LEARNING ABOUT A COMMUNITY

I pulled these pages (shown) out of our Social Studies Book to help the children understand community, using writing and art. The students were paired and assigned a question to discuss and research. The students wrote the question they were to answer on their writing/art paper, answered it using complete sentences, and had it proofed by the teacher. Students then drew and colored a detailed picture, covering all the space. The pages were compiled into a Community Booklet and put in the Reading Corner to be used as a resource all year.

CLASS POETRY

This is a fun way to have students learn poetry. The teacher reads and discusses a variety of poetry from different authors. Then list a few of the poems on the board for the students to vote on, making sure there are enough lines for each student to have one. The teacher types up the poem and hands out the line(s) to the students they are responsible for. I sent it home to be memorized. After the students have memorized their part, have them write their line(s) on writing/art paper, get it proofed by the teacher, and then illustrate/color the concept of the line in detail, filling in all the space. Wow, you have a cute class book, or a nice web page! BUT WAIT...when you are standing in a line with your class (don't we all), start the poem. Encourage the dramatic and let the fun begin. Soon you will notice some of the students will be able to recite the entire poem, with little effort on your part. If your students are interested, begin another poem, letting them have a bigger say in the choice, since they know the process. Remember to put their paper in their Journal/Memory book at the end of the year. 

The page on the bottom is taken from "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take The Garbage Out". The page on the top is from "Sick". Both poems were taken from WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS by Shel Silverstein.

OPEN SPACE IS NOT EMPTY SPACE

This is a cute way of celebrating EARTH DAY in April. The idea of OPEN-GREEN SPACE is becoming more prevalent as cities grow. Discuss the need for green space - wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, peaceful break for our hectic daily life....
Have students discuss what would happen if we cut down all trees, put in parking lots, and built buildings in all the space in our city.
On the worksheet, the students need to write a complete sentence with solid ideas, get it proofed by the teacher, then draw and color a detailed picture, using all of the space allowed.

GROW INTO KNOWLEDGE

This is a cute idea for LABOR DAY. You end up with a CLASS BOOKLET to put in your READING CENTER for students to enjoy all year.  As you talk about the reason for Labor Day, let the students brainstorm jobs they would like to work in when they grow up. List these suggestions on the board. The students fill out the worksheet, get it proofed by teacher, draw and color (I like colored pencils with this project.) using details, covering the entire space. This could be a cute Bulletin Board or you could post it on your Webpage. At the end of the year make sure to add the page to the child's Journal/Memory Book to take home.
Title: YOUR WHOLE LIFE'S AHEAD OF YOU
             GROWING INTO KNOWLEDGE

I HAVE A DREAM

"DREAM MOBILE"
( Taken from Teacher's Friend, January)
Season/Month: January
Age/Grade: Primary-Elementary
Groups: Whole - Homework
Materials:
~ Audiotape or book about M.L.King Jr.
~ Mobile pattern printed on white construction paper
~ String
1. Read or listen to a story about M.L. King Jr.
2. Discuss and reflect about M.L. K's dream
3. Assign homework: write dream you have for community, country, and world.
    Your dream needs to show people caring for one another and working together in harmony.
4. Have the students carefully cut out the clouds and attach them with string, to make a mobile.
5. Hang each mobile from the ceiling. When taken down, you may put it in the Journal/Memory Books.

MATH ABOUT ME

STUDENTS LEARN THE ROLE MATH PLAYS IN EVERYDAY LIFE.                                                      

(Taken from Mailbox Magazine)

Season/Month: January

Age/Grade: Primary

Groups: Whole - Homework

Materials:

~ Worksheet
~ 9" x 12" construction paper
~ 9" x 12" construction paper, various colors, cut into 1/8th
~ small picture of student
~ colored markers
~ scissors
~ glue
Procedure:
1. Send home worksheet as homework.  Put a note that it is to be returned with a small photo of the student.
2. Students choose 8 different colored paper rectangles.
3. Students fill in each rectangle with a different math fact from the worksheet, making sure one rectangle has
    their name on it.  Encourage them to fill the space of each rectangle.
4. Students arrange their rectangles on the 9" x 12" construction paper, making sure there is room for their
    small photo.
5. Student glues the rectangles and photo to the large construction paper - keeping confined to the edge.
6.  Teacher may post on the wall (see below) or make a class book.