1-2-3 Come Do a Brown Bear Activity With Me

Do you read the story Brown Bear What Do You See, by Bill Martin & Eric Carle? It’s one of my all-time favorite stories about colors.

With that book in mind, I designed this sweet “just the right size” Brown Bear booklet, as a fun way to reinforce the 5 senses.

Brown Bear not only sees things, but he hears, feels, smells, & tastes them too!

Children color their cover, complete the prompt by writing one or two words of what their bear saw, heard, tasted etc. then draw a picture.

Encourage older students to write short, but descriptive sentences and turn this activity into an emergent reader.

When students have completed their worksheet, they cut out the pages, put them in any order they want, then staple them to the “pencil” on the cover of their booklet.

There are pages with word prompts for K-1, as well as pages with picture prompts for PK kiddos. (See photo).

Besides the Itty Bitty booklet, the packet includes a Brown Bear 5 senses poster for reviewing the 5 senses.

I’ve also included a “Label the bear’s senses” worksheet, with a write-in, or cut & glue option. There are 2 size choices as well.

In addition to the booklet, students can also think of one more thing their bear could see, hear, smell etc. and write those answers on the bookmark-size worksheet.

As with all of my products, I include a completed sample, so that you can quickly & easily make an example of your own, to help explain what you want your students to do.

This activity packet is just $2.95.  Click on the link to zip on over to my TpT shop to check it out. Brown Bear's 5 Senses.

The featured FREEBIE today also has a bear theme.  It's a set of 12 pocket chart cards that practice beginning capitalization & end punctuation. 

Besides the cards, the packet also includes a worksheet and certificate of praise.  I designed these around another favorite bear story: Goin' On A Bear Hunt.   Click on the link for an awesome telling of the tale by Michael Rosen, the author. 

Well that's it for today. I'm anxious to finish the matching "Color Bear" emergent reader that will reinforce these word wall words.

I'll hopefully have it completed by the end of the day, so do pop back tomorrow for a look see. Wishing you a wonderful week.

"You can always tell about somebody by the way they put their hands on an animal." - Betty White

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Use this cute owl-themed anchor chart poster to remind students what an adjective is.  Encourage them to use plenty of descriptive words in their writing.

1-2-3 Come Do Some "Sense-sational" Writing Activities With Me

I'm so excited about my latest creative writing packet (Seasons & Senses) that I just finished. Part of the "yippie yahoo" is that it's so versatile!

PK kiddos on up through middle school will enjoy “Savoring the Seasons” by using their 5 Senses. 

Younger kiddos can simply jot down single words and draw a picture.

Older students, can practice using adjectives to really make their writing stand out & come "alive".

There's a "flip-flap" booklet for the 4 seasons, plus one for the 5 senses.

At the start of school, choose the autumn one, then later, repeat this activity throughout the various seasons, to show improvement!

Great for portfolios, and you’ve empowered your students because they know what to do & can get right down to business; and you can share these with parents at conferences!

These craftivities are quick, easy & fun; plus, you're incorporating literacy AND science, getting more bang for your "time buck." (Another yippie yahoo!) AND ...

Completed projects make an awesome, easy-peasy bulletin board or hallway writing display entitled: "Sense-sational" Writing! 

Use the "Savor the Seasons" poster (pictured at the top) for the center of your board. (May I yell yippie for a 3rd time?)

I've included completed samples, so that you can quickly and easily make an example of your own to share with your kiddos, to help explain things.

Besides the flip-flap booklets, I’ve also included full-page writing prompt worksheets perfect for older students.

So if you teach older grades and stumbled here, you too can use this concept because...

To reinforce the use of adjectives, I had my college comp students choose a season and sense.

They did a great job and seemed to really enjoy it!

Younger students can also practice adjectives by filling in the 4-seasons graphic organizers. This is a great activity to do before they make their flip-flap booklet.

Another option, is to have sudents get into groups of 3-5 and complete the worksheets together. 

You could also collect and collate them to make a class-made 4-seasons booklet.

Sooo, can I get a "Woo hoo" for an activity that’s appropriate for multiple levels & ages?!

