Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Septmbr
Septmbr
Karen Sevaly
Reproduction of these materials for commercial resale or distribution to an entire school or school district is strictly prohibited. Pages may be duplicated for one individual classroom set only. Material may not be reproduced for other purposes without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Copyright Teachers Friend, a Scholastic Company All rights reserved. Printed in China.
This book is dedicated to the teachers and staff of the Jurupa Unified School District. Their enthusiasm and earnest desire to motivate children has been a great inspiration. I am most grateful for the encouragement of my husband, Richard Sevaly, and our two sons, James and Robert.
Table of Contents
MAKING THE MOST OF IT! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 What Is In This Book . . . . . . How to Use This Book . . . . . Adding the Color . . . . . . . . . Lamination . . . . . . . . . . . . . Photocopies and Ditto Master Monthly Organizers . . . . . . . Bulletin Boards . . . . . . . . . . Lettering and Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 . .8 . .9 . .9 .10 .11 .11 .12
CALENDAR - SEPTEMBER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 September Calendar and Activities September Header . . . . . . . . . . . . September Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . September - Blank Calendar . . . . . Days of the Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 .17 .18 .20 .21
LET'S GET READY! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Be Prepared Check List . . . . . . . First Day Check List . . . . . . . . . . Student Questionnaire . . . . . . . . Helping Kids Do Their Best! . . . . Classroom Code of Conduct . . . . Behavior Report Form and Chart Transportation Tags . . . . . . . . . . Student Passes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mini Student Reports . . . . . . . . . Student Progress Report . . . . . . . Back to School Bingo . . . . . . . . . Back to School Word Find . . . . . Welcome Back Visor . . . . . . . . . A "Beary" Good Bear! . . . . . . . . . "Beary" Good Student . . . . . . . . . Welcome Owl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back to School Door Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 .25 .26 .28 .29 .30 .31 .32 .33 .34 .35 .36 .37 .38 .40 .41 .42
THAT'S MY NAME! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 That's My Name! Activities Name Tags . . . . . . . . . . . Wanted Poster . . . . . . . . . Name Train . . . . . . . . . . . Name Clown . . . . . . . . . . Apple of My Teacher's Eye!
Teachers Friend, a Scholastic Company
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MY "ME" BOOK! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 My "Me" Book Pattern Pages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 ALL YEAR ROUND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Year Round Awards . . . . . . . . . Year Round Bookmarks . . . . . . Certificate of Achievement . . . . Student of the Month Certificate Award Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . Pencil Toppers . . . . . . . . . . . . . Owl Puppet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . School Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classroom Characters . . . . . . . Student of the Week Visor . . . . Don't Disturb Sign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 .67 .68 .69 .70 .71 .72 .73 .77 .81 .82
CLASSROOM BIRTHDAYS! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 Classroom Birthday Activities! Happy Birthday Visor . . . . . . Birthday Cake . . . . . . . . . . . Birthday Cupcakes . . . . . . . . Birthday Card . . . . . . . . . . . Birthday Certificate . . . . . . . Happy Birthday Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84 .86 .87 .88 .89 .90 .91
APPLE TIME! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Johnny Appleseed Day Activities! Apple Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apple Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apple Tree . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apple Puppet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Apples - Creative Writing Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94 . .96 . .97 . .98 . .99 .100
MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101 Mexican Independence . . . . . Mexico - Coat of Arms . . . . . Map of Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . Spanish Word Find . . . . . . . . Piata Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . Mexico Booklet Cover . . . . . Things I Know About Mexico! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102 .103 .104 .105 .106 .107 .108
AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE DAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109 Native American Cultural Areas . . . Tribal Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . My American Indian Research Page Creative Writing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sioux . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Iroquois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hopi Pottery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110 .111 .112 .113 .114 .115 .116
GRANDPARENT'S DAY! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117 Grandparent's Day Activities . . Grandparent's Day Card . . . . . Family Coat of Arms . . . . . . . My Grandparent Interview . . . Grandpa and Grandma Puppet Family Quilt Pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118 .119 .120 .121 .122 .124
SUBSTITUTE AND STUDENT TEACHERS! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125 Substitute Teacher Activities Student Teacher Activities . . Fillers, Topics and Games! . Student Detective . . . . . . . . Super Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . My Creative Writing Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126 .127 .128 .130 .131 .132
BULLETIN BOARDS AND MORE! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133 Bulletin Boards and More! . Airplane and Mouse Pattern Back to School Patterns . . . Helpers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134 .139 .140 .142 .143
g n i k a M t s o m e th ! t i of
You will find the following in each monthly idea book from Teachers Friend Publications: 1. A calendar listing every day of the month with a classroom idea, and mention of special holidays and events. 2. At least four student awards to be sent home to parents. 3. Three or more bookmarks that can be used in your school library or given to students by you as Super Student Awards. 4. Numerous bulletin board ideas and patterns pertaining to the particular month and seasonal activity. 5. Easy to make craft ideas related to the monthly holidays and special days. 6. Dozens of activities emphasizing not only the obvious holidays but also the often forgotten celebrations, such as: Mexican Independence Day and Johnny Appleseed's Birthday. 7. Creative writing pages, crossword puzzles, word finds, booklet covers, games, paper bag puppets, literature lists and much more! 8. Scores of classroom management techniques and proven methods to motivate your students to improve behavior and classroom work.
Every page of this book may be duplicated for individual classroom use. Some pages are meant to be copied or used as duplicating masters. Other pages may be transferred onto construction paper or used as they are. If you have access to a print shop, you will find that many pages work well when printed on index paper. This type of paper takes crayons and felt markers well and is sturdy enough to last. (Bookmarks work particularly well on index paper.) Lastly, some pages are meant to be enlarged with an overhead or opaque projector. When we say enlarge, we mean it! Think BIG! Three, four or even five feet is great! Try using colored butcher paper or poster board so you dont spend all your time coloring.
Putting the color to finished items can be a real bother to teachers in a rush. Try these ideas: 1. On small areas, water color markers work great. If your area is rather large, switch to crayons or even colored chalk or pastels. (Dont worry, lamination or a spray fixative will keep color on the work and off of you. No laminator or fixative? Thats okay, a little hair spray will do the trick.) 2. The quickest method of coloring large items is to start with colored paper. (Poster board, butcher paper or large construction paper work well.) Add a few dashes of a contrasting colored marker or crayon and you will have it made. 3. Try cutting character eyes, teeth, etc. from white typing paper and gluing them in place. These features will really stand out and make your bulletin boards come alive. For special effects, add real buttons or lace. Metallic paper looks great on stars and belt buckles, too.
LAMINATION:
If you have access to a roll laminator then you already know how fortunate you are. They are priceless when it comes to saving time and money. Try these ideas: 1. You can laminate more than just classroom posters and construction paper. Try various kinds of fabric, wallpaper and gift wrapping. Youll be surprised at the great combinations you come up with. Laminated classified ads can be used to cut a heading for current events bulletin boards. Colorful gingham fabric makes terrific cut letters or bulletin board trim. You might even try burlap! Bright foil gift wrapping paper will add a festive feeling to any bulletin board. (You can even make professional looking bookmarks with laminated fabric or burlap. They are great holiday gift ideas for mom or dad!) 2. Felt markers and laminated paper or fabric can work as a team. Just make sure the markers you use are permanent and not water based. Oops, make a mistake! Thats okay. Put a little ditto fluid on a tissue, rub across the mark and presto, its gone! Also, dry transfer markers work great on lamination and can easily be wiped off.
