Calendar Whiplash

Ever get whiplash just from looking at the calendar?  I think that's where I am right now!  Can it really be November?!  Are parent-teacher conferences really happening THIS week?!  Yes and yes!  I guess we've been having so much fun learning and working that I forgot about the date!  And boy, we have been really having some fun!

I don't know if your school is like mine, but due to our schedule, we alternate science and social studies units.  We began the year with a social studies unit on citizenship, and then we moved into some science.  As a way to introduce the kids to the scientific method, we started with a few investigative activities.  Then we brought out the big guns--the pumpkins.  My third grade team and I had discussed the kinds of investigations we would like the students to tackle.  We compiled all kinds of resources for the kids to use as well.  The result?  Unabashed fun by the kids, and some serious learning to boot!

I started by asking parents for donations of pumpkins (Isn't Sign-Up Genius great?!)  I ended getting far more than I asked for, so I was able to split the kids up into much smaller groups than originally planned.

Look at these beauties!

We started our investigation with questions--what do we want to find out?  How many seeds are there?  How many different kinds of pumpkins are there?  Why are there different colors?  Is it a fruit or vegetable?  The list was endless!

Then we discussed properties.  We started with the outside and found all the ways possible to describe the pumpkins.  We read books (so many books!).  A few of my favorites were The Pumpkin Book by Gail Gibbons, Pumpkin Circle by George Levenson, and How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara.  I created an assignment using Epic! so the kids could do some reading independently, and we also watched a few videos.  Next we measured.  Up, down, and all around.

And the finally, we cut into the pumpkins so we could create a diagram, describe the properties of the inside of a pumpkin, and of course, count the seeds!  As we pulled out the insides, we were able to compare the seeds of the different pumpkins.  Check out our findings:

This seed had sprouted roots!

I even started an experiment so we could observe what happened.  I cut the top off a pumpkin, put some dirt in it and watered it.  And then we waited.  It was worth it!

These little sprouts will get transplanted soon and we will keep them growing!

You can also see the drawings of the diagrams and the life cycles done by some of the kids.

I can honestly say this was one of the most engaging activities I have done in quite some time.  The kids were begging for science time every single day.  They couldn't wait to dig in (quite literally) and learn more about their pumpkins.  

Sadly, all good things must come to an end.  But the good news about teaching is that when one great thing ends, there is always something just as exciting right around the corner.  And so, we keep marching on, plowing through the days of the year.  Alas, more calendar whiplash.  But it's all fun and the kids are learning, so I'm just going to hang on and try to enjoy the ride.

If you'd like to get your hands on these pumpkin activities, check them out here:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pumpkin-Investigations-3423898

I'd also love to have you follow my blog and my TpT store!  

Getting to Know You--Sing it with me!

I think this song from The Sound of Music pretty much sums up the beautiful beginnings of every school year.  Just look at these lyrics:

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you, getting to know all about you.
But nicely,
Getting to know you, putting it my way,
You are precisely,
My cup of tea.

Getting to know what to say
Getting to know you,
Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you,
Things I'm learning about you
Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy
Because of all the beautiful and new
Day by day.

Sharing your spirit,
But sweetly,
Sharing your tears and your laughter
Hoping it goes on,
Getting to know you, putting it my way,
Hoping it lasts endlessly
Knowing we know how to play
You are completely,
My friend you see.

Telling you my dreams,
Getting to feel that you're with me
Friends today
Making our own fun,
Now that I've met you
Suddenly I'm mostly happy
I've found a new pal, beautiful and true
Yes I'm talking about you.
Friends today.

It's about making new friends and feeling comfortable with someone new.  It's about learning something new about someone and sharing laughter and tears.  It's about creating something that lasts.  That sounds like a pretty perfect classroom community to me.

But that doesn't just happen on its own.  It takes time.  And as teachers, time is not something we mess around with.  However, I've learned over the years that NOT taking the time up front for some "getting to know you" and classroom community building means taking more time down the road when you really don't have it.  So, how exactly, does this happen?

Well I certainly don't have all the answers.  But I do have a few ideas.  First and foremost, I do as many things as I can to help kids make connections with one another.  I'm always amazed at how many kids don't know the names of the kids around them; in many cases, kids they've gone to school with since kindergarten.  It's a good reminder that we have to teach kids how to work outside of their own bubble.  So we do people hunts to make connections, we interview partners and make Venn diagrams, we learn about our names and favorite foods and activities, we learn new games and play some old favorites.  We talk.  We write.  We connect.

And we keep it going into September.  We greet each other in the morning using one another's names.  We have work displayed with students' names and photos.  These aren't big things.  But sometimes, it's the little things that have the biggest impact.

One of my favorite things to do this year was the Selfie activity I created.  Once the kids were done, I handed them my phone (I know, scary, right?!) and let them take their own selfies.  They are, by far, some of my favorite photos ever.  And boy, were they ever telling--I know exactly who has older brothers and sisters!  Take a look at some their responses and our classroom display. 

You can get the FREEBIE at my TpT store by clicking HERE!

I really love it and will do it again, and I hope you will too! 

Yes I'm talking about you.
Friends today.

