Our First Ever, Peek at my Week…MLK Style

 Whether you want to celebrate MLK for one day or for a whole week, this blog post has plans to help you! This post contains lesson plans for a whole week of learning about Dr. King as well as a lesson plan for a full day of learning.
We are so excited to do our first ever“Peek at my Week” post. Wooza! Our hat goes off to those teachers who have been doing this every week for a few years…it is A LOT of work! But, BOOYAH, we did it, and we are proud!
What are we doing this week? Hooray for MLK Day! We are sharing the way we like to do it, “MLK all in One Day”, and another option “MLK, a Little Each Day”. We like to “do it all in one day”, throwing our regular schedule aside for that day. It makes that day seem special and unique from other days. Our kids will remember and share stories from our adventures on this special day all year!

We know that this doesn’t fit everyone’s style, so we decided to show you another option of doing a few activities each day mixed in with the other activities you plan.
We sure hope you like it!  By us sharing this plan, hopefully it will help you. We know it helped us to organize the unit, because, when you share your ideas, it makes you think through things a little more closely. These ideas are from our Hooray for MLK Day unit.

Some of the books we like to use to develop that necessary schema are below.

Using Cards and Dominoes to Teach Number

Finding free, or nearly free, items makes every teacher happy.  Cards and Dominoes are two NEARLY free items. They are great tools for teaching number. Read through this post to find some great card and domino games your kids are sure to love.
Talk about a flash back? On Sunday night Megan pulled out all of the Winter things I had given her from my classroom days. When I left the classroom three years ago, I wasn’t sure I was going to like being a full time teacher trainer. So, I held tight to all of my resources. Slowly over the last few years, I have let go of things…some to the trash, some to Megan, some to Ginny, some in my workshops and some to “Gam’s” stash of goodies for my grandbabies. To be perfectly honest, I still have a few tubs that I haven’t gone through! Okay, so I taught the same grade for 30 years! Let’s just say “I boarder on being a hoarder!” Any one identify?
So as Megan, Ginny and I were looking through the tub, we all had a good laugh. Some of the stuff was….well….just ugly! I remember when I thought it was the cutest thing ever! Even though I taught the same grade for 30 years, each year I had a new batch of kids, new resources available, and another year of experience under my belt.  I didn’t teach the same year 30 times!
Since I have been on tpt for about 3 years, I started looking back at some of the first items I published. Okay, some of them needed a little work! I reworked some items last spring, did a few more this fall, and now have done a few more. Since tpt, the clip art artists have come out of nowhere! I am constantly amazed at the talent! I can draw a really cute stick person and a shape dog, but that’s about it!
Here’s the good news…if you already purchased these units, you can get the upgraded download for free in your “my purchases” section on tpt. If you haven’t, even though I added a few new recording sheets or a few new game boards, they are still the original price.

I reworked the What Can You do with a Deck of Cards? pack. This pack didn’t originally have game boards, but some have been added. I also made a few “decks of cards” in case you want to have  a variety and not just the standard deck. AND of course I changed the clip art to Melonheadz! Love her stuff!

One of the games has the kids draw 4 cards and put them in order. I divided the red and black cards. Then, on the red cards I cut off the numeral so that the kids would have to focus on the “number” and not just look at the numeral….subitizing!

Here’s that same game played with one of the decks of cards in the pack.

Another one of the games has the kids draw two cards and add them together. Remember that this is working at the pictorial level. So if your kids are having a hard time, give them manipulatives so that they can work at the conceptual level first. The can count the number of items on the first card and then count out that many counters. Repeat for the second card. Now count the manipulatives to see how many altogether. This is just 2 of the games, there are more in the unit!

Another unit the I reworked was the What Can you Do with a Set of Dominoes?

They love this game….Give the children the game board. Invite them to sort the dominoes onto the houses by combining the dots on each side of the domino. Now, record the number combinations on the tree map.
Here the kids draw three dominoes and sequence them on the game board. If your kids are having a hard time with this activity, give them a numberline so that they can see where the numerals are. Then on the recording sheet you can have them draw the dots or record the numerals, you decide.

