1-2-3 Come Read Some Dr. Seuss Books With Me!

I totally agree with Dr. Seuss when he said: "You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child!" 

Reading to my young 5 students was my favorite part of our day. A time to relax and travel the world on all sorts of "ed-ventures" right there in our room, fueled by a splash of imagination. 

March was an especially fun reading month for us.  Our school celebrated March is Reading Month, took part in Read Across America, and had a Celebration of Seuss Week as well. 

I personally have a collection of over 40 Dr. Seuss books.  It was amidst this pile of fun, that I wondered just how many children's books Dr. Seuss had actually written. 

I thought the answer would be a no-brainer.  Simply Google my question and a number would pop up right?  Wrong! 

To my surprise, no one really quite agreed.  I found guess-timates from 40 to 60.  I couldn't even find a complete bibliography!  How could this be?  Hmmm...did I want to make the time to take up this challenge and figure it out for myself? 

My curiosity got the best of me.  Zillions of hours of research later, I have come up with the answer of 64 + 1.

I'm proud to present to you, a FREE copy of my alphabetical list of Seuss's books.

Finding and getting all of the covers on one page, was no small feat.

Since I was on a roll, I also wrote a synopsis for all of them, which includes all of the “stories” that were published as collections.  (A total synopsis then, of 79 works.)

Click this LINK to grab a free copy: Synopsis of 79 Seuss books/stories. 

(While doing research and discovering books and stories I had never heard of, I had to find and read them of course! Thus the "zillions" of hours, which was definitely time well-spent!)  I hope you think so too, and find it helpful.

So why the variety of answers? I think some of the discrepancies happen, because certain "counters" only include the books written under Theodore's pseudonym: "Dr. Seuss" and not those he wrote (but did not illustrate) under his pen name, Theo. LeSieg (Geisel, his real name, spelled backwards.)

A lot of lists also don't include the 2 books (The Seven Lady Godivas & You're Only Old Once) that he wrote for adults. (Most people don't even know that Seuss drew cartoons and wrote for an adult audience prior to writing children's books.)

Another, often "uncounted" Seuss, is the adorable little book "A Little Bug Went Ka-Choo", which he wrote under the pen name Rosetta Stone. What? Why on earth would he add yet another pen name?

It seems that Dr. Seuss was writing a book with Michael Frith. He didn't want to use his name on the book, so Mike suggested he use his wife's name instead. Audrey's maiden name was Stone.  Frith thought of Rosetta and the rest is history or not...

The rather expensive, The Many Mice of Mr. Brice, which was made into a 1989 pop up book: The Pop-Up Mice of Mr. Brice (Theo LeSeig) often escapes counting as well, perhaps because of the price.  If you're lucky enough to find a "new" one, you'll likely be shelling out over $300.

Counting confusion can also be attributed to the fact that Dr. Seuss wrote several books that were collections of stories.  Some of these stories were later made into separate books, like What Was I Afraid Of? which first appeared in The Sneeches.

Books like Daisy-Head Mayzie and My Many Colored Days, which were published after his death, also allude many lists. As with the other LeSeig books, he did not illustrate these.

Does the "to illustrate or not to illustrate?" add to the confusion? Perhaps; who knows what factors people use to make up a list of Dr. Seuss books. 

However, my research included them all, which resulted in 64 books!  So why does my cover page say 65?

Although Seuss did not write Horray For Diffendoofer Day, Jack Prelutsky, expanded and completed Seuss's original work, so I thought it only fair to include it in my count. After all, it features Miss Bonkers. a teacher.

Alas, just when I thought my counting was done...Oh no! Along comes another one! 

Random house announced that they will be releasing What Pet Should I Get? on July 28th, saying: "...it was likely written between 1958 & 1962." 

OK already! One book is fine, but that is not all! Oh no, that is not all...   

It seems that the publisher plans on at least two more books, based on mysterious manuscripts found in Seuss's home in La Jolla, California, by his widow and secretary. 

I wonder if one of those will be from Seuss’ unfinished manuscript “All Sorts of Sports,” which  sold at an auction in 2010 for $34,000? 

