This is a great link with rap songs about parts of a story (my favorite) to other subject related rap songs. With all the new hip hop, this has the kids up moving and learning vocabulary important to their learning.
http://flocabulary.com/fivethings/
Have fun! ~ Tara
Outdoor Classroom is a Reality
This morning I found a Brunswick Electric Letter in my teachery mailbox at school. I was slightly shocked as this was my fourth year in applying for this grant for an outdoor classroom and garden. This year my letter was in an 8 x 10 burnt orange envelope as previously they had been in a standard white envelope. I was kindof grumbling into work for many reasons.
1. I was running late, compliments of my sleepy husband and need to get two precious girls ready for preschool.
2. My Sundrop had not fully kicked in nor did I have breakfast.
3. It was our third grade annual Pumpkin Day, in which for the love of learning, we teachers would prepare a chaotic day of pumpkin learning based activities..... FOR THE LOVE OF KIDS!!!!!
4. I didn't have jeans that fit properly because I'm losing weight, but that's a whole 'nother story....
5. My sudrop wasn't working yet...
So I really can't wait for a surprise, so this bad boy was not walking all the way down to my room. I put down my belongings and slowly (and unexpectedly) opened the envelope. I knew something was really different when I opened a blue folder and spied a gleaming certificate inside. Overwhelmed with joy, I was totally jumping up and down, saying "Oh yeah, who has a piranha gun now" (Despicable Me) I'm just kidding, I washappy, excited, jubilant, elated, screaming "we have our outdoor classroom" whoooo hooo!!!
I was hugging teachers, high fiving people, and even hugged the PE teacher.... saying--- "get ready, I'm gonna hug you."
Now is the 'put the money to good use part'. I'm so excited. We have used this area as a means to teach science for plants and soil. Now however, we will be able to properly outline the sun and shade gardens, have durable picnic tables for outdoor lessons in ANY subject and a composting bin for great soil. I plan to post pictures of the garden as we make our way into this great journey. For now this is green thumb Tara---- OUT!
1. I was running late, compliments of my sleepy husband and need to get two precious girls ready for preschool.
2. My Sundrop had not fully kicked in nor did I have breakfast.
3. It was our third grade annual Pumpkin Day, in which for the love of learning, we teachers would prepare a chaotic day of pumpkin learning based activities..... FOR THE LOVE OF KIDS!!!!!
4. I didn't have jeans that fit properly because I'm losing weight, but that's a whole 'nother story....
5. My sudrop wasn't working yet...
So I really can't wait for a surprise, so this bad boy was not walking all the way down to my room. I put down my belongings and slowly (and unexpectedly) opened the envelope. I knew something was really different when I opened a blue folder and spied a gleaming certificate inside. Overwhelmed with joy, I was totally jumping up and down, saying "Oh yeah, who has a piranha gun now" (Despicable Me) I'm just kidding, I was
I was hugging teachers, high fiving people, and even hugged the PE teacher.... saying--- "get ready, I'm gonna hug you."
Now is the 'put the money to good use part'. I'm so excited. We have used this area as a means to teach science for plants and soil. Now however, we will be able to properly outline the sun and shade gardens, have durable picnic tables for outdoor lessons in ANY subject and a composting bin for great soil. I plan to post pictures of the garden as we make our way into this great journey. For now this is green thumb Tara---- OUT!
Bring a Veteran to School Day
Yes, this is a better title because so many of my kids asked how they were supposed to bring a Vet to school. Haha!
Well this is the first year I can say with confidence we have taught the kids to understand what a Veteran is and why they are celebrated on November 11th.
We have so many fathers and grandfathers coming in to share some small tidbits about thier military experience... rated G style. For example:
1. What branch of the military did they serve?
2. Why did they join the military?
3. Memorable experiences good/bad?
We are also going to give out our Honorary Veterans a certificate of appreciation as we salute them during the brief playing of each military song. We have printed these certificates on flag stationary. The students will give thier Veteran the certificate at the end of the program.
Each of our third grade classes will stand for a different branch of the military. (Be sure to get the compolation that includes the Coast Guard)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdXBewNsaQA&feature=related
We are so excited about tomorrow morning as some Veterans come to share with pictures, some with uniforms and hats and some with the willingness to share with our kids the meaning of Veteran's Day.
We Salute you Veterans!! Most Sincerely~ Tara
Here is another military brochure if you do mini-lessons on the different branches or have the students do independent studies.
Click on the pictures to go to my webpage and download the file. Thanks- Tara
After the many events that took place. Here are a few pictures to show you the amazing time we had.
Well this is the first year I can say with confidence we have taught the kids to understand what a Veteran is and why they are celebrated on November 11th.
We have so many fathers and grandfathers coming in to share some small tidbits about thier military experience... rated G style. For example:
1. What branch of the military did they serve?
2. Why did they join the military?
3. Memorable experiences good/bad?
We are also going to give out our Honorary Veterans a certificate of appreciation as we salute them during the brief playing of each military song. We have printed these certificates on flag stationary. The students will give thier Veteran the certificate at the end of the program.
