Haunted Holidays

   If one spooky holiday isn’t enough for you, then you’re in luck! Halloween and Dia de los Muertos are perfectly timed to stir up all kinds of spooky spirits and lots of learning. Halloween is celebrated on October 31^st. On midnight of the same day, people in Central and Southern Mexico believe that the gates of heaven open. This allows the spirits of the dead to return between November 1^st and 2^nd to visit their relatives and friends. The first spirits to arrive are the angelitos, or the spirits of deceased children. Then on November 2^nd, the spirits of adults are allowed to return.

     All Hallows Eve, or Halloween, as it’s commonly known, is one the largest commercial holidays in the world. The only holiday that out spends Halloween is Christmas! Whether it’s attending costume parties, dressing up as crazy characters, or watching little faces light up as you ply them with sugary sweets, there are a lot of reasons why people love this haunted holiday. 
    Halloween originated as a Celtic festival called Samhain. The holiday was full of spooky specters roving around. Many of our current traditions stem from activities done during Samhain. For example, do you know why people originally dressed in costume? It wasn’t to get candy! Long ago, people dressed up to disguise themselves from evil spirits that may have been roaming around during the festival. Eventually the Christian church changed the name of the holiday to All Hallows Eve and dedicated it to the remembrance of the dead and saints of the church, in order to try to Christianize the pagan holiday. The name was shortened over time to Halloween, and is now one of the most popular holidays around!

   Dia de los Muertos is one of the most important celebrations in many towns and villages in Mexico. In fact, some people will spend about two months of what they earn preparing to welcome the dead. The families create ofrendas, or altars, to their dead relatives. Typically the ofrendas will be decorated with pictures of the deceased, candles, and orange marigolds. The family will also leave gifts for the dead such as: pan de muertos (bread of the dead), fruit, drinks, and other things that are associated with the person that’s passed away. In some areas the families will set places at their tables to welcome back the spirits of their loved ones. Local artisans prepare papel picado banners to be used in church services during the holiday, and to decorate for Dia de los Muertos. Candy makers also prepare in advance by making a huge number of Calaveras, decorated with icing. These spectacular little skulls can be made of chocolate, but are generally created from sugar. The holiday goers can smash the sugar skulls to symbolize victory over death, before they eat the sweet treat. They also make little sugar coffins to delight the younger patrons of the holiday. Where some people view death as an end, Dia de los Muertos celebrates the beauty of the cycle of life and the lives are loved ones. Due to its colorful and fun nature, it’s also attracting a following in countries all around the world.

  These holidays coincide so well that I love to take a little time to teach about both around Halloween time. It’s also the perfect time to include some global awareness for my munchkins! We generally spend a little more time on Dia de los Muertos as it’s a lesser known holiday. Then I let the kids compare and contrast the two holidays. They usually think it’s so cool how closely the two holidays parallel even though they originated in totally different areas of the world. It’s an open door to share how many similarities people have from so many different places.

If you’re interested in more info about either of these holidays, check out these great videos I found online…

If you’d like a quick, easy activity pack to coincide with either of these holidays, then check out these products at my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

          

Thanks for Stopping By!

I hope you have a SPOOKtacular weekend!

Veteran’s Day

Veteran’s Day

    I’ll admit it. I’ve been a little clipart crazy lately. The other night I found myself sitting alone, in the dark, in our living room. It was after eleven and my dear sweet hubby had turned off all the lights and gone off to bed. To say I was slightly lost in my clipart creations was a bit of an understatement. But, my (former) military family & friends inspired me to create these little cuties and I was on a mission to complete them! 
   My military kids were created with Veteran’s Day in mind, but they’d be adorable to use for anything military related. These have JUST been posted on my TpT store, so you can click on any of the images and pick up the whole set ½ price for the next 24 hours!

Check out my NEW You Tube Channel!

Bear with me as I get started... I'm so excited (and sort of intimidated) to journey into this new technology! At some point, I hope to be publishing original story read alouds. :) Stay tuned!!