Could this be a "too good to be true" thing, or did Dr. Seuss, like most prolific writers, actually have the proverbial piles of paper, stuck like a book in every "cramped cranny and little nook?"

Be that as it may, I will not be up-dating my current lists anytime soon, at least not until they stop finding things “every-which-where".

Click this LINK to see all 30 of my quick, easy & fun Dr. Seuss-themed activities that I have in my TpT shop.

Thanks for visiting.  I'm off to take some aspirin and curl up with a good book. 

My brain feels as fried as Sam's green eggs and ham.  Wishing you a stress-free day.

"The more you read, the more you know, the more you learn, the more places you'll go!" -Dr. Seuss

1-2-3 Come Do A Valentine Storytelling Craft With Me

Do you read "There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Rose" by Lucille Colandro?

My students absolutely love this collection of stories, and they are perfect for practicing the “sequencing and retelling a story” standards.

If you don't have the book, and would like to familiarize yourself with the story, click this LINK to find it on YouTube.

With that in mind, I designed these quick, easy & fun storytelling "Slider" and "Wheel" craftivities that will help your students retell the story in the proper order.

Either craft is simple enough as a great addition to your Valentine’s Day party too.

First up, the "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose" storytelling SLIDER:

There are 4 “cover” options available:

• 2, little old lady "head options,
• a full-body granny, plus
• a rose. 

Pick your favorite or give children a choice.

All of them are easy-peasy to cut, as they are in a box shape; however, you can also choose to cut around the little old lady’s head.

I took pictures of both samples so that you can decide which you like best. 

There are also 2 size options available.

Both heads are bigger, with a larger "slider strip", while the rose & granny's body are smaller (on a half page). They have a smaller "slider strip" as well. 

You decide which best suits your students' abilities.

Children color, cut & glue their slider strips together, then insert it into the “slits” of their cover.

As they pull on the end of the “slider” the various pictures go through the “window”, so that children can take turns retelling the story to a partner.

I introduce the lesson by reading the story, then share my sample with the children.

We retell the tale together, using the picture prompts on the slider.

My students now know what’s expected of them, and are very excited to transition to making a “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose” slider of their own.

As always, both color, as well as black & white patterns are included.

For a quick, easy & interesting way to assess comprehension, there's a “Let’s sequence the story” worksheet, where students color and trim the picture tiles then glue them in the correct order on their worksheet.

Use the teacher’s colorful copy as a whole group sequencing activity,  by passing the cards out to your students. 

When you get to that part in the story, the child with the matching card, comes up & places it on the ordinal number mat. (Use magnet or Velcro dots to adhere the cards).

After the story, I pass the cards out to different children for a final review.

Remember to grab that teachable moment to practice ordinal numbers as well.

Both the Slider & Wheel packets include a “Here’s What Happened…” writing prompt worksheet, as another way to check comprehension, plus practice sequential writing.

Use the colorful template to do this as a whole group activity with younger kiddos, discussing beginning, middle & end.

Finally, the storytelling wheels are also a super-fun way for your students to practice the sequencing & retelling standards.

There are 3 wheel “cover” options to choose from.

Choose your favorite, or give students a choice.

When everyone is done, practice telling “There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Rose” using the manipulative.

Simply turn the wheel & call on a child to explain what’s happening in that graphic.

Afterwards, have students pick a partner and take turns retelling the story to each other.

Sometimes we do this with our older, reading buddies.

For more reinforcement, as well as another way to assess comprehension, I’ve also included 2, “color, cut & glue” puzzle worksheets.

Use the two, full-color versions for an independent puzzle center, where children arrange the pieces on a 5-piece pie grid.

There is puzzle for the first half of the story, plus another puzzle for the second half of the tale. To make this center self-correcting, number the pieces on the back using two different colors, which will make sorting easy-peasy.

Another super-fun thing for students to do is to play “Speed”.  Children pick a partner & race eachother to see who will be the first to complete their puzzle. 

Add to the fun by using a dice for the first puzzle. 

Whatever number a child rolls is the number that they put on their puzzle.

If they roll a 6 they lose their turn. 

When doing the second puzzle, children play with two dice, which will help practice simple addition.

