Timelines- Using Knuffle Bunny

In Social Studies we have been using time lines to learn Past, Present, and Future. 

Our sweet families have helped with the unit by making a timeline of the student's lives for homework.  We sent home a sentence strip and asked to to add pictures and events using past, present, future sections.   They came super cute.  I decorated the hallway with them for Open House. 

As a lesson in class we read 2 of Mo Willems' best works of art.  Knuffle Bunny and Knuffle Bunny Too.  We compared Trixie, the main character, in both books.  How did she change?  How can you tell?  Then we predicted what might happen in her future. 

                      

After the discussion, I put the kiddos into partners and gave them the following materials: paper/adding tape, Popsicle sticks, and 3 post-its.  Using these materials they made a timeline of Trixie's life- past, present, and future.   Here's my teacher example they had to look at. 

   One of the reasons I love Mo Willems so much as an author/illustrator is because he creates his characters to be simple enough that children can draw them.  Obviously he's right because I wouldn't have been able to make these pictures of Trixie look so similar to the book.  Way to go Mo.  Thanks for making me feel like a talented artist! 


The kids' time lines came out great but note to self...don't forget to tell them not to copy everything on the teacher example.  Sometimes I forget it's still the beginning of the year.  Then I'm walking around looking at 12 of my time lines.  Reality Check. Clear directions are everything. 

There were some really creative groups however.  One of them said that in the future Trixie will probably pass down her Knuffle Bunny to child.  Is that a science life cycle connection?  I think so!  That one and a couple others made it on the Social Studies Wall. 

Meet The Tadpoles

Two weeks ago I got a pretty funny e-mail.  One of our Kinder teachers said, "My sister found some tadpoles in her hot tub.  Anybody want some for their classroom?" Only a teacher would think to share at a time like this. I of course replied Yes!  I'm also thinking maybe I now have my premise for my children's book.  Tadpoles from the hot tub.  haha

Problem was... I had nowhere to put them.  I sent an e-mail out to my students' parents asking if anyone had an aquarium they weren't using.  In less than 15 minutes I got a response from a family offering to buy an aquarium for the classroom! Woo! Awesome!!! Here she is. Way fancier than I ever expected.  Kinda puts poor Buddy's bowl to shame. 

 Here's a close up of one of the little guys.  They are just starting to form some teeny tiny back legs.  After I took one shot of this one he totally turned to face the camera.  I took a couple more since I thought this was hilarious. Then I had a moment  of panic...did I just blind the poor little guy? He must have gotten stunned from the flash.  He's couldn't posing for goodnesssakes.  sigh.  Just the first of more trauma to come from being a tadpole in a class of 22 first graders  and 1 zany teacher. 

The kids are in love with them and it's going to be a great hands on science lesson for life cycles.  I'll keep posting pictures with the new phases. 

SALE!

Starting tomorrow everything in my Teachers Pay Teachers Store is 20% off! 

Stop by and check it out. 

The sale runs from Thursday through Sunday. 

First Grade Circle Store

Open House- Bluebonnet Stomp!

Last night was Open House.  It was by far the best of all the Open Houses that there ever were. And here's why.  After the parents were done in the classrooms everyone headed outside for our 1st Annual Bluebonnet Stomp!

For those of you who are not Texans, Bluebonnets are our state flower.  I am proud to say that me and 3 wonderful moms...shout out to Patty, Norma, and Lauren!...organized the whole shebang. 

First off, I ordered the seeds in bulk from a local nursery named It's About Thyme.  They gave our school a discount.  Thank you! 

My son's grandpas split the cost and donated the seeds to our school.  Here's what the seeds look like up close. 

Each of our students got a 1 ounce cup filled with seeds.  Approximately 40 seeds where put in each little cup.  The cups were also labeled by grade levels.  Our fabulous moms filled each cup.  Woo!  and sorted them into empty boxes and random trays I could find around the teacher's lounge.  After school Tuesday me and another mom delivered the trays to classrooms. 

When the night was wrapping up in the classrooms (approx. 7:15) our principal came over the intercom and announced that it was time for everyone to grab their cup of seeds and head outside the stomp.  Here is a beautiful sign with the hill in the background where we spread the seeds. 

Our PE coach let us borrow cones to divide up the hill into grade levels.  This way the entire hill got covered.  We used chairs to prop up grade level signs. 

I put out a box for people to put their empty cups in. 

I'm totally going to try to reuse them next year.                                                                  

 I wish I could post some pictures of the kids actually stomping them into the ground.  It was such a sight.  I also wish I could remember forever the feeling that came over me when I walked outside to see everyone coming together for this.  I know it sounds cheesy but just seeing the parents and kids out there participating and smiling.....sigh...it was awesome.  First I got the chills and then I just couldn't help but tear up.  Yes, I am a huge sap but it was such a wonderful night.  Parents were talking to each other, teachers were involved, and our sweet little school was a true community.  Pfluger Elementary is one special place to be!

Fingers crossed, this is what our hill will look like in the Spring.  Families will be able to come up and take pictures and the kids will feel powerful.  They are totally going to think they are responsible for every flower and that's okay with me.