The adventures of Jingle the Elf continue.... {you can read about how it all started in my Operation Elf post.}

After Jingle took our elf applications back to the North Pole for Santa's review, we found out that...

**SANTA HIRED ALL OF OUR FIRST GRADERS AS HIS ELVES**

Oh. My. Goodness.

The shrills were out of control....except for one little sweetie who I thought was going to cry because she didn't want to leave mommy and daddy to live in the North Pole! #HappensEveryYear

But the almost tears were soon under control when we found out from Jingle's letter that there would be no need to move to the North Pole.  Our jobs were simple: look for nice things that others around us are doing and report them back to Santa--nice only reports...because, ya know, Jingle's already taking care of the naughty notes! *wink*

Jingle brought a "Merry Notes" bucket {along with special Elf paper!} straight from the North Pole for all of the nice things we had to report.

...and take a look at this bucket by the end of just day 1 on the job! It also helps that we read a few of the nice notes and rewarded those nice kiddos at the end of each day!! ***EDIT: my latest update to this packet has nice note templates already made for you! :)***

Here's a look at a few of the crazy ways we have found Jingle each morning....



This next one is a kid-favorite every year!  They love getting to look at their "sELFie" in the mirror...and it usually means twice as many bathroom trips for every kid in our classroom!


 The day after we made our Rudolph ornaments, Jingle decided he just had to make HIS own Rudolph!

And on the last day before break, Jingle brought his last letter, along with a gift from Santa!  You can read about how we opened the gift with a party game favorite HERE!

After all of our adventures with Jingle, we just had to write about it.  First, we charted adjectives to describe Jingle...

Then we wrote a descriptive writing about Jingle using the adjectives and giving specific reasons to support our opinions!
"Jingle is silly when he hands on the picture of the reptiles and  had our letter.  He was messy when he cut the red nose out of paper.  He is quiet.  He is sneaky when he drew on the mirror."
This was so fun.  It was the perfect ending to our great elf adventures... and a great way to record their memories of Jingle!  Grab these activities and more HERE!

Until next year, little Elf! :)
We are now at the end of our class-fav animal research unit!

We spent the first 2 weeks learning about the human body {read about that HERE.}

Then we spent the next 3 weeks researching groups of animals.  Let's chat about animal research in first grade!

We read about, researched, charted and compared 2 groups of animals each week.  We focused on finding two types of facts: Focus facts, or facts that answer specific questions... We charted these on our Promethean board with the anchor chart that's included in my animals unit.  These specific facts cover our science state standards so that's why we chose these as our focus facts.

We also listened for "frilly facts" as we read our non-fiction texts.  Frilly facts were defined in our classroom as other interesting facts that are not our focus facts.  However, we did separate out some facts on our frilly facts charts that were pretty important to that group of animals....like fins and gills for Fish.

...And each of our table groups were renamed for an animal group during this unit!

We used this Scholastic set of books as our main texts.  We also used these close reading passages {read how that works in our first grade room HERE} from my animals unit.

Each week, students wrote an informational piece about each animal and then wrote an opinion piece each week on their favorite animal group from that week.

Last week, we started researching our animals.  They worked in groups of 2-3 and used our iPads to read a PebbleGo article on their chosen animal.  I also printed out other text for them to read as well!

They recorded their research on webs from the unit.

Then, they wrote an informational piece on their own about their group's animal.  {We wrote individually because this doubled as their end of quarter writing assessment...I have also had them write in groups in the past!}

This week, we were ready to prepare for presentations.  We practiced for our presentations {practiced introducing themselves, telling the audience their animals and reading what they wrote about their animals...}


We also took a day to make animal headbands for those kiddos who would need help with props.  These headbands turned out soooo cute!  Sometimes--actually a LOT of times--I'm shocked at the creativity of kiddos and how well their work can turn out if they are engaged with a purpose!  These headbands were just presh!
I should add the disclaimer that not all of these animals are from my classroom....my sweet teammates were so kind in letting me use some pics of their animal headbands too!

They were totally into this.  One kiddo in my rattlesnakes group made a 3 foot tail for his snake.  When I asked about it, he insisted he had to have it that long so he could tuck it into his shirt and the rattle would hang out under his shirt! :)

Another gal, asked me to staple her killer whale's tail fin so it would move up and down since, "that's how they really swim anyways!"

This year, we decided to have our kids dress up as their animal!  We sent notes home with the parents, stressing that no major costume was needed...they could simply help their child dress in the color of their animal!

Most of the kids came in their animal's color(s).  And several kids brought some sort of costume or props!  Even just wearing the animal color turned out so cute for presentations!