LAMINATION: (continued)
3. Laminating cut-out characters can be tricky. If you have it enlarged an illustration onto poster board, simply laminate first and then cut it out with scissors or an art knife. (Just make sure the laminator is hot enough to create a good seal.) One problem may arise when you paste an illustration onto poster board and laminate the finished product. If your pasteup is not 100% complete, your illustration and posterboard may separate after laminating. To avoid this problem, paste your illustration onto poster board that measures slightly larger. This way, the lamination will help hold down your paste-up. 4. When pasting up your illustration, always try to use either rubber cement, artists spray adhesive or a glue stick. White glue, tape or paste does not laminate well because it can often be seen under your artwork. 5. Have you ever laminated student-made place mats, crayon shaving, tissue paper collages, or dried flowers? Youll be amazed at the variety of creative things that can be laminated and used in the classroom or as take-home gifts.
Many of the pages in this book can be copied for use in the classroom. Try some of these ideas for best results: 1. If the print from the back side of your original comes through the front when making a photocopy or ditto master, slip a sheet of black construction paper behind the sheet. This will mask the unwanted shadows and create a much better copy. 2. Several potential masters in this book contain instructions for the teacher. Simply cover the type with correction fluid or a small slip of paper before duplicating. 3. When using a new ditto master, turn down the pressure on the duplicating machine. As the copies become light, increase the pressure. This will get longer wear out of both the master and the machine. 4. Trying to squeeze one more run out of that worn ditto master can be frustrating. Try lightly spraying the inked side of the master with hair spray. For some reason, this helps the master put out those few extra copies.
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MONTHLY ORGANIZERS:
Staying organized month after month, year after year can be a real challenge. Try this simple idea: After using the loose pages from this book, file them in their own file folder labeled with the month's name. This will also provide a place to save pages from other reproducible books along with craft ideas, recipes and articles you find in magazines and periodicals. (Essential Pocket Folders by Teacher's Friend provide a perfect way to store your monthly ideas and reproducibles. Each Monthly Essential Pocket Folder comes with a sixteen-page booklet of essential patterns and organizational ideas. There are even special folders for Back to School, The Substitute Teacher and Parent-Teacher Conferences.) You might also like to dedicate a file box for every month of the school year. A covered box will provide room to store large patterns, sample art projects, certificates and awards, monthly stickers, monthly idea books and much more.
BULLETIN BOARDS:
Creating clever bulletin boards for your classroom need not take fantastic amounts of time and money. With a little preparation and know-how you can have different boards each month with very little effort. Try some of these ideas: 1. Background paper should be put up only once a year. Choose colors that can go with many themes and holidays. The black butcher paper background you used as a spooky display in October will have a special dramatic effect in April with student-made, paper-cut butterflies. 2. Butcher paper is not the only thing that can be used to cover the back of your board. You might also try fabric from a colorful bed sheet or gingham material. Just fold it up at the end of the year to reuse again. Wallpaper is another great background cover. Discontinued rolls can be purchased for a small amount at discount hardware stores. Most can be wiped clean and will not fade like construction paper. (Do not glue wallpaper directly to the board, just staple or pin in place.) 3. Store your bulletin board pieces in large, flat envelopes made from two large sheets of tagboard or cardboard. Simply staple three sides together and slip the pieces inside. (Small pieces can be stored in zip-lock, plastic bags.) Label your large envelopes with the name of the bulletin board and the month and year you displayed it. Take a picture of each bulletin board display. Staple the picture to your storage envelope. Next year when you want to create the same display, you will know right where everything goes. Kids can even follow your directions when you give them a picture to look at.
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Not every school has a letter machine that produces perfect 4 letters. The rest of us will just have to use the old stencil and scissor method. But wait, there is an easier way! 1. Dont cut individual letters as they are difficult to pin up straight, anyway. Instead, hand print bulletin board titles and headings onto strips of colored paper. When it is time for the board to come down, simply roll it up to use again next year. If you buy your own pre-cut lettering, save yourself some time and hassle by pasting the desired statements to long strips of colored paper. Laminate if possible. These can be rolled up and stored the same way! Use your imagination! Try cloud shapes and cartoon bubbles. They will all look great. 2. Hand lettering is not that difficult, even if your printing is not up to penmanship standards. Print block letters with a felt marker. Draw big dots at the ends of each letter. This will hide any mistakes and add a charming touch to the overall effect. If you are still afraid about free handing it, try this nifty idea: Cut a strip of poster board about 28 X 6. Down the center of the strip, cut a window with an art knife measuring 20 X 2. There you have it: a perfect stencil for any lettering job. All you do is write capital letters with a felt marker within the window slot. Dont worry about uniformity. Just fill up the entire window height with your letters. Move your poster board strip along as you go. The letters will always remain straight and even because the poster board window is straight. 3. If you must cut individual letters, use construction paper squares measuring 4 1/2 X 6. (Laminate first if you can.) Cut the capital letters as shown. No need to measure, irregular letters will look creative and not messy.
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r a d n e l a C
September!
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SEPTEMBER
1ST
NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY commemorates the day in 1865 when President Lincoln proposed an amendment to end slavery. (Read your students the 13th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.) The U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT was established by Congress in 1789. (Review with your students those famous persons represented on our currency.) LOUIS SULLIVAN is credited with inventing the first SKYSCRAPER. He was born on this day in 1856. (Ask your students to research the world's tallest skyscraper.) HAPPY BIRTHDAY! LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA! On this day in 1781, fortyfour Mexican people colonized what was then a tiny settlement. (Ask students to find the meaning of the Spanish words "Los Angeles.") The FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS met on this day in 1774. (Students may wish to find on the classroom map the city in which the Congress first met.) JANE ADDAMS, American social worker, was born on this day in 1860. (Ask students to find out more about her.) The famous American artist, GRANDMA MOSES, was born on this day in 1860. (Find a print of one of her paintings and share it with the class.) Today is the CHEROKEE NATIONAL HOLIDAY. It commemorates the arrival of the Cherokee Nation at the Indian Territory of Oklahoma. (Ask students to find the state of Oklahoma and its capital city on the classroom map.) ABRAHAM LINCOLN received a license to practice law in the state of Illinois on this day in 1836. (Ask students what they know of Lincoln's education.) JOSE FELICIANO was born on this day in 1945. This gifted musician has overcome his blindness to become a successful master of music. (Ask students to find out about other disabled persons who have overcome their handicaps.)
