Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Assembly Line Project -ready to share

I've written about this favorite hands-on social studies project before, but I've finally sat down and put something together so others can easily put this project together too.  It's on my TPT store From The Hive.  I did this project with my second and third graders my first year teaching in 2002 and have done it most years since.   





After reading about production, Henry Ford, and assembly lines, students will participate in their own hands-on assembly line, and- get to enjoy a yummy treat! Then, they will reflect on the project with a differentiated written reflection.

*Prior to your assembly line, send home a note to parents (a sample letter is included). You don’t need everything I've listed, but several ingredients are best.

*In the days before the assembly line, read the informational text about production, assembly lines, and Henry Ford.  Use your social studies curriculum and/or the included informational text as needed.


*The day of:   line up several desks of same height or tables of the same height.  Make a bulletin board paper belt around the desks. Then, set up the fruit and supplies needed. I typically do this prep work while the kids are out of the room for a special.  I promise the prep work is going to be worth it!


When the students come back, I welcomed them to their first day on the job at the fruit salad factory.  I explain how the assembly line works and what the jobs are. I make sure each person gets a job. There is detailed information about the job types and roles included.

The following day students work through a written reflection activity.  There are two differentiated reflection sheets to choose from for your learners.


You can certainly put this activity together on your own.  But, if you're interested in my ready to go product, you can find it here.  It's engaging and memorable and your students are going to love it!  
 
 

Friday, June 15, 2018

Another novel study- The Hundred Dresses

I didn't know this until I started selling on TPT, but when you put a product out there that you've been working on... like really working on, it's a little like putting your kid on the school bus for the first time.  


I was that mom that followed the bus the first day- just in case there was an accident.  Just saying.   Bee went to the zoo, accident-free. 




I've got my next Novel Study ready to go!  It's another unit that I've used parts of in class with my third graders for a few years, but all cleaned up in a tidy package ready to go- and ready to share with others.  Putting my kid on the bus here.


The Hundred Dresses is a classic story- it's sweet and fun with a strong message about bullying and teasing.  Despite the title and the fact that the three leads are girls, it's not a girly story.  I've always found that boys really hang on the bullying and teasing theme in the story and are happy to read past the reason that the girls tease poor Wanda.  




So, this novel study, like my Charlotte's Web Novel Study, guides you and your students through the reading of the story.  It has lesson plans for two weeks, and guided pages to work through the story elements. 

  • Characters: Listing Character Traits, Mind Map, Prompted Journal Entries, Guided Reading Response
  • Plot: Storyboard Illustrations, Note Taking Sheets, Chapter Questions (2-3 questions per chapter), 
  • Condensed Chapter Questions (2-3 questions per 2 chapters)
  • Word Choice: Vocabulary, Word Maps
  • Setting: Setting Sketch, Setting Map 
  • Mentor Sentences: One per week
  • Weekly Assessments and Cumulative Activities: Weekly Vocabulary Assessments, Weekly Written Response Assessment, Differentiated Choice Project


                                           Find it here in my TPT store, From The Hive




I like to compile the pages I want to use (there's more in my units than I can use in the allotted time- but more is better right!) number them and assemble them in pronged folders.  That way nothing falls out and the kids can find the right page when needed.  I love working through a novel with my kiddos!


I also have a freebie sample piece, a Differentiated Cumulative Project.  There are six choices for the final project sure to engage even the most reluctant learner. 




Also exciting for my shop, it's on Instagram now!