Today's featured FREEBIE also has to do with Valentine's Day.

It's a simple, (rip & tear) "I love you to pieces" valentine card, that's lots of fun for your kiddos, while being a great way to help strengthen their finger muscles.

It's perfect for your valentine party day, and is generic enough so you can use it for Mother's Day, Father's Day or Grandparents Day as well.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.

We just had 5 inches of snow dumped on us, so it's time to do a bit of shoveling.

Wishing you a toasty & warm week. 

Click this LINK, and come join the fun on Face Book for my exclusive FREEBIES & Monthly GIVEAWAYS.

Check out my educational Pinterest boards by clicking HERE.

 "The Giving of love, is an education in itself." -Eleanor Roosevelt

1-2-3 Come Do Some 4 Seasons Activities With Me #3

"4 Seasons PUZZLE Fun"   is the 3rd packet in my "4 Seasons 4-Part Series". 

My Young 5 students really LOVE putting puzzles together.

I especially enjoy this quiet time activity, as they are practicing a variety of standards, while truly enjoying themselves. (On task & focused! Woo Hoo.)

With that in mind, I designed 5, different sets of puzzle activities, all of which can be turned into partner games as well.

Each set is based on the 4 seasons.

As always, I’ve included patterns in black & white for students to color, as well as colorful templates, so you can print on card stock, laminate & trim, then use for a seasonal puzzle center.

The packet includes these puzzle sets:

1. “Complete the Seasonal Scene”
2. “Out the Window: Peek & See”
3. “The BIG 4”
4. “Six-Piece Seasons on a Roll”
5. 10-Piece “Spin to Win”

1. If your students are like mine, they will enjoy the "Complete the Seasonal Scene" puzzles.

There is a 3-part puzzle for each of the 4 seasons.

Students color their worksheet, including the seasonal word, then draw something in each of the 2 scenes.

For example, if you look at my completed "Summer" picture, you'll see I've added a boy jumping into the pool and a beach ball to one of the scenes. I drew a happy sun in the other.

When children are done with their worksheet, they cut on the dashed lines, then glue to a colorful sheet of construction paper.

As you can see by my photo, it's up to children to decide how they want to glue on their pieces. The seasonal word can appear at the top, middle or bottom of their  scenes. 

2. "Out the Window Peek & See" puzzles are also a lot of fun. There is one for each of the 4 seasons.

Students color the view out of their window, then cut on the dashed lines.

I've also included a different set of window scenes in color to use in a center.

To make these into a game, children pick a puzzle & a partner. They take turns rolling a dice.

• If they roll a 1-4 they place the matching numbered picture on the puzzle base.
• If they roll a 5 they lose their turn. If they roll a 6 they have to remove one of the pieces already placed on their puzzle base.
• The 1st one to complete their puzzle is the winner.
  

3."The Big 4" is my personal favorite.

I've included a colorful set of adorable bears dressed for each season.

Simply print on card stock, laminate & trim, to make a cute puzzle center.

Students can also use a dice, as explained above, to make this a game as well.

I used simpler graphics, for a black & white "Big 4" version, so students can easily color & make their own. 

4."6-Piece Seasons On a Roll" is played as a game too. 

After students color the seasonal object & cut on the dashed lines, they pick a partner & take turns rolling the dice; only here, since there are 6 pieces, a roll of #5 or #6 is not a penalty. 

Students simply place that numbered piece on their puzzle grid/base. 

For simple coloring, there is only one, large graphic per picture.

5. The final set of seasonal puzzles is called "Spin to Win".

They will help students practice their counting skills, as children can count by ones to 10, or skip count by 10s to 100, while they assemble these 10-piece puzzles.

As with the "Big 4" puzzles, I have made 2 different sets. The one in color is a more complicated seasonal scene, while the black & white ones depict a nice big graphic for little ones to color.

For added fun, the super-cute, BW version, has students draw a face on the child to depict if they like that season or not.

To make things more personal, I've included graphics featuring girls, and another set with boys.

To play the game, children pick a puzzle, partner & matching seasonal spinner; then take turns spinning, placing that numbered puzzle piece on the base. 

I use a paperclip, which is held in place by a pencil, for my spinner.

