Teacher Park: ELA

Showing posts with label ELA. Show all posts

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Design A Game Book Report

I want to share a book report that I've done with my students for a number of years. It's been a HUGE hit with not only my students, but their parents, as well.

We all know that kids love to play games, so I decided to design a game book report. My objective was to convince my students that they should read books that are different genre.

Ask your students what genre they like the best. I bet many will say realistic fiction is their favorite. There are some who gobble up mysteries, some will swear that fantasies are their favorites.

I also wanted to get parents involved in some way. That's when I decided to add a "bonus points" feature because the majority of my students love to earn bonus points.

I decided to title it, "Design A Game" book report. Really original title eh? :)

The parent involvement is easy! All they have to do is play the game with their kids at home and sign the letter stating they played the game with their kids. A whopping five points can be earned for a total of 105 points if everything else is done correctly.

The way you introduce it to your students is fun. Pass out the "Congratulations" slips to them and watch them sit up and take notice. It's an announcement that they've been chosen, by a game company, to design a game based on a book. Just this little slip of paper and its message, makes them feel important.

The kids have to design a game board that has questions or statements about the book they're reading. Then we have a game day where they all play each others' games and learn about new books. It's amazing how many comments you'll hear as they play the games like, "I really really want to read this book!" "I never thought I'd like historical fiction, but this one sounds really good."

The kids talk about the project with their friends and tell them about a new book they want to read. The word spreads and pretty soon, you'll see your students reading new books of different genre.

WHAT'S REALLY FUN IS TO HAVE A game "night" so parents, friends and family can join in the fun and play the games.

At the end of the year, there are always students who are kind enough to leave their games with me so I can share them with my future students! :)

Everything you need is in the packet. Parent letter, student rubric, how-to game instructions and more. Be sure to read teachers' comments below the product description and you'll see how popular my Design a Game Book Report is!

Have fun!

Ruth

Sunday, March 26, 2017

101 Book Activities Kids Love!

When I was in elementary school, my teachers always gave us the same kinds of book reports to do. They were VERY boring and that's when I decided that when I became a teacher I'd NEVER give those kinds of book reports.

Typical assignment: Write a report about the book. Remember to include the main characters and setting as you write the plot.

WHAT?? UH??

I wanted to write a short skit about the book, or a poem, or write lyrics for a song. I did NOT want to write a boring old report without pictures or something creative.

So, when I was in fifth grade, the first book report was....yes you guessed it! The same boring assignment to explain what the story was about and where it took place.

What did I do? I drew an original cover for the book. I spent hours cutting pictures from magazines that would tie in with the plot. I laid it all out, and pasted everything on colorful construction paper. To me the bright colors livened up the plot, and was visually appealing. On the last page, I wrote my opinion of the book and recommended that everyone should read it.

As my teacher walked around, collecting the book reports, I handed it to her with a huge smile on my face. She took it from me, flipped through it quickly and said

YOU DIDN'T FOLLOW MY DIRECTIONS!!

I remember it like it was yesterday. I cringed, slumped down in my seat and mumbled something and thought to myself, I did follow the directions, I just presented it differently.

Did my teacher understand that there are kids who like to express themselves using art or music? No.

Did my teacher understand that creating a report with hand drawn pictures and presenting it in a colorful way is a lot of work and demonstrates that I'm artistic? No.

Would she see that I followed her directions? Probably not.

When I first started teaching, I decided to give my students book report choices. Over the many years I've been teaching I've been collecting ideas and creating new ones. It was a year or so ago I decided to compile them and offer them for free on TeachersPayTeachers.

Why? Because I want teachers to have this list at their fingertips, so they can offer their students many different ways to report about books.

Give them a list of two or three to choose from and you'll feel their excitement as they talk about which ones they really, really, really want to do!

Have fun!

Ruth

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Trifold Book Report

I'm always thinking of new ideas for book reports, so the kids can have fun yet demonstrate to me that they understand strategies and skills. I also love giving kids choices.

I remember doing book reports when I was in elementary school and it was always the same. No creativity. Nothing fun. We never had choices of what we could do. Write a book report for the book you're reading. That was it! BLAH!

