tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85853761606790955472024-02-18T22:41:54.838-06:00The Box of Crayons BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-39048041298868278022012-06-27T15:58:00.000-05:002012-06-27T15:58:42.079-05:00Lost in TIme: Interactive Civil War Game<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4z0jhb2GkPnJo15ADCyXW_qyMHfNvY11PV0ibo_i2vOX71Y2tIM_GHc5BjzTauMc2zCHA5NZkT56-8HcbSLIJpiW3KRm4hPpECmR6VLysplNYgSiF7KOlz5EcuOqqtZXFq9CqWK2WBOY/s1600/Lost+in+Time.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4z0jhb2GkPnJo15ADCyXW_qyMHfNvY11PV0ibo_i2vOX71Y2tIM_GHc5BjzTauMc2zCHA5NZkT56-8HcbSLIJpiW3KRm4hPpECmR6VLysplNYgSiF7KOlz5EcuOqqtZXFq9CqWK2WBOY/s1600/Lost+in+Time.JPG" /></a><br />
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Oh. My. Goodness. I love the state of Alabama. I love that I come from Alabama, that I live in Alabama, that Alabama is steeped in Southern charm, and that Alabama is full of a rich history. When I see a website like this one, though, which is created by the Missouri History Museum, it makes me want to say, "GET IT TOGETHER ALABAMA!" </div>
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This game is <a href="http://civilwarmo.org/assets/flash/game/game.php" target="_blank">Lost in Time</a> and it is<em> fantastic</em>. It is animated. It is interactive. It is engaging. Students learn a LOT. </div>
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The premise of the game is that students are on a field trip to the Missouri History Museum where students are not allowed to touch anything, but you as the player touch something that sends you back to Civil War times. You have to help several key types of people in order to get home. You help a civil war doctor on the battlefield, a slave escape, a homefront lady fight fire, and more. Although this game is targeted to teaching Missouri history, the students still learn great deal about what the civil war was like for people during that time. </div>
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Tip: When you let students play this game, provide a scrap piece of paper and pencil. They need to write down the code that appears after the game starts. If they are unable to finish the whole game, they can put that code in at a later time to complete the game. At the end of the game, students solve a code. I think I will require that my students turn in the resulting sentence as part of their participation grade. How many teachers do that? Play a game to get an A. I heart it. </div>
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I still wish Alabama would make one of these for Alabama...for every time period. If I knew how to make them, I SO would. If anyone from Alabama Archives or the Alabama Dept. of Education is reading this and would like to hire me to learn how to do that and to actually do it, I accept.</div>
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Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-32150130044564453382012-06-08T20:07:00.003-05:002012-06-08T20:07:49.677-05:00Sail to Victory! An AWESOME 1812 USS Constitution Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4FwQ7VckJy7LLycda7L3eqsad0b8rzWKJ0Ahgy23_I5ARiDI6QxaC1pWzzOdOT-2s4-IMrh1rCD6cP4-Cf5rO4kKuYbIJa2tveLLlWJbaCZrZQJKjPh-li1VV-Unb2OlXiBHfQW8BAw/s1600/Old+Ironsides+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4FwQ7VckJy7LLycda7L3eqsad0b8rzWKJ0Ahgy23_I5ARiDI6QxaC1pWzzOdOT-2s4-IMrh1rCD6cP4-Cf5rO4kKuYbIJa2tveLLlWJbaCZrZQJKjPh-li1VV-Unb2OlXiBHfQW8BAw/s320/Old+Ironsides+3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is the second post, the follow-up post, to the last post that I posted. It is embarrassing how long I played this game. The game is <a href="http://www.asailorslifeforme.org/ironsides.php" target="_blank">Sail to Victory!</a>, and it is project of the USS Constitution Museum. </div>
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I taught a leave of absence for a 5th and 6th grade computer teacher at the end of the school year. The job was perfect for me. I could find computer games and play them to evaluate them basically all day while students worked and/or played whatever I assigned. I spent at least a day playing this game. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEIpBCNmmS8nzaaIDY-22UNXiknwXYoohJt7or8uzO-DGJj5EWYUMxcyEk9b7aqnbETNMxtVUV-Tkb_Kkt_aQKVaR7tVHTlSe8i3RYVgBTAOrsvxI76MrcaQALxrjpPs-6TzD2_SQpac/s1600/Old+Ironsides+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEIpBCNmmS8nzaaIDY-22UNXiknwXYoohJt7or8uzO-DGJj5EWYUMxcyEk9b7aqnbETNMxtVUV-Tkb_Kkt_aQKVaR7tVHTlSe8i3RYVgBTAOrsvxI76MrcaQALxrjpPs-6TzD2_SQpac/s320/Old+Ironsides+4.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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In my last post, I posted an interactive activity in which you got to explore the USS Constitution in 1812. In this game, you actually <em>join</em> the USS Constitution in 1812. You have to make decisions about what to buy to survive before you start. Then, you begin your job as the lowest rank in the ship, a boy. You get to do the hard and disgusting jobs, like in this picture where you have to kill the rats on the ship...and that is not the most disgusting job. You also have to make decisions about who to tattle on to the superiors, whether or not to gamble with shipmates, whether or not to participate in telling tall tales, and so much more in addition to your jobs. You get promoted as you play the game, and you earn newer, cooler jobs as you are promoted through the game. You eventually even get to shoot ships during the battles of the War of 1812! </div>
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Coolest. Game. Ever. You participate in nearly every job that was available on the USS Constitution during 1812 as well as the social life of that time. I would tell you more, but I would like to go play again. </div>
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Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-58495123420231264602012-06-01T20:16:00.001-05:002012-06-01T20:18:34.173-05:00Explore Old Ironsides - The USS Constitution in 1812<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzT7NdbFJJUAB4USpFFF9lfd4kDxTYnyc4mKCEmkroRMu9AXl494yFnSBsic7vt1q_TZ94O6pX2A1raax3N5UJ9oc1xZYxHX3Q8KG9bya4es4LHOGmJjH_KPrjmOeZ5f1ir5Fa7eSDnk/s1600/Old+Ironsides.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzT7NdbFJJUAB4USpFFF9lfd4kDxTYnyc4mKCEmkroRMu9AXl494yFnSBsic7vt1q_TZ94O6pX2A1raax3N5UJ9oc1xZYxHX3Q8KG9bya4es4LHOGmJjH_KPrjmOeZ5f1ir5Fa7eSDnk/s640/Old+Ironsides.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Above is a screenshot of what you'll see when you enter the <a href="http://www.asailorslifeforme.org/ironsides_explore.php" target="_blank">Explore Old Ironsides</a> interactive activity. This website makes me sooooo happy. Why can't there be websites like this one for every subject in history? I learned a LOT from this website, and I had a lot of fun. In fact, I didn't realize I had learned anything until I had played with this one for hours. And isn't that what we want for our students anyway? We want them to learn something while only realizing that they are having fun. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5H2KPX-83EL9RkE6tDEyrw1evXFSR0jAbRdoFsDWaqaITX25dGHrY01pMXdtHOsEuIoSQcwWNE4DHS7NOPllmJruVJ2xwQzIc9d1KLsMaZSqCNX_yAoumeRTZcWZ0ZIp4isTYlGbVhQk/s1600/Old+Ironsides2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5H2KPX-83EL9RkE6tDEyrw1evXFSR0jAbRdoFsDWaqaITX25dGHrY01pMXdtHOsEuIoSQcwWNE4DHS7NOPllmJruVJ2xwQzIc9d1KLsMaZSqCNX_yAoumeRTZcWZ0ZIp4isTYlGbVhQk/s400/Old+Ironsides2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In this interactive activity, you will get to go to all areas of the USS Constitution as it was in 1812. You get to click on all kinds of stuff in each scene. Some objects make noise. Some people tell you things about themselves. Sometimes you learn a bit more about different objects and activities. Sometimes you get an animation. </div>
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The cartoon renditions are fantastic, but they portray everything realistically. You may even hear "Gross," "Cool," "Ewww...," and even a couple of giggles as your kiddos explore this ship. I don't want to say more because I don't want to give anything away, but I want you to know that this website is most definitely in my TOP 10!</div>
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There is even an activity that goes with this activity, but I recommend letting your students explore this one first. This would even be a good activity for the SmartBoard...</div>
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I'll post about another incredible, awesome, over-the-top activity that goes with this one in a couple of days...or longer...I'm in grad school again, friends. I'm taking nine hours in eight weeks. Yes, I realize that I am crrraazy. :)</div>
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Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-26936680205459847752012-05-25T16:29:00.003-05:002012-05-25T16:31:30.429-05:00Bombarding Yorktown Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oNZOmrQy76_ZDmGvQUED930Z4a9saEvXFswkBIulzZAYjySF5bQN6VfdNbYW44NxoBWGHfyt9tjE0ekugDJUOZBRFzcbKKo0rEEKJr_EPk347jVLZUXkBrIwUwGxjvr1SedQBW7ne0E/s1600/Cannons.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3oNZOmrQy76_ZDmGvQUED930Z4a9saEvXFswkBIulzZAYjySF5bQN6VfdNbYW44NxoBWGHfyt9tjE0ekugDJUOZBRFzcbKKo0rEEKJr_EPk347jVLZUXkBrIwUwGxjvr1SedQBW7ne0E/s320/Cannons.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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This game is <a href="http://washingtonsworld.org/bombarding.html" target="_blank">Bombarding Yorktown</a> and also comes from Washington's World. This game lets you participate in the last major battle of the Revolutionary War - Yorktown. The player gets to be captain of the gun crew, directing the aim of the cannon and letting the gun crew know when to fire. The gun crew's job is to destroy the enemy's protection (walls, ships, random stuff in the way) and guns so that it will be easier for foot soldiers and infantry to attack. The game has three levels, and George Washington himself coaches you through each one. Good luck in battle!</div>
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Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-53195429939471497012012-05-16T16:12:00.000-05:002012-05-16T16:13:54.404-05:00Washington's Treasures - My New Favorite Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY4Par3812yFYk05_tYir4oUybgR58gZ6kkD4iKNbxfRgzmZm9NSIF1ghhk71TsxSZZoiAFTCzrE0SXl2vhYIQib1ohTdoUmzVTXcluUZKsO45zzCD8tzVGJbdcd1Ke3rFTTNJTlKcuA/s1600/George+Washington.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuY4Par3812yFYk05_tYir4oUybgR58gZ6kkD4iKNbxfRgzmZm9NSIF1ghhk71TsxSZZoiAFTCzrE0SXl2vhYIQib1ohTdoUmzVTXcluUZKsO45zzCD8tzVGJbdcd1Ke3rFTTNJTlKcuA/s400/George+Washington.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is a screenshot of one of my new favorite games! I played this game an <em>embarrassingly </em>long time. This game is <a href="http://www.washingtonsworld.org/washington.html" target="_blank">Washington's Treasures</a>, and it is ah-mazing. You, the player, are transported back to a 3D rendering of Mount Vernon at the time when Washington still lived there. You have to explore his mansion and estate, interviewing various members of the household as you search for Washington's most treasured items.</div>
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There are several reasons why I really, really love this game:</div>
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It is a game. It is a history website, and it is a game. I feel that I am talking like Dug from <em>Up</em>...</div>
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It is <em>a quality </em>game...with sound...and it is historically acurate...and fantastic!.</div>
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You<em> have </em>to interview three people before grabbing each mystery object. The people to interview change for each item. They can be people who work(ed) for Washington, Washington's family members, Washington's slaves, and/or Washington himself. </div>
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You get to see what the people you interview would have been doing back then... (for example, you get to see what a blacksmith would be doing on a typical day while you interview him).</div>
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When you pick up one of the treasures, you get to see a photo of the actual treasured artifact and get to read a little bit about it - a very little bit (It keeps students engaged enough to read while staying short enough so they can move on with the game!)</div>
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Students can collect bonus items for an end of the game bonus. You get to see a photo of the actual treasured artifact and get to read a little bit about each of these, too!</div>
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You can go in most of the buildings on the estate. Whether you can or cannot go into them, though, you still get to read a little about each building and what it was for when you go up to its door. </div>
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There is audio for this game, and you can hear the voices of each character.</div>
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THERE IS SO MUCH MORE! I'm going to go play again...</div>
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Do you need more reasons? Go there now! Play! Have fun! </div>
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Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-62916657050249007262012-05-13T20:31:00.003-05:002012-05-13T20:42:53.255-05:00Photos of the Old Classroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are some photos of my classroom from last year. These photos were taken just before open house, two days before school started. In other words, these were taken before our little classroom was "lived in," but it stayed pretty much like this - nice, neat, organized, and bright. When you are a teacher, your classroom is like a second home. Let's face it, you stay there more than home as far as "waking" hours; it is in your best interest to make it a place where you would like to be...</div>
