The Giving Tree Lesson Plans

The Giving Tree Lesson

A TeachersFirst holiday lesson based on Shel Silverstein's bookThe Giving Tree.

Synopsis: After reading and discussing the book The Giving Tree, students reflect and write about the gift they would most like to give.

Subject/Grade level: This lesson can be adapted for use in language arts class with students of varying ability levels in grades 2 - 8. This lesson is also well-suited to a multi-age activity with "big buddies" and "little buddies" from upper and lower grades working together. School counselors and emotional support teachers may find this activity helpful for small groups working on social skills, as well.

Objectives: Students will discuss the message of The Giving Tree.Students will write a message about giving to be shared with classmates and others.

Materials: You will need at least one copy of The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Ask students to bring in scraps of holiday wrapping paper to use as part of the lesson (non-electronic). Ideally, these should be heavy wrapping paper with a white reverse side.

Credit Source:
TeachersFirst.com • The web resource by teachers, for teachers. For more lesson details, see: http://www.teachersfirst.com/lessons/givingtree.cfm

Shel Silverstein Lesson plans for The Giving Tree and other works http://www.webenglishteacher.com/silverstein.html

Poetry Notebooks

Poetry Notebooks: Small investment, big benefits!

Memorizing short poems provides powerful support for English Language Development, phonemic awareness, reading fluency and high-frequency words – and parents love them!

Personal “I Can Read” Poetry Notebooks are children’s choice for “read to self” time.

Poetry and songs invite the use of imagery, drama, movement, and Sign Language to enhance and extend comprehension and vocabulary.

When poetry notebooks go home for weekly sharing, parents become partners in the literacy process.

Children’s art personalizes the rhyme and creates pride and ownership of the reading selections.

The Poetry Notebook is an ongoing literacy collection; by the end of the year it becomes a treasured book to reread and recite over the summer with fluency and delight. (Some teachers choose to send home several smaller seasonal collections of songs and poems instead of one large notebook.)

“Pretty things, well said, it’s nice to have them in your head.” – Robert Frost

SOURCE: Nellie Edge - Excellence in Kindergarten and Early Literacy December 2009 Newsletter For more information and resources visit www.nellieedge.com .

More Poetry Resources: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/poetrywritingfavorites.htm
http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/poetrypoemssongs.htm
http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/poemspoetrymonth.htm

December Lesson Plan Ideas and Tips

Teaching Tip: December Lesson Plan Ideas

By: Teachnology Staff

Here are some great projects and ideas for your December classroom.

1. Make a graphic organizer that compares and contrasts all holidays.
2. Map December holidays around the world.
3. Read a short holiday story. Group students. Each group must identify a part of speech throughout the story.
4. Hold a holiday spelling bee. Only use holiday related words.
5. Hold a multicultural holiday festival.
6. Research traditional gifts offered on the days of Hanukkah & Kwanzaa.
7. Holiday greeting country match.
8. Have students find out how and where their favorite gifts are made.
9. Make a graphing activity based on holiday sales.
10. Engage students with holiday math word problems.

This Week in History
1621: Galileo invents the telescope.
1929: BINGO invented by Edwin S. Lowe.

Weekly Tips for Teachers Issue 490: November 30, 2009 This newsletter is brought to you by Teachnology.com, the online teacher resource center. View source of newsletter and the details at the same link.
For more December resources, go to http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/decemberfunbooks.htm and
http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/ for more seasonal themes and resources.

Graphics: Caleb's Country Corner

TGIF!!

The sun has been shining so brilliantly over the snow, makes it glitter like a millions diamonds. Now that the U.S. has celebrated their Thanksgiving and had their Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, Christmas shopping has taken off with a bang this Black Friday. Is it me or has Christmas shopping become a harrowing experience for so many now. Do you know of anyone who actually waits until Christmas Eve to shop anymore? Would there even be anything left on the shelves that remotely resembles items carefully chosen to be on our kid's/grandkid's wish list?? Oh....and lets not forget that most items on those wish lists probably require selling a kidney and if you did that last year, well...selling the other one just to fulfill those dreams means you'll be singing in the choir....the Heavenly choir that is :P Am I the only one who hates the shopping crowds and would rather order online or buy Gift Cards?? Maybe the solution to turn Scrouge isn't such a bad idea after all. Why is it that slowly we are taking the "Christ" out of the season and now only have "Holiday" trees, songs, programs, etc.?? Could this be someone's idea to soothe the guilt of maxing out credit cards and rushing around doing everything BUT enjoying the Season for what is really the reason for the Season?? God forbid we turn this Season into one solely materialistic, rather than about Christ's Birth, Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Man. God forbid we turn this Season into one solely materialistic, rather than family, giving from our abundance, watching the children perform in Choirs and plays, to sit in a church and reflect on Christ's birth and sing joyous songs that praise Him for all that are near and dear to us.