This little zebra went all out for her costume...black boa tail and all!
 Precious little tiger shark!!

This one is a little blurry, but it was the best shot I could get of these sweeties before they took their costumes off!  Love the poster board fins!  I've got such creative families this year!

And our little rattlesnake friend I pictured earlier....
...brought a baby rattle as a prop!  And another sweetie in this group had a jingle bell she brought to rattle!  The hilarious part is that they shook that rattle and jingled that bell during the entire presentation as background noise!  I mean... you just never know what these kids are going to think of next!!

The presentations turned out well, but we could definitely have used more practice using our LOUD presenter voices!!  Guess we are going to have to find more ways to present in groups this year.  For whatever reason, they seem to present much louder and clearer on their own during our routine math and writing share times!

And with our animal unit behind us, our classroom will be turning into Santa's workshop next week...with my little "elves" building gifts for parents and other fun Christmas activities!
Operation ELF is in full-swing in our classroom!

Jingle {the name this class chose} made his appearance the Monday after Thanksgiving...just one week ago.  And since, has been busy turning on his craziness in our room!

We had an awesome list of Elf name suggestions this year: Jingle, Elfie, Pegasus Elf, and my personal favorite, Flick.  I mean, really.  Flick is just the cutest name I've heard in a long time.  So....you know those teacher super powers we have where we "will" our kids to choose something we like??  You know the sort..."That's a GREAT name!" instead of the typical, "okay..." Or there's the classic, "Thank you so much for still picking Flick even though your friends are choosing other things.  You never know when you might convince someone else to change their mind!"

...come on, don't lie...you know you've done that before! :)

Well, as much as I tried, Flick lost with only 2 lonely votes....*tear* My teacher powers have left me! But Jingle is a CUTE name too, so I can't complain.

...and, hey! It's definitely better than Cougar. {Yes, that was the name of a past Elf...but it's been several years and I honestly can't remember if that was my classes' elf or a teammate's!}

Usually, within a day or two of arrival, Mr. Elf brings our first letter from my Elf Packet...

But last week, I was out two days for meetings and, let's face it...I just had bigger fish to fry! {Animal research for animal presentations...I'll be blogging about that later!}

So today, we had our first letter from Jingle.
 {just ignore the random math chart on the easel...:)}

But we almost didn't have a letter at all.  First, I had to bring the letter today, but didn't make it to school until 7:33.  Which seems early.  Except that our kids come into our classroom at 7:30.... *sad trombone* So, I didn't make it in time to tape the letter on our board.  Luckily, a teammate bailed me out and taped the letter for us while we went down to the computer lab to MAP test first thing this morning. *Phew!*

We opened the letter and read it.... {edit...I read the letter and did not put it on the ELMO for us all to read together, BECAUSE...I may have put out the wrong letter in all of my hurrying around this morning.  So...I "pretend" read what was supposed to be on the first letter.
Elf - 2
Mrs. Shaddock - 0

Luckily, the kids thought it was perfect and never second guessed a thing!  I just love the creativity of first graders.  They will come up with any excuse for a worthy cause! :)

Jingle also left behind our supplies for making elves!

Our elf application gave us the perfect chance to review opinion writing...and since being an elf is just plain motivating, I had some pretty convincing applications!  We brainstormed convincing reasons for our applications, but these kids just kill me.  I just love their creativity!

I. Love. First Graders!  "P.S. I need different color clothes to camouflage."  Through the eyes of a child....

And look how cute these elves turned out...with just the simple example that Jingle brought....

 ....and his instructions to make your elf look like you would want to look as an elf!
 Clearly, this is "diva elf!" ha!!

 Crazy eyes!  I mean, seriously!!!

Follow me on Facebook or Blog Lovin.  I'll be posting more Elf activities {new and old} this week and next...and find all these elf activities HERE.
I love getting kids involved in checking their writing.  Good writers have to be able to find and fix their own mistakes.  Teaching kids to self-assess their writing or any work early on will help them become better writers and students!  Let's take a peek at our informative writing rubrics we use for self-assessment in first grade.

Now that we are getting ready to prepare to write research papers on specific animals, we have been looking closely at our informative writing rubric.  Each week we are focusing one of the four areas of our rubric {content, sentence formation, language, and mechanics}.  We use the rubric during our share time to assess each other's work and then once a week, my firsties are self-assessing their own writing.  You can also see my pink highlighter checks where I went around to tell each kid whether or not I agreed with their scores, just for some extra accountability.


