5 for Friday...On Saturday

Shocking, I know...but I'm a little late :). I will definitely be back tomorrow to share our winner! I can't wait to see who wins! PLUS...I know that grabbing that gift card will lead to a little shopping and you all know how I love Target! 

I'm sorry, but I just have to show off my sweet puppy. I just love him so much. And he thought the little baggie I blogged about a few days back was all for him. :) 

Do you use thinking maps? We do alot...usually we use the circle map, double bubble, and tree maps. My old school was official a "Thinking Map" school...I try to use those same strategies at my new school, but I have the freedom to use other graphic organizers if I want. Anyway...I forgot about this little tip a good friend shared with me last year. I was explaining that double bubbles were hard for some of my babies, and she gave me this tip. I LOVE it.

I think color-coordinating it really helps them remember what the purpose of it is, and also put their statements in the right place.I always put one up on the document camera that's color coordinated...they can do it if they want to, but some of them don't. If you try it out, let me know if it helps! If I ever make a whole class one, I definitely do this. 

I forgot to post these over the break, but one of our homework assignments was to write about a tradition in our family. I have SUCH a diverse class, so it was super exciting to hear about so many different traditions.

We finished our Author Study right before we left for break. We spent several weeks studying Mo Willems and Dorene Cronin. The kiddos had SO much fun! For our summative, they had to write about their favorite book. I am SOOOOOO proud of how they turned out. It also made for a great bulletin board. :) 

First, they use this sheet to brainstorm. Then, they put their writing into sentences.

And finally, we started studying compound words this week. We watched these videos. OMG...they LOVED them. I think we probably watched them 10 times. 

This one is really silly...don't watch it unless you're okay with them getting a little CARAZY!!! I can't get these other two to upload. But the links work. :)

This one is a song by Dr. Jean...I love the pictures someone put along with it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xb9jSBKN4o



And this one is a rap that is AMAZING. We were singing it all day!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyqDPmvVIfs

After we watched the videos, we made a little anchor chart. 

And finally, we made this super simple little foldable. 

Oh...and I have a freebie for you! We also made this little foldable yesterday practicing beginning blends.

Make sure you go link up. :)