". . . for it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself."
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

"But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round -- apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that -- as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!'"
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Serenity 1 & 2

It feels great to have finished these paintings.

Pearl Harbor and World War II Resources

TeachersFirst's Pearl Harbor and World War II Resources

This collection of reviewed resources from TeachersFirst is selected to help teachers and students honor Pearl Harbor Day and the important events of World War II through related projects and classroom activities. Whether you focus on Pearl Harbor for one class or spend an entire unit on World War II, the ideas included within the "In the Classroom" portion of reviews will launch discussions and meaningful projects for student-centered learning. Take your classes beyond infamy to inspiration.

Source: TeachersFirst.com • The web resource by teachers, for teachers. TeachersFirst Update-November 23, 2009
To see all of their resources, go to: http://www.teachersfirst.com/spectopics/pearlharborandworldwarii.cfm

More Resources: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/pearlharborday.htm

December Holidays

Speaking of Holidays…

December is Hi Neighbor Month, National Stress Free Family Holiday Month, Bingo's Birthday Month, and most importantly Read A New Book Month.
Every day brings its own holiday. We all know the major holidays, but you may not know some of the more “minor” holidays that take place in December.

Here is a list to make you aware of some:
December 1 is National Pie Day

December 2 is National Fritters Day

December 4 is National Wear Brown Shoes Day

December 6 is National Gazpacho Day, as well as Mitten Tree Day

December 13 is Ice Cream and Violins Day

December 16 is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

December 19 is Oatmeal Muffin Day

December 26 is National Whiners Day

December 27 is National Fruitcake Day

December 30 is The Festival of Enormous Changes at the Last Minute

Every day in December has its own holiday or holidays. This is true of every day in the calendar year. There’s always a reason to celebrate with your students! You can find over 400 wacky holidays at the Thinkquest website:

http://library.thinkquest.org/2886/

Source: E-newsletter from the Texas State Teachers Association November 2009 Teaching and Learning • 316 West 12th Street, Austin, TX 78701 • 877-ASK-TSTA

December Holiday Resources at

http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

A Good Glass of Wine

My Brother sent me this and I thought it was bang-on :)Just on time for the festive Christmas Season!

To paraphrase W.C. Fields, "I don't drink water, because fish screw in it."

To my friends who enjoy a glass of wine... and those who don't..

As Ben Franklin said: In wine there is wisdom,
in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria.

In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 liter of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli, (E. coli) - bacteria found in feces. In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of poop..

However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor)because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting.

Remember:
Water = Poop,
Wine = Health
Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid,
than to drink water and be full of shit.

There is no need to thank me for this valuable information: I'm doing it as a public service!

Teacher Resources

Teacher Resources

K-12 Technology Integrated Science Lessons http://sciencenetlinks.com/resource_index.php

Create Flash-based websites for free with Wix: http://is.gd/52IeL

See The Resources From http://www.pbs.org/teachers/

A PLN is a collection of interconnected minds that share ideas and information. http://edupln.ning.com/group/edchat

We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. Never Be The First To Get Old!!!!!

December Teacher Resource Guide at http://www.teach-nology.com/monthly/dec/

Pilgrim Resources at http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

November Resources: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/ http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/

Native American Resources at: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

Thanksgiving Resources: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." ~ Ghandi

Special Thanksgiving Wishes! http://bit.ly/4zdKDh

WildFinder - Map-based collection of information on 26,000 species. - http://bit.ly/7Z9LHy

“Education comes from within; you get it by struggle and effort and thought.” Napoleon Hill

This teacher list has generated over 10,000 follows http://bit.ly/ccKvW

Business management strategies can be applied to educ. - Testing Time-Management Strategies: WSJ http://tinyurl.com/y8vrtwc

