30 Points of Spelling

This is a fun spelling assignment that can be used every week. This assignment consists of getting to 30 points by the end of each week. Students can obtain points by completing activities on the menu. These activities range from 5 (easier) to 15 (harder) points. As there are several options on the menu, students are able to choose which activities they would like to complete. I found this spelling assignment to be very helpful as students were able to learn their spelling words through various ways. Here is the link for this activity: Spelling Activity

Mapping Unit

Here is a grade 4 socials mapping project. In this project the students will become familiar with using directions, grid coordinates, scale, and legend to create a map. In part 1 the students will be given instructions on where to place items on a map. In part 2 the students will do the opposite and be given a completed map. Their job is to provide detailed instructions on where these items are placed. This project also includes two assessment rubrics that will be used for marks.

Here is a link to our project:

Grade 4/5 Socials Mapping Project

The Power of Art

Ah the exploration of visual arts. I think it is important for students to explore and appreciate art.

Something that caught my eye this week while teaching was the use of a visual journal. Students each had their own journal where they could write their own reflections. These reflections could be based on anything. But this week, the students happened to be learning about Andy Warhol and his style of art. Looking at Warhol's work, you can see the techniques and thinking that went behind some of his paintings. The students then got a chance to colour their own portraits using Warhol's style. But what made this different was that students got to explore what colours to use and what medium to use. It was interesting to see the different decisions that came about. I think that learning about one artist every other week is a great way to incorporate visual art techniques into the curriculum.


Here are some of Warhol's more famous works.

 x 32

Of course Warhol is only one example and there are many different famous artists your class can cover.

Elementary Art Fun

Salvador Dali Elephant Art

Materials:

- watercolour paper

- washable markers

- paint brushes

- pastels

- pencils

- water in cups

This was a very fun and engaging art activity for the students. They would first draw the elephants and then use a washable marker to outline it. After outlining, the students would use a paint brush dipped in water to smear the colour of the marker into the elephant. After that, the students would add a pastel background which was also brushed with water.

Thumbs up to smART class for providing us with this cool art project.

Here's their website for more information:

http://elementaryartfun.blogspot.ca/

We Are Silent

While teaching today the students were participating in the We Are Silent campaign. To participate, students took a vow of silence to acknowledge the denial of basic human rights to children all over the world. Students also helped collect pledges that would help support communities affected by poverty. Here's the website for more information.

http://www.freethechildren.com/get-involved/campaigns/we-are-silent/

Teaching was quite a quiet experience. At first it was a bit difficult, but after a while, we got comfortable communicating to each other by using our whiteboards. I was impressed as the students were very motivated to not speak during the day. I'm sure it took a lot of will power to stay silent. It was a good experience and the students were able to demonstrate an awareness for the violation of children's rights.