I’m linking up with Ashley from Just Reed for her 10 Pin Linky! This week the theme is writing. I’m always looking for new and useful ideas to support my writing program…especially since my school’s success plan is about writing. 1. I think this is my favourite one! We tried doing boards like this in my planning […]
Colour and cut out the character images. Glue or tape the characters to a craft stick. After reading your favourite Maisy book...
*UPDATED* This is the “most read” recipe on my blog => but not because it is a favourite – but because of the ongoing discussion about “flapjack” versus “crum…
23 Funny Wedding readings that will have your guests in stitches and completely emotional all at the same time!
Today I'm sharing one of my favourite tasks for building community in the classroom. Students are able to share an important aspect of themselves (the story of their name) with the class and with me, their teacher. Through this task we are also working on important skills, like reading comprehension, writing, and reflection. Day 1 To begin, I asked my students to write any name they wish they had on a sticky note. They then placed it in a mason jar. I read my class the story "The Name Jar" by Yansook Choi. We stopped at several points in the story to predict, make connections, infer, and ask questions. At one point, we paused in the story so that students could journal about the name they wrote down on the sticky note earlier: - Did they choose their own name? Or another? - Why? - If you chose another name, where did you hear that name before? Day 2 At the end of Day 1, students were given homework. (Stick around to the bottom of this post for a chance to get your own copy of this sheet.) I make it very clear, that while names all have meanings, your family may not have chosen your name for that reason. They might not know the meaning, and you can choose to look it up with your family if you wish. I also focus a lot on nicknames and your own feelings about your name. While I've never taught a student in foster care, or one who was adopted, I do think it's important to mention that this could be a touchy task in those situations, so be sure to know your students first, and modify as needed. Students use the homework task, and the journal write from the previous day, to write "The Story of their Name". Some possible options to include are: - who you are named after - the meaning of your name - a name you'd rather have - your feelings toward your name - nicknames you may have - the person (or people) who chose your name - how your name was chosen This piece of writing is then self, peer, and teacher edited, and a "good" copy is made. Day 3 I found this excellent step-by-step self-portrait from "Art Projects for Kids". I modified the task so that instead of drawing the left or right side of their face, they would draw the top half. Students find that folding their page into quadrants as she suggests is very helpful. Under the document camera I demonstrate each step, and students copy, adapting to their own facial features. Each student gets a mirror to look in to help them personalize. The final pieces are put on a bulletin board for display. Students also coloured in a bubble letter version of their names to complete the display. (I used the font KG Red Hands Outline for this.) Day 4 Once we've completed the task, the last job is to reflect on our work. I pulled some elements from our Arts Education curriculum (very relevant regardless of where you teach) for students to self-assess on. I've used the proficiency scale language our school has moved to for all reporting. A few students found it helpful to complete their reflection while looking at the finished product on their bulletin board, but most didn't need this. Want a copy of both my homework and reflection pages? Follow the image or button below to grab your copy. Take Me to the Free Download Pin this post.
Manestra (better known as kritharaki in Greece) is a Greek dish made with orzo and a delicious meat sauce.
Colourful collage elephant inspired by the book Elmer by David Mckee.
free download on patreon I can't watch how sims read in the game. I did this override so that they were in a more relaxed and comfortable position. I changed all the sitting reading animations. the…
Today's post is going to share a few simple games to add to your word work time. Read the book Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss. Illustrate Game Cards Have the students make illustrations to match the word on the game card. I think it is much more beautiful when we use children's art word rather than clipart. Match The Rhyme Working with a small group of children I start with the cards facing up. I would pick a card and the students would have to find the card that rhymes. Find the Rhymes Working independently, students find words that rhyme and put them together. They could record them in their word study journals. Memory Game Play a game of memory. The object of the game would be to flip over a card and find a match. ZOOSE!!! The cards can be played for a game of ZOOSE! In the past, I have shared a game called Moose but instead of Moose we will use a silly word ZOOSE. You take a card and if you read it you get to keep it. If you pick the ZOOSE card all of your cards go back in the deck. click here for Dr. Seuss Rhyming Cards
Visiting Budapest? Here are the top 4 best baths in Budapest. A city with over 123 hot springs, there are plenty of thermal baths and spas here. Read this guide to help pick your favourite for a perfect Budapest holiday.
I was commissioned by W A X partnership in Calgary to illustrate an elephant for the DIGINEG logotype. Here are some of the sketches: --------------------- And this is the final result:
Traditional British sweet oat bar treat. They’re soft, chewy and super easy to make! Today I’m sharing one of my favourite childhood treats. Classic British flapjacks are gooey, butter…
Lucca was our favourite city in Tuscany and it remains relatively undiscovered by visitors to Italy. Read on to find out more about this hidden jewel.
Are you looking for a vegan-friendly lentil madras recipe that’s simple to make and will taste just as delicious as your favourite take-out? Look no further than this Costco Lentils Madras from our friends at Costco!
I have decided that I should have been an owl. The later it gets the better I focus and the more work I get done. I hit my stride at 7:30 pm. Here's the only problem with that - I get up at 5:30 am and my mind doesn't slow down until midnight. Sad, I know. Anyway, this will be a quick post. I am going to do my best to be a better blogger this week. We will see how that goes. I definitely seem to be getting more accomplished now that the craft room is functional and I've started listening to old Friday Night Lights episodes. By the way, LOVING my bajillion mason jars full of markers. They came in quite handy tonight. Plus, I love the fact I can work at the laptop, send something to the printer, grab the paper, scissors, and markers, and go to town. Speaking of paper, scissors, and markers, I have a new writing packet to share. It's called my Picture This Writing packet. It was created to give kids the chance to share their favorite places to visit. I've discovered that my kids do SOOO much better with their writing when they have a little craft included with it. Below are pictures. I also made three different types of writing paper so it's easier to differentiate. If you have any questions, shoot me an email and if you like the packet, click on it. It will take you straight to my TPT store. Have a great day tomorrow! Hopefully, I'll be back with a quick Mother's Day freebie tomorrow.
My 5 favourite scoliosis exercises to help increase core strength and flexibility. These exercises helped me to get stronger following scoliosis surgery.
The authors of April's best new books have the extraordinary power of sweeping us up in the stories they tell, both factual and fictional.
