Scholastic skills 09 month (September) pdf

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a creative idea book

for the

elementary teacher

written and illustrated

by

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Reproduction of these materials for commercial resale or distribution to an entire school or school district is strictly prohibited. Pages may be duplicated for one individual classroom set only. Material may not be reproduced for other purposes without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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This book is dedicated to the teachers and staff of the Jurupa Unified School District. Their enthusiasm and earnest desire to moti-vate children has been a great inspiration.

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WHAT IS IN THIS BOOK:

You will find the following in each monthly idea book from Teacher’s Friend Publications:

1. A calendar listing every day of the month with a classroom idea, and mention of special holidays and events.

2. At least four student awards to be sent home to parents.

3. Three or more bookmarks that can be used in your school library or given to students by you as “Super Student Awards.”

4. Numerous bulletin board ideas and patterns pertaining to the particular month and seasonal activity.

5. Easy to make craft ideas related to the monthly holidays and special days.

6. Dozens of activities emphasizing not only the obvious holidays but also the often forgotten celebrations, such as: Mexican Independence Day and Johnny Appleseed's Birthday.

7. Creative writing pages, crossword puzzles, word finds, booklet covers, games, paper bag puppets, literature lists and much more!

8. Scores of classroom management techniques and proven methods to motivate your students to improve behavior and classroom work.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK:

Every page of this book may be duplicated for individual class-room use.

Some pages are meant to be copied or used as duplicating masters. Other pages may be transferred onto construction paper or used as they are.

If you have access to a print shop, you will find that many pages work well when printed on index paper. This type of paper takes crayons and felt markers well and is sturdy enough to last. (Bookmarks work particularly well on index paper.)

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ADDING THE COLOR:

Putting the color to finished items can be a real bother to teachers in a rush. Try these ideas:

1. On small areas, water color markers work great. If your area is rather large, switch to crayons or even colored chalk or pastels.

(Don’t worry, lamination or a spray fixative will keep color on the work and off of you. No laminator or fixative? That’s okay, a little hair spray will do the trick.)

2. The quickest method of coloring large items is to start with colored paper. (Poster board, butcher paper or large construction paper work well.) Add a few dashes of a con-trasting colored marker or crayon and you will have it made.

3. Try cutting character eyes, teeth, etc. from white typing paper and gluing them in place. These features will really stand out and make your bulletin boards come alive.

For special effects, add real buttons or lace. Metallic paper looks great on stars and belt buckles, too.

LAMINATION: If you have access to a roll laminator then you already know how fortunate you are. They are priceless when it comes to saving time and money. Try these ideas:

1. You can laminate more than just classroom posters and construction paper. Try various kinds of fabric, wallpaper and gift wrapping. You’ll be surprised at the great combinations you come up with.

Laminated classified ads can be used to cut a heading for current events bulletin boards. Colorful gingham fabric makes terrific cut letters or bulletin board trim. You might even try burlap! Bright foil gift wrapping paper will add a festive feeling to any bulletin board.

(You can even make professional looking bookmarks with laminated fabric or burlap. They are great holiday gift ideas for mom or dad!)

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LAMINATION: (continued)

3. Laminating cut-out characters can be tricky. If you have it enlarged an illustration onto poster board, simply laminate first and then cut it out with scissors or an art knife. (Just make sure the laminator is hot enough to create a good seal.)

One problem may arise when you paste an illustration onto poster board and laminate the finished product. If your paste-up is not 100% complete, your illustration and posterboard may separate after laminating. To avoid this problem, paste your illustration onto poster board that measures slightly larger. This way, the lamination will help hold down your paste-up.

4. When pasting up your illustration, always try to use either rubber cement, artist’s spray adhesive or a glue stick. White glue, tape or paste does not laminate well because it can often be seen under your artwork.

5. Have you ever laminated student-made place mats, crayon shaving, tissue paper collages, or dried flowers? You’ll be amazed at the variety of creative things that can be laminated and used in the classroom or as take-home gifts.

PHOTOCOPIES AND DITTO MASTERS:

Many of the pages in this book can be copied for use in the classroom. Try some of these ideas for best results:

1. If the print from the back side of your original comes through the front when making a photocopy or ditto master, slip a sheet of black construction paper behind the sheet. This will mask the unwanted shadows and create a much better copy.