The packet also includes pocket chart cards for the 4 seasons, as well as 5 senses. I also use these as "header cards" on my whiteboard. 

To introduce the activity, discuss the 5 senses. Choose a season, and have students brainstorm a list of things that they "see, hear, feel, taste" etc. at this time of year; jot them down in the appropriate column. 

Children can refer to the board while they're writing.  You'll find the anchor chart posters helpful too. 

There's a full-color set to hang up, as well as black & white, so students can reinforce the information, by making their own. 

This 44-pager is just $3.50.  Click on the link to zip on over to my TpT shop to check it out: Seasons & Senses

Today's FREEBIE comes from the packet, and is the wise owl adjective anchor chart poster. Use it as a reminder for students to use plenty of descriptive words in their writing.  

Well that's it for today.  My head has that "over-stuffed, too much computer" feeling; so it's time to get some fresh air. 

It's beautiful out; the sun is shining, but there's a definite chill in the air. A reminder that winter is not far off, so enjoy these awesome autumn days while you can.  Wishing you an energizing one!

"Now Autumn's fire burns slowly along the woods and day by day the dead leaves fall and melt." - William Allingham

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

Yippie Skippie!  I just finished a brand new apple packet.  You will LOVE covering all sorts of standards, in one fell swoop of fun.

Make writing more interesting, by adding a bit of craftiness to students’ work, with one of 3 options to choose from. They both fit lots of levels & ages. 

One of my teacher friends is going to do 2; another is giving her kiddos a choice of all 3.

When you simply add a crafty aspect to writing, children are excited to get down to business, and give you better effort. Bonus: completed projects make an awesome easy-peasy bulletin board.

You can reinforce a variety of standards with these super-fun “apple sense” craftivities: practice descriptive writing, with the use of adjectives, while teaching the 5 senses, using an apple!

For more apple science, skip labeling an apple on a different worksheet. Instead, kiddos simply label their completed writing prompt!

Now that’s the time-saving I’m talking about; building vocabulary, reinforcing writing skills, & covering the 5 senses & apple science, all at the same time! Woo hoo!

The first "craftivity" features a top & bottom apple, with the core in the middle as the writing prompt.

For that finishing touch, add a school picture. For extra pizzazz, make the leaves 3D.

I've added a larger teacher template, plus a completed sample, so that you can quickly & easily make an example to share with your students to help explain what you want them to do. 

The other writing prompt craftivity is a "flip the flap" apple.

The "skin" is the outside that's slit up the middle, so that the flaps, flip open to reveal the inside "flesh" of the apple, with the finished writing prompt on it. 

I've also included a completed teacher sample for this project too. 

Finally, to simplify things, you can skip the flaps & have students just complete the prompt, then color their apple.

Personally, I love the addition of the flaps & I think your kiddos will too.

The packet also includes:

* A “parts of an apple” poster.

* A 5 senses poster
* A 5 senses worksheet

* An apple cider opinion writing prompt worksheet

* A “Definition of an adjective” poster &
* An adjective graphic organizer worksheet

* As always, directions, photographs & completed samples, so you can quickly & easily make an example of your own.

This 30-page, packet of fun, is just $2.95.  Click on the link to zip on over to my TpT shop to take a peek: Apple Sense Science & Writing Craftivities.

While you're there, I'd so appreciate it, if you'd follow me; that way you'll always know when I post new things, Dollar Deals & FREEBIES too.  

The featured FREEBIE today, is also an apple activity. I hope you find it useful.

In celebration of 600 TpT followers, here's a set of 7 apple-themed number puzzles. They reinforce numbers 1-10, as well as skip counting by 10s to 100. 

Well that's it for today.  Blogging took much longer than expected, so I'm bookin' outta here to get a zillion and one other things accomplished, before the weekend's over!

Wishing you a stress-free and relaxing afternoon, filled with all that makes you happiest. 

"Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world." -Nelson Mandella

1-2-3 Come Implement A Classroom Management Technique With Me

If you'd poll teachers on what is one of their top classroom management problems, I think you'd find "chatty kiddos" and a "too noisy classroom" high on the list.

