Science Journal Promotes Inquiry-Based Learning
Check out teacherspayteachers.com to purchase our new Science Journal that promotes inquiry-based learning, teaches crucial scientific skills and procedures and motivates even the most reluctant learners! This journal includes:
–Forms to complete the Scientific Process
–12 observation boxes, complete with space to diagram and record date and time
–Graph paper for data collection
–A blank calendar to record changes or growth
–A vocabulary bank
–Optional Science Center activity: a graphic organizer used to record bulleted notes/observations during center time. These notes will help guide the completion of a full journal entry.
Check out pictures of completed observations and a sample of a Science Center.
NEW! Hazel’s Reading Roost Visits the Black Lagoon
Are you looking for an engaging literature study aligned to Common Core Standards? Do your students need motivation to read and write? If so, Hazel’s Reading Roost Visits the Black Lagoon is the unit for you!
In this 80 page unit, students use Hazel’s Woodland Strategy Animals (Sharon, Summarizing Squirrel, Quinn, Questioning Quail, Chloe, Connecting Coyote and many more) to analyze Black Lagoon structure along with key literary elements. This unit includes specific lessons/activities aligned to Common Core Standards including:
–Comparing and contrasting
–Sequencing
–Making text connections
–Retelling
–Analyzing character traits
–Reading twin texts (nonfiction lagoon texts)
–Reading functional text (two Black Lagoon recipes)
–Planning, drafting, editing and revising new Black Lagoon story (detailed rubric included)
–Sorting words into parts of speech lagoons
This unit also includes a parent letter introducing the unit, homework and center activities and two Black Lagoon comprehension tests. Check it out on our Teachers Pay Teachers page ! http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Black-Lagoon-Literature-Study-Aligned-to-Common-Core-Standards
Fall Break and games for children
It is that time of year that we as teachers celebrate; FALL BREAK. This time of year gives us a chance to focus on where we have been and the fun times that are coming. Getting ready for holidays in the classroom brings as much excitement to our students as it does to children at home. It is a great idea to use this time to let them take a break from studies but at the same time it is not a good idea to forget the academic all together. I have attached to this a website that will allow this to happen. This website has pages to print out and then color as well as crafts to do. It also contains interactive online games that teach and reinforce concepts that have been introduced in the primary grades classrooms. Have fun exploring at http://www.primarygames.com/seasons/fall/fall_fun.htm
Check us out on Facebook!
Like Astute Hoot on Facebook for updates and great teaching ideas!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Astute-Hoot/127101697350343
Summer Tutoring
Does your child need help with literacy and math skills? Astute Hoot Summer Tutoring provides the following:
- Small group instruction with Mrs. Murphy, a highly qualified intervention teacher.
- Intensive intervention using research based materials and strategies.
- Weekly take home assignments to reinforce skills and reading log to encourage summer reading.
Offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays in June and July at Perry Library.
Summer Tutoring cost is $150 for 5 one hour sessions.
SIGN UP NOW!! Space is limited.
If interested, contact Jessica Murphy at 602.703.5190 or jessica@astutehoot.com
Visual Schedule
Are your mornings hectic, frazzled, or full of frustration? Try making a visual schedule to break down all of the steps. Use photos or clip art as a visual cue. Kids can refer to the chart to see what they need to do. No more nagging needed! 
Our mornings are so much smoother using this simple tool. I also made a “Bedtime Routine” visual schedule.
Syllable Division
Here is a multi-sensory syllable division bulletin board I made in my classroom. Chunking Chipmunk from our Hazel Learns to Read unit helps students follow the syllabication rules to chunk words into smaller parts for decoding. I used pipe cleaners to show how to “scoop” the words. Students can walk up to the bulletin board and trace the scoops with their fingers while reading the words. Using visual, auditory, and tactile senses really helps the students internalize this important reading strategy.
Hoo is Ready for School? SALE
Do you have preschoolers getting reading for kindergarten? Did you know that children not only need to know how to name their letters, but also name the sounds, blend sounds together to form words, segment the individual sounds in words, and rhyme words together in kindergarten? Our “Hoo is Ready for School?’ flashcards will prepare your child for school and reading success! Our research-based, teacher created, flashcards are currently on sale for $5.99 on our website.
Spring Fling at Primrose School
Join us at Primrose School of South Gilbert for their Spring Fling on Saturday, April 21 at 10-12. Hazel the Owl will be there with lots of fun games for the kiddos!
http://www.primroseschools.com/Schools/?schoolid=307
Test Prep Center
Motivate students to prepare for upcoming standardized tests with the creation of a fun, engaging test prep center. I created “The Standardized Testing Swamp” in my classroom. Both Tina Turtle, Troubled Test Taker and Frankie, Fumbling Fox, are posted at the center, along with test-taking tips and strategies. Test prep centers, games and activities are also housed in this special center. For even more ideas, check out Astute Hoot’s comprehensive motivational test prep unit at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/search?keyword=astute+hoot+test+prep&subjectarea=0&startsearch=1
Standardized Testing Good Luck Hands (Khamsas)
Looking for a fun art project to motivate and encourage students for standardized testing? Make khamsas, or good luck hands. Khamsas have been used in northern Africa for centuries–most are made out of silver or gold and embellished with gemstones or elaborate scroll work.
