This blog will be updated shortly.
There is good news to report. My proposal
"It's In The Bag" has been selected by the
AASL and will be showcased at the
exploratorium in October in
St. Paul Minneapolis.
Thank you for your patience.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Welcome to 2011.
I look forward to another year of dollar and thrift store shopping with the focus on reinvention to develop teaching activities that address a number of skills. All activities, using dollar and thrift store finds can be adapted to a variety of grades and subject areas. Your imagination will guide your creativity.
This puzzle is actually a set of cubes. Puzzle cubes give you versatility in the development of activities.
Literacy:
The Scrabble Review Experience—Class Activity
1. Select reading or subject specific vocabulary. On each surface of the cube glue on individual letters in order to spell preselected words. Package the cubes in a Ziplock bag. Create a class set.
2. Distribute bags to individual students or a group of students at the end of an activity/lesson/unit.
3. Provide a clue or definition for the word they need to search for. Make a game of it by rewarding points to students who successfully identify and spell the word.
The Thinking Experience—Individual Group Activity
1. Subject specific review questions can also be developed by the teacher and pasted to the sides of each individual cube. Develop questions to address differentiated instruction with attention to student readiness, interest and learning style. Again the cubes can be prepackaged in a zip-lock bag. Create a class set.
2. Groups of students can roll the individual cubes. Students will take turns rolling the cubes and answering the questions. If a student cannot successfully answer the question, the next student has a chance to answer the question and to gain an advantage point. Your score board can be in the format of “x”/”o” game.
Large flat puzzles can be fun as well.
Paste images on the back of these puzzles. Images can be of cells, human organ systems, famous people. The puzzles can be a fun way to review a concept.
To use puzzles as a Library orientation:
1. Paste the image of the cover of a variety of books on the back of a set of puzzles and place pieces in a Ziploc bag to create a class set.
2. Distribute to groups of students. Have them assemble the pieces. Students can then key in the book title into the computer catalogue. Have students retrieve the book from the shelf.
3. Develop a question that they can answer using the book. The question can direct them to the table of contents, index, specific page, diagram, photo or graph in the book.
Activities and skills -- Journal writing, observations, measurement and nurturing.
Clay pots are inexpensive and a class set can be purchased at any thrift store, garage sale or dollar store. For this activity you will also require (items that can also be purchased inexpensively from the dollar store).
1. Potting soil
2. Flower seeds/bulbs
3. Notebooks
I used this activity in my junior science class. It was not directly related to any specific content but the payoff in terms of literacy, scientific inquiry and nurturing was a wonderful experience.
The purpose of the activity is to have students plant, water, observe, photograph, measure and record plant growth on a weekly basis. Clay pots can be placed on a window ledge or cart.
Other activities could include:
1. Creating a class blog journey with images and comments—
2. A photo card/postcard accompanied by a student poem—
3. A research assignment – planting and care instructions, medicinal and other uses of the plant as well as an illustration of life cycle. – Format – ½ page Fact sheet
Students will bring letter home for parental signature so parents can acknowledge student progress. The responsiblity of communicating progress with parents shifts to the student.
Letter writing Generator from: ReadWriteThink
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/letter-generator-30005.html
Novel Studies
2. Predict the outcome of a novel based on facts, character analysis. Consider:
Return envelopes at the end of the unit of study. Have students analyse their predictions.
Self Analysis--adapted from the work of Sandra Sartor
3. At the begining of a school term have students make predictions about themselves --
May I suggest...
Scholars Choice Website http://www.scholarschoice.ca/
The link below will direct you to a section called Teacher's Tips...
The ideas are free and easy.
http://teachers.scholarschoice.ca/content/teacher_tips/
Be Mindful!
ReInvent + ReCreate + ReImagine = Resourcefulness
I look forward to another year of dollar and thrift store shopping with the focus on reinvention to develop teaching activities that address a number of skills. All activities, using dollar and thrift store finds can be adapted to a variety of grades and subject areas. Your imagination will guide your creativity.
New for this year!