2. Several potential masters in this book contain instructions for the teacher. Simply cover the type with correction fluid or a small slip of paper before duplicating.

3. When using a new ditto master, turn down the pressure on the duplicating machine. As the copies become light,

increase the pressure. This will get longer wear out of both the master and the machine.

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Staying organized month after month, year after year can be a real challenge. Try this simple idea:

After using the loose pages from this book, file them in their own file folder labeled with the month's name. This will also provide a place to save pages from other reproducible books along with craft ideas, recipes and articles you find in maga-zines and periodicals. (Essential Pocket Folders by Teacher's Friend provide a perfect way to store your monthly ideas and reproducibles. Each Monthly Essential Pocket Folder comes with a sixteen-page booklet of essential patterns and organiza-tional ideas. There are even special folders for Back to

School, The Substitute Teacher and Parent-Teacher Conferences.)

You might also like to dedicate a file box for every month of the school year. A covered box will provide room to store large patterns, sample art projects, certificates and awards, monthly stickers, monthly idea books and much more.

MONTHLY ORGANIZERS:

BULLETIN BOARDS:

Creating clever bulletin boards for your classroom need not take fantastic amounts of time and money. With a little preparation and know-how you can have different boards each month with very little effort. Try some of these ideas:

1. Background paper should be put up only once a year. Choose colors that can go with many themes and holidays. The black butcher paper background you used as a spooky display in October will have a special dramatic effect in April with student-made, paper-cut butterflies.

2. Butcher paper is not the only thing that can be used to cover the back of your board. You might also try fabric from a colorful bed sheet or gingham material. Just fold it up at the end of the year to reuse again. Wallpaper is another great background cover. Discontinued rolls can be purchased for a small amount at discount hardware stores. Most can be wiped clean and will not fade like construction paper. (Do not glue wallpaper directly to the board, just staple or pin in place.)

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Not every school has a letter machine that produces perfect 4” letters. The rest of us will just have to use the old stencil and scissor method. But wait, there is an easier way!

1. Don’t cut individual letters as they are difficult to pin up straight, anyway. Instead, hand print bulletin board titles and headings onto strips of colored paper. When it is time for the board to come down, simply roll it up to use again next year. If you buy your own pre-cut lettering, save yourself some time and hassle by pasting the desired statements to long strips of colored paper. Laminate if possible. These can be rolled up and stored the same way!

Use your imagination! Try cloud shapes and cartoon bubbles. They will all look great.

2. Hand lettering is not that difficult, even if your printing is not up to penmanship standards. Print block letters with a felt marker. Draw big dots at the ends of each letter. This will hide any mistakes and add a charming touch to the overall effect.

If you are still afraid about free handing it, try this nifty idea: Cut a strip of poster board about 28” X 6”. Down the center of the strip, cut a window with an art knife measuring

20” X 2”. There you have it: a perfect stencil for any lettering job. All you do is write capital letters with a felt marker within the window slot. Don’t worry about uniformity. Just fill up the entire window height with your letters. Move your poster board strip along as you go. The letters will always remain straight and even because the poster board window is straight.

3. If you must cut individual letters, use construction paper squares measuring 4 1/2” X 6”. (Laminate first if you can.) Cut the capital letters as shown. No need to measure,

irregular letters will look creative and not messy.

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NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY commemorates the day in 1865 when President Lincoln proposed an amendment to end slavery. (Read your students the 13th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.)

The U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT was established by Congress in 1789. (Review with your students those famous persons represented on our currency.)

LOUIS SULLIVAN is credited with inventing the first SKYSCRAPER. He was born on this day in 1856. (Ask your students to research the world's tallest skyscraper.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA! On this day in 1781, forty-four Mexican people colonized what was then a tiny settlement. (Ask students to find the meaning of the Spanish words "Los Angeles.")

The FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS met on this day in 1774. (Students may wish to find on the classroom map the city in which the Congress first met.)

JANE ADDAMS, American social worker, was born on this day in 1860. (Ask students to find out more about her.)

The famous American artist, GRANDMA MOSES, was born on this day in 1860. (Find a print of one of her paintings and share it with the class.)

