Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
I am SO happy to be off the next three days for the Thanksgiving holiday. We usually only have Thursday and Friday off. Having Wednesday makes life a tiny bit easier! I'll be getting ready for dinner at mom's. We all bring something so she doesn't have to do all the cooking. It's Tuesday and I'm still not positive what to make. On my list of possibilities are homemade dinner rolls, apple pie, and sweet potato latkes. (We aren't Jewish but I thought they sounded yummy!) If you have any suggestions, send them my way!

My friend Molly over at Lucky to be in First is hosting the Thankful Thread. Hopefully you will join in, too!



I think it's so important to remember what we have and to be grateful for it. I know sometimes I take things for granted. I like to step back and think about what really matters in life. It's not the small stuff, that's for sure! I may not have everything I want, but I know I have what I need and I'm happy!

I hope you all remember what you have. Cherish it. Give thanks. Enjoy a most wonderful week!

Children's books make me

So I wanted to share a few of my favorite MUST HAVE November reads for the classroom.

Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant is by far one of the most beautifully written books I know. My favorite line is "His hat is borrowed, his suit is borrowed, his hands are borrowed, even his head is borrowed. And his eyes probably came out of someone's draw." I just love the feel of this story. Read it once for the sheer enjoyment. Read it again and focus on the author's craft. Type up the text and allow students to find examples of Rylant's wonderful craft. Connect it to writing by asking students to try something the author does.



Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving by Joseph Bruchae 
tells the story of the first Thanksgiving from the perspective of Squanto.  Perfect read for discussing point of view and comparing and contrasting the Pilgrims view point with the Native Americans'.






Thanksgiving Is Here! by Diane Goode is a fun personal favorite! It reminds me of our family gatherings. The preparing of the food. The excitement of the day. Crazy relatives. Being with family. Just a fun read aloud for the holidays.



The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh is a classic (originally published in 1954) story of the first Thanksgiving. I love the artwork in this book. Good for upper elementary since it has a chapter book feel.




The Story of the Pilgrims  by Katharine Ross is another great read about that first year in Plymouth. This book lends itself to younger readers, but is a great addition to any elementary classroom library. The illustrations really help tell the story, too.




One Is a Feast for Mouse: A Thanksgiving Tale by Judy Cox is perfect for an after Thanksgiving break read (that's when I use it). The story starts after the meal is finished. Mouse peeks out of his hidey-hole (love that!) and just wants a green pea. Well, then he spots a cranberry, an olive, a piece of turkey, and mashed potatoes. He has to find a way to get this all back to his hidey-hole. In the end he learns to be satisfied with what he has. It's good mentor text for descriptive language.

Click HERE for this little freebie to accompany your study of the Pilgrims. Just a fun activity to share with the kids about how the Pilgrims really dressed! Hope you enjoy it and happy reading!!





Hello Bloggy Friends!

It's November and a time that focusing on our blessings is in the forefront of our minds! This linky party will give you a chance to showcase your thankful thoughts! I have so many and here are just a few:


#1: First has to be my family and friends....my hubby, our 2 wonderful kids, Mom, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews,  and everyone in between...I couldn't ask for a group of people that are more  loving, accepting, always there, and super fun!


Here are my two beautiful babies...Dane, 12 and Lily, 10...they light up my life. They are smart, funny, and kind!



#2: I am extremely grateful for my bestie, Denise, over at Sunny Days in Second Grade that believed in me and gave me the confidence to start blogging and selling on TpT! After many years of teaching together and going through life's ups and downs...she has been there through the thick and thin of my life...THANKS!!



#3: I am thankful to still be passionate about teaching. It's been 23 years, lots of changes, and bumps...but I can't imagine doing anything else! Being part of TpT and blogging has just ignited a new spark. I can feel the positive connections with great teachers who are passionate, too...so THANKS to all of you!!

So now it's your turn...link up HERE and get sharing those thankful thoughts!!
Link up HERE for some more thankful thoughts!

Reflecting on your blessings put everything in perspective!

                                        


This Thanksgiving I am so thankful for my new bloggy friends so....I'm hosting my first Linky Party! 
Here goes...

My favorite Turkey Day activity is TURKEY TWEETS!  The kids get a chance to write Twitter tweets from the perspective of the turkey! The challenge is saying what you need to say in 140 characters or less!
Click ❥here❥ to check out this pack!


My most favorite read aloud is Eating the Plates. This book gives students a good understanding of the trip on the Mayflower. (They can't believe that the Pilgrims had to eat at night so they didn't see the bugs in their food!) You will also read about life for the Pilgrims in the New World. (They really did "eat the plates" after a meal!) Don't be afraid of the size...you can skip to the parts you want to read. You don't need to read the entire book!

                                                           
Another favorite is Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving! A fun story about how 8 little children on a field trip to the turkey farm save the turkeys from Farmer Mack Nugget! Hilarious!
                                                            




Now it's your turn! Read on for the "rules" of this linky party! HAVE FUN!






Social networking is so popular these days...in fact it is a way of life. I know a day doesn't go by when I don't check out Facebook! What would do without it! I currently started using Twitter and Facebook in the classroom! Don't panic! I don't have my 3rd graders tweeting during the school day. I decided that using what is popular and current gets the kids motivated! In my Turkey Time pack, I have created 2 fun activities...one is called Turkey Tweets and another called Plymouth Book. My 3rd graders will be tweeting from the turkey's perspective! The challenge is keeping the Tweets short and to the point. The kids have to be very specific and use details! (Real Tweets have to be 140 characters or less!)

The second activity is Plymouth Book. After doing a little research on the Pilgrims and the Native Americans, students create a "Facebook" page for a person that attended the first Thanksgiving. This is a great alternative to a typical report, summary, or book report and it enforces critical thinking skills! I'm going to create more "facebook" and "twitter" type activities! Be on the lookout.




Check this pack out at my TpT store! There are 8 activities  in total, 2 printable bookmarks, and  turkey themed writing paper for creative Turkey Tales!


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