End of Year Tip

Are you looking for fillers to review your year that kids can do independently and leave you time to complete all those end of year closing tasks? 

Here is a tip:

Top Ten lists (from www.patpavelka.com)
Step 1: Have kids write a list of ten things - you provide the topic. 
Step 2: Then after they have generated a list give them a list of activities to do with the list:
draw a picture, write a description using adjectives, use in a sentence, put in ABC order, catergorize the words, write as questions, the list of possibilities are endless

Today, I had about 30 minutes of math time to fill and I pulled this out. We are studying length (shorter and longer).  I wrote on the board Top Ten Things that are longer than a pencil.  Then draw them, put in ABC order, and use in a sentence.  I handed out an 18x24 construction paper and let them go.  I got some really interesting ideas, like cars, whales, shoes, bookcases, schoolboxes.  They were challenging each other to try to think of things that others didn't already have. 

To watch a video of Pat Pavelka explaining in more detail her wonderful idea, go here.

Have fun!