Instruct & Assess with Real World Topics!

You might have an entirely different picture in your mind when I say the words "BLACK FRIDAY." However, what comes to my mind the awesome Black Friday writing set that I created for my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

I have personally used this in my classroom and in the classrooms of my fellow teachers and it is definitely a hit with students. Students are constantly hearing about Black Friday and they have PLENTY of opinions to share regarding the topic.

If you're looking for...

• opportunities to cite evidence
• reading for information
• reading and using information in graphics
• forming and defending an opinion
• ready to go text sources on the topic

...then look no further because this resource contains all of the above!

This resource contains three sources to read and walks students through writing an opinion essay. You can use this to instruct or you can use this as an assessment to see where students strengths and weaknesses are as you head into the winter holidays. I have used this for both purposes and it is really fun to read the students' work afterward.

Here are a few photos of this resource in action!

                  

You're going to love how easy this is to prep, instruct and use in your classroom!

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A Different Creative Outlet

I recently rediscovered my love for my Etsy store. I had cleaned it all out for a while because I felt like I didn't have a lot of time for it. However, I got back into the game this week and I am so happy to be working with design again.

I fell in love with the Adobe Suite last summer and really developed my skills in design. I set up shop and worked really hard to get established on Etsy. Then...school happened. We all know what that's like, right? 

Well, I'm back at it and the stress relief this outlet provides is well worth sticking with it! I am so happy to be creating again. This time, I'm putting a lot of focus into shirts and mugs rather than custom stationery and I am totally loving it! Check out some of my desings and my Etsy shop below!

Want something on a shirt? Post your suggestions in the comments!

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#SPOOKYSALE on TpT

You do not want to miss the SPOOKY SALE happening on Teachers Pay Teachers! It's happening on Thursday, October 12 and Friday, October 13th only! 

Want to find all the awesome SPOOKY DEALS?! Just type in #spookysale on the search bar!

I'm featuring three products for this fun event. Check them out below!

Solar System Digital Flip Book

Human Body Systems Research Report

Subtracting Fractions Flip Book

Halloween Sensory Bottles

 

If you're like me, you probably think of primary education when you think of sensory bottles. However, sensory items still have a place in upper elementary education. I believe that we separate upper elementary from primary far too often and forget that fact that kids are still kids! It doesn't matter if they're 10 instead of 7. Kids love playing with water bottles at all ages and this activity can be a fun break from the stress of testing and academics while also supporting some of your kids who need a little extra sensory attention in the upper elementary classroom. 

You could even turn this activity into a fun math activity (maybe I should create this for you!) by having students purchase supplies for their bottle.  You could also make these a part of a fun classroom fall party if you're just not sure where to fit it in during the day. With all the bottle flipping shenanigans that have been going on, this is sure to be a hit in your classroom.

Ready to make your own? Here's how to make it happen!

Materials:

●      Empty water bottles

●      Red , yellow and green food coloring

●      Glitter

●      Vegetable or baby oil

●      Water

●      Plastic Halloween themed creatures and bugs

●      Halloween confetti

●      Googly eyes

●      Hot glue gun

Instructions:

1. Fill your empty water bottles ⅔ of the way full with water.
2. Add in your glitter, Halloween confetti, Halloween creatures, bugs and googly eyes.
3. Add in 3-4 drops of food coloring and then put the cap back on the bottle and shake to mix. To create orange, use two drops of red and two drops of orange food coloring.
4. Open the bottle and fill the remainder with vegetable or baby oil. Leave a small amount of space at the very top so that the contents of your bottles can mix more easily.
5. Use a hot glue gun to seal the top of the cap, so that there are not accidental leaks with play.

 Now that you're all done, let the students play with their bottles for a little bit and destress together. It's definitely worth it!

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13 Fall Leaf Projects for Kids

Fall is one of the best times to be a teacher! I just can't get enough of all of the fun activities that you can do with kids using apples, pumpkins, and leaves. 

Before I was a 5th grade teacher, I was certain that 1st grade was the place for me. I completed nearly my entire teacher education program in 1st grade. In fact, I only stepped outside of 1st grade twice. Once was to complete my upper elementary requirement and I taught a small reading group on 6th graders for a a couple months and the only other time was a student teaching placement in 3rd grade. From there, I just kept climbing up in grades and finally settled in at 5th.

I loved doing this craft round up becuase it brought my back to my early elementary years and rekindled the love that I had for all things primary back in the beginning. The links below have amazing ideas for crafts and activities that you can do using leaves.

I left the photos out on purpose because I want to make sure that you're clicking through to their blogs to check out the ideas so that they get credit for their hard work!

photo: craftymom.com

Check out all of the fun below!

Apple Painted Tree by Crafty Morning
Painted Leaf Monsters by Messy Little Monster
Salt Dough Leaves by the Life of Jennifer Dawn
Paper Leaves Wreath by Meaningful Mama
Toilet Roll Stamped Leaves  by Crafty Mama
Button Branch by Rub Some Dirt On Me
Hand Print Leaves by Schooling a Monkey
Leaf Burset Paintings by Off the Shelf
Fall Leaf Suncatchers by Fantastic Fun and Learning
Finger Painted Fall Leaves by Mini Monets and Mommies
Sponge Painted Leaves by Jennifer Lambert
Leaf Turkeys by Crafty Morning
Leaf Punch Collage by Craftulate

What's your favorite fall activity? Share it in the comments for the readers. 


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