What IS Veteran's Day?

This week in our resource classes, we are focusing on Veteran's Day.  In music, students will be learning a military medley.  In art, they'll be creating a poppy project.  Here in the library, they'll be learning about what veteran's day is and writing letters to veterans and current soldiers.

I happen to have a student who is a marine and is currently stationed in California, so we'll be sending his unit plenty of letters!  We'll also be sharing that with veterans at McGuire VA Hospital in Washington, D.C.  I also found other organizations that make sure current soldiers, as well as veterans, receive care packages and letters, so I made note of their addresses as well.  This is probably something I'll encourage students to repeat throughout the year as well, not just on a special holiday.  I'm excited and I hope the students will be, too!

The books I'll be using for each grade are:
(PK/K/1):  Don't Forget, God Bless Our Troops by Jill Biden
Coming Home by Greg Ruth
(2/3):  Love, Lizzie:  Letters to a Military Mom by Lisa McElroy
Veterans Day by Elaine Landau
(4/5):  The Wall by Eve Bunting (there's also a Reading Rainbow that goes along with this book that I might be using as well!)

I am using this cute craftivity I originally bought when I taught 2nd grade, and my 2nd and 3rd graders will be creating these this year with their letters:

You can click on the picture to take you to TPT where I bought it.  I noticed when grabbing the link she's added a lot more to it, so be sure to check it out! :)

For my PreK, K, and 1st graders, I created a printable booklet, similar to what I shared on this blog last year, but in an easier format (for PreK and K, I have one that is sight words only).  There's also an informational book you can share with 1-3, but for time sake, I'm doing it with just my first graders this year.  Unlike last year's, this one they'll be able to read and color. :)

For my 4-5th graders, we'll also be writing letters, but on a different template I created.  My former student got a little offended with the term "soldier", so we'll also be using "Dear Friend" letter templates as well!  Just for you, Jaleel! :)

To check out my packet, click on a picture below, or {here} to take you to Teacher's Notebook.

Summer Vacation? Not Really....

Any of the rest of you have that?  I mean, I can sleep in and set my own schedule (yippeee!), but right now I'm helping a friend in her classroom merge her items with that of a retiring teacher who left her 30+ years of things (which are GOOD!).  I always have my "to do" list over the summer, so other than sleeping in and not going into my classroom (they ban us until the floors are done!), it's very similar to my school-year weekends! :)

Well, as we merge the 1,001 books together :) and organize them into categories and tubs, we ended up with a pile of classic, good stories, but nowhere to classify them.  I suggested we make them "sub plan" books...you know, where you're able to pull one and have a sub read it aloud to the class and have a few follow-up activities.

I mean, if you're like me, don't you write about 5 pages of sub plans?  I drag myself in unless I'm running a fever because those plans are so lengthy (but they have to be!).  

Anyway, so last night I focused on two of her books...In a People House and It's Not Easy Being a Bunny and came up with two activities.  I LOVE working with books and follow-up activities (guess it's the media specialist in me!), so I enjoyed doing it (yes, my husband says I'm weird!).  This way, I also know I'm helping her out (and myself as well...even though she teaches Kindergarten and I am second...I could use some of the activities for my lower readers!).....we're going to slip the book and activities in a ziploc bag and have it in a tote so she can just pull it for her sub to use, with directions and everything!  

Thought I'd share the idea as well as the links to the two books below on TpT and TN.  Still having my sale on TN....so if you'd like to check it out....each packet is 50 cents through this Saturday or Sunday, I believe!