Thanks & Giving

Every year I have students create a Thanks & Giving Tree " Thanksgiving Tree." Each day leading up to Thanksgiving I have students write on a leaf one thing they are thankful for and one thing they are did that classifies under giving.  For example, helping a friend that day find her jacket with being prompted is "giving of her time to help a friend in need."  I was able to purchase a plain white tree that has light attached to it and student then place their completed leafs on the tree.  Students punch a hole in the leaf and attache a paper clip to the leaf which serves as a ornament hook.  The end result is great!

This also serves as a poetry tree.  Have the students share their various poems based on your lessons and display until the next type of poem is finalized.

Good Giving!!!!

Morning Chaos - What to Wear

These days I have to multi-task to the max.  With my husband away at the military, work, and the kids I don't have much time to think about what I am going to wear.  I have borrowed the idea from Lloyd Boston from the show Closet Cases: the" Look Book." Basically, you lay out your outfits with shoes and accessories (if any) and photograph the look.  This helps me in the morning with the big question, " What am I going to wear to work?"  I like having this handy because sometimes I just can't seem to find anything to wear.  I am sure most of you have experienced this at one time or another.  I have only photographed the outfits that I have never thought of putting together because of design and/or colors.  Anyway, it helps provide me with a quick idea which limits my morning chaos until the kids wake up! LOL:)

Geotagging & Alma Maters

Here is my Bright Idea on incorporating geotagging and your (and others alma maters):

My last idea was on sharing teacher and parent alma maters.  This is a great way to incorporate Geotagging.  Currently in our school we celebrate for a week "College week."  We talk about our alma maters with the students and have them share their parents/guardians alma mater.  Specifically, we focus in on this during "March Madness."  (College basketball at its best!)  Having students share pictures of their parent(s)/guardian(s) alma mater or images of the mascot geotagged would be a great discussion starter.  You can develop it any way you wish based on your students.  Based on your location you might consider football session if that is what is followed in your area:) Enjoy!

Lunch Plan for the Week

So how to I stay ahead of the weekday mayhem you ask? Well, first I tackle lunch for my two children.  Both of them are picky eaters but thanks to a few mom food blogs I have things under control.  Let me start at the beginning: I first adopted a lunch menu plan template from good old Martha Stewart and have adapted it to my two picky angels.  Here is the run down to tackle the weekly lunch dilemma:

1. I downloaded the weekly planner which I laminated or durabilityfrom Good Old Martha Stewart: http://www.marthastewart.com/article/magnetic-lunch-chart
2. I input what my two children((ages 6 & 3) would like for lunch.  Here I refer to a Mom Blogger: Wendolina for her lunch idea list (available in PDF if you scroll down to the end of the page) http://wendolonia.com/blog/2010/08/16/back-to-school-back-to-lunch-lunch-box-ideas/
3. Based Wendolina's ideas, Martha Stewarts magnetic lunch chart, and the extra inspiraton from Melissa at http://www.anotherlunch.com/, I am able to get together every morning for my two munchkins a bento box version lunch.

Here is a sample lunch:

I have purchased a regular container with a movable divider and added cupcake liners to hold some of the goodies.  (The silicone cupcake liners woud be more eco-friendly but I have not gotten around to purchasing them.) Here I have a turkey and cheese slider with raspberries, mozzarella cheese stick sliced, and graham crackers.   I have found success in giving them a variety.  In addition to their lunch I provide a juice box, water, and yogurt or applesauce to round things out. What I provide them with daily is sufficient for lunch and snack time.  I always feel ready for the week with this Bright Idea.

Community Building

As most teachers know building your classroom community is essential at the beginning of the school year.  Over the years I have tweaked the below getting to know you activity that has been around for years. Students about each other quickly and in a fun format.  Feel free to use and tweak for use in your classroom:

Bag Your Personality
You will be doing an activity call Bag Your Personality. Your bag can be any size or any color. Pictures, models, words cut from magazines or newspapers or the actual objects may be used to illustrate each of the following points:


•Something that makes you laugh
•Something that makes you cry
•Something you feel has value or is important to you
•Your favorite TV show
•Your favorite singer or musical group
•Your favorite color
•Your hobby or hobbies
•Your favorite thing to do when you have spare time
•Your favorite sport
•Your favorite book

Place all of your items into your bag, and do not share what kinds of items you selected with anyone else in the class! I want to see how creative you can be in the selection of your items.

Note: Please refrain from bringing anything that is fragile or too large to carry. Take a picture of it instead and add it to your bag.
 
This activity takes around five minutes per student so break it up over the first few days of school.  Students really enjoy this activity.  Don"t forget to add yourself to the mix.( I always go first because I like to model it first for my students before I assign it.) Students always get a kick out of learning a little bit about their teacher (even though they still think we live in the school). LOL!