GET ON MY CLOUD

You can spend a lot of money on science equipment for your classroom, or just go outside and look up in the sky and you’ve got a lesson that will intrigue your kids. Clouds, glorious clouds! They change daily and are great way for you students to be scientists as they observe, predict, and record.

Let’s Get Started

Ask your students what they know about clouds.

Are all the clouds the same?

Why are there different kinds of clouds?

Why are most clouds white?

What makes clouds move?


HOW CAN WE FIND OUT?

This is a perfect springboard for demonstrating how to find new information by searching on the internet, going to the library, asking their parents, and so forth.

Cloud Watch
Give children clipboards, blue paper, and a white piece of chalk. Go out on the playground and challenge them to draw the clouds in the sky. Can they predict what the weather will be?

My Cloud Book

Fold 2 sheets of paper in half and staple to make a cloud book for each child. Ask them to write the name of a different cloud on each page and illustrate it. (Older children could write descriptive sentences.) On the last page ask them to name their favorite cloud and tell why they like it.

Class Graph
Each day look at the sky and graph the type of clouds in the sky.

Flip Book
Make a flip book with the four basic clouds. (Put “flip book” in my search engine to see how to make this book.)

Cotton Clouds
Challenge children to make the different types of clouds out of cotton.



Homework
Look at the sky with your parents. Name the cloud formations that you see.


Types of Clouds

Cirrus Clouds
Cirrus clouds look like wispy streaks high up in the sky. If the sky is blue with a few cirrus clouds it’s going to be a nice day.

Cumulus Clouds
Cumulus clouds look like puffy white cotton balls in the sky. When they turn dark it means it’s going to rain.

Stratus Clouds
Stratus clouds look like a dark blanket in the sky. Look for rain or snow when it is cold.
Nimbus Clouds (Also known as cumulonimbus)

Nimbus Clouds (Also known as cumulonimbus.)
Nimbus clouds are dark and have rain or snow falling from them.

*FOG
Can you walk through a cloud? Yes, you can! Fog is a cloud on the ground so when you walk in the walk you are walking through a cloud!

Come back tomorrow and I'll tell you how to make a cloud!

LOOK! LOOK!

This is a meaningful way to encourage children to observe nature. It’s also a powerful way for them to make print connections and write descriptive sentences.

WHAT?

cardboard paper towel rolls, string, hole punch, wide packaging tape, markers, crayons

HOW?

1. Cut the cardboard rollers into 4” sections and tape together to make binoculars. Punch a hole in each side and tie on a piece of string that can easily go over children's heads.

2. Let the children decorate their binoculars with markers.
3. Go on a nature walk and encourage children to observe through their binoculars. What do you see when you look up? What do you see when you look down?
4. When you return to the classroom give each child a sheet of paper with two large circles. Ask them to draw their favorite thing they saw through their binoculars in the circles.
5. Older children can write descriptive sentences about what they saw. 

Younger children can dictate this sentence:
(Child’s name) saw (what they saw).
Encourage each child to read over the sentence with you as you point to the words.

6. Make a cover for the book that says “Look! Look!”
Add a page that says “Authors and Illustrators” where children sign their names. Put their pictures together, bind, and you’ll have a wonderful class book that all your students will want to read.

*Let one child take the book home each evening to share with their families.

Hint! Use binoculars to focus on themes you are studying in science. This time of year they could start looking for signs of spring. When you are studying birds they could try and identify different birds.

GRATITUDE ATTITUDE

It's November, and the perfect time of year to nurture a GRATITUDE ATTITUDE in our students - and ourselves! In studies of successful people, gratitude is frequently a characteristic that comes up. Gratitude is an emotion of expressing appreciation for what you have, rather than what you don’t have. Psychology Today reports that gratitude can be cultivated and it can increase levels of happiness when you do. Energy, optimism, and empathy are by-products of gratitude.

Model Gratitude
Make it a habit to include things you appreciate into daily conversations.

Brainstorm
What does it mean to be thankful? Write children’s responses on the board. What are some synonyms for thankful?

