids be still (and quiet) at a desk all day
when all they want to do is go? Let them go. But wait, not yet!
Let's harness that energy in a way that can be both productive and educational.
Instead of a worksheet with 20 math problems, why not play a game that requires
student to practice those same math skills 20 times? Due to increased interest
and motivation, students may even complete a game faster than a worksheet,
potentially practicing the skill more than they would have on paper.
Let's
not discount the fact that kids love games. Who doesn't? So if
students are motivated to complete a task, won’t they probably get more out of
it than if they just complete it because they "have to"? If you said
yes, you give yourself a sticker. Research shows that motivation leads to
increased effort and persistence with better performance (Paris & Turner,
1994; Rueda & Moll, 1994).
This game allows children to create a human number line to solve fact family riddles.
If you're currently teaching math, odds are you're already using hands-on materials. But I want to go a step further than popsicle sticks and counter chips for this post. What if you were to combine gym class with your math class? Crazy, right? No, trust me, it's wonderful!
Think of a sport or game you'd like to play with your class (Tag, football, basketball, etc). Now think of which math skills you could incorporate into that sport. It could be as simple as a game of Tag where the players count up by five each time someone gets tagged. Or maybe you want to get a little more involved (like those in my ACTIVE Learning Math Games resource). Whatever it is, keep them practicing your targeted math skill while moving.
This game allows children to create a human number line to solve fact family riddles.
If you're currently teaching math, odds are you're already using hands-on materials. But I want to go a step further than popsicle sticks and counter chips for this post. What if you were to combine gym class with your math class? Crazy, right? No, trust me, it's wonderful!
Think of a sport or game you'd like to play with your class (Tag, football, basketball, etc). Now think of which math skills you could incorporate into that sport. It could be as simple as a game of Tag where the players count up by five each time someone gets tagged. Or maybe you want to get a little more involved (like those in my ACTIVE Learning Math Games resource). Whatever it is, keep them practicing your targeted math skill while moving.
You
can use games and sports to teach math skills, as brain breaks, review games,
and more. They can be a refreshing break from the textbooks! Many children
learn better when they use more than just their eyes and ears during math
lessons. Hands- on activities encourage students to become more involved with
the material and allow them to experience it first-hand. Research shows that
children with special needs benefit greatly from multi-sensory activities in
the classroom.
I’m
a special education teacher so I have lots of experience with students with
sensory issues, behavior problems, and trouble sitting still. I’ve found that instead
of forcing them to fight the urge to move, it is better to just get them up and
direct that energy in a fun, positive, and educational path. They just want to
go, so I let them go. But we don’t just run around without purpose. They
practice skill sets, problem solve, and develop social skills, all while I
assess their progress. This doesn’t necessarily always need to take place
sitting at a desk.
Recently
I created a new resource that features a collection of math games, currently
available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store, Exceptional Thinkers.
I've used these games in my classroom for years and it is my pleasure to now share
them with you. If you love the idea of using sports and games in your math class, but don't have the time to plan them out and create the
materials, you've come to the right place.
Like the idea, but not sure if you want to actually buy it? I totally get it! You can try my FREEBIE Shuffleboard Addition Game then.
Like the idea, but not sure if you want to actually buy it? I totally get it! You can try my FREEBIE Shuffleboard Addition Game then.
My ACTIVE Learning Math resource targets
early elementary math skills such as adding, subtracting, using place value,
estimating, and measuring. It features 6 games at the moment (but likely to
increase with time), including Steal the Flag, Subtraction Bowling, Making
Tracks, Shuffleboard Addition, STEM Tower Challenge, and Pitch Your Estimate.
Some of these games are available individually in my store while others are unique to this
resource.
Okay,
sales pitch over, back to teacher talk. What do you think about using sports and games to teach
math? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Here's what I think:
Whole body learning is:
Whole body learning is:
1)
Motivating for students who are uninterested in traditional classroom
lessons.
2)
Beneficial to kinesthetic learners.
3)
Allows students to experience material or skill first-hand.
Oh, and it's fun! So now that the weather is starting to warm up, it’s the perfect time to get the kids outside, throw a ball around…and learn! And maybe you'll get a tan in the process! No complaints there. Now go enjoy your math lessons!
Oh, and it's fun! So now that the weather is starting to warm up, it’s the perfect time to get the kids outside, throw a ball around…and learn! And maybe you'll get a tan in the process! No complaints there. Now go enjoy your math lessons!
Visit my blog at https://teachingexceptionalthinkers.com/ for more fun teaching ideas!
Why do I love Write the Room? It's an activity that allow your students to move around and work. We all know that our students NEED to move. Constantly. When they work on a Write the Room activity, they are fully engaged. It always makes me proud when I stand back and watch those kids in action. Plus, they don't even realize they are learning, because they are having so much fun.
Write the Room is very easy to set up. I print and laminate the cards, then stick them up with tape all around the classroom on the walls. Later in the year, I make it a little interesting and "hide" them, around the classroom, under desks, behind bins, so it's challenging. Each student gets a recording sheet and they use clipboards to write on. If you don't have clipboards, they can use a hard book or binder, or even the table or floor, whatever's next to the card, to write.
