Chrysanthemum lessons

Loads Of Activities To Go With The Story "Chrysanthemum" By Kevin Henkes

1-2-3 Come Do Some Chrysanthemum Activities With Me

chrysanthemum activities, chrysanthemum crafts, paper flower crafts, back to school activities, bucket filling activities, chrysanthemum writing prompts, back to school bulletin boards, classroom management ideasOne of my students’ all-time favorite back to school books is “Chrysanthemum” by Kevin Henkes. 

It provides the perfect introduction to name activities, as well as reinforces the importance of speaking kind words.

chrysanthemum activities, chrysanthemum crafts, paper flower crafts, back to school activities, bucket filling activities, chrysanthemum writing prompts, back to school bulletin boards, classroom management ideasWith that in mind, I designed this jumbo Chrysanthemum literacy packet, which is chock full of a huge assortment of activities for you to choose from.

chrysanthemum activities, chrysanthemum crafts, paper flower crafts, back to school activities, bucket filling activities, chrysanthemum writing prompts, back to school bulletin boards, classroom management ideasThe packet includes:
* A variety of Worksheets
* An assortment of super-fun writing prompts

* Lots of posters

chrysanthemum activities, chrysanthemum crafts, paper flower crafts, back to school activities, bucket filling activities, chrysanthemum writing prompts, back to school bulletin boards, classroom management ideas* Non-fiction: Interesting facts about chrysanthemum flowers, with follow up research challenge & poster to record their personal “fact finding”.
* “Bio Blip” for Kevin Henkes, an author activity

chrysanthemum activities, chrysanthemum crafts, paper flower crafts, back to school activities, bucket filling activities, chrysanthemum writing prompts, back to school bulletin boards, classroom management ideas* “Let’s Text!” Making Connections activities: (text to self, text to text, text to world).

* Word work booklet with vocabulary-building activities, plus 30 word cards from the story.

* Cause & Effect activities
* Comparison - Contrast activities with Venn diagrams plus a personal favorite of mine the . . .

chrysanthemum activities, chrysanthemum crafts, paper flower crafts, back to school activities, bucket filling activities, chrysanthemum writing prompts, back to school bulletin boards, classroom management ideas* Chrysanthemum “Promise Pledge” Bulletin board display and writing prompt activity with . . .
* 30 “I Promise” photo name cards. 

If you enjoy crafts, then I think you'll really like the . . .

chrysanthemum activities, chrysanthemum crafts, paper flower crafts, back to school activities, bucket filling activities, chrysanthemum writing prompts, back to school bulletin boards, classroom management ideas* Simple paper chrysanthemum flower craft, which you can do at the beginning of the year for back to school, or save for Mother’s Day.

I've included a pattern with a leaf that says: "A mum for my mom" as well as "A mum for my mum."   

As you can see by the photographs, the results are truly awesome.

Even if you don't do them as a whole-group craftivity, make some up to add extra 3D pop & pizzazz to your bulletin board display of students' Chrysanthemum work.  There's also a . . .

chrysanthemum activities, chrysanthemum crafts, paper flower crafts, back to school activities, bucket filling activities, chrysanthemum writing prompts, back to school bulletin boards, classroom management ideas* “Color Me" Flower Petal Power name poster plus . . .

chrysanthemum activities, chrysanthemum crafts, paper flower crafts, back to school activities, bucket filling activities, chrysanthemum writing prompts, back to school bulletin boards, classroom management ideas* Mazes, Word Finds, “How Many Words Can You Make?” and “I spy my name!” game sheets, as well as . . .

* An alphabetical list of 300 words in Chrysanthemum's name!

* Bookmarks
* Name writing-coloring pages
* “Sticks & stones may break my bones…” posters, discussion & writing prompt activities and finally . . .

* 4 real photograph posters of delphiniums, plus 30 picture posters of chrysanthemum flowers. 

Use them to introduce the story, for descriptive writing prompts, or adjective practice, and for your bulletin board or hallway display. 

Whew! that's a whole-lotta literacy--in all, over 100 fun-filled pages!

the kissing hand activities, chrysanthemum activities, first day of school activities, classroom management ideasToday's FREEBIE also features this sweet little mouse as well as a raccoon named Chester. 