Dollar Store and Thrifty Finds
Meets Computer Technology
This year I will direct you to a variety of Web 2.0 tools, useful links and other references that will work hand and hand with the activities developed. As we move into the 21st century, the emphasis is on how students learn. I will incorporate making, doing, creating, pen and paper activities with computer technology, where applicable to address digital instruction. Budgets, resources, access to computer technology may be limited but the Resourceful Teacher will combine the best of Reinvention with Computer Technology to successfully move students forward.
Our Sharing Continues...
Below is a description of activities that can be developed using the Thrifty Finds identified in the last posting.Puzzles
This puzzle is actually a set of cubes. Puzzle cubes give you versatility in the development of activities.
Literacy:
The Scrabble Review Experience—Class Activity
1. Select reading or subject specific vocabulary. On each surface of the cube glue on individual letters in order to spell preselected words. Package the cubes in a Ziplock bag. Create a class set.
2. Distribute bags to individual students or a group of students at the end of an activity/lesson/unit.
3. Provide a clue or definition for the word they need to search for. Make a game of it by rewarding points to students who successfully identify and spell the word.
The Thinking Experience—Individual Group Activity
1. Subject specific review questions can also be developed by the teacher and pasted to the sides of each individual cube. Develop questions to address differentiated instruction with attention to student readiness, interest and learning style. Again the cubes can be prepackaged in a zip-lock bag. Create a class set.
2. Groups of students can roll the individual cubes. Students will take turns rolling the cubes and answering the questions. If a student cannot successfully answer the question, the next student has a chance to answer the question and to gain an advantage point. Your score board can be in the format of “x”/”o” game.
Large flat puzzles can be fun as well.
Paste images on the back of these puzzles. Images can be of cells, human organ systems, famous people. The puzzles can be a fun way to review a concept.
To use puzzles as a Library orientation:
1. Paste the image of the cover of a variety of books on the back of a set of puzzles and place pieces in a Ziploc bag to create a class set.
2. Distribute to groups of students. Have them assemble the pieces. Students can then key in the book title into the computer catalogue. Have students retrieve the book from the shelf.
3. Develop a question that they can answer using the book. The question can direct them to the table of contents, index, specific page, diagram, photo or graph in the book.
Clay Pot
Activities and skills -- Journal writing, observations, measurement and nurturing.
Clay pots are inexpensive and a class set can be purchased at any thrift store, garage sale or dollar store. For this activity you will also require (items that can also be purchased inexpensively from the dollar store).
1. Potting soil
2. Flower seeds/bulbs
3. Notebooks
I used this activity in my junior science class. It was not directly related to any specific content but the payoff in terms of literacy, scientific inquiry and nurturing was a wonderful experience.
The purpose of the activity is to have students plant, water, observe, photograph, measure and record plant growth on a weekly basis. Clay pots can be placed on a window ledge or cart.
Other activities could include:
1. Creating a class blog journey with images and comments—
- http://edublogs.org/
- www.blogspot.com
2. A photo card/postcard accompanied by a student poem—
- computer generated assignment using Windows Presentations,
- http://picasa.google.com/
- http://www.photo-card-maker.com/free-card-maker/free-card-making-software.html
- or create a photo collage using http://www.smilebox.com/collages.html?partner=google&campaign=content_postcard&gclid=CNnT5_iX3KYCFcjsKgod1xTx2g
3. A research assignment – planting and care instructions, medicinal and other uses of the plant as well as an illustration of life cycle. – Format – ½ page Fact sheet
Envelopes
1. Letter Writing--Let's Review, Let's Reflect
Using a formal letter writing template...students can write a letter to parents that will include:- a review of the topics studied
- interesting insights garnered over the course of the topic
- self-reflection -- did I do my best work, how can I improve
- the art of letter writing and clearly communicating thoughts/ideas
- topic summary --- what did I learn?
- self-reflection --- how am I doing
Students will bring letter home for parental signature so parents can acknowledge student progress. The responsiblity of communicating progress with parents shifts to the student.
Letter writing Generator from: ReadWriteThink
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/student-interactives/letter-generator-30005.html
Predict, Record, Seal. Analyze
Science Experiments
1. Prior to performing a scientific experiement, predict, hypothesize and record the outcome of the experient(s) with an explain. Place prediction(s) in envelope and seal. Novel Studies
2. Predict the outcome of a novel based on facts, character analysis. Consider:
- What will happen and why?
- Where do you see the main character at the end of the novel. How will he/she grow/change?