Let's Book It! Make all kinds of foldable books http://is.gd/50503

15 Things All Classrooms Should Have PK-12 http://tinyurl.com/ybwvg7a

Teaching Thanksgiving LiveBinder collection of resources http://bit.ly/1XyFrM

Vocabulary Test Activities & Word Lists http://bit.ly/1nhsBd #education #SAT

Serenity

I'm thinking ahead to Christmas. Usually by now I have all my gift shopping and handmade gifts bought, made and wrapped. This year, with the economy having kicked the stuffing out of everyone's nest, our family has decided to keep gifts few and handmade. So, this is one I'm painting for my oldest son and daughter-in-law. This is the picture I follow, however my painting is more blue than lilac.....the priviledge of my "creative" side :)

Happy Thanksgiving Card

Send this eCard !
http://www.123greetings.com/events/thanksgiving/wishes/thanksgiving78.html

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and family!
Charlotte Jackson

Thanksgiving Resources: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/thanksgiving.htm

Hitting the Nail on the Head

Billy Graham
Current Age: 90

Truth...........from a man the media has never been able to throw dirt on..amazing!!
He has certainly hit the "world" on the head!!

Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Nation

THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!

'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics... We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and Set us free. Amen!'

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God..'

Think about this: If you forward this prayer to everyone on your e-mail list, in less than 30 days it would be heard by the world. (It's worth a try!) One Nation Under God.

55 Years

Yesterday was Dad & Mom's 55th Wedding Anniversary. This many years together deserves celebration, however it was a bittersweet day. My Brother, Mom & I went to the Care Home to see Dad and move him back into Fort St. John. The Special Care wing in the Pouce Coupe Care Home is moving all it's residents to the new Care Home in Dawson Creek. Because Dad was in the Pouce Coupe Care home on a temporary basis they cannot transfer him to DC, so he had to come back to FSJ, BUT there isn't a bed for him in the Special Care wing here, he has to be in the hospital again until there is one available. His name is next on the waiting list, however that means someone has to die first before there is a bed available....in the meantime the entire 2nd floor in Pouce is empty...it's called Government cut backs....royally sucks!!
BUT...Dad & Mom got to spend the hour's drive back here sitting together in the back seat of the car and hold hands and enjoy each other. Each moment together is a treasure for them now.There is much to be learned from their story.

Canadian Winter

Canadian Winter

The snow came down and whirled around
and grew and grew and grew.
We scraped and blew and shovelled
but were helpless to undo.
The snow we cleared made piles
like a rocky mountain range;
And then it rained swift rivers -
nature thought we needed change.
The rain will wash away the snow,
was what we had in mind;
But slush was over boot tops -
nowhere to run could find.
The temperatures dropped and you could say
we were really in a rut;
More snow and freezing rain to come -
the weatherman's words did cut.
As long as my home is cozy-warm,
the weather I'll take on the chin;
For, after all, I'm Canadian
and bear winter with a grin.
Joan Adams Burchell

Our World is Frosted in Snow

Winter has arrived in the Great White North :) I know that our Neighbors to the South still have Thanksgiving to celebrate, but for us that Holiday is long past and we're into winter days with white frosting everything outdoors and warm fires cheering our long nights. Time to snuggle in and pull out crafts to busy hands, pull out books to take imaginary trips to places warm and tropical.

A Crafty Afternoon

My friend Jo-Ann and I had a lovely afternoon Crafting Sun Catchers with our grand-daughters, Victoria and Kaylie. It was fun for the girls to do something together like this without having their siblings around to share their time with Gramma. After getting the beads into the moulds and into the oven to bake, we had tea and a lovely snack and the girls watched, "Barbie in The Nutcracker". Us Grammas decided that we'd like to do this again :)

November 14 - World Diabetes Day!!

280 million people in this world suffer with the Chronic Illness of Diabetes.....I am one of them. Please take the time to view this video to raise your awareness of this disease. Thank-you :)

Native Americans

Native Americans Daily Life in Olden Times

Early People in the US & Canada

Come meet the early people of the Americas in olden times. Learn what people invented to make themselves happy and comfortable. Read fabulous myths! Play really old games. Meet mischievous magical beings. Explore the daily life of those who lived in the Americas a long time ago - some of them right here, in your backyard.