PS. I’ve also made it my personal project to make a non-fiction printable for each holiday throughout the year. These will be titled “I Know (the holiday name)”. Follow me to get great deals as these are released… I may create my first “growing” bundle to give you even more savings! (I’m still trying to catch up with all my TpT marketing skills)! ;D

Do you have stacks of leveled readers sitting around from your Harcourt 3rd Grade Trophies Reading Series? Would you like to use them for something other than dust catchers? If so, download this mClass Written Response Resource for the Harcourt 3rd Grade Trophies Series (Leveled Readers). 

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS RESOURCE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE LEVELED TEXTS.*

  
   This year we are using this resource in our 3rd Grade Intervention Block. Students will read the texts and answer the comprehension questions in the back cover of each book. Then, they will answer a corresponding mClass style question (included in this download) in their small groups. 
We made a large grade-level binder to organize this file, with each sheet in a page protector. Now we can copy the page we’d like to use (for students that have trouble transferring), or we can let the students complete the written response on a sheet of notebook paper. 

This download includes:
*Teacher Use Letter (suggestions for use)
*Binder Cover
*Binder Spine
*Leveled Book Lists
*mClass Comprehension Questions for more than 100 texts (NOT INCLUDED)
*Student Tracking Sheets
*Terms of Use

binder pieces

I hope this resource helps you re-energize an aging resource and makes your year a little less stressful!
Thanks for stopping by,

Volcano Trio

Create an explosion of learning excitement with the 199 page "I Survived Volcano Trio Pack"! The novel studies included in this download are written for a fourth grade reading level but could easily be used in grades 3-5, and with advanced 2nd grade readers. 

The "I Know Volcanoes" pack is the perfect compliment to any unit related to volcanoes! Use this product to enhance your students non-fiction reading comprehension skills; increase their knowledge of volcanoes and related science concepts; and build on their writing skills. 

This is also included in the Product Download:
*Volcanoes Picture of the Day (Cause & Effect) in Color and Black & White
*Non-Fiction Reading Comprehension Passages w/Short Answer Questions & Vocabulary 
*Volcano Top Ten
*Help Volcano Victims (Poster Templates)
*Daily News (Templates- 2 Versions)
*Historical Comparisons (research writing)
*Writing Prompts & Discussion Starters
*Volcano Fact or Opionion
*Volcano Color Pages (not included in the original download)

This product addresses the following Common Core Standards: (ELA) RI3.4, RI3.5, RI3.7, RI3.10

The "I Survived the Eruption of Mount St. Helens" product download includes:
Reading Comprehension Chapters 1-4 
Quiz Chapters 1-4 
Reading Comprehension Chapters 5-9 
Quiz Chapters 5-9 
Reading Comprehension Chapters 10-13
Quiz Chapters 10-13
Reading Comprehension Chapters 14-16 and Author Notes
Quiz Chapters 14-16 and Author Notes
Answer Keys for all questions and quizzes
K-W-L Charts 
All About Mount St. Helens (Research & Writing Extension) 
All About Volcanoes (Research & Writing Extension 
Who Is Jess (character traits) 
Character Comparisons (With Writing Extension) 
Making Connections (2 versions) 
Surviving the Eruption
Story Elements 
Story Cause & Effect 
Story Event Sequencing 
Story Summary Flipbook 
Book Report 
Vocabulary Puzzles
Mount St. Helens vs. Mt. Pele (comparitive research writing about similar historical events)
Resource Weblinks
Terms of Use 

This novel study addresses the following Common Core Standards: (ELA) R.CCR.1, R.CCR.2, R.CCR.10,RL.3.1, RL.3.3, RL.3.6, RL.3.10,RI.3.1, RI.3.3, RI.3.4, RI.3.7, RI.3.10, RF.3.3, RF.3.3c, RF.3.4, W.CCR.4, W.CCR.5, W.CCR.6, W.CCR.7, W.CCR.8, W.CCR.9, W.3.2, W.3.4, W.3.7, W.3.8, L.3.2, L.3.4 

