Spooktacular October Crafts

So many crafts, so little time! Unless it's QUICK or supports the curriculum in a meaningful way, I'll pass. Here are some that made their way into my October/Fall classroom this year.

Creepy Pair of Underwear has been a favorite the last few years. The writing activity that goes along with the craft is related to Jasper's saying: "I'm not a little baby anymore." It also ties in beautifully with my The Power of Yet theme in my class. The kids aren't the only ones who love making Jasper and his creepy underwear. I get a kick out of these every year. Fun!

Aren't these bats and pumpkins adorable? They are from this TpT Seller. What I love: I can use the editible template to make my own math problems. Most students solved "Add 1 more" and "add 2 more'" but a few solved addition to 20 problems.  They solved the problems one day and colored them in. The next day, they made them. The Pumpkin was super quick. The bat has more cutting but a pretty fast craft too.  (In her packet, she also has a cute ghost.)

The Fall banners have a small writing activity on them and look sweet around the room.  The best part? They are FREE from this seller. I sprinkle around the room but you can also string them together.

NOTE: I don't know either seller above. I use their products and wanted to share.

A 5 minute crafts that also looks adorable and supports Fire Prevention Week?  Yes please! 

You can read about my Fire Prevention Week activities.

I do put out some simple OPTIONAL crafty type activities during Friday centers and we usually make something Spooktacular during our Halloween party.

This week during centers, I have a cute paper color/cut/glue craft that my husband found recently. And it's FREE. Check back to see it on Friday...if the kids pick it.

Fire Prevention Week Activities (October 9-15th)

Are you looking for some ways to reinforce Fire Prevention Safety in a meaningful way that doesn't suck up hours of your planning time or instructional time?  I have some simple ideas for you!

When I was teaching Second Grade, I was going to give a quick mention of Fire Safety Week and move on. But a Firefighter friend of mine told me to ask my 7 year olds the above question.  Not one student answered with the correct answer: ONE. Oh boy...there was work to be done!

If you subscribe to Scholastic News, I suggest starting there. 

If you do subscribe, I hope you're taking advantage of the fabulous online content. Top notch. You also get access to all of the older editions throughout at least the last five years. That means the videos, games, etc. Here are the back issues I saw yesterday.

The Fire Tech tools is one I'll be revisiting this year. If your school has funding available and you're not yet a subscriber, I promise you it's well worth the price. You get 4 "magazines" a month. Each child will get to bring home their own copy. Then of course, the online access which I use all the time.

We often have Fire Fighters come to visit the students.  Most of the time, they bring the truck but while fun and a cute photo op, I think it's best left to the Kindergarten classes. I think it's way more important to have them speak to the kids and introduce/review the importance of Stop, Drop and Roll as well as calling 911 when needed.  Our department brings SQUIRT who answers questions and interacts with the kids. 

After the visit, I have two poems that I like to use to reinforce the lesson shared.

I'm big into Poetry Binders so we add these to them and sing often! Read about a fun way I incorporate poems into my classroom via a Poet Tree! 

Of course I have books available to share with the kids and let them look through. I don't read all of them but do make sure they are easily accessible to the kids.

I usually have the kids make a headband / crown when the Fire Fighters visit. The kids make it as their Do-Now one morning so it's a quick activity.  It's also a good visual reminder to parents to continue the convo at home when they see the kids coming off the bus wearing them.

Another Do-Now (Which is done in the morning after arrival but before I take attendance and school officially starts) is to play a simple, Roll and Cover game.  I just added graphics to support the week but really a basic game. I have them play with a partner. Usually when someone wins one of our games, they pop up and yell, "Winner, winner chicken dinner." In the case, they pop up and yell out, "Stop, Drop and Roll."

Another tried and true activity...Origami Dalmatian Dogs that take under five minutes.

 I like to hang them around a "Fire Fighters Are, Can, and Have" poster we make together. In the past, I had them list a prevention tip or piece of advice on the back to share with the class and their families.

But this year, I'm going to add to our class library and have everyone contribute one page to a class book.  There is a pre-made cover that you can print or have a student color in the page.  (Note: I make these all year long, place in library and at the end of the year, each students gets to take home two of the class books. A great memory!)

Each booklet (Five booklets for each month) comes with lines paper or simply a drawing space for those not yet writing.  Honestly, I let them pick the one that is best for them. Most kids used the lines paper but I usually have 3-5 opt for drawing only.

I added these class books to my store recently. There are 5 books per month. Check out my October Books if interested.

If you know me, you know that I LOVE Which One Doesn't Belong OPEN-ENDED activities. There are always MULTIPLE ANSWERS. I use them for a five minute filler activity, a Morning Meeting Activity, during math (when I'm using my math focused one) and as Do-Nows, too.  One included in my October packet has a Fire Fighter theme. To see these in action, take a peek at my video of the students sharing answers or a blog post showing answers. Hands down, my kids favorite activity.

Here are some FREE Which One Doesn't Belong? slides for you to share with your class. I'm sure you will be amazed at their thinking. 

I hope you were able to get some ideas for Fire Safety Prevention Week here. Are there any you're planning on trying? Let me know. 

Picture Book Reviews

A few posts ago, I mentioned I was giving quick picture book reviews in my feed and on my stories over at Instagram.

Here are some examples of books I highlighted over the last few days.  Just click to play here.

