Close Reading Freebie

Hi everyone! It's Alexandria from Classroom Action with Ms. Jackson.  

I know it is summer, but I have been thinking of ways to help my students next year and decided to revisit close reading.  

I really want my students to dig deeper as they read text. 

Here are some helpful tips for the first, 

second, and third reads. 

During the first read students are getting an idea of what the text or passage is about.  I like to give a general overview before my students start reading.   The overview helps them build background and activate prior knowledge about the subject. During this read, students can tell what it is about, underline the main idea, and talk to a partner about the text.

During the second read students dig a bit deeper and try to understand the text a little more.  
Students read the text again, circle key words they may think are important, and determine the author's purpose.  I like to let my students talk with their shoulder partners about the text.  I usually circulate throughout the room to make sure my students are engaging in accountable talk about the topic.

 During the third read students usually have a good grasp of what the text is about.  I usually assign a task to them. Sometimes they answer questions, compare text, and relate it to their own life.  I also have the students write about the text. 

Students keep these bookmarks at their desk to help them work through the text.  I printed them on card stock and laminated them.  They last a long time and the students find them to be very 

helpful.

I hope this gave you a brief overview of close reading and how you can use it in your classroom.  You can pick up this FREEBIE by clicking here! 

Have fun using these easy strategies with your class!

The Mighty Red, White, and Blue

Hi there!  Thanks for joining me today as I share some quick ideas to use in your classroom for Flag Day.  Now don't go telling me that you don't have school when it's flag day because that doesn't make me feel better. ;)  I am well aware that many people are not in school during Flag Day, but unfortunately I am not one of them.  Here I am - still teaching away for another 8 days.  So if you happen to already be out of school and you're reading this....maybe you teach about American symbols or could use these ideas at other points in the year.  I hope so!

Here are few books I have read to my class this time of year. 

     

       

 The Flag We Love and Our American Flag give some historical background, but is still easy to get through with little ones.  F is for Flag is a great one to explain why our flag is so important and what it stands for.  And finally, The Pledge of Allegiance is just that - the words to the pledge.  I like to show this using our document camera so students can see what the real words are for the pledge.  We all know they have their own cute variations.  :)

I made this quick little freebie to complete after we read about and discuss the flag.  It doesn't take much time, and frankly at this time of the year, we don't have much time.  So if you click on the picture below you can grab this FREEBIE too.  

And what would any holiday be without a craft???

I've done many different flag crafts over the years and of course you know Pinterest has TONS of ideas out there.  This is just one that I love displaying in the hallway.  

We actually made this flag when it was Veterans Day so I have a Thank You Veterans sign to go with it from my Proud to be an American pack.  But this is a fun way to bring the class together on a craft.  Obviously they all traced their hands on red, white, and blue paper (many times).  I cut the stars out using an Ellison cutter.  Then we all worked together to complete the project with a large piece of bulletin board paper as the background.  We wanted to be sure it was as accurate as possible.  The kids really enjoyed this project and it looks great in the hallway.  

So again, if you are out of school for summer already - I am happy for you (really I am).  But maybe these ideas will find their way into your classroom for other reasons in your school year.

Thanks for stopping by today.
Happy Flag Day!!!

Summer Fun with Chalk Paint

Hey friends! It's me, Amanda from Mrs. Richardson's Class!

If summer hasn't arrived for you, it will arrive soon I hope! Here in Texas our school's are already on summer vacation and the heat is in FULL force!

A few years ago I shared one of my favorite activities to do at the end of the year with my students--CHALK PAINT!

I LOVE chalk paint.  I always do this at the end of each year and here is why, sweet friends!

If you are already out of school, you can easily do this at home with your little ones! It will keep them busy for a while and you can sit and relax for a bit! Trust me, I know that sometimes being at home with your own kids can be just as exhausting as the classroom! 

Need some ideas of how to use it in the classroom?  This is how I tied it to something educational every year!

And of course you can write about ANYTHING! Here is a How To FREEBIE so your students can write about how they made the chalk paint!

Click the image above to grab it! 

It's Almost Summer!

As we're winding down the days, I'm prepping a few things to celebrate that summer is sooooooo close! And for those of you already out - wooohooo!!! 

I plan to celebrate the uniqueness of my class this year with these fun Marvelous Medallions. 

