Lessons for November- friends, safety, empathy, decision making, thankfulness, and bullying!

It's almost time for Thanksgiving break!!!!! Until then, here is a little about the fun we are having in class..

K-
We are talking about being a good friend.

Intro: We started out by reading "Let's Be Friends" on BookFlix.

Next, we watched "Rainbow Fish" on Storyline Online to talk about how good friends put others first and share. 

The class shared examples of good friendship skills that I wrote on starfish and fish.  To end each student decorated his/her own rainbow fish that we put on our bulletin board: "We are all friends in our school" (get it school haha!) 

Need more: Check out the word match on Book Flix:

1st Grade: Our character education word of the month is citizenship. We are reading "Michael, Recycle!" This is such a cute rhyming book and it has a lot of big vocabulary words for 1st grade, like crusader! 

In the past I have used this amazing Rhyme, Define, Rhyme pack by Speech Snacks I found on TPT.

I really like it, but I think its too hard for 1st grade. I would definitely use it for 2nd or 3rd. If your students are up for the challenge there are rhyming cards in the TPT pack- you could hand them out to each child and them find the partner whose card rhymes with theirs. There are also some great discussion cards you could play Quiz Quiz Trade with. 

First, we read and slowly discuss the book. I let the students turn and talk and share their ideas and answer questions. Then at the end the students draw what they would do at school if we had a "Be Greener Campaign." 

Lesson Highlights and Ideas

I really like doing lessons where students tap into themselves and make personal connections, but I love it when I can extend that to help them make connections with other classmates.

Here are a few ideas for lessons you may enjoy.

Here is what I did with 5th Grade. We watched this amazing Ted Talks about a boy becoming an artist. *heads up: make sure you watch this video before you play it to make sure it's good for your students. Mine love it and I've never had a problem.

After the video, we discussed the struggles he faced in reaching his goals and I asked the students to reflect on their own struggles by telling filing in the blanks: "I struggle with___, but I won't let that stop me from___." Here is the exit ticket.

I had a student tell me he loved this lesson because he really got to open up and share his feelings. Music to a counselors ears.

Other ideas:
*Read " This Is Moose" as a lead in and talk about reaching your goals even when others might doubt you. My students LOVE this book.

 This book is going to be so much fun for our career unit and talking about not giving up on your dreams. Read the story behind the story here.

*Tie this into a bravery by reading "My Brave Year of Firsts" with younger students.
*Talk about perseverance with older students by reading "3 Ninja Pigs" and/or watching this adorable video about not giving up.

*Have students research other famous people that have struggled and over come.
My next favorite lesson is....

Book Fair Books

The problem with your best friend being a librarian is you always have to buy books...I mean how could I not. Seriously she inspires me to add to my collection- I can't wait to share with the kids!

I got some great books at book fair this year check them out:

You know I can't get enough of the "3 Ninja Pigs" and this book has been on my wish list for a while. I can't wait to use this book along with Corey Rosen Schwartz other books to compare and contrast, talk about point of view, etc. Need ideas - no worries- here is the teachers guide.

Here is the book trailer:

I love this book by one of my all time favorite authors Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

This is a great way to add non fiction into your lessons. This book talks about bug manners and it's GROSS, which means the kids will love it. It would be super fun to have the kids vote on which but they think has the best and worst manners and why. Get the teacher's guide here.

I also grabbed a Tom Litchfield book. This book is going to be so much fun for our career unit and talking about not giving up on your dreams. Read the story behind the story here.

If you have "When Sophie Gets Angry" then you have to  check out this sequel.

This is a great book to talk about conflict resolution and problem solving skills. It would be fun to read it and then follow up with a socratic seminar on dogs vs. cats.

Book Fair Fun

It's Book Fair time!! My favorite time of year and the time of year my bank account hates. 

Love this sign in the library.

I mean how cute is this!

Svarda always stepping it up.

Tell your librarians to get a copy for the library!!!

Teaching Feelings Activites

Here are two new activities I created for teaching feelings and coping skills. Check them out:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feelings-Match-Up-2146978

A fun FREEBIE interactive activity to help students match feelings words with feeling faces. This would be a great post test for K-2.

Check out this activity packet on coping skills for various feelings. This 8 page activity to help student identify coping strategies for various feelings including: anger, jealousy, worry, etc.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/When-I-Feel-2146972

Class lessons for October- a highlight

Here's a look at what I'm doing in the classroom for October.

Oct.

Listening Skills “Howard B Wigglebottom Learns To Listen”

Problem Solving/ Conflict Resolution/ Point of view “Duck!Rabbit!” “Howard B Wigglebottom”

Tattle vs. Tell “Don’t Squeal Unless It’s a Big Deal”

Tattle vs. Tell “A Bad Case of the Tattle Tongue” “I Didn’t Do It”

Fairness Self Confidence “It’s Not Fair” “Exclamation Mark” Trustworthiness “Mr. Peabody’s Apples”

Decision Making/ Peer Pressure “Peer Pressure Gauge” Trustworthiness “Mr. Peabody’s Apples”

Click read more below for a more detailed look at the lessons, links to lesson plans and resources, and free activities!

This is my fall break

New Book Alert

My bestie just shared this book with me. I can't wait to get it. Follow my blog to find out how I will use "Wild Feelings" by David Milgrim.


Also, check out this book trailer for "If You Give A Mouse An iPhone" which would be so fun to compare and contrast with the "If You Give" book series. This will be a great addition to my lesson on cause/effect and the consequences of our choices.