Since this article highlights puzzles, I thought  a set of apple-themed, number puzzles would be appropriate for today's featured FREEBIE.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Wishing you a wonderful week, filled with giggles galore.

"When educating the minds of our youth, we  must not forget to educate their hearts as well." -Dhlai Lama

1-2-3 Come Do Some 4 Seasons Activities With Me #2

If you've read Part 1, of this now "4-Part Seasonal Series", you know that I began with a "4 Seasons, Look Out the Window" writing prompt craftivity.

As always, my brain kicked into hyper-drive & I had a zillion ideas jotted on sticky notes, that literally covered my desk!

(Not quite as crazy as the photo, but right up there!)

They were notes for all sorts of additional (4 seasons) fun activities, which included an assortment of games & puzzles.  

Striving not to overwhelm anyone (including myself), I decided to make a separate packet featuring just games.

Well... after 56 pages I still had enough sticky notes left for (can you believe) 2 more packets! Thus a 4-part series.

"4 Seasons Fun Games & Activities" includes 25, quick, easy & super-fun games & activities, all with a 4 seasons theme.

You’ll find graphing activities, puzzles, center activities, real photographs of the 4 seasons & posters; as well as 30, mini picture cards for each season, plus lots of games.

The "Looking Out Of A Seasonal Window" center, pairs perfectly with the matching, writing prompt packet from my 1st "4 Seasons" blog article.

Here I've printed the "empty" windows on card stock, then before I laminate them, I cut out the window "pane".

After laminating, the cellophane acts as a glass-like, see-through "window". 

Children have 2 sets of "seasonal views" that they place behind the windows. 

One features clip art graphics, while the other is a photo of a real season.

This can be one, easy-peasy center, where children match the view to the appropriate window, as each window sill is designed with some seasonal graphics to give children a clue.

Another way to use the windows is with the "seasonal sorting" activity.

There are 120 mini, picture tiles, (30 for each season), which depict seasonal items.

Print on card stock, laminate & trim.

Children pick X number of tiles, sort them, then put them in a "pocket envelope" under the matching window.

I keep this game in a file folder (patterns included), then tuck everything into a large, ZipLock Baggie.

Besides these center games, I've also included a list of 21 other games, along with directions & additional playing pieces for more, 4-season fun.

If your students are like mine, they will love playing “Flip It”, “Feed the Monster”, “Tally Ho”, “Graph It Up”, “What’s Missing?” and “Who Took the Season?” to name just a few.

Use them for table top, early finishers, partner games, whole group activities, a sub tub, or centers. 

After I designed the "photo windows" for the initial center, I diddled around for several hours making a photo collage for each season.

I think these posters turned out pretty amazing, if I do say so for myself. 

You can use them to introduce your lesson, then incorporate them in a 4 seasons bulletin board or seasonal display.

For a fun review of the seasons, hold up a photo poster & ask students which season is being depicted. Continue with a discussion of what the photographs in the collage have in common, what types of weather is happening, and how should people dress during this season.

I also made a specific header card for each one.  These can be used in a matching game, or use the "dashed line" patterns to make puzzles.  They are also great for your word wall or pocket chart. 

Since it's winter, I thought a penguin activity would be fun for today's featured FREEBIE.

These "shapely penguins" are one of my students favorite activities, and such a fun way to teach shapes.  Completed projects turn out absolutely adorable.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." -Albert Einstein

"

1-2-3 Come Do Some 4 Seasons Activities With Me #4

"4 Seasons Writing Prompt Circle Puzzle Craftivities" is the final packet in my "4 Seasons 4-Part Series".

I hope you enjoyed learning about the new things I've been designing, to help my students have fun with the 4 seasons.

This Packet Includes:

• 5 circular PUZZLES
• WRITING prompts, with lined & unlined patterns
• 2 GRAPHING extensions
• “4 Seasons Scoot to a Corner” GAME and …
• “Are You Listening?” Whole group ASSESSMENT activity.

* Puzzles:

To immerse little ones in becoming familiar with the 4 seasons, I’ve included a 4-part circle puzzle. There’s a puzzle piece that represents each season.