Each of our third grade classes will stand for a different branch of the military. (Be sure to get the compolation that includes the Coast Guard)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdXBewNsaQA&feature=related
We are so excited about tomorrow morning as some Veterans come to share with pictures, some with uniforms and hats and some with the willingness to share with our kids the meaning of Veteran's Day.
We Salute you Veterans!! Most Sincerely~ Tara
Here is another military brochure if you do mini-lessons on the different branches or have the students do independent studies.
After the many events that took place. Here are a few pictures to show you the amazing time we had.
Bring a Vet to School Day
I'm so excited.
A new tradition is about to pop up for our grade level ( I hope).
Time for Kids in addition to the History Channel is sponsoring Bring a Vet to School Day. In our county, we have a chopped up three day week during Veteran's Day week. So this is perfect for small mini lessons on Veteran's Day. For those of you who may not know a whole lot on the subject the following link has a bunch of resources. http://www.history.com/topics/take-a-vet They even offer free 30 wristbands for your kids, I brought a vet to school day!
We are going to allow our kids to bring a snack and have a small spread for the Veterans. The vets will watch a video of the kids and many different child-like meanings of being an American. Then we will have a standard three questions they can talk with the kids about. We will encourage the children to hold their questions until the end. Hopefully, we will end with a sweet picture of our fabulous day with pieces of our American History among us.
A must read aloud to your kids is The Wall by Eve Bunting! Wow, try to hold back the tears.
A new tradition is about to pop up for our grade level ( I hope).
Time for Kids in addition to the History Channel is sponsoring Bring a Vet to School Day. In our county, we have a chopped up three day week during Veteran's Day week. So this is perfect for small mini lessons on Veteran's Day. For those of you who may not know a whole lot on the subject the following link has a bunch of resources. http://www.history.com/topics/take-a-vet They even offer free 30 wristbands for your kids, I brought a vet to school day!
We are going to allow our kids to bring a snack and have a small spread for the Veterans. The vets will watch a video of the kids and many different child-like meanings of being an American. Then we will have a standard three questions they can talk with the kids about. We will encourage the children to hold their questions until the end. Hopefully, we will end with a sweet picture of our fabulous day with pieces of our American History among us.
A must read aloud to your kids is The Wall by Eve Bunting! Wow, try to hold back the tears.
I am so proud to be an American!
Planet Rounding
Curse YOU GOOGLE DOCS!!! THAT'S RIGHT~ I'M SO MAD I HAVE MY CAPS LOCK ON!!!!!!!
On the other hand I have evaded you and found an alternate way to upload and direct other teachers to a document where they can use and tweak if needed. You may have to look for it on the webpage. My documents I post will be linked and directed to the part of my webpage where you can down load the file. IN WORD, so if you choose to change any of the material, feel free just don't be a bugar head and take credit for all my hard work, blah, blah, blah.... that's just uncool!!!!!
Here is a fantastic computer lesson where if you show the kids the link ahead of time they will have fun finding all the days, months and years on other planets then rounding to your mathematical choice.... I know a few fourth grade teachers that have used this too. So... now that the first two weeks of school are over....
Like Mase said..... I'm Back!
Select the pictures above and it will bring you to the webpage where the file is stored. This file is located under science technology and you can download and print. Hope you like.
If you don 't have time to explore some of the science links to find out which this belongs with here she is....
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/
http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/index.html
Here is a fantastic computer lesson where if you show the kids the link ahead of time they will have fun finding all the days, months and years on other planets then rounding to your mathematical choice.... I know a few fourth grade teachers that have used this too. So... now that the first two weeks of school are over....
Like Mase said..... I'm Back!
Select the pictures above and it will bring you to the webpage where the file is stored. This file is located under science technology and you can download and print. Hope you like.
If you don 't have time to explore some of the science links to find out which this belongs with here she is....
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/
http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/index.html
Overwhelmed
First two weeks of school.
Sooooo busy.
Dibels for two weeks.
Third graders are supposed to stay busy
while I test individual kids on reading passages.
When can I teach?
I heart teaching....
but here I dibel....
Is dibel a verb?
While sooooo many kids play
or randomly stare into space....
I should have put more educational posters on my walls...
I value the information these reading tests give us...
But two weeks of instruction...
gone.... gone..... gone....
Minilesson..... work on your own.... dibel......
Minilesson..... work on your own.... dibel......
TWO WEEKS....
I am a teacher....
May I teach?
Sooooo busy.
Dibels for two weeks.
Third graders are supposed to stay busy
while I test individual kids on reading passages.
When can I teach?
I heart teaching....
but here I dibel....
Is dibel a verb?
While sooooo many kids play
or randomly stare into space....
I should have put more educational posters on my walls...
I value the information these reading tests give us...
But two weeks of instruction...
gone.... gone..... gone....
Minilesson..... work on your own.... dibel......
