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

Since March is one of our windiest months here in Michigan, I like to do a mini theme about wind, with a few kite activities tossed in. 

One of my students' favorite stories is The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins. Like Jan Brett's The Mitten, this tale is also perfect for sequencing.

With that story in mind, I designed "The Wind Blew" emergent reader packet, which includes 3 booklet options, plus a variety of page options too.

There’s a black & white version for your students, with a matching full-color teacher’s edition, to use as a sample to explain the lesson.

Students read the repetitive sentence, trace & write the object that the wind blew, then trim and collate the pages, stapling into a “just the right size” booklet.

I’ve also included an extra page, where children complete the sentence: “The wind also blew . . .” and add their own idea and illustration.

The 3rd version, is a non-illustrated option. Students read the sentences (these are filled with over 40 Dolch sight words), add end punctuation (period, question mark, exclamation point), then illustrate and color the page.

Besides the booklet options, I’ve also included extra page options as well, which coordinate with Pat Hutchins' book  “The Wind Blew”. 

I made “Who Has Seen The Wind?” a poem by Christina Rossetti, into a photo-poster, as an interesting way to introduce the lesson, and get in that "poetry genre" standard.  To mix math with literacy, I've also included a graphing extension. 

The other packet that I designed to go along with Hutchins' book "The Wind Blew", is a "retell the story", sequencing craftivity.

So that you can quickly & easily make a sample to share, I've included a full-color pattern.  There's also a black & white version, so students can make and color their own.

I've included a "pennant flag" option, for those from a different country, in lieu of the US flag strip. 

Finally, what would a windy day be without a bit of kite flying?  Your students will soar with the kite-themed, -ite and -ight word family packet.

 The packet includes:

* An -ite word family poster featuring an alphabetical list of 43 -ite words.
* An -ight word family poster with an alphabetical list of 74 words.

Because some of these will be new to your students, I’ve included -ite and -ight word covers for a student-made dictionary.  Remember to take those teachable moments to explain homonyms and compound words.  There's also ...

* An -ite and -ight word family slider craftivity featuring 11 words, with a large teacher’s copy, as well as a smaller, 2-on-a-page pattern for students; plus ...

* An emergent reader, with 16 pocket chart cards for whole-group practice.

This comes in a full-page size in color & black and white, as well as a smaller, 2-on-a-page, black & white booklet for students, as well as ...

* 25 traceable Dolch word cards that appear in the story, with a cover so children can make an Itty Bitty booklet, plus . . .

* A “Give Me A K!” kite poster which is an “echo cheer”, 2 graphing extensions, 7 worksheets, 72, mini-word cards, plus the silly, story poem “Zite and My Kite” and finally...

* An -ite and -ight word family kite craftivity, with 6 kite options, plus a blank kite so students can design their own.

Today's FREEBIE also has to do with the wind. It's a "Tell Me A Story" packet, featuring "The Wind & The Sun" an Aesop's Fable.

It's an oldie but still goodie, that I did years ago, before computer classes, clip art and fonts that I now use. I hope you enjoy it.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for visiting. 

Since March roared in like a lion here in Michigan, it will be interesting to see if it gently leaves like a lamb, or continues to be really windy. 

Wishing you a carefree, high-flying sunny day.

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade." - Charles Dickens

1-2-3 Come Do Some Kite Craftivities With Me      

Kites is a theme that my kiddos enjoy in March.  With that in mind, I created some quick, easy & fun lessons that involve kites and cover a variety of standards. I'm sharing 4 of my all-time favorites today, along with a kite-themed FREEBIE.

No matter what grade I taught, my students LOVED making glyphs, and since the shamrock glyph that I posted a few days ago has been so popular, I decided to create a kite one.

Glyphs are a quick, easy & interesting way to practice & assess listening & following directions.  Since this is one of my report card standards, glyphs also provide a "hard copy" to use as proof that a child does or doesn't.

Completed projects make an adorable bulletin board, as each one will be different! Glyphs are also an interesting way to get to know your students.

