Reinforce the 3 types of symbiotic relationships using these two terrific activities. - An 8 exhibit gallery walk with fabulous images and scenarios describing real world symbiosis._ An 8.5 x 14 cut -n- paste worksheet designed for kids to categorize symbiotic relationships.I like to split my class ...
Turn an old-school bulletin board into a functional work of art in 3 easy steps by adding just a few important (and pretty) details.The phrase “Pin it” has a ve…
Today is my birthday (turning 27), which is the only time that I ask for a retweet 🌿 I hope you get lost in fantasy worlds as much as I do 🔮
Fall is here! The leaves are turning beautiful shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold. Living here in Utah is truly one of the most beautiful places to enjoy the fall foliage! As the air turns crisp and the season begins to change, it make me want to create. So I am sharing some fun
It’s no secret that I have an author-crush on Ralph Fletcher. I was lucky enough to see him in person (twice! woohoo!), and I could hardly contain my joy. I threw my hand up like an excitable fourth grader when he asked for volunteers. I asked questions - so I could pretend he was talking just to me. And at the break, I got him to sign two books for me (I always thought it was ridiculous to stand in line to have an author sign books…until I became a bonafide Ralph groupie.). I love the way he writes. I love the way he speaks. And I love the way he looks. Okay, I know the last one was a little bit more information than I needed to share – but it’s true. So what sparked this author crush? His crazy-good, life-changing Writer’s Notebook books. Book Love A Writer's Notebook Ralph Fletcher has written a lot of books about teaching kids to write the way real authors write (and each one is filled with ah-ha moments and practical tips), but the one that sparked my insatiable desire to learn more was A Writer's Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You. I’m not kidding when I say that once I applied the techniques in this book, I started looking forward to the ELA writing block – every single day. Why? Because my students loved it! Not only did Writers’ Notebooks change the way I taught writing, but they turned even my most reluctant writers into writing machines - who actually wanted to share what they wrote. Be. Still. My. Heart. Writer's Notebook Defined So what exactly is a Writer's Notebook? Ralph Fletcher describes it this way: “A Writer’s Notebook is a blank book where a writer can engage in the fun, often messy job of being a writer – practicing, listening, playing with language, gathering images and insights and ideas. The purpose of such a notebook is to nourish the writer. It is one of the most essential tools of the trade.” Yep. It’s just a simple, blank notebook where writers collect ideas (lists), free write (fluency), and practice targeted skills (figurative language/word choice/sentence structure). Essentially, it’s the place where ideas for future writings (i.e. pre-writing and drafting gems) are stored. That’s it. Nothing else. No full-length pieces. No final drafts. But believe me, if you want to see dramatic improvements in your students’ writing it’ll be more than enough. Writer's Notebook in Practice There are many ways to use Writers' Notebooks, but I either use them as stand-alone exercises to build writing confidence or as warm-up exercises during the mini-lesson portion of Writer’s Workshop. Sometimes students generate lists (e.g. annoying personality traits, character names, substitutes for overused words). Not only do student-generated lists serve as great pre-writing tools and year-long reference pages, but students feel a sense of ownership as they create and share these lists in pairs and small groups. Writer's Notebook Collections and Quick Writes Sometimes they'll draft free writes about something that's on their minds or about something I suggest (e.g. recounting an event that happened over the weekend, taking a stand on a controversial issue, writing a character description). Free writes (10-12 minutes drafts) help students experiment with different writing styles. Since free writes are non-threatening by design, students find it easy to develop a style that feels natural and conversational. ***An extra free write bonus is that many of these short pieces will become part of longer assignments later in the year. Character Snapshots And sometimes students fool around with language to help them develop a unique writing style (e.g. playing with punctuation, practicing sentence-building techniques, experimenting with word choice). I can't think of a more entertaining way to teach grammar and mechanics than to have students create visually-rich pages which will be repurposed as valuable guides for the editing and revising stages of the writing process. Visual Writer's Notebook Although Ralph Fletcher emphasizes that a pure Writer’s Notebook should be filled only with pieces dreamed up by each student, I have found that many students need to have a suggested topic to fall back on in case they're not inspired to come up with their own on any given day. There are also times when I require students to write about a pre-determined topic (Shhh…don't tell Ralph.) in order to make the scary process of writing a five-paragraph essay or a full-length narrative fun, easy, and achievable for inexperienced writers. I'll talk more about that in a future post. If you'd like to view more sample pages you'll find them under the Visual Writer's Notebook tab above this blog or by clicking the button below. In my next Writer's Notebook post, I'll be sharing a short video on how to set up notebooks and I'll be including a downloadable Writer's Notebook cheat sheet. Until next time…stay committed…teach with passion…and inspire students with who you are.
