"A Day in the Life" Imaginative Writing Activity

Hello Fifth Grade Friends!

This is Jessica from "Joy in the Journey"

Here's a freebie to brighten your Saturday:

 "A Day in the Life" Writing Activity

  

"A Day in the Life" is a fun and engaging writing center activity that provides students with an object or an animal and has them imagine what a day would be like. 

Included are 40 idea cards:

A brainstorming/planning sheet:

and a final draft writing template:

 Here are some of my kiddos' rough drafts - we're going to write the final copies on Monday.

You can download this writing activity for FREE by clicking here: "A Day in the Life" Imaginative Writing Activity

Looking for more freebies:

And exciting news... TBA is now 2 years old! Grab some (or hundreds!) of freebies :)

Happy Freebie Hunting!

"The Ants Go MARCHing!"

"The Ants Go MARCHing"

As we welcomed the new month of March, the students were reminded of an old nursery school song, "The Ants Go Marching In." (Get it?!? - MARCHing) I decided to capitalize on the fun they were having and using it to review fundamental skills. We've been really drilling our parts of speech, so I created a worksheet where they categorize the words from the song lyrics:

Then I thought we could continue our mini-unit on ants (and get some excellent critical thinking and creative writing skill practice)

Click here for a FREE copy of the "Ants Go MARCHing" Packet

Leave a comment below:

What was your (or your child's) favorite nursery school song? I used to baby-sit my younger cousin a lot and her favorite was "Yankee Doodle." She sang is endlessly! :)

Hop on over to my blog to read more and access more freebies - plus I'm currently hosting a 100 Follower Giveaway! Click here to enter - contest ends TONIGHT (March 9th)

Principal Appreciation Day is March 6th

Next Wednesday (March 6th) is School Principal Day!

Have your students complete this simple yet sentimental activity sheet. Then, combine the class pages into a booklet and present it to your principal to show your appreciation:

You can download this item for FREE from my TpT store by clicking here: Principal Appreciation Activity

This will make your principal's day... ENJOY!

Highlights of My Spring Break Freebie

Just a quick post to hop in on some freebie sharing! I created a fun activity to use after winter break, so I swapped out some clipart so that you can use it for spring break! Click on the image to get it!

CUTE Signs for Any Classroom

Hello fellow fifth grade friends!

I have a FREEBIE to share with you! This is an 18-page packet of  signs and decor to use in any classroom:

 Here are some samples:

 

  

Aren't they cute?!? Click here to download them for FREE: Classroom Signs

If you download them, let me know what you think!

Stock Market Class Activity

Stock Market Project

We've been studying the 1920s and as we transition into the 1930s, we've stopped in at the Stock Market Crash of 1929. I find the stock market one of the trickiest things to teach - the kiddos can't grasp the concept of banks running out of money. They don't understand that when you deposit money in the bank, it doesn't just sit there in a box. So we read articles, watched videos, and played a classroom interactive stock market simulation called "Buy, Sell, or Trade" 

Here's a sample of what the display and student report could look like:

 Here's a blank template for the students to fill out:

Click here to grab a FREE copy of the packet: Stock Market Class Simulation

It may seem a little daunting and over-the-heads of many students, but it's worth it for the few students who really grasp it and are challenged by the concept - I have kids BEGGING to do it again for another five days next week! 

Continent Table Group Labels

I've been insanely jealous of all the bloggers writing about their productive snow days - we got a nice coating of snow, but had to watch the beautiful flakes fall from inside our classrooms. I had to lower my blinds to stop the incessant yelling of "SNOW!" every few minutes :)

Today began a new marking period - and for the students that means a fresh start! We talked a lot today about setting goals for a new quarter and making an action plan for being the best student and friend that we can be. 

I also changed my seating as the kids were whining and complaining asking for them :) I thought I'd share my group labels for someone to up their system/classroom now or to store away for next fall.

We change desks a lot in my class (about every 3 weeks) for a number of reasons:

1. It allows the students to work with a variety of classmates

2. Table groups can only sit together for so long before conflict arises,

3. I like to mix it up for our Team Challenge Competition.

Team Challenge Competition: Each week the students earn tally points for their "team" (table group) for answering questions correctly, being the first group cleaned up, waiting quietly, etc. Teams can also lose points for calling out, being off-task, arguing, disrespectful behavior, etc. On Friday the team with the most points wins either a prize from the treasure box (trinkets the kids go nuts for), a No Homework coupon, or a Lunch with Mrs. Lawler coupon. 

*I find the Team Challenge Competition is one of the best motivators for quality work and proper behavior - they are motivated by not only the incentive, but also the positive peer pressure from their group.*

I printed out the signs, backed them on construction paper, and laminated them. I then put stuck them on cute little picture frame holders I found in the Target $1 Spot.

You can download the signs for FREE from my TpT store: Continent Table Group Labels