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September Monthly Idea Book
9TH 10TH
HENRY HUDSON, a Dutch explorer, discovered Manhattan Island in 1609. (Ask students to find out what was named after him.) JESSE OWENS, acclaimed American Olympic athlete, was born on this day in 1913. (Ask students to find out in what event he competed.) MARGARET CHASE SMITH was elected to the Senate on this day in 1948. (Ask students why her election to the Senate was so important.) On this day in 1814, FRANCIS SCOTT KEY wrote the words of The Star Spangled Banner. (Review the words of the first verse of our national anthem with your students.) Today, Japan celebrates OLD PEOPLE'S DAY, to honor the elderly. (Ask students to suggest ways in which we can honor our elderly.) MEXICO began her battle for independence from Spain on this day in 1810. El Dia de Independencia! (Teach your students to count from 1-5 in Spanish.) Today is CITIZENSHIP DAY in honor of the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. (As a class, write your own classroom constitution.) GEORGE WASHINGTON laid the cornerstone of the U.S. CAPITOL in Washington, D.C. on this day in 1793. (Students often confuse the White House with the Capitol Building. Show them pictures of each and explain the difference.) MICKEY MOUSE appeared for the first time in 1928 in the movie Steamboat Willie. (Ask students if they know who created the character of Mickey Mouse.) The famous explorer FERDINAND MAGELLAN set sail on this day in 1519. (Ask students to research his voyage and point it out on the classroom map.) On this day, the people of ARGENTINA celebrate the coming of SPRING! (Ask students to find out how this could be true.) Today, is PEN PAL DAY all over the world. (Have your students exchange letters with the class next door.) AUTUMN officially begins in the Northern Hemisphere. (Ask students to name at least three trees that lose their leaves in the autumn.)
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Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, was born on this day in 1936. Ask students to list as many of his characters as they can. The Spanish explorer BALBOA discovered the Pacific Ocean on this day in 1513. (Balboa made his discovery in an unusual way. Ask students to find out how he did it.) JOHNNY APPLESEED was born on this day in 1776. (Ask students to find out his real name.) A woman was arrested for smoking a cigarette on this day in 1904 in New York City. (Ask students to write a paragraph on their feelings about smoking, or about women's rights.) Today is a national holiday in TAIWAN. It's the birthday of the great Chinese teacher, CONFUCIUS. (Find one of his proverbs and share it with the class.) ENRICO FERMI was born on this day in 1901. He was an Italian physicist who pioneered work on the atomic bomb. (Ask students how they feel about atomic weapons.) BABE RUTH hit his 60th home run of the year on this day in 1927. (How many of your students know for which team Babe Ruth played?)
28TH 29TH
30TH
DON'T FORGET THESE OTHER IMPORTANT HOLIDAYS: LABOR DAY (Celebrated on the first Monday in September.) (The Jewish New Year is celebrated on the first and second day of the Jewish month of Tishri.) (Celebrated on the first Sunday of September after Labor Day.) ROSH HASHANAH
GRANDPARENT'S DAY
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September
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September Monthly Idea Book
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September
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
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Friday Saturday To d a y i s . . .
Ye s t e r d a y w a s . . .
To m o r r o w w i l l b e . . .
Teachers Friend, a Scholastic Company
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s ' t e L t e G ! y d a e R
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Explain classroom and school rules. Explain your system for classroom helpers. Explain your grading policy. Explain homework policies and your expectations. Discuss the use of learning centers, classroom supplies and equipment. Explain the procedures you wish used in collecting and passing out papers and supplies. Check children's lunch arrangements before lunch time. Check children's transportation arrangements. Explain cafeteria procedures and rules. Distribute books and materials and discuss their care. Issue pencils, crayons, rulers, etc. As a class, tour the school grounds and meet school personnel. Participate with the class in a "Getting to Know You" activity. Involve students in a creative writing assignment or student questionnaire. (This is one way to assess student's ability quickly. Save this assignment to evaluate handwriting improvement during the school year.) Hold a class discussion of their expectation of the new school year. Discuss your discipline policies by praising good behavior and offering suggestions for improvements. Discuss planned field trips, classroom rewards and class parties. Pass out parent materials that need to be taken home. Discuss which forms need to be signed and returned to school.
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September Monthly Idea Book
Prepare or purchase bulletin board materials. Make decisions of where to post materials. Make classroom "Welcome" sign. Set up learning centers, display tables and student work areas.
STUDENT PREPARATIONS
Make student name tags. Prepare materials for student take-home the first day.
SUPPLIES
Emergency cards School rules Bus regulations Letter to parents Classroom schedule Prepare class list. Prepare seating chart. Check records for students with special needs. Select reading groups.
Writing paper Drawing paper Construction paper Duplicating masters Duplicating paper Pencils/pens Crayons Paste/glue Stapler and staples Paper clips Rubber bands Straight pins Transparent tape Manila folders Marking pens Rulers Art supplies Grade book Lesson plan book Seating chart Attendance materials Textbooks/Workbooks
GETTING ORGANIZED
Post class discipline rules. Arrange student desks. Pin up bulletin boards. Write lesson plans for the first week. Duplicate materials needed for the first week. Write daily schedule and your name on the board. Prepare files for.....
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Student Questionnaire
NAME: 1. What do you like most about school?
5. What are some things about which you would like to know more?
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11. What do you think you might need extra help with in school?
12. What is your favorite..... Food? Color? TV Show? 13. Who is your favorite..... Celebrity? 14. Complete these sentences. I am happiest when Friend? Sport? Place? Movie?
I am saddest when
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S-U-R-P-R-I-S-E Before school starts every Monday morning, write the word SURPRISE large and in capital letters on the class chalkboard. Every time your class becomes unruly, give one warning. If they misbehave again, erase one letter of the word. If any letters remain at the end of the week, celebrate with a class surprise. If all the letters have been erased, tell the students they will have to try again the next week to earn the Surprise! STUDENT BEHAVIOR REPORTS Set up a means to communicate with parents regarding classroom behavior and work habits with this simple idea. On a regular basis, discuss individually with each child their behavior and attitude during class. With the childs assistance, fill out a report form to send home to parents. Make sure that you give parents the opportunity to respond and ask them to sign the report that must be returned to you the next school day. (File these returned reports to document student progress.) Make sure that you send behavior reports home to tell parents of good behavior, also!
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Date
Not Trying Very Disruptive
Teacher
Parent's Signature
Color in one box on each day that you have followed class rules.
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Name:
Transportation Tags
I ' m a Wa l k e r !
Someone picks me up!
September Monthly Idea Book
Name:
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Name:
STUDENT PASS
TO THE
STUDENT PASS
TO THE
OFFICE
This student has permission to go to the office.
Room Number Teacher
LIBRARY
This student has permission to go to the library.
Room Number Teacher
Copy these passes onto heavy paper and laminate to use again and again. Or, make several copies and fill them out as needed.
STUDENT PASS
TO THE
STUDENT PASS
TO THE
This student has permission to
RESTROOM
This student has permission to go to the restroom.
Room Number Teacher
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I have a problem!
The problem is:
Name Date
I need HELP!
Name Date
Copy these passes onto heavy paper and laminate to use again and again.
I have a suggestion!
Name Date
Name Date
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Grade:
Needs help!
