Magic Balloon Treats

What a clever idea for Easter....

Currently - January 2014

I love Farley's 'Currently' each month. It has been a while since I did one, so I thought... better late than never...

Listening - to Seahawks beat Saints in a rainy amazing playoff game.
Loving - having a weekend with no marking, no plans, just relaxation (and housework)
Thinking - about ways to connect with my new students this term
Wanting - a massage
Needing - to organize my teaching resources that I am not using this year (different position)
Memory/Tradition - Kiddo tried Snowboarding for first time, we went to Cavalia Odysseo, which was amazing and we got all five cousins (my sisters kids, and mine) together for the first time since the youngest was born!!!

That's it for now

Holiday Word Games

Once a week I teach Grade 8 Humanities at the middle school I worked at last year. Today we finished off our World Religion presentations and then did some holiday word games. I adapted a few popular games and created a mix up interactive game for the students.

Here is how it went:

Two teams.
Bucket of themed words (We did Holiday movies, songs and items, which I prepared last night)
First person draws a word and then has the choice to either:

1. Charades - Act it out
2. Catch Phrase - Speak but not use words on the card
3. Pictionary - Draw it
4. Hum (songs)

The only real catch was that once someone did one thing (for example, charades) no one on their team could do it again until all 4 choices had been used, then we 're start' again and they can choose any of the four methods to showcase the word.

If their team guessed, they got a point, if they didn't (within two mintues) then the other team could 'steal'

They LOVED IT!

My favourite moment was when one student, who never speaks or participates in class activities (english is not his first language and he also has some cognitive barriers that make communication challenging at times, especially with his peers) but he got up and not only participated, but when he drew his item (a star) and the team guessed, everyone cheered (even the opposing team) and high fived him! Inclusion... I loved it!

What a great day!

We also did 'scattegories' I prepared a chart last night that looked something like this:

Letters:
Something Red
Christmas Song
Christmas Sweet
Christmas Dinner Food
Christmas Movie
Something Green
Stocking Stuffer

So we would do it "BOGGLE' Style and choose a letter and they had 5 minutes to come up with words. The trick was, that if somone else picked the same word, no points. If they had a word no one else picked, they got a point.

Fun word games leading up to Winter Break!

Fun Holiday ideas...

The 'melted snowman' water bottle made me literally laugh out loud....

Source

I am thankful for Pumpkin Pie... Craft/Writing activity

While I celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving back in October, my teacher friends to the south celebrate this week. I am planning to enjoy some American (late) Thanksgiving Saturday night with friends and family, and can NOT wait for some delicious turkey and pumpkin pie.

This easy-peasy craft / writing assignment can be done with elementary students. I have included photos, materials, instructions and source links in both French and English.

My Canadian colleagues may wish to file this away for next October, but my American readers can enjoy it this week. All you need is some orange paper, paper plates, scissors, markers and paper fasteners/pin (for the middle so it can spin)

Students can write a few things they are thankful for, cut the orange paper into a circle slightly smaller than the paper plate with a "slice" cut out. Then fasten together like so.....


   

Easy-Peasy? You could even do some cutting prep ahead of time if they are younger/primary.



http://www.pinterest.com/pin/61431982390903366/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/61431982390903395/

Healthy Festive Fun treats for Halloween

Looking for healthy treats for your Halloween party? These are fun, healthy and still festive

Source: fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net via Amanda on Pinterest

Father's Day Paper Bag Craft

This is a fairly simple craft to do for Father's Day. I have seen the ties made as part of cards etc. but I like this idea because you can put stuff inside the bag as well.

Source: vippins.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Cherry Blossom Paintings

I love the pink cherry blossoms blooming in the Spring. I have seen some awesome primary classes do tissue paper blossoms on painted tree trunks and branches, I have also seen finger painting blossoms and pink puff balls, but this idea caught my eye - how simple and (somewhat less messy than some other painting blossom ideas.... so cool!

Happy Easter.....

Remember to save those plastic easter eggs (or grab some on sale post-Easter) for many uses in the classroom. I did a post last week with some ideas I found on pintrest.

Unique Easter Egg Decorating Ideas...

Some unique ways to decorate your eggs, we are doing ours tomorrow, I will give it a try...

http://www.boredpanda.com/easter-diy-ideas/

Dip in glue then in sprinkles for this cool look.

Dip eggs in dye and slowly add more water to get this stripped fade look.

Paint then pencil for this look.

