Jumping Rope, Slavery, a Rainbow of Similes, and a LUCKY Sale!

I can't say how great the weather has been this week!  I'm sure like any other midwest teacher, getting outside without jackets in March is like a dream come true!  We've broken out the jump ropes and started singing "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear turn around...".  I tried my go at it, and got to 50! Woohoo! I've retired (it is really TIRING) to being the holder/counter.  Whew!  

I have to admit that teaching history in the lower grades in not my most favorite subject, so we're always looking for ways to make it insightful, meaningful, and fun.  One of my favorite books to use for the teaching of slavery and civil rights is Henry's Freedom Box.  The premise of the book is that slave has his entire family taken from him by another owner, so he decides to mail himself in a box to freedom in Philadelphia. 

To get my kids to understand the feel of what it would be like to ship yourself in a box to freedom, and not be able to make a sound, I made them complete work under their desk for about 20 minutes.  THey had to move their desks away from anyone, couldn't talk, no questions, no nothing!  Honestly, I felt bad for a bit because they were complaining, but it got the point across!  

Afterward we talked about our feelings, why Henry would go to such great lengths to be free, and why we are lucky to that times have changed and people before us made decisions to make all people free.

Lastly, as a part of our poetry unit, I wanted to introduce similes so they might attempt to use them in their poems.  I saw this idea from a blog or Pinterest (if it's yours, let me know!) and I knew I had to incorporate it into all of my St. Patty's Day Stuff!  They turned out great, and the kids did a wonderful job.

I love the descriptive words this student used, even if he reused some of the colors in the comparison.  I made the rainbow with a a circle cutter that I own (one of my FAV and most used tools), and then cut the circles in half.

Click on the image to get the title page and writing paper that I used!  

Feeling Lucky?  You should!

I'm having a sale at my Teacher's Notebook Store!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, loving the weather and looking forward to my Spring Break starting on March 30th my Teacher's Notebook store is all 30% off!!!
Visit my TN STORE for your lucky deals (including my St. Patty's Palooza Unit)!

**May the Luck 'O the Irish be with you for the rest of the week!**