Whimsy Workshop Teaching

Whimsy Workshop Teaching

Teacher Clip Art, Literary Resources, Classroom Ideas

Animal Writing Flap Books

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Do your students love animal research projects?
It’s a great way to introduce non-fiction writing, and it can be a source of pride for students who feel very “grown up” because they are doing research! However, this enthusiasm can be dampened if emergent writers are not supported with reading materials at their level, and so long as the information sources are not too overwhelming.

This is why differentiating your non-fiction materials for emergent writers is so important.
Here are some tips for implementing your [Read More…]

Books That Teach Friendship and Social Skills

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Our class spends a LOT of time learning social skills, problem solving, friendship and conflict resolution. This helps to create a peaceful environment where learning can thrive, and we do not have to spend the majority of our time solving interpersonal conflicts. We use interactive lessons from The Kindness Classroom SEL curriculum, along with many of the books listed below to reinforce concepts.

Click on any cover to see details of the story.
Llama Llama Time To Share by Anna Dewdney

Franklin Plays the [Read More…]

Father’s Day Directed Drawing Ideas

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Looking for some new ideas for Father’s Day?
I’ve got two Father’s Day ideas for you – and they’re free!

 
FATHER’S DAY DIRECTED DRAWING
 
Do your students love directed drawing?
Parents just love the personal touch of a drawing made by their child.
It’s a simple idea but such a wonderful keepsake!

Students just follow the steps to draw themselves and Dad.
Then, they color it in, and write about it using one of several writing prompts!

 
MAKE YOUR OWN CARDS
Do you have your own ideas for Father’s [Read More…]

Directed Drawing Videos: Cute Santa

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WHY DIRECTED DRAWING?

There are many reasons to try directed drawing with your students! Here are a few skills and benefits:

improve skills in following directions and attention to detaila fun way to practice fine motor developmentincreased stamina in focus and attentionincreased self-expression and communicating ideasgrowing skills in drawing and appreciation of artperfect for celebrating seasonal content and decorate the classan easy center activity to switch out each weeka fun activity to do at home! Send the link to parents and ask [Read More…]

Directed Drawing For Math!

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Most of my students have a good understanding of our math concepts, but could definitely use some practice with basic math facts and speed of recall. Fast recall of facts will help them in later grades when the concepts become more complex. Daily repetitive practice helps with speed of recall, but that’s not always engaging for students. This is why I began using Math Pictures every day.
 
 

Question:
How can we make basic math facts practice more engaging and fun?
Answer:
Integrate your math practice [Read More…]

Drawing as a Writing Prompt

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Directed Drawing is a fun and engaging way to integrate art and writing.
Here are some ways that I use art in my classroom to encourage more writing!

WRITING COMPLIMENTS
After your whole class directed drawing lessons, invite students to do a “gallery walk” around the room to see other students’ work. Then, leave a post-it note beside each picture and assign secret partners. Students study their partner’s drawing and write a compliment on the post-it note. Students love to return to their [Read More…]

Art History and Writing Integration

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MAKING TIME FOR ART
As a primary teacher with a degree in visual art and art history, it’s so sad for me to hear that art programs across the country are being eliminated, art budgets being cut, and that teachers just don’t have time for art lessons because of increased pressure to get through other curriculum.

I’ve experienced the same things in my own district, and so I am trying to think of art in a different way to come up with some [Read More…]

Simple End Of Year Ideas

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How do you celebrate the end of the school year? Are you always collecting new ideas?
I’ve tried many different end-of-year ideas over the last 20+ years, and today I’m sharing some of my favorite and most successful ones!

END OF YEAR MEMORY SHIRTS
Students bring an older t-shirt to take part in this activity (I usually grab a few extras at the dollar store for students who forget). Slide some cardboard inside the shirts and ask students to write their name using Sharpie [Read More…]

Directed Drawing Videos: Crab

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Have you tried directed drawing with your students? There are so many ways to use it in the classroom!

COMBINE DRAWING AND WRITING

Use your drawings as writing prompts! You can see more photos of the directed drawing activities we use in my classroom by clicking HERE.

USING DRAWING VIDEOS

These directed drawing videos allow you to walk around and assist students while the video plays – much more relaxing than trying to draw and assist at the same time. Just project [Read More…]

Directed Drawing Videos: Zebra

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Have you tried directed drawing with your students? There are so many ways to use it in the classroom!

COMBINE DRAWING AND WRITING

Use your drawings as writing prompts! You can see more photos of the directed drawing activities we use in my classroom by clicking HERE.

USING DRAWING VIDEOS

These directed drawing videos allow you to walk around and assist students while the video plays – much more relaxing than trying to draw and assist at the same time. Just project [Read More…]

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