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Pictured below is a view from the doorway:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcVSzHxrvlFqubAVLzf6Uby6MzF5KzMVfTTgtaMEe53sWxj6PSexdKFvxU8nR0mFhmHlEPFMrZ9uDq6XXwcji-RwmmaYjbheSqhj9dnt0JYYfO23FbLJ7sW4Y7H_aFkGhaZFgJAxHfVA/s1600/100_1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcVSzHxrvlFqubAVLzf6Uby6MzF5KzMVfTTgtaMEe53sWxj6PSexdKFvxU8nR0mFhmHlEPFMrZ9uDq6XXwcji-RwmmaYjbheSqhj9dnt0JYYfO23FbLJ7sW4Y7H_aFkGhaZFgJAxHfVA/s320/100_1147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Below is my teacher chair. I stuffed cute fabric between the plastic and cushion to "re-cover" this chair, and it stayed! In the background you see my CAFE board. The outside of a project board had the same fabric as my chair. I opened the board when we had CAFE lessons. I needed a board that could migrate because some groups fit at the table, but most of the time we met in the floor!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUAZsyDM0_uBQXE4CobL_WrXCO0ZFwUaLjdzd0DOKAQa6A5QscmrYGSHBgdgo_1L4FVDhd7sjOwhIJ9WUkh9MYMFoh3zkE6HfQ5lL1XIxA38NSPtNgrrAK6uN14rJTaZt54KRuR9u6z8/s1600/100_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUAZsyDM0_uBQXE4CobL_WrXCO0ZFwUaLjdzd0DOKAQa6A5QscmrYGSHBgdgo_1L4FVDhd7sjOwhIJ9WUkh9MYMFoh3zkE6HfQ5lL1XIxA38NSPtNgrrAK6uN14rJTaZt54KRuR9u6z8/s320/100_1142.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Below is a view from my desk. The caddies up top are from Walmart. Two of them have regular school glue in them, and one has tacky glue. I used those and the others when we would do projects. I would put paintbrushes in them or special markers, etc. for projects, and then I would put a caddy on each group's table. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAz0GR37QWbG3lpfTnhaAqter0fRrNS-q9n1L0bvaR31PNJChkENQ9Qb4mh0-qaVIfWb2bbsIfxJ0uOVtYol0E87iRDJuLy1pLMtvGUi86i66hLaFHHhIBI67h_1P0jyEzujoorVgou0/s1600/100_1143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAz0GR37QWbG3lpfTnhaAqter0fRrNS-q9n1L0bvaR31PNJChkENQ9Qb4mh0-qaVIfWb2bbsIfxJ0uOVtYol0E87iRDJuLy1pLMtvGUi86i66hLaFHHhIBI67h_1P0jyEzujoorVgou0/s320/100_1143.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The bulletin board pictured below says "Our Super Amazing Traits." We added a character trait a week to the board, and we used those traits to describe our "Student of the Week" when we wrote letters to him/her. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC05WhjKkGSJmRP_sGmpkOqUrJ4RvJn9DASbhTjgYWIjvSL2qesNjHZVB5bZwrYEDKahyv_gUN7EEUCrn1CqvtCntPoPuv7ocO_CTfsic2tuJk1DpcPkm8u_FDsPPZipy5gjaKY5ZfOdE/s1600/100_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC05WhjKkGSJmRP_sGmpkOqUrJ4RvJn9DASbhTjgYWIjvSL2qesNjHZVB5bZwrYEDKahyv_gUN7EEUCrn1CqvtCntPoPuv7ocO_CTfsic2tuJk1DpcPkm8u_FDsPPZipy5gjaKY5ZfOdE/s320/100_1144.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The picture below makes me sooo happy. On the bookshelf are about half of my book baskets. I set those up the way that Joan Moser and Gail Boshey describe at <a href="http://thedailycafe.com/">thedailycafe.com</a>. Each basket has a label on the front that describes what is inside. Those vary from "Newberry" to "Dogs" to "Funny." The labels each have a number on them, too, and the baskets are in order on the bookcase. On this bookcase you see basket 1 (top left) - 24 (bottom right). Each book in each basket has a matching number on it. For example, all the books in basket #3 have a "3" on them. This way students can find the books they want by the title on the label, and they can <em>put the books back</em> by the number on the book. It works <em>beautifully</em> - which is great for an OCD teacher who cannot handle clutter! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcWjYszhLkbPRFACtUKYaVAFwtNeIPU8arMuwNCo9zPhY3NmUOc3PzrPVWPnRvqP6KtbD0flmjgaGB71r_MrTGmhviDMRBveemC6i9iKwRyhDwqGONLljgQ4FsZ1xx2Fp2mKr1ac142k/s1600/100_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcWjYszhLkbPRFACtUKYaVAFwtNeIPU8arMuwNCo9zPhY3NmUOc3PzrPVWPnRvqP6KtbD0flmjgaGB71r_MrTGmhviDMRBveemC6i9iKwRyhDwqGONLljgQ4FsZ1xx2Fp2mKr1ac142k/s320/100_1145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Pictured below are more of my bookshelves and bookbaskets. Below the bookshelves are textbooks for the year (Those did NOT stay there; that became extra math manipulative space.)You can also see my extra baskets stacked behind my bookshelf (ready for more books!) and my super cute Crayola curtains that my friend Alice gave me. Thank you, Alice! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInOFMT1aRFqyWO8w7Eo4htY-dcP0DxzLBKLjoxIL5Lj5lThJab5NsYxaK_wJlETOd_DSAHMOZQbO2NVL1O_eMC1m42W9F0sw_4diomWijkFDXhafgrZ-xfcIwdVRkIPVBrQ_PxEAxQLI/s1600/100_1146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInOFMT1aRFqyWO8w7Eo4htY-dcP0DxzLBKLjoxIL5Lj5lThJab5NsYxaK_wJlETOd_DSAHMOZQbO2NVL1O_eMC1m42W9F0sw_4diomWijkFDXhafgrZ-xfcIwdVRkIPVBrQ_PxEAxQLI/s320/100_1146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pictured below is a closer shot of "Our Super Amazing Traits" board. I used traits from<a href="http://www.djinkers.com/" target="_blank"> DJ Inkers</a> Words to Live By Series (there are three sets in the series). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4ZhCYCyv0P7iLrtrY2XoFYWMJKLEHE7Mu8lijsB6RO_GKvMqeHoCxm2QgNneY5qVU4SbojctclN7ziilW5YXopr5LIVhVKnBdZYLQ4uR-ivUx3TbBG7B7HJzD_nuqlHothIV1oy_J5A/s1600/100_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4ZhCYCyv0P7iLrtrY2XoFYWMJKLEHE7Mu8lijsB6RO_GKvMqeHoCxm2QgNneY5qVU4SbojctclN7ziilW5YXopr5LIVhVKnBdZYLQ4uR-ivUx3TbBG7B7HJzD_nuqlHothIV1oy_J5A/s320/100_1149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtC9mtIk9z1R8pVRoYIjTxzf8t5cE6SiWuGmt8WyxdkI2ZdDWxphb6jhS-m9fJeDiKvfLGlZuNq_TU1GCt-U0Sdm9vCL2upvQoVJlqeKld45g_amS4ZxfP7Zbbg7o4sLTx9sfhLJ0z5oU/s1600/100_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtC9mtIk9z1R8pVRoYIjTxzf8t5cE6SiWuGmt8WyxdkI2ZdDWxphb6jhS-m9fJeDiKvfLGlZuNq_TU1GCt-U0Sdm9vCL2upvQoVJlqeKld45g_amS4ZxfP7Zbbg7o4sLTx9sfhLJ0z5oU/s320/100_1150.JPG" width="240" /></a>I've always loved crayons. A friend of mine gave me a framed copy of a quote about a Crayola Bomb once, and I claimed that quote (I've included it at the end of the post). My brother drew a Crayola crayon character with a parachute, and I made a bunch of copies of it, colored all of them different colors, and plastered them all over my cabinets! You also see in the picture to the left the homework and student of the week baskets which are hot glued to the counter (I hate it when baskets get knocked all over the place. Yep, I'm that OCD!) The chart on the bottom-right is my behavior chart. Students get a sticker if they did not have any behavior tickets during the week. If they got two stickers in a row, they could get a pencil, and if they got three stickers in a row, they could choose to get a homework pass or a make up a zero pass. The chart on the bottom left has each student number (1-30) and a velcro dot under each one. Usually, there is a character on each one, but since the school year had not started yet in this picture, they aren't shown. I changed the characters with the seasons. For August, I had flip-flops and surfboards. In September, I had farm animals. In October, I had candy corn, lollipops, spiders, frogs, and witches...you get the idea (all came from <a href="http://www.djinkers.com/" target="_blank">DJ Inkers</a> downloads!). The seven little white rectangles were different places at school (nurse, office, library, restroom, and three labeled "other"). When students left the room, they would move their character to wherever they were going. Other included resource classes, "green" team, and other stuff. Anytime I could not remember where I sent a student (especially around fire drill time), I just looked at this board. I loved it for that reason. The kids loved that they had a new character each month, and they really liked moving them when they left the room. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LsdJg9BtAOMN-peLWnskrbL8BcV1P0dIYISRrbSxbeVDGm0fTmLUaXSDYhvOS63Y4R_xY8O7wbZmo_Oe9Uqgz4SUG3_h0Lwf-K7B_aMaP0XDIkParEWk0AUoUgfebG86ffDscl8Mers/s1600/100_1151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LsdJg9BtAOMN-peLWnskrbL8BcV1P0dIYISRrbSxbeVDGm0fTmLUaXSDYhvOS63Y4R_xY8O7wbZmo_Oe9Uqgz4SUG3_h0Lwf-K7B_aMaP0XDIkParEWk0AUoUgfebG86ffDscl8Mers/s320/100_1151.JPG" width="320" /></a>In the picture to the left, you see my aide's desk (I had a student with CP), more book baskets, and my math manipulatives and reading tools. Each are labeled so the students can easily find what they need and <em>put them back</em>. I got the drawers from Walmart. The clear tubs came from <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/welcome.htm" target="_blank">The Container Store</a>. They are the shoe boxes and the men's shoe boxes. Buy them in bulk, and buy more of the men's boxes than the regular ones. The men's shoe boxes are big enough to fit papers and folders inside. I use these boxes for EVERYTHING! They make everything look soo nice and neat and clean (yes, I realize the overuse of "and"), but you can see what is inside. Love, love, love - top ten. In the bottom left, you see board games. Those are used for award days (like after ARMT, AL Reading & Math Test, testing...). </div>
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Below is another shot of my aide's desk, and one final bookshelf with book baskets. Can my 4th graders reach those top baskets? Most can. Can I? Absolutely not! Those top few are holiday (Christmas, Halloween, Spring, etc.) baskets, and I pulled them down during the appropriate season.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRA12qP3luuvCeKXYQa_DhVLO5Jx0dfJh8M8XAZu3joUDA6EOhjZtvA8qob7blh3vveWjlrQyhFs0nCHm2dMjxxsdSimJWX6JK9X9fRYxMw6LYQuJV0ImW9RT9SPjX2MdxfY1wggOs5U8/s1600/100_1152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRA12qP3luuvCeKXYQa_DhVLO5Jx0dfJh8M8XAZu3joUDA6EOhjZtvA8qob7blh3vveWjlrQyhFs0nCHm2dMjxxsdSimJWX6JK9X9fRYxMw6LYQuJV0ImW9RT9SPjX2MdxfY1wggOs5U8/s320/100_1152.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Below is a better picture of all of my reading and math manipulatives. We used these EVERY day. Yep, EVERY day. Again, I love how nice and neat they are...and yes, the drawers are hot glued to the counter. The other bins are not, but they did stay put because the bins link so easily...and because I trained my students :).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iTyENKjDMxZvUd3BdQRVre-ebozs_9bkabY0mqXXov-qQHP1GxFtG35yIkx2W1MsbuzMKkzaHNa7uDyxzBgrSFulBWmPtlZkR1JMM8a7UNPGQEJPpWp_nPHyxLZMRJBXkLa-rZtQ_oo/s1600/100_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iTyENKjDMxZvUd3BdQRVre-ebozs_9bkabY0mqXXov-qQHP1GxFtG35yIkx2W1MsbuzMKkzaHNa7uDyxzBgrSFulBWmPtlZkR1JMM8a7UNPGQEJPpWp_nPHyxLZMRJBXkLa-rZtQ_oo/s320/100_1153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpb-92Zzujnz3CCvQSUe7b72nyPAEKQc5teL2bhBIustBrIbtWWiY896gHcG3UsmpsqhqLAYTzAhSX4Hl7FNm9q4KovfdcyLsDyPUPR2xLzEH2gPO87iaMDMRhN7m-1_ZzXSJqbtapDc/s1600/100_1154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpb-92Zzujnz3CCvQSUe7b72nyPAEKQc5teL2bhBIustBrIbtWWiY896gHcG3UsmpsqhqLAYTzAhSX4Hl7FNm9q4KovfdcyLsDyPUPR2xLzEH2gPO87iaMDMRhN7m-1_ZzXSJqbtapDc/s320/100_1154.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDdv33CPREZSpWlEf_-GACrLAdRODRr10J1VNz9nhk0ScbMoNCO9lEHn4iRyINCJ070Qu3FeKOjcE76y1sqYQqltGTaeP3F6uHz0kGZ4V_Su2pGABY_z5M0o8bSVRpAg9faNd4DvgmiY/s1600/100_1156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDdv33CPREZSpWlEf_-GACrLAdRODRr10J1VNz9nhk0ScbMoNCO9lEHn4iRyINCJ070Qu3FeKOjcE76y1sqYQqltGTaeP3F6uHz0kGZ4V_Su2pGABY_z5M0o8bSVRpAg9faNd4DvgmiY/s320/100_1156.JPG" width="320" /></a>In the picture at left, you can see my shorter bookshelf behind the bookshelf I told you about earlier on the far left. The students were not allowed to go to the short bookshelf (to prevent sneakiness). On that bookshelf, I had all of my teacher books and stuff (scantrons, reading passages, science kit books, etc.) on that shelf. At the end of the other bookshelf, you see an example of my behavior tickets (and you can kind of see the blue ticket basket...again, hot glued to the table). The bulletin board has my behavior cards. I made all of those Crayola box looking library pockets by hand - well, I bought white library pockets, and then I drew/colored them by hand. Maybe I will make some and sell them someday... I also made the crayons inside, and I laminated them five times so they would be durable. When a student misbehaved, he/she flipped his/her crayon to the white side (he/she lost some color), and then he/she filled out a behavior ticket. Really in 4th grade the crayon thing was not necessary. I just really like how cute they are...so we used them and the tickets :). My word wall is along the bottom of that wall, and I rotated words on and off the board about every six weeks. Honestly, I did not like my word wall there because the kids would lean against it as they read which would make the words pull from the wall. You can also see my "Math Daily 5" board in this picture. Since this was taken before open house, the papers on the board are volunteer sign-up sheets and transportation validation sheets. During the year, I listed the games we had learned how to play on this board. The magnets were supposed to be for different ability groups. I planned to put the magnets next to the games the different groups of students most needed to play, but I never really needed to. The students usually played what they needed to play - because I usually played with the group that needed a certain skill. With a different group of kids, though, those might have been necessary. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-uxB3-v_sO8ajj-4WMOUjGqsihog-ExsNzI8zDkHuOPfL0uVvBMnUgPxDnSUScurVgfO2gWxJC0mG2Psys0cL6stWyt10ccPRWP9-yI9FMGfNKSXfrzv_ptt1k-EKplyBAXx1cXEHG4/s1600/100_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-uxB3-v_sO8ajj-4WMOUjGqsihog-ExsNzI8zDkHuOPfL0uVvBMnUgPxDnSUScurVgfO2gWxJC0mG2Psys0cL6stWyt10ccPRWP9-yI9FMGfNKSXfrzv_ptt1k-EKplyBAXx1cXEHG4/s320/100_1155.JPG" width="320" /></a>To the left is a view of my desk! All of the crates on the floor were eventually filled with pillows for the students to use when they read independently. You can see my beautiful pink file cabinets, too. I contacted the company (because I wanted more pink file cabinets!), and they said they do not make and do not plan to make pink file cabinets ever again. So sad. Above the darker brown file cabinet is my blue "Sub Tub" which is just one of those plastic file boxes. I put a hanging file for each subject inside, and I put a couple of stacks of worksheets in each folder. Throughout the year, anytime I had any extra practice sheets that we did not get to, I would put them in the "Sub Tub." I also put our schedule, FYI stuff (like that my diabetic student was allowed to leave to go to the nurse at <em>any</em> time), behavior plan, etc. in there. Three students knew to give that to a sub as soon as he/she came to class. I actually had a freak incident with my ear drum that left me unexpectantly absent for <em>two weeks. </em>I had enough stuff in the sub tub to last that long. No panic necessary. In fact, that little box became the box for the hallway. Anytime any 4th grade teacher was sick unexpectantly, I just took the box to their sub. In this picture, you can almost see my clear trays on the left side of my desk (because I do not like walking all the way across the room to get the papers students turn in! Ha!) and my teacher textbooks are in the stand on the right so I can access them while teaching or planning. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cMadRKkoBLEpnhyphenhyphenj0ZQjt-UTydrmivZrDqrygdT-uxhWq3zhrUKiEQ_vHLQ7s5rDHMYY82JkmyoS7e47XvW-WCMT3wK3-dLjbL4lO_nKxaL_qR42SzGJ2G_zBQKqZZv6bT3Z2WfUhNI/s1600/100_1157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cMadRKkoBLEpnhyphenhyphenj0ZQjt-UTydrmivZrDqrygdT-uxhWq3zhrUKiEQ_vHLQ7s5rDHMYY82JkmyoS7e47XvW-WCMT3wK3-dLjbL4lO_nKxaL_qR42SzGJ2G_zBQKqZZv6bT3Z2WfUhNI/s320/100_1157.JPG" width="320" /></a>To the left is another view of my desk. You can see my pink basket on my desk. That basket was for graded papers after parents had signed that they had seen them. There is a yellow basket, too. That basket was just for me to put various things in - so that my desk did not get cluttered. There is a homework poster on the board that is really only used when the internet is down, because I usually posted homework to my website while the students watched and recorded from the SmartBoard. Above my computer you can see some drawers I have - those are my Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Other folders. The red pocket chart has a folder for resource in it. Students took that folder with them on the way out the door when they went to resource. The resource teacher took out what she needed, and sent back anything she had for me. I also have a make-up work folder and a late work folder where students turned in make-up work and late work (so it didn't get mixed up and "lost" in everything else).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3OZIQ_o2cfwl19Hy2XsWbyVzTHYbNrg6K9usujwWabzQXcNYRYFBQvWz6u2SDUqbqlEmnO1ED24fY1Rufu3TwDPRQ311WYPjNIdWkOcL-b19ZxO2fKd7npfbkwH7CHvanwoVD2Yfi_M/s1600/100_1158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3OZIQ_o2cfwl19Hy2XsWbyVzTHYbNrg6K9usujwWabzQXcNYRYFBQvWz6u2SDUqbqlEmnO1ED24fY1Rufu3TwDPRQ311WYPjNIdWkOcL-b19ZxO2fKd7npfbkwH7CHvanwoVD2Yfi_M/s320/100_1158.JPG" width="240" /></a>To the left, you will see my door at the beginning of last year. My brother drew all of it. He got the inspiration from the Crayola PipSqueaks label. I painted the "Welcome to Our Box" sign, and I colored the individual ones with Sharpees (Tip: Color anything like that with Sharpees for even ink distribution. People ask where I bought these!) I laminated them, and then I wrote the kids' names on the sides like the colors on crayons are written. I erased their names with expo cleaner for the next year when I took everything down for our Halloween door theme. </div>
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Below is our hallway display! The words are from Creative Teaching Press. I made the polka dots in Microsoft Word. I just put one color circle inside another color circle. I put them randomly all over our wall outside the classroom, but I put the ones with the kids' names on them on clothespins before gluing them to the wall. Anytime we displayed our work, the students just went into the hall and clipped their work on their dots. Super cute. If you haven't noticed, I decided that everything must be super cute <em>at all times. </em><em> </em></div>
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I leave you with one of my favorite quotes: "Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, <span style="color: magenta;"><em>amber</em></span> and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination." -Robert Fulghum</div>
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I hope I inspired you and made you smile :). </div>
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Enjoy! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-25732627452987348472012-05-09T21:07:00.002-05:002012-05-11T13:22:49.150-05:00*GASP* Tuskegee Airmen Flight Leader Simulation!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOkf4B-o93WFnRH3LoJjm8-kNTwbgJQrzmc_cdGQx_BOgXY0mEmNkfflFdKLM4VwvW4_bv3Fv2zS2SEu0QjMniKEB4-c28JtpApZcsS5uZEx8paB4W9IyC1XCpjWKA2jaRR_zi_83eBQ/s1600/B24s.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOkf4B-o93WFnRH3LoJjm8-kNTwbgJQrzmc_cdGQx_BOgXY0mEmNkfflFdKLM4VwvW4_bv3Fv2zS2SEu0QjMniKEB4-c28JtpApZcsS5uZEx8paB4W9IyC1XCpjWKA2jaRR_zi_83eBQ/s320/B24s.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Have you seen it? Have you seen it? Have you seen it?! This website is so stinkin' awesome! This is...are you ready for this?...This is a <a href="http://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/gal208/pioneers/blackwing.cfm" target="_blank">Tuskegee Airmen Flight Leader Simulation</a> (When the page opens, scroll down to the bottom of the page to open the simulation). Oh yes. You heard correctly. If you are a teacher, this should excite you. If you are a teacher from Alabama, this should excite you to the point of bone-tingling. If you are an Alabama history teacher, this should make you gasp in awe as you say, "No stinkin' way!" (which is exactly what I did). Alabama tends to claim the Tuskegee Airmen even though the men came from all over the U.S. because the training base was in Tuskegee, Alabama, but - check it out - this website/simulation was made by the National Air and Space Museum. National. </div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7j_tOI4G4SLDHF3V0ll_PwVIrP5IHBzzXyGm-cJN4nKwJy4nGV-ymQnnrIaOUPIkArW9BcSHeYtEYVkVzz3vJlwhZx3oaDHb5vemXHwE1Ffwqyu4sSeD-PQtlIxqrHKscAuQ2scCRxJQ/s1600/fighter+plane.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7j_tOI4G4SLDHF3V0ll_PwVIrP5IHBzzXyGm-cJN4nKwJy4nGV-ymQnnrIaOUPIkArW9BcSHeYtEYVkVzz3vJlwhZx3oaDHb5vemXHwE1Ffwqyu4sSeD-PQtlIxqrHKscAuQ2scCRxJQ/s320/fighter+plane.png" width="320" /></a>When I saw that this simulation exists, I immediately wanted to play, and before I even played, I immediately wanted to give this to students as a super-fun-they-have-no-idea-that-they-are-learning assignment. In the simulation, the students learn what the Airmen needed when they flew (puh-lease take the time to look up why they called life vests a "Mae West" so you can give your students the tame version before playing...for those of you who know who Mae West is/was, I'm sure you can use your imagination...), and then they get to make all the decisions that a flight leader would have made on a mission. The picture above is actually deceiving because that is actually a screenshot of one of the only times the students are not given the opportunity to make a choice. Usually, there are two choices (red boxes), and the choice affects the rest of the course. </div>
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<br />I will say - if you/your students/whoever is playing has seen the movie <em>Red Tails</em> - which is an amazing movie that will really help you better understand what the Tuskegee Airmen went through and did by the way - you/your students/whoever is playing will probably know the best decisions to make (for the most part) already. I encourage you (and your students) to try all the different decisions in multiple attempts of the game in order to see how each decision affects the course of the mission, anyway, though. </div>
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<br />I am SO EXCITED about this one, still. .......Yep, still excited. </div>
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<br />Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-70451871296522825892012-05-04T19:56:00.000-05:002012-05-11T13:23:51.800-05:00Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies Linky Party<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, I am like six or seven weeks late to the linky party at <a href="http://www.fabulous4thgradefroggies.com/">http://www.fabulous4thgradefroggies.com/</a>, but I am going! The linky party is for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teacher blogs. I taught 4th for two years, and I am teaching a leave in 5th & 6th now...and everything on this blog and at <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/">http://theboxofcrayons.com</a> is geared toward 4th - 6th grades...so I'm linking up! If you teach in an upper elementary grade, you should too! Just click the picture below or go click this link: <a href="http://www.fabulous4thgradefroggies.com/2012/03/calling-all-3rd-4th-5th-grade-teacher.html">http://www.fabulous4thgradefroggies.com/2012/03/calling-all-3rd-4th-5th-grade-teacher.html</a>. </div>
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<a href="http://www.fabulous4thgradefroggies.com/2012/03/calling-all-3rd-4th-5th-grade-teacher.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGP95jVDSAbEORG1FM4W-WOjmuLhr22PpfcVIQ1fELRrRN9BDdPcEGa4g-SgwmG9yXEu-KW8B7-OPmpckI_4hJGMEAncgoPNwla1BM9fwUz-8Vc2kyJXb9Dy4xGiSIAxNUOuzHCdJIAjs/s1600/Linky+Party+Pic.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />Visit & Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-52126602976982270072012-05-03T16:38:00.001-05:002012-05-11T13:23:24.417-05:00Colonial Life TrackStar Activity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxUQQlC3iot6o9-sRoXr3dd6m4LX676g_brGBxmpt8iePqci77ZdfUg3vqVrwAG1ftK0VVufnAi-XkMiESj81LJ-AKJ9kqXZxRmhkxZw9V51QG2r_FpQCfaRNZviweaMTuM9YslDLbVY/s1600/Williamsburg+Kids.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxUQQlC3iot6o9-sRoXr3dd6m4LX676g_brGBxmpt8iePqci77ZdfUg3vqVrwAG1ftK0VVufnAi-XkMiESj81LJ-AKJ9kqXZxRmhkxZw9V51QG2r_FpQCfaRNZviweaMTuM9YslDLbVY/s1600/Williamsburg+Kids.bmp" /></a></div>
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When I found this website, I think I spent three days trying to look at everything it had to offer...and I think I just barely scratched the surface. Colonial Williamsburg's website is absolutely fantastic. It's way more than fantastic, actually. I just realized how completely inadequate fantastic and any other synonym would be for the website.</div>
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<br />The part I enjoyed the most is the video section. You can watch them make all kinds of things from scratch - chocolate, bricks, cannons, and even entire buildings. The picture below is a screenshot of one video that shows a demonstration of how wall structures were raised back in the day (minus the hardhats and US Army...). In many videos, you can watch how the actors interact with each other to get a feel for what it was like back in colonial times. You can watch fifers and drummers perform. Have you ever seen anyone make plaster from scratch? Ever wonder what it was made of a long time ago?! You can watch a small clip to see the whole process! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c786Z-hOCIZE2bK1e3T3i-nzlg1yezpv3-kcigkV0uaa9GvFt8rQ2AlRfUS6xM73GXQ_GL8urtv2Bn5XKMTi3yMlY5oyvg8GG57kP2C1ZgKC9D8Cxvu0tC_O0n8hUVtMb451GBWZriY/s1600/Williamsburg+Walls.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_c786Z-hOCIZE2bK1e3T3i-nzlg1yezpv3-kcigkV0uaa9GvFt8rQ2AlRfUS6xM73GXQ_GL8urtv2Bn5XKMTi3yMlY5oyvg8GG57kP2C1ZgKC9D8Cxvu0tC_O0n8hUVtMb451GBWZriY/s1600/Williamsburg+Walls.bmp" /></a>I made an activity for a bunch of the videos that is made to be like a reading guide - but for the video clips. Here is the <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/Documents/AL%20History/Colonial%20Life/Colonial%20Life%20Trackstar%20Worksheet.pdf" target="_blank">Colonial Life TrackStar Worksheet</a> (<a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/Documents/AL%20History/Colonial%20Life/Colonial%20Life%20Trackstar%20Worksheet.docx" target="_blank">MS Word</a>) and the <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/Documents/AL%20History/Colonial%20Life/Colonial%20Life%20Trackstar%20Worksheet%20Key.pdf" target="_blank">Colonial Life TrackStar Worksheet Key</a> (<a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/Documents/AL%20History/Colonial%20Life/Colonial%20Life%20Trackstar%20Worksheet%20Key.docx" target="_blank">MS Word</a>). I sequenced the videos in the same order that they appear on the worksheet using TrackStar. TrackStar will only let you post 15 links on each track, so I had to split it into two parts: <a href="http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/ts/viewTrackMembersFrames.do?org.apache.struts.taglib.html.TOKEN=9061127168f7f9b208e96c59a57a7e0d&number=441695&password=" target="_blank">Colonial Life Part 1</a> and <a href="http://trackstar.4teachers.org/trackstar/ts/viewTrackMembersFrames.do?org.apache.struts.taglib.html.TOKEN=c9a761b3ab3e7c3c51670cee9f7b085f&number=441703&password=" target="_blank">Colonial Life Part 2</a>. Some videos had their own link; those videos open and start automatically when you click the link on the side. For the videos that did not have their own link, there are simple directions for locating them in the top of the TrackStar when you click the link on the side. </div>
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Both parts (Part 1 and Part 2) each take about an hour to complete. If I were using this activity with my class, I would give the students the worksheet, and I would show all of the videos in class in the classroom. They could complete the worksheet as they watched it. I would, however, let them go to the computer lab afterwards to fill in anything they missed. After they finished the worksheet in the lab, I would let them explore the website. Some of them may want to watch some of the videos a second time, and some of them may want to look at some of the videos not included in the TrackStar. </div>
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This is just a fun way to learn what life was like in the 18th/19th century.</div>
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<br />Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-56370881480040156332012-05-02T20:39:00.001-05:002012-05-02T20:39:46.831-05:00Interactive Civil Rights Activity - The Boycott: Riding the Bus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jtd0D8ygkC2YXEwi2uJn0y0aNRvRenSm173Nf92hx7m14p6NfjarlId_GBJ-jrtgG_sR8ega7QLEww97FPlz37ucazyS_v3-jAupIf7SnKNqHmPnnucspw9GxOJs3-oHnWIUxU4jKuc/s1600/bus.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jtd0D8ygkC2YXEwi2uJn0y0aNRvRenSm173Nf92hx7m14p6NfjarlId_GBJ-jrtgG_sR8ega7QLEww97FPlz37ucazyS_v3-jAupIf7SnKNqHmPnnucspw9GxOJs3-oHnWIUxU4jKuc/s320/bus.JPG" width="154" /></a></div>