Students can make this colorful art project with aluminum foil, glitter, sequins and Sharpies. Students simply trace their hands on aluminum foil, then cut out and decorate with given supplies. Foil khamsas can be glued on brightly colored cardstock for extra durability. Hang together for a beautiful, easy bulletin board.
Check out other motivating test prep activities and lessons created by Astute Hoot: Games That Teach at
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Standardized-Test-Prep-Unit
Standardized Test Prep
Standardized testing is now a major component of education. Yet, just the mention of a standardized test causes major anxiety for students, teachers and parents. Astute Hoot has the answer for this anxiety! Unlike other test prep units that focus on laborious drill and kill, our comprehensive test prep unit was specifically designed to alleviate angst, strengthen skills, promote self-awareness and build confidence.
In this unit, students meet Tina Turtle, Troubled Test Taker and Frankie, Fumbling Fox, both of whom struggle with major test taking anxiety. Each week, the students teach Tina and Frankie an important test taking skill or strategy; students help Tina and Frankie practice the strategy at a test prep center. Students can easily relate to the animals’ struggles and they feel empowered as they help these two troubled test takers.
This unit includes:
•Tina, Test Taking Turtle and accompanying poem
•Frankie, Fumbling Fox and accompanying poem
•Detailed instructions on creating Test Prep centers and folders
•10 test taking tips (on both individual pages and on one whole page)
•10 lesson plans to teach test taking tips
•5 test prep activities (with literature connections) to boost self-esteem and motivation
•Customizable parent letters
•Test prep award
•Several color pictures show test prep in action!
Check it out at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Standardized-Test-Prep-Unit
Easter Egg Fun
Super fun way to practice basic skills; fill plastic eggs with letters, sight words, math facts, etc. and have your kiddos choose eggs from a bucket or find them around the house. When they open them up, they can practice the skill inside. You can even have them turn in the eggs for candy or pennies or other rewards.
Let’s Celebrate!
Spring has sprung and Easter is right around the corner. This is a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends. It seems as part of the celebration we always look for ways to keep the children actively engaged and entertained. You can follow this link to a site that offers many creative ways to accomplish this using things that are on hand and readily available. Have fun! http://familyfun.go.com/easter/easter-games-egg-hunts/
20% off Sale on www.teacherspayteachers.com
Check out our store for digital downloads at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Astute-Hoot for new products including customizable behavior charts, animal reserach report, and cooking in the classroom.
Games That Teach: Part 4
Use dice, playing cards and poker chips to practice number recognition, counting, and basic facts in a game-like format. This is great way to make math time fun, especially for kiddos (and maybe parents) with math anxiety.
Hazel’s Reading Roost Reading Strategy Unit
Students are loving our decoding and comprehension strategy animals. It is amazing to see how engaged they are and great reading progress they are making. They especially love the accompanying story Hazel Learns to Read and the adorable animal puppets. Students immediately connect to unique animals! Check out our store on teacherspayteachers.com for digital downloads.
Classes
Winter classes were a huge success! We are having so much fun in our Glitzy Girls class and Down on the Farm toddler class. Check out our “Classes” page for upcoming spring and summer classes. LIKE Astute Hoot on Facebook for discounts on classes and products.
Hazel’s Reading Roost Bulletin Board
We are pleased to announce that Astute Hoot digital downloads and products are now available at:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Astute-Hoot/%22%3e%3cimg
This colorful and engaging bulletin board introduces 10 research-based comprehension and decoding strategies to children. Each animal character represents a strategy such as Chunking Chipmunk, Visualizing Vulture, and Predicting Possum. Detailed explanations and directions are provided. Students LOVE to meet each new animal as they introduce their strategy.
Games That Teach: Part 3
Use marshmallows, goldfish, M&Ms and other snacks to practice forming letters, words and numbers. Children can eat them after they practice. This a yummy way to learn!
Reading with your kiddos at home…
Parents, does this sound familiar: ”I’m too tired to read,” “You read it to me mommy,” ”I already read at school today.” Sometimes having kids practice their reading at home can turn into a chore or a fight, even when children are capable readers. I was experiencing this at home with my own son, and my students at school. This inspired me to collaborate with my partners and develop the “Hoo Can Read?” flashcards. This learning game makes reading time fun and eliminates all the anxieties and frustrations children have with reading. By providing choices, support, and taking turns reading, children begin to experience success, increase their confidence, and become motivated to read. It is truly amazing to me that now my son and my students who used to avoid reading, now BEG me to get the “owl” cards and read with them!
