Educator Helper by Beth Hammett: July 2016

Sunday, July 31, 2016

28% Off ALL Items at Back to School TpT Sale on August 1 & 2!

Click Here to Shop at Educator Helper TpT Storefront!

Sunday, July 24, 2016

National Parents' Day is Today!

Today is National Parents' Day! But, don't just celebrate today--celebrate parents and caregivers everyday!

Start with the History of National Parents' Day, which is celebrated the fourth Sunday in July:

Get students motivated by modeling, encouraging, and tracking good deeds:

Take time to storytell wonderful memories:

Encourage critical thinking by discussing what goes into being a great parent/caregiver:

Have students write poems or songs for parents/caregivers:

Finally, let parents/caregivers have a relaxing day:

A huge "Thank You!" and all my love to my wonderful parents!

Beth, Educator Helper

Click here to purchase all Parents' Day Activities!

More fun Educator Helper activities:

Oklahoma Land Rush and Writing Activities

Readers' Scripts for Teens

Homecoming Activities Packet with Fun, Educational Activities

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Celebrating National Ice Cream Day and Month

What's your favorite flavor of ice cream? Got a favorite ice cream sundae? Did you know it's National Ice Cream Month? Also, the third Sunday in July is designated as National Ice Cream Day. This holiday was appointed by former president Ronald Reagan. Read all about National Ice Cream Day and Month at the International Dairy Foods comprehensive website.

My favorite ice cream memory is of making homemade ice cream in old, crank, wooden buckets. My grandma coveted recipes, so the exact ingredients and amounts remain unknown. She stood at the counter and poured in cream, eggs, milk, vanilla, and sometimes added fresh peaches or pecans. I would plop onto the top of the wooden bucket and wait for my dad, grandpa, and uncles to turn the handle that cranked the metal tub. I couldn't wait for the rock salt to freeze the ingredients. I'd poke my fingers into the hard salt and rub the metal tub to see if thick ice crystals existed. If so, the creamy mixture was about ready to spoon into our mouths. Soon, my dad would pull the plastic paddle from the metal container and shove a stack of bowls below it. He'd scrape the off white mixture from the paddle as we rushed to get the first bowl. Wonderful memories have been created with homemade ice cream and family and friends!

Relax and take time to enjoy and share some ice cream with family and friends during National Ice Cream Month!

Right click to download National Ice Cream Month Freebies from Educator Helper!

Click here to get full National Ice Cream Day and Month Activities!

Pair National Ice Cream Month with National Dairy Month activities!

Sunday, July 10, 2016

How Elie Wiesel Impacted My Students

The loss of Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, author of Night, will be felt throughout the teaching field. His writings have impacted many students. Night encouraged my seventh grade students to explore their inner selves and to think about history and its relationship to current events. Wiesel's story prompted critical thinking debates and discussions on compassion, empathy, history, and humanity.
Here's some of the projects my seventh grade students completed during their Holocaust unit:

ABC Holocaust Banner
Directions: Before beginning the Holocaust unit, bring in as many books and other resources as possible for students to browse through. Ask students to make a list of the alphabet. Find one word that begins with each letter of the alphabet that stands for or is related to the Holocaust. Decorate with symbols that portray the Holocaust.

Holocaust Poetry:
Directions: Have each student choose one chapter from the reading(s). Then, base the poetry topic on grade level concepts (subject, symbolism, theme, topic, etc...) from the text to write about. Be sure to introduce poetry structures beforehand.

Holocaust Wall
(Our version of the Holocaust Wall from the Washington, D.C. museum)
Directions: Using blank white ceramic tiles (free from local hardware stores) or white paper squares (similar to below), have each student decorate the tile/paper with a symbol and caption that represents their interpretations of the Holocaust. This was a final project to end the unit. It was large and powerful when put together and placed in the school's hallway.

In addition, a Holocaust survivor came to speak at our school. He brought a trunk that a woman had lived in for two years during the Holocaust. It was an emotional presentation, but one I'm glad we experienced since there are few survivors left to tell their stories.

Overall, the ELA unit was a huge success, and Elie Wiesel's Night was a great contribution. He will be greatly missed...