tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83256307340286371332024-03-19T05:39:18.653-07:00Inspired ElementaryInspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-3893143374962422072018-11-02T10:56:00.004-07:002018-11-02T11:17:43.148-07:00Calendar Gift: Cutesy Calendar FREEBIE! Handprint calendars make the sweetest gift for parents to receive from their student during the holiday season! I love these because they are simple and very budget-friendly. All you will need is a set of my (FREE) Cutesy Calendars and some washable paint that is safe for finger painting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUzHvitp2ep54aHR7-vgjmM14wfGtKY7_fDBTG986IEXu1Yb1cEdh6IhSlhBqL0xxxJ0He_to4vMF_ofST4jsfJz6N364kT4Lwt-3E5OlZ6tWaYfNxNDVA2nZLckQkqZrX9s0FmqM-WkV/s1600/FREE+CAL+PIN+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="724" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUzHvitp2ep54aHR7-vgjmM14wfGtKY7_fDBTG986IEXu1Yb1cEdh6IhSlhBqL0xxxJ0He_to4vMF_ofST4jsfJz6N364kT4Lwt-3E5OlZ6tWaYfNxNDVA2nZLckQkqZrX9s0FmqM-WkV/s640/FREE+CAL+PIN+1.png" width="425" /></a></div>
First, have the students use their handprints or fingers to create artwork that goes along with each month. Here are a few examples for February, March and April:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaT35fS14VxbxhPNgk9hlllg67F1_h0HV5M43mDJJS8bw_nxa3u229-aVBbcpQwhoCTBES1pjAZp9NMkCxijYLFFR91QR-LvKDO0KrsJxIfWWKHSYIStPqpGqzMOw_PP2_Bu2r6Udg8V4H/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-11-01+at+10.14.11+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="722" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaT35fS14VxbxhPNgk9hlllg67F1_h0HV5M43mDJJS8bw_nxa3u229-aVBbcpQwhoCTBES1pjAZp9NMkCxijYLFFR91QR-LvKDO0KrsJxIfWWKHSYIStPqpGqzMOw_PP2_Bu2r6Udg8V4H/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-11-01+at+10.14.11+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2jK99tiE3vlR-jELDGDDS3MEZsZ5JyuGCFRTMg4HR2_NpHnDkR27Y41kz3IiDtt4ZeAffgOClb5VYM71YKG98A2ssdgd66H2EUtBin_iGugCkFUnvxIRgW9ffH57M24mJ6YGIBgAlOc8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-11-01+at+10.14.27+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="724" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2jK99tiE3vlR-jELDGDDS3MEZsZ5JyuGCFRTMg4HR2_NpHnDkR27Y41kz3IiDtt4ZeAffgOClb5VYM71YKG98A2ssdgd66H2EUtBin_iGugCkFUnvxIRgW9ffH57M24mJ6YGIBgAlOc8/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-11-01+at+10.14.27+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rdLnjrEnG24cPFbUO0oAoyn8Mla3uY7TBcNAtjn_ZRpQ2NdI3JKqdfl5binJXqYg3ar-inC30UZ0RKvF2CfMvlWwsaty4b4Uf7JOnEysNmUGFam4lTgNeJwpe5UeyhNcoJQY3DOmSRXg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-11-01+at+10.14.37+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="724" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rdLnjrEnG24cPFbUO0oAoyn8Mla3uY7TBcNAtjn_ZRpQ2NdI3JKqdfl5binJXqYg3ar-inC30UZ0RKvF2CfMvlWwsaty4b4Uf7JOnEysNmUGFam4lTgNeJwpe5UeyhNcoJQY3DOmSRXg/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-11-01+at+10.14.37+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
**You can see more ideas for ALL 12 months included in the freebie below.<br />
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After all 12 months are completed, assemble the top half of the calendar (being the student artwork) to the bottom half of the calendar (being my free Cutesy Calendars). If your school has a spiral binding machine that works best. If you don't want to use paint, there are tons of other ideas on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/InspiredElementary/">Pinterest</a> for calendar crafts.<br />
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Finally, have students decorate a tag for their parents and tie it to the calendar using ribbon, yarn, or whatever else you have on hand.<br />
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<b>You can grab your free set of Cutesy Calendars and handprint ideas <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://pages.convertkit.com/45bb5c76da/7fd420b9b5">HERE!</a></span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksq7a-Rnjyo8M7a71UThIHHCjHoJL8ycXsfxlCMnedm9BUMGRCPX7PlAbF7OI3GSaxBUYquVhVN6nYGT_wHzonEPN_A3hhFFT7fWipzjRSK-54oJUsBhsjftnm2VYXMuq_Pp2uaOXd_ba/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-11-01+at+10.21.22+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjksq7a-Rnjyo8M7a71UThIHHCjHoJL8ycXsfxlCMnedm9BUMGRCPX7PlAbF7OI3GSaxBUYquVhVN6nYGT_wHzonEPN_A3hhFFT7fWipzjRSK-54oJUsBhsjftnm2VYXMuq_Pp2uaOXd_ba/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-11-01+at+10.21.22+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Together we can inspire a love of learning,<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-41736553774007121522018-08-22T15:27:00.000-07:002018-09-25T13:36:22.767-07:00OCTICORN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hLwz_JyhFI15gtm2vt7uuz0njK9sE-3QoCYnbxOQb6vXyUL2W68oqvHESN2_iZzDbgf9L4E1vhKw9RuKRvn61QPdX5o6PUFMwkVC6WJm04bbNNHhAiaMZyvWBwUi53ZQFqe8vvEfRvVp/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-22+at+7.06.02+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="794" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hLwz_JyhFI15gtm2vt7uuz0njK9sE-3QoCYnbxOQb6vXyUL2W68oqvHESN2_iZzDbgf9L4E1vhKw9RuKRvn61QPdX5o6PUFMwkVC6WJm04bbNNHhAiaMZyvWBwUi53ZQFqe8vvEfRvVp/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-22+at+7.06.02+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://amzn.to/2OXLqXL" target="_blank">OCTICORN</a> is one of my new favorite picture books for teaching students that IT IS OKAY TO BE DIFFERENT! This cute story is about a octopus/unicorn who doesn't seem to fit in with either group.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc3Wj90fq94KGrcGfCSgGCvxh69dIQjVmOIpInCD5m5UCaJ7bAxE5pK868g8P5mhMBimfsIXPyIaDUbG6ixJ3wi2mjUsrQ1CeR_FiCYAzmPb6JfjNOESJxXKauo-leeubkcWZ-ZE8gVNG/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-22+at+7.07.26+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="796" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEc3Wj90fq94KGrcGfCSgGCvxh69dIQjVmOIpInCD5m5UCaJ7bAxE5pK868g8P5mhMBimfsIXPyIaDUbG6ixJ3wi2mjUsrQ1CeR_FiCYAzmPb6JfjNOESJxXKauo-leeubkcWZ-ZE8gVNG/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-22+at+7.07.26+AM.png" width="540" /></a></div>
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This book provides lots of good teaching points for students, too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVf-ouCVTNqe1GDFvTTfTz2FncsAOnQg236bw-WdaM6p70V-V_3Wzutu8co_ZzzLkxdqNej5OFhYK70In7P_DKoihGOwLAFz1LhOlf5uHvZ2tMwcF6uVNdb9DnWhanMDBh0Ap93W3e6Er/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-22+at+7.07.13+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="796" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVf-ouCVTNqe1GDFvTTfTz2FncsAOnQg236bw-WdaM6p70V-V_3Wzutu8co_ZzzLkxdqNej5OFhYK70In7P_DKoihGOwLAFz1LhOlf5uHvZ2tMwcF6uVNdb9DnWhanMDBh0Ap93W3e6Er/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-22+at+7.07.13+AM.png" width="516" /></a></div>
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<i style="caret-color: rgb(153, 153, 153); color: #999999;">This post contains affiliate links to products I personally recommend. Click <a href="http://www.inspiredelementary.com/p/disclosures.html">here</a> to read my full disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting Inspired Elementary. </i></div>
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Octicorn experiences what it's like to be different, so this book is a great reminder for students to include others even if they look or act differently than them. I especially love this lesson at the beginning of the school year. </div>
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After I read the book, I have students write about how they could help Octicorn feel like he belongs, even if he doesn't look the same as them. After students write, I have them share with each other in small groups so they can hear one another's ideas. </div>
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I have put together a few different FREE writing response templates that you can choose from. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MYQbElUQW0CEJ0a5UZRq-tF76OkV8owpqXQibMv-L1MRSRclIRHiSa-aBEx8ShmVcuKh8UstCja7gLI1KC_8E4bUz-QORI5fZV4Gb6GPRKG1inZRCuFtHI3eyTfeUH0E0Yg11Eyi08Wi/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-22+at+6.56.33+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="794" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MYQbElUQW0CEJ0a5UZRq-tF76OkV8owpqXQibMv-L1MRSRclIRHiSa-aBEx8ShmVcuKh8UstCja7gLI1KC_8E4bUz-QORI5fZV4Gb6GPRKG1inZRCuFtHI3eyTfeUH0E0Yg11Eyi08Wi/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-22+at+6.56.33+AM.png" width="418" /></a></div>
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You can have your kiddos write about their favorite part of story, or use the blank template to have them write about a time that they felt different or left out. Another fun twist is to have students do a creative writing activity and where they come up with their own new hybrid animal (ex. bear + monkey = bearkey).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXk8wVbofCbS8IYGJkSfOdRpi7nEMPoDPLVOb3Eh4iXbja2JewTKziCJmjhmX9stiLVxuOKxJ_PecIR5nGZhLCO3UdfFhygB79mAPfn5S-K8tGG5quAuUfGzFu9T1OcH781vYlc-5HtfiY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-22+at+2.20.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="794" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXk8wVbofCbS8IYGJkSfOdRpi7nEMPoDPLVOb3Eh4iXbja2JewTKziCJmjhmX9stiLVxuOKxJ_PecIR5nGZhLCO3UdfFhygB79mAPfn5S-K8tGG5quAuUfGzFu9T1OcH781vYlc-5HtfiY/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-22+at+2.20.11+PM.png" width="510" /></a></div>
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Don't forget to grab your <a href="https://amzn.to/2OXLqXL" target="_blank">copy of OCTICORN! </a> Also, you can grab my free writing template <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sXJSELl9TDPK-jp3vy7050srfNFP9Nts/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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If you are looking for more comprehension and book activities, be sure to check out my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Response-Activities-Comprehension-Pages-Book-Activities-536528?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary&utm_campaign=Octicorn%20Reading%20Response%20Activities%20Post" target="_blank">Reading Response Activities</a> that can be used with any text. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwbZd1-h6GQnULFndaQKChCvbVjQUyvWEbFfCkPydJiFMCEhIdOEiE1R-yLmJgKOe2Fdi5TG17dQhBlGyvDweBC3QXRWEe24u5lBjZWKJR3PhC4TVZLSjkv2DZ-CNW1xfc1YrdV6KxKLi/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-22+at+7.29.51+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="1214" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwbZd1-h6GQnULFndaQKChCvbVjQUyvWEbFfCkPydJiFMCEhIdOEiE1R-yLmJgKOe2Fdi5TG17dQhBlGyvDweBC3QXRWEe24u5lBjZWKJR3PhC4TVZLSjkv2DZ-CNW1xfc1YrdV6KxKLi/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-22+at+7.29.51+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope you enjoy this book!</div>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-49475652410959414922018-08-11T13:53:00.001-07:002018-08-11T13:57:14.095-07:002018 & 2019 Free Calendars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFkFwuIO8DhOT0N0E0gNgL_qINTQDwSICmzz4QtRlaZhV771ear2LVsoANfrn0WBbTnX4XJ4_IBD14P_e8yIlcF_4gFP40FnzuaVsNrcNcQXpOIPj7mm2TeqWG5qt4wEKLp9C08HS5z59/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-09+at+1.18.58+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1190" height="635" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFkFwuIO8DhOT0N0E0gNgL_qINTQDwSICmzz4QtRlaZhV771ear2LVsoANfrn0WBbTnX4XJ4_IBD14P_e8yIlcF_4gFP40FnzuaVsNrcNcQXpOIPj7mm2TeqWG5qt4wEKLp9C08HS5z59/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-09+at+1.18.58+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I wanted to share my annual calendar freebie for the 2018/2019 school year! If you follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/inspiredelementary" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, you know how much I love all things cute, so these Cutesy Calendars are ready for you to print and use.<br />
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I hope these calendars make planning classroom activities, centers, events, etc. a breeze for you this upcoming year! You can grab your set below. Also, here are five more TEACHER-FAVORITE CLASSROOM RESOURCES that you might like to check out:<br />
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1. <a href="http://bit.ly/StudentDictionary" target="_blank">STUDENT DICTIONARY: PERSONAL WORD WALL</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gDMb97XKqBtmLaDAhgOAMgj6iWt1ZH6vXGbFlOlBI0qVIJ2pqMfaBarH1Zy2QtDLK0XEnMRA5AY8NOYvK_ElXJJe6Yi4lk7w6eQqBGhSUkM-tLCiLQF9SLvuMneMajyT7U-_0tnbYHgg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-10+at+3.57.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="722" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gDMb97XKqBtmLaDAhgOAMgj6iWt1ZH6vXGbFlOlBI0qVIJ2pqMfaBarH1Zy2QtDLK0XEnMRA5AY8NOYvK_ElXJJe6Yi4lk7w6eQqBGhSUkM-tLCiLQF9SLvuMneMajyT7U-_0tnbYHgg/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-10+at+3.57.14+PM.png" width="424" /></a></div>
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2. <a href="http://bit.ly/SilentResponseCards" target="_blank">SILENT RESPONSE CARDS:</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpIARgZvOZSAC_25uieoyCBnextwdDtg3ugtpbTD4OWpeFEQE7ViFwksFd4sHHN8dA7P28BoBHfU8XBkEzeQ7isJdsU1ogN1Ia1tLIZlPJZ4NBQOJhdvnPA8EZm1srNaqStdGhb2afQGm/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-10+at+4.07.14+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="724" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpIARgZvOZSAC_25uieoyCBnextwdDtg3ugtpbTD4OWpeFEQE7ViFwksFd4sHHN8dA7P28BoBHfU8XBkEzeQ7isJdsU1ogN1Ia1tLIZlPJZ4NBQOJhdvnPA8EZm1srNaqStdGhb2afQGm/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-10+at+4.07.14+PM.png" width="426" /></a></div>
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3. <a href="http://bit.ly/ListenandColor" target="_blank">LISTEN & COLOR: Weekly Listening Skills Activities</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF48USqkUD1OeZ9whvJh4cdWXIU_NWEWXFw-CzHDQDwy4EI6UOCqLNw0kfFrYuqxhPf4pS4WkI3d-XzsBPsHgb7GFGa7OW61ukt-baQS3flenmf6-tkwWKUl0dy2_EfJwmoQ36GWbGDR4/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-10+at+4.16.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="724" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsF48USqkUD1OeZ9whvJh4cdWXIU_NWEWXFw-CzHDQDwy4EI6UOCqLNw0kfFrYuqxhPf4pS4WkI3d-XzsBPsHgb7GFGa7OW61ukt-baQS3flenmf6-tkwWKUl0dy2_EfJwmoQ36GWbGDR4/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-10+at+4.16.04+PM.png" width="428" /></a></div>
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4. <a href="http://bit.ly/SightWordActivityStrips" target="_blank">SIGHT WORD ACTIVITY STRIPS:</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9_QHemznKpmvygcRo0oCs_bflx3MuTX0Dq7EkQm1izCLHCkUwEZObmN978eV8Y2VrsYIh0rW9bkGsn_SNh4MkCsJm39atI-QfUJ4VNDqXDVH-hsjK9xlqWEPOLndEj6flCLWPSI5fTol/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-10+at+4.22.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="724" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9_QHemznKpmvygcRo0oCs_bflx3MuTX0Dq7EkQm1izCLHCkUwEZObmN978eV8Y2VrsYIh0rW9bkGsn_SNh4MkCsJm39atI-QfUJ4VNDqXDVH-hsjK9xlqWEPOLndEj6flCLWPSI5fTol/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-10+at+4.22.16+PM.png" width="424" /></a></div>
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5. <a href="http://bit.ly/InspiredElementary-SolveItStrips" target="_blank">SOLVE IT STRIPS: Hands-On Math Puzzles</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pOajnzPT3K9g9rYDxP-bV3RZXiQGjp60C_8XKPFJqfu0yfVosEhp1M-022oue0b7gxUz6jZMFRnxJoHHIE1kKy5qGhOP7QBRFcCkxwanriM0UGMivNhBJTn016dUN4aEGrJJgSgHgIwB/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-10+at+4.25.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="816" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pOajnzPT3K9g9rYDxP-bV3RZXiQGjp60C_8XKPFJqfu0yfVosEhp1M-022oue0b7gxUz6jZMFRnxJoHHIE1kKy5qGhOP7QBRFcCkxwanriM0UGMivNhBJTn016dUN4aEGrJJgSgHgIwB/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-10+at+4.25.56+PM.png" width="428" /></a></div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-50201544221455799822018-04-24T17:08:00.001-07:002018-04-24T17:29:28.488-07:00The Compliment Box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6ZMmN8cw7q7sbZJZdX358cJHNvMcierFoyCxu_ftTVnwwQegiF0jD8qCYyKsWOEcN9cp86EHanSJ3CVb884Kx9KulQqKDqUKRV96Hfnqu3UDMAVnEonoqGIkdSzKM9oLm9YeP-H8Ilws/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-24+at+5.22.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1232" data-original-width="1554" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6ZMmN8cw7q7sbZJZdX358cJHNvMcierFoyCxu_ftTVnwwQegiF0jD8qCYyKsWOEcN9cp86EHanSJ3CVb884Kx9KulQqKDqUKRV96Hfnqu3UDMAVnEonoqGIkdSzKM9oLm9YeP-H8Ilws/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-04-24+at+5.22.51+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Compliment Box is another one of my favorite <a href="http://www.inspiredelementary.com/2014/11/classroom-communication-tools.html">classroom management tools</a>. Teaching students how to compliment one another not only promotes kindness, but it provides them with an opportunity within the school day to practice that kindness.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjMiJIfd2nAFw4K2RUXQLfk6kw2n9OZLJtdgSLotbCr5rK2FUlq9ND7JTkUn019zspnSChQO6Q3nv9UiZgiCIknplXrI5ka3pg2MqWE1nK5RW1paPRL520rq35JQhNf_d7OD_lU0A-Qrg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-24+at+5.16.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1154" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjMiJIfd2nAFw4K2RUXQLfk6kw2n9OZLJtdgSLotbCr5rK2FUlq9ND7JTkUn019zspnSChQO6Q3nv9UiZgiCIknplXrI5ka3pg2MqWE1nK5RW1paPRL520rq35JQhNf_d7OD_lU0A-Qrg/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-04-24+at+5.16.54+PM.png" width="632" /></a></div>
<u>WHAT YOU NEED</u>: To set up your own Compliment Box, all you need is a small box (I used a cardboard box and painted it) and some Compliment Cards printed on <a href="https://amzn.to/2qTFi9w">ASTROBRIGHTS paper. </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf59z_UVoPTVeOMmp_NYs8J_icvjIB-OSHZ-3oOoNir7db22S04RTOn2X_xq9r2-rTODm-UDDEkk4-yFy_qGkWp4fP9_t9VsKiuRl2TJBE-Mx37Ecr9p2WPOpwh9WrzCervxUzT4_JoI1N/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-24+at+4.44.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="788" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf59z_UVoPTVeOMmp_NYs8J_icvjIB-OSHZ-3oOoNir7db22S04RTOn2X_xq9r2-rTODm-UDDEkk4-yFy_qGkWp4fP9_t9VsKiuRl2TJBE-Mx37Ecr9p2WPOpwh9WrzCervxUzT4_JoI1N/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-04-24+at+4.44.25+PM.png" width="430" /></a></div>