When I became a teacher, I told everyone that I would NEVER teach like some of the teachers I had. I'm from a very musical and artistic family so I was always creating something new and different. Playing the piano, writing miniature symphonies when I was ten, poetry, pen and ink drawings, designing terrariums for the salamanders I caught, knitting... just to name a few.

Not all of my teachers were like that, though. I had one very special high school English teacher who rocked my world! He taught us grammar by using lyrics to songs. He got us out of our seats and we could have rocked and rolled 'til the sun went down! When I run into him, I always tell him that he inspired me to become a teacher. He beams! So do I!!

My trifold book report can be done using any fiction book. There are three trifold pages and a "bonus" page with all kinds of activities that the kids can choose from in order to earn bonus points. Have a share day so that all of your students can read their friends' reports, then put them on display! It's also a great way to expose kids to new titles that they might want to read!

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Chocolate Fever

Chocolate Fever!

Find out what happens to Henry when he comes down with Chocolate Fever!

Kids love working together to complete this packet o fun Chocolate Fever worksheets.

The activities include the main elements of a story, such as plot, setting and characters but also includes Chocolate Fever math, art activities, response to text, a chapter trifold to display in your classroom and more.

To see the complete packet description, click on the title page.

Ruth

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

The first time I read Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, I kept thinking... I wonder how many students know what happened during World War II?

How many even know where Germany is or Europe for that matter?

Before I even introduced the book to my students, I asked them to locate Germany and Europe on our world map. My expert map student was raising his hand, almost leaping out of his chair and making those familiar "Ooo, ooooo" sounds, we teachers know well. He pointed to Germany and the surrounding countries as well as the Atlantic Ocean. Isn't it great to have an expert in class to help introduce lessons? :)

Then, I asked them to raise their hands if they knew one fact about WWII. One boy said his great grandfather fought during WWII. A girl raised her hand and said that WWII was a big war. Those were the only students who volunteered answers. I was shocked, to say the least.

It was then I decided to write up a packet of student worksheets for Number the Stars that would include an informational piece about World War II. It was a good way to introduce WWII and even though it wouldn't be a detailed history of the War, it would give my students a "taste" of events and the causes of the War.

I always try to integrate social studies with my ELA classes so this was perfect!

Lois Lowry's book, Number the Stars, has students walk in Annmarie's and Ellen's shoes as the story unfolds. The setting is Copenhagen, Denmark in 1943, the third year of the Nazi occupation of Denmark. Annmarie and Ellen, who is Jewish, are best friends. The story is how Annmarie's family take Ellen into their home to protect her from the Nazis. The story is filled with facts presented in a way students will relate to themes like friendship, trust, honesty, conflict, and hope.

It's no wonder this historical fiction book won the Newbery Award, in 1990, as the most distinguished contribution to children's literature and remains popular to this day.

This is my 69 page packet to accompany the book. It has detailed instructions for pre-readinng, reading and post reading activities. Also included is the nonfiction, informational article to provide students with a better understanding of World War II.

To read the full description of the book, click on the map. There is also a free preview of the packet of my ready to print student worksheets that can be downloaded.

Ruth

After speaking with many of my former students' parents, over time, it's apparent that students aren't receiving a good base of American history throughout their school years. I noticed the changes in textbooks when I was on the social studies curriculum committee for a number of years. The information in textbooks seemed watered down and lacking in good solid information about our history. I began wondering who was writing the text for the publishers and who makes the decisions about what's included in their textbooks. That remains a mystery, but one we educators should be asking. I hope you are.

Monday, November 17, 2014

North Pole Prepositions

Hi! I've been soooooooo bogged down lately, I haven't been blogging! I'm baaaaack!

Here is some preposition "food for thought".

So many times I hear students say, "I'm waiting on line". I ask them if they're standing on a line drawn in the road. They give me puzzled looks. You know those looks, right?

Then, there's always someone who raises his or her hand and says, "That's how my mother says it..." I smile and nod. Uh huh.

Guess what? When I'm in New York City I often hear "I'm waiting ON line...

