Multiple Intelligence Theory

I wanted to find new ways for my teachers to get to know their students and would also help them differentiate their instruction.  Multiple intelligence theory was the first thing that came to mind.  I researched the resources (blog posts, pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers, etc.).

My favorite resource I found was from Stephanie at Falling into First - "Everyone is Smart."  Stephanie wrote a fabulous book that explains the multiple intelligence theory to younger elementary students and then provides a great writing activity to help them think through which "smart" they relate to the most. 

Visit Thinking Out Loud to learn more about multiple intelligence theory, how I used Stephanie's activity, other resources I found useful.

 

Fun Winter Writing Prompts

Bring the fun of winter into the classroom with these fun and creative winter writing prompts. It's the time of the year when students can write about polar bears, penguins, snow, snowballs, sledding, ice skating and more. These winter story starters encourage students to be creative and come up with creative stories with their winter story starters. Plus, they are perfect for your winter writing centers.

 

 

Head on over to my blog, Sweet Tea Classroom, to find out more.

 

Thanks, 

Robin

 

Christmas Story Prompts {FREEBIE}

Looking for a way to put a *spark* into your Writer's Workshop during the Christmas craze?

I have a brand-new set of Christmas story prompts to share with you! I've made them in color and black-and-white to please the ink fairies. :) There is also a prompt included for those sweet kiddos who do not celebrate the holiday season.

Hop on over to grab it (for FREE, of course!) from my TpT store!

Twelve About Twelve

Did you realize this Wednesday is 12-12-12?  Did you realize this won't happen again until December 12, 2112?  We won't have triple numbers like that until January 1, 2101, and I have a feeling I won't be around by then!

When I realized 1,212 was my the number of "likes" I have on facebook, I thought I might have some fun by brainstorming 12 things we can have kids do to celebrate 12-12-12! Come on over to Elementary Matters to download this Cuisenaire Rod freebie, and see lots of other ideas to celebrate 12-12-12!

     
                                               

Writing With English Language Learners

More than half of my class (Grades 3 & 4) are in their very first year of academic English.  Many are still in the “silent phase” where they don’t actually have enough language to participate in a conversation.  So if we don’t have enough language to tell a story, how do we get enough language to write a story?  I’ll admit, our first stories were rough, and felt like pulling teeth.  However, my kids have made some great strides in the last 3 months.  Here is a storybird created by one of my first year writing students, called Omar the Alien and the Haunted House.  I love using storybirds in my classroom because it brings out the best writing in all of my students, especially my English Language Learners.  Rather than sitting and trying to think of what to say, they use the pictures, link them to English words they know and build their story around them.

For more ways I get my English Language Learners writing, please stop by and check out my recent post on the subject at my blog – Raki’s Rad Resources.

 

Honoring our Veterans with a Great Resource

Veterans' Day is near and dear to my heart. My husband is a veteran of 30 years in the military. During those years he lost several soldiers during Desert Storm. I can't imagine how difficult it is for the loved ones of soldiers in Afghanistan today. I decided to put together a packet called "Honoring Veterans' on Veterans' Day".

There is a Shared Reading Book called, "What is Veterans' Day?" 2 Reading texts and Comprehension Questions for 2nd and 3rd Grades and 2 sets of Picture/Word/ Fact Cards, 2 Sets of Graphic Organizers and Writing Prompts at the 2nd and 3rd grade levels. Just click on the image above to check it out.

In honor of our veterans I have a few free Veterans' Day activities for you. Just click on the image below not only to access your freebies but find more free resources for Veterans'Day activities.

Thanks for all you do to make a difference for your students. Hope you will check out my blog and follow my TpT store.

I'm Done...Now What (SOLVED)

Hi, friends! 

It's Jeannie from The 2nd Grade Surprise.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard the words "I'm Done...Now What" from my students.  Especially during writing! I decided to create some posters to place in my writing center so that students can see a model of the writing and choose which writing they would like to complete.  I also have placed templates for each writing in my writing center as well.  So far, my students are loving using the templates to create their masterpieces when they are finished with whatever writing they are working on for me.  Click the picture below to see my writing packet in my TPT store.



The posters included are: list, letter, poem, recipe, story, how to, scribble story, word search, card , small moment, and note.
Each poster has a template that corresponds with the poster.

I hope everyone is having a WONDERFUL weekend!

Looking for Something Fun for Halloween?

Click image for link.

Looking for something to do with your students tomorrow?  It just so happens that I have a packet that's perfect for Halloween day.  The kids will get some actual work done, and it's academically related!  There are activities for reading, writing, and math!

Click image for freebie.

Looking for just a few things?  Try the sample!

Click image for link.

Perhaps you'd prefer to focus on reading?

Click image for freebie.

Or just a few sentences?






My students haven't had class for a few days because of Hurricane Sandy.  I'm planning to make it a fun day back, but we really do have to get some work done!

A Very Special Pumpkin Patch and a Freebie You Won't Want To Miss

Now that you have met me and gotten to know me a little I want to share with you a fun packet about A Very Special Pumpkin Patch. This picture above is from my favorite book, Pumpkins,the Book of Opposites. My students loved it and what a great book for teaching opposites and adjectives. Now that I'm retired I decided to make my own "The Very Special Pumpkin Patch" Unit for K-2 that includes a Shared Reading Book, 3 Make and Take books at the K, 1st and 2nd grade levels, Picture/Word Cards for a Word Wall and Center Activities, My Very Own Pumpkin Patch Book for your students to make, Pumpkin Word Webs for all 3 levels and My Favorite Pumpkin Writing Activity for 1st and 2nd. Here is a sneak preview:

You can click on either picture above to read all about it . I'd also like to share a freebie from my unit called
My Special Pumpkin Patch Book. Your students will love designing their own special pumpkins and either labeling them or writing about them. If you click on the picture below you get download your copy.

I hope your students enjoy this activity and my Reading and Writing Activities from my Pumpkin Unit.
Thank you for making a difference for your students.
Hope you will follow my Tpt store and blog and get to know me a little better.

HoJo is All About Halloween!

My favorite holiday has to be Halloween!

Back in high school we would do a full-out haunted house at the school, and I was always one of the masterminds behind it. We had several levels of spookiness - little kid, average, and crazy! Many parents went for the little kid one because they knew how scary it could be! Imagine going through a locker maze in a bed of steam when a guy with a REAL chainsaw (chain removed!) jumps out right in front of you! Needless to say it was a good time. :)

But that's off topic...

While I know many teachers aren't allowed to do anything Halloween related, I still wanted to create a post of wonderful Halloween freebies for those of us who can celebrate Halloween.

Click on the "boo" picture below to go check out all of the great K-6 freebies I've compiled!

 

Thanks for letting me share some of my Halloween story with you!

I hope to see you again soon!

~HoJo~