1-2-3 Come Make Some Scarecrow Craftivities With Me

I really believe that if you give students a simple and quick little craft to attach to their writing prompt, they will be a lot more excited to get down to business. 

With that in mind, I designed "Peeking Scarecrow".

As you can see by the pictures, there are 2 ways to display children's work.  Completed projects make an awesome bulletin board, or look sweet hanging back-to-back from the ceiling.

I've included 24 scarecrow-themed writing prompts for students to choose from. 

Run them off, trim and give students a choice, or toss them in a basket and have them pick one. 

If they are unspired, they have the option to choose another, or swap with a classmate.

Children glue the prompt to their scarecrow and record their final draft on a complimentary color of construction paper.

The packet also includes a sample, so that you can easily whip off an example to share with your kiddos.

For that extra touch of pizzazz, there's a blank border template that students can write inside. Encourage older students to type their final drafts.

Click on the link to view/download the scarecrow writing prompts.  

Thanks for stopping by today.  Happy TGIF.  I'm off to hit some garage sales with my daughter.  Wishing you love and laughter and a happy-ever-after. 

"What you allow, is what will continue." - Unknown

12 pages.

I think if you include a simple and quick craft for students to make and attach to their writing prompt, they'll get more excited.  I've included 24 scarecrow-themed writing prompts for them to choose from.  As you can see by the photo, there are 2 ways to display children's work.  Completed projects make an awesome bulletin board, or look sweet hanging back-to-back from the ceiling. 

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

Since TBT (Throw Back Thursday) has become so popular on Face Book, I decided to share some "oldies" but "goodies" every now and then on my blog as well.  I have loved doing arts and crafts since I could hold a crayon, and began drawing the Flintstones, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck when I was only six-years old. 

The wonderful ability to easily draw all sorts of things, was truly a gift and especially encouraged by my grama Lydia.  She was always buying all sorts of materials for my twin and I to do crafts with. 

My love for art spilled into my classroom, where I incorporated lots of hands-on activities to help teach my students a variety of standards. I call these projects "craftivities".  I'm featuring a few scarecrow favorites in today's article. They were designed prior to all of the software programs, fonts and clip art that I now have at my disposal, but I think you'll still enjoy making some of these cuties from my hand drawn patterns. 

Completed projects make wonderful bulletin boards and hallway decorations, at the same time building a child's self-esteem, as well as strengthening finger muscles and listening and following direction skills.

My Y5's favorite scarecrow craftivity was their "personal scarecrow".  They are "jointed" so you can pose them in different ways.  Be sure and make a sample of yourself to help explain what you want your kiddos to do. 

I did this as a whole-group, listening and following directions activity and included a variety of colored construction paper shapes to use as "patches" for a quick and easy shape review.

I enlarged my students' school photo on the copier.  The picture appeared very pixilated, which added to the awesome scarecrow looking effect.

If you don't have the ability to do this, I've also included a scarecrow head template your children can color, cut and glue.

When I was a freelance writer for Mailbox Magazine, my editor asked me to write a scarecrow poem.  The personal scarecrows were my inspiration.

I've included the poem in the packet, along with a longer version, and hung them under my students' adorable scarecrows. 

We received zillions of compliments on this hallway display, and my Y5's really enjoyed making them. 

Click on the link to view/print the Personal Scarecrow craftivity.

Patrick, the paper chain scarecrow can help your kiddo's countdown to your Halloween party, field trip, or Thanksgiving break. 

Choose 2-colors for the links and review an ABAB pattern, or add a 3rd color to do ABCABC. 

As I tore off a link at the end of each day, we reviewed a variety of math standards like greater and less than as well as subtraction.

You can simply make one to hang in your classroom, or set this scarecrow up as an independent center and have children work on one of their own.

(Assign as many links as are appropriate for your age group.)  To incorporate blends, have students write an sc word on each link.

I think you'll find that if you incorporate a bit of art into your students' writing, they'll get a lot more excited.  An easy way to do this is with a topper or banner. 