Another expression I hear very often is, "I'm babysitting my sister." UH? Where's the preposition FOR? "I'm babysitting FOR my sister".

But wait. Is the word "for" actually needed in that sentence? What about "I'm painting my fence." Does the word "for" work in that sentence?

Not to get off the subject of prepositions, but another expression that drives me crazy is "I'm going to grow a business". Grow a business? I would say,"I'm going to create a business". When I think of the word "grow' I think of planting my vegetable seeds so they'll grow during the summer. Don't mind me, I'm just having one of those grammar days. :)

Think about it, Are prepositions used differently in different regions of the United States? Are the different uses, correct or not? Again, food for thought. :)

I've had many great comments about my North Pole Prepositions since I CREATED the packet. (Notice I didn't say "... since I GREW my North Pole Prepositions packet :)

Kids have to guess which prepositions fit correctly in the sentences and then draw pictures of them. I love their illustrations!

photo of North Pole Prepositions, grammar, ELA, teacherspayteachers,com

Saturday, August 2, 2014

BACK TO SCHOOL TEACHERSPAYTEACHERS 2014 SALE!

I'm really excited to announce

the TeachersPayTeachers

2014

Back to School Sale!

Be sure to use the PROMO CODE

BTS14

when you check out to get a larger discount!

Have a great year!

Ruth

Check out my FREEEEEEEEE 260 Journal Prompts

that will get your reluctant writers' pencils flying across their papers as they respond to my "kid friendly" prompts.

They're great as discussion starters too.

Grades 4 and up but third grade teachers tell me they're using them too!

Be sure to read teachers' comments

below the description about this special resource!

As of today there have been 61,377 downloads! WOW!

photo of 260 Journal Prompts, Free, ELA, writing, Ruth S. TeachersPayTeachers.com

Check back in a few days. I've been adding more to my popular

Novel Response Task Cards. If you already have that packet, you'll be able to download the update, free of charge.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

TeachersPayTeachers Super Sale May 6, 7 2014

HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!

THANKS TO DANIELLE KNIGHT FOR

CREATING THIS AWESOME POSTER OF ALL OF US WHO TEAMED UP TO

OFFER YOU DISCOUNTED PRICES ON OUR RESOURCES

AT TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS!

WHY?

BECAUSE TPT IS HAVING A HUGE SALE

MAY 6TH AND MAY 7TH!!!

AND WE KNOW HOW HARD YOU WORK. THE LONG HOURS. WRITING LESSON PLANS, CORRECTING, ASSESSING AND SO MUCH MORE!

WE TOTALLY UNDERSTAND AND CARE ABOUT YOU!

YOU CAN BROWSE AT YOUR LEISURE (LEISURE??? UH???WHAT LEISURE???)

AND WISH LIST RESOURCES YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE TIME TO MAKE.

DON'T FORGET THE PROMO CODE FOR

MORE DISCOUNTS

WHEN YOU CHECK OUT!

TPTXO

ENJOY!

RUTH

May

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS...REALLY?

How many times have you heard friends and family members say they're going to make New Year's resolutions, but never follow through? Many times it's something they've talked about, like losing weight or other personal goals, but honestly, it's not always easy to stick to what we vow to do.

For many years, I've had my students write their resolutions, a typical lesson they've done in previous years, so I decided to change my approach and make it a little more challenging and interesting.

I thought about the year 2013, with all that's happened. Has there ever been a year of more distressing news with natural disasters, world events, war, famine, politicking?

Those thoughts, then, became the basis of my new New Year's Day Resolution lesson. Keep in mind I'm a Socratic type of teacher. Raising questions to challenge my students has always been one of my main methods of teaching.
Sooooooo...

I started off by asking my students if they've ever set goals for themselves.

I asked ... "Are goals basically the same thing as resolutions?"

I hear some "hmmm's", one fiddled with his shoelace, and others stared at me, quizzically.

One of my deep thinkers speaks up... "Mrs. S, isn't a resolution the same thing as a revolution?"

I explain that a revolution is when you rise up against something you're determined to resolve, change or fix, like a problem. A revolution can be positive or negative.

I then ask if they all think a resolution, is a revolution.

