A little fun with The Ugly Pumpkin

Happy Fall!
It's Gina from Beach Sand and Lesson Plans here

I wanted to share a fun artsy project my class did based on the book The Ugly Pumpkin by David Horowitz. (Look at that face!)

I love this story and the it's surprise ending! The kids enjoyed it, too. They felt so sad for the pumpkin. This book is perfect for Pumpkin Day on October 26th, Halloween, or even right into the month of November for Thanksgiving.

I decided we would just have a little fun with it in October.  First, I read it aloud (No front loading involved). After, I asked if the story reminded them of any other books they had read. A few students came up with The Ugly Duckling and only ONE student could give a summary of that story. I decided I had to read it to them right then and there! (Shouldn't ever child know the story?) I read this version:

After it was revealed that the Ugly Pumpkin was really a squash, I shared different types of the vegetable with them. I was very surprised to see that so many kids were not familiar with this vege.

The students were excited to take a break from our regular reading time to create their own Happy Squash. They had SO much fun cutting, creating, and using their imagination. I did not give them a pattern and I offered very little directions.

We did a little research (which inspired their squash shape and color), looked at other varieties, and learned some squash facts which they wrote on the back of their creations. The kids came up with the idea of making signs with a fact that the Happy Squash could hold. They did a great job and had FUN!

If you want a more academic lesson to do with these two books try text comparison. I created these graphic organizers for another pair of books (read about those HERE), but they would work perfectly for the above or any other text you might want to use. Click HERE to download this freebie.

Enjoy some pumpkin stories with your class and don't forget the FUN!

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Johnny Appleseed Mini Unit

It's Gina from Beach Sand and Lesson Plans here!

The official start of fall is just around the corner. Sadly, here in South Florida we don't get to experience the leaves changing or cooler weather. It's still HOT here and the palm fronds are green as ever. Even so, I enjoy bringing a little fall into my classroom. After all, it's my favorite season. Apples and Johnny Appleseed are my way of ringing in the season!

I created 5 activities that are perfect for a one or two day study.

During our reader's workshop time, I used this book by Jane Yolen, as our mentor text, Johnny Appleseed: The Legend and the Truth. 

I had the students fill out the "What I think I Know" section of this organizer first. We then discussed what is meant by a legend and why the book might have the subtitle "The Legend and the Truth". I told them we would discover as we read together. The rest of the chart will be filled out after reading.

I put the book under the doc camera so the kids could see the text as I was reading. I wanted to keep this more of a whole group activity since we are only spending about 2 days on it. They enjoyed the discussion and finding the facts as we read. During our next reading time, I will have them discuss the legend/truth part of this organizer prior to our group discussion.

I was able to connect the apple topic to our current science lesson. We have been talking about how scientists use their senses to make observations and then use those observations to make inferences. I set up the kids in groups of 4 and gave each group 3 different apples. They observed the outside of the apple first. I let them talk together. We shared adjectives that would make sense when talking about an apple. 

This group got a little surprise. When I took their Red Delicious out of the bag. It was ROTTEN on the top....really gross! The group was able to make a great inference based on their observation and they were right! The inside was just as rotten!

After they observed the outside, I cut each apple one at a time. They carefully looked at the seeds, the core, and then had a taste. It is such a simple activity and they had a blast! The gloves made them feel like little scientists! LOL!

They recorded their observations on this form.

In their science notebooks, they drew this diagram and labeled the parts of the apple.

 The last two activities in my mini unit are an opinion writing prompt and a sheet to label the life cycle of the apple. The 5 activities can also be used during a study of plants, a study of tall tales or pioneers, or even Arbor Day. Johnny Appleseed is not exclusive to the fall!

Hope you enjoy! Happy fall!

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Back to School Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the first day of school. New backpacks full of supplies. Hair done just right. Nervous and excited faces. It's my favorite day! I'm not just saying that. I really am excited! Tomorrow will be the the start of my 25th year! Wow! My 25th class of kids, that I have been put into my charge, will walk through my door tomorrow. I'm not trying to sound dramatic or corny, I'm just in awe. It is a privilege and great responsibility to take care of someones children all day long. Think about the power we hold. We hold the power to raise a child up or, sadly, break a child down. Our words. Our gestures. A look. A comment. It doesn't take much to do either. As we start a new school year, keep in mind that someone is trusting you with their greatest commodity. Their child. I know that dealing with behaviors can be frustrating.  Some of us have little or no parental support. Demands and pressures put upon us are much greater now than they were 25 years ago. But take time to think about the children who enter your room this year. How will you make that child feel on a day to day basis?  How will those kids leave your room feeling at the end of each day? Greet them in the morning with a hug or high five, smile or a compliment. At the end of the day, send them home with encouraging words. They will always remember how you made them feel!

On Wednesday of this week, we have our Open House (yes the third day of school). I prefer it right away. It gets the parents in and understanding the expectations right away. There is a simple activity I like to do and it makes the kids happy!  I call it Beautiful Bookmarks.  I give each student a blank bookmark. I ask them to draw a picture and write the title of their favorite book on one side. I put these out on their desks for Open House and ask the parents to write a message on the other side about reading. They can write about a favorite book they read as a child or a favorite book they have read with their child or just a message about reading. I take the bookmarks home and run them through my laminator, punch a hole, and attach a ribbon, so they are ready the next morning for the children. There faces light up when they see what their parents created. They use these all year during class. You can find this activity HERE for free.

Enjoy your start to the new year!

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Gina (Beach Sand and Lesson Plans)

Hi Fabulous Followers!
I'm Gina from Beach Sand and Lesson Plans. I am THRILLED to be here today to introduce myself and to share a fun back to school FREEBIE with you!



First a little about my teacher life...I'm going into my 25th year of teaching (I just had to stop and take a breathe). I can't believe it has been that long!  For most of those years, I have taught 3rd and 4th grade with only two random years in 2nd. By far, my heart lies in 3rd. I enjoy seeing the growth and gains they make from young 2nd graders to high flying thirds by the end of the year.
About half of my teaching years have been spent with gifted/high achieving students. I feel like I have to always be on my toes, providing enriching, creative, and meaningful tasks that move our higher students higher. I am not one to repeat too many lessons from year to year or read the same books over and over. I need to keep my curriculum fresh or boredom can set in very quickly!! If I'm bored, my students will be bored. I do read a great deal of professional books to keep my classroom fresh and up-to-date! I love my job and have from the first day I started.

Now a little about my personal life...I am married to a 5th grade teacher and have been for 15 years. My hubby and I have taught together in the same school for many, many years. We have 2 children. Dane, 12 and Lily, 10. They have both attended the school we teach in and it's been wonderful being close to them through their elementary school days. We feel fortunate to not have missed a thing! I am a native Floridian and I can't imagine living any where that isn't close to the ocean. My free time includes reading, swimming, crocheting, Disney trips, taking care of a house full of rescue pups, and just hanging out at home. I would die without my i-stuff! (well maybe that is a tad dramatic, but I do love my gadgets!) I am super excited to be here sharing my experience and love of teaching with you all!!

Today I want to share a little freebie to help you start off the new school year!

Click HERE to download this FREEBIE!

These Back to School Pennants are perfect for the first week back. Use them as a "get-to-know-you" activity and classroom display. I'll have students work on them as morning work during the first week and then they will share out to the class. Be sure to complete the Teacher Pennant, too! The completed banner makes a cute Open House decoration or keep it up all year long. I included "end pennants" with an ice cream graphic and title. I hope you find this activity useful and fun for your classroom.

I am looking forward to sharing more ideas and activities with you here! Please stop by and say hi at my other blog address, too!

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