In the Happy Harvest banner, students choose a writing prompt, (there are 3 options) complete it and then glue it to the back.  If they don't get down to business and complete the writing prompt, they will not have enough time to do the banner. 

Finally, for a quick, easy and fun way to review 2D shapes, have students make this paper plate scarecrow.  (They look wonderful spinning from the ceiling.) 

Cover more shapes by having students draw or glue colorful "patches" on the scarecrow's hat or around the poem that's featured on the back: 

"Hello little scarecrow with the face so round.  Going no place--stuck in the ground.  Staring at crows without making a sound."

Thanks for visiting today.  The weather is gorgeous so it's time for a break.  I'm going to collect some nature "stuff" for another fun "craftivity" that I'm working on.  Wishing you a fun-filled fall.

" Be a voice, not just an echo." -Unknown

5 pages

Make Patrick, the paper chain scarecrow and hang from the ceiling to review patterning, counting, subtraction etc.  Make enough links in an ABAB or ABC color pattern, for however many days are in October.  Tear off a link as each day passes.  Via discussion, have students count how many days are left 'til your Halloween party, field trip to the pumpkin patch or whatever.  A raffia bow adds that finishing  touch.  If you have time, have students make their own scarecrow in a variety of colors. Suspend from the ceiling or along a hallway wall for a lovely autumn display.

8 pages.

Students will enjoy creating this cute scarecrow-themed welcome fall banner, as they practice their writing skills.  Glue writing prompts on the back. (There are 3 options.) Suspend completed projects from the ceiling.

6 pages.

Review a variety of 2D shapes with this quick, easy and fun paper plate scarecrow craft.  There's a poem to glue on the back that helps practice rhyming words, as well as incorporating another genre for your students to learn about. 

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

Since fall is in the air, I decided to put some autumn decorations up.  I have lots of scarecrow-themed things, as they can stay up through Thanksgiving.  I LOVE decorating for the seasons, but hate taking stuff down and putting it away, so the longer things can hang around, the better. 

My love for scarecrows probably stems from fond childhood memories, seeing all sorts of creations watching over large gardens and small farms in Wisconsin.  My Y5's enjoyed this mini-theme as well, so I used scarecrows to help teach all sorts of standards.  Here are some that I designed to reinforce 2D shapes.

My personal favorite is Socrates.  He's a "slider" as the paper strip of shapes, slide through the "window" to make his nose.   It was fun drawing and putting him together. 

As I putzed with what to do for his hair, I decided to put a sheet of yellow construction paper through a shredder. 

Rubbing a glue stick on the edges of his head and neck, then pressing down various pieces of shred, made the perfect scarecrow hair and "hay stuffing" peeking out of his neck and hat.

So that you can cover more standards, I've also included "sliders" for numbers 1-30, skip counting by 2's, 3's, 5's and 10's, as well as upper and lowercase letters.  Click on the link to view/download Socrates the Scarecrow Shape Slider.

Socrates came about, because I made an easy reader booklet entitled: My Scarecrow's Nose. In the story, an adorable little scarecrow needs a nose! 

It's up to your students to decide which 2D shaped nose is the best for their scarecrow. 

It's a quick, easy and fun way to learn about shapes, at the same time helping strengthen finger muscles, as children trace and draw the nose shapes and then trace and write the shape words. 

To reinforce concepts of print, when everyone is done, read the booklet as a whole group.

I've also included a graphing extension where students vote on their favorite shaped nose. 

There are also 2 worksheets. Students trace and write the shape word, then match the shape to its shape word.

Finally my last scarecrow-themed shape activity is  Sam and Samantha. They are full-body scarecrow "danglers". 

Give students the option of whether they want to make a boy or girl scarecrow.

As with Socrates, I used shredded paper.  Picking up the long shred, ripping it into smaller lengths and then pressing them to the back of the scarecrow, is wonderful fine motor skill practice. 

However, if you think this is too time consuming, use a few pieces of double-sided stick tape, then cover with a piece of regular tape when children are done decorating.