...and just so you realize that not all of my writers are where they need to be....here's a little reality check for you!  We all have these special babies that need extra care, don't we??
But ya know what?  When I double checked this sweetie's writing with him, he had already changed his score from a 3 to a 2 AND he could tell me what he needed to do to get a 3 {"I write more!"}  I don't know about ya'll, but I call that a BIG WIN in my book!

Grab my self-assessing writing rubrics for kindergarten, 1st grade and 2nd grade HERE!
Writing Rubrics BUNDLE: Kid-Friendly Assessments and Self-Checks for K-2
"Do not be anxious about anything.  But in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7


Thanksgiving is a simple holiday.  It is the only major holiday without a bunch of "Hulla-ba-loo."

You know what I mean....

There is no Santa, Easter Bunny, or Cupid to believe in.  No elf to move each night and pinterest new ways for him to appear.  And thankfully, no reason to wait in an unreasonable line for my toddler to get a picture with Mr. Turkey or whatever he would be...

There are no gifts to buy.  No need to send out wish lists.  No need to prepare goodie bags or treat bags.  No need to address cards or send valentines.  No need to fill eggs with candy.

There are no "Thanksgiving Parties" to host or go to.  No one tries to out do another by an over the top turkey day festival.

And there are no major decorations to add other than fall decorations that can stay up for months.  No turkey trees, no cobwebs to spread, and no rainbows to paint.

Thanksgiving is just that.  A time to give thanks.  And it's peaceful.

It's the one holiday of the major holidays that is still celebrated the way it was intended to be celebrated.  Families sitting down together at the table to give thanks to God and each other for all of our blessings.  No fluff.  No lights.  No gifts.  Just the gift of each other.

So on this simple holiday, before the hulla-ba-loo of Christmas begins, let me just pause to say how thankful I am.

For my God, who saved my undeserving soul, answers my prayers in ways only He could imagine, and who loves me unconditionally.

For my husband, who, in less than 11 months lost 100+ pounds the hard way.  And who continues to inspire me to persevere and give my all.

For my baby boy, who, in these short years has taught me more than I learned in the 28 years before he came along.  And whose miraculous existence convinces me that I have a God who, in fact, cares about the desires of my heart.

For my family, who make me laugh, push me to question and learn more, and who encourage me be...me.

For my in-laws, who have treated me like a daughter from day one.

For my friends, who know when I need to talk and know when to just be there in silence.

For my first grade team, who make the journey of teaching pure joy each day.

And for the many other people who I will cross paths with in the future, who are sure to each bring a share of lessons to teach me.

On this simplest of holidays, may your thanksgiving to God bring you peace only he can give!

"Do not be anxious about anything.  But in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:6-7
Hellooooooooo, Thanksgiving break!  Yahooooo!!

Okay, so maybe I'm a *bit* excited for some time off with my family!

Today was our last school day until next week.  During this short week, we have been doing a 2-day cram session of Thanksgiving.  Yesterday was all about Thanksgiving traditions, pumpkin pie, and turkeys! {Read about that HERE.}

Today was all about the history of Thanksgiving and the beloved Pilgrims.


We started off our morning reading one of my favorite history readers on the First Thanksgiving.

This book gives tons of great details, but is perfect for young readers.

We charted our research on the Pilgrims.

Then, they wrote an informative paragraph about Pilgrims and made girl or boy pilgrims to go with their writing.



Since my example was a girl...here are a few of the finished boy pilgrims.  Some were bald, with fancy collars! ;)
 .
...and others had beards.  They were loving being creative with their pilgrims this year!

All of these Pilgrim activities and other Thanksgiving lessons are included in my Pilgrims packet or my full 6-week Life Lessons Unit.  In this unit, we focus on fables and economics and the life lessons they teach us.  The Pilgrims are a great tie in for this unit because of all of the lessons the Pilgrims learned through their experiences {"Hard work pays off," "Treat others the way you want to be treated," and "Follow your dreams."}  Unfortunately, our district has changed the timeline of the Common Core units for us, so we are not doing this full unit right now.  However, we did take these two days to learn about the Pilgrims and some of the lessons they learned.  And since this unit also has quite a few Christmas connections, I'll be pulling out bits and pieces of it in December to do on my own!

We also read our Pilgrims poem during our shared reading time.  We highlighted the "sparkle words," or vocabulary words.  Then we used 2 of those sparkle words to label our illustrations of our pilgrims.  Then, they circled sight words they know and added it to their poetry binders.


This poem, along with 40+ other poems are in my K-2 Year Long Poetry Packet.

And you can find these pilgrim activities and more in my Pilgrim packet!
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