<u>WHEN IT'S DONE</u>: Students can leave compliments for each other if they finish a task early, at the beginning of recess, or right after school.<br />
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<u>HOW IT'S DONE</u>: Students (or teachers) take a Compliment Card and fill it in. Some students leave their names and others are anonymous. During closing time each day, pull two or three Compliment Cards and read them aloud. After reading, give the card to the student being complimented, so they can take it home and share it with their family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8RbDv1InSKHn-rteo6DvdH41Ep-1LeKC6YRHGSdpNeo-xHJFv-tkclP-IACnLyoX6UW_VSpAxVmZ4yqc82hpSPGQPnBOi_dlPSRSTbKGzWCKMmiMTM9bQbMXPBh9Sn7yp49XZ6ZXYfEg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-24+at+5.00.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="782" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8RbDv1InSKHn-rteo6DvdH41Ep-1LeKC6YRHGSdpNeo-xHJFv-tkclP-IACnLyoX6UW_VSpAxVmZ4yqc82hpSPGQPnBOi_dlPSRSTbKGzWCKMmiMTM9bQbMXPBh9Sn7yp49XZ6ZXYfEg/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-04-24+at+5.00.23+PM.png" width="638" /></a></div>
Having a Compliment Box in your staff lounge is a great way to promote community and kindness among the staff at your school site, too!<br />
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I would love to see your Compliment Box in your classroom or staff lounge! You can tag me @InspiredElementary on Instagram to share your photos. are some free Compliment Cards to get you started! <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GNVOUG3djAcWCx_4Ibf4jXVwtGDP9Vru/view?usp=sharing">Here are some free Compliment Cards</a> to get you started!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-53539885429043729412018-04-11T14:26:00.001-07:002018-04-24T17:09:20.372-07:00Adjective Collages I love Adjective Collages! They make such a special teacher gift (or a gift for parent volunteers)!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrC3mMH-9ienFxoyDInzytOPXQqx5gYqxm717X1bvGw_ArWg4r5kooAIh2rnkTsQGuJphr9jMP5ITYUE7vwFuyDNOBO6sVioGhe5_enNDEDeU87F4pwHSMMyzeugTKIbUCj9G1pGolZbo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+1.14.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="1484" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrC3mMH-9ienFxoyDInzytOPXQqx5gYqxm717X1bvGw_ArWg4r5kooAIh2rnkTsQGuJphr9jMP5ITYUE7vwFuyDNOBO6sVioGhe5_enNDEDeU87F4pwHSMMyzeugTKIbUCj9G1pGolZbo/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+1.14.03+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
To make an Adjective Collage, I have each student choose a word to describe the teacher (or parent volunteer). Every student gives me three adjectives, that way if there is any overlap (which there always is) I have options to choose from.<br />
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Then, in Microsoft Powerpoint, I create a slide that is 8 inches x 10.5 inches. I center the teacher's name in the middle using a bold font, and then add the adjectives in all around. Near each adjective, I insert a heart and the student's name that chose that particular adjective.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueXt7zeoz9fhAx-e1OfvtAPFG84BzBVygSv4QyKDffYutyhlSZjhLNDbqCD6Jgk5rFqDpncNFiVHytM_o5hG3FtpqVYPsroSi2DB-KGsGIl063KapuyIZQzZgah0MqR4_d4QGjh2MVJRD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-11+at+2.23.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="762" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueXt7zeoz9fhAx-e1OfvtAPFG84BzBVygSv4QyKDffYutyhlSZjhLNDbqCD6Jgk5rFqDpncNFiVHytM_o5hG3FtpqVYPsroSi2DB-KGsGIl063KapuyIZQzZgah0MqR4_d4QGjh2MVJRD/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-04-11+at+2.23.15+PM.png" width="448" /></a></div>
After printing the collage out, I use markers to color in each heart. Then, I trim down the edges to fit it into a standard 8x10 picture frame.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVMXQHzvsJ9XFVM8YMkUaiHUadAjy6N6efh6FBweOpm4WLgcV-67WOtwxz9C6dNzGpeDzfM2ddGtjguZ6k5esTnF1k9G8qdP39EQzQgO-E0Eg_pSBIHwb-4mdBY_qXNVXehiw-A5dKKvH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-04-11+at+2.31.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="748" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVMXQHzvsJ9XFVM8YMkUaiHUadAjy6N6efh6FBweOpm4WLgcV-67WOtwxz9C6dNzGpeDzfM2ddGtjguZ6k5esTnF1k9G8qdP39EQzQgO-E0Eg_pSBIHwb-4mdBY_qXNVXehiw-A5dKKvH/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-04-11+at+2.31.42+PM.png" width="434" /></a></div>
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If you make an Adjective Collage, I would love to see it! You can tag me on Instagram @InspiredElementary to share.<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-82261826096630884092018-03-19T15:48:00.003-07:002018-03-19T15:49:59.393-07:00Favorite Poetry Unit<span style="font-family: inherit;">Teaching poetry is so much fun and so easy to do when you have the necessary tools! I remember my first year teaching fourth grade, our writing curriculum had nothing for teaching poetry. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Luckily, I have always loved to write, especially poems, so I developed my own <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Unit-Writers-Workshop-Bundle-642237?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Poetry%20Unit%20Post">Poetry Unit</a>. It was incredible to see even my most </span>reluctant<span style="font-family: inherit;"> writers get excited about sharing their poems...I was inspired! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The following year, when I moved down to second grade, I knew my Poetry Unit was something I wanted to continue. I was amazed at the rhyme and word choice that my second graders were so cleverly able to produce. This poetry unit continues to be a student (and teacher) favorite year after year!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAXmspxk5Bc9gLE5ViOGUXJ1PWv8-_6gO2o_sCF17OEdHJ2f4tSRsIQVJS-6zYIgh2E-7D3Ctsr6v9IzZUc7khvrtQI3X2wbWW6CA6aSLX_VHXBVQPLqH1DMZiL-cs8s85jFxCjDFJJgq/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+1.19.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAXmspxk5Bc9gLE5ViOGUXJ1PWv8-_6gO2o_sCF17OEdHJ2f4tSRsIQVJS-6zYIgh2E-7D3Ctsr6v9IzZUc7khvrtQI3X2wbWW6CA6aSLX_VHXBVQPLqH1DMZiL-cs8s85jFxCjDFJJgq/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+1.19.02+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">During our poetry unit, students are introduced to 14 different types of poems over a </span>fi<span style="font-family: inherit;">ve week period. I use my five-week pacing guide, but this can easily be adjusted to more or less weeks, depending on how you want to pace your poems. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhDgsMAjHLCfBPwhvDnuKKJRNCx5kIIMocQYaHpU7XhpROBgmfpb-ZgFb4O9XMrhyphenhyphen3bWPp9ZvU6dwAK-zpDgiaDVJw9kBUnKqgRFKXOrNhyeHvPKGEwUj3iTSlyL7uoHJfUiGT_E6I26U/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+11.56.48+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="856" data-original-width="724" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhDgsMAjHLCfBPwhvDnuKKJRNCx5kIIMocQYaHpU7XhpROBgmfpb-ZgFb4O9XMrhyphenhyphen3bWPp9ZvU6dwAK-zpDgiaDVJw9kBUnKqgRFKXOrNhyeHvPKGEwUj3iTSlyL7uoHJfUiGT_E6I26U/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+11.56.48+AM.png" width="540" /></a></div>
Each day, during our writer's workshop poetry block, I follow the same format for every poem. First, I use my Poetry Introduction Page to introduce a new type of poem and show students an example of that type of poem.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mz2tOtPEerxe4iQ0U9Eq5cJwsLG2oY5vTXYbfPF8RLhAL42_GXGWs9TQmsciF5Y4nKdu_SpZamRFcKPyire5PqHNRWeiTDAqqRhx257u3zEWrIEb-ZVAFkouT56GCiYp3CTDAG1nnchw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+1.26.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="724" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3mz2tOtPEerxe4iQ0U9Eq5cJwsLG2oY5vTXYbfPF8RLhAL42_GXGWs9TQmsciF5Y4nKdu_SpZamRFcKPyire5PqHNRWeiTDAqqRhx257u3zEWrIEb-ZVAFkouT56GCiYp3CTDAG1nnchw/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+1.26.07+PM.png" width="488" /></a></div>
Next, students receive the Poem Planning Sheet for the particular poem that I just introduced. This planning sheet helps to walk them through, step-by-step, in how to create their own poem. This sheet also serves as the rough draft, too. Depending on the type of poem (how involved it is) students either stop here for the day, or move onto the final steps.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmx_8v1BGRLRtTrIxhfd4hLRxntakyAZa59NNuyipi4Kr9Q4LJlZ_OotGPl-7obaMJg0MexxVfpI55uSYbNY5WK3QARoN0dUWowy5_ZdyoRVN_czW8Nz-cwk1ZReZL-IPiS-0symoTtxF/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+2.06.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="934" data-original-width="722" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmx_8v1BGRLRtTrIxhfd4hLRxntakyAZa59NNuyipi4Kr9Q4LJlZ_OotGPl-7obaMJg0MexxVfpI55uSYbNY5WK3QARoN0dUWowy5_ZdyoRVN_czW8Nz-cwk1ZReZL-IPiS-0symoTtxF/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+2.06.36+PM.png" width="494" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After the planning sheet page (rough draft) is completed, students have a chance to edit/revise. I allow them to partner up and read their poems aloud. This often helps them either think of new word choices, or hear any errors aloud. This is where our <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Student-Dictionary-Dolch-Sight-Words-Frys-100-Words-and-More-1748109?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Student%20Dictionary%20Poetry%20Post">Student Dictionaries</a> also come in very handy! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTbPWSW4UPUmhudKDkx0y_PtBT56jB236gvamf8uqRltC-aosnLlBwWKIaqKMq5CylLDScdUCDhTEX81s3uTAMLSywOKmpE3JT4R_oVQm278N-n-cNVnR1LoD8j5cisRH0gPdPXqMalZm/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+2.28.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="724" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTbPWSW4UPUmhudKDkx0y_PtBT56jB236gvamf8uqRltC-aosnLlBwWKIaqKMq5CylLDScdUCDhTEX81s3uTAMLSywOKmpE3JT4R_oVQm278N-n-cNVnR1LoD8j5cisRH0gPdPXqMalZm/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+2.28.00+PM.png" width="598" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Then, students get to choose from the different final copy papers I have printed out...I like giving them choices. Finally, students write their final copy of the poem and color in any graphics and/or add designs and color. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpc_4ejzyIxFD5swUVuUqy9h4gl0qnbZq7zLgXZpDvoiburzmAoofBLyov1kfDJQPfCrIkmB9p-OtJCe5y_9knT9tqTyStxopS_Co53AqYOcvKEQxRhANtkQxIG1BHoC18I37h7jxrsIk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+2.22.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpc_4ejzyIxFD5swUVuUqy9h4gl0qnbZq7zLgXZpDvoiburzmAoofBLyov1kfDJQPfCrIkmB9p-OtJCe5y_9knT9tqTyStxopS_Co53AqYOcvKEQxRhANtkQxIG1BHoC18I37h7jxrsIk/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+2.22.39+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Students turn in their rough draft planning sheet to me and place the final copy of their poem in the "On Hold" pocket of their <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writers-Workshop-Folder-Set-361478?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Writers%20Workshop%20Folder%20Poetry%20Post">Writer's Workshop Folder</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVkCED981OVJ3CIY44t3IxkpNAxOUY7q_eiobUZmqgvSeuS9nimmJJlDtJY75sYZWAqtjjAshB-Q9fvBmr5KH2MBBMfD7ID0qKMeYw1dZGJghPx04fRCVYOvcXrBRlQ8Llm2f6Bf3Clcl/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+2.41.28+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1426" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVkCED981OVJ3CIY44t3IxkpNAxOUY7q_eiobUZmqgvSeuS9nimmJJlDtJY75sYZWAqtjjAshB-Q9fvBmr5KH2MBBMfD7ID0qKMeYw1dZGJghPx04fRCVYOvcXrBRlQ8Llm2f6Bf3Clcl/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+2.41.28+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once our unit is complete, students assemble their own Poetry </span>Portfolio<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (which is always a favorite display at Open House!). </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwtbGvSghmPGWJ-CqHD11hovPFYxC_h8hfD4Ne3CQ0QWoMmwiYPY5UWFVs0wiEN3OCQHx0XbYh0FwXrm13swFhloJvGPoSpn1eMMcl0jlPiGDVLXX0BbKB2tt2s3uDVpc_r1cAbvoeMiM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+3.37.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="722" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwtbGvSghmPGWJ-CqHD11hovPFYxC_h8hfD4Ne3CQ0QWoMmwiYPY5UWFVs0wiEN3OCQHx0XbYh0FwXrm13swFhloJvGPoSpn1eMMcl0jlPiGDVLXX0BbKB2tt2s3uDVpc_r1cAbvoeMiM/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+3.37.46+PM.png" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also use these Poetry Portfolios for a writing grade. I have multiple rubrics to choose from for individual poems or for the entire portfolio.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvz_sOhS7CkFcHoQ-CRm3ZzAJMupYlpOEsn3rvP1y1VQKpdjZkEx2C62ZKOCMDLoJZy4MBS7yP5uoXN9nmt6wv4pjXIpBXj4s5CwoxoOPlpbeL8IpqsLqUCtcAoGh-S2O9xscf5Ycf9Pr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+3.24.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="812" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvz_sOhS7CkFcHoQ-CRm3ZzAJMupYlpOEsn3rvP1y1VQKpdjZkEx2C62ZKOCMDLoJZy4MBS7yP5uoXN9nmt6wv4pjXIpBXj4s5CwoxoOPlpbeL8IpqsLqUCtcAoGh-S2O9xscf5Ycf9Pr/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+3.24.29+PM.png" width="482" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you're ready to dive right in, </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Unit-Writers-Workshop-Bundle-642237?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Poetry%20Unit%20Post" style="font-family: inherit;">click here for the </a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Unit-Writers-Workshop-Bundle-642237?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Poetry%20Unit%20Post" style="font-family: inherit;">complete Poetry Unit.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIn-mLPnJ8a2VOQecl7M322FQMFLMapWCmf7k9C6wRBKCLcVAaFaVJZ1hRBRsCJ6ZOe91bfSLY_PD7zfUX-YV4vFFeUcQ5Zu2dZpi15dd38D6lH-yBQGElS2C2aGeG2ELkcGVHITFnjx7S/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+3.26.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1122" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIn-mLPnJ8a2VOQecl7M322FQMFLMapWCmf7k9C6wRBKCLcVAaFaVJZ1hRBRsCJ6ZOe91bfSLY_PD7zfUX-YV4vFFeUcQ5Zu2dZpi15dd38D6lH-yBQGElS2C2aGeG2ELkcGVHITFnjx7S/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+3.26.46+PM.png" width="634" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Or, you can try out <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Haiku-Poetry-Freebie-642260?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Haiku%20Freebie%20Poetry%20Blog">Haiku Poetry with this freebie! </a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqbi98E6JNccbZudez__ucnm6wLIZG3J82zw4VpnsknKSonr3QQAiavF0kD9S79h62HyRe7VMJugL11-RUSVd63CvssjuJnQGWbThOUtdHLPXblATE_IclQHxr5mnNvSuCYXRKGk1ZpwU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+3.29.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1144" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqbi98E6JNccbZudez__ucnm6wLIZG3J82zw4VpnsknKSonr3QQAiavF0kD9S79h62HyRe7VMJugL11-RUSVd63CvssjuJnQGWbThOUtdHLPXblATE_IclQHxr5mnNvSuCYXRKGk1ZpwU/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-19+at+3.29.08+PM.png" width="635" /></a></div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-18364468438657549832018-03-08T16:11:00.004-08:002018-03-11T08:42:54.192-07:00Counting Coins Activities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyzHQmyZ_9AFlprMCsp4gpsttTP8hF10w55L6LzjcyUFoFcFVB0YwrSySmI1O_gzAT5uZ0nv_B7z6FnzgWMMXiUfivOvwBarHA2lLLT4e3rhLyTTHm3ITAFH9AB0IcUNUfsCY-tQUnR49/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+2.15.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRyzHQmyZ_9AFlprMCsp4gpsttTP8hF10w55L6LzjcyUFoFcFVB0YwrSySmI1O_gzAT5uZ0nv_B7z6FnzgWMMXiUfivOvwBarHA2lLLT4e3rhLyTTHm3ITAFH9AB0IcUNUfsCY-tQUnR49/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+2.15.00+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Counting money is such a fun skill to practice. I love all the great ideas out there on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/InspiredElementary/boards/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> and I'm always amazed at how excited students get when real money is involved. Here are a few ideas that can easily be mixed into your math centers for some counting money fun.<br />
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I love the "Counting Coins in Cupcakes" math center! This is a re-usable center that students can change out for you over the course of the year....win-win!<br />
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All you need to do is take dot stickers that you can find at your local office supply store, or dollar store, and write different coin amounts on each sticker. To easily differentiate this center, you can add more challenging amounts, including dollar and cents.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8b7Ig42q7jNDLL5EhI9TUQ6RHKOQV-B7fyDMyeZLzlmEAbHlNPe8kckJYRQwLHkWpcMimeHBp5VQ4Gf_QNOc0ZGpYylG_lWcGIU0fVeNqiNkw0vzOnB1T3BBkB2rMDLCmeszGyxGy0xt/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+2.20.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="794" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8b7Ig42q7jNDLL5EhI9TUQ6RHKOQV-B7fyDMyeZLzlmEAbHlNPe8kckJYRQwLHkWpcMimeHBp5VQ4Gf_QNOc0ZGpYylG_lWcGIU0fVeNqiNkw0vzOnB1T3BBkB2rMDLCmeszGyxGy0xt/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+2.20.09+PM.png" width="448" /></a></div>
Place each dot sticker on the inside of a <a href="http://amzn.to/2Fm9Fyp">silicone cupcake liner</a> (you can use paper ones, but silicone holds up longer).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhendp2eBiou22wqfJ0OKLbqbxdRfN0ZEkQduQFs0wX2RllNf7QCwDoYkDUsiNv-YYrBWkleGeZE4yZXgO09_LNItIBy9aC1WlZqYK77psHpHRryVPl-MLDhvFlLXQoI3tMFm05ctQbFAD/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+2.22.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="794" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhendp2eBiou22wqfJ0OKLbqbxdRfN0ZEkQduQFs0wX2RllNf7QCwDoYkDUsiNv-YYrBWkleGeZE4yZXgO09_LNItIBy9aC1WlZqYK77psHpHRryVPl-MLDhvFlLXQoI3tMFm05ctQbFAD/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+2.22.30+PM.png" width="478" /></a></div>
Using real coins, let students count out each amount shown in the cupcake liner. They place that amount of coins in the cupcake liner and then move onto the next one. I have students use a Coin Counting Recording Sheet (grab this freebie below) to draw their coin combinations. This allows them to work independently and gives me a chance to check their understanding at a later time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYdo93K5QntQbmoiaR5J3IkBSPpudtOFOiiICSePW-8g_NArr3wD_ckSOBPwN1uzoNNOZBSkktaEqmBliCNYLy4pzr1M3Emk_CBD3j9BS0g-j40aojEd9-TWDFUvyXOsr_cbtJ2xT6e3p/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+2.24.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="798" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYdo93K5QntQbmoiaR5J3IkBSPpudtOFOiiICSePW-8g_NArr3wD_ckSOBPwN1uzoNNOZBSkktaEqmBliCNYLy4pzr1M3Emk_CBD3j9BS0g-j40aojEd9-TWDFUvyXOsr_cbtJ2xT6e3p/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+2.24.40+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div>
