Snack Mix Assembly Line

Over the past week we've been studying needs & wants, goods & services, and producers & consumers. To culminate our Economics unit, the students participated in a snack mix assembly line. To help introduce the idea of an assembly line, we watched that hilarious clip from the "I Love Lucy" show where she and Ethel work at the candy factory.

We discussed how a real assembly line is designed to work (unlike the antics of Lucy and Ethel :) and how we were going to use the process to produce our own snack mix. Each student had a job either spooning items in the bag (white & dark chocolate chips, Golden Grahams cereal, Cookie Crisp cereal, Kix cereal, & marshmallows), labeling & zipping the bags, or team supervisor (in charge of monitoring workers, materials, and quality control). We divided into two teams and tried to see who could produce ten bags first. The kids had a blast and got a hands-on opportunity to experience being a producer and producing a good. They also got to be a consumer when they took the snack mix home to share with their families. Since I have a student teacher right now, I got to participate in the assembly line myself. What fun we had!!!

Afterwards, we reflected on the activity and the students completed a response activity sheet. I love activities like this where we all get to participate in fun, meaningful learning experiences. :)

We're Wild About Our Heroes

In honor of September 11th, we had a Hero Day Parade at our school. We made banners and waved flags as community firefighters, police officers, military personnel, etc. paraded around the front of our school with their families. It was such a great time to see our students walking with and cheering on these wonderful, everyday heroes.

My husband and I also wanted to do something for some of our local firefighters and police officers so the hubbie cooked up several batches of cookies and brownies ( I made the cards :) and delivered them. He made a comment that made me really think, though, about how we shouldn't just honor those who serve and protect on special days/holidays. Why not do something special to show our gratitude on any random day of the year??? Great idea! I've really felt a calling to do more service and outreach in my church and community.  Even our school motto this year highlights our support for the community where we live and getting involved in community service projects. Just think of the possibilities if we all get involved to support and serve!

Internet Inspired Ideas

I've been walking down memory lane as I look at some photos from last school year. I love searching the web for new ideas to use in my classroom.  I have been so inspired by the wonderful teacher websites and blogs out there. Many times, though, I can never remember where I saw all these cute ideas. However, my newest obsession (Pinterest!) helps me keep track of great ideas and their sources. Here's a few of my favorite internet inspired ideas...

Noun Town - Inspiration came from First Grader at Last blog

R Control Posters - another idea inspired by First Grader at Last blog. She drew the pictures for her posters but I'm not as talented an artist as she is. I cheated and used clip art instead :).

How To Blow a Bubble Art and Writing Activity - They had so much fun doing this project!!!

Grammar Garden Sign

Example of Grammar Garden Project - incorporated use of noun, verbs, and adjectives

Funny Faces Plants - idea from The Teacher Wife blog...her blog even includes a download of the face parts

Lincoln and Washington Art and Writing Projects - Inspired by First Grade Parade Blog

Viola Swamp Art & Writing Activity - We just did this one! I recently saw the TLC art project on Pinterest and incorporated a venn diagram and writing activity with it.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Review Game

I made this game to help my students review the color, number, and sight words during our readiness period at the beginning of first grade. They LOVE playing the game! We sit in a circle and play it as a whole group first with the girls vs. the boys. Then, I add it to my Puzzles & Games station as one of their first buddy activities. Hope your kids enjoy it as much as mine!

Chicka Readiness Review Game

Jungle Colors and Shapes Posters

I'm back!!! :) I've had a couple of requests for some of my jungle posters so I thought I would go ahead and post them. I love the jungle/safari theme because there is so much out there that you can do with it. I will try to take pictures soon of some of the new things I have added to my classroom for this year. Just click on the labels to download the posters.

Safari Colors Posters

Safari Shapes Posters

Summer Vista Print

Again...I have been neglectful of my blog. No real excuses but I have been pretty busy finishing up the school year, enjoying the summer, traveling to Alaska, and yes...creating more classroom items on Vista Print. I even did a little class for some friends in June and have hooked some more addicts. :) Here are a few of my latest creations.

Small Car Door Magnets

Small Postcards

Business Cards

Business Card Magnet
(I plan to send these home with the students so their parents can hang their child's work on the fridge or some other magnetic surface.)

Large Postcards

Class Thank You Notecards and Postcards

You're Nuts! Game

Next week we're reading the story Dot and Jabber and the Great Acorn Mystery and one of our phonics skills involves dropping the "e" when adding suffixes like -ed and -ing. So...I found this cute clip art on Scrappin Doodles (love that clip art site) and became inspired early this morning. This is such a challenging skill for our students so I thought this game would be a great Word Work Station activity for a little extra practice. Hope someone else can use it, too...

You're Nuts! Game