The OK Book: A Mentor Social Studies Text and a Class Book FREEBIE

Hi.  I'm linking up with Collaboration Cuties to share a favorite social studies mentor text.  I'm about half way through my summer break and of course I'm thinking about the next school year.  What to keep?  What to change?  What to try?
Well one book that is a definite keeper is Amy Krouse Rosenthal's The OK Book.

This book fits into my social studies curriculum as we work on building community and getting to know each other at the beginning of the year.  It is a text that you really have to see to appreciate.
The main character is OK and is illustrated by turning the O and the K on their sides to make a simple stick figure.

The central message is that you do not have to be great something to do it.  Being OK is just fine and may one day lead to you to what your are excellent at (or not).  This message is so important for students because everything in school will not come easily to many students.  They need to give themselves and others a break and accept each other.

Beyond the read aloud, this text is a great inspiration for a class book.  To begin my students and I usually discuss what things we are OK at and I show them how to make the OK person.  I model making my OK page for the class book and then the students make their own.

If you would like a FREE copy of this class book activity, click on one of the pictures above.

It usually turns out pretty funny.

On a personal note, this book is very meaningful to me.  I love this idea of not having to be really great at something to do it.  I talk this notion up with my young daughter.  I want her to participate and try lots of fun activities even if she is just OK. 

So here's the scoop:

This is a great book for a wide range of students.  I highly recommend it.

Remember, there are more great social studies mentor text recommendations at Collaboration Cuties.  Be sure to check them out.

Hooway for Wodney Wat: A Social Studies Mentor Text

I'm hoping this post will work.  I am now on vacation and had to schedule it.  I've never scheduled one before.  But, I just hate missing Collaboration Cutie's Mentor Text Link Up.  This week's topic is social studies.

Since we are out of school, I'm thinking about social studies books I use at the beginning of the year with my firsties.  The first few weeks usually focus on getting to know you and community building.  One book I love for community building is Helen Lester's Hooway for Wodney Wat.

This book tells the story of Rodney (Wodney) who is a rodent that cannot say his R's correctly.  He is very shy because of his speech and the other students at his school are not kind to him.  The illustrations of little Wodney are very relatable and tug at the readers' heart strings.

As the story progresses, shy Wodney inadvertently stands up to the class bully and becomes a hero.

This story is great for starting a conversation about how to treat others and how to take care of each other.  As a class community, we certainly want our students to take care of each other and to be kind.  

Hooway for Wodney Wat is not only a wonderful book to use to help build community in your classroom, it also lends itself to various literacy activities.  One activity that I like to use is a comparison between Wodney at the beginning of the story and Wodney at the end of the story.  

In the past we have done this activity whole group making a T chart on some chart paper.  However, I have created a graphic organizer that basically serves the same function as the T chart, but each student can have a copy.  Students can either illustrate or write about the changes Wodney experiences.  How you use it really depends on the level of your students. 

You can have your own FREE copy of this activity by clicking on one of the pictures below. 

Here's the breakdown for this week's Mentor Text for social studies . . .

Thanks for reading.  Be sure to visit Collaboration Cuties for more social studies text ideas.  These Mentor Text Link Ups are really great resources.  I'll have to catch up with the other Mentor Text suggestions next week after I return from my trip.  

Have a great week.

Mapping Penny's World: A Must Read Mentor Text and a Social Studies FREEBIE

Happy Sunday.
I'm linking up with Collaboration Cuties to share a favorite text to use with social studies.  One of my favorite social studies books is Mapping Penny's World by Loreen Leedy.

This book is very similar to Me On the Map by Joan Sweeney (another favorite).   In this book Lisa learns about different types of maps.  She uses her dog Penny to complete a mapping project. 

I love this book because of the illustrations, the in depth explanation of maps, and because it is part of a series of three books that feature Penny (Measuring Penny and It's Probably Penny).  My first graders love all of these books.

Below you will find a freebie to use with Mapping Penny's World.  Students can draw a maps of their bedrooms and create a key to go with their maps.  Click on the picture below if you would like a copy.  The clip art is from Scrappin Doodles.

I highly recommend Mapping Penny's World and all of the other Penny books for your classroom library.  The stories are cute, the information is abundant, and your kids will really enjoy them.

For more tried and true recommendation head on over to Collaboration Cuties and check out the other Must Read Mentor Texts for social studies.

Thanks for reading and have a great week.  

Economics 101 (Why Buy the Cow If You Can Get FREEBIES?!)

Aaah, the week before spring break.  We have sprung forward, so now it's staying light longer.  We had a really beautiful weekend with lots of warm sunshine and were able to get outside.  It was really great.  Things are looking up.

For this last week of winter at school, we will be learning about economics.  I remember when I began teaching first, I thought economics . . . you've got to be kidding me.  But in the end, it's really not that bad.

We talk about needs and wants, consumers and producers, goods and services, as well as spend and save.  We do a good deal of picture sorting to practice most concepts.  If you would like a free copy of my goods and services sort, you can click on the picture below.  The clip art if from Scrappin Doodles.

Speaking of picture sorts, I also really like using this set of photo cards when we learn about economics.  I bought them from Lakeshore years ago and they still have them.  They are really good for whole group sorting activities using the pocket chart.

I'm sure you love children's lit as much as I do.  Here are a few of the books I will use for read aloud during our study of economics.  You can get any of these titles through Amazon.  

If you would like a little literature response to go with Alexander Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday or Bunny Money, your sweeties can make these Money Wise and Money Foolish signs.  You can question them if the characters are making wise or foolish money choices and they will hold up the appropriate sign.

Click on the picture below if you would like a free copy of these signs.  The file includes a color and a black line option.  The clip art is from Melonheadz. 

Check the pout.  That my friends has been around since  A  was born.  We always know exactly how she feels.

Anyway, I hope some of this stuff can be of use to you.  Email me with any questions.

Good Bye Cupid, Hello Mr. President (FREE Presidents' Day Activities)

I don't know about you, but last week was crazy  b u s y.  Lots going on at school and at home.  We wrapped up our crazy week with a little Valentine's Day party for A and some of her little friends.

They played games, made a craft, and had a great time.  They were so cute and I was so tired.

After a week like this, I could use a long weekend, but oh no.  We are not out for Presidents' Day and I'm trying not to whine.
But on the bright side, I do have more time to fit in some fun Presidential activities.  I wanted to share a couple of reading/language arts activities I'll be using with my class next week.

First is a writing craftivity.  I plan on having my students write some facts about George Washington or maybe give them a different prompt (I'm still thinking).

If you would like a FREE pattern for this activity click on the picture.

My sweeties will also be working with a Presidential Word sort.  There are three sorting mats and eighteen word cards, as well as a recording sheet.  The clip art is from kpmdoodles.  

If you want a FREE copy of this activity, just click on the picture below.

I hope you can use one or both of these in your class.  If you have a question about either activity, please email me.  

Have a great rest of your weekend.