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!

New Year's Resolutions

 Happy 2015! New Year's Resolutions!

The new year is right around the corner.  It's usually the time that we all try to find a resolution to become a better version of ourselves.  I always try to become a bit more organized... so we'll see how it goes!  If you are looking to become more organized, check out the large selection of labels and editable signs at my store. Just click on the tab to the left that says, Editable Items. Here's a sample of some of the labels available (the labels come blank for you to edit):

In the classroom, I always like to explain that a New Year's resolution is a goal or promise we make to ourselves that will help us become even better at something. Then, we try to think about what we can do to accomplish our goals.

The project below is really easy to make and the kids love it! 

Grab the New Year's bell shape here!

For the hat, I created a triangle tracer for the children to trace on scrapbook paper, wallpaper, or construction paper (if you'd like), and a tracer for the hat trim to fit the bottom of the hat. The kids loved trying to match their trim to their hat!

For the head, just cut a rectangle about 5 1/2 x 7 inches on skin color.  I taught the kids how to create face shapes and circles by just 'cutting the corners' and it works great for kids from K to 2!  This also helps to alleviate the prep time of having to trace circle shapes and oval shapes. 

My kids used the same trick of 'cutting the corners' for the eyes. I cut white paper about 1 x 1 and they did the rest. 

**Once my kids learned this trick, I never had to trace a circle shape or oval face again! Bonus!**

How to cut the corners:

Lastly, add yarn or construction paper for hair and add the blower (you can grab these at the dollar store!)

Just thought I'd share the newest product at my store that I'm really excited about: Community Helpers. It includes a 15- page reader for the children to learn about each community helper.  Then, they can  complete their own community helper book based on each helper.  It includes various writing prompts and activities similar to my best seller Label It! and many more. Check it out.

Feel free to grab it here at my store.

  ORDER YOUR KIT HERE

For those of you who are looking ahead and planning for February and Dental Health Month, have you grabbed your FREE Bright Smiles, Bright Future Kit yet? 

The great people at Colgate provide a classroom kit for K-1 with books (for whole group and students), DVDs, parent information, and a class set of toothbrushes, toothpaste samples, and much more.  To order your Bright Smiles, Bright Future kit sign up now by clicking here! 
Once you sign up, you'll receive the kit each year!

There is also some great dental health information you can download at their website for K-1 and 2-3. Click here to check it out.
Here's a sample:

ENJOY YOUR KIT!

If you are looking for a fun activity for Dental Health Month, check out my FEBRUARY POST for this fun FREEBIE!