Privacy Folders

I started using privacy folders in my room this year. First of all, second graders love to have their "personal" space and this helps them do just that. I allow kids to pull out their privacy folders any time they want their private space. It could be during tests, writing time, or any other time they want. The coolest thing, though, is that after a test, I have kids put their test into their privacy folder and turn the whole thing in. This helps keep their tests private while helping me with the occasional kiddo who forgets to put their name on their paper. To make them, I just bought fun file folders and put labels on them. They have really been a hit in my class so far this year.

Teaching Story Elements with Two Bad Ants

Last week I introduced story elements to my second graders (characters, setting, problem, solution) as well as had them break down stories into beginning (setting and characters), middle (problem) and end (solution). They created these cute ants out of construction paper, paint, sponges, googly eyes and pipe cleaner to help them with their sequencing and story elements. It helps that we're also doing an insect unit right now, so they had fun saying "The beginning goes on the head!", "The middle goes on the thorax!" and "The end goes on the abdomen!". They really liked it and I'm hopeful that it will be a good future reference for the visual/spatial learners.