Children place the appropriate piece on the labeled base. In no time at all my students are able to actually "read" these words!

As always, I’ve included a black & white version, so that students can make their own 4 seasons puzzle.

Besides this puzzle, there’s also a colorful collection of 4 puzzles depicting each season separately.

For example, in the photo on the right, each of the 4 pieces have items that are seen in the fall.

* Just For FUN!

My kiddos actually beg to play the “4 Seasons Scoot to a Corner” game. It’s a perfect “calm down” activity for the end of the day. Super-easy, a ton of fun & takes only a few minutes. Bonus: Students are really quiet! Woo Hoo.

* Are You Listening?

I designed this because “Listening & Following Directions” is one of our report card standards. This is a quick, easy & fun way to leave a “paper trail” proving if your students do or don’t.

This whole group activity also acts as an assessment, checking students' understanding of the 4 seasons.

* Let’s WRITE!

“Winter? Spring? Summer? Fall? Which is your favorite season of them all?”

My kiddos absolutely love sharing their opinions, so when I turn those into a writing prompt, they are excited to get right down to business.

Students have a choice of writing about their favorite or least favorite season (you could also do both & use one as a homework assignment).

I’ve included a “seasonal circle” to use as a “topper” where students can draw a picture, which represents some part of their writing.

There’s also a graphing extension you can do afterwards.

* More Options:

Instead of, or in addition to, students can complete the “I like to…” writing prompt, which involves all 4 seasons.

As you can see by the photo on the right, I’ve included “toppers” as well as “banner bottoms” to add extra pizzazz to their work.

The photograph also shows the various levels of writing. Younger students can write or dictate simple sentence answers, while older kiddos can add more descriptive words.

Students can also choose to use the circular puzzle pattern for their "topper" or a square version, pictured on the left. Note that I've topped the square off with a semi circle, which can be seen in the middle picture to the right.

Completed projects make a cute bulletin board or hallway display.

I’ve included a “Sensational Seasonal Writing!” poster to highlight children’s work.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a 100 Day "Rip & Tear" craftivity.

Completed projects turn out quite amazing. My Y5s really enjoy creating this colorful 100.

We do it as one of our many 100 Day centers.   

Well that's it for now. Thanks for stopping by.

We have about a foot of snow here in Michigan, which puts me in the mood to design some wintry stuff. 

Wishing you a creative & cozy day.

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin Franklin

1-2-3 Come Do Some 4 Seasons Activities With Me #1

 Sometimes when I sit at my desk with a simple idea, my mind morphs it into a bajillion others.

These ideas often come so fast, that if I don't quickly jot them down, my senior brain loses them a moment later.

After working over a week on my newest "4 Seasons" packet, which involves glancing out a window, I realized that this could easily be divided into two packets.

One with the writing prompts, the other with extra games & activities.

Concentrating on just the writing aspect, would be less overwhelming; so Woo Hoo here's packet #1: "4 Seasons Window Craft Writing Prompt".

No matter what the age, the 4 seasons are a super-fun topic.

We all have glanced out of a window, often succumbing to daydreaming a bit, especially if the view before us, is a summer beach scene, or one filled with gently falling snow.

With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to design a seasonal window, where students could write about what they saw, and then illustrate their thoughts.

This activity is very versatile and easy to diversify your lessons. 

Option #1. A booklet: Depending on your students'writing ability, your seasonal booklet can be 5-9 pages long. 

For younger kiddos, I simply staple the 4, seasonal window pages to the cover to make a 5-page booklet.

They write one sentence under the window, then illustrate & color their windowpane.

I've included my sample on the left, which you can use to explain what you want your students to do. 

During the beginning of a season, we complete that page.  I start with fall and end with summer.

This makes a nice keepsake at the end of the year, which should show improvement in coloring, penmanship & writing ability.

For older students, include the additional writing prompt page, which features seasonal graphics.

Students begin writing under the window worksheet, then continue on the additional graphic-themed page.

There are blank, as well as lined templates to choose from.

Students can either illustrate their window FIRST, then write sentences about what they drew; or they can think about various fall things, then write their sentences on the separate seasonal paper.

