State Floats

This year was the year we covered the 5 regions of the US in social studies. I love studying the five regions. There is just so much you can do with it. As we "toured" the US, one region at a time, I knew I wanted my kids to do a project to end the year in a big way. That's when I ran across the idea of having each student create a state float to show off their learning about one state in the union. 

I gave the students instructions (way ahead of time). This float had a lot of requirements. of course a few started right away, but there were several who did not start until the week before it was due. 

I contemplate the grading of projects like this because you always have several types of learners. You have the ones who obviously had parent involvement more than student involvement (as my former principal told one such student duo, "Mom, you get an 'A' and (looking at the child) you get an 'F.'") Then there is the child whose parent realizes that it is the student's project and helps in the hard or dangerous spots such as running the hot glue gun. And of course there are the students who very obviously had no parent help or direction. They were left to figure it out completely on their own and it shows. There were students who got right to work the very day you handed the project out and students who spent the final hours before it was due trying to play catch-up but it was too little too late. And of course, there is the child who did not bring in any float at all, despite the fact that you sent parents notes, texts, personal messages, etc. These are the things I struggle to muddle through when considering what each child deserves. Thankfully rubrics help to even the playing field by putting the focus on actual requirements. It takes the guess work out of grading projects like these. 

I am going to share a few of the projects here. Enjoy our "Parade of States."

Titanic in the Classroom

It's been a while since I have studied the Titanic with my classroom, but it is always a hit and something they enjoy. This year I decided to add it back into my curriculum. I pulled a lot of ideas from Teaching With a Mountain View. Her blog is amazing and full of inspiration! I am not sure what it is about the Titanic, even more than a hundred years later, students are still touched by this story. 

Titanic Reading

My first thought when planning this unit was to create a reading-heavy unit that also tied in other subject areas. I sat down to look for different book ideas for my readers. Since I have third through fifth graders, I decided to go with different books based on the needs of the readers. I settled on three different titles and split the students into groups based on those. These are the three books I settled on.

I loved that all of my readers could access this story no matter how high or low their level. They could all feel a part of the real learning we were doing. We practiced all sorts of reading strategies with these books. 

While learning about the same topic, it was important to me that all students, no matter their level, were able to feel apart of the whole class conversations about the historic event of the sinking of the Titanic. As we learned, we dug deep into the story through strategies like determining importance, inferring, making connections, visualizing, and numerous others.

Titanic Social Studies

As we went dove into social studies through the frame of the Titanic, we were able to study class in the early 1900's students were surprised to find that the classes were separated and that the classes had so much distance between them. We watched videos and read books that all pointed this out. We enjoyed trying out a third class tea and on our final day with the Titanic, we saw the huge discrepancy when we had a first class tea. We talked about etiquette and how the tables were set. They were shocked over all the different pieces of silverware a first class meal required. 

We also read books and learned about the human spirit. How people gave up their place on a lifeboat for others, how the ship officers went down with the ship, how the orchestra played until the ship's final moments. We heard about how the lifeboats could hear people calling for help, but how most were too afraid for their own safety to go back and rescue those freezing to death in the icy water. 

Titanic Science

In science, we did a few activities. One of the activities was to become boat builders ourselves and engineer boats that could safely float while holding a heavy load. It was interesting to see the various boat designs that the students came up with. We noticed that the flat-bottomed boats seemed to work the best, especially those that had a very large, flat bottom.  

Another experiment we did was to freeze a water balloon to create an iceberg. Students were surprised when we popped the balloon and dropped the icy ball into the water to simulate an iceberg. They were shocked at how little peeked above the water and how much was below it. This helped them understand the important conversations about how the iceberg that was hit by the Titanic was so dangerous. Most of the iceberg could not even be seen.  

Titanic Writing

To connect writing, we did some subject/predicate poems. These were super powerful to me and easy for the kids. We practiced writing a poem together on the board. We chose the topic of playground and then wrote a bunch of subjects, or nouns, on the whiteboard. Afterwards, we went back through and gave each noun a predicate, or action verb. Then I read one of the Titanic poems that I had found so they could have the idea of how you could turn the poem into a story using two-word phrases. The results were amazing, and heartbreaking. 

Here are a couple of examples from my class. 

1

Titanic leaving

People cheering

Pool splashing

1st Class relaxing

2nd Class playing

3rd class immigrating

Lookout seeing

Passengers snoring

Iceberg hitting

Travelers rushing

Lifeboats going

Unsinkable sinking

#2

People swimming

Dining room stunning

Guards guarding

Maids cleaning

Boat bumped

Iceberg hits

People wondering

Swimming stops

People shake

Compartments fill

Water spills

Kids scream

Babies wail

Lifeboats fill

Lifeboats lower

Titanic snaps

Titanic sinks

Lives lost

People crying

Titanic passes

Titanic gone

I love how they turned out!

