Red Ribbon Week Activities and Events

Red Ribbon Week is celebrated each year between October 23rd and

October 31st. The goal is teach children to make healthy choices and be drug-free..

At the elementary level,  we teach kids about making healthy choices and smart decisions in all areas of their lives.

I created these child-friendly activities to help with that.  Below are some great book recommendations and links for Red Ribbon Week  Hope your kids enjoy them as much as mine. The activities are designed for kids in grades K-3 as they are differentiated. 

Check out some of these great books on making good choices, eating healthy and  being a good friend.

I Can Eat A Rainbow

I Will Never Not Ever Eat A Tomato by Lauren Child: Part of the Charlie and Lola series, this book promotes healthy eating habits and could be used to discuss making positive choices for overall well-being.

Gregory the Terrible Eater

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell: This story emphasizes embracing one's unique qualities and standing up to bullies, making it an excellent choice for promoting self-confidence and positive behavior.

It's Okay to Be Different read by Todd Parr: This book celebrates diversity and uniqueness, emphasizing that it's okay to be yourself. It can be a wonderful way to encourage self-confidence and individuality.

A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon: This whimsical story follows a girl named Camilla Cream who loves to please everyone and conforms to others' expectations. It's a great conversation starter about staying true to oneself.

The Feelings Book by Todd Parr: Understanding and managing emotions is an important aspect of personal growth. This book helps young children recognize and express their feelings in a healthy way.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle: While not directly related to Red Ribbon Week, this story can be used to discuss the importance of making healthy choices with your eating habits. 

The activities are scaffolded and modified for learners K thru 3.  There are writing and cut/paste activities, calendar of events for staff and parents for special days, word searches, bookmarks, find & record sheets, and activities for school-wide or classroom activities. Enjoy!

Here are some highlights from grades 2/3:

 We created Ribbons for our doors:

We created healthy meals:

We learned about healthy choices:

We wrote about making good choices in life and created a school tree.

Enjoy your Red Ribbon Week!

 

Exploring Communities: Rural, Suburban, and Urban

 

Communities are like big puzzle pieces that come together to create the world we live in with each community having its own unique characteristics and activities that makes it special.  

Have kids explore the three types of communities: rural, suburban, and urban, through a story about 3 friends and discover the exciting features each community offers! 

I've also created a modified reader to help students who might need extra support so it can work for grades 1-3.  Here is a craftivity or end of unit activity to complete.

Here's an example of a modified page..   

After reading, students use the text to answer questions about each community and highlight where they found their answers.

Here is some feedback from other teachers

Below are some pictures and a video below to share with kids with a brief description of each community. If you're looking to learn about Community Helpers (geared for K-1) , check this out.

Rural Communities:  

In rural communities, you'll find wide open spaces, farms, and plenty of nature to explore. Some fun activities would include taking a hike or visiting a farm to meet the animals. If you love the outdoors, rural communities are perfect for you!

Suburban Community

Suburban communities are a mix of city as they are outside a city and countryside. They're known for their neighborhoods, parks, and playgrounds. You can head to the local park for a game of soccer or have a fun day on the swings. Suburban areas offer a perfect blend of nature and playtime!

Urban Communities

Urban communities are bustling with energy with so many things to see such as skyscrapers, busy streets and museums!  You can explore museums and learn about history and art, visit a local market to discover different foods or take a stroll in a city park. Urban areas are full of exciting things to do and see! 

What's your favorite community to live in?  Leave a comment below!

Exploring Fun Activities for a Sensational Journey of the Five Senses!

 Today, we're going to get on board a sensational journey of the five senses! 

I've compiled some fun and educational five senses activities that include emergent readers that kids will love to read again and again, book recommendations, printables and follow up activities to create a Five Senses Unit or to compliment the unit you already teach.. So, buckle up your sensory seatbelts and let's dive right in!

You will find activities and printables to explore the world of sound with guessing a symphony of everyday sounds, to taste testing and learning where you taste on your tongue, to engaging your sense of smell with an easy to set-up aromatic guessing game! 

In one of our readers, students will learn about being a scientist and using the tools of their body to explore the world. Available in color and black and white for easy printing.

Another reader challenges kids to use their sense of sight to figure out the animal on the next page by seeing just a piece of their body. These easy to print books are copied two to a page.

Check out the Five Senses here.  It’s been update with a fresh look and fun activities. 

Get ready to engage your senses to truly comprehend the wondrous world around us!

