Welcome back, teachers! How is it the 2019-2020 school year already?! Mind. Blown.
Anyway, here’s your first freebie of the year: a summarizing graphic organizer! This is often referred to as the “somebody wanted but so then” style of summarizing a story. Enjoy!
Click here to download the PDF: Summary graphic organizer PDF
I’m obsessed with kids books… especially picture books. I have heard about Fancy Nancy (by Jane O’Connor) for a few years now, but I recently “tested them out” and read through a few of them.
OH. MY. WORD.
They’re awesome! Not only are the illustrations adorable, but the voice in them is full of fun personality, AAAAAND she uses awesome vocabulary! So, now my toddler has been going around calling purple “fuchsia” and cupcakes “delectable”. (Yeah, what kid under 3 has THAT kind of vocabulary?! Thank you, Fancy Nancy!) Here’s an example:
Most of the beginning reader books have a page of “fancy words” in them. My toddler insists on reading this page too (because it has a cute illustration?) so we get a vocab review at the end of the story and I don’t even have to ask for it! WIN WIN!
Click here to grab a copy for your classroom (and get started expanding your students’ vocabulary without even trying!):
(This is the one I took pictures of above!)
(This is the original Fancy Nancy book.)
I’m pretty fond of this new Don’t Eat Pete board (updating my collection here!). I think it turned out nicely, so I wanted to share with you! Perfect for any St. Patrick’s Day party, this would work perfect with Lucky Charm cereal or rainbow Skittles for the treats!
Click here to download the PDF: Dont Eat Pete Board – St Patricks Day
Here’s how to play Don’t Eat Pete:
3 – 10 kids sit around the game board. The adult or moderator puts a small treat (M & M, chocolate chip, Cheerio, or whatever) on each number. The “guesser” leaves the area so they can’t see or hear what’s going on. Another person points to a number to choose “Pete”. The “guesser” comes back and starts taking the M & M’s (or whatever) off the board and gets to eat them. When the guesser touches “Pete”, everyone yells, “Don’t Eat Pete!!” and the guesser’s turn is over. The guesser eats the last one he got called out on to keep it sanitary!
Click here to see my other Don’t Eat Pete posts!
This is a quick worksheet I have used with my third graders for a review of adjectives. I use this as one of my quick reviews when my kids come in from lunch or special area classes to help them quickly focus and be ready for our next activity. I put it on their desk before they come back in the classroom, so they know to quickly get to work. I’ve put two copies on a page so you can use half the paper.
Click here to download the free PDF: Adjective review – Little Red Riding Hood
Click here to view more grammar freebies!
The “paper plate wreath” as an art project has been around for decades. I found these directions in my mom’s teaching files from when she taught second grade thirty years ago (even before the internet and Pinterest!) These easy to follow directions can be posted at a center when kids are done with work as incentive. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Click here to download the PDF:Â Paper Plate Heart Wreath – written directions for centers
I love Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream of peace. It is a huge overwhelming goal, but when each of us makes an effort to be kinder, we will see results. Use this page as a springboard to start a class discussion about making the world a better place in the areas we each have influence.
This one is a half sheet for younger grades. Click here to download:Â I Have a Dream – Half Sheet
This one is a full sheet for upper grades and middle school. We don’t often get to discuss behavior on social media (and many youth don’t get this discussion at home), so take this opportunity! Click here to download:Â I Have a Dream – Full Sheet
I’ve also done some anti-bullying activities! Click here to see my post about an awesome one!
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