MEET ME AT THE MALL!

Who doesn't love hanging out at the mall, right?

Well, except when you don't have any money... then it's not fun.  Been there.  

When I'm planning a unit, I do everything I can to avoid death-by-worksheets.  I think learning should look like living, so I try to keep the connections high and the copies low.  As our first grade team sat down to collaborate around our economics unit, we brainstormed the idea of creating a real-life student economy within our own classrooms.  My intern took control of the project in our room and I marveled each day at the fun the kids were having not only learning about goods and services, but living as producers and consumers... earning money, designing products, establishing stores, creating ads, and more!

The ultimate plan was for the unit to culminate in the grand opening of our classroom mall.  (This was a lofty goal, but SO worth it... trust me.)  So one of the first tasks was to form teams of producers.  My intern and I researched dozens of kid-crafts, looking for 10 simple, low-cost items our teams could produce.  We had five student teams, but we chose 10 possible crafts so our production teams could choose from a variety of ideas.  Each team agreed on one item and then we began the work of learning about quality control, consistency, assembly options, collaboration, etc.  Here are some of our "producers" at work!  

This group is producing flowers using pipe cleaners and pom poms.

This team is making coiled pencil toppers using pipe cleaners.

Here, these producers are designing one-of-a-kind bookmarks.

And this group is making scented play dough using flavored extracts.

It was an extremely busy few days as each team remained focused on producing 50 quality items to sell later in the mall.  Plan to have each group elect a QUALITY INSPECTOR.  This person has the job of making sure each item is made well and has no defects.  :)

All along, we were integrating math as we coordinated our money unit with this social studies unit... it was a perfect fit!  Each child was given a brown envelope to decorate as a "wallet" and they earned small coins throughout the day for various behaviors.  This was a fun way to learn about the value of money.  As I began to run out of plastic pennies, I would ask the kids to trade with me so I could replenish my penny supply.  They quickly learned that five pennies were equal to a nickel, two nickels were equal to a dime, etc.  And, as you can expect, they were very motivated to earn more coins!

The progression of the unit had a very natural flow.  After learning about concepts like supply, demand, producers, consumers, goods, and services, we were ready to prepare our stores.  Each team brainstormed store names, designed signage, set prices, planned for special offers and sales, and considered display options.  (I can't describe how cute this was.  And you can soooo tell which children go shopping regularly with their moms!)

We opened our mall after about three weeks of hard work.  We let them design it using only what we had in the classroom... it was perfect in its simplicity. They rearranged the desks to make "stores" and set up the extra chairs in an area for people who got tired of shopping.  (They've obviously been shopping with their dads, too!)  Then, they split into shifts and took turns shopping.  We even had a small food court with just juice and cookies.  Here are some pictures of the culminating event:

"America's Cool Braslits" is open for business!

(In case you don't teach a primary grade, that's bracelets.)

It looks like someone out there is getting the hard-sell.

Her co-worker looks a little scared.  :)

Don't forget to provide shopping bags for your consumers to use.

The kids learned so much about adding numbers, counting on, and making change.

If you have done something like this in your classroom, share some tips or a story of your own in the comments below.  You just might inspire someone else to give it a go.  

Happy teaching!

Back to School & Being a Good Citizen (freebie)

Happy Back to School.. it's Robin from Class of Kinders.

Are you still in back to school mode? For some, we have been in school since August. But for others, school starts after Labor Day. Either way, we are back at it and being reminded of just how exhausting and crucial that first month is! This is the time of year where I feel strongly about the need to spend a chunk of time teaching expectations, rules and procedures. But, the timelines and agendas of my school district doesn't really “build in” time for teaching these things or allow for as much time as I would like. I feel the pressure to jump in to the academics....which makes me feel like I have to “skim” over the "how-to's" of our new classroom. Not that I spend the first weeks of school not teaching academics, but I want "wiggle" room to do activities that promote the importance of being a good citizen. Because after all, if we are good citizens we will will have a productive year. We will. It will happen. At least that is what I tell myself and so far it has worked. 

Just the other day I saw this from First Grade Fun Times:

Yes. Exactly. That is our job. That is the challenge we face. That is the miracle teachers hope to make happen each and every year.  So, where is the time to do “this” before we being teaching? It is hard to find. I believe it is just as important as the academics. If we do not take that the time in the beginning, it will take time away from learning. All. Year. Long. At the school where I teach in Florida, it is a teacher expectation that we implement the Lifelong Guidelines in our classroom. It is a non-negotiable. 

LIFELONG GUIDELINES:

ACTIVE LISTENING

TRUSTWORTHINESS

TRUTHFULNESS

NO PUT DOWNS

PERSONAL BEST

I whole heartedly buy-in to this and value each one. For Kindegartners and Firsites it can be 

a bit tricky to get them to remember the language, so I use a book to make connection to each one.

We spend a couple of days reading a story and then doing activities to help make it "stick." Once we are finished, I have a poster I hang in the classroom for reference. Each one of the guidelines are there and next to it is the front cover of the book we read.

These are good citizen principles and being a good citizen helps keep us happy, safe ..which makes it possible for all to learn.

I want to share some other things that I use to help foster that sense of good citizenship and community in the classroom. I love brainpopjr.com!  It is a paid subscription (but there are several free videos available too) and our wonderful PTO provides it to us each year. It features a video on Citizenship just perfect for Kinders and Firsties. 

Also, I love to use Studies Weekly, their Social Studies magazines are so smart and perfect for students ages 5-7. The information on being a good citizen is simple and basic but very engaging. Not to mention just right reading and non fiction text that my kids can take home too! (YAY!)

I find myself buying and hoarding collecting books too. 

(What teacher need doesn’t need just one more book?)

I also find myself always looking for fun and meaningful resources too! There are so many great things out there and so little time. I created this one for my good citizen unit. It is a labeling page. My students enjoyed this one and even said so (which always brings a smile to my face!) I am hoping your students will have as much fun as mine did.

                                                                        

                             

You can download a copy from my TpT store by clicking HERE. It is a freebie for you!  I hope you have a fabulous week, that your school year is off to a productive start and that MUCH learning takes place this year!