Here are a few more domino ideas:
Invite the kids to draw a domino from the bag.  Write the number sentence and record the story problem.
Invite the children to draw a domino from the bag.  Use bingo dotters or sticky dots to make that domino.
Invite the children to draw a domino from the bag.  Write a 2 digit number using the 2 sides of the domino. Find the number on the hundreds chart and color it in.

Remembering MLK

In January we celebrate MLK Day.  This post is full of ideas to help you plan how to teach your children about Martin Luther King, Jr. 


Hey Guys! Can I just say “It’s cold out there!” I know we aren’t as frozen over like my northern friends, but this southern girl has thin blood and minus anything is too cold for me!
So what’s coming up in January…MLK Day! As I got ready to do this post I realized I had already shared these ideas last year. But, if you are like me, who has time to go and search all the blogs for ideas? I count on  new posts to come up in my bloglovin email each day for my nightly blog reading material.
So here is that blogpost AGAIN!

Can you believe that MLK day is just around the corner? Time is flying by! Here are some of the things we are doing in Megan’s room to celebrate this Famous American. Here is our craftivity where we are recording all that we learn about MLK. (above)
This photo was from last year! I can’t believe how great they did with this activity.

First I asked them, “What was wrong?” We talked about the things that Dr. King saw that he wanted to change. Then, I asked “What did Dr. King do?” and we talked about all the things Dr. King did to make things better. Finally, I asked them, “Then, what happened?” and we talked about the results of his work today. They did amazing when we walked through each step.
Another thing we did was to use clip art to help solve this story problem. So, why clip art? Well, in Singapore Math we know that children learn “CPA”—that’s conceptual, pictorial, abstract. That means we must have children learn the concept using materials that can be manipulated and moved so that they can make meaning. So is this conceptual or pictorial? I say conceptual. To me, since conceptual means that the children can manipulate the items to help solve the problem, they can move the clip art pictures around to make that meaning. Pictorial would be if I had asked them to draw a picture to show their understanding. Don’t you just love the writing? It says, “Him and Him can share a ball. Him and him can share a ball.  Him and him can share a ball.”

Here is an activity to work on number combinations. Dr. King actually had 4 kids-2 girls and 2 boys. I gave them clip art and they came up with ways to make 4 kids. Then, they glued down the black and white clip art and recorded their number combinations.

This is a cut a sentence birthday cake craftivity.  I love these cut a sentence activities for practicing "Does it make sense?"

All of these activities are in the Hooray for Martin Luther King Pack on tpt.   http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hooray-for-Martin-Luther-King-MLK-Day-by-Kim-Adsit-190312

Are You Ready for a "Happy New Year?"

It's almost that time! Most of us will head back to work on Monday. I love having a "Happy New Year's" party my first day back. Here are some pictures from last year. Instead of starting right into a new topic, we spend that first day back learning all about the customs of New Year's Day.

Hockey or Football Survey Graph

For one of our math centers the children did a survey graph. They asked their friends if they would rather watch football or hockey on New Years Day. After asking their friends, they create a graph to show the results. Lastly, they write their analysis.

Ordinal Number Trinket Cakes

The children create ordinal number trinket cakes. I folded a piece of long construction paper in half. Cut slits in the top half. Invite the children to glue down the color cupcakes onto each flap. Under each flap glue a trinket that is hiding inside of the cake. The children complete the recording page by lifting the flaps and recording which trinket is in each cupcake. The cool thing...everyone's will be different depending on the order they placed their trinkets.

All About the Number 12

In the morning when the kids come in, we pretend it is New Year's Eve. We count down until 12 noon. That is our New Year's Eve Celebration. This is a great way to connect the number 12! We talked all about 12, tally marks, dominoes, ordinals, etc.

What Do You Eat on New Year's Day?

Maybe it's a southern thing, but on New Year's Day we eat black eyed peas, cornbread and turnips. The truth is, I must not be southern, because I don't really like any of those foods. But, my kids would never know it! We make cornbread at school using the Jiffy mix cornbread. We either have canned (if I'm in charge) blackeyed peas, or fresh ones (if a parent is in charge)!

The kids really amaze me. Some don't want to taste either...I never force it! But, most love it! After eating the cornbread and black eyed peas, the children make a face. In the mouth, they draw peas, cornbread, both or neither. We used the faces to create a double bubble map.

The kids made theirs as we went along.

