I haven't been on in a while so I decided to do a little photo dumping tonight. You're welcome:)
Oh, and a quill.
Again, have a great night! Tara
Photo Dumping or What? American Revolution and more
Sorry in advance.
I haven't been on in a while so I decided to do a little photo dumping tonight. You're welcome:)
This is our pre and post assessment for the American Revolution. There is a wooden box of tea, crown, lantern, Declaration, Constiution, sugar, lobster, coins, Thomas Paine's Common Sense and more. Students are able to take an assessment on 5 items they can write about that deal with the American Revolution. It makes a great pretest because students don't know much about these items beforehand. I love this kind of probe because students really have to dig into more than a simple fact to explain an object and it's significance to the Revolution.
Oh, and a quill.
Here's a glimpse into our interactive notebook. This is available on my TPT store, or you can find plenty of great ideas and resources out there. I have really enjoyed creating materials that fit perfectly into my style of teaching and allow multiple ways for students to learn.
Yes, I'm the horrible teacher they talk about that taxed the children to sit in chairs. But, let's be fair, shall we? They only have me for 70 minutes and they get their money back in the end.... after they rebel. I have put a decree on my door for the last two years about taxes as we are learning about the French and Indian War and the beginning of taxes. Somehow, those smart little whipper-snappers learn about the Sons of Liberty really quick and fashion their own petition. I love it!! Taxes, chairs, students saying "Long live the King" and me with my crown on. The kids collected 50 signatures on the petition in a half day. I could go on and on about this, but it truly is a great learning experience! They secretly love the chance to rebel while having a little fun.
A closer look into our notebook.
I haven't been on in a while so I decided to do a little photo dumping tonight. You're welcome:)
Oh, and a quill.
Boston Massacre Crime Scene Take II
Here's how we set up the crime scene and how it played out with the children.
Here are a few more pictures to share with you about our crime scene. Students were just beginning to settle in class. It was a dreaded MONDAY, yikes and oiiii. It was a dreaded MONDAY before Thanksgiving break... even more groans and squalls. Anyhow, I was trying to think of something that would be a meaningful, memorable experience (since, let's face it... I have to be at school and some of them are taking an early vacation). Not to mention the barometric pressure was LOW and it was raining outside. Raining like CATS and DOGS!! Not a chance of letting them run off their red dye infused candy off during recess (don't blame me, I didn't give it to them)!! Anyhow...
So I wandered onto Pinterest where alas, did I find an amazing teacher who talked about setting up this simulation. But, as you know, that's all I had to go on. So for the entire Sunday afternoon, I began thinking of different items or symbolic representations that might have been around at the time. I also, being a science Olympiad coach, had a roll of crime scene tape! Waaah- lah!
I jazzied up some printables, evidence bag labels, FBI envelope top secret cover, top secret letter from the president, made FBI Agent badges, and so much more.....
Labored intensely for an hour prior to block 1.
Block one entered. I could tell they were excited to learn them up some history for the day.... YAWN.... NOT!!!!! So I told them to sharpen extra pencils for their 200 question history test on the American Revolution. Yep, you got it! That woke their sorry little butts up.
I'm just kidding. I really have a bad sarcastic sense of humor, if you couldn't tell.
Now.... what's this? A TOP SECRET MESSAGE ON MY DESK? FROM THE... WHO? THE PRESIDENT? HE wants us to WHAT? And yep, FBI badges and an official report. They were hook, line and sinker. I escorted them down to the room where the crime scene was blocked off with Caution Crime Scene Tape and personally checked badges for entrance to the scene. Did a little explainin' and let them go. I helped as needed, however, I didn't have to redirect any of them! Any, not one!!
With the exception of a little hunting and gathering, you can pick up this unit for a low cost on my TPT store. Have a great night teacher friends!!!
~ Tara
Boston Massacre Crime Scene
Well first of all, it started on Pinterest. That's how it always happens, right? I was so excited to find what I was looking for only to realize it was just that, a great picture from an amazing teacher.
Nothing else.
Well not entirely.