Titanic Class Projects

For a project, I sent instructions home with students about a month in advance. They were to create a diorama showing one part of the story of the Titanic. They had to write about the scene they chose and why they picked that one, and be ready to present it to the class. Originally, I scheduled the Titanic project presentations for April 15, the day the people were rescued, but I unknowingly scheduled it on Good Friday, which we had off. So We rescheduled it for April 19, our first day back from Easter break.

The students wowed me with their projects. Even many of the students who do not have much help at home came with beautiful versions of their chosen scenes. They were so proud to share and it was great to see their artistry. We created a small museum of projects down the hallway leading to our classroom so others passing by could also view the projects.

Three Ways to Celebrate the New Year in Your Classroom

With Christmas break ending, teachers everywhere are gearing up to go back to school. I personally have been thinking of ways to extend the holidays and bring them into the classroom for one or two more days. This year, as we always do, we will be celebrating the new year. I was thinking about how to make that happen since I have the same students for at least three years (I teach in a multi-grade classroom of 3rd-5th graders). 

1. New Year's Learning Fun

With that in mind, I decided to create new products that could help me bring the learning while sprinkling in some fun. One of my favorite things to do is to teach my students about the history behind holiday traditions and I have a line of products that helps me do this, but I did not have anything yet for New Year's. I sat down the past few days and focused on making that a reality. With a reading theme, I will be introducing my students to seven different traditions about the new year. Each of these topics has a non-fiction passage, comprehension sheet, and many also have an additional game or activity to go along with it. Check out the different topics we'll be studying as we return to school. 

The reading passages are all non-fiction and include topics that help students learn the history behind New Year’s traditions. Included in the pack is one about the first and last countries to welcome the new year and how they celebrate. Another article explores the different balls that have been used in New York’s Time Square on New Year’s Eve and how that tradition got started. Students can extend their learning by completing a STEM challenge based on the ball drop. The third article is about the famous song, Auld Lang Syne, and just what those words mean and how the song came to be one we that sing when the clock strikes midnight on January first each year. Next, there is an article about goals and new year’s resolutions. Students can extend what they learn by setting goals of their own in a cute New Year’s Eve ball card. Another article is about words and how words are added to our dictionary each and every year. The class will learn who chooses what words are added and where these words come from. To extend, they may even create a snack or something to play with, should you choose to do so. Up next, is an article about the Tournament of Roses parade. When students read this, they may be inspired to create models of their own. So to extend their learning, you can have them create small shoebox floats and host their own walk-thru parade. Lastly, students will learn about college football bowls and how they came to be.

Also included is a time capsule that students can create individually. And finally, there is a teambuilding game that is perfect for welcoming your students back into the classroom and get them talking and sharing about their break and also the new year. My students will not only get reading activities, but this crosses over to other subject areas as well including history, science, writing, and art.

2. New Year's Teambuilding 

I love teambuilding. It is essential throughout the year, but even more so at the beginning or after a long break. I have this line of teambuilding art challenges that go along with many different holidays, but did not have one completed for New Year's. So I dusted it off and got it finished and I can't wait to try this with my class. If you have seen the TV show Chopped, then you have an idea of what happens in this challenge. Groups of students are each given a bag of items that includes identical art supplies. With the art supplies, teams are given an art challenge that they must complete collaboratively in a certain amount of time. Teams are then judged based on creativity, teamwork, etc.  After three rounds, you can name a winner. It is a lot of fun and kids really get into it. 

3. New Year's Procedure Practice

After every break, it is VITAL to do some refreshing on rules and procedures. At 3rd-5th level, I would be lying if I said that kids do get tired of this, but it is so important that I push through anyway. So, if I can make it fun, I will. This year, as I was browsing, I came across an idea that I saw with procedures on sticky notes that cover a class prize...such as extra recess. After reviewing the rules and procedures, we will have them all written on sticky notes. I will be watching for students who are completing these throughout the day. If I see the class doing one, I will remove that sticky note. Once all the notes are removed, students will get to celebrate with the reward that was revealed. 

While going back to school may not be something your students (or maybe even you) are looking forward to, it is here and the transition can be fun while also being academic. I say we start out 2022 with a big bang and make it one of the best years ever!

If you are interested in either of the resources mentioned, you can check them out by clicking on the pictures below. 

April Fool's Day

The best thing about April Fool's Day with 3rd-5th graders is that they are really into it. They love pranking each other and maybe will even jump in and try to prank you as well. I love these silly holidays that just bring a smile to the faces of my students. But what I love just as much is learning about the History behind the holiday. This year, I created a little reading comprehension and writing activity pack that helps students find out all about this fun day. It also looks at how others around the world celebrate and some fun and famous pranks!

