games in the classroom, mothers day and my ducklings leave home

Last week my ducklings hatched on my birthday.  Check out the cuties when their mommy came back the next day for the rest!  I didn't sleep very well worrying they were left behind.  I should have known better after watching her sit constantly on her nest for the last month.  They made the 5 floor drop and are now at the park.

 

One of my students wrote this sweet birthday note for me in his agenda.  Honestly how cool for a grade 3 kids to say: thanks for just being you.  Melt my heart!

 

 

I updated my choice board for my story writing / reading for fluency topics.  So of course it was time to create a new game!  To make your own you will need Jenga and a variety of characters, settings / times and plots.  I just taped them on front and back. 

 

To introduce, in a circle kids draw a block.  They share with the class and decided which story element it is. 

 

To use at the choice board, students play like jenga with a small group (or self) to pull a character + setting / time + plot then write a story in their writing notebook.  This could also be used as an oral storytelling activity.

With EQAO starting today, last week we practiced the multiple choice writing questions using Sorry!  It was a hit!

I didn't get a chance to post our Mother's Day art.  Take a peek below to see their book covers.  The kids loved it so much they asked if we could do it again for Father's Day.  Of course I said yes :)

Lastly, one of my kids loves the Origami Yoga books.  So I had him teach the class.  It was a great opportunity for this little one to recognize what it means to teach and listen to your peers!  By the end he was saying: "don't come up to me, just raise your hand."

Teachers Pay Teachers

I am up and running on Teachers Pay Teachers!  A lot of late nights at the cottage working on my laptop.  But definitely worth it.  I have 7 products available already!  Perfect for the beginning of the school year.  Check these out:




Happy Birthday to You!
 

Begin the year with
Scaredy Squirrel

Comic Retelling of a Story



Reading Buddies

My Reading Club Notes

Word Work Games

iRespond

 

I included an activity guide for each one which has Ontario Curriculum Expectation links.  I have also added pages with Canadian and American spelling of common words (favourite + colour), because believe me the kids notice!

 

Enjoy!





Last Night's Nightmares

Here's my favourite poem to begin the school year:  Last Night's Nightmares by Kenn Nesbitt.  This poem has great vocab that interests both boys and girls.  It is also a great small group activity for the beginning of the year.  The poem can be found at: Last Night's Nightmares.

Teacher Prep - cut the poem into individual words and put in a baggy.  Provide the students with a poem in a bag, a piece of constuction paper and glue. 

The Activity - the students piece together their own poem / story titled "Last Night's Nightmares."  You can encourage your students to recognize capitals and punctuation.  Each group shares their new version of the poem.  When each group has presented share the original poem.  EXTENSION: the students can dramatize their poem or they can create a comic strip.

Find more poetry by Kenn Nesbitt at: Poetry4kids.com.
Find more funny poetry for kids at: Giggle Poetry.

GR 2+3 Curriculum Connections:
Reading Familiar Words 3.1 Automatically read and understand many high-frequency words.
Writing Classifying Ideas 1.4 Sort information for their writing in a variety of ways, with support and direction.
Writing Punctuation 3.4 Use punctuation to help communicate their intended meaning (periods, commas).
Oral Communication Active Listening Strategies 1.2 Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate listening behaviour by using active listening strategies in order to contribute meaningfully and work constructively in groups.