Comments:
BACK TO SCHOOL BINGO WORDS SCHOOL CLASSROOM CRAYONS SEPTEMBER GLUE CAFETERIA NOTEBOOK MUSIC BUS ART FLAG CUSTODIAN FIRE DRILL SOCIAL STUDIES PLAYGROUND KINDERGARTEN CHALKBOARD REPORT CARD STUDENTS RECESS PRINCIPAL PENCIL RULER LANGUAGE SCISSORS MATHEMATICS ERASER SPELLING PENMANSHIP READING TEACHER INSTRUCTION LEARN GRADES MENU PAINT CLAY BOOKS LESSON SCIENCE
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BACK TO SCHOOL
BINGO
FREE
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B a c k t o S c h o o l Wo r d F i n d
A S W E Q W P R R T I W N S C Y I Y P D A W L T R E K D D F E T E Q C H H R R H A M F G F B R D I F J G I U D S R T E A C H E R T H T J I D T Y L S V R N T M A I K N V H H F C T P C N H D N I G B K J D L Y L E L U F G S G G L E F A U A G P K D J C H T P D G S S Y H S A R U F N R I U T S P G J T R T M T V E O C Y T E R K U T Y A V X W S A H H L O V D T U T G Z Q C T U N L U M E H J H S A X H I J M I N C N J N G E M C O O I V N D D T U M Y R U V O N K X G Y R S T U D Y S B L D T WE H OU O Z S M L I E B RW T Y O F G R F R K HU L HU J GM R I CW NM J
ACTIVITY 1
FIND THE FOLLOWING "BACK TO SCHOOL" WORDS: SCHOOL, EDUCATION, HOMEWORK, TEACHER, PRINCIPAL, CLASS, STUDY, PLAYGROUND, MUSIC, STUDENTS, READING, SPELLING, MATH, ART, SCIENCE, WRITING. WRITE A SHORT PARAGRAPH USING AT LEAST EIGHT OF THE WORDS LISTED ABOVE.
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Copy this visor onto sturdy index or construction paper. Children can do the coloring. Punch holes at both ends and attach string elastic. (With elastic, the students can easily remove the visor without retying.) If you wish to spare the cost of elastic, simply use mailing string. Either way, the kids will love them and so will you!
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Name
Arm
Leg
Body
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Name
Arm
Leg
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Name Plate
Name
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We l c o m e to School!
Name Children may write their own thoughts about school on the owl's wings.
Welcome Owl
Make the "Welcome Owl" from brown construction paper. Fold along dotted lines. Attach an ice cream stick as a handle.
Back to School
Mount this "Welcome Back" sign on poster board and color. Cut out the circle and hang on your classroom doorknob.
Door Sign
Hi!
(teacher's name)
Welcome to
class
room
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s ' t a Th My ! e m a N
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The same might be done with the students' last names. Store the cards in a file box. Students may perform the tasks at their desks after classroom work is completed. NAME GAME Good listening skills are required to play this "Get Acquainted" game. Prepare a name tag for each child in class and place the tags in a bag or bowl. Instruct students to sit in a circle on the floor. A volunteer must also be chosen to draw a name tag. The student whose name is drawn stands up, tells his name and shares what he loves to do best. When every name tag has been drawn and each student has had a chance to speak, return the tags to the bag. This time as the tags are drawn, students must give the name of the classmate on their right and what he or she likes best to do. A variation of this activity could be to simply eliminate the name tags and call on each student in turn. Each child must repeat what every child before him has said before telling about himself.
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NEWS NAMES Instruct students to search newspapers and magazines for current articles about people who share their names. Ask students to make a list of the people they find and the reasons for them being in the news. Assign a short paper on why they are happy or unhappy to have a first or last name in common with such people.
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N a m e Ta g D i s p l a y s
Name tags can do more than simply identify students. They can serve to motivate children by adding to the creative atmosphere of the classroom. Try some of these ideas: Plant a tree limb in a pail of plaster of Paris. Decorative name tags can be hung from the branches each month. You might use apple name tags in September, Jack O'Lanterns in October, and so on. children can be given the name tags at the end of the month as an award or they may be asked to attach an original poem to the back.
A box of small white envelopes is all you need for these name tags. "Address" each envelope with the name of each student. Use stickers or trading stamps as postage. Arrange them around a cut paper mail box which includes your name and room number.
Provide each child with a white paper plate and ask them to draw and color a self-portrait. Instruct them to fill the entire plate with the drawing of their face. Pin the finished plates to a class bulletin board. The word "WELCOME" should already be in place at the top of the board. Pin large paper-cut bow name tags to each paper plate. Bow-ties for boys and hair-bows for girls.
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Name Tags
Use this crayon and pencil pattern for back to school name tags. These useful patterns can also be enlarged for bulletin board displays.
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WANTED
(Student's Name)
(Students Picture)
Known Address:
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ROOM
(Teacher's Name)
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Display this "Name" Train along the top of the class chalkboard. Label the engine with the teacher's name and each box car with a student's name.
Children can collect stickers and decorate their box car. The box cars can also be used as an envelope to hold good-work papers or earned awards.
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Name Clown
(Have students color the balloons as they accomplish goals or have them list their favorite color, food, etc. in each balloon.)
Name
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My " e "M ! k o o B
My "Me Book is a complete individual booklet designed for the primary student. Make enough copies for every child in class. Pages may be printed twosided. Staple the pages together in booklet form. Children will love discovering themselves with their own "Me" book.
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My "Me" Book!
Name
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A Picture of Me!
My Name is...
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This is my address:
number
street
city
state
zip code
area code
phone number
I have:
sisters brothers
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There is one thing you should know. Am I a boy? Or a girl? I'll tell you! Im a.......
girl
boy
baby teeth.
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right left
September Monthly Idea Book
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My Birthday is...
month
day
year
Happy Birthday!
Because:
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My Favorite Things!
My favorite meal is:
Here is a picture of my favorite food! But please don't make me eat.....
There are a lot of things I like. These are my favorites! Number Season T.V. Show Dessert Day of Week
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September Monthly Idea Book
Color
Holiday
Toy
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I live in a:
apartment duplex
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Last, but not least, you need to know this about me:
"THE END!"
I finished writing "My Me Book" on this date. Month:
Day:
Year:
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All . . . d n u o R r a Ye
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Name
Name
Teacher
WOW!
Name
Nam e
Star Student!
Teacher Date
Teac her Date
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Name
READ!
Whoooo
loves to read?
Name
Me!
Name
My Bookmark!
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September Monthly Idea Book
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
IS PRESENTED TO
FOR
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TEACHER
DATE
STUDENT
MONTH
OF THE
NAME
SCHOOL
Great Job!
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TEACHER
DATE
AWARD
CERTIFICATE
THIS AWARD IS PRESENTED TO
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NAME
in recognition of
TEACHER
DATE
Pencil Toppers
Reproduce these "Pencil Toppers" onto construction or index paper. Color and cut out. Use an art knife to cut through the Xs. Slide a pencil through both Xs, as shown. Use as classroom awards, back to school gifts or birthday treats.
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Cut this owl puppet pattern from construction paper. Glue the two pieces to a small, brown paper lunch bag.
Owl Puppet
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School Kids
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School Kids
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School Kids
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School Kids
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Classroom Characters
Enlarged, these cute characters can be used in bulletin board displays. You might wish to use them to announce reading groups or to label learning centers. As they are, they can be used as booklet covers or as mini display characters. You might even like to make one of them poster board size and attach it to your classroom door. A word of "welcome, your name and room number would be all you would need. However you choose to use them, you'll find these characters to be a real asset to any room environment.
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Copy these visors onto sturdy index or construction paper. Children can do the coloring. Punch holes at both ends and attach string elastic. (With elastic, the students can easily remove the visors without retying.) If you wish to spare the cost of elastic, simply use mailing string. Either way, the kids will love them and so will you!
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STUDENT
OF THE
WEEK!