Then, afterwards, they go back and illustrate their window, referring to their writing.

You can include these extra writing pages, to make a 9-page booklet, or simply use each of the 4 seasonal windows as a separate activity, then hang up the completed projects on a bulletin board or hallway display. 

To display, students glue their illustrated window, to the top of their completed writing paper.

I’ve included a cover if you want to make a booklet, plus several posters to enhance your display, if you choose to do 4, separate writing prompt craftivities.

So that teachers can quickly & easily make examples to share, I've included colorful scenes for each seasonal window, along with a completed writing prompt for each one.

Also included, are checklists for students to jot down ideas, as well as 4-part graphic organizers, which will help students organize their thoughts.

There's also a rubric.

A 3-on-a page, BW one for students (boy & girl options to make it more personal) as well as a colorful poster to introduce the lesson, then hang so students can refer to it.

I use these all the time, as they truly help jump start and improve writing.

Today's featured FREEBIE is also about the 4 seasons. 

It's a sweet set of seasonal posters, one of which combines all of the seasons in one silly picture, which students can label.

I hope you find them useful.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

"One of the most beautiful things about learning, is that no one can ever take it away from you." -B.B. King

1-2-3 Come Do Some Christmas Writing With Me

I love diddling around with a “play-on-words” and since my students especially enjoy Pete the Cat stories, I thought it would be fun to make some writing prompts using the word “Purr-fect”.

Whenever I toss a bit of craftiness into a writing prompt, my students can’t wait to get down to business.

With that in mind, I designed 6 cat-themed picturesinside a semi-circle.

As always, patterns come in black & white for students, as well as full-color, so that teachers can quickly & easily make an example to share.

Five of the six patterns feature a blue cat, while the 6th is a brown-colored cat. 

Children of course can color their cats however they want.

The semi-circle shape makes it easy-peasy to cut, then glue to the top of their writing prompt once they color it.

A semi-circle may be a new concept for some students, so be sure & grab that teachable moment to explain this interesting 2D shape.

I’ve included 2 sizes of paper, with lined & unlined options.

Both are trimmed with a snowflake border.

There are 3 writing prompts to choose from.

Pick your favorite or give students a choice.

I've also included a blank template, so that students can write about something else. 

"A List of Things for a 'Purr-fect' Christmas" is especially simple and provides practice for the "make a list" writing standard.

I've included my sample in the packet.

Younger students can simply make a Christmas card using the “Wishing you a purr-fect Christmas” greeting topper, which they glue to their snowflake-bordered paper.

This paper becomes the center portion of their craftivity where they write their name.

For that finishing touch, they can color, cut & glue a "dangler" to the bottom.

To add even more variety, there are 5 different “danglers” for students to choose from.

These are glued to the bottom of their writing prompt paper.

These too, come in black & white, plus color.

I've featured 3 different creative font options as well.

Besides the “humped” toppers, I’ve also included a “chimney cat”.

He’s peeking out from the rooftop.

The writing prompt papers for this craft are blank, allowing students to write whatever they want.

Students could also pick one of the writing prompts that are part of the other craftivity. 

In my sample, I kept things simple and made it a sweet Christmas card.

For that finishing touch, students can add a single set of bricks (left photo) or a double stack (right photo) to the base of their writing paper.

Because they are so different, you could stretch the lesson and have students do a semi-circle writing prompt craftivity, then for another day, have them make the chimney cat Christmas card.

Completed projects make a sweet December bulletin board or hallway display.

I’ve included a poster to add some extra pizzazz.

This activity pairs really well with my quick, easy & fun, cat-themed Christmas ornament packet. Click the LINK to take a look.

Today's featured FREEBIE is also a Christmas card activity.

Since Christmas Around the World is a super-fun way to get some geography into your December lessons, I thought making a "Christmas Around the World" greeting card would be fun. Click the LINK to grab your copy.

Well that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.

December is flying & I still don't have all my decorating or shopping done! Do you?

My feet have certainly hit the floor running this morning. Wishing you a fun-filled & stress free week.

"Heal the past; live the present; dream the future." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Make a Christmas Ornament With Me

If you’re looking for a quick, easy & super-fun little craft for your students to make, I think you’ll enjoy these cool cat ornaments to help wish someone a “Purr-fect” Christmas.