She had great descriptions of what and how she did it all. But I wanted more! Where were the printables? Where were the cheat sheets? Then it dawned on me... Make them, so I did. Now, when I actually have my computer I will go in length how I elaborated on a relatively limited idea and really developed it into a much bigger two day unit. But until then, you'll have to be happy with a few pictures.
In the directions for the colonial money I mentioned to print in black and white and stain in coffee. My ink was running out and it looked naturally old... what are the chances? I had my amazing daughters crumble up the money and letters really good to give it the old, rumpled up money look.
I'll have to admit, one of my biggest weaknesses is an antique store. I just can never pass up a jar of buttons. What's up with that? Anyhow, I was sure I had some gold buttons. They symbolize all the nice bells and whistles the British Military had apart from the colonists pieced together uniforms. Students had all kinds of ideas about how these fell off.
I was caught red handed (I mean blue handed)! I alternated different fingers to identify the British soldier that fired the first shots and the dead colonist's finger prints. The kids in all their crime scene work detected my blue fingerprints and asked if I framed the shooter? Haha
We aren't allowed to have any facsimile of weapons at school (great thing, I'm not complaining) but I really had to improv for this one. I used a dollar store tip of a plastic butter knife and told the kids this represented a bayonet tip that was broken off in conflict.
Wooden Club. There are two main versions of the Boston Massacre; was it provoked or were the colonists innocent? Would wooden clubs and stones have made the evidence more clear for a trial? Absolutely.
This is charcoal from an aquarium kit. I must confess, I am a teacher hoarder. I'm getting better thanks to my awesome buddies. However, I can't pass up boxes of stuff that "I might be able to use one day" all stuffed inside going to the trash. Normally, I'm the teacher who has what you're looking for:)
Goodnight all you fabulous teachers out there!
Nothing else.
Well not entirely.
She had great descriptions of what and how she did it all. But I wanted more! Where were the printables? Where were the cheat sheets? Then it dawned on me... Make them, so I did. Now, when I actually have my computer I will go in length how I elaborated on a relatively limited idea and really developed it into a much bigger two day unit. But until then, you'll have to be happy with a few pictures.
It was absolutely amazing to see all the ideas about the torn blue fabric. Some students even connected the different weapons saying they were torn from a bayonet and the colonial money fell out. Great detective work kids!
Goodnight all you fabulous teachers out there!
Patricia Polacco Reads Thunder Cake
One of my favorite authors reads her book Thunder Cake. It's everything I imagined with her reading her own book. One of my favorite books of hers is Pink and Say about the American Civil War. I'll warn you it's a tear jerker.
~ Tara
~ Tara
Why I Broke Up with Office Depot
Why I broke up with Office Depot:
After 11 long years, I finally called it quits with my teacher, class, extracurricular activities, supply distributer. I have been faithful and feel there hasn't been any wrongdoing on my part. I came to make my usual purchase of composition notebooks this year. Yes, I teach about 100 awesome and sometimes smelly fifth graders. I equally attempt to keep them engaged in class by using interactive note-booking techniques. Composition notebooks are great for this because they are tough mudders and can take a beating all year. Usually, they are $.25 which is why I was elated when I found out they were only $.10. Yes, I scored the mother load!!!! "But the limit is 3" friends would say. Nahhhhh, they always let me do repeat purchases for teachers. Hah, was I fooled.