Wrap in coloured thread for this look.




See many more here: http://www.boredpanda.com/easter-diy-ideas/

Plastic Easter Eggs in the classroom

Our Spring Break is attached to easter this year, however, I wanted to share this anyways for teachers who have classes before Easter, or for future years... these plastic Easter eggs are on sale around this time of year and I have a bunch I got from the dollar store (I am talking 20 for $1).
For classroom teachers and teachers-teaching-on-call, these are some great ideas to try if you have some plastic eggs on hand. May be worth adding to your "Bag of Tricks" around Easter time.

While I have used them for scavenger hunts, prizes, games, here are some other ways to use them in the classroom:
Easter Egg Word Families....

Source: google.com via Mary Anna on Pinterest

Source: indulgy.com via Kali on Pinterest

Easter Egg Math.....

Source: momto2poshlildivas.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: kindergartensmorgasboard.blogspot.com via Mary Anna on Pinterest

Source: teachersland.com via Analyn on Pinterest

Questions could be put inside these....

Source: classroomfreebies.com via Letitia on Pinterest

Make a game....

Source: toddlerapproved.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

There are endless ideas....

Source: educatingtothecore.blogspot.com via Karen on Pinterest

Source: indulgy.com via Kali on Pinterest

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2013

Usually I post holiday themed activities, but it is Spring Break and I am at the BCTF AGM with approximately 700 teachers.  So instead, I will just wish you all a Happy St. Patrick's Day and I hope you enjoy your Sunday!

Valentine's Day Activities

Here are some Valentine's Day ideas for multiple grades and subjects.... some are simple and require little to no planning or materials, others require a bit more time and supplies....

This link as a great list of ideas!

Math - Estimation

Have a bag or jar of candy, jelly beans or something and have kids estimate the # inside. Have them explain WHY they estimate that number.

Math - Graphing

Have students graph the number of each colour of candy in a pack or jar you bring. Or if you do not have candy, survey the class on their favourite candy or flower (or anything you can tie into Valentine's Day) and graph the results.

FSL

Give students a list of vocabulary words related to the holiday and have them write a story or sentences using the words. Alternatively you can do a memory or BINGO game having students create the cards or game boards to play.

English - Poetry

Share some love poems or sonnets with the class and have them write their own using similar patterns or style. This works especially with short and structured styles like Haiku or Cinquian

Art

Honestly, glue, glitter, scissors and construction paper... the end! ha ha!

What other ideas do you have?

Snowflake Math

I recently posted some holiday math activities to try here. One of the activities was snowflake making and

Check out the very detailed instructions for Snowflake Math here.

Also there is a cool website to make a virtual snowflake and how to make the cuts to design a certain snowflake. Check it out here.

Happy Halloween

I was talking with a friend of mine who teaches Primary. After the pumpkin patch field trip and hours of baking in preparation for her young students 'Halloween Party' at school tomorrow, she asked, "So what are you doing with Middle Schoolers?"

Yes, Halloween has arrived and while "parties" can be fun, so can learning! I try to avoid "parties" in class, but I do love to have "holiday activities" and with Middle Schoolers there are a lot of options that are educational AND fun!

My teaching partner and I have planned a few Halloween themed lessons which will cover math, grammar, writing, critical thinking and eating treats... 4 out of 5 are highly educational, not to mention fun.

I have a SMARTboard interactive lesson I created last month and have been saving for Halloween. It is a grammar game with spooky characters and themes.

Also, I teach French and we will be doing L'Halloween vocabulary review BINGO for "les bonbons"

Some other classes in our school are doing pumpkin carving/decorating and the leadership team is creating a "haunted portable" for classes to go through.... spooky fun!

The internet is a wealth of resources for Halloween acitvities. If you are TTOCing having some fun activities ready to go is a good idea as the students are often excited for the holiday and anything fun, education and structured will help you get through the day.

Here are some things I found.... you may also check out pintrest for great ideas!