- Consider how events and circumstances may change a character?
Return envelopes at the end of the unit of study. Have students analyse their predictions.
Self Analysis--adapted from the work of Sandra Sartor
3. At the begining of a school term have students make predictions about themselves --
- What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the terms of knowledge, skills, work ethic.
- How do you expect to grow personally by the end of the term.
- Where they are now, what they learned about topics studied -- The Big Picture of Knowledge garnered what what it means to their lives.
- What have they learned about themselves. Consider effort, working to the best of your ability, helpful organizational strategies employed.
- Develop an action plan for change and/or continued growth both professionally and personally.
May I suggest...
Scholars Choice Website http://www.scholarschoice.ca/
The link below will direct you to a section called Teacher's Tips...
The ideas are free and easy.
http://teachers.scholarschoice.ca/content/teacher_tips/
The Spring Challenge--
The 4 R's Continues
The 4 R's Continues
Reinvent, Recreate, Reimagine
= Resourcefulness
= Resourcefulness
Old Photos
Please share your inspiration.
Resourcefully yours,
Julia Andreacchi
All Rights Reserved
DollarDaze and Thrifty Finds
©2011
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Savannah and More!
Thank you for your interest in my presentation.
The link to the PPt. from
The Georgia Conference on Information Literacy,
Savannah, Ga Oct. 1-2, 2010 is as follows:
1. Rationale
2. PowerPoint
The following link:
from my presentation at the AASL can also serve as a
source of informtion and a starting point
for your own creativity.
Reinvention is Key!
Something old is new again.
The Challenge Contiues...
Thrifty Store Items to Consider...Engage your inner imagination
1. Puzzle Blocks
2. Clay Pot
Image from:
3. Envelopes
Book of the Month
Image from: http://books.google.ca/books?id=HukQc_2K7PsC&dq=the+adventurous+scrapbooker&source=gbs_navlinks_s
To be continued...
Resourcefully yours,
Julia Andreacchi
All Rights Reserved
DollarDaze and Thrifty Finds
©2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Let The Games Begin!
Good News!
I have the honour of being selected to showcase my
DollarDaze and ThriftyFinds
ideas at the Georgia Information Literacy Conference.
I will post my PPt. presentation shortly.
DollarDaze and ThriftyFinds
ideas at the Georgia Information Literacy Conference.
I will post my PPt. presentation shortly.
See you in Savannah, Georgia on October 2st, 2010.
http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted/infolit.html
http://ceps.georgiasouthern.edu/conted/infolit.html
Thank you for your patience...I appreciate your committment to my blog and in sharing your ideas and comments with me. This month the focus is on:
Games--Reinventing an Old Game
with the purpose of educating students.
With the focus on computer technology in the classroom I will make connections to internet links that will also support the activities listed.
The mindfulness of creativity, imagination and resourcefulness
drives the process of Reinvention.
1. What’s in a name? -- Adapted from The Rachael Ray Show
A. Purpose: Vocabulary Development and Review
List all vocabulary unique/new selected from a novel chapter or specific terminology from a subject of study eg. Science. List can be generated/studied/defined and posted on a word wall as the chapter is read and/or as the unit is studied.
To make the process of learning words/terms/vocabulary interesting…have students generate as many new words that they can from the existing word. Create groups, impose time-limits and announce a winner.
This activity can be played at the end of a chapter discussion or the end of a unit of study. The purpose is to reinforce vocabulary in an interesting format and to encourage thinking and the development of new vocabulary…Scrabble is Reinvented!
Eg. Chromosomes = Some, Mess, Moss, Rose, Cross, Home, So...
Use 2 words in a sentence plus the word that generated the new words.
http://www.wordle.net/ -- will help students build a word wall
http://www.wordles.com/getWordsInWords.aspx -- Students can use this link to check their work againt the list generated by the computer.
2. Tic – Tac – Squares
A. Purpose: Content/Chapter Review
Have groups of students develop a series of knowledge questions that will help them review and consolidate ideas garnered in the unit/chapter study. Bloom's Taxonomy can direct question development. Questions should be reviewed/evaluated by the teacher. Give students feedback and then place questions in a box.
