MAGIC PUMPKIN

This is why I LOVE Carolyn Kisloski!  She wrote this blog today and you will 

see why I wish my grandchildren could have been in her classroom.  Her 

husband is a superintendent, and wouldn't you LOVE to work in his district!!!  

This is a memory the children will never forget!  More precious than a test score!

My sweet husband came in to my classroom on his way to an afternoon meeting to carve our pumpkin. But this was no ordinary pumpkin, let me tell you. That morning, I told my class that they have been SO good that Mr. Kisloski picked out a special, magic pumpkin for them. They all clapped. It was precious.


After much chatter all day about the magic pumpkin, Mr. Kisloski came in after lunch. First of all, it was noted that he was bigger than I am. That was a good thing for them to notice- since I am 5'4" and he is 6'2". (One boy said, "You aren't bigger than 239! (meaning his BUS) and Jeff said, "Well, pretty close! (thinking he meant his weight...) Oh the conversation confusion with five year olds.

Anyway, the night before, Jeff prepared our magic pumpkin by cutting the bottom and cleaning out the insides. We packed it full of small, wrapped candies, and then put the bottom back on, holding it together with toothpicks. The children never knew that the bottom had been "tampered with" and the pumpkin appeared to be untouched. (Yes, it was $3...)





The children decided on a happy pumpkin face, and the fun began. We talked about what would be inside the pumpkin and how our hands would be dirty from the slimy, squishy insides.

Then this happened...



I wish you could hear this moment! :)



Everyone got to eat a piece of candy and take home three in a baggie, while we (meaning Jeff) finished carving the pumpkin.



What fun! I just wanted to pass it on, in case you wanted some magic of your own.

We have so many ideas like this in our monthly Happies packets. Feel free to check out the previews for our packets each month. Our packets are FULL of ideas to bring happiness to your classroom. You can find these at Dr. Jean’s website or at my TpT Store!

BALOGNA - BALOGNIE!

October 24th National Bologna Day
My bologna has a first name,
It’s O – S – C – A – R.
My bologna has a second name,
It’s M - A – Y – E – R.
Oh, I love to eat it every day,
And if you’ll ask me why I’ll say,
Cause Oscar Mayer has a way
With B – A – L – O – G – N – A.
                          
*Here’s the original 1973 video some of you might remember:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmPRHJd3uHI

O.K. So what has this got to do with rigor and standards? Other than letters and putting them together to make a word, not much. So, why am I writing about this? K.J.’s third grade teacher (Mr. D) told them each day about a national holiday and tied in a vocabulary word. For example, on National Milk Shake Day they learned the word “savor” because you want to savor it and make it last. Well, October 24th is National Bologna Day and Mr. D. taught them this song from the 70’s. K.J. sang it to his mother and she got a kick out of remembering the song as they sang it together. Those are the kind of experiences and bridges that are not in your curriculum that children will remember.

Sometimes you just have to shut your door and do something silly like National Bologna Day. And, although I don’t have a bologna song, I do have a sandwich book that’s perfect for descriptive writing.You'll need two cheap paper plates to make this book. Fold both plates in half. Cut in 1 ½” from the rim on both sides as shown. Cut off the folded edge between the rim on the second plate. Roll up the first plate and insert it in the hole in the second plate. Unroll and you’ll have a book.

    

*Let children write about their favorite sandwich.
*Have children write a “how to” make a sandwich.
*Invite children to be chefs and create a new sandwich.

FACEBOOK LIVE AT FIVE is coming next Sunday October, 29th.  Put it on your calendar and I'll see you then.

THUH OR THEE?

"Thuh" or "thee"? That is the question. But it doesn’t really matter if you spell it 

“t – h – e.”

“The” Book
Fold two sheets of paper in half and staple. Children write the word “The” at the top of each page and then draw a picture. What a simple way for beginning readers to feel successful.

     
                                  

*Advanced children could write a sentence using the word “the."

*You could also make an “a” book.

THE Song
(Tune: “Shortnin’ Bread”)
You can say the
Or you can say the,
But you always have to spell it
T – H – E.

“The” Flip Book
Fold one sheet of paper into eighths. Open and cut up three creased lines to the middle. Fold in half to make flips. Write “the” on the front of each flip and then have children draw pictures or cut out pictures to put under each flip.
     

                                         

Anybody in Springfield, IL, want a free concert on November 1st?  I'm going to be doing a workshop there on 11/2 and my flight gets in early enough to sing with some Title 1 children on the 1st.  I mentioned this several weeks ago and I have concerts lined up in San Antonio and Oklahoma City, but nobody's emailed (drjean@drjean.org) yet from Springfield.  Just give me a shout if you want to sing, dance, and have some fun!!!
                             

READ AND WIN!

