March Poems for kids

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Happy Teaching!

Jessica

Weekly Post for February 19, 2016

I am sure many of you are coming off a 4-day week (which probably has you more tired that a 5 day week).  If you are super lucky then you have enjoyed a full week off.  My house has been full of sickness this week.  I think my kiddos have made up for 2 years of nothing major in 5 days. I am ready for warm days now!

Book of the Week
Today I am going back to one of my favorite books.  The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo is one I have read aloud every single year.  I've read it to 2nd graders and 5th graders, boys, and girls...they all loved it.  I have recommended it to other teachers who quickly came back for more suggestions because their class loved the book.  If you want to teach theme, if you want to have your students on the edge of their seats, if you love beautiful pictures, and if you want a book YOU will enjoy reading again and again, then this is the book for you.  (NOTE: Have your school librarian hold all copies of the book in the library for your class.  I guarantee you students will ask to go to the library to check it out the day you start it.) Here is a website on more stuff to use with the book.

Lesson of the Week
Today's lesson focuses on getting the Writer's Workshop time organized.  One of the things my students had the hardest time with was knowing when and how to conference.  After taking time to teach students about conferencing with the teacher and conferencing with peers we had more time on task and more engaging conferences.  This post contains a free download of conferencing forms.

Fabulous Freebie
This week's freebie is 5 Science Prompts. These prompts encourage students to think outside of the box.  Click here to get your free download.

Recipe of the Week
This Stuffed Chicken Recipe from eatingwell.com is my husband's favorite.  We skip the breading part and it is still super yummy. This quick recipe has minimal prep time.  I like to add some broccoli or corn as a side.

Want to save these ideas?  Pin this!

A FREE President's Day Poem for Kids

This post has moved.  Please CLICK HERE to access the poem and FREE questions.  

Currently - February

Today I am linking up again with Farley for Currently February.  I can't believe it is already February.  I hope that Groundhog predicts and early spring today! I also want to wish my parents Happy Anniversary today. And my sister and brother-in-law a Happy Anniversary on Sunday.  This is definitely the month of love for my family.

Listening/Watching: I finished watching Parenthood in December.  I loved it so much that nothing I watched held my attention longer than 5 minutes.  This past week I discovered Broadchurch on Netflix. It is a murder mystery. (**And after the latest episode I think I'm done with this one. I think I'll go back and rewatch Parenthood.)

Loving: The other day on the way to take my kids to preschool we listened to Alt Nation.  (Love that my kiddos get my music) and we heard Nothing But Thieves cover of Where is My Mind.  I fell in love from the first note.  The kids did too and my 3-year-old asked later if we could listen to the "Mind" song again.  It was an exclusive song and we can't find it anywhere.  I HAVE to find it somewhere! 

Thinking: That Groundhog better have good results to or else! I'm so tired of cold, wet, gray days! My family loves the outdoors, but all of the "winter bugs" have taken over with lots of sickness.  I have never been more ready for summer.  We all desperately need days where we only see the inside of the house to sleep.  

Wanting:  A Horse!  I've asked for a horse since I was little.  I recently started riding again and my daughter has started riding too. My little, no-fear, child has already started posting.  Although we only ride once a week and don't own a horse (we do by heart just not financially), it is so much fun for all 3 of us.  

Needing:  To take some stuff off my plate.  I am sure I don't need to explain more as we all need to start doing this one! 

Swooning: The Crossover by Kwame Alexander.  I love, love, love this book. The words, the rhythm, the characters, all of it!  It is a combination of family, friends, basketball, and poetry.  I promise your kids will love it.  The words literally dance on the page.  

Sweet Treats on the Primary Peach

Happy Groundhog Day everyone!  I am hoping for a sign of spring to come soon.  I need warm, sunny days in the forecast soon.  I am tired of hibernating.

Today I am sharing some great freebies on the Primary Peach.  Please hop on over to download some great treats for February.

Sharing Sundays - Planning for Perimeter and Area 3rd - 5th Grade

This is the time of year that I like to really focus on Perimeter and Area.  Even if I have taught the standards previously, this is a great review.  Why do I like doing perimeter and area at this time of year? Well I get to teach and review a lot of standards!

- Adding of greater numbers
- Adding with multiple addends
- Shape review
- Critical thinking
- And of course the obvious perimeter and area

Here are a few lessons, freebies, books and blog posts to help you teach perimeter and area.  Just click on the image to access a PDF file.  Download the file and you can click each link you want.

Head back to the Primary Peach for MORE February fun and freebies.
Happy Teaching!

Weekly Notes for January 29 (Books, Freebies, Lesson Plans, and More)

Welcome

Book of the week

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt De La Pena

The current Newbery Award Winner and a Caldecott Honor Book!  Wow, what a book. This is a great book that can be used so many different ways.  The details in this book! This is a great text to use in getting students to dive deeper into descriptions.  You could also use this book to introduce any service projects your school or class may be participating. Last Stop on Market Street is one you can use again and again. 

Lesson of the week

Groundhog Day is approaching. Although it's not a holiday to take up a lot time, I love it. It makes me start the countdown to longer and warmer days. To help teach kids about Groundhog Day I like to use this Poetry Literacy Center. The kids get to have fun while learning.

Fabulous Friday Freebie

Are you still holding on to winter? If so, then check out these Snow Paired Texts created by Ideas By Jivey. She shared this awesome resource on the Primary Peach Blog.

Recipe of the Week
For Christmas my husband got me a bread machine. I have said for years I wanted to try to make my own bread. There is something weird about the way I buy a loaf at the store and a month later it is still hanging around with no mold on it. My daughter loves PBJ sandwiches and I cringe every time I give her a sandwich wondering what preservatives are in the bread. Now I don't have to worry because I know all of the ingredients going into the bread. I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and after two tries (I read the helpful reviews and adding the vital wheat gluten, baked it on white bread setting, and used butter instead of shortening) and WOW! My two-year-old eats the bread by itself. It is that yummy. Check out this bread recipe!

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