Word Work Idea #3 - Chalk

Today's word work entry is chalk.  Yes, boys and girls, we're going back to basics today!

When I was a kid, my chalkboard was actually one of my favorite toys.  I looooved drawing with my chalk.  I also looooved keeping my toys clean.  One day, I decided that I couldn't live with my dirty, dusty chalk anymore.  So, I took my bag of chalk to the bathroom, filled with it water, and gave my chalk a bath.

Oh, those pieces of chalk looked so shiny and new!  No more icky dust muting those lovely colors.  Of course, I was very disappointed to find out that you cannot draw with wet chalk. There may have been a tantrum tears shed.  Happily, the chalk was nice, clean, and dry a couple days later.

That story has nothing to do with word work, but I thought it was amusing enough to share.  :)

Chalk as a word work station is pretty straight forward.  Sometimes simple is better, so the students can focus more on reading and writing.

At the beginning of the year I have my students practice writing Word Wall words or words from their personal word lists.  Later in the year they graduate to using words in sentences.

I bought a set of chalkboards from Lakeshore Learning (search for 'chalk lapboard').  However, you might be interested in making your own chalkboards with chalkboard paint.  There is a cool tutorial on how to make your own boards -- and even your own chalkboard paint -- here at A Beautiful Mess.  In a pinch, you can use pieces of black construction paper (they even erase somewhat cleanly).

I store chalk in those teeny tupperware containers... you know, the ones that come with every set but are too small to fit any actual food in?  Each busy student gets their own little container, which helps to keep things neat.

I almost feel silly including such simple ideas on my word work list, but I definitely think that it is worth going back to basics sometimes.  Just remember not to wash your chalk!

How to Make a Whisper Phone

I first encountered "whisper phones" when I was student teacher.  My (amazing) mentor teacher used them during her small group time.  It was love at first sight... I instantly knew that I wanted an entire class set.  I went home, looked them up online, and balked at the price tag.  

Way to break my heart, whisper phones.  Luckily, Home Depot was there to pick up the pieces.

I was pretty sure that I could DIY a whisper phone with PVC pipe.  I showed a picture to my dad, and he said that a piece of PVC and two elbows would do the trick.  You can see the pieces that I used above.  Each bit was under a dollar, and the total cost was about $2.50 per phone, if I recall correctly.

Once you have your pieces, all that is left to do it fit them together.  Instant whisper phone, and a very durable one at that.  This will be the fifth year that I put my DIY phones to use.

Of course, if you like to make your projects more Pinteresting...

You can add some patterned masking or duck tape.

I only did this to one of my phones.  We'll see how it works out.  While I think it's super cute, I'm not sure how practical it will be.  I like to take my phones home often to run them through the dishwasher.  First-graders are germ factories, so regular washing is necessary.  I just pop the pieces apart and arrange them in the top rack.  I'm pretty sure that the masking tape is not going to hold up to washing, so you might want to keep that in mind.

I intend to use the decorated one myself during modeling sessions.  I learned the hard way that I have to model, model, model, have them model, and then model some more.  They're just so fun, you know?  It's hard for a first-grader to resist using one as a megaphone.  After a few modeling sessions, I let my students use the phones under supervision during small group sessions.  Once I'm sure they can handle it, I move some to our reading stations.

For anyone wondering what all the fuss is about, here's why I think these phones are wonderful:

1.  They force students to listen to themselves.  It's easy for a student to ignore their own voice or let it fade into the background.  These put their own voice right in their ear, so they can hear what their own reading sounds like.

2.  Quiet.  Students need to read aloud, but it can be very distracting to their neighbors.  The phones allow reading aloud and a quiet environment to coexist.

Does anyone use these in their classroom?  Did you splurge on a store-bought version or DIY it?  Made it pretty or kept it simple?

THE Pencil Sharpener

Oh, how the summer flies by!  Our school year has already taken off, and I know that those of you who are still enjoying the summer will be back in your rooms in a few short weeks.

I have to admit, I feel a little silly writing about my pencil sharpener.  But guys, having a reliable pencil sharpener has changed my life made me a happier teacher.  It's the little things, right?

I have been through SO many electric pencil sharpeners.  I've broken some, my students have broken some, and I basically just want to tear my hair out every time.  I haven't even been able to keep a wall-mounted sharpener in my classroom.  Only two classrooms that I've taught in came equipped with one, and they both fell off the wall within the first month of school.  Seriously.

