Social Studies Anchor Chart

We are so excited about joining the Anchor Chart Linky party hosted by Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes.
Do your students ever have trouble keeping track of names of cities, states, and countries?  My 3rd graders definitely do!  I started this anchor chart at the beginning of our geography unit.  I plan to add to it throughout the year whenever we read about another place. 



The red stars mark the state we live in, and the cities in our state.

            EmilyK

RIP Tired Worn Out Words

A fun activity to do around this time of year is to encourage students to broaden their vocabulary and let those overused boring words RIP.  I began by discussing the importance of learning new words and increasing our day-to-day vocabulary.  I put the word good on the smart board and asked the students to brainstorm some synonyms which could be used in its place.  After the students shared as many synonyms as they could think of for the word good, I pulled out the thesaurus to see if we could add anymore.   Following this whole group activity, I partnered the students up and had them chose one word from a given list.  These could be any commonly used words which you would like to let RIP.  Some examples are: sad, said, happy, angry, friend, etc.  Together, the partners brainstormed synonyms for their word as well as using a thesaurus.  Next, they traced a tombstone onto construction paper and wrote in their retired word along with its replacements.  I hung the tombstones out in the hall for a very cute fall/Halloween display.

We're Going On a Field Trip!

With the beautiful weather in full swing, it was time to go on a field trip!  We have been learning about different types of communities in Social Studies.  We live in a suburban area, a (reasonable) driving distance between a larger city and a rural area.  We spend part of our time talking about our dependence on people in other communities.  This gave us the awesome opportunity to visit a dairy!
The day began with that joyous (ha!) bus ride.  Then the shocking announcement that their noses could smell the country.  (This part always makes me laugh, since my grandma lived across from a livestock sale barn and I know that smell all to well!)  We watched them bottle milk and make cheese.  We tasted all their flavored milks.  Root beer milk is always their favorite, followed by chocolate.  (Did I mention this dairy wins awards for how great the milk is?!)  Then, the best part, the kids got to milk a cow and pet a calf!  The trip ends with another fabulous bus ride. 
So where do you take your class for a field trip?

EmilyK

Social Studies Journals

As a school, we are incorporating Social Studies into our Communication Arts.  I think this is a great idea and decided to use journals as way for the students to reflect on what they learn.  I am not a huge fan of text books as a sole resource to teach, so I am always on the internet looking for ideas/resources to use.  We also have USA Weekly papers which are a wonderful tool.  What I have been doing so far (which is tentative as this is new for me) is teaching the lesson either whole group or through partner reading of the USA Weekly.  After the lesson, the students write a reflection as to what they learned.  I give them questions to guide their reflections.  When they are finished with the written part of the journal, they include an illustration that goes along with what they learned.  Depending on the concept being taught, I plan to include maps, timelines, etc as well as the written reflection and illustration.  I would love to hear how other people use Social Studies journals in their classrooms or any suggestions/ideas.

Words Their Way

With every new school year comes changes to curriculum.  This year that change comes to our school in the form of Words Their Way.  From what I have learned so far, this program is primarily used for spelling, but can also benefit younger students with phonics.  Most teachers from my school have administered the spelling inventory and have graded them.  Thanks to the expertise of my fellow blogger, Emily, some of us are ready to move on to the next step; lists and word work.  We are beginning with sorting practice and developing a menu in which the students can choose various spelling activities. This is where we would like to ask for suggestions and ideas from other experts.  How do you organize your word work and lists?  What are some ways you use Words Their Way in your classrooms?

Here are the links to the spelling menu:

Spelling Menu Blank

Spelling Menu with Ideas

Antoinette & Emily

Organizing student log-ins

      I was just visiting Thoughts of a Third Grade Teacher .  She inspired me to share my way of organizing student log ins and passwords.  I like using a Computer License. 
      At my school we have mini laptops in each classroom. (Nice I know!)  It is imperative that kids follow internet safety rules and be able to log in on their own.  The computer license is "issued" to each student.  They must follow the rules or their license can be suspended.  I am yet to do it, but I did tell the kids it could be revoked. I also have them sign it.  Then it is laminated, so hopefully it will last all year!

I keep trying to attach it and GoogleDocs, I hope it works!!
Click here
If not email me and I will send it to you @ 4321teach@gmail.com

Enjoy!
Emily

4321...Blast off with a good read aloud book

As the school year begins, we find ourselves hunting for great books to share with our students.  For fifth grade, it might be a book with a catchy title like Niagra Falls, or does it? by Henry Winkler. For third grade it might be something like Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Hanks or The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes.  No matter the title these books are meant to inspire our students to read and establish a learning community.  What are some great books you have started out the year reading to your students?