I can in and stocked up and proceeded to ask for a manager. Teachers are always causing trouble as they slink up to the counter and ask for a discount. (You don't see other professions asking all the time for a discount do you? Nope) But teachers think they are special, or at least I do. The manager on duty proceeded to tell me it wasn't possible to purchase that many at the discount price. I asked why not? I had always been able to in the past. I explained it wasn't allowed to be added to our supply list, blah, blah, blah... he rudely replied.... "Ma'am, WE HAVE TO SAVE SOME FOR THE CHILDREN!" Wholly SNAPS- ARE YOU FOR FREAKIN REAL? I then turned into Madea and asked, "what do you think, I'm going to go home and COLOR in 100 NOTEBOOKS?? It is for the children, in fact, I'm saving parents a trip or they would be buying these notebooks." Short story shorter, we went a few rounds, I was really trying my FBI techniques on him trying to get him to budge. He said I was, "taking away from their bottom line." I told him they wouldn't take anything out of his paycheck if he scanned my products 33 times. it went on and on. At the end of the day, I am a terrible negotiator, I lost. But here's the catch. Nothing would have taken from the bottom line. I have purchased thousands of dollars of supplies yearly for our recycling program, science Olympiad, field trips, and basic school bulk orders. Ink recycling has gotten harder and harder, until I realized. I didn't need Office Depot. They were using me, I could be just as happy with Staples or Wal-Mart or EVEN ( I shudder) ONLINE ORDERING.... So you win Office Depot, I will not bother you or even scream at other shoppers as they enter your doors. I will take the higher road and take my butt to Costco or Staples! See YA!
So I called customer service and someone who knew very little English tried to help me... I asked for a supervisor in customer service....30 minutes of... So what is you problem again? I don't understand. Really?
I'm so thankful for all the kind strangers that offered to purchase notebooks for my students and all my family and friends that have been stealing from their bottom line to get what the kids need! Thank YOU SO MUCH!!!!! Where is Tyler Perry when you need HIM?
After 11 long years, I finally called it quits with my teacher, class, extracurricular activities, supply distributer. I have been faithful and feel there hasn't been any wrongdoing on my part. I came to make my usual purchase of composition notebooks this year. Yes, I teach about 100 awesome and sometimes smelly fifth graders. I equally attempt to keep them engaged in class by using interactive note-booking techniques. Composition notebooks are great for this because they are tough mudders and can take a beating all year. Usually, they are $.25 which is why I was elated when I found out they were only $.10. Yes, I scored the mother load!!!! "But the limit is 3" friends would say. Nahhhhh, they always let me do repeat purchases for teachers. Hah, was I fooled.
I can in and stocked up and proceeded to ask for a manager. Teachers are always causing trouble as they slink up to the counter and ask for a discount. (You don't see other professions asking all the time for a discount do you? Nope) But teachers think they are special, or at least I do. The manager on duty proceeded to tell me it wasn't possible to purchase that many at the discount price. I asked why not? I had always been able to in the past. I explained it wasn't allowed to be added to our supply list, blah, blah, blah... he rudely replied.... "Ma'am, WE HAVE TO SAVE SOME FOR THE CHILDREN!" Wholly SNAPS- ARE YOU FOR FREAKIN REAL? I then turned into Madea and asked, "what do you think, I'm going to go home and COLOR in 100 NOTEBOOKS?? It is for the children, in fact, I'm saving parents a trip or they would be buying these notebooks." Short story shorter, we went a few rounds, I was really trying my FBI techniques on him trying to get him to budge. He said I was, "taking away from their bottom line." I told him they wouldn't take anything out of his paycheck if he scanned my products 33 times. it went on and on. At the end of the day, I am a terrible negotiator, I lost. But here's the catch. Nothing would have taken from the bottom line. I have purchased thousands of dollars of supplies yearly for our recycling program, science Olympiad, field trips, and basic school bulk orders. Ink recycling has gotten harder and harder, until I realized. I didn't need Office Depot. They were using me, I could be just as happy with Staples or Wal-Mart or EVEN ( I shudder) ONLINE ORDERING.... So you win Office Depot, I will not bother you or even scream at other shoppers as they enter your doors. I will take the higher road and take my butt to Costco or Staples! See YA!
So I called customer service and someone who knew very little English tried to help me... I asked for a supervisor in customer service....30 minutes of... So what is you problem again? I don't understand. Really?
I'm so thankful for all the kind strangers that offered to purchase notebooks for my students and all my family and friends that have been stealing from their bottom line to get what the kids need! Thank YOU SO MUCH!!!!! Where is Tyler Perry when you need HIM?
Back to School Sale and Awesome Behavior Management Books
Select the Back to School Sale image above and it will direct you to my store. But don't stop there. So many amazing teachers have their store discounted for a total of 28%. So, make your list and check it twice.
