Ain't Nobody Got Time for That!

Do you LOVE lapbooks and interactive notes? I LOVE using interactive notes however let's be honest, it can take FOREVER to cut out the pieces and get students to glue the items into their notebooks. This teacher ain't got time for that this year! We've lost some teaching time with a new push for a longer RTI block and our schedule this year is completely unforgiving... We've all been there right? So, I've been looking for ways to cut corners but still do the valuable activities I love!

What's the solution?
Take those interactive activities and put them at stations or have students work on them in table groups! I'm still having students glue in important notes but practice or "fun" activities, we've been doing them as table groups. This helps cut wayyyy down on the time it takes to set up our interactive activities!

For today's genre sort activity, I prepped the activity by cutting and gluing down the pockets to neon construction paper.This was a pretty quick task since I could use the paper cutter to cut the rectangular pockets and square cards. I was able to make 10 sets in about 15 minutes. The extra 15 minutes was well worth my time because it meant my students could go straight to the sorting and discussing part of the activity!

Last Year vs. This Year: Last year I had each student glue in the pockets and cut out FOUR pages of books to sort... This year I decided that all the kids didn't need this activity in their notebooks. I wanted the to have the genre notes but they didn't need to the sort all year. Plus, I have them write down "good" books on their books I want to read list.

Last year:

This year:

Afterwards, we bagged up the cards and the pockets so I can use them again next year!

If you want to try out this genre sort activity, it's available as part of Lovin' Lit's Reading Interactive Notebooks!

Happy "Prepping"!

Social Studies Lapbooks!

I've had the flu most of break and haven't had a lot of time to leave the house. There are only so many shows you can watch on Hulu and Netflix in a given day. So after catching up on Castle and Revenge, I put my sick self to work! Last year, Ohio changed our Social Studies standards and I had a hard time finding what I needed for my students. Since our district was short on resources, I used a hodge podge of articles, notes, videos, etc. In the words of Tim Gunn, I had a make it work year.  So, this year, I took our standards and made lapbooks for Canada and South America. I wanted a generic notes sheet that could be used for any resource. I'm still working on a Mexico & Central America lapbook but for the rest of the weekend both lapbooks are only $2! Two for the price of one! Enter to win a copy on Instagram!

Here's a preview of the Canada lapbook:

Here's a preview of the South America lapbook:

Freebies are included in both previews - so check those out before purchasing! Please, leave some positive feedback if you purchase :)

Don't forget to check out other great Geography ideas and products over at Fifth in the Middle! 

Hope everyone is having a healthy, happy, and productive break! 

A Week of Thanks: A!

I've been a regular blogger for four days straight - almost an entire school week. Wow! It's great to be back in a good habit even if I'm only writing a few short posts. I've been loving reading everyone's posts from A Week of Giving hosted by the wonderful ladies at Blog Hoppin'.

Today, I'm linking up to share my letter "A."

I'm thankful for... 

I think student artwork helps my classroom feel like my home away from home. I love looking at my students work. It makes my classroom come alive each year. Yes, I spent countless hours on bulletin board but having rotations of artwork can really bring a class to life. And when I'm working after hours or need a pick me up - looking a fifth grader's Native American mosaics, book wreaths, or dressed up turkey can really change your mood. Even big kids love to be creative and I think that's worthy of display.

Here's some artwork from my students' this year... 

But, I have a confession...

 I also love creating art as well although I'm no Van Gogh!

Mark your calendars -Teachers Pay Teachers is having a Cyber Monday and Tuesday sale! Plus, I'm offering 20% off my entire store as well! Check out some of my new Social Studies interactive notebooks. Here's a peek at my newest addition...

Happy THANKSgiving! 

Winter Must Read Mentor Text: Snow

I must say I'm enjoying winter break to it's fullest! I had a great lounging day yesterday and I spent the few days after Christmas cleaning up my house! I it feels great to have some time to get things done around the house. However, I have been ignoring my teacher bag by the door overflowing with feature articles. But, they can wait...

Today, I want to link up with Amanda and Stacia from Collaboration Cuties for a Winter Must Read Mentor Text! I have several favorite winter Mentor Texts. I love Snow Day by Lester Laminack to teach point of view. Plus, the book makes for a great read before an elusive first snow day. I also the classic book The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. This book is great for teaching onomatopoeia and powerful verbs.

But my favorite is...

Snow by Cynthia Rylant is quite possibly my favorite winter mentor text. This book does not disappoint and is loaded with author's craft examples. My favorite way to use Snow by Cynthia Rylant is for teaching figurative language.

The book is loaded down with similes and personification. My students are simile and metaphor experts but always need help with some of the harder types of figurative language like personification.

Here's a few personification examples:

"Snow that comes softly in the night...afraid to knock"

Snow "Wait(s) in the yard"

"Snow tells you..."

"Snow will take you there.."

For this book, I like to have a copy of the text typed up for my students. Before we read we the book we'd review the definition and some basic examples of personification. Then during reading, we highlight all the examples of personification found in the novel. You can get resources for teaching figurative language including personification from Erin at I'm Lovin' Lit's Interactive Reading Literature Notebook handouts. I've used her interactive notebook templates several times this year! I love them! You should check out Lovin' Lit on TPT! She has amazing resources! She also has a Figurative Language Unit available on her store. 

Handout we glue into our notebooks inspired by Interactive Reading Literature Notebooks:  

(Click the image for my handout)

After using Snow for more examples.... we'd use examples from Snow as our example for personification to include in our figurative language flipbook notes. The idea for the flipbooks once again is from Erin's interactive notebook handouts. She also has a  free bonus simile lesson available in here TPT store if you need to teach or review similes.  

Here's my handout & an example template from Erin's free simile unit:

If you're moving into poetry during the winter months, Snow by Cynthia Rylant is the book for you! This book is great for reviewing similes as well as providing numerous examples of personification. Rylant definitely makes the "snow" come alive within her book!

Hope everyone is enjoying break!