Name
Mount this "Don't Disturb" sign on poster board and color. Cut out the circle and hang on your classroom doorknob.
S hhhhhh
We're NG! I K R O W
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m o o r s s a l C ! s y a d h t r i B
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BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Help each child in class celebratehis or her birthday in a very special way. Tell the class that the birthday child will receive some very special privileges. He or she may be the line leader for the day, the messenger for the office or may select the story for story time, etc. You might also want to present the student with a birthday crown to wear or a special sign that is placed on the back of his or her chair announcing the special day! SURPRISE BIRTHDAY CARDS Surprise your students by sending each of them a birthday card on their birthday! (It's easier to accomplish than you might think!) At the beginning of the school year, set up a file box with a folder labeled for each month. In each folder, place a birthday card, (preaddressed) for each child in class that has a birthday for that particular month. In a corner of the envelope pencil in the date that the card should be mailed. The last week of each month, review the file for the upcoming month. Add a personal note to each child's card and mail on the appropriate day.
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SUMMER BIRTHDAYS Don't let those students with summer birthdays feel left out. Arrange to celebrate everyone's birthday, that falls within the summer break,during the last week of school. Bring in plain cupcakes and cans of frosting. Let the birthday kids frost the cupcakes and distribute them to the other students. Surprise each birthday student with their own birthday card and birthday visor. BIRTHDAY GIFT Make each birthday child feel extra-special with this simple idea. Cover a shoe box or other type of box, with colorful birthday gift wrapping paper. Cover the lid separately so that the box can be opened easily and used again and again. Add a ribbon bow to the lid. In the box place a personalized birthday card, birthday bookmark, birthday hat or visor, small gift (like a pencil or page of stickers) and a candy treat. Encourage the other students to sing "Happy Birthday" as you present the gift to the special student! FAMOUS BIRTHDAYS Using reference books from the library, students can discover several famous people who they share their birthday! The book, Chase's Annual Events, Contemporary Books, Inc., lists at least six for each day of the year. Ask each student to select one famous person and do a short report on them. This project may get your students interested in a particular occupation or talent that would never have seemed likely before. For more contemporary persons, the students may want to conduct interviews of friends and family. They may want to ask them questions about their knowledge of the selected famous person.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Name
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I B
R T
H D A Y
Copy these visors onto sturdy index or construction paper. Children can do the coloring. Punch holes at both ends and attach string elastic. (With elastic, the students can easily remove the visors without retying.) If you wish to spare the cost of elastic, simply use mailing string. Either way, the kids will love them and so will you!
HA
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P P
Name
Birthday Cake
Label one candle per student. Each month display candles on a class birthday cake.
Birth Date
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
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Birthday Cupcakes
Month
Cut 12 cupcakes from construction paper or poster board. Label the frosting with the name of each month and list student birthdays below. Place a cut paper candle on the current birthday cupcake.
B i rt h d a y S t u d e n t s !
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Birthday Card
Have everyone sign this card for the birthday student.
HAPPY B I RT H D AY !
from
All of Us!
in room
FOLD
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Congratulations
BIRTHDAY!
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It's
NAME
TEACHER
DATE
You may wish to create a dozen "Birthday Mobiles" by writing the name of each month on a birthday cake. Write the students' names on the presents. Determine the birth months of each student and hang their present under the appropriate cake!
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p p y a H Birthday!
Name
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e l p Ap ! e Tim
Johnny Appleseed
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ACTIVITY 2
ANSWER THESE TRUE AND FALSE QUESTIONS ABOUT JOHNNY APPLESEED
T T T T T
F F F F F
Johnny Appleseed was born in the state of Ohio. Johnny Appleseed's real name was John Chapman. Johnny Appleseed was given his nickname because he loved to eat apples. Johnny Appleseed did not like the Indians. Johnny Appleseed was a real man.
APPLESAUCE To honor "Johnny Appleseed" and have some fun at the same time, make this simple applesauce recipe in your classroom. For each quart of peeled and sliced apples, use the following: 1 cup water 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp. lemon juice 1/4 tsp. cinnamon pinch of salt Cook all ingredients until tender. Mash the apples with a potato masher or electric mixer, adding more sugar if desired. Serve cold.
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Apple Activities!
APPLE DISCOVERIES Bring to class a variety of different apples for each student to sample. These might include such apples as: Granny Smith, Winesap, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Delicious, Pippin, Cortland and Macintosh. Slice each apple into small bite-sized pieces and place them on labeled paper plates. Ask the children to taste each one and see if they can distinguish a difference. Now, ask your students to work in pairs and have them write a paper on their discovery of a "new" apple. Ask them to give it a name, describe the taste, give a description and tell how they discovered it. Children will be motivated to write a "delicious" paper after sampling the real thing. APPLE CHAINS Nothing smells better than apples and cinnamon! This simple craft can also be given as a gift during the holidays. Older students can carefully cut apples into 1/4" rounds. Dust the rounds lightly with powdered cinnamon and dry the apples on paper towels in a sunny or warm dust-free area. When the slices are dry, string them together with colored yarn. Attach colorful paper leaves or a festive bow to the top of the chain. Hang in a kitchen or anywhere in the house for a wonderful smell!
READ!
Name
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Apple Mobile
Use this pattern to make apple core mobiles to hang in the classroom. Cut two tops, two centers, two bottoms and two stems and leaves from construction paper. Use red or yellow paper for the apple, white for the core and green for the leaf. Glue a piece of yarn down the middle of the apple and hang.
After sampling pieces of fresh apples, children may wish to save the apple seeds and glue them in place on the core.
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Cut this apple from a folded piece of red construction paper. Children can draw their own picture or place their photo on the inside of the apple. Arrange the apples on a bulletin board.
Apple Pattern
Name
FOLD
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Apple Tree
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Apple Puppet
Glue these two pattern pieces to a small paper bag and create a cute paper bag puppet.
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n a c i x e M e c n e d n e p e d In ! y a D
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I X C E O M
Coat of Ar ms
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ACTIVITY 3
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The United States of America is Mexico's neighbor to the north. Write UNITED STATES OF AMERICA on the proper line. The Gulf of Mexico is east of Mexico. Write GULF OF MEXICO in the space to the east. The Pacific Ocean is west of Mexico. Write PACIFIC OCEAN in the space to the west. Mexico's neighbors to the south are Guatemala and Belize. Write the names GUATEMALA and BELIZE where they belong. Our southern neighbor is Mexico. Write MEXICO in the central part of the map.
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September Monthly Idea Book
ACTIVITY 5
MATCH THESE FACTS ABOUT MEXICO
MEXICO'S NEIGHBOR TO THE NORTH MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY THE CAPITAL OF MEXICO THE LANGUAGE OF THE MEXICAN PEOPLE THEY BUILT THE MEXICAN PYRAMIDS CINCO DE MAYO THE COLORS OF THE MEXICAN FLAG THE PRIEST WHO SPOKE AGAINST SPAIN
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THE AZTECS THE 5th OF MAY RED, GREEN AND WHITE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MEXICO CITY SEPTEMBER 16TH FATHER HIDALGO SPANISH 105
September Monthly Idea Book
Piata
horns
It's easy to make a Mexican Piata that looks like a bull. Place two or three large grocery bags inside one another and fill with treats. Fold the open ends of the bags around a sturdy coat hanger and tape or staple in place. Cut these patterns from construction paper and glue in place as illustrated.
nose
Hang the piata with heavy cord or rope. Use a plastic baseball bat or broomstick to break. It is not necessary to fill your piata with candy. Try adding free homework night tickets, scratch and sniff stickers, new erasers and pencils.
eyes
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MEXICO Booklet
MEXICO!