High School:
http://voices.yahoo.com/lesson-plans-high-school-teachers-halloween-7000752.html
http://www.soyouwanna.com/halloween-activities-high-school-10778.html

SmartBoard Lessons:
http://teacherslovesmartboards.com/2009/10/smartboards-and-halloween-resources.html/

Arts & Crafts:
http://incredibleart.org/lessons/SubPlans/hween.htm
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/halloween/art/53384.html

All Levels:
http://712educators.about.com/
http://www.teachervision.fen.com/halloween/teacher-resources/6626.html
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson283.shtml
http://www.theteachersguide.com/halloweenlessonplans.htm
http://themes.atozteacherstuff.com/324/halloween-teaching-ideas-activities-lessons-and-printables/
http://holidays.mrdonn.org/halloween.html
http://bogglesworldesl.com/halloween_worksheets.htm
http://www.supersimplelearning.com/halloween/lesson-plans/
http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/holidays-and-entertaining/holidays/halloweencentre/PartyPlanningTips.aspx?cm_mmc=srch-_-google-_-kraft-halloween-en-_-halloween-activities
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/halloween/

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Some Background Info

St. Patrick: The patron saint of Ireland and the Irish, St. Patrick was born about 385 A.D. in Northern Wales. He studied religion in Europe to become a priest and bishop. He then brought Christianity to the Irish by teaching in Ireland for 29 years. According to early Irish tradition, he died on March 17, 461 AD. The anniversary of his death is celebrated as Saint Patrick's Day. St. Patrick is most known around the world as driving all the snakes out of Ireland through trickery.

The symbol of shamrocks: An Irish tale tells of how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.

Art
Shamrock: Cut a shamrock from construction paper. Glue pieces of green variegated tissue paper or scraps of green paper on shamrock.
Variations: Decorate with crayons, felt-tipped pens, or paint. Cover shamrock with glue. Sprinkle with green glitter then remove excess.

Hearty Shamrock: Cut three hearts from green construction paper. Form shamrock by gluing points of hearts together on a piece of paper. Draw stem.

Shamrock Prints: Cut green bell peppers in half, clean out the seeds, dip the cut side into some paint, and press onto a piece of paper. Voila, shamrock prints!

Recipes
Green Veggie/Fruit Snack: Prepare a snack using slices of fresh green vegetables. Use cabbage, cucumber, avocado, zucchini squash, green bell peppers, and lettuce. How many green fruits can your class name? Think: kiwi, honeydew melon, green apples, green grapes, papayas - bananas start out green!

Shamrock Shake: Blend 1 banana, 2 cups lime sherbet, and 2 cups milk.

Pot o' Gold Rainbows: Materials needed: (per student) 1 graham cracker, 1 portion blue frosting, 1 mini Reese cup, 1 pack Skittles. Directions: Students spread frosting over graham cracker and place Skittles in the shape of a rainbow. Then place the Reese cup at the end of the rainbow

Science
Growing "Shamrocks": Cut shamrock from terry cloth. Moisten shamrock. Sprinkle with alfalfa seed. Keep moist. Set in dark place. Allow several days for shamrock to grow. Set in sunlight for shamrock to turn green.

Leprechaun traps: Collect junk from home (paper towel rolls, empty containers, tin foil, little boxes various shapes and sizes, cans, scrap paper, string, sandwich bags, etc.) Have students dig through all the junk and decide what they will need for their leprechaun trap. Students build their traps. (I'd give them a half a day to do this, and be prepared for a giant mess). Permit students to look through the junk as they need more items. About half way through the time that you give your students, gather back as a class and discuss the strategies that some students are using, ie: If the leprechaun comes in here...this will happen... Point out and try to encourage the use of force and motion. Ask students to set their traps right before they go home. Lock the doors when all of them have left, set each trap off and deposit a chocolate gold coin under it!

Social Studies
Display a map of Ireland and discuss: Ireland is an island. People who come from Ireland or whose ancestors came from Ireland are called Irish. An emerald is a precious stone which is green. Ireland is often called the "Emerald Isle" because it is so green with vegetation. The color green symbolizes Ireland and the Irish.

Math
Distribute handfuls of Lucky Charms cereal to students and have them count, sort out, and identify the different shapes.

Books
Jamie O'Rourke and the Big Potato, by Tomie dePaola
Saint Patrick and the Peddler, by Margaret Hodges
St. Patrick's Day, by Gail Gibbons
St. Patrick's Day In the Morning, by Eve Bunting
St. Patricks Day Shamrock Mystery, by Marion Markham
Story Of Saint Patrick, by James A. Janda
Tales Of St Patrick, by Eileen Dunlop
The Definitive St. Patrick's Day Festivity Book, by Michael James Fallon, Michele Anne Murphy
Irish Night Before Christmas and A Leprechaun's St. Patrick's Day, by Sarah Kirwan Blazek
Jeremy Bean's St. Patrick's Day, by Alice Schertle


[Source]