This post was supposed to go up last week until the terrible bug attacked my ENTIRE class! Anyhow... I can't imagine not teaching cross-curricularly. It is such a fun and effective way to tuck so much in and the kids make connections. Last week, our states of study were Tennessee and Mississippi. Chattanogga is home to the Moon Pie factory, supporting the local economy. So of course, we needed to eat Moon Pies! To meet multiple standards, we started out by looking at a MoonPie package to see what information we could learn from it. The students discovered that the Moon Pie is celebrating 100 years in 2017. We even did the math to double check. We learned the location of the factory and checked for nut allergies for a classmate. We then watched the Youtube video tour of the factory. The kids had to listen for how many Moon Pies are made daily and what ingredients are in a Moon Pie. We then transitioned to the carpet to do a poll checking to see how many students had tasted Moon Pies previously. Only one out of the 23 there (yet more math). My daughter was in this afternoon and read the great story, "Jimmy Zangwow's Out Of This World MoonPie Adventure" by Tony DiTerlizzi. Such a fun story! Our current writing focus is opinion writing. The students are modeling their writing with the OREO model (opinion-reason-explain-opinion). That a better opportunity to work on that writing than while sampling vanilla and chocolate Moon Pies. They then added some facts from the video and an illustration from the story. All in all, it was a rather grand afternoon of work!
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Student modeling critical thinking while looking at the Civil Rights to Present timeline. The question was were Eleanor Roosevelt and President Obama alive at the same time? What other information do you need?
We met for the first time the summer of 2013. His incredible tan color, calm, quiet, almost stoic demeanor, and his willingness to participate in all group activities drew me to him. It was on a battlefield in Gettysburg that our love story started, the tale of Tara and Moffat. I can honestly say that I never would have imagined that my favorite travel companion and history enthusiast would be a stuffed rabbit, but now that we have joined, there is no one I would rather share my adventures with. I met Moffat through another Moffat keeper, Jill Cross in Gettysburg. I then had the distinct privilege of traveling with Moffat to Boston, and Washington D.C. in year following our chance encounter. It was while we were bonding as roommates at the Anderson House in Washington D.C. that I decided to reach out to Christy to obtain my very own Moffat. Much to my excitement, and my nieces, and my students, Moffat arrived that summer and became a true fixture in my classroom. Everyone I know for the most part that is Moffat handler teaches elementary school, so I was nervous about how middle schoolers would respond to this stuffed character, my worries have long since subsided, as they love him. He comes on field trips with us, just last year he saw King Tut, tomorrow he is taking in a fashion exhibit. He travelled with our eighth graders to Washington D.C. last summer, and he is fought over when I use him as a teaching aide in class. The students want to interact with him, they want to hear the stories, and see his pictures. Moffat was even had his picture in the yearbook last year, and will again this year. He has become a known and loved entity within our school and I couldn’t be more tickled about that fact. He lives in my display case most of the time, surrounded by images of his adventures, and daily I see students stop to look at his pictures and smile. There is something about my floppy eared friend that makes even the coolest middle schooler a fan. As we all know, the holidays are over and we are getting back into the routine...or so I wish.
Last Thursday was supposed to be our first day back. We had a snow day. Friday was only a little better as we had a late start, hence a good time to enjoy the PB banana sandwiches for Elvis' birthday. Monday, our city encountered hurricane force winds, uprooting 100 year old trees and stretching them across streets. The day started out as normal until around 9:00 when the lights flickered and we were without electricy for the rest of the day. The kids loved the adventure, with the highlight being able to take flashlights to the bathroom. The day was fun, we were safe, but my planned teaching went out the window. Tuesday was divine. A glimpse of the normal routine and learning before the holiday hub bub. Then came Wednesday. Over night, my class was hit with a bug. Not just any bug, but one that took out my class. What do you teach when have less than a third of your class in attendance? Not much I say. We shall see what tomorrow brings. Craving normal... One thing that I have learned about traveling with a rabbit is that it opens up an entire new world of conversations and friendships. This is so true with my dear friend Lisa and her family from Williamsburg. I met Lisa through a another history friend and I treasure our friendship. Moffat of Willamsburg was born! Below are family photographs, mostly of her and her husband's grandchildren, Emma and SJ. Moffat is well loved in this household. See Lisa's description below for his adventure!
It's #MuseumMonday! What a day! Due to crazy winds in the area, we were without power for all but an hour of our day. The artifact analysis was one of the scheduled things I got done today. Anyhow... I have made it new goal for the year to start each day with the students either looking at a primary source or and artifact and discussing it using the "see-think-wonder" model. This was our artifact today. Most often, I have my images connect to other studies going on (crazy idea, right?). This week we are studying Mississippi and Tennessee to give you a clue. This person's birthday is also coming up next week (my kids can see the birthdays on the calendar). Her image is also hanging in my classroom. Guesses? These shoes belong to Dolly Parton when she joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry in 1969. They are displayed along the with dress and the lyrics to Jolene in the same display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Along with the image of the artifact, we then watched the video of Dolly performing at the Grand Ole Opry in 1969. I encouraged my students to note the styles of the hair and clothes, as well as the cameras, while they were watching the video as they are representative of change over time. I have opened a new area in my classroom for thinking titled "What's In A Museum?" I want the kids to come to the understanding that museums can hold all kind of things. I am going to be providing sticky notes for them to add their thoughts and ideas along the way. Today's lesson is the beginning to some new thinking and I am looking forward to it!
The holidays are over and we are all returning to our regular routines in the classroom. As I spent some of the work days in my room organizing, it was a new month and time to redo the calendar of course. For years as a primary teacher, I had different numbers and themes to match each month. However, I have now simplified my calendar to a simple "old school" look but I celebrate different birthdays and events for the kids to learn from. It's my sneaky way of tucking yet one more book in! Ha! Just look at the January images above! Talk about some historic icons to read about. As part of our morning routine, the students each receieve a mini sticker to place in their planner and we follow up with a book or short video clip of the person. It doen't take much effort, but I see my kids make new connections everyday. I believe it is important for the kids to be taking this information home to their parents and make further connection for learning. I have had parents admit to me that they don't know about some of the people that we learn about! Please see below for some of my favorite books/videos for the people above. Trust me, this is a simple and engaging way to pour more information into our kids in a fun way! If you would like to see my full calendar kit that I have designed including images above and the entire year, you can find in in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. <a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/18408083/?claim=rcb7tzwpbb9">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a> |
Authorwife, mom, teacher, author, history nerd and the lady that carries around a rabbit Archives
August 2017
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