That's right! Students got to be the teacher today while I just kicked back and relaxed....well, maybe not! But, they did get to teach their classmates how to "DO" or "MAKE" something.
Each student was required to write directions for "how-to" complete the task. The task had to be something he/she could complete independently so well that they could teach it to others. I also encouraged them to choose something that we would have supplies on hand for creating (paper, crayons, scissors, glue, etc) or that they could bring the needed supplies for.
In past years, we did this in class so all students chose tasks that we had supplies on hand for, but this year I had them complete this writing at home (but it needed to be written solely by them!) and boy did they get creative!!
They literally knocked my socks off!! Well, not literally since I didn't wear socks today, but had I worn them, I'm sure they would have! :)
I snapped pics until my phone died {long story}....here are some of the creative ideas in the works!
How To Draw a Bird....Even Mrs. Madden Learned New Things Today!
How To Make a Bead Bracelet....Boy Our Wrists and Ankles Were Bedazzled After This!
Did You Know If You Shake Cream for 2 Minutes You'll Get Butter?! The Kids Thought It Was Delish!
How To Assemble Beyblades....They Sure Were Better At This Than I Was!!
How To Make Tin Can Phones....This Little Guy Brought In Cans for Everyone and We Had Fun Decorating Them and Trying to Talk to Our Friends With Them!
How To Make the Eiffel Tower With String....This Was One of the More Challenging Tasks for Some, but We Quickly Became Pros!!
How To Draw A Turkey With Your Hand....Gobble, Gobble!
They loved every single moment of this and were so attentive to their friends fellow teachers! What a great way to wrap up our How-To Writing Unit. You can pick up the unit with the letter that I sent home for this activity here if you're interested!
And, a little freebie that I've posted before, but just in case you missed it....today was Monday and the kiddos look forward to Mondays because I change the "Animal Goodbye" sign next to our classroom door each Monday. We get a new "goodbye" each week and they eat them up! When a student leaves, he says the "phrase" and the remaining students follow it up with the "animal." It's like our own secret goodbye and they love them! For instance, today when a student left, they said "Better Shake" and everyone else chanted "Rattlesnake."
There's a sign for each week of the school year. Hope your kids enjoy them as much as mine do!
Click the image below for the FREE DOWNLOAD!
Oh my gosh! Those are just precious! I can only imagine how much fun your students had!! :) Thanks for the freebie too- I haven't seen it before and I already decided which one I will put up tomorrow! Thanks!! :)
ReplyDeleteKatie
Smiles from 2nd Grade
I'm in love with your adorable freebie. I think my 4th graders will still think its fun to do!! They will match my bright colored/zebra theme in my classroom too! I absolutely love your reports! How fun!!! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteTheresa
Pinkadots Elementary
What a great to incorporate some parental involvement! Your kids look like they had a blast!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the freebie. I will have to print these ASAP and get them into my room!
Maribel
It sounds like you did have the best day ever! Love that the kids were super attentive to each other. Thanks for the feebie!
ReplyDeleteLooking From Third to Fourth
Aahh, the pin it button is not showing up on your blog for me! Is it gone?
ReplyDeleteAwesome idea! We are finishing up a how to this week and then we are on Spring Break. I will so need to try this when we return! =) Thanks for sharing. I found you from Manic Monday.
ReplyDeleteSamantha
Ms.Smarty Pants
love the pics! great ideas :)
ReplyDeleteWow! Wow! Wow! It looks like an absolutely wonderful day. What an authentic task. Awesome, Amanda. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I LOVE the sayings. Thank you, thank you for sharing. So so sweet of you. :)
Catherine
The Brown-Bag Teacher
This sounds like a great project! I think my fourth graders would love this.
ReplyDelete~April Walker
The Idea Backpack
Balancing the Backpack
I love the rhyme posters. I can't wait to print them up. Thanks for your generosity!
ReplyDeleteMercedes
Surfing to Success
The days the kid's say that are always the BEST!! Those rhyming goodbye's are fun stuff! Thanks for sharing!!!
ReplyDelete❤ -Stephanie
Falling Into First
That looks really awesome! What a great way to showcase their individuality. ;)
ReplyDeleteJessica
The Learning Metamorphosis
Such a cool idea!! I'd love to try this with 4th graders. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the signs. I realized today that most of my kids didn't even know "See ya later, Alligator!" Eek!
I bet your classroom is so much fun! Love the animal goodbyes! Thanks for the freebie!
ReplyDeleteOh My Goodness!! I LOVE the animal goodbye posters... thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteKaren :o)
Mrs. Stamp's Kindergarten