Countdown to New Year's Day

On a strip of black paper, the children sequence the numerals 10-0. I glue the strip onto a horn like in the photo above. When we count down to New Year's, the kids blow their horns.

New Year's Day Party Hats

But, we don't just blow our horns. The kids each make a face like the one above. When it's time to count down, they put the face in front of their face and place the horn in their mouth. Now they are ready for a party!



New Year's Day Circle Map

It isn't a celebration without a little bit of glitter. The kids each make their own mirror ball by covering a circle with silver glitter. On the circle map, we write all the words that define New Year's. Then, we glue the circle map onto the mirror ball.

Our Year In Review Tree Map

We made a tree map by thinking back to each month we have been in school. We thought about something we did each month to record on the tree map. 

Firecracker Cut a Sentence Book

In one of the literacy centers, the kids did a firecracker cut a sentence book.

 

These activities are from my Hooray for New Year’s Day Unit.

Here’s to a great year!

The 10 Best Things About the Holidays Were…

Well another season has come and gone, all the decorations are packed in the attic, everyone is headed back to work, and I stop to think about the wonderful Christmas that just passed.
Here is my 10 Best Things About the Holidays Countdown…
10. I love that I had the chance to spend the last day before the holiday break in Megan’s room. Once you are out of the regular classroom, holidays aren’t quite the same. While the chaos can be exhausting and we all can’t wait for that dismissal bell on that last day…spending the holiday with a group of kinders just can’t be matched!

9. I love that Megan is close to her sister in law (Tyler’s wife, Ginny) and her cousin Jenny! So on the first Monday of the Christmas holiday my house was a total wreck…and I survived! Jenny..with her 3 kids, Megan and Matthew and Ginny all spent the entire day at my house…starting at 6 am!Megan made special name pancakes for breakfast. We spent the rest of the day doing crafts and making cookies. They were still there when the guys got off of work so Andy headed over to the BBQ place and picked us up some dinner! No time for cooking dinner when there are cookies to bake!

8. Andy finally had a chance to paint my bathroom!
7. I was there when Matthew saw Santa for the first time. It was absolutely magical. No tears…this year!

6. As of December 15 I had only purchased a few gifts. Thank goodness the weather cooperated and I was able to spend the entire week shopping and wrapping. But, the highlight is, I was there when my kids opened their gifts. We take that time for granted when our children are little. But, when they grow up they often find themselves living in other places that makes spending the holidays together impossible. I love that both of my kids and their spouses live right here in the same town as us! Nothing better.

5. I loved our first annual family pajama party! Okay, I have to admit that it felt kinda like one of those corny Christmas movies, but we had a blast. I went shopping and found matching pjs for the girls and the guys. I washed them (my family won’t wear things that haven’t been washed), put name tags on each pair, and wrapped them in a box with Christmas movies and that new game from the Ellen Show…I can’t remember the name.  We spent the rest of the night just hanging out, playing games and watching movies.
4. The week after Christmas we loaded up in Ginny’s pilot and drove 2 hours to see the Fantasy in Lights at Calloway Gardens.  We had to ride the “jolly trolly” instead of taking the car (which would have been much warmer) so that Matthew could see the lights.

3.  On Christmas Eve my entire family came over for snacks, fun and games. That’s right….everyone. My mom, my three sisters, their spouses, children and grandchildren, and my family all settled in for a little family fun. After eating a few snacks we loaded up and all went to church together. While we usually all go to different churches, we decided to go to one church So since one of my nieces was singing at her church, the decision was made. After church, back to our home for fun and games. Andy set up the photo booth and the posing began.
2. What fun was it to celebrate Matthew’s first Christmas. He was so much fun and totally understood about opening presents! I know you hear me gush over him all the time. Can I just say I am totally in love with that little guy?!

BUT…..next year there will be even more love to gush over. That’s right! Grandbaby number 2 is on the way!

1. The best thing about Christmas is that I was able to spend it with the love of my life. As many of you know, Andy is currently living in Oklahoma for his job. Let’s just say we are building lots of frequent flyer miles! Andy was able to be in GA for nearly 3 weeks. Not to sound too cliché, but I just can’t imagine a better match for me. He takes me in all of my many moods, my insecurities, my manic pace, and OCD issues, and through it all keeps us both sane. I’m thankful that he is a good Christian man who loves God and raised his family with that same faith. I’m thankful that he has worked hard his whole life to provide for his family while showing his children that you can love your job, do it well, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. While he can drive me crazy with all of his clutter, he can fix anything and knows how to cook and sew! We have been married nearly 30 years, moved 3 times, raised two great kids, and now look forward to filling our home with lots of grandchildren. 

