1-2-3 Come Do Some 3D Shape Activities With Me

This poster packet features four, 3D shapes: the sphere, cylinder, cube & cone.

There are a variety of sizes to choose from: large 8x10, as well as smaller 5x7 ones, to use as anchor chart posters or flashcards.

I've also made a poster with all 4 shapes on one page, as well as that poster with 2-on-a-page.

There are cards to make a Memory Match or "I Have; Who Has?" game.

Students could play "Speed" with a partner, taking turns flipping over a pack of cards. 

The frist one to say the name of the shape, gets to keep the card. 

Print off the 6-on-a-page, 3D shape bookmarks; laminate & trim.  Pass them out to your students to tuck into their math journals.

Make an extra set of the large ones, cut them up, and use them for an independent puzzle center.

This is a special FREEBIE in my TpT shop to celebrate 400 followers.  If you're one of them, I want to thank you so much for following me; I truly appreciate it!

I know it sounds a bit corny, but I really do get excited when I see the numbers grow. 

I promise to post at least one FREEBIE each month, plus celebratory "milestones" like this one, which are only available in my TpT shop.

Click on the link to grab the 3D Shape Poster packet today.   I hope you find it useful in helping your kiddos understand 3D shapes. 

That's it for today.  My husband is whisking me away to the Henderson Castle!  The fact that our last name is Henderson, makes this date even more special.  Wishing you a delightful day, over flowing with love-filled moments.

"Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love." -Mother Teresa

1-2-3 Come Study 2D Shapes With Me

Woo Hoo!  I just finished the final packet in The Kissing Hand "triolgy".  Technical issues had me nearly throwing my computer out the window. 

I'm sure some of you can relate with how frustrating it is when a glitch happens, causing a gnashing of teeth and ripping out of hair.  Arggg! 

Any hoo, I have managed to peel myself off the ceiling and will endeavor to try and post this really cute Kissing Hand-inspired Shape Packet before something else happens.

If you've read the adorable book The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn, then you're familiar with Chester, an anxious little raccoon.  

Since he is such an endearing character for children, I thought I'd incorporate him into some fun hands-on shape games & activities.

The packet reviews the 2D shapes: circle, oval, square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, pentagon, octagon, trapezoid, rhombus, star & heart, simply choose which ones you want your kiddos to learn.

I've included a variety of activities including a trace & write mini booklet, several craftivities, shape word cards (with and without the shapes on them), as well as several shape games with different options for playing.

There are also posters, pocket chart cards, a shape “slider” that’s a fun way to whole-group assess, plus a variety of worksheets; including a graph, & ones that review attributes and spatial directions.

The two raccoon crafts are extremely versatile. Teachers can use them  as anchor chart-posters, bulletin boards, a fun way to individually or whole-group assess, as a game or independent center activity!

In the first raccoon shape craftivity, the eyes, nose and bows (for a girl raccoon) or bowties (for a boy raccoon) take on the various shapes.

I've also made a student-one, where children just change the nose.

In the next photo is "Bandit" wearing all the different shaped masks. 

You don’t have to use wiggle eyes, but I thought they added that finishing touch, and made the raccoon look more realistic.

Not sure why the color looks sort of blue instead of gray like the others.  Chalk it up to more cyber craziness beyond my ken.

You can also use the bowties & bows from the other raccoon for more options for Bandit. 

Students could also place the pocket chart card with the shape name above or under the raccoon as a center activity.

Review the various shapes as a whole group, by passing out the masks to your students.  Show the word card, or ask for a shape.  The child holding that mask comes up and places it on the raccoon.   I used magnet dots on the back of Bandit to stick him to my whiteboard.  I used Velcro dots on the masks.

Once Bandit is wearing a shape mask, ask children what things he sees that are that shape.  For example, he’s wearing the rectangle-eyed mask
and sees a door, window, Kleenex box, book, piece of paper etc.

To celebrate getting ready for back-to-school, this 65-page raccoon-themed packet is on sale for just $3.95.  Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT shop to have a look.  

The packet matches The Kissing Hand Literacy packet & the "Where’s the Raccoon?" packet, which were featured in other blog articles this past week.  

If you're a follower, you know I always post a FREEBIE in each blog article.  Today's is the shape slider from the packet. 

I've also included "slider strips" for upper & lowercase letters, numbers & skip counting.  I hope you find it useful.  Click on the link to grab it.  

As for me, I'm escaping for some much-needed sanity far away from my computer. Wishing you a stress-free day filled with giggles galore.

