Welcome to 2011.
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—
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
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
Skills addressed include:
- 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?
Place prediction in an envelope and seal.
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.
Return envelopes at the end of the term. Students can then analyze/compare/contrast/ their comments.
- 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.
A variety of graphic organizers can be used to analyze results for science, novels and self. See links below to guide your lesson. (To be posted shortly)
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
Reinvent, Recreate, Reimagine
= Resourcefulness
Old Photos
Please share your inspiration.
Resourcefully yours,
Julia Andreacchi
All Rights Reserved
DollarDaze and Thrifty Finds
©2011