Gratitude Journal
Make a special journal for each child to use during the month of November. Several times a week ask them to draw, list, or write sentences about things they are grateful for.
*I used copy paper and wallpaper cut in 9” x 12” rectangles to make my journal. Take five sheets of paper and fold in half. Center on the wallpaper and sew down the middle. (You can do this by hand, or maybe there is a parent or grandparent with a machine who would do this for you.) It makes a lovely book.

      

Thankful Board
Designate a bulletin board or poster in the hall as your “thankful board.” Children can attach sticky notes or draw pictures of things they are thankful for throughout the month.

Gratitude Box
Cut a hole in the top of a shoebox and decorate. Place on a shelf along with paper and pencils. Children write things they are thankful for and place them in the box. When you have a few extra minutes, select notes and read them to the class.

Tell Me Something GOOD
Start the day by going around the room and asking each child to say something they are thankful for.

End with Something GOOD
Clap and slap thighs as you say this chant to end your day:
Hey, hey, what do you say?
What happened good at school today?

Hot Potato Pass
Children sit or stand in a circle and begin passing the hot potato (ball or other small object) around. When the music stops or when the teacher blows a whistle the child holding the potato must say one thing they are thankful for.

Charity
Find a project in your community that your class can do to help others.

GRATEFUL FOR FAMILY TIES

I'm GRATEFUL to Laura Pearson for sharing these meaningful activities that can help us create special family memories.

Cultivate Family Ties with Engaging Home Projects

The hustle and bustle of contemporary life often pushes quality family moments to the backseat. Yet, the very space one calls home offers abundant opportunities for families to bond, learn, and create. Delving into home improvement activities not only embellishes one's surroundings but also forges stronger familial links. Embarking on these projects means more than just refining manual skills; it represents the fusion of shared moments and mutual growth. This guide from Dr. Jean and Friends offers some great ideas!

Chalkboard Canvas

Every household needs a central point of communication. By turning a plain surface into a chalkboard area using special paint, families can establish an interactive zone. Here, weekly schedules, playful sketches, or essential reminders can be penned down. Not only does this innovative space keep everyone in sync, but it also offers a platform for artistic expressions.

A Wall of Moments

Having a designated space to display photographs and mementos infuses warmth into a home. By crafting a dedicated memory wall, families can revisit treasured instances, ranging from celebratory events to simple daily joys. This evolving visual storybook not only serves as a testament to love and growth but also keeps past adventures alive, fueling conversations and reminiscences.

Digital Record Keeping

In the midst of acquiring materials for various tasks, one often finds themselves inundated with paper receipts. By taking the step to transition into a digital realm, and realizing that then you can scan a document, there's an opportunity to bring order and efficiency to these records. Ensuring timely access to historical purchases, adeptly monitoring expenses, and promoting environmentally conscious habits become effortless. Embracing these innovative solutions amplifies the efficiency of everyday activities.

Collaborative Constructs

Working on a mutual construction project can be both fulfilling and educational. For instance, creating a bespoke bookshelf requires planning, measurement, and assembly. Families can engage in brainstorming sessions, decide on designs, and then collaboratively bring their vision to life. Such undertakings foster unity and result in a functional artifact that serves as a reminder of shared efforts.

Crafting Candles

Diving into the world of homemade candles can be a delightful sensory experience. Families can explore various fragrances, colors, and molds to produce bespoke creations. These self-made luminaries not only add ambiance to the home but can also serve as thoughtful presents for acquaintances. Engaging in such artistic ventures encourages creativity and offers a chance to learn a new skill.

Indoor Gardens

Introducing a hint of green indoors can be both therapeutic and instructive. Starting an in-house herb garden is a venture that all family members can participate in. From selecting plants to understanding their care requirements, it's a journey of discovery. As the greens thrive, they provide not just aesthetic appeal but also fresh culinary ingredients, making meals even more special.

Reviving Furnishings

Every home has furnishings that may be worn out or outdated. Instead of discarding them, families can team up to give these items a new lease on life. By repurposing and renovating these pieces, not only is there an environmental benefit, but it also instills a sense of accomplishment. Each revamped item becomes a testament to teamwork and innovation.

