Five for Friday {Venn Diagrams}

 {1}  Introducing Venn Diagrams

I love teaching Venn diagrams.  Perhaps it's my previous math background.  Ultimately, I use them to compare and contrast literature, but the first step starts with this hands on activity using attribute blocks.  We sit in a big circle around two hula hoops that are separated first, and do simple color or shape sorting (which they have had lots of practice with).  Then, I propose two categories that have an overlap, such as red in one hoop and triangle in another hoop. I have them brainstorm how they could solve the problem of what to do with the red triangles.  They come up with all kinds of answers including "Don't use them!" Then, we all agree that overlapping the hoops is the best, because the blocks will be in both hoops at the same time...hooray!

  We do this activity in reverse (I sort, they categorize), as you can see in this picture with the question marks, using three different sized bears.

If you guessed, green bears and big bears, you have mastered Venn diagrams:)

{2} Comparing Letters in Names  

Next, we did this activity from Read With Me ABC, comparing the letters in our names with our partner's.

You can find it free, by clicking on the image below:

{3} A Super Fun Video!

{4} Comparing and Contrasting Characters in Two Books
We read two versions of The Gingerbread Man and talked about which characters were different and which were the same.

I moved everything into the pocket chart to aid my kinders in viewing things for their response sheet.

Now, I know the McCracken version is so old and hard to find, but my kinders just love the surprise ending with a tortoise!  There are many, many other versions that you could compare and contrast, such as the ever-popular version by Galdone.  After we made the chart, we recorded our responses on a Venn diagram response page.  I gave them the choice of writing the words or drawing the pictures and this sweetie did some of each because she didn't think she could draw a frog.  Of course, they all didn't come out this gorgeous.  She puts my art to shame.  Check out her fox!  
 
{5} A Little Something to Make You Smile

source unkown
Have a happy weekend:)
 

Five for Friday/Snow & Penguins

{1} Drought here in sunny CA, and I just had to capture this sunrise reflection this week.

{2}  So...we just pretended it was a winter wonderland here in room 10, starting with sponge painted snowmen and a few descriptive sentences.

{3} We especially love decorating the room with oodles of handmade snowflakes.

I like to emphasize one of the science facts by making the snowflakes six segmented.  They are pre-folded by parent volunteers, but my kinders did all of the cutting on their own and they truly are all one of a kind!

{4} We used these winter word cards from Miss Kindergarten to help brainstorm things we see in January.  You can find them HERE.

 Then we made these little flip books.

{5} We read about penguins, then brainstormed this chart and used it in our writing.

 After using Miss Kindergarten's simple and adorable penguin craft, we completed three frame sentences.

You can find the craft HERE.

Have a fabulous MLK weekend!

Fitness Resolution for 2014

In 2014, I am setting a goal to to become strong, flexy and fierce, in other words, simply to be able to do this:

I started pole fitness in 2013 and I love it.  Unfortunately, pole dancing still has some social stigmas related to its unsavory history, but did you know that the use of a pole for exercise has been traced back at least eight hundred years to this Indian sport of mallakhamb?  

Thank you Blog Hoppin' for hosting this linky party!

Now I better get started on some push ups.

Creativity Resolution for 2014

I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin' today.

So, this post has nothing to do with school because we're still on vacation, and this is what's on my little mind.

Using this photo from atticmag.com as my guide, I am attempting a similar vibe in a similar color scheme (or lack there of!) for a door in my kitchen.

So far, I have this...

 and this...

and I have done this...

I know you're saying..."What was she thinking?"  I was unable to find a door that I liked that was tall enough for my 9 foot opening, so now I am creating one with 2 old doors. The main door has "great bones" (as they say) and no fewer than 30 divided lites with wavy glass!  It's amazing what makes me happy.  So with a little help, and a lot of luck and more than a lot of elbow grease, this baby just might work out. I have 364 days left, right? 

Let me know your thoughts! 

Wishing you and yours oodles of happiness and creativity in 2014!