"Do what you love; love what you do." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Make A Name Map With Me!

A name map is an interesting icebreaker for the first week of school and a great way to get to know your new students.

Children think of a symbol that represents them and draw that in the middle.  I chose an apple as it’s sort of universal for school or teaching.

Branching out from the center symbol is a variety of things about the person such as hobbies, their favorite season, birthday, what they want to be when they grow up etc.

By having students use their two favorite colors to write their first and last names in the center of their object, everyone gets to know another “tidbit” about that person.

The completed activities make a wonderful back to school bulletin board too!

I've also included an apple-themed name map pattern if you're studying apples, and want them all the same. 

Make sure you do a personal one of yourself, so that you have a sample to help explain what you want your students to do, as well as a means for them to get to know their new teacher. Includes an explanatory note home to families.

Sharing name maps is a nice activity to do after reading the story Chrysanthemum, a wonderful back to school tale, whose main character is a little mouse named Chrysanthemum. 

She loved her unusual name until she started school and everyone began making fun of her.  It's one of my favorite back-to-school books and especially great if you need some stories to go with "bucket-filling."

Click on the link to view/download Name Maps.  This packet is a special FREEBIE in my TpT shop.

That's it for today.  Thanks for visiting.  Time for a much-needed break from my long "to do list". 

It seems that no matter how many things I cross off, I put that many more back on!  Wishing you a stress-free day filled with lots of relaxing moments.

 "Luxury is anything that feels special. I mean, it can be a moment, a walk on the beach, a kiss from your child, or it could be  a special fragrance.  I think luxury doesn't necessarily have to mean expensive." -Aerin Lauder

1-2-3 Come Do Some Kissing Hand Activities With Me

My kiddos LOVE the story The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.  Little ones identify with the anxious feelings of Chester the raccoon, when he doesn’t want to go to school.  The warming kiss from his mom, resonates in comfort for them as well.

With that in mind, I created a whopping 102-page Kissing Hand literacy packet.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I loved designing it.  

The packet has a ton of super-fun activities to help reinforce a variety of standards and includes the following:

* A note home to parents to provide a family photograph for a special “We are loved” bulletin board.
* 2 posters to help create the bulletin board.

* A tiny welcoming note for your students with a place to put a Hershey Kiss. ("Hooray!  Hooray!  So glad you're here today.  To show you that it's true, here's a little kiss for you!")
* Graphing activities

* Parts of a book poster & worksheet
* Pocket Chart cards for: character, setting, events
* Literacy Graphic organizers
* Beginning-Middle-End of the story worksheets & activities

* A who, what, where, when, why worksheet
* Venn diagrams comparing: 2 books, 2 characters, the child with Chester, Chester’s school & their school, plus some completed samples to share.

* Games: “How many words can you make using the letters in raccoon?” Includes an answer key; “Rr is for raccoon and….” race;  plus a Nocturnal Animal Memory Match game.

* A variety of worksheets for various levels.
* Lot of creative & fun writing prompts
* Several class-made books, with covers and inside pattern pages to make them.

* Nocturnal animal activities, including an interesting facts sheet, an alphabetical list of 34 nocturnal animals, a classroom poster, with a matching “color me” one for students, plus several games.

* Sign Language activities (The last page of the story, is a picture of Chester’s hand “signing” I love you.) Includes a poster and worksheet.

* Skidamarink a-dink-a-doo I love you song, poster & bookmarks.  My Y5s LOVE singing this sweet song.

* Retell the story bookmarks
* “Color me” first day bookmarks

* Comfort discussion poster and matching class-made book

* “I had a great 1st day” slap bracelet.
* 12 pocket chart cards for reviewing the story.  They double as a punctuation and capitalization activity too.

* Feelings activities
* Raccoons "Are, Can, Have" worksheet

* Craftivities: A raccoon mask; a hand print fold out note; and a  “red, white & blue I love you” sign language heart.  Both make a wonderful keepsake.

* I also designed a sweet full-body raccoon on a 1/2 sheet of paper, with 2-on-a-page for quick printing.

Little ones can simply color him, then color, trim & glue the tail to the bottom. 

Older students can write 3-4 things they liked about school or 2-3 emotions they felt during the first day or week. 

The larger raccoon is just a head & tail.  I call it "A Tale About Me!"  With a play on the word "tale/tail".

It's an interesting alternative to the "All About Me" booklets.

