Free 32-Page Fairy Tale Packet

I was on Mrs. McCumbee's Class blog and was delighted to find a useful resource for classrooms studying fairy tales:  a 32-page, printable activity packet!


The packet contains book recommendations for read alouds, and sheets to discuss common fairy tale elements, story elements for some tales, comprehension questions AND comparison charts for different stories.  


The resource is free and ready-to-go for all interested.  It may be a good idea to have a recommended book or two on hand, and print this to save for a substitute day.

Tree Journal Classroom Craft

The Crafty Classroom has a great craft activity that helps students understand many aspects of trees.


Using a brown paper bag, students create a small book that serve as a "tree journal."  On one page, they use construction paper and cut-out designs to illustrate the roots; other pages reveal leaves, tree rings, etc.  Alternating pages include info students have researched about trees.  Check out the link for examples and step-by-step instructions.


This is a first-rate project or fall, and a way to combine research with a cool craft.  Try it!

Video Cameras for a Plethora of Classroom Activities

Edudemic posted 43 Surprising Ways to Use Video Cameras in the Classroom, and many of the ideas may be a useful way for you to liven up lessons by integrating technology.

Notable uses?

• Recording activities for parent involvement
• Making a visual representation of a poem
• Observe weather conditions
• Record their trip to a specific destination as they translate and follow step-by-step directions in foreign language.

Watch here!

Synonym Cinnamon Roll Activity

I love this idea I found on Pinterest, posted by FirstGradeParade, MessyJofU and SweetTeachings.  Have students explore synonyms in this hands-on lesson that culminates in a sweet treat for the class!


Students work collaboratively to come up with synonyms for a given word, and then consult a thesaurus.  Once all their synonyms are chosen, they write all their words on a paper craft that spirals in the shape of a cinnamon roll.


Once their "buns" are complete, you can create a cool classroom display with the "buns" posted in front of foil, resembling a chef's tray.  SweetTeachings shares an example  of her version of this nice display.  The classes concluded the word activity by snacking on cinnamon bun-flavored cereal treats, which I'm sure they enjoyed.


FirstGradeParade also posted little handouts to help students in their thinking about the words, as well as instructions for cute chefs hats for students to wear during the activity!


Mmm, cinnamon rolls....

Making Memorable Lessons and Activities

MissCalculate's blog post about making a memorable project got me thinking about how important that is for teacher's to accomplish.  Students are probably given thousands of assignments throughout the course of their education; I think you've done well if you manage to leave one or two of those things permanently etched in their memory as a cool, fun, exciting or unique activity.

What are some of the lessons, projects and activities you still remember fondly?  Some of mine:

• I remember we did a whole unit on mysteries centered around The Westing Game (which I mentioned here).  It was fun and led up to role-playing and writing our own mysteries!
• In middle school, we had a great unit on literary archetypes that was based around the original Star Wars trilogy.  For weeks, we watched the three films and connected archetypes to Luke Skywalker's adventures, and we were all well-equipped for lit analysis in HS thanks to doing so.  
• One year, we explored the concept of parody by making and recording our own spin-offs of popular TV shows, to hilarious results!
• In chemistry class, we once made ice cream!  I also recall being impressed by one lab where we constructed a filtration system with plastic water bottles, which turned muddy, brown water into clear, "clean" water.

What about you?

Math Game: Fractions and Mixed Numbers

Another free math game is available on the MathCoach'sCorner blog.  This two-player game only requires dice, a pencil and the sheets provided on her site.  Students roll the dice, record their rolls in the fraction sheets, add their fractions, and convert them into mixed numbers.  Points are awarded based on who creates the larger mixed number.   Students can check each other's answers in this activity that's appropriate for math centers.

Another Hands-On Geometry Activity

Here is a surface area activity similar to the one posted yesterday.  Like the tin men, MsMathemagician's class used 3D figures to make surface area calculations.  Her class was given flexibility:  they were told to make a 3D creation of their choice, as long as it featured a certain number of specific shapes.  Students' imaginations ran wild!


Once they completed that part at home, students brought the projects to to class, where they calculated the surface area and volume of their constructions.  


Check out her blog to see students' creative work, as well as the project instructions and rubric.