Measuring the Presidents

This week I tried something I've never done before... We measured the presidents... outside, with chalk.  Now this was already an undertaking since it's been super windy while "snowing" allergy inducing pollen (really does look like snow)... but the kids were troopers (and I'm thankful for my allergy meds).  

I saw this freebie by Teacher Chick, and when we had our second ruler lesson of measurement we then headed outside to try it out.  

I had the kids work in groups of 3 (since there were 10 presidents included) - they shared a piece of paper, a piece of sidewalk chalk, and a few rulers.  Each group was told which president to measure, and they got to work.  I saw a couple of groups try to line up their rulers end to end to make the specific measurement, but most measured by feet (drawing lines every 12 inches).  It was eye opening to them how they had to add up the measurements, and how they had to add or subtract inches from the foot.  Great real life project! 

When all 10 were completed, they measured themselves vs. their president and checked out each other's presidents.  You can see some marks in the below picture of where they came up to.  

Afterward we headed back indoors and everyone received their own paper to fill out.  We first figured out that 5 feet equals 60 inches, and that 6 ft. equals 72... then the kids got to work figuring out the exact measurements.  The kids also brainstormed what careers use these types of measurements on a daily basis, and why we have to know them for the future.  

It was a great tie in, especially in February, since we've been learning about the presidents anyway.  Just another thing to remember for next year!

Hope you had a great week!

Good Ol' George and Abe

I think my students are starting to hate researching when we go to the computer lab.  I mean this month with everything going on that's the only option I have given them.  There is so much to learn!

  

Today I gave them this Venn diagram (from my freebie pack).  They had to find similarities and differences between George and Abe.  Today I just wanted to pop on to share this awesome website that one of my munchkins found.  

www.diffen.com  

You can compare any 2 things/people/ideas that you can think of.  It makes it into a 2 column chart with different categories.  It was so easy for them to compare/contrast.  

After they researched, my kids had to write a 3 paragraph compare/contrast informational essay.  It's 3rd trimester, so it's time to break it in with my higher expectations.  They totally nailed it.  So proud of my writers.

I hope this website helps you too!

FREEBIE - Hanging Out with George and Abe

February always drives me nuts.  There is so much monthly stuff I want to pack in, but there is still the pacing guides to also move forward on, and with all the holidays (I'm not complaining about holidays), there's not enough time in the day.  I made this little mini pack last year to tie in research and writing.  Students compare and contrast George and Abe, fill out the research papers and the Venn Diagram, and then write informational paragraphs.  It hits a lot of the standards!  Below are some pictures of what's included...

Here it is over on Google Docs.  I hope it helps you!    

Hanging out with George and Abe {Freebie}

I want to say thank you.  Thank you for following this little blog as it has grown to become a bigger blog.  Thank you for your support and encouragement.  To say thanks for everything, I made up this mini pack that hopefully can help you in your classroom over the next couple of weeks. 

My kiddos have to do a lot with George and Abe this month.  Last week we graphed Abe's portrait during math (coordinate points), this week we are tackling George's portrait.  We are also learning facts about both men, and then using those facts to write informational paragraphs.  This mini book is a "neater" version of what I've done in past years.  I love clip art!   

What's included?  

There's a student cover.

A Venn Diagram

There are also Research Pages and Lined Writing Pages.  The research and writing pages are the same as my American President Research Pack (over on TPT).  The other pack has 10 other presidents included for additional research.   

Here is the mini book over in Google Docs.  I hope it can help you!  

If you decide to download, please leave me a comment below.  I'd love to see how many people downloaded it.   

Thanks so much everyone for following my blog!