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I think if you look at my blog closely, the times I am in graduate school will be painfully obvious. Well, I have a couple of weeks without grad school and I am teaching a leave of absence in computer lab for 5th and 6th grade - so look out for some resources!</div>
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Have you seen this website?! One of our teachers wanted an interactive activity on the civil rights movement for her computer time. I found this one, and it excited me so much that I made a worksheet to go with it. The kids were completely engaged in it.</div>
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The website is <a href="http://www.beforetheboycott.com/eLearning/index.html" target="_blank">Before The Boycott: Riding the Bus</a>, which is a "learning adventure" from the National Civil Rights Museum.</div>
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In this activity, you'll learn what schools, restaurants, cars, housing, and more were like for African-Americans in Montgomery, AL in 1955. Most of all, though, you'll learn what the buses were like for African-Americans in Montgomery, AL in 1955. This website has more reading than interaction, but there are animations for situations that occurred on the buses back in the day. Even with the reading, though, this website seems interactive because the bus animations illustrate what is being said, and, like I said already, the kids were completely engaged. It passed the kid test!</div>
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I don't want to give everything away, but I will give one example of an illustration from the activity. On one of the animations (the screenshot pictured above), it illustrates how African-American passengers had to pay the driver, exit the bus, and then go in the back entrance to ride the bus. To make things a bit more "real" you can hover your mouse over any passenger with a circle around his/her head to learn more about him/her, and you can click "Bus Conditions" to learn about the people on the bus and where they are going. </div>
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The activity continues through to the event that started the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the boycott itself. At the end of the activity, the computer uses the student's responses to several questions to generate a newspaper article that can be printed. </div>
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Here's a copy of the <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/Documents/AL%20History/Before%20the%20Boycott%20-%20Riding%20the%20Bus%20Interactive%20Activity.pdf" target="_blank">Before the Boycott - Riding the Bus Interactive Activity Worksheet</a> (<a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/Documents/AL%20History/Before%20the%20Boycott%20-%20Riding%20the%20Bus%20Interactive%20Activity.docx" target="_blank">MS Word Version</a>) and the <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/Documents/AL%20History/Before%20the%20Boycott%20-%20Riding%20the%20Bus%20Interactive%20Activity%20Key.pdf" target="_blank">Key</a> (<a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/Documents/AL%20History/Before%20the%20Boycott%20-%20Riding%20the%20Bus%20Interactive%20Activity%20Key.docx" target="_blank">MS Word</a>) for that worksheet. The worksheet is set up like a reading guide, and the questions are ordered in order of answer appearance. The one drawback to the website is that you cannot go back (which I am sure is to make it more realistic - real buses wouldn't go back either). If you miss answering a question, you have to start the activity over to find the answer. If you click every link on each page and read carefully, though, you shouldn't have to start over (said the students)!</div>
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Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-7296591595003413882012-02-09T20:41:00.004-06:002012-02-09T21:05:06.105-06:00Making the Letters to Mrs. Roosevelt Look Old, Aged, & Authentic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlquMZh5haeqQH-pmUYYsscGqpt2zG1LeV_oFlO8gUEAABK-7wSMGrpIOrlKgq1EfOGDP8ilcvI54uiOS1dJGFbzxSJFZbRuxhpWPWqFArdqlfrCoC5SfsM9W6Csbogn58qBVuSa8c4s/s1600/100_2510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlquMZh5haeqQH-pmUYYsscGqpt2zG1LeV_oFlO8gUEAABK-7wSMGrpIOrlKgq1EfOGDP8ilcvI54uiOS1dJGFbzxSJFZbRuxhpWPWqFArdqlfrCoC5SfsM9W6Csbogn58qBVuSa8c4s/s200/100_2510.JPG" width="200" /></a>Before anything else, print off some old <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Regular_Issue_1920s_1-11c.jpg">stamps</a> like these on the left. No, I didn't make these look old. They printed out that way! There are several at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Regular_Issue_1920s_1-11c.jpg">this website</a>. I am not sure all of them apply, but that's ok. From what I can tell, the cost of the stamp was determined by the size of the letter or package so all of them were used during this time period. The one, two, and three cent stamps seem to be the most likely ones that would be seen on the kinds of letters we are making. After printing the stamps, cut them out. They do not have to be cut out perfectly. Just wiggle the scissors back and forth as you cut to make the zigzag-ish effect on the stamps. They are old; they <em>shouldn't </em>look perfect.</div>
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<u>Here are the rest of the steps:</u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXYgVtLaL3AxUF-zhbi0d6hujAzlm_kDWOJNMsx3way9v-59QUC97PeC0vl_ZQXsSkw_KCxzPlXo5DNDornEUSpO4QIik6LdYPJg2oluG8euVacaTepGExASmCNwPiO-Ub1tDLsAAcFE/s1600/100_2478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXYgVtLaL3AxUF-zhbi0d6hujAzlm_kDWOJNMsx3way9v-59QUC97PeC0vl_ZQXsSkw_KCxzPlXo5DNDornEUSpO4QIik6LdYPJg2oluG8euVacaTepGExASmCNwPiO-Ub1tDLsAAcFE/s400/100_2478.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<u>Pictured Above is all the stuff you'll need:</u></div>
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- Some plastic to cover your workspace (I cut open an old shopping bag)</div>
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- The <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.blogspot.com/2012/01/history-from-hoover-to-roosevelt.html">Letters to Mrs. Roosevelt</a> </div>
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- The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Regular_Issue_1920s_1-11c.jpg">Postage Stamps</a></div>
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- Envelopes (Mine are assorted sizes for authenticity...and because I ran out of the larger kind.</div>
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- Brown paint (Mine is acrylic, but finger paint/tempera paint works, too.</div>
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- Paper Towels (Just in case...)</div>
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- Assorted Pens</div>
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- Glue Stick</div>
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- Sponge Brush</div>
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- Small Paintbrush (For stirring...)</div>
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- A Cup or Mug</div>
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- and Water, which is not pictured because I got the water from my sink which was in a different location than my desk. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNwjKMN4PkNMxqNm3hlsoQciyT2DWzcT7gKQkkn7xOxv_KQ6gR_I2EIolp-mFzTv77UQimjk723fr5fofg_w34xjtgbJXW3SjXIX3e3wwK5AvPdfN-sZHuZT3AswY4YqNGQpVPccpCDs/s1600/100_2480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNwjKMN4PkNMxqNm3hlsoQciyT2DWzcT7gKQkkn7xOxv_KQ6gR_I2EIolp-mFzTv77UQimjk723fr5fofg_w34xjtgbJXW3SjXIX3e3wwK5AvPdfN-sZHuZT3AswY4YqNGQpVPccpCDs/s200/100_2480.JPG" width="200" /></a><u>Step One:</u> Pour a little brown paint into your cup or mug.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQdNep9f4WqkDk1w1OOCQo8XTa6HjylIHxG854gG2l5__2Q-stB9YjRtq99kJElyZIS8Eba4kJ4sv2fIk8HP7c7BDexpfKQVIfeiw7WNgiaTgMSmX-ohPBgmaGCXaJ_pZ7bhhDLAhjio/s1600/100_2481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQdNep9f4WqkDk1w1OOCQo8XTa6HjylIHxG854gG2l5__2Q-stB9YjRtq99kJElyZIS8Eba4kJ4sv2fIk8HP7c7BDexpfKQVIfeiw7WNgiaTgMSmX-ohPBgmaGCXaJ_pZ7bhhDLAhjio/s200/100_2481.JPG" width="200" /></a>This looks about right. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr34Ki0ebRo9KAba7AaUVmj_uFy3_Uu22xMavAssHA5yBZ3YbzYc1ncVhj5tKxjV459DiSAMtG_q5_nZGC54l7yD_4tSzbzZy6t7u0Aj7SBVwa47BdsiW_1mkfgZ7pGl97TTZMBFmDuY0/s1600/100_2483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr34Ki0ebRo9KAba7AaUVmj_uFy3_Uu22xMavAssHA5yBZ3YbzYc1ncVhj5tKxjV459DiSAMtG_q5_nZGC54l7yD_4tSzbzZy6t7u0Aj7SBVwa47BdsiW_1mkfgZ7pGl97TTZMBFmDuY0/s200/100_2483.JPG" width="200" /></a><u>Step Two:</u> Add water until it resembles muddy water. I would guess that this about 3/4 cup. Stir with a paintbrush so that the brush part can get the paint off the bottom as it is stirred into the water. It should be as thin and as runny as water. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbvr1qdS_d2fyjGBbR3ZK4oH83OZ75byMJAwbaIIgzvH5HTiEOvcY9Mvh0atrJfYvALtR39RXFWfNmd0KfhWZzHs8ssy6ACzex9yIdjhbY96nLfqvu7lMFBU5YsScCi-jkbrz9tSTmoM/s1600/100_2482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbvr1qdS_d2fyjGBbR3ZK4oH83OZ75byMJAwbaIIgzvH5HTiEOvcY9Mvh0atrJfYvALtR39RXFWfNmd0KfhWZzHs8ssy6ACzex9yIdjhbY96nLfqvu7lMFBU5YsScCi-jkbrz9tSTmoM/s200/100_2482.JPG" width="200" /></a>Time out for just a second: Can you see what this mug says on the side? "The only thing children wear out faster than shoes are parents and teachers." Smile. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprKW4w3yNnOF6jrjgQpO00YLvDgFqoxUWA1G_4fIIbc7e5G-cKAomMwd44kZr9x6BX1bIT3v8wdWvJMxAC_sKpuXFeCmB7ZJ3YcqaQXsM2Eee81iPTfyklWUZJ94uRsqvDYoK5K1lZ9Q/s1600/100_2502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprKW4w3yNnOF6jrjgQpO00YLvDgFqoxUWA1G_4fIIbc7e5G-cKAomMwd44kZr9x6BX1bIT3v8wdWvJMxAC_sKpuXFeCmB7ZJ3YcqaQXsM2Eee81iPTfyklWUZJ94uRsqvDYoK5K1lZ9Q/s200/100_2502.JPG" width="200" /></a><u>Step Three</u>: Dip the sponge brush into the brown paint water. Press the sponge against the side to get rid of excess. Repeat every time you use this brush.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFhtXDp157esDt0WSNnrGbCwEGp3N2H44A2IYyT5PTn3R1NLIiYuP8QFJpv0_OxMElv6c-5fk3r68bxTNKtE3yQ6yYv2zq3EgwlpGTPVYoSD9MTosYXa5lJlmSg7t0zOZ9HMCC8WPsMU/s1600/100_2484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFhtXDp157esDt0WSNnrGbCwEGp3N2H44A2IYyT5PTn3R1NLIiYuP8QFJpv0_OxMElv6c-5fk3r68bxTNKtE3yQ6yYv2zq3EgwlpGTPVYoSD9MTosYXa5lJlmSg7t0zOZ9HMCC8WPsMU/s200/100_2484.JPG" width="200" /></a> <u>Step Four</u>: There are actually a few ways to do this part. One way is to just paint the letter front and back. I don't know if you can tell, but I love how this particular letter is addressed to, "Dear Mrs. Lady."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFjlLM4pIZ8lfse0Yf454F3J4ruosLoFSQrzGfvLuScygTJ9nu4vEvv8siAXLqEe7lrZIWl9Ob4ZIMQaaKymRVxwTqZCAu44b-nTjYJNdFjHh2tiy6feZWkgpoZH0ClAUyl-Sokh4NaY/s1600/100_2486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFjlLM4pIZ8lfse0Yf454F3J4ruosLoFSQrzGfvLuScygTJ9nu4vEvv8siAXLqEe7lrZIWl9Ob4ZIMQaaKymRVxwTqZCAu44b-nTjYJNdFjHh2tiy6feZWkgpoZH0ClAUyl-Sokh4NaY/s200/100_2486.JPG" width="200" /></a>There is no real technique to it. Just paint until there is no white space left.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0OHQK91_1JdxC1RgNOoLfqT2yYiJ_e99o8DMlH9yJ7qumg1oXZc0A-r1w4jgnnBRCtpLToC0wJT1y2Pyn85XpPJs5d60Nb47OGRSga4zjzD6l2GM7i5Mj2USFI2jcBKOnPbEXZXDdHE/s1600/100_2487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0OHQK91_1JdxC1RgNOoLfqT2yYiJ_e99o8DMlH9yJ7qumg1oXZc0A-r1w4jgnnBRCtpLToC0wJT1y2Pyn85XpPJs5d60Nb47OGRSga4zjzD6l2GM7i5Mj2USFI2jcBKOnPbEXZXDdHE/s200/100_2487.JPG" width="200" /></a>Turn it over, and...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYokSOXMWn1x3JZ-xxmkDd81t_DOpFSpk8nsHOFAWbFRJGeKAhQpRiAVoaMheE8It_wKF_EVJ0vcqQPMDe2D8dLD2M6treQ2pwocS_i_I6QxN0-4TPrsQVipXP3hC4bw8wufqyLShNPAM/s1600/100_2488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYokSOXMWn1x3JZ-xxmkDd81t_DOpFSpk8nsHOFAWbFRJGeKAhQpRiAVoaMheE8It_wKF_EVJ0vcqQPMDe2D8dLD2M6treQ2pwocS_i_I6QxN0-4TPrsQVipXP3hC4bw8wufqyLShNPAM/s200/100_2488.JPG" width="200" /></a>...paint the back the same way. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9DnrCGswqnSGSaA3Z3rxOo_iCGn6wNmYFIk04_h5A_SNb4bts8NQ4oibN1Ni68YjPRlSGj3YIhMvFiS6ewcp-WQBHquBbhjpEOhPgW2iR6D7bj57lJ25Befgv09nxUZCF21-FtiB-P0/s1600/100_2489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9DnrCGswqnSGSaA3Z3rxOo_iCGn6wNmYFIk04_h5A_SNb4bts8NQ4oibN1Ni68YjPRlSGj3YIhMvFiS6ewcp-WQBHquBbhjpEOhPgW2iR6D7bj57lJ25Befgv09nxUZCF21-FtiB-P0/s200/100_2489.JPG" width="149" /></a>Here is another way that was invented when I got tired of painting all of the letters. This way gets some of your frustrations out, and it gets delightfully messy. (FYI: Pictured at left is a completely different letter than the "Dear Mrs. Lady," one.):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3vG86UyKDidPXvJW0htvot8eUfsId9dnL2CHrCvX8dqCSRYqYfc6PjjpykV7zm4aQTkyHYQmaXNviv-rrQdga0uETvISblLz3rMfcqpM8sDWLgvkAAtF5u4qFin5lqtTXgMyW3UN_R4/s1600/100_2490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3vG86UyKDidPXvJW0htvot8eUfsId9dnL2CHrCvX8dqCSRYqYfc6PjjpykV7zm4aQTkyHYQmaXNviv-rrQdga0uETvISblLz3rMfcqpM8sDWLgvkAAtF5u4qFin5lqtTXgMyW3UN_R4/s200/100_2490.JPG" width="200" /></a>Crumple the letter into a wad.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WSQsSjr-hdeP1ZeACQVLyBbtsBYWXaPlPWn3zDk5ldEjyrZHfxGtrwrXTFAibq7cB7ZsvfwnSjyrH7IbKQkAnCAdZvCtTWBfLKZzkj5XuSHiy0eRS3pkWp81CU9ifDCFy5wVy07MJWc/s1600/100_2491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WSQsSjr-hdeP1ZeACQVLyBbtsBYWXaPlPWn3zDk5ldEjyrZHfxGtrwrXTFAibq7cB7ZsvfwnSjyrH7IbKQkAnCAdZvCtTWBfLKZzkj5XuSHiy0eRS3pkWp81CU9ifDCFy5wVy07MJWc/s200/100_2491.JPG" width="200" /></a>Dunk it into the paint water. Submerge it all the way before taking it out of the water. (Please NOTE: Do not wring it out. I forgot that I shouldn't do that, and it made it very difficult to unfold later. Just let it drip into the cup.