Having a new lesson plan every day for culinary arts can be a challenge, especially when you are preparing ingredients and recipes for food labs. Starting class or at least a unit with a complete …
There is nothing more fun than teaching high school students about child development! It is relatable to them because they were once a child, and some of them have younger siblings and may even be …
Want to know a secret for keeping your students' late work organized? USE THIS! I swear by this form, y'all! I cannot stand getting hundreds of notifications in my email saying "So and so turned this assignment in late." With all of the other emails that we have to navigate through on a daily basis, it just builds up to be too much! That's where this handy form comes in! :) In my class, the only way that I will grade late work is if they fill out a late work submission form. Not only will it notify me when someone fills out a form, but I am able to store everyone's late work all in one place. It is a lifesaver! Just post this form on your google classroom and the students will have infinite access to turn in any late work (depending on your policy). The form only takes a minute to fill out, and clear directions are included for the students. The essential part is that the students are getting the shareable link and then pasting that URL into this form. Again, directions for how to do this are provided! This Google Form is customizable for you and your class! You can add or delete anything to you wish. I promise you, this will save you so much time and help you be that much more organized! Other resources you may like: My Virtual Classroom Boho Themed Teacher Lesson Planner Student of the Week Certificate Floral Google Slides Template
Culinary arts and FACS Irish foods ideas for st. Patrick’s Day. Cooking in the classroom for culinary arts and international cuisine with irish cuisine. Foods around the world lessons including foo…
Culinary arts and FACS Irish foods ideas for st. Patrick’s Day. Cooking in the classroom for culinary arts and international cuisine with irish cuisine. Foods around the world lessons including foo…
Culinary arts and FACS Irish foods ideas for st. Patrick’s Day. Cooking in the classroom for culinary arts and international cuisine with irish cuisine. Foods around the world lessons including foo…
Family consumer science lesson plans for high school. These child development high school lessons and food and nutrition lessons are free for teachers. If you are teaching family and consumer scien…
Culinary arts and FACS Irish foods ideas for st. Patrick’s Day. Cooking in the classroom for culinary arts and international cuisine with irish cuisine. Foods around the world lessons including foo…
Culinary arts and FACS Irish foods ideas for st. Patrick’s Day. Cooking in the classroom for culinary arts and international cuisine with irish cuisine. Foods around the world lessons including foo…
farm to table lesson ideas for culinary arts high school and family consumer science classes.
Culinary arts and FACS Irish foods ideas for st. Patrick’s Day. Cooking in the classroom for culinary arts and international cuisine with irish cuisine. Foods around the world lessons including foo…
The 50 States Research Project is an excellent way to teach children about the geography, culture, and history of the United States. It encourages them to explore the diversity of each state by researching its people, culture, climate, and natural resources. The project also encourages students to develop critical thinking and research skills as they investigate each state’s unique characteristics. To get started, print out the 50 States Research Project worksheet. The worksheet includes questions about each state, such as its capital and population, as well as spaces to write and draw about the state’s culture, climate, and natural resources. Assign each student a state to research, and have them use the worksheet to guide their research. When students are finished, have them present their work to the class and create a class book about the 50 states in America! I hope this information is helpful and that you and your students have fun with the 50 States Research Project! 50 pages REMINDER: This is a DIGITAL download. Not a physical item. Directions: After purchasing the item, you will receive an email from Etsy containing the link to download the files. Kindly read this article for more information: https://www.etsy.com/help/article/3949 Due to monitor differences and your printer settings, the actual colors of your printed product may vary slightly. TIP: Print and laminate the worksheets for multiple uses! Click for more: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftedWithBlissShop Follow us! FB - Pinterest - IG @craftedwithbliss www.craftedwithbliss.com Terms of use: After purchase, the buyer acquires the license of the product for personal and non-commercial use only. The buyer is strictly not allowed to sell, rent, send, and distribute the file to others. In addition, the buyer is strictly not allowed to share, copy, or lend the file to others. Unauthorized usage or reproduction of our products is a clear violation of the copyright laws. Lastly, we have a no return and refund policy. With this, we will not allow any return of our products or refund of your payment upon purchase. Thank you! Let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Just message us here! :)
One of the most time-consuming things teachers deal with is student absences! I no longer worry about this because my students completely take care of it!
