Quotable Quotes

Around here, school is going strong until we get out on June 8th. It seems like this year is going on forever. I love my class, but I am really itching for summer to start! The kids have checked out,  so we are just trying to get by. We searched books and online sites for kids quotes. The students picked a quote that they really liked and wrote it in cursive on a piece of paper. Then they water colored away. I loved the quotes they picked!

30 Unit Spelling Plan

This is a 30 unit document for use with your current spelling program. There are 5-6 pattern words included on each of the 30 units. Students write class words and super spellers. There is also a space for differentiating your spelling by adding students' words (words they need to spend extra time studying.) Students practice their words by writing sentences, putting them in alphabetical order and finding more pattern words. There are also ideas for more hands-on practice included.

I have my students do several of these activities throughout the month, but I wanted to have a packet for them to have and use as they practice weekly.  I give spelling words on Monday and give a test on Friday.  These papers would be part of the homework and also would be due on Friday.

Tell me what you think!  You can buy this 60 page, 30 unit spelling companion at my TPT store.

I planned this unit so that you can use it with your current spelling program. 

Charlotte's Web "Diary of a Pig"

We started reading Charlotte's Web yesterday and today.  Today, I introduced our "Diary of a Pig" writing responses.  This idea came from the Littlest Learners blog.  Inside, I have different pages for the students to write on.  I found them on a website about notebooking, and don't remember where.  (If I find out where, I will post it on here.)

The students and I talked about Perspective and then read the book Diary of a Fly.  Then we brainstormed feelings that Wilbur might have felt during the first three chapters of the book.  This is what they wrote about for their first diary entry. 

Here are samples of the book's cover:

One student wrote this in his diary:

"Today started out so boring.  I didn't want to do anything I could do.  Fern wasn't coming but then there was a voice.  It was the goose, he said a board was loose on the pen.  I saw the board and started shoving.  It came off easily.  It felt strange to be in the wide open.  Then the goose said "Why just stand there? Have some fun!" So I started digging up ground, but then someone saw me and shouted.  Everyone came after me!  I evaded them for quite a while but then someone gave me slop.  I followed them back to the pen and ate.  I fell asleep warm, full and happy. "

Isn't that cool?  I was impressed that he used the word "evaded"! 

The other students did awesome jobs too.  I am very pleased with the way this reading response to Charlotte's Web worked out!

Literature Groups

I start literature circles in the Fall after I assess the students to get their reading levels.  I enlist the help of 4-8 parent volunteers so they can run the groups.  This year, I only had 4 parents sign up to help, so I did circles once a week.  Twice a week is what I prefer, but we do what we can right?   I make sure everything is organized before we start.  I get leveled book sets for the groups and then give them a big bag with all the stuff the group needs.

Here is the bag with all the materials in it for the literature groups.

 Some of the items that are in the bag.

Wondering how to get started with literature circles in your classroom?  This kit will give you 11 pages to get you started, including 16 cards response cards.  There is information on how to create your groups and information for parents who come and volunteer to run the groups.  My students have loved literature groups this year! You can buy the whole packet at my TPT store. 

Biography Unit

This is part of a unit I made for our biography book share presentation.  The students spend about a month researching a person who has made a significant, positive contribution to society.  They prepare a 2 minute speech on that person and then present the speech, dressed in costume as the person they researched.  They love it!  You can purchase this 14 packet in my store at TPT.