Thunder Cake ~ Free Resources

Welcome back to the Crazy Critter Cafe! 

We've been reading the story Thunder Cake, by Patricia Polacco and during our first day of reading, it actually came up a storm and thundered outside! Couldn't have been a more *perfect* time to storm!

In third grade we really dig into the story and talk about figurative language and why the author chose the words and phrases to help the reader better understand the story. And, as always, we answer Who, What, When, Where, Why and How questions. 

We have iPads, so each student could use their headphones to scan the QR code and actually hear Patricia Polacco read her own story. How cool?! 

YOU CAN FIND THE QR CODES HERE

After a few days of book discussion, I have students write about a time when they were scared and somehow overcame that fear {like the granddaughter in the story}. This print and go template is great for creating a writing display.

DOWNLOAD THE WRITING PROMPT AND TEMPLATE HERE

Along with book discussion and open-ended response questions, I give students a multiple-choice quiz to check for understanding. After all, the big end of grade test will be in this format, so they'll need to practice those process of elimination skills throughout the year! I allow them to use the text to go back and look for answers if needed. This is helping the practice using text evidence. 

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUIZ HERE

There is even a real recipe for thunder cake! We didn't bake one, but students could take home a copy of the recipe and try it at home with their families. 

CLICK HERE TO FIND THE THUNDER CAKE RECIPE

Please feel free to comment and share other activities you use when reading Thunder Cake with your class. 

Thanks for stopping by the Cafe!

Fall Multiplication Practice Freebie Printable

Hello everyone! Fall is in full swing now and I can certainly tell with all of the teaching going on. Shew! I feel like somedays I'm in a whirlwind! 

This year, I noticed that my kids really need to perk up on their multiplication facts. We use the iPad app Speed Drill to practice, and they LOVE it! And....it's free! I also created a fall multiplication practice pack. This includes a few color by the code sheets. Once students find the product, they color by the code. It's just a fun way to practice multiplication facts without the constant drill, drill, drill. {although we still do those drills} 

You can download your blog FREEBIE "At the Pumpkin Patch" HERE. 

I let my students use colored pencils or markers, but making sure they allow me to still see the answer. This is a change in pace from the normal fact sheets. I hope you enjoy!

This is from my Fall Multiplication Pack. You'll find a few more color by the codes and multiplication word problem task cards, too, which I like to use for small group cooperative learning activities or in math centers. 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Teacher Tote Bags only $10

Hello Cafe Friends!

Hope you all are doing well and are enjoying these nice fall days. The crisp, cooler nights are wonderful! This is the time of year when I'm cleaning out my closets and buying new things. Maybe it's the change of seasons that makes me wanna clean out. Whatever it is, I'm happy about it!

In addition to my kids' clothes, I cleaned out so many bags! Now I've made plenty of space for my new ones. ;-) I think I have a serious bag addiction. It's like shoes...each bag serves its own purpose. Anyone with me? 

Do you ever think you need just one more bag? I wanted to share some new tote bags I'm selling with you. I'm so excited about these bags! I use them for everything! 

Here are some of the ways I've used totes just like these:

(1) Teacher bag- It holds a lot, plus it's stylish!

(2) Overnight bag

(3) Travel / carry-on bag

(4) Shoe bag (yes, I've needed one of these to just carry my shoes for vacation)

(5) Beach / Pool bag 

(6) Diaper Bag - perfect for diapers and other items, not so bulky

(7) Gym bag

(8) Extra bag to roll up and put in luggage for souvenirs :-)

(9) Dirty laundry bag - yeah I did. Since it zips, I didn't worry about anything falling out and I simply washed it on the cool, gentle wash setting and hung dry. Good as new!

(10) Gifts! I'd roll up a beach towel and place an acrylic tumbler inside for a nice gift

Below are some of the styles~ and they're only $10.00. They would look great monogrammed! {Sorry, I am unable to monogram for ya' though.} 

Here are a few of the designs of these totes:

CLICK HERE to visit my eBay site where you'll find these bags and other items. Click "See all items" to browse. :-)

Thanks for stopping by the Crazy Critter Cafe! