Five For Friday ~ Thanksgiving Style!

Hello!  Happy Day After Thanksgiving!  It's time to link up with Doodle Bugs for:


http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2016/11/five-for-friday-linky-party-november_25.html


 Morning Messages

We went to school for two and a half days this week so I'm happy to include this week's Morning Messages:


I'm still amazed by how quickly Thanksgiving arrived this year!

Wampanoag Homesites

The kids made amazing Wampanoag dioramas this year!  Check out these examples:


This is the perfect project for this time of year!  On Monday we made the mishoons (canoes); on Tuesday we assembled the wetus (wigwams); and on Wednesday, we put the whole project together!  I LOVE using the LED tealights for the fire - too cute!

Here are the links if you would like to recreate this project:  The template for the wigwam (wetu) can be found here, while the template for the canoe (mishoon) can be found here.

Winner, winner ~ Marshall's Gift Card!

Last Saturday I went to Marshall's for their special event for TJX credit card holders.  Plus, I needed to purchase an "ugly" Christmas sweater - which cost $19.99.  Lucky for me, I won a $20 gift card:


Winner, Winner, Turkey Dinner!

Yesterday I prepared a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.  My sister and her family joined us while my brother and his family ventured to Quebec City.  However, their 90+ pound Bernese Mountain Dog puppy is staying with us.  Here's Gabi the Dog and Sparty the Puppy recovering after Thanksgiving dinner:


Last, But Not Least...

If you're looking for a new book to read, I just finished reading this book:


https://www.amazon.com/Underground-Railroad-National-Winner-Oprahs/dp/0385542364/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480076679&sr=1-1&keywords=underground+railroad
Click on the image to read more at Amazon.

It's an amazing story of a young slave, Cora, and her travels and experiences.

Also, I always read this book to my class at this time of year:

https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Sarah-Noble-Ready-Chapters-ebook/dp/B0078XFYX0/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480076898&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=keep+your+courage+sarah+noble
Click on book to check it out on Amazon.

I love this book because it's based on the real story of an 8 year old girl who traveled with her father in the early 1700's from Massachusetts to Connecticut so that Dad could build the family's new house.  Sarah becomes friends with the Native American children and plays with them every day.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!




































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Week Before Thanksgiving Five For Friday!



Happy Weekend Before Thanksgiving!  We have two and a half days of school next week, and the kids are already bursting with excitement and energy!  Today I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs for:




http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2016/11/five-for-friday-linky-party-november_18.html


Morning Messages

This week's messages centered on Social Studies and being thankful:


I love this time of year because Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I get to teach about Native Americans!

Spirit Week Outfit Example

This week we needed to wear a different outfit depending on the theme of the day.  One day was Twin Day:



My colleague, Ms. Aufiero, and I both LOVE Vineyard Vines.  However, I couldn't pay $49.50 for a t-shirt.  Can you tell that mine is a Boys XL ($29.50) vs. hers Women's Medium for $49.50?  Now that I have shared this valuable secret, I'm hoping more people can take advantage of this idea.


MWRA Visit

We had an amazing visit from the MWRA (Massachusetts Water Resources Authority)!  The MWRA person read a book - Dwayne the Storm Drain - to the kids and told lots of interesting information about water:


Of course, the highlight of the visit was the opportunity to flush the toilet upon answering a review question correctly.  Even I got a chance to flush!  According to our visitor, they don't make these toilets any more which is too bad because it's a sure way to get the kids engaged!


Click here to learn more about the MWRA and its free and educational programs.



Multicultural Dinner

On Wednesday night our ELL teacher arranged a potluck Multicultural Dinner that was quite successful:


Our second graders made beautiful country projects!


About the Author


When the kids make Powerpoint presentations, they need to make an About the Author page:


The kids have been presenting their Powerpoints about the Types of Sentences on the big screen in the room.  They love adding effects to their Powerpoints.

Have a most wonderful weekend and Thanksgiving!

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Show and Tell Tuesday - November


Today I'm linking up with Forever in Fifth Grade for this monthly link-up:



http://foreverinfifthgrade.blogspot.com/2016/11/show-tell-tuesday-november.html




Annual Wampanoag Project

Every November we study the Wampanoag tribe of Massachusetts.  This tribe is the one that helped the Pilgrims.  While learning about the Wampanoag, we learn their words for canoe - mishoon - and for wigwam - wetu.  We then create these Wampanoag homesteads:

These are last year's version of this project, but we'll be making this again in about a week!

The template for the wigwam (wetu) can be found here, while the template for the canoe (mishoon) can be found here.

