What inspires you?-Schema Freebie

What inspires you?

Some people say

Chocolate

Others say caffeine

While others say coffee or some sort of energy drink

But the real truth is...

  that our background knowledge and experiences are fuel to learning.

Whether you call it background knowledge, prior knowledge, or schema I believe through using schema the students can "light of fire" for learning. Many students do not come to school with the background knowledge so it is our job to help them acquire some of this knowledge.

A couple of weeks ago...

I was inspired my watching my niece as she tended to her horses

my nephew as he told me things about Legos

my second son as he played with cars

my daughter as she read a science fiction book, The Marvelous Effect

my first son as he chose the movie he wanted to view

I thought....

this is the

Beginning of one's schema

so I decided to create a schema song poster and I Am the Expert Mini-Project.

I found a song I teach my students when I teach schema. I found it years ago on a teacher website

Reading Power by A. Gear

Download here

If you like what you see, please remember to follow my blog. Thank you so much.

Enjoy!

Let the Games Begin

Let the Games Begin!
17 Days of Glory that Unite the World.

First, I remember as a girl watching Nadia Comaneci, gymnast, with awe. Then, Atlanta, GA (my home state) got to host the Olympic Games in 1996. Each year, I can not wait for the Summer Olympics.
Perhaps it is the support and meaning behind the Olympic Rings.
Do you know what the colors and rings symbolize?
This quote from the International Olympic Committee states:

"The five rings represent the five continents. They are interlaced to show the universality of Olympism and the meeting of the athletes of the whole world during the Olympic Games. On the Olympic flag, the rings appear on a white background. This flag translates the idea of the universality of the Olympic Movement. At least one of the colors of the rings, including the white background, can be found on the flag of every nation in the world."

 (To find out more click here and here )

Check out this London 2012 Olympics Link . It has lots of awesome photos to get you into the Olympic Spirit. It features the passing of the Olympic Torch.

This website is a link to the order of the Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremonies.

NBC's countdown to Olympics link

Olympic Schedule and Results Link

Of course, I have been on Pinterest. There are some cute ideas for classrooms. Here are a few:

Red Ted Art

Study Ladder

Activity Village

Be sure to also checkout this ancient greece and olympics link. I used this when learning about Ancient Greece. There are powerpoints that you can use. (Be sure to view first.)

For more Olympic ideas, check out my Pinterest Olympic Board. My Social Studies Board has mini-units on countries. There are so many cool things from lesson plans, to crafts, to printables, and food.

Team USA!

Enjoy!



5 Picture Books

Lindsey over at The Teacher Wife is having a linky party. I have decided to join her.

It was soooo hard trying to choose my favorite picture books. Each one I have holds a dear place in my heart or teaching repetoire, but I have narrowed it down to 5 with the help of my personal kids' home library. (Of course, we have lots of books at home. Some double to the books I have at school. I have tons. Afterall, I have taught a variety of grades PK-5-mainly K and 1.)

Anyway here they are-in no particular order.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See by Eric Carle is definitely a must when teaching kids their colors. My youngest reads this everyday (memory, of course), but I love hearing his little voice when reading this book. There are so many awesome activities to do with this book in your Pre-K or K classroom.

The Kissing Hand  by Audrey Penn is another favorite. I love reading this the first day of Kindergarten. It makes me cry every time I read it. Again, there are lots and lots of activities and lessons for this book.

Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest is a must read each night before bed. This book is so sweet!

Each Living Thing by Joanne Ryder is my new Earth Day Every Day book. This book allows the reader to understand that everyday we should take care of the Earth we live on. 

Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper is just a classic that should be read to all kids. We need to let our students know that we believe in them. We need to accelerate all learners to reach their potential.

Happy Reading!

Monday, Monday

It's Monday

If you have not been checking out Tara from 4th Grade Frolics Monday Made it fun! Then, you need to hurry over and check out each weeks. There are some really cool things for school, self, and so much more.

So here is my item for

This week my sister and her hubby celebrated their 15th wedding anniversary. My niece and nephew were at my house with my three kids. (Yeah and Yikes, at the same time). Afterall, I am a teacher and they are "teacher kids" (all of them) so they know I can handle anything, but needless to say I wanted lots of projects for my niece and daughter. They found DIY bangle bracelets.

Here they are. All of them stacked.

A few laid out for better viewing

Last, a few dangling bangles on my daughter's wrist

Now you are probably thinking this is look hard, but actually it was very easy. (Although they did the  baking process two times instead of one time like the original directions.)

You need:

modeling clay

spray clear, acrylic glaze

What to do:

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees

2. Cut or pinch off modeling clay and make into snakes.

3. Measure the distance (diameter) around your wrist and added a 1/2 to one inch. (They used the diameter of a glass by seeing if their fist could fit inside and viola.--How smart!)

4. You can twist, braid, or use a single piece of clay for each bracelet. Be sure to secure by using a small ball of clay to join the ends and pinch.

5. Place on a metal baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

6. Allow to cool. Spray with acrylic glaze.

Now on to Manic Monday Freebie

I have an oldie, but a goodie.

I made this a gazillion years ago. I updated just this morning.

Those of you doing guided math, math stations, or just using word problems should use this for your math exemplars or word problems. This can be used from K-5.

