Mrs. Navarre’s Teaching Blog

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Popcorn Words

I like to have lots of different ways for my students to practice their sight words. Using this popcorn word idea lets me provide my students with a hands on approach to learning and also lets me use words that I know my students need.

As you can see it is a pretty easy idea. Simply purchase some foam sheets from the craft store and cut the pieces into a popcorn (more like a cloud) shape. Then use a sharpie to write the words on them. Using popcorn bags or popcorn cups make the activity more unique, but students enjoy using a simple little bag as well.

Another thing I like to do with these words is to put them in a 2 litter soda bottle with popcorn kernels. Students can then turn the bottle and try to find the popcorn words. They can make a list of the words they find and see who can find the most.

Anna Navarre's TpT Store

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Anna-Navarre

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Bingo Games for a Rainy Day Rescue

It has been raining quite a bit lately and that makes things pretty crazy in the classroom. The students have energy to burn and can't go out to play. Well, I definitely like to find things to break up the day. Bingo games seem to be a perfect rainy day rescue. My students get excited about the game and yet remain seated and fairly calm as they listen for the next word.

When I first began teaching I found it difficult to find Bingo games that were both academic and had a class set of Bingo boards. I found a couple over the years, but they were kind of expensive and didn't really meet my needs. I ended up creating my own.

I have made these Bingo games available on my TpT Store. Feel free to check them out if you too are in need of a rainy day rescue or if you just like to provide your students with a fun interactive activity.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Phonics-Word-Bingo-Games-Set-of-3-605200

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/CVC-Word-Bingo-w-30-Boards-190918

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Long-Vowel-CVCe-Word-Bingo-w30-Boards-409529

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Vowel-Team-Bingo-w30-Boards-193582

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Contraction-Bingo-w-30-Boards-217484

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Numbers-to-30-Bingo-Game-w30-Boards-275396

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Cozy Christmas Gift Idea

If you are looking for an inexpensive gift idea that works for just about everyone, this is a good one. I have nine classroom helpers that I need gifts for this year, so it could easily be an expensive venture. This gift idea is one of my favorites. I buy a cozy little blanket, which this year I got at Walmart. Then I hit the 99¢ Store/Dollar Store. I usually just get a word search book and a bag of candy, but this year I'm also including hot chocolate. The total cost including the bag is about $7.00.

While I'm out shopping I always like to pick a few extra sets just in case I need to come up with a last-minute gift for someone else. These also work well as a get-well gift.

Last year I had to use a different idea because I had a parent in my classroom that I had already given one of these sets to. Instead of a cozy blanket set, I used a cozy scarf and mitten set, which I blogged about last year. That was also an inexpensive and nice gift. I've included the link for you.

Holiday Gift Idea

Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas!

Also, if you are looking for teaching resources, please feel free to visit my TPT Store.

Mrs. Navarre's TPT Store

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Holidays in the Classroom

The three weeks between Thanksgiving and winter break tend to be a little crazy in the classroom. The kids start getting excited and things are just a little off. Since there never seems to be a way to get everyone back on track for those three weeks, I like to spend this time talking about different holidays. I focus on Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas. I share the history and traditions of each one with my students. They really seem to enjoy this.

I usually begin each unit by having students view four posters with pictures on them. There is one for food, one for traditions, one for history, and one for symbols. I place a poster at each table group and students discuss what they know and what they want to know. Then they rotate to another poster.

The next thing I do is give a brief history of the holiday that we are focusing on. I first do this orally, maybe with a picture or two. Later I read books to provide more information or I show a video.

As we go through each unit I usually do an art project or two. For Kwanzaa, we do a Kwanzaa flag and/or a Kwanzaa mat. During our Hanukkah unit, we paint a dreidel picture and sprinkle glitter on the symbols. For Christmas, the art project is usually some kind of wreath. I usually use tissue paper, but this year I tried tear art.

During the unit, I provide students with various worksheets and activities. My students love when we are discussing Hanukkah and they get to play the dreidel game and sing the dreidel song. When we are learning about Kwanzaa they enjoy playing a Kwanzaa symbol-matching game that I made. I use it as a center activity. It is a fun way to reinforce some of what students have learned about Kwanzaa.

This Kwanzaa Symbol Matching Game is a freebie that is available at my TpT Store.

Kwanzaa Symbol Matching Game

I also have a Hanukkah themed learning packet that you might be interested in checking out.

Hanukkah Learning Packet

I hope that I have given you some ideas for teaching holidays in the classroom. It is a fun time of the year and I think that teaching students about different holidays is a nice way to enjoy the season with them.

Anna Navarre's TpT Store

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Anna-Navarre

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.

Please feel free to visit my Teacher's Stores

TpT Store

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Anna-Navarre

or Teacher's Notebook Shop

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/anavarre

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.

Anna Navarre's TpT Store

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Anna-Navarre