How the Grinch Stole Christmas Writing and Story Elements Unit

Do you love teaching in the month of December?  People may think I am crazy, I know it is a chaotic month with the anticipation of what's to come, parties, programs, etc.  But if we can corral that energy into something with educational value, maybe we can get even more learning done, more than we may some other months.

Here is one thing I do during the month of December that I think the students have a blast with.  We begin by reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  We do this right after Thanksgiving to give us time to get the project finished before Christmas.

I then lay out the project we will be working on for the month of December.  I create 2 folders that look like the photo below.  These have been used for a couple of years, so I may need to get new ones together this year.  :)

Inside is a letter from me, to the parents, explaining what is to happen, a writing checklist, and several copies of 4 different writing projects they can choose from.

Each night, 2 students bring home the folder and a Grinch doll.  I purchased them for $5 at Kohl's.  They are to choose a writing project to complete that night and their parent is to go over it, making sure that all parts of the writing checklist have been covered.  They color it and return it the next day.  I usually only send the folders home, Monday-Thursday.  I think if I send it home over a weekend there is a higher chance it won't come back.

Once all students have returned with a finished product, I make colored copies of each, enough for each student.  We then take construction paper and compile them into a book each student gets to keep.  You can use a binder machine, or punch holes and use yarn.  I don't have a picture of previous projects, but I will get one this year to show.  

Along with the writing, I also do a story elements unit, culminating with a reader's theater play.  I like to do the play as well as have them learn the song, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch", because I think it is great fluency practice.

You can find my story elements unit, along with all resources needed for the Grinch Writing project, by clicking here.

I hope that your month of December is filled with fun and learning!

Rachel

Planning and curriculum mapping

I am so pumped to be able to share what I'm doing in my class.  I had another blog, but for different reasons, I needed to create a new one.  I will post the link to my old blog so you can check out what I have posted in the past.

I am currently on maternity leave, which is almost over...sigh.  :(  Planning and curriculum mapping is something I am trying to get my head wrapped around so I can hit the ground running when I return in December (which I have some great ideas and will post on later).

Planning is such a difficult thing sometimes, until you get into a groove that works for you.  Having had 2 of my kids while teaching, I know that how I lay something out, may not jive with the organizational style of someone else. I have been working hard over the last couple of years to perfect my planning organization.  I've read some great blogs, with some great ideas.  Ultimately, it needs to fit your style.  I will post pictures of what I do and maybe that will help you in your journey toward organization and planning.

First I start with a binder for each month.  

In each binder, the first thing I put in is my outline for the whole year.  

That way it is always accessible each month.  Click here for a copy of what I have come up with.

The next thing I do is make a monthly plan.  Which really is all four weeks laid out.  It may change as the month goes on, but it is a starting place to guide me.

You can find a sample of it here.

I have worked at getting rid of all files.  I am trying to keep one original copy of each thing I do, or make note where it is digitally.  So for the month of December, I no longer have any files.  Everything I might need for that month is now in my binder.  My goal is to continue each month down sizing my files and having everything available in these binders.  I challenge you to do the same!

Happy Planning!!

Rachel