Go to http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/index.html to see this great resource!
Iroquois
Chippewa/Ojibwa
Cherokee
Comanche
NW Pacific
Hopi
Navajo
Apache
Sioux
California
Anasazi
Pueblo
Seminole
Inuit
More

Our thanks to:

Washington State History Museum, Tacoma, WA, for our private tour, and an opportunity to learn a great deal about the early Americas. Thank you!
Dr. Adams. Over the years, Dr. Adams has been a consultant to the Sioux, Winnebago, Fox, and other tribes in the Midwest on community development. He also participated in a federal project for communication and values differences among cultures, resulting in a website -a multicultural toolkit.
Our special thanks to the many Native American people who do not wish their names to be listed. Information was shared generously with us. We are most grateful for it.


Credits and Source: http://www.mrdonn.org/ Wonderful Site and Resources! November 2009 by Lin and Don Donn

http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/index.html Index

http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/dailylife.html Daily Life

http://www.mrdonn.org/nativeamericans.html Lessons

http://nativeamericans.pppst.com/index.html PowerPoint Presentations

Clip Art Credit: Phillip Martin Awesome graphics for all subjects!

This free site is a partnership between mrdonn.org and phillipmartin.info

http://www.phillipmartin.info/clipart/socialsciences_nativeamericans.htm

More Resources at: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/nativeamericans.htm

Commandments For Teachers

Ten Commandments For Early Childhood Teachers

Thou shall keep a positive attitude.

Thou shall make each child feel special.

Thou shall be a good model.

Thou shall know as much as you can about the background of each child.

Thou shall be full of energy and enthusiasm.

Thou shall forgive yourself and your students.

Thou shall communicate constructively.

Thou shall make learning fun.

Thou shall be a dream maker.

Thou shall honor thy profession.

Jean Feldman, Ph.D.

More Teacher Poems at: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/poemspoetrymonth.htm

Turkey Arts and Craft Ideas

For more resources, go to: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/thanksgiving.htm

Math Problem Solvers' Tips

20 Tips for Helping Children Become Good Problem Solvers

Solving problems, especially word problems, are always a challenge. To become a good problem solver you need to have a plan or method which is easy to follow to determine what needs to be solved. Then the plan is carried out to solve the problem. The key is to have a plan which works in any math problem solving situation. For students having problems with problem solving, the following 20 tips are provided for helping children become good problem solvers.

Tip 1: When given a problem to solve look for clues to determine what math operation is needed to solve the problem, for example addition, subtraction, etc.

Tip 2: Read the problem carefully as you look for clues and important information. Write down the clues, underline, or highlight the clues.

Tip 3: Look for key words like sum, difference, product, perimeter, area, etc. They will lead you to what operation you need to use. Rewrite the problem if necessary.

Tip 4: Look for what you need to find out, for example: how many will you have left, the total will be, everyone gets red, everyone gets one of each, etc. They will also lead you to the type of operation needed to solve the problem.

Tip 5: Use variable symbols, such as "X" for missing information.

Tip 6: Eliminate all non-essential information by drawing a line through this distracting information.

Tip 7: Addition problems use words like sum, total, in all, and perimeter.

Tip 8: Subtraction problems use words like difference, how much more, and exceeds.

Tip 9: Multiplication problems use words like product, total, area, and times.

Tip 10: Division problems use words like share, distribute, quotient, and average.

Tip 11: Draw sketches, drawings, and models to see the problem.

Tip 12: Use guess and check techniques to see if you are on the right track.

Tip 13: Ask yourself if you have ever seen a problem like this before, if so how did you solve it.

Tip 14: Use a formula for solving the problem, for example for finding the area of a circle.

Tip 15: Develop a plan based on the information that you have determined to be important to solving the problem.

Tip 16: Carry out the plan using the math operations you determined would find the answer.

Tip 17: See if the answer seems reasonable, if does then you are probably ok - if not then check your work.

Tip 18: Work the problem in reverse or backwards starting with the answer to see if you wind up with your original problem.

Tip 19: Do not forget about units of measure as you work the problem, such as: inches, pounds, ounces, feet, yard, meter, etc. Not using units of measure may result in the wrong answer.

Tip 20: Ask yourself did you answer the problem? Are you sure? How do you know you are sure?

These are all good tips for developing a plan of attack in math problem solving. If you use these 20 tips as basis for developing your own problem solving technique you will be successful. Most students use the tips described above, use them for a few problems, and then adapt them to fit their style of learning and problem solving. This is perfectly fine, because these 20 tips are only meant as a starting point for learning how to solve problems.