The Beauty of Friendship

Today was my first day back at school.  Every year brings new challenges and rewards.  You can never guess the lasting impact of each year.  Twenty-some odd years ago around this time, I began my second year of teaching in a new school.  Well actually, two new schools.  I shared time between two buildings as the Extended Learning Program teacher.  I did this for a couple years and then was offered a 3rd grade position in one of the buildings.  There is no way I could have known what an impact this new job would have on my life.  More importantly, I could not have predicted the impact of working with some really wonderful people for fifteen years would have on my life.  It was unexpected and beautiful.

Fast forward to this summer.  I was invited to a lovely gathering--a reunion of teachers, many of them retired, with whom I had worked with during those fifteen years.  It had been years since I had seen many of them.  Some I see regularly, like at the grocery store or sporting events, and others I see on Facebook.  But there are some I had literally not laid eyes on for years.  We talked about kids and grandkids, moving to new places, travels, and other new adventures.  We shared a delicious brunch and pictures of babies young and grown.  I haven't worked in that school for ten years now, but in that moment, with those friends, I felt like I had never left.  It felt like home.

When I first started that job, I was one of the "younger" teachers.  I was taken in, mentored, and befriended.  I was welcomed with open arms.  And over the years, those friendships grew.  These ladies saw me through the birth of my two children and the death of a parent.  They supported me and encouraged me and guided me.  They invited me into their groups to play golf and card games and to read books together.  They became my family.  We laughed together, cried together, worked together, and played together.  All of this in AND out of school.  Though we are no longer together each school year, I carry these friends with me in my heart, whether we are sharing a brunch or hundreds of miles apart.

And just a few days ago, as the teachers met for the first day in my current school, I felt at home all over again.  I felt like I was with family.  And I believe every teacher needs that.  My wish for your school year is to open your hearts and minds to all the people around you.  Make sure to find some time to get out of your room and down the hall.  Eat lunch with other teachers.  Smile.  Say hello.  Take someone under your wing.  Invite your colleagues for an adventure outside of school.  You simply never know what beautiful thing may grow, including your heart.

Have a wonderful, friendship filled year!

Best. 3rd Grade Teacher. Ever. Well...

See that shirt in the picture?  It says it all, right?  It makes me the best 3rd grade teacher ever.  Ever.  Sorry for the rest of you.  I nailed it!

Hahaha!  Now, do I really believe that?  Well, not exactly.  But also, a little.  Let me explain.

First, I do NOT really believe that I am the best 3rd grade teacher ever.  Yes, I am a dreamer, but even my rose-colored glasses are not that rosy.  :-)  I work with some of the best teachers ever on my 3rd grade team (not to mention all the fantastic teachers I am surrounded by all over my building!).  They all do things that literally blow my mind on a daily basis.  They demonstrate great compassion and caring for EVERY single student in their classrooms.  They make me work harder and want to be better every day.  They are THAT good.  And together as a team, we accomplish some pretty great work.  Second, I work in a district where excellence is expected.  I know that, just like in my building, others are doing great things in their buildings as well.  There are immensely creative and passionate individuals managing highly innovative classrooms in every building.  I could walk into any of their classrooms on any given day and learn something new myself.

In addition to the great 3rd grade teachers I am surrounded by every day, I also remember my own 3rd grade teachers.  I had a combined classroom with 2 teachers and approximately 50 kids.  I still really marvel at that when I stop and think about it.  Mr. Kargol was tall and friendly.  He told us stories about his twin boys.  He liked science a lot.  I don't recall there being any discipline problems because he always kept things moving and interesting.  He always had new and fun ideas.  I don't really remember anything he taught me, but I have very fond memories of him as a teacher.

Mrs. Gordon, the other teacher in the room, was one of the kindest individuals I have ever known.  She smiled every day, nearly all day long.  She always had time for my stories.  And she was round and soft--perfect for hugs.  I really loved her.  I don't really remember anything she taught me, but I sure remember her and how I felt in her presence.

So do I really think I am the best 3rd grade teacher ever?  No.  There are far too many others who are equally as qualified to get that title.  But here's what I do believe.  That little girl smiling in the picture above BELIEVES I am the best.  She and I built a relationship during the year.  We worked hard and laughed a lot.  I hope someday she remembers that our days were filled with fun and learning.  I hope she remembers that I made her laugh.  I hope she never forgets that I pushed her to expect more of herself so she could see in herself what I saw in her.  And I hope she always thinks I am the best 3rd grade teacher.  Because that's what I strive to do every day in my classroom.  I want to be the best teacher for each child in my room.  Not because it's a competition, but because that's what kids deserve from me.  They deserve to be loved, held accountable, and pushed beyond what they thought were their limits.  They deserve to look back on the year and remember it as one that made them a better student and a better person.  And if I can do that, then I can confidently say, "Nailed it!"

Who Eats What?

Who eats what?  If you were me, you ate EVERYTHING over the holidays!  :-)  But now back to reality and restraint.