ALSO, here is a set of books I have had my eye on and now's your chance to win them....
I have heard wonderful reviews of these books and I just can't wait to get my hands on them this year. Hopefully, out amazing Librarian can get them so our whole school has access. And what is even better, a local teacher (who is just AH-MAZ-ING) wrote these books. They even have activity guides. So if you are a huge fan on incorporating positive behavior management systems, you need to get these books right away before the school year begins.
Summer Fun Plus a little Learning
The school summer slump can take many shapes and forms. Maintaining skills in all subjects doesn’t
have to mean pulling out a worksheet or purchasing a computer program for their
grade level. JUST SAY NO! There are so many different ways to
incorporate a little bit (just a little) of study skills in your daily routines
to maintain and keep those creative juices flowing.
Another great adventure if you have the opportunity to explore outside
the house this summer is museums and aquariums. Usually these are low cost and
provide children with an abundance of information of local history and native
species (plants and animals). One of my
children’s favorite sights in museums and aquariums are the simulations and
hands on experiences. My girls can stay
in the Children’s Museum for the entire day.
This kind of creative play gets overlooked, but is so essential in our
daily life. Building, problem solving,
communicating and so on. The Fort Fisher
Aquarium is another favorite. We take a
routine trip there almost monthly. We
always learn new information and speak with different volunteers.
Encourage kids to keep a nature journal when they go on their
adventures. Many kids love art and
science. This is a sure-fire way to
encourage them to maintain reading and writing skills. Allow them to research
through books or digital resources about different local species of plants and
animals and draw them with labels.
~ Tara
While school is not in session reading skills and routine are essential
to setting your child up for success for the next year. Here are a few ideas so many parents have
shared with me and a few I have discovered through loving life with my two
children.
Allow children to help prepare meals.
I know what you are thinking, yeah right! It took me a while to get used to my kids
helping with dinner. However, it does
get easier. They learn a routine to
prepare the table (children as early as 3 can help with this), prepare drinks,
prepare salads, cooking dinner and cleaning up afterwards. Some parents overlook these details because
let’s face it, we can do it quicker and more efficiently. Give them some time they need to be taught to
be successful in this area. Cooking is
so amazing to help support reading informational text and incorporating math
skills. My second grade child works with
measuring cups as she deciphers the difference between ½ teaspoon and ½ cup of
an ingredient. It is amazing how
involved boys and girls can get when allowed to help in the kitchen. Cupcakes are my favorite! Once kids get involved in helping cook, they
can read through cook books and create shopping lists for dinners they would
like to make. I’m sure if you have a
picky eater they might be more inclined to eat a dinner they investigated and
helped to prepare.
As far as math skills, you would
be surprised how far practicing math facts will go to helping your child in
math class next year. There are multiple
apps for different devices as well as math drill computer games. If you don’t have computer access,
traditional flash cards go a long way and they can be found in every Dollar
Store in the school department. Lower grades addition and subtraction facts and
third grade and above drill those multiplication and division facts. These skills are the foundation of all word
problems and everyday common sense math problems.
Get them a watch! Sure, find a
$5.00 watch that is water resistant and take your watch off. Ouch!
This is a killer for me. I
realized I look at my watch every couple minutes. It’s great for explaining length of time for
kids. For example, “you have 10 minutes
to straighten up your room,” “10 minutes
till we leave for the grocery store,” or “at 3:00 we’ll leave for the
park.” Teach students to manage their
time wisely. Also, if your child is
really into TV shows, video games, and computer time a watch is a great way to
help them manage their own time wisely.
Multiple studies have proved the decrease in attention electronics can
encourage in young students. Summer is a
great time to play outdoors and explore!
Talking and sharing stories with
older family members. Possibly helping
them or doing small chores for them during the day. This is wonderful for listening and
comprehension skills as well as helping family members. I can think back to my own childhood as I
listened to my Great Grandmother tell stories and I fought relentlessly to not
wiggle in my seat. I appreciate those
stories now and recollect those stories even now to my own children. Kids love to hear stories. Have them write about their own summer and
share it with an elderly person. Most people that have the time to spare enjoy
listening to children share stories.
