Peace, Love, Harmony

Last week, we discussed the concepts of peace, love, and harmony. We watched a discovery education video that is a great counterpart of the book, Martin's BIG Words. We also read Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King. One of my favorite activities that we did was trace our hands onto multi-cultural paper. The student's chose their paper and were on their way tracing and cutting. As the students finished, I had them stack their hands into a pile. I taped the hands together. The students said things like, "Look! We are joining hands together one by one just like Martin Luther wanted " and " Our circle is so cool. It shows that we can all be friends."  (Heart-warming) 

(I team teach. Therefore, there are two friendship wreaths. One class is the outside hands, and the other class is the inside hands. I decided to join each class in hands too. When the kids saw the wreath, they were even more shocked saying, "WOW, Mrs. Allen we are all friends. This is so cool.  I am very proud of these wreaths, and we have had many compliments from other teachers as well.  TOOT! TOOT!)

Another activity we did involved having two different  baskets. (Sorry, no pic.) We discussed what the baskets looked like on the outside comparing and contrasting. The facts were endless with a wide range of differences. Then, I placed two similar dry erase markers inside the baskets. I took the markers out of the baskets. We discussed the dry erase markers in the same manner. However, the facts this time did not have a wide range of differences-only similarities. This is when we discussed that all people are different on the outside, but on the inside each person is the same. (I have done this same activity with a brown egg and a white egg too.) We made the peace sign at the top discussing how to make peace, love, and harmony. 

What did you do for Martin Luther King Jr. Day? How do you celebrate differences and similarities? 

Valentines Day brings yet another class time to discuss friendship, love, and celebrating similarities and differences. Check back for that post. In the meantime, what are you doing with your students for Valentines? Be sure to comment. 

Currently---What's Up?

 I am taking the plunge and instead of only reading the "Currently" I am joining Farley at Oh Boy Fourth Grade and creating my own. Here it is:

Join in the fun and let us know what you are up to also.

It is about-TIME-I posted!

It has been quite a long time since I have posted.

 BUSY, BUSY, BUSY! 

 New school  (adjusting and finding my niche -YIPPEE)

 new school year (half way complete-YIPPEE),

 new grade level (great team)

 new teacher evaluation requirements (I scored perfect on part one-YIPPEE!)

 LIFE (AHHHHH!),

 love (AHHHHH!),

 laughter (HAHAHA!)

 FAMILY,

 and the list goes on. 

I know many can relate.

I have been creating all kinds of new games and fun. My students love SCOOT. Check out the new game at my TpT Store

Here is a Freebie!

50th item in TpT-Back to School

I am excited to announce my 50th item in my store-Teacher Binder (Jungle Theme)

Here is a sneak peak

I am using this to organize all my forms (You know from grade level meetings, student data, lesson plans, faculty meetings, RTI (or as the new trend is becoming-MTSS-Multi-tiered Student Support), and much more paperwork.

Tomorrow is the our 10th day of school. (I promise to post classroom pics very soon.) We are beginning to settle in and become experts at changing classes. My school is departmentalized. I teach Math, Science, and Social Studies and my teamie teaches ELA. 

Here is a blog only freebie of something we used during the first week of Math.

 I have many more items entering my store language arts and math related, as well as, organization. 

Be sure to check back soon!

What More Could A Teacher Ask For?

There is a lot going on all around...

Back to School, Open House, End of Summer....

So to help you end your summer fun, begin the school year,and while I am busy at New Teacher Orientation (new state, new school, new ....), you need to

Be sure to visit 

and link up to A Classy Cruise too!

Have a great week!

Critical Thinking for the New School Year

Common Core is all about evidence (just at Bloom's Taxonomy and Marzano). In my classroom, you will hear me say--
"Show me"
"How do you know"
"Why do you think so"
"PROVE IT"

Here are some cool websites that can spark critical thinking:

Wonderopolis provides a wonder each day. Students can write, debate, discuss.....the possibilities are endless

Writing Prompts at Tumblr has a new writing prompt each day. There are even Common Core standards on the prompts. Again, the possibilities are endless.

Be sure to check out my Critical Thinking board on Pinterest.

I created Question Stems

Click the picture to grab your Freebie!

If you haven't check out Educator's Guide to Quick Critical Thinking List, I recommend taking a quick peek.

Don't forget to refer to the Depth of Knowledge Wheel

Happy Questioning!

Organizing Your Classroom

With my recent move, I thought I would do a short series on organizing your classroom. How do you get this.....

Pictures from my garage (View 1)

View 2

View 3

          AND these.....

looking like an organized classroom--ready for students.

There are some really neat classroom organizing tools out there for those people that like to see it on paper first. One is the Classroom Setup Tool from Scholastic.

So now time to think about:

• setting up my classroom library
• large group area
• small group area(s)
• seating arrangement
• wall displays
• "my space"
• storage

I am old fashion I guess you might say.  I still make lists, draw out my classroom maybe I should say-I just get in the classroom and move furniture and stuff around (usually with the help of my sister). This year I will not have that privilege because we are 4 1/2 hours away from one another. So I guess I will be getting in shape (or not moving as much stuff). I will be placing things where I want it from the start.  I have conferred with her on class arrangement (as I always do-she just will not be here to see in person-I will have to describe and take pics.)
Oh- I made this freebie circles that spell out WELCOME. I am going to use this somewhere either in the hallway or in my classroom.

Stay tuned for more pics and progress!

Enjoy!

More Freebies for all FANS of A Class*y Collaboration Facebook page.