Entrepreneurial Initiatives

When multiple home improvements yield visibly impressive results, it may inspire families to consider a broader horizon. Launching a home-focused business can be an exciting joint venture. From brainstorming services to setting objectives, this entrepreneurial plunge can be both challenging and rewarding. It's about harnessing cstrengths and navigating the business world as a united front.

Integrating these home projects into routine family activities achieves a dual purpose: beautifying living spaces and nurturing family relationships. From innovative communication walls to joint business aspirations, these endeavors underscore the values of collaboration, innovation, and shared growth. With hands-on projects waiting to be explored, families have a plethora of opportunities to weave memories and fortify their bonds.

BOOK REPORTS TO GET EXCITED ABOUT

Burn those old written book report forms and try some of these ideas for sparking children’s interest in reading!

Play Dough
Give children a handful of play dough and ask them to mold something from the story. Tell classmates how what they made relates to their story.

Hat

Challenge children to make a hat to represent their book. Have a parade and let children discuss their books.

Bookmark
Put out the scrap box, scissors, and markers and let them create a bookmark that represents their book.

Pantomime
Children get to pantomime a character or event.

Song, Rap, or Poem
Let children make up an original song, rap, or poem about their book.

*This would be fun to do with a partner or group who read the same book.

Advertisement
Each child stands and has a minute to “sell” their classmates on a book. Older children could write their advertisements.

Illustrate
Let children draw or paint pictures about their books.

Puppet
Puppets about favorite characters can be made from lunch sacks, paper plates, sticks, or socks.

Quilt
Give each child an 8” square and ask them to illustrate their story. Punch holes in the corners and tie together with yarn.

Chain
Each child writes their book title on a strip of construction paper. Staple together to make a “story chain.”

Dress Up
Children dress up like their favorite character and tell about their book from that character’s point of view.

T-shirt
Bring in old white T-Shirts and decorate with fabric markers.

Email
Write an email or letter to a character.
*Write a letter to the author.

Sequel
Invite children to write a sequel to their story.

Ending
How would you change the ending of your story?

Cartoon
Make cartoons of events in a story.

Graph
Make a class graph of favorite books or authors.

Sandwich Board
Cut a file folder in half. Write the title, author, and illustrator on one side. Illustrate on the other half. Punch holes and tie on string so children can wear them and have a parade.

Mural
Several children work in a group to create a mural of a book.

WRITE ON

Here are other tips to encourage children to do informational writing.

Suggestion Box
Keep a shoebox and blank paper on a shelf for children to write their complaints and suggestions.

*Use for complaints and “tattle tales.”

What can you find out?
Collect non-fiction books about a topic that you will be studying in your class. Place the books on a table along with clipboards, paper, and pencils. Let two children work together and take notes to look in the books and see what they can find out (learn) about the topic.


Science Journal
Have each child make a science journal to record observations, notes, and what they are doing and learning in science.

Picture Talks
Cut pictures out of magazines and ask the children to label.

       

*Cut people out of catalogs and label body parts.

Letters 

Write letters to politicians, movie stars, rock stars, or other famous people.

*Write letters to our troops.

Newscast
Write a newscast for your classroom or school.

Survey
Take surveys on the bus, in their home, or in their neighborhood. They might ask who’s going to win the football game, favorite pizza topping, favorite book, favorite game, etc.

Class Newspaper
Make a class newspaper by assigning small groups of children to different topics. Run off and send home.

Pen Pals
Children can be pen pals with another class in your district, or you can go online and you’ll find several sites. They can even be pen pals with their teacher over the summer.

NON-FICTION WRITING

Nonfiction writing is all around us from signs to newspapers to emails to food wrappers. Most state standards include informational writing similar to the one below:

Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic.

Over the next few days I’ll suggest some activities where children can have the opportunity to be engaged in “playful and challenging” nonfiction writing. These activities can be used for independent work or in a literacy center. Many would also be perfect to do with a partner.


Interview
Have children interview parents, friends, school personnel, etc.

*Ask their parents what it was like when they were in school. What games did they play? What was their favorite subject? What was their favorite book?

Directions
Write directions or a “how to” for, a sport, a game, a craft, or something they are good at.