The tail of the raccoon provides simple writing prompts for kiddos to finish: name, birthday, an interesting fact about themselves; what they want to be when they grow up, plus favorites: color, candy, activities, animal, foods, & TV show, all written on the raccoon's tail. 

This craftivity is a super-fun way to learn about your new students, and completed projects make an adorable bulletin board. 

Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT shop to grab this comprehensive Kissing Hand Literacy Packet. 

In celebration of getting ready for back to school, I've knocked 2 dollars off for a limited time, so this 102-page packet is just $5.95. 

The featured FREEBIE today, also involves The Kissing Hand. I actually have 2 for you that are featured in the packet.  The first one is the quick, easy & fun "fill up the hand with feelings" craftivity.  Click on the link to grab it.  

The second one is the Comfort Class-Made Book.  There are two writing prompt options to choose from, a color cover, with full & half page options, plus the discussion poster.  After children share their page, collect, collate, add the cover & place it in your classroom library. 

Be sure and set your student-made booklets out during Open House as well as Parent Teacher Conferences. 

I hope your kiddos enjoy creating this one.  Well that's it for today. 

Thanks for stopping by.   It's a lovely sunny day in the 70's.  My grandchildren are coming over, so it will be especially enjoyable.  Wishing you a love-filled day as well.  

"Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation." - Lois Weis  

1-2-3 Come Do Some Kissing Hand-Themed Activities With Me

The Kissing Hand, by Audrey Penn, is one of my favorite back to school stories.  Inspired by this sweet tale of a little raccoon going off to school, with a kiss from his mom, I designed the “Where’s the Raccoon?” packet.

It’s filled with games, activities, & an emergent reader, which will help students understand spatial directions: on, off, in, out, behind, between, beside, left, right, above, below, over & under.

Why study these things? Being able to show shapes spatially, is part of the Common Core. 

Children are innundated with oral spatial directions every day; they come across them in print and need to follow them to clean up, put things away and basically function in life.

The importance of learning these words is a given.

Thus the packet also includes posters, pocket chart cards, a full-color teacher's copy of both student activities, which are in color as well as black & white,

There's also an alphabetical list of familiar prepositions that your students will come across in popular story books and emergent readers; (21 of them are on the Dolch word lists) plus tips, tricks, mini word cards, a song, and several worksheets. 

Its raccoon theme, correlates nicely with The Kissing Hand. The activities can be done as a whole group or independent center activity, as well as used as an assessment tool.

The 62-page Where's the Raccoon?  packet is just $3.95. 

Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT shop to check it out.

This packet matches 3 other raccoon-themed, Kissing Hand-inspired packets, that I'm currently finishing up, and will post sometime this week: A Literacy Packet, an ABC-123 Packet, plus a Shape Packet.  

Today's featured FREEBIE is signage to make a "Book Hospital Basket". 

When students are reading a book from your classroom library and discover that it needs some repair work to avoid further damage, have them fill out an Rx form of what's wrong with the book and how you can fix it.

They tuck the note on the page that needs repair, so that the end sticks out and then drop the book in the "hospital" basket. 

These Rx notes are kept in an envelope that's taped to the basket. 

Checking the basket and making repairs can be a student or room helper job. There are two on a page for easy printing, so why not make one for a fellow teacher or your librarian, as a "Hope you have a great year!" surprise.

Click on the link to grab this easy organizational FREEBIE today. Book Hospital Basket.

That's it for today.  Thanks for visiting.  It's been super muggy here, and even though it looks like rain, I don't see it in the forecast, so it's time to brave the humidity and water my flower garden.  Wishing you a carefree day. 

"The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind.  But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions." - Chanakya

1-2-3 Come Do An Icebreaker Craft With Me

What’s On Your Mind?  Is an easy and interesting way to get to know your students.  Use it as a fun icebreaker for the first day or first week of school.

No matter what the age group, I've always found that everyone seems to like sharing a little bit about themselves.  This is a creative and entertaining way to do that.

If you have the time, do these in class, or send them home to be done as a home-school connection.

Older students can draw their own self-portrait (head) outline, or use one of mine.  I've included two boy options, as well as two for girls to choose from.

I find young children do much better if they have some sort of pattern, as they tend to draw rather small circles that items would not be able to fit into.

If you’d like to have a ready-to share activity for the first day of school, include the directions and a template in your “Welcome to school” summer letter or tuck it in the packets you give out during Open House or Meet & Greet the Teacher  Night.  

Explain to students to fill their "head" with "stuff" that's always on their mind.

