Writing from the map: Describing the Raptor

I always try to make "fancy" writing paper for my students to make writing a bit more fun. We have practiced drawing our National Bird on wipe-off boards and trust me when I tell you they do a better job than the teacher. They love this part of the unit and everyone is into our new word, RAPTOR. Notice that I am providing more lines for the children who can handle this. Click here for my Friday Freebie to make you smile!

So You Know About Raptors?

So... This is the bubble map we made today and I put  "is" and "has" on address labels. I asked the children to decide where to put these helping words on our map. We practiced reading the map. Students used a pointer and worked on linguistic patterns. The bald eagle is _____ . or The bald eagle has _____.

This Grabs the Attention of the Boys In the Class

During this unit the boys are wiggle worms and are not too interested in learning about the symbols of our country until we do the bald eagle. This grabs their attention and they love to hear about how it captures its prey, is super powerful (like Superman) and is a huge bird. You just can't tell them enough about the size and strength of this raptor! They love the new vocabulary and the real photos we show them. Our internet has been down but tomorrow my partner is super excited about showing them the live video of their nest. I'm not so sure she is doing this for the kids! Notice that I color coded is and has. I give the kids cards and they have to figure out where these words fit the best.

Teachers Deserve to Be Appreciated

I thought you might get a good laugh from this picture. I had just started teaching and this is my very first classroom. My daughters are horrified by my hair and clothes! I would never have survived without a wonderful mentor teacher. Her name was Ginny Watts. Here's to you Ginny. You never gave up on me. What a dear friend.
This post is dedicated to all the teachers who gave me guidance and helped to mold my career. It reminds me to pay it forward and be grateful for all the educators that have touched my life. I am so lucky to be a part of this community. Thank you to all my blogging friends. You are an amazing group, full of energy and creativity.
I hope I have an opportunity to meet you and give you a hug in person.                                                                                                                       



Join the Linky Party with Mrs. Parker on this terrific topic!



Piggy Bank Subtraction Fun

I think this is so cute. We just got back from a trip to the farm but I do not do a big unit on this since it does not align to my reading program. I try to only have one theme going on in the room to build their vocabulary and background of knowledge. However, my partner and I want them to have a better understanding of subtraction so we came up with this idea... Any other great ideas? I would love to know about them.

Okay- I was not expecting you to want this so I am making it a download. Here are the conditions (haha)
Please have five friends follow me and leave a comment if you would like to. Click here for the mats and piggies. If you want the little recording book I am also providing that. Remember to run it off just like the other strip book (see earlier post) and enjoy using it.  Click here for your piggy booklet. You can post my button on your blog as a way of saying thanks!

What A Wonderful Surprise!

So today I came to school tired and happy that the week was coming to a close. The kids knocked it out of the park when they practiced their chant for the 5th graders and I can't wait to do this Monday. The afternoon slid by slowly and I was not at my best. At the end of the day my teaching partner handed me a brown envelope and I saw the name of my friend Meredith on the front. I remember thinking she was sending me some cute idea she was using in her classroom but out fellthese three things (just like the 3's in a fairytale). How cute are these flowers she did based on the post about using q-tips to paint! I am all over this for next year. However, there was more. Out came this came a note and a gift card for all that she has downloaded from the blog. Can you believe it?
I love you teaching friend for going to so much effort. This is such a busy time in our district and I am blown away but such thoughtfulness. Is it me or are most teachers the most giving people in the world? This ended up being a great day! Thanks Meredith!

Maps Lead to Writing Not Decorating Your Room

This is tomorrow's writing activity. It is important that teachers encourage students to use the maps to support their writing. My little ones need more support with the language of the map and I decided to put their map, as well as their drawing and writing on one long page-81/2"x14". I will try to post their work tomorrow. I hope they enjoy this activity!

The Dreaded Testing

Okay... my teaching partner is a genius and wrote this in 2 seconds when I threw the idea at her a few days ago. She got on board with no notice and we took this form and ran it on colored paper. We told the kids all about the test the older kids had to take and they loved the idea of chanting to them. I am crazy to add this into our mix but I know it will entertain the entire school and make everyone laugh! We are adding 2 mints to the little form and each kinderkid will give it to an older friend. Easy enough!...maybe?!

Brace Yourself For This Map

This map is so much fun for the kids. I tell them to think of it as a puzzle and their job is to put the pieces together. However, they have a bit of trouble remembering that the whole needs to look just like its parts. Eventually this can become the main idea with it's supporting details but that happens in first grade and I am so happy to hand that off to the next teacher!

Here are some examples of student work. Don't you love when they add in other things they know how to draw. Hearts and butterflies are showing up everywhere!

Do you like to use this map?

Circle Maps: Get Ready to Brainstorm

After reading lots of information on our country's symbols I selected some important ones that I want the children to become familiar with (yes, there is a method to my madness). They will cut these out and place them in this map. I made boxes since this helps them spacially. I am still reminding them not to push down on their glue sticks and "paint" their paper! You know exactly what I am talking about. We are ripping through glue at top speed.
This map is for brainstorming but obviously I had to work on building their background of knowledge. Some teachers laminate a big empty circle map and add the information on strips using velcro. We practice the language of the map by saying "__________is a symbol of the USA." If you want this click here to download and please leave a comment. If you are blogger you can grab my button and be sure to join as a friend!
Have a great day of teaching!