Snowmen have come to town! And a WINTER FREEBIE!

In Albuquerque, New Mexico, it just doesn't snow enough!  A snow flurry falling from the sky causes quite a hoopla and we all get excited!  We all begin praying for a snow day, doing a special dance, and one student even has us all putting a spoon under our pillow this year because he was once told it helps!  LOL!  Of course, we rarely have a snow day....  :(

As we come back in January after the holidays, to lift everyone's spirits, the room is decorated with snowmen everywhere!  My little friends especially love our bulletin board with snowmen glyphs and FUN snow facts!  It all comes in a packet by The Glyph Girls here!  The board is cheerful as you can see and later in the week, my little friends make their own snowman to hang on the wall!

I'm sorry the picture is poor quality, but the retangles have interesting and fun facts about snow.  The Glyph Girls set also comes with three worksheets asking comprehension questions about the facts!  It is fun and interactive.

Later in the month, we have a "small" snowman party!  Lol.  I seem to find a reason to have a party often!  Hmmmmm.....

As you can see in last year's picture, we enjoy Rice Krispy snowballs, mini donut snowman, powdered sugar chex mix, and snow punch! 

I always include picture books in our days even though we are in 4th grade, and my little friends always enjoy being read to!  During January, we read all the books from the Snowmen At Night series.  The fun thing about these books is every page has hidden items to find!  I have been able to collect them through our Scholastic Book Fair!

Aren't our own Snowmen at Night adorable?  I love how each one has their own personalities. 

Another fun activity I always find time for is poetry.  I created a small packet that is available on TPT that aids the children in writing their own "winter" cinquain poem.

I introduce the characteristics of a cinquain poem and write an example on the board about penguins (this example is included on a worksheet in the packet.)  We then write a cinquain together as a class.  I review many times what each line of the poem is to contain.  My little friends then give it a try!

The worksheet that comes with the packet is great!  It has the penguin example at the top and then reminders and space for their creation at the bottom! 

Once their work has been checked for spelling and the such, my little friends write their final copy on a "pretty" sheet (comes with the packet) for hanging on the wall! 

 

The lesson is quick and fun!  It also provides for a pretty winter display.  :)

 

 

THIS PACKET IS BEING OFFERED AS A WINTER FREEBIE!! 

 

Yep, that is right, you can download it for free HERE!  Enjoy.  Be sure to look at my store for Valentine's Day Poetry packs!  Fun and cheap!  :)

 

I leave you with one of my favorite cinquains written today in class by a cutie pie!

 

 Snowflake

White, Shiny

Flying, Sparkling, Tickling

A Beautiful Star

Crystal

 

Until Next Time,

Jacquie Neill



Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss (Part 2)

 

After building classroom excitement in the two weeks before Dr. Seuss's birthday (see Part 1 entry for ideas), we have a birthday party on March 2.  What a fun and memorable day this has turned into!  :)

 

We have a uniform policy, but on this day the 4th graders are given permission to dress like any character from a Dr. Seuss book!  Just look at some of my cutie patooties! 

 

We have the Lorax and a Brown Bar-ba-loot!

  

 

Cindy Lou and the Grinch

 

 

Thing 1, 2, and 3 

 

Our school is blessed with an activity room that includes a kitchen.  I usually have many parent helpers come early and help me decorate.  I have been having this party for a few years now and have been able to collect many decorations and characters to reuse year after year.

 

My helpers and I turn this room.....

 

INTO THIS! 

 

 

 

 

Isn't it gorgeous?  Each table has a different color table cloth.  I was able to buy the centerpieces from BirthdayExpress.com.  Each year I add fresh balloons and books from my collection.  The counter of food is the cutest! I purchased the red and blue globes at Hobby Lobby.  Truffula Trees (homemade from bulletin board paper) and the Lorax decorate the walls. 

 

 I made the food labels myself.  Each food conincides with a different book!

 

 

Green Eggs and Ham, of course!

 

 

Cat In The Hat Jello Parfaits

Whoville Cupcakes!
 

