Memory Verse Monday

Welcome back for
Memory Verse Monday!

If you're joining us for the 1st time, we're so glad that you're here!!
Our verse this week is Genesis 1:12.
I've been trying to go with an Earth Day/plants kind of theme.
Here are a few pictures from the FREEBIE pack.

coloring sheet

pre-writing activity

report writing sheet

word phrase cards for rebuilding the verse

(This also comes with 2 colored picture pages that you can copy on the back and 

use as an answer key when your students have finished building the verse.)

Click on any of the pages to pick up your FREE copy.

Don't forget to check out the FREE LOOT link at the top of the page for other fun FREEBIES.

Happy Monday!

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's SUPERWRITING! and a giveaway:)

Some bloggy friends and I got together and did a product swap so we could try them out on our kids and then share our results.  Well I got a SUPER one!!

I had the pleasure of using a writing packet that was created by my friend Martha
 over at Primary Paradise,
and I cannot even tell you how great it is.

It's called 15 Writing Lessons for Primary Grades.
It's a 186 page packet that includes 15 week long writing lessons.
There are so many creative and interesting topics such as....
My Robot, Locked in School, and Teacher For the Day
(topics my kids could really get excited about).

My FAVORITE was lesson 11... Superheroes!

Here is how it worked in our classroom.

Since we spent the last couple of weeks before our Spring Break exploring the rain forest,

I knew I wanted my kids to write about a superhero that saved the rain forest.

Day 1

We read several non-fiction books about the rain forest 

and emphasized the destruction that takes place there. 

My kids were appalled that people would cut down trees and leave the animals homeless.

By the end of our reading, they were READY to fight for the rain forests:)

I threw out the topic of a Super Hero, one that could save the rain forest.

What would he/she do if he saw someone destroying the rain forest?

What would he/she look like?

Would it be a person or an animal?

What super powers would they have that would help them?

Day one was strictly reading and discussing the possibilities.
(They have some SUPER imaginations.)

Day 2

To emphasize the topic of superheroes we read 2 great books by Tedd Arnold.

I know I will sound like I've been living under a rock, but I had NEVER read these.

I had no idea who Fly Guy was. I have been missing out!

Hi! Fly Guy is an introduction to their friendship, so I felt that I needed to read it.

(Turns out I didn't need to, they ALL knew about him:)

We then read Buzz Boy and Fly Guy. This book is PRECIOUS and was perfect for our lesson.

The 2 friends get kidnapped by YEP, PIRATES! I love that!

The duo then have to use their super powers to get away.

After reading the books we discussed their super powers and went back to our discussion about a super hero who saves the rain forest. We discussed all the powers we could think of. We made this chart to help us organize our thoughts.

We next spent a little time talking about what kind of character their super hero would be. 

Most of them chose animals or 1/2 person/1/2 animal. They were then ready to go draw their super hero and commit to a super power. Here are a few.

Day 3

Next we started on our writing plans.

Since they had already chosen their characters and we were all using the same setting and problem for our story, they just needed to start thinking of a few details about their villains and an ending for their story. They came up with some great ideas.

Day 4 

On Day 4 we were ready to write our rough drafts. The pre-writing activity from the packet really helped with this step. Their story was almost all thought out by this point.

As they finished, we worked on editing on day 4 and day 5.

Day 5

And that just left us with the final copies of our stories.

I LOVE how they turned out.

My kids and I really loved this writing activity!
Thank you Martha for sharing your SUPER writing packet.

And in case you hadn't heard, she has already written the sequel:)

Be sure to check out both of them at Primary Paradise or her TpT store!
(Click any of the pictures to make your way over to see her.)

And now for the exciting news......Martha has generously agreed to give away her
writing packet to 1 of you. Enter the rafflecopter below for your chance to win.
I know you will LOVE it as much as I do!
The winner will be announced next Sunday, April 14, 2013.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Reading Olympians Blog Hop

Get Ready for Bloggy Olympics!!!

Join The 3AM Teacher, the Reading Olympians, and over 80 SUPREME education bloggers as we take you through a tour of the Reading Olympians Root Study Program!!