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5zwGS23a2e6VeuIRjvV90r7XDb__RnB4740w7bjyjrSv06T8I6BNt0EuONu-UN3IqkXd2oe3abyokZAQm-FsQY41Jh2GoW7brrl6QICxuLeZDtSKXTpiiyFvTEdtCxDJFWVODaV_uec/s1600/100_2493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5zwGS23a2e6VeuIRjvV90r7XDb__RnB4740w7bjyjrSv06T8I6BNt0EuONu-UN3IqkXd2oe3abyokZAQm-FsQY41Jh2GoW7brrl6QICxuLeZDtSKXTpiiyFvTEdtCxDJFWVODaV_uec/s200/100_2493.JPG" width="163" /></a>Unfold the letter and lay it flat. If it tears, that's ok. This letter is supposed to be super old and fragile. It adds to the character of the letter. Sometimes the rips and tears freak students out a bit, but once you tell them that they were already like that, they seem to make peace with it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMabyMCfdXYS5Dnzk10LO5k-AGxRCJ0j6vFBfhVwHkwxiHEvOi7jpkmvZ42ZVVUQMsorgV85c3RsJRxY-fjk25nVCdvXjIegRGLwJPNGHAKbM-XHlZornq7NvlQQ33t1viR1pE21BX1BQ/s1600/100_2494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMabyMCfdXYS5Dnzk10LO5k-AGxRCJ0j6vFBfhVwHkwxiHEvOi7jpkmvZ42ZVVUQMsorgV85c3RsJRxY-fjk25nVCdvXjIegRGLwJPNGHAKbM-XHlZornq7NvlQQ33t1viR1pE21BX1BQ/s200/100_2494.JPG" width="200" /></a><u>Step Five</u>: Paint the envelope back with paint water.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JGOuXMYKwUNWppwaWDvBG1b1GgOECmTtYGpW6timC-fqQHbw3BLwHU28RCQUGIJOP0BlrCrCi1wLwu1aAVUkONCQxv1ChOPe-0V8flQj_6YKnRSkndXDGjOUVv9YzYmzuOgymNYEl9U/s1600/100_2495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JGOuXMYKwUNWppwaWDvBG1b1GgOECmTtYGpW6timC-fqQHbw3BLwHU28RCQUGIJOP0BlrCrCi1wLwu1aAVUkONCQxv1ChOPe-0V8flQj_6YKnRSkndXDGjOUVv9YzYmzuOgymNYEl9U/s200/100_2495.JPG" width="200" /></a>Turn it over, and paint the front, too. Try not to get the parts that have glue (like the seams that hold the envelope together) too wet. If the seams get to wet, the entire envelope will fall apart. Fortunately, scotch tape had been invented by the 1930's. Surely they would have had some at the White House to repair these letters...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZVjWKbPsCT7raHeVbyKv9Ck1qQmgkYNyUGQeJdz3-R4oliUUZ70aMFa4xLn2PudpohH1csVGyzanQvVnP0SmP-lv06nfyJetloqDWFQiyQv0eurB2yfjQXS_Rp3q2OAuG-SnhN_8S6s/s1600/100_2496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZVjWKbPsCT7raHeVbyKv9Ck1qQmgkYNyUGQeJdz3-R4oliUUZ70aMFa4xLn2PudpohH1csVGyzanQvVnP0SmP-lv06nfyJetloqDWFQiyQv0eurB2yfjQXS_Rp3q2OAuG-SnhN_8S6s/s200/100_2496.JPG" width="200" /></a>Make sure you paint the front flap like this. If you paint it on the other side, you will just get the seams more wet, and you don't want that. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdYagiAnsnaqd0Uubss9katm0aEnJlqGMKR3OFRi7XbWwNdnoOdXmOEdIRdDr8LCBnOoPzE7gDRro6eYytQv49W3-pKbmH3YrlpoxjD8M8wzkrED9XrvWk-X17QdoZX14jR_ME4p5w14/s1600/100_2497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdYagiAnsnaqd0Uubss9katm0aEnJlqGMKR3OFRi7XbWwNdnoOdXmOEdIRdDr8LCBnOoPzE7gDRro6eYytQv49W3-pKbmH3YrlpoxjD8M8wzkrED9XrvWk-X17QdoZX14jR_ME4p5w14/s200/100_2497.JPG" width="200" /></a>All painted!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3h2uUaUZkENHUgFM3lsuOWwvV1Znh_d9bA08HeE4IJ7zblEZLGj-j7Fatz8c4G97t50huEZZkDd1qffH68N-enV_ATRX02szzOHp1II4knDWiJHAGAd3hcQtydvdiseCOapEWVktSx4/s1600/100_2498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3h2uUaUZkENHUgFM3lsuOWwvV1Znh_d9bA08HeE4IJ7zblEZLGj-j7Fatz8c4G97t50huEZZkDd1qffH68N-enV_ATRX02szzOHp1II4knDWiJHAGAd3hcQtydvdiseCOapEWVktSx4/s200/100_2498.JPG" width="200" /></a>Here's another way to age an envelope. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtu9D13Rwr7YiQLYrBewahEAzfLS5DCuJavNaGZpFM9XSg_cB5S-XML4lyy2HTON7L8Fi1rOrPzaco14aA-yT1PkuPdKHNjqgKNNEyKhmN7ze6aAQcwjXwzZffbNbSSWeKanIbJ5GuxhE/s1600/100_2499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtu9D13Rwr7YiQLYrBewahEAzfLS5DCuJavNaGZpFM9XSg_cB5S-XML4lyy2HTON7L8Fi1rOrPzaco14aA-yT1PkuPdKHNjqgKNNEyKhmN7ze6aAQcwjXwzZffbNbSSWeKanIbJ5GuxhE/s200/100_2499.JPG" width="200" /></a>Crumple up the envelope - because it is SO much fun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6iqejalVdBp6DvfPS1fA7Ipc-rzYsScsazMjDCX9UTfVeZt9chrg0_088aKgdfulMjkqSvNKfrP43Llpm1X8X3h-rHx7ow6kLfl9o2riu-lpUpq2QYoQLJnPz_7HBoYq4aIeAuHoEck/s1600/100_2500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6iqejalVdBp6DvfPS1fA7Ipc-rzYsScsazMjDCX9UTfVeZt9chrg0_088aKgdfulMjkqSvNKfrP43Llpm1X8X3h-rHx7ow6kLfl9o2riu-lpUpq2QYoQLJnPz_7HBoYq4aIeAuHoEck/s200/100_2500.JPG" width="200" /></a>Do NOT dunk it! It will make the seams too wet, and the envelope will fall apart. Paint the envelope. Let the paint water settle into the wrinkles... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OA74eWD8vVFKSpCCRJXUWk3VVVFYehupO85DROuCJ5R4Otr6mZWvDNwGDA8fGcYocOFdoPizEmWAtuz9-ZK5Z3-s9LK1YboO_hYP0wSay46V1CdoaVj2IdR1QUZux6jLCqUmd66aEck/s1600/100_2501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OA74eWD8vVFKSpCCRJXUWk3VVVFYehupO85DROuCJ5R4Otr6mZWvDNwGDA8fGcYocOFdoPizEmWAtuz9-ZK5Z3-s9LK1YboO_hYP0wSay46V1CdoaVj2IdR1QUZux6jLCqUmd66aEck/s200/100_2501.JPG" width="200" /></a>...like this. Let it dry a bit, then flip it over, and paint the other side.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAFmmIFzmzIqazE4-eLPIntiVdb8puafsOFgcf3gkzDQr4i-kQ-lpVfMmnY1ElaxO8tjjNjOtXEJDtTo5FfzZCeZP2zLajgcgPbSKjcXCV3pUGVdTO1YvfevOnWNttgEhg9UEa0UgDHw/s1600/100_2503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAFmmIFzmzIqazE4-eLPIntiVdb8puafsOFgcf3gkzDQr4i-kQ-lpVfMmnY1ElaxO8tjjNjOtXEJDtTo5FfzZCeZP2zLajgcgPbSKjcXCV3pUGVdTO1YvfevOnWNttgEhg9UEa0UgDHw/s200/100_2503.JPG" width="200" /></a><u>Step Six</u>: Let everything dry! When I did this the first time, I laid out a couple of garbage bags I had cut apart in the floor so I could lay the letters and envelopes on them to dry. Then...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZ6F0w6QXtCKHZEpEIr1v_SaQ2Ehyphenhyphent2Nm1fVaC34_sKXsoFxuzObwjE-YC8lym4WtdVmmXVAOeLYXY02e2rroYbafa16MIMxH21kl9NY2TDXuKMy2laTEeSiTzEhfVGpVAcbztYDgl1U/s1600/100_2476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; height: 146px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 200px;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZ6F0w6QXtCKHZEpEIr1v_SaQ2Ehyphenhyphent2Nm1fVaC34_sKXsoFxuzObwjE-YC8lym4WtdVmmXVAOeLYXY02e2rroYbafa16MIMxH21kl9NY2TDXuKMy2laTEeSiTzEhfVGpVAcbztYDgl1U/s200/100_2476.JPG" width="200" /><br />
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</a>...this came along. "This" would be my dog Buddy, and his snowman that he got for Christmas...and about four blankets and two pillows that he stole to make a "nest." He is dazed by the camera flash that awoke him from his nap. He has a thing about laying on any papers in the floor, so last time, I moved everything from the floor to all of the couches and my bed. This time there are only two of each because I have already done all of mine before. :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGnclxNxiElT0JNg0XLJdNP-2649GxEtTWmf3D9kVQwX6qEfOxv-5Oxab1MCzyYpgbv2s36txXpoM5qWy4GVVLOPon5BPbXM75Tykmu0KvdzWwc_2UB0qauh2Rq-SAsKCe59tVd0Yp2E/s1600/100_2512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGnclxNxiElT0JNg0XLJdNP-2649GxEtTWmf3D9kVQwX6qEfOxv-5Oxab1MCzyYpgbv2s36txXpoM5qWy4GVVLOPon5BPbXM75Tykmu0KvdzWwc_2UB0qauh2Rq-SAsKCe59tVd0Yp2E/s200/100_2512.JPG" width="200" /></a><u>Step Seven</u>: Once they are dry, apply glue to every edge and corner to the back of the stamps before adhering them to the envelopes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0UlSZXkL1lE1uROsjSyGqfob8s2VVUQ8Dxb4YGPYnUab9bRYYRutih0M9WyR6mZREJGw5NSZz8NycILJbVWWFvLbhTxJ5g2lVSKvVZzNaDb2V6PRMB4FBhX0B2aFZhaB88DvK_iItdc/s1600/100_2513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0UlSZXkL1lE1uROsjSyGqfob8s2VVUQ8Dxb4YGPYnUab9bRYYRutih0M9WyR6mZREJGw5NSZz8NycILJbVWWFvLbhTxJ5g2lVSKvVZzNaDb2V6PRMB4FBhX0B2aFZhaB88DvK_iItdc/s200/100_2513.JPG" width="200" /></a><u>Step Eight</u>: Press the edge of the stamp to the envelope. Look how weird my fingers look!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmGYTiYpL5fOMXm9Q4_NjXSvAa7vyMJRW6ZOov-HZxOOiKbPMtq2rfQNH70h9IQuYTrusStoXLp0foSIAcZ9XZ3Kn_ebHuI9xypOD7Kwoh19ElfwXVBAvu9DTzuZk-j6BttW9GQAOgFg/s1600/100_2514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGmGYTiYpL5fOMXm9Q4_NjXSvAa7vyMJRW6ZOov-HZxOOiKbPMtq2rfQNH70h9IQuYTrusStoXLp0foSIAcZ9XZ3Kn_ebHuI9xypOD7Kwoh19ElfwXVBAvu9DTzuZk-j6BttW9GQAOgFg/s200/100_2514.JPG" width="200" /></a><u>Step Nine</u>: Use various pens to address the envelopes to Mrs. Roosevelt. The address is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20006. I actually took mine to church and asked lots of random people to address them so that they would have various handwritings. The ones that turned out the best were from senior adults. Their handwriting had that pretty old style. Asking other people to address the envelopes also varied the way Mrs. Roosevelt was addressed. Some said "Eleanor Roosevelt," some said "Mrs. Roosevelt," and one even said "First Lady."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATq_fk7xHlaXLaDAno7QVQ7KlHGmjpIh6Fp26gW-rT3kFFjsXJhNwRkC5QovTo0euvPtXXXlBs7tepBPQ0K6OJT1zIDscXkdTs1ePlaN-IdG_-XKRpwjdq8BwjVN_-czUMEtVGOgrvC4/s1600/100_2516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATq_fk7xHlaXLaDAno7QVQ7KlHGmjpIh6Fp26gW-rT3kFFjsXJhNwRkC5QovTo0euvPtXXXlBs7tepBPQ0K6OJT1zIDscXkdTs1ePlaN-IdG_-XKRpwjdq8BwjVN_-czUMEtVGOgrvC4/s200/100_2516.JPG" width="200" /></a><u>Step Ten</u>: Look how wrinkled and ripped the one on the right is. They are both dry, so fold them to be stuffed into envelopes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcJaU1RNtX5H15F2u8YPbwJZaC6BujtZlhVnAp1wlq4FZ7SaiDY9dzGQSXYD_EO2nTxkV4r4nL2pT14JxLYxJBJJyqbUSOq-_ez7iXykB7gK8gqhNTGU6Lr0XF2eY6u37x2Zhb_JEvcU/s1600/100_2517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcJaU1RNtX5H15F2u8YPbwJZaC6BujtZlhVnAp1wlq4FZ7SaiDY9dzGQSXYD_EO2nTxkV4r4nL2pT14JxLYxJBJJyqbUSOq-_ez7iXykB7gK8gqhNTGU6Lr0XF2eY6u37x2Zhb_JEvcU/s200/100_2517.JPG" width="200" /></a><u>Step Eleven</u>: Stuff them into the envelopes however you can (especially for itty bitty envelopes).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU70fL-vM3xQnP6aBJEB_6V4ia74iYIZvehoBCVypL5aKGTuEBn9W81ZgQWnuKwhV3I2cXFM-WrOHatI_FSbVUjKjssVni3zryCAKb8FtUewMyb1a72x_P1XSK6CgK-cGRHgzex6z-PdM/s1600/100_2518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU70fL-vM3xQnP6aBJEB_6V4ia74iYIZvehoBCVypL5aKGTuEBn9W81ZgQWnuKwhV3I2cXFM-WrOHatI_FSbVUjKjssVni3zryCAKb8FtUewMyb1a72x_P1XSK6CgK-cGRHgzex6z-PdM/s200/100_2518.JPG" width="200" /></a><u>Step Twelve</u>: Do not seal them shut! Just tuck in the flaps so that they can be used over and over again. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVKdM5Ztp2zfgZTnirL1gzqm_l1dS7fXWWcX0O4yIsH5_8afudm2-9rOEF_2F-3KGghp5DWXE7Tpp0qPSbHLE_Ln5ofb6ZC70owf3GgPuPKV8AyZ9egwWzPFV39hxhopBt2gZPIJehpA/s1600/100_2519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVKdM5Ztp2zfgZTnirL1gzqm_l1dS7fXWWcX0O4yIsH5_8afudm2-9rOEF_2F-3KGghp5DWXE7Tpp0qPSbHLE_Ln5ofb6ZC70owf3GgPuPKV8AyZ9egwWzPFV39hxhopBt2gZPIJehpA/s200/100_2519.JPG" width="200" /></a>Ta-Da!</div>
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I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Let me know how you use these in your classroom.</div>
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Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-30947069381903202162012-01-20T21:16:00.004-06:002012-01-20T21:17:32.612-06:00Books I Want...Well, Only A Few of Them<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ok, so there are a LOT of books that I want, but here are a few of the ones that pertain to Alabama history that I want:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0807524352/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Finding Lincoln" border="0" height="200" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61WhZq1f9ML._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Finding Lincoln </em>by Ann Malaspina</strong></div>
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This book is set in Alabama in the 1950's. Louis needs to use the library to do a report on Abraham Lincoln, but the library is for whites only.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0670011894/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Marching For Freedom: Walk Together Children and Don't You Grow Weary" border="0" height="200" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SwGzU5YpL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Marching for Freedom: Walk Together, Children, and Don't You Grow Weary </em>by Elizabeth Partridge</strong></div>
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This book is about the children of the Civil Rights Movement, and it features black and white photos documenting the Civil Rights Movement with special attention paid to children. The book includes the Selma to Montgomery March. </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/B005SN4QKY/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" border="0" height="200" id="prodImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/513r8EbLwdL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<strong><em>Colvette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice</em> by Phillip Hoose</strong></div>
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This book is about a teenager in Montgomery, Alabama who did exactly what Rosa Parks did....nine months earlier. She not only was not celebrated, she was shunned by her peers. This book should give a closer look into the complexities of the Civil Rights Movement. I told my students every year that to an extent Rosa Parks just got lucky. There were more people than her refusing to give up their seats. This book proves the point.</div>
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<strong>*NOTE</strong>: I have not read any of these books yet, and I have reason to believe that part of one of these books may not be appropriate for 4th graders. I want the books just the same, though. :)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-89443941087736863692012-01-11T19:55:00.001-06:002012-01-11T20:00:19.971-06:00History From Hoover to Roosevelt & Letters to Mrs. Roosevelt from Children Two-Part Activity<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxmTapSQbC16M5oByJMSgyMKD3d8njvqlNMxdncfvS8ZQz46y-dHlNgVQxAtFnsaslATes4_76BFrolmFkZRBc3TtNXG9ptsIpJiaAUCMBzxxXJaDyS6qRyBPEI0pHJO0_vw99ZAZOVI/s1600/Letters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxmTapSQbC16M5oByJMSgyMKD3d8njvqlNMxdncfvS8ZQz46y-dHlNgVQxAtFnsaslATes4_76BFrolmFkZRBc3TtNXG9ptsIpJiaAUCMBzxxXJaDyS6qRyBPEI0pHJO0_vw99ZAZOVI/s200/Letters.JPG" width="200" /></a>For whatever reason, <strong>The Great Depression</strong> is a time period that is near and dear to my heart. My grandparents lived through The Great Depression. They had their first children during that time, and one of their very first babies almost starved to death. Condensed milk came to his rescue. It is the time period in which my mom's favorite show, <em>The Waltons</em>, is set. It is the time in which a handicapped man became the symbol of strength, determination, and courage. My dad also contracted polio (many years later), but he exhibits some of the same characteristics for which Mr. Franklin Delano Roosevelt is remembered. Physically, he walks with a limp. Character-wise, he always presses on. He never says can't. </div>