What is the best way to learn how to sew? Sew on paper! It is the best way to learn how your machine works, control your speed and get comfortable with sewing! I always start my students sewing on paper without thread then sewing on paper with thread. Then sewing with thread AND fabric. :) These worksheets are great to use at home on your personal sewing room or at school in your sewing classroom! Purchase a 31 page packet from my Etsy shop! Or Teachers Pay Teachers! Below are 2 of the 31 pages included in the package!
These bright and happy magnets will spruce up filing cabinets, marker boards, door frames, and more! This magnet is perfect to display above learning targets in your classroom. June 24, 2024 update: This magnet is now available in a larger size! Size: 12″ × 4.83″ Processing + Shipping Please allow 1 week (up to seven business days) for your order to ship. Orders typically go out much earlier than this, though. :) Double check to ensure your address is correct, including apartment numbers. Orders returned to me due to insufficient/undeliverable address will be charged a $2.00 re-mailing fee to cover new postage and packing materials before being mailed back out. Orders will ship with a tracking number for your convenience. Once an order is put into the hands of USPS, they are liable for your package. In the event that your package is lost or damaged, fill out a claim with USPS including your tracking number to be reimbursed for any loss or damages. Returns + Exchanges No returns or exchanges are accepted, but if there is a problem with your order (like an item being left out of the package or if you were sent an incorrect item) please let me know so I can make it right. Terms of Use All designs are created by me, Danielle. All products are for personal use only. You may not re-create or duplicate any of my products for resale. Imitation is not flattery, and I sincerely thank you for respecting my art. Im here to help! If you have questions about anything, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]
Maybe you can relate to an unruly elective classroom? Using these 3 simple class routines to start your FACS class, you can take back your class.
Tiny Sewists - Teaching kids to sew
Disney movies have some very deep lessons to teach kids. Zootopia lesson plans are perfect for teaching kids about bias vs. sterotypes.
Welcome to the Harbor + Sprout Home Economics Patchwork Study, the April 2023 release of our elementary level homeschool unit study curriculum. This unit study features 4 weeks of lesson plans and materials covering all 9 of our core subjects and a playful supplemental section of thematic activities. This unit study is meant for use by children ages 3-12. This unit is delivered via a secure link as a digital download. CONTENT: Handbook Daily, weekly, and monthly planning pagesBook list including stories, poems, and field guides with recommended ages, subject correspondence, and brief summaries for each titleLesson plans for 4 levels of learningFamily read aloud with discussion guide and recipeCharacter kit- new monthly character illustrated by Stephanie Groves to act as your guide through the unit Science Week 1: What are the Major Food Groups?- Explore different groups used to classify food. Discuss how to use your five senses to investigate food. Print off and play with the five food groups play set. Complete the color and trace activity. Go on a food groups scavenger hunt. Participate in a blind food test. Week 2: How is Bread Made?- Learn what ingredients are used in bread. Discover what makes bread rise. Explore what yeast is. Print off and play with the artisan bread playset. Conduct an experiment to fill a balloon with air using yeast! Bake yeast bread. Make a sourdough starter and then bake sourdough bread. Week 3: What are Collids and Emulsions?- Discover the difference between a colloid and an emulsion. Learn how to add necessary fats and oils to your diet. Churn your own butter. Whip your own whipped cream! Make agar-agar-- a dairy-free colloid. Mix together your own salad dressing. Week 4: Who can you Cook with Heat and Cold?