Christmas with your cat is truly the "most wonderful time of the year," as the quote goes. It's the season of cozy cuddles, playful pounces on festive decorations, and the shared quiet of winter's charm. Your cat isn't just a pet; they're a part of your family, making each holiday moment more memorable. Whether they're batting at baubles or curling up in your lap, they embody the spirit of comfort and joy that defines the season. Message: Get ready to take a risk and stand out with our "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year" hoodie! Perfect for cat lovers, this personalized gift will have you turning heads. With fast delivery and 10% off, don't miss out on making a bold statement this holiday season! Meaning: Spread holiday cheer with our Personalized Holiday Hoodie. Customize it with festive designs, family photos, and holiday greetings. Whether it's Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any other holiday, this hoodie will keep you warm and festive Features: Hoodie Classic fit Runs true to size Medium-heavy fabric (8.0 oz/yd² (271 g/m²)) Tear-away label Materials: 50% cotton, 50% polyester (fiber content may vary for different colors) T-Shirt Made with 100% ringspun cotton, a lightweight fabric (4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²)) All shirts feature a pearlized, tear-away label for total wearing comfort Fabric blends: Heather colors 35% ring-spun cotton, 65% polyester; Sport Grey - 90% cotton, 10% polyester Sweater 80% ringspun cotton, 20% polyester Medium-heavy fabric (9.5 oz /yd² (322.1 g/m²)) Relaxed fit -Sewn-in twill label OEKO-TEX-certified low-impact dyes
Picture this: endless fields of golden sunflowers stretching as far as the eye can see, their cheerful faces turning towards the sun. Sounds dreamy, right?
Unlock the Mysteries of Math with Our Thrilling Pre Algebra Game! Turn Math Anxiety into Algebra Mastery for Aspiring Young Minds Dive into the world of numbers and variables with "Pre Algebra PowerPoint Game," where every challenge is an opportunity for discovery. Designed to demystify the concepts of pre algebra, this game turns complex equations and algebraic expressions into a thrilling adventure for kids. Benefits for Children: Strengthens Mathematical Foundations: Solidifies understanding of basic mathematical concepts, setting a strong foundation for future algebraic learning. Boosts Problem-Solving Skills: Enhances critical thinking and problem-solving abilities as children navigate through algebraic puzzles. Encourages Independent Learning: Empowers kids to tackle mathematical challenges on their own, fostering a sense of accomplishment. Makes Math Fun: Transforms the often daunting subject of pre algebra into an enjoyable and engaging experience. Perfect for: Parents looking to bolster their child's math skills in a fun and engaging way. Teachers in search of interactive tools to make algebra concepts more accessible. Homeschooling families needing comprehensive yet entertaining math resources. After-school programs aiming to enrich their math curriculum with interactive content. Say goodbye to math fears and hello to algebraic cheers with "Pre Algebra PowerPoint Game." Watch as the young learners in your life approach math with newfound enthusiasm and confidence.
Nothing beats a smooth, creamy, and cheesy cheese sauce. Find out today how why cheese sauce gets gritty and how to prevent it! While I get that there are 5 food groups, in my world,
