Blog Archives
School’s (Almost) Out Blog Hop and Giveaway
I know what you’re thinking! What do you mean school’s almost out? We have 2 months to go! Well, I wanted to have one more giveaway before it got too close to the end of the school year to use the awesome ideas and resources you’ll find in this event!
So, I’ve teamed up a new blogger-friend, Joey, from Create, Teach and Share. We’ve come up with this fantastic blog hop and giveaway! The participating bloggers are below. Be sure to hop to each of their blogs this weekend, check out their posts and give them a follow. The theme of the blog hop is “year-end” and so I know that you’ll find some great ideas for the end of the school year and because of the timing – you’ll be able to use them this school year. Per-ty smart, huh?
So, for my post in this School’s (Almost) Out Blog Hop, I’ve got three “End of Year” inspired ideas!
1) I am a reflective person by nature and so I made a little Student Reflection freebie for students to think back on the year that was. You can have them fill it out, decorate it and then laminate the reflections and give them back with report cards, or use them as a display for “closing ceremonies”. I know that I would love to have a little memento from my school year and so I hope that they will as well.
2) In my school, the students “graduate” in grade seven as we are currently a grade K-7 school. I always do a slide show presentation for their ”graduation” and so at this point in the year I’m on the lookout for songs that would be useable for the slide show. Just in case you’re in the same boat – here are a few songs for you to consider! (I’ve included the versions with lyrics:)
3) Do you get your students gifts at the end of the school year? I never did, until last year (too cheap). I got this idea from Confessions of a Teaching Junkie last spring. It’s a Wordle! What’s a wordle, you ask? Well, it’s word art. This is how I did it.
In June, I gave the students a class list and told them that I was planning something for them, but that I couldn’t give them any details. I asked the students to put a kind word/compliment beside each classmate’s name (and gave lots of appropriate examples to begin with). Athletic, kind, creative, musical, funny – you name it. I collected and compiled the compliments. Then, I used the Wordle website to make a personalized piece of word art for each student containing their name and all of the kind words that their classmates said about them. I also framed the wordles with dollar store frames, to make them more substantial. The finished product was really beautiful! The kids appreciated them on graduation night – and I think I’ll have to do them again this year because they were so well received!
Okay, that’s just about it from me. Be sure to hop over to my co-host’s blog Create, Teach and Share - you’ll love her! She’s awesome, as are the dozen teacher-bloggers below who have joined in the fun this weekend. Grab a cup of coffee, kick back and enjoy. Oh and of course, don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post!
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Lots of awesome prizes to be won by ONE Grand Prize Winner!
Thanks again to the teachers above for their donations! Both Joey and I are giving you a choice of any three items in our TPT Stores and there’s a $35.00 Amazon gift card thrown in there as well:)
I’ve been super excited for this event, so I hope you enjoy it!
PLEASE NOTE: Just in case you’re new to Rafflecopter, clicking the “Follow Me” link on the widget doesn’t automatically follow the stores and blogs of the contributing teachers. It takes you to the store or blog and it’s up to you to follow once you’re there. If it’s a TPT Store, click on the red “Follow Me” above their name. If it’s a blog, look for how to follow them on the side bar – usually there are a few options. When you “Like” a Facebook link, it is automatic and then you can enter.
Add Improv into Your Classroom with This Holiday Freebie
My students are very vocal and energetic this year. Many are hands-on learners as well, and they love activities where they can get out of their seats. Rather than fight this, I’ve been trying to embrace it and to draw on those strengths and learning preferences.
Well, Christmas is quickly approaching and you know what that means! The holidays (for me, anyways) mean more chatting, more restlessness, and energy levels reach a new high. Monday mornings are like Friday afternoons, if you know what I’m saying. So, knowing that this is what lies ahead for the next month, I’ve been trying to think of some activities that I can do with my students to incorporate their excitement for the upcoming holiday, while still covering the curriculum that I am responsible to cover.
Not too long ago, I posted about an excellent book that I found (CCSS aligned) about teaching literary elements with picture books. I mentioned in that post about a “Point of View” improv activity from the book, that I was excited to try with my students. Since writing that post, I have done the activity and as expected, they ate it up! So, I decided to take the idea and add a holiday twist.