 

Truffala Trees from The Lorax (Marshmallows on Sticks)

 

 

 Sneetch Star sugar cookies & Grinch guacamole!

 

 

Oh The Places You'll Go lollipops, Red Fish, Blue Fish, One Fish, Two Fish Jello



 

The drink station is ADORABLE!  Right?  I found different drinks named in some of Dr. Seuss's books and made labels!  The kids love trying all the different kinds....in reality, it is just different kinds of Hawaiian Punch!  :)

During the party, we make a "Cat in the Hat" edible craft out of icing, nilla wafer, and red lifesavers. 

After all the partying we can take, we return to the classroom and watch "Horton Hears a Who."  It is a nice end to our day!  While we enjoy the movie, my parent helpers usually clean up! 

So, are you up for the challenge?

Until Next Time,
~Jacquie

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss (Part 1)

 

Who doesn't love Dr. Seuss??  Everyone can usually always name their favorite Dr. Seuss book from their childhood!  Our poetry unit covers Dr. Seuss and a few years ago, I thought, why not have a party!? It was a huge success! So, it is now a tradition! I must give credit to all of the wonderful, creative people on Pinterest and the internet...which is where all of these wonderful ideas came from!!!

Since March 2nd is coming, Dr. Seuss's birthday, I thought I would share ideas and pictures from last year's party to inspire you! 

I am afraid  to say, I don't do ANYTHING small!  Something sparks my imagination and it just snowballs from there!  I guess you could say that about our Dr. Seuss Birthday Party in 4th grade a few years ago.  I found so many new ideas, it was hard to stop!  And yes, I spent an entire weekend preparing and decorating, but it was well worth it!  So come along and enjoy!

 

Dr. Seuss always brings excitement into the classroom!  I begin by decorating and placing books all over our classroom that are easy to grab during free time.

  

 

Above is a small display on top of my bookcase.  Last year, Kohl's sold stuffed animals with books through the Kohl's Care program!  I was thrilled to collect many for only $5 each.  Included in the promotion was Cat in the Hat, Horton, and a couple others!  This teacher was all smiles! 

 

 

 

My bulletin board for the month of March!  :)

 

 

Classroom Door Decoration

 

A little "something" on the corner of my desk.

 

Again, I have decorations all over the classroom containing "seuss people" and books but I hate to bore you with too many pictures!  ;)

Two weeks before his birthday, I introduce Dr. Seuss.  Of course, all have heard of him, but not many know about his life.  We complete an author study and learn many new things about Theodor Seuss Geisel.  We read one of his books everyday and complete fun art projects like the ones below!

 

 

Sneetches

 

 

Horton

 

I adore how each project turns out with its own personality!  :) 

 

In small ways, I try to incorporate a little Dr. Seuss into every subject.  While reading a book, my friends may write down nouns or verbs they hear on post-its to add to our charts on the wall. 

 

I teach at a small Christian school and am blessed to be able to share my faith daily with my friends.  I was excited to find devotional ideas that went with our Seuss study!  One idea you can find here coincides with Oh The Places You'll Go.  Another devotional that includes ideas for Horton and The Sneetches can be found here.  During our Bible lesson each day, I teach one of the devotionals that goes with whichever book we read that day! 
 





I know I promised you a glimpse into our 4th Grade Dr. Seuss Party but I think that will have to wait!

 

Until next time,

~Jacquie

 

Wow, I am on Pinterest!

Hello all!  Welcome to my blog!  I began this adventure two years ago in March and after posting a few bulletin board ideas, I never posted again.  :'(  It's funny because I LOVE to talk about my classroom and ideas I have, but I feel crazy busy all the time...does anyone else feel this way?

Today, while on Pinterest, THE BEST WEBSITE EVER INVENTED, I was shocked to see one of my bulletin boards pinned!!  Sure, it only had three pins...but I am still thrilled and honored!  :)  These three tiny pins have inspired me to give this a try!  And so, I would like to introduce myself to the world of blogging!  :)

Until next time...hopefully in the next few days! 

~Jacquie