Pet Dino & Poetry Freebies + A Few Fun Things

First, here are the freebies-  :)

Poetry month has officially ended, but we are still enjoying writing poems in class!  Last week, the students came up with four Cinquain poems (good review of verbs and adjectives), chose their favorite, and wrote/illustrated it on the template below (click to grab for free):

 I forgot to take pictures before I left work yesterday.  :(  I will have to post them another time.  They came up with some pretty creative poems!

Next week, I will be showing the students how to write a Diamante poem.  We will be reading books about dinosaurs, so I've created a template for a dinosaur-themed Diamante poem! 

 (Click for free download.)

Most of my poetry writing inspiration has come from Rachael Parlett's Poetry Resources Packet!  It includes many anchor charts and graphic organizers...be sure to check it out!

The students will also be doing a persuasive writing piece where they have to write a convincing paragraph about why they should have a pet dinosaur!

 

 (Click for free download.)

And a few fun things...  :)

We did the Best Friend Writing Activity from Amy Lemons.  The kids LOVED this.  What a fun writing topic!  This is definitely one I will be doing again! 

We also made our "Area Puzzles" (idea from Amy Lemons) and wrote our Biography Poems!

I can't believe that it is May already!  I am excited to do the Watermelon Day and Bubble Fun Day mini-units from Aimee at Primarily Speaking.  Last year, I did the Watermelon Day and it was loads of fun!  I can't wait to try out the Bubble Day unit!  If you are looking for some fun, common core aligned activities for the end of the year, be sure to check these out!

Have a happy Cinco de Mayo! 

Classroom Updates, Life Cycle Research Reports, and a Freebie

I've finished my newest research packet!  I will be doing this with my own students this week.  It includes research pages and writing paper for the following life cycles: frog, sunflower, horse, butterfly, ladybug, and chicken.  Click below to check it out!

It's been awhile since I've given a freebie, so click below to get the frog life cycle pages for free!

My new favorite bulletin board is the "Best Part of Me" board that we put together after seeing the idea on Across the Hall in 2nd!  I love how simple it is, but how the black and white theme really attracts your attention.

We started our Great Poetry Race for the month of April...

...and we made these adorable contraction caterpillars from Amy Lemons!

Spring is in the air...FINALLY!  :)

Chevron Behavior Chart

My behavior chart has seen better days!  The construction paper I used has started to fade and the students' clips have done a number on the edges.  I've decided to go with magnets {Click HERE for an awesome tutorial!} instead of clips for next year and am hoping that will help it last A LOT longer!  Here is the new chart I made -

I still really like the idea of using the sticker gemstones for each time a student makes it to the top of the chart, so I created a Outstanding Behavior Hall of Fame poster and stars.  The students will earn a star once they make it to pink and will place it under the Hall of Fame poster.  They will be able to add a gemstone to their stars each time they get on pink!  Click on any of the images to check this out in my TpT store.

 

The Leprechaun's Gold {Freebie!} and Centimeter Shamrocks

The Leprechaun's Gold is one of the Saint Patrick's themed stories I will be reading to my class next week!  It is a good one to use when trying to work in some "Common Core" skills and comprehension strategies.  I created a short activity sheet for my students to complete after reading the story.  Click on the images to download it for free! 

I've also uploaded a new product to my TpT store for students to practice measuring (in centimeters).  It can be used as a center or scavenger hunt.  Click on any image below to check it out!

Shamrock Story Map

Once the week starts, I know I won't have time to post the story map I created!  (Sorry for so many posts at once!)  This shamrock-themed story map can be used during the month of March for a quick comprehension check and for organizing story elements.  Click on the images below to download this at my TpT shop!

Enjoy all of your fun Saint Patrick's day activities with your class this month!  :)

{Crockpot Cocoa} A Writing Freebie and Yummy Recipe!

If you are in search of a way to give your students a sugar buzz, I've found the perfect recipe!  :)  Okay, the sugar buzz may not be so great, but it's well worth it!  I found a recipe for Crockpot Cocoa on Pinterest last year and had been eager to try it out.  Last week, I made some for my class and they LOVED it!  It is very rich, so just be ready! Even the aide working in my classroom said, "This is like drinking cake!"  :)  The recipe is from the blog Mrs. Happy Homemaker.  I tied this tasty treat in with procedural writing.  (There are many great resources for Cocoa How-To Writing on TpT.)  The students first met in groups and brainstormed the steps they used for making hot chocolate at home.  Then, they planned out their writing and wrote a final draft of their paragraphs.  We followed up our writing with an adorable hot chocolate craft from Teri at A Cupcake For the Teacher.  She has an entire packet full of writing paper, graphic organizers, and planning options for this activity.  Be sure to check it out!  We ended the week by trying out the crockpot cocoa recipe.  I doubled the recipe (it was brimming, but it did fit in a 5 quart crockpot) and decided to make it the night before.  It turned out perfect!  I typed up the recipe into a handout that could be given to students (an co-workers).  :)  Along with the recipe handout, I created a planning page and writing paper so there would be more steps for my second graders to expand their writing.  I adapted my steps to fit Christina Bainbridge's Procedural Paragraph Frame.  (This is the planner I always use for How-To Writing.)  Click any of the images below to download the recipe handout and writing paper I created for my class {freebie}!

Wacky Weather Stories - Oobleck!

In celebration of Dr. Seuss, we will be reading one of my favorites this week - Bartholomew and the Oobleck!  (This could also be used with Judi Barrett's Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.)  I've put together a creative writing activity for my students to complete after we read the story.   They will brainstorm another type of precipitation that could fall from the sky and will tell about the problems this could cause. This seems like a popular writing idea, but I had a hard time finding anything that was already made to use!  So, hopefully someone else can find the packet I made useful!  You can click any of the images below to download it in my TpT store!

We will also be using the Oobleck Experiment sheet from Chanty at The Teaching Bug to make oobleck and investigate its properties!