Free "App" of the Week

Every week, I try to include a FREE educational app in my weekly newsletter.  I introduce the app to my students at the beginning of the week.  When they visit the iPad Center during the week, they have a chance to play that particular app.  At this point in the year, I actually "lock" my iPad so they only have access to play that one app.

Click here to find out how to lock your iPad so children can only play one app.

Click here to download this week's FREE app.  

Turkey Words

Thanksgiving Plays

     

      During my fourth year of teaching, I saw two Thanksgiving Plays in a teacher resource book.  I immediately copied them, passed them out, and told the students to memorize their lines.  At that time, it didn't even occur to me to tell them to wear costumes.  My-oh-my.... times have changed!

      Over the years, I've made many changes to my Thanksgiving Plays.  At one point, I decided to create my own plays based on those "original" two plays.  I've added different parts to fit the size of my class.  I've added a little humor.  I've added costumes.  I've added props.  

      Every year gets a little better.  I pass out the plays the day after Halloween.  Everyone has at least three lines.  The students are told to memorize their plays.  Students are told to wear costumes.  (I've actually had quite a few costumes donated over the years, so I happily pass those out to the students that need them.)  Parents and families are invited to watch the performances.  I also invite my administration to view the plays.  It really is quite impressive if I do say so myself.

Click here to view this year's plays.

       

Thanksgiving Mad Libs

Are you looking for a fun and educational Thanksgiving activity to do with your students?  Look no farther!  I found a really cute Thanksgiving Mad Libs on Pinterest for FREE.

Click here to download your copy.

Click here to download a worksheet I created so students can record their answers without looking at the actual story.  

** I have found that students that look at the Mad Libs story before completing the assignment never turn out as funny as the spontaneous answers. 

Enjoy!

Turkey Recipes

Calling all cooks......

Have you ever asked your students about cooking a turkey?

Go ahead..... ask them.... and then you'll fall over laughing.  

Most students think you cook a turkey in an oven set to 15 degrees for only 30 minutes.  If only.....

Every year, my students write a recipe for a Thanksgiving turkey.  The less they know, the funnier the directions turn out to be.  

My students write a rough draft on notebook paper.  I edit them before they write a final draft on "fancy" stationary I created. 

Afterwards, I adhere it to brown construction paper and laminate.  I don't laminate a lot of things, but these are too cute to pass up!  Or, you could collect all the final drafts and create a class book titled, "Our Turkey Recipes."

Click here to grab the Turkey Recipe FREEBIE.

  

Let's color a turkey!

I know coloring might be frowned upon in our days of teaching common core, but let's face it....... coloring is fun and frankly our students need a little fun every now and then.  I found this super cute turkey and (gasp!) let them spend time in class coloring it.  

(Click here to grab your copy of this cute turkey.)