Here’s a quick way to set up a great story! A post it Question! We
are studying insects, but you could use this for any read aloud that
brings up a great debatable topic!
On Tuesday we had a few stray ants in the room and my kids quickly squished them and carried on with the day….But then I read, Hey Little Ant which is told from the ant’s perspective of getting squished! The best part is that the book leaves you wondering whether or not the boy will lower his shoe on the ant! They were very opinionated about what the boy should do! A perfect time to take a quick poll!
Another great anticipatory set for any new area of study is to create a little mini museum in the room that the kids can interact with! You can use real objects if your area of study allows…for example I
will do with with Fall items like squash, mini scarecrows, pumpkins,
and fall leaves soon.
Here’s what I did for insects. Each table has a piece of butcher paper with some large and interesting insect images in the middle. For one minute students walk around silently looking at all the tables while using their “museum manners” thinking about the objects in their heads and keeping their hands off. Once the minute is up they can walk to a table of interest and write about what they see. They can state what they see, ask a question that came to mind, or give more information about the picture.
I got a little worried when I saw this but then I just sounded it out. Awesome! 🙂
This game pictured below is from my Back To School Math Centers.
Kids are practicing making tally marks. The kinder teachers did a great job, because they are great at this center with little help!
On the left below these girls are playing a ten frame fill in game from my Back to School Centers.
The little ones on the right are playing a coordinates game from bridges math (first grade)
This is a game from my Back to School Math Centers where students try to match up a numeral to a matching set of school supplies. It’s great for one to one correspondence!
We created our first quilt of the year. It was the perfect Friday activity last week. Each month the cuts get a little more difficult but still fun and easy for first grade. These just create the mood of the month with the colors and the die cuts. Geometric Quilts
I don’t know about you, but adjusting to school hasn’t been easy for my body’s time clock!
My schedule is back to hectic. As my son and I were waiting for my daughter’s school to let out I looked over and snapped this picture of my sweet son.
And I have to add to the mix that I backed into a tree in my own driveway!!! 🙁 I just don’t have the time for this!
Fun with Fiction
Math Quilts
Insect Science Activities
First Grade Fashions and Academics Too!
That's not "ASM" about your vehicle!
That picture of your son is too cute!
My opinion about bugs: If they are in my house, they are dead. lol
Anita
Oh no!!! Poor car:( I love your ant/insect lesson!!! Always so creative:)
Your son is precious.
Elizabeth
Reagan,
I love all your math tub activities!! I do the museum walk with the CA gold rush, and it is always so successful… I need to use it more often this year!
Molly
Lessons with Laughter
Oh, looks awesome the way the kids were walking around with their best MUSEUM stance! Can you tell us more about your chair covers? I looooovvveee the chevron trim!
I love how you pulled the book in! Great book pick too:) I am filing away the museum walk and totally intent to use it.
Looks like you are off to a great start!
Tammy
The Resourceful Apple
I heart your ant lesson. Did you see the pinterest activity where someone had colored sugar water and watched the ants abdomen change colors (apparently you can see through their abdomen. YUCK but really cool too!
Amy
Where Seconds Count
Sorry about your poor car. Loved your lessons. I bet your students loved the carousel activity moving to do different tables.
I really like the Museum Walk- great lesson-
I am so jealous of your tables. I have table envy.
And I printed Geometric Quilts last night- we are so in sync!
Does Genuis Boy know you put that picture on there??? He's so stinkin cute!!!
Staci
I just pinned your Museum walk – I loveeee it and I will be doing it ASAP! Thanks for the great ideas, as always 🙂
Susan
T.G.I.F. (Thank God it's First Grade!)
Loved this post…..ASM! Lol
Love the Museum walk too!
How…..just HOW!? How do you do such fun things and find time for it all???? Love the post it graphs and the interest museum…..I am TERRIBLE about thinking ahead and planning….my ideas come mid-lesson….not good!!! Love your geometry quilt too!!! I need to come observe your classroom for a year and learn, learn, learn:) The "asm" wasp was hilarious!
Tho thorry you backed into your tree! That bites:( Hope your week is going good (other then the tree). Chat soon!!
4th Grade Frolics
What would I do without post-its?? I love them and the kiddos do too! I have been admiring your blog for a couple of days now. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Mrs Varner
I love the way you think 🙂 The opinion graph is a GREAT idea which I will be borrowing (stealing?) some time soon. The museum walk is also such a smart way to pique interest!
Polka Dots and Teaching Tots
Great idea about the Museum Manners. I really want to use that idea too.
Marybeth
Cialini Chat
You have been one busy chica! Museum Manners! LOL – love it! I am going to have to use that idea! We have been having an insect infestation over here in Austin too! I definitely need to make it a teachable moment! Just became your latest follower!
~Keri
First Grade Crusade
Hellooooooo chair pockets! Where are those beautiful things from?!
You are soooooo freakin' creative!
What an awesome pic of your son…. true exhaustion! haha
Sorry about your car. A few weeks I backed out of my driveway and into my son's friend's car!!! I was/am mortified!
Hope you find some time to relax this weekend.
Your kids look so engaged in their learning! 🙂
Amanda
The Teaching Thief