Shortly before our winter break began, we started our science unit on animals.  It is a big one.  It takes quite a bit of time as there is much to cover.  And there was no possible way for us to finish everything before our break started.  However, we did (surprisingly) accomplish quite a lot.  After looking at different types of habitats and changes that might occur to those habitats, we spent a few days learning about food chains.  I must admit, this is one of my favorite learning sequences.  If you've read any of my previous posts, you will know that I have a strong belief that students, especially elementary students, still need art and creativity to complement the subject matter (not to mention it fosters imagination and small motor skills).  It's a bit of a "soap box" topic for me if I get started, but I think there's been a real departure from art in learning.  So I do everything I can in my little corner of the world to correct that.

I digress.  Back to food chains.  Have you read the book Who Eats What? by Patricia Lauber?

Click on the picture of the book to see more.

It's a great introduction to food chains.  I like this book because this topic is new for most of my students, and the text is straightforward and easy to understand.  

I also shared a few poems from this book.

Click on the picture of the book to see more.

We had some good laughs with some of these.  After reading, the class came up with several examples of food chains, and then the kids did some research about an animal of their choice.

Enter the artwork.  This is not an original idea by me.  Hello Pinterest.  Here's the original post I saw from A Faithful Attempt.  I like how she gave step by step directions for how to make this happen and showed several examples.  I created my own example and demonstrated for the kids.  Then everyone got to work.  I love the learning that took place as kids shared with one another as they worked.  They learned more from each other in the time we worked than I could have ever squeezed in during the same amount of time.  Their final projects are now hanging proudly in the room.  Take a look at how some of our food chains turned out.

And even better than the artwork?  Just today we were having a discussion about why animals live in groups.  I showed the class a picture of a herd of gazelles with a cheetah looming in the background, and we talked about how animals use the group for protection.  Right away, several of the kids pointed to the food chain of the cheetah and gazelle.  I love how the kids are putting the pieces together and making the the connections!  I could feast on that kind of learning for days!

Now it's your turn--show me what you're doing!  I'd really love to see everyone's creative ideas for teaching all about animals through NGSS.  I'm looking forward to hearing from you!!

What Does the Fox Say?

This past Sunday morning, I woke up with a to-do list about a mile long.  You know, finish wrapping presents, bake cookies, finish shopping, get groceries, etc.  Oh yeah, do some schoolwork.  You get the idea.  And then, as I was lying in my bed planning my day, my daughter came into my room.  "Mom, hurry, come look at the fox in our yard."  So I crawled out of my warm bed and headed downstairs.  Looking out the back window, I saw what all the fuss was about.  This little beauty.

And so of course I stopped dead in my tracks.  Well, actually I went and grabbed my camera first.  Then I sat myself down on the couch and watched.  Here was this beautiful little fox nestled into one of the now dead plants on the hill in our back yard.  In the middle of the city.  It was the perfect cover--hiding in plain sight.  That to-do list?  Completely forgotten.  My daughter and I sat and watched this little fox for nearly an hour.  He napped, wiggled his ears, looked up now and then, did some serious yawning, and napped a little more.  We watched, and we loved every minute of it.

I could have watched it all day.  But something spooked him, and off he went.  Oh well.  It was wonderful while it lasted.  And I found it to be such a good reminder for me this time of year.  Stop.  Take time.  Look around, enjoy, appreciate.  See the beauty that is right in your own back yard.

I did get some things checked off my Christmas list.  And I still have some things to do.  But that's OK.  And that little fox?  So very clever.

How Many Days?

Nineteen days.  That's how much learning time I have to work with between Thanksgiving Break and Winter Break.  Nineteen days.  And if you know elementary kids, you know there are just a few distractions this time of year.

So my kids have been warned.  We are kicking it into high gear.  There simply is no time to waste.  I have some serious plans in my book.  :-)  And honestly, I have packed the days with as much learning as possible.  I need this student to stand by my table everyday!  Though I may need to change a few things--I don't care about video games, but you shouldn't disturb me when I'm with a group unless there is blood or vomit.  But candy and pizza are nice.

This week in reading we are continuing with reading nonfiction text.  We have been looking at different text structures and how to identify the topic, main idea, and details in each text.  So far, we have read sequential text and compare and contrast.  We began the study of compare and contrast with the book Poles Apart.  It's a great look at the differences between polar bears at the North Pole and penguins at the South Pole.

Click on the picture above to see it on Amazon.

Next, we went back to our friend Jerry Pallotta and the Who Would Win? series.  We read one of the books together and discussed how each page shows how the animals in the book are the same and different.  We also talked about signal vocabulary words when identifying similarities and differences.  Here's a list of words we worked from:

Next, each student chose their own Who Would Win? book to read (I have LOTS because the kids love them so much!).  Then they filled out a graphic organizer comparing four key ideas (physical description, habitat, adaptations, and diet).  Then using that information, they wrote a paragraph using vocabulary words showing same and different.  Here are some of the finished booklets.

Click on any of the pages above to get these pages from TpT!

I know I've said it before (and I'll probably say it a million more times), but look at the creativity and beauty in even these small pictures.  I love them so much!

This is a simple, but engaging activity.  The kids use great mentor texts to learn about comparing and contrasting, and the connection to science is clear as well.  This is exactly how I love spending my days (especially when they are numbered)!