Minilesson..... work on your own.... dibel......
TWO WEEKS....
I am a teacher....
May I teach?
EyeClops
Well, here I go again on my own.
Yes, I have a juke box that constantly plays in my head too.
Here is a toy..... ahhhhemmm.... educational tool that is fantastic for kids to play....use in class. Mine actually has a USB removable port where the kids can download their microscopic pictures to a computer and then use them in PowerPoint, etc.
This is my favorite kind of sand... Sand that is made of coral reef. Normally this sand has beautiful, clear blue water that comes with it. And memories of my sweet Granny who loved the islands.
This is a close up of wood.
Sand from....hmmm, I'll have to get back with you
Not bright, but a honey bee buttox.
Honeybee wing with POLLEN...cool.
Butterfly wing... I know... Cool.
Hmmm, I don't think we were studying shirts that day, but here is one up close. Just so you know what it looks like.
In honor of the late Dr. George from India, here is a "Can't See Um" as we corrected him in class a No See'm
Yes, I have a juke box that constantly plays in my head too.
Here is a toy..... ahhhhemmm.... educational tool that is fantastic for kids to play....use in class. Mine actually has a USB removable port where the kids can download their microscopic pictures to a computer and then use them in PowerPoint, etc.
EYE...hehehe actually use this for two units in my third grade class. I don't know if I have ever told you that I teach third grade...funny.
Anyhow.
1. Sand, Silt and clay..... BOY oh BOY can you see how itty-bitty clay is and how HUGE sand is. Also, sand tells you where it's been and where it's going. I have a small sand collection of about 30 samples all over the world and it is remarkable to see how different sand looks.
2. Pollination: Kids think people think insects really are not that important. When they realize the honeybee crisis in America and bees pollinate a majority of things we eat.... well, you get the picture. Pretty fascinating. Here are a few good pictures the kids took. It's harder for third graders to use them, but give them time. Like a cell phone, they'll be changin' your ring tone before you know it.
This is my favorite kind of sand... Sand that is made of coral reef. Normally this sand has beautiful, clear blue water that comes with it. And memories of my sweet Granny who loved the islands.
This is a close up of wood.
Sand from....hmmm, I'll have to get back with you
Not bright, but a honey bee buttox.
Honeybee wing with POLLEN...cool.
Butterfly wing... I know... Cool.
Hmmm, I don't think we were studying shirts that day, but here is one up close. Just so you know what it looks like.
In honor of the late Dr. George from India, here is a "Can't See Um" as we corrected him in class a No See'mI
I really don't want you to be mad at me.... because I don't like confrontation and I don't know you, but I got these for...... wait for it, wait for it....
19.99 a toy!!!!!!! Yes, Walmart was clearing out their Christmas toys and well, 139.99 scientific toys were not on the hot list that year!!!!!! Can you believe it! I know you can't. Well, this toy did make toy of the year some time back and I must say it keeps getting better and better. Hope you like.
If you want to trade sand, I'm all about that too.
arrivederci~tara
Vocabulators
These are the fabulous vocabulators you will read about on Melissa Forney's website. I have created a document to make it easier to label and laminate synonym vocabulary for the words we 'murder' in class. Here are the simple steps... hehehe...
These were so much fun to make----SYKE!!! I used recycled Parmesan cheese containers instead of paying for new containers. Think green right, wrong, think broke.... :)
I used tape to laminate the two sides together then trimmed with scissors.
Put the words inside the rice and don't forget the cute things that help represent the word you're trying to replace. For example, the big container can have dinosaurs, trucks, etc.
Here we have from left to right. Color words, Like words, Big words, Cold words
When I finish my character traits and other bottles I will post the document so you too can make your own vocabulators. I also have some ideas to use with vocabulary centers too. After I survive the first week of school. Love ya bloggy friends~ Chow- Tara
Take home folder cover
Here ya go! Makin' the back to school crapp-ola. I will allow the children to choose between one of these designs to color for morning work. This will go in their daily take home folder.
Free for All FRIDAY! Hooked on Books!
Another Tara ORIGINAL! I'm only saying that because I think it's totally funny how many teachers think many of the things they came up with were their OWN original IDEA. There are some fantastic ideas out there and some are really unique. I'm just saying that when I see a million ideas with this or that and another teacher gets mad because it was their IDEA! HA! SO with all that said, maybe this is original, maybe not, I can't directly think of a source that I have ever seen like this.....BUT, I will not be so bold to say no one has ever made anything like this either. Either way I hope you enjoy.
I'm totally complimented when people like, tweak, or borrow ideas I've used in the classroom. I can't say honestly any idea is totally mine, because actually, someone or something has inspired me to tweak it for ME!
So for all you tweakers out there. Feel free to make this into something that works for you.
Happy Hurricane Irene to you all staying dry. ~Tara
PPS!!!! I hate technology! Google Docs can kiss my big toe! If you want this please leave me a message and I will email the document to you. I really am trying to figure out all this new techno stuff, I will get there someday.
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