Cinco de Mayo Freebies

May 5th is Cinco de Mayo and I've created a couple of freebies to help you celebrate. I'm in the middle of my Countries Around the World Unit. We've already started learning all about Mexican traditions. Last week we made paper mache pinatas. It was fun and MESSY! They were still a little wet on Friday, so I thought I would wait until Monday to paint and stuff. I'll try to post pictures latter.
Skippyjon Jones is a must read! Click  the cover for a free online version of the book. I also created an inferring vocabulary to go with the book. I made two versions. The first version allows you to choose any words from the book to infer meaning with. In the second version, I chose a few Spanish words from the book for students to infer the meaning of using context clues. Click  the picture for a free copy.

And last but not least, I've created a Cinco de Mayo Math Mat. All you need to add is a small baggie of colored candy. My students have really enjoyed the other ones I've made for celebrations. This one hasn't been classroom tested, so please let me know if there are any mistakes and I'll fix them. Click  the picture for your free copy.

Good luck as you continue to create magic in your classroom!

Science Matters

I wrapped up my States of Matter and Chemical Change Unit with a day of science at the park. A swimming pool was filled with Oobleck, and the students walked on it. Oh boy, did they have fun with this! It took about 75 boxes to fill a small pool.

 My students loved playing in a big tub of Oobleck, too!

They also took  a trip to the Chemical Change Cafe and enjoyed some pancakes. I read the Eric Carle book, Pancakes, Pancakes, Pancakes. Then students mixed up their own pancake batter and had to determine whether or not it was a chemical change.

Here's a states of matter foldable I made with my students. Click {HERE} or the picture for a copy.
As you can see, it has been a busy week. Totally worth it, but I'm exhausted! This post is going to be short and sweet because I need a nap:)


VERSION 2: One my readers asked for a fold-able with the 4th state of matter. I don't teach this in 4th grade but didn't mind making a new version. I'm not sure if the pictures are the best representation, and I'm open to new suggestions. It is fairly easy to  make simple changes to my printable, and I don't mind requests. I'm always happy to hear constructive criticism. By the way, my printers not working so I couldn't check it out in print. Let me know if it needs some tweaking.   Click {HERE} or the picture for this version.

But one more thing first. With this post, I have completed Charity Preston's 5 Star Blog Challenge.  Check out her post and find some great new blogs to follow.

Poetry Freebie

In celebration of National Poetry Month I've created a freebie for you. Students will read an abridged version of Jack Prelutsky's poem "Bugs! Bugs!". Then they will choose a subject they want to write about. They will need to use several adjectives to create their poem. Have them use the adjective graphic organizer to brainstorm some.

Finally, they will use the guide and template to write their poem. Click the pictures or {HERE} for your free copy. Enjoy!

Inferring With Commercials

My favorite reading strategy to teach is inferring. I guess  because I love mysteries. When I teach this strategy, I compare it to solving a mystery. As I was wrapping up my Economics Unit with commercial analysis, it occurred to me how perfect these commercials would be for inferring. So I created a printable to go with some of my favorite commercials that are PERFECT for an inferring lesson. Make sure you download these commercials and put them in a folder on your flash drive, so you will have them every year when you need them. (Click {HERE} if you need help with downloading and saving YouTube videos to your computer.) Click {HERE} or on the picture for your free printable. I made two different versions. One refers to evidence and the other clues. I think most teachers call it evidence but lower level teachers might call it clues.  Here are the four commercials I chose for this lesson:

Doritos' Commercial:

Happy Grad Commercial:

Chevy Commercial:

Darth Vader Commercial:

I hope you enjoy these. Let me know if you have any inferring lessons you love to teach. If you are not already a follower, I would love for you to become one. Good luck as you continue to create magic in your classroom!

Save YouTube Videos to Your Computer

Organization can save a teachers hours of extra work. A few years ago I started really organizing my flash drive.  I have all my lesson plans and materials organized into folders on my flash. This even includes the mentor texts I use. I have scanned the books I use every year and made them into Power Points.  When it's time for me teach a topic, I just click on the folder and it's all there. This has been the biggest time saver for me. I also put ALL the YouTube videos I use on my flash drive. It is super simple to save these videos to your computer and FREE.  I created a tutorial video to show you how easy it is. I hope it helps!

Google complained and Zamzar is no longer able to convert YouTube videos as of July 2012

Click {HERE} for written instructions. Good luck as you continue to create magic in your classroom!

Create an Insect Freebie

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! I love my Insect Unit. Although I teach this unit in the Fall, I know many of you teach it in the Spring. Here's a couple of freebies maybe you will be able to use. The first is a free e-book, Bug Out. Click the cover to access it. After you read the book let students play the Create an  Insect game. You may play a few different ways. Use the true-false question cards I made. Or use the blank cards included for students to research and create their own game card questions. Younger students could just spin to see who could create an insect first. Click {HERE} or the picture for your copy.

 I also let my students create a bug, and we play Insect or NOT Insect. They make a bug and other students must tell whether or not it's an insect based on its characteristics.

I hope you enjoy these activities. Good luck as you continue to create magic in your classroom!