My Young Fives love anything with animals, especially a cool blue cat, so I thought making a Christmas ornament would be entertaining.

You’ll love the versatility of this activity as there are 5 options, which fit a variety of ages, grade levels & abilities.

With 20 cat-themed balls to choose from, there is plenty of variety too.

As always, patterns come in black & white for students, as well as full color, so that teachers can quickly & easily make an example to share.

Making a sample, not only helps you explain what you want your students to do, it acts as a catalyst for excitement.

 If your students are like mine, be prepared for many of them to ask, "Can we please make another one." Woo Hoo!

Besides the pictures, I’ve also included two “greeting” ball options, plus a blank version, so that students can draw their own picture, glue on a school photo, or write their own greeting.

The options?

1. Keep things super-simple & have students color & cut out a single cat ball, then flip it over and add a greeting to make 1 flat ornament.

I always like to tuck a little something in my students’ back packs as a surprise.

“Paper love” is an inexpensive but truly thoughtful gift, and this simple flat ornament is really easy to make a class set of. 

I made 20 in just half an hour. You could also add their school photo & then laminate. 

Pick one of the designs for their ornament from you, then run off the other cat pictures for them to make one of their own. 

Punch a hole in the top, and tie with a yarn loop. Voila! You're done.

2. Another option is to make the ornament a “flip up”.

Here you choose a cat ball to color & cut out, then add a dab of glue to the top of a "greeting" ball, then press the cat ball on top. 

You could also include a blank ball as well, or instead of the greeting.

3. The third option is an “Ornament Dangler” involves 3 ornaments glued together vertically, with a greeting centered on the back.

Grab that teachable moment for vocabulary building, as some children will not be familiar with the terms vertical & horizontal.

Completed projects look amazing swirling & twirling from the ceiling.

Plus the dangler, still neatly folds up for safe travels home in a back pack.

4.  My personal favorite option is the  three-part, 3D ornament.

Although a 3 dimensional ornament looks a bit tricky, I think you'll find that after you make a sample of your own, you'll see that they are really quite simple to put together.

I twirled the ornament around, so that you can see all 3 cat pictures, which make one-3D ornament.

Whenever I want to do something a bit more complicated with my Y5s, I enlist the help of our 3rd grade reading buddies.

My littles get the one-on-one help that they need, plus it's a great experience & self-esteem builder for the older students.

If you do this, make sure you have ornaments for the older kiddos to make one right along with their younger partner, for they will be just as excited to make a cool cat ornament of their own.  

5. Finally, a four-part 3D ornament, is assembled just like a three-part one, so it's pretty easy too. 

A 4-part ornament involves just one more step; gluing the 4th ball to the ornament. Here I added a "greeting" ball to 3 cat pictures. 

I had an absolute blast designing this craftivity & making my samples.  I hope you enjoy making some ornaments too.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a sweet "Rip & Tear" snowman craft.

Ripping and tearing strips of paper is not only fun for your kiddos, it's a terrific way to help strengthen their finger muscles. 

Completed projects turn or amazing and make a "snow" special bulletin board or hallway display.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for popping in.

Gotta run and get ready to watch this evening's Christmas parade. Several of our grandchildren will be in it!

Wishing you and yours a “purr-fect” holiday season, brimming with a ton of fun. 

"Try to learn something about everything and everything about something." -Thomas H. Huxley

11 pages.

Are your students a bit energized throughout December, in anticipation of the holidays? Mine certaily are!

1-2-3 Come Do Some Simple Behavior Management Activities With Me

No matter what grade I taught I always saw a change in behavior the last week of November, particularly if we had a dusting of snow on the ground.  

Children were even more energized and chatty.  You could feel an excitement in the air.  Attention spans became shorter, while the need to wiggle increased.

Not one to squelch excitement, I wanted to transfer that energy into enthusiasm for wanting to behave appropriately.  

With that in mind, I designed this packet of behavior modification activities, which are quick, easy and fun.

Students are engaged, on task & focused, which creates a calmer and quieter classroom.  Woo Hoo!

