I hope everyone else has enjoyed this long weekend as much as I have! I have done nothing school related, and enjoyed every second with friends and family! I had to stop in the blog world to link up with some of my favorite linkys on this Monday off, though!
First I’m linking up with the amazing Collaboration Cuties to share a great Social Studies Mentor Text with you.
One of the first topics we begin each school year with in Social Studies is Native Americans and their growth and expansion in the Americas. We learn about their reasons for coming here and staying, and their culture. It is one of my absolute favorite units to teach! We finish the unit with a big “Native American Home” project which you can read about here, and pick up the free rubric instructions for here.
We finish up the unit by reading Native American legends, and then writing our own legends.
Probably my favorite one we read is “The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush” by Tomie dePaola.
We read the book and watch the PBS animated DVD. My kiddos absolutely LOVE it! The pictures are BEAUTIFUL, colorful, and vivid! It is truly inspiring to them.
After we’re done reading, we start integrating SS into LA. We write our own Legends! I have a template graphic organizer that I use with the kiddos to get them started, but unfortunately it’s saved on my school computer! I promise to add it tomorrow when I get to school, and it will be FREE so check back to pick it up 🙂 Click here to download the organizer for free 🙂
After we’re done with the organizer, we write our rough drafts, peer edit, and publish them. Students then have the option of creating a watercolor painting or a marker/colored pencil drawing to go along with their legend. We hang them in the hallway to show off! They are so creative and produce some wonderful writing!
Next I’m linking up with a linky I’ve been wanting to do over at one of my favorite blogs, A Cupcake for the Teacher! My summer doesn’t start for another 2 weeks, but I am definitely thinking of all of the fun things and teacher things I want to do!
1.) VEGAS BABY! I have NEVER been and I am {SO} excited! Hubs, sissy in law and her boyfriend, brother in law and in laws are heading out west this summer! We will be spending 4 days on the strip, 4 at Lake Las Vegas (a resort) and 2 at Sequoia National Park. I cannot wait!!
2.) ORGANIZED!! I just ordered (2) teachers toolboxes from Lowes to create this wonderful organizational tool. Why’d I order two? Well my teaching partner and I decided to collect ALL of our kiddos supplies at the beginning of the year and keep track of them ourselves so they always have supplies throughout the year. We are going to make a “student tool box”, too so we can keep their supplies organized separately! Elizabeth over at Fun in Room 4B inspired me with hers!
The other organization thing I’d like to add is a “New Student Bag” I love the idea of having this ready to go for new students so they feel prepared and I get them ready for our classroom! (Teri actually posted about this same pin, Teacher Minds think alike!)
3.) Masters! EEEK! I am starting my Masters in Instructional Technology on June 10th! This is our last teacher day. The masters program is ALL online through our local university so that will make things a little easier! I will be taking 12 credit hours this summer to knock out a lot before the Fall because during volleyball season it will be hard to take any classes!
4.) RELAX!!! Amidst all of these things, and coaching volleyball, I’d like to spend time on our new back deck, with a cold drink and a good book, or at my in-laws pool doing the same! I am most looking forward to the Fridays my hubs will be able to take half days and enjoy this time with me 🙂
I’m off to print and laminate our Splash into Figurative Language board game for this week, and print off some Narnia foldables for our lapbooks! (Don’t forget my lapbook is on sale until Tuesday!!)
Also, don’t forget about my “How to Survive ___th grade” Class book freebie!
Enjoy your Memorial Day loves, and remember those who fought for us to have this day <3
I love the Legend of the Indian Paintbrush and just put it on a list to order for next year to integrate into LA our Native American unit! Yay! I can't wait to read your other posts about it! Thanks so much for linking up!
I'm making a toolbox this summer too! I can't wait to see how yours turns out! I'm thinking about using some zebra print duct tape but we'll see once I start doing it. It may be too much!
My hubs would love to go to Vegas but our bank account would not! :O) We'll go someday I hope!
Have a great week!
Amanda
Collaboration Cuties
I think I've read this book before, although I'm more familiar with the Legend of the Bluebonnet. Love that you have the kids make their own legends!
I've been wanting to make a toolbox, too! Maybe I'll get around to it this summer, but I don't know where I could put it, so maybe not. Congrats on starting your master's!
Don't Let the Teacher Stay Up Late
Congratulations on starting your masters! Have a blast in Vegas.
I have a giveaway for some educational dvds. Feel free to stop by if you are interested.
littlelearnersinc.blogspot.com
Have fun in Vegas and good luck with your masters. 🙂 I've never been to Vegas either, so I can't wait to hear how it goes.
Brandee @ Creating Lifelong Learners
Vegas! What fun! My hubby and I were just talking about how we'd like to head out there some day. I can't wait to hear how your trip goes, so I can put a few more plans together for when we can head there! Enjoy!! 🙂
Christy
Teaching Tales Along the Yellow Brick Road
I was hoping that you could tell me what the actual name of that tool box for your supplies is. I've been looking for something pretty much exactly like that and I think it would be perfect.