Before students can be Write the Room pros, you as the teacher, must show them what it should look like. I make the expectations clear from the beginning, because it is still a lesson and you don't want your classroom to turn into chaos.
My expectations are:
1. Students need to quietly walk around the room, but may whisper and ask a question if they need to.
2. No running around the classroom.
3. Do their best work and try their hardest.
First, we practice handing out the clipboards, clipping the papers in, getting a pencil, and starting to walk. They shouldn't all crowd around one card, so the first few times, I send them to different places in the classroom to start. Usually, most of the time, the students spread out on their own. Another thing I make clear, is that it's okay to go out of order. It would take students double the time, if they were trying to find each card in the order on the recording sheet. Students find a card, write down the answer, and then find the next card. Once students are finished, make sure there they know what to do when they are done, whether it's another activity, or to read quietly.
There are so many wonderful Write the Room resources on Teachers Pay Teachers. I just search the skill I'm working on plus "write the room" to find new ones.
And one of my Write the Room freebies- A perfect activity for after Spring Break!
I hope you will try Write the Room in your classroom, if you haven't already. Thanks for stopping by!
Write the Room is very easy to set up. I print and laminate the cards, then stick them up with tape all around the classroom on the walls. Later in the year, I make it a little interesting and "hide" them, around the classroom, under desks, behind bins, so it's challenging. Each student gets a recording sheet and they use clipboards to write on. If you don't have clipboards, they can use a hard book or binder, or even the table or floor, whatever's next to the card, to write.
Before students can be Write the Room pros, you as the teacher, must show them what it should look like. I make the expectations clear from the beginning, because it is still a lesson and you don't want your classroom to turn into chaos.
My expectations are:
1. Students need to quietly walk around the room, but may whisper and ask a question if they need to.
2. No running around the classroom.
3. Do their best work and try their hardest.
First, we practice handing out the clipboards, clipping the papers in, getting a pencil, and starting to walk. They shouldn't all crowd around one card, so the first few times, I send them to different places in the classroom to start. Usually, most of the time, the students spread out on their own. Another thing I make clear, is that it's okay to go out of order. It would take students double the time, if they were trying to find each card in the order on the recording sheet. Students find a card, write down the answer, and then find the next card. Once students are finished, make sure there they know what to do when they are done, whether it's another activity, or to read quietly.
Here are a few of my favorites:
And one of my Write the Room freebies- A perfect activity for after Spring Break!
I hope you will try Write the Room in your classroom, if you haven't already. Thanks for stopping by!
It’s that time of year when we start to see all of our hard work paying off.
A child's knowledge of the alphabet starts during their toddler years. The more they see of words and individual letters will speed up their learning - sharing books is key to encouraging an interest in the way words are formed.
Earth Day will be celebrated this Saturday April 22nd. We will not be in school on that day, but this week is a perfect time to incorporate some activities that help students understand their role in helping our planet.
Earth Day was originally celebrated on April 22nd, 1970. It was a nationwide demonstration where many Americans protested against pollution and the destruction of the environment. Forty-seven years later, this day is celebrated around the world to draw attention to environmental issues across the globe.
The Kindergarten classes at my school always do a trash walk around the playground with gloves and trash bags on Earth Day. They collect the trash and then display it for the rest of the school. Every student benefits from seeing how much litter is present in a place they visit almost every day. Another Earth Day activity our 2nd graders have done is a recycling project. This is a home project where students are asked to reuse something at home to create something new. I love to watch these projects arrive at school. Their creativity is amazing. My favorite creation over the years was a pair of flip flops made from rolls of recycle newspapers.
Lesson Plans and Resources:
I have compiled a list of links to some of my favorite resource pages for Earth Day:
Scholastic Earth Day Resources
Earth Day was originally celebrated on April 22nd, 1970. It was a nationwide demonstration where many Americans protested against pollution and the destruction of the environment. Forty-seven years later, this day is celebrated around the world to draw attention to environmental issues across the globe.
The Kindergarten classes at my school always do a trash walk around the playground with gloves and trash bags on Earth Day. They collect the trash and then display it for the rest of the school. Every student benefits from seeing how much litter is present in a place they visit almost every day. Another Earth Day activity our 2nd graders have done is a recycling project. This is a home project where students are asked to reuse something at home to create something new. I love to watch these projects arrive at school. Their creativity is amazing. My favorite creation over the years was a pair of flip flops made from rolls of recycle newspapers.
Lesson Plans and Resources:
I have compiled a list of links to some of my favorite resource pages for Earth Day:
Scholastic Earth Day Resources
This website has lesson plans and projects for a variety of ages.
The website focuses on the global water crisis. There are activities and lessons for all age groups.
There are more than twenty lesson plans, activities, or projects to
help you teach about Earth Day.
This site has lesson plans and curriculum for grades K-5.
One of my favorite websites.
There are videos, projects, activities, and printables all in one easy
place.
I hope your class has a wonderful Earth Day! Please share your Earth Day ideas in the comments below.