• Filling it with favorite things, hobbies, interests, people; things that they're always thinking about. 
• You can fill it with dreams and hopes for the future too.
• These will mostly be positive things, but if something is always on your mind that’s bugging you or that you’re worried about, feel free to include those too.
• You can show these things by drawing them, clipping out & gluing symbols/logos or pictures from magazines, using stickers, clip art, and photographs.
• Writing down thoughts, words, a quote or an idea is also OK.

Completed projects make an awesome back to school bulletin board too. In my directions, I let students know that they will be sharing their minds with their classmates, as an interesting way to get to know each other. 

Be sure and make one for yourself to use to introduce the activity and explain what you want students to do.  No matter what grade I taught, my students always liked learning a little something about their teacher.

I really enjoyed making my sample; it only took about 15-minutes. I used clip art , a photo of my husband and poodle pup Chloe, and added in a few words, plus my favorite quote. 

Making a list of things they want to include in their mind, then looking for pictures to represent those things, provides an excellent pre-writing activity, and helps students organize their thoughts. 

This fun getting to know you craftivity, is a special FREEBIE in my TpT shop.  Click on the link to pop on over and grab your copy today, and let the thinking begin!

Thanks for stopping by.  Time to take a break and unclutter this mind, which is a bit overwhelmed with all the back to school things I want to get done.  

Wishing you a stress-free day and a mind filled with peace.

"A negative mind, will never give you a positive life." -Unknown

11 pages.

Here are 10 back to school classroom management posters, to help celebrate the best year yet! 

1-2-3 Come Make a Social Contract & Some Classroom Rules With Me

A classroom social contract is quick, easy and fun for your kiddos.  By having a say in making up the rules, (even though they will turn out to be the same as a teacher would think of) makes things seem more “fair” and students more accountable.

I love social contracts. I made one up each year no matter what grade I taught.  I simply listed my rules on a poster.

We discussed why they were important. Then I had everyone raise their right hand and say “I promise to obey our rules.” 

Older students can simply sign another sheet of paper, to be hung up under the poster, but for younger elementary, I liked to have them trace & cut out their hand print, then write their name on top.

Promising, and then signing their name, makes students feel important. 

It also makes them accountable and more responsible for their actions. 

Promises are big deals to children, so a social contract gives you a lot of behavior modification leverage. 

All you have to do when a child gets off track and is breaking the class’s terms of agreement, is to ask, “Did you promise not to do that? Did you sign our contract? How should you act? What should you do?"

Sometimes I didn’t even say anything.  As a gentle reminder, I’d give the “rule breaker” the proverbial “teachers stare”. 

Once I made eye contact, I’d point to the contract. They’d follow my glance to the poster and I’d simply pat their name. 

This gentle reminder, worked wonders. 

I didn’t call attention to negative behavior, the child wasn’t embarrassed, and the gentle reminder got them back on track.

Periodically I’d review our contract, especially after long weekends, and vacations.

You can have a whole-group discussion, and ask children to reflect on how they think they’ve done, and ask if you should make additions or changes. 

Because my social contract has been so successful in my classroom, I decided to share it in my latest creation for TpT. 

The contract snowballed into a 65-page "School Rules Classroom Management" packet.

I think you'll find very useful, as it's "kid-tested & teacher approved" so these positive behavior modification techniques really work, plus they're quick, easy & fun for your kiddos.

I've included 4 social contract poster options.

Choose one & mount the poster on construction paper, glue it to the center of a piece of tag board.

Make a frame of student hand prints either with paint, or by tracing & cutting them out.,

Because accountability is so important, have children write their name over their print.

Besides the social contract posters, the packet is chock full of a variety of ideas & activities for your classroom rules, ensuring a safe, warm, and respectful environment, and includes the following:

• 2, emergent-reader rule booklets (For more personal accountability there's one with girl graphics as well as one for boys, which students enjoy coloring.)
  
• A matching social contract mini poster, and personal “I promise” bookmark.
• 51 pocket chart promise cards, giving you a broad selection of rule cards to choose from.
• 15 (rule-oriented motivational) posters
• 3 options for “Ready-Set-Write the Rules” to help reinforce what you’ve just shared.
• Several notes home from the children.

“I promised!” slap bracelets. My kiddos LOVE them! Using a square of Scotch tape, I fasten them on at the end of our day. 

This is a quick, easy and super-fun way to reinforce the rules, as parents will be prompted to ask: "What did you promise?"

