Vacation Workstation...a Brain Playground

Was on my "To-Do" List:

1. Create something for my 7 & 10yo boys to do for a bit of "summer school."
2. Make a parting gift for my 3rd-5th grade class. (Shhhh...don't tell!)

Now on my "Done!" list! :)

Introducing the Vacation Workstation...a Brain Playground!

Left section

Right section

Using these adorable workstations--made from simple file folders--students keep their brains active with:

• Nature Journal Mini Books - children go outside and use words and pictures to record things in the natural environment.
• Math Blackout - using household games (suggested Math Game List is included, though individual users will need to take inventory of the games they have available), students play one game each day, focusing on different math concepts. I'm excited to make use of the games that we have available, encouraging my kiddos to try out a variety of the games we already own.
• Book Bingo - children select diverse reading materials by choosing content from ideas on a grid. Each of the 4 different sheets may be played as a bingo (3 in a row) or as a blackout.
• Reading List - students record the date and title of books read, either as a daily log or to record books completed.

After assembly, the accordion-style workstation can be used as-is or made into a compact book, approximately 8 1/2" x 4 1/2". (Let me publicly profess my new love for rainbow duct tape!)



Workstations are best suited for  ~ grades 2-6.* (Book Bingo includes chapter book suggestions like "Newbery Award.") 

*Update (6/22/2013) - The file has been updated to include a Book Bingo sheet for grades K-1 and a Math Blackout activity sheet for students preparing for grade 1.

In the homeschool setting, workstations can be used on an ongoing basis. They might also be assigned as independent homework during the school year. Complete directions with photos and worksheets are included. A Family Letter is also included to help parents implement the activities with their children.

Available through Teachers Notebook or Teachers Pay Teachers.

Happy Vacation!

Graphics (background & frames) by MyCuteGraphics.com

P.S. Monday is my last day with my sweet class. This is an
end-of-year gift for my students & a welcome-to-summer gift for my own kids! :) See below...

Opinion Writing with Purpose: 2 Letters!

We want young writers to write their opinions and support the ideas with solid reasoning. One of the best ways I've found to develop this skill is through letter writing. Using one of the ideas from 101 Ways to Make Book Reports Fun, my students have been writing some fabulous opinion pieces.

Recently, our studies have focused on explorers who searched for the Northwest Passage. We read about Sir Francis Drake and learned about his relationship with Queen Elizabeth. Students were dismayed to learn that she ignored much of his pirate-like behavior, wanting money to finance her projects.

One week, I suggested they write letters to Queen Elizabeth, explaining their concerns. After the letters were complete, I asked them to write replies to their own letters, pretending that they were Queen Elizabeth. (They didn't know that this was coming.) They did an incredible job!! Here are a couple of examples:

From a third grader:

Dear Queen Elizabeth,
I'm writing this letter to tell you about my opinion about your actions. I think you are hurtful because you are taking people for slaves. This tears families apart. In addition, you are taking money and gold from other ships, which is stealing. Sir Francis Drake is killing a lot of people which you know about, but you continued giving him tons of weapons and ships. I kind of do not like you, but you are pretty. I'm really glad that I'm studying you because you have some cool things to learn about.
From, L

Dear L,
I am writing this letter in response to the letter you wrote me. I think what you wrote in the letter was wrong.

I'm the Queen, I am supposed to take care of our beautiful country. My mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, and Great, Great Grandma all have been Queen for so long and have passed it on to me.

If I was not being trustful and someone caught me, I would be put in jail. I would never want to risk my life to get thrown in jail.

I love little children, they are my friends. How could I tear families apart. I lived in a royal family, I loved my family's happiness so why would I destroy other families?

Hoping my letter will change your opinion about me.
From,
Queen Elizabeth

From a 4th grader:

Dear Queen Elizabeth,
I am writing you a letter, because I want to tell you what I think of you. I think you are mean because you knighted Sir Francis Drake. You also gave him more ships to defeat Spain. You Queen Elizabeth are cruel. When you gave Sir Francis Drake more ships, you knew that he was going to take people and sell them as slaves. You are a dishonest person; when Sir Francis Drake stole money from Spain, you said the money was for the country, it was just for you and Sir Francis Drake. You just wanted to make yourself rich. I think you are the meanest person I know.
From, M

Dear M,
I am writing this letter in response to your hurtful letter. I am not as evil, horrid, and hateful as you think I am. Let me explain to you, M.

