Tried-It-Tuesday - Groundhog Day! {Craft Freebie}

Today I am linking up with the Fourth Grade Flipper for her Tried It Tuesday.  I know I'm a couple days late but we had two snow days this week so it really does feel like a Tuesday.  The weather has not been very nice here in Northwest Illinois.  We've used 6 snow days so far and will be attending school well into the first week of June.  Thankfully, we only need make up 5 of those days because the forecast for the next week looks a bit daunting.  

   

With Groundhog's Day coming up, I began digging for some great units on TpT.  I found three goodies that I couldn't decide on so I used bits and pieces from each!

By the way . . . all three are FREE!

The first comes from Amy Murdock - Groundhog's Day: Mini-Writing Pack.  You can click on the image to take you to her TpT page.

The second pack that I found is by Nicole Johnson - Groundhog Day: Mini Book.  She also has her own blog.  You can click on the blog button below to check out her offerings.  

And finally, the last pack I found is by First Grade Blue Skies (Jennifer White) - Groundhog Day! A Fun Freebie.  Jennifer also has her own blog. 

In addition to these great packets, I also visited Groundhog.org to learn more about Punxsutawney Phil.  We read about the history of Groundhog Day, past predictions, and fun facts about the common groundhog.  

To help my students make their own predictions, we looked at the weather forecast of Gobbler's Knob, because the weather can effect whether Phil sees his shadow or not. 

Below are a few shots of my kiddos and their finished products.

I also happened to have a story book in my library that I read to my class.  It was called Good Morning, Groundhog! by Abby Klein.  This was from my many orders from Scholastic.  

We couldn't help noticing that the ground was covered in green grass and the characters wore nothing more than sweatshirts outside.  Coming from Northwest Illinois, buried under at least a foot of snow and suffering through -35 degree temps, we didn't see why Freddie was so concerned about Spring.  

Since this theme lends itself so well to crafting, I pulled out a groundhog craft that I have had for years.  I figured I had better share that with you as well.  They just turned out so cute!

Click on the groundhog picture below to get your own copy of patterns.

So that's it.  Be sure link back up with the Fourth Grade Flipper to see other great Tried-Its.

~Stacy

A (late) Tried-It-Tuesday {FREEBIE} and Classroom Quick Tip Linky Combo!

Today I am doing a double-linky.  First, I am linking up with Holly at Fourth Grade Flipper for her weekly "Tried-It-Tuesday".  With the school days winding down, I am always on the lookout for quick but engaging activities.  I found this great FREEBIE by RaRaDT on nouns, verbs and adjectives. 

 

This quickie, but goodie has the kids making a flip book and thinking of their own nouns, verbs, and adjectives.  I extended the activity by having the kids write short stories about the different locations, making sure to use the words they came up with in the story they write.

 

 

Here are a few shots of how the different students sorted their words for the flipbook.

 

 

 

Now for the second link-up today.  I am linking up with Jean over at Diving Into 2nd Grade for her new Quick Tips Linky.  This is just a great idea.  Obviously, we bloggers are happy to share the great activities we create in our rooms.  But these simple tips and tricks are what really make a classroom tick.

 

This is my "I'm Busy . . ." light. 

 I got this push light from Dollar Tree {a teacher's BEST friend} and then wrote on the face with a Sharpie.  

Tell me if this sounds familiar:  You are helping a student with a question at your desk.  Other students begin to wander up and get in line to ask their own question.  Pretty soon, half the class is at your desk getting chatty and disruptive, not getting ANY work done. 

Oh, yeah.  I think we've ALL been there.

 

So begins the reign of my "I'm Busy . . ." light.

I keep this light at my desk.  Whenever a student comes to ask me a question and it seems the answer may take longer than just a few seconds, I push this baby on.  My other students know that when this light is on, they may not come up to my desk at the moment.  Whatever question they have can wait, and they are to contiue working on the rest of the page.  When the light goes off, they can come up for their turn.

 

It has made a big difference in the disruptions in the room during work time and I've noticed I have more patience for the next student because I didn't spend my time shushing the other kids in line. 

 

~Stacy