ALASKA FLAG SONG

One of my favorite memories of Alaska was when the teachers all stood up and Frank Hendrickson lead us in the "Alaska Flag Song."  The Alaska flag was designed by thirteen year old Benny Benson. In 1926 the American Legion had a contest for school children to create a flag. Benny wrote the following words describing his design: "The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaska flower. The North Star is for the future of the state of Alaska, and the most northerly union. The dipper is for the Great Bear - symbolizing strength."

Alaska Flag Song (Frank Hendrickson)
Sing the Alaska Flag Song with students when they line up at the door. It is a beautiful song with a gentle feel to it, and it makes kids feel good about this wonderful state!!

Lion Word Family Match (Kim Pherson)
What you need: yellow paper plates and clothespins
Draw a lion’s face on a paper plate. Write a word family ending (at, en, it, etc.) on the plate. Label clothespins with different words from different word families and have them sort the words. Students put the clothespins around the paper plate to create the mane of the lion.
*You can also label clothespins with just letters so the students can read the words they create from the word family.
Hint! This is a great activity in March – in like a lion and out like a lamb!
                          


Signing Sentences (Lynn Johnson)
First, finger spell sight words for the week. Then introduce a sentence using the sight words.  Use flash cards and sign the words in the sentence.
For example: "I like school."
Repeat and practice each day and post it in a pocket chart. The next week add a new sentence introducing another word.
“We like cookies."
Each week review the previous sentences and add a new one. After the 3rd week the first sentence comes down and a new one is added.
*It's a great way for teachers and kids to learn sign language.

Jenga Game (Cheryl Dokken)
Write letters, numbers, words, math facts, etc. on Jenga pieces. The students play the game identifying the information on the blocks as they pull them out.

Transparent, Translucent, Opaque (Nicole McGee)
You’ll need three paper plates for this activity. Cut a hole out of the center of two paper plates. Put wax paper (translucent) in one hole and plastic wrap (transparent) in the second plate. Leave the third plate whole for opaque.

Pre-Writing Graphics 
Let children practice writing strokes by making different lines horizontally across their page. Name strokes according to their design. For example: mountain, loops, wave, lava, castle, etc. Children can color in between the strokes as shown. These can even be turned into note cards.
                                 
Kuspuk 
This is a hooded tunic with a large front pocket that is often worn in Alaska by both men and women. What a perfect garment for a teacher!!!