Recipe
Write a recipe for a favorite food.

*Create a menu for a restaurant they would like to own.

Lists
Make lists of books they read, toys they own, what they can do instead of watching TV, things in their desk, etc.


Invitation
Write invitations to a class program or party.


Advice
Write suggestions on “how to be a good friend,” or “what to do when you get angry.”


Diary/Journal
Let children have a quiet time each day to write in a journal or diary.


Riddles & Knock Knocks
Let each child write a riddle or joke to add to a class book.

JOLLY HOLLY WRITING

Today you'll find some books to "entice" children to write. I know some schools don’t allow “holidays,” so I tried to focus on a “winter” theme as much as possible. I mean, who can object to winter????

WINTER WRITING
Napkin Books

Materials: holiday napkins, paper, stapler

Cut paper the size of the napkin. Insert 4-6 sheets of paper in the napkin and staple at the top as shown. Place these in the writing center for creative writing.

Note! The front of the napkin could also be used as a story prompt.


Sticker Story

Materials: holiday stickers, paper, pencils, pens

Let children choose a sticker and put it in the middle of a sheet of paper. Challenge them to write a poem or story or draw a picture around the sticker.


Giving Book

Materials: paper, rubber band, seasonal pencil, advertisements and catalogs, scissors, glue

Fold 3 sheets of paper in half. Punch 2 holes about 2 ½” down on the crease side as shown. Insert a rubber band in one hole and slide one end of the pencil through the loop. Slide the other end of the pencil through the other loop. Let children draw or cut out pictures of items they would like to GIVE to family members and friends.


Holiday Card Center



Materials: paper, pencil, envelopes, markers, crayons, stickers, scrap paper, etc.

Place the writing materials in a tub. Make a seasonal picture dictionary similar to the one shown. Add a class directory with students’ names and photos. Teach children how to fold a sheet of paper into fourths to make a basic card. Invite them to make holiday cards for family members and friends.

Note! You could also ask them to make cards for school helpers and volunteers.


Letters to Santa

Some of you may not be able to do this, but an open center where children could write letters to Santa might get them excited about writing.

Note! There are several free templates for these letters on the internet.

FUNCTIONAL PRINT BOOKS

FUNCTIONAL PRINT books provide another opportunity for nonfiction reading and writing.

The Tooth Book
Have children draw a picture of what they look like after they lose a tooth.

*Remind them to be sure and draw a “window” in their mouth where their tooth used to be!

*You could also take a photo of their new smile and let them write about how they lost their tooth.


Weather Report
Choose a different child each day to be the meteorologist. Invite the weather person to record the weather with a drawing or sentence.

          


The Birthday Book
Have children write a story and draw a picture on a special page in this book when it’s their birthday. (You could also take a photo of them.)

                                                        

School Rule Book
After discussing school rules, ask each child to come up with a rule that they think is important. Have them illustrate their rule and write or dictate a sentence to go with it. Put their rules together to make a class book. Hang the book in an important spot in your classroom and refer to it when children are behaving inappropriately. You might add, “You need to do (such and such). The rule is right here in our book!”  

                                                                                       


Things the Teacher Needs to Know
When a child comes to you to complain or tattle, hand them the book and say, “Write it all down and don’t leave out a thing. I’ll read it later on when I have more time.”

The Boo Boo Book
If a child gets a little scrape or scratch, have them draw a picture of it in this book. Give them a band aid to put on their “boo boo” so it will feel better.

                      

Acts of Kindness
Create a book where children can record kind deeds their fellow classmates have done.

Hint! The teacher can model this by “catching children” in the act of doing something thoughtful and loving for others.

Excuse Book
If children forget their homework or have other excuses, let them “write it down” in this book.

Peace Talks
If two children have an argument, have them sit down next to each other at a table. Open a spiral notebook and ask each of them to draw a picture and write about what happened. Explain that when they resolve their problem they can let you know. It won’t take long for them to realize it’s easier to be friends!


*You can download covers for some of these at drjean.org (Back to School 2005). You can also buy spiral notebooks on sale and then add a class photo and title.