St. Patrick's Day Emergent Reader and Activities

Teach your students all about the history of St. Patrick's Day with this emergent reader and printable activities!

St. Patrick's Day

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Educating Everyone 4 Life

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by Fourth Grade Frenzy
Grades K - 5

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Making the Most of Discussion Partners in the Classroom

"Discussion Partners" are partners that work on an activity, reading assignment, project, or other assignment together and then discuss what they've learned or complete a written activity.
Why use Discussion Partners? 
Research has shown that students not only need to read and write but also need to discuss (or talk) about a new concept or skill to really learn and fully understand it. According to the University of Washington, "A well-planned discussion can encourage and stimulate student learning and add variety to your class.  While “good” discussions can be a powerful tool for encouraging student learning if done correctly." 
In My Classroom:
At the start of each unit, I have students set up their "Discussion Partners" for the entire unit. It's a quick 15 minute activity that will make our transitions into partner work seamless for the next 4 to 6 weeks. Setting it up takes a little practice for the students but by the second unit they've got it down and look forward to it (as much as I do!)

What it Looks Like: 

It consists of a map with 3-5 cities or countries listed below the map where the students will write the name of their Discussion Partner at each destination. 

However, it's not as simple as that! There are guidelines that students must follow in order to pick their Discussion Partners and this must be taught and practiced like every other classroom procedures. For example,  look at the working partner example below for ancient Rome. Below the map, you will see 5 cities listed where students will meet with that chosen partner. 

How it Works: 

Give the students specific guidelines they must follow when setting up their "Discussion Partners." I write the 5 requirements on the board. For example, I might say, "For Rome you will need to find someone in this class who is born in a different month than you. In Florence, you must work with the opposite sex (boy-girl). In Venice, you must find someone who gets to school by a different mode of transportation than you. In Naples, you must work with someone who you've never worked with before in this class. In Milan, you may work with a friend. (I always let them have one friend partner for each unit.) Each unit it's a different set of guidelines, except for the friend and working with someone different. I tell them that by the end of the year, they will have worked with everyone in the class. I also tell them that you don't have to like everyone but you do have to work with them in a courteous and team-like manner just like in the real work world. 

Next, model for them how to ask someone nicely to be their partner. 

Other Rules: 

I let the students know that they will have 6-8 minutes to find all five discussion partners and then sit back down at their desk. I tell the students that, "When I call time, if you don't  have a partner for one or two of the cities then I will choose your partners for you." This helps to encourage them to get it done themselves. Also, if you have a odd number of students in that class, then tell them that you have the last say in deciding who the group of 3 will be or if you want someone to work alone. 

Lastly, practice it. Don't expect the first time to go perfectly. This is work in progress so to speak! It's probably new to them so give them feedback on how to make it go smoother. Then practice it again. I use it for all my units in social studies throughout the year. I have found it's well worth the extra time in the start of each unit because at any point during the unit, I can just say, "It's time to meet with your Naples Discussion Partner to read the article about the Roman Republic and answer the questions that follow. You have fifteen minutes to complete the reading and questions together...go!"

Check out the following social studies units:

Resources:

http://www.washington.edu/teaching/teaching-resources/engaging-students-in-learning/leading-dynamic-discussions/

Mother's Day Printables and Projects That Kids Can Make!

With Mother’s Day right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about what special but simple gift can I have my students make for their moms? 

When I think back to when my own children were in elementary school, I still remember all the little gifts from the heart that I received. In fact, I still have many of them all these years later. Among the collection of school keepsakes, I notice at their little painted hand prints, handmade flowers, poems about love, and pictures of them of all different shapes and sizes, my eyes still start to fill with tears. Because it’s not the gifts themselves that really matter, it’s the emotions that they stir up about a time when my two, now grownup children, were once little. It’s the memory of them calling me “mama” and handing me a poorly wrapped gift. “Open it! Open it!” they say prancing from foot to foot hardly able to contain their excitement.
Now, there comes a time in a mom’s life when she realizes how incredibly fast time has passed and now her children are all grown up.  But it’s all those little moments and special memories that we as moms will never forget. So if you’re a teacher who has her or his students make something special for their moms, THANK YOU! Please know that it means so much and will for many years to come. As a teacher myself, I know it can be time consuming and daunting at times to prepare little craftivities for all the holidays but this is one mom who is sincerely thankful for all those little heartfelt cards, poems, and crafts.