- Study the difference between an exothermic and endothermic reaction. Learn different ways that exothermic and endothermic reactions are used in cooking. Color the coloring page. Make your own ice cream! Conduct a hot ice experiment. Nature Study Week 1: Green Cleaning- Explore what 'green cleaners' have in common. Learn what gives vinegar, baking soda, and citrus fruit their natural cleaning powers! Study and dissect a lemon. Make lemon spray and design a label for your new household cleaning brand. Conduct an experiment with baking soda to identify acids and bases.Week 2: Natural Ant Control- Discover how to identify ants and the three main reasons they enter our homes. Follow our natural tips for discouraging ant invasions and create a weekly chore wheel to keep on top of our ant deterrent tasks. Make your own peppermint ant repellent. Set up an ant trail study and observe their communication.Week 3: Aromatherapy- Learn how essential oils are distilled from plant parts. Follow the path of a lavender scent molecule through our bodies to discover how aromatherapy works. Explore the health benefits of using lavender in our natural living routines. Make your own lavender sachet. Create nature-inspired clay diffuser disks to hang in your home.Week 4: Health and Hygiene- Explore where Epsom salts come from and its health benefits, then make our own Epsom salts bath bombs! Grow crystals to explore how Epsom salts and table salts differ. Learn about the oat plant and the different types of oats we see at the market. Explore how we can use oats' anti-inflammatory and moisture-giving powers in our natural living routines, then make our own oat baths! Language Arts Week 1: Homemaking Words- Learn about the -ub word family. Study homemaking vocabulary. Choose a word to focus on and describe. Choose homemaking words to learn to spell. Use the laundry letters to help you practice spelling vocabulary words. Choose your favorite homemaking word and research its origin. Color the coloring page. Week 2: The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse- Read or listen to the story "The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse." Enjoy a story teatime as you listen to the poem. Make a tiny broom. Print out the story cards and see if you can put the story in the correct order. Summarize the story in your own art or words. Complete the "T is for Tidy" coloring page. Answer the story study questions. Week 3: Subject and Predicate- Discover the definition of subject and predicate. Explore how to identify the subject and predicate in a sentence. Watch the Schoolhouse Rock video "The Tale of Mr. Morton." Review nouns, pronouns, and verbs. Create sentence soup to practice subject and predicate. Complete the subject and predicate worksheets. Week 4: CVC Words- Learn about CVC words. Practice building CVC words with letter dice. Play a To Do List game with the CVC letter dice. Play minute to win it to see how many CVC words you can roll in one minute. Finally, challenge yourself to roll and write CVC words. Writing Week 1: All About You- Write about the person you know best: you! Complete the "All About Me" worksheet. Find pictures of yourself and your family and create a personal scrapbook. Conduct a personal interview with a parent about the day you were born. Reflect on what you've written about this week and write about what makes you special. Week 2: Journal Writing- Learn about the benefits of keeping a journal. For an entire week, write in your journal every day. Choose from per-written prompts, or write about whatever you'd like! Week 3: Write About the Past- Conduct an interview with an older family member or family friend. Learn about what life was like for them when they were your age. Create a picture scrapbook with photos of the person you interviewed. Complete the interview follow-up worksheet. Finally, copy down a family recipe and then, as an added bonus, cook that recipe! Week 4: Look to the Future- Write about what you think the world will be like when you're 100 years old. Reflect on your life goals, then write a letter to your future self describing what you think you'll be doing in 25 years. Create a time capsule to be opened in 25 years. Decorate the time capsule. Fill out the "Time Capsule Worksheet" to include in your time