Guest Post!

Hey guys!  I am so excited about this Blog Hop and Swap that's happening today:)  I know you are going to enjoy Tabitha's post!  I think she is sharing such a cute idea!  I will be over at Grade School Giggles posting, so I hope you check that out too!!  Enjoy!

I'm so stoked to be here guest blogging for Britney at Mrs. V's Adventures in Teaching Blog! My name is Tabitha Carro, and I've taught kindergarten and am now teaching 4th grade Spanish immersion in the content areas of math and science.

So, enough intro., as we try to relax and rest this summer, we still can't help the swirl and whirl of ideas that tornado through the back of our heads in preparation for the upcoming school year. I'm not big at writing and explaining new theories and practices in the classroom, which are all great, don't get me wrong. But what I do love to do is create fun and simple activities to keep my students engaged and happy about learning.

So, this is what I've created for you:

It's...a....COOTIE CATCHER!! :p This cootie catcher is created in color and B&W (and in Spanish!) and provides a back-to-school activity for students to get to know each other.

Here's how I plan to use the Spanish one in my classroom next year:

1) I will probably assembly them beforehand instead of having my students do them (instructions are included). Although I've had my students make them before in the past, it takes time, and I'm not sure I feel like pulling out something new that would really require concentration and focus right at the beginning of the year.

2) I will pass one out to each student.

3) Students will randomly go to another person and begin using the cootie catchers to ask get-to-know-you questions (directions are also provided for this part).

4) After five minutes or so, I will sound a timer, and students will need to choose a different partner and continue the activity.

5) Once I see that the activity has served it's purpose, I will stop the activity.

6) With students in their seats, I will go down the roll, naming the children one at a time. Instead of putting that child on the spot, I will actually be putting the rest of the class on the spot. Why is that? Because the rest of the class will need to tell me the information they learned about that specific student while playing with the cootie catchers.

And that's a wrap! Click the following buttons to download where you wish.

I hope this is something you can use and will find helpful as you prepare for the beginning of the next school year.

Thanks so much for the opportunity, Britney!

Here's some other info. about me you may like:

• I have free multiplication cootie catchers if you like my TpT store. See the description for details here.
• I have a lapbook called Totally Terrific Me that is useful as a get-to-know-you activity.
• It's also available here in Spanish.
• My facebook page is FlapJack Educational Resources.
• For my blog, click here.
• I'm also sort of a recycling junkie, so I have a facebook page and a blog called The Green Classroom.

Hope you'll give me a visit sometime!

Tabitha Carro, FlapJack Educational Resources