Name:
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n a c i r e e g m a t A i r e H n a i Ind ! y a D
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Tr i b a l M a p
Nes Perce Makah Chinook Coos Yurok Cheyenne Shawnee Seneca Navaho Cherokee Cherokee Apache Hopi Choctaw Pueblo Camanche Creek Zuni Kiowa Creek Seminole Seminole Apache Choctaw Ute Shoshone Blackfoot Crow Shoshone Araphaho Oneida Winnebago Sioux Mohican Ottawa Mohawk Iroquois
Chippewa
ACTIVITY 6
FIND THE TRIBAL NAMES, SHOWN IN BOLD TYPE IN THE WORD PUZZLE BELOW.
T H G V S H O S H O N E Q C N Q E C J H B E Q D S F G C Z U V E T C H K C N T W F F G B H W O R S Y V E L H M Y E G G T T E C I T P U T Y O I J U R Y H M Q R R S B E I B E L P H U T T J O F O V C N R O N N M P T T Y R K H G K T V J C I H N N E S E U F I A B E B B U E O G E B W X Z I V O W N E Y G M H P F U H A S X O B L K M E N F K Y L D K V U E C P N B L A C K F O O T S L C K M V A M T X E F M D O N S A P D L I F P K Y C R V I R K J Y W O F P N G A J H S T B D T R V U Q I G O O H C H S X F S H A W N E E M H M L B H N A Z D M F H H T O U J U Y J N B E P N M E Y MM QW A S C C T R R O F W Y U Y H K L P O
Z X C S D F I S E O WD U S E X Z S P OM W T Y F S E S X C H D F O W C P I R I S W S D F Z X E M S A
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F G T C R W O H F V T V O E R W W
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1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Write the name of the American Indian tribe you have chosen here. Where did the tribe live? What type of homes did they have? What types of crafts did they make? What foods did they eat? What type of life did they live?
7. 8.
Name a famous person from this tribe. What is important about this person?
9.
10.
On a separate piece of paper draw a picture of a member of the tribe in native costume or a picture of his or her Indian village.
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hunt summer
113
friends bird
food deer
September Monthly Idea Book
Sioux
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Iroquois
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Hopi Pottery
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s ' t n e r a p d n a Gr Day!
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Grandparent's Day
First Sunday in September after Labor Day
Grandparent's Day was first declared a holiday in 1979. Honoring older family members is customary in many different cultures. It is important to the health and well-being of the family unit to honor loved ones for their contribution to the extended family. If your students don't have grandparents close by, encourage them to celebrate the day with an aunt, uncle or older neighbor. You may want to invite grandparents to school for a special Grandparent's Tea provided by your students. GRANDPARENT NAMES While talking of ways to honor grandparents, make a list on the class board of different names children use when referring to their grandparents. Many of these names are based in family traditions and culture. Begin by listing foreign names, such as: abuelo and abuela (grandfather and grandmother in Spanish,) grand-pere and grand-mere (French), and oma (grandma) and opa (grandpa) in German. Have students list their own names for grandparents, such as: nana, papa, granny, grandaddy, etc. Students may like to ask parents and grandparents what they called their grandparents as children. FAMILY COAT OF ARMS Encourage students to look at the many family traditions that have been given to them by their grandparents. Using the Coat of Arms pattern in this chapter, have students design a special shield depicting the unique qualities of their individual families. After speaking with their grandparents or parents about the family's history and goals, ask them to write a family motto, select family colors, design a family symbol and illustrate a family tradition. Encourage them to incorporate these elements on the Coat of Arms and take it home to share with other family members.
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"Look inside to see who I love!" on the outside of the card. Have students glue pictures of their grandparent to the inside of the card and send them to their grandmother or grandfather on his or her special day.
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FAMILY NAME
FAMILY COLORS
FAMILY SYMBOL
FAMILY MOTTO
FAMILY TRADITION
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My Grandparent Interview
Name: Relationship to me: Birthdate: Birthplace: Occupation: Favorite Color: Favorite Dessert: Favorite Story: Favorite Movie: What were you like as a child?
(Picture of your grandparent)
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Grandpa Puppet
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Color and cut out the pattern pieces. Paste the patterns to a small paper bag. Have students role play with the puppets.
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Grandma Puppet
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September Monthly Idea Book
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e t u t i t s Sub d an ! s r e h c a e T t n e d u t S
Note: Check out the Teacher's Friend Substitute Teacher Essential Folder for more resources contained in a fun organizational folder.
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S u b s t i t u t e Te a c h e r s A c t i v i t i e s
Prepare for the inevitable, the day you need a substitute teacher, with a few of the ideas contained in this chapter. It's easy to have a productive, happy day, even when you're not there, if you do a little planning ahead of time. FIRST THINGS FIRST Provide a file box or special folder purposefully filled with the things every substitute teacher needs. Here are a few things you need to include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. List of all basic information regarding class and school procedures. Class List, noting students with special needs. Class Rules and Discipline Procedures. Daily Class Schedule and Duty Schedule. Student seating assignments. Behavior awards and stickers. Daily Lesson Plan. List of reliable students and names of other staff members that can be of help. Candies or other treats that can be distributed to students with good behavior at the end of the day. A variety of worksheets (with enough copies for everyone in class) appropriate to the skill level of your students. A list of games, complete with instructions, that can be played during a rainy day or just for fun. A list of creative writing topics that will be motivating for your students. A clean coffee mug, tea bags, non-perishable treats, etc., for your sub to enjoy in case they didn't have time for breakfast. Note paper or special forms so the substitute teacher can leave you a daily report. Several short story books that the sub can choose to read orally to the class. TWO-PART AWARD Have students take 1/2 of the award home and leave the other half for the regular classroom teacher.
r information
10.
Student Name
12. 13.
14. 15.
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WOW!
Substitute Teacher
11.
Date
Date
Student Name
S t u d e n t Te a c h e r s
Get off on the right foot with a new student teacher by planning for his or her arrival several days before hand. Many of the same suggestions you might use when preparing for a substitute teacher can apply to student teachers as well. Here are a few ideas that can be incorporated into your student teacher plans. STUDENT TEACHER WELCOME Provide your new student teacher with a special pocket folder labeled with his or her own name. Fill the folder with all of the needed important information (see the list on the previous page) and a few extra-special items that will make him or her feel especially welcome in your class. Here are a few ideas to make those first few days more enjoyable for everyone. STUDENT LETTERS The day before your student teacher's arrival, have your students each write a letter welcoming him or her to class. These letters can also serve as a vehicle through which students can tell the new teacher a little about themselves, and at the same time provide a sample of their penmanship as well as demonstrate their writing and spelling ability. WELCOME GIFT Buy a colorful coffee mug and fill it with a selection of goodies that will be helpful to the new teacher, such as pencils, sheets of stickers, small note pad, breath mints, etc. Tie a cute, personal note to the handle and present it to your student teacher after introducing them to your students. (They will remember you and your thoughtfulness throughout their teaching career!) REMEMBERING STUDENTS Before your new student teacher arrives, place a new, clearly labeled name plate on each student's desk. Have each child wear a name tag those first few days, as well. The new teacher will certainly learn the students' names and get to know them individually more quickly by simply having their names visible.