Today is the CHEROKEE NATIONAL HOLIDAY. It commemorates the arrival of the Cherokee Nation at the Indian Territory of Oklahoma. (Ask students to find the state of Oklahoma and its capital city on the classroom map.)

ABRAHAM LINCOLN received a license to practice law in the state of Illinois on this day in 1836. (Ask students what they know of Lincoln's education.)

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HENRY HUDSON, a Dutch explorer, discovered Manhattan Island in 1609. (Ask students to find out what was named after him.)

JESSE OWENS, acclaimed American Olympic athlete, was born on this day in 1913. (Ask students to find out in what event he competed.)

MARGARET CHASE SMITH was elected to the Senate on this day in 1948. (Ask students why her election to the Senate was so important.)

On this day in 1814, FRANCIS SCOTT KEY wrote the words of The Star Spangled Banner. (Review the words of the first verse of our national anthem with your students.)

Today, Japan celebrates OLD PEOPLE'S DAY, to honor the elderly. (Ask students to suggest ways in which we can honor our elderly.)

MEXICO began her battle for independence from Spain on this day in 1810. El Dia de Independencia! (Teach your students to count from 1-5 in Spanish.)

Today is CITIZENSHIP DAY in honor of the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. (As a class, write your own classroom constitution.)

GEORGE WASHINGTON laid the cornerstone of the U.S. CAPITOL in Washington, D.C. on this day in 1793. (Students often confuse the White House with the Capitol Building. Show them pictures of each and explain the difference.)

MICKEY MOUSE appeared for the first time in 1928 in the movie Steamboat Willie. (Ask students if they know who created the character of Mickey Mouse.)

The famous explorer FERDINAND MAGELLAN set sail on this day in 1519. (Ask students to research his voyage and point it out on the classroom map.)

On this day, the people of ARGENTINA celebrate the coming of SPRING! (Ask students to find out how this could be true.)

Today, is PEN PAL DAY all over the world. (Have your students exchange letters with the class next door.)

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Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, was born on this day in 1936. Ask students to list as many of his characters as they can.

The Spanish explorer BALBOA discovered the Pacific Ocean on this day in 1513. (Balboa made his discovery in an unusual way. Ask students to find out how he did it.)

JOHNNY APPLESEED was born on this day in 1776. (Ask students to find out his real name.)

A woman was arrested for smoking a cigarette on this day in 1904 in New York City. (Ask students to write a paragraph on their feelings about smoking, or about women's rights.)

Today is a national holiday in TAIWAN. It's the birthday of the great Chinese teacher, CONFUCIUS. (Find one of his proverbs and share it with the class.)

ENRICO FERMI was born on this day in 1901. He was an Italian physicist who pioneered work on the atomic bomb. (Ask students how they feel about atomic weapons.)

BABE RUTH hit his 60th home run of the year on this day in 1927. (How many of your students know for which team Babe Ruth played?)

DON'T FORGET THESE OTHER IMPORTANT HOLIDAYS:

LABOR DAY (Celebrated on the first Monday in September.)

ROSH HASHANAH (The Jewish New Year is celebrated on the first and second day of the Jewish month of Tishri.) GRANDPARENT'S DAY (Celebrated on the first Sunday of September

after Labor Day.)

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Sunday

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uesday

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ednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

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Explain classroom and school rules.

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Explain your system for classroom helpers.

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Explain your grading policy.

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Explain homework policies and your expectations.

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Discuss the use of learning centers, classroom

supplies and equipment.

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Explain the procedures you wish used in collecting and

passing out papers and supplies.

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Check children's lunch arrangements before lunch time.

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Check children's transportation arrangements.

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Explain cafeteria procedures and rules.

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Distribute books and materials and discuss their care.

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Issue pencils, crayons, rulers, etc.

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As a class, tour the school grounds and meet school personnel.

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Participate with the class in a "Getting to Know You" activity.

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Involve students in a creative writing assignment or student questionnaire. (This is one way to assess student's ability quickly. Save this assignment to evaluate hand-writing improvement during the school year.)

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Hold a class discussion of their expectation of the new school year.

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Discuss your discipline policies by praising good behavior and offering suggestions for improvements.

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Discuss planned field trips, classroom rewards and class parties.

