Fun Pictograph Activity!

For the past two weeks we have been learning about different types of graphs.  The first week we studied pictographs.  I had my students create a class pictograph of their pets.  Each student drew their pet or pet they would like to have on an index card and then placed it on the graph in the appropriate row.  We then created different questions that we could ask using our pictograph.    

I Love My Promethean Board!

This year I got a Promethean Board in my classroom and I love it!  I use it everyday.  I am so use to using it that I don't know what my life would be like without it.  I find many resources at www.prometheanplanet.com.  The flip charts really keep my class engaged and involved in their learning.  Another valuable resource I came across is an interactive game called Addition and Subtraction Number Bonds.  My class is obsessed with playing the four games from this CD and I have seen an improvement in their fluency with their facts since they have been playing it.  Even if you don't have an interactive whiteboard, you may still have your students play the games on a computer.     

Another valuable resource I use with my students is the Daily Interactive Math Station from Lakeshore Learning.  I am such a huge fan!  I use this game to review some previously learned concepts in a fun and engaging way!  I like how I can choose which activities I want to use for each day of the week. 

 

 

 

Another game that my students really enjoy is Bubble Pop! Math Challenge.  I like how you can choose between addition, subtraction, money, and time so you get more bang for your buck!  My students love playing this game in their math station.

 

Crazy about Contractions!

Before spring break, we learned about making and using different contractions.  Below you will find a fun activity we used to practice this skill. 

Contraction Poster

I hang this contraction poster in my classroom as an anchor chart for my students to refer to as we study this skill.  Click on the picture below to check out my ocean themed grammar posters at my TPT store!

Contraction Flowers

This is one of my favorite activities to use with contractions!  I have my students create their own flowers from construction paper.  They write the contraction on the flower and the two words that make up the contraction on the leaves.  They can make clouds out of white paper, but some chose to draw them instead.  The raindrops from the clouds are apostrophes to water the flowers.  Too cute!

Penguins on Parade!

Penguins on Parade!

 Since students love learning about penguins, they each research facts about a particular penguin.  They then write a research report about the description, habitat, diet, and other interesting facts about their penguin.  After they write their report, students measure out the actual length of their penguin on white butcher paper.  Each student then finds photographs of their penguin to use to create a life-sized replica of their penguin.  This is such a fun project and integrates Science, Math, and Writing all in one!  After all of the penguins are finished, we have a penguin parade by lining them up from smallest to largest.  We then display them in the hallway for everyone to enjoy!

 

Back to School with Splat!

 

We had a great time writing about our summer vacations!  First, we read Splat the Cat Back to School, Spat! 

Then, we compared how we spent our summer vacations to how Splat spent his summer vacation using the Venn Diagram.  We then chose one exciting thing we did this summer to write about.  We brainstormed possible topic sentences for our stories.  As students write, I like to play "Quiet Writing Music" to help them focus on their writing.  After students were finished writing, they created their Splat.  I love to see how all of the Splats look so different even though they are from the same pattern.  This was definitely my favorite back to school activity!  

 

Click here to take a closer look at this fun back to school pack!

I Have My Very Own Blog ~ Sandy's Learning Reef!

Today I created my very own educational blog!  I have an ocean themed classroom so of course I had to create a blog to match my room.  My goal is to give other educators ideas for them to use in their own classroom.  I hope you find my blog a useful tool and I look forward to posting some ideas soon!