Sunday, May 30, 2010

Memorial Day Wishes, Prayers, and Cards

Memorial Day Wishes and Prayers

Memorial Day is the last Monday in May each year in America.
Sharing with you the greatness of all Americans who have made us so proud! Sending a wish on Memorial Day to say...God Bless America and you!
Wishing you a Memorial Day filled with warmth, pride, and togetherness.
Remember all those who served our nation to protect our country with gratitude and pride.
Thinking of you on Memorial Day! Never forget! Ever Honor!

Click on the links below to send these cards for Memorial Day.

http://www.123greetings.com/events/memorial_day/wishes/memorial42.html


More Memorial Day Activities, Ideas, Crafts, and Music at:

Saturday, May 29, 2010

June Themes, Lessons, Ideas, Resources, Tips


Teacher Resources For Your Week

Teaching Tip: June Lesson Planning Tips
By: Teachnology Staff

Here are some themes and ideas to include in your June lessons.

This newsletter is brought to you by teachnology.com, the online teacher resource center.
More June and Summer Resources: http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/summerfun.htm

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

World Environment Day June 5 History-Activities-Crafts


World Environment Day-June 5

World Environment Day is a day that stimulates awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and public action on June 5. It was the day that the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment began. The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment was from June 5 to 16 of 1972. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 . The first World Environment Day was 1973. World Environment Day is hosted every year by a different city with a different theme and is commemorated with an international exposition.

"Stockholm was without doubt the landmark event in the growth of international environmentalism," writes John McCormick in the book Reclaiming Paradise. "It was the first occasion on which the political, social and economic problems of the global environment were discussed at an intergovernmental forum with a view to actually taking corrective action."

World Environment Day is similar to Earth Day.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Environment_Day

http://www.pittsburghwed.com/ Pittsburgh — A United Nations World Environment Day Host City

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/wed/ Crafts

http://www.first-school.ws/theme/special-days/world-environment-day.htm Activities and Crafts

http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Society/2008/06/world-environment-day-june-5th.html History and More Info

http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/earthday.htm Earth Day Theme

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Memorial Day Themes-Lessons-Crafts-Music


U.S.A. National Holidays:

February -
President's Day (observed third Monday)
June 14th -
Flag Day
May -
Memorial Day (observed last Monday)
July 4th -
Independence Day | Fourth of July
November 11th -
Veteran's Day

AMERICA'S WARS

Revolutionary War- 1775-1784
War of 1812
Mexican-American War- 1846-1848
Civil War- 1861-1865
Spanish American War- 1898-1902
World War I- 1917-1918
World War II- 1941-1945
Korean War- 1950-1953
Vietnam War- 1964-1975
Persian Gulf War I- 1990-1991
Persian Gulf War II (Iraq)- 2003-

Remember our fighting men!

Memorial Day began in the United States on May 30, 1868, after the Civil War had ended. Flowers were put on the graves of both sides, in order to help heal the nation. It was later expanded to include all men who had died in America's wars. It is now celebrated on the last Monday of May.

Memorial Day Music:

"The Star Spangled Banner"

"Stars and Stripes Forever"

"When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again"

"Battle Hymn of the Republic"

"Yankee Doodle"


Memorial Day Crafts and Resources:

http://www.first-school.ws/theme/h_united_states.htm USA Crafts

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/memorial-day/kids-crafts/ Crafts

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/memorialday/ Memorial Day Crafts

http://holidays.kaboose.com/memorial-day-remembrance-day.html Crafts

http://www.annieshomepage.com/memorialdaykids.html Kids Page

http://www.nea.org/tools/13569.htm Memorial Day Lessons NEA

http://www.teach-nology.com/themes/holidays/memorialday/ Theme Resources

http://edhelper.com/Memorial_Day.htm Theme Unit

http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/memorialday.htm Memorial Day Theme

"To live in the hearts of those you leave behind is never to die." ~Robert Orr~

Friday, May 21, 2010

National Transportation Week- May Lessons-Books



National Transportation Week May 16-22

National Transportation Week is a federal celebration observed during the month of May. During this week Americans discuss transportation and issues pertaining to the transportation industry. National Transportation Week is observed every year in May. National Transportation week is a great time to study transportation themes, such as travel, vacations, and modes of transportation.