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ROOM ENVIRONMENT

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Prepare or purchase bulletin board materials.

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Make decisions of where to post materials.

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Make classroom "Welcome" sign.

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Set up learning centers, display tables and student work areas.

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SUPPLIES

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Purchase or obtain class supplies from the school office.

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Writing paper

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Drawing paper

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Construction paper

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Duplicating masters

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Duplicating paper

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Pencils/pens

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Crayons

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Paste/glue

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Stapler and staples

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Paper clips

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Rubber bands

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Straight pins

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Transparent tape

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Manila folders

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Marking pens

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Rulers

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Art supplies

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Grade book

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Lesson plan book

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Seating chart

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Attendance materials

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Textbooks/Workbooks

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STUDENT PREPARATIONS

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Make student name tags.

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Prepare materials for student take-home the first day.

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Emergency cards

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School rules

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Bus regulations

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Letter to parents

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Classroom schedule

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Prepare class list.

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Prepare seating chart.

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Check records for students with special needs.

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Select reading groups.

GETTING ORGANIZED

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Post class discipline rules.

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Arrange student desks.

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Pin up bulletin boards.

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Write lesson plans for the first week.

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Duplicate materials needed for the first week.

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Write daily schedule and your name on the board.

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Prepare files for...

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Correspondence - parents

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School bulletins

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Substitute teacher

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NAME:

1. What do you like most about school?

2. What do you like to do in your spare time?

3. What are some things you know a lot about?

4. What kinds of books do you like most?

5. What are some things about which you would like to know more?

6. What interesting places have you visited?

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8. If you could be a famous person, who would you be?

9. Do you like music? What kind?

10. What are you good at in school?

11. What do you think you might need extra help with in school?

12. What is your favorite...

Food?

Sport?

Color?

Place?

TV Show?

Movie?

13. Who is your favorite...

Celebrity?

Friend?

14. Complete these sentences.

I am happiest when

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CLASSROOM CODE

One way to achieve a successful classroom management program is to utilize a

“Classroom Code of Conduct.” Discuss with your class the elements of good class behav-ior and write their responses on the chalk-board. After the class has reached an agree-ment on the classroom code, recopy it onto a sheet of poster board and display it in a con-spicuous place, or use the code on the next page. After you have displayed the chart in the classroom, have each student sign his or her name at the bottom with a bright colored felt marker. (Note: always try to list ele-ments in a positive manner and not with the disturbing “Don’t do...” method.)

MY BEST BEHAVIOR CHART

Encourage good behavior by having students keep track of their own ability to follow class rules. Begin by discussing the class rules with your students and posting them on the class board. Next, display a “Best Behavior Chart” for every student in class. At the end of each day, determine which students have followed the rules and tell those students to color in one box on their chart. Students that have received five colored boxes at the end of the week get to take a “Congratu-lations!” note home to their parents. If a pre-determined number of students each receive five colored boxes, celebrate with a class popcorn party or other special treat. At the end of the month, award those students that qualified each week with a “Best Behavior Certificate.”

HOMEWORK AWARDS

Having trouble with students not turning in their homework? Try this motivating idea! Collect all homework assignments in a large colorful basket. Close your eyes and ran-domly select one student’s paper. Award that student a small prize or make them helper for the day. Children eagerly do their homework

S-U-R-P-R-I-S-E

Before school starts every Monday morning, write the word “SURPRISE” large and in capital letters on the class chalkboard. Every time your class becomes unruly, give one warning. If they misbehave again, erase one letter of the word. If any letters remain at the end of the week, celebrate with a class “surprise.” If all the letters have been

erased, tell the students they will have to try again the next week to earn the “Surprise!”

STUDENT BEHAVIOR REPORTS

Set up a means to communicate with parents regarding classroom behavior and work habits with this simple idea. On a regular basis, discuss individually with each child their behavior and attitude during class. With the child’s assistance, fill out a report form to send home to parents. Make sure that you give parents the opportunity to respond and ask them to sign the report that must be returned to you the next school day. (File these returned reports to document student progress.) Make sure that you send behavior reports home to tell parents of good behav-ior, also!

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!!

_!!

1. WE WILL BE POLITE AT ALL TIMES.

2. WE WILL WORK QUIETLY SO AS NOT TO DISTURB

OTHERS.

