Author: smartchickteacher

We created Non-Fiction Text Features posters in the classroom in order to review what they are and how they are used when reading non-fiction books. Each group was given a non-fiction book to use. The students marked pages that included one or more examples of the non-fiction text features (headings, sub-headings, diagrams, maps/charts, glossary, index, table of contents, pictures, etc.) and then I copied them. Once they had their copied pages, the students cut out the examples, and created the poster. For each example, the students had to write what the text feature was and how it is used.

They had loads of fun and they learned a lot about text features! A great review activity prior to state testing!

I am sure you are all aware that it is the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic this year! What a great opportunity to use primary sources, creative writing and even science around a topic that inspires curiosity in all of us! My kiddos are so into the Titanic that I have been buying up books on Amazon, looking for resources on-line and basically making myself crazy! On Scholastic’s website, there are some Titanic model building kits ($8 each) and loads of great books. We created timelines, fact or fiction posters (one of my students’ favorite activities), and artifacts using model magic.

A fact or fiction poster is pretty easy to make on ANY TOPIC! You need a sheet of 9 x 12 paper and 9 post-it notes (of any color). The students then write a fact or fiction sentence on the post-it note. On the paper underneath the post-it note, they write “fact” and give more information OR they write “fiction” and tell what the fictional statement should say. A great way to give kids loads of choice and to make an interactive bulletin board display!

Check out the pics!

Math Mats are what I use for my Friday review in math. I copy the two pages side by side on a sheet of 11 x 17 paper. Each week, I use a different food or candy item (in small quantities) and the students do mixed fact practice while enjoying the treat! Highly engaging and fun! Also includes a certificate (to celebrate mastery) and a list of optional extension projects (for those who finish early). These are a ton of fun! This one uses Lucky Charms Cereal!

Here is a link to a great FREEBIE Math Mat, perfect for this time of the year!

We used dark blue construction paper and bubbles to practice measuring the radius, diameter, and circumference of circles. Students blew bubbles on the paper, traces around the mark the bubble left when it popped and then measured the various parts. The kids had a lot of fun with this activity!

Helpful hint: Have the students stand up and lean over the paper so the bubble is blown straight down instead of at an angle!

This is the bulletin board display we created using the book, “Groundhog Day!” by Gail Gibbons and a set of projects I came up with for the book! The kids had a blast creating these! It looks great!  Here is a link to the project pack!

We made Non-Fiction Text Features Posters in class. They were a HUGE hit with the kids! Each group got a different non-fiction book and had to post-it note the locations of as many on-fiction text features as they could find. I copied the pages for each group and then they put the posters together. They had to label and define each text feature they found!

I also found this great FREEBIE resource about non-fiction text features. Click here for the link! It may take a minute to download, but the pages are worth it!

This bulletin board was put up by a colleague of mine! It is so adorable! It is pretty simple, just white paper and the title. The students have to fill out a sheet that tells how many they see and then they have to give facts about polar bears. Each student who participates gets a polar bear lollipop (click here for the link to Oriental Trading Company) and a certificate. The BEST ones get a stuffed polar bear from OTC. The kids are soooo excited about it! Click here for the FREE link to the idea sheets!

I have been looking at different lapbooks on Pinterest and other sites for awhile now. This is my first attempt at creating them in my own classroom! This is the one I made as I modeled it for my students. They LOVED it! We then used the lapbooks to complete a variety of challenge sheets on angles. It was great! It is an idea I will definitely try again! Click here for the site that has some FREE geometry sheets!

Another teacher in my school created these with her 4th graders for our great state of OHIO! They turned out great! The flaps made it super easy for the kids to put the information in sections. The sections she included on her flapbooks are:

Major Cities, Industries, Borders, Presidents and Symbols

You could allow the students to choose the sections they want to include!  Other possible sections are:

Basic Facts, Interesting Facts, Natural Resources, Plants and Animals, Government…

The possibilities are endless!  She used information from the Internet and books for the research.  I have a super inexpensive packet for students to use in order to create a state report.  Check out the link here!

I bought 20 plastic slinkies from the Dollar Tree ($1 each) and created two labs to do in science with them. The kids had an absolute blast trying to find the best angle. I just supplied a cardboard ramp to each group and let them have at it! Here is the link to the two FREE SCIENCE LABS! Enjoy!