capsule. History Week 1: Work Schedule- Consider what you already know about entomologists and fill out the "Who is a Home Economist" worksheet. Study the history of home economics. Read about how housework schedules have been beneficial to homemakers throughout history. Create your own housework schedule. Complete a historical figure report. Week 2: Aprons- Discover what an apron is, why it was invented, and what it is used for. Design your own apron. Match the aprons. Learn about flour sack aprons. Week 3: Fine China- Learn about the dishes known as fine china. Find out where fine china originated and how it got its name. Make your own friendship tea. Design your own fine china tea cup and plate. Match the tea cups. Complete a historical figure report. Week 4: Cookbooks- Explore how cookbooks have developed and been used throughout history. Go on a cookbook scavenger hunt! Make a list of some of your favorite recipes. Complete a historical figure report. Geography Week 1: Republic of Ireland- Discover some interesting facts about Ireland including its climate, national tree, national animal, and national flower. Color the Irish flag. Complete the color by shape activity. Test your knowledge of Ireland with the included trivia cards. Week 2: Maps- Trace the continent of Europe and the country of Ireland. Locate Europe and Ireland on the map. Can you also find any other countries, continents, or oceans that you recognize? Cut out the labels and use them to label the map of Ireland. Label the significant geographic areas of Ireland from memory. Week 3: Ireland History and Culture- Discover events from Irish history. Learn about language, religion, and cuisine. Explore the historic timeline of Ireland. Complete the "Ireland's Timeline" worksheet. Complete the copy work for the Irish proverb. Week 4: A Cozy Irish Tea Time- Learn Irish traditions surrounding drinking tea. Make your own Irish tea and Irish soda bread. Set a fancy table for your tea, and use special place cards. Learn an Irish lullaby. Music Week 1: Creating Atmosphere with Major and Minor- Explore the concept of atmosphere in music. Learn about major and minor keys. Study how major and minor scales are structured. Play a build-a-chord game. Week 2: Flats and Sharps- Discover what a flat is and what a sharp is. Find out the order in which flats and sharps are written in key signatures. Play the sock match game to practice the order of flats and sharps.Week 3: Circle of Fifths- Learn how to use the circle of fifths to organize different key signatures. Use the circle of fifths page to answer the questions on the "Check it Out" page. Play a circle of fifths game. Week 4: Irish Instruments- Explore the Celtic harp and the harmonica. Make your own harmonica. Color the coloring page. Art Week 1: Quilting- Discover artwork by the artist Faith Ringgold. Study the art element of lines. Fill in the "L is for Line" to look like a quilt. Create your own quilt block. Color the quilt. Complete a story quilt. Design your own Gee's Bend quilt. Construct a quilted hot air balloon. Complete an art study. Critique your own art. Week 2: Baking- Explore artwork created Wayne Thiebaud. Discover the art element of form. Decorate the "F is for Form." Design your own cardboard slice of cake. Color the cake coloring page. Use color theory to create a twisted lollipop. Construct your own paper donut. Color the donut coloring page. Create a 3D ice cream cone. Color the quotation page. Complete an art study. Critique your own art. Week 3: Cooking- Study the artist Clementine Hunter. Explore the art element of color. Fill in the "C is for Color." Design your own alphabet soup. Color the alphabet coloring page. Paint your bread for a colorful, artistic snack. Construct a fruit and vegetable color wheel. Create your own salt dough pie crust. Color the lattice pie coloring page. Complete an art study. Critique your own art. Week 4: Sewing- Discover artwork
Shop all The Little Ladybug Shop upper elementary resources. Find Reading, Writing, Grammar, Classroom Decor, Digital Resources
Save yourself time with this FREE EDITABLE Emergency Sub Binder and bank of emergency sub plans for the Spanish classroom! Download and tweak for your needs!