Looking for more activities to do at home or in school for the five senses, check these out:

Create a mystery box- put an item inside and have kids reach inside and guess what it is.  This also can work for show and tell.

Blind Drawing: Have one child wear a blindfold and another child directs them what to draw and see if they can create the intended image.

Trust Walk: One partner is blindfolded and their partner guides them through the home or classroom by telling them the directions.

Check out the different scents or herbs, fruits, and flowers, and ask students to identify them with their eyes closed. 

Texture Treasure Hunt- Set up a touch & feel center with different objects with  texture to explore.

Volcano Fun- Make a volcano erupt by exploring the reactions of vinegar and baking soda. 

Nature Walk- Go for a walk in the backyard or neighborhood, and encourage them to notice the sounds, textures, and scents of nature.

Create colorful art with different materials like finger painting, colored sand, or fabric scraps.

Father's Day Rocks! Celebrating Dads with Painted Stones!

 

Every day loves a good pun and today, we're diving into the world of rock painting, dad jokes and creativity! 

This year our group of budding artists created a Father's Day surprise and all they needed was a paintbrush and a collection of smooth rocks. They transformed ordinary rocks into little masterpieces. Some of them painted the phrase "Dad Rocks!" on the stone, while others made their own creations.

 

 

The kids know a good dad joke can brighten any day and thought their fathers would appreciate the humor and love behind these quirky gifts.

 

Dads love making us laugh each and every day with their witty remarks so why not return the favor on Father's Day and give them a gift that shares their love for a good joke? Most importantly, let them know just how much he rocks your world!?

Grab this coloring sheet free here or use the smaller version to create a Father's Day card!  Enjoy!

Splish, Splash, Summer Fun! Exploring the Ocean with 'My Trip to the Aquarium'

Hey there, summer enthusiasts! The sun is shining, the waves are crashing, and the school year is winding down. It's time to get ready for some amazing adventures ahead.  I can’t think of a better way to end the school year and kick-start your summer than with an unforgettable trip to the aquarium with your students?

 

Imagine walking through an aquarium surrounded by beautiful fish, lively dolphins, and mysterious sea creatures. This trip that will ignite student’s curiosity and spark their imagination. Even better, we have just the perfect companion for this aquatic adventure – 'My Trip to the Aquarium' emergent reader!

 

Not only does 'My Trip to the Aquarium' take you on an underwater adventure, but it also brings in a splash of learning with fun math and language arts activities.

Don’t have an aquarium nearby? Check out these virtual trips you can take.

Monterey Bay Live Aquarium Cams

National Aquarium in Washington DC

Check out more virtual Aquarium trips here!

Grab this freebie to start your aquatic adventure!

Learning to Answer Questions in Full Sentences!

 

Students are always told it's important to answer questions in complete sentences. So let's talk about why.

First, answering in a full sentence shows they've understood the question and what was being asked

Second, it helps them to communicate their ideas clearly. When they answer a question in a complete sentence, they give the reader more information about their answer which makes it easier for them to understand what is being said.

Thirds, writing full answers helps students to learn language and vocabulary so by thinking about how to express their thoughts in a complete sentence, they are practicing their grammar, syntax, and vocabulary.

An easy way to teach students how to answer questions in a complete sentence is to first ask students to carefully read the question. Then, using part of the question in their answer, verbally answer the question.  Next, they should circle or underline the words that will help them start off their answer. Finally, write the answer to the question in a sentence that makes sense. Remind them to check for capitals and periods. 

Check out the example below and click to try the freebie below with your class.

Click here to try the freebie below with your class!

For example, if the question, "What is your favorite holiday?" you might answer, "My favorite holiday is Christmas." Students should also make sure all parts of the question are answered, so if the if the question is, "What is your favorite holiday and why?" you might answer, "My favorite holiday is Christmas because I get to spend time with my  family." 

Answering questions in complete sentences is  an important skill for students to demonstrate because it shows that they understand the question, it helps them communicate clearly, and improves their language skills. 

So, the next time someone asks you a question, remember to answer in a complete sentence!  

Check out the complete set here.  It's perfect to start practicing at the beginning  and throughout the year to get students in the habit of answering in full sentences!

Mother's Day Craftivity Idea

 

Looking for an easy and sweet activity for Mother's Day? Here's a perfect Mother's Day activity for elementary students is this easy and fun craftivity! Let your students show their love and appreciation with this  project to present to their special person on Mother's Day to let them know how incredible they are. 

Also includes an option for an aunt, grandma and a blank option for someone special in their life. Great for the little ones and upper elementary students that can write even more!

 Enjoy!