Blog Archives

  • Art - Joseph Stella Art: Line Designs

    Art is created using the 5 elements of design by drawing a focal point, with 10-12 lines radiating from it. Each space between the “lines” is a different size (“mass”) and each will be filled by a different art medium (pastels, paint, crayon…) and using a different method, creating different “textures”, “colours”, “shapes”, and “lines”. View Full Lesson →

  • Domino Adding

    Math - Domino Adding

    A fun way to practise adding numbers to 12.  Using the familiar picture patterns of dominoes, students match ends of two paper dominoes, saying “3 plus 6 equals 9”.  Teacher models reusing photocopy paper, cutting … View Full Lesson →

  • In Flanders Fields

    Reading - In Flanders Fields by John McCrae

    I have had my class memorize this poem, using hand and arm movements to “illustrate” the poem.  This makes it easy for them to remember the words and much more interesting to watch them recite … View Full Lesson →

  • Piet Mondrian Art

    Art - Piet Mondrian Art

    Objective: Learning about artists and imitating their work Using primary colours reviewing squares and rectangles (remind students that squares ARE rectangles, but rectangles CANNOT be squares) Materials: 8 1/2″ X 11″ white paper for each student … View Full Lesson →

  • Math - Hugs and Tallies

    A memorable way for remembering how to make tally marks that equal 5.  Four students stand close together in a row, and a fifth student faces them with outstretched arms and gives them a group … View Full Lesson →

  • Writing - Macaroni Quotation Marks

    This lesson is to help students remember HOW to make quotation marks and WHEN to use them.  It combines an artsy aspect that makes it a little more fun.  After gluing the quotes in order, … View Full Lesson →

  • Opposite-Word Concentration Game

    Reading - Opposite-Word Concentration Game

    Based on the familiar game of Concentration, this variation has students quickly learning opposites, increasing their memory, and reading new words.  Old decks of playing cards can be used, with a word and picture glued … View Full Lesson →

  • Stamp Patterning Fun

    Math - Patterning Fun

    Beautiful repeating patterns are created using color, position (up/down), direction (turning), plus a variety of stamps.  Simple enough for grade 1’s but can be used to make quite complex patterns.   Grade 1’s and 2’s … View Full Lesson →

  • Months. I. Names. Titles. Start of sentences.

    Writing - MINTS – A Capitalization Trick

    A quick lesson to reinforce the five times that students need to use capitalization in their writing.  The acronym “MINTS” stands for months, I, names, titles, and start of sentences.  Using the peppermint candies makes … View Full Lesson →

  • Happy Rock

    Reading - Happy Rocks

    Students are given small, smooth stones with a happy face sticker stuck on one side.  It sits atop a poem, on their desk, on the first day of school.  Who doesn’t like to get a … View Full Lesson →