My favorite part about this center is letting students change the center out for me. Give students the dot stickers, a pen, and they can change the coin amounts on each cupcake liner.<br />
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Finally, I store this center in a small storage bin, so students can easily grab it as an early-finisher activity. It's great for review all year long!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gj4wLhh4OEvOqYMSkAo0Y4t8y0TkOt0OkNW2OOssA84bB6McwNUFdAY1pHis_mx6hbWdC7lhbXnipb3cF28FQtP9TawF0KWYS0p-g1WB0EdxTRiBfeUtemjXnJH5Ti2LnJkfsbJ8EIaq/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+4.03.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="798" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gj4wLhh4OEvOqYMSkAo0Y4t8y0TkOt0OkNW2OOssA84bB6McwNUFdAY1pHis_mx6hbWdC7lhbXnipb3cF28FQtP9TawF0KWYS0p-g1WB0EdxTRiBfeUtemjXnJH5Ti2LnJkfsbJ8EIaq/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+4.03.30+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Another student-favorite activity that is a fun and hands-on way to reinforce money skills, are <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Inspired-Elementary/Category/Math-Tiles-242760?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary&utm_campaign=BLOG%20Math%20Tiles%20Category%20Counting%20Coins%20POST">Math Tiles</a>. Students are given <a href="http://amzn.to/2tuS2Ha">number tiles 0-9</a> and challenged to solve for the different coin amounts, using all the tiles on each tile card.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgvZmRc8HFvahBEnz-3bNIHIzJO-xuZluJIskKtknkFgmpKMAhy88WSUHukSUyFFyVQOcvKriN2mrCCCRDWemkK_kzP8sefwHca4Ys0Z2wvANJuuM_l8RiMvkEJn2TM4AVXmq7lg162u9/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+4.07.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="796" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgvZmRc8HFvahBEnz-3bNIHIzJO-xuZluJIskKtknkFgmpKMAhy88WSUHukSUyFFyVQOcvKriN2mrCCCRDWemkK_kzP8sefwHca4Ys0Z2wvANJuuM_l8RiMvkEJn2TM4AVXmq7lg162u9/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+4.07.08+PM.png" width="476" /></a></div>
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This activity allows for easy self-checking, too, because if a student gets an amount wrong, they won't be able to correctly place the remaining number tiles on the tile card.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzgzVWPFD7rm6YWQWI4S-_AvvATVtMf4Vb7Gm1dReGme87C9rXQvyhsIr4Fn8V0rNjoXzfGh6iRkQEBT4RlsqURSSfS0ZnksyZu2dQAwAkvU6Uxl0tJu9YDijo5kBysBYaJXx8txdzJa6/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+4.08.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="794" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzgzVWPFD7rm6YWQWI4S-_AvvATVtMf4Vb7Gm1dReGme87C9rXQvyhsIr4Fn8V0rNjoXzfGh6iRkQEBT4RlsqURSSfS0ZnksyZu2dQAwAkvU6Uxl0tJu9YDijo5kBysBYaJXx8txdzJa6/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-07+at+4.08.16+PM.png" width="478" /></a></div>
Here's another set of <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Tiles-Lets-Make-Change-1662623?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary&utm_campaign=BLOG%20Making%20Change%20Tiles%20COUNTING%20Coins%20POST">Math Tiles that practices making change</a> within $1.00:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbIVwcZXG8IzH7YWiEzZxELI8EcxmM5WAz9bRMInraWuigWkcaTx6VSmtZO8EVAa_6XM1v0dmFrbcaDDn4P7km73Y6wnt5MSpj0XLu6r5znKdQpTC53ixHPXkY20hNko3KiSy65LkIXBA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-08+at+2.27.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="796" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixbIVwcZXG8IzH7YWiEzZxELI8EcxmM5WAz9bRMInraWuigWkcaTx6VSmtZO8EVAa_6XM1v0dmFrbcaDDn4P7km73Y6wnt5MSpj0XLu6r5znKdQpTC53ixHPXkY20hNko3KiSy65LkIXBA/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-08+at+2.27.17+PM.png" width="478" /></a></div>
Finally, this math center is all the rage...<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Inspired-Elementary/Category/Math-Solve-It-Strips-274558?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary&utm_campaign=BLOG%20Counting%20Money%20SS%20Category%20Link">SOLVE IT STRIPS!</a> Students beg for this math center. It can be done independently as an early-finisher activity, or used during guided math groups. The best part is, Solve It Strips are a self-checking activity and NO PREP for the teacher. Take a look at the Counting Coins set in action...<br />
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Each Solve It Strip set has 15 task cards. Students take a Solve It Strip and cut the math puzzle pieces apart (optional: I let students outline the coins with crayons, which helps them identify each one before they begin).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZalJBXUaRi0Gs62i8hIpiEsy31l3O5NZUR7qNx_BN0lvVVpeRNjfzmQf_PVasD52iZhcEQQvE-96X1Cus5RWnoQkKFMllr2H9ob0Dl8v9KgeKhCd41i1nL6KpcT5vLLll-LHabzZ533n/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-08+at+3.32.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZalJBXUaRi0Gs62i8hIpiEsy31l3O5NZUR7qNx_BN0lvVVpeRNjfzmQf_PVasD52iZhcEQQvE-96X1Cus5RWnoQkKFMllr2H9ob0Dl8v9KgeKhCd41i1nL6KpcT5vLLll-LHabzZ533n/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-08+at+3.32.47+PM.png" width="486" /></a></div>
Next, they place the "START" piece in the top rectangle and solve for the coin amount shown on that strip. Then, they find that amount on another strip and place it below the START strip.<br />
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Students continue solving coin amounts and placing strips below one another.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1UH1czCTqoLowIlfz9UAPT8TO0Z6R5_PGnKz-lEKseQTPSAVc7sziktx6U6FKy8wX9sEWhLL35oYhqML6MrqJgR82B-g0KbpSP7ETUcdau_c9aMNyLxphlk9p9uXB3XcjU1iun0Ifp7d/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-08+at+3.38.12+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="794" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1UH1czCTqoLowIlfz9UAPT8TO0Z6R5_PGnKz-lEKseQTPSAVc7sziktx6U6FKy8wX9sEWhLL35oYhqML6MrqJgR82B-g0KbpSP7ETUcdau_c9aMNyLxphlk9p9uXB3XcjU1iun0Ifp7d/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-08+at+3.38.12+PM.png" width="478" /></a></div>
Finally, students will get to the "FINISH" strip if they have correctly completed each strip. This allows students to self-check their work because they won't be able to finish the math puzzle if an answer is incorrect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLU6qsXDFRh3vmac1RerNsIGGp3nzItrJtbf4ZMjreAS72mo0HL-Ibd7CV-JKIB6puzjd0jvYNze6Yw3cs8PQfeLOEZdwoO29zXkDE6nkMZ-RWx_t1veHjbF8lf1J1mnE4Y3zY9N7He8U/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-08+at+3.39.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="798" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLU6qsXDFRh3vmac1RerNsIGGp3nzItrJtbf4ZMjreAS72mo0HL-Ibd7CV-JKIB6puzjd0jvYNze6Yw3cs8PQfeLOEZdwoO29zXkDE6nkMZ-RWx_t1veHjbF8lf1J1mnE4Y3zY9N7He8U/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-08+at+3.39.44+PM.png" width="480" /></a></div>
Students easily store these on <a href="http://amzn.to/2oTw7Vo">book rings</a> for easy access all year long. Answer keys and student progress sheets are also included and there are currently <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Inspired-Elementary/Category/Math-Solve-It-Strips-274558?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary&utm_campaign=BLOG%20Counting%20Money%20SS%20Category%20Link">over 20 sets available in my store</a> (more continue to be added!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjhku07VusQqKyCOLgMpz6tTTQCyb16wHfh4H5P8Tz81VSpoSp3c5x0GJmgWEiNoObhtIXta_il8URiZNp8ZUaaDSDOhDuMjwJAsmVeEsrociRNCAhLHalW8iZSmO1AFLNYj4M8URwktY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-03-08+at+3.40.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1438" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjhku07VusQqKyCOLgMpz6tTTQCyb16wHfh4H5P8Tz81VSpoSp3c5x0GJmgWEiNoObhtIXta_il8URiZNp8ZUaaDSDOhDuMjwJAsmVeEsrociRNCAhLHalW8iZSmO1AFLNYj4M8URwktY/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-03-08+at+3.40.54+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Here's a copy of the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n2liRVs2giWRQpZ27Ay8JhtUGR1uXcxx/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Counting Coins FREE Recording Sheet</a> for the "cupcake" activity above. Also, if you want to try out some Solve It Strips, I have a free sample <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Solve-It-Strips-Freebie-3678703?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary&utm_campaign=BLOG%20SS%20Freebie%20from%20Counting%20Coins%20Post">here.</a><br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-60058480901722032812018-02-27T17:09:00.000-08:002018-09-23T16:36:26.889-07:00Solve It Strips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When math is hands-on, I have found that students will engage, no matter how difficult a math concept may initially seem. I have seen this over and over during my years in the primary classroom. Building math fluency, as well as student confidence in math, is critical in the early elementary years. In order to help my students be successful, as well as build those foundational math skills and fluency, I created this student-favorite activity...<br />
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Solve It Strips are a series of mental-math puzzles that are hands-on and fun! Students work through each set, focusing on specific math skills. These work perfectly as an early-finisher activity, or for an independent math center during guided math.<br />
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There are 15 different strips in each Solve It Strip set, and students are able to self-check their work as they go. Each student has their own Solve It Strip ring, so they can work on differentiated skills at their own pace.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbaJuXpc0Atw02fVY69wAbjYHuue0dCKa2rlTvYOvOM-5352tbhJHv8OIvk63geWLy00QZWuwi3kivOhQugBu5GagN7NnMw9iUefolM0LaBe_FJStIciKL-VkqEIJ2IKIvNjT74Zu_pa_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-02-15+at+5.05.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1440" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbaJuXpc0Atw02fVY69wAbjYHuue0dCKa2rlTvYOvOM-5352tbhJHv8OIvk63geWLy00QZWuwi3kivOhQugBu5GagN7NnMw9iUefolM0LaBe_FJStIciKL-VkqEIJ2IKIvNjT74Zu_pa_/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-02-15+at+5.05.40+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's how the activity works:<br />
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1. Get a Solve It Strip page to work on and cut the strip in half.<br />
2. Then, cut apart the math puzzle pieces.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiZFc8k5rnyaAL6ABAkC5Rs26dR-8YbfNxwuodiZyH8PnW9R5t80go8xO708BNTh-IvzQZoEcPwXX-IcjcFQ1LtDpwWDfhpDMeEuubqYgr4tEDgbw-0yH57ZOKg0MHcLDEg8A20XIT2Mj/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-02-15+at+5.08.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1450" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiZFc8k5rnyaAL6ABAkC5Rs26dR-8YbfNxwuodiZyH8PnW9R5t80go8xO708BNTh-IvzQZoEcPwXX-IcjcFQ1LtDpwWDfhpDMeEuubqYgr4tEDgbw-0yH57ZOKg0MHcLDEg8A20XIT2Mj/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-02-15+at+5.08.40+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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3. Place the START piece in the top rectangle. Solve the equation on that strip. Find the next strip that has the solution in the solution box.<br />
4. Place the next solution strip in the rectangle below and then solve the equation on that strip. Continue solving and placing strips below one another until you reach the FINISH strip.<br />
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**Students will know if they have completed a strip correctly or not, because if there is an error, they won't end up with the FINISH piece. Such an easy-peasy way to self-correct!<br />
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5. Glue down the Solve It Strips.<br />
6. Color in the solution boxes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6bY-a2yLxd_kj5QPYMSv14RqTdq0gWLF4JzJD0kY8i6duwoUsG8F01A3ZxrPqMOxaC42Mg-LbwGPH0Jun-6LSzlLcf8z6nlxdWHQT8NvzTqgqdYnxgdCMEXrWFjxT7bkjBkd35AoYUEL/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-02-15+at+5.14.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1440" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6bY-a2yLxd_kj5QPYMSv14RqTdq0gWLF4JzJD0kY8i6duwoUsG8F01A3ZxrPqMOxaC42Mg-LbwGPH0Jun-6LSzlLcf8z6nlxdWHQT8NvzTqgqdYnxgdCMEXrWFjxT7bkjBkd35AoYUEL/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-02-15+at+5.14.15+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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7. Answer keys are included for double-checking.<br />
8. Finally, color in a star on the "Stars for Strips" page to keep track of all the Solve It Strips that have been successfully completed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5EJ9NxuRmx8umOnG87uoUdY46hjwxsjzzNEKicsx8S-4frCisK48q0eg2H5HUEkIxZ-SqrJ6VhomLtNX7ko0-kmRzgfCt4pJl7lJnRSrzIQ0t2QIdge2zlUCWHmZetClATLTMulk9cfo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-02-15+at+5.16.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1452" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5EJ9NxuRmx8umOnG87uoUdY46hjwxsjzzNEKicsx8S-4frCisK48q0eg2H5HUEkIxZ-SqrJ6VhomLtNX7ko0-kmRzgfCt4pJl7lJnRSrzIQ0t2QIdge2zlUCWHmZetClATLTMulk9cfo/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-02-15+at+5.16.04+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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When a student completes an entire set of Solve It Strips (all 15 strips), I staple them together and send them home for parents to see all of their great work!<br />
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This is a math activity in that once students are trained, they can independently do this activity all year long. I have over 20 sets of Solve It Strips available in my store, and am continuing to add more each month. Be sure to follow my store to receive updates on new sets.<br />
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Looking for a bundle? The <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Solve-It-Strips-BUNDLE-Hands-On-Math-Puzzles-Primary-Edition-2998113?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog%20Post&utm_campaign=Solve%20It%20Strip%20Bundle%20Link" target="_blank">Solve It Strips Bundle includes all 21 PRIMARY sets!</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Solve-It-Strips-BUNDLE-Hands-On-Math-Puzzles-Primary-Edition-2998113?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog%20Post&utm_campaign=Solve%20It%20Strip%20Bundle%20Link" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1446" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4a4ppAOtUOxJ16XK0XvJ5inWII7ZgX03PVpT3YlJlk8fnG-Don_jnAytabdk9acNA0rh43nnJVHeOGXbX9WIo5nGFTZkWVYGHKYC2aNOtBL7al0oGIhhbHQqqS1C3COWNIlu5agoNqY1_/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-02-27+at+5.05.22+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Want to try out a few for free? <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Solve-It-Strips-Freebie-3678703?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Solve%20It%20Strips%20Freebie!" target="_blank">Here is a Solve It Strips Freebie Set! </a><br />
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I hope your students love Solve It Strips!<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" /><br />
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A-B-C-D-E-F-G, let's learn the alphabet, yippee oh yee! I love teaching the alphabet because the possibilities are endless for ways to introduce and review all of the letters. In fact, I have an entire <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/InspiredElementary/learning-abcs/" target="_blank">Pinterest board dedicated to Learning ABCs</a>, full of hands-on games and crafts for little learners.<br />
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Over the years, I have tried out many of my ABC Pinterest finds, but I want to share with you a few of my favorite games and activities that I have successfully helped my own kiddos learn their ABCs.<br />
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First up is my favorite ABC game, "I Have Who Has?" For this game, we use our giant ABC chart. I love, love, love this chart because we use it for so many quick ABC review activities. When I first introduce letters to students, I use this chart by hanging it on my magnetic whiteboard and matching up <a href="http://amzn.to/2wf1udG" target="_blank">jumbo magnetic letters</a> onto the chart. So students are familiar with both tools when they learn the "I Have Who Has" game.<br />
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I found my chart at Lakeshore Learning Store, however there is a similar one <a href="http://amzn.to/2vNclAc" target="_blank">here on Amazon.</a> OR, if you are artistic, you could even make your own version on a large piece of poster board, or just write the ABCs on a whiteboard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQluM9Itdednxj3PSNrywwHWa9dJHIIZf8eSLWHJB4eO-dEGbv1k1VeRSYOMQN_0GVDj1rgoxMw5fBL0WgZM20MdKQtVdbSC4SyOpUuQf-4XM0yaeGCk0yWXyVNPJFVY7EZSrxoSsul5qd/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-09-08+at+4.03.00+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="710" data-original-width="1464" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQluM9Itdednxj3PSNrywwHWa9dJHIIZf8eSLWHJB4eO-dEGbv1k1VeRSYOMQN_0GVDj1rgoxMw5fBL0WgZM20MdKQtVdbSC4SyOpUuQf-4XM0yaeGCk0yWXyVNPJFVY7EZSrxoSsul5qd/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-09-08+at+4.03.00+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Here's how we play "I Have Who Has:" First, place the ABC poster on the whiteboard, or some type of magnetic board. Then, pass out one magnetic letter to each student (I keep the extra letters with me).<br />
