I Want My Mummy!

Mummy Anchor Chart

Each spring, my school holds its annual Multicultural Language Arts Fair. For the past couple of years, my class has studied and created projects on Ancient Egypt.

Mummification is a major part of the ancient culture. Some people think it is rather gross, but we love it! I make sure to go to our local library and check out as many books as I can on the subject. My library will let me check out 20 books for two weeks, so that works out perfect!

Here's a few of the books that I like to read to my class:

We complete the anchor chart together and then I have them make their own mummy. We use white construction paper, tracers, and gauze (my husband works at a medical supply store so he can get me a whole bunch!)

Then, we completed an expository writing piece about our learning. I like to do this part with the kids as we discuss the mummification process. It can be lengthy, so I help them narrow it down to four parts.
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Have a great week!

Abby's Crayon Adjective Lesson

This week in our reading series, Storytown, the main story is At the Crayon Factory. I can think of no better way to introduce this story then to teach Abby's Color Word Adjective Lesson!

Anchor Chart: Before

This bright anchor chart peaked their interest for sure!

At my school, all classes must begin their day teaching an RTI group, which means that my students were bugging me the whole thirty minutes of RTI asking me what they were going to do with crayons!!

Box of brand spanking new crayons, fun!

The night before, I pulled the 18 crayons that Abby suggested in her lesson. And let me tell you, it was not easy finding some of those crayons out of a box of 96. I had almost given up on melon. I was convinced that my box JUST DIDN'T HAVE IT! Then, after the 20th time looking I finally found it. I was so happy!

With the kiddos all snug on the rug, we discussed adjectives and how we use them. Then, I reminded them that color words are adjectives, too. I told them that the six colors posted on the chart are pretty cool, but there are other colors we may need to use that would describe things better. However, sometimes the names of those colors can be a little tricky. Next, I pulled the names of the colors one at a time and let the kids predict which family it belonged to. I made sure to ask them what their thinking processes were before I revealed the correct answer. I let each student color one of the words and add it to the chart. They loved learning the names of the colors.

Anchor Chart: After

 When the chart was complete, we discussed how we could use these new words as adjectives. I modeled how I would use one of the words, and I completed one of the activity sheets. Then, I let them each choose a color to complete their own activity sheet. Before I let them go with their crayon, they told me what their sentence was going to say. This helped them be more independent when they went back to their seats.

Here are some of my favorites:

"I got a new dress that is cornflower blue."

"I wish that I had melon hair."

"The pyramid is so goldenrod!"

"I have denim jeans."
The crayon is the head!

"The flowers were dandelion yellow."

When everyone had completed their sheets we added them with the anchor chart on the wall. It is so pretty!

The lesson was AWESOME!!

Thank you, Abby!

Click {here} to go to the lesson at The Inspired Apple.

The Daily 5

I've said this before and I'll say it again, "The Daily 5 has changed my professional career." The Daily 5 is a reading management system created by The Sisters, Gail and Joan.

If you haven't read the book, you must give it a try.

No more Sundays spent creating, cutting, copying, and coloring literacy centers for the up-coming week. When you follow the Daily 5, the students work on the same five stations every week. They are Read to Self, Read to Someone, Work on Writing, Listen to Reading, and Word Work. Students are working at their ability level, while the teacher can pull reading groups and individual conferences.

During my reading block, I do three rounds of the Daily 5. Each round is about 20 minutes and 5 minutes in between each round is spent sharing. I love sharing time because it provides the kids a time to talk and it makes them accountable for their learning.

 Here's part of my Focus Wall. I use three small pocket charts as a place for the kids to put their choices during our Daily 5 instruction time. I usually pull three reading groups during the three rounds.

I like to leave their Stamina Charts up all year as a reminder of their accomplishments. Also, it helps to refer to the charts when their behavior is slipping.

I post the I-charts we created at the beginning of the year near our guided reading table. These are also referred to when students need reminding.

Here's my CAFE menu bulletin board. I had handwritten the strategies on the board, but I replaced them today with the cute ones Brooke made at Primary Perspective. Thanks Brooke!

The Daily 5 is a lot of hard work in the beginning, but the pay-off comes when your principal enters your classroom and NO ONE looks up because they are too busy working!

I purchased these little trays at the Target Dollar Spot a few years ago and they work perfectly to house my Daily 5 Cards.