The worksheets are based on 2 of my favorite back to school books: "The Kissing Hand" by Audry Penn and "Chrysanthemum" by Kevin Henkes.

the kissing hand activities, chrysanthemum activities, first day of school activities, classroom management ideasSince the first week of school, especially that 1st day, can be exhausting, I designed these 2 "color me" worksheets, as a fun, quiet and independent little something children can do at the end of the day.

They're a real sanity saver, as kiddos are happily engaged coloring and writing their names, while you have a few peaceful minutes to get things ready for dismissal.  I hope you find them useful.

the kissing hand activities, chrysanthemum activities, first day of school activities, classroom management ideas, free coloring pages for back to schoolthe kissing hand activities, chrysanthemum activities, first day of school activities, classroom management ideasWell that's it for today. Not really complaining about summer weather, but these 90+ degree days have me seeking air conditioning, so I'm missing being active in my garden. 

That being said, I am getting a lot of designing done. Wishing you a fun-filled day.

"When the weather is hot keep a cool mind; when the weather is cold keep a warm heart." -Ajahn Brahm

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More Teaching Common Core With Kiddy Lit IV

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1-2-3 Come Get Rid Of The First Day Jitters With Me!

As promised here is the Common Core packet for First Day Jitters.  As with If You Take A Mouse To School, it was requested by a lot of teachers.

If there are more Common Core Packets you'd like me to whip together, just drop me an e-mail diane@teachwithme.com, or leave a comment here. 

These packets truly are a very simple, quick, and easy way to cover the Common Core State Standards: RI.K5,RI.K6,RI.K9,RI.K10,RL.K2, RL.K3,RL.K6, L.K1d, RI.1.9, RL.1.2, RL.1.3 in a short amount of time.

Your students will enjoy them, as they are empowered by the consistency in format.  To view/download the other common core packets, click on the following links:  The Kissing Hand,  Chrysanthemum,  If You Give A Mouse A Cookie, and  If You Take A Mouse To School.

 The packet includes:

  • A beginning-middle-end story map that will help students retell First Day Jitters
  • A "favorite part" retelling "writing prompt" bookmark
  • A compare and contrast Venn diagram with The Kissing Hand book
  • Character, Setting and Event cards. (Laminate, put magnets on the back and put them up on your white board. Write down students' answers under the cards.)
  • Question Words activity sheet, reinforcing the who, what, why, when, where, how words.
  • Cover of book to label book parts + review author and illustrator
  • Feelings worksheet and writing prompt
  • Feelings graphing extension
  • "Jitters" synonym discussion and worksheet

The "Feelings" worksheet is great for a September writing prompt, and the one covering synonyms is great for Daily 5 "Word Work". Click on the link to view/download First Day Jitters Common Core packet.

back to school activities, first week of school activities, september writing prompts, daily 5 activities for september, daily 5 word work for september, synonymn activities, activities for first day jitters, lessons for first day jitters, ideas for first day jitters, books to read for back to schsool, books to read for the first day of school, feelings activities, feelings lessons, graphing lessons, graphing feelings, venn diagram lessons, venn diagrams comparing books, common core lessons ofr kindergarten, common core lessons for first grade, lessons and activities for the kissing hand, lessons and activities for chrysanthemum, lessons and activities for if you give a mouse a cookie, lessons and activities for if you take a mouse to school,Thanks for visiting today!  I hope you're getting excited, rather than anxious for your first day!  As for me, I'm off to take a break and get some fresh air.  My brain's been on overload lately...perhaps basking a bit in the sunshine will help unclutter my mind.