Young children need to be trained about voice volume. To them, it's simply loud or soft.  Little ones are just learning that there are varying degrees to those, and that they will be required to adapt their volumes and voices when inside the classroom.  

There are plenty of "Volume" posters on the internet; but I wanted to design my own, to go a bit farther, to not only explain things to your kiddos and remind them of voice levels, but offer up some real classroom management that made a world of difference with my Y5's.

I truly believe that if a parent or teacher, raises their voice and starts yelling, that they will escalate the craziness and increase the volume. 

Some of the tips I offer in my voice choice packet, give you absolute peaceful and calm control, by whispering or not saying a word! 

The entire key is that you've trained your students ahead of time, and you offer these techniques up as a challenge.  Believe me they'll rise to the occasion.

The class will actually self-monitor, as they truly desire to be successful. Your challenge has made this a sort of game.  They want to win.  Rather than be a chore, it's now more fun for them to be quiet!  Woo hoo; win-win.

Here's an example: "Zippy" is a poster that simply says: "Please zip your lips."  He's in the packet and is also the featured FREEBIE today.

 Without saying a word, hold up "Zippy".  As students notice, they make the silent motion of zipping their lips & raise their hand.  Eventually everyone has their lips zipped & their hands raised.  Even the stragglers get the message. 

They too copy the appropriate behavior, because everyone is doing it; they don’t want to be left out, so they conform because of their desire to fit in and be a winner too.  
This positive peer pressure is a powerful motivator. You are in control and it is blessedly quiet. 

Simply train your kiddos that this is what you want them to do when you hold up Zippy, then challenge them to see who can be the first to notice. 

Also challenge them to shorten the amount of time it takes them to have everyone participating.  

Actually time them, then jot down the number on the board where Zippy is conveniently located.  No need to offer prizes, beating their last time is incentive enough.  Your kiddos will LOVE this!

Everyone is working as a team, without you having to do a thing but stand there and enjoy the absolute joy of being quietly in control.   

There are several options in the Voice Choice packet. You can display the cards in a pocket chart and go through them with your students or hang them on your white board and put a magnet next to the level you want your students to be at. 

Simply gluing a smilie face to the back of a large, glass flat-backed "marble" and attaching a magnet, is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to make one. 

If board space is limited, hang up the mini poster and then clip a colored clothespin to the appropriate voice level.

You can also explain things via the large posters. Show each one to your students and read the examples for when they should be using that voice. 

You can begin by showing them the picture and reading the name of each voice level, in the appropriate volume.

i.e. If you are showing them the volume level 1 Whispering poster, whisper to your students: "When do you think you would use this kind of voice?" 

After they have shared their thoughts, read the list and add anything else that's appropriate for your class.  Finally, reinforce the sound of this level, by having students model the volume of that voice, as they too "whisper" the name and number of that level.

As a review, after you explain the voice choice concept, put the number cards in a container, and have students pick one.  They share when they would use that number voice level. 

Another way to play this game, is to have students say the words “Voice Choice” in whatever number level that's on their card and have the other children guess what number they are modeling.

You can also use these voice-level number cards to remind students what level they should be on. Without saying a word, quietly place the appropriate number on their desk or group table. 

They notice & adjust their volume, flipping the card over, so you can pick it up and re-use it when necessary.

Another thing you can use the voice-level number cards for, is to make a class book.  (Templates provided.) Whatever number a student picks, is the voice level that they write about and then draw a picture. 

Collect and collate the pages and add the cover, then read as a whole group with the entire class.  Each child comes up and shares their page using the #4 sharing voice level.

Besides the number cards, I also made several designs for "Quiet Cards."  Print, laminate and trim the cards and keep them in a narrow basket on your chalk sill, under your voice choice poster. 

As with the number cards, without a word, you place the appropriate card on a child's desk or group table.  This is a great way to silently encourage students, as well as have children adjust their behavior or voice levels, without disturbing the class or bringing negative attention to someone.

Another quiet way to remind your students to adjust their voice level, is with the paper STOP sign.  Simply run off the pattern on red construction paper; fill in the letters with white crayon or paint; laminate; trim and put on a craft stick.

