Shared Research Projects

This was our attempt at a shared research project.  I was able to find a Native American book that told facts about each Indian tribe.   The kids (as partners) were able to take the information and make paragraphs to share about their findings. 

Reindeer

Witches

I love this project and so does the kiddos.     We start by reading this fun book.  It is great for predicting.

Then, we make these witches.  I use an egg carton for the faces.

The best part is when we make the pumpkin pies with lizard tongues and all.

Click here for the recipe.

Pumpkins

This is a great book to show how a pumpkin grows.   I have the kids take notes on their rough draft page as I read.

The kids then take the information and write paragraphs about how a pumpkin grows.

I have great little artists this year.  Look at these awesome crayon drawings!

God's Creation Bracelets

I love taking walks and looking for all the wonderful things God has created.  

This year we collected small flat items that God created as we walked.

We made these fun bracelets when we were done.    

To make the bracelets 

1. take duct tape and turn it upside down.  

2. Have the kids place their items on the tape pressing down all parts of the item.

3. Take clear packing tape and cover the items and wrap around the end of the duct tape.

4. Punch a hole in both ends.

5. Put string through the holes.

6. Tie on the kids wrists.

Snowmen at Christmas

I like using the book "Snowmen at Christmas" to teach adjectives.

Beginning of the Year Reading

I always start the year off with the book "Yo! Yes?" By Chris Raschka.  
It is a great way to teach voice and expression while reading.

We make an anchor chart to remind the kids of each voice symbols.

I then give the kids sentence strip papers to make their own voice strips.  They write the alphabet as follows:

ab!  cd?   ef.  gh,  ij?  kl.  mn?    Well, you get the idea.   They can make it anyway they want.

The next day we use the book " If I had a Dragon..."   It is a great voice book as well.  I read it without any expression first and we discuss how boring the book was.   We try again with more expression.  This leads the way to a good discussion of why we need to read with expression.

I then have the kids write their own version of the book.  They can use any ending expression they want.

I love hearing them stand in the hallway using the correct voices.

Bird Theme

I am working on my bird themed classroom (2014).   Here is a sample of the behavior chart I am using this year.

click here for your copy

First Grade Common Core Gradebook Update

I just updated my common core gradebook and on August 20 it will be on sale.  I have used this the last 2 years in my classroom.  Last year I copied each nine weeks a different color.  It helped me to see where kids are in their learning.  Go to TPT to get your copy.

Happy Easter

I love Easter!  So many fun things to share.

Real Easter Bunnies Are

I found this idea at http://happyhomefairy.com/2011/04/21/the-real-easter-bunny/.  I changed up a bit to fit our needs.

Bulletin board

We started Lent out by talking about Jesus the Good Shepherd.  We made these sheep using shaving cream and white glue mixed.  Then we used craft sticks to make them puffy.

For Palm Sunday, we took down the sheep and added palm branches.

On Good Friday we took down Jesus and put the 3 crosses on the board.  Then I hung Jesus up so he would be on the board Monday morning.

The Easter liliies were made by tracing our hands on white construction paper.  Cut them out and then curl down the fingers.  Roll into a cone and tape.  We added a yellow pipe cleaner for the middle and a green one for the stem.

Spring Break is Here!!!

Well, the kids are out for the week.  It is my chance to learn something new.  I am trying my hand at DIY chalk paint.  We are building a new house soon and I am ready.  This project is a new headboard for our bedroom.

This is our room now.  I have had this old plastic wood looking headboard since I was in jr. high.  It worked well when it was just me, but husband sleeps up against it and it squeaks all night.  It has to go.  As for the picture up above my bed, that was my grandma Millie's picture.  I inherited it when she passed away.  This is the only wall in the house big enough for the picture to hang.  I have got to find a home for it.  

This is the little servant's house behind the old house we currently live in.  It makes a great storage shed.  I took the door from the bedroom and I am using it as the inspiration for this new headboard.

The old door was dirty and the paint was peeling badly.  I washed it up and used my power sander to clean it up.

My adventure to Lowe's was fun yesterday.   I was able to pick up a quart of Valspar interior satin paint in a light teal color.

I was also able to get plaster of paris and the empty paint can on the right.  To make the chalk paint:

Add 2 Tablespoons of warm water into 4 Tablespoons of plaster of paris and stir until smooth.  Then add the plaster of paris mixture into 2 cups of Valspar paint and mix.  I dumped the finished chalk paint into the can for further use.

I was able to steer myself away from buying the bargain brushes.  It was worth buying a good brush for this project.  I painted one coat of chalk paint to each side of the door and let dry 2 hours before flipping. It looked best to paint in the same direction the whole time. I also painted a 1x3 board.  This 1x3 will become the legs of the headboard later.

After the headboard was painted and nailed together.  I added a piece of trip board to the front.  I then rubbed stain on to the door.   After a few hours I went back and rubbed clear wax over the entire project.

Here is the finished project.  Our new house will be finished in a few months.  When we move I will raise the headboard up higher and get a new blanket.   I cannot wait.

Here is a dresser I bought at a garage sale for $10.  I used the same techniques on it.

I even painted some lamps I found at the dollar store to match.  I just cannot find the right shade.  Oh, well, that just gives me another project.

Eucharist

We are studying the Eucharist.  I spray painted the paper doilies gold and found gold paper for the base.

George Washington

I used several ideas from other classes to make this guy.

I then made a fact book to put under his coat.

100th Day of School

 

100 dots on those hats.

Love this app.  We wrote this week about what we would be doing when we are 100.