Magic in the Classroom

Nothing gets everyone's attention like magic.
Say to your students, "As soon as everyone has finished their work I'm going to show you a magic trick."

The room gets quiet.  Everyone starts working.  Students are helping and hurrying others to finish.  You remind your students to do quality work or it doesn't count.

You hear the students say, "I can't wait.  This is going to be awesome."  You smile.

Everyone has finished and they quietly come to the carpet.  You remind your students to sit flat on the carpet so everyone can see.

The students wiggle and giggle.  You hear them say, "This is so cool."

Just for fun you say, "I know you would rather be working.  So maybe we should skip the magic trick and go back to work."

Simultaneously you hear sighs, oohs, no, please, and other begging remarks.  You smile, nod, and say, "Alright. Let's do it."

You perform the magic trick flawlessly.
The students clap wildly!
Everyone says, "That was so coooool!  Do it again.  How did you do that?   I love magic.  You are the best teacher in the world."

You smile and say to yourself, "I know it.  I rock!"
To the students you say, "Maybe if we work really hard I will bring another magic trick next week."
The students smile and show a thumbs up.

Yes, I do magic tricks everyone once in awhile in the classroom for motivation, encouragement, behavior improvement, and just for the fun of it!

This is the latest one I found on Steve Spangler Science.  It rocks!  I first tried it on my husband, he was really impressed so I knew students would enjoy it!

Please click on the picture below to go to his website.  A subscription box pops up but you don't need to subscribe to see the instructions, just close the box on the bottom right corner where the x is.

Teaching is magical!

Kathy

Snowmen at Night

"Have you ever wondered about the secret life of a snowman?"
Well, wonder no more and read this marvelous book, Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Buehner.

When the sun goes down and it's really dark the snowmen come to life.  They gather together for an amazing adventure!

They play snowman games and snowman races.  They do skating tricks on ice and giggle when they act like clowns.

They make snowballs and play a baseball game which then turns into a snowball fight.

Then it's time for sledding and playing until they're all tuckered out.  Slowly one by one they all return back home, leaving people wondering, what did the snowmen do last night?

Extending the Reading Experience

After reading this fun story ask your students to pretend they are invited to play with the snowmen at night.  Have them choose one of the snowmen's adventures and explain why they would want to play that game with the snowmen.
This fun sample comes from my TPT product, Snowmen At Night Comprehension Question & Answer Sticks & Craft.
It's a great product to get children thinking and talking about the story. The question and answer sticks are one way to support literacy and stretch student understanding and appreciation of the story.

Please click on the picture below for more information.

 

I have added a new paid product to my Teachers Pay Teachers store to extend the writing experience to the book, Snowmen at Night.

My new product is called, My Snowman's Secret.  It gives kids an opportunity to create their own secret snowman mystery story.

Please click on the pictures to have a look.  Thank you.

Happy Reading & Writing!

Kathy

Ring in the New Year!

Christmas is over and New Year's Day is right around the corner.

If you're doing a little planning for school, here is an idea you might enjoy doing with your students on the day you return to school.

Have a class discussion about the definition of a New Year's Resolution.  Ask your students to think about what kind of resolutions they would like to make for the New Year. If you need some resolution ideas here is a link to the top ten New Year's Resolutions for kids.  Please click on the picture below.

Now your students are ready to do some writing.  Have your students choose one New Year's Resolution they resolve (promise) to do or not do. 

Have them write it on a practice paper.  Edit it. Then have them rewrite it on their Ring in the New Year! bell.  These are great to hang up on a bulletin board for January.  

During the month of January have your students review what they wrote and check to see if they are following their resolutions.

Please click on the pictures below for your FREE copies.

Enjoy this lovely poem by William Arthur Ward

"Another fresh new year is here . . . 

Another year to live!

To banish worry, doubt, and fear, 

To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me

To live each day with zest . . .

To daily grow and try to be

My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity

Once more to right some wrongs,

To pray for peace, to plant a tree,

And sing more joyful songs!"

Have a wonderful week!

Kathy

Pizza on Earth - Turkey Claus

If you loved the book Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano then you will love the sequel
Turkey Claus by Wendi Silvano.

Turkey survived Thanksgiving but finds trouble again by becoming Christmas dinner!

Turkey overheard Farmer Jake and his wife discussing Christmas dinner and how nice it would be to have a turkey dinner.

Oh, no! Turkey decides he needs help. So he sets out to find Santa and ask for help.  But Santa is too busy.

Turkey uses his clever disguises to get to Santa. He dresses up as a Christmas tree, reindeer, candy cane, and even Mrs. Claus.

Finally Turkey gets to see Santa. Santa gives Turkey the perfect disguise and some good advice.

Turkey dresses up like Santa and delivers pizza, Gobblers Pizza. The Farmer and his wife agree, pizza is the best.

The story ends with "Pizza on Earth."

FREE - Extending the Reading the Experience

After reading this story to your class compare this story to the first book, Turkey Trouble.

How are the stories alike?

How are the stories different. Use a Venn diagram.

Then make copies of the writing paper below and have your students draw their own Gobblers Pizza. Next, have your students write and describe the toppings they would choose to put on their pizza.

After your students have finished their writing and colored their paper, allow your students to share their work with the class.

Please click on the picture below to print a copy. It will link you to teachers pay teachers where you can download a free copy from Picture Book Reviews With Writing Connections.
There are two types of writing lines provided.

Mmmm, yum.  It's time to go get a pizza!

Kathy

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

Our hearts are heavy and broken for all of those affected by this tragedy.
Teacher bloggers around the world are joining in a day of silence and prayer.

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

and saves the crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

Free Holiday E-Book

Just in case you might have missed it I wanted to reminded you of the Free Holiday E-books from Teachers Pay Teachers.  Each book features thirty different sellers and contains free products from all subject areas.  It's a wonderful resource filled with holiday teaching tips, treats, crafts, and even a recipe.

Mrs. Miner's Monkey Business at Teachers Pay Teachers is where you will find the two primary books, one for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten and the other one for first and second grades.  She did a fabulous job organizing the two books.  A big THANK YOU to her.

It's FREE to join and open an account at Teachers Pay Teachers.
Please click below and download some wonderful FREE ideas! Enjoy!

PreK & K Edition

Grades 1 & 2 Edition

Merry Christmas!

Kathy

Holiday Lights!

I love the holiday lights!  Lights on trees, in stores, and especially on houses!  Take a moment and enjoy some Christmas cheer with these You Tube videos.  The kids love them and so do I.
Please click below and get ready to smile.

This one has a bit more traditional music.

Take Care,
Kathy