Eric Carle- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Part 2

During our Eric Carle unit we always try to incorporate math.

This is a time activity I got from one of my co-workers. The children cut out the apple. Then they draw a picture of the caterpillar on the apple.  We read the script together, and figure out where we need to draw the hands on the clock. I glue this page into the Eric Carle books we make.

We concentrate a lot on adding in the spring. I try to make adding practice sheets with art that goes along with the unit we are working on. I used the practice pages below during this unit.

 

Up Next: Eric Carle Unit- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Part 3

Eric Carle Unit- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Part1



Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar is one of my favorite books. I remember reading it with my little brother when we were children, and I enjoy sharing it with my students now. We have so much fun reading the book and learning about caterpillars and butterflies.

First we read the story. We talk about the days of the week as we read the story. The students love predicting how many pieces of fruit The Very Hungry Caterpillar will eat next.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pre-Writing

After we read the story we write about it. The students use this pre-writing sheet to organize their thoughts. They write one sentence about the story in each box. I work with them to edit their writing on the pre-writing sheet. Then they copy their sentences onto story writing paper and draw an illustration.

The next thing we do is create an interpretation of the cover. Their caterpillars turned out so cute. Unfortuntaly, I forgot to take pictures before sending them home, so I am  using a photo of the sample.

We also create butterfly art. This sample was done a few years ago using paint. This year I had my students use tissue paper to decorate their butterflies. They turned out so beautifully. I really wish I had taken pictures.

Terrific Tissue Paper Squares

I want to add that I used pre-cut tissue paper squares on our butterflies. I love these! I don't have to spend time cutting tissue paper, they are uniform in size, and it cuts down on scraps. Plus they come in variety packs so you get a lot of colors. I purchased mine at Michael's. I'm not sure if they still sell them, but you can buy 5000 squares for $6.00 at Oriental Trading.

Up Next: Eric Carle Unit- The Very Hungry Caterpillar Part 2

Buzz Words Activity



One of my students brought animal crackers for our snack. They came in this cute bear container. I could not "bear" the idea of throwing it out (and I could not resist that pun). I just knew I could come up with a use for it.  I decided to use it for a sight word game to go along with the Honey Bee and the Robber.

I made these cards, which I will print on card stock and laminate. The cards will go inside of the bear. The students will pull out a card. If they pull a sight word they will read the word. If they read it correctly they can keep the card. If they do not read it correctly they will need to put it back into the container. If they pull a "buzz" card they have been stung and will have to put all of their cards back into the container.

Buzz Words

I am going to cut out the title, which is at the bottom of the document, to fit over the label on the container.

I was not able to get this activity completed in time to use with our unit this year, but I can't wait to use it next year! I plan to create more cards to help fill up the bear container. I will post an update on this activity in the future.

Up Next: Eric Carle- The Hungry CaterpillarT

Summer Vacation!



Wow!  I can't believe the school year is over. It was a very busy and exciting year. Now it's time to relax a little and begin preparing for the new group of students that are coming in August.

I know it's been several weeks since I've posted. I don't know about you, but the end of the school year is always super busy for me. Finishing up student scrapbooks, handwriting our report cards, and preparing for awards day fills the last few weeks of school. Packing up the room so the custodians can wax our floors (I love coming back to shiny new floors!), and completing end of the year paper work also keeps  me running. There was little time for blogging over those few weeks.

After school let out I spent the first week of vacation cleaning my apartment and getting ready for vacation. Then it was off to New York City, where I boarded the Caribbean Princess for a nine day cruise! I took this picture from the balcony of my stateroom. So exciting!



I wish that every summer break could begin this way! I had such a fab time. I will be posting more about my cruise on my home blog (http://addictedtosparkling.blogspot.com/).

Now that I am relaxed I feel ready to begin preparing for the new school year. Before I begin posting ideas for the start of the year, I am going to catch up on some things I wanted to post at the end of the year. Over the next week I will be posting the end of our Eric Carl Unit. I will also be posting on our fairytale unit.

Up Next:  The Honey Bee and the Robber  Sight Word Game (Finally! J)