Books:
Transportation in Many Cultures by Martha E. H. Rustad [Capstone Press, 2009]

We All Go Traveling by Sheena Roberts and Siobhan Bell [Barefoot Books, 2004]

How Will We Get to the Beach? by Brigitte Luciani and Eve Tharlet [North-South Books, 2003]

Big Book of Things That Go by DK Publishing [DK Children, 1994]

Shapes in Transportation by Tony Mitton and Ant Parker [Kingfisher, 2005]

Amazing Airplanes [Deny’s Cazet, 2005]

Cars and Trucks and Things that Go by Richard Scarry [Golden Books, 1998]

What in the World is Green Transportation? by Oona Gaarder-Juntti [Super Sandcastle, 2010]

If I Built a Car by Chris Van Dusen [Puffin, 2007]

Boats: Speeding! Sailing! Cruising by Patricia Hubbell and Megan Halsey [Marshall Cavendish Corp, 2009]

Yikes! Bikes! By Abby Klein and John McKinley [Blue Sky Press, 2006]

Source: http://www.ownadaycare.com/blog/national-transportation-week-preschool-reading-and-resource-list-free-car-truck-bus-worksheets

http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/k_2theme/travel.htm Travel by Land, Sea, and Air Transportation

http://www.first-school.ws/theme/transportation.htm Transportation Preschool Activities

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson064.shtml Planes, Trains, Automobiles Lessons

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/transportation.htm Transporation Theme Resources

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Types of Writing-Biography Day-May 20


Types of Writing Theme

We're sure you have read biographies and autobiographies (auto = "by the subject himself" bios = a life). It's time put yourself in the limelight; record the important facts and memories of your life. Don't write HIS-story, write your story.

Directions:

In the space provided below, discuss the facts about your life (i.e. birth/parents, things you have accomplished, your family history)

A biography is a type of nonfiction writing that tells the true story of another person’s life.

http://www.webenglishteacher.com/biography.html Autobiography, Biography, Personal Narrative, and Memoir
Lesson plans and teaching ideas

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Report Card Comments


100 Great Report Card Comments For K-6 Students

Are you using the same comments on your report card, and starting to feel like it is mundane work? Here are some great report card comments that you might consider using. When writing comments on a report card, the most important thing to remember is to be honest about a student's progress.

1. _____ is showing enthusiasm in his work.

2. _____ is using his free time constructively.

3. _____ uses her time wisely.

4. _____ has progressed wonderfully.

5. _____ is showing signs of leadership in the classroom.

6. _____ has great potential in _____.

7. _____ is a good citizen.

8. _____ is working to his full capacity.

9. _____ needs to improve skills in _____.

10. _____ needs to pay more attention.

11. _____ is working diligently on his _____.

12. _____ is learning to be a better listener.

13. _____ participates very well in class.

14. _____ is showing signs of independence.

15. _____ is still struggling with _____.

16. _____ wants responsibilities and follows through.

17. _____ has a better attitude.

18. _____ is a hard worker.

19. _____ has a winning personality.

20. _____ follows directions well.

21. _____ is steadily improving in _____.

22. _____ is following suggests to improve in _____.

23. _____ is eager to improve in ______.

24. _____ is cooperative in class.

25. _____ likes to volunteer in class activities.

26. _____ should be proud of his report card.

27. _____ is great at encouraging other students.

28. _____ works well with classmates.

29. _____ needs to improve her attention span.

30. _____ learns new spelling words quickly.

31. _____ has shown strength in _____.

32. _____ is a conscientious worker.

33. _____ has contributed to many class discussions.

34. _____ is anxious to please.

35. _____ has been disrupting the class lately.

36. _____ needs improvement in reading comprehension.

37. _____ is applying skills to all of his work.

38. _____ gets along well with her classmates.

39. _____ is cooperative.

40. I appreciate _____'s cooperation in class.

41. _____ is showing steady progress in overall academics.

42. _____'s quality of work is improving.

43. _____ is showing a desire to do better in _____.

44. _____'s grade level achievements are well maintained.

45. _____ is working well independently.

46. _____ acts responsibly in class.

47. _____ needs to work on his talking in class.