Divide class into 2 groups…”X’s” and “O’s”. Play the game accordingly by drawing one question at a time to be answered from the box. One group member will volunteer the group consensus. A wrong answer gives the other group an opportunity to gain access to that square.
3. Bingo Lingo –
This adaptation of Bingo was developed by a college of my Tim Westhead. A. Purpose: Content/Chapter Review
Have students randomly number a blank bingo card from numbers 1 to 24 with the centre square assigned as "Free". As in Tac – Tac – Squares students will generate a series of review questions. Evaluate and select 24 questions and number each one separately. This activity becomes a group task and a formal review directed by the teacher.
Draw a question. Have a student answer the question and then have students place the answer in the corresponding numbered box. The teacher can add further discussion and details pertaining to the question. Aim is to work towards Bingo! as a topic or chapter is reviewed in an interesting and fun format. A prize, such as a book mark can be awarded.
Bingo Maker and Additional Ideas For Words and Math reviews.
http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/materials/bingo/
3. Snakes and Ladders Reinvented –
A. Purpose: Consolidation of knowledge and understanding
An old game takes on new meaning. This game board was developed by a secondary Biology student as a review of the concepts studied -- the Kidney, Form and Function.
Old Games Reinvented ---
- have students use the game board as a starting point for their own imagination to develop a game that will test or review concepts studied
- have students use an old game board but have them modify the game rules to fit the concepts that they are testing or reviewing
The October 2010 Challenge
Thrift Shop Finds!
Please share with me...
Resourcefully yours,
Julia Andreacchi
Julia Andreacchi
All Rights Reserved
Dollar Daze and Thrifty Finds
Dollar Daze and Thrifty Finds
©2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Box It!
The Box It! Activities have now been updated....and a
new challenge for April 2010
has been posted below...
Ideas to consider--
There are a variety of boxes (wooden, paper, large, small)
available for purchase at the Dollar Store
that can be used for a variety of activities. Recycle
shoe boxes as well as constructing your own box from
discarded cardboard boxes.
1. Biome in a Box
Select and research a biome.
Create a "Biome in a Box" to illustrate:
the flora and fauna found within the biome as well as the
relationship between the living organisms.
Use found/recycled material and a shoe box.
.JPG)
An excellent source of information for students and
resources for teachers is
A written component to accompany Biome in a Box can include:
Creating a Newspaper Advertisement--Home Wanted
Identify an Organism
Description of Location/Biome
Basic Characteristics of the Home Desired
Other Interesting Information related to Home Ownership
Contact Info. -- Name and Description of Resident seeking Home
2. The faces of the box can act as story boards.
3. The Box can act as a time capsule/memory box--
Decorate the box and enclose10 items that would give insight
into the character of a novel and his/her conflict.
State why each item was chosen to enclose in the box.
4. Make a Pin Hole Camera with a Juice Box
The project has applications in a variety of subject areas:
eg. Science--the physics of light
Art--perspective
English--story telling
5. Thrift is Best!
Recyle an old polaroid camera to create a Pin Hole Camera
5. Bloom is Reinvented
Utilize the Power of Bloom's Taxonomy to ask Smart Questions
How? Cubing
To address Differentiated Instruction
Retrieve a printable template of a cube
Build the box with a recyled cardboard box.
See the links below for some excellent ideas
The sides of the cubes can each have a challenge activity developed using Bloom's Taxonomy.
Students can select from a variety of activies that will have them producing/creating products based on their preference, interest, to demonstrate learning.
6. Cut open a box
See: http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/surprise-photo-explosion-box
This looks like a great way to illustrate a process or outcome--what a student has learned...
Your imagination will guide you.
7. Design a Box
Kiss My Face is a company that manufactures
natural and organic skin care products.
Their packaging is interesting...It is 50% post
consumer recycled material.
In an effort to "do a good thing for the environment and to eliminate
printed brochures they have printed product information on
the outside and inside of the box. The flap on the box
makes reference to "thinking inside of the box" and
inviting you to visit http://www.kissmyface.com/
This promoted me to think about a student assignment....
