Caterina and the Lemonade Stand

Looking for something to do with your kids this summer? Why not make a lemonade stand? We have the perfect book to introduce the idea: Caterina and the Lemonade Stand, by Erin Eitter Kono.

Take a break from the heat and check out this book from your local library or even buy your own copy. You’ll love it.

Invisible Dog: The Easiest Classroom Pet

I have had fish, hermit crabs and a turtle. Many other teachers have gerbils, mice, snakes, hamsters etc… I have found real creatures can be REAL maintenance. And what do you do with them over the long breaks? How about the unexpected snowstorms? Not to mention, schools are revisiting health and safety policies that won’t allow certain animals in schools anymore.

So one year I got an invisible dog and allowed the kids to name him. He had a visible bed, toys, food and water dishes. He was well behaved and never had accidents. My first graders adored him. They took him to recess and even on errands to the office. I put books about dogs (both fiction and nonfiction) by his bed, in case students wanted to brush up on their canine knowledge or read him. 

You could also let your students take the dog home over the weekend with a dog journal. Each family could experience the joy and ease of having an imaginary pet.

Mystery Book

Looking for a way to spice up your read aloud routine? Try this!

Wrap a book cover or folder around a book you think your students have never seen. After telling them the title, ask students to guess what the book will be about. Make a list of their ideas. Next, read the book without showing the pictures. When finished, ask students to draw a scene or character from the book. Obviously, they will be drawing what they think the scene or character looks like. Share their creations and then unveil the cover. Reread the book, this time showing the pictures. Your students will be entertained and amused by their own creations and the contrast to the actual pictures. Tweet or Instagram the alternate illustrations to the author and illustrator of the books you use throughout the year.

Pencilpillar

Tired of students losing their pencils? This is a surefire way to change that.

Gather wooden clothespins and medium sized pompom balls. On each clothespin, glue three pompom balls in a line to resemble a caterpillar. You can use multiple colors or matching colors. Glue wiggly eyes on the pompom closest to the end that opens up (opposite the end where you squeeze). After the caterpillar dries, show students how to clamp their pencil in the clothespin. When they aren’t using their pencils, the “Pencilpillars” will stay on their desktops and watch over their pencils so they won’t get lost. I like to start the first day of school with these fluffy fun surprises.

A Drink, A Dessert, An Idea

This year was like a roller coaster ride, speeding by, taking us through loops, making us scream, and ending with a sudden stop. It’s that sudden stop that always gets us. It’s hard to smile and wave good-bye to kids who are crying and turning around for one last look at you before they go. Sniff, sniff.

Don’t get me wrong, we like the two month break from new mandates, curriculum map changes, grading papers and TESTING, TESTING, TESTING. I especially look forward to going to the bathroom whenever I want.

But for these same two months we do miss our teaching lives. Who doesn’t love reading books to a captive audience of 21? Where else does this same group cheer when you come back from a 30 minute meeting down the hall? Not to mention my colleagues (Teacher BFFs?) are no longer within walking distance to where I am. Am I already having withdrawal?

Though we haven’t started brainstorming for next year yet, we know it will happen soon. So we want to share a few ideas to help you regroup and relax... for now.

Here’s a book that will give you great ideas and maybe even a creative outlet! 59 Reasons to Write: Mini-lessons, Prompts and Inspiration for Teachers by Kate Messner.

Check out this drink,

and this dessert.

Eat, drink and be lazy! It’s your two months to do whatever you want. Savor every minute. Before you know it you’ll be locked back in your seat, bar across your lap, taking off for another thrilling ride.

Ann Marie

Book Bite #3- Sam and Dave Dig a Hole

It’s time for another Book Bite! 

If you enjoyed Book Bite #1 based around Alex Latimer’s, Lion vs. Rabbit and Book Bite #2 focused on Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great by Bob Shea, then you’re sure to adore BookBite #3! This time we’ve dug into 2014’s winner of the Caldecott Honor, Sam and Dave Dig a Hole written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Jon Klassen.

Our students really dug this story. When I asked my first graders to create their own digging adventure from the point of view of the dog, they wrote as many as 7 pages! The words and pictures in this book are sure to illicit smiles, laughter and loud groans of exasperation from kids of all ages. (Do I count as a kid since I definitely laughed out loud when I opened the book?) If you haven’t checked out this book yet, go snag a copy now!

Think about it Thursday

Running out of ideas for ways to kick start your school day? Many schools are encouraging activities that allow more conversations among students; hoping teachers will take a back seat or rather a vow of silence in order to let their students weigh in on issues.

We started “Think About it Thursday” to fill this need. It turned out to be awesome! Each Thursday, we pose a question to our students and give everyone a small copy of the question to glue in their journal. 

They always have an opinion! Some students can’t decide between the choices so they pick both and justify why.

After writing, they insist on sharing. Some students even like to tally the opinions of the class. If time doesn’t allow for whole group sharing, try team share or a buddy share. Have fun! 
Click here for some printables to start you off. If you come up with any good ones, let us know!