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The teacher starts and says, "I have letter ___," and then places that letter on top of the matching letter on the chart. Next, the teacher finishes with, Who has the letter ___?" Whichever student has the letter the teacher asked for holds the letter up and says, "I have the letter____" and comes up to the board, places their matching letter onto the poster. Then the student finishes by saying, "Who has letter ____?" So the student is identifying their matching letter and then calling out another letter from the poster that hasn't yet been matched. This really engages all students, since they have to be paying attention for their letter to be called. The game continues until all the letters are placed on the ABC chart.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XbwuQ3S4WLxaAZ0gAspPDU0fqo_xoBxAeWEww4mCPFyw7A_i06Ip9iaunUiTB5uouaWhxXCl_Qb3lBDcDpPNSVqzePMg69iGQ_boToNJ7mutYCSoWLZ6pwkQzlAl9WUElK8zv91JQRun/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-09-08+at+4.06.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1382" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XbwuQ3S4WLxaAZ0gAspPDU0fqo_xoBxAeWEww4mCPFyw7A_i06Ip9iaunUiTB5uouaWhxXCl_Qb3lBDcDpPNSVqzePMg69iGQ_boToNJ7mutYCSoWLZ6pwkQzlAl9WUElK8zv91JQRun/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-09-08+at+4.06.13+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
NOTE: A quick classroom management tip during this game - Once students have had their turn, I use my <a href="http://www.inspiredelementary.com/2016/05/flip-sticks.html" target="_blank">Flip Sticks</a> to randomly call on students every two or three "I have who has" turns and and ask them to name a letter that has been placed on the board already, and tell me something they can think of that starts with that letter. This strategy keeps students engaged and thinking about those letter sounds during the entire game. :)<br />
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Now, if you don't have an ABC poster, or the magnetic letters, you can use a pocket chart and <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Z-Pocket-Chart-Letter-Picture-Cards-3387409" target="_blank">pocket chart ABC letter/picture cards</a>.<br />
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I love using pocket chart cards, too, because for a more challenging version of this game, we play using letters and their sounds.<br />
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Fill up the pocket chart with the picture cards only. Then, give each student a letter card and you will have students match the letter to their sound. For example, I would say, "I have the letter that says /a/," and I would place the letter A in the pocket chart next to the apple. Then I would choose another letter and say, "Who has the letter that says /e/?" The student with letter E would hold up their E card and say, "I have the letter E that says /e/," and they would come place their E card next to the egg.<br />
Then, that student continues the game by saying, "Who has the letter that says ____?" This continues until the whole chart is matched up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCwfSdIjXhgjZd5FWmoP5KNFA75fdpEFlxV3rppGu8z4PzXr-wScXRIy3J7beZzs3Y5TyyjPy_ZeMYgWXcu1E-Dw-gmAoK9BR_5WkfkjJEmvxgnFjZnmYoEfRLccrLw-083QAUpaDgGvT/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-09-08+at+4.14.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCwfSdIjXhgjZd5FWmoP5KNFA75fdpEFlxV3rppGu8z4PzXr-wScXRIy3J7beZzs3Y5TyyjPy_ZeMYgWXcu1E-Dw-gmAoK9BR_5WkfkjJEmvxgnFjZnmYoEfRLccrLw-083QAUpaDgGvT/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-09-08+at+4.14.47+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
You can also use these cards to play "I Have Who Has?" to match capital letters to their lowercase letters. Or, included in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Z-Pocket-Chart-Letter-Picture-Cards-3387409" target="_blank">A-Z Pocket Chart Cards</a> are word cards, so you can play to match up the word to the letter or picture card...there are so many fun possibilities!!!<br />
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We also love to sing the alphabet song as a quick warm-up during phonics time! I made some alphabet song strips so students can tap each letter as they sing along. These are great for those visual and kinesthetic learners, too, and it really helps to reinforce letter recognition. Just print these out, laminate them for extended use and they're ready to go! If you hole punch them you can store them on a ring for easy access. <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_B5aWFhfgACWTZnYzkzRjVvc2M/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Here's a free set of capital and lowercase Song Strips for you!</a> :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvY3bQ2kqeY8ai224MvvRjFGszKMqq6ZlDPKaC1ivwO0qF8ksea_isTzFfWFrnzaemTSmqg09gKVz9NfqLm-OZrsvJaxZLKf-eY-Ji9WuaCYcITFIGKBtCFzqY0y97y1ze2N5cqdhxx2Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-09-12+at+4.30.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1270" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvY3bQ2kqeY8ai224MvvRjFGszKMqq6ZlDPKaC1ivwO0qF8ksea_isTzFfWFrnzaemTSmqg09gKVz9NfqLm-OZrsvJaxZLKf-eY-Ji9WuaCYcITFIGKBtCFzqY0y97y1ze2N5cqdhxx2Q/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-09-12+at+4.30.05+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Another game we love to play with our letter poster and magnetic letters is "I Spy the Letter." This game not only practices letter recognition, it also is a great tool for introducing positional words.<br />
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Here's how we play: Pass out a magnetic letter to each student. Then, the game begins with the teacher saying, "I spy a letter that is <b>between</b> N and P." The student that has O would raise their letter up (raising their letter up is a quick way for you to check that the student actually has the right answer, too). The student with O would come place it on the poster. Then, I would continue the game. "I spy a letter that is <b>to the right of </b>letter D." The student with letter E would hold it up, come place it on the board. The game continues until all the letters are on the board.<br />
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You can use letter sounds for this game, too. For example, "I spy a letter that says /f/." The student with letter F would hold it up and come place it on the board. This game is always a hit!<br />
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Another tool that I use in small groups or one-on-on, are these Alphabet Letter/Sound Discrimination Cards. I laminate these and keep them on a ring for easy use and storage. Students look at and say the name of each picture on the letter card, and identify which word does NOT start with the given letter sound. This is a great way for students to build their vocabulary as well! These cards are part of my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Activities-Bundle-Capital-Lowercase-Alphabet-Books-and-Centers-3390158?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=BIG%20A-Z%20BUNDLE%20BLOG" target="_blank">Big Alphabet Activity Book & Center Bundle</a>.<br />
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After we play our alphabet games, I love to do some independent practice. So I created <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Z-Alphabet-Activity-Book-BUNDLE-1865078?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Alphabet%20Activity%20Books" target="_blank">Alphabet Activity Books,</a> which students can work through at their own pace. Each activity book provides practice for students recognizing the letter, identifying its sound, writing the letter, and using their fine motor skills with cutting, pasting and coloring. These books are available individually or even better, at a huge discount in the bundle! Here's a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Letter-A-Alphabet-Activity-Book-FREEBIE-1862949" target="_blank">free letter A book</a> for you to try out. :-)<br />
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Some other fun centers to incorporate ABC practice are these <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Z-Sort-and-Glue-Literacy-Center-1455773" target="_blank">A-Z Sort & Glue</a>, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ABC-Match-Up-A-Z-LetterSound-Recognition-1934517" target="_blank">ABC Letter/Sound Match-Up</a>, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Z-Dot-Graph-Write-1722704" target="_blank">Dot, Graph & Write</a>, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Z-Printing-Pack-BUNDLE-1929608" target="_blank">ABC Printing Practice</a>, and the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Z-Punch-Write-2141925" target="_blank">Punch and Write</a> center. You can grab all of these centers at a discount with the BIG Alphabet Activity Bundle (keep reading).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvJE8MBIRo5aB-L14_wI2fp3qxs_LrAAUPSXMDFc_r67ZTlKIzvaQvJHGKfz0hHcplEfkKrJeChIAyg5QgxHQELV2cw0uWiPkrxHG-9Sv2jT4rpyRZX5jAIWPZ55nAvIr4csf_M_7ko5h/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-09-08+at+3.56.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1472" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdvJE8MBIRo5aB-L14_wI2fp3qxs_LrAAUPSXMDFc_r67ZTlKIzvaQvJHGKfz0hHcplEfkKrJeChIAyg5QgxHQELV2cw0uWiPkrxHG-9Sv2jT4rpyRZX5jAIWPZ55nAvIr4csf_M_7ko5h/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-09-08+at+3.56.29+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Finally, by popular request, I have put it all together and created the BIG Alphabet Activity Book & Center Bundle at a 50% discount!!!! This bundle includes all of my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Z-Alphabet-Activity-Book-BUNDLE-1865078?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Alphabet%20Activity%20Books" target="_blank">Alphabet Activity Books</a>, all of my A-Z centers above, the A-Z Pocket Chart Cards, as well as the Letter/Sound Discrimination Cards. <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Alphabet-Activities-Bundle-Capital-Lowercase-Alphabet-Books-and-Centers-3390158?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=BIG%20A-Z%20BUNDLE%20BLOG" target="_blank">You can see the bundle HERE!</a><br />
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Thanks for reading along and I hope teaching the ABCs are as fun for you as they are for me!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-3668591902746281542017-09-07T16:15:00.001-07:002017-09-15T12:04:19.865-07:00Pocket Chart Number Match (Freebie!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s3eOxQsZQ4GmiRgnijS4NKQ2mlGTfIKGZrKVdcLpwNfBE3U-TtkVLxnOhJ8853G13ZqiDvqy0VeEEeOZtQiFgIe6cXNHKRXn7_dkBX1ikUHTmEruT7RwwkwczCVahZBaKiHbBAHmN68k/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-09-07+at+4.04.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1154" height="595" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_s3eOxQsZQ4GmiRgnijS4NKQ2mlGTfIKGZrKVdcLpwNfBE3U-TtkVLxnOhJ8853G13ZqiDvqy0VeEEeOZtQiFgIe6cXNHKRXn7_dkBX1ikUHTmEruT7RwwkwczCVahZBaKiHbBAHmN68k/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-09-07+at+4.04.08+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Number match-ups are one of my favorite ways to practice number recognition! We spent this afternoon working on recognizing numbers to 10, and one-to-one number correspondence. I whipped up this simple pocket chart match, that was a fun and quick review.<br />
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You can use these cards for review in a few different ways. First, display the numbers 1-10 in the pocket chart, and have students find the matching amount of cubes card. Second, you can display the cube cards and have students find the matching number card. Or third, you can put up half of the number cards and half of the cube cards and have students find the match. That's it, easy peasy and interactive!<br />
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I hope these cards will save you time and provide some fun number practice! <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_B5aWFhfgACUDVMazZ0dF9kcjg/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Here's a free copy for you.</a> :)<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-20106483311466546522017-07-25T13:06:00.000-07:002017-12-26T11:46:27.950-08:00Free Calendars 2017-2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAQ__yYUKH0qEBuBeYmmx6O0V2uagvA-oXZDWqujNPkbkh8l3KuYIAIVItgrz4PZXrH6zNbawWw8EkpM04j1r17vtivANeyLw7SEp-o2xhFLLs6g-c1eYxdMDkqGeq9nAuKvLQ2oJqwwV/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+9.58.40+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1346" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAQ__yYUKH0qEBuBeYmmx6O0V2uagvA-oXZDWqujNPkbkh8l3KuYIAIVItgrz4PZXrH6zNbawWw8EkpM04j1r17vtivANeyLw7SEp-o2xhFLLs6g-c1eYxdMDkqGeq9nAuKvLQ2oJqwwV/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+9.58.40+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
I love calendars and I love to plan! There is so much satisfaction in putting something down on paper and seeing it completed; whether it's a lesson plan, a schedule for guided reading groups, or even a monthly dinner plan. I have also heard from many of you, how you love to use these calendars for holiday gifts...so fun!<br />
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So making their fourth-year debut, here are the updated 2017-2018 (free)"Cutesy Calendars!" You can grab your set at the bottom of this post.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmvQmoyam90gcLqihX5I_lgcISw34lKPhFaBU5Y6iYc43HFiN4ISryjdTtGi2Jybbvtv-_J_i0kfZrwWXagKQuSwiJqWxBk7gotV9WZxVtt7k661iYst_Q1yM1GWvuaOTfjGLFW09dOjI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+10.04.03+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="1122" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmvQmoyam90gcLqihX5I_lgcISw34lKPhFaBU5Y6iYc43HFiN4ISryjdTtGi2Jybbvtv-_J_i0kfZrwWXagKQuSwiJqWxBk7gotV9WZxVtt7k661iYst_Q1yM1GWvuaOTfjGLFW09dOjI/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+10.04.03+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
With loving calendars so much, I had to make a set for primary students! So I decided that each month we would do a calendar craft and add some event "stickers" to our calendars. This is an example of our September calendar...<br />
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Students get a blank craft pattern (each month has two choices...I chose the apple) and get to decorate it using tissue paper, foam pieces (shown), glitters, buttons, or anything else fun and tactile that you can think of!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZRnLmbd-fybNwL_FAJH5OtMTQVjpLdD4gC_4IL30zkZbecnS2IkghLlqpecJtxLSYerrOMR-sFuAkKDwrMGkKhG5-BtIa0HsNKanftHaIY2yAgg9-AGtiZCDXZ9NOI2a4eOpugb4JFN0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+12.11.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="1348" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZRnLmbd-fybNwL_FAJH5OtMTQVjpLdD4gC_4IL30zkZbecnS2IkghLlqpecJtxLSYerrOMR-sFuAkKDwrMGkKhG5-BtIa0HsNKanftHaIY2yAgg9-AGtiZCDXZ9NOI2a4eOpugb4JFN0/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+12.11.07+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next, students get a calendar and practice their number/letter formation by tracing over the dates, month and year.<br />
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Then, students glue the craft page and the calendar page onto a large 9x12 piece of construction paper that has been folded in half.</div>
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Finally, for my favorite part (the planning part :), students get a strip of event "stickers" for the month. You can print them out on large sticky label sheets if you want actual stickers, but we just cut and glue them on.<br />
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The final products alway turn out so cute!!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqqt4ABki5kJpWjkLpZHqFp2xmDZP1IA8MOBCR2n3OgDMFo7zIWhiccdjGiGCqPHw171dp3JXK1YDb8n87S4g5TTnPa4am8CsbCztAoTHBWhlDlOzE07mIpzH3kw3IdEcviHtJBkDuSJ8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+12.22.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="774" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNqqt4ABki5kJpWjkLpZHqFp2xmDZP1IA8MOBCR2n3OgDMFo7zIWhiccdjGiGCqPHw171dp3JXK1YDb8n87S4g5TTnPa4am8CsbCztAoTHBWhlDlOzE07mIpzH3kw3IdEcviHtJBkDuSJ8/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-07-24+at+12.22.56+PM.png" width="482" /></a></div>
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These calendars are great to send home at the beginning of each month so parents can keep them on display in the house and know what's happening at school! #winwin<br />
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If you want to start Traceable Monthly Calendars in your class, you can grab the set <u><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Traceable-Monthly-Student-Calendars-with-EVENT-STICKERS-2808612">here in my store</a></u>. It already includes five years of calendars, blank calendars and will get updates for future years!<br />
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If you would like a set of your own (free) Cutesy Calendars for personal and/or classroom use, just <u><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2017-2018-FREE-Calendar-Cutesy-Calendar-3283730">click here</a></u>.<br />
