Thursday, September 26, 2013

Halloween Classroom Activities and Games

October is such a fun month to be in the classroom. Here are some pumpkin songs and videos, lessons and Halloween activities to use for language arts and math.

Click HERE to PIN to SAVE for later!

Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter for SECRET SALES and FREE printables.

Click HERE to view our Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting Success store.

Please note this blog post includes resources from our TpT and Amazon Associate stores.

---------------------------------

Halloween Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting-Success

...or click the video below to watch it here.

Your students will enjoy this Halloween song, "Pumpkin Pumpkin."

-----------------------------

Here is another Halloween video to help your students learn the basic shapes.

-----------------------------

Click here for a free printable Halloween finger play.

Finger plays are a great way to introduce poetry concepts, following directions and fine motor skills to elementary and special education students. They also allow movement in the classroom, which research has shown brain breaks increase achievement. You will receive one free finger play for the students to read.

-----------------------------

ORANGE BREW RECIPE:

1 cup milk

1 cup water

6 ounces concentrated orange juice

10-12 ice cubes

1 teaspoon vanilla

Whip ingredients in blender until frothy.

Variation: Use ingredients to make popsicles.

-----------------------------

Click on the picture to enlarge, then right click to print this free Hallween dot-to-dot worksheet.

-----------------------------

There are many opportunities for students to practice visual discrimination. Students may compare different colors pumpkins and gourds or different types of candy.

For example, here is a set of 24 decorative pumpkins. They are 2 inches in size and work great in Halloween math centers as manipulatives for counting and sorting.

-----------------------------

This printable Halloween worksheet is another way for students to practice visual discrimination.

-----------------------------

Free Halloween writing paper to download and print. Click here.

Here are 5 writing prompts to help get you started.

1. Maddie saw the pumpkin glowing on the porch. However, it didn't have a candle in it!

2. Our teacher asked us to bring some Halloween decorations to school. Jimmy brought the most unusual item.

3. All the children were afraid to go to the house at the end of the street, everyone except Anna that is...

4. It was a cold and dark Halloween evening, the children were going to a new haunted house.

5. Our science teacher let us conduct an experiment to create a monster.

-----------------------------

Click here to download some free Halloween math task cards with spiders.

-----------------------------

Click here to download some free Halloween math telling time task cards with a pumpkins theme.

-----------------------------

These foam pumpkin decorations will be a hit in a writing center. Have your students decorate a pumpkin, then write a story about its adventures!

----------------------------

Inflatable Party Ghost

This fun ghost has so many possibilities in your classroom. Hang it in a writing center to spark many creative writing activities. Use it for easy and smooth transitions. The teacher could hold him while walking around the room. The students may give the ghost a high five when they are in their seats and ready to work!

----------------------------

Black Spider Rings

These rings would make great prizes. However, in the past I used them in the sand table. Set the timer and see how many each student can find. Students must count and record their results. Students could also make a graph of all the results.

----------------------------

Candy is definitely on the students' minds this whole month. Board games teach so many essential skills from social to academic. Candyland is a classic that everyone loves.

----------------------------

More Halloween resources:

---------------------------------------------

Click HERE to view our Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting Success store.

Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter for SECRET SALES and FREE printables.

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram.

Click HERE to follow us on Pinterest.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Free Stellaluna Bat Activities and Printables

In this blog post, you will find free Stellaluna activities, worksheets, and crafts to use with your kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and special education students. They are perfect for a Halloween or bat unit. You will also find printables from my TPT store.

Exploring Stellaluna: Engaging Activities for Elementary Teachers and Homeschool Families

Stellaluna Activities Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting-Success

Click HERE to view our Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting Success store.

---------------------------------

Click HERE for a free bat coloring page and writing paper.

From my TPT store:

Stellaluna Printable Book Activities

I’m excited to share some creative and fun activities inspired by the beloved book Stellaluna by Janell Cannon. This charming story of a little bat who finds herself in a bird’s world is not just a delightful read; it also offers wonderful opportunities for learning across various subjects. Let's dive into some original game and activity ideas that you can easily incorporate into your lessons!

1. Read the Story

Click to watch the story read online:

2. Math: Batty Counting and Patterns

Create a "Stellaluna Counting Chart." Using cutouts of bats and birds, ask students to create patterns. For example, they can alternate between a bat and a bird: bat, bird, bat, bird. Once they've mastered patterns, challenge them to count how many of each creature they have used and create simple addition or subtraction problems.

Extension: Have students measure the wingspans of different bat cutouts and compare them to paper birds. This can lead to discussions about measurement and data collection.

Free Bats Counting Worksheet

3. Science: Bat Exploration Station

Set up a "Bat Exploration Station" where students can learn about real bats. Provide resources like books, articles, and videos about bat habitats, diets, and characteristics.

Activity: After their exploration, have students create a “Bat Fact Poster” that includes illustrations, facts, and even some fun myths about bats. This combines research skills with creativity!

An orphan short-tailed fruit bat hand-raised by Bat World Sanctuary.

Adorable - This video is great for creative writing!

