Creative Teaching

The BEST Summer Book Suggestions (2012)

Jo — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:23:30 +0000

My passion is teaching children to read and write. I wanted to share some sites that will help you find the perfect books for your children, no matter what their age.

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June Writing Ideas (2012)

Jo — Sun, 03 Jun 2012 07:36:40 +0000

Whether or not child gets bored this summer, I hope these ideas help!

How many different ways can you find to make homemade ice cream? What is your favorite? Can you make it with the help of an adult? Here is an easy one. ice-cream-in-a-bag
If you could do anything you wanted this summer what would it be? Write a letter to your parents/guardian explaining why you should be able to do this. Your letter may be funny, silly, or it may actually work!
What is graduation? Have you ever known anyone who has graduated? Have you ever graduated yourself? Describe the experience.
What is summer solstice? Write a story about the summer solstice to share with someone who doesn’t know what it is.
List ten facts you know about summer.
My favorite teacher last year was __ because he/she…
Write a list called, “How to Have a Super Summer” to yourself.
Write a “snail mail” letter to an older relative or friend. You will make them happy.
What does June really mean? Where does it get its name?
June is “Adopt A Shelter Cat Month”. Think and write about any of the following questions.

How many types of cats are there?
Are there other types of cats other than the house cat?
What do you feed cats?
Besides feeding a cat, what else do you need to do to take care of it?
What words rhyme with cat?
Write a poem about a cat.

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Father’s Day is June 17, 2012

Jo — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 04:55:08 +0000

Homemade Gift Ideas for Father’s Day

Happy Father’s Day! God bless the men who work hard day in and day out to support, love, and guide their children.

I have had many friends panic around Father’s Day not knowing what to get Dad. I’ve done some research and below you’ll find my favorite sites for gift ideas for Dad. I’ve used some of these ideas in the past. Believe me when I say Dad and Grandpa LOVED them. Best of luck!

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Magnetic Vowel Apple Tree (ages 3-6)

Jo — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 06:50:07 +0000

Here’s what you’ll need:

two sheets of paper (one brown, one green, and one yellow)
cricut
gypsy
glue
button magnets

Here’s what you do: (with the Cricut)

Cut out a tree. (My Community)
Cut out five apples. (My World)
Draw a vowel on each apple.
Cut the apples out.
With a hot glue gun, glue small button magnets on the back of each apple and onto the tree.
Please remind your child not put the magnets in his/her mouth.
Play vowel games with your child, such as:

“Can you take the letter off the tree that begins like “Egg?”
“Can you take the “A” vowel off the tree?”
“Can you tell me the sound the vowel “I” makes?”

Picture book suggestion:

ABC Yummy
Author: Lisa Jahn-Clough
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Skill: Vowels

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Leaf-Shaped Book and Autumn Activites

Jo — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 03:49:35 +0000

Leaf-Shaped Book:

First, I cut out a leaf (Designer’s Calendar) using my cricut and gypsy.

I used “layer one”on the gypsy to cut out the leaf, and “layer two” to write the word, AUTUMN ( Gypsy Wanderings). *Be sure to switch your blade to your marker when you go from layer one to layer two.

Next, I cut out slightly smaller leaves from white paper for the pages of the book.

Use the leaf-shape book for:

Writing poems

For example:

A Fall Song

by Ellen Robena Field

Golden and red trees
Nod to the soft breeze,
As it whispers, “Winter is near;”
And the brown nuts fall
At the wind’s loud call,
For this is the Fall of the year.

Good-by, sweet flowers!
Through bright Summer hours
You have filled our hearts with cheer
We shall miss you so,
And yet you must go,
For this is the Fall of the year.

Now the days grow cold,
As the year grows old,
And the meadows are brown and sere;
Brave robin redbreast
Has gone from his nest,
For this is the Fall of the year.

I do softly pray
At the close of day,
That the little children, so dear,
May as purely grow
As the fleecy snow
That follows the Fall of the year.

Autumn words:

For example:

acorn

apple

autumn

chestnuts

chilly

cider

cold

cool

cornucopia

cranberry

fall

football

hay

leaf

pumpkin

scarecrow

season

Working with Words

Write words that have the same”ea” sound as in leaf.

eat
beat
neat
seat
heat
meat

Links to great autumn sites:

Puzzles, Games, and Crafts: dltk-holidays
Awesome Autumn Activities: familyfun
Fun Fall Crafts: kaboose
More Great Fall Activities: activityvillage
Fall Unit of Study: apples4theteacher
http://www.storyit.com/Seasonal/autumn.htm

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September Story Starters

Jo — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 09:22:55 +0000

I met a new friend this year at school! This is why I like her/him!
If I could change anything about my school it would be…
My favorite summer memory is…
If I were a teacher I would teach __ because…
What advise would you give to students that are a grade below you.
I love my grandparents. I have fun with them when we…
Make a list of all the things you can make with apples.
What is fall/autumn? wikipedia
Draw a picture of a leaf. Describe your leaf to another student so well that she could draw it herself.
Autumn is coming! What are you looking forward to this fall?

Web sites you can’t miss:

This is a GREAT story starter site for any time of the year! teacher.scholastic
Writing ideas for every day in September! theteacherscorner
More September writing ideas: uniqueteachingresources
Daily writing ideas for every month!tooter4kids.com
September writing prompts: creative-writing-ideas-and-activities

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September Calendars and Links You’ll Love

Jo — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:56:21 +0000

September calendars:

This site offers many September celebrations with great links for each day posted! www.surfnetkids
A list of books for September events: childrensbooks
Blank calendars: superteacherworksheets
Definition: wikipedia
Family fun activities never disappoint! familyfun.go.com/magazine

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40 Inspiring Blogs for Special Ed Teachers

Jo — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:04:58 +0000

This site is great! mastersinspecialeducation

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Writing for Kids

Jo — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 04:57:01 +0000

1st through 8th grade writing styles kidskonnect
How to write fantastic hooks atozteacherstuff
Creative Writing kidsonthenet
Writing Activities for Kids at Home about.com
Things to Write About things-to-write-about-for-kids

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Writing Ideas for Kites

Jo — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 06:58:34 +0000

Make a kite book with your child. It can be as simple or elaborate as you like.

Easy and educational: enchantedlearning

Fun kite ideas: scholastic.com

Kite facts: wikipedia

Writing Ideas:

If you could make your kite out of anything in the world, what would it be made of? Describe your kite.
If you could make your kite go anywhere, where would it go?
Who made the first kite?
How many kinds of kites can you list or find on the internet? What is your favorite kind of kite?
Make a book on how to make a kite.
Pretend your kite could fly far, far, away. If you could write a message on this kite, what would it say?
Have you ever flown a kite before? If so, describe the experience.

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