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I love seeing your creations, so feel free to tag me anytime @InspiredElementary on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/inspiredelementary">Instagram.</a> Happy planning!<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI3AN-B20aHjIIqbzVhdj9cfBf6GP7E-9ADUZZSbjIv69Mf5WRALH72K9qN0f_Tpz8KWf2yB2vEg-PC4YdC_mxdaC6j_ETEDXm1KlYwcKbzqyyHhSMTWQxm-hUH3p-LYvynG7H0ll9n55/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-05-12+at+8.15.39+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI3AN-B20aHjIIqbzVhdj9cfBf6GP7E-9ADUZZSbjIv69Mf5WRALH72K9qN0f_Tpz8KWf2yB2vEg-PC4YdC_mxdaC6j_ETEDXm1KlYwcKbzqyyHhSMTWQxm-hUH3p-LYvynG7H0ll9n55/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-05-12+at+8.15.39+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One of my passions as a teacher has always been finding and implementing new classroom management strategies! Having anywhere from 20-36 students (depending on my grade level) made it necessary to have strong, positive communication tools in place, to help maximize every minute of instructional time. So today, I want </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">to share with you three classroom communication tools that I have had great success with, and will </span>hopefully<span style="font-family: inherit;"> help you in your classroom, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first communication tool that I LOVE, and that has saved me tons of interruptions, are these <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hand-Signal-Posters-FREEBIE-1577397?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Hand%20Signal%20Posters%20Freebie">Hand Signal Posters.</a> These posters are finger signs 0-5, all communicating a different message from the student to me. This way, if I was in the middle of a lesson, working with a small group, or helping an individual child, a student could hold up their fingers and I could quickly see what the student needed to communicate with me. </span>These posters are perfect to display at the front of the class (above the whiteboard) for a quick and easy reference for students. Such a <span style="font-family: inherit;">BIG TIME-SAVER!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFPKXkH8ZW403IgXYnHmgEF8Ik9qNirkPvb-YR0w7YN9ubWRRd0a7UWiyZL71WxHatQqPa1Hr83WgV-R0_YSL6bkoj3H0dHfpmDLPFA_OlD-5XEpkyV1zLW6Xchy_W9nJxcZ8fdIIUGgc/s1600/Hand+Signal+Pin.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZFPKXkH8ZW403IgXYnHmgEF8Ik9qNirkPvb-YR0w7YN9ubWRRd0a7UWiyZL71WxHatQqPa1Hr83WgV-R0_YSL6bkoj3H0dHfpmDLPFA_OlD-5XEpkyV1zLW6Xchy_W9nJxcZ8fdIIUGgc/s640/Hand+Signal+Pin.png" width="402" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another tool that is so handy when working with a small group is the STOP sign. It seemed like as soon as I would sit down to work with a group of students, five other students would raise their hands with questions. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I taught my students that if I had my STOP sign on display, then they needed to ask three other students in the class their question before interrupting my small group and asking me. Four out of five times this worked like a charm! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YusR8Cyt1Nj1rZ79_EqyfOhWu-NbB2SNWZy3jpiQ3HfGvNRb0ldui2k6OHq1v96ylmotGDXyE3ViZvIDxN4t6xRzlGsOS44_F9xXGy8bvdtPAsZT-4a8f67fgqiG92cl_m1IKmmztBUb/s1600/Blog+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YusR8Cyt1Nj1rZ79_EqyfOhWu-NbB2SNWZy3jpiQ3HfGvNRb0ldui2k6OHq1v96ylmotGDXyE3ViZvIDxN4t6xRzlGsOS44_F9xXGy8bvdtPAsZT-4a8f67fgqiG92cl_m1IKmmztBUb/s640/Blog+3.png" width="416" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Majority of my student interruptions during small groups were from students asking me, "How do I spell _____?" So my solution to that problem was to implement personal <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Student-Dictionary-Dolch-Sight-Words-Frys-100-Words-and-More-1748109?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Student%20Dictionary%20Management">Student Dictionaries</a>. Every student would keep their own dictionary at their desk, which includes over 300 pre-printed words. There are also lines for students to add in words, so this way, they could ask three other friends in the class how to spell the word, and not interrupt me during group time. Love the independence this created! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, back to the STOP sign for all of those other interruptions...My favorite way to </span>display<span style="font-family: inherit;"> the stop sign is in a <a href="http://amzn.to/2r6sygI">clear, stand-up sign holder</a> shown below on the left. Although, you could also use a picture frame (pictured below on the right), or even just laminate the sign and pop some magnetic tape on the back </span>to display it on the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> whiteboard. There are so many options and I have included two different sizes of this stop sign which <u><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/STOP-Sign-FREEBIE-1577512?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary&utm_campaign=STOP%20Sign%20Freebie">you can grab here!</a></u></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1-MTboCTgAKnwKYYdkvfsjHasBxtZR1mSWkExXSZtjRWwL-K9wX_HeGV5Tm5uFbgtKuAy5H6zz0wfnwtgMHKq06xR54A5KPVrFtakCEm4UxbPAPJScz9IGu3LoBL3JwIT2JVh31frCrk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-05-12+at+8.22.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1-MTboCTgAKnwKYYdkvfsjHasBxtZR1mSWkExXSZtjRWwL-K9wX_HeGV5Tm5uFbgtKuAy5H6zz0wfnwtgMHKq06xR54A5KPVrFtakCEm4UxbPAPJScz9IGu3LoBL3JwIT2JVh31frCrk/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-05-12+at+8.22.22+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last but certainly not least, is my favorite (and students' favorite) communication tool...Silent Response Cards! This tool allows EVERY SINGLE STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE!!! Yes, that's right, no more frustrated students grunting and waving their hand back-and-forth, in hopes that the teacher will call on them for </span>the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> answer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHPeHXKbClvoAlLTAYkP9WphF5mR3xLpDXO5UReyBA0IqM2rPKMt43KeRTwDePgrkES13-8D1NhSI9B79OMukviEJ4UNtsofPPPNPOtga7_NCaAzNRR1BtdIo0pd1b-e07eDyekQCH3Of/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-05-12+at+9.16.06+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHPeHXKbClvoAlLTAYkP9WphF5mR3xLpDXO5UReyBA0IqM2rPKMt43KeRTwDePgrkES13-8D1NhSI9B79OMukviEJ4UNtsofPPPNPOtga7_NCaAzNRR1BtdIo0pd1b-e07eDyekQCH3Of/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-05-12+at+9.16.06+PM.png" width="396" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's how it works...Each student is given a set of pre-made </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;"><u><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Silent-Response-Cards-Common-Core-Assessment-Tool-for-All-Subjects-401696">Silent Response Cards</a></u></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Silent-Response-Cards-Common-Core-Assessment-Tool-for-All-Subjects-401696"><span style="color: blue;">.</span> </a>The cards are double-sided and color-coded (a great project for a parent volunteer to prep). The teacher asks a question and students manipulate the cards to SILENTLY hold up the answer to the question. Here's an example: </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDq86G4dufgiGkTMT8Mr9xK1l3xFishy-ZiHOEOAr1YeCA5U3vKsEf9k-0fQy6wCI9-S4vsspDsjTtykPweWb1L0AmxzlDecBA68uM6DWOATK9omFGawrbbqAeXHJiaH71K0zxJlrH9gB/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-05-12+at+8.42.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMDq86G4dufgiGkTMT8Mr9xK1l3xFishy-ZiHOEOAr1YeCA5U3vKsEf9k-0fQy6wCI9-S4vsspDsjTtykPweWb1L0AmxzlDecBA68uM6DWOATK9omFGawrbbqAeXHJiaH71K0zxJlrH9gB/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-05-12+at+8.42.25+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The best part about Silent Response Cards are that they can be used during language arts, math, science, social studies, test prep, and class games. This is also a quick assessment tool, because based on the colors being held up, it is easy to spot which students are and are not understanding a concept. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ2awXag8RqYmHT2pqwGpdVax4efuo93Pl2apEKR5st3NYxV1ey29WAeKiXROUJ_Gbz_jhcQJK7PSuA22ZnnBMUTJrj82CGejsZZIEWsKe92al9f4usV6OQq-0KvD-V0nxfVvlPLR1cWf/s1600/Silent+Res.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="794" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQ2awXag8RqYmHT2pqwGpdVax4efuo93Pl2apEKR5st3NYxV1ey29WAeKiXROUJ_Gbz_jhcQJK7PSuA22ZnnBMUTJrj82CGejsZZIEWsKe92al9f4usV6OQq-0KvD-V0nxfVvlPLR1cWf/s640/Silent+Res.png" width="424" /></a></div>
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Thanks for reading and I hope you find these freebies useful in your classroom!<br />
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<br />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-54041442977402212962017-05-11T13:20:00.000-07:002017-09-15T12:04:06.330-07:00My Favorite Turn-In Basket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Tkprx8VNHk59wjPO5Mr4X3s3wChN6UY9xi3FhebPHa0azSHXsxjy5ZZTLHZxkbOZ7OQBuuNXezOGa5FAhFOVT-lKzSm1_o2fiVBmhnwxj08vFAzgtugkzNc2jgcF7Tql8PqThWGgklz8/s1600/Turn+In+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Tkprx8VNHk59wjPO5Mr4X3s3wChN6UY9xi3FhebPHa0azSHXsxjy5ZZTLHZxkbOZ7OQBuuNXezOGa5FAhFOVT-lKzSm1_o2fiVBmhnwxj08vFAzgtugkzNc2jgcF7Tql8PqThWGgklz8/s640/Turn+In+1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This simple clip turn-in basket is one of my favorite classroom management tools ever! This sweet little basket is what finally freed up my recess time, so I wasn't spending the first half of it sifting through homework, figuring out which students did or did not turn in their homework.<br />
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Not only is this turn-in basket super easy to make, it also lends itself nicely to being a student "job," so that students are in charge of the clips each day. If your students have class numbers, then all you need to do is number 32 (or however many students you have) clothespins with a sharpie, and get a turn-in basket. Clip half of the clips on one side of the basket and the other half on the other side. *If you do not use class numbers, you can simply write student names on the clips and organize them in alphabetical order (great for ABC order practice).<br />
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When students come in first thing in the morning, they clip their numbered clip to their homework and place it in the basket.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_er2UWXizNDCqyMPIvAPk0yAkrkEj2wU7kVNaNNu0slXAU4Nj4iEkC_sl7la7Tgkm7Kg3BVIsulCqCSLxoty39n0HiRW0LdDRzVRzHznmL54iSwVyO_CjQ3zUKHIf5VXqbzAqbK0gv00S/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-06-04+at+9.04.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="572" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_er2UWXizNDCqyMPIvAPk0yAkrkEj2wU7kVNaNNu0slXAU4Nj4iEkC_sl7la7Tgkm7Kg3BVIsulCqCSLxoty39n0HiRW0LdDRzVRzHznmL54iSwVyO_CjQ3zUKHIf5VXqbzAqbK0gv00S/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-06-04+at+9.04.18+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This way you can quickly see which students have not turned in their homework. I would usually grab the remaining clips off the basket and call those students over at the beginning of recess to discuss their missing homework.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnIYgS21RcWRXQMVvLQpLQM8KYg4jNVOMsmhTlDXaW3aCtmSZT2kTjZQUFUF1D6YEMoa0qjZHt9hvF4FH7cAu-JfRsNQWaSJkccDJ5CUmq7ugKP2msAZF6tWZnREewV8Y6bxHmrjD-TVs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2017-06-04+at+9.03.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="554" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnIYgS21RcWRXQMVvLQpLQM8KYg4jNVOMsmhTlDXaW3aCtmSZT2kTjZQUFUF1D6YEMoa0qjZHt9hvF4FH7cAu-JfRsNQWaSJkccDJ5CUmq7ugKP2msAZF6tWZnREewV8Y6bxHmrjD-TVs/s640/Screen+Shot+2017-06-04+at+9.03.32+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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My class "Clip Monitor" would be in charge of unclipping the homework, sorting it (if it was more than one page) and replacing the clips onto the correct side of the basket. What a time-saver for me!!!<br />
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What kind of turn-in basket do you use? I would love to see a picture! You can tag me on Instagram @InspiredElementary with your pics.<br />
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I hope you've been INSPIRED!<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-24025294427284098712017-03-10T13:36:00.002-08:002017-05-14T09:32:22.545-07:00The Toothpaste Lesson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of my favorite activities to do with my students is "The Toothpaste Lesson." As early as preschool, most students are exposed to the phrase, "If you don't have anything nice to say, than don't say anything at all." I think it's great that they learn this, but what is even better is when they learn and understand "the why" behind the phrase.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Words are powerful! They can make a person feel amazing or they can make someone really feel hurt. Once words are spoken, kind or unkind, they are forever imprinted on the heart. And for that reason, each group of kids that I ever work with receives the "Toothpaste Lesson." <br />
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For this lesson, all you need is a tube of toothpaste, a spoon and a large paper heart (I've even just used a paper plate when that's all I've had on hand). I also like to call up a student volunteer to interact with me during this lesson.<br />
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Start the lesson by giving your student volunteer the large paper heart to hold up in front of the class. Then give that student a compliment and squeeze out some toothpaste onto their paper heart. Give them another compliment and do the same thing. Tell the class that spoken words "stick" to people's hearts.<br />
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Then, tell the class that the same thing happens when you say something unkind to a person, the words are put on their heart and stuck there. You can give an example by saying, "I don't like the way you do your hair." When you do that, squeeze more toothpaste onto their paper heart. You can give another few examples of unkind things to say and add more toothpaste to the paper heart. Students will get the idea that words "stick" to the heart.<br />
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Then ask the class what is the right thing to do when you say something unkind and hurt someone's feelings. Hopefully a student will say that you apologize :-). That is when you pick up the spoon and say sorry for each unkind thing that you spoke and try to scoop off that toothpaste clump from the paper heart. Try to put the toothpaste back into the toothpaste tube (a.k.a. your mouth).<br />
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Students will see that while you are apologizing and trying to take the words back, you can't fit it all back into the toothpaste tube and you can't fully get it off their heart. I love this part of the lesson because students really see that even when you say, "I'm sorry," you cannot ever completely erase the hurt of those "sticky," unkind words. They are stuck to the heart.<br />
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After doing this lesson for a few years, I started referring to unkind words as "sticky" words. I even do this with my own children at home. It is a great reminder to students that when something unkind is said, that there is a lasting effect of those words. Hopefully this will cause them to think and always be kind with their words.<br />
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I hope you've been INSPIRED!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-21453666939683397872016-10-17T11:50:00.002-07:002017-06-17T19:01:05.256-07:00Letter B and Letter D Reversal Posters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefgDyChFcQMWUHRpl_QtTeTEDCyJ8ifnYkvFAs5IZiMbRLBhRX5Hq0VxzqX6ucIOMFMkpTqP3MOcs6F6E-3cRVh8qcHaQtsAL2WaKpgu9GJtIG7Bt6gNdpCKqIuEeIpENid1ByGyY7nwl/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+11.52.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjefgDyChFcQMWUHRpl_QtTeTEDCyJ8ifnYkvFAs5IZiMbRLBhRX5Hq0VxzqX6ucIOMFMkpTqP3MOcs6F6E-3cRVh8qcHaQtsAL2WaKpgu9GJtIG7Bt6gNdpCKqIuEeIpENid1ByGyY7nwl/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+11.52.25+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are so many wonderful anchor charts out there on <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/erindianelane/">Pinterest </a>for ideas to help with letter reversals. We have been working on visual discrimination when reading lowercase letter b and letter d. Once I introduced my kindergartener to the "b is for belly and d is for diaper" picture it has stuck! In fact, when we were reading our CVC words today, he smirked as soon as he came to a "d" word....I know he was thinking about that stinky diaper. :) <a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/474x/50/0c/ff/500cffda912c12b40fbb8410dd47dc43.jpg">This is the picture</a> that I found on Pinterest to introduce the idea....it didn't have a photo credit, but thank you to the genius that came up with this!</div>
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I decided I wanted posters of this great visual cue to display, so I created these (FREE) posters. Scroll down to see the half-page and full-page formats, both with the letters colored in and without.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2jrwEk-7-a5kdsh2of-9qd1JNxJoqcRuOKnHqbLnAR8f2WDoxMas8eBPrs7DWYLXJP0vBRnmHBcqre49qiM3lWOJTwJmwYELBEkYdqKuufDd30QFkazODw7R622Yk5eH1GZiMZVRiGY5/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+10.40.47+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2jrwEk-7-a5kdsh2of-9qd1JNxJoqcRuOKnHqbLnAR8f2WDoxMas8eBPrs7DWYLXJP0vBRnmHBcqre49qiM3lWOJTwJmwYELBEkYdqKuufDd30QFkazODw7R622Yk5eH1GZiMZVRiGY5/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+10.40.47+AM.png" width="489" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorP9ckf7xCZuLf3l-MXb_eyk5rsFg8y1JJvvAOjhMLeBtIrxy7aIN_5aH4I2wiOH5v9gMI3YW6jUh2xGIe0vUUpggg3JwhkgCZbNjls7MbPZKWcMBAA6Eu76NkMoPlKFyMDlG-Gt5vOIO/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+10.39.54+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorP9ckf7xCZuLf3l-MXb_eyk5rsFg8y1JJvvAOjhMLeBtIrxy7aIN_5aH4I2wiOH5v9gMI3YW6jUh2xGIe0vUUpggg3JwhkgCZbNjls7MbPZKWcMBAA6Eu76NkMoPlKFyMDlG-Gt5vOIO/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+10.39.54+AM.png" width="488" /></a></div>
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There are also full-page formats with and without the letters filled in:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioi9l_EsFelr71S1a9BQbsHD71Euk3ReAMs4NGpVjbAqTzo5Ix8KlmoA9vU0eH84jQVcGClK8NOpByHX4tHM1tavTsdKkWVAkKwPM_U5ViHtLdV8OZI8-WRpsYzEWx3u5BPX29zVGgdGGq/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+10.40.02+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioi9l_EsFelr71S1a9BQbsHD71Euk3ReAMs4NGpVjbAqTzo5Ix8KlmoA9vU0eH84jQVcGClK8NOpByHX4tHM1tavTsdKkWVAkKwPM_U5ViHtLdV8OZI8-WRpsYzEWx3u5BPX29zVGgdGGq/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+10.40.02+AM.png" width="489" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyXhu5dULL_t1Xl4eygeH6-VjDmvFUVPopBw2p_QtZYWkLRWzWvi2PAMOdx0OA2YR08Z-RdRYHTBxRYjlX0gXD1uyRn7KUrYq1-epNvQynIHLjZaYdV9CM7fpl7dMeQmffSxueWjjp_LC/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+10.40.15+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyXhu5dULL_t1Xl4eygeH6-VjDmvFUVPopBw2p_QtZYWkLRWzWvi2PAMOdx0OA2YR08Z-RdRYHTBxRYjlX0gXD1uyRn7KUrYq1-epNvQynIHLjZaYdV9CM7fpl7dMeQmffSxueWjjp_LC/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+10.40.15+AM.png" width="490" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuEj2O3qMZrUAGaV1_OPi4bXjgUwWha9RWSpe27cXhmESAgUNcO-UGKPUhDZFLtjv9a5gE0Uft4nk2AeJorV_D812aRlsPjJF3xHsMwvXR-fK7MeoNs7XySqCYw7Wh93kyPlf03bm3cIM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+10.40.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGuEj2O3qMZrUAGaV1_OPi4bXjgUwWha9RWSpe27cXhmESAgUNcO-UGKPUhDZFLtjv9a5gE0Uft4nk2AeJorV_D812aRlsPjJF3xHsMwvXR-fK7MeoNs7XySqCYw7Wh93kyPlf03bm3cIM/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+10.40.25+AM.png" width="490" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_PdjR4nqr4nSmLkZvkgG155KUN6-GcyK_HksQfih3Hv9FEGSVwtH-PfG8PjD1bjHZsbKnA98B4P9SwbVCRlIE-AiYieDHVWMXhHRjjG6PRtR9I1zhyhhsXri7uFSoywpmBAr_nz3ZHs2/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+10.40.35+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_PdjR4nqr4nSmLkZvkgG155KUN6-GcyK_HksQfih3Hv9FEGSVwtH-PfG8PjD1bjHZsbKnA98B4P9SwbVCRlIE-AiYieDHVWMXhHRjjG6PRtR9I1zhyhhsXri7uFSoywpmBAr_nz3ZHs2/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-17+at+10.40.35+AM.png" width="488" /></a></div>
