Sacagawea: A Famous Native American

Grade Level: 3-6

Topic: Sacagawea’s life and influence/contributions to U.S. history

Sunshine State Standards:

SSS: SS.A.1.2.1

The student understands how individuals, ideas, decisions, and events can influence history.

Big Idea:

The students should understand the impact of important individuals on history.

Materials:

Gold dollar coin

Blank poster board

Markers

Various books and information handouts about Sacagawea and her life

KWL charts (one for each student)

**Click here for the entire lesson plan.

Adjective Necklaces: Mini-lesson on Adjectives

Grade Level: 3rd Grade
Topic: Adjectives
Children’s Book:
Cannon, J. (1993). Stellaluna. New York: Scholastic, Inc.
Materials: yarn (20”-piece per student), Mostaccioli noodles (8-12 per student),
permanent markers of various colors, example of finished necklace, poster
of some of the adjectives used in the story
Introduction:
We have been learning about the parts of speech. Today, we will be learning more about adjectives. Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns to make our writing more interesting. When we include adjectives in our sentences, it is like turning a black and white photo into a brightly colored one. We are going to read a book that uses adjectives to make the story more exciting. Read the Book.
Review: Review the characteristics of the characters and the setting in the story.
Application:
Show the poster with adjectives from the story to the students. Discuss how the adjectives made the story seem more interesting. Show the students the example of the “adjective necklace” you made based on the description of a character in the story.
Guided Practice:
Tell the students they are going to choose a character or a setting from the story to describe with adjectives. They will then use their description to create an “adjective necklace.”
Assessment:
The necklaces will be checked to see if they contain adjectives and are based on a character or setting from the story.
ESOL Adaptations: (I will refer to each student’s ESOL plan for additional accommodations.)
Level 1 and Level 2: I will provide graphic representation of the topics taught, permit the students to work with a partner, and will allow extra time to complete tasks.
Level 3: I will permit the students to work with a partner, and I will allow extra time to complete tasks.
Level 4: I will permit the students to work with a partner, if needed.

Click here for a complete lesson plan on the forest habitat and the basic needs for survival. The lesson includes Florida standards, ESE accommodations, ESOL modifications, objectives, and full details of all activities. The lesson has been classroom tested and teacher/administrator approved!

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I stumbled upon a great resource for teachers and parents. Sitesforteachers.com lists hundreds of educational websites that are ranked by popularity. Among the websites included, you will find resources for ESL learners, many printables, free clipart images, online phonics games, reading resources, and just about any other educational topic you can think of. I could spend hours browsing this site.

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Link to Carson-Dellosa:
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A great way to help your students master words with long vowels is to play “Long Vowel Uno.” Write long vowel words (i.e. make, kite, these, those, dune) on index cards that have been cut in half. You will need at least ten word cards and one “wild” card per student. The “wild” card allows the student to change the vowel sound of the pile. Give each student five cards and put the rest in a “draw” pile. Flip over one card from the “draw” pile to start the game. The first player can play one of his/her cards if it has the same long vowel as the card on the draw pile (i.e. make and cane) or if it is a “wild” card. If the student can not play, he/she may draw a card from the pile. Play continues with the next player. The first player to get rid of all of his/her cards wins. The key to this game is making sure that the students say the words on the cards that they are playing. This game allows the students to practice blending, silent final e, and long vowels.

P.S. This game can easily be adapted to practice digraphs, blends, cvc words, word families, vowel digraphs, etc.

An easy way to get the students quiet within three seconds is to play the “Strike a Pose” game. I say “one, two, three, strike a pose,” and the children freeze in a fun position. I choose the quietest and stillest person and give them a small reward. The kids beg to play this game. The game can be adapted for sitting or standing positions (i.e. strike a pose like a movie star, strike a pose like soldier, strike a pose like a crouching tiger, etc.). After you choose your winner, you have the attention of every student in the class.

Elementary education students usually have a hard time learning how to count money. To help them master this important skill, start a “money calendar” on the first day of school. Each day of school, put a magnetic penny (or a plastic coin with felt on the back) on the money calendar. When the students receive five pennies, have them change it in for a nickel, two nickels for a dime, etc. By the time the students reach the 100th day of school, they will have been exposed to every coin and the dollar bill!

Today marks the opening of TeacherTipz.com! It is our goal to help de-stress your life by sharing quick and easy teaching techniques and activities that you can incorporate into your own classroom. Occasionally, we will also include helpful product recommendations. These tips will be geared toward elementary education teachers and classrooms. Enjoy!!!