Another teacher told me that she had found success with a pencil sharpener from Sam's Club, so I took the chance.  I was a little wary of the 17 dollar price tag, but felt it would be worth it if it lasted.  After all, I had already spent approximately a bazillion dollars on numerous cheaper versions.

So I shelled out the money, brought it home, plugged it in, and fell in love!  Seriously, this thing sharpens pencils so quickly!  It takes noticeably less time to sharpen each pencil, keeps them nice and smooth, and I have never had to clear any broken pencil points.  It's held up for about a year now with heavy use, so I'm pretty impressed.  Obviously.

I just wanted to pass along my review in case anyone is shopping for a pencil sharpener this school year.  Here's a shot of the model number -- it's called the Royal p70 pencil station, if you go looking for it!

School Years and Calendar Years

The school year officially ended over a week ago!  I already miss my most recent batch of kiddos -- they truly were a sweet bunch.

All the talk of "another year over" has gotten me thinking... do you think in school years or calendar years?  As in, does your year start in January and end in December, or does your year start in August and end in the summer?

I definitely think in school years.  A few months back I told a friend that I was going to go shopping for a new swimsuit at the end of the year.  She looked at me funny and said, "You know, there aren't many on the racks around Christmas-time."  Haha!  I often  have to specify "school year" or "calendar year" when speaking to family and friends, and this reminded me why!  I guess it's just one of the quirks of being a teacher.

I also find myself making what amount to my New Year Resolutions in May and June.  It's actually refreshing to make such plans and promises during this time of the year.  The warm energy of June inspires me more than the cold comfort of January.  I want to read and drink coffee and January; I want to get out and DO something during June.

My resolutions this year include: 

1.  Making copies AHEAD of time.  I mean weeks ahead.  It never fails that the copier is down when I really need it.

2.  Paint the kitchen cabinets.  *gulp*  Pray for me on this one.  We are pretty good DIYers, but I do fear ruining my cabinets!

3.  Stay six weeks ahead in lesson plans.  This year I was good at staying three weeks ahead, but I really want to start working in six week units.

4.  Add 10-20 new recipes to our collection.  Our mothers are both fabulous cooks (let's not even start on our grandmothers) and we want to learn all their secrets!

5.  Eat more vegetables.  Here's the obligatory diet-related resolution.  I really want to venture out and try some less popular vegetables.

So that's that!  Anyone else think in school years?  Any resolutions being, um, resolved?

Measurement Activities (Freebie)

These pics are from earlier in the year... from when we worked on non-standard measurement.  Our copier was out of service so I had to whip up a few activities at the last minute that were low-on-ink, and therefore printable on my computer printer. 

First up is a cute little mouse.  I found him on Google Images, erased his tail in Paint, and cut up some pipe-cleaner replacements.   

One of my little firsties is a big J.B. (Justin Beiber) fan.  Oh my...

After the mouse was finished, the students moved on to measuring simple lines.  This activity reviewed some geometry vocabulary (horizontal, vertical, and diagonal).

So that we didn't have any copying going on, I made 6 different versions of this activity sheet.  You can download it here on Google Docs.

Symmetry Sort (Freebie)

Here's a quick activity that I would like to share -- it's a differentiated symmetry sort.  I used this in first grade the past couple years, but it seems that symmetry is no longer a first grade standard under Common Core.  In fact, I didn't see any mention of symmetry until fourth grade.  Still, I'm sure that some of you will find this useful.

The students carefully cut out the shapes, then fold to determine symmetry.  They sort the shapes into symmetrical and non-symmetrical.

There are three sets of shapes.  The most difficult one contains more intricate shapes, and the least difficult one shows the students where to fold.  I told my students that I wanted to have a variety of work to hang up, and that's why their shapes were different.  They thought that was a great idea.  Got to love first-graders!

When they are done, the students complete the word problem and create an addition sentence to determine the number of shapes in all.

You can download the activity HERE for free on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Writer's Checklist Bulletin Board

This is a quick share of one of my classroom resources.  Last year, I saw this great writing bulletin board here on The First Grade Parade.  You can print out her version there.  I made my own to match my blue and green color scheme.

I try to make sure that every space in my classroom is covered with something functional, and this definitely fit the bill.  It's easy for first-graders to refer to and understand, and it helps them check their own work before bringing it to someone else for editing.  I noticed much stronger sentences after I put up this display.