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You can grab yours <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_B5aWFhfgACVGZjYllPcl9LbE0/view?usp=sharing">HERE</a>!<br />
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I hope you've been INSPIRED!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-78017165508981433132016-10-10T14:04:00.000-07:002017-01-23T10:38:51.241-08:00Friendly Bat Directed Drawing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfES6pvxY4XSiC9ng5S1rYljFB4ku3QUu4SBGkk6K4LvBNTxFjthUgqpl_J6yARXSoVildgfltoTjjC7K_YGtWZSzgX9idYm86zNwllSszAY1LH5g71Tg1b-oyUy9NT6tIIqz8xbchBDm/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.35.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfES6pvxY4XSiC9ng5S1rYljFB4ku3QUu4SBGkk6K4LvBNTxFjthUgqpl_J6yARXSoVildgfltoTjjC7K_YGtWZSzgX9idYm86zNwllSszAY1LH5g71Tg1b-oyUy9NT6tIIqz8xbchBDm/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.35.43+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Meet Frank! He's my Friendly Bat. We had so much fun drawing our bats today, that I wanted to share it with you. This Directed Drawing is perfect for October, or as an addition to a unit on bats. Here are the steps I used to direct the drawing of the bat:<br />
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1. Draw a circle in the center of your paper. This will be the bat's head.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTgzJGs5La0z8Moxe6xVaHGsDH4Y6aLB8zIMXN6Sou9QQGZUkWhgA2Y7PJkTZPWl5sx4Emc5UnRRuOXHBhOyhYWs2Fy4hpBtOqKOqgCKKg_Zm208x2RJ0MWmMTuuVncXqhCY5vgYkFjol/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.26.25+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTgzJGs5La0z8Moxe6xVaHGsDH4Y6aLB8zIMXN6Sou9QQGZUkWhgA2Y7PJkTZPWl5sx4Emc5UnRRuOXHBhOyhYWs2Fy4hpBtOqKOqgCKKg_Zm208x2RJ0MWmMTuuVncXqhCY5vgYkFjol/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.26.25+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
2. Add a half-circle connecting to the center circle on the left side. Add another half-circle connecting to the center circle on the right. These will be the bat's wings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05O028KJCmdpM4Bm8k-oYVAMOemx5rgSM0saW1MDyT9hzSoLvOpnt4WQD35kp8-z1YkPMnOYWEC8p28f2GnDMSasvzJ1DlfJGf2e9MiZmQwPGEpdUG9pX_5ZjtF83vGlpxboxciTA-wKj/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.26.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05O028KJCmdpM4Bm8k-oYVAMOemx5rgSM0saW1MDyT9hzSoLvOpnt4WQD35kp8-z1YkPMnOYWEC8p28f2GnDMSasvzJ1DlfJGf2e9MiZmQwPGEpdUG9pX_5ZjtF83vGlpxboxciTA-wKj/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.26.34+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
3. Underneath one half-circle, draw three mini half-circles that connect the wing back to the bat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyRCE4UkvEnravidR8aEuygieU_9RPZgPhr4vUc9_Cjcq9xJ6-N1dK_feVvnLGkpM7ZxkXHF0w7lVAHwVPM9YGcJFpL2d6Rn16pBOonHwU7tdX_h9fh6Rsz-wAeYo45raDnIL5ZbrV2Cw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.26.44+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyRCE4UkvEnravidR8aEuygieU_9RPZgPhr4vUc9_Cjcq9xJ6-N1dK_feVvnLGkpM7ZxkXHF0w7lVAHwVPM9YGcJFpL2d6Rn16pBOonHwU7tdX_h9fh6Rsz-wAeYo45raDnIL5ZbrV2Cw/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.26.44+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
4. Underneath the other half-circle, draw three mini half-circles that connect the wing back to the bat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SoozEPK_qo6C1CgyLR5lIes-Ckcf11vlAo1hb9UQF-h1o0NeRDOcQTUKJQFqwm2qQnqlorYykASRExrpLRBaOH9lyiby9iBfq_6HuxtL8XH87zbQ7V2auyMyqWNjzVRWwOYA6JPfCtLY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.26.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SoozEPK_qo6C1CgyLR5lIes-Ckcf11vlAo1hb9UQF-h1o0NeRDOcQTUKJQFqwm2qQnqlorYykASRExrpLRBaOH9lyiby9iBfq_6HuxtL8XH87zbQ7V2auyMyqWNjzVRWwOYA6JPfCtLY/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.26.56+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
5. Draw two larger triangles on top of the center circle. These will be the bat's ears.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihGARC1z53ydBfcXASCTSZNu2SXe77Tzb0XqnSaDUpBLDm7rRuXSw0VIxgUs2w624zZRRnoSbAcLUzxSB6-Ntc8CPNx193OrZr9VKWkIfTYszXN8Y6MUZJySjpeGhX9GIclBfuhS2kRXk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.27.08+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihGARC1z53ydBfcXASCTSZNu2SXe77Tzb0XqnSaDUpBLDm7rRuXSw0VIxgUs2w624zZRRnoSbAcLUzxSB6-Ntc8CPNx193OrZr9VKWkIfTYszXN8Y6MUZJySjpeGhX9GIclBfuhS2kRXk/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.27.08+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
6. Draw two smaller triangles inside of the larger triangles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_ZmUxc72oqazHI27HePhYPcwalbC94KyY7FTQCPgVKkuVGdi_IesvDZN33kc-b8EwrQm2f9JDY-e4fWlR2-CXm3_RphLKpjkAjhi-an9iImk2cuF3Z4wMW5G-O9OL7A4wME4OkoCu2-N/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.27.17+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_ZmUxc72oqazHI27HePhYPcwalbC94KyY7FTQCPgVKkuVGdi_IesvDZN33kc-b8EwrQm2f9JDY-e4fWlR2-CXm3_RphLKpjkAjhi-an9iImk2cuF3Z4wMW5G-O9OL7A4wME4OkoCu2-N/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.27.17+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
7. Next we will draw the bat's eyes. Draw two circles inside of the bat's head (center circle).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagR5J7f_V3lfrH-GfMysKKII8p3c5uoZdWujeDid0hFMSFsb8OOVZhYeMgcOfo33xWKU-qsdg8pB15FZGpTd27f6HLvBVDh9kwa1iNNruuIqLvSum7mubVE4ihDbl0tZ5Gly2NHjEOZ8o/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.27.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagR5J7f_V3lfrH-GfMysKKII8p3c5uoZdWujeDid0hFMSFsb8OOVZhYeMgcOfo33xWKU-qsdg8pB15FZGpTd27f6HLvBVDh9kwa1iNNruuIqLvSum7mubVE4ihDbl0tZ5Gly2NHjEOZ8o/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.27.27+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
8. Draw and color in two smaller circles inside of the bat's eyes. These are its eyeballs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNxguDNU8Vn6jzOY3eP89Pu2dl_5p7L2uD6Y4O7MUhvm8AiDfcVcvrWMm0KZOy_fSE17nGL9HxdxLYvYM4A7-k5Ffi5560WFvC8VKeJMuHQE9Ypdo0fSKSpWKN4ggvtVHwqhk9CKsHV0M/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.27.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNxguDNU8Vn6jzOY3eP89Pu2dl_5p7L2uD6Y4O7MUhvm8AiDfcVcvrWMm0KZOy_fSE17nGL9HxdxLYvYM4A7-k5Ffi5560WFvC8VKeJMuHQE9Ypdo0fSKSpWKN4ggvtVHwqhk9CKsHV0M/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.27.38+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
9. Draw a curved line to make the bat's smile.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxjChmxIZ_UaF7biANXEqdIes0nuBbtbXhSi39dJqbk5DFtWdaAkmRyhdRuj9bgmjNiaJlA5aHUGE5P8el8CTfXOLL66jAVHjy5BpU3qGJTYety7cE2SsmR6UF6gdbdzwgRuPuyXDr7Qd/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.27.49+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxjChmxIZ_UaF7biANXEqdIes0nuBbtbXhSi39dJqbk5DFtWdaAkmRyhdRuj9bgmjNiaJlA5aHUGE5P8el8CTfXOLL66jAVHjy5BpU3qGJTYety7cE2SsmR6UF6gdbdzwgRuPuyXDr7Qd/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.27.49+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
10. Add two large upside down triangles to the bat's smile to make large teeth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZmIqxojNYlo1bqHikdV4yKFjsfIUKILTPZhiEZ0rjtJJQ2vk4N6LdKdpIu5r12hyrF0iXh7Nhfs2wiwH0BicmKadeDcqkuuMaMCnsB6R6j88cUakCA5YIeAMPR0Fz443hsqDWgDfOz_X/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.27.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZmIqxojNYlo1bqHikdV4yKFjsfIUKILTPZhiEZ0rjtJJQ2vk4N6LdKdpIu5r12hyrF0iXh7Nhfs2wiwH0BicmKadeDcqkuuMaMCnsB6R6j88cUakCA5YIeAMPR0Fz443hsqDWgDfOz_X/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.27.57+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
11. Add two smaller triangles on the inside of the larger triangles. These will make two more teeth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdPuA1KzRnhN692Wj9p7mkm7M48gI8l55UWFIPHP-nNRsIZzQXimOAt2e61Vg9UphyFwRZGFoIQDYlbiUEo3dVnxr83Ahy5ot-b6HxAdesAVc7cpnCIORgXae1VkCff7JLhoQSLbl8Hi_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.28.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdPuA1KzRnhN692Wj9p7mkm7M48gI8l55UWFIPHP-nNRsIZzQXimOAt2e61Vg9UphyFwRZGFoIQDYlbiUEo3dVnxr83Ahy5ot-b6HxAdesAVc7cpnCIORgXae1VkCff7JLhoQSLbl8Hi_/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.28.04+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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HOORAY! You did it! You made a friendly bat. Now give it a name and show a friend.<br />
<br />
Here's one of our kindergarten bats:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMY6a36r1aOTcQ3lLB_cBLVUbejzpXMTwp3O9k25BZf5OMh1K0ykHkoIztgPa6fAc_eCUlTHSSjzONTnicY6fX9Vj3YxlwcNXZOjs1X5pywj_z50xqKDPTP4iTGGYUzwlPp63pQXqFZAVi/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.28.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMY6a36r1aOTcQ3lLB_cBLVUbejzpXMTwp3O9k25BZf5OMh1K0ykHkoIztgPa6fAc_eCUlTHSSjzONTnicY6fX9Vj3YxlwcNXZOjs1X5pywj_z50xqKDPTP4iTGGYUzwlPp63pQXqFZAVi/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+1.28.24+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Oh, one more thing, here's a quick photo summary of the directions:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKF2Qhl6FhZox54rHBYmj1LBAeKjCd3JdHwQPus2SvJJ8TjjPzcwfVEZFxin0Ba3h5OrX0nVVa3daaSPgiq9sLpM44JStfTv4V6G7iN7CK630HtpsF3e3hKDTUoT0V8J8s3phOmTm2yI9/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+2.07.52+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKF2Qhl6FhZox54rHBYmj1LBAeKjCd3JdHwQPus2SvJJ8TjjPzcwfVEZFxin0Ba3h5OrX0nVVa3daaSPgiq9sLpM44JStfTv4V6G7iN7CK630HtpsF3e3hKDTUoT0V8J8s3phOmTm2yI9/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-10+at+2.07.52+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I hope you've been INSPIRED!</div>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyXGrfyntUtTfESL8zkgwKfEkXIr3nLZGPSWfq8CrsBUXZgZkfeqWdI2Gx3PXcHuyCapDpYzj09vkxuwP_CYHYudvKX5qoDAoFzAfhNzsHNNTEuHrSphGsxVs1PUR3Pf_iy1gPb2cJF7i/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-09+at+3.56.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="549" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyXGrfyntUtTfESL8zkgwKfEkXIr3nLZGPSWfq8CrsBUXZgZkfeqWdI2Gx3PXcHuyCapDpYzj09vkxuwP_CYHYudvKX5qoDAoFzAfhNzsHNNTEuHrSphGsxVs1PUR3Pf_iy1gPb2cJF7i/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-09+at+3.56.07+PM.png" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;">Kindergarten is off to a great start and
we have been doing lots of handwriting practice this week! We are working
primarily on lowercase letter formation and numbers to 20. </span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;">One of my favorite
ways to practice these skills is by painting letters and numbers with water and
a paintbrush on the ground. It’s amazing how fun and simple this activity is,
all while getting in some great fine motor practice!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZUasbftlrcjHqDTAYZwwRH-e7GhfjqM0r5Hl_AzDniDDMHL1u8zZg2QT2yXVYGsWvw_76zU2qKy99a4IdP5Pf_298ht2NoFVjWdlTIxezSsvHBVkwHUtDoaXP1UCE16XRsbuibWo74kI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-10-09+at+3.56.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZUasbftlrcjHqDTAYZwwRH-e7GhfjqM0r5Hl_AzDniDDMHL1u8zZg2QT2yXVYGsWvw_76zU2qKy99a4IdP5Pf_298ht2NoFVjWdlTIxezSsvHBVkwHUtDoaXP1UCE16XRsbuibWo74kI/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-10-09+at+3.56.20+PM.png" width="560" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;">Another interactive way we practice is by
“air writing.” This is exactly what it sounds like</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;">…using
your finger to write in the air. We play a guessing game to see if we can guess
each other’s letter or number by watching their finger formation in the air. Try this during circle time and have students mimic your "air writing." It's a fun way to practice those attention skills, too, since students have to keep their eyes glued on you (or your finger) for this. :) </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18.0pt;">For additional number practice we have
been making our <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Traceable-Monthly-Student-Calendars-with-EVENT-STICKERS-2808612">Monthly Traceable Event Calendars.</a> These calendars are a fun
way to have students practice writing numbers to 31, as well as reinforce days
of the week and months of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Students trace the month, year and dates, and then get to use a pattern to create a fun
craft to go with each month. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLQjADAKdgbYTAPDY4dlDRJSasgFWnE283tDPpny_hFMj91Kouo4-WSOdAzoUh42O-waqXMuq6hzK004gyXE8kGz7AswUt1F1LtEbRMsrTDA_DdcNWzGnQVm7BqTGRJOZkDkq8c5bJ89q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-08+at+8.06.07+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="798" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLQjADAKdgbYTAPDY4dlDRJSasgFWnE283tDPpny_hFMj91Kouo4-WSOdAzoUh42O-waqXMuq6hzK004gyXE8kGz7AswUt1F1LtEbRMsrTDA_DdcNWzGnQVm7BqTGRJOZkDkq8c5bJ89q/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-08+at+8.06.07+AM.png" width="434" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;">For September, I chose the apple pattern and we
used pieces of cut foam to decorate it. This is great extra fine motor skills practice, too! My
FAVORITE PART of the calendars are the optional event “stickers” that students get to
cut out and glue on corresponding dates. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKFcPh8RaWc335S_t572ChFQ6ma7iPPc3yj5mH__O4o-MZYURkasKrslu_wRSeC-4SNFDEa5SqGhmFsU6mzQ4EPztZCgKi7Ay0yNJ8vee_xds_yj0RgByvQixTCQg0klaGJ2hpD5qz-cH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-08-08+at+8.10.51+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="792" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKFcPh8RaWc335S_t572ChFQ6ma7iPPc3yj5mH__O4o-MZYURkasKrslu_wRSeC-4SNFDEa5SqGhmFsU6mzQ4EPztZCgKi7Ay0yNJ8vee_xds_yj0RgByvQixTCQg0klaGJ2hpD5qz-cH/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-08+at+8.10.51+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;">This is a fun way for students to highlight holidays, school events, birthdays and more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;">Finally, I want to share with you a few
extra activity pages I whipped up for additional reinforcement. Each page has
two differentiated options, so you can choose the level of difficulty for your
kiddos. The first activity page is tracing and filling in the missing lowercase
letters in each pumpkin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN1eyP7bNciKIvLjZ4qBLtlHXD6a7QF_4UG90IWKaFMDYeiaV7lRfLKYw1Prb2Axn9wp6jFSBgP1b-J9WdTvdJeGsMePrdmKIIhylvr8jfvarJG1Xj_wnJgu109JC_belQZPUHvIWWNqz/s1600/pumpkincrayon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN1eyP7bNciKIvLjZ4qBLtlHXD6a7QF_4UG90IWKaFMDYeiaV7lRfLKYw1Prb2Axn9wp6jFSBgP1b-J9WdTvdJeGsMePrdmKIIhylvr8jfvarJG1Xj_wnJgu109JC_belQZPUHvIWWNqz/s640/pumpkincrayon.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;">The second is similar, but for numbers to 20. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLDU6aqXU9XGE5Mrt6D9n9Ip6PvPnAU1M7BS_TGvsxJiUe4-M3hwemskigqxeINL87QzKA4O7i926NGZiHJudGAt7DhBhwUzg4fRFAcBrv6ZQVLL_NlvK9mxr3-4rFnGjck2TBXtEjvul/s1600/pump.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLDU6aqXU9XGE5Mrt6D9n9Ip6PvPnAU1M7BS_TGvsxJiUe4-M3hwemskigqxeINL87QzKA4O7i926NGZiHJudGAt7DhBhwUzg4fRFAcBrv6ZQVLL_NlvK9mxr3-4rFnGjck2TBXtEjvul/s640/pump.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;">Finally,
the last page is an introduction to ten frames, with two options: matching numbers to their ten
frame (easier) and filling in the dots to the ten frames to a matching number (shown below).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvEV0zWjxpObf02f7-Rm1iHZC6oBfzBoTUtyjXGHWcqc74SZs_8iaHTxSagrI8j1JOMgafBSgVZ5EiLiX8ZLgI4ObLwwq6b8lc1DL0-gu6wMMLeGp4gu4Llr-aHJdf2WMVa48rtZrT_WQ/s1600/fall.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvEV0zWjxpObf02f7-Rm1iHZC6oBfzBoTUtyjXGHWcqc74SZs_8iaHTxSagrI8j1JOMgafBSgVZ5EiLiX8ZLgI4ObLwwq6b8lc1DL0-gu6wMMLeGp4gu4Llr-aHJdf2WMVa48rtZrT_WQ/s640/fall.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;">You can grab these free printables <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_B5aWFhfgACbE94WWxydE9NV2s/view?usp=sharing">HERE!</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;">Looking for more alphabet practice? Try out <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Letter-A-Alphabet-Activity-Book-FREEBIE-1862949?aref=n8jejyam&utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20BLOG&utm_campaign=Letter%20A%20Book%20Num%20Post" target="_blank">Alphabet Activity Books</a> (for free) for more interactive letter practice!</span><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FlEWz2G1pqwx_JKZGdsUFWegVlEGki4hxNA2fl35tL_sfu1oNP-jlhrdTotS-J-FMJj588DZoHyJsKyKdnoi78KVFrOSs8WUBTLGhJU4lDqc-W7c4CmwVWs9fZlO5UYdTL4XweFkVcst/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-08+at+8.14.48+AM.png" width="354" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 18pt;">Thanks for reading along and I hope you've been INSPIRED! </span><br />
<br /></div>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-51489319027556606532016-08-27T21:16:00.000-07:002018-07-08T20:28:27.272-07:00An Apple (Candle) for the Teacher<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I wanted to share some cute apple tags that I made for my kids' teachers this year. I thought it would be fun to put a twist on an "apple for the teacher," so I snagged up some large, three-wick, apple scented candles from Bath and Body Works.<br />
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I wrapped each apple candle in red cellophane paper and taped a green ribbon "stem" on top. Then, I attached a cute apple note to each candle.<br />
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And that's it, we had apples for the teachers that would last a lot longer than a Granny Smith or Gala apple. :-)<br />
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This apple candle idea would be cute for teacher appreciation week, too! So I have included three <u><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_B5aWFhfgACQW1ta013ZjJpSGM/view?usp=sharing">APPLE TAG TEMPLATES</a></span></u> for you, one that can be used for the beginning of the year, one that can be used for the end of the year, and a blank tag.<br />
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As always, I love seeing your pictures on Instagram, so please tag me @inspiredelementary if you make these adorable candles.<br />
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I hope you've been INSPIRED!<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" /><br />