I buy the tea lights in the Dollar Store.  In addition, I let the kids decorate these diorama with trees, a sun, a river...Each diorama is totally unique.

 Check out this giveaway opportunity!

I'm taking part in my second giveaway!  This giveaway business is so new to me - I'm only used to participating - not actually helping out!

http://joyssunshineandlollipops.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-great-giveaway-is-open-to-enter.html

Click here or on the image to enter to win some great gift cards!

New Watermelon Clipart


 I bought some new watermelon clipart, and I've been having fun making a new header for my blog:

I bought the clipart from Striped Elephants on etsy.com.

It's probably better if I don't buy too much clipart as I've spent too much time on my computer!

Have a wonderful week!



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Make sure to check out this AMAZING GIVEAWAY!

Here are the WINNERS!

$100.00 Melissa Persico (In our Library) US
$50.00 Whitney Shaddock From US and Mary Love Strange from Houston, Texas
$25.00 Jen Yehudis Silverman From NJ, Kathleen from US ,Amber Wilson US, and Lisa from Australia



Hi there!  I'm taking part in an amazingly generous giveaway you don't wan to miss:

http://joyssunshineandlollipops.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-great-giveaway-is-open-to-enter.html

Click here or on the above picture to enter the giveaway!
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Happy Veterans Day Five For Friday!

Today is Veterans Day, and Massachusetts schools are closed to recognize the importance of this holiday.  I'm also hoping to link up on time with Doodle Bugs for:

http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2016/11/five-for-friday-linky-party-november.html



Morning Messages

We only had three days of school with students this week (students were home on Election Day for security purposes, and teachers had professional development).  Consequently, I only have three messages:




Our school did a mock election, and Hillary Clinton won.  Of course, we all know what really happened.







Writing Morning Messages and Making Your Own Blog

On our professional development day, I was honored to teach three classes to my colleagues - one on making effective morning message and two about how to make a blog.  Check out some of the new blogs that were created:

 






Change Is Simple - Endangered Animals

Change Is Simple plans the BEST activities.  This session centered on endangered animals, and the kids had a great time:

 
First, each student received an animal card and had to think of a way they were like the animal - "I'm like a leopard because I run fast."  Then they walked around and shared this information with a partner.  After, they got to write information about their animals on chalkboards.  The final activity involved interacting with this life size map of the world:









More Best Friend Examples

We continue to share our best friend stories on the rug.  I just love this activity which you can check out here.

 










A Bike Like Sergio's - a Must-Read Book!






Last week we read this book by Maribeth Boelts:


https://www.amazon.com/Sergios-Junior-Library-Guild-Selection/dp/0763666491/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1478890475&sr=1-1&keywords=a+bike+like+sergio%27s
Click on the book to read more on Amazon.

In this story, Ruben desperately wants a bike, but his family doesn't have the money to afford a new bike.  One day, while in a store, a shopper drops some money which Ruben picks up and keeps because he believes it is just a one dollar bill.  Later that night, Ruben realizes that the money is really a ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR bill.  Well, the kids had a very strong reaction to that realization.  There's still so much more to the story, too. We had quite a lively discussion on honesty, stealing,...I am definitely reading this book again to the kids next week - that's how AMAZING this book is!

Happy Veterans Day!

 






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Halloween on Monday Five For Friday!

Hello!  You know when the week starts off with such excitement, it's going to be a busy week!  I'm going to tell you all about our week while linking up with Doodle Bugs for:

http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2016/11/five-for-friday-linky-party-november-4th_4.html


Morning Messages

As always, I'll start with my Morning Messages from this week.  I like to start this way because the Morning Messages give a great overview of our week:





 Veterans' Day Assembly

The kids and our Music Teacher, Ms. Newman, put on a patriotic and delightful assembly:









 Fire Prevention Week





The Fire Safety House came to visit last week.  The highlight of the visit was climbing down the ladder:



It was interesting to hear several kids voice concerns/fears about their own homes catching on fire.  We learned that most fires are caused by already-lit items.  Also, it's time to check all smoke detectors!


 Best Friends Writing and Portraits

We've begun sharing about our best friends.  The original idea for this project comes from Amy Lemons of Step into Second Grade.





I LOVE seeing these pictures on the bulletin board every day!

Halloween Parade

On Monday, the kindergarten, first and second graders - including their teachers - showed off their costumes in a parade:



That's our PE teacher - Ms. Crampton - as Spongebob; and our Music teacher - Ms. Newman - as a wizard!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and the week ahead!

 


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