St. Patrick's Day

This year I have really been focusing my time on updating some of my first products.  As teachers, I don't think we are ever able to just teach exactly what we did for years before.  We are always looking for ways to make things better.  I personally think this is a good thing, except that sometimes I feel like a dog chasing its tail.  Stuck in the never ending cycle.  Unfortunately it is who I am and I don't think I will ever be the kind of teacher who can do the same things every year.  Sometimes an activity or lesson is THAT good that you do it each year, but most of the time education is changing around us and we need to adapt as we go.  

So with that being said, here is my latest revision - my St. Patrick's Day pack.  

 

I love this unit because it includes a nonfiction reader where I can teach my students about what St. Patrick's Day is (without any religious specifics).  

AND it has some super fun activities centered around Leprechauns, which is always fun to read and write about.  Here are some of the books I like to read to my class to get us ready.

Then we will do a tree map about leprechauns so we can lead into how we are going to catch a leprechaun.  This is what I've used in the past and it is still in the pack.

But I've also added this flip book that I will be using this year.  Just a different way to present our writing.  

After we have decided how to catch a leprechaun I share with them an original poem I wrote called 3 Wishes.  It's about catching a leprechaun and then he gives you 3 wishes.  Students get to choose what their wishes will be and then make this cute craft to go with it.  

(I've added the pocket chart pieces to the pack for the poem)

Finally, I've added a couple printables to this pack - some writing prompts, story maps, and mixed-up sentences.  You never know when you're going to need an extra center, morning work, or time filler.  Here is what is included in this pack.  

If you already own it, please re-download to get the updated file.  If not, you can click on the pictures above to check it out in my store.  

And BY THE WAY.........

It's that time again!  Time for another AMAZING TEACHERS PAY TEACHERS SALE!!!!  These are my favorite sales because I can really stock up on what I need.  I hope you are getting your carts ready too!

And in case you are overwhelmed by all the wonderful things on TpT, here are a couple of my must-haves for the upcoming months that you might want to check out:

 Happy shopping!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Who doesn't love St. Patrick's Day?!?!?!?!?!  And of course, how could you not love leprechauns????

I had the chance to go out with a couple of my girlfriends last night for some much needed girl time.  It wasn't necessarily in honor of St. Patrick's Day, but just because mommies need nights out!!!!  Don't get me wrong, I love my husband and kids and LOVE our family time.  But, isn't it just SO nice to get away with your girlfriends?  Without kids, we actually have time to chat, catch up, and of course drink some wine.  

Ok, that is not the purpose of my post, but somehow when I think of St. Patrick's Day the first thing I think of is NOT my classroom :-)

Well, here is what we did in my classroom to prepare for St. Patrick's Day.  By the way, I had high hopes of doing some super cute leprechaun trickery....but alas, time got away from me and it did not happen.  I found some great inspiration for next year from my blogging friend Irene at Learning with Mrs. Leeby.  You need to check it out - she is super cute and has great ideas!!!

So, back to what we did...

First off was this nonfiction reader about St. Patrick's Day.  It is very basic, but I loved teaching the kids a few small facts about St. Patrick's Day.  

Next up was this 3 Wishes craftivity.  Can you believe that I wrote a poem????  I'm not saying it's anything amazing, but I really loved using this and having my kiddos write what their 3 Wishes would be if they caught a leprechaun.  I was surprised to see that many of my kids wished for things like ice cream and pizza.  Really???  But then some other ones got into it and wished for 100 dollars or a monster truck.  Don't you just love how firsties think $100 is so much money.  Adorable!!!!  My favorite was the little boy who first wished for a driver's license, then for a car, and finally to be 16 so he could get his license --- only he switched the digits and wrote "I wish I were 61."  I said, "Why do you want to be 61?"  He says, "No way, I don't want to be 61 - I meant 16!"  and erased it immediately.    

I love the leprechaun that is mad!  I think he's not happy to have to grant 3 wishes.  Haha!!!

Finally, we wrote about how we would go about trying to catch a leprechaun.  The kids drew a picture of a trap they would design with labels.  Then they wrote the things they would need and 4 steps to catching one.  Here are just 2 examples:

First I get a rock, fishing pole, and a coin.  Next I put the coin on the fishing pole.  Then I yank hard!  Then I would be quiet.  It would not rain.  Last, I will set a trap for a leprechaun.  

***I think he meant I will trap the leprechaun.  I love how he is hiding behind the rock in the picture and I can't help but wonder what would happen if it did rain. :-)

First I would put a bridge on a castle.  Next I would put water under the bridge.  Then I would put a bed in the castle.  Last I would put candy in the castle.  

**Did you see that she spelled put --- poot?  Do you ever just not correct a student because it's just so cute how they think words are spelled.  I also think I need to help this little girl develop her writing.  I'm not quite following how she will actually catch the leprechaun.  It seems that this is just where she will keep him when she catches him.  Still - it's adorable!!

I hope you all have a great St. Paddy's Day!  

If you like these activities and want them for next year, you can check out my St. Patrick's Day unit.  Just click on the picture.