Snow, Possessive Nouns, and a Freebie

About the craft project on the last post...

      ...I decided to do more contractions in the other pile next to the snowman, since the students needed more contraction practice. So, I will add the possessive snowballs and sign from “Pile on the Winter Fun! Set 2” to another craft of sorts. The original plan was to add the possessive snowballs on the right side of the snowmen because they show possession of each of the snowman’s accessories. It seems to be helpful when the students can repeatedly add “apostrophe s” to words so that they can remember where the apostrophe goes spatially. Sometimes that is a tough concept for our buddies. If you would like to check out the possessive noun activity and craft, then you can find it here.

Meanwhile, here are some pictures of their finished products.

We also did the “How To Build a Snowman” writing activity from “Pile on the Winter Fun! Set 3.” This set has 2 versions of adjective snowballs and some writing resources. These resources include a “How To Build a Snowman” flapbook pre-writing organizer and 25 different writing papers, with and without scaffolding. My ESOL students really respond well to the scaffolding as they write. Also, the papers have various styles of writing lines to meet the different needs of different students. All of these can be found in Set 3.

If you are interested in all three sets, the bundled set can be purchased at a discounted price. You can check it out here.

Meanwhile if you would like some samples of these sets, you can get a flapbook, a couple of writing papers and other resources in a freebie that is available in my shop as well. You can get it here.

Have a fabulous day!

Carrie

Snow, Contractions, and a Craft

I love a good snow...which rarely happens. I get excited when there are even flurries where I live. Needless to say, the students get excited as well! Recently we had the threat of snow and ice that turned into super duper cold weather that many of you had as well. That weather prevented the students from returning to school for an additional day at the end of the Christmas Break.

THEREFORE, once the students were finally back, I HAD to do a snowman craft with them. The addition of a lesson about contractions was the perfect fit. The kids hardly knew that they were writing, thinking, and even following directions. Here are a few of the students' masterpieces:

This snowman has an extra mitten floating around. 

The snowman's hat was flying away!

This student's snowballs are in the PROCESS of being piled.

I instructed them to save room on the other side of the snowman to make a pile of possessive nouns. Most of them followed my directions. Then I decided that we may want to just add another pile of contractions using "not" or a mix of contractions for another "fun" way to practice making contractions. I will let you know later which direction we decided to go.

This lesson is in my Teachers Pay Teachers store if you would like to check it out. Just click here.

My students have loved this activity for a few years now. I updated it with cute graphics from Krista Wallden.

I have two more sets that I will show you soon. Also, there is a freebie that coordinates. Meanwhile, stay warm!

Carrie

Organization and Diet Coke Boxes

Diet coke. Is the box the best part?

It's like waking up on Christmas morning!

Why do my students act giddy like they found an awesome present under the tree when I bring a Diet Coke box to school? I offer these boxes to students to use as a drawer in their desks. It keeps them "organized!" They fit perfectly inside their desks after the top is cut off. 

Actually, some of my students truly use them to organize their stuff better. Others use them to contain all of the extra markers, pencils, crayons, etc that tend to fall out of their desks. I saw it on Pinterest a while back, I think. I can't remember exactly, but where else would I have gotten a super great idea like that? I will give credit to that brilliant person when I come across it again.

As a matter of fact, my students were getting creative while waiting for the next box to come along and asked for boxes from tissues and from zip lock bags. While those were helpful, none of those boxes "did the trick" like soda boxes can. One of my students finally came around to seeing it that way. I think she will be able to find her scissors now since she doesn't actually look for them INSIDE her desk...usually. How adorable! 

The positive results? Students who have better ideas about how to organize their things...although I have several boys whose things are "squared away" at any given moment. They are my expert helpers who help some of the other students get their things in order. 

Another positive result, the desk fairy has more desks to admire. I made a new reward coupon for her to give the students for the new year. If you would like a copy, please click here.

Maybe this will spark some New Year's resolutions for my students!

Happy New Year! May all of your students' desks be in tip top shape for the new year! Now if the desk fairy would just come give me a hand with my own desk... :-)

I am linking up with Blog Hoppin for the New Year Linky for Day 5 - Organization. Can't get enough of that!!

Have a fabulous new year!
Carrie