Get New APP for Teachers and Students!

I found this awesome app that teachers can use to keep in contact with students and parents via texting. Follow the link to find out more.  Remind101 is also have a contest and giveaway.  Have Fun!!!

http://blog.remind101.com/post/56804058159/ipad-a-week-giveaway-this-august-from-remind101#.UfhF7BZOS-8

A Writer's Office!

     I wish when I was in the fourth grade I had my own little "writing office" so I could hide and let my creative juices flow!  Today I created some "writing offices" for my students to use when they are in the final stages of their writing. This has to be the BEST resource for my students! 

Here is the link for the templates!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Office-Template

FYI:  You must create an account and if you have a MAC computer it won't download.  I had to download it at school.

Interjections and Onomatopoeia Foldable Eight Page Book

Hey guys it's been awhile since I posted anything, but today we had so much doing this great activity I just had to share!  My students and I created an eight page book that talks about interjections and onomatopoeias.  This is just another fun way they can add some flavor to their writing.  What made it extra fun was to bind the little book I used funky duck tape.  They got to pick what they wanted. I also found these cute speech and thought bubbles to place on their covers for decorations. 

To make this fun eight page book I used Dinah Zike's foldable book on Vocabulary and Phonics for 4th grade - 12th grade.  In her book she lists tons of words that make sounds (onomatopoeia).  I gathered only the words I thought the students would find useful.  The students wrote down the words on the front flap and underneath the flap they wrote a sentence using the word.  On left side the interjections and the right onomatopoeia. The reason I did this is because they drew a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast both.  I wanted to make sure they knew the differences and similarities to both.  

I am a visual learner, so here are some photos to show you how we did this. 

My student placing it back into his Interactive Notebook.

My example!

My example!

My example!

My example!

My example!

Character Dolls

Hey Guys! 

   Teaching character traits is my favorite lesson.  What I love to do is draw a huge picture of a girl or boy on the board and on his/her shirt I write "Pay attention to what I do and say!"  While we read the story I ask students to tell me what the character did and said to show what kind of person they are.  We then list all around the character the different traits we brainstormed together.  

   Next, I have them pick their favorite character to write about.  They have to pick one trait and write about their feelings and actions.  The actions of the character show their trait, so for example if the character showed she was shy they have to go back into the book and prove (in a complete sentence) how they were shy.  What did they say or do that showed that trait? 

   They will do the same thing with the character's feelings.  How did the character feel about her actions?  

   Later once they have those essential items down on paper they then can do the fun part of re-creating their doll on paper.  I let them go all out with colored paper.  
   Finally, they have to give their doll a speech bubble and thought bubble. In these bubbles the character again has to prove their trait by what they are saying or thinking.  
   The kids had so much fun doing this activity.  I saw lots of creative work and they loved seeing their work published on the wall in the classroom.  Here are some samples:

Character Traits Activity with any Novel.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory character traits!

Here is one of my favorite activities that my kids love to do.  It really gets them excited about reading their novel that is assigned to them.  I created this one many years ago right after I was trained as a New Jersey Writing Project Trainer.  I love teaching character traits!

The first thing I do with my students is introduce the novel they are going to be reading.  I also tell them that along the way they will be introduced to different characters.  They will need to really get to know these characters and their traits.  At this point it is a good idea to have an anchor chart in your classroom of character traits.  An anchor chart is always done as a whole group and placed somewhere on the wall in the classroom.  Every child contributes to that anchor chart and they will always be able to refer back to it when they need help.  On notebook paper students are to keep track of all the characters in the novel (major and minor).  During the course of reading their book they are to create miniature character dolls using a paper doll cut out.  Each doll gets a profile card that tells all about them and their traits.  

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory characters.

Character Cards with traits

The next one we did recently is with the novel The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

They made a foldable to hold their dolls and cards.

Supplies you need for this project:

1.  white paper to make foldable book to hold dolls and cards.
2.  paper doll cut outs
3.  colored construction paper 
4.  scissors
5.  pencil
6.  glue
7.  stapler
8.  colors and markers

Welcome to My New Educational Blog!

I just wanted to say hello and let you all know that I have created a new blog all about putting the excitement back into learning. This blog is especially for elementary teachers!  Throughout my teaching career I have created and learned many activities that put the fun back into learning for students.  These activities can be incorporated with any curriculum you are currently using. I can't wait to see what you all think!  Stay tuned!