Every year, I seem to ask myself what should I have my students make that will be treasured yet not cost me a fortune? If you’re in the same boat as me then this Mother’s Day Printables Craftivity Pack is just for you! For a limited time it's on sale for only $3.00!

It’s Everything You Need to Create Lovable Crafts to Celebrate Mother’s Day!

Just print, cut out, color, glue, and fold and they are ready to go home and make Moms everywhere shed tears of joy! Some pages are with color graphic and some are in black and white ready for students to color!

Over 25 pages offering a variety of printable crafts for kids to personalize including:
*I Love You to Pieces Photo Puzzle Project with Templates
*4 Flower Cutout Designs
*2 Love Notes & Envelope
*7 Cute Card Designs
*All About Mom Posters 
*4 Black and White Quotable Coloring Pages!

I Love You to Pieces Puzzle Project

One of my favorite Mother’s Day Projects that my class made last year was the “I Love You to Pieces Picture Puzzle Frame.” The template is included in the about Mother’s Day Printables Craftivity Pack.

Directions:
1. Have students cut out the puzzle pieces and MOM letters included in this pack.  Color them if using the blank templates or use real puzzle pieces as shown in sample below.
2. Take a picture of each student. I had the students practice holding a heart shaped hands over their heart before actually taking the picture.

 3. Print photo and place photo in the center of cardstock, matte board, or foam board. You can purchase colored foam board from Walmart or Michael’s inexpensively. Carefully cut into 5x7 pieces with a craft knife.

4. Decorate with puzzle pieces. Be creative with the puzzle pieces by turning them in different directions if desired. Add “MOM” letters above photo or down the side of the frame.
5. Glue puzzle pieces and photo onto foam board, matte board, or cardstock, or black construction paper.
6. Have students cut out “I Love You to Pieces” quote template or write it on the front or back of puzzle frame.
7.  Have students sign their name. We had just been learning cursive so I had them write in their best cursive.

8. Attach a ribbon (or magnet) on the backside so Mom can hang it.

9. Have fun! Add glitter, painted hand print, or cutout flowers to decorate and embellish!

Happy Mother's Day!

Self-Esteem in the Classroom Setting - Part One

Part One: The “Awesome” Book

Self-esteem is the one of the most valuable tools for students to succeed in school. As teachers we are instrumental in making this happen. But how do we make it happen? Teachers have a lot of power! Do you remember your favorite teachers? The ones who made a difference in your life?

It’s the little things that make a BIG difference!  Start small by starting an “Awesome” Book!

Set up your “Awesome” Book: First, find a large notebook that lies flat when I open it. I prefer to use a one subject spiral notebook with pocket folders, not composition, because then I can open it up and flip it around. Label the top of each page in the notebook with the name of each student.

Decorate the Notebook Over the Top! Cover it with the word “AWESOME” with either colorful permanent markers, stickers, or even fancy duct tape that you know the students will recognize. Be creative and have fun to make it look colorful and extraordinary.

Introduce the “AWESOME notebook” and ritual to students. Make a big deal out of it! Explain to them that you will be walking around the classroom at different times during the day and observing them. So if they see you carrying around this notebook or clipboard and taking notes, it’s because you are looking for “Awesome” things to write in your notebook.

Set Expectations & Give Examples: Explain that you know that they will be doing tons of awesome things like helping out a partner, highlighting details in an article, sharing a pencil with a student who needs one, taking detailed notes on their sticky note during reading time, being a good leader by handing in your homework every day, keeping a group on task, or whatever your specific classroom expectations are.

Model it: I might say to the students, “For instance, today I noticed that Meggen volunteered to read the poem to the class. And did you notice the way she read it? She read it expression and proper rhythm. She did an “Awesome” job of reading that poem. I was very proud of her. How many of you noticed that after she read it to us, I jotted down a note in my “Awesome” notebook? Here’s what I wrote down, “September 22. Meggen volunteered to read “title of poem” aloud to the class. She read it loudly and with lots of expression.”

Get the students Involved! Ask the class what do they think I will be doing with these notes of awesomeness? Call on students to hear what they think. You might even get some new awesome ideas.