"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." - Woodrow Wilson

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Teaching Common Core Standards With Kiddy Lit

A Great Back To School Book: Chrysanthemum!

first day of school lessons, first week of school lessons, common core lessons, common core activities, common core reading lessons, common core writing lessons, Chrysanthemum activities,Chrysanthemum lessons, teasing lessons, teasing activities, friendship lessons, friendship activities,first day of school activities, first week of school activities, no bullying activities, anti bullying activities, first week of school stories, first day of school stories, back to school stories, back to school lessons, hooway for wodney wat lessons, wooway for wodney wat activities, back to school activities, I designed the Chrysanthemum packet to help reinforce LOTS of Common Core State Standards in quick, easy and fun ways.

first day of school lessons, first week of school lessons, common core lessons, common core activities, common core reading lessons, common core writing lessons, Chrysanthemum activities,Chrysanthemum lessons, teasing lessons, teasing activities, friendship lessons, friendship activities,first day of school activities, first week of school activities, no bullying activities, anti bullying activities, first week of school stories, first day of school stories, back to school stories, back to school lessons, hooway for wodney wat lessons, wooway for wodney wat activities, back to school activities, As with The Kissing Hand Packet featured in yesterday's article, this packet reinforces Common Core State Standards: RI.K5,RI.K6,RI.K9,RI.K10,RL.K2, RL.K3,RL.K6, L.K1d, RI.1.9, RL.1.2, RL.1.3

The packet includes:

  • A beginning-middle-end story map, that will help students retell Chrysanthemum
  • A "favorite part" retelling "writing prompt" bookmark
  • A compare and contrast Venn diagram with Hooway For Wodney Wat
    • Character, Setting and Event cards. (Laminate, put magnets on the back and put them up on your white board. Write down students' answers under the cards.)
    • Cover to label book parts + review author and illustrator
    • Question words activity sheet, reinforcing who, what, why, when, where & how
    • 2 cover templates for the following activity:

I use the book Chrysanthemum as a wonderful lead-in story that the nursery rhyme: “Sticks and stones may hurt my bones but names will never harm me” is simply NOT true’ as words can be very mean AND hurtful!

I Xerox off the cover of the book Chrysanthemum, by Kevin Henkes, and read the story.

first day of school lessons, first week of school lessons, common core lessons, common core activities, common core reading lessons, common core writing lessons, Chrysanthemum activities,Chrysanthemum lessons, teasing lessons, teasing activities, friendship lessons, friendship activities,first day of school activities, first week of school activities, no bullying activities, anti bullying activities, first week of school stories, first day of school stories, back to school stories, back to school lessons, hooway for wodney wat lessons, wooway for wodney wat activities, back to school activities, Each time someone hurts Chrysanthemum's feelings, I pass the paper around the circle.

We each crumple up the paper, say "I'm sorry" and then smooth it out.  By the time I am done reading the story, the picture of Chrysanthemum is in shreds and full of holes as well.

We discuss the fact that words hurt, and even though we say that we are sorry and “smooth things out” with that person, we have still hurt them.

The words sort of leave “scars” on their heart and in their mind, just like the dilapidated paper visually demonstrates.

I cut out a large red paper heart and glue the poor shredded cover of Chrysanthemum next to a fresh cover, as a gentle reminder to think before you speak, as words DO make a difference.

I also want children to understand that being critical of each other and saying things like "I don't want to be your friend” and leaving them out of a group when they play, is also hurtful.

I'll ask them a question like: “How would you feel if Mrs. Henderson said that to you?”, or how would they feel if I gave everyone else a toy or piece of candy, or let everyone go out for recess and didn't let them go?  It really gives them a wake up call.

Chrysanthemum discusses making fun of a child’s name.  Hooway For Wodney Wat is a wonderful book that delves into bullying and making fun of a child with a speech impediment.

This is a great comparison-contrast book to work on that Common Core Standard, using a Venn diagram that once again brings home the fact that teasing is hurtful.

Click on the link to view/download Chrysanthemum Packet Thank you for visiting today. Hope you can pop back tomorrow for more helpful tips. first day of school lessons, first week of school lessons, common core lessons, common core activities, common core reading lessons, common core writing lessons, Chrysanthemum activities,Chrysanthemum lessons, teasing lessons, teasing activities, friendship lessons, friendship activities,first day of school activities, first week of school activities, no bullying activities, anti bullying activities, first week of school stories, first day of school stories, back to school stories, back to school lessons, back to school activities, Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find useful.

“All you need is a plan, a road map, and the courage to press on to your destination.” –Earl Nightingale

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