<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-8601644477601464812016-05-27T11:42:00.006-07:002018-07-05T09:59:17.915-07:00Flip Sticks! Flip Sticks are an awesome tool for calling on students at random! The idea of using name sticks is nothing new. In fact, this classroom management strategy has been around for a long time. Unfortunately, what I didn't learn until a few years into teaching, was how to keep track of which students had already been called on. I would pick a stick and set that stick aside, but when the "question session" was over, I would just put all the sticks back in the cup. So, the next time I used the sticks, I probably was picking the same students and not even realizing it. Yikes! How frustrated (or relieved) some of my students must have felt. Luckily, the solution to this problem is simple, the trick is to FLIP THE STICK!!!<br />
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So meet Flip Sticks!<br />
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Here's how you use them:<br />
1. Have all of the sticks facing watermelon seed side up (or however you decorate them).<br />
2. Pull out a student's stick and call on them.<br />
3. FLIP the stick and place it back in the cup (green side up).<br />
4. Now, you can see which student has already been called on.<br />
5. Anytime you use the sticks to call on students you can quickly see which students have already had a turn (green side up).<br />
6. Once all students have had a turn (all green sides is facing up), you can grab the entire set of sticks and flip them back over to watermelon seeds up to start again.<br />
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You can use any two designs or colors that you choose. I like using the watermelons because I easily remember that watermelons start from a seed, so the seed side up of the stick is the beginning (meaning students haven't had a turn yet).<br />
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Here's a quick DIY tutorial to make Flip Sticks. All you need are a set of jumbo craft sticks, <a href="http://amzn.to/1sCGbkM" target="_blank">Mr. Sketch Markers</a>, a black sharpie, and Avery 5160 labels (optional).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkYZXP9eiIdy6dDOHAf42W-PPlLs1ROggrbMeZdf5rjJE3mM2kYsh_xtQL9LxtJiRiRdvLKJ4CeIJHmGf_NXPU-zKqXKKyWhUPD7ntVYBhCwOFJJDBmgdSrk6vW_3svKPUZxdK9Om2vLO/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-27+at+11.16.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkYZXP9eiIdy6dDOHAf42W-PPlLs1ROggrbMeZdf5rjJE3mM2kYsh_xtQL9LxtJiRiRdvLKJ4CeIJHmGf_NXPU-zKqXKKyWhUPD7ntVYBhCwOFJJDBmgdSrk6vW_3svKPUZxdK9Om2vLO/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-05-27+at+11.16.46+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
I like using labels because at the end of the year I just peel them off and add new student labels for the following year. Otherwise, you can use sharpie to write names on the sticks and (have a parent volunteer) make a new set each year.<br />
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So let's get started! First you line up a set of jumbo craft sticks, and mark the halfway point on the top stick. Use your pink marker to draw a line down the center and color one half pink.<br />
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Then, color the other half green.<br />
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Use a black Sharpie to draw a curve in the middle where the two colors meet. Then, add watermelon seeds on the pink side.</div>
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Finally, print two student names per label and cut the labels down to fit on the sticks. I use Avery 5160 labels, which cut in half, fit perfectly! OR, you can just write student numbers on the sticks to reuse year after year. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8A0nJTZMkhRGF5kWnU37m8zWZCvfDdYYIxczSiqft_yEotf9VJXEssjdAuaDjUUPZv6p3l7eWhbD7_5CkpQm11MoU7qs_vVwtG6LO7tO3cVpIYY9dn76ccNAAxgw8dFlnObCoifgRuZye/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-05-27+at+11.22.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="611" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8A0nJTZMkhRGF5kWnU37m8zWZCvfDdYYIxczSiqft_yEotf9VJXEssjdAuaDjUUPZv6p3l7eWhbD7_5CkpQm11MoU7qs_vVwtG6LO7tO3cVpIYY9dn76ccNAAxgw8dFlnObCoifgRuZye/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-05-27+at+11.22.25+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's it! Your beautiful watermelon Flip Sticks are ready to put in a cup and use!<br />
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If you follow along on my Facebook page, you've probably seen the quick tutorial for making these. But just in case you've missed it, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/InspiredElementary/?fref=nf" target="_blank">CLICK HERE!</a></div>
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Also, be sure to check out these other awesome <a href="http://www.inspiredelementary.com/2014/11/classroom-communication-tools.html">Classroom Management Tools and Freebies</a>! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NIj0ZhG7ZE7XJ3_cNJiiH4t5Az88AXgsXSOvSDajNvw5a6DiqUZsMRrmmMqXJFOymDrb8NxlaHMlwGI3yV6iA72Ys1IPQ7Cnnb9ArMQsvncdC5bEBZwgwJkJbgLhUz5g1WB6JHZtJeDF/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-07-05+at+9.56.12+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NIj0ZhG7ZE7XJ3_cNJiiH4t5Az88AXgsXSOvSDajNvw5a6DiqUZsMRrmmMqXJFOymDrb8NxlaHMlwGI3yV6iA72Ys1IPQ7Cnnb9ArMQsvncdC5bEBZwgwJkJbgLhUz5g1WB6JHZtJeDF/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-07-05+at+9.56.12+AM.png" width="486" /></a></div>
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I hope you've been INSPIRED!</div>
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Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-15768249667626950152016-05-20T10:13:00.002-07:002018-03-18T21:07:24.611-07:00PUNCH IT! I am so excited to share this FUN and MOTIVATIONAL classroom incentive board...PUNCH IT! This board is super easy to make, only requiring a few tools. How it works is students earn letters (one letter at a time) on the whiteboard every time the class is working well as a whole. For example, if the class is working cooperative in groups, you would compliment them and write the letter "P" on the board. The next time you catch the class doing something great you would write the letter "U" on the board. Once the class has earned all of the letters, plus the exclamation mark (PUNCH IT!), they get to punch out one of the cups.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklacfFMCL0liXEE6Ez37OXDXVV035mnQTRdwS7qfIhWQg3fDWs5Vhbwm8bmMyX4ytAypF7r6IFMrmTla7vDL1QEDW5f6S5I4oMn2_unqTP_IKJDa1ROOOcWsRcy5H8nznfW1NBYsWn-1_/s1600/Punch+It.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklacfFMCL0liXEE6Ez37OXDXVV035mnQTRdwS7qfIhWQg3fDWs5Vhbwm8bmMyX4ytAypF7r6IFMrmTla7vDL1QEDW5f6S5I4oMn2_unqTP_IKJDa1ROOOcWsRcy5H8nznfW1NBYsWn-1_/s640/Punch+It.png" width="473" /></a></div>
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Inside the cups are strips of paper with a class prize on it. I have included <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_B5aWFhfgACc3RBdlBEclkxRDA/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">35 free class idea strips</a> for you, as well as a blank template for you to quickly write in your own ideas. These are prizes like "Movie and lunch with the teacher," "Teacher surprise," etc.. Many of the prizes are open for interpretation, too. ;-) Students LOVE getting to punch the cups and it's fun to see them working together as a class to earn a "punch."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmO3n-mdLkgmwNvJSuCs4NL3M7JOzKr9mZL1u_4Qcmj2ZpQsplx1lIOVwgHhHwYqmsx6nXGaZsQZCddauKMBzFPL2dusHKqmXHj-onq4sFPJ6NjbSrs0zbzGgSwMh9BPAEqgWprUDYZCfp/s1600/party+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmO3n-mdLkgmwNvJSuCs4NL3M7JOzKr9mZL1u_4Qcmj2ZpQsplx1lIOVwgHhHwYqmsx6nXGaZsQZCddauKMBzFPL2dusHKqmXHj-onq4sFPJ6NjbSrs0zbzGgSwMh9BPAEqgWprUDYZCfp/s640/party+pic.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Here's a quick peek at the PUNCH IT! prize strips I have included:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8skC9DflmKAZM2NMfqdKHNZHn2B_ircaYZLmUIBVjCVUstnPORkFjXNAtuwQmIPfOItUobugFvjDENp_cCiLeHt2mx9TNCsSOWzqxBaWaFQUL9fob4utynolF3xmTZTk_cjJ4SIJ2Clkv/s1600/prize+list.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8skC9DflmKAZM2NMfqdKHNZHn2B_ircaYZLmUIBVjCVUstnPORkFjXNAtuwQmIPfOItUobugFvjDENp_cCiLeHt2mx9TNCsSOWzqxBaWaFQUL9fob4utynolF3xmTZTk_cjJ4SIJ2Clkv/s640/prize+list.png" width="492" /></a></div>
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<u>Here's what you need to make your own PUNCH IT! board:</u><br />
1. One large 30x40 foam board (found at Staples for less than $10)<br />
2. 35 plastic cups (I used the pastel bulk pack from Costco)<br />
2. A pack of rubber bands<br />
3. Different colored tissue paper<br />
4. A hot glue gun/glue<br />
5. PUNCH IT! prize strips<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZpbX9ZkFhH6H2mF0GscvaNiMObJJbWlq9eZenGJ3saizyZihWO_Bp3uvTwl1dChCHtsUUDfpPT-1QJ3aEeYpFW90zJqIcwO9fkxPkv_36nBROfQzjR_vJXVTar613frsuYBUpitrvc2q/s1600/cupsfoam.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZpbX9ZkFhH6H2mF0GscvaNiMObJJbWlq9eZenGJ3saizyZihWO_Bp3uvTwl1dChCHtsUUDfpPT-1QJ3aEeYpFW90zJqIcwO9fkxPkv_36nBROfQzjR_vJXVTar613frsuYBUpitrvc2q/s320/cupsfoam.png" width="240" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvt7rENbBKCzGU50KBkhkrVJzkXRc212JnS2FWElKXb5N90eNhOAmyWtoCtUsjpLp42NYanGg9Pv7V6nj9r57S78AEGgPYVsn81_jqHL0q8iB9HunIj_IgFbnd-WfTpcmvv0kKpuHmywx/s1600/supplies.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvt7rENbBKCzGU50KBkhkrVJzkXRc212JnS2FWElKXb5N90eNhOAmyWtoCtUsjpLp42NYanGg9Pv7V6nj9r57S78AEGgPYVsn81_jqHL0q8iB9HunIj_IgFbnd-WfTpcmvv0kKpuHmywx/s320/supplies.png" width="283" /></a></div>
<u>Here's how you make the PUNCH IT! board:</u><br />
1. Lay the foam board on a hard, flat surface and evenly spread out the 35 cups. Make sure you leave enough room for your title, "PUNCH IT!"<br />
2. Use the hot glue gun to glue down each cup in place and let the glue dry overnight.<br />
3. Place your prize strips inside of each cup.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd8CjPsmaiCBDyvhZppsZyP1wpBY0QqenMzXcHTc8dGWfbR1W9gqSDBRIr2srr2WQE_NKY0hKBZ9GUevysIdkT_ADGStCxDFkbhOw6PCrvRO7fyHgtbPyeUGilU_OFygXNiW_KI0HLuEo/s1600/prizes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRd8CjPsmaiCBDyvhZppsZyP1wpBY0QqenMzXcHTc8dGWfbR1W9gqSDBRIr2srr2WQE_NKY0hKBZ9GUevysIdkT_ADGStCxDFkbhOw6PCrvRO7fyHgtbPyeUGilU_OFygXNiW_KI0HLuEo/s640/prizes.png" width="458" /></a></div>
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4. Cut the tissue paper into square sized pieces that will fit over the opening of each cup. Put one piece of tissue on each cup and secure it with a rubber band.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZ36kgUVQ8jDuKgjoyOGmJFNOowqSq0P7pmG0r1gg6QdZey3y8b4pOBJmURUH_3hvSin2j6q2VAD6KfAtwmbzUNtiNv7QwusBjrXjB2Y-4c7y43tYZgAmdSzKQ5qcjZRLuFKf4ipiPkai/s1600/Cover+Cup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZ36kgUVQ8jDuKgjoyOGmJFNOowqSq0P7pmG0r1gg6QdZey3y8b4pOBJmURUH_3hvSin2j6q2VAD6KfAtwmbzUNtiNv7QwusBjrXjB2Y-4c7y43tYZgAmdSzKQ5qcjZRLuFKf4ipiPkai/s640/Cover+Cup.png" width="458" /></a></div>
5. Add PUNCH IT! letters to the top of the board. That's it! Easy peasy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5vroKkingD-q8_uIqOekGunNNuhe88yGVRS6DDhgNVgBg372T8Lwcb7PsGP9TF8JI9CQXiWC-0NrBQ9izuKCTrGzc2RNIBaI6AfdPvKqpmSe3LKKwCFCZ2AIe0HLuF73c9YftgvzYvhs/s1600/Final.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5vroKkingD-q8_uIqOekGunNNuhe88yGVRS6DDhgNVgBg372T8Lwcb7PsGP9TF8JI9CQXiWC-0NrBQ9izuKCTrGzc2RNIBaI6AfdPvKqpmSe3LKKwCFCZ2AIe0HLuF73c9YftgvzYvhs/s640/Final.png" width="510" /></a></div>
Your board is ready to go and can easily last the entire school year! The great thing about this board is that all you have to do to set it up again is print the prize strips and cover the cups with tissue!<br />
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I have also seen a punch board used for test review. Check it out <a href="http://compositionclassroom.blogspot.com/2014/08/punch-game.html" target="_blank">here</a>. This teacher puts review questions in each cup and makes a game out of it. You could also use this board for sight words, punching out one extra special sight word for the week, or even use it daily as an "exit ticket" class review question. So many possibilities....<br />
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I hope you've been INSPIRED!<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-28685307818664274872016-04-29T11:12:00.001-07:002018-09-25T13:35:39.222-07:00Super Writing!Do your students get stuck on writing? "I don't know what to write about," was a common phrase in my classroom until I introduced SUPER WRITING! This simple writing fluency activity builds students' writing stamina, as well as gives them an idea bank full of writing topics.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YCp5CnXK0KaEkCM6Ubr7JbKfiqrdYgwedpowTiQzM_K55YZ8xKNcGPHeLB8WjUXyUw1kvaRYQ0WgwwgdoLYtg7eVHmx4vIR9tA2CGVFozFO36Nxe5TZ2t4wXNaqEJCCMCuJiuS83f18k/s1600/COVER.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1160" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4YCp5CnXK0KaEkCM6Ubr7JbKfiqrdYgwedpowTiQzM_K55YZ8xKNcGPHeLB8WjUXyUw1kvaRYQ0WgwwgdoLYtg7eVHmx4vIR9tA2CGVFozFO36Nxe5TZ2t4wXNaqEJCCMCuJiuS83f18k/s640/COVER.png" width="636" /></a></div>
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Super-Writing-A-Writing-Fluency-Activity-393479?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Super%20Writing%20Cover%20Pic%20Blog" target="_blank">Super Writing</a> is a weekly (or daily) writing activity that builds students' writing fluency skills, as well as increases their writing confidence. Once students get the hang of this activity, it can be done in ten minutes or less.<br />
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For this activity the <b>students</b> will need:<br />
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1. A spiral notebook, a Super Writing Journal, or a piece of lined paper<br />
2. A pencil<br />
3. A colored pencil, crayon or a marker<br />
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For this activity the <b>teacher</b> will need:<br />
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1. A Super Writing Record Sheet<br />
2. A list of topics<br />
3. A timer<br />
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Here's how the activity goes:<br />
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1. Students get their Super Writing Journal (or spiral notebook), a pencil and a marker ready. The teacher gives the class a topic (title) to write at the top of their page.<br />
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2. The teacher then tells the students that they have one minute to write as much as they can, as well as they can. Students are not allowed to ask questions during the one minute or raise their hand for anything except a broken pencil (I actually have my student raise their pencil if this happens so I can quickly replace it for them).<br />
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3. The teacher sets the timer and gives students one minute to write. When the timer beeps, the teacher says, "pencils down." Students may only finish the last word (not sentence) they are writing and then drop their pencils.<br />
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4. Next, the students count how many words they wrote and record it in color (pencil, crayon, marker) inside of a circle at the end of their paragraph.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcZ39zHCooNswh9IBp0WSX8sTUOjsPC-YmQ-Ibb0hXB61JBs3jnvdevmbr9MYpddx7tronkBVQ3JNVucP466HVKtVUIfYB6tMnzQqWzXpKjQguW9Cz5WWfGwgOKWaownCkKOSs03cVl0g/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-21+at+3.56.07+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="770" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcZ39zHCooNswh9IBp0WSX8sTUOjsPC-YmQ-Ibb0hXB61JBs3jnvdevmbr9MYpddx7tronkBVQ3JNVucP466HVKtVUIfYB6tMnzQqWzXpKjQguW9Cz5WWfGwgOKWaownCkKOSs03cVl0g/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-09-21+at+3.56.07+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
5. Once all students have their words counted, the teacher displays the Super Writing Record Sheet to record students' total word counts. The quickest way to do this is to have students raise their hands for each category (i.e. "How many students had 0-4 words?" and "How many students had 5-10 words?"). The teacher tallies the totals in each row under Round One. If you are using this in first grade, it's best to do it in a small guided writing group.<br />
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NOTE: If you don't want to do a whole class word count, you can have a table captain record their groups' word counts on a Post It and bring it up to you.<br />
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6. Once the totals are all tallied, you can do a round two, three, etc.. I recommend at least doing two rounds per session, so students can really challenge themselves to write more!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK73paXJzzS7SBMtH4n6FYfAigaIZsgX1UgpoPBgno8_LV9JOb4ILfJsZD7b4TUCk8_BC4-ebwGStII-vZBa4DgJCe7_TTcDLwcdJ_WWZbf6bdzpwm0gnqJf2GXInHHFP3kE1NvnDt7moh/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-21+at+4.03.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="770" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK73paXJzzS7SBMtH4n6FYfAigaIZsgX1UgpoPBgno8_LV9JOb4ILfJsZD7b4TUCk8_BC4-ebwGStII-vZBa4DgJCe7_TTcDLwcdJ_WWZbf6bdzpwm0gnqJf2GXInHHFP3kE1NvnDt7moh/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-09-21+at+4.03.56+PM.png" width="608" /></a></div>
Most students will improve their total word count within three levels. It's fun for them to challenge themselves and watch their own growth (almost immediately). Super Writing makes the perfect warm-up activity to Writer's Workshop, too.<br />
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So what now? Students finish four rounds of Super Writing and have these sentences or short little paragraphs in their journals. Well, my favorite thing to do is to let students circle their favorite "Super Write" of the day/week and actually develop that into a final draft of writing (it can be in paragraph form, topic for a friendly letter, a poem, etc.). Before doing that though, students complete a quick edit and revise of each Super Write, going through to check conventions, word choice, sentence structure, etc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3rKs2Y6hsL8P5eCYGoQhoMJAEhWlJmgY69hfB9TP4VJgDMFgK-0ABguphng1NDIcjdNfs8hcBC2o7u0eeMSRVS0_470O_gk4mYweBnZlkSpymg1X86MwAICaS0b4_1JbgTGPG7cYiDGY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-21+at+4.05.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="768" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3rKs2Y6hsL8P5eCYGoQhoMJAEhWlJmgY69hfB9TP4VJgDMFgK-0ABguphng1NDIcjdNfs8hcBC2o7u0eeMSRVS0_470O_gk4mYweBnZlkSpymg1X86MwAICaS0b4_1JbgTGPG7cYiDGY/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-09-21+at+4.05.57+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ6coh-zxcyJBS7aMLrsMNrB5kDSHvPnNqtXPANoCvCWChSzV2JJPrPB87ZEEgyBvG1cwacWAHdJq-OzoIN17xAMEw3BTZxxBGwyxQOKQty5TY8Gw_kgkaoww-XjobRKhTsibemb9tz2C/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-21+at+4.07.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="852" data-original-width="770" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZ6coh-zxcyJBS7aMLrsMNrB5kDSHvPnNqtXPANoCvCWChSzV2JJPrPB87ZEEgyBvG1cwacWAHdJq-OzoIN17xAMEw3BTZxxBGwyxQOKQty5TY8Gw_kgkaoww-XjobRKhTsibemb9tz2C/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-09-21+at+4.07.56+PM.png" width="578" /></a></div>
