Friday Flashback: Winners & a Peek at our Week

Congrats to Kiah for guessing correctly that my LEAST favorite thing about spring is the smell of fresh cut grass!!!!  There were so many good guesses, and lots that are true, but fresh cut grass is my least favorite.  I despise it.  I've even had to take my class in from recess before because the grass had been cut recently and I was totally gagging and about to be sick.  :(  I also hate that my husband smells like grass after playing golf - ugh - that's probably why I never stuck with that sport despite being decent at it and getting cute pink clubs and all. ;)

And, the Rafflecopter random winner is.....Amy W!!

Congrats, gals!  I'll have the new Poetry Pizzazz Unit sent your way asap!!  Hope your kiddos love it as much as mine did!

Speaking of it, here are some of their finished products from this unit...

We also FINALLY wrapped up our money unit and were able to start our MEASUREMENT UNIT today!!  I LOVE this math unit!  Here's how I start it off....

The week before beginning this unit, I read How To Eat Fried Worms to my students.  Then, I tell them that since we've just read a book about worms, we're going to be using WORMS to practice our measurement skills.

I tell them that I am going to give everyone a worm to measure today so that I can make sure they know how to use a ruler properly.  I have them close their eyes....I mean, they can't SEE where I keep my worms hidden.  Then, I have them OPEN their eyes and when they do, I'm standing in front of the class dangling a fat, juicy worm above my open mouth.

Their little mouths drop open in awe.  Sometimes I even lick it.  You won't die from licking a worm.  Even if it is just a clay worm.  hehehe....I finally let them in on my secret, but I do keep them thinking that we WILL use real worms soon.  I just can't let them use them on the FIRST day.  We have to make sure they can use these rulers properly first!

So then, I give everyone a clay worm.  These little clay strips are perfect for this lesson.
I get them from Dollar Tree every year...of course! :)  Once each child has one, I have them "roll" the worms to different lengths to practice using the ruler correctly (starting at the end and reading it to the nearest inch).

We practice....
and practice....
with both inches and centimeters....
And then of course, they all want a picture of themselves "eating" a worm.
Oh, if they only knew what I have in store for them next week! :)  I have some new ideas for this unit, too, and can't wait to work on them this weekend!


12 comments

  1. I bet your kids had a blast with the worms. What a good idea to use the worms for measurement! You have creative fun ideas for learning. Thanks for sharing. :)

    Tammi
    The Balanced Classroom

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  2. What a fun way to start measurement!! You must be such a fun teacher!! I wanna sit in on your class! :)

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  3. I love the metaphor families and the sandwiches - those are fantastic. I can only imagine their faces when they open their eyes to you with a worm in your mouth - what a great intro to your unit.

    Looking From Third to Fourth

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  4. Love the worm measurements!!! I'm your newest follower!

    Teaching in the Tongass

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  5. LOVE your worm activity! Hilarious and fun :)

    Thanks for hosting!

    The Frizz

    The Frizz in First Grade

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  6. How cute are those simile sandwiches and worms??!! Love it!
    Joanne
    Head Over Heels For Teaching

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  7. I find so much from those dollar stores.....definitely a teacher's best friend.

    matt
    Digital: Divide & Conquer

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  8. Oh I can't wait to do your worm activity next year with my students! We just did worms this week and I blogged about it too! I LOVE this idea! I may just have to do it this year anyway! Thanks for sharing!
    :)Kim

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  9. So fun! What a great idea for measurement!
    Enjoy your weekend!
    Michele

    Coffee Cups and Lesson Plans

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  10. Yay! Thank you!! Can't wait to get it and dive right in with my class! And the measurement worm idea is so cute! I will have to remember that for next year!

    Kiah
    kiah.m.berg@gmail.com

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  11. Love the ants! I purchased your Poetry Pizzazz and the kids will be making them next week... :0)

    Smiles,
    Sarah @ Hoots N' Hollers

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  12. I'm going to be teaching measurement in a week or two. My kids would love the "worm" idea. Thanks for sharing.

    Jeanette
    Third Grade Galore

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Thanks for visiting my blog and sharing ideas! I love to read your comments. I like to reply back by email, so make sure you have that option enabled so we can chat! :)

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