3. WE WILL LISTEN COURTEOUSLY WHEN OTHERS

ARE TALKING.

4. WE WILL BE FRIENDLY TO FELLOW CLASSMATES.

5. WE WILL BE TRUTHFUL AND HONEST.

6. WE WILL RESPECT OUR TEACHER AND OTHER

ADULTS.

7. WE WILL BE PREPARED FOR CLASS EVERY DAY.

8. WE WILL ARRIVE AT CLASS ON TIME.

9. WE WILL COOPERATE WITH OTHERS.

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TUDENT

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EHAVIOR

R

EPORT

Student Name

Date

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Y

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EST

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EHAVIOR

C

HART

Teacher

Parent's Signature

Parents: Please sign and return the report to me on the next school day. You are encouraged to respond on the back of this sheet.

Specific Behavior

Follows Directions

Finishes Work

Classroom Behavior

Sportsmanship

Self Control

Very Good

Much

Better Good

Not Trying

Very Disruptive

Color in one box on each day that you have followed class rules.

Name

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Transportation Tags

Name:

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S

TUDENT

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ASS

TO THE

OFFICE

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TUDENT

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ASS

TO THE

LIBRARY

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TUDENT

P

ASS

TO THE

RESTROOM

S

TUDENT

P

ASS

TO THE

Copy these passes onto heavy paper and laminate to use again and again. Or, make several copies and fill them out as needed.

This student

has permission

to go to the

office.

Room Number Teacher

This student

has permission

to go to the

restroom.

Room Number Teacher

This student

has permission

to

Room Number Teacher

This student

has permission

to go to the

library.

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I have a

problem!

I need

_HELP!

I have

something

GOOD to report!

I have a

suggestion!

Copy these passes onto heavy paper and laminate to use again and again.

The problem is:

Name Date

It is:

Name Date

I need help with:

Name Date

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TUDENT

P

ROGRESS

R

EPORT

Student:

Teacher:

Date:

Grade:

Comments:

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This game offers an exciting way to welcome students back to school. Give each child a copy of the bingo words listed below or write the words on the chalkboard. Ask students to write any 24 words on his or her bingo card. Use the same directions you might use for regular bingo.

BACK TO SCHOOL BINGO WORDS

TEACHER

INSTRUCTION

LEARN

GRADES

PAINT

CLAY

BOOKS

LESSON

SCIENCE

PRINCIPAL

PENCIL

RULER

LANGUAGE

SCISSORS

MATHEMATICS

ERASER

SPELLING

PENMANSHIP

READING

FLAG

CUSTODIAN

FIRE DRILL

SOCIAL STUDIES

PLAYGROUND

KINDERGARTEN

CHALKBOARD

REPORT CARD

STUDENTS

RECESS

SCHOOL

CLASSROOM

CRAYONS

SEPTEMBER

GLUE

CAFETERIA

NOTEBOOK

MUSIC

BUS

ART

Does well:

As the teacher, I will...

Needs help!

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ACTIVITY 1

FIND THE FOLLOWING "BACK TO SCHOOL" WORDS: SCHOOL, EDUCATION, HOMEWORK,

TEACHER, PRINCIPAL, CLASS, STUDY, PLAYGROUND, MUSIC, STUDENTS, READING,

SPELLING, MATH, ART, SCIENCE, WRITING.

WRITE A SHORT PARAGRAPH USING AT LEAST EIGHT OF THE WORDS LISTED ABOVE.

A S D F R T H K L P I O S C H O O L D T

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Copy this visor onto sturdy index or constr

-uction paper

. Children can do the coloring.

Punch holes at both ends and attach string

elastic. (With elastic, the students can easily

remove the visor without retying.)

If you wish to spare the cost of elastic, simply

use mailing string. Either way

, the kids will

love them and so will you!

Back to

School

Visor

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Arm

Name

Leg

Body

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Give each student his

or her own bear to

put together with

brass fasteners.

Display them on the

class board.

"Beary"

Good

Bears

Arm

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Give each student

a "Beary" Good

Student bear to

color, cut out and

stand on his or

her desktop.

"Beary" Good Student

Name

Plate

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Children may write

their own thoughts

about school on the

owl's wings.

