I had a blast speaking with Susan Hoekstra on her podcast The Notice. We talked about Gabby and the illustration contest! ENJOY! She has interesting guests and I hope you check Susan out!
Gabby's illustration and writing contest!
Step Out of the Blues with Gabby’s Red Shoes! If you want to be in the contest to illustrate a page, please go to the CONTACT page of this website to submit! Have fun!!!
Gallon Garden Challenge
Gallon Garden Challenge!
Steps!
1- Get together all items that you will need
a. Empty and clean milk jug
b. Knife or scissors
c. Potting soil or seed starter mix (if you are in a pinch use soil from outside!)
d. Tape (blue painters tape or duct tape is best)
e. Seeds (veggies or flowers not both in the same jug!)
f. Pot for mixing water and soil
2- Starting at the handle of the jug cut from handle to handle
3- When the jug is cut, open it by bending at the handle
4- Put four holes at the bottom (cut from inside to outside so water can drain down and out)
5- Put soil in pot add water till it is hydrated
6- Once it is hydrated add the soil into the milk jug
7- Read the back of the seed packet that you have. Then follow it when planting in the milk jug
8- Then bend top over bottom and tape shut
9- DO NOT PUT THE MILK JUG TOP ON!
10- Place outside in a sunny area and make sure rain or snow can get inside the jug! It will be ok in any weather so do not worry about the cold!
At-Home Learning Ideas
Science
Write in a science journal observations (you can fold 2 pieces of paper)
Study photosynthesis and write a research paper
Math
Measure in inches and centimeters
Create a timeline of rate of growth
Art
Draw or paint what you see
Create a stop frame video capturing the growth of plants
Reading
Read about plants
Read about historical famous gardens (Think Tivoli or Versailles)
Writing
Write about what you see. (Think adjectives, shades of green, number of leaves, or shape of leaves)
Create a story about plants. (Think Jack and the Beanstalk)
Physical Education
Dig a hole to plant later
Build a raised bed with scrap wood to plant a garden
Social Emotional Learning
Talk about being patient while you wait for plants to grow
Discuss how you feel when you see your flowers bloom or share the flowers with a neighbor
After plants are grown
Food
Cook or eat raw, describe taste, use a recipe, or write about your special meal
Flowers
Cut and place in vase, share with a neighbor, or observe pollinators visiting all summer.
You can then transplant the seeds into a garden or put them in a pot! If you plant herbs, lettuce, or small greens, you can eat them straight from the gallon. Any questions feel free to email me!
Parent tip: children sharing
A few ideas if your child won’t share.
Tool for reading comprehension and self-editing in writing
This is an easy tool to help students with reading comprehension. It can also be used for self-editing in writing. Hope it helps!
Recognizing Numbers 1-100
Here is a quick tip using a simple tool, the 100 grid. My grid size is one full page and then part of a second page cut and taped in the back. (I laminated.) It created an oversized grid, which I liked. There are tips for logistics, assessment, initial EXPLORATION (which is key), and scaffolding ideas. Difficult teen recognition is addressed and more importantly, it offers opportunities for students to explore patterns on the grid, which develops natural mathematical thinking. Each student needs a grid and transparent marker. This can be done with small group interventions or whole group. Go mathematicians!
Getting students to talk about math...or any subject!
Here is a fun and easy idea to get students to use academic vocabulary in any content area. The students would USE THE MEGAPHONE when they talked. PS I had wipes next to me to wipe the mouth end.
Inattentive Student Intervention
Do you have a student whose mind wanders? They may have difficulty focusing. Maybe they miss the directions. Here is an easy tip for this type of inattentive student.
3 minute comprehension strategy for whole group instruction.
This simple activity I created aids students in developing their ability to self-monitor for comprehension. They learn to practice the skill of asking themselves, "Does this make sense?" It is a fun intervention that provides skills, review, laughter, physical movement, socialization, and classroom culture! Let me know how it goes!
Bring passion into your classroom!
When buying a house, the most important thing is LOCATION. In education, for me, it's passion. I love my sand collection and brought it into our learning in as many ways as I could. This summer, think of ways to bring what you are passionate about into your class! Have fun!
Tips for a school aide helping an active student!
One teacher wants very little noise in her room, but the student the aide is supporting is far from quiet! Here are a few ideas for an aide going in between different kinds of environments with different students' needs.
The "Shouter Outer" tip
We have all had the student who loves to share their answers...A LOT! Their ability to self advocate comes at the expense, at times, of others having the opportunity to contribute. Here is a tip to deal with our over zealous students!
BICS language tool
Explicit instruction of BICS language (words we use in basic conversation) is imperative in any early literacy classroom. Along with clear instruction, students need to practice using the BICS words. Here is one easy tool to help you address any EL students (and all students) in the primary grades.
Initial sounds and ordinal numbers
Hi Everyone!
This useful visual works for teaching initial sounds, first, last, and ordinal numbers. Please offer your ideas on how you might use this tool!
The Moment Someone Learns to Read!
There’s magic in the air when a child learns to read. Those of us who teach early literacy or are parents helping their child learn, all marvel when a child actually “cracks the code” and realizes the letter symbols become words. When it happens the child often looks up at you surprised and then you get to say it, finally, “Yes, you are reading. You are now a reader!” It’s magical and of course there are tears in your eyes and chills down your arms. That profound instant when those symbols are transformed into meaningful words never ceases to amaze me. The written word is astounding in every regard, not only to educate, enlighten, and entertain, but also in its incredible ability to transform us and offer the powerful opportunity to reason together.
This blog will now be REFORGED (my word for the year, see my New Year’s blog entry) with a very strong early literacy focus. I feel very right about this goal. My books and my passion surround early literacy and quality instruction. So…here’s to the next step in the journey.
Would you share a magical moment when you were teaching a child to read or YOUR magical moment when you cracked the code?
Love you all…and I hope you enjoy the Reforged early literacy focus coming this year.
Classroom Economy
Thank you Tayce, 2nd Grade teacher, for sharing your tips about how you manage your class using a Classroom Economy! If anyone wants Tayce's documents, please email me. Thanks Tayce for sharing your ideas and resources!
Exit Slip Tip
Teachers can use this easy modification when using exit slips. Great for any age!
Tip to encourage students to persevere!
Danielle, a K-5 music teacher, offers a fast and easy tip to encourage students to keep trying! She also adds a heart warming teacher story about 2 students who persevered! Thanks Danielle!
Kindergarteners reflect on writing!
Even beginning authors can reflect on their writing! This 3 minute clip shows Kalissa teaching a practical strategy for early writers to use as they analyze their work for the day.
Easy organization tip for math stations.
Hannah is sharing a simple tip to use when organizing your math station bins.