48. _____ is full of enthusiasm when it comes to _____.

49. _____'s sense of humor is enjoyable.

50. _____ has a stupendous attitude.

51. _____ does not work well with large group discussions.

52. _____ is not participating as I would've hoped.

53. _____ is able to grasp new concepts readily.

54. _____ may exceed _____ grade expectations.

55. _____ needs to develop a greater sense of responsibility.

56. _____ is quite mature in class.

57. _____ tries very hard in everything he does.

58. _____ has strong work habits in all areas.

59. _____ puts ideas in his head onto paper very well.

60. _____ is excelling in _____.

61. _____ demonstrates good reading habits.

62. _____ stays well organized in class.

63. _____ is able to organize her thoughts very well.

64. _____ seems to have extensive knowledge in _____.

65. _____ is struggling to keep up with homework assignments.

66. _____ needs to improve his work habits.

67. _____ is well mannered and respectful to me and other students.

68. _____ has adjusted to _____ very well.

69. _____ is capable of achieving higher than average in _____.

70. _____'s attitude makes it hard for her to get along with other classmates.

71. _____ is consistent in his efforts.

72. _____'s accuracy is failing because of unnecessary speed in written work.

73. _____ has a hard time following directions.

74. _____ consistently fails to finish independent assignments in _____.

75. _____ has the ability to comprehend, but needs to work more quickly.

76. _____ enjoys _____.

77. _____ listens carefully.

78. _____ is reading at a grade ____ level.

79. _____ has mastered _____.

80. _____ is very interested in reading.

81. _____ speaks clearly.

82. _____ is muffling words, making it hard to understand him.

83. _____ has confidence in her work.

84. _____ is able to speak effectively before the class.

85. _____ shares with others in the class.

86. _____ has a good understanding of vocabulary words, and is able to use them correctly.

87. _____ has a good attitude towards school.

88. _____'s work level is below average in _____.

89. _____ is easily distracted.

90. _____ turns in neat work that is done accurately.

91. _____ is not completing assignments in the allotment of time given.

92. _____ is especially good at _____.

93. _____ requires more supervision than expected at this grade level.

94. _____ needs encouragement to do things on her own.

95. _____ often completes assignments early.

96. _____ takes pride in his work.

97. _____ needs to concentrate better.

98. _____ cares about the other students in her class.

99. _____ does not work well without direct supervision

100. _____ is often tired during school hours

Keep in mind that you should elaborate on the things that you comment on. Parents/guardians appreciate tips on how they can help their child improve, if they failing at something. It also makes sense to tell the parents/guardians what you are trying in class to correct a situation, so they can do the same at home.

Source: http://www.worksheetlibrary.com/teachingtips/reportcardcommentselementary.html

http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/ More Ideas

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Teaching Quotes, Inspirations, Resources



EACH ONE TWEET ONE!!! PLEASE SIGN UP
FOR MY TWITTER PAGE
FOR NEWS ON WHAT'S HAPPENING!

I'd like to leave you with some thoughts on teaching I hold dear to my heart...

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. ~William Arthur Ward

A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others.
~Author Unknown

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.
~Henry Brooks Adams

More Teacher Quotes and Teacher Resources http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Teacher Tips

Works4Me
Ideas and tips by teachers, for teachers
5-10-2010 News

Flashcard Review


From Jessica Harris:

“My students created flashcards for science vocabulary and
content and put 2-3 definitions or statements on each flashcard.
I do a myriad of different activities with reviewing the cards to
keep the students on their toes. Today each student was given
10 snap cubes (for 10 flashcards) and paired with a partner.
When a student determined that the partner mastered a flash-
card, the partner earned a snap cube. The goal was to earn all
10 snap cubes. Later, the students exchanged the snap cubes
for small prizes.

Vocabulary Building Card Games


From Margie Latall, a substitute teacher in West Bend, Wisconsin

I recently discovered a series of books by Scholastic, Vocabulary
Building Card Games
! There are different grade levels, and the game
cards are reproducible, making it easy for teachers to use immediately.
The book I have from the library is for Grade 3, written by Liane B.
Onish, and it is a 2008 copyright. My local library also had Grade 2
and 5 available. Check it out!”