Connecting to current events to our lessons creates authentic learning experiences. I find embedding content within STEAM/STEM lessons inspires students to think more critically. 1st Grade has been studying solid figures, so I took the opportunity to connect learning about the strength of solid figures with bridge support. The kids were STOKED!
When creating projects for my STEAM/STEM lesson, I tend to start with my standards, then research applications. Usually there will be something current that comes up in my search! (This time, the application was **almost** in my backyard!) Integrating arts and language arts concepts typically go hand-in-hand with our projects.
After discussing the requirements for the columns, students got to work creating models out of different color sheets of paper.
Students then tested how much weight their columns would hold using books from their book boxes.
In this STEAM project, students put on their architect hats and pretended to draw the plans for the new bridge, using the data they'd collected regarding the best type of columns.
After their plans were drawn, students wrote to our state governor explaining their findings and making suggestions.
I have seen stronger student engagement when I incorporate hands on learning with students!

Here's a link to the resources I created for this activity, if you'd like to see more.
How do you come up with STEAM/STEM lessons or integrate hands on learning with your students?
Happy Engineering!
Stephanie
Connect with Spivey Sparks:
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Canva is a web tool that is great for creating graphics that are fun and engaging for your viewers/followers. Canva comes already loaded full of great background images, text, templates, and more. Some you have to purchase the rights to, but there are a TON of great free options. There are a few different ways that I have used Canva in my classroom and personal life that you might like to use it for too!
1) Classroom Webpage Announcements: Is there a better way to post about a new field trip you're going on or event that you are having in class than with a creative invitation? Think of the best invitation you've ever made, and now think of just adding the information online and sharing it on your class website or via email with parents. Yes! Easy and fun.
2) Graphic Design Introduction: I taught a graphic design class (of sorts) for one semester and this was one of the first activities that we did. I just wanted students to fall in love with the ability to create something from nothing and Canva gave them the ability to do that.
3) Classroom Projects: Having students create a restaurant? Have them use Canva to create a menu. Having students do science fair? Have them use Canva to create a graphic to use as advertisement for their project.
3) TpT Advertisements: Looking to liven up your pins or your Instagram posts? Look no further than this great tool. I hadn't even thought of doing this with Canva until I joined TpT almost 4 months ago. I made my first instagram post with Canva just the other day and I can already tell I will be spending WAY too much of my time doing this now :)
*If you are more of a visual learner, check out my "how to" video on using Canva, as well as some way to use it in the classroom.
These are just a few of my favorites. The opportunities are endless. What can you see yourself using Canva for?
Try it out & let me know what you think,
Hilary @ Mrs. Tech
FLING INTO SPRING WITH HAIKU
This is a wonderful time of year to introduce Haiku to your little writers!
Why?
- It is easy!
- It uses syllables for each line.
- Makes writing enjoyable.
- Introduces a poetry form to little writers.
- It doesn't have to rhyme.
- Uses a theme, usually on nature.
- They are successful!
- Can extend into an art!
Haiku Poetry is a Japanese form of poetry, which usually uses nature as the theme. Haiku involves three lines of poetry. Each line contains a certain number of syllables.
- First Line: Five syllables
- Second Line: Seven syllables
- Third Line: Five Syllables
I used it throughout my teaching career with all grade levels. It is easy to introduce.
Students find it easy, and will adapt to using it, once they learn the sequence.
In First Grade This is How I Would Teach Haiku.
- Review syllables / word parts in words.
- Have the students tap out the syllables as they start.
- Orally, say some sentences, and let them make up their own.
Spring flowers smell great.(5)
- After practicing orally, give them writing paper to make a sloppy copy/ rough draft.
- I would ask them to write a title: spring, birds, rainbows, or another theme.
- They would then write their first sentence of five syllables. I would then check it for them. (Spelling at this point was not important, just the syllables. When we made our final copy, I made sure the words were spelled correctly.)
- Next, they would write their second line of seven syllables. I would check this.
- Third, they would write their last line of five syllables. I would check this with them.
Now they are ready to make their final copy.
They might make a picture first, and then write the Haiku poem. It can be done in any way that suits you.
They make a wonderful display in your classroom or the hall.
Use Haiku All Year Long!
I sometimes used poetic license and let them write a Haiku poem on a theme, such as Mom for Mother's Day!
What age to start?
Any and all ages!
Today my grandchildren were with me, and painted pictures. I talked about Haiku with them, and the use of syllables and word parts.
My grandson, who is in pre-school and is four took off with it. The rest of the day, he would come up to me with a sentence he could use in a poem. He enjoyed learning about word parts and syllables. If he could do it, any age of student can.
Since I am a doting grandmother,
here are a few from today.
Sun
My gold sun is round.
The sun is spectacular!
I love the spring sun!
Spring
Spring is colorful.
I love to dance in the spring.
Spring is bright and fun!
Using poetic License, my granddaughter wanted to write about her new puppy Baba!
Baba
Baba is my dog.
Baba is adorable.
Baba is funny.
My grandson's rainbow!

Rainbows
Rainbows are pretty.
I love colorful rainbows.
I like blue the best!
Fill the next few weeks with some high flying Haiku!
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The Grandkids! Mickey @ Mickey's Place |