First idea: Birthday Wishes!
Go to any store and buy birthday themed napkins. We send a note home at the beginning of the year asking for birthday themed napkins as donations. Parents are always very generous! :)
Before enjoying the birthday treat that the birthday boy/girl brought, students write their birthday wish for that child!
Students use the birthday celebration template to help them write a thoughtful birthday wish.
The birthday girl/boy loves to take home all the birthday wishes at the end of the day. What a sweet way to say "thank you" and "happy birthday!"
Idea number 2: Reading Comprehension Strategy
Before: Just a plain movie themed napkin
After: Vivid Visualizations!
We found these movie themed napkins last summer at Party City in the "Hollywood" Section. When we were teaching our students visualizing, we reminded them that good readers create a movie in their mind when they are reading. Students then write and draw their collection of visualizations in the napkin! They can keep these napkins to record their visualizations during independent reading, read alouds, or guided reading. It is also a great way to give an alternative assessment on their comprehension of the story!
Idea Number 3: HOLIDAYS!!!
Speaking of visualizing, can you just PICTURE in your mind all those holiday themed napkins that you always see on clearance after the holiday?????
Spring themed napkins- Students keep a journal of the signs of spring
Butterfly themed napkins- Students write about the lifecycle of a butterfly and publish their writing in a colorful and creative way!
Not to mention Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, Valentine's Day...the ideas are endless!!!
My students will start to write animal research projects in a few weeks. We can use these for SOMETHING...still trying to think of what!!!
Lesson of this blog post? When you go shopping this week...pick up some napkins! Show and tell us how you are are starting to use napkins in your classroom!!!
Interested in purchasing the file for this ideas? Check them out here:
Vivid Visualizations Napkin
Birthday Celebration Napkin
Have a great night! :)
8 comments:
LOVE this idea!! It makes me think of my mom... she always has cute napkins to use/display! Thanks for the idea!
You could use them to have their brainstorming on!
Thank you for this wonderful idea.
Littlelearnersinc.blogspot.com
I have used napkins in my class for about three years. I always ask the parents to send in left over napkins from parties: I have football, Toy Story, Flower, Christmas, Snowman and all kinds. My students grab napkins with blank handwriting paper (or the put it in themselves) and they create a story of their choice! They love this activity so much. I am going to incorporate your ideas into our napkin story center. Thanks for sharing!
Love this! How creative! Now I'm on the lookout for some napkins :)
Jodi
www.fun-in-first.blogspot.com
Hi! Thanks for your lovely message! Sorry for the message here, I didn't see your email. To show off your favorite blogs, you go to the sidebar under your design tab, "add a gadget", and choose "Blog List". You will be able to customize it from there. I hope this is what you meant and that it helps! I love your blog and look forward to reading each new post!! :)
Kristen
Ladybug's Teacher Files
Love this idea!!! I can't wait to use it with my first grade class & share it with my team!!!
I'd love for you to follow my blog! Just click on the link under my name!
Anna
Crazy for First Grade
The Vivid Visualizations Napkin link doesn't seem to be working. Are we being directed to the right site?
And, THANK YOU SO VERY VERY MUCH for sharing your AMAZING lessons with us! LOVE LOVE LOVE LESSONPLANSOS!
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