One tip that is not mentioned above is that as you develop a strategy for solving math problems, then this strategy will become your strategy for solving problems in other subjects and dealing with life's problems you will encounter as you continue to grow.

Math Worksheets Center November News 2009
http://www.mathworksheetscenter.com/mathtips/goodproblemsolvers.html

More Resources at:http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/math.htm

Twitter Teaching Resources

New Posted Resources 11/11/2009 http://j.mp/3fQYjX

A Simple Guide To Set Up Your School On Facebook http://j.mp/2JGc78

PicLits - Inspired Picture Writing helps reluctant writers. http://j.mp/4AaADt

RT @Teachhub: Follow these simple steps to organize guided reading and make the most of your teaching time. http://is.gd/4RPsw

Kathy Schrock's Guide for Spec. Educators, Counselors, and Sch. Psych. http://is.gd/4RTay

RT @RiptideF: "ElfYourself by OfficeMax - Powered by JibJab" ( http://bit.ly/1lZRbP ) The ELVES are BAAAACK!

This reindeer music is awesome! http://is.gd/4RSaP

Quick and easy guide for searching in Google: http://bit.ly/2tThNU

Teaching Theme Resources: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

Just a Reminder...

Guided Reading

Guided Reading Gets Organized

November 2009 By: Susan Sturm
http://www.teachhub.com/news/article/cat/14/item/37

With an entire class of students’ reading levels to keep track of, it’s easy for your guided reading program to become disorganized. Sometimes it seems you spend more time cleaning than you do teaching! There are some things you can do to help. Follow these simple steps to organize guided reading and make the most of your teaching time.

1. Dedicate a Space
Whether it is a table in the back of the room or a desk next to yours, keep a single space that you and the students know is for guided reading.

2. Keep Your Books Nearby
Nothing halts the momentum of reading like having to stop and look for a book. Keep your leveled readers nearby and avoid stopping.

3. Plan Ahead
Spend time thinking about each activity before you bring your kids to the table. Jot down some quick notes to organize your lesson in your head and be familiar with the text.

4. Color Code
Give each group a different color and use that color for your book bins, folders and notebooks for that group.

5. Take Notes
Have a notebook for each child and take notes in it while they read. It will give you a quick reference for parent conferences and report cards.

6. Use Checklists
To keep track of levels and who is ready to move up or down, keep skill level checklists that you can quickly refer to if you are not sure about a student’s level.

7. Bind Your Resources
Keep a three-ring binder of generic graphic organizers that you can easily call on if needed. Make sure the kids know how to use each worksheet before offering it.

8. Keep Useful Tools Handy
In your designated guided reading spot, be sure to keep handy the things that can help you teach. A dry erase board, markers, lined paper and pencils, and magnet letters are all great things to include.

9. Inform Parents
Keep a pre-made form available so that after meeting individually with a child, you can inform their parents of how they did, what skills they worked on and what they can do at home to help. A simple half-sheet is enough.

10. Establish a Routine
Perhaps the best way to organize your guided reading is to establish a good routine with your students that they know and follow regularly. You will spend less time enforcing rules and more time helping readers.

With these easy-to-follow steps, you can have the guided reading program you’ve always wanted. You will feel more organized and effective and your students will benefit from a well-established routine.

For more resources, go to: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

Lest We Forget

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields

Sponge Activities, Mini Lessons, 5 Min. Fillers

10 Things to Do When You Only Have 5 Minutes Left in Class

So, you completed your lessons for the day, but you still have some time left and a group of eager students with nothing productive to do. What can you do in this time to keep your class under control until the bell rings? Here is a list of 10 things to do when you only have 5 minutes left in class.

1. Journal writing:
Have your students write a journal entry to summarize the things that they learned in class that particular day. Make sure they date their entries so that they will have a record of when they wrote in their journals. This is a particular good exercise to help kids reinforce what they learned, as well as provide them with questions that they may have the following day on something they did not understand completely.

2. Conduct a poll:
With only 5 minutes left in class, this is the perfect time to have a poll for the students to vote on. You can use facts to get the kids feelings about whether or not they think something was fair, or list possible responses as ways that the kids would do something different than what actually happened. For instance, when talking about Abraham Lincoln and freeing the slaves, perhaps students would have handled the situation in a different way than Abe.