For this improv activity, students put themselves into a character’s position and speak from their point of view. It helps students identify point of view in what they read and to take on different points of view in their own writing. It also builds their skills with the writing trait of “voice”.
Adding Improv Into Your Classroom…
Improv is not for everyone and it’s definitely not for all students. However, if you think this would be up your students’ alley, this is what you need to do!
Create some scenarios for students on cards, much like in the game Charades. These scenarios can be as creative as you like (this is where you add a holiday twist) and call the student to speak from a unique point of view.
A volunteer chooses a card, reads it out loud and then speaks from the point of view dictated by the card.
Here are two examples:
Most of my students love being in front of an audience and so activities like this are perfect for them. I know that they are not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea. However, with the Christmas season upon us and energy levels on the rise, I’ll be saving this holiday version of the improv activity that they loved, for a time when they need to get out of their seats and be a little silly.
Following this improv activity, students can work with a partner to create their own improv scenes for Christmas. They could act out these scenes or even choose one to inspire a short creative writing piece. I have a freebie in my TPT Store, if you have a class like mine, that would thrive on this type of kinesthetic activity and I’ve done all of the work for you. 
Laura Candler of “Corkboard Connections” is hosting a Holiday Learning Link-Up. This is an awesome collection of holiday teaching ideas, tips and resources to make your holiday season the best yet! Christmas is just a month away, now. Be sure to check out this link-up if fresh ideas for your classroom is on your Christmas wish list!
Thanks for all of your hard work in putting this link-up together, Laura.
For more freebies- check out TBA’s Freebie Friday!
A Freebie for You: Organizing Social Studies Projects For Any Content
It’s been sooo busy the last few days! We are still in school until the 29th of June, here on PEI. I teach Grade 7 who “graduate” this year and will be heading to the high school (grades 8-12) next year. Lots of “end of the year” and “grad” activities on the go these days!
That being said, I’ve got just a quick post today to let you know about my latest freebie.
I had posted a little while ago about a way to differentiate in the classroom, specifically through projects. (You can check out the original post for all of the info.) I know that a few of you were interested in the rubrics that I used for the projects and more info on how I set things up. So…here’s a copy of what I used this year in my classroom: Organizing Social Studies Projects for Any Content.
Have a look – you may want to tuck it away for next year.
The most recent projects that my students completed had to do with the beginnings of Canada. I’ve shared a few photos below. They did a great job! Other projects that aren’t pictured…one student wrote a letter from the perspective of a settler, two groups created games, and one group created a video presentation.
The Metis and the Buffalo Hunt (Drawing/Collage)
Confederation (Drawing A Map)
Confederation and PEI (Drawing and Oral Presentation)
Buffalo Hunt (Drawing and Game)
Confederation (Summary and Drawing)
My students really enjoyed these projects this year. I’ll be looking into doing more of these next year for sure! Now…to add more technology into the mix…
Teacher Appreciation Jackpot – Thanks for your participation!
The Teacher Appreciation Jackpot was a great success this year!
The event is now closed and products have been returned to their regular prices. If you missed the Jackpot, don’t worry. For the next 2 days – May 7th and 8th the Teacher Appreciation Sale is still on at TeachersPayTeachers and you can get 10 -28% off of all products! Head on over so that you don’t miss out!
Fractions, Percents and Decimals Math Centers and Quiz Grades 6-8
Lessons From The Middle
I’ve got a BIG announcement!
Okay, so I am like a bad child. I’ve got a BIG secret to tell you! Big! Huge! But I’m not supposed to say anything…yet….Oh but it’s so sweet! I really want to tell you! But I can’t…
Deep breath….
I’m super excited because of this gigantic announcement, although I really can’t let you in on the secret until tomorrow. I just had to give you a heads-up!
You’ve GOT to come back tomorrow so that I can fill you in on the big news. Unless you guess what the big news is! Hmm… what could it be?
So…Predictions??? Guesses?
Make sure that you check back tomorrow so that I can fill you in on this HUGE announcement that’s sure to make all of you wonderful teachers happy. You really don’t want to miss out! I promise!
