Thursday, July 21, 2011

Back to School Fave!

Hi all! Jodi at Fun in First is having a linky party where bloggers link up to share ideas. This one has teachers sharing their favorite back-to-school activities! I've already found a ton of new ideas to use this year in my room! I'd like to join the fun since I've learned so much!

Here's an activity I've used for the last several years:

First, I give the kids this printable, and they have to pick just one color to color with.

Really watch- there's always one or two that don't "hear" that part... Then I have them draw a picture on the side that says "one color." I model this since it's the first day of school! I usually draw a picture of a house with a sun, cloud, etc. Remember to only use one color. I usually ham it up and say, "Wow, my picture is so boring...I wish I could use more than one color."

Then, I have the kiddos come to the carpet and I read The Crayon Box That Talked by Shane DeRolf.
This book is so presh! This little girl is in a toystore and she overhears a box of crayons fighting with each other about how each one is better than the other. She takes it home to color with them all to show them that they are all needed to make the pictures beautiful! (Plus, it rhymes and it's darling...)

After we read the book and discuss the author's message, I have them go back to their papers and then they get to draw a picture using however many colors they want. We come to the carpet and share our pictures. We agree that the pictures look better when we can use many colors.

Then we talk about how our classroom is like a box of crayons. All of us are different- different colors, ages, talents, etc., but we will all work together to have a super year in first grade!

The last thing I do is put all the pictures into a class book.


Click here for the cover!

What is your favorite back to school activity?

34 comments:

Cindy said...

Thanks for posting this cute activity. I'm saving to my beginning of year file! I always try to get my kids to color using a variety of colors instead of just one. This is a great way to tie that in as well.

mandytaylor said...

Cindy,
I also have a coloring rule in our classroom: Your pictures (usually) have to at least have as many colors as you are old. So, if you're 6, your pictures need to have at least 6 colors, but when you turn 7, you have to kick it up a notch!

It just keeps them from bringing me stuff with purple grass, purple moons, purple suns, etc.
:)

Cindy said...

I've used that same rule too. Boy, do the older ones grumble about it. I'm glad I'm not the only one who wants more than one color! tee-hee

Jodi said...

I love this. That is one of my favorite books. I'm adding this to my list of activities this year. Thanks for linking up.
Jodi
fun-in-first.blogspot.com

Cyndy said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! I can't stand when they only use one color. Thanks so much for sharing this! I have never read the book but I just added it to my Amazon wish list! Thank you so very much!!!

Tina said...

What a cute idea! I'm so glad I found your blog!

http://quenchyourfirst.blogspot.com

Laurel said...

Ooo! Great idea! I'll have to add this to my first week plans. I'm your newest follower!

teachthemlove.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

I love this idea! I will definitely be reading this book to my 4 yr old who thinks EVERYTHING has to be red.

My oldest just started 1st grade last week and I'm so excited to explore your blog for ideas to use with him for after school! :)

Lyn Goff said...

I love this book. We do it as a play for Martin Luther King's Birthday. Very easy for my kindergarteners to remember their one line and the costumes are so simple. I usually rewrite the words a little so they can pick what color they want to be.

Amber Unger said...

I LOVE these printables! Thank you so much for sharing. I posted about you (and this post) on my blog, so be sure to check it out:

http://mrsungerskinders.blogspot.com/2012/01/easy-and-effective-mlk-activity.html

P.S. I'm your newest follower! Yay! :)

mrs. gregory's angels said...

I love this idea and that book. Thanks for sharing!

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Anonymous said...

I use this book in my kindergarten for MLK Day. I love your activity idea and my wheels are turning to use it as well as this sweet story.

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