3. Writing notes:
Students are always writing notes in class, but usually get in trouble when they get caught. This time give permission for kids to write notes, but it has to be a fact that they learned in class and pass it to another student. This way the whole class is getting a fact that they might not have know about the lesson. Collect the notes as students leave the class. Writing Worksheets

4. The Toilet Paper Game:
This game is a fun way to review what kids learned in class. Because they pick up on the way the game is played very quickly, you will have to change it every time you use it. How it works is that you tell the students to pull off anywhere from 1 to 5 pieces of toilet paper from a roll, but do not tell them the rule of the game until everyone has done so. Then, use the amount of paper each student pulled off to give you that number of facts about the lesson they learned that particular day. For instance, if a student pulls of one piece of the roll, they have to give one fact about the lesson, and so on. The next time you will probably have lots of kids pull off one piece (because they think they are getting off easy), and you will need to switch the rules a bit to catch them off guard.

5. Ticket to Leave:
Give each student a ticket. Ask each student to write a fact about the lesson they learned on their ticket. As the students are leaving they must present their ticket to you. If they do not have a correct fact on their ticket, give them a chance to answer a review question that you have already prepared before they leave the classroom.

6. Read a book:
You can read part of a book to the class during the last 5 minutes. Eventually you will read an entire book.

7. Play Hangman:
Use this game to have kids guess words related to the lesson they learned that day.

8. Toss a ball:
Have the students sit in a circle. Using a small rubber ball, toss it to a student. The student who catches the ball has to give you a fact about the lesson they are learning, or ask you a question about something they do not understand. When that student is done he tosses the ball to another student, and it keeps repeating until the bell rings.

9. Pictionary:
Students enjoy the opportunity to write on the board. Make up about 3 to 5 words that have to do with a lesson the kids are learning. Give a student the chance to draw the word out on the board. When another student guess what the drawing is, they get to come up and draw the next word.

10. Puzzle worksheets:
A good teacher always has a set of puzzle sheets for students to complete when there is time left in class. You can have word searches, crossword, cryptogram, and hidden picture puzzles ready to go for any lesson that you are teaching. You can view all of classroom game worksheets.

Worksheet Library Newsletter Source- Worksheet Library
Week of November 11, 2009
Remember you matter, educators make the world go around!Cynthia Hughes & Carol Bailus (Newsletter Editors)

For More Sponge Activities or Mini Lessons, go to: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/spongeactivities.htm

Thanksgiving Lesson Plan Ideas

Lesson Plan Ideas For Thanksgiving

By: Teachnology Staff

We pooled our brain-power to design an interdisciplinary Thanksgiving feast. Here is how we would do it:

1. Make thankful placemats.

2. Graph your favorite Thanksgiving foods.

3. Do a nutritional breakdown of the foods.

4. Nominate and vote for 5-7 items to have at your feast.

5. Use the scientific method to create an experiment to determine how fast turkeys can run.

6. See if you can forecast the weather for Thanksgiving Day.

7. Send invitations.

8. Teach students how to set a table.

9. Let students learn to cook.

10. Learn to say "Thank you!" in 10 languages.

Inspiring Teacher Quote"Teachers are expected to reach unattainable goals with inadequate tools. The miracle is that at times they accomplish this impossible task." Haim G. Ginott

About Weekly Teacher Tips

This newsletter is brought to you by Teachnology.com, the online teacher resource center.

For More Resources, go to: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/thanksgiving.htm
http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

Clip Art Credit: Phillip Martin

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

With this good book to read,I'm enjoying this lazy afternoon reading and savouring a fresh cup of coffee. I love reading and can devour 2-3 books a week. Now, back to the "Broken P" Ranch :)

November

"A tingling, misty marvel
Blew hither in the night,
And now the little peach-trees
Are clasped in frozen light.

Upon the apple-branches
An icy film is caught,
With trailing threads of gossamer
In pearly patterns wrought.

The autumn sun, in wonder,
Is gayly peering through
This silver-tissued network
Across the frosty blue.

The weather-vane is fire-tipped,
The honeysuckle shows
A dazzling icy splendor,
And crystal is the rose."
- Evaleen Stein, November Morning

So, we've moved from October into November, which is that much closer to my most fave season....Christmas. Usually by now I'm finished Christmas gift shopping &/or making handmade gifts. Ok, so I have finished one, but I feel SO uninspired right now. Of course, this isn't the worst thing in the world, since there is still plenty of time for that shopping spree.....but there is however not much time for handmade gifts.
Pennies have been scarce these past few months so we had cut back to the bare necessities. Today however we have re-connected our Internet service, so I will have the pleasure of journaling on this Blog once more.
My Mother-in-law is settling into her new room in the Care Home and is happy. I really believe she was lonely, so being around others has cheered her up. I feel like it's been so worth the emotional/physical energy it took to move her. It's a priviledge to be there for our aging parents and spend time cherishing those rare precious moments.Too soon our time with our parents on this earth evaporates into memories that surround us like a cloud.