Because a pile of shredded paper is tempting for all sorts of shenanigans, remind students ahead of time, that if they throw the shred around and make a mess, they will not be able to use some on their scarecrow.  I never had a problem.

So that you can review lots more 2D shapes, I've included a template with extra shapes on it.  Students can cut and glue as many shapely "patches" on their scarecrow as they want.

Children can opt to keep the shapes separate, (see photo of Samantha) and glue the various shapes onto a piece of yarn, or they can glue their pieces together, which is a bit easier for little ones. (See photo of Sam.)

Punch a hole in the top triangle and suspend from the ceiling, back-to-back with another child's scarecrow.  Adding a few real buttons adds a bit more pizzazz.  Click on the link to view/download Sam/Samantha The Shapely Scarecrow craftivity.

Thanks for visiting today.  For more scarecrow fun, be sure and pop back tomorrow  The timer's ringing, so I need to dash off and check the big pot of Veggie soup I'm making for dinner.  Nothing like a nice hearty bowl of soup on a crisp fall evening.  Wishing you an ed-venture filled day.

"Trying times are times for trying." -Unknown

 1-2-3 Come Do Some Vocabulary Building With Me

If your school has to fulfill the Constitution Day educational requirement, you'll enjoy this vocabulary-building packet.  There is a lot of vocabulary that goes along with explaining the Constitution. Many of these words are new to your students. 

To help kiddos understand the Constitution, it's necessary to go over this vocabulary.  To make this easy-peasy for you, I made an alphabetical list of 42 words related to the Constitution. 

If you thought of anymore, I'd enjoy hearing from you, and will add them to my list. diane@teachwithme.com

I used the list to make 42 cute patriotic word cards. Choose the ones that are appropriate for your grade level. 

You can use these in a pocket chart or as flashcards to explain words and give definitions, then post them by your word wall.  

There are also 42 definition cards.  I numbered these so they match the list of words. 

This makes it easy for you to match the word cards up with their definitions.  Make an extra set and use as an independent center.

You can also play all sorts of games with the cards, like Memory Match or "I Have; Who Has?" 

Hold up a card and ask students to read it.  Who is familiar with this word? Can anyone give a definition? 

Place the cards in separate baskets. Have students choose a card from each basket and give the definition of the word card that they chose or the word that is being defined.  Students can work with a partner and alphabetize some cards, or play "Speed" against each other to see who can alphabetize their set first.

Use the cards for Daily 5 word work. Choose several cards for students to use in a sentence.  and/or have older students think of synonyms for some of the word cards. 

I've included a cover so students can make a Constitution Vocabulary Dictionary as well. Constitution Day Word Work Packet.

Click on the link to view/download the Constitution Day Word Work packet.

Thanks for visiting today.  I'm off to go figure out how to turn the new thermostat to heat instead of air. 

Unfortunately the fall weather today is a bit chilly on the outside, as well as the inside.  Hope you have a fun-filled day. 

"Teamwork divides the task and multiplies success." -Unknown

32 pages

If your school has to fulfill the Constitution Day educational requirement, you'll enjoy this vocabulary-building packet.  There is a lot of vocabulary that goes along with explaining the Constitution. Many of these words are new to your students.  There are 42 Constitution-related word cards in this packet, with matching definition cards. 

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

With a federal mandate that any schools accepting federal funds, need to do some educational activity associated with the Constitution, on September 17th, I wanted to think up something that my Y5’s could easily understand.  

With everything else that teachers have to cover, I also wanted what we did to be something simple and especially relevant to them.

This packet does exactly that, because I've tied it into classroom management: jobs of students and teachers, as well as the rules and regulations they must follow.

These activities not only tie in with the Constitution, they are quick and easy to implement.  Children can wrap their heads around these Constitutional comparisons and the result will be a more caring classroom climate, with less inappropriate behavior.

The Constitution is a document that serves as the foundation of American government.  To help explain this to students, make a document of jobs as well as rules for your classroom and have all of the children sign it.

