Two weeks ago, I began my series on creating props to go along with children's books.  Back in college, I had to take a class on creating activities to go along with children's books.  Several of the assignments in this class involved creating props to go along with books.  The idea was to have students practice retelling stories using the props.  Throughout the length of the course, I created props for different books. 

This week I am going to talk about the book Officer Buckle and Gloria by Peggy Rathmann.  I think almost all teachers are familiar with this book!  It's from a well-known author and has also been included in many basal series throughout the years.  If you happen to be new to this book, however, it tells the story of a police officer who tries to teach safety tips to students.  No one wants to listen until the local police department hires a dog.  Once the dog begins tagging along to the police officer's safety lectures, everyone wants to hear the safety rules!  Soon, the police officer discovers the dog is upstaging him during the lectures and he isn't too happy.  You will have to read the book to find out what happens!  Officer Buckle and Gloria is a good book choice to use with topics such as vocabulary, main idea, asking questions, making connections, community helpers, and safety rules.

Now, onto the retell props I created for this book! 

 

5 Tips for New Teacher Graduates

We are currently in the teaching job search period.  It's summer and schools are hiring.  Many recent teaching graduates are trying to snag their first teaching job.  I can't help but think back to when I was in this same position.  Looking back, there is so much I wish I had known before I went on my job search.  Having been there before, there are a few pieces of advice I would give to those beginning the interview process.  I've compiled a list of five tips all new teaching graduates should think about:

2nd Grade Common Core Measurement Unit UPDATE!

I recently updated my Second Grade Common Core Measurement Unit!  It now has some new graphics, including a new cover page.  The packet now contains less color graphics, which will help save on ink!!!  If you have purchased this packet in the past, please go to your 'My Purchases' tab on TPT and download the file again.  You can check out the updated packet here.

Old Cricket Book Retell Activity

Recently, I went through an old computer of mine and came across some activities and lessons I created years ago.  Some files even dated back to my college days.  Seeing some of these old activities brought back a lot of memories!  I still remember creating and using them years ago.  While going through these files, I couldn't help but think some of them would be great to blog about and share with others; so, that's exactly what I am going to blog about today! 

Back in college, I had to take a class on creating activities to go along with children's books.  Several of the assignments in this class involved creating props to go along with books.  The idea was to have students practice retelling stories using props.  Throughout the length of the course, I created props for different books.  I'll be sharing all of the books throughout different posts, but, today, I am going to share my favorite!

Have you ever read Old Cricket by Lisa Wheeler?  It's a great read aloud and lends itself to so many learning standards easily!  The premise of the book is Old Cricket wakes up in a not-so-great mood one day, and his wife asks him to fix the roof.  He says he doesn't feel well to get out of having to fix the roof.  He soon encounters many obstacles in his day and by the end of the day, he REALLY is sick! It's a charming story with repetition, wonderful illustrations, challenging vocabulary, and a moral.  Students will certainly be engaged!

Now, that you have an idea of what the book is about, I want to share the props I created for students to act out the story in a retell lesson.  Keep in mind, these photos were taken in my college dorm back in the day!

Creative Ways to Get Kids to Read

 “I cnduo't bvleiee taht I culod aulaclty uesdtannrd waht I was rdnaieg. Unisg the icndeblire pweor of the hmuan mnid, aocdcrnig to rseecrah at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mttaer in waht oderr the lterets in a wrod are, the olny irpoamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rhgit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whoutit a pboerlm. Tihs is bucseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey ltteer by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Aaznmig, huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghhuot slelinpg was ipmorantt!”

If you could read the whole paragraph effortlessly, then you must know the benefits of reading fluently! And we’re sure you would want your children to read as effortlessly as you just did! Try these creative reading games and ideas and get the younger generation to read.