Dirt Cups

I'm sure many of you do this, but I haven't done it in a long time. My teammate, Leeann Timms planned making these soil cups as a review of the parts of soil. I remember now why I love it... It tastes great! The bottom layer is chocolate pudding. Each child transferred the contents of a pudding cup to the clear cup pictures. The pudding represents the sticky clay bottom. The next layer is graham cracker crumbs for sand. I bought the box of crumbs ready to go. We added a couple of gummy worms and then added the top soil...crushed oreo cookies (without the white cream.)

Domino Doubles Snack

My friend, Leeann Timms who teaches next door to me, came up with this very cute edible math doubles activity! So fun!

Whisper Phones in Guided Reading

During guided reading I want to listen to each child read, but I don't want them reading together (chorally.) Since we sit close together, it's hard for them not to "hear" each other. I've been using whisper phones to solve this problem. Each student uses a whisper phone as he/she reads. I can lean in and listen to each one and make anecdotal notes about how strategies are being used, etc. Plus the kids love them! I keep a container of antibacterial wipes handy for quick cleaning while groups switch.

"ST" Star Power Words

Natural Education Science Center, Grand Prairie, Texas

The students completed 4 lessons including: The Pond, The Garden, The World Magnified, and a Nature Hike Scavenger Hunt. We had a blast and learned so much in the outdoors.

Hokie Pokie Blend Song

Just a little song to help make learning blends a little more fun...
(Sing to the tune of the Hokie Pokie.)
My example uses the /sm/ blend. Substitute the letters, sound and words for any blend.

You put a (s- say letter name) in, you put a (m - say letter name) in,
you put a (s m - say both letter names) in and you stir them all around -
/sm/ /sm/(say blend sound) smile, /sm/ /sm/ (say blend sound) smell -
that's what it's all about -
dump them out!

My kids really love adding motions as well. When we add the letters we pretend to but them in a bowl. We stir them up in the bowl with a stirring motion. Finally, we dump out the bowl and start over with two letters for another blend. :)

Color Tiles, Craft Sticks and Patterns

To practice patterns, I like to use color tiles and craft sticks. The students separate each repeating section using a craft stick. I like to have them repeat the core 3 times. This way the pattern has time to develop but doesn't go on forever! In these patterns the students each repeated the pattern twice then rotated to the next chair and repeated their neighbor's pattern the third time. I like to have the students think beyond just color patterns into the positions of the blocks as well. One student even chose to do two patterns at once. After the students add the 3rd repetition, they remove it before rotating around to the next person's desk. We rotate anywhere between 10 to 15 times giving the students lots of practice on a different child created pattern each time. Photos of these patterns will be printed and placed in the pattern work station for the kids to practice again and again. The relevance to their own creations captures their attention and the rigor involved in extending some of their patterns challenges their minds. A great combination! :)