Metaphors and Similes

This was a fun way to practice metaphors and similes.  I gave each duo different sentences taken from stories we read over the school year.  Most of the sentences had a metaphor or simile while a few did not.  The students then asked each other if each sentence had a metaphor or simile and if it did what it was.  If they got it right they got the sentence and if they got it wrong the partner got to keep the sentence.  The person with the most sentences in the end won the game.

Perimeter and Area

Here are some pictures of a fun game we played in class today.  I try to make review before the big tests fun.  I had thought about doing this with geoboards originally then decided I wanted them to be able to work out the perimeter and area on the paper next to the shapes they had drawn so instead decided to do it on the graph paper.   The kids had to make a square or a rectangle with a given perimeter.  Then they had to figure the area of each of the shapes they drew.  Then they got points based on the area.

For example: Draw a square or rectangle with a perimeter of of 20.

                      Earn one point if your area is greater than your partners.

Story Map

This is a simple story map that I use all year!

Estimating Sums and Differences

My kids struggle with estimating all year.  This is a math center game that I rotate the entire year for practice.

Student Shout Outs

    I have recently started doing student shout outs.  The students love it.  I have to say from the very beginning that this was not my idea.  I found this on pinterest and the website that I discovered.  It at is: Kindness Seeds: Day 7: Student Shout Outs!
     The students during their free time write shout outs or write about something kind another student did for them.  The catch is that they can not put their name on the shout out.  This is so that the focus is on the student that did something kind and not about the student who wrote.  A couple of times a day I read a couple of them, the class claps and they get to put it on the shout out board.  I have to say they have even written a couple of shout outs to me, which is very sweet!!
     I am surprised at how popular this has become so quickly.  Several times a day the students ask me if I can read more shout outs.  I think and hope and it is promoting kindness in a very simple, effective and positive way.

Comprehension Activities Packet

Reports cards are done!  To celebrate I put both my comprehension graphic organizers into one packet.  Hope you enjoy!

Mental Math

I believe it is important to encourage and teach our students how to do as much math in their heads as possible.  As adults that is how we solve most of our math problems on a day to day basis.  I created these games to help my students practice addition and subtraction in their heads.  Of course, I do give them the option of using a paper and pencil if they need to.

Hope you enjoy these games as much as my students do!

Numeration Notebook

I created this notebook for my students to be able to use as a reference they can use at home and school.  I have one for all the math units I teach but for right now here is the one for numeration!

Language Arts Package

I put my language arts activities all in one place!  This includes the word families activity: Related Words and the synonym/antonym activity: Word Lines!