My JK Son's Family Tree

My little boy started Junior Kindergarten this year. I love his classroom and his teacher is part of a fantastic group of educators who team teach in a big pod. Here is his family tree that was on display. I love how he included the cats.

Best,

Erin

The Cheap Teacher

Here are some recently acquired goodies for the class that cost little, or nothing.

I garbage picked (or is that repurposed?) this tea tray today. It was at someone's curb, with a "Free Stuff" sign on it.
It turns out to be a primo quality St. Michael tray from Marks and Sparks. I'll use it for plants in my classroom. It's a slightly gaudy creation from the seventies - but then again, so am I.
I finally got my classroom library fully organized this year, but I was lamenting the lack of biographical and autobiographical books. Look what I scooped up at the St. Luke's Anglican book sale: a book about Anne Frank, a biography about Dr. Seuss, and Roald Dahl's autobiography for kids. I'll be reading them all. Three for $1.00. Not bad.
I'm not sure if the content of these S.E. Hinton classics is too mature for my Grade 5s, but I had to buy them. What gorgeous editions. When I was 11 or 12, my sister, Lise took me to see The Outsiders at the movie theatre. My mom flipped out when she found out. Not quite E.T.
This book looked interesting. I'm not familiar with this series, but I will read it. It's a shame that so many teachers wait until African Heritage month to discuss issues connected to slavery.

"Cell"-abration

Yesterday our class made models of the human cell using salt dough.

I gave the students beans and licorice, buttons, rice, and string and let them go to town. Next week we'll mount them on foam trays and label the parts.

I had forgotten I had this tin in my room. I bought it at an estate sale a couple of years ago for next to nothing.

In the tin was another tin.

I found shells and vintage buttons.

Many of the kids used buttons to represent the nucleus.

After school at Value Village, I found some amazing books for the class, including books on ancient Egypt, prehistoric people, an Art Attack book of crafts and Tomson Highway's Dragonfly Kites. If you buy four books at Value Village, you get the fifth free. It's always worth having a hunt for books at this store.

Dragonfly Kites is part of of series. I've also read Caribou Song, which was wonderful. I read Dragonfly Kites to my son last night and we both enjoyed it. The illustrations are wonderful too.

This book is a dual-language book (English and Cree).

I found this Chinese Fish at Value Village for $2.99. It will bring colour and cheer to our classroom.

Vintage

Visit the September 3rd post in my thrifting blog http://torontoyardsaler.blogspot.com to see how I've used cheap, vintage pieces in my classroom. Old items destined for the garbage heap can add interest in a class and can be quite functional if looked at with a fresh eye.

What's for breakfast? Completed homework?!

Here's my interest table for the human body. I'm hoping it will help inspire kids to bring in related items from home, or at least pick up a book about the body. Stay tuned for body-related projects and experiments.