Colonial Houses Project Freebie

Happy Friday!  Today we read the book William's House by Ginger Howard.  The video of the book is also available on United Streaming (Discovery Education). 

This book is about a pilgrim from England who arrives in the new world to build a house.  It describes the building process and then the conflicts he faces as he realizes the new world is different than England. We talked about how difficult it must have been to make these homes and what they were made of and then made our own out of a few simple and cheap supplies.

Yesterday all of my kids saved their milk cartons from lunch.  We rinsed them out and allowed them to dry overnight.  This was the frame of their house.  I bought a LARGE jar of peanut butter, some stick pretzels (2 bags) and a box of shredded wheat. So today we worked hard, making our colonial homes.  Here are a few pictures of the process:

Students began by smearing the peanut butter all over the milk carton.  This is the daub (or mud) they used to hold the logs together.  Then they used the pretzel sticks to cover the base of the carton to represent the logs of the house.

The top of the carton of course was the roof and after smearing the peanut butter (daub) students crumbled shredded wheat on top for the thatch.  They were so proud of their houses.

Some students were very tedious about the placement of their logs.  And some students spaced them out a bit more.  They were all original and they all turned out awesome!

I took a picture of each child with their house.  I will then print them out and will use them for a writing project.  The students will describe how they built their house. 

I made a writing page for both girls and boys.  Since the book was called "William's House", they will write their name so that it is "Julie's House" or "Sam's House".  We will do the writing portion of this project on Monday, but thought I would share it with you in case you would like to make some colonial homes next week.  Here is the writing paper.

This project was a fun way to spend a Friday afternoon.  Monday we will write about our homes and share those with you when they are finished.  We have two days of school next week and then a FIVE day break!  I am looking forward to Thanksgiving Break and time to spend with family.  I would love to know what you think about our colonial homes.  Have a great weekend!

September 12th - Do you have this book?

Today we read September 12th.  As we sat down to read this book, we checked and double checked our calendar to see that our book's title was the same as today's date.  Before we read this book we talked about what yesterday was (September 11th) and I let students talk about what they knew, saw on T.V. and what their parents had told them.

After our discussion, we read this book that was written by other first graders in Kennett, Missouri.  My students LOVED that this book was written and illustrated by first graders AND first graders that are in the same state as us.  At the end of the book it shows pictures of all the first graders that wrote this book.  I had to read all of their names per the request of my kiddos.  We also talked about how that these first graders that wrote this book are now Juniors in high school.  Our discussion was so precious.  We talked about heroes and what it meant to be a hero.  Even after talking about all the horrible things that happened on September 11th, this book really ended our discussion on a positive note.  I loved seeing the wonder, sincerity and innocence in the eyes of my students.  Did you discuss the tragedy of 9-11 with your little ones?   If so, I would love to hear about it. 

Book Exchange GOODIES

This week I received some CAHUUTE and super cool book exchange goodies from Brenda at Primary Inspired.  Take a look:

 

I absolutely LOVE using picture books to teach or reinforce math concepts.  Brenda sent me the book Ten Sly Piranhas by William Wise.  It is a counting story in reverse - which lends itself to be a great SUBTRACTION lesson.  What is also neat is she included a book for the kids to make by writing each equation (For example: 10 - 1 = 9) and then illustrating the equation.  In this book, the biggest pirahna is eating the other pirahnas until the end... when an alligator gobbles up the sneaky pirahna!  Adorable.   You could also challenge students by asking them what if the sneaky pirahna at two fish, three fish or more?  Tons of possibilities, yet love the idea.  She also (HOW SWEET) sent me some dice in dice to use with this book or subtraction center. In addition to all that ~ she sent me another book called One, Two, Skip a few that includes a bunch of number rhymes.  Last year I always had a math tub that included a book about a math concept.  My students would read the book and choose something out of the book to create an equation and then illustrate.  What a great book to add to my collection.

I am so excited to have been a part of this book exchange.  If you were a part of this book exchange, don't forget to LINK UP over at How 'Bout Them Apples and share with us what you received in the mail. 

Book Exchange Activities

As part of the Christmas in July Book Exchange I was able to co-host with my teaching friends Randee at How 'Bout them Apples and Jackie at Here We Go Loopty Loo, I made some activities to go with one of my favorite books:  Always in Trouble written by Corinne Demas.  It is about this adorable dog Toby who is always getting in trouble.  I thought I would share them with everyone here:

 Click on the image to download.

I can't wait to get my book!  What a fun way to share and connect.  Check out all who has participated and their awesome ideas and activities for books you can use in your classroom HERE.

Christmas in July Picture Book and Activity EXCHANGE!

So who DOESN'T love Christmas?  How about in JULY?

Well my blogging buddy Randee at How About Them Apples came up with the idea to have a picture book exchange!  She asked me and Jackie at Here We Go Loopty Loo to co-host the exchange with her.  Sounds like a FUN idea!  SO ~ here is how it works:

Christmas in July Picture Book & Activity Exchange1. Email RANDEE at
randeeschatz(at)hotmail(dot)com
with your name, mailing address, and blog URL
by Wednesday, July 13, 2011.
**We realize it's kinda quick, but we want everyone to receive their package by the end of July!**2. By Friday, July 15, 2011 you will get an email with your exchange partner.
Go shopping for a picture book (possibly one of your favorites to share w/a new "friend").
**$10 Limit**
**Don't forget to create an activity to go along with the book.**

3. Have your package (book & actvity) mailed by Monday, July 25, 2011.


4. Make sure to follow us at How About Them Apples, First Grade O.W.L.s, and

Here We Go Loopty Loo
so that on Sunday, July 31, 2011 you can link up and
share your "gift" with us!

5. Spread the word about our Christmas in July
Picture Book & Activity Exchange!
You know what they say...The more the merrier!!!