Turkey Work-ey! 

My students have been hard at work writing letters as turkeys who have run away for Thanksgiving!

We have also been working on nouns and adjectives.  This worksheet helped me explain how to figure out the difference between the words.  We practiced by locating the noun, "turkey."  Each time they read a word, I asked them to say it in front of the word, "turkey."  So, we discussed how "wing turkey" does not make sense but "plump turkey" does.  Therefore, "wing" is another noun and "plump" is an adjective describing "turkey!"

These center cards were a fun way to review coin recognition and value for my 1st graders.  The two worksheets from the preview pic below go nicely with the matching game!

We used this worksheet to make sentences by learning how you must have a "who or what" and an "action" to make a sentence.  My kiddos had fun writing and drawing pictures to match their sentences!

Here is the unit that all of these activities come from-- if you are interested in turkey themed learning fun this week or next!

 

TURKEY Learning Unit!!

I used the book called A Plump and Perky Turkey for lots of fun fiction learning as well with my students!

A Plump and Perky Turkey Comprehension Unit!

We took a field trip to The Living Arts and Science Center here in Lexington, KY.  We had so much fun with the color and light theme they used and seeing all of their cool critters!

Butterflies, axolotls, and chameleons, oh my!

Next week, our class Thanksgiving Feast and learning about the first Thanksgiving!!

Have a great weekend!

Inference Investigators

Inference Investigators!

I have been so excited to use this unit with my first graders!  It seems that discussing and teaching the "Inference" strategy is not always the easiest concept with young primary students.  The unit uses a detective theme to help students realize that using past knowledge and clues from their reading will help make them use good inferencing skills!

To get started, the kids made their own "Top Secret" file folders to hold their inference work.

At whole group time, I used the "What is it?" cards to discuss using clues from reading to solve the "What is it?" mystery.  All you need is post it notes to cover the picture!  They loved helping me read the clues and giving answers.  Talking through possible answers is such a good way for little minds to learn!

After practicing the "What is it?" cards, I used these "What am I?" cards in reading circles and then put them into a center to practice with friends.           

"Secret Squares" was their favorite lesson from the unit!  Each student chose a picture to "hide" with their secret square and they wrote clues on each flap. We shared them whole group and they loved reading their clues and seeing if their classmates could solve the mystery before the whole picture was revealed!

One of my favorite lessons in the unit is the "Finding Clues and Taking Notes" worksheets.  I did a few of these whole group and then let the kids try in reading circles.  They really love using a highlighter to POP out the clues and write their notes.

Finally, the kids made their own "Inference Investigators/Detectives" and wrote their own "What am I ?" clues for an object.  They each got a post it to cover the answer and we hung these out in the hallway to display our hard work as inference investigators!  


If you like what you see, the unit is at my TPT store!

INFERENCE INVESTIGATORS

Have a GREAT week!!

 

The Hallo-Wiener Week!!

One of my all time favorite books to study with my students is The Hallo-Wiener, by Dav Pilkey!  This time last year, I was unable to be with my class while I was beginning chemotherapy and radiation for ovarian cancer.  I was so upset since I love fall in the classroom.  SOOOO-- I got right to my favorite book this week and my students have LOVED it.  

On Tuesday, we read the story and discussed the author's purpose.  We feel that Dav Pilkey wants us to learn about being good friends and not bully others.  

Here is one of our activities-- Text to Self Connections with the story!

On Wednesday, we re-read the book and made story maps whole group.  While I did Reading Circles, the kiddos got to choose a word chunking center using Oscar the dog puzzles and a pattern building center with some of Oscar's Halloween treats!  

This morning, we painted Oscar dogs to be ready for our "Story Elements" craftivity.  We used our story maps to fill in the story element cards.  

The finished bulletin board!

Tomorrow, we will make our class book! Since Oscar did not want to be a hot dog for Halloween, the kids get to choose and draw a costume that will make him happy!

 This is last year's class book.  My students this year love to read what costumes last year's class chose for Oscar.

Here is a link to my unit if you are at all interested in reading and using The Hallo-Wiener with your class.  I would LOVE to hear any other ideas that you may have or have used with this story.

The Hallo-Wiener Unit

LINKY!!!

I'm so excited to be linking up with Doodle Bugs for my 1st ever Linky Party!  I hope everyone is having a great Saturday--- it's always my favorite day- especially in the fall.

1.

I went running this morning in my favorite hat!  Big Blue Madness and UK/LSU football game tonight!  GO Big Blue!!

2.

Getting my "Living Things" Science words going on my "Words of the Days" Wall!  

Woot Woot!!

3.

My freebie this week on my first blog using my AWESOME-- "A Bird in the Hand Designs!"

Thank you, Megan Favre!!!

FREEBIE

Complete Spider Unit!

4.

Crabby Patties for snack on Wednesday.  Not healthy!!!  BUT-- oh, so cute!!

5.

Making Pizza Pasta bake for my family (since I rarely have time for this!)-- easy Pinterest recipe AND catching my cutie pie kitty-- Ellie Mae on my car hood getting warm after driving home from school on Thursday night!!

Don't blink--- it will be Monday morning!!