Silently, and with a grand flourish, (they'll spot the movement) hold up the sign when students are not at the appropriate voice level.  With your other hand, hold up the appropriate number of fingers to show what voice-level number students should be using. 

Unfortunately, there always seem to be a few stragglers, who need a bit more reminding.  Self control was probably one of the top reasons I always had more boys than girls in my Y5's classes.  With them in mind, I designed some positive reinforcement voice control activities for you and included them in this packet.  

Z is for zipper and  ZIPPING your lips.  You can send one of the "I'm having trouble zipping my lips" poster-notes home to a child's parents, or have them color it while they sit in your Time Out or Think chair. This is an easy way to communicate with parents and enlist their help.

Every year I had at least one child with ADHD. An effective behavior modification technique with them, was to earn the right to connect a dot on their paper to make a mystery picture.  Whenever they modeled the appropriate behavior that we were working on, they got to connect another dot. 

This was super-simple, quick and easy for me.  If they completed their picture that day, they received the agreed upon "prize."  If not, they could continue the next day. 

Thus, I also made the "Z is for zipping" paper,  into "color a star and connect it to the next one" -- voice control worksheet. Besides encouraging kiddos to adjust their volume, you can also work on interrupting, and not blurting inappropriate things out. 

Click on the link to get my Voice Choice Classroom Management packet.  This sanity-saving, stress-buster is just $2.95.

Besides Zippy, I have another FREEBIE for you today. It's a set of "Signal Me!" posters.

Going hand-in-hand with quielty managing your classroom, is dealing with the constant interruption of "Can I go to the bathroom, sharpen my pencil or get a drink of water?" requests. 

I solve this problem, by again training my kiddos, and hang up the "Signal Me!" poster as a reminder. Students simply hold up the appropriate amount of fingers.

I can see at a glance who needs what; make eye contact and nod yes or no.  If it's no, to alleviate a disgruntled response, I mouth "later" or a designated amount of time, like 5 minutes.  

I truly hope that these techniques that have worked so successfully for me, in effectively  managing my classroom, will also work for you. 

There’s nothing better than having a well-behaved class, where teaching and learning can truly be enjoyed.

The satisfaction and peace that brings, is priceless.

"One who smiles, rather than rages, is always the stronger." -Old English Proverb

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Do you want your kiddos to become instantly quiet? Do you need to get your students' attention? Without saying a word, hold up "Zippy" your laminated "Please zip your lips!" poster. 

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

I've created so many apple activities over the years that it was time to up-date and revamp some of my favorite ideas and toss them into Diane's Dollar Deals in my TpT shop.  I'm featuring two today, plus a FREEBIE. 

First up is the Magic Math Apple. It's a quick, easy & fun way to practice recognizing some of those big numbers that kiddos often trip over when learning how to write and count numbers.

Seeing them in proper sequence helps them wrap their head around a variety of math patterns, and is especially helpful to visual learners.

By doing this as a whole group activity, you can quickly & easily assess students’ knowledge of numbers, colors, & spatial direction words, as well as their ability to listen & follow directions.

This activity also builds vocabulary. I purposely used words like left, right, top, bottom, diagonal etc. to reinforce spatial directions.  To assist kiddos with the new words, I've provided full-page posters that you can refer to.

Ordinal numbers are also practiced, as well as colors.  I feel even young children can gain number sense by doing this as a "monkey see-monkey do” activity.

On your large teacher copy, you color in the number 14 box brown. Show it to your kiddos & they copy you.

I've included a full-size teacher's template for this.  There are 2-on-a-page, as well as 4-on-a-page number grid options for students.

Completed projects make a nice bulletin board. “We’re taking a bite out of number sense.” “Apple-icious math work.” or whatever...  Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT shop to grab this super-fun Dollar Deal: Math Magic Mystery Picture.

Next up is Willie the Wormy Alphabet Apple game.   He was one of my kiddos' favorite apple centers.

So that I didn't have to reinvent the wheel each year, and my centers were easy-peasy to set up, I try and create independent center/station activites that I can use every year. 