I see some nodding their heads, others tapping their pencils on their desks and one who's passing a note to a friend.

I whisper..... "I sure hope that note is about your New Year's resolution, which is not to pass notes in class during a lesson, Joe."

He slides down in his chair so quickly, I think he's sinking in a swirling pool of quicksand. His friend, sitting next to him, begins to giggle, then covers his mouth when I slowly turn my gaze to him and wink.

Dan sheepishly raises his hand. "Doesn't a revolution cause a resolution, something like cause and effect?" He lowers his hand slowly.

I'm speechless. This boy is connecting all the dots and it's wonderful, incredible, AWESOME (as the kids would say)!!

I praise him for his answer, have everyone applaud and then continue.

I point to the goal poster on the wall and ask volunteers to describe some of their goals and whether they've attained them. The majority of them admit they never follow through.

I ask ... "Why is it difficult to reach your goals? Is it you or something else that causes you not to reach them?"

I ask for a volunteer to describe a goal and if it was achieved.

Beth raises her hand and describes her goal. She wants to read for an hour at home, but she describes the many distractions like younger siblings running around the house, usual home distractions like television, texting and other things, that keep her from reading for an hour.

A couple of students eagerly chimed in. They offered suggestions about how she could make her life more manageable and lessen the number of distractions. They told her they had the same thing happening at home and how they "fixed" it.

I always love these types of brainstorming sessions. Kids reaching out to help their peers, offering many great alternatives and solutions!

After a few minutes, they concluded that if Beth found just fifteen minutes of quiet time when she could read, it would be a great accomplishment.

I ask... "Did Beth reach her goal? Her goal was to read for an hour a night. Everyone just said that reading for fifteen minutes was really good. But did she actually reach her goal?"

Robert raises his hand slowly, so slowly, I figure his response might not be 'on the mark'.

"It's the effort that counts," he whispers.

What? Did he REALLY say THAT?

I ask him to repeat his statement in a BIGGER voice.

I then call for applause from everyone.

I ask... "Okay, effort is needed to achieve a goal. What's another word that means great effort to follow through to complete or attain a goal?"

After a few minutes of mulling it over, Rosie, leaps out of her seat and blurts out, "I know. I know what the word is ! It's determination. It's on the goal poster." She points to it. The room is so still you can hear a pin drop. I ask both Robert and Rosie to come to the front of the room and take a bow. Everyone applauds again. :)

Next, I explain their assignment will be to write resolutions for themselves, the school, the town, the country and the world. They looked at me as if I was an alien from Planet X.

Joey raises his hand and says, "I'm not sure how to write a resolution for our school, the town, country or world. They're not people."

Love this kid!

I told them to think of the school as if it was a person.

I ask .. "What are some problems our school would like to fix or improve if it was a person?"

Hands shot up! It was one of those "gotcha" moments.. :) I let them take the ball and run with it and as they discussed their ideas, I wrote them all over the board.

I stop the conversation for a minute and say, "Well it's really obvious I have a class of problem solvers and geniuses."

They look up and grin! I grin back!

It's amazing how the quiet kids, who usually never contribute to class discussions, are actually voicing their opinions and coming up with excellent ideas. I'm mesmerized as I listen ...

I ask ... "What kind of goal might you write for our town?" Again, ideas covered the board as they brainstormed.

Fill the pot holes in the roads, build a skateboard park, provide more lighting at the town baseball field. The list went on and on and on.. I pictured them as adults at town meetings, voicing their opinions and collaborating to fix problems around town.

The very same thing happened when I mentioned the country and world. It absolutely amazes me how fifth graders can solve problems so smoothly and logically, by brainstorming, drawing conclusions, and compromising. I tell them they should all run for office and work with others to solve our country's problems.

They grin! I grin! We all grin!

I began handing out the New Year's Day worksheets and tell them, they're problem solvers who have collaborated, brainstormed and brought all their ideas together in a thoughtful, peaceful and brilliant way.

They grin. I grin. In fact, I grinned the rest of the day and night. Life is good when you have a grinning day!

Here is the packet I created for New Year's resolutions. Enjoy!