The "I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79" Mega Pack product download includes:

Reading Comprehension Chapters 1-4 
Quiz Chapters 1-4 
Reading Comprehension Chapters 5-7 
Quiz Chapters 5-7 
Reading Comprehension Chapters 8-10
Quiz Chapters 8-10
Reading Comprehension Chapters 11-16
Quiz Chapters 11-16 
Answer Keys for all questions and quizzes
K-W-L Chart 
All About Pompeii (Research & Writing Extension 
Who Is Marcus (character traits) 
Character Comparisons (With Writing Extension) 
Making Connections (2 versions) 
Surviving the Destruction
Story Elements 
Story Cause & Effect 
Story Event Sequencing 
Story Summary Flipbook 
Book Report 
Resource Weblinks
Terms of Use 

This novel study addresses the following Common Core Standards: (ELA) R.CCR.1, R.CCR.2, R.CCR.10,RL.3.1, RL.3.3, RL.3.6, RL.3.10,RI.3.1, RI.3.3, RI.3.4, RI.3.7, RI.3.10, RF.3.3, RF.3.3c, RF.3.4, W.CCR.4, W.CCR.5, W.CCR.6, W.CCR.7, W.CCR.8, W.CCR.9, W.3.2, W.3.4, W.3.7, W.3.8, L.3.2, L.3.4 

This product download also includes 5 COMPARING ACROSS TEXTS activities to use with the "I Survived" novels (included in this download) RL3.9

MClass Question Stem Cards

mClass TRC Sentence Stem Cards

  You can use these mClass TRC Sentence Stem Cards in a lot of different ways! You can use them in literacy stations, whole group to write about various texts, leveled small groups, etc. 
  In my classroom, I have printed these in color on cardstock. Then I had my cards laminated. Afterwards, I hole-punched the corner of each card and placed them on a binder ring. These cards hang on a hook on the board in the front of my room.  Sometimes, I pull off a card and ask my students to create a written response to whichever text we’re working on at the time. Since they’re color-coded (and my students sit in leveled groups), they’re also very convenient to give out to my table groups as a quick, differentiated activity with a small group text. I’m also planning to integrate the cards into my small group literacy stations as a leveled reading activity. To do this, you can simply pull a text for the group reading level and pull a corresponding card. Place both the texts and the mClass card into a folder and place them in a station with a few pencils and notebook paper. Students can group/partner read the text and then answer the question in a written response.

Quick.

Easy.

Effective.

  If your students regularly practice using these sentence stems cards, you will see an increase in your students’ TRC reading comprehension. The cards help build fluency and understanding of the test format as well as the standards assessed through the mClass TRC assessments.
I hope these increase your students’ academic success and make your year a little less stressful! If you have any questions about this product, feel free to contact me at eclecticelementary@gmail.com.

Thanks for stopping by,

Halloween & Dia de Muertos Clipart

Eclectic Clips

       Clipart is a recent addiction that I’ve acquired. I’ve always been “artsy”.  After buying it from other people for a couple years (and spending a small fortune), I decided to take matters (or an apple pencil) into my own hands. Not to plug Apple products, but I LOVE my iPad Pro and Apple pencil!  To date, I’ve created quite a collection of clipart to use with my educational products. Now you can find some of them on my TpT store!

   Just click on the image of the set that you like to find it on my store front. You can cutesy up your items, without gouging your budget. 

See these spooky images on my YouTube Channel!

PS. Click on my “Follow Me” button for ½ off all my newest products for the first 24 hours that they’re posted!

Back to School Procedures

Back to School!

   It’s that time of year again. All the school supplies are filling the store shelves. You find yourself simultaneously loathing the retailer and desperately wanting to rush through the isles before the supplies are picked over. Does anyone else LOVE the smell of new crayons or is it just me???