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Those of us who know what that time period was like from the stories of our grandparents, through books, through movies, through documentaries, through blog posts, etc. have a respect for those people. When economic times are tough, we think of that time period. We think, "They made it through; we can, too." Students need to know about that time period. They need to know the desperateness of the situations of the people of that time. They need to know that kids of the Great Depression longed to be able to eat at all each day, to own any article of clothing at all, etc. They need to know that this time period existed so that they can appreciate today... because it isn't yesterday. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TOS5OOKCM-cuINfE9enawC5CWrkFEqzGQ3Ukexgw9ghyphenhyphenwmkdSpUmmNe0Z_IgQZWrwDDWFFHkRjUdH9jILcHMeIIxO_t83PbtZZGYNkuKfgiPvJLwaG8U9kdRFx-PZO4nCQUv7Do_GT0/s1600/From+Hoover+to+Roosevelt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TOS5OOKCM-cuINfE9enawC5CWrkFEqzGQ3Ukexgw9ghyphenhyphenwmkdSpUmmNe0Z_IgQZWrwDDWFFHkRjUdH9jILcHMeIIxO_t83PbtZZGYNkuKfgiPvJLwaG8U9kdRFx-PZO4nCQUv7Do_GT0/s320/From+Hoover+to+Roosevelt.JPG" width="320" /></a>This activity is a two-part activity. The first is a PowerPoint presentation that gives the students a picture of history at that time from the time Hoover was in office to the time Roosevelt was in office. The PowerPoint is only supposed to give the students enough background knowledge to help them understand the letters they are about to read. The second part consists of reading letters from children to Mrs. Roosevelt. </div>
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These <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/Documents/AL%20History/Letters%20to%20Mrs.%20Roosevelt.pdf">letters</a> are copies of actual letters to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt from children during the Great Depression. We teachers call this a <strong>primary source</strong>. <strong>Something magical happens when a student gets to hold a primary source.</strong> As they (the students) so eloquently put it, <strong>"It makes history less boring."</strong> The letters to Mrs. Roosevelt range from children asking for used underwear to children asking for bikes and dolls. We know that the requests in these particular letters were never granted. Mrs. Roosevelt was very charitable and she answered a lot of requests, but she was only one person. She couldn't answer them all by herself. </div>
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It is a thing of beauty to hear 4th graders saddened and/or angered by the fact that a child didn't have clothes and that the President's wife didn't grant clothes to that child. I do not facilitate these conversations. I give the students questions to answer for each letter, and they are allowed to discuss within their groups. I just walk around and listen. I rarely have to say a word. Students help each other understand what they do not understand. Students talk through how they feel as they answer the questions. I don't have to tell them to; they just do. </div>
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The questions sheet used to include a question that said, "Do you think the writer's request should be granted? Why or why not?" for each and every letter. The students inevitably said, "Yes" to every letter. Now, after the students have read all of the letters that they have had time to read (usually about four each), I ask them, "Pretend that you are only able to give one of these kids what they asked for. Of the letters you read, which one would you choose and why?" I always look forward to reading these responses more than any of the others. </div>
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<u>Anyway, enough of my babbling. Here is the activity:</u></div>
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<strong>Show <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/Documents/AL%20History/From%20Hoover%20to%20Roosevelt.ppt">From Hoover to Roosevelt Powerpoint</a></strong>. The last slides will explain what children will do during the Letters to Mrs. Roosevelt activity. </div>
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<strong>Randomly give out the <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/Documents/AL%20History/Letters%20to%20Mrs.%20Roosevelt.pdf">Letters to Mrs. Roosevelt</a> letters to students; Give out <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/Documents/AL%20History/Questions%20on%20Letters%20to%20Mrs%20Roosevelt.pdf">Letter Questions Sheet</a></strong> (I usually run a copy of this on the front and back so that students have four sets of the questions which is enough for them to respond to four letters). </div>
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<strong>Explain your expectations for the activity</strong> including how much time the students will have to complete the activity (I usually give two history class times for the combination of the PowerPoint and letters activity). <strong>You may even want to respond to a letter on the Letter Questions Sheet in front of the class as a model. </strong>Depending on your comfort level and your students, you may allow students to complete the activity independently or in groups. If your students can handle working in groups, I recommend it. The students learn a lot from each other. I usually leave extra letters at the front of the room so that students can get a new letter as they finish reading and responding to a letter. </div>
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<strong>About twenty minutes before time is up, ask students to answer the following question</strong> on another piece of paper: <strong>"Pretend that you are only able to give one of these kids what they asked for. Of the letters you read, which one would you choose and why?"</strong> </div>
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I will post how I make the letters seem more authentic and old in my next post.<br />
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Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-24750760781211208962012-01-10T19:48:00.000-06:002012-01-10T19:51:56.079-06:00Movie for WWI: Sergeant York<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NIFcbFzr5gW1NdHRT8YZvQAUmo8f0FmoNCWI3ikVhcMHHKzz07nOXVMYsFEkSkvZbm5mNR4tucibiQwSmg8_9rmFbRGRHwZO6rUc-a-anGX6RqLr0TtRn2LkX4cwcGrkr8itN_nIJr0/s1600/imgB9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NIFcbFzr5gW1NdHRT8YZvQAUmo8f0FmoNCWI3ikVhcMHHKzz07nOXVMYsFEkSkvZbm5mNR4tucibiQwSmg8_9rmFbRGRHwZO6rUc-a-anGX6RqLr0TtRn2LkX4cwcGrkr8itN_nIJr0/s200/imgB9.jpg" width="110" /></a>Ok, so <strong><em>Sergeant York</em> is about a WWI hero from Tennessee, not Alabama</strong>. This is such a good movie about WWI, though. Since it was made in the early era of movies,<strong> there are war scenes</strong>, but there is <strong>no blood and no gore</strong>. The movie is in black and white, and when I tell students that it is in black and white, they all make that disappointed sound. I assure them, though, that this movie and <em>To Kill A Mockingbird</em> are two movies that are so good, that I do not mind that they are in black and white. (It has Gary Cooper in it for crying out loud! I always wanted to know what he was like because Lucy, of I Love Lucy, so often described certain men as a "Gary Cooperish" type.) <strong>Usually by the time the students see Sergeant York in a shooting contest, they are hooked.</strong> I have never been able to show it all in one afternoon, and both years the kids have just about driven me crazy asking when we are going to see the rest of the movie. </div>
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<strong>Watch it before you show it to the kids.</strong> They will ask questions as the movie goes along. Answer them as they ask even if you have to pause the movie every once in a while. <strong>From this movie: they will gain an understanding of what life was like in the rural South back in this time period, what boot camp and training was like for these soldiers, and what war was like with all of the new technology of the time. </strong>Possibly most importantly, <strong>they also get to experience the story of a truly humble war hero whose intelligence was gained in the backwoods of the South and whose integrity ran so deep that it influenced a nation </strong>(They even made a movie about him! :) ).<strong> </strong>You may want to mention that if any of them take a trip to the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, they will see a sign on the interstate for the Alvin C. York VA Medical Center. I have had so many students come back and tell me that they saw his sign.</div>
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I do not do any written response on this movie. Sometimes we teachers can kill a good thing. I find that there are so many good questions and discussion throughout and after the movie, that there is no need to beat it to death with anything else. I do, however, do a project in which the students may choose to research the technology of WWI as one of their research topics. I will try to post that project soon. </div>
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If anyone ever finds that this movie has been restored to a color version, please let me know! Let me know if you use this movie in your class, and the impact it had on your students (and you!), too.</div>
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Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-32980169145508327952012-01-06T15:40:00.004-06:002012-01-08T13:46:32.788-06:00Archaeology Adventure Archaeological Dig Activity Kit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5atksbrMOGka-SlHhAOcxiBtP3Qxl78Xg2NtgNb0iA-JmbqTWa5AqMd1cfiLXrd140Gt4J7KqiIR0YQZAfADhrL-nY4eJmHyJxFVZdJ_fGJP3vo0Jzf-M8rBph6P0x7e8A6E4aCKxBM/s1600/Archaeology+Dig+Kit2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI5atksbrMOGka-SlHhAOcxiBtP3Qxl78Xg2NtgNb0iA-JmbqTWa5AqMd1cfiLXrd140Gt4J7KqiIR0YQZAfADhrL-nY4eJmHyJxFVZdJ_fGJP3vo0Jzf-M8rBph6P0x7e8A6E4aCKxBM/s1600/Archaeology+Dig+Kit2.JPG" /></a>Three years ago, I started teaching 4th grade. <strong>I was determined to make as much of my curriculum fun as I could. So anytime anything wasn't fun, I noticed.</strong> I'm sad to say that of all the subjects I taught that year, Alabama history was fun least often. I had not had Alabama history since I had been a 4th grade student myself. I remembered some things about Alabama history from back then (believe it or not), and some subjects in Alabama history were really just American history with Alabama contributions mixed in. The purely Alabama history subjects that were about areas other than the one in which I live were read from the book and discuss lessons. BO-ring. </div>
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One of those BO-ring lessons that stood out in my mind was the lesson about <strong>Moundville, a place where early Native Americans buried their dead in huge mounds along with their earthly possessions</strong>. After that lesson, I felt that the students just didn't "get" how cool Moundville is. They didn't get how cool it is that the mounds still exist, that artifacts are still being found even though the people lived in an ancient time, and that archaeologists are able to learn what those people were like based on what they found/are finding. </div>
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So, two summers ago, <strong>I was determined to find and make resources to make my history lessons more meaningful and fun</strong>. The first thing I did was look for something like <a href="http://www.nature-watch.com/archaeology-adventure-activity-kit-p-4.html?cPath=160_174">this</a>: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE0Om9VVUkth6c36o3MKDpc8i9Elta5ybhzSyhYw3PaEjCaLhlf7h1C-yNa_nMDeR75eZ9V0l5aT8wWZk_nE9BF2tVVu6E8UBWm2rXuQRTHHxHp7NMwn1gY-qiX2HMvLxeNRuWBLGeM4/s1600/Archaeology+Dig+Kit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE0Om9VVUkth6c36o3MKDpc8i9Elta5ybhzSyhYw3PaEjCaLhlf7h1C-yNa_nMDeR75eZ9V0l5aT8wWZk_nE9BF2tVVu6E8UBWm2rXuQRTHHxHp7NMwn1gY-qiX2HMvLxeNRuWBLGeM4/s1600/Archaeology+Dig+Kit.JPG" /></a></div>
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An <strong><a href="http://www.nature-watch.com/archaeology-adventure-activity-kit-p-4.html?cPath=160_174">archaeology kit</a> that allows an entire class of students to experience an archaeological dig</strong>. But I didn't find it until today!<br />
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I did find other kits that were hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Some of those had real artifacts that had to be sent back...completely intact. Yeah right. I teach elementary school...and I am clumsier than my students. <br />
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<strong>This kit looks great and appropriate for elementary school</strong>. The kit includes many artifacts which include<strong> beads, arrowheads, pottery shards</strong> (that will piece together to make pottery), <strong>animal bones </strong>(replications)<strong>, and shells</strong>, as well as an <strong>archaeology digging screen</strong>. The teacher can simulate these into an actual dig site (like in the dirt outside) so that the <strong>kids can participate in an excavation</strong>, and the students can draw conclusions based on the artifacts after they have dug them up. <br />
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The kit costs <strong>$69.95</strong> and includes enough artifacts for <strong>25 students</strong> to make arrowhead necklaces. They also offer refill packs of arrowheads, bones, beads, shells, and necklace cords that can be bought for groups larger than 25. Personally, I would probably save the artifacts and reuse them, but the necklaces look like fun, too! Visit the <a href="http://www.nature-watch.com/archaeology-adventure-activity-kit-p-4.html?cPath=160_174">website</a> to see refill prices.<br />
