Spring Break!

Spring Break is finally here! The last few weeks have flown by. We have been focusing on Science and Social Studies test prep the last few weeks as we approach the iLEAP test, which for some reason is scheduled for the week immediately following spring break.

Fingers crossed that my third graders remember what we have learned. In order to make the test prep less mundane, we have been incorporating lots of experiments and center activities. One of my student's favorites was the sound energy experiment in my Easter Experiments packet. We explored sound energy using a washer, nut, and balloon. My students were very engaged in this experiment and very few of them hypothesized correctly, or at least had the correct reason for their hypothesis, so the results were shocking and we had lots of fun! Are you smarter than a third grader? Do you know which one, the washer or the nut will make this sound and why?

 

In Social Studies, we did maps and diagrams around the room. This has proven to be a low area in our district, so after reviewing the parts of maps, charts, and diagrams, students used their knowledge to do some practice. For Maps Around the Room, my students were shown four maps of Louisiana, an Interstate Map, an Agricultural Map, a Parish Map, and a Population Map. Each map was presented and then placed in a corner of the room. The students were given a recording sheet with 16 premade multiple choice questions and one create your own question for each map. My students had to use the title of the map to figure out which map to use to answer the questions. They would then go to that map and answer the question. This kept my students on their toes. I also created the question to scaffold other Social Studies topics we have covered.

We used a similar process for charts, graphs, and diagrams. My students were able to answer the questions and argue their answer. They also created some great questions of their own that I was able to use as bell ringers.

On Wednesday, we had out Beat the Leap Pep Rally. My class did our cheer to Uptown Funk. We used Kelli Hauser's lyrics with a few edits. This teacher is awesome! She really went for it in her video. Here is our version:

Hope you are having a wonderful Spring Break or week back at school and good luck to you and your class on Spring Testing! 

Abundance, and Scarcity, and Trade- OH MY!

Happy St. Patty's Day!! Are you wearing your green?! With all the testing madness going on at my school we didn't get too much to celebrate, however we did have an awesome day in Social Studies.

Every year, we have done a scarcity simulation in my class. This activity requires students to use trade to make up for scarcity and abundance in their group. Students try to complete tasks on a task list, however they may not have the necessary supplies needed. To complete tasks, students need scissors, construction paper, and tape, however they are distributed among groups. Students need to trade to get the supplies they needed.

Not only do students learn the economic concepts, they also need to work and communicate in groups. This is a valuable resource as they grow up. One of my groups even got the idea to rent out their scissors for 3 minutes for a fee of construction paper. I thought this was great because they got the supply back. I have uploaded this activity with all recording sheets, jobs for students in groups, and teacher directions in my Abundance, Scarcity, and Trade Simulation Activity.

My groups were much more creative this year than in the past, racking up lots of bonus points for their groups. My future fashion designer created the clothing on the left. Another student thought outside the box to color his pages since his group only had one color construction paper. (I am gushing at the outside the box thinking I saw today!!)

Another thing my students turned in this week was their Planet Real Estate Project (a editable freebie at my TpT store)! Some of the projects were adorable, and I was proud that many of my students did it ALL BY THEMSELVES. This is my one hesitation when sending home projects. I always have to stress to students I want their work, even if it is not perfect. I thought I would highlight two projects I was really proud to display in my halls. Both these guys worked very hard and I can tell from the writing they THEY did it!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Teachers Still Be Shoppin'

Ok, so this linky party definitely makes me feel like I am not the only one with an incredibly active bank account. I guess Back to School= Shopping Problem for me! However, I am super excited about some new goodies for this year and to link up to Show you what I bought!

 First things first, I am obsesses with interactive notebooks. I bought one for ELA last year and I was OBSESSED!!! So I have added on science, math and social studies ones to my collection. Luckily for Social Studies I found another Louisiana teacher who had made Interactive Notebooks that correspond with our units! Score! Of course I will have to add to these but I feel like I am at a great starting place :)

  

I also purchased some glyphs for the first day of school! I thought the learning styles glyph would be great for me to learn about my students and fun for them as well!

Last but not least, I bought this scientific method template and prompts packet, which will help me teach this concept to my kiddos! 

Oh and then I picked up these goodies in the Target $3 Spot today!

#shopaholic

Happy Shopping! Don't forget to visit my store :) 

Baby It's Cold Outside.. Or it was!

