A Leaf Man's Got to Go Where the Wind Blows...

I am obsessed with Lois Ehlert's Leaf man book! We took a field trip to an Arboretum this week, so this leaf activity just fit right in! We'd read the book several times throughout the week and today for our harvest party, students were able to create their own leaf men.  *I sent a note home inside of a small baggie, earlier, asking parents to help their child collect various nature items for their baggies (leaves, twigs, acorns, buckeyes, etc...).  The students could create whatever they wished with their materials.  I had them use Elmer's glue for the leaves and smaller items.  For the heavier items, such as acorns and buckeyes, they brought them to me and I hot glued them where they chose.  I just love doing this project...they turn out adorable!

Happy Fall with Even and Odd!

Teaching even and odd can be pretty boring....I like to use the following picture books to reinforce this concept:

-Even Steven and Odd Todd (fiction)
-Bears Odd, Bears Even (fiction)
-The Missing Mitten (fiction)
-Odd and Even Socks (nonfiction)
-Odd and Even Numbers (nonfiction)

We also use this fall leaf game.  Ahead of time, make several large trees.  I laminate them and use dry erase marker to write "Even and Odd." (that way the game can be used for other activities throughout the year)  Using ellison leaf cutouts, write a variety of 1, 2 and 3 digit numbers.  This is a very easy way to make it multi-level.  At first, I put on the leaves and we talk about why they are even or odd.  The next day, I give everyone a leaf and have them come up and place it in the correct spot.  They must tell the class why their number is even or odd. Note: I sort my leaves in bags, so for a quick review, I can give my highest students the 3-digit leaves, my average students the 2-digit leaves, and my strugglers the 1-digit leaves. 

Halloween Word Pointers

I like to bust out the witch fingers around this time of year! The kids love wearing them for pointing during Reading groups! I also give them to the kids to take home in their Halloween treat bags.

P.S.---Now's the best time to get them, because they are cheap!

Stamp Time!

Kids love stamping their sight words using all different stamps.  A few years ago, Jo Ann Fabric had various letter stamp sets in their $1.00 section.  I stocked up, and began using them in centers.  Centers are a thing of the past in my room, so I occasionally use the stamps in intervention groups or for reading groups.  I keep them in this handy organizer that I found at Michael's for $12.99-my 40% coupon. 

Fall Watercolor Paintings

We began this 2-day art project by reading a non-fiction book about leaves. 

Day 1) We discussed the colors that leaves can be.  Students did a watercolor wash on white construction paper.  *We talked about only using "real colors of leaves..."

Day 2) Students used leaf ellison cuts and traced them onto the backs of their watercolor paintings.  Next they cut them out, and to their surprise...BEAUTIFUL fall leaves! Finally, they glued their leaves onto black construction paper. 

These made a great hallway display and go right along with our living/non-living study!

Science Discovery Table

I decided to set up a Science Discovery Table in my classroom this year.  It features various items found in nature.  Right now, I have pumpkins, gourds, apples and acorns out.  There are also hand lenses available for students to explore with, when they have free time.  I have 18 little scientists!!