I don't know about you, but I am always trying to figure out how to make things fun and keep the kids guessing. My favorite April Fool's Day activity was the year that I made brown e's. Yes you read that right. All day, I told my class that I had make them brown e's and of course it sounded just like their favorite dessert, brownies. When I whipped out the pan and in dramatic fashion removed the foil I went up and down the rows of seats passing them each a brown e. Their faces! Oh it was just too good. 

But later, I did give them an actual treat, although the sound of it is utterly disgusting. We had kitty litter cake. If you are wondering what this is, let me give you a quick rundown. First you crumble a chocolate and vanilla cake together and mix in some icing. You pour it into a clean, unused kitty litter pan, I got mine at the Dollar Tree and even picked up a kitty litter scoop to serve it with. Then to put it over the top, you take some Tootsie Rolls and slightly warm them in the microwave until they are bendable. After that, form them into....I think you see where this is going....kitty poop and drop some here and there, even burying some for an old litter box look. Dangle one over the side if you are that brave. Trust me, the kids loved it, especially the boys!

In case you are interested in sharing the history behind this holiday, you can click on the picture below. Happy April Fool's, everyone!

Black-History-Month-in-the-Classroom

I have never really stopped to give much thought to celebrating Black history month in my classroom. It just wasn't something I had really done much before. One of my schools required that we do something and so, out of obligation, I did. However, my views on that are changing.

Last year, I read a book that featured a strong African American girl as the main character. It was a work of fiction. I cannot for the life of me remember the title of that book, but what stands out to me is the reaction of one little girl in my class. She was hanging on EVERY SINGLE WORD. She was memorized. She had found herself in the story. 

My family also took a vacation that allowed us to spend one day in the heart of Montgomery, Alabama, most known for it's place in the civil rights movement. This was home to Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and George Washington Carver also lived nearby. Being the teacher that I am, I brought along some books so that my own children could learn about these people on our road trip. By the time we got there, they had some idea what they stood for and what they had done for their people and really all of us. 

While spending the day in Montgomery, we took a tour of the place where Martin Luther King Jr. lived and even met some of the people who knew him personally. We visited with his neighbor, who was also the babysitter of his children and purchased her book about her experience. This is REAL history. My children were engrossed in history and loving every minute. A spark ignited in my daughter and when someone asks her what her favorite subject is, she will answer with two subjects, one of which is social studies. 

 We stood in the very place where Rosa Parks refused to leave her seat on the bus that day long ago. We walked the street in front of MLK Jr's house where a famous picture was taken of him marching for equal rights, surrounded by many others. We touched the spot on his front porch where a bomb was planted to kill him. It left a permanent mark that has never been fixed. We went to the church where he was a minister. We relived...history that day, imagining in our minds what it all must have been like. 

Thinking back over the experiences I had on that trip and the reaction of one little girl in my class you finally found herself in one of my stories, I realize that I do need to do more. I need to bring stories that can help this group of students identify themselves and the history of their race in America. It just can't be about the main founding fathers that we talk about every year, we need to allow time for other people that were pivotal in our history too. 

You can see some of the other ways I have brought the African American history to life in my classroom. You can see those here, here, and here. 

This year, I will be honoring some of the people who worked to give equal rights to all people. A few years ago, I created a pack of booklets to help my students study famous Americans. I have recently updated some of the booklets to include a printable story that can be used as the research guild for these booklets. I found several books into one set especially for Black History Month. You can find that here. The great thing about these is that they can be used with your students in a whole class activity, as partner work, in centers, or individually.   

Communities

The classrooms at my school are organized into pods. In my pod, we have grades 1-3. Kindergarten is in another pod, but also moves to ours for some activities. Within our pod, we have a rotation of yearly themes. This year, our theme of focus is community. Each classroom can take that focus in any direction they choose. My class has begun by studying the different types of communities: urban, suburban, and rural. We have been creating representations of the different types of communities using different art methods. 

For our Suburban art activity, each student created trees in green and also fall colors. Each student also created a house. Afterwards, we rolled out a long piece of paper and each student claimed a space. Their job was to turn the individual houses into a community project that showed a suburban neighborhood. They had to place their houses and trees in their space and could add grass, a road, clouds, etc. I am loving how it turned out overall...despite that fact that we ended up with three suns....live and learn. Next time I do this project, we will discuss ways to be more successful and only include one sun. 

For the rural area, we did a directed drawing of hills. On each hill, students were to create a pattern of stripes, swirls, circles, or whatever their heart decided. Once the landscape was done, we added fences, a farm, and animals on top of the hills. We simply colored these with crayons. We focus a lot on quality of work at our school and because of that, we will be redoing some of our farm pictures to up that quality. It's a process.

Our final community is the urban city. We looked at some pictures of big cities. We talked about the shapes we saw. We discussed the different types of buildings. Then we drew our own cities. Afterward, we got out the watercolor paints and the details came alive. I am loving these. Most of my friends did an amazing job!

Next week, I hope to wrap all of our community learning up and move on to something new.