The Constitution is broken up into 3 branches.  (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial) They all have specific jobs.   Like wise, teachers and students have jobs. 

First, discuss and make a list of all the  jobs and responsibilities of a good student. Then make up a list of jobs (responsibilities) for teachers.  I’ve included headers for you to put up on your board, so that you can brainstorm with your students and write things under the appropriate heading.

Children’s discussion will often involve what they think the qualities of a good student and good teacher are.   I’m sure some of their ideas will make you smile. ( “Teachers need to smell nice.” )   

Write students’ ideas on the board.  I’ve included a completed list of things we thought of to help you, as well as blank templates to fill in your own.  I’d enjoy seeing what your kiddos come up with. You can e-mail me at: diane@teachwithme.com  

Hang up your lists on a bulletin board.  There’s also a poster that you can put in the middle of your board, after all of your students have signed it.

Next, discuss your rules.  Because students have been in school for several weeks, you’ve hopefully have already established a list of rules with them.  If you don't have a set of rules posted, click on the link for my simple rules poster.

Review the rules and make a list of them on the board.  (Tie this in with the Constitution, as our country also has rules, which are laws that people must follow.)

Discuss how things are going .  Is everyone following the rules?  Are they good rules; fair rules; necessary?  Do you need to change, modify, or add any rules? (Tie this in with the Constitution by briefly explaining the amendments to the Constitution.) I've included a writing prompt page where students can jot down 3 reasons why doing their job and following rules is important.

What are the consequences of not following the rules?  What do they think would happen if there were no rules to follow and everyone adopted an “anything goes” attitude? (Briefly discuss the correlation of this to the Constitution’s checks, balances and punishment for breaking laws.)

An easy way to make your classroom constitution is to make a social contract.  Head your poster: “We the (kindergarten) students of (Orchard Trails Elementary) promise to . . .” and then list what students feel are important promises (rules, jobs and responsibilities).

Have each child sign the poster.  (Remember to have new students sign it too.)  This is now a working document (like the Constitution).  Discuss how signing something is a big deal.  This is binding.   Even young children understand the importance of a promise and following  through.   (“But you promised . . .)  If the class as a whole, or an individual student, is not keeping their promises per the terms of your social contract, refer to the poster and ask:

“Did you promise to follow the rules, be a good listener, be kind to one another? etc.”  (Obviously they did.)  After thy take responsibility for their actions then ask: “What would have been a better choice?  What should happen now?”  Click on the link to view/download the Constitution Day Jobs & Rules Packet.

I found a cute social contract over at Corner Character blog spot.  I like how she wrote each promise in a different color marker and then had students add their painted handprint to the side of the chart, adding their names when the paint dried. 

I designed my own social contract, tracing my students' hands on a variety of colors of construction paper.

I glued our "promise poster" to the center of a piece of tag board, then "framed" it with the colorful prints.

For more accountability, have children sign their own names, which makes them feel important & more accountable. For added pizzazz, when school pictures come back, copy, cut & glue one to each child's hand.

Our social contract has been so successful, that I decided to share it in a "School Rules Classroom Management" packet.  Click on the link to check it out.  

Follow up these activities by reading “We the Kids”  by David Catrow.  He makes understanding the Preamble to the Constitution accessible to children in a fun and humorous way.  A glossary of terms and a foreword by the artist are also included.

Since the Preamble is one of the most famous and familiar parts of the Constitution, I’ve included several trace and write worksheets in the packet.

I find that a short video is often the best way to review and get more information into my students’ minds.  A nice way to end your day is to choose a short video from this American history website.

The first one is only 4 minutes, another on the Founding Fathers is 3 minutes and a final one entitled America Gets A Constitution is 4 minutes.  They are easy for little ones to understand and include some good background information.

Thanks for visiting.  Time to go watch the Detroit Lions hopefully win a football game!

"If you want to know where your heart is, go to where your mind goes when it wanders." -Unknown