Welcome

Owl

Name

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Make the "W

elcome Owl" from

brown construction paper

. Fold

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Door

Sign

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Back to

School

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(teacher's name)

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Mount this "Welcome Back" sign on poster

board and color. Cut out the circle and hang on your classroom

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CROSSWORD NAMES

Instruct students to create crossword puzzles with their

own names. Begin by having them write their first names

down the center of a piece of lined writing paper. Pupils

then add hobbies, favorite colors, personal traits, etc., to

each letter of their name.

Questions or clues pertaining to the

crosswords may be added at the

bottom of the page. Have students

exchange puzzles to be solved.

(Older students might like to use

their first and last names in the

crossword.)

NAME BRANDS

Many manufactured products are commonly known by the people who invented

them. For example, bluejeans are often referred to as "Levi's," a piano as a

"Steinway," and an automobile as a "Ford." Instruct your students to invent a

product that would carry their name. Begin by having them draw a picture of

the product and then write a paragraph explaining their reason why they chose

this product.

NAME CRITTERS

Ask the students to write their names in crayon,

using large letters, on pieces of art paper. The

chil-dren may then create their own name critter using

the outline of the letters.

Students might also like to scramble the letters in

their name before drawing the critter. Children can

then trade papers and try to guess the critter's

name.

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NAME HEADBANDS

Name tags are particularly helpful on the first

day of school. However, by the end of the day

they are usually lost or damaged beyond repair.

For a practical solution, try name headbands.

These are easily made from strips of tag board

or laminated construction paper. Measure

the strips to fit each child and staple into

place. Write the child's name on the front of the headband with colored

mark-ers. The children will adore wearing them and you'll love the way they last all

week long!

NAME DISCUSSIONS

Discuss with your students the origin and meaning of some common first and

last names. Encourage discussion by asking how they feel about their names.

"Do you like your name?"

"How do you feel when you see your name in print?"

"Does anyone ever mispronounce your name?"

"If you could choose any name, what would it be? Why?"

"Have you ever discovered what your name means?"

"Were you named after someone? Who?"

"Do you have a nickname? How did you get it?"

CLOTHESPIN NAME TAGS

On the fist day of school, let your students find unique "name

tags" at their desks. WOODEN CLOTHESPINS!

Wooden clothespins, with student names written in colored

marker, can be a great way to assign

tempor-ary seating arrangements. Each child will also be

thrilled to find this small personalized gift at his/her

desk.

These special "name tags" can also be used to identify items brought to school,

art projects and of course, papers to be sent home to parents.

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NAME CARDS

Write each child's first name in bold letters on a

large index card. Ask students to do the

follow-ing activities:

• Alphabetize the cards.

• Find names with the same first letter.

• Find the shortest name.

• Find the longest name.

• Find names that rhyme.

• Find names with the same vowel sounds.

The same might be done with the students' last names. Store

the cards in a file box. Students may perform the tasks at their desks after

classroom work is completed.

NAME GAME

Good listening skills are required to play this "Get Acquainted" game.

Prepare a name tag for each child in class and

place the tags in a bag or bowl. Instruct students

to sit in a circle on the floor. A volunteer must

also be chosen to draw a name tag. The student

whose name is drawn stands up, tells his name

and shares what he loves to do best. When every

name tag has been drawn and each student has

had a chance to speak, return the tags to the

bag. This time as the tags are drawn, students

must give the name of the classmate on their

right and what he or she likes best to do.

A variation of this activity could be to simply

eliminate the name tags and call on each student in turn. Each child must

repeat what every child before him has said before telling about himself.

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NAME LIMERICKS

After introducing the concepts of limerick writing, ask students

to create their own limericks using their own names. Older

students will love this activity.

For example, a student might write:

There once was a lady named Ann,

Who constantly used a large fan.

When the weather was hot

She used it a lot

Even though she kept getting a tan.

NAME POEMS

Using letters in their names, students can describe themselves with this simple

writing assignment. Ask each child to write his or her name vertically on the

left-hand side of a sheet of paper. Instruct students to write poems about

them-selves using the letters of their names. Each letter begins the first word of each

Scholastic skills 09 month (September) pdf

a creative idea book

for the

elementary teacher

written and illustrated

by

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