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WHO'S THE STUDENT TEACHER? Encourage your student teacher to begin a friendly relationship with the students in class by asking the children to speculate about their new teacher. The children can guess the student teachers age, favorite color, hobbies, favorite school subjects, type of car he or she drives, pets, favorite food, etc. After listing all the student guesses, the student teacher should reveal the correct information. Students will be delighted, or dismayed, to see how many things they guessed right.
.. . . s i e am N y M Hi!
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F i l l e r s , To p i c s a n d G a m e s !
NAME LISTENING Encourage listening skills and letter recognition while learning students names with this activity. Have students listen to the following poem and then follow the directions. If your name starts with A or B, put your right hand on your knee! If your name starts with C or D, Stomp your foot to the count of three! If it starts with E, F or G, Bend down, jump up and shout,Its me!" If your name starts H or I, With both hands, touch the sky! If it starts with J, K or L, Make the sound of a ringing bell! If your name starts with M or N, Show me where you have a chin! If it starts with O, P or Q, Point to your left foot and your shoe! If your name starts R or S, Curtsy like you wear a dress! If your name starts T, U or V, Make the sound of a bumblebee! If your name starts W, X, Y or Z Pretend you're now a cute monkey! Now, together, let's play the game, When I say, "Go!" shout out your name! CREATIVE WRITING IDEAS Have your students choose one of these writing ideas to practice their imagination and improve their skills. If I were teacher for the day..... I planted a nickel in my backyard and you won't believe what grew....... I found an alligator in my bathtub... I found a time machine in our basement.... I found a pair of unusual glasses that made me see...... My dog would be a great watch dog if he wasn't afraid of..... This is my recipe for a secret potion.... Yesterday all of the monkeys in the zoo escaped..... While fishing with my grandfather, we saw the strangest thing..... I found strange footprints while walking through the woods.....
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I had the weirdest dream last night..... I carefully disguised the way I look so nobody would know who I was! Tell how you would wash a 300 pound dog! Write a new song to wish someone a happy birthday. Write a new ending to the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Invent a new toy, draw a picture of it and tell what it does and how it works. Invent a new candy bar. What do you call it? What are the ingredients? What does it taste like? MACHINE PANTOMIMES Write the names of several different machines on slips of paper and place the slips in a box or bowl. Divide the class into two teams. Have a member from one team come to the front of the class and take one of the slips of paper. He or she must "act out" the machine on the slip in the hopes that his or her team members can guess the correct machine. (A timekeeper should give the participant 60 seconds before time is called.) If the team answers correctly, it gets a point. The game continues with the teams alternating turns. The team with the most points wins the game. A BIRD'S EYE VIEW Ask your students to write a paper about their school as if they were hovering over the school in a helicopter. Have them observe the children on the playground, people walking about, lunch time and the close of the day when students leave on buses or walk home. Papers can be displayed on a class bulletin board entitled "A Bird's Eye View of Our School!" You might ask the children to draw a picture of how they envision the school would look from this unique vantage point. NUMBER 1 Tell the entire class to each write a number from 1 to 5 on a sheet of scratch paper. (Tell them not to let you know what number they chose.) Now, tell them to double the number and then add 2. After they have done that, ask them to divide by 2 and then subtract that number from their original number. Announce to the class that you can tell all of them the answer on their paper. That number will be 1!
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September Monthly Idea Book
F i l l e r s , To p i c s a n d G a m e s !
MONSTROUS STORY Have your students write a collective monster story in which everyone can participate. Using the chalkboard or large easel paper, write a spooky line that begins the story, such as: I looked out my bedroom window and saw a large, dark shadow move across the yard. Now ask a student to add a line to the story. Each child in class adds to the story while you write it down. When the monstrous adventure is complete, read the entire story through and let the class decide upon the title. MONKEY HUNT Two different activities can be created using this fun theme! Students can practice both their ability to alphabetize and memorize with this activity. First, ask students to sit in a circle. Select one child to begin with the phrase, "I'm going on a monkey hunt and I'm taking an apple! The next child in the circle continues with, "I'm going on a monkey hunt and I'm taking an apple and a big box! The game continues with children adding to the list using the order of the alphabet. If a child misses, have him or her sit out of the circle. The second activity involves the preparation of a jungle safari or "monkey hunt!" Tell the students that the entire class will be participating in the pretend monkey hunt. The goal is to locate and photograph a secret colony of rare monkeys. Ask the students to each prepare a list of supplies that will be needed. This might include equipment, travel tickets, food, clothing, etc. The destination can get noted on a world map. Or, have students create a class mural charting their safari to find the rare monkeys. Ask each pupil to keep a fictional diary of the trip. MAGIC NUMBERS Mystify your students when you announce the correct answer to their problem. Tell each student to pick a number between 1-9 and multiply it by 3. Now, tell them to divide that number into the original number written three times. The answer will always be 37! For example, the chosen number is 3. three times 3 is 9. Now divide 9 into 333. The answer is 37!
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WATER, LAND OR AIR Children can have fun playing this active game and at the same time learn about the environments in which animals live. With pieces of tape, mark off three sections of the classroom floor. Have all of the children stand in one section and label it LAND. Explain to them that the second section is WATER and the third is AIR. Begin the game by naming an animal. If the animal lives in the water, the children must "jump" into the water section and start swimming with their arms. If the animal lives in the air, children "hop" to the air section and begin flapping their "wings." Animals that live on land are represented by the children running in place. Continue naming different animals and let the children move back and forth. With some animals, like alligators, both land and water are correct responses. It will be fun to see the children respond to these special animals! SECRET CODE Try this simple code with your students. 1-A 2-B 3-C 4-D 5-E 6-F 7-G 8-H 9-I 10-J 11-K 12-L 13-M 14-N 15-O 16-P 17-Q 18-R 19-S 20-T 21-U 22-V 23-W 24-X 25-Y 26-Z
The message could be: 3 15 14 7 18 1 20 21 12 1 21 9 15 14 19! 5 22 5 18 25 15 14 5 18 5 3 5 9 22 5 19 1 14 9 3 5 3 18 5 1 13 20 18 5 1 20! Congratulations! Everyone receives an ice cream treat!
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Student Detective
ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR CLASS. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. How many desks and tables are in the room? How many windows and doors are there? How many girls are there in our class? How many boys are there in our class?
Name
What is the most important rule to remember in this class? How many dictionaries are there in the room? What time is lunch? Are there any students in our room who have the same first or last name as you?
How many students are in our room? What do you like best about our room? What time does school start? What would you like to bring into the room to make it better? How many students have blond hair? How many students have brown eyes? Where should you turn in homework? How many books about dinosaurs can you find in our room? What's the first thing you do during a fire drill? Describe three things about your new teacher. 1. 2. 3.
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Super Kids
Use these kid patterns to promote good behavior in the classroom. Designate a section of an easy-to-reach bulletin board and label it "Today's Super Kids!" Have each student cut out and color the boy or girl pattern on this page. Ask each student to write his or her name on the shirt of the "Super Kid.
