Nicole and I are busy recovering 
from our first full week of school and are also preparing for our Parent Night this week! With that being said, we didn’t have time to create any new freebies for you, but we wanted to share what we have used in the past!
from our first full week of school and are also preparing for our Parent Night this week! With that being said, we didn’t have time to create any new freebies for you, but we wanted to share what we have used in the past!
We hope you can find an idea to use for this week!
First idea…Stress Free School Supply Collection!!
Turn your overflowing bins, cabinets, and shelves into a quick, easy, and fun math activity by giving each child the sheet below! Have them work with a buddy (and a calculator, if needed) to figure out how many of each school supply was brought in. Or, complete the activity as a whole group.
Print this idea from Google Docs: School Supply Activity
Second Idea…Teacher Test!!
Ready to play a fun and cute prank on your new students?
Begin by putting the assessment on their desk.
Begin by putting the assessment on their desk.
When my students were at their special, I passed out these tests on their desks.
When they returned from art, they found "the test" on their desk.
I told my students that I was very sorry, but unfortunately I had to give them their first test, even though it was only their second day of school! I explained that it would be a true and false test. I would read one sentence at a time, repeat the sentence, and then the student would have to write "true" or "false."
By this time, I was getting lots of questions: "Is this for a grade?" and complaints "But you didn't tell us about this test!" and worries "What if I don't know anything?"
I reassured my students and told them although it is important that they do well, it is not for a grade. I encouraged them to try their best.
I then began! I read the first "test" question aloud.
1. Your teacher has two children.
After reading this sentence, I have some pretty confused looks. I reread the sentence, "Your teacher has two children." By now, the students are saying, "What? Huh? Hmmm???"
Still in all seriousness, I reminded the students to do their best, after all this is a test! I told them to write true or false on the line by number one. Now, completely confused, they wrote something down. I moved on.
2. Your teacher has a dog named Nugget, who is spoiled rotten.
By this time, they know. It is a silly, little practical joke!
They are taking a very official:
I told my students that I was very sorry, but unfortunately I had to give them their first test, even though it was only their second day of school! I explained that it would be a true and false test. I would read one sentence at a time, repeat the sentence, and then the student would have to write "true" or "false."
By this time, I was getting lots of questions: "Is this for a grade?" and complaints "But you didn't tell us about this test!" and worries "What if I don't know anything?"
I reassured my students and told them although it is important that they do well, it is not for a grade. I encouraged them to try their best.
I then began! I read the first "test" question aloud.
1. Your teacher has two children.
After reading this sentence, I have some pretty confused looks. I reread the sentence, "Your teacher has two children." By now, the students are saying, "What? Huh? Hmmm???"
Still in all seriousness, I reminded the students to do their best, after all this is a test! I told them to write true or false on the line by number one. Now, completely confused, they wrote something down. I moved on.
2. Your teacher has a dog named Nugget, who is spoiled rotten.
By this time, they know. It is a silly, little practical joke!
They are taking a very official:
THEY LOVED IT!
So, we continued, in a playful manner this time, to take the test! I said several other sentences that are about me and either true or completely made up!
3. Your teacher is still friends with someone that she has known since kindgarten. (Marie- I know you are reading, thanks for this idea!!!)
4. Your teacher's favorite store to shop at is Target. (That would be true- Target you make a small fortune from me.)
5. Your teacher runs in the mornings before coming to school. (Training for a marathon is hard work and the only time I have the motivation to run is before school!)
6. Your teacher does not like math. (False, I love math!!! I love making it FUN!)
7. Your teacher has a sister who is a teacher at this school. (Nicole, these kids truly think that we are sisters- is it the blond hair? Anyways, that is a FALSE!)
8. Your teacher's favorite TV show is American Idol. (Nope, never watched an episode. LOVE Amazing Race. Auditioned countless times. Literally. Still waiting for the phone call.)
9. Your teacher is a vegetarian and loves Chipotle. (I am an animal lover- True!)
AND so on...you get the idea!
So, we continued, in a playful manner this time, to take the test! I said several other sentences that are about me and either true or completely made up!
3. Your teacher is still friends with someone that she has known since kindgarten. (Marie- I know you are reading, thanks for this idea!!!)
4. Your teacher's favorite store to shop at is Target. (That would be true- Target you make a small fortune from me.)
5. Your teacher runs in the mornings before coming to school. (Training for a marathon is hard work and the only time I have the motivation to run is before school!)
6. Your teacher does not like math. (False, I love math!!! I love making it FUN!)
7. Your teacher has a sister who is a teacher at this school. (Nicole, these kids truly think that we are sisters- is it the blond hair? Anyways, that is a FALSE!)
8. Your teacher's favorite TV show is American Idol. (Nope, never watched an episode. LOVE Amazing Race. Auditioned countless times. Literally. Still waiting for the phone call.)
9. Your teacher is a vegetarian and loves Chipotle. (I am an animal lover- True!)
AND so on...you get the idea!
The students LOVE learning about their teacher in this fun way! (Why is it so exciting for them to learn our first names? Or our favorite TV show???)
When you are done reading your sentences have students switch papers. Reread each sentence and explain the correct answer, letting your students learn more about you. They will also have a blast grading each others papers! :) Something about using red teacher pens and making those check marks and smiley faces.
When you are done reading your sentences have students switch papers. Reread each sentence and explain the correct answer, letting your students learn more about you. They will also have a blast grading each others papers! :) Something about using red teacher pens and making those check marks and smiley faces.
You can have the student then make their OWN true/false statements! Have each student write 5 sentences, including facts about themselves and also things that are made up. Then, each student can read their sentences to the class and the class can decide if they are true of false.
Download the file from Google Docs here: Teacher Test
Third Idea…Creating a Caring Classroom Climate!
Do you...
*Have any students who wear braces?
*Have any students who wear glasses?
*Have students who wear hand-me down clothes?
*Have students who are embarrassed about their looks?
*Have students who are chosen last on the playground or at gym?
*Have any girls who are already commenting on their weight?
*Have any students who you think will be teased or bullied for something?
*Have any students with an I.E.P.?
*Have any students who have freckles or look just plain "different"?
Then, RUN to your nearest book store or library for this book: Don't Laugh At Me by Steve Seskin and Allen Shamblin. IT COMES WITH A CD!!!!
Not sure if it is worth the $19.95? Just watch the video below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=HTNVXlirF4Y
After teaching a mini-lesson about how good readers have vivid visualizations while they are reading, read the lyrics to the students. As you are reading them, have your kiddos draw their visualizations. Let them use their crayons or markers and go to town!!!! Encourage them to go COLOR CRAZY to really illustrate their visualizations!
After we discussed their visualizations I introduced the book. As I read the story, I encouraged them to pay attention to the words and their meaning.
Some questions to ask:
-Why are the people in the story feeling pain?
-How do the words in the story relate to you?
-Have you ever felt the way the people mentioned in the song feel?
Lastly, play the video for them! They will love it! :)
After teaching a mini-lesson about how good readers have vivid visualizations while they are reading, read the lyrics to the students. As you are reading them, have your kiddos draw their visualizations. Let them use their crayons or markers and go to town!!!! Encourage them to go COLOR CRAZY to really illustrate their visualizations!
After we discussed their visualizations I introduced the book. As I read the story, I encouraged them to pay attention to the words and their meaning.
Some questions to ask:
-Why are the people in the story feeling pain?
-How do the words in the story relate to you?
-Have you ever felt the way the people mentioned in the song feel?
Lastly, play the video for them! They will love it! :)
Click the image above to download the file from Google Docs.
We hope your school year is off to a great start!!!