SEE PREVIEW FOR BETTER LOOK! (Accessed on each individual product page) Are you a FACS teacher in need of fun modern decorations? Look no further these Fashion/Interior Design and Sewing Posters will add the perfect facelift to your classroom walls. These posters are Hand Drawn 300 DPI with some fun poses and different outfits.--They are meant to look sketched. These are great for a fashion design/sewing teacher or FACS/FCS teacher (Designed for my FACS A Class) within the apparel/design pathways of Family Consumer Science. WHATS INCLUDED IN THE PURCHASE (Bundle of 3 Poster Products) PDF-5 Hand Drawn Fashion Posters with different styles/designs PDF-10 Hand Drawn Sewing Posters with different sewing equipment pieces. PDF-5 Hand Drawn Interior Design Room Posters PDF-Overview + Teacher Tips YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Shoe Box Room Project Apron Project Sewing Teacher Organization Bundle Interior Design Portfolio
From sixth grade on, I lived with my single father. Though I had/have a relationship with my mom, it didn't really include teaching me about homemaking. I have figured most of it out on my own with some occasional help and motivation. (Oh, how the blogging world encourages and teaches me! I find ideas for cleaning and organizing...recipes to try. Being self-taught is one of the reasons why I love to blog and share!) With that said, it is no surprise to know that I taught myself to sew. I suspect it began with buttons and then occasionally mending a bit of clothes. Later I went on to mending. Eventually my dad bought me a basic Kenmore model that I still use today. I was in my early twenties when it was gifted to me...though I didn't know how to use it. I think a friend showed me some basic sewing. I still have to refer to the owners' manual frequently for bobbin help, though it really isn't too helpful otherwise. Before Christmas a friend was telling me how her granddaughter had asked for sewing lessons for Christmas. Then, Big Sister received a Baby Alive (Feel Better) doll for Christmas that came with a pathetically tiny blanket. Immediately, I knew she would want a better blanket for her doll, and I considered making it for her. Then, realizing she is six years old and improving her fine motor skills all the time, I decided to take advantage of Christmas vacation and teach my impressionable and excitable daughter a new skill before she lost interest. I taught my six year old to sew. My daughter made a baby doll four patch quilt. It's not exactly a tutorial, but here are some guidelines to help you also have a positive first experience teaching your son or daughter (or grandchild) to hand sew. Have a purpose. We had a doll that "needed" a blanket. Maybe a neighbor or little cousin "needs" something. Choose the time. I knew sewing a doll baby blanket would take several days due to the amount of guidance needed. I opted to do it during her Christmas vacation when we had plenty of time together. Most of our sewing time was in the mornings and early afternoons. Choose fabrics. Visit the fabric stash and pull out five or six fabrics, purposely holding back on what might be her favorite pattern for the back side. Encourage her to choose four favorites. Cut fabric to size. Cut each fabric into a 9 inch square while she watches. (If I were to make another baby doll blanket I would use 11 inch squares or actually make a 9-patch quilt.) Place squares together to demonstrate what the quilt top will look like so she can see and understand the goal. Mark a seam allowance. Be generous. Using fabric chalk or a fabric marker designed to disappear with a damp cloth, mark the seam allowance in a straight line so your child knows where to sew. I used nearly a half inch seam allowance for my daughter. Prepare to sew. Place right sides of fabric together and explain why. Pin. Thread and knot the needle. I opted to use contrasting thread so she would see it easier. Sew. Demonstrate five or so stitches until she is bursting with excitement and cannot wait another second to sew. Each time we began a new thread, I would sew 3-5 stitches. This frequently modeled for her the proper way and ensured that some sturdy stitches would be sewn. Encourage. Eventually she will (mostly) get the hang of it. Eventually, explain that straight and small stitches are the strongest and will hold the blanket together best. Encourage her to examine the stitch length as she sews and to change it, if needed, before the needle is all the way through. Wait to do this until she understands the basics of stitching. These stitches were some of her final stitches and much smaller than her earlier stitches. Appropriately small and straight for a six year old beginner. Continue... Initially the new sewing student may not want to stop. Encourage a break if you see that it would benefit her. As you talk to her, some sewing vocabulary will be learned. Much help may be needed and given. Patience for all is needed even when she experiments and sews through her own comforter. On purpose. Motivate. When the interest wanes, consider motivation. My daughter was thrilled to know we could show the blanket to a neighbor when she completed it. By the time she needed to be motivated, we were close to completion, yet she did not want to work on it. Mrs. Potts was a great motivator! Be sensitive. My daughter is left-handed. I am not. If you are teaching someone who will use the needle differently than you, consider switching which side of the fabric to sew. I always place my seams on the right side (to be held with my left hand), and begin at the bottom. For my daughter, I learned to place the seams on the left side. My six year old daughter not only learned to sew a basic stitch, she also learned to swaddle a baby! Big Sister really did sew 98% of this blanket! I cut, pinned, and marked the fabric. I threaded the needle and tied the knots. As stated, I sewed a few stitches at the beginning of each new thread. She did all of the other sewing, except when she needed a bit of help! Really, my biggest job was to be patient and encourage her. This time together was incredibly spent. She had my full attention-and I could give it to her since my husband was also home on Christmas vacation- and we had a very special time together learning a new skill. What would you have as a next sewing project? I was thinking a baby doll pillow. Other thoughts? Explore our other children's crafts! I'm linking to ABC and 123's show and tell! ~ Annette {This Simple Mom}
In this blog post, you will learn about 6 reasons for students resistance to participation in class along with suggested ways to deal with them.