“Actions have consequences” bookmark
Mindful of our “P’s & Q” poster & writing prompt

My personal favorite: "I have rights; I have responsibilities” posters, plus
“We’ve got SWAG” posters, along with matching "I've got SWAG" mini ones.  Both are suitable for older students.

I hope you find this social contract idea and the rule packet as helpful and successful for your class, as it was for mine. 

In celebration for getting ready to go back to school, the packet is currently on sale in my TpT shop for just $4.95.  Click on the link to pop on over. 

As always, I have not one, but several FREEBIES for you today! I pulled 10 posters from the packet and rolled them into a Back To School Poster Packet for you.  Click on the link to grab these fun FREEBIES today.

Well that's it for now.  Thanks for stopping by.  I'll be watching 2 of my grandchildren today (Kaiden 2 & Kaitlyn 8 months) which is such a joy.

There's nothing like the awesome enthusiasm of a child and seeing the world through their adventurous and delighted eyes.

Wishing you a love-filled day filled with precious moments.

"There are not Seven Wonders of the World in the eyes of a child; there are seven million." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Zip Your Lips With Me

My kiddos LOVE zipping their lips.  Without a word, I hold up my poster paddle. There's a zippered letter Z on one side, and a quiet, zipped-up happy face on the other.  (Glue them back-to-back on a free paint stick).

As soon as my students notice that I'm holding up "Zippy" they silently make the motion of "zipping their lips", then raise their hand.

I can see at a glance who's on board, and even the stragglers get a clue in a few seconds.  It's so quiet you can hear a pin drop!  Woo hoo!

As motivation, at the end of the month pass out the  "I'm a star lip zipper" bookmarks for children to color & collect.  

There's also a star lip zipper poster.  Each month run the star pattern off on a different color. Place these stars under the poster.

Students who are superstar zippers for that month, get to sign their name. 

Attach the smaller star with the month on it, on a corner of the star.

I’ve also included zippered-star tokens, that you can print, laminate, trim & pass out to the first 3 students who zipped their lips when you held up Zippy, of for whatever else you deem appropriate.

Teach responsibility, and have children save their tokens 'til they get X amount, and then "cash in" to receive a prize. 

So that you can use them each year, laminate the sheet of 72.

I've also included a "Quiet please. It's time to zip your lips"  poster, as well as sweet "Shhhh!" poster, that's equally effective for getting students' attention, or reminding them that a particular area in your classroom is a "Quiet Zone".   

Click on the link to pop over to my TpT shop. This easy-peasy behavior modification technique is just $2.95.  However, to celebrate back to school, I knocked a dollar off for a limited time. 

As one of my teacher-friends said: "Peace & sanity-saving quiet for $2! I'm all over that." (Thanks Lucinda).

Here’s hoping you and your kiddos love this simple, "super-duper-shutter-upper" and that Zippy is as successful for you, as it has been for me. 

I have not forgotten today's featured FREEBIE either. 

It's a "Wisdom From the Classroom" poster, which makes a great writing prompt for older kiddos.  I hope you enjoy it. Click on the link to grab your copy today. 

It’s a gorgeous summer afternoon, with much to do, but the warm breeze is calling me, so I’m off to seek some sunshine. 

Wishing you a warm and wonderful day too.

“Just living is not enough…one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” -Hans Christian Anderson

 1-2-3 Come Make Some 1st Day Of School Gifts With Me

Throughout my many years of teaching, I made all sorts of cute little gifts and treat bags for my students.  I especially wanted to have a little surprise to delight them on that first day.  

Because I had two classes of Young Fives, which usually added up to 40 students, I was always on the look out for something that was quick and easy, but also rather inexpensive.

One of the things I gave my kiddos every year, was a mini bottle of water.  I made labels with their names on them and stuck them to the front, and to make sure they stayed intact, I put a clear piece of contact paper over them. 

As a great fine motor skill, I let students decorate their bottle with stickers.  Because I think keeping children hydrated is extremely important, I allowed them to keep their bottles on their desks for those often hot, first few weeks of school. 

We'd rinse them out at the end of the day and then fill them up.  I had a tiny refrigerator in my room and we'd set them inside. First thing in the morning, I put them back on the tables.  This could be a room-helper job if you wanted, as it’s a great way to help children learn to read each other's names.

If you're wondering about spills, I only had one mishap in the 10 years I taught young fives.   I paid a bit more, to have the caps that didn't have to be unscrewed. 

They had the "pull up" things to sip out of, where you shoved the cap back down.  No taking caps on and off, and if they forgot to push it back down, only a little water trickled out if they tipped over.  At the beginning of the year I simply told my students not to remove the caps, and if they misused their water bottle, they would lose the privilege of having one.  No one ever lost the privilege! 