I was so excited to try out this program in my 2nd grade classroom. 
Here is a quick look at some of our activities. 

We used the section called Jr. Poseidon. I chose this section because it contained exactly what we were supposed to be covering that week in phonics. Worked out great for us! 
It included the roots 

less, ful, graph, auto and tri.

We started out by viewing the included booklet "Making Words."

Rather than make copies of the book, I pulled it up on my computer and showed it to them on the big screen. The booklet was a great review of prefixes and suffixes and how to make words with each. I loved the puzzle pieces which are an excellent visual for students.

After reviewing the booklet, I divided the kids up into 5 small groups. I gave each group the root that would be their focus. I told them that they would be in charge of learning all about it and then teaching the rest of the class. 
(You know they love doing our jobs. LOL) 

Next, I gave out the chants (we called them raps, because who doesn't want to be a rapper?) and had them glue it on the back of their card. So they had their root on one side and their rap on the back.)

As they were practicing, I overheard a few of them already talking about words they knew that contained their root.

The next step was the journal & journal pages. 
(This journal is just a simple 3-pronged folder with the cover glued on and pages inserted.)

I had them complete the definition section and then go looking for words around our room that contained their root. They looked on all of our walls, asked their friends, and dug through dictionaries.  

They were very engaged and so excited when they came up with a new word to add to their word list. As they finished, I had them choose one of their words to illustrate on their journal page. The journal pages were then  added to the journals. 

Our next activity was making a graphic organizer. They each illustrated a small word card. Each picture was glued on chart paper under the correct root. (Wish I had made them label these with the words. Next time, right?) The organizer makes a super reference to hang in the room.

There is a worksheet included in the packet and I had them complete the worksheet to see how they were doing so far. I was thrilled to see that 16 out of my 17 kids scored at 100%.

And then, on to their favorite part.... each group took turns sharing their root, its definition, words from their lists, picture cards and last but not least, THE RAP! They thought this was the COOLEST!

They were great, attempting to use their best rapper imitations and keep the beat. Hilarious!

I had my students complete the quiz at the end of the study and I was happy to see that almost every child made 100%. 

I think Reading Olympians is a great packet. My kids were very engaged. They loved the activities, teaching each other, and especially the rapping! 

Hope you will check it out.

Discover the program IN ACTION in more K-6th grade classrooms as you Pass the Torch!! Get ideas, discover the progression of the program, and enter the Raffle for a chance to win ONE of the three prizes listed below!!

First Place Winner : Gold Medal

  Prizes: Complete Reading Olympians Program
            $50.00 Amazon Gift Card
            50% off Discount Code for a 1-Day shopping spree at The 3AM Teacher's Etsy store!

Second Place Winner: Silver Medal

   Prizes: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card
              40% off Discount Code for a 1-Day shopping spree at The 3AM Teacher's Etsy store!

Third Place Winner: Bronze Medal

    Prizes: 30% off Discount Code for a 1-Day shopping spree at The 3AM Teacher's Etsy store!

Pass the Torch!!!
Click the image below to visit the next blog

Kindergarten:



Grade 1 & 2






Grade 3 & 4






Grade 5 & 6


    a Rafflecopter giveaway

Take It and Make It!

Welcome Back for Take It & Make It with the 2nd Grade Pad.

This week I am featuring a product that's in my TpT store.

It's a Biblical unit focused on the military and it's called

I'm in the Lord's Army.

It features the children's song "I'm in the Lord's Army."

It includes printable copies of the book and many other posters and activities. 

Here's the preview.

The take it and make it for this week is the soldier pattern that is included in the unit.

Even if you don't teach in a school where you are allowed to use Biblical materials,

you could still use the soldier pattern with your military or other patriotic units.

Here are the steps......

I use the included paper pattern to make a sturdy pattern on card stock 

so that it’s easier to trace multiple copies.

(A GREAT tip that I learned from a crafty parent is to use empty cereal boxes to make patterns on.)