First one up: 

Here's a cute free poem, The Bunny Hokey Pokey, that you could use with this book. Click on pic.

Next one is Peter Easter Frog:

Next up, I am the Longest Dog:

Here's a book, Dig In,  that was only one slide so just a picture. I'd love to use this with a guided reading group. Not a new book but one I just discovered.

Finally, a new Harry book!  I was shocked to see it! 

How much do I love Harry?  I actually have a free product in my store.  Click on pic to get it.

I'm about to do a whole bunch on Earth Day/Spring as well as just some books I found that I really enjoyed.  Been playing with the format but, going forward, they'll look like the Bunnies on the Bus and Harry Videos and will cap off between 15-30 seconds.

Any feedback to share?  I'm all ears!

Thanks so much!

December Randomness

I've always loved this quote. I am so looking forward to 2021. Who isn't?

I recently discovered these nail strips and they've changed my life!  (I don't sell or know anyone who sells.  If interested, Google someone in your area.  They are Color Street.)  Took me 8 minutes. Both hands.  Lasted over 2 weeks.  For about 10 bucks, I'm really happy I discovered them.

I love our mantle.  Live plants but I'm thinking because we need to find small poinsettias, we should look for ones to reuse each year.  Just easier! 

This next pic is from last year. Sad we won't get to see family this year but, for us, worth waiting.  We've come so far to get COVID now. That vaccination is right around the corner!

Need a family craft or gift for grandparents?  This is free in my store.  SO EASY! Click on pic.

Not sure of you use Instagram but I have lots of book recommendations over there. I give quick peeks inside books to help you out. Some are my favorite books from the past and others are recent finds. Click on the Highlights button when on my Instagram to see them. (Or visit my stories...that's where I pot most.) I have lots of book categories and add to them all the time.

Here is an example of what a book recommendation looks like.

Have a great day!

10 Thanksgiving Books Begging To be Shared

A roundup of some Thanksgiving books I've either used or just discovered and will be sharing from now on. Hoping you find one or two new ones!

Pearl and Squirrel is a new 2020 release. Not sure if there are other P & S books out there but if there isn't, there will be. I smell a series here!

FIVE STAR ALERT: The Thanksgiving Door will now be a MUST READ moving forward.  Have you read it?

An elderly couple burn their turkey and go out to the New World Cafe to eat not realizing it's closed so its new owners, immigrants, can celebrate their first holiday in America. It is so sweet and exactly what a Thanksgiving book should be. PERFECT! I'm sad that I haven't been sharing this gem with my class all these years. Reserve at the library ASAP. LOVE IT!

My kids love this each year. It makes me (and them!) feel so empowered. I really stress the repetitive phrase and throw it in a few more times. TRUE STORY: When I read it last year, a student shouted out, "You go girl!" to the MC, Sarah Hale!

I bypassed looking at this the year it was released because I already has several turkey escaping type books. Nope. Shouldn't have. NO turkeys escaping here! I sort of think it's a shame they have the word THANKSGIVINNG in the title because it could be ANY holiday and not limit the reading of this awesome book to November. 

 

Never get tired of this one. Love the ending. Kids crack up. Lisa Wheeler is always fun and this won't disappoint.  (Autographed copy from ages ago!)

This is a new Chloe Zoe adventure. I would share this with Prek-1.  Adorable!

John brought this home with him and I wasn't looking forward to reading it. Thought would be text heavy and over kids' heads. Wrong! Rhyming book about preparing for a Thanksgiving dinner. Liked a lot.

The parade is a part of so many of our students' lives that this will have lots of appeal. I learned some cool facts!

I like the illustrations above.  Very cute!

Enjoy! Happy Reading! If you have any thoughts about any book above, let me know! 

Creepy Pair of Underwear Fun!

I cannot tell you how much I love Aaron Reynold's and Peter Brown's book, A Creepy Pair of Underwear!  So much fun! The illustrations (Peter Brown) crack me up.  It's a companion book to the Caldecott Honor book, Creepy Carrots, which my kiddos love as much as I do!  There should be a HEE HEE Award! This is totally worthy!  There are a few readings on YouTube.  I love the "creepy" one above!  FUN!

It's a companion book to Creepy Carrots.  Lots of time the second book doesn't quite live up to expectations but this one was spot on.  I've read it to some little ones (not my class...waiting a few weeks) and they rolled around belly laughing.  LOVED IT!  It's going to be THE OCTOBER BOOK this year although you can read it anytime.  Trust me, you'll be rereading to your kids throughout the year.

I made a packet (80 pages of ELA/MATH) that's available here if you want to check it out.  It's on sale for the next 48 hours so grab it on sale if interested.  It includes a a Jasper and underwear craft above with a cute writing activity.  (Jasper's not a little bunny more. I"m growing up. too!  I can...) The ones above were done by my friend's third grade class as she already shared the book. She didn't yet send me her bulletin board pics with the writing attached but I'm eager to see it!

Here are preview pages:

I cannot wait to share it with my class!  Speaking of my Fabo Firsties, I am thrilled with my class! What sweet kids!  It's only been a week but they are caring, work well together, work hard, and laugh at all my jokes!  Really sweeties!  My day flies by so you know it's a great group!

Have a great week, everyone!  No, have a CREEPY, FUN week!  :)