Designing them to go along with a theme, keeps them relevant, interesting and fresh. 

Willie took me less than an hour to make, and was so worth the effort, as he's a super-fun way for kiddos to practice matching upper & lowercase letters.  

Finally,the Melted Crayon Apple craft is a personal favorite, and today's featured FREEBIE.  Even though this craftivity is quick, easy & fun, it definitely has the "Wow!" factor.

"Apples can be red, yellow and green. These are the prettiest apples I've ever seen." is the little poem that's in the middle of the apple. 

There are several pattern options in the packet (a large, full-page teacher pattern, plus 2-on- a page for students, with and without the poem.

Using a crayon sharpener & broken, peeled crayons, have students "shave" separate piles of red, yellow & green shavings.  

They pinch a bit and then sprinkle the 3 colors on top of their apple cut out. Both of these activities, provide super, fine-motor skill practice, that helps strengthen those finger muscles.

Cover with a sheet of wax paper, press with a warm iron for a few seconds, then gently peel off the paper.

My kiddos often squealed with delight at how awesome their apple turned out.

Each one is different & completed projects make a lovely fall bulletin board. 

That's it for today.  Thanks for visiting.  I hope you can pop back tomorrow for a few more apple activities, then it's time to move on to scarecrows & pumpkins! 

I love all of the seasons, but I think fall is my favorite.  Wishing you a refreshing day.

 "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

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This "Color Me" alphabet poster comes on a full page, as well as 2-on-a-page.

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Here's a coloring page your kiddos can do on Constitution Day. This FREEBIE is part of my Constitution Day Emergent Reader packet in my TpT shop. 

1-2-3 Come Do Some Constitution Day Activities With Me 

I've been working like mad today to finish up a few of the Constitution Day activities that I was designing.  I hope someone out there can still use them.  

I'm all for easy, when the administration throws these "According to the law, everyone has to teach something about the Constitution on April 17th..." zingers at us.

With that in mind, and because I couldn't find an emergent reader that simplified the Constitution for PK-K, I decided to make my own.

This little, non-fiction Constitution booklet, is filled with basic facts, in easy to understand, kid-friendly terms, that help explain what the Constitution is all about.

So...Woo hoo! Simply "print & go" and you're all set with a quick, easy, and interesting little something to plug in for Constitution Day.

Students "read" the simple sentences (I used plenty of words from the Dolch lists) then trace and write the main idea word.  Doing so, will help build vocabulary and reinforce comprehension.

Besides the "kiddy" emergent reader version, I added more factual information to make a non fiction booklet, suitable for 3rd & 4th graders.

For quick printing, there are two pages on one template.  The booklet for older kiddos has 5 more pages. 

Click on the link to pop on over.  Emergent Reader Constitution booklet.

I turned the last page of the booklet into a Constitution Day coloring page.  It's one of today's featured FREEBIES. Click on the link to grab a copy. 

The other FREEBIE is a pair of parchment-look scrolls.  Use them to have your students write their own classroom Constitution, Bill of Rights or class contract.

Also hot off the press today is a set of Constitution themed Memory Match cards.

They match my Constitution Day Number Puzzles, which makes for a nice coordinated center/station.

Students can match the picture to the picture or the picture to the word card.  I've numbered them, so children can self-check.

You can also play an "I Have; Who Has?" game. "I have George Washington. Who has his name card?"

Use the picture cards to build vocabulary and explain a bit about the Constitution.
"The men on these cards are some of the "Framers" that worked on the Constitution." etc.

Use them as flashcards to see who can tell who or what's on the card and how it relates to Constitution Day.

Later in the year, bring the game out again in February for Presidents' Day, posing the question: "Which of these men became President? Who was the first?" 

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.  Our server was having issues for a bit, so it was timing out and driving me crazy! 

Every time I tried to save my work the page errored out and I lost everything.  You are reading my 4th redo of this article. 

Of course a killer headache has insued, so time to quit.  Wishing everyone an interesting Constitution Day tomorrow. 

"The Constitution is never tested during times of tranquility; it is during times of tension , trumoil, tragedy, trauma, and terrorism that it is sorely tested." -Mike Honda