This packet includes TEN of my tried & true “sanity savers”, which really help promote great behavior!

Choose just one, or do a variety throughout December & January.

Beautiful Behavior “Color Me” Booklet:
Coloring is a calming activity, easy-peasy for teachers to “print & go” and helps improve hand coordination at the same time strengthening finger muscles.

In this 6-page booklet, children earn the privilege of coloring in a section of the picture because they finished an activity, transitioned quietly, helped clean up etc.

As with all of the activities you decide the behavioral goals.

I've also included CRAFTIVITIES:
“Dash-und” Through the Day…
I enjoy play-on-words and my students love dogs,  so “Dashund” for “Dashing through the snow” seemed a fun combination.

The Weiner or Dachshund dog craftivity is a simple “behavior chart” with all of the “pieces & parts” on a one-page pattern.

Tree-mendous Behavior:
“You’ve Been Decorated!” is a construction paper pine tree, trimmed with hole-punched (good behavior) garland strips.

Children earn a hole punch for whatever goals & behavior you decide upon; such as completing an assignement, gettins 100% on a spelling test, helping clean up etc.

“Glittering & Sparkling Behavior”
Students earn the privilege to color a lightbulb on the snowman’s string of lights.

The strand spells out BEHAVIOR.

After the picture is completed, some sparkling glitter is added to celebrate.

If your kiddos are like mine, glitter is a real "hot button", making it a great motivating incentive.

Brrr-illiant Behavior:
A snowman peeks in to check on a flurry of snowflakes; each one symbolizing great behavior.

All 18 snowflakes on the individual  “tiles” are six-sided but different, so take that teachable moment to reinforce that bit of science.

All of these craftivities when completed make sweet bulletin boards, so I’ve included a variety of posters to enhance your displays.

Whole Group Activities:
A Sweet Treat Is Coming Our Way!
T.E.A.M is an acronym for “Together Everyone Achieves More!”

This behavior management activity has a poster featuring a large mug of hot chocolate.

There's one featuring a 10-frame or, if you want to extend the activity & make it last longer, there's also  a 20-frame bracket.

Students work together as a whole group to earn a “marshmallow” tile, decorated with a snowflake.

You can also add real mini marshmallows with a glue dot.

TREATS:
Is similar to the hot chocolate team effort. 

Here everyone also works together, but the class is earning letters. 

Once they spell TREAT or TREATS everyone earns whatever treat you decided on. 

This could be a sticker, trinket, candy, extra recess, extra free play, a game etc.

4-Corners Gingerbread Shape Game:
This is one of my students’ all-time favorite games, so it’s often asked for to be the “TREAT” for the above letter game.  It’s also known as the “Quiet Game” so it’s certainly a win-win for me.

Freeze & Melt Game:
A super-fun way to “get the wiggles out!”

Easy-peasy for teachers to implement; takes just a few minutes, and your students will really enjoy this activity so much, that if they are like mine, they'll beg to play the "Snowflake Sun" game.

I Treasure Good Behavior:
Even if you don't have a "treasure box" in your classroom, it is truly worth bringing in a tub or box filled with goodies for the last week of November; then keeping it visible through at least the first week of January.

My students absolutely LOVE getting to pick something out of the treasure box. 

It's truly one of my most successful motivational tools in promoting exceptional behavior.

I fill mine with trinkets from The Dollar store, cool pencils & gel pens, plus stuff I pick up at garage sales.

I also send a note home to parents informing them of this activity and ask for donations from a list of "treasure" suggestions.

Students need to earn 10 tickets which they “cash in” for a trip to the treasure box. (This way I could keep recycling my tickets!)

Children are responsible for taking care of their tickets as well as counting them, which practices math skills as well as valuable life skills.

Today's featured FREEBIE is a "Wishful Thinking" writing prompt craftivity.

"If money were no problem and I could have 5 super-fabulous gifts for Christmas, I'd like..."

This craftivity also makes a lovely December bulletin board too.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by. 

It's my sincere hope that something in my "teacher's bag of tricks" will be equally successful & enjoyed by your students as well.

"Children must be taught HOW to think, not WHAT to think."  -Margaret Mead