When we were not backpacking through genres or knee deep in penguin research, we were busy with several other things this week.
Monday, it was a big Chinese New Year Celebration!!! We read a news article out of our Weekly Reader Magazine and reviewed Main Idea and Details. Then we made these cute little dragon masks.
On Monday, I also introduced our very first genre: Fantasy. We read Tacky the Penguin which sent the kiddos into hysterics. Since they enjoyed Tacky so much, and since we were all about penguins last week during our research, I decided to have the students write a fantasy about Tacky the Penguin during their independent writing time which takes place while I am meeting with guided reading groups. They also created a cute little Tacky craftivity. Thanks Reagan Tunstall for a little inspiration with your adorable little Tacky creation.
Here are just a few of my favorite:
In math, we began division. These kids are running me ragged in math. I am telling you what…some days I just don’t even know how to keep up with them. They are totally brilliant! Let’s just pray that next years littles will be just as smart! :) If not…how does that motto go…oh yes…modify and adjust! Ha!
So, we began reviewing the relationship between addition and subtraction through fact families. We had several snowball fights in the classroom which were super fun after the first round where I forgot to lay the ground rules of no snowballs in the face. I mean…they have some serious arms! Sheesh! After that, we were good to go. Here are some freebies that you may want to pick up. Click on the pictures below.
Both activities include addition and subtraction fact families. {So here is how a fact family snowball fight works. The students write their first equation- addition or multiplication to find their three numbers. They write their three numbers that will create their fact family on a piece of white paper. Then the students wad the paper up into a snowball. When the teacher says “Snowball Fight” the students gently throw the snowballs. When the snowball fight is over, each student chooses one snowball and returns to their seat to create the four problems in their fact family.}
After we reviewed the relationship between these two operations, we began learning about the relationship between multiplication and division. They picked up on the connection immediately. So, we had a few more snowball fights, and then we made these cute little fact family lollipops. Several teacher bloggers made these same fact family candies - peppermint style around Christmas, and I was super jealous that we were not working with fact families around that time. So, I tucked that baby away for later. Instead of peppermints, we made sweet lollipops.
And finally, we just wrapped up our U.S. Regions and American Tall Tales social studies unit. This week, we headed straight for geography. I hit on this topic just a little around Halloween when we created our pumpkin globes, but we need some touching up in this area and a little more instruction with reading a variety of maps.
I found THE CUTEST idea on pinterest which led me to this amazing classroom website. You must check out Mrs. Maddens Second Grade Class Website. She has some wonderful ideas. Thanks to Mrs. Madden’s Class, we began this geography unit with a bang! I read Chester the Worldly Pig which is a story about a pig dying to be something special. When everything seems to fail, his new owner notices that his spots are….what else…in the shape of the seven continents. I mean…how cute is that AND why have I never even laid eyes on this book before?!? Then, we just had to create these cute little Chesters. This week during independent writing, the students will write about an adventure {to tie into our genre study} that Chester goes on through all seven continents.
Now…it’s time to begin it all over again!
And as a little THANK YOU for all of your sweet comments on my products over at TPT, I am having a FLASH SALE beginning right now until midnight tonight! You guys are seriously full of sweetness and I truly, TRULY appreciate all of your support and kind words! It just makes my day…every time! :) Thanks so much for being such an encouraging bunch of bloggy friends! Y’all are the BEST! So, enjoy 20% off…get it while it’s H.O.T.!
You can check out my store by clicking HERE!
Happy Sunday!
What awesome ideas! Thanks for always sharing your creativity and inspiring others :) You rock! Have a great rest of your day!
ReplyDeleteLisa :)
Made In The Shade In Second Grade
Love all of your craftivities. Thanks for sharing...and thanks for the sale!
ReplyDeleteMary Beth
Run Teacher, Run
Everything looks great...I especially love the dragon masks!! =)
ReplyDeleteJennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
those pigs are so cleverly cute... how in the world did you get the shapes so perfect... is there a puch my school is missing... I have got to know :) wonderful as always!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to some things that have been on my wishlist from your store! Is everything on sale? or only certain products?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Ali
alischepis(at)gmail.com
So much fun stuff!!!!! I love that Chester and I never knew about that book either! I'm on the hunt!
ReplyDeleteA Teeny Tiny Teacher
I'm in love with the pig! However, how in the world did those continents come out so perfectly?
ReplyDeleteSO CUTE!!!! Thanks for sharing! :) Love the pictures
ReplyDeleteOhh and TAG, You're It!! :)Check it out:
http://firstgradeandfabulous.blogspot.com/2012/01/bloggy-tag-and-few-freebies.html
ღDeAnne
First Grade and Fabulous
Your classroom and ideas are amazing! I want to be in your class! Thanks for all the great ideas!!! :-) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI tagged you too!
ReplyDeleteLatricia
Wild About Second Grade
oh shoot, well....TAG anyways....your it!! Head over to see what I mean and join in the fun!
ReplyDeleteStacy
2nd Grade Paradise
I am going shopping right now!!! Thanks for all your great ideas! You are truly an inspiration!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your pigs and I love Bill Peet. Thanks for sharing a great idea.
ReplyDeleteLife with Mrs. L
I love your blog! I tagged you in a blog post. Please check it out.
ReplyDeleteBarrow's Hodgepodge
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHa! I tagged you in blog post, too! I wasn't sure if you'd been tagged, yet. I guess I should have read your comments.
ReplyDeleteSORRY!!!!
~Andi
Tag you're it! Hop over to see what it's all about!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
Teach123