So, yeah. It's been nearly five months since I posted last. You read that right. F-I-V-E. But I have a really, really good excuse. I promise. No, really, I mean it.
Our school district finally rustled up the cash to buy us a new Reading series {because our old one was 12 years old and completely not up to current standards} and we chose Reading Street. Taaaa Daaaaaa! For those of you who use Reading Street and can remember your first years with it, I think you can relate to why it's been five month since my last blog post.
Don't get me wrong. Reading Street is a great program and it is pushing our kids like never before. But it has taken all my energy to stay afloat with all the content that needs to be covered. The first year with a new series is always the toughest. The teacher's manuals are jam-packed with material. The hardest part is deciding what you can get done and what needs to be put aside. {For this year anyway!}
Does it sound like I'm complaining? Sorry. On to the FREEBIE!!!
My class and I were working on our folk tales as part of Unit 2, and {lucky me!!} it was my year for my formal evaluation.
We had spent the week reading . . .
. . . and writing folk tales.
For my observation, I wanted the class to apply their knowledge of the important elements of folk tales: rewards/punishments and the central message or moral. So found this great
set of videos on PBSKids.org that features 13 videos of animated folktales.
So I chose four of my favorites and whipped up these cute activity pages. Click here to get your own copy.
{Since this was an observed lesson, I wasn't able to get pictures.}
We completed this activity together. I had desk partners discuss the rewards/punishments and the central message before having them share their thoughts with the class. I was very happy how much the kids were able to share with each other
I could also see this working perfectly as a computer center activity. Though you may not get the collaboration, you would end up with a great formative assessment!
Enjoy!!
~Stacy