This really develops an important life skill, do you know any adults
that can’t listen to a conversation without butting in? (Giggle)
Local and some school Libraries are sometimes overlooked. Who doesn’t love a free book to borrow? Many of these libraries also have reading
programs and/or themes to further inspire your young learner.
Let’s not forget the importance of fitness and arts! There are multiple organizations that provide
summer programs for sports and fitness.
These not only help children to make healthy life style changes but
keeps them communicating with children their age, adults and pushing their
limits. Art programs inspire creativity
and allow children to continue growing on their level. There are paint programs, pottery, building,
design, creating web-pages, blogs, and more.
Building routines not only helps you out as a parent, but cultivates
children to gradually be responsible for their own life and routines. Waking up and brushing their teeth
automatically. Putting clothes in
appropriate places when dirty, clean, or wet.
Helping with regular household chores.
No, this isn’t child slavery; it is helping the family be able to spend
more time together when mom or dad isn’t continually cleaning. Children can take out the trash, help clear
the table, load and unload the dishwasher, fold towels, put away clothes, sweep
or run the vacuum. Kids love the chance
to have more responsibility and eventually (about the teenage years, or so I
hear) that will to want to help gradually leaves. LOL
Some kids might be apprehensive to so anything that resembles schools
work. That becomes an opportunity to
share with them the successes they have had and explain how they will be
maintaining skills to start the year off right.
Much of their enthusiasm begins with the adults around them. It might take a little prep work and energy
to get them interested, however, once they get going in a direction they love
they are sure to keep the learning juices flowing.
~ Tara
Fun Fonts for YOU!!! Happy Monday!!!!!! MUAH!!!
Enjoy, follow this link to my TPT store to get this Happy Monday FREEBIE! Please link my button to my store so more teachers will find my freebies! Happy MONDAY!!! ENJOY your SUMMER!!!
~ Tara
~ Tara
Computer Schedule and Ideas for Classrooms, Monday Made It
I'm linking up with Tara for my Monday Made it and Charity Presson for Manic Monday! I love this new computer planning chart we made at a recent technology workshop I taught. So feel free to read on to see how we created this time on task management tool for the classroom. I hope you absolutely love it and enjoy this awesome FREEBIE!!
The materials I used:
Scotch Thermal Laminator (I inherited this from someone who never used it- Great and worth every penny if you have to laminate centers, task cards, etc) I'm not sure what kind of laminator you have at your school, but ours in thin and eventually falls apart from the sheet. These never will separate, they are great for so many on the spot laminating projects in the classroom.
Sam's and Costco have the laminating sheets in bulk (Which is great)
Scrapbook Paper- Colors of your choice
Small magnets
Cookie Sheets- Dollar Store
Ribbon- optional
First you will want to download the computer document from my TPT store for free and change the document to what you want your computer objectives to say. Add your email, any websites you want and any specific directions for students to access particular webpages and print.
Trim the scrapbook paper to fit inside the laminating pouch.
Trim and back the chart on scrap book paper.
Laminate chart and stop signs.
Tape or hot glue the computer chart on the cookie sheet making sure it goes against the cookie sheet as close as possible. This will help to ensure the magnets don't have extra space in which they have to exert extra strength to connect with the cookie sheet.
Print your stop signs in color or in black and white then color red. These are used when certain websites or assignments are off limits. For example, if students should be working on a particular project, interactive activities might have a stop sign on them.
Laminate and connect a magnet to the stop signs.
Laminate and connect a magnet to the back of the computer #1, #2, #3, etc. Depending on how many classroom computers you have.
Add ribbon and tah-dah!!!
Here is the link to my TPT store for the FREE activity sheets! I hope you enjoy this activity and I would love some great feedback, thank you. Also feel free to check out so many resources that are geared for upper elementary and middle school. Enjoy your summer all you awesome teachers!!!!
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