Sign of the Beaver

Looking to integrate Native American heritage with a state of Maine studies unit? This title by Elizabeth George Speare might be just the ticket.

In this historical fiction piece for intermediate students, a young man is left alone in the wild to tend the new homestead while his father returns to civilization for the rest of the family. He makes friends with a reluctant Native American boy and at the request of the boy’s father, teaches him to read. When his father is late arriving back with the family, the boy begins to fear the worst and must decide whether to stay and wait, or travel with his friend’s tribe, who are leaving for good.

This tale of coming of age is an excellent title for use in literature circles or whole group instruction.

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Sarah, Plain and Tall

This historically themed, family style story of the American prairie features a family’s grief, a farm’s struggle and a mail order bride.

A classic piece in American classrooms for early intermediate students, this book turned movie by Patricia MacLachlan is an excellent example of a “big kid” story written at a more accessible level for younger readers.

A father and farmer with two young children loses his wife and struggles to keep his life and family on track. He posts an advertisement and a woman from Maine answers. She arrives to make a difference, but not the one he expects.

Personal verdict: A great choice for introducing chapter books to younger readers, both in literature circles or as a whole group book study.

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The Golden Compass

 

 

Looking for a magical tale of intrigue from the great frozen north? This wondrous story of a parallel universe may be just the ticket.

Sam Elliott, Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig star in this film chronicling the journey of a young girl on a quest to save her world, and the one beyond. Warrior bears, secret dust, a magical compass . . . this movie seems to have all as far as kids are concerned.

For as much controversy as this film generated in the religious community, I expected it to be much more preachy. But honestly? Not my impression at all. I simply saw this as a visually intense, story-rich flick that kids of all ages could get excited about seeing. Is there some obvious allegory and an anti-establishment overtone? Sure. But nothing that in my opinion got in the way of the great entertainment this film offers.

Worth checking out.

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Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium

A magical store where toys come to life is the backdrop for this film starring Natalie Portman and Dustin Hoffman.

The Wonder Emporium, run by Mr. MaGorium, is getting ready to change hands. Dustin Hoffman’s character (MaGorium) wants to give the store to his long time manager and apprentice Mahoney (Portman) as his legacy to her. But the transition doesn’t go as either of them plan. Included in the mischief and mayhem are the store’s new accountant and it’s most loyal young customer and managerial assistant, Eri.

Packed with fun, magic and the power of imagination, I found this movie to be an extremely pleasant surprise.

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Nanny McPhee: A New Mary Poppins?

What do you get when you combine the talents of Angela Lansbury, Colin Firth and Emma Thompson?

A magical tale of love, responsibility and growing up. Emma Thompson plays Nanny McPhee, the latest in a long string of nannies hired by Mr. Brown (Colin Firth) who have previously been easily run off by his seven resistant children. The difference this time? Magic.

McPhee uses her powers to direct their rowdiness on a path they never expected. As far as the hubbub of this movie being a new Mary Poppins . . . well, I’m sure that was meant as a compliment, but I believe it may be a disservice to a film that’s clearly able to stand on its own.

A great addition to the classroom library. Keep it on hand to show for a hard earned whole group behavioral reward. Primary through intermediate grade levels should find it entertaining.

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Lemony Snickett’s A Series of Unfortunate Events

A darker children’s story with a European feel, this film would make an interesting selection for the intermediate classroom.

Based on a children’s book series by the same name, this piece stars Jim Carrey, Meryl Streep and the narrative voice of Jude Law. The persecuted child theme brought back memories for me of some of Roald Dahl’s work.

I noticed it was filmed with a visually dark approach as well, which I found an interesting artistic choice. It definitely added to the feel of this movie, and added more than a touch of drama. This film would make a great addition to any educator’s film library, on its own or as a culminating viewing activity after studying the books as a class.

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Movie Review: Night at the Museum

A working father’s night job turns out to be far more intense than he expects . . .

Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Dick Van Dyke and Owen Wilson join for a feel good family movie that celebrates history in a humorous tale of thievery and teamwork.

Ben Stiller plays Larry Daley, a newly hired night watchman who must somehow learn to control the chaos and create peace between the museum’s evening residents, who come alive from sunset to sunrise. A fun film for at home or in the classroom.

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Project Hack: Some Thoughts on Glue Sticks

Tired of cleaning out individual glue caps with the closest available paper clip? I hear you. Here’s why glue sticks are one of my favorite classroom supplies . . . and why they always went on my new student “back to school” buy list during my classroom days.

No leaks.

Not on the desk areas, not in their backpacks, not in a box of your math manipulatives . . . nowhere. Sure, if you leave them out in the hot sun you may get some melting, but in general, these are not a messy project tool.

No clogs.

Ah, the freedom of starting a whole group art project without losing an entire free class period ahead of time cleaning out glue bottle nozzles. Just give the directions, distribute the materials and let them go for it.

Streamlined product dispensing.

