Spring Books and a Freebie

I love the season of Spring!  The changes seem to happen overnight. We go from stark winter scenery to lovely spring greens and blossoms.

Here are a few of the books we are reading about Spring.






Below are the patterns for our springtime umbrella.  This is an old pattern and I've altered it by adding the sections at the bottom of the umbrella top.  The added sections are where the children can write their favorite spring words.  After writing their words, coloring and cutting it all out, punch a hole in the middle of the umbrella top, and the top of the handle.  Then thread a piece of yarn through the handle and through the hole of the umbrella top.  Tape the umbrella top together.  Cute! To see a picture of a finished umbrella, click here.

I don't know who designed this craft, so if you know the origin of the pattern, please let me know so that I can give credit to the designer. You can read all about our umbrellas at my Spring Umbrellas post.


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Hello New Shelves!

Just brought in a few new shelving units.  Bought these last August at The Christmas Tree Shop and finally got them put together.  If you look closely, you'll notice that there are two units here.  They are supposed to stand vertically, but the horizontal placement really fits the space so well.  Love them!


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Spring Umbrellas

What's hanging in our room?

Umbrellas!

If it rains in Room 34, we'll be covered, that's for sure!

We read Spring Is Here! by Mary Packard, and discussed the changes that spring brings.  

Then we brainstormed a list of spring words.  The children incorporated their favorite spring words into their umbrellas, and now they hang in our room.  They're colorful and cheery!

These are so cute! The umbrella design is one that I modified years ago, and I hope to post it for you soon.  

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Self-Selected Reading

Today's post on The Nerdy Book Blog is a home run in every way. Mindi, a seventh grade teacher, listed five things she learned about giving her students more freedom in book choice.  She wrote: " When you let kids choose what they read, they will take risks."

How true!  I've never been a fan of leveling children into groups, and of telling children they could not read this or that book because it wasn't at their "level."  Even in the first grade, children need to learn to take risks.  Yes, a book may be too difficult, but if the motivation is there, it may be just the book to spur new growth in the child.  I've seen it happen countless times.

Check out the post.  Inspiration awaits!


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Tamas O

Sandy at Soaring Through Second is hosting a Furry Friends linky party and giveaway.  Here's the perfect opportunity to introduce you to my dear pal, Tamas O'Shanter.

Tammy

Tam, a Scottish Terrier, is currently 13 years old.  He is a great buddy, my shadow, and he loves to play.

I found the following on the internet years ago.  The author was unknown back then, but if anyone does know who wrote it, please let me know.  If you're a dog lover, you'll love this!

If a dog was your teacher, you would learn things like:

~When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

~Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

~Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

~When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

~Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

~Take naps and stretch before rising.

~Run, romp and play daily.

~Thrive on attention.

~Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

~On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

~On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.

~When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

~No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout.

Run right back and make friends.

~Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

~Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.  Stop when you have had enough.

~Be loyal.

~Never pretend to be something you're not.

~If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

~And MOST of all . . . when someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

----Author Unknown

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Diamante Worm Poems

As an extension to our worm unit, we wrote diamante poems about worms.  This is easy, fun, and a nice little writing activity that introduces the children to a different poetry format.


So what is a diamante poem?  It's basically a poem in the shape of a diamond.  Here's how it works.

Line 1:  One noun, the subject of the poem
Line 2:  Two adjectives that describe the noun in line 1
Line 3:  Three participles ending in ing to describe the noun in line 1
Line 4:  One noun, or another way to say the noun in line 1
(We used line 4 to name a worm that we imagined to be a pet.)

Our four line diamante poem is a modified version.  If you'd like more examples check out ReadWriteThink, by clicking on the logo below.

For our lesson, we started with the noun, worm.  Then we brainstormed adjectives and action words ending in ing that described a worm.  Finally, for line 4, I asked the children to imagine that they had a worm as a pet, and to think of a name for their pet worm. Here are a few examples of our poems.

And now it's time for a few more gummy worms!


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Our Earthworm Habitats and a Freebie

Just as fishing season began in the state of Maine, we found ourselves reading Wonderful Worms by Linda Glaser and Loretta Krupinski.  We used the text to find specific facts which helped to answer some of the questions we had about worms.  I posted about that here.

Next, after reviewing what a habitat is, and what a worm habitat should contain, we built a worm habitat so that we could observe worms throughout the week.  See Worm Watch to find out how to build a worm habitat.  Just click on the Worm Watch logo below.

We also have an identical habitat without worms in it.  We will observe and compare the two habitats next week.  What will the worms do in their habitat?  Will they change it?  If so, how will they change it?

Just like scientists, we will write about our daily observations in our Earthworm Observation Booklets.  If you'd like a copy of the Boooklet, just click on the picture below to download.  You'll have to photo copy five of the observation pages to the cover page to make a booklet. (Please let me know if you have a problem with the download.)  I hope to add cute wormy graphics to the booklet in the future.

After building the habitat, we ate gummy worms!  

Yummy, Gummy, WORMS!

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