This pack of 36 medals is easy to prep! Simply print, laminate, punch a hole and string some yarn through it! As I was prepping these this week, I could hear the buzz spreading around the room! I can't wait to share these with my kids! 

As I was perusing the Dollar Tree the other day, it got my mind wandering to End of the Year treats for my kids.  

Here's a peek at what I came up with.  Click {here} to grab these FREEBIE tags! 

Who doesn't love silly string? 

"Have a Silly Summer"

 Buy an inexpensive bug catcher & slap this tag on! 

"Don't BUG me...it's Summer!"

If your kiddos love to swim, this is a fun treat! 

"Dive into Summer"

 A wiffle ball & bat is a great way to get kiddos movin'!

"Have a BALL this Summer"

 Squirt guns are 3 for a $1 at the Dollar Tree! 

"FIRED up for Summer!"

 You can snag really inexpensive buckets almost anywhere! 

"Have Buckets of Fun this Summer!"

I hope you can use one of these goodies! 

As we count down the days till summer, I'm definitely trying to keep interest high and activities engaging!  I recently added this Flipping for School activity to my Grab Bag Galore {which is filled with a TON of random goodness!}

To make sure my kiddos hold on to all that knowledge that I spent so much blood, sweat and tears drilling into them, I plan to send home the Summer B.A.T. Book! 

This mega version of the B.A.T. Book is filled with 40 fun, but challenging, Math and Language Arts activities to review concepts during the summer months! You could also use it during the last month of school to fill some of that "extra" time, too!

I hope you enjoy the last few days with your students!

Count Down to Father's Day: Book Recommendations and a FREEBIE

Hi All.
It's Amber from School is a Happy Place.  Although I'm on summer break, I know many of you will still be in school for a few more weeks and are thinking about what to do for Father's Day.  In preparation for Father's Day, I'd love to share some favorite dad themed read alouds.  A few of these books may already be in your library and others may be new titles that you will want to check out.

Here's a rundown of what these Dad books are about...

 

Because I'm Your Dad is by Ahmet Zappa.  The adorable illustrations in this book tell about the fun relationship between the dad and his little monster.

My Dad Thinks He's Funny by Katrina Germein is a creatively illustrated book that plays up the so-bad-they're-funny jokes that many dads love to share with their kids.

A Perfect Father's Day by Eve Bunting follows Susie as she makes her dad feel special on Father's Day.

How to Surprise a Dad is a delightful book by Jean Reagan (the author of How to Babysit a Grandpa).  This book is full of tips of how to surprise a dad.  In the end the kids are able to surprise dad with a birthday party.

Daddy Sat on a Duck (The Daddy Series) is by Scott Cohn.  This book is a great read aloud for students that enjoy potty humor.  Know any kids like that? ;)

Liz Rosenberg's Tyrannosaurus Dad tells the story of what it might be like to have a t rex as a dad and eventually as a hero.

Vader's Little Princess and Darth Vader and Son, by Jeffrey Brown, are humorous accounts of Darth Vader's parenting trials and tribulations.  

Maria Catherine's book Time Together:  Me and Dad is a beautifully illustration book about small moments that children and dads spend together.

Jan and Mike Berenstain's The Berenstain Bears:  We Love Our Dad! is one of many Berenstain Bears books that feature lovable Papa Bear.  In this book, the cubs pour all their energy into spoiling Papa.

Norman Bridwell's Clifford's Day with Dad, Clifford spends a day in the country play, digging, and fetching with his dad.  

Guess How Much I Love You is by Sam McBratney.  This sweet story is about a bunny dad and son expressing how much they truly love each other.

Saturday is Dadurday, by Robin Pulver, is about a young girl spending QT with her dad after baby twins arrive in her family.

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems is one of my very favorite books.  The relationship between Trixie and her daddy is so adorable and true-to-life.

Did you have any idea there were so many great books about dads?  I'd love to know if you have any favorite read alouds that shine the spotlight on dads and their relationships with their children.

If you would like to have your students make their own books for Father's Day, check out my Father's Day mini booklet, My Rad Dad.

Students complete sentences and add their own illustrations to these simple booklets.  They usually turn out super cute.

Click on the picture below for your own FREE copy.

Happy early Father's Day!

As always, thanks so much for stopping by.