DIRECTED DRAWING VIDEOS
Using Directed Drawing videos is a fun new way to practice drawing with your students! It saves a lot of teacher time by being no-prep – just give students some paper and pencils, press PLAY, and students draw along with the video! You can pause whenever you like, and replay the video at the end. It also makes a fun independent activity if you have access to smaller devices during center time or for early finishers. As with [Read More…]
Poetry: Interactive Activities
We LOVE poetry in our class – reading it, writing it, rearranging it, and reciting it!
Below are some of the many ways we use poetry for literacy in my classroom.
Why Is Poetry So Useful For Literacy?
1.Poetry can be thematic, informational, and funny. The funnier it is, the more my students like to stand up and recite it to the class for a good laugh!
2.Passages can be short so as to not overwhelm early readers.
3.Poetry encourages repeated reading; the rhythm makes [Read More…]
Phonics Videos and Activities for Bossy E
Do you ever show your kiddos the phonics videos on youtube?
My kids just love them. We have collected lots of really good ones, especially for phonics rules like Bossy E.
Harry Kindergarten is their all time favorite – they know every word and sing it LOUDLY!
Harry Kindergarten – One of my favorites!
Just a warning – this one might stick in your head all day!
Magic E Kids
Silent E Song
Silent E Electric Company – An old favorite!
Another Magic E Song
Nessy Reading Strategies [Read More…]
Fairy Tales – Masks, Scripts, Writing and Phonics
Fairy Tales are well proven vehicle for Readers’ Theater, but the engagement and learning increases significantly when you also incorporate masks and interactive play.
Here’s how we explore fairy tales in my class.
Character Masks
Creating masks is a fun way to incorporate art into your literacy activities. They are so fun, and sometimes I almost can’t recognise the students underneath!
I love that there’s lots of laughing when the kids walk around with these on!
Letter Writing
Letter writing to the fairy tale characters is also [Read More…]
Ted Harrison Art and More!
If you’ve read many of my posts, you’ll know by now that we integrate almost all of our content area in class. Rarely do we let an opportunity go by for writing, and using out own art is so motivating!
But, we do keep it simple.
For example, we studied the art of Ted Harrison, who painted in the north of Canada. His colorful but simple images are perfect for elementary students.
We googled his artwork and simply talked about what we [Read More…]
Paper Flowers Tutorial
I’ve been wanting to try these paper hyacinth flowers for a few years now, but to be honest, I was afraid!
I was worried that I’d end up with a classroom full of frustrated students who were unable to curl the petals and wanted me to do it for them! So, I decided to try it in small groups, just to be safe, and we talked a lot about our growth mindset before we started. As it turns out, my fears [Read More…]
Flower Rings Craft Tutorial
This flower art project took my class by storm!
It began as a little spring flower craft, and soon spread through our class, then the classes down the hall as students saw the results and wanted to try it, too!
If you’re looking for something to keep little hands busy, this will do the trick. And they look so cute!
FLOWER RING MATERIALS
*pipe cleaner
*a pencil
*glue
*a pom pom.
HOW TO MAKE IT
The petals of the flower are made by twisting the [Read More…]
Mother’s Day Gift: Borax Crystal Necklaces
Looking for more Mother’s Day ideas? Add some Borax to your shopping list!
Try these Mother’s Day pendants and add a little SCIENCE to your project!
Students are so excited to see the crystals grow, and then add string to make a crystal necklace that mom will love!
MATERIALS NEEDED
The materials for this craft are simple:
Borax
Glass jar
Hot water
Pipe Cleaner
Wire
Pencil or stir stick
Measuring cup and spoons
Food Coloring (optional)
String
HOW TO MAKE IT
1. Bend the pipe cleaner into a spiral shape. Attach a plain piece of wire [Read More…]
Snowy Day Art Tutorial
Here’s another fun and easy art project for those long winter days!
It’s all done with ripped paper, which gives the finished piece a unique look.
You will need:
1 sheet per student of colored blue and white paper (of the same size)
assorted colors of scrap paper
white hole punched paper
glue
cotton balls
First make the snow bank. Rip the white paper sheets roughly in half slowly, making a wavy line. Both sides of the white paper can then be used to create a snowbank. Just [Read More…]
Father’s Day : Simple Crafts for Dad
This year I was determined NOT to spend a gazillion dollars on Father’s Day gift ideas.
(Keep in mind that it’s taken me 25 years of teaching to finally realize that this is okay!)
I also wanted something that I thought Dads would be able to tuck away and keep for years and years,
or leave on their desks as a daily reminder that they are loved!
YOU ROCK, DAD
This new idea came about when the class was brainstorming things to write inside Father’s [Read More…]