Our main selection for the week was “Rocks in His Head”. This was a fast and furious kind of week, so I knew I had to throw a craftivity into the mix somehow to give a little something back to my kiddos. We’ve really been focusing on the series’ essential questions this year, and I do think it’s made a big difference for my kiddos. This week, I wanted to do a little reader response activity to help bring us closer to the concept question of the week.
So, after working through a few repeated readings, I broke my kiddos into groups to form discussion tables. I lifted text from the story to correspond with questions I wanted my students to ponder. Of course, they could always go back to the text to look it up, but I wanted to draw their attention to particular passages as they discussed their thoughts.
I used little color-coded rock cards to randomly group my kiddos for this activity. 🙂
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| {Yes, that’s my Coke in the corner. I was pulling a late night at school, and I was in serious need of caffeine! Ha!} |
The kiddos worked around the butcher paper to discuss their ideas and record their answers.
Here’s an example of how they turned out. It’s nothing fancy, but it got the job done! 🙂
To try to get to the heart of the story, we talked a lot about unique interests and how our passions can lead us down different paths in life. I had the kiddos make text-to-self connections by thinking about their own unique interests. We made little rock people to reflect on how our interests shape us and lead us to new opportunities.
Before starting this story, we had just wrapped up Unit 2 which is all about solving problems. (As I mentioned before, we take about 8 days for each story. We also skipped Unit 3 as a district to allow us to take our time and use Unit 3’s stories and resources supplementally. So, if you are wondering why this seems so wonky and out of order, it’s because we aren’t progressing from one story to the next in order. Just a little nugget for my RS peeps!) Anyway, to wrap up our unit, the kiddos had to work to create plans for inventions that would help solve problems. They used the “Inventor’s Notepad” from my Inventors: An Engineering Workshop unit. I may not teach science anymore, but I love to incorporate it whenever I can. 🙂
After planning out their inventions, the kiddos were responsible for creating advertisements and commercials, and they presented them to the class. I think they had some really great ideas! 🙂
It’s still been super busy at school, and you know you’ve had a crazy week when you find yourself eating your lunch here… after running all over the place for the rest of your lunch period… on a Friday…
…but it’s funny. It’s amazing how you can have the most hectic day, week, or month, and when it comes down to it, seeing your students grow, learn, and enjoy the process is totally worth it in the end.
In closing, I want to leave you with a moment that caused me to giggle this week. One of my students is in Girl Scouts, and she said she had to use a doll to represent a person for one of her badges. She decided to create yours truly. As you know, I’ve had braces for about a year and a half. (Yay.) Well, she is in the process of starting orthodontics herself, so I’ve fielded lots of questions over the past few months. Friends, I’d like to introduce you to “Mrs. Nickerson”. I die!
Bahahahahaha! I don’t know whether to be flattered that she used Barbie or saddened that her/my braces are so noticeable! Ha! 🙂 Either way, my first thought was, “How precious!”, and my second thought was, “I cannot wait to get these things off of my face!” 🙂 Oh, kiddos! They always find ways to make you laugh, right?!
Well, it’s Friday, and I am about to indulge in Chinese food. {No cooking for this lady tonight!} I’m about to kick up my feet, relax, and breathe. 🙂 Have a great weekend, friends!
I love the rocks! You can really see their personalities. So cute!
🙂 Kaitlyn
Smiles and Sunshine
The rock crafts are so cute!! I love the idea!! And you look great as a Barbie!
❤Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
Kamilla had a barbie in Kindergarten that she thought looked just like her kindergarten teacher. She keeps it in her room now because she loved her teacher so much. I bet your student will do the same 🙂
Do you assign roles when you split them into groups for the discussion?
Best,
Ramon
Fonts 4 Teachers
Fonts 4 Teachers in TPT
Yes, usually, I use this freebie file from my store most of the time: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Accountable-Talk-Anchor-Chart-Reciprocal-Cards
Is Rocks in His Head for sale on TPT? I love it and I couldn't find it!
Hi! Not yet! It's on my list for next week now that my Valentine's Day centers are finally done! 🙂
Hi , I love your Rocks in Head Unit One Extra Degree. Could you send me the pages? I am looking to start a Unit with this text.
Thank you
Oh well…We're doing Rocks in His Head this week! Love the Valentine Centers!
Oops! Just saw where you changed it to this week. Maybe! I should have read all before posting!
I would love Rocks in His Head if you sold it too!
I am going to strive to get it up this upcoming week! 🙂
I meant to say this week, not next week! 🙂
Loved reading this post Amanda. Your discussion questions are great… I am sure they really made your kids- stop, think, & discuss. Your rock craftivity is too cute! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Tracy
Creekside Teacher Tales
Is the Rocks in His Head for sale on TPT? I would love to use it in my classroom!
I am working on putting something together this week. 🙂 It should be up soon! I am giving it more of a nonfiction slant with the types of rocks… but I would be happy to send the Rocks in His Head pages to you too!
Thank you, Amanda! I am so excited you are making Rocks in His Head! Take your time, because I'm currently prepping Love & Literacy, lol!
This looks awesome Amanda and I'm about to start Rocks in His Head next week. Have you posted this on TPT yet?
Have you posted your Rocks in His Head unit on TPT yet? I've looked and cannot find it. . .I LOVE the discussion questions & would like to use them next week.
I was wondering if you have a template for the hobby rocks. Thanks.