National Education Association http://www.nea.org/tools/31978.htm


Friday, May 14, 2010

Teachers: Planning Ahead for June


Teachers: Planning Ahead?
Here are some resources for teachers who are planning ahead:

June Lesson Plans
June Worksheets
June Teacher Helpers
June 2nd - the U.S. Civil War Ends in 1865.
June 3rd - the first U.S. Space Walk by Ed White in 1965.
June 4th - Henry Ford made his first operational car in 1896.
June 5th is World Environment Day
June 11th - Great Barrier Reef was discovered in 1770.
June 14th to 20th is Scientific Method Week.
June 18th - The first Trans-Atlantic flight by a woman in 1928.
June 20th is Father's Day and Bald Eagle Day
June 21st is Finally Summer.
June 23rd is Johannes Gutenberg birthday.
End of School Teacher Checklist
June Teacher Resources
End of the School Year

About Weekly Teacher Tips Issue 514: May 17, 2010
This newsletter is brought to you by teachnology.com, the online teacher resource center.

More Resources:
http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/summerfun.htm

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Armed Forces Day May 15-3rd Saturday


Armed Forces Day

"United in Strength"

Saturday, May 15, 2010

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.

On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense.

Source: http://www.defense.gov/afd/ Poster and History

Friday, May 7, 2010

Happy Mother's Day Poems, Cards, Crafts




My Mother
My Mother, my friend so dear
throughout my life you're always near.
A tender smile to guide my way
You're the sunshine to light my day.
Author Unknown


Roses, hearts, hugs, cakes, candy, and violets mean love on Mother's Day!

http://www.poemsource.com/mother-poems.html


http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/mothersday.htm

http://www.123greetings.com/events/mothers_day/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/mothersday/

Thursday, May 6, 2010

National Train Day Teacher Lessons-Books May 8, 2010


National Train Day May 8, 2010 Teacher Theme Resources-Lessons-Books

http://www.cprr.org/Museum/index.html Photography History Museum
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/04-1/lesson005.shtml Lesson-Harriet Tubman-Underground Railroad

Books:

Bee, William. And the Train Goes….Candlewick, 2007. Gr. Pre-1
Brown, Don. The Train Jumper. Roaring Brook, 2007. Gr. 5-8
Brown, Margaret Wise. Two Little Trains. Illus. by Leo & Diane Dillon. HarperCollins, 2001. Gr. Pre-1
Chall, Marsha Wilson. Prairie Train. Illus. by John Thompson. HarperCollins, 2003. Gr. K-3
Coiley, John. Train (“Eyewitness Books”). DK, 2009. Gr. 3-7
Crews, Donald. Freight Train. Greenwillow, 1978. Gr. Pre-2
Curlee, Lynn. Trains. Atheneum, 2009. Gr. 3-7
Goodman, Steve. The Train They Call the City of New Orleans. Illus. by Michael McCurdy. Putnam, 2003. Gr. K-4
Howard, Elizabeth Fitzgerald. The Train to Lulu’s. Illus. by Robert Casilla. Atheneum, 1988. Gr. K-3
Hubbell, Patricia. Trains: Steaming! Pulling! Huffing! Illus. by Megan Halsey & Sean Addy. Marshall Cavendish,
2005. Gr. K-3
Johnson, Angela. I Dream of Trains. Illus. by Loren Long. Simon & Schuster, 2003. Gr. 2-5
Lewis, Kevin. Chugga-Chugga, Choo-Choo. Illus. by Daniel Kirk. Hyperion, 1999. Gr. Pre-1
London, Jonathan. A Train Goes Clickety-Clack. Illus. by Denis Roche. Henry Holt, 2007. Gr. Pre-1
Meltzer, Milton. Hear That Train Whistle Blow!: How the Railroad Changed the World. Random House, 2004.
Gr. 6-9
Mills, Claudia. Gus and Grandpa Ride the Train. Illus. by Catherine Stock. Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1998. Gr. 1-3
O’Brien, Patrick. Steam, Smoke, and Steel: Back in Time with Trains. Charlesbridge, 2000. Gr. K-3
Piper, Watty. The Little Engine That Could. Illus. by Loren Long. Philomel, 2005. Gr. Pre-2
Rex, Michael. My Freight Train. Henry Holt, 2002. Gr. Pre-1
Rylant, Cynthia. Mr. Putty & Tabby Take the Train. Illus. by Arthur Howard. Harcourt, 1998. Gr. 1-3
Siebert, Diane. Train Song. Illus. by Mike Wimmer. HarperCollins, 1990. Gr. 1-4
Simon, Seymour. Seymour Simon’s Book of Trains. HarperCollins, 2002. Gr. K-4
Sobel, June. The Goodnight Train. Illus. by Laura Huliska-Beith. Harcourt, 2006. Gr. Pre-1
Sturges, Philemon. I Love Trains. Illus. by Shari Halpern. HarperCollins, 2001. Gr. Pre-1
Stutson, Caroline. Night Train. Illus. by Katherine Tillotson. Roaring Brook, 2002. Gr. Pre-2
Zimmermann, Karl. All Aboard!: Passenger Trains Around the World. Boyds Mills, 2006. Gr. 4-8




Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Happy Cinco de Mayo Day







Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for the 5th of May) marks the 1862 victory of the Mexican army over French troops at the Battle of Puebla. It has become a popular cultural holiday in the Southwest, even surpassing its importance in Mexico. The first thing one needs to learn about Cinco de Mayo is that it is not a celebration of Mexican independence. Mexican Independence Day (September 16) commemorates the start of the Mexican revolt against Spain in 1810.

Source:
http://www.surfnetkids.com/cinco_de_mayo.htm

Resources: http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/cincodemayo.htm

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Cinco de Mayo Theme-Lessons-Crafts-Activities



Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for the 5th of May) marks the 1862 victory of the Mexican army over French troops at the Battle of Puebla. It has become a popular cultural holiday in the Southwest, even surpassing its importance in Mexico. The first thing one needs to learn about Cinco de Mayo is that it is not a celebration of Mexican independence. Mexican Independence Day (September 16) commemorates the start of the Mexican revolt against Spain in 1810. Source: http://www.surfnetkids.com/cinco_de_mayo.htm

Mexican National holidays include: New Years, Day, Constitution Day, Flag Day, Benito Juárez's Birthday, Día de los Niños Heroes, Grito de Dolores, Independence Day, Las Posadas, Navidad (Christmas). Cinco de Mayo is not an official holiday except in the State of Puebla where the big battle took place. Holidays that are celebrations, though not official, holidays include: Day of the Holy Kings, Children's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Teacher's Day, All Saint's Day, All Soul Day, and Dia de los Inocentes. Source: http://www.web-holidays.com/mexican/ Some ads.

http://www.web-holidays.com/mexican/crafts/ Mexican Crafts

http://www.web-holidays.com/mexican/activity.htm
Activities-Hat Dance-Basic Spanish

http://www.tooter4kids.com/Mexico/index.htm
Mexico Unit

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/hispanic/index.htm
Hispanic Heritage

http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Holidays/Cinco/
Resources-Crafts-Songs-Activities

http://www.edhelper.com/Cinco_de_Mayo.htm
Theme Resources

http://www.surfnetkids.com/cinco_de_mayo.htm
Info and Much More

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/school/Mexico/Map.shtml Info
-Theme Units

http://www.teacherplanet.com/resource/cincodemayo.php
Cinco de Mayo Resources

http://mrscjacksonsclass.com/cincodemayo.htm
Resources Themes, Lessons, Crafts, Activities

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Space Day May 7, 2010 Crafts, Games, Activities



Celebrate Space Day
Although there are a number of Space Days (Florida Space Day was celebrated on March 3, 2010), the most well known is the one started by Lockheed Martin in 1997 that is celebrated on the first Friday of May. Today's links are in honor of the upcoming celebration of Space Day (May 7, 2010).
Source: http://www.surfnetkids.com/space_day.htm Space Day-Barbara Feldman

Find ideas for crafts, games, and other activities.
http://www.spaceday.com/ Space Day on May 7, 2010 Official Site
http://spaceplace.jpl.nasa.gov/en/kids/ Great Space Site for Teachers and Kids
http://www.surfnetkids.com/space_day.htm Space Day-Barbara Feldman
http://www.mrscjacksonsclass.com/spaceday.htm Space Day Lesson Plans, Projects, and Activities