Happy MLK Day!
Canceling Recess????
Morning friends!
Let me ask you a question: Do you have recess every day?
I was caught a little off-guard this morning when I was watching the news and heard that 23 schools in Florida were actually CANCELLING recess time in order to get more instruction in during the day. The driving force? Common Core. These schools are saying they need more time to get in CCSS instruction in order to prepare kids for state tests (grr....that makes me shudder...)
Check out this quick clip:
Check out this quick clip:
Now, I'm sure you can probably guess where I am on the recess spectrum, considering I write a blog called the "Classroom Game Nook." On top of that I teach fitness classes and think that the childhood obesity rate in this country is scary. No more recess means kids sitting more and being less active.
I am a huge supporter of both learning games AND games where students are just moving, having fun, and learning to cooperate. I know I'm not the only teacher that had to have a impromptu lesson about working with others on the playground after a argument erupts over who gets to use the swings next. In my book - that's learning too. I like the way one parent put it:
"At the end of the day, who cares if you have straight A's and you get a scholarship to Harvard if you're socially inept?"
Right? I totally agree.
I am curious as to what your thoughts are about this issue?
How often do you have recess in your classroom? Do you think common core should trump recess?
Prepping for MLK Day and Black History Month
Hey all!
{poor sad little canoe, waiting for summer}
It's winter wonderland here! It looks pretty from the inside looking out (as I sip some yummy tea) - not so pretty when your walking through it with a gym bag on one shoulder, diaper bag on the other, and carrying a 10 month old squirmy little girl walking into the Y. (as was the scene this morning as I went into the Y to teach my BODYPump strength training class.)
But now that I'm cozy inside, and said little girl is currently napping, I'm ready to sit down and share with you some of my favorite resources for MLK Day and Black History Month.
I know many of you have off on the actual day (next Monday), but here are a few activities you might want to throw into your plans this week to mix things up a bit.
Before I did any games or activities with my students on MLK or Black History Month, I always wanted to make sure that they had the proper background knowledge.
I found these book titles to be great resources:
{you can see more details about each book by clicking on the titles.}
Once the kiddos had a better understanding, then I introduced the following activities that they could explore individually, in partners, or in small groups:
Here are some fun centers, games, and activities that you can have your students rotate through:
The packet includes:
a reader's theater script
a student-made book template
vocabulary word games
a primary source activity
a research project on important African American historical figures
a peace wall display
printable activity sheets
Check out the details here.
Also, If you head over to my holiday games page and scroll down to the MLK section, you'll find a Tic-Tac-Toe board that students complete as they learn different things about MLK.
And finally, after a fun week of learning about MLK or at some point during Black History Month, we typically watched this cute animated movie called Our Friend Martin.
The movie works as a great Fun Friday activity.
Hopefully this gives you some fun games and ideas for prepping for MLK/Black History Month. If you'd like a printable version with all of the above activities (plus more!) you can click on the picture below and store in your files!
Enjoy!
Winter Holiday MEGA Pack Winner!
Hey everyone!
Did you enjoy your weekend? I just wanted to pop in quick to announce the winner of my Open House giveaway.
Congrats to Kimi C! She is now the proud owner of the 3 activity packs below:
I am so excited that you all decided to join me for my Open House! This is just the beginning of a fabulous new blog-life :) I hope you stay with me for the ride!
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