   Even though I have a few more weeks until my munchkins start school, my mind is already reeving up for that first week of school. I drive myself bonkers running through lists of things I need to do: visit the teacher supply store (for cute room décor I don’t really need); revise my first week of lesson plans; copy all my materials; print all my labels (because I’m OCD about organizing); rework my furniture arrangement for maximum efficiency; figure out where to stash all the new, used student books on my overflowing library shelves… the list goes on and on!

    One of the most important things I always make sure I do at the beginning of the year is to have a plan to teach procedures to my munchkins. Everyone’s heard it a million times and it sounds like something so simple, but it can make or break your entire year. This past year I had first-hand experience with this… My fourth baby arrived just in time to send me out on maternity leave before school started. As a result, my class started the year out with a (fantastic!) substitute teacher. When I arrived back on the scene just before Christmas Break, my class was running smoothly so I just jumped in and hit the curriculum hard. Pretty quickly though, it became a struggle to do some of the things that I routinely implemented in my room, like Literacy Stations.

   The groups didn’t always get along. Some of the kids couldn’t complete their stations without interrupting my guided reading group eight million times (ok. It was probably 4-5 times, but it felt like that much!). Other kids were off-task or disruptively loud while they worked. After a couple of weeks, my stress level was going through the roof and I wasn’t really sure if the stations were really as effective as I had planned.

   I was wracking my brain trying to figure out what had gone wrong. Were the kids just crazier than normal? It seemed like it. Were my raging post-pregnancy hormones making me nuts? Probably. Then, I finally realized it was because we hadn’t done our classroom procedures together. Yes, we had practiced the Literacy Station procedures and activities together for a couple of weeks, but somehow something hadn’t clicked. Looking back I’m convinced it was those first crucial weeks of school that my students and I never got together.

   This year that will change. The beginning of the year is always busy with rules and routines but I’ve tried to simplify for success this fall. This year we’re starting off right, and staying that way! I created Pencil Pouch Procedures books for my kiddos. It has been formatted specifically to fit in the lid of a standard, plastic pencil box. Each page has a particular set of rules or procedures that I want my students to learn and use fluently. We will do mini-lessons on each topic and then the students will complete the corresponding page. Once my students have completed their entire book, they will store them in the top of their pencil boxes (or in their pencil pouches). Then they can access their Pencil Pouch Procedures Book if they have a question about a classroom, or school, rule or procedure. This will help eliminate some of the repetitive questions the kids always ask and reinforce what I want them to do. The Pencil Pouch Procedures Books are simple and easy to use. No prep. Low stress. That’s how to start the year off right! If you want to see more of this handy resource, click on the image below to visit my TpT store!

Earth Day Everyday

     Once a year, when Earth Day rolls around, most of us go out of our way to celebrate the Earth. It’s the perfect opportunity to share the wonders of nature. It also gives us the chance to share how to care for our planet with our kids. But, we can celebrate Earth Day every day!

    Inside this pack you’ll find a variety of low-prep Earth Day activities and printables. You can also find some ideas for celebrating our amazing planet all year around. Students should understand that taking care of our world is an important responsibility. One they can begin no matter how old they are. It’s an awesome privilege to look after the world that looks after us so well!

 Sharpen your students’ math skills by using area and perimeter to make Earth Day gardens. Review mixed math skills with these Earth Day themed story problems. Help your students think of ways that they can use helping hands to make our planet a better place. Read about the origins of Earth Day in an informational text with short answer comprehension questions. Create an Everyday Earth Day book about ways they can celebrate this special holiday at home and in the world around them. Dig through the ABCs to create tips to help the Earth in Earth Day A to Z. Collect data, create graphs, and summarize your findings to share how well your students recycle at home. Empower your students to become planet protectors with some activity ideas that they can complete at home.