Show them the power of the “Awesome” book & sell it to your students! I often tell the students, “I love all your ideas and I will keep them mind for the future. But for now, here’s what I plan to do with these notes. Inside this notebook is a page dedicated for each of you (show them a few pages with names). At the end of each day and week, I am going to look through my “Awesome” book and chose a few students to recognize. I might share my observations with the class and sometimes I might share it with your families at home. I might send home a positive (good) note home, it looks like this. Everyone say, “Oooh! Ahhh!” Do you know how much you’re your parents and grandparents are going to love to get these good notes home? They will absolutely love it! Or I might even send a note to the principal of our school, so she knows how awesome you’re doing in this class. Who knows I might even do all these things. The most important thing is that you continue doing awesome things all the time because you never know when or who I am watching. But know this. . . I am watching all the time.”

Practice it right then! Tell them you’re going to practice it. Begin on the next lesson of the day. Take some notes in your “awesome” notebook. Show the students the front of the notebook so they see that you’re taking down some notes. After the lesson is over, share a note or two with the students. It’s very important to continue practicing this everyday so it become a routine. Pick a time that works well with your classroom schedule. Maybe right after recess or at the end of the day. But always hold up the “awesome” notebook many times throughout the day so they see that you’re following through on your word and that you’re watching and taking notes. You will probably see or hear students whisper, “Look Ms. Smart has the “awesome” book out. Let’s do our best on this project. Maybe she’ll notice us.”

Weekly Recognition: At the end of each week, draw a line across the page under where the notes end for each student’s name. This makes it easier to figure out where to start the next week. It also helps you to notice who you haven’t taken notes on recently.  Then pick out a few students that you want to recognize and write a positive (good) note home. Put a star next to those student notes. It’ll help you remember who you've recognized and how many times as the weeks fly by. Set a goal of how many students you want to recognize each day and/or week. I announce 1 or 2 students and good deeds at the end of each day. Weekly I send home 2-3 positive notes home at the end of the week. I set a goal of doing this on Friday afternoons and won’t let myself leave for the weekend until it’s finished.

What’s the Purpose? Now, what the students don’t know is that you’re using this notebook for several purposes. First, as a way to reinforce positive behavior and build self-esteem in each student. However, you can make any kind of note in this notebook that also helps you because the students will never get to read it.

The more ways you use it, the more valuable it becomes:

·         This notebook is a way to record anecdotal notes such as strengths or weaknesses of a student, what students need extra help on a specific concept or skill, or what you need to reteach or practice more.

·         In the back of the notebook where there’s some extra pages, I have a “Miscellaneous” Section where I can write down notes to myself.

·         It also becomes a classroom management tool. The more you use it the more the students will follow your class procedures and be better behaved.

·         For reflection notes not only about each student but also about the class as a whole.  For example, I might note that Miguel was struggling with his multiplication facts so I need to send home some fact cards or extra practice sheets for him.

·         Another great way to use this strategy is you could jot down behavior or social issues that arise too. Maybe you notice that Sam and Sophia had a hard time working together during centers today. Then you can have a talk with both them and see how if it gets better. If not, maybe they shouldn't be in the same group for a bit.

·          It also serves as a record for Parent Teacher Conferences, important meetings, and report cards.    

Check Back next Sunday at: H2HTeaching.com for  Part Two                                                     

                                                                                                    Check out Kindness Counts: A Classroom Building Activity Pack

My TPT Store: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Heart-2-Heart-Teaching

Don't Forget to be Awesome!

Spring Activity Pack - Part Four is Here!

Spring is a period of rebirth and regrowth for both plant and animal life. Animals that hibernate in the winter start to wake up and become active again. Many animals such as cows, horses, rabbits, ducks, chickens, and sheep have babies, or give birth, during spring. 

In Part Four of this Spring-tastic Resource are informational articles and diagrams about the cycle of life. Focusing on chicks and lambs of course!

With this edition, I've also included a Spring mini-book for students to cut out, color, and put together as a review of what we learned so far.

Part Four: The Cycle of Life is Here!

Tomorrow is the First Day of Spring!

Check back tomorrow for some more Spring surprises!

Have a Terrific Thursday!