Release yourself from over pouring, over squeezing, messy residue and more. Glue sticks are much easier for me to use as an adult, so I can only imagine how much easier they are for a young child still working on fine motor skills.

So take the plunge, free yourself from unnecessary glue bottle aggravation and set your students up for success.Go for the glue sticks, and imagine the power of streamlined student projects.

Photo Credit: Oskay

Movie Review: The Great Debaters

Starring Denzel Washington and introducing several new talents, this movie is for more than coaches of debate teams.

Set in the south during the era of segregation, this film tells the story of an inspirational teacher, some motivated, capable students, and the changing consciousness of a nation. Sometime towards the middle of the movie, Denzel delivers a line that I dare say has been on the wish list of teachers for generations.

When questioned repeatedly by a student he was trying to instruct, he responds forcefully “Hell is where you’re headed if you question me again!” In my humble opinion, one of the most hilarious teacher lines in the entire flick, tied equally with “Resolved!” But I’ll let you decide. Personal verdict? Great for African American History Month, debate team activity night or a simple feel-good flick for teachers and families. Definitely worth checking out.

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Reviews that Rock! Great Ideas for Covering Test Content

Tired of the groaning whenever you settle in for a topic review in class? Here are some ideas to use when getting ready for a big test, and also some strategies to keep the material fresh all year long. Bonus? Many of these ideas can be used as team activities, or as sponge activities when it’s time for transition.

Chalkboard Relay.

This is particularly great for math questions. Divide the class into two teams, and have the front person from each team at the board for each question, racing to see who can get the correct answer first. Keep score with tally marks on the chalkboard to see which team finishes in first place. This could also work with spelling word reviews, or reading off definitions to see who can come up with the correct term fastest.

In the Bag.

This was covered in depth in a previous post. Basically, you can save any spelling word cards, study cards from previous class units, etc. For an impromptu review, have one student select a card with a spelling word on it and hold it so the rest of the class can’t see. Then let them call on a student to spell the word correctly and use it in a sentence. The class members swap out once a correct answer is provided.

Topic Riddles.

This is sort of a reverse “Twenty Questions” type of thing. Have several clues for each word, concept or answer. Then ask who / what / where am I based on the answer you need to receive. You could be going for a character in history, a type of biological plan, an astronomical phenomenon, etc.

Lining Up.

This is more of a time to do the review, rather than the activity itself. Each student can line up when they answer the question, or if you are already lined up as a group and they are waiting to get dismissed, let them leave the room if they answer the question and go to the back of the line if they mis it. I like to only send them back one time so it stays fun and keeps things on track time wise.

Roll the Dice.

I saw this my first year teaching at a workshop and it has served me well at multiple grade levels. Basically, you have kids divided into 3-4 teams with a few people (6 or less) in each team. You ask the question and every team confers together for the answer for an allowed amount of time. Then, whatever team’s turn it is waits for you to roll the dice. Each member of the team is assigned a number, so when the number on the dice comes up, they know which team member will need to answer the question. If that person gets it wrong, the question goes to the next team to try to answer it, with the dice getting rolled again. What I like about this is every team has to review the material for each review question, and within each team, every member HAS to be included because they never know who will get called on. Everybody has to stay focused on the activity and material if they want a chance to get points. This is another one of those ideas that can be used from early primary through high school, adult education, or even at the university level if you were so inclined.

Random Trivia.

Quotes from book characters or historical figures, math questions, spelling, riddles, all kinds of ideas would work here. You can use the strategy in a relay, with line up or dismissal transitions.

Review Puzzle as Learning Centers.

This is great for an extra time activity when students are finished with their seatwork. Use the page protector strategy to save on consumable resources.

There you have it. Seven simple ways to provide solid, attention – grabbing content reviews in the classroom. Got a slamming suggestion of your own? Sound off in the comment section and share the love.

 

Photo Credit: Editor B.

Streamline Parent Communication with Your Own Blog

Trying to accommodate parents without re-documenting every piece of communication you release? Got more than a fair number of forgetful tikes in your class whose newsletters never quite seem to make it home? Consider starting your own blog site.

No longer simple online journals, blogs have come into their own. Why not put one to use in your own teaching career? A few ideas to consider when doing so:

· Several free options exist on sites such as Word Press or Blogger.

· Blogs are paperless, saving time, consumable resources and money.

· They let you do your job once, and yet still gives parents a backup if their child loses papers on the way home.

OK, so now you’re sold, but not sure what to do with your blog now that you have one? Well, here are a few suggestions to get the creative juices flowing.

· Pull all parents on your RSS feed so they are up to date at all times.

· Post homework each day as a backup for students copying the info from the board.

· Upload permission slips and other forms so parents may print them out at home.

· Snapshots and updates on special projects or concepts being studied.

· Incorporate class updates into a special section of your online portfolio.

Is there a little more to it? Of course. But if you can type, operate simple software and know how to do basic word processing, you are more than half way there.

Photo Credit: VSQZ