Understanding our Geography

Many students struggle with geography, and understanding how our universe works.

Here is a foldable, that can help them understand and remember the different parts of our worlds. To make this foldable:
1) Fold the white paper into fourths.
2) Cut three slits, one in the middle, and the other two half way between the middle and bottom and middle and top, in the middle two folds
3) Cut the green paper into two strips, that fit 1 fold.
4) Weave the first green paper over and under, and the second green paper under and over.

The best part about this foldable, is that the students can test themselves because the answers on are the other side like the pictures to the right. If you fold the paper in half, and grab at the two side folds, you can write the answers on the backs! It is quite handy, if you want to study!

This is the example I did for the class, and they were fun to make! However, it does take time.

Integrity

Like I said before, my first year teaching, my friend taught me so much! Here is another project she does, that I "borrowed."

Integrity is when you match your values with your behaviors. In order to get my students to understand what they valued, I had them think about what they cared about. I had them trace their hands, and write on their traced hands, what they valued. We cut out our hands and put them to the side.

Then I talked to them about what they do to show their values love, meaning what actions do we take to show what we value. They traced their other hand, and wrote their actions on the other hand. Then we glued the hands to match up the values with their actions.

It was fun to see the students think about what they valued, and how they show they cared for it. Now, our values match our behaviors.

Responses

My first year teaching, I had the incredible experience of teaching with someone who I looked up to greatly! She taught me so much about excellent teaching practices. This was one of my favorites!

I found that this was one of the best ways to make students learn how to use their brains, and actually respond to questions even if they weren't ready to be "called on." It also allows my students, to not give up, and give the stock answer "I don't know," even if they really know the answer the question - or just need time.

The first response allows students to hear the question again, if they either couldn't hear it, or just need time to process what was said.

The second response allows students to think about the question, and I have found that the rest of my class will think about it too. 

The third response allows the students to use the notes they have already written, and gives them a second chance to review, which is always great because it means they can use their notes to study from later!

Finally, my student's favorite, "Can I ask a friend?". There are 2 parts to this response. The students ask a friend (part 1), but they have to either repeat, or rephrase what their friend said in their own words (part 2). This way you know they are listening to they answer, and have at least processed it through their brain. If they cannot hear the answer, or just need it repeated, they say, "Can you repeat what you said?" I have found that this is the BEST way to get my students to listen to each other, which can be a struggle at times!

I love these responses because it does not allow my students to give up, and they have to try with every question, and pay attention to every question. At first it is tough because some of the students are apprehensive, but once the rules have been established they thrive!

Comprehension Skills related to Board Games

After teaching fourth and fifth grade for two years now, I wanted to change up how I taught comprehension skills from Houghton-Mifflin. I decided this year, I wanted to relate the skills to board games, after finding a post on pinterest based on cause and effect relating to angry birds. 

Here is my first poster. The blanks are: "Everything goes in order." I figured solitaire was a good reference because the cards have to go in order if you want to win the game. I will post more posters as the school year progresses... Here are a few previews: Jenga for predicting outcomes, Clue for inferences, and Apples to Apples for author's viewpoint. I hope you enjoy the ideas!

Natalie's Nursery

I finally finished Natalie's ABC project, and I needed to finish her nursery! Especially since her due date is only 3 weeks again. My family came down from my hometown, and we got to work this weekend, and the nursery is now complete, and I am complete thrilled with how it looks!

We went with a book theme - what else would a teacher do!

In the first picture, I used book covers and cut them out and framed them.

In the second picture, my husband and I got a sticker quote, it is from Dr. Seuss, "Oh the Places You'll Go."

In the third picture, I got stuffed animals from many different places, and books instead of cards from friends at the two baby showers I had.

In the fourth picture, my husband and I found Hungry Caterpillar stickers from ebay.

Finally, the last photo, I found the rocking chair at Goodwill, and my husband awesomely stained it!

I am very happy with our book themed room!!

ABC Infant Toys

Sewing has become my new passion. This next project will take awhile to finish; however, it is easy to put down and come back to in between projects since you feel accomplished after completing one letter.

Since I wanted the toys to be the same size, I made a stencil on Word, and used Word Art. It was nice because I could choose my own font, and modify the size as needed.

Then, I had to cut out the stencils, which took quite a while, but well worth it!

Next, I pinned the stencils onto two pieces fabric right sides facing out.

I traced the stencil, then cut about a half inch outside the tracing.

After that, I took out the pins and stencil, and re-pinned just the fabric, and sewed on the tracing on the stencil leaving a small piece of the two fabrics open, so I could stuff the letter.

Once the stuffing was in, I could close up the letter.

After the letter was completely sewn I could trim the excess fabric.

After completing the letter A, I moved to B, then C! I am currently finished with F, and hope to do all the letters before I pop!

Onesie Dress

My sewing machine is becoming my new best friend. At my family baby shower, my mom bought a bunch of white onesies for people to decorate. However, there were still tons left over, I took them home, and thought they would come into use and some point. Well, I found the use! I made a white onesie into a cute dress!

I used a 3 months onesie. The front measured to 14 inches around, and 10 inches long from where I wanted to sew. So, I cut a square out of the fabric that was 21 inches long and 12 inches long. I made it longer than it needed to be, so I could account for hems. The first thing I did was sew the hem for the left, right, and bottom, of the skirt.

Once the hem was straight and sewn to perfection, I pinned the pleats around the top as shown in the picture, from the section that was not hemmed (since it wouldn't be seen). Every inch and a half I pinned a new pleat.

Then I sewed it to the onesies, but slipping the onesie and dress over the sewing machine.

Once that was complete it was time to sew the blue band to the dress!

I cut the band to be 3 inches wide and 15 inches long, so it would over lap in the back. Next I did the hem to make a straight line. Then I pinned it over the pleats, and sewed it to the onesie. And voila - a dress!

It is quite cute! And the best part was that it was from scrap fabric from the sling I just made, and the curtains I completed!


What I learned after my baby was born: USE STRETCHY FABRIC! Not sure if it will work the same, but the dress sadly did not fit over her head. I will try again with stretchy fabric to see if I get the same results!