Ruby Bridges

 Ruby Bridges has always been a go to for me when introducing my firsties to civil rights. This unit was created 7 years ago out of a need for my own classroom. I have recently updated the craft and anchor chart and made a few minor updates to the lap book. You don't have to wait until February to teach your students about civil rights and compassion.  Grab the updated unit HERE.  

Weekly Dollar Deal - Pilgrim Children

 We continue on with holiday theme teaching!  This week's dollar deal is my Pilgrim Children Craftivitiy and Lapbook.  I always began this unit with a read aloud.  My two favorites are Sarah Morton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Girl and Samuel Eaton's Day: A Day in the Life of a Pilgrim Boy.  You can purchase the books HERE or HERE. Once the read aloud is complete I build an anchor chart with my students.  See the picture below.

Then I introduce them to the unit we will be working on for the week.  I start with the craftivity so that we can get them hung up in our classroom or hallway!  Then we move into the lapbook.  I always told my firsties that it was my job to make them independent learners and the lapbook does just that!  They always collaborated and researched to find the information needed.  With Covid it may be a little difficult to collaborate but breakout rooms work great for collaboration.  Once again those distant/virtual learners need to create so set up a time for parents to pick up materials and share away on Zoom, etc!!!! Grab this unit HERE. I promise you'll love it and so will your firsties!  Below are pictures of the unit:

Weekly Dollar Deal - Veterans Day

This month begins my most favorite time of the year... so many holidays and themes to celebrate in the classroom!  This week's dollar deal is a Veterans Day project. You can begin with a read aloud. Check out this LIST OF VETERANS DAY BOOKS. Then, you can "anchor" their learning with an anchor chart. Below is a picture of my firsties' thinking.  We brainstormed words that describe soldiers.  Anchor charts are such fun ways to display students' thinking.

  

You can extend their learning with THE VETERANS DAY PROJECT. This project comes complete with daily directions.  First graders need to create.  They need to use their scissors, glue sticks, crayons and markers!!!! Fine motor skills development at it's FINEST!! Even if you are remote, I implore you to print out this project and send it to your firsties.  Ask parents to do a curbside pick up of materials.  Students can display in their home and share during virtual class meetings.  I promise both traditional and virtual students will LOVE this project and they are so proud when it's complete!

Review: "These look SO cute outside! They were perfect with our current standards. I have been teaching about expository text as well as character traits/responses. I was able to use this for both and as a transitional lesson from one standard to the other. My principal even commented about how much she loved them outside in the hall!! Thanks :)" - Monica M.