1. Discuss the importance of reduced packaging to the the environment.
2. Select an organic product and design a box for it.
3. Use the "Kiss My Face" box as an exemplar.
4. Another Box Design could be a Condom Package...
Appropriate for Senior Health and Phy. Ed. Classes
Base the assignment on the concept
designed by The Centre for Biological Diversity.
http://sciencetrio.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/cover-your-tweedle-save-the-burrying-beetle/
The April, 2010 Challenge
Reinvent a Game
New ways to play old games...
to consolidate learning.
May I suggest...
Cardboard crafting with many illustrations and a variety of projects
Take recycling to the next level!
Patterns included...
This looks like a great way to illustrate a process or outcome--what a student has learned...
Your imagination will guide you.
7. Design a Box
Kiss My Face is a company that manufactures
natural and organic skin care products.
Their packaging is interesting...It is 50% post
consumer recycled material.
In an effort to "do a good thing for the environment and to eliminate
printed brochures they have printed product information on
the outside and inside of the box. The flap on the box
makes reference to "thinking inside of the box" and
inviting you to visit http://www.kissmyface.com/
This promoted me to think about a student assignment....
1. Discuss the importance of reduced packaging to the the environment.
2. Select an organic product and design a box for it.
3. Use the "Kiss My Face" box as an exemplar.
Appropriate for Senior Health and Phy. Ed. Classes
Base the assignment on the concept
designed by The Centre for Biological Diversity.
http://sciencetrio.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/cover-your-tweedle-save-the-burrying-beetle/
The April, 2010 Challenge
Reinvent a Game
New ways to play old games...
to consolidate learning.
See you next month!
May I suggest...
Take recycling to the next level!
Patterns included...
Resourcefully yours,
Julia Andreacchi
All Rights Reserved
Dollar Daze and Thrifty Finds
Dollar Daze and Thrifty Finds
©2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Happy New Year and Welcome Back!
The Dollar Daze and Thrifty phenomenon continues with more neat teaching ideas based on a featured monthly find. Thank you for your contributions as we continue to embrace:
"Reinvention is the new Mother of Invention"
The intent is to develop activities where the teacher is talking less and students are doing more.
December Feature
Plasticine
Purpose:
To help students construct meaning and understanding of a concept with models.
"Making physical models in the creation of non-linguistic representaions stimulates and increases
activity in the brain". (Gerlic & Jausovec, 1999)
Modeling Meaning and Understanding to Reinforce Concepts...
“I make therefore I am.”
Suzanne Ramljak from Crafting a New World, Utne Reader,
Jan/Feb, 2010
In the article entitled Crafting a New World (Utne Reader, Jan/Feb. 2010), Sociologist Richard Sennett explains to Suzanne Ramljak the value of craftsmanship and how creating with your hands is an opportunity for reflection and critical thinking. Creating an object is a concrete representation of our thoughts and understanding and according to Sennett “satisfies a psychological desire for closure and tangible results.”
With teacher demands to cover a vast amount of classroom material less time is available for student reflection and self-analysis of completed tasks. According to Sennett, “We go by the notion that once you’ve solved something, the actual experience of doing it is secondary. That whittles down attention…..First and foremost people believe the most important thing about work is making as much money as possible.”
How does this concept translate into the classroom?
1. Offer students an opportunity to make…to construct meaning and understanding of a concept with models.
2. “Ban all-multiple-choice questions in tests, which encourage people to
get to the quickest answer possible rather than to dwell on
the problem (Sennett, 2010).”
Ramljak, S. (2010, Jan./Feb.). Crafting a new world. Utne Reader, Retrieved from
http://www.utne.com/Spirituality/Crafting-a-New-Word.aspx
http://www.utne.com/Spirituality/Crafting-a-New-Word.aspx
One plastic dollar store piggy bank + plasticine =
Model of the Human Brain
One styrofoam head + plasticine = Model of the Human Brain
One Dollar Store Picture Frame + photo of digestive system
+ plasticine = Model of the Digestive System
The photo can be replaced by a number of other illustrations such as other Organs, Maps/Biomes.
Other possible models...
Consider phases of the moon and your imagination...
Next Month's Challenge
Please share with me...
Books of Interest and Inspiration...
1. Art Journaling Magazine
What a great magazine with wonderful ideas that will serve your imagination...
for creating, reinventing, recyling and writing...
Resourcefully yours,
Julia Andreacchi
All Rights Reserved
Dollar Daze and Thrifty Finds
©2010
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