Several years ago while visiting a school I saw two shiny new bikes on display in the library. Every time a child read a book they got to put their name on a ticket to win the bike. What a great way to motivate children to read! These ideas aren’t quite as big as a bike, but I bet you might spark a little interest with them.
                                                    
Book Drawing

You will need a roll of tickets (purchase at an office supply store) or make your own. Each time a child reads a book she gets to write her name on a ticket. Collect these in a sack during the week. On Friday, draw a name out of the sack and that child WINS a book!

*It could be a book that you purchased or a book that the class has made.

Stay Up Late and Read 

To reward children make copies of “Extra 15 Minutes” coupons similar to the one shown. Children who earn the ticket get to stay up an extra 15 minutes at bedtime and read to their parents.
                                                                             

Book Bucks

Run off "reading-bucks."  (Free if you do a google search.)  When children read a book they earn a "buck."  They can save these to buy a book or other prize.

                                 
Popcorn Party 

Get a large jar and write “Popcorn Party” on it. Every time any student reads a book she gets to add a cotton ball to the jar. When the jar is full the whole class gets a popcorn party.

Reading Incentives
I asked Mr. Google about "reading incentives" and he gave me lots of great links.

GOT A MINUTE?

If you've got 2 or 3 minutes after you've read a story or taught a lesson, these are some quick ways to assess learning and recall information. These ideas can be adapted for fiction or non-fiction literature, math, science, or social studies. All your students will be engaged and can reflect on what they've learned. That's a win/win!!

Sign Language
Teach children sign language for “yes” (make a fist and nod it up and down) and “no” (extend middle and index finger from thumb and open and close. As you ask questions, children respond with the appropriate sign.
                                                         

Schema
Teach sign language for "connection" (thumbs make circles with index fingers and join like a chain). Discuss that when they connect what is in the book with what is in their brain they make a "schema." If they've made a "schema" they can show you with their hands. Call on random students to explain how they connected personally with the book.
                
Show Me
You will need two index cards. Write “yes” on one and “no” on the other. Children place these on the surface in front of them. As the teacher asks questions, the children hold up the appropriate word.
                     
Envelope
Seal an envelope and cut it in half. Write “yes” on one side and “no” on the other side.

Stump the Teacher
Explain to the children that they get to be the teacher and ask you questions. Remind them to think about what they want to ask you before raising their hand. They must also know the answer to the question they are going to ask.

PINCH, ZIP, AND HOLD UP!

I've got some quick strategies to practice skills when you have a few extra minutes.

Pinch Cards

Cut construction paper or heavy paper into 8 ½ “ x 5 ½” rectangles. Down the left side write the numerals 0-10. Write the very same numerals on the reverse side. As the teacher calls out math problems the children pinch the correct answer and hold up their cards. The teacher can quickly glance around the room to check responses. 
*Make pinch cards for words, numeral recognition 10-20, phonics, etc. 

                                                      
Zip It

Write letters, words, numbers, etc. on the left side of a sheet of paper as shown and insert the paper in a zip bag. Call out a question, and children “zip” to the correct answer and then hold up their bag. 
               

*If you write numerals horizontally you can use it like a number line. 
                                                                        
Hold Up!

Each child will need a wipe off board or magic slate. They could also write on their desk with a dry erase marker. The children calls out a word and children write down the beginning, middle, or ending sound. After several seconds the teacher says, “Hold up!” and the children hold up their answers. 
                                     
*Adapt this for spelling words, math number stories, review questions, etc. 
*Tell the children to “draw what you know” and then share with a friend.

WANT AN OREO?

I was cleaning out my closet, and look at this great idea some teachers from Nebraska shared with me years ago. You know how those two letter words are difficult for children to learn because they don’t always follow the rules (phonics rules, that is!). Well, here’s a yummy idea to help them taste better. 

                                      
First, have the children brainstorm all the two letter words they can think of and write them on the board. Encourage them to look in books, look at classroom print, and so forth. 

Second, give them a double stuffed Oreo cookie and show them how to open it. Hold one half in each hand. Lick the left side as you say the first letter in a word. Lick the right side as you say the second letter in the word. Then say the word. Continue with all the two letter words on the board.
*If you are in a school where food is not allowed, just pretend you have a cookie in each hand.

Third, follow up with a class book. Write individual letters on 3” circles as shown. Write the two letter word on a 4 ½” circle. Read through the book as you demonstrate how to lick your left hand and say one letter. Lick the right hand and say the other letter. Clap hands and say the word.
Hint! Remind the children that they don’t want to really lick their dirty hand. Just pretend!!!
           
You can also sing two letter words to the tune from “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”
If you want to spell me, say M –E.
If you want to spell me, say M –E.
It’s easy as can be when you sing and spell with me.
If you want to spell me, say M –E.

Duplo Letters and Words
Here is a photo a teacher sent demonstrating how she integrates blocks with phonics and sight words. She said she asked the parents to donate the Duplo blocks and the children thought they were "playing" instead of "learning."

                                  

And you get an "oreo" cheer for visiting my blog today. Pretend to lick your right hand. Pretend to lick your left hand. Clap them together! And that's an "oreo" cheer!