Gratitude at Thanksgiving and Year Long Theme

Gratitude is a Year Long Theme

Friendship, kindness, responsibility, and gratitude are yearlong curriculum themes in many of our classrooms. “Thank you” is a caring phrase that builds healthy relationships and positive attitudes about friends and life inside and outside of the classroom.

Consider opportunities for children to share appreciation:

Teach children in pairs to turn and look at their classmates and talk (eye-to-eye and knee-to-knee) about an idea, a feeling, or curriculum theme. Model polite communication and invite the children to practice. Teach them to end the brief dialog with “Jeremy, thank you for sharing…” and “Thank you for sharing too, Ryan!”

Teach children American Sign Language for “thank you” (with a smile on their faces ). They can sign “Thank you” to visitors and to each other. Again, see the ASL Browser for Sign Language Instruction: Michigan State University ASL (American Sign Language) Browser

Teach children to read, write, and spell “Thank you”. A memorable spelling song for “thank” uses the old folk melody, What Do We Do With a Drunken Sailor? Sing the letters “t-h-a-n-k”four times – once with each line of the song – and watch the children quickly learn to spell, write, and read “thank”! They will know “you” from our M-O-M Spells Mom song that teaches Mom, Dad, you and me. (Listen to the free audio from the Music is Magic CD with Nellie Edge and Tom Hunter.)

Children can surprise parents with “thank-you” notes.
After children have practiced writing “thank you” repeatedly for fluency building, give them 3″ x 8½″ strips of paper to make several “thank you” notes to take home in an envelope. A child can hide them under pillows, by the phone, in Dad’s shoes, etc. (Thank you, Patti Peck, for this delightful literacy gift idea.)

Look for opportunities within the classroom for children to establish eye contact and practice saying “thank you” to each other: When someone passes them snacks, pushes chairs in, or holds the door open, etc.

Three wonderful books on gratitude: Thank you!
These delightful books invite children to have "grand conversations" about all the things they are thankful for:

1. Thank You, World, by Alice B. McGinty (Dial Books, 2007). Publisher description: “The joys of childhood are the same the whole world over. In this compelling book of celebratory rhyme and glowing pictures, eight very different kids from eight different countries all go about their day and experience the same moments of happiness: greeting the sun in the morning, swinging on a swing, flying a kite, being tucked in by Mommy at bedtime. Uplifting and visually rich, this book reminds us that the world isn’t as large as it seems and that life’s greatest pleasures are the simple ones.”

2. Giving Thanks, by Jonathan London (Candlewick Press, 2003). A young boy learns to show gratitude for all the beauty he sees from his father, who thanks the sky and animals and trees. Like his Indian friends, this father believes that things of nature are a gift that requires something be given back – a thank you. The Booklist review says it, “…fosters respect for the natural world through a relatively simple text and illustrations and express the beauty and dignity of nature.” And we agree!

3. Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Marks (Harper Collins, 2004). This warm, joyful book celebrates the many things children are thankful for – from Thanksgiving turkey and pie to hopscotch and fall leaves. Sharing this simple book is a wonderful way to foster a spirit of gratitude. The message inspires children to think about the many things they have to say “Thank you” for. As an extra bonus, the print is clear and large enough to engage early readers.

November Themes
The story of Thanksgiving and a study of the gifts of the Native Americans to the pilgrims and the Native American view of the natural world provide an opportunity to create rich November curriculum themes including foods and nutrition. Wise kindergarten teacher Joanie Cuttler involved families in creating a “Thankful Feast for Native Americans,” held in the classroom for families. Before the feast, the children performed songs and dances. (Always, there are celebrations of language…)

Source: Nellie Edge Kindergarten and Early Literacy Site
For more information and resources visit www.nellieedge.com

More Resources can be found at http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/
http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/thanksgiving.htm

Thanksgiving Themes in Your Classroom

Top 10 Tips for Incorporating Thanksgiving Themes in Your Classroom

Unlike the other holidays that arise during the fall and winter months of the school year, the Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated by the majority of students. However, making handprint turkeys does not usually fill out a lesson plan. There are several creative and fun ways that help your class appreciate the holiday of Thanksgiving.

