Planting "Fuzzy" Creatures

Here's a fun way to wind down our unit on soils.  Students have created their own "fuzzy" creatures.  Here's a list of items you need:

• soil
• grass seed
• knee high nylons (one per creature)
• spoons
• baggies
• measuring cups
• pans or trays
• spraying water bottle
• pipe cleaners, toothpicks or googly eyes

1.  Give each child one full cup of soil.  Add 2 heaping spoons of grass seed to each cup of soil.  Place soil and grass seed in baggies that can be zipped.

2.  Have students mix the soil and grass seed together.  Make sure the baggie is zipped tight and have students shake until thoroughly mixed.

3.  Scoop mixture into knee high nylons.  Spritz water when nylon is filled half way.  Add more mixture.

4.  Seal nylon with a pipe clear.  Decorate creature with embellishments.

5.  Place creature on tray.  Spritz with more water.

6.  Place creature in direct sunlight.  Sprintz daily.  Soon enough you'll have your own fuzzy creature. 

Summer Blog Hop

Hi everyone!  I'm super excited to be taking part in this summer blog hop.  It's my first one ever.  Thanks to Rachael Parlett from The Classroom Game Nook for starting this! 

I don't know about you but it has been a very long academic year.  I am looking forward to summer this year.  Here's a few things I'd love to share with you:

1)  I plan to create some resources for my classroom.  Last summer I began creating my own clip art.  Earlier this year, I invested in an iPad.  I have learned to create some fun images to add to my new product covers.  Here's one of my favourites:    

2) A huge patch in my garden awaits me.  Last year we had skunks living under our garden shed.  At one point, they were very comfortable coming out during the day.  We had to remove the shed because our problem became progressively worse.  My husband blamed it on my "welcome" sign on the garden gate!  Here are some of my favourite flowers in my garden:

3) I often have a short getaway.  I love NYC.  Although it won't be there this summer, I can't wait to visit again.  I may take a road trip instead.

4) I started taking Barre classes last summer and love them.  I would love to explore some other fitness classes too.  It's on my "to do" list.        

Here's my flash freebie located at my TpT store.  Just click on the image and it will take you there. Get it while you can.  It's only available until May 29th. 

Ends May 29th 

This is a fun way to end your school year.  Students can write some poems that include acrostic, diamante, haiku, cinquain or free verse.  Templates are included.  You can even end the year on a fun note with a poetry cafe.  PLUS One product from my store.  Your choice!!!

Off to the next blog.  Happy summer!

Cross Curricular Math Writing

I have used cross curricular math writing tasks on several occasions with students from grades 3 to 6.  It has been welcomed with enthusiasm.  My goal is to give the students choice when writing.   

        Students are engaged in a cross-curricular activity that elicits creative thinking, research skills, application of the strands in Mathematics and creative writing.  Mathematics strands include:  Number Sense and Numeration, Measurement, Data Management and Probability, Geometry and Spatial Sense as well as Patterning and Algebra.  Please note that the content of my writing project aligns with the Ontario curriculum.  However, you are free to adapt this task as you see fit with your students or geographical location.  

        Here are two examples:  If Math Were a Sport and If Math Were an Animal.