This download includes:

Earth Day Area & Perimeter
Planted Perimeter
Earth Day Oops! (mixed story problems)
Helping Hands (lending a hand to help the planet)
Earth Day Origins (reading comprehension-informational text)
Everyday Earth Day shape book (writing)
Earth Day A to Z (writing- ABC book of Earth Day tips)
Regular Recycling (math graphing activity and booklet: tally chart, pictograph, line graph, pie chart, and line graph with writing extension)
Planet Protectors (at home activities for students) 
Happy Earth Day (color sheet)
We Recycle (color sheet)
Ponder Plants (nature walk lesson w/observation sheets)
Recycle Sort (categorizing recyclables)

   I hope you find this pack helpful and fun for your kiddos. Thank you for making the Earth a priority in your classroom!

Enjoy these recycling videos with your peeps..

Everyday Eclectic: Super, Simple Chicken Dinner

      If you’re like me, when you get home from work the last thing you want to do is cook a huge meal. I’ve found a super simple way to make QUICK and EASY meals instead of eating pre-packaged frozen or fast food.  It saves money, time, and it’s actually healthy!   

   Are you ready for my secret?

   FREEZER BAGS. That’s right, freezer bags have changed our family meal time.

    Last year I started buying fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts at our local Sam’s Club store. Obviously my family couldn’t eat an entire flat of chicken in one setting so I needed a way to utilize the rest of the value priced meat. That’s where freezer bags came in…

   At first I just froze the extra. But when we defrosted the chicken it was usually a little dry, or just plain boring. I rummaged around in my cabinets and came across some marinade packets that we had bought for grilling. It was like lightning struck my brain! I’m sure I heard angels singing as I looked between those dry marinade packets and that pile of poultry.

     Are you ready to get started on your super, simple chicken dinner? Just grab a few items and get going.

   

Materials:

Large Knife

Cutting Board

Spoon

Gallon Freezer Bags

Sharpie

Ingredients:

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

Marinade Packets

Oil

Vinegar (white or apple cider)

                                                    Water 

Step 1: Prep your space

• ·      Get out (AND OPEN) 1 bag per 1-1.5 lbs. of chicken *Trust me, you do not want to open these with chicken juice all over your hands!
• ·      Use a sharpie to label your freezer bags (write the name of one marinade on each bag)
• ·      Set out your cutting board and knife
• ·      Pull out the marinade packets and other ingredients (*different marinade packets require slight variations of additional ingredients, but water, oil, and vinegar are standard)

Step 2: Mix your marinades

• ·      Mix each marinade in a small bowl
• ·      Set the marinade packet for each mix in front of the bowl

Step 3: Put it together

• ·      Butterfly cut each chicken breast (cut it horizontally to make thinner cutlets)
• ·      Place 3-4 chicken breasts into each gallon freezer bag
• ·      Pour one marinade over each bag of poultry
• ·      Squeeze out as much air as possible and zip the bag shut
• ·      Lay the bags flat in the freezer

Now comes the best part!

      When you’re ready to make your super, simple chicken dinner, pull the Ziploc bag out of the freezer. Set it in a large bowl (or your clean, kitchen sink) and run warm tap water over it. I let it sit in the water while I change out of my work clothes and into my p.j. pants and fluffy slippers. Dinner’s well under way while I’m already starting to relax! 

     When the chicken has thawed, flip on your grill. While the grill pre-heats, put on some fast-fix sides. We like to microwave baked potatoes and toss a quick side salad or heat up some canned veggies (don't groan-at least they're vegetables!).

     Grill your chicken (or ask your spouse to cook the meat if you really want a nice break). Fixing our chicken this way really lets the marinades saturate the meat for a flavorful dish. Plate your chicken and simple sides and serve.  

Sometimes we have extra chicken left over that is terrific for chicken roll-ups, chicken salads, and chicken nachos! YUM!!

I hope this super, simple chicken dinner idea gives you a little more time to unwind in the evening! Feel free to leave an idea or comment of your own. J