I also label the pattern pieces with the part name and the suggested color. That way, if I am having the students trace their own pieces they have that information readily available. 

Students (or I) use the patterns to trace each piece on the desired colors.  The next step is to cut them out. I never cut out pieces for my students unless they are very tiny.

My goal is not a perfect product that looks exactly like mine.

Since I do not cut for them it usually means that their final products have a LOT of characterJ

Next is the assembly. 

They could be assembled and glued onto a piece of construction paper (and then they could add a background if they wanted). 

Or they could just assemble the character.

Once it has been assembled, they can start adding details. 

On this one we tried to make a little camo.  (One year we found some camo wrapping paper and traced the pieces on that and they were very cool).

Finish up with whatever details they desire.

You could make green, blue or tan camo, or any combinations of army green/brown.

The hair could also be changed to match your students’ hair.

They are very cute lined up “military style” on a bulletin board display.

Hope you like it and will take a look at my unit.
Be sure to head back over to see Cynthia at the 2nd Grade Pad for some other great ideas.

Autism Awareness Month

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, I am linking up with some bloggy friends to bring tips, stories, and FREEBIES to help teachers of autistic children.

 I have a very special friend who is writing this post for you.

I am so excited that she has been willing to share her story with you.

 Hello, my name is Lynna Kay. I have a family of four. Joe is my husband;

Logan is our first born son; and Kylar is our youngest son.

 Logan has autism.

He was officially diagnosed at age four.

According to the website http://www.tacanow.org autism is:

"A devastating neurological and biological disorder that typically affects children between the ages in 18 months to five years of age. Autism currently affects 1 in every 88 children today. It is estimated there are over 1 million people in the United States alone with autism. Autism affects each individual differently and at different levels of severity. Some people with autism are severely affected, cannot speak, require constant one-on-one care, and are never able to live independently. While others who have less severe symptoms, can communicate, and eventually acquire the necessary skills to live on their own."

     When I was asked to share some of our journey with autism, I prayed about it.  God told me to write it, and share so that others would know what a parent of a special needs child endures.  It isn't all puppies and rainbows.  Families tend to feel alone, and like no one cares.  Perhaps this will help those who haven't been through a similar journey to better reach out to those trying to make it through.

     When Logan was first diagnosed, we had been to numerous doctors, speech therapists, occupational therapists and neurologists. We knew something wasn't "normal", but didn't really know how to put all of the pieces together to get an answer.  The first reaction we had, was actually relief! Relieved that we weren't crazy, that it wasn't our imagination being over active, and relieved to finally have an answer. Once you have a diagnosis of what is going on with your child, you know how to treat them. After the initial reaction of relief, we realized the severity of the diagnosis. Logan may never be able to communicate, read, write, or thousands of other things parents take for granted that their child will be able to do.  We had known he was "delayed" in skills at that point, but to know it was a lifelong diagnosis threw us into a state of grief that we survived only by the grace of God.  

     I had already stopped going to church when Logan was a baby. He screamed and cried most of the time, and that isn't something a church nursery or a new mom was equipped for.  I also saw all of the other babies that were born around the same time. They were sitting up, cooing, smiling and starting to reach all the milestones that Logan wasn't. To be around the other families and kids, was too much. It made it more obvious that something wasn't right. Both my husband and myself grew apart. We were both worried and depressed and withdrew from our church and friends. Then, we became angry.  Angry at people who had "perfect" children. Angry at God. Just angry at the world. To us, it seemed like our church didn't even seem to care that we were withdrawing. Looking back, they probably didn't know what to do to help.  Even though that was only 7 years ago, autism was not as mainstream as it is today. Society as a whole just didn't get it.  Once, I was at Wal-mart and had a "leash" attached to Logan. He was about 3, and tended to run away. For safety, I had to keep him attached to me.  He began pitching a fit, as he did every time we went to a store. (Later we realized this was because of the noises and fluorescent lighting!) An older lady stopped and glared at me. She told me that if I had better control of my child, he would behave.  She uttered a bad word regarding the leash and indicated I was "treating him like a dog". I didn't go back to a store with Logan for about a year. I was too worried about people thinking I was a bad mother.  Words hurt.  