One final benefit of having a Super Writing journal, is that it becomes a bank of writing topics for students. When students aren't sure what to write about, they can look to their journal for an idea.<br />
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I hope you will give this activity a try in your classroom! I have a complete <b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Super-Writing-A-Writing-Fluency-Activity-393479?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Super%20Writing%20Post">Super Writing Pack</a></b> that includes five different leveled recording sheets, Super Writing pages that can be turned into a journal for the year, recommended starting levels, a master topic list, as well as monthly topic lists to guide your Super Writing for the year. You can see more <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Super-Writing-A-Writing-Fluency-Activity-393479?utm_source=Inspired%20Elementary%20Blog&utm_campaign=Super%20Writing%20Post">HERE.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshaGx7oOapuFUOsH0h2Ovj_dQfFKstEowMRCmBCpxsHMG9MnOZpuSk3R276-GXWC01R7VtUbzrYuRrJA2tLx2SvKRVVrazt7lKtD_kNHji-gsOKmNRgpD0c_DX3naIuNOMXJK4hOGORIJ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-09-21+at+4.13.19+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1162" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshaGx7oOapuFUOsH0h2Ovj_dQfFKstEowMRCmBCpxsHMG9MnOZpuSk3R276-GXWC01R7VtUbzrYuRrJA2tLx2SvKRVVrazt7lKtD_kNHji-gsOKmNRgpD0c_DX3naIuNOMXJK4hOGORIJ/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-09-21+at+4.13.19+PM.png" width="636" /></a></div>
As an email-exclusive FREEBIE, you can grab a Super Writing Record Sheet (level one) to try out this engaging activity with your class. <b><a href="https://pages.convertkit.com/9ed84c04db/14890088c2" target="_blank">CLICK HERE FOR THE FREEBIE.</a></b><br />
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Here are some other writing tools that teachers love!<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Student-Dictionary-Dolch-Sight-Words-Frys-100-Words-and-More-1748109" target="_blank">Student Dictionaries:</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Student-Dictionary-Dolch-Sight-Words-Frys-100-Words-and-More-1748109" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1112" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPUiIM_KyRuiKpjcCz1Cq1gjje44QYvsSrsdSoR6-wnHXq-G_R7YUJ-VtIbz7E9gTqIEBP9xcsIhQvLPYnVlFsesDzN6JHDPqdkK_7vJynp8WLUrNYmynk1HM9Zu70FrA2XoerYTaujzv/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-08-23+at+2.18.32+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writers-Workshop-Folder-Set-361478" target="_blank">Writer's Workshop Folders:</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writers-Workshop-Folder-Set-361478" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkPmNU-R7UnWv1nKCpAzNZ4SNjthJjUq60nzqyLMXPOHB36aZmcTlJOfhBQUdjkIBfGmbWQ73OZ3_DQki4G87sPtUEkU7tCpdDSO_5dSEHdavWxryNfSX7TAST82ksW6yzpNdk9_hfg9w/s640/Writers+Workshop+Folder.png" width="634" /></a></div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-32462487708247229212016-03-23T13:33:00.002-07:002018-03-11T08:45:37.110-07:00Planet Flip BookThis next week at school is space week. I created this planet flip book that is a fun way to introduce the order of the planets from the sun. This activity is simple and effective, all while pulling in some fine motor skills practice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEguIcnOv4b_XGE4BM0IaZAlFHCAmwsQUfDLja0RRAKSijVkiLPYiy0MlYnSTtjaw_e9sHOf0QnuUWyKAkoZGj3AuHBsc6jmMObrMICD8QeKddJ0RGLt3O0nCmTOy2wis9JMoVE5-of6Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-03-22+at+4.08.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEguIcnOv4b_XGE4BM0IaZAlFHCAmwsQUfDLja0RRAKSijVkiLPYiy0MlYnSTtjaw_e9sHOf0QnuUWyKAkoZGj3AuHBsc6jmMObrMICD8QeKddJ0RGLt3O0nCmTOy2wis9JMoVE5-of6Q/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-03-22+at+4.08.43+PM.png" width="478" /></a></div>
To begin this activity, I introduced the sun and each planet, showing pictures and sharing interesting facts about each one.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="color: #999999;"><i>This post contains affiliate links to products I personally recommend. Click <a href="http://www.inspiredelementary.com/p/disclosures.html">here</a> to read my full disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting Inspired Elementary. </i></span><br />
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Next, I had prepared pre-made flip book templates and a page of circles to cut out (directions below). <a href="http://amzn.to/2Fsyt81">We used this construction paper.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRcbAg7uD1VNKw6xdlFC659kWY1Jas_I1iQv9qDWNJdLJtamxT4bGUEQUXTPKd4nk9b-0E9BWtIeKd-C7HhFdbYuCsB3jSKY4gL-_QGo1O2XDf1RP8lZQ35sv1QwwJCIp6XTu1Gy_KoPx/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-03-22+at+4.09.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRcbAg7uD1VNKw6xdlFC659kWY1Jas_I1iQv9qDWNJdLJtamxT4bGUEQUXTPKd4nk9b-0E9BWtIeKd-C7HhFdbYuCsB3jSKY4gL-_QGo1O2XDf1RP8lZQ35sv1QwwJCIp6XTu1Gy_KoPx/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-03-22+at+4.09.32+PM.png" width="478" /></a></div>
I hand drew the different sized circles to represent each planet. Here's what it looked like when glued down. I bet you can easily spot Jupiter!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVudEsLun-bnrROiFVlwn6j0rC1VmbEXv49PsODrbZncEoJThueeA3Y_2AgKgI1SuH24-Zfiz5lfjK2SEs91vVInsB-UDP1RB-z48z0kDr70Gm5aoc9IKcyq7DwuRMNsW6CVSq2SZ5UqH/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-03-22+at+4.09.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVudEsLun-bnrROiFVlwn6j0rC1VmbEXv49PsODrbZncEoJThueeA3Y_2AgKgI1SuH24-Zfiz5lfjK2SEs91vVInsB-UDP1RB-z48z0kDr70Gm5aoc9IKcyq7DwuRMNsW6CVSq2SZ5UqH/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-03-22+at+4.09.10+PM.png" width="478" /></a></div>
Another option, instead of using blank circles for the planets, is to use <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_B5aWFhfgACMVhKLWszbTZzaWs/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">this freebie pre-made planet sheet</a> and have students cut out each planet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4UKMp1Pz9TvCk47aInXe4VP_rCV3NeQ3XE0RYb7HCdZ9GFYMLEcQE8n-YyTl_XNvx4Sz3e8o8yjCaAcD_Hc0LfoB9HDt4UZh_wGKOAXW9JAza4NHHs8d9iP_s00eYpIwc1uW_6VmGmzw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-03-22+at+4.09.24+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4UKMp1Pz9TvCk47aInXe4VP_rCV3NeQ3XE0RYb7HCdZ9GFYMLEcQE8n-YyTl_XNvx4Sz3e8o8yjCaAcD_Hc0LfoB9HDt4UZh_wGKOAXW9JAza4NHHs8d9iP_s00eYpIwc1uW_6VmGmzw/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-03-22+at+4.09.24+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Once the sun was cut out, we cut it in half to fit at the top of the flip book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAN7yas143mx4exeCMmU109JVNIUO7nQ5jHYCJRFLKeaXbyr_ZCdQU4QQCcV3Zb0F_jLjd-pWT_rVg5lhvZln3PYdpVvLBbuGX_06UC9HsnAJor8ukz9BHS7sty9Giw8qvV7ozULy7ROO/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-03-22+at+4.09.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAN7yas143mx4exeCMmU109JVNIUO7nQ5jHYCJRFLKeaXbyr_ZCdQU4QQCcV3Zb0F_jLjd-pWT_rVg5lhvZln3PYdpVvLBbuGX_06UC9HsnAJor8ukz9BHS7sty9Giw8qvV7ozULy7ROO/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-03-22+at+4.09.43+PM.png" width="484" /></a></div>
After the sun and planets were all glued down in the correct order, we wrote the names of each plant behind the flaps (using a white crayon). We used this flip book to give each other clues and play "guess that planet."<br />
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Here's a picture showing the dimensions of each flap for the flip book, starting from the top measuring down. This is a great project to have a parent volunteer prep for you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g14ACPlAeaOrAirJBqrrKAO-k0XypGWmPBhaAEtUMiKeZB2x4KsLTr6HQ86D8VukH8WUwFSAuifcy24nYkkvIDajULPUFSUiXU8SEygXDxCSaQa-f1khoWPV-OZjFu8mAXltss8yZqV0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-03-22+at+4.09.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g14ACPlAeaOrAirJBqrrKAO-k0XypGWmPBhaAEtUMiKeZB2x4KsLTr6HQ86D8VukH8WUwFSAuifcy24nYkkvIDajULPUFSUiXU8SEygXDxCSaQa-f1khoWPV-OZjFu8mAXltss8yZqV0/s640/Screen+Shot+2016-03-22+at+4.09.54+PM.png" width="478" /></a></div>
There are tons of great sites for finding fun facts about the plants. One site that we have used and loved is <a href="http://www.planetsforkids.org/" target="_blank">Plants For Kids</a>. <br />
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Here's another fun activity we did showing the order of the planets from the sun and how they orbit. All you need is <a href="http://amzn.to/2Fsyt81" target="_blank">black construction paper</a>, <a href="http://amzn.to/2FvRXod" target="_blank">colored construction paper</a> for the planets, a glue stick, scissors and a white crayon!<br />
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Finally, if you are doing a space unit in second-fourth grade, <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_B5aWFhfgACMVhKLWszbTZzaWs/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here is a simple flip book </a>where students fold, cut the flaps and write facts on the inside. This is great for taking notes during a space video or for a fact-matching activity.</div>
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I hope you've been inspired!</div>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-85259116470113638462016-03-16T14:35:00.002-07:002016-06-24T20:33:33.921-07:00Missing Numbers to 50!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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HELP! That sneaky leprechaun has come and taken some of our numbers! He has left us clovers in place of the missing numbers and we need to get them back! For every number that we identify, our class will earn one gold coin for the class "pot-o-gold."<br />
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Students are hooked! They are motivated to take back the numbers and earn gold (chocolate coins) for the class. This is such a fun and interactive way to review numbers to 50!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>You can have students simply identify the missing numbers by pointing to a clover and saying the number, or you can make it more challenging by asking questions: i.e. "What missing number is between 33 and 35?" If you want to get students moving, another fun way to play is to hide clovers around the classroom with the missing numbers on them. Students hunt for the clovers and as a class they take turns coming up to identify where their missing number is on the chart. FUN! FUN! FUN!<br />
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For each number students identify correctly, you can place a gold (chocolate or not) coin into a jar, or pot. After the activity is over each kiddo gets a gold coin.<br />
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The prep is super simple for this activity. You need a piece of construction paper or chart paper, and a sharpie to make a number chart (easily adaptable for numbers to 100, too).<br />
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Place foam clover stickers on the chart to make certain numbers "missing."<br />
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Fill in the number chart and you're ready to go!<br />
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I hope you've been inspired!<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-41717564600575146302016-02-04T20:37:00.000-08:002016-06-24T20:35:40.777-07:00My Jar of Hearts Writing ActivityValentine's Day is right around the corner so I wanted to share one of my favorite writing activities: My Jar of Hearts.<br />
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Two things I love about Valentine's Day are the candy hearts and the "feel good fuzzies" you get from someone else's kind words; whether it be verbal or written. So this writing activity incorporates both.<br />
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Here's how the lesson goes:<br />
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A week before, or the week of Valentine's Day, I place a glass jar in the classroom. At the end of each day I have students share out things for which they are appreciative (or you can do the things they love). I write down six "appreciations" on the board, listed in numerical order.<br />
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- example -<br />
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1. I appreciate my friends playing with me.<br />
2. I appreciate that I had a delicious lunch today.<br />
3. I appreciate that my parents work hard to support me.<br />
4. I appreciate my mom driving me to school.<br />
5. I appreciate my freedom.<br />
6. I appreciate a break at recess time.<br />
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Every student that shares out gets a candy heart...yum! Then, I roll a die, and for the number that comes up (1-6) I write that corresponding "appreciation" from the board down on a heart cut-out (or I have a student write it for me - depending on the grade level). I do this with a few hearts each day and place them in the class "Jar of Hearts."<br />
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The week of Valentine's Day we start our My Jar of Hearts writing activity. To begin the lesson, I pull out all of the hearts from the class appreciate jar (or love jar) and read them aloud again to get students brainstorming. Then, I each student a pre-write and let them write down their own six different things in their lives for which they are most appreciative.</div>
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Students cut out their hearts and glue them onto a jar.<br />
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Depending on the grade level, students can use their pre-writes to develop a "Dear Diary" entry, a paragraph, or a poem for "My Jar of Hearts." If you use this with kindergarten, you can modify the lesson and have the writing portion be the writing down of appreciations on hearts for individual student jars. If you use this with preschool, students could draw pictures on the hearts, rather than writing any words...there are lots of ways to modify this activity!<br />
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<u>Materials needed for the lesson are:</u><br />
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1 large glass jar (a mason jar works great)<br />
1 bag of candy conversation hearts<br />
10-12 paper heart cut-outs<br />
Photocopies of My Jar of Hearts Writing Freebie for each student<br />
9x12 pack of construction paper to mount the final product on (I use red, white and pink)<br />
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DOING THIS AT HOME<br />
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This activity can be done with parents and their children, too! As a parent, I love having activities that we can do together at the dinner table. Here's how I would modify this lesson for home:<br />
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*I would have a family jar of appreciations (or love) leading up to Valentine's Day.<br />
*Each night at dinner, we would take turns writing down one appreciation that we have on a paper heart, and put it in the family jar.<br />
*I would give my children a candy heart for sharing a meaningful appreciation.<br />
*The day before Valentine's Day I would have my kids take all of their appreciation hearts out of the jar and glue them onto the paper jar. I would not make them re-write on the pre-write paper since they already did the work.<br />
*Then, I would have my children write a "Dear Diary" letter Valentine's Day to remember all of the things they appreciate.<br />
*Finally, we would read our letters aloud at the dinner table.<br />
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I hope you enjoy this activity, and I wish you all a fabulous February!<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/My-Jar-of-Hearts-Writing-Activity-2370666" target="_blank">GRAB A FREE COPY HERE!</a><br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8325630734028637133.post-9609948760587477912016-02-02T10:02:00.002-08:002017-03-10T13:40:39.737-08:00Valentine's Snack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's a tasty snack that's perfect for a Valentine's Day class party. It's popcorn drizzled with melted white chocolates and heart sprinkles. It's simple, tasty, and mostly healthy since it's popcorn, right?!?!<br />
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Here's what you need:<br />
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1 bag of Ghirlideli white melting chocolates<br />
1 jar of Valentine's sprinkles<br />
2 bags of microwave popcorn - I use butter flavor, but unflavored is good, too!<br />
Parchment paper<br />
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Here's what you do:<br />
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1. Pop the popcorn according to the instructions on the bag. Pour the popped popcorn into a mixing bowl and set aside.<br />
2. Melt the white chocolate over double boiler, or in a microwave safe bowl. If you use the microwave, be sure to stir the chocolates every 15 seconds so it doesn't burn.<br />
3. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the popcorn and mix it well. Quickly add sprinkles and mix it again.<br />
4. Lay down parchment paper and spread out the popcorn mixture to harden. After about 15 minutes the white chocolate begins to solidify.<br />
5. Serve in cute Valentine's bowls (thank you Target) and enjoy!<br />
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Yields enough for 12 kiddos.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUqZcVHLrt_Rs_ia-iJHGCBiFRPP1DNMIqm19vUWcvCS9E6bapBiwDKZwhueI9XkaQ_SNvz4dsfSxPDNc4Fow5IgPB3_j1ebjs9OC2z0qxthBohI_URFZgfusCv7I9RNJiqTcrphTNZ4/s1600/Signature.png" />Inspired Elementaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00081522125644907813noreply@blogger.com0