Mrs. Navarre’s Teaching Blog: November 2014

Monday, November 17, 2014

Photo Album Word Books

I was going through some of my things and came across my photo album word books. I've had them for years, but I hadn't made them available to my students yet this year. Since I pulled them out my students have been using them on a daily basis, which reminded me of how much I like them. I like watching them use these books to play teacher.

I made these books several years ago for my grandchildren. It was a good way for my family to review words with my granddaughter and then later with my grandson. Sometimes they would add their own words or words would get changed around to meet their reading/school needs, but it was always a good tool to have.

I got the photo albums at the Dollar Store, but like I said, it was a while ago. You may not be able to find the exact books, but anything will do. After I purchased the books I used different color index cards and stuck word labels on them. The words that I used corresponded to the Word Club words that I use in my classroom, but you could use any words that you feel your students need. Overall these photo album word books are a good resource to have in the classroom. They are pretty easy, inexpensive, and worth the time to make them.

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Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Tortilla Teepee Art

Ok, there are so many fun activities for this time of the year. I can't keep up! I've done this activity since I first started teaching 14 years ago. I don't know where the idea came from, but I know that my students have always enjoyed doing it. It is a perfect activity for this time of the year.

Before I do this activity, I read a book that helps students learn about Native Americans. It focuses on the different types of houses that they used to live in. It might be kind of hard to find this book since I got it many years ago. The book is called, The Very First Americans, by Cara Ashrose. I'm sure that you can find another book that will work just as well if you can't find this one.

The directions for making the Tortilla Teepee are very easy. I've included them here for you to look at, but I've also included them as a free resource for you.

Tortilla Teepee

1. Give students a paper plate and have them write their names on it.

2. Give students half a tortilla.

3. Have them use symbols to design their teepee with markers. Simple designs work best!

4. Form the half tortilla into a cone, overlapping slightly and leaving a little opening at the top, about a ½ inch.

5. Secure the overlap with a toothpick.

6. Give students 3 pretzels and have them dip the ends in frosting. Then have them insert the pretzels into the top opening.

I've made the directions and the student page with the American Indian symbols page available for you in PDF form. Students use this page to design their teepees. There is also a paper pattern if you would rather not use tortillas.

Here is the link to the Teepee Art Freebie

PDF Teepee Art Freebie

I hope that you enjoy this resource.

You can also watch this YouTube video if you want to see how it is done.

Tortilla Teepee YouTube Video

Another fun activity you might want to try is my STEM Activity - Build a Native American House.

You can visit my TPT Store to view this product.

STEM Activity - Build a Native American House

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Cup Sorts

The cup sort is a very simple sorting activity in which students take turns selecting a card, reading it, and then deciding which cup it should be sorted into. They can also talk with other students and explain the reason for their decision. Please feel free to check them out if you are interested.

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Sunday, November 9, 2014

Cheer and Spell

It can be difficult to get kids excited about spelling. Most times they find it redundant, because usually they are just writing a word over and over again. This Cheer and Spell activity is a good way to get kids motivated and moving as they practice their spelling words.

This activity works best with at least a couple of people. Everyone loves the excitement of a crowd.

One person calls out a word and then the kids spell it out. There is a motion for each letter of the alphabet. If a "tall" letter is called, which is a letter that touches the top line when written on paper, then the kids put their hands up in the air and say that letter.

If a short letter is called which is a letter that touches the middle paper line, then kids put their hands on their hips when saying this letter.

If the letter goes below the bottom paper line then kids bend over and touch their toes as they say this letter. After they have completed the word they clap their hands and say the word.

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Thursday, November 6, 2014

Gobble, Gobble Turkey Art

I'm really trying to share some of my favorite seasonal activities as I do them in the classroom. This turkey art project is one that is at the top of my list. Getting the project ready is a bit of work because all of the turkey pieces need to be cut. It helps if you can recruit a parent helper. But, if you really want kids to be creative you could just give them pieces of paper and let them create their own turkey figure.

Materials needed:

- brown, tan, red, yellow, orange, and black construction paper
- markers
- aluminum foil
- coffee filters
- masking tape
- spray bottle
- glue
- hole punch

Steps for Turkey Art:
1. Prep all the turkey pieces and put complete sets in individual bags for students (see the bottom of this page for a picture of the turkey pieces). You will want to prep sheets of aluminum foil and attach a piece of masking tape to each one. You will also need to get the spray bottles ready.

2. Supply students with foil, markers, and a coffee filter. Have them write their name on the masking tape with a pencil before they get started. Have students flatten the coffee filter. Then have them find the center of the coffee filter and use different colors to make triangles. Instruct students not to use black. This color overpowers the other colors and can ruin their project. Have them completely color in each triangle.

3. Have students continue around the coffee filter until it is completely colored with bright vibrant colors. I use this vocabulary because some students just try to color in the triangles lightly leaving lots of white showing.

4. Once the coffee filter is completely colored in it is time to spray the filter. Have students lightly spray all around the filter making sure that all spots are sprayed, but not soaked.

5. Set the filter out to dry. It usually takes overnight for them to dry, so this basically becomes a two-day project. It works out though because it is really two different art activities.

6. On the second day, after the filters are dry, attach the masking tape with students' names on them to one side of the turkey feathers. Pass out the bag of turkey pieces and have students assemble their turkeys. Then have them glue the turkey onto the feathers. After the turkeys are completely finished I glue them onto another sheet of paper. I usually do this myself allowing the turkeys to dry a bit first and remembering to write names on the back of the paper. If you don't want to bother with it you could just have your students do it themselves.

I'm sorry that I couldn't provide an actual pattern for this project, but it is pretty simple. Really the only thing you need to watch for is that you make it proportionate to the feathers (filter art).

I hope that you enjoy this project. As I already mentioned, this is one of my seasonal favorites. I think I like it so much because of the vibrant colors and because it seems kind of like a science experiment as colors get sprayed and my students observe what happens.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Saturday, November 1, 2014

AR Book Finder

Do you use AR in your classroom? Well, even if you don't the AR Book Finder website is still a very helpful website, because either way it is good to know the book level that a child is reading at and providing them with books at that level. AR Book Finder is a very easy to use website. From the home page you just click on either student, parent, teacher, or librarian. Click submit and it will take you to the next page. Enter the title of the book in question and hit "go." It will give you a list of books with that title. Look for the book you want. If it is an AR book it will tell you the book level, points, and AR number.

I use AR in my first grade classroom and rely on it as a resource for differentiating. All my AR books are leveled and have the AR number written in them. It took a lot of parent help initially, but it was worth it. My students are able to log on way faster using the number vs typing in the title.

Here is the link to AR Book Finder

http://www.arbookfind.com/UserType.aspx

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