     The best word I can use to describe this time of my life would be "isolated". Yes, I withdrew...but friends who didn't know how to react around us also stopped coming around.  I was not in a good place emotionally or spiritually. I felt abandoned not just by people, but by God. I was angry that He had allowed Logan to be autistic. I lashed out, and stopped reaching out to Him.  This honestly lasted until about 2 years ago. It was a miserable time of my life. 

     Not all was horrible during that time period, but my attitude had soured and I wouldn't allow myself to be joyful or thankful for what I did have. I had Kylar, he was born 14 months after Logan, and he was a very good part of my life.  As much as I had thrown myself into taking Logan to every available therapy, I also threw myself into making sure Kylar was loved and cared for. I was focused solely on my children.  This doesn't sound like a bad thing, but it was. I wasn't focused on my marriage, my health, or God. I didn't even realize how far downward I was spiraling. I just kept on with the "woe is me" attitude. 

     I cannot pinpoint any one thing that halted my downward spiral. In hindsight, God was working on me even though I was withdrawn from him.  He put people in my path that showed me that autism wasn't the end of my hopes and dreams for Logan.  He showed me that He could use Logan...to reach others. He used Logan to reach me.  I started seeing the joy that Logan exuded.  God used Logan to bring me back from the brink of disaster.  Romans 8:28 tells us, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  God chipped away at my wall. He cared enough about me to see me through and not give up on me, even when I pushed Him away. And He was gracious enough to use my own son, who we were told would never be able to accomplish much in life.  Just because a child has autism, or other special needs, doesn't mean that God cannot use them.  Even if the child is written off by society, God doesn't write them off.  Jeremiah 29:11 has been a verse that I meditate on daily. It reminds me that God is not out to hurt us. God loves us. 

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

God was gracious. What the devil meant to destroy me, and my family...God used for good.  

     I am still struggling with grief.  I do not know that those feelings will ever go away. Every time I see a child the same age as Logan, it reminds me of the dreams I had for him that will never be.  However, I now realize that Logan has a purpose in life. I am in awe of what God has accomplished through Logan, and know that He has many things planned for Logan that will bless those around him.  The feelings of grief and sadness draw me closer to God, so I will rejoice in those times and allow God to work. Though I am weak, He is strong.

     Two main groups of people have contributed to Logan's life and getting him to where he is today. He is talking! He laughs! He is starting to read! These are things we were told would never happen.  The first group is the HEAL! Foundation.  They allowed Logan to receive a scholarship for medical treatment that insurances won't pay for.  The second group are the teachers and paraprofessionals in Logan's autism class at school. They point out all the positive things about Logan. They don't say "never" to us, but strive to find solutions that will help. I thank God for both of these groups of people.

Thank you for allowing me to share a little of our journey.  

Joe, Lynna, Logan and Kylar....

Thank you so much for sharing your story!!!

We don’t know what it’s like to walk your path but we offer our prayers and our thanks for showing us how to love God more through good times and struggles.

Keep pressing on!

I'm leaving you with a FREEBIE that I hope will be helpful to many of you.

(Logan's mom helped me with it.)
It is for students who need help with following directions.
This FREEBIE pack comes with 4 following directions sheets
(1 direction, 2 directions, 3 directions, and 4 directions).
Click on the picture to grab your free copy.

While working on this with Logan's mom I thought surely there was more that we all could do.
So I have made a full packet of these following directions sheets.

It contains 3 different sheets for each of the stages.

The full packet is now for sale in my TpT store and 

100% of the proceeds from the sale of this product will be donated to the 

Heal! Foundation and Logan's class at his school.
Please help out such a worthy cause!

Then be sure to head over to Crayonbox Learning for a special GIVEAWAY!

You are welcome to join the Autism Linky Party, but you MUST have an autism-friendly freebie on your blog post AND the Autism Linky Party graphic linked back to Crayonbox Learning at http://crayonboxlearning.blogspot.com/2013/03/autism-awareness-linky-party.html