figure of speech review

We are approaching state testing. Blech! We just finished two weeks of what we call the Blitz (insert *jazz hands*). Basically, the blitz is an opportunity for the students to change classes four times a day (and pretend they are in middle school) while we furtively cram their brains with stuff they forgot review topics we've already taught. The kids loved it. I tolerated it.

One of my review sessions was figurative language. So after we did a few multiple choice questions I busted out the figurative language sort. 

In small groups, the kids sorted the terms, definitions, and three examples of each term.

This was a very engaging activity for the kids.

They certainly did have a good time doing it and worked so well together.

The figurative language sort is available at my TpT store.  I made several copies on colored paper so I could have five groups doing it at once, but you can just make one or two copies for a center activity.

I'm glad the blitz is over! No matter how much my class may get on my nerves from time to time, they are my class. We get each other. I'm glad we will be on a more normal schedule ~ for one more week before testing. My team wanted to switch again for math this coming week. I rolled my eyes and declined. They are doing it without me. I don't mind.

       

sunday night blues and new products

Spring Break is over. Sad face. 

Tomorrow we will slide back into our normal routine. No more late nights. No more late dinners. No more jammie days. 

Oh, who are we kidding? There will still be late nights and late dinners ~ but with early mornings that follow!

In the midst of finishing the yearbook {hallelujah!} I have been able to put a couple of new items together for my TpT store.  The first is a literacy center to practice spelling frequently used words. This will help those kiddos who are s.t.i.l.l. spelling words like does, friend, & they  wrong. Included is a practice mat, letter discs, word lists, and a recording sheet.  There are also blank lists so you can create individualized lists. The students select the discs that spell the target word and place them at the bottom of the stem to spell the word. The student then moves the letter up the stem to the flower while saying each letter. Then move the discs back down to the ground while saying each letter again. The student will write the word on the recording sheet without looking, then check it against the word list. On the back of the recording sheet is a place to write three sentences using at least one of the words in each sentence. Older students can be challenged to use more than one list word in each sentence. Click the picture to get this literacy center.

I also made a set of flash cards for fluency practice with the Dolch Phrases #49 - 96 with these cute little mice.

Phrases #1 - 48 are also available with adorable owls. I'm still working on the third set of phrases.

So, here's to well-behaved 4th graders after Spring Break!