And even if I would have had some problems, the good of keeping students hydrated, far out weighs the worry about spilling (unless of course they're sitting at a computer.)  If you teach little ones, you know what a time drain it is getting everyone lined up and down the hall to get drinks throughout the day.

The need for water can hardly be overstated.  I did a few hours of research on the wonders of water.  "You don't slosh when you walk, or gurgle when you talk, but most of you is water." (60-70% depending on the source you're reading.) 

I read all sorts of studies, and articles about articles; the gist of it all, is that water has been proven to be extremely beneficial, "So don't say no to H2O!"

If you're interested in how beneficial, you can read the summary of my findings, which is included in the packet; like research showing that dehydration can affect mood and make people grumpy and confused.  If drinking water helps my kiddos think more clearly and be less cranky, then bottoms up! 

The bottom line here is that if we do something as simple as giving our students access to drinking water throughout the day, we help them avoid fatigue, headaches, irritability, confusion, dizziness, inability to concentrate and make decisions,  and a myriad of other maladies that a simple sip helps deter.

When the body is functioning at its best, students will feel better, which translates into happy campers. Let’s face it, if our students are content and focused, things run smoothly and teachers are happier as well. 

One study even showed that students who were offered water three to four times throughout the day had a boost in brain power.  Another, saw a dramatic decrease in challenging classroom behavior!  Woo hoo for water... 

All that smiling has its own benefits: "When you smile, neuropeptides are released throughout the brain that send messages to your body. Some of these feel-good neuropeptides are dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. They help your body relax, lower your heart rate and blood pressure, plus give you an energized happy feeling!"

Enough said on the merits of giving your kiddos this beneficial gift. I’ve covered the “sense” of it, now here’s the dollar part.  This is such an inexpensive gift! 

You can get a case of forty 16.9 oz bottles of water (Members Mark) from Sam's Club, for only $3.98.  That's less than 10 cents a bottle!  What else can you get a child for only ten cents?

If you'd like to jazz up your bottles, take the labels off.  They are not glued on, and fall off as soon as you cut them in half.   Run off my "labels" on a variety of different colors of copy paper. The first line says: "I can't spell success without u."

Cut the "labels" out (but don't trim the left and right edges, as they fit around a water bottle perfectly.) A simple piece of tape keeps them snuggly in place. 

Besides the generic one above, I have 3 others to choose from.  If you visit often, you know I LOVE goofing around with word play.  I substituted the word WATER for "What are" and came up with a few interesting questions. 

Thus the water bottles are not only a refreshing gift, they are an icebreaker as well.  Choose whichever question you like best, or give your students a choice, by the water bottle that they pick. Go around the room having everyone share their answer.

I personally like "'Water' you thinking you'd like to be when you grow up?" as it's super simple and students can answer with just a few words. 

To incorporate some writing, you could have older students write "Water" their goals, or "Water" the things they want to learn, and use those labels on their water bottles.  My husband gave me that "you've got to be kidding" look, when I excitedly shared my “water” word play with him.  (Heavy) sigh...

I hope I'm not the only one who thinks this is sort of cute.  Your students may roll their eyes as well, but it's all in the name of hydrating fun and getting to know one another.  Click on the link to view/download the Water Bottle Packet.

If the "water" sharing and writing don't fit the bill, I also putzed with some picture poetry and came up with a water drop poem. 

I made a large one to use as an example and anchor chart, as well as a small one (5 on a page) that you can run off on blue construction paper, trim and attach to older students' water bottles. 

After reading mine, and/or a sample of your own, challenge students to write their own water drop poem. 

Since using “describing words” is a standard, and helps improve student writing, I also made up an alphabetical list of 125 words that describe water. 

As a whole-group activity, brainstorm a list of your own, and then have students alphabetize the list, or challenge them to come up with their own, awarding a prize of some sort to the one who thinks up the most appropriate answers. 

Can you top my list of 125?  Afterwards, you can share mine.  If you think of more, I'd really enjoy hearing from you.  dianehen@teachwithme.com or post a comment below. 

Click on the link to view/download the Water Bottle Gift packet. 

Well that's it for today.  I sure learned a few interesting tid-bits about water consumption and hope you did too. 

All this thinking, typing, and looking at tantaliizing pictures of icy-cold water, has made me thirsty, which is a sign that I'm already dehydrated!  So let's drink chug-a-lug!