Spring is in the air

Wow, I can tell it is getting close to summer! Everyone is getting all excited and restless. However, we still have state test around the corner and I was looking for a way to focus and review. I have always been a big believer of using both side of the brain, so it was no surprise when my grade level saw me painting last Friday.
We started the week off by reading a biography about Georges Seurat. Next, we sequenced the events of his life followed by writing a summary of the article. Finally, on Friday we painted a piece of A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. Everyone, including myself, found the week fulfilling. By ending the week with painting, the class took ownership in the lessons that preceded. Now we all now a little more about pointillism.

Firework

This week I was trying hard to get my class excited about Figurative Language. My fifth graders were still struggling recognizing metaphors.  I wanted to get them involved and excited.  After a bit of web browsing,  I stumbled upon a fabulous lesson created by Tracee Orman using Katy Perry's Firework lyrics. Immediately, I had their attention. Not only were they singing and having fun, but they were engaged and making connections. Great lesson for those who have to teach tweens about metaphors & similes!

Firework Lesson