Here is the freebie link.

Now head on over to Classroom Freebies Manic Monday Freebies

If you like what you see, please be sure to follow so that you do not miss anything.

Enjoy!

Morning Fuel and Question

What gets you going in the morning?

Here is mine:

A yummy and delicious banana, strawberry, blueberry, pineapple and a spoonful of Barley Max Body by Vi Shake.

This morning I was making breakfast for my boys and I had to use this container:

Here is the view from above:

I started thinking of all kinds of uses for the classroom.

So stay tuned for my creation and ideas.

What/How could you use these in your classroom?

Please leave a comment. I am interested in your uses. I can't wait to hear from you.

(Off to finish my order at Scrappin Doodles and get ready for a yard sale that I am having tomorrow. Oh-and sometime I am helping my daughter and niece with my Monday Made It for next week. I am super excited!)

Have a great day!

Don't forget to leave your comment.

 

What's for Dinner Wednesday and a Freebie

What's for Dinner?

Don't you just love when you know what is for dinner. (I do.) Meal planning is the way to save (and not eat out too). This week is my sister and her husband's anniversary so I am watching her kids while she and her hubby enjoy a short vacay. Therefore, meal planning was/is a must.

I created this little planner to help me out, printed, and viola! Now I know what's cooking eat night.

Tonight we had Turkey Burgers.

Ingredients:

1 pkg of ground turkey

onion powder

1/2 jar of salsa (I chose mild.)

1/2 cup-1 cup shredded cheese

italian seasoning

Mix all the above ingredients (reserve some cheese for topping to melt)

Cook on 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.

Use other part of your salsa jar to top burger. Also top with cheese. Place back in oven for about 5-7 minutes.

Broccoli Slaw

1/2 bag broccoli slaw mix

2 roma tomatoes, diced

1-2 Tsp of mayo

sweet pickle relish

broccoli and carrots for garnish

Mix all ingredients (reserve some tomatoes for garnish)

Refrigerate until ready to serve

Good 'ole baked beans

Yummy! (As you can see, I don't measure anything. I just guess and put in for my liking.)

 We had angelfood and pineapple recipe that I found on Pinterest for desert.

Here is the link to make your planning easier.

Place inside a clear sleeve ( I did not have time to look for one.) and you have instant lamination.

If you like what you see, please be sure to follow my blog so that you do not miss anything.

Enjoy!

It's Monday! Time for FREEBIES!

Ok-Last week, I reported record breaking temperatures and both air-conditioning units OUT. Well, I wanted to report that these were remedied. On Monday after 60 hours of speaking with the warranty company (since the previous Friday) and finally getting a courteous service contractor, our air conditioning units were repaired. The a/c was up and running and I was one happy lady.

If you don't know about Manic Monday freebies, you need to head right on over there after reading my post.

This summer I have been focusing mainly on reading and writing. I have been creating bookmarks, graphic organizers, posters, and such. Well, today is not any different. I have a graphic organizer for non-fiction. I call it the 3-2-1.

Grab it here.

If you like what you see, please consider following my blog so that you do not miss out.

Now for Monday Made It with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics

Ok so I actually did not make today's Monday made it. My niece and daughter with the help of my sister made these awesome shirts. (Pinterest inspired).

To make the shirts-

You need spray paint (sounds crazy but yes spray paint)

painter's tape (We used duct tape because that is what we had)

cardboard to use for star cut outs

1. Tape off a square section for the stars. Using a star pattern, cut out stars, and tape inside the square.

2. Tape off the stripes. We measured the distance using the width of the duct tape.

3. Spray with red and blue paint in appropriate areas.

4. Dry. Lift tape and stars.

5. The girls t-shirts have the sleeves and neck cut out and a tie in the back, but the boys do not. (Cut about an 1/2 inch away from collar. Cut out sleeves. Using some of the cut off shirt, make a tie. Gather sides and tie. Our girls use as a cover up and/or wear tank underneath.)

Enjoy!

 

Character Traits-F.A.S.T.

Character Traits using the F.A.S.T. acronym

F.A.S.T. stands for

Feelings

Actions

Sayings

Thoughts

Here is a graphic organizer to help you out.

If you like what you see, please be sure to become a follower so that you do not miss out!

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday America!

Happy 4th of July!

I am giving a tribute to America today through pictures of family fun!

 Austin eating a red, white, and blue yogurt pop while taking a break from swimming at his aunt's house.

Fabulous cousins after dancing in the Fourth of July parade.

This is a flag in Dylan's room. I have the cutest video of him saying the Pledge of Allegience standing in front of it.

This is my kiddoes before swimming at Pappy and Grandma's.

Having fun while waiting on the fireworks. (My sister, daughter, and niece made these cute pinterest inspired shirts.)

I hope your Fourth was a bang too.

Now for the educational part, there are so many ways to celebrate America. Here are just a few:

• Make flags
• Sing Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, Grand Ole Flag
• Makr Wind Socks out of construction paper, American symbols, and red, white, and blue streamers

In kindergarten (once was first grade), here in Georgia, the students Social Studies curriculum consisted of learning about the United States. I have so many things that I could share and even show, but they are all at school.

Don't forget to celebrate America on Constituition Day on Friday, September 17, 2012.