Meet the World's Biggest Bat

Click

HERE for free facts about bats and rabies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

4. Literacy: Story Sequencing

To reinforce comprehension, have students retell the story by creating a sequence of events using illustrations. Provide them with blank cards to draw key scenes from Stellaluna.

Game: Turn it into a matching game where pairs of students must find their partners based on the sequence of events. This encourages teamwork and deeper understanding of the narrative structure!

Click the question to play an online Stellaluna reading comprehension game.

5. Writing: Stellaluna’s Diary

Encourage students to write diary entries from Stellaluna’s perspective. Ask them to reflect on her feelings as she navigates her new environment and how she eventually embraces her identity.

Prompt: “Dear Diary, today I felt…” This can help students practice emotional writing while connecting personally with the character.

6. Art: Batty Craft Time

Bring out the creativity with a bat-themed craft! Provide black construction paper and let students create their own bat puppets. They can use scissors, markers, and glitter to design unique bats.

Performance: After making their puppets, host a “Bat Puppet Show” where students can perform scenes from the story or improvise their own bat adventures.

Bat Paper Sculpture

(Click the picture)

Bat Finger Puppet

A Stellaluna Bat Craft Activity

7. Movement: Bat and Bird Game

Take learning outside with a game that combines movement and fun! Designate an area as the “forest” and have students take turns being Stellaluna (the bat) and the birds. The bat must try to find the birds while they flap around.

Rule: When Stellaluna tags a bird, they must share one fact about bats before they can switch roles. This encourages active participation and reinforces the science component.

Bat vs. Bird Venn Diagram Activity

What is the difference between bats and birds?

8. Free Printable Worksheet

Click the picture below to enlarge and print a free dot-to-dot worksheet.

9: Echolocation Activities

Song:

Click the picture for an echolocation game.

Echolocation Experiment

10. Music and Rhythm: Bat Beats

Introduce a rhythm-based game called "Bat Beats." Using simple instruments like drums, tambourines, or even clapping, create rhythms that represent different events in Stellaluna. For example, a slow beat can symbolize Stellaluna flying calmly, while a fast beat might represent her panic when separated from her mother.

Activity: Have students create their own rhythm patterns to match specific scenes from the story. Then, turn it into a group performance, where the class "retells" the story through rhythm and music.

This activity helps students with timing, coordination, and connecting music to storytelling!

Final Thoughts

Using Stellaluna in the classroom or at home offers a fantastic opportunity to blend reading with interactive activities that span multiple subjects. Each of these ideas aims to foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among students. I hope you find these activities as enjoyable and enriching as I do!

Feel free to share your experiences or adaptations of these activities in the comments below. Happy teaching!

The activities above go along nicely with this book (found in our Amazon Associate store):

Stellaluna Special Edition Hardcover by Janell Cannon , Stellaluna Plush Doll , Activity Booklet, Downloadable Crafts with Activity Kit and Create a Bat Artwork Gift Set

---------------------------------

Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find valuable resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Friendship Classroom Video

Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to our V.I.P. exclusive newsletter for SECRET SALES and FREE printables.

Note: This blog post contains resources from our TpT store and our Amazon Associate store.

---------------------------------------------

Caution for Students: This is a Guinness Commercial - but still worth the watch!

It has a great message and may be stopped at the end before the beer part. :)

-----------------------------------

You may also like these printable posters from our TpT store for your classroom decor.

Inclusion Quote Poster

-----------------------------------

Motivational Classroom Posters

printable classroom posters decorations decor

-----------------------------------

Classroom Rules Poster

-----------------------------------

Every Child Is Different Quote Poster

-----------------------------------

You may also like these resources from our Amazon Associate store:

It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend: Helping the Child with Learning Disabilities Find Social Success by Richard Lavoie

disabled friend friendship disability book for teachers

-----------------------------------

My Friend Has Special Needs: Tell Me Town Books

my friend has a disability book for kids

-----------------------------------

A Friend Like Simon - Autism / ASD (Moonbeam childrens book award winner 2009) - Special Stories Series 2 (Volume 1)

-----------------------------------

My Friend Isabelle Hardcover by Eliza Woloson

my friend with special needs book for kids

---------------------------------------------

Click HERE to view our Teachers Pay Teachers Promoting Success store.

Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter for SECRET SALES and FREE printables.

Click HERE to follow us on Instagram.

Click HERE to follow us on Pinterest.

Shelly Anton is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ** This means there are Amazon affiliate links in these blog posts. This does not mean you pay a dime more when you purchase a product through the link. It just means I am trying to save you valuable teacher time by making it easier for you to find great resources for your students, and I earn a few cents for my research and time. Thank you for all you do for kids!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

October Teaching Ideas

Many teachers (and administrators) prefer non-holiday thematic units in their classrooms. Here is an October Unit for teaching math and literacy in your lower elementary classroom. It is 75 pages of October teaching ideas! Your students will be delighted to discover this month is dedicated to Pizza, Country Music, Cooking, Fire Prevention, Popcorn Popping, Football, the Dictionary, Evil Knievel, and the Statue of Liberty! Wow! There are math and literacy activities for all of these celebrations!