ITaylor's Blog, page 2
February 17, 2013
Winter Scavenger Hunt
How many types of snow crystals are there? What does “winter” mean? What are your favorite winter holidays? Here’s a fun way to spend those chilly wintertime evenings - take your students on a winter scavenger hunt.
First, create a list of questions relating to the season of winter. Include questions which are not easily answered and may require a little “digging.” Here are some to consider:
When does winter begin this year?How long does winter last?What is t...
First, create a list of questions relating to the season of winter. Include questions which are not easily answered and may require a little “digging.” Here are some to consider:
When does winter begin this year?How long does winter last?What is t...
January 18, 2013
Classroom Fun in February
February is the shortest month of the year, but a month that is packed with many learning opportunities. Enjoy these different activities and have some fun in February!
Groundhog Day - February 2 is Groundhog Day. This is the day we set aside to "decide" whether Spring is almost here, of if there will be six more weeks of Winter. The official groundhog in the United States is Punxsutawney Phil. Every year he is brought out of his groundhog hole in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to make a predictio...
Groundhog Day - February 2 is Groundhog Day. This is the day we set aside to "decide" whether Spring is almost here, of if there will be six more weeks of Winter. The official groundhog in the United States is Punxsutawney Phil. Every year he is brought out of his groundhog hole in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to make a predictio...
Fun in February
February is the shortest month of the year, but a month that is packed with many learning opportunities. Enjoy these different activities and have some fun in February!
Groundhog Day - February 2 is Groundhog Day. This is the day we set aside to "decide" whether Spring is almost here, of if there will be six more weeks of Winter. The official groundhog in the United States is Punxsutawney Phil. Every year he is brought out of his groundhog hole in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to make a predictio...
Groundhog Day - February 2 is Groundhog Day. This is the day we set aside to "decide" whether Spring is almost here, of if there will be six more weeks of Winter. The official groundhog in the United States is Punxsutawney Phil. Every year he is brought out of his groundhog hole in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to make a predictio...
December 1, 2012
New Teacher Resources, Classroom Tips, Lesson Ideas and Support
Here is a brand new resource for new and experienced teachers alike, New Teacher Resources, Classroom Tips, Lesson Ideas and Support.
This new education channel is written by a variety of teachers and educators who all share their unique perspectives on the challenges that face a new teacher. Discussions and comments make the articles even more useful, and new teachers can seek support for any issues that they may have.
Here is a sampling of current articles:
Organizing the Classroom
Bad T...
This new education channel is written by a variety of teachers and educators who all share their unique perspectives on the challenges that face a new teacher. Discussions and comments make the articles even more useful, and new teachers can seek support for any issues that they may have.
Here is a sampling of current articles:
Organizing the Classroom
Bad T...
November 27, 2012
How to Plan an Author Visit to your Classroom
Hosting an author visit is a great way to promote both reading and writing in your classroom. A properly planned and implemented author visit allows students to meet and talk with a favorite author and learn about writing for a real audience.
The possibilities for author visits abound, and some can even be arranged via higher tech options such as Skype and virtual author visits - thus opening your visit up to authors who are not in your local area - or even in the same country!
Advance planning...
The possibilities for author visits abound, and some can even be arranged via higher tech options such as Skype and virtual author visits - thus opening your visit up to authors who are not in your local area - or even in the same country!
Advance planning...
November 6, 2012
Little Book Adventure: Discover New Places to Read
This month's Little Book Adventure Challenge, Discover New Places to Read, takes reading to a whole new level - literally!
Sure - we've all curled up on a comfy couch or propped ourselves up on pillows in bed to read our favorite books. How many remember reading with a flashlight under the covers late at night when you were supposed to be asleep?
Well, this month, My Little Bookshelf challenges readers to explore and discover new places to read - alone, or with a parent or friend. Be creative -...
Sure - we've all curled up on a comfy couch or propped ourselves up on pillows in bed to read our favorite books. How many remember reading with a flashlight under the covers late at night when you were supposed to be asleep?
Well, this month, My Little Bookshelf challenges readers to explore and discover new places to read - alone, or with a parent or friend. Be creative -...
October 31, 2012
NaNoWriMo Young Writers Program
Adult writers have been doing NaNoWriMo for years - the annual National Novel Writing Month - held annually during the month of November. Since it began in 1999, writers have taken on the challenge of writing 50,000-word novels starting each November 1. Writers track their word count online, and while planning and research can be done ahead of time, all writing must actually be done between November 1 and November 30.
In 2005, NaNoWriMo started its Young Writers Program for younger...
In 2005, NaNoWriMo started its Young Writers Program for younger...
October 28, 2012
Little Book Adventure: Explore the World Through Picture Books
The My Little Bookcase Project # 8 for the month of October is Explore the World Through Picture Books - a great project that combines geography, art, music and reading wonderful picture books. In this challenge, readers are encouraged to make a Discovery Box based on a favorite "around the world" picture book.
Children should choose books that are set in locations other than where they live. Here are three to get you started:
The Cat Who Walked Across France, by Katie Banks
The Legend of the P...
Children should choose books that are set in locations other than where they live. Here are three to get you started:
The Cat Who Walked Across France, by Katie Banks
The Legend of the P...
October 20, 2012
Quick Tips for Teachers: Thanksgiving Math Activity
Ah, fall - it is in full swing in some places, with Halloween and Thanksgiving just around the corner. Thanksgiving is a great time to give your students some lessons on being good consumers. Try this fun comparison shopping activity.
Prepare for this activity by gathering Thanksgiving advertisement pages from various food stores in your area. Discuss with students items which might be included on a typical Thanksgiving dinner menu. Agree, as a class, on a set of basic dinner elements th...
Prepare for this activity by gathering Thanksgiving advertisement pages from various food stores in your area. Discuss with students items which might be included on a typical Thanksgiving dinner menu. Agree, as a class, on a set of basic dinner elements th...
October 18, 2012
Halloween Hangman (for Thanksgiving, too!)
Here's a fun way for students to practice October or November spelling words - play Halloween Hangman. This is a fun game for any holiday, Thanksgiving included!
Students will need their current spelling list,a piece of lined writing paper, and one set of "scarecrow parts" for each pair of students. Play as in regular hangman.
One student chooses a spelling word and draws a number of blanks to represent the number of letters in the word he has chosen on the writing paper. The other student gue...
Students will need their current spelling list,a piece of lined writing paper, and one set of "scarecrow parts" for each pair of students. Play as in regular hangman.
One student chooses a spelling word and draws a number of blanks to represent the number of letters in the word he has chosen on the writing paper. The other student gue...