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<strong><u>Caution:</u></strong></div>
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The teacher will have to supply digging tools for the class. <strike>I am going to look for some, and I will let you know as soon as I find some!</strike><br />
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<strong><u><span style="color: magenta;">UPDATE:</span></u></strong></div>
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I found the following tools (4 out of 5 came from Amazon.com) that may work well for this archaeology dig activity:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/SE-Pick-Stainless-Steel-Carvers/dp/B000SVRSRY/ref=pd_sbs_indust_6">SE Pick Set, 12Pc Stainless Steel Wax Carvers by SE</a> <strong>$7.50</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/SE-Pick-Stainless-Steel-Carvers/dp/B000SVRSRY/ref=pd_sbs_indust_6"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivAiyz2NekI0l8vL3Ov6Dm21foFhHubDqSyzNjRRdOeWhj6wmqQlT-tLyUl4rqjWRBJedx5eDKbqqN51r9MScr9ZIA8G2y-SFfTcug5vK0yi5od9ciFZ19CfA3oKyjLoCMC7dQh2UdS08/s200/Wax+Carvers.JPG" width="188" /></a></div>
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This set includes <strong>12 wax carvers</strong> that look a whole lot like some of the archaeologist tools I have seen on the Internet. There are other pictures of these on the website, and they look pretty blunt, but I do not know that for sure. They are not all they same, but they do not all need to be the same. For this activity, I just want the kids to get the <em>idea</em> of what archaeologists do. </div>
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Since I live in an area of Alabama clay (yep that famous red dirt that Warner Von Braun thought would be magnificent for NASA), I think these wax carvers would be great for getting that thick stuff off of whatever is buried in it. [I need to find an area that has a good mix of dirt and clay...or the following sieves will have no point.]</div>
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<a href="http://www.learningshop.com/browse.cfm/sieve/4,1967.html">Sieves by The Learning Shop</a> <strong>$1.99 each</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG32rtmKd1xabdRFOG9Zo4vKMyp1sGAVf1dEirEKydH35qGzgdP0phpFdwZJ5POQ5Xs8UoMUwozBSDsBMZU801XbBhzD7I2RXNZELhsaHtRQd7NvtGTGh0WbtUJuG7kHwDJYzNxZ_Rlg/s1600/Sieves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG32rtmKd1xabdRFOG9Zo4vKMyp1sGAVf1dEirEKydH35qGzgdP0phpFdwZJ5POQ5Xs8UoMUwozBSDsBMZU801XbBhzD7I2RXNZELhsaHtRQd7NvtGTGh0WbtUJuG7kHwDJYzNxZ_Rlg/s1600/Sieves.JPG" /></a></div>
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These would be great for sifting dirt. I'm not sure how big they are though; they look pretty small.</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hape-International-Stack-Sieve-Buckets/dp/B000WNJQM8">Stack, Pour, Sieve Buckets by Hape International</a> <strong>$17.95</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hape-International-Stack-Sieve-Buckets/dp/B000WNJQM8"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QKRqDBNCOt3ay8c4cfnH9mTzVhe33qkvTCV0maN_t5zldmMWtUlTIccQTIbJLFf3_F7KQWaI1GVHQl5jPYbGMVqoeF_bm7boLKjBwLCFIJC5EMCJj0Di4zXMFCyoJMmSkuCCHNyKJ5E/s1600/Sieve+Buckets.JPG" /></a></div>
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This set includes <strong>4 buckets - 3 with sieve bottoms and 1 with a solid bottom</strong>. The buckets are pretty small, they are 7" high.</div>
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Let me pause now and point out that it may be wise to ask any teachers in the younger grades if they have any of these kinds of play toys that they use in sand and/or water tables that you may borrow. You may even want to e-mail the staff at school to see if anyone with young children have these kinds of toys you can borrow. ...Just a thought...and now to continue:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Chenille-Kraft-Preschool-Paint-Assortment/dp/B000IJBHOQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1326002097&sr=1-2">Chenille Kraft Preschool Paint Brush Assortment by Chenille Kraft</a> <strong>$11.14</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjmpAdWQL5x8za3haNyZRpKgG7XnBHl-5fHqMHI_pOa5G0SsAWIQaX_w5wEoGM5MEg_IrxD44nq7KUjnjes5akDaiODkoZX1WrVFPG23_H5JMFUs1oOWBLXKD3BTPZbUocWy9xu18nzw/s1600/paintbrushes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjmpAdWQL5x8za3haNyZRpKgG7XnBHl-5fHqMHI_pOa5G0SsAWIQaX_w5wEoGM5MEg_IrxD44nq7KUjnjes5akDaiODkoZX1WrVFPG23_H5JMFUs1oOWBLXKD3BTPZbUocWy9xu18nzw/s1600/paintbrushes.JPG" /></a></div>
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You probably already have paintbrushes or you know where you can borrow some. If not, these are pretty cool. This set includes a <strong>24 pack of assorted paintbrushes</strong>. You can actually get them cheaper on the same site ($7.33 on Amazon), but you would have to pay shipping. </div>
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<strong>If you would like to go the extra mile...</strong></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dig-Find-Dino-Excavation-Kit/dp/B003VRSGYQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_t_7">Dig & Find Dino Excavation Kit by Lakeshore Learning Materials</a> <strong>$24.95</strong>:</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dig-Find-Dino-Excavation-Kit/dp/B003VRSGYQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_t_7"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLaPEXi75dbz78y9QIUfheDJzL5r2KGfSLTckGlUIOXTyGPTmmYYLPCiUr5_vF_vVWOP81N18lWuPCJsrRkabmlIFb4i4YvLwLfizPQtaCriBD0CaDMg5Pnb62K_iHgyILbVWki-uIF9c/s1600/Dino+Excavation+Kit.JPG" /></a></div>
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This kit comes with <strong>4 brushes</strong>, <strong>4 sieves</strong>, and <strong>24 plastic dinosaur skeletons</strong>. The brushes and sieves would be useful for this archaeology excavation, and this kit is actually pretty cheap. </div>
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<strong><u>If the dinosaur skeletons do not break easily,</u></strong> it may be fun to bake the little plastic dinosaur skeletons into big sheet cakes or individual cupcakes for a paleontology excavation activity. A variety of sweets could even be used to make strata - pudding, packed crushed oreos, cake, frosting, etc. I'm not sure how easily the dinosaurs break, so <strong><u>use caution</u></strong> when deciding whether or not to use that idea.</div>
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Let me know if you and/or your class use these activities! I would love to hear about it. I would love to see photos, too!</div>
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Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-50675378919386191022012-01-05T23:48:00.001-06:002012-01-05T23:59:50.183-06:00Mission: Green Santa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5PAtP17OLAy3G24QVxpnGSDJAd2GQGW0Mpqe_4Tgu4mRP_Nw9_bNRfdnnDooXks3Uc7Iyogd3HELk46RqQvtheahyphenhyphenA9_hsoVL-Kr0SUmyXUdRcV2Law_LV4rHA0Mn6nUqYLKCtjSVDs/s1600/Mission+Green+Santa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz5PAtP17OLAy3G24QVxpnGSDJAd2GQGW0Mpqe_4Tgu4mRP_Nw9_bNRfdnnDooXks3Uc7Iyogd3HELk46RqQvtheahyphenhyphenA9_hsoVL-Kr0SUmyXUdRcV2Law_LV4rHA0Mn6nUqYLKCtjSVDs/s1600/Mission+Green+Santa.JPG" /></a>I found an <strong>amazing website</strong> today called <a href="http://www.green-santa.com/">Mission Green Santa</a>. I wish that I had found it in time for you to use it for <strong>Christmas</strong>! If you have not taught your unit on <strong>"Going Green"</strong> and on being <strong>"Eco-Friendly"</strong> quite yet, though, this website will <em>still </em>be useful to you this school year. </div>
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The website combines an <strong>interactive cartoon world</strong> with <strong>clips from "real" people</strong> who narrate the situation at the North Pole. These people include scientists, reporters, and Mrs. Claus!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGynEzCx7GGBxWVqjkMMs6EER_FDQ7tCYCSSfB7a2cRa4QulOM0530lzGZgbTehN4lSpGgLG0aiKHnnwwBar6uQfHxjqUDmBTvgkZulYM034QrtqBBlgBxNqr4auvSx-4br7PIaJUs6SI/s1600/Mission+Green+Santa+Town.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGynEzCx7GGBxWVqjkMMs6EER_FDQ7tCYCSSfB7a2cRa4QulOM0530lzGZgbTehN4lSpGgLG0aiKHnnwwBar6uQfHxjqUDmBTvgkZulYM034QrtqBBlgBxNqr4auvSx-4br7PIaJUs6SI/s320/Mission+Green+Santa+Town.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mission Green Santa all starts with a report from a climatologist who reports that <strong>global warming is causing the runway for Santa's sleigh to melt</strong>! </div>
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<img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialtHcHYu3wjZ0ANJMmHuauNb6NVLXPv33P2BUultgaQ27WPvXg8BDCc1Iyf6chH4Ft0QROIPSUroEq2syyiGW8uMd4LHVQV52PobBHsilCxtccrjJjMedg-OvxS2bUvgYBiofeoNXwWM/s200/Green+Santa+Host.JPG" width="200" /></div>
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The report even shows <strong>Santa's runway</strong> at the North Pole... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89LegmM7CoGifHDEAWEM3RaqZ4goYC44_ZQIu6gX7Oec0oXVB5aBDgCKs2eJPBfl-HDCC40ZL6uDVH_m_IDvvkrNKbAC83z18_Q53EaEZt0cOLtEAC20vqe4fANYBUm-cpdQStUNyAlY/s1600/Green+Santa+Runway.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89LegmM7CoGifHDEAWEM3RaqZ4goYC44_ZQIu6gX7Oec0oXVB5aBDgCKs2eJPBfl-HDCC40ZL6uDVH_m_IDvvkrNKbAC83z18_Q53EaEZt0cOLtEAC20vqe4fANYBUm-cpdQStUNyAlY/s320/Green+Santa+Runway.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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...and the cartoon map of the North Pole also features that very runway. <strong>Without that runway, Santa's sleigh cannot fly on Christmas Eve!</strong> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyySSjOjU8lxuZ0Y3WJ22CeLeR2_xEzokAOdwnz7hc1fy5MfchZzwMKGvbT8GtTq93HafiGddP4lTuftsWsQqWAhHtqdVZVh6u1kbGaUTNcv_GknqY5kKwv1N0T7kti3dBeIbn7nkiyKI/s1600/Green+Santa+Runway+Cartoon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyySSjOjU8lxuZ0Y3WJ22CeLeR2_xEzokAOdwnz7hc1fy5MfchZzwMKGvbT8GtTq93HafiGddP4lTuftsWsQqWAhHtqdVZVh6u1kbGaUTNcv_GknqY5kKwv1N0T7kti3dBeIbn7nkiyKI/s1600/Green+Santa+Runway+Cartoon.JPG" /></a></div>
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SO...the climatologist calls the students (or whoever is playing) to action! <strong>The students need to help the elves make the North Pole more energy efficient</strong> so that the runway can be saved! </div>
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The students explore the North Pole to help the elves be more "green." Anytime the student finds an elf that needs help, he/she may click on the "Help and Elf!" bubble to begin helping out.</div>
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And anytime a student successfully helps an elf or makes a pledge to be more "green" in his/her own life, he/she earns "greenies", or elf money.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7_6PFBpxFus0vl7X3rcBvg2xW_Tc8I3sqFqiGxYHoWIEhx5yWFQY3Qp20X-RTrwbpU30fHH29dEfjXbiJeurqHGUEZF6QRT91dTPgh77_k70yJnGNfCiUp69vULbBUeJ69YAvCfoIg8/s1600/Green+Santa+Money+and+Items.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7_6PFBpxFus0vl7X3rcBvg2xW_Tc8I3sqFqiGxYHoWIEhx5yWFQY3Qp20X-RTrwbpU30fHH29dEfjXbiJeurqHGUEZF6QRT91dTPgh77_k70yJnGNfCiUp69vULbBUeJ69YAvCfoIg8/s1600/Green+Santa+Money+and+Items.JPG" /></a></div>
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The student can use those greenies to buy items at the elf store that will help the elves even more!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhcQTsUT5gb9H54PyFsDDYEt7JKgkovo53uRsiZEUw4RA5oeq-SI48qIlsDW-FlC3t0f7pbc3ZKzv-nGAxFge8bEviMtEPWDGSiCyzFplTlx-hXnWxqjfTnU2LZHDRc09bkEcKwLvr2A/s1600/Green+Santa+Store.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhcQTsUT5gb9H54PyFsDDYEt7JKgkovo53uRsiZEUw4RA5oeq-SI48qIlsDW-FlC3t0f7pbc3ZKzv-nGAxFge8bEviMtEPWDGSiCyzFplTlx-hXnWxqjfTnU2LZHDRc09bkEcKwLvr2A/s320/Green+Santa+Store.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There is so much more to explore at the North Pole at <a href="http://www.green-santa.com/">Mission Green Santa</a>. There is a <strong>cinema</strong>, or theater, that features episodes that explain the Santa runway situation and clips of actual students being more "green" in their own lives. There is also a <strong>post office</strong> that allows students to write letters to family and friends...and to Santa! Mrs. Claus even promises to make sure that he reads every one. There is even a <strong>playground</strong> with extra games.</div>
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<u><strong>Cautions:</strong></u> </div>
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1. The website does ask the student to register with an e-mail address if they would like to continue playing where they leave off before exiting the website. </div>
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2. The website is not American-based, so American students may not be familiar with all of the terms... like "cinema" instead of "theater." </div>
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<strong>I am so excited about this <a href="http://www.green-santa.com/">website</a>, and I cannot wait to use it. Let me know how you use this website in your own classroom.</strong> </div>
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Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-2836679489728636992011-11-02T21:23:00.003-05:002011-11-02T21:23:44.402-05:00Scholastic's Interactive WWII Home Life Activity<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c_NBS_alXcbnuI-JWjL7P9yZYhkO7mgfgORWzMVB3dKjGKISim56XFtM_CHT6CpT-SK9d-KLFrx-8ieLpe78Abli7ux8d12-vrjtw3esl02SblZAF1VnOFZPIgR-vvQUw_jfqFjXHtE/s1600/WWII+Home+Life.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c_NBS_alXcbnuI-JWjL7P9yZYhkO7mgfgORWzMVB3dKjGKISim56XFtM_CHT6CpT-SK9d-KLFrx-8ieLpe78Abli7ux8d12-vrjtw3esl02SblZAF1VnOFZPIgR-vvQUw_jfqFjXHtE/s1600/WWII+Home+Life.JPG" /></a>Let me tell you how absolutely amazing <a href="http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/">Scholastic</a> is. Here is the link to their <a href="http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwii/ahf/life/index.htm">WWII American Home Front Home Life</a> interactive activity. The interactive activity lets students click on different items in the living room and kitchen of a home front WWII family home. The item links open to show primary sources including photos, posters, and more, and some play audio files such as Roosevelt's inauguration speech and public service announcements. Each primary source link also includes a brief description of each primary source and its significance to the war effort during WWII.</div>