1. Turn negatives into positives: Thanksgiving is often about being thankful, but many students have trouble thinking of things for which they are thankful. Have them write down ten things that they dislike, leaving a line or two of space between each one. Then, have them go back and add "but I am thankful because…" followed by a way to make that negative a positive. For instance, if a child writes "I hate doing the dishes," they could add, "but I am thankful because it means that I have food to eat."
2. The menu of the first Thanksgiving: Many students will be eating turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes for their Thanksgiving dinner. However, they may be surprised at the foods that the Pilgrims actually may have eaten. Older students can research the menu the Pilgrims might have eaten, and younger children will enjoy designing restaurant-like menus of the unusual dishes the Pilgrims might have served.
3. Study the Native Americans: The Native Americans have a rich and colorful history all of their own. You can have students study the different tribes that were in the area the Pilgrims landed, or have students study the culture and traditions of one particular tribe. Tell the Thanksgiving story from the other side!
4. Art of the 17th century: You can use the Pilgrims as a way to introduce students to 17th century art forms. Have them look at how portraits were painted and explain what the portraits tell about the people in them. You can compare the culture of the Pilgrims to your students' cultures, or have them paint their own portraits of a partner.
5. A look at President Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation: Older students can look at the famous Thanksgiving Proclamation and how it relates to the civil war at the time. This can also be used as an introduction to Lincoln's other great speeches, such as the Gettysburg Address.
6. Get creative with Thanksgiving compliments: Have students write a report on their favorite Thanksgiving foods. Encourage rich adjective use that describes the food so that it is good enough to eat! You can also have them describe a food without actually telling the reader what it is. See if their partner can guess what your favorite dish is by the description alone.
7. Thanksgiving Arts and Crafts: Of course, there are always the traditional handprint turkeys. You can also have students weave placemats for their family dinner out of paper, decorate cornucopias, or make Native American headbands and Pilgrim hats.
8. History of the Pilgrims: The life of the Pilgrims included much more than the first Thanksgiving dinner. Older students can review the religious persecutions and the reasons why the Pilgrims made the trip to North America. Younger students will enjoy hearing about what life was like for the average Pilgrim child and creating their own stories about this time.
9. The cost of Thanksgiving: Have students bring in ads from local grocery stores. Alone or in groups, ask students to plan out a menu for the big day, and then compare prices at the stores to see where it is most cost effective to buy groceries that week. Include bonus points for using coupons.
10. Cook your own feast: For younger students, this will require some adult participation. Prepare your own Thanksgiving "feast" in the traditional style with every student bringing in their own dish to share. Have students share why they picked the particular dish to bring.
Thanksgiving is not only a time to be thankful for the things that you have, but also an interesting historical event. Help to bring it alive to your students with a few of these fun activities.

Worksheet Library Newsletter Week of November 4, 2009 at: http://www.worksheetlibrary.com/

For more Thanksgiving resources, go to: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/ and http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/thanksgiving.htm

Mrs. Jackson's Class Website K-12 Themes, Resources, Lessons

ANNOUNCING:

Mrs. C. Jackson's Class Website K-12 Themes and Resources has a new address:

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/.

Please change your bookmark to our new address. I am very excited about finally having my own domain so come join the fun! If you have any questions, you can email me at:

cbjackson11@hotmail.com .

Please bookmark Mrs. Jackson's Class at http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/ .

Teacher website full of resources to plan themes, lessons, holidays, projects, activities, parties, and to give the best links, ideas, and info for students, teachers, parents, and homeschoolers. Great ideas for learning! Tons of themes and fun for all!

Veterans Day Nov. 11 Resources

Veterans Day November 11 Resources

Explore these resources for ideas you can use to connect classroom curriculum to Veterans Day. Whether you choose to focus on Veterans Day and its history for one class period or to include a special curriculum project in honor of veterans, these ideas and resources will get you started.

Source: http://www.teachersfirst.com/spectopics/veteransday.cfm List of Resources

http://www.teachersfirst.com/calendar/ November & December Planning Calendar & Resources

For More Resources, go to Mrs. Jackson's Class at http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/veteransday.htm