Do You Really Know George & Abraham?

January 28, 2018Leave a comment

Fact or Fib?

George Washington never told a lie. Abraham Lincoln walked ten miles to return a nickel. Theses are some of the “facts” I was taught about these two most beloved and celebrated presidents. What’s the truth?

I went on a hunt for facts about both of these presidents, each of whom have wonderful, but not necessarily true stories about their lives.

sharing is caring!

As I accumulated the facts about George and Abraham, I began to think about how to share these facts with my students. It was an easy decision to make a game of it all. Part of why I create products is to make learning fun for my students while also making life easier for my teacher friends. Here was a perfect opportunity to share what I had learned with both my students AND friends!

Celebrate With George and Abraham

I created a “FACT” or “FIB” sort to have students read statements about each of the presidents, and after discussion, decide whether it’s a fact or a fib. I have included the answers for teachers. I also thought it would be fun for students to then take their newly acquired facts and create an acrostic about either president or both! I’ve included a short assessment or pre/post worksheet and also a Venn diagram to compare the two presidents.

Celebrate Presidents’ Day with George and Abraham!

What are some and engaging ways you celebrate Presidents’ Day? Let me know!

Thanks!

Want To Start the New Year on a Positive Note?

December 27, 2017December 27, 2017Leave a comment

Who Usually Gets The Teacher’s Attention?

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A Teacher Gift Your Students Will Treasure All Year!

December 11, 2016December 11, 2016Leave a comment

In years past, I have struggled with what to give my students for gifts. I usually defaulted to candy and pencils. Such gifts didn’t break the bank of a first year teacher, but it wasn’t really what my students wanted. However, they took the bags with a smile. Flash forward to my first year at a new school and my usual teacher gift of candy and pencils just weren’t going to do the trick as many of my students weren’t all that crazy about sweets or needed extra pencils. What to do, what to do? Continue reading →

How To Conquer The Early Finisher Syndrome

October 23, 2016Leave a comment

We’ve all been there…It’s small group and station or center time. You are in the middle of small group when you hear them!!! Those words of horror… “I’m done! What can I do now?” What do you do? Sweat pops out between your shoulder blades and your mind goes blank.

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My Mistakes Will Make You A Better Teacher!

August 7, 2016August 11, 2016Leave a comment

And so it begins!!!

It’s Back to School time!!! I am pulling out my list of things to get done before school starts and here is the first thing I put on my To-Do list!!!

Whether you are a brand new teacher entering your first classroom or a veteran teacher, there are always mistakes made, that if you aren’t careful, will have you wondering if you chose the right career!!! Read on…

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What Happened in the Classroom When I Posted the Schedule

July 25, 2016July 29, 2016Leave a comment

I was recently asked what advice I would give a brand new teacher. Well, I’m not a new teacher but I felt like one when I moved to a new school last year. After my experiences last year, I would always suggest posting a daily schedule!! Who knew a classroom schedule could be a game changer and bring calm to a classroom of fifth graders?

Up until last year, I was a departmentalized 5th grade teacher with no control over my schedule. All that changed last year when I moved to another school. Suddenly, I had a lot of control over when and what I taught AND I was self contained… meaning I taught all subjects except specials and science to a fabulous group of 5th graders. Wahoo!!! There was just one problem….due to the specials, not one of my days’ schedule was the same!

Looking back, “Hello, Captain Obvious. a posted schedule is the answer!” Well, I never claimed to be the sharpest pencil in the box! It was a rough couple of beginning days….”What’s next?”, “What books do I need this morning?” “What specials do we have today?” I could go on, but it is just too embarrassing!!!

About the third day, after answering way too many questions about “What are we doing today” or “What books do I need to have?”, I had a moment of clarity after the students left!!! I literally walked over to the white board at the front of my room and wrote the next day’s schedule on the white board. My classes were listed in one color; specials and non-academic activities such as assemblies in a different colors.

whiteboard

Nirvana!!! No, not the grunge band…but perfection! No more, “I don’t have my math book!”, “I thought today was computers, not media!” No more clamoring from the students as to what the day would bring as students came in. Suddenly there was peace in the classroom!

children-happy