In the Spirit of RAK-Who has the greatest blessing?

Yesterday, teachers across the country, were sharing  random acts of kindness. Many will be known only by the teacher who gave and the blessed person who received.  All of this goodwill, reminds me of something that happened a few weeks ago. Warning…this isn’t a teaching idea, tip, or freebee…it’s just a story that might lift your heart. It’s rather long, but I hope that when you read it, you think of the people that you have loved and lost and how you can find them in others all around you.

Last week, I was traveling quite late on my way home from a conference. When I arrived in ATL, I was upset because I had barely missed the 11:00 pm shuttle and was going to have to wait until 12 for the next van.  I live two hours from the airport and always dread those two hours more than any of the others. I proceeded to sit on a bench…waiting and sulking, feeling quite sorry for myself. When the shuttle finally arrived, I wanted to be sure that I had a seat as quite a group had gathered. I started to sprint to the van, when out of the corner of my eye I caught a lady in a wheelchair. Now, no one would run past her, right? So I stopped and asked her if I could help. I pushed her bags to the van and then went back and got her. Now I tell you that because it is an important part of this story….

When I finally got to the van with my bags, the van was almost full. There was an older gentleman standing by the door, and me, left to board. I got in first and he followed behind, sitting beside me. When he got on, he asked the driver about the price of the ticket. He was concerned as to whether or not he had enough money. He was almost blind and had a hard time finding his money. He handed the driver a slip of paper with a phone number. The driver was super nice and called the number. The person who answered the phone told the driver where to find the older man’s money. He had just enough and we were on our way.

Now, this particular day was the day after the second anniversary of my father’s journey to heaven.  I loved my daddy. He was a hard working man who raised 5 girls and was married to my mom, the love of his life for nearly 60 years.  He thought that chocolate and steak dinners could solve all problems.  He was raised in a large coal mining family and left there to find a better life for him and my mom (she was only 16).  He often said things that might seem inappropriate and told jokes that might be offensive. He was loving, kind and helpful, but could be quite impatient. He was always there for his friends and family loving them unconditionally with his whole heart.

Are you still with me? I’m getting to the point…

Back to the van…As we were on our way, the older gentleman started to talk, not to anyone in particular, just talk. Here is where it got eerily close to home. The things he said could have come out of my father’s mouth!  He was kind and soft, yet inpatient and confused.  We even had to stop on the way home for him to use a gas station restroom, something that was hard for my dad near the end of his life.  My heart started to break. All I could think of was how much I missed my dad.  I found myself asking the older man questions so that I could see if his answer would sound like my dad. My heart was breaking for myself, but also for him. I couldn’t imagine my dad being on that shuttle….confused, scared and all alone.

The trip soon came to an end and I headed to the counter to pay for my ticket. As I was paying, I found myself talking to my dad. What would you do, dad? My dad would give you the shirt off of his back. He gave everything to his family, keeping very little for himself.  So as I handed the lady my credit card, I asked her if I could be so honored as to pay for the gentleman’s ticket. Once I paid for the ticket, I handed it to the man. He tried to hand me the money and I told him it was a Merry Christmas gift. I wanted to tell him about my dad, but I didn’t think he would understand. He stopped and looked at me right in the eye. I could see my dad! He thanked me and with tears in my eyes I headed off to my car to drive the rest of the way home.

My point to this is…a random acts of kindness touched my life in a way that…. I can’t even think of the words to say. I do believe that all things happen for a reason. From the late flight, the missed shuttle, the lady in the wheel chair, the crowded shuttle, to the older man. It was all put in my path so that I could have that short visit with my dad.

This random act of kindness, while appreciated by the older gentleman, was an intentional act of kindness, an expression of  unconditional love given to me by God.  His acts are never random, but well planned out events that are orchestrated to show us His love for us. So as you go about your day to day life, take every opportunity to help others. God may be sending you a gift, just like He did me.