I was so hurt when I read your letter. You almost made me cry when I read it. If I did not care about people, I would not feel hurt.

Also, I come from royal blood, and I am the Queen. In addition, my family has taken care of my good country for years, and I will do the same thing too.

If I gave Sir Francis Drake more weapons, someone would know, and remove me as the Queen. People watch over me every minute of the day and night. I don't have any time to be by myself. I hope you will think differently of me.
Queen Elizabeth

The letters become more real as students select paper to represent their characters. My students crushed paper bags to make old paper for the background on their first letters and used "royal" paper to write replies.

Check out more ideas to make learning fun!

Common Core Standards:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.1
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1

Photo Week in Review!

I managed to capture a few more photos than normal this week. Here's a little peek into my classes:

Class: Oregon History, Geography, and Writing*
Photo: One student's Oregon salt map with borders, cities, regions

*Note for Oregon teachers and homeschoolers: An extensive unit study on Oregon History, Geography, and Writing is scheduled for publishing later this spring.

Class: Oregon History, Geography, and Writing
Photo: Student working on a tissue painting to go with our Oregon poetry.

Class: Drawing FUNdamentals
Photo: Fourth grader's bird drawings following the E-Z drawing lesson from Roger Kukes' book, Drawing in the Classroom.  (THE greatest book, IMO, for teaching children to draw.)





Class: Kindergarten Math Club
Photo: Love this! :) The calendar shows the new January Calendar Grid for Bridges, Second Edition. We made number trees for each of the button pictures. Since the month was over, I removed all the number trees (on those blue pieces of paper), shuffled them, and had the kids match them to the pictures. This was hard work, but they were up for the challenge! ;)

Class: Math Club, Grades 4 & up
Video: This represents a high and a low...  I had the kids make videos using ScreenChomp on iPads to demonstrate what they know about the numbers in fractions. One group's uploaded fine. The other group's video got eaten by whatever technological monster currently hates me. Both groups worked so, so hard. I'm crushed that their hard work is floating somewhere in technology land...

And, last but not least, my husband brought home a printed copy of 101 Ways to Make Book Reports Fun. So thankful for all the help he gave me on that project!

101 Ways to Make Book Reports Fun!

I am so excited to announce the completion of 101 Ways to Make Book Reports Fun!

     Why make book reports fun?

Research consistently shows that children learn more when they are actively engaged in the learning process and having fun. These activities tap into children's interests: drama, art, music, reading, writing, and more! 

Who are these activities designed for?
These activities are created for children in grades 2-8. Assignments could be modified to meet the needs of slightly older or younger students.

Many of the activities contain a particular focus: character, setting, sequencing, theme, drama, creative writing, music, persuasion, poetry, and more. While students should not be required to do a book report with every book they read, periodically requiring students to select assignments from different categories will help to deepen their literary experience.

Can I use them with my current curriculum?

These activities are designed for use with any classroom or homeschool curriculum, with a single student or an entire classroom. Most choices may be done independently; some are best done with a partner or in a group.  Activities speak to a wide variety of learning styles, including those that incorporate movement. They are also cross-curricular and include reading, writing, speaking, music, drama, and art. The activities also allow kids to share the joy of reading with other important people in their lives. 

You will have THREE options on how to use this product.

Option 1:
Create a book by stapling it or adding it to a three ring binder. Keep it near your lesson plans or your child's study area to use as a reference.

Option 2:
Print on cardstock and cut out the cards. Add them to a recipe box or a similar storage container. Your child can independently choose the activities he is interested in OR you can use the box yourself to file the activities you have completed with your students. Just add the cards you have completed to the back section.

Option 3:
Print this document (included in the pdf) on cardstock and cut out the cards. Punch a hole in the upper left corner of the cards, and add a key ring to create a flip-book. This will keep the activities organized while flipping through the cards to choose activities to complete.

      Enjoy making book reports FUN!

This is the second release in the Making Learning Fun series. Information about the first book in the series, 101 Ways to Make Spelling Fun by Tamara Chilver, is available on her blog, Teaching with TLC. Additional titles in the series will be available soon.

This product is available from Teachers Pay Teachers and Teachers Notebook.