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I had actually decided that Scholastic (and its website) is amazing a long time ago, but I love it even more now! You see, I actually found this activity a week or so ago, and the audio files would not work. I did everything I could to my computer - I cleared my cookies, I deleted history, restarted my computer, downloaded updates, made sure I had the latest versions of everything, downloaded some more, restarted my computer again...you get the drift. </div>
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I was so excited about the audio files because that was one kind of WWII resource that I really felt like I was lacking. I know I haven't posted any of the WWII stuff to the website yet, but there is a lot of stuff coming!</div>
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Anyway, the audio files still were not working after all of my troubleshooting, so I contacted Scholastic. They sent me an e-mail that let me know that they would be working on the problem. Not much later, they let me know that they had fixed the problem! I was so excited. I went straight to the website to try to listen to those audio files (and I realize you are smirking at my geekiness).</div>
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They still wouldn't work for me! Scholastic worked on their website for me<em> for over a week</em> so that those audio files would work! <strong>You and I, thanks to Scholastic, now have access to this completely working interactive </strong><a href="http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/wwii/ahf/life/index.htm"><strong>WWII American Home Front Home Life</strong></a><strong> activity!</strong></div>
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Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-76985601120066816402011-10-25T14:08:00.001-05:002011-10-25T14:11:27.725-05:00National Geographic Kid's On the Trail of Captain John Smith: A Jamestown Adventure "Game"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yQ1RzaM1LljMInXULaYg7b-VM6RKK6al_rzB8TdIy0ansa0vTT51RGitgggRMDvMJMwXYSHppFS3nd0T1TmGXYbPNFpBoZpzT34HB7Vy7QJnU9z-BM7yH56-F0jFSOA4e6M4bayajys/s1600/John+Smith.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yQ1RzaM1LljMInXULaYg7b-VM6RKK6al_rzB8TdIy0ansa0vTT51RGitgggRMDvMJMwXYSHppFS3nd0T1TmGXYbPNFpBoZpzT34HB7Vy7QJnU9z-BM7yH56-F0jFSOA4e6M4bayajys/s1600/John+Smith.JPG" /></a>I personally e-mailed National Geographic to tell them how much I love this game and that I feel that they should make MORE of them! It is <strong>so much more than a game</strong>. It is a cartoon-style video of the story of Jamestown that follows the story of John Smith. There are eight mini episodes, and there are mini-games after six of the episodes. Students will learn <em>something</em> through every episode and every game - SO cool. Each mini episode is about 2-3 minutes long, and each mini game is about 1-2 minutes long. I had such a great time with this interactive activity that I decided to share it here before posting it to the website! Although it will be on the student history page soon, here is the link for those of you who would like it a bit sooner: <a href="http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/interactiveadventures/john-smith/">http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/interactiveadventures/john-smith/</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-61357849573625316112011-10-20T00:18:00.000-05:002011-10-20T00:18:55.123-05:00New History Activities! Early American Settlements and The First Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMejJmxfqkHRWQYHv5_TVcbf-gwzdfX0Sd7upjl25A5Mt4qRAWZdBoF7n26TWN2ecpNTDdK_i3Ewk-2P94ZkAa3Qw-x0NbiY8n2ZDGqsyvJOQXZI1VfRxvkB4O5FV0gUDIyzo-E6uY71s/s1600/Mayflower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMejJmxfqkHRWQYHv5_TVcbf-gwzdfX0Sd7upjl25A5Mt4qRAWZdBoF7n26TWN2ecpNTDdK_i3Ewk-2P94ZkAa3Qw-x0NbiY8n2ZDGqsyvJOQXZI1VfRxvkB4O5FV0gUDIyzo-E6uY71s/s1600/Mayflower.JPG" /></a>So, I got around to some of the history links sooner than I thought! I posted eleven new history activities on the <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/younger_history.htm">student history page</a> in a new section called Early American Settlements and The First Thanksgiving. The subjects of the activities include Pilgrims, Wampanoag Native Americans, the Mayflower, the First Thanksgiving, and more. There are even panoramic views of Plimoth Plantation and the inside of a Wampanoag home! I'm sure you and your students will love every activity!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-QsICHyvkRSHZvkqy1PzULH5S4eaGunsu5R7Afe03rhIEU2sguPulJ_SReC82cz-2BjQQkv7x3rr9voOxs8oLkoVXZHGXkRMc1jht3Tf0WRHcR3Es1C_R5rotoQPTxCC8SIZ-M-VYFE/s1600/Virtual+Field+Trip+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-QsICHyvkRSHZvkqy1PzULH5S4eaGunsu5R7Afe03rhIEU2sguPulJ_SReC82cz-2BjQQkv7x3rr9voOxs8oLkoVXZHGXkRMc1jht3Tf0WRHcR3Es1C_R5rotoQPTxCC8SIZ-M-VYFE/s1600/Virtual+Field+Trip+3.JPG" /></a>I have found so many amazing Alabama and American history resources in the last few days that it is absolutly overwhelmingly ridiculous. I cannot decide exactly how I want to post all of them on the website, because I can't decide if I want to make some of them in a TrackStar, if I should post them on the student page, or if I should post them on the teacher page. There are several resources coming, though! </div>
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In the meantime, Scholastic is offering FREE Plimoth Plantation Virtual Field Trips just in time for Thanksgiving 2011! And, yes, it is actually spelled P-l-i-m-o-t-h. The first one is November 2 at 1:00pm ET (2:00pm for all of you who are CT like me!) and is a tour of the Pilgrim Village. The second one is November 9 at 1:00pm ET/ 2:00pm CT and is a tour of the Wampanoag Homesite. The third one is a Webcast Replay on November 16 at 1:00pm ET/ 2:00pm CT. You will even receive a series of e-mails from a Pilgrim girl and a Wampanoag boy with your registration. </div>
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These virtual field trips will include daily life of the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag and interviews of the interpreters (actors) of Plimoth Plantation. I am SO excited to participate in these virtual field trips! </div>
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To register click <a href="http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/webcast.htm?msg=Thank%20You%20for%20Registering%20for%20the%20Thanksgiving%20Webcast!">here</a>! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-405243540538688092011-10-13T20:43:00.003-05:002011-10-13T20:44:21.903-05:00Fire Safety Week!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbxZEXJRSqEQmai4PZzr98rwl2tVxeQREGf9D_N8St_DI6jlCoBu_2p8t2a-ZSI4B-iLT1S1TmDbQenX7havOmTOZDV69jZBlI05IWbjUtdAohSVFX6iXz8YN4y5SfBMr9ZY275jQs2g/s1600/sparky.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbxZEXJRSqEQmai4PZzr98rwl2tVxeQREGf9D_N8St_DI6jlCoBu_2p8t2a-ZSI4B-iLT1S1TmDbQenX7havOmTOZDV69jZBlI05IWbjUtdAohSVFX6iXz8YN4y5SfBMr9ZY275jQs2g/s200/sparky.JPG" width="153" /></a>Better Late than Never! Here is the link to the Fire Safety Week games I have posted on The Box of Crayons website: <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/younger_holidays.htm"><span style="color: black;">http://theboxofcrayons.com/younger_holidays.htm</span></a>. </div>
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I enjoyed every single game (Yes, I played them all!). The first link I posted even has old school Sparky cartoons! If I were you, I would sooo be showing them to my class tomorrow...</div>
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Enjoy!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-54540669714327941942011-10-11T22:33:00.001-05:002011-10-11T23:10:07.336-05:00Video Footage of the Selma to Montgomery Freedom March<div style="text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-9804509176649153722011-10-06T21:18:00.000-05:002011-10-06T21:25:46.586-05:00Poptropica Mystery Train Island Opens Tomorrow!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBM8urBwkEUrwWCLOFgMcfGbZPbsqCH9j1MPUneF_XluSwoRMdrLZJzkbTgJD4UEVVIE5imMhyphenhypheng-ec-gRuMzqdcB9zwuTwaXbB02J_XC4MnGylIzrS7nh0-41o9inAOvVrXFJT1Ji_cc/s1600/Poptropica.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <a href="http://www.poptropica.com/">Poptropica<span id="goog_1105469966"></span></a>, my favorite online kids' educational website, is opening its newest island, <strong>Mystery Train Island, TOMORROW OCTOBER 7!</strong> HOOOOOOORAY!</div>
<br />First of all, if you are an educator or parent and are one of those peoplewho does not encourage your students or kids to play Poptropica, you have not played it yourself. I've played them all! Every island requires critical thinking skills, and there is a lot of educational content that is learned through playing. I, myself, learned a great deal about history from Time Tangled Island and a lot about art from Counterfeit Island and on and on. Play, and encourage your kids to play. They will thank you for it, because they will only know they are playing.<br />
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<br />Mystery Train Island proves to be no different. It is set on a train headed to the Chicago World's Fair of 1983, and the player's character must interview many famous people on the train. I played the "sneak preview," which is just a bit of the first part of the game for the island. From this preview I learned that not only does the player learn about the inner workings of a train during the industrial revolution, but also explores the cabins of Susan B. Anthony, Mark Twain, Thomas Edison, and more! The player's character interviews some of these famous people during the preview, but it is entirely possible that the player's character will get to speak with all of them in the full game!</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyLHxA1bEbPOz7ykiQqWuHPSrrws6e5fugmhykk5iSV9dUzEXTumPDbFsmRsWGKPnJ0yDCK1djjekDQroqJcrW077BMIOg_hMXr6P37o8gWYDGMMgAxB6fe7yyhXfykzqfkUZ-9ORN0Q/s1600/Character.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyLHxA1bEbPOz7ykiQqWuHPSrrws6e5fugmhykk5iSV9dUzEXTumPDbFsmRsWGKPnJ0yDCK1djjekDQroqJcrW077BMIOg_hMXr6P37o8gWYDGMMgAxB6fe7yyhXfykzqfkUZ-9ORN0Q/s1600/Character.JPG" /></a>Plus, there are some awesome costumes to costumize (In Poptropica, you can click on any article of clothing or hairstyle of story characters to wear them with the costumize feature) from this island. I have included a picture of how I've costumized from the preview. </div>
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<br />I'm so excited!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-81436504304698716822011-10-01T22:12:00.002-05:002011-10-01T22:14:43.587-05:00My Hope and Promise for Alabama History<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, I have been posting quite a lot in the last few days on the website. The more detailed posts have spilled over into this blog so that the website doesn't look like a cluttered activity chaos. Now that I look at the Alabama Course of Study Standards, though, I am realizing just how many activities I <em>don't </em>have for Alabama history. My hope and desire for my students and Alabama history is to hear the whispers of "YES!" when it is time for Alabama History each day. I want them to be excited about it, and I want it, as with all subjects, to be so much more than a textbook. I may be slower in posting over the next few weeks for two reasons. One is that the resources I do have need to be reformatted, and I need to cite the sources for them before I post them for all of the world to see. The second reason is that I do not have activities for every single standard, but since that is my desire, I am going to try my very hardest to post at least one for each standard. I am hoping to post some math games sometime soon, too, so keep checking back at <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/">theboxofcrayons.com</a> for more resources in the "Stuff for Teachers" section!<br />
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Fingers-Crossed!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8585376160679095547.post-41027448659500420552011-09-30T18:31:00.003-05:002011-10-02T16:22:30.627-05:00Cherokee Cornmeal Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtjD05_bhXYEmPmK38jlQyauC69S79DfnlU6TMqjr727pJ8aFnLyD7cwP9lOEOX5tsIrdndLdvTQalmpqE2Jj82crhbnLwqz6Nd8GyhSCDeeB8k-JZw_OWFC1HuRmg5OFD0uNrC9DDu0/s1600/img228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtjD05_bhXYEmPmK38jlQyauC69S79DfnlU6TMqjr727pJ8aFnLyD7cwP9lOEOX5tsIrdndLdvTQalmpqE2Jj82crhbnLwqz6Nd8GyhSCDeeB8k-JZw_OWFC1HuRmg5OFD0uNrC9DDu0/s1600/img228.jpg" /></a>Here is the <a href="http://theboxofcrayons.com/Documents/AL%20History/Cherokee%20Corn%20Meal%20Cookies.pdf">Cherokee Cornmeal Cookies Recipe</a> I promised! Making the cookies was the reward of the winning team from the At-Home Native American Poster Project, but everyone got to eat them! We made these in my old college toaster oven, and they were delicious! I brought some sorghum molasses for the kids to try, too, since it is a local/Southern product. I wait all year for sorghum molasses to be sold at the farmers' market. A lot of the kids dipped their cookies in the molasses or poured the molasses over the cookies pancake style. With this particular class, the rest of the class just watched the eight winning students make the cookies. You may want to give the rest of your students something to work on if you aren't sure if they can handle just watching, though. </div>
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<br />I do <strong>recommend</strong> that you bake one batch before the class makes the cookies. I gave each student one of the cookies I made the night before, and one hot from the toaster oven. I was completely amazed by how good they were, and so were the kids! </div>
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<br />Enjoy!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14165669159790503298noreply@blogger.com0