This is a fun way to acknowledge well behaved students and at the same time notify the classroom teachers of the students' cooperation. These patterns can also be enlarged and used as cover art for student information reports or bookmarks. They can also be lined up along the bottom of the class bulletin board as a cute "get-acquainted" display.
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By
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Date
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September Monthly Idea Book
n i t e l l Bu ds r a o B d n a ! e r mo
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COLORFUL HELPERS This colorful idea will help keep track of classroom helpers. Make crayon boxes from folded sheets of construction paper. Cut crayons from colored paper and label with the childrens names. Insert the crayons into the appropriate box. Crayon pattern can be found on page 49.
WELCOME ABOARD! Welcome your students to class with this nautical theme. Cut the sails from white butcher paper and the hull from blue paper. Print student names on the sails with felt pens. Later in the day read a sea story to the class.
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LESSON LINE UP Make dresses, shirts and pants from cut paper, fabric, or wallpaper samples. With a marker, write the names of subjects to be studied in school. (You might like to add real lace and buttons to your creations.) Stretch a piece of twine or yarn across a bulletin board and hang the clothes with real clothespins.
WISE OWLS Paper bag owl puppets can be used to welcome students to school. Have each student make his or her own puppet and display it on the bulletin board. A paper-cut tree branch and leaves should already be in place. Label each owl with the childs first name. Owl puppet can be found on page 72.
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY Make twelve construction paper pockets and label with the name of each month of the year. Pin them along the bottom of the class bulletin board. Write student names and birth dates on index cards or strips of paper. Store them in the appropriate pockets. As each month approaches, display the birthday cards associated with that month.
CAN YOU TIE YOUR SHOES? Use this cute worm to motivate children to learn to tie their own shoes. Label a green paper plate with the name of each student. Draw a funny worm face on one plate and attach a bow tie and pipe cleaner antennae. As the children learn to tie their shoes, attach a pair of paper boots to the bottom of their paper plate. Soon your class worm will become a centipede.
THE BIRTHDAY TRAIN Have your entire class jump aboard the Birthday Train. Half-sheets of construction paper can serve as the trains cars. Cut round circles for the wheels. Label each car with the months of the year. Display childrens pictures or names in the appropriate cars.
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AROUND THE WORLD! Place a large illustration of the world on the class bulletin board. Give each student a paper airplane labeled with his or her name. As each student completes required assignments, they may move their plane around the world (one space at a time).
HOMEWORK NIBBLES Motivate your students to complete their homework. Stretch one length of yarn across the bulletin board for each child in class. Label the top of the board with the days of the week. Pin a paper wedge of cheese at one end of each string and pin a mouse pattern to the other end. Each day the student turns in his or her homework, move the appropriate mouse across the board. All mice (students) that turn in their work all five days receive a treat on Friday afternoon.
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Airplane Pattern
Decorate your airplane with glitter and gold foil stars.
Name
Mouse Pattern
Add pipe cleaner whiskers and a tail to your mouse.
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Name
September Monthly Idea Book
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Helpers
Enlarge these coveralls onto poster board and they become a clever way to keep track of class helpers.
Cut a slit above each pocket with an art knife. Make handkerchiefs from red print paper or fabric and label with students names. Slide the kerchiefs into the proper pockets as children rotate jobs.
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Make this robot using the patterns and a 9 x 12 sheet of construction paper.
Robot
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Answer Key
ACTIVITY 1
A S W E Q W P R R T I W N S C Y I Y P D A W L T R E K D D F E T E Q C H H R R H A M F G F B R D I F J G I U D S R T E A C H E R T H T J I D T Y L S V R N T M A I K N V H H F C T P C N H D N I G B K J D L Y L E L U F G S G G L E F A U A G P K D J C H T P D G S S Y H S A R U F N R I U T S P G J T R T M T V E O C Y T E R K U T Y A V X W S A H H L O V D T U T G Z Q C T U N L U M E H J H S A X H I J M I N C N J N G E M C O O I V N D D T U M Y R U V O N K X G Y R S T U D Y S B L D T WE H OU O Z S M L I E B RW T Y O F G R F R K HU L HU J GM R I CW NM J
ACTIVITY 4
R T C S A W S W A F A W W C R T E S K M W V A S W S E R W E S E Q W W S E T R C V E X Y P S F D A Y R E D F Y T V B R Z U A W T F E H T O R E I U Y A N T D D C H R C N H R T R E I B D M G F E O V Y T R G Y S D T S D G I C H R R L B J H F R J W C B T F H O X Y T T E N U Y G F U E V V A G D S Z U H H F M S O M B R E R O A H S E R A P E G J Y D S K K A T A C J R T F T J K H K U R A M S W G S V K T H S G U I L L K T E Z E E B E B L H Y A B P B K P I H T X T R N R N M J U W F L R D O L Y H C H T H C M N K I E D I O F I O U A V Y Y Y V J B L K P S W N M U K J C B J U U S K M O A I A R C N Y T K I N U I J E H E I S E T O B T O I E M I O M G X U D A R G E G R R O N L K P W O F I N F T T H R F E T L D K L L R R D C B G A F M E S A I P A J O K T I S O G H M D R W W E L L T H Y J Y T A P T J B S T T Y F L M H G H H H A E L Y T V A Y U Y R A K Y F T G U Y
ACTIVITY 2
ANSWER THESE TRUE AND FALSE QUESTIONS ABOUT JOHNNY APPLESEED
ACTIVITY 5
MATCH THESE FACTS ABOUT MEXICO.
T T T
F F F
Johnny Appleseed was born in the state of Ohio. Johnny Appleseed's real name was John Chapman. Johnny Appleseed was given his nickname because he loved to eat apples. Johnny Appleseed did not like the Indians.
MEXICO'S NEIGHBOR TO THE NORTH MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY THE CAPITAL OF MEXICO THE LANGUAGE OF THE MEXICAN PEOPLE
THE AZTECS THE 5th OF MAY RED, GREEN AND WHITE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MEXICO CITY SEPTEMBER 16TH FATHER HIDALGO SPANISH
T T
F F
ACTIVITY 3
ACTIVITY 6
United States of America
W S N E
Gulf of Mexico
Belize Guatemala
Z X C S D F I S E O WD U S E X Z S P OM W T Y F S E S X C H D F O W C P I R I S W S D F Z X E M S A
F G T C R W O H F V T V O E R W W
T H G V S H O S H O N E Q C N Q E
C J H B E Q D S F G C Z U V E T C
H K C N T W F F G B H W O R S Y V
E L H M Y E G G T T E C I T P U T
Y O I J U R Y H M Q R R S B E I B
E L P H U T T J O F O V C N R O N
N M P T T Y R K H G K T V J C I H
N N E S E U F I A B E B B U E O G
E B W X Z I V O W N E Y G M H P F
U H A S X O B L K M E N F K Y L D
K V U E C P N B L A C K F O O T S
L C K M V A M T X E F M D O N S A
P D L I F P K Y C R V I R K J Y W
O F P N G A J H S T B D T R V U Q
I G O O H C H S X F S H A W N E E
M H M L B H N A Z D M F H H T O U
J Y N E N E M Q A C T R F Y Y K P
U J B P M Y M W S C R O W U H L O
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