To practice data collection & analysis, as well as process of elimination, have students pick a partner to "interview", to help them figure out which glyph is their partner's.

I've included a data collection worksheet for this, challenging students to try and solve the "mystery" with the least amount of questions.

I've also included 6, whole-group graphing extensions, so you can practice another math standard. 

Next up is my latest alphabet wheel: Kk is for Kite. Dollar Deal-Alphabet Wheels, are a super-fun way to practice letters, and build the vocabulary needed to give an example of a word, with that beginning sound.

They feature 7 nouns that begin with that letter, and come in black & white, as well as full-color, so that you can use a colorful one for an independent center and use the black & white pattern for a whole-group or individual word work activity, where kiddos make their own.

I've also included a worksheet where students trace & write the words in alphabetical order. 

Next is a set of 18 print & go, “Can Do!” Common Core kite worksheets, that cover a nice variety of standards.

There are full-page patterns, as well as 2-on-a-page templates, plus an "I Spy" game cover, if you want to collate them into a little workbook for your kiddos.

Fun for your students and easy-peasy for you! 

This is an interesting little something, that you can send as homework to do over spring break. 

Finally, practice analog and digital time with the "Time Flies" Game Packet.

There are several options for this kite craftivity. Children can simply make a kite clock to practice digital & analog time.

You can also use this as a whole-group or individual assessment tool. 
Call out a time. While sitting at their desks, children arrange the paperclips to show that time. You can see at a glance who is having difficulty.

Students can also play the “Time Flies” kite game.  After children have made their kite clocks, complete with 12-digital time “kite ties” glued to a string, (no times are put on the ties yet) they begin the game.

Students pick a partner and take turns rolling first one dice, to get the 1 to 6 O’clock times.
Whatever number they roll, is the number that they write on their analog kite clock. They also write the digital time on the appropriate digital kite tie.

When they have all 6 numbers done, they roll two dice, adding them together to get the 7-12 O’clock times.
The first one to complete their kite clock, or the one with the most times filled in when the timer rings, is the winner.

I've also included an assessment worksheet, a "special note" poster, plus 4 clock face options. 

Today's FREEBIE also features a kite. It's a "High Flying With Patterns!" Game, Craft, & Whole-Group Assessment Tool. 

Use as an independent math center, run off the patterns on a variety of colors of construction paper, laminate, and trim.
Punch a hole in the bottom point of the kite and add a yarn tie.

Students pick a card and show that pattern by arranging the various colored kite ties on the string.

Another option is to do this as a whole group "craftivity", allowing each child make their own kite.

You can whole-group assess, by choosing cards and having children arrange their “kite tail strips” appropriately. You’ll be able to see at a glance who is having difficulty. 

Later, have students pick their favorite pattern and glue the appropriate colored kite strips to their yarn tie.  

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.  I have a few more kite activities to finish up, then it's on to some "wind stuff". 

Wishing you a day filled with luscious, fresh air and happy nature-filled moments. 

"Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." -Hans Christian Andersen 

Up Up & Away With This Springtime Review "Craftivity"!

The windy days are here to stay for a while, so making a kite seems to continue to be an appropriate and fun way to review report card standards.

Review the basic shapes by using them as “tail ties” and have students glue them to a piece of yarn that’s attached to their kite.

Reinforce colors and a pattern as well, by making them in bright rainbow colors and have students glue them in that order.

To add a bit more pizzazz, I typed my students’ names in the WordArt program on my computer. This is super easy, so it would also make a nice computer activity for your kiddo's to do themselves.

They cut their name in a cloud shape while we reviewed some wind facts as they snipped away.

You could have students journal a writing prompt on the back or list some springtime - weather word-wall words,

This kite “craftivity” can be found in the 133-page Spring Art & Activity Book.  Click on the link to view/download it for lots more fun ideas.

Be sure and pop back tomorrow for more teaching tips.  Do you have one you'd like to share?  I'd enjoy hearing from you diane@teachwithme.com or feel free to comment here especially if you use one of my ideas.

Feel free to PIN too.  I truly believe in sharing.  Thanks for visiting.