6th graders and middle school students can be a fun and enthusiastic group to teach, but they can also be a bit challenging. With all the new changes they are experiencing (hormonal and what-not), teaching health is essential for this age-group. If you want to avoid the giggles and eye-rolls while broaching this subject
Welcome to another installment of the Secondary Smorgasbord linky party! This is my favorite theme thus far (and VERY appropriate for the February weather we are currently experiencing). It's -30°C, and with the windchill, it has gotten to -45°C (for my American friends, that's approximately -22°F). Yes, I had to Google the conversion! Now that you know that I am literally experiencing the DEEP FREEZE in my neck of the woods, let's get down to business. This month's collaborative theme is Out of the Deep Freeze and is about "a product that doesn't get the attention you'd like it to get and should get because, darn it, it's really good!" The project I chose to feature is something I worked REALLY hard on and update regularly! It's one of the best assignments I have created and not because I think so, but because my students tell me how much they learned! You read that right (they actually enjoy it). Hard to imagine high school students enjoying something that they have to put some effort into, right? DRUM ROLL PLEASE..... Would you believe it's a Monthly Budget Project?? Yep, they love it! Who would have guessed. This project reinforces practical money skills, and teaches the budgeting process in a fun and engaging way. Students will learn the differences between "need" and "want" items, and will experience what it's like to live on their own! Plus, they get to have a roommate, so the 'ol excitement of finding a partner in the class gets them extra excited. So, what's it all about? Students get to (a) Find a place to live (b) Learn just how much groceries really do cost - their initial guesses are quite humorous! (c) Pay bills - forget online banking, they learn to write out checks! (d) Learn the costs of buying, renting, or leasing a vehicle...just to name a few! If you want to give your students an opportunity to learn what it's like to live on their own, then give this a try! I am always open to suggestions and changes (as I am always updating this product, so feedback is welcomed!) Thanks again to ELA Buffet and Desktop Learning Adventures for the link up opportunity! Make sure to peruse the other products posted by the other secondary sellers - you don't want to miss out on an awesome resource that has not been given the praise that it deserves!! Stay warm, folks! An InLinkz Link-up
This FACS | FCS project will teach students about sensory and how it relates to child development. Students will create a sensory bin that is age-appropriate, as well as, developmentally appropriate. Identify what is developmentally appropriate in the areas of social development, intellectual development, physical development, and emotional development. Including but not limited to critical thinking, pretend play, fine motor skills, speech development, and quality time. They will follow this project up with a presentation. This Product Includes: Step-By-Step Project Guide Sensory Development Quick Notes Project Check List Project Job Distribution Form Prompts for Presentation Rubric for Sensory Bin Rubric for Presentation As an educator, I keep lectures short (micro-lessons) and projects meaningful. I highly encourage PBL (Project Based Learning) in FACS and CTE courses. See all other FACS and CTE resources I offer in the links below. With this purchase, you will receive the sensory bin activity and two rubric. Resources You May Also Love ★ ALL CHILD DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES & BUNDLES HERE ★CTE - Career and Technical Education Resources Terms Copyright © Jerri Snyder. All rights reserved by author. This product is to be used by the original downloader only. Copying for more than one teacher, classroom, department, school, or school system is prohibited. This product may not be distributed or displayed digitally for public view. Failure to comply is a copyright infringement and a violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Clipart and elements found in this document are copyrighted and cannot be extracted and used outside of this file without permission or license. Intended for classroom and personal use ONLY. See product file for clip-art and font credits. Connect with Me! Mrs. Jerri Snyder Visit me here!< < <
You can find two different kinds of fusible interfacing : woven and non-woven. What are the differences between the two? Is one better than the other?