Well after three days of being stuck at home because of Winter Storm Leon, I am actually itching to get back to work! "Snow day" is surely not a term we hear often in the South, unless we are reading a story about someone in another part of the country. I am glad we got to experience one, oh wait no-- four, but now that all my laundry is done, my house is {somewhat} straightened, and I am {slightly} ahead with my schoolwork, I can't wait to get back! I have had enough hot cocoa for a long while and I even go to try out all those cute mugs my students and teacher friends have given me!

The term "snow day" is actually very deceiving for what happened here in Louisiana, because I never actually saw any snow. I did see however, lots and lots of ice. Today, while driving around running errands, I even saw this beautiful ice garden! Apparently someone didn't turn off their sprinklers!!

In honor of our snow cation, I have created this freebie with an informational text on Winter Storm Leon and its effects on the Southern United States, which we will do tomorrow morning!

Well, time to hit the gym and get ready for my one day week! Hope you all have a wonderful Friday :). 

Happy Teaching!!!

Ms. Winter

A Day In The Life of Michelangelo!

The big week has come-- iLEAP testing! My kids will be testing every morning this week, so in the afternoons we get to have some fun! Well, academically related fun!

We finished From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and we are now working to find out what it would be like to be like Michelangelo. We started by Exploring the Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. We went over some problems that Michelangelo had and how he worked to solve them. Then we sketched our own "ceilings," which we would later paint upside down. 

Next we watched this YouTube video about David and Goliath. I read about Michelangelo's sculpture the David aloud. I showed the kids pictures of his face and hands to show how much care went into this sculpture. * Caution: Some of the images of the David are graphic-- so screen the site and don't let the kids go to it on their own! 

Then came the fun part! I taped their sketches to the bottom of their chairs, gave each student a mask and BAM!, we were living the life of Michelangelo.

The students really enjoyed painting on their backs, but most of all they got to experience what Michelangelo must have felt like. The pictures actually turned out really great!!

While some students worked on that, I took small groups to carve an easy shape out of a bar of ivory soap. The soap was surprisingly easy to carve, but you can find the directions here! I allowed my students to make any shape that was simple. (Hearts, smiley faces and the fish have been the easiest!)

 

It took each child about 30 minutes to carve their soap, and the results were really good! Tomorrow we will be writing sonnets before we complete our writing about A Day in the Life of Michelangelo writing. 

You can get the printable for FREE! 

I am sure your students will enjoy it as much as mine have! 

Happy Teaching!

Ms. Winter

Economics

Wow! This Mardi Gras Break has given me so much time to  work on school stuff! Good thing because this year has definitely been CRAZY! As a first year teacher, I am no stranger to staying up late to finish up all my things for the next day!

I was surely excited to finish up my Economics Unit and begin on a new unit for the book From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweier! When I started my Economics unit, I knew I wanted to include graphic organizers and other "ELA skills" into my social studies curriculum. In this unit, students use cause and effect, bubble maps, and other graphic organizers to help deepen their understanding of economics concepts. Also, students can talk about and discuss times when they were a producer or consumer to help the concept stick!

 

To finish it off, my students made products that we presented to the other class. Based on the supplies they used, I assigned a price range and they could pick any price within that range. They made headbands, necklaces, treasure boxes, and comics that were truly awesome! I totally neglected to take pictures on my phone though and they all traded products with each other and took them home :( so no pictures this time! 

I hope this resource helps you and your students form a deep understanding of the concepts of economics. 

Happy Teaching, 

Ms. Winter

Down on the Bayou!

After studying cultural groups in Louisiana, I wanted to do a Literature activity with my students to bring it all together. After visiting LRCE (Louisiana Resource Center for Educators-- aka Teacher HEAVEN) and renting a bunch of Cajun stories, I finally got an idea. I decided to have my students compare and contrast traditional fairytales and the cajun stories. I created a rubric with my students and here is what we came up with. Rubric

They set an extremely high goal for themselves with 20 total items but the end result was awesome and I can not wait to display them in my room!!

Petite Rouge and Little Red Riding Hood

Jaques and the Beanstalk and Jack and the Beanstalk

The Little Red Hen and Gator Gumbo (My absolute favorite!) 

I thought they came out awesome and the kids are really excited to present tomorrow! 

Ms. Winter