Reading Games, Play-dough, and Other Activities

                                           

More PARCC Testing, allergy attacks, and a desire to punch a certain someone...thank goodness this week is over.  Happy Five for Friday!

1

Reading Musical Chairs - I am obsessed with books.  This is pretty well known.  I always try to convey my love of reading to my students.  I noticed that lately my students haven't been as into reading as they once were.  I think that a focus on testing can definitely do that.  To combat this, I wanted my students to see a variety of books that they could be reading from our library, so we played reading musical chairs.

Each student picked out a book bin from the library.  (All of my books are in bins based on subject, theme, genre, or author.)  We then played music and the students walked around the room.  When the music stopped, the students had to find a seat.  I then gave them time to read/look at the books.  We did this for a few rounds.  My students found books they never saw before.  It definitely helped increase the book circulation in the library.  I will definitely do this activity throughout the school year.  This way my students get to always see new books.
                                         

My Reading/Language Book Bin

                                                                                        

2

Musical Big Books - We just made our first musical big book this school year.   This one was to the song Happy.  Check my blog next week.  I will have lots of musical freebies for you.

These are some of the pages that are going into our big book.

                                           

3

Peep Play-dough - My co-teacher had the students make play-dough using Peeps.  It was messy, looked gross, but was fun.  To make your own, play one Peep in a Ziploc bag.  Add a teaspoon of of coconut oil.  Squish the combination together.  Add some powdered sugar to reduce some of the greasiness of the coconut oil.  Wait about 15 minutes once all the ingredients have been mixed together.  This should give a play-dough consistency.

Our greasy looking play-dough.

4

Taxes - I got my taxes done, and I did it before the deadline.  Last weekend is still considered early!  I think I deserve a treat!

5

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt - This may not be the greatest show.  It's back for season 2 today.  I think I found my mindless weekend plans!

Bonus

Multiplication Math Brain Breaks - In case you missed last week's post, I made a bunch of brain breaks.  Click here to get your own free.  I made a bunch more this week to add to the collection.