Need a creative idea for teaching money to kids? The Money Game is a fun hands-on way! Inspired by the Beth Kobliner Book- Make Your Kids a Money Genius
Plenty of people in the room have something to say; they just haven't been asked the right question.
Comments Share Tweet Follow us Save
The theme of this month and next month on this blog is all about creating teaching resources, but this week […]
Ladies and Gentleman... we officially have the first week down in the books!! And what an AMAZING week it was!! #BestFirstWeekEver!! My kiddos are just awesome. We learned a lot and laughed a lot! My own children also had a great week (aside from a quick bout of a stomach bug that kept one home for a day!). My oldest, Drew, started 1st grade. My middle, Quinn, started Kindergarten. And my toddler twins, Addy and Chase, began two-mornings-a-week preschool. Additionally, Mr. Musings from the Middle School (my husband Dennis), started a new school year, too! Phew!! My head is spinning! Anyway, I hope everyone is having a great weekend and recovering from this busy time of year. This post is mainly a pictorial of some of the goings on in my classroom this week. As we settle into our routine, I'll be back with more "meaty" posts (and hopefully some new videos, too!). One of my favorite activities from the week was this Growth Mindset lesson that I adapted from here. Basically, the kids had to create the image on top using just a piece of paper and scissors. It was NOT easy... but that's exactly the point! As the kids worked, I wrote down some of the comments I heard. Things like, "this is impossible," and "I give up!" After I let them struggle for a while, I brought them back together and discussed the activity with them. It was eye-opening to see their words. They all agreed that their attitude was too negative so of course they would never have been successful. Then we read the Growth Mindset posters hanging in our room and discussed what each one meant. I closed with this video from Khan Academy. It was a fun and powerful lesson. One of the BEST purchases I made from TpT for this school year is the Icebreakers that Rock bundle from Cult of Pedagogy. This product contains three PowerPoint activities that allow students to talk to each other in an easy, comfortable way. What is great about these is that you can use them as one, big activity, or you can break them up, showing just a few slides here and there, as "brain breaks" through out the day. That is how I used them. So, on the first day, I did a big "Find Someone Who" activity with them. This allowed all the kids to learn each other's names. Next, I assigned them all their lockers and we practiced opening the combination locks (super-stressful for these first time locker users)! After that, we did a few slides from Icebreakers that Rock. Then, we went over the syllabus. Next, a few more Icebreakers that Rock slides. After that, I handed out and went over all the paperwork that had to go home and be signed (oh, the paperwork!!!). Then, a few more slides right before lunch. And then a few more right after lunch. Next up, a tour of the building. Then a few more slides before trying our lockers again. Finally, another slide right before dismissal. It was the perfect break/filler/attention-getter/distraction to use throughout the day... actually, I used the slides throughout the whole week! Run to TpT and pick this product up today! Totally worth every penny. (Some of the slides can be done silently. I LOVED these slides!!) Of course, we had to number our notebooks to get ready for ELA next week. I always tell kids that this is the easiest, most difficult task that we do all year :) I really the love smell of a Mr. Sketch anchor poster in the morning! This year, I'm starting with Reading Nonfiction: Notice and Note Stances, Signposts, and Strategies. My thinking is that it will really help with getting started with Article of the Week. Here is one of several of the posters I'll be using to teach these strategies. I'm jumping on the #ObserveMe bandwagon! Read more about it here. I'll keep you updated on how this goes throughout the year! Okay... that is enough for now! The beach is calling my name... nothing beats September here at the Jersey Shore! Hope the back-to-school season is treating you well! I'd love to hear how your school year is going so far. Happy Teaching!!
