#tbt Ice Cream Contractions

To begin a culmination of the lessons I have created, I will be doing a series of #tbt (throwback Thursday) posts this summer to share those lessons on my blog! The reason that the posts will be #tbt is because these are lessons I have already created and used in the classroom during my field experience. 

To start off my series of #tbt posts...here is "Ice Cream Contractions"! 

Who doesn't love ice cream?! I know I do. Any kind of ice cream will usually hit the spot for me, but when I'm being choosy I love the Cookies & Cream and Birthday Cake flavors from Braum's :) I wanted to bring my love for ice cream into the following learning center I created for second grade (it can work for first grade, too)! 

Here is my learning center: 

In learning centers, I like to have a cover sheet that states what skill the center is targeting and the Common Core State Standard connection for easy reference.  

This learning center could be used as a daily classroom center activity, extra targeting for students who struggle, extra practice for early finishers, and more! It requires 2 students minimum, but can be modified with no huge issues. Contractions (cannot = can't, etc.) are a second grade skill and can be linked to the CCSS here. 

Here are the directions for how to complete the learning center. I like to include directions with the learning center as well!

This learning center is engaging for students because they are getting meaningful practice with finding/sorting contractions as well as speaking them. They are using visual and kinesthetic skills to pair appropriate contractions together. They are also using audial and listening skills to say the contractions out loud. 

My favorite part of this learning center is the ball toss! Kids love games, so why not make learning into a little game? The ball toss locks them in and keeps them focused on pairing those contractions! 

I used one of these squeezie balls in my learning center, but any ball will do! 

Here's the directions for the learning center again: 

• Match all the ice cream tops to their proper cone. 

These just look good enough to eat! 

Another way to do this would be in a targeted teacher-student practice situation. You can give the student a contraction and have them pair it to its proper match given a few choices. This may help learners who are struggling or need things more condensed (Possibly English Language Learners, students with learning disabilities, etc.).

• After you have made the matches, play the tossing game! 
• Toss the ball back and forth with a partner. The first person will say a contraction aloud (example: don't) and the second person will say its proper match (example: do not).
• Use your cone pairs to help you go in order and get through all the contractions.
• Play the tossing game until time is up. 

This learning center is simple, yet fun! It can be added to daily instruction through centers or used for extra practice. 

That's all I have for now! Thanks for reading and have a happy rest of the week :)

Hilary 

I survived the PIP!

Hello all! 

I am writing this post while I lounge on my mother's couch. There's nothing like kicking back and relaxing after the end of a long and challenging semester! And...this semester is worth celebrating, because I have earned a 4.0!!!!! 

Praise the LORD! 

I am so fortunate to study what I love at the university I love! I have wonderful professors, mentors, peers, and family who help me be the best I can be every day. Now, only one more semester until I am a college graduate (and looking for a job)! 

Celebrating the last week of classes with my PIP friends: (from left) Abbey, Lauren, Miles, Tori, and Alex 

I couldn't have made it through this semester without you all!

My last week of classes consisted of finishing final presentations, taking the Oklahoma Reading Test (required for all preservice teachers), and wrapping up my field experience. It was a busy week! 

I just want to say how grateful I am for this Pre-Internship Practicum (PIP) semester. I had the chance to get to know 24 wonderful first-graders and a lot of great teachers. My mentoring teacher, Carissa, was especially incredible! I learned so much from her that I will continue to use and grow from as I move forward. She was so easy to work with, and made me feel right at home in her classroom. I am so thankful I had her to help me create my lesson plans, bounce ideas off of, and chat about life with. I feel like I gained a true friend! 

Carissa and I celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday...Lorax style!

It was so hard to say goodbye to my first graders and Carissa on my last day. The class surprised me with some precious cards, a book they created called "What Makes a Great Teacher", pictures, and some math doubles and triples dice that I will definitely use in the future! Thank you Mrs. South's class! I can't wait to come back and visit soon :) 

This stuff gets me through the day!

My Journey of a Future Teacher has been amazing so far, and I am so excited to keep going! Thank you to everyone who has supported me and sharpened me throughout this time in my life! 

Hilary