Tuesday, April 30, 2013

The Sappiness of an "Old" Tree...

I know it's probably my age but the older I get the more attached I am to history.  I never listened in school myself, I think I was otherwise occupied with the boys in my classroom, haha, but I think it might have something to do with the lack of excitement there was in history class.  I didn't have anyone to "reel me in" and get me excited about what happened years ago; after all, that was a long, long time ago and who cares?  Well, now that I'm older I realize that I really do care.  One of the things I've done outside my classroom in the hall recently is make a timeline from the 1800's to the 1900's.  It surprises me how many interesting things happened in 100 years!  I'm prouder still of my third graders and their ability to remember those things that we have studied because I think they were truly interested.  So what does this have to do with the sappiness of a tree?  Well, recently I learned about a 150 year old tree that will be taken down in my area because of the expansion of the highway it's located by.  It's got me thinking about the history that old tree has seen...wondered if perhaps the tree saw things that I only wished to see.  This tree was planted back in 1863, during the time of the Civil War!  I could include this beauty in my timeline!  So...the third graders are going to be doing some creative writing about this tree.  I made a sheet that includes two pictures of this very great, stately oak.   Tomorrow I'll set the stage for the writing from the perspective of the tree; what it saw in it's 150 years, who made a home in it, how it felt in the winter or the summer.  If you would like a FREE copy just head to my store and snag it.  The link is below.  May your days be filled with miracles, love, happiness, and may you make a lil' history of your own!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dear-Mr-Beautiful-Tree-A-Creative-Writing-Treet

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Some Little "Snippets"...

Where have I been?  Wasn't blogging going to be my New Year's Resolution??!!  This third grade teacher is plum tuckered out.  There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day.  I know we all have those problems and reading long blogs won't help so I'll be quick, haha.
First on my mind:  Mother's Day.  Here's a little idea and more if you'd like to see my store.  Each year I have my students come to my desk.  I ask them to just tell me about their mom...some funny stories, why they love their mamas.  As they are telling me this I am typing what they say.  They are fascinated with my typing skills and can't believe that at the end of about 5 minutes they have a super fabulous letter to their mamas for their special day.  If you'd like to get a bit fancier you can head to my store for a very cheap extra something I posted!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Letter-From-My-HeartA-Mothers-Day-Gift

Next...my kiddos just finished writing their own books.  The program I use is from Student Publishing.  Here they get their own password and work on their books in our computer class as well as at home.  It makes them feel pretty darn important to have their own password!  I love this program because I can bring each book up on my Smart board and we can edit those kiddos who volunteer, as a class.  "We learn best from each other!"  Here is the link:

www.studentpublishing.com

Finally, we have been poetry writing.  It sure has been lots of fun.  Please, friends, find some time to go outside, if you can, with your friends and do some writing, even if it's not poetry.  It's absolutely amazing what they create, how focused they are, and what great product they produce.  I will be taking my kiddos to the river soon to do some nature writing and sketching.  I always find time to do this because of the power of THEIR written word.  It amazes me!

I hope everyone is well...loved...cared for...appreciated....welcomed...smiled at...adored!
Happy today!