Pages

Monday, May 7, 2012

Mother's Day Writing and Two Freebies!

Today, all of my classes finished their Mother's Day writing activities. I would like to share with you some of the activities they completed.

In kindergarten, we brainstormed some adjectives to describe our moms. 



Then, we filled out a tree map.


I had the children highlight their favorite idea from each column. Then, they used each one in a sentence and illustrated each sentence.

My mom is happy.
My mom has lots of clothes.
My mom can juggle.

Here is a more advanced writer, who added details to his sentences.


In first and second grade, they did the same thing. First, they started with the tree map to help organize their ideas. Then, they picked their favorite from each column.

Gotta love the "smoke!"

In first grade, I had the children fold a piece of notebook paper in half and write their three main ideas in each fold. Then, they added a supporting detail and, in some cases, a one time when. In second grade, they used this planning sheet to help them organize their main ideas, supporting details, and one time whens.

After they were done organizing their thoughts, they wrote their rough drafts. I conferenced with each child while they were at stations completing other activities. Then, they wrote their published essay on pretty paper. Here are some first grade essays:





Here is a second grade essay:


You may have to right click and enlarge the essay to read it. She colored it in before I made the "don't color over your words" announcement!

My first and second graders also completed a My Mom book. They came out so cute. Here are some pictures of the first grade books:










Sorry some are blurry!

The last activity I would like to share with you are the letters my first and second graders wrote to their moms. Here are some first grade letters:




"...even when you're mean." Gotta love the honesty of kids!

All in all, it's been fun completing these activities. If you like them, you can check out my Mother's Day Activity Packet by clicking the image below. 

 http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/My-Special-Mom-234348

I apologize that this post is so l-o-n-g! As a thank you for reading my post, here are two freebies for you. Just click on the images to retrieve them.



If you download my freebies, please let me know by leaving me a comment. Thanks so much!

I hope you all have a great Teacher Appreciation Week. 

20 comments:

  1. Great ideas - thank you so, so much for sharing them. I love the books you created for Mother's Day and am sure the mothers loved them, too.
    Kaylee
    http://basketofbooks.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. LOVE it! I love reading students' writings. So cool to be nominated for the fascination award! Good luck!!! :)

    Thanks for sharing your freebies! I'll be adding them to my writing station this week! The kids will LOVE them! :)

    Angie
    Rulin' the Roost

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for stopping by my blog! Each time I see a new follower it is exciting! Great ideas for Mother's Day and your printable are adorable.

    Tammy
    http://theresourcefulapple.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Those are very cute thoughts. I'm sure their moms will love them.
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you for these great freebies! I plan to use them this week!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks so much, everyone for the kind comments! I really appreciate them and you, too!

    Lori (luvyorkies@gmail.com)
    Teaching With Love and Laughter

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congratulations Lori! You are an awesome blogger! I know that I love coming here to see what you're up to! :)
    ~Jen
    Jen's Kinder Kids

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh, Lori, I love all your Mother's Day writing activities! Thanks so much for the freebies. I will be voting for your blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. You two are just too kind! Thanks so much!

    Lori (luvyorkies@gmail.com)
    Teaching With Love and Laughter

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Lori!

    I'm your ewest follower. Ijut love looking your your kids' mothers day items. They said and drew the sweetest little things!

    Happy teacher appreciation week!

    -Danielle
    http://lasotaslittlelearners.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Okay... my keyboard is sticking. I'm your NEWEST not ewest follower. I'm not very gross. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. LOL! I'm so glad you are my ewest follower! Thanks for your sweet words! I hope you are enjoying your special week, too!

    Lori (luvyorkies@gmail.com)
    Teaching With Love and Laughter

    ReplyDelete
  13. Love the adjective page!! Such a cute idea <3

    Blessings,

    Jessica Stanford
    Mrs. Stanford's Class Blog
    My TpT Store

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love the ideas...put the packet of Mom's Day things in my cart, now I have to go pay for them. Your ideas keep me motivated and on my toes. Thank you!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love these ideas! They are awesome! I am your newest follower! LOVE,LOVE, your blog!

    Teachers Give a Hoot

    ReplyDelete
  16. I just LOVE reading all of my comments! They make my day and warm my heart. Thanks so much for the kind words.

    Lori (luvyorkies@gmail.com)
    Teaching With Love and Laughter

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love everything about this post!!!

    Hadar

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's very sweet of you to say! Thanks so much!

      Lori (luvyorkies@gmail.com)
      Teaching With Love and Laughter

      Delete
  18. Thanks for the Mother's Day freebies! <3

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment. I love to read them!

Scholastic Teacher Book Wizard