Did Christopher Columbus really discover America?

Our topic today was Christopher Columbus.

The question was...did her discover America?

We know he was an explorer.  Do you know other famous explorers?

We found a list of the Top 10 Famous explorers and watched a mini video on Neil Armstrongs first walk on the moon.  Great vocab word...explorer.

We also learned motions an the words to a poem that told a little more about Christopher Columbus.

He left Spain in 1492.  Sailed 3 ships.  Crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

Then we had a super writing experience telling "Chris" about items we had today that he never knew about.  We wrote a paragraph using descriptive sentences.  

As I have shared before Scholastic News has online activities that accompany their newspaper.

They are informative and valuable.

We put together and read a mini book with informative text.  Following our reading we played "scoot" to discover who retained the facts.  We read and wrote with a partner.

Finally our craft for the day was a simple ship that sails around the world.

Simple and too cute.

Here is the complete packet and link if interested.

Out my window...

oops I forgot to share with you the view out my window.  It does not do justice to the colors around the lake on the trees.  THIS is why I feel blessed. Oh, and for all of you of course.  :)   Michele

Happy Weekend Everyone!

I spent a beautiful fall day sitting on my porch enjoying my computer and the view as fall fills the landscape.
I feel so blessed!
So I was able to get my November plans up and set.  I know it seems way early but with conferences coming and two different teacher training days I want to be ahead of the time.
Like I did for October I thought you would enjoy seeing what I have planned.  I also want to put up for you on my next post what I use for assessments and evaluations for the kiddos.  Here we go folks...
PS  Remember that each packet is accompanied with a freebie.  Michele

This is my interactive calendar.  It is perfect for recording the date, temperature and other key calendar information.

Here is the freebie.  It is November vocabulary cards for posting.

Click here to print.

This is my November Poems and Activities.  This is new this year and I love it.

This is the freebie with a poem and activities.

Click here to print.

Next I move into Hibernation and Migration.

This is a filled with literacy activities.

Click here to print the freebie.

This has a really cute writing activity on "how I get ready for winter".

This is followed by close to two weeks of studying the Colonial and Native Americans.

There are many activities on comparing and contrasting as well as crafts.

The freebie has students sequencing The First Thanksgiving.

Click here to print.

I end with my Turkey Packet.  It is a complete balanced literacy project with a craft.

The freebie is one of my favorite poems and an activity!!

Click here to print.

Enjoy everyone!!  Hope you find something helpful.  Michele

STOMP Out Bullying...freebie!

Today is nation wide STOMP out Bullying Day.  In honor of the day our school along with millions of others wore blue in support of No Bullying.  Our class talked about friendships and kindness.  We had a fabulous day and regardless of curriculum talking about this issue is critical.  Guess what using this packet I was able to build curriculum right into our discussions so no learning was lost.   Enjoy your week everyone!! Michele

Freebie!!!

Now that I have your attention.. I wanted to another of my "read withs" for kiddos.  They love this story and it is the perfect lead into our new unit on Scarecrows next week.  Enjoy the little freebie for autumn! Don't forget about the sale this weekend to kick off October.  Have a great weekend everyone!!  Michele

Click here for the freebie!!

Autumn

I wanted to share an outstanding story about Leaves written by David Stein.

It is the perfect story for Autumn.

In the story the little bear sees the leaves falling and is worried.

He tries to put them back on the tree branches but it just is not the same.

Little Bear uses the fallen leaves to fill his hole where he climbs in and falls asleep.

When he wakes up he finds tiny buds on the trees that begin sprouting into leaves.

How excited he is!

So many things to discuss...seasons, hibernation, why leaves fall from the trees, feelings.

You will love this story and so will your kiddos!!

Get Ready for an October Sale!

In honor of October I am holding a sale this weekend with 20% off all my October items.

Room on the Broom

My Big Green Monster

"Batty" Crafts and Activities

Balanced Literacy with a Halloween Theme

Balanced Literacy with a Scarecrow Theme

Fire Safety

Columbus

Camping

October Poems and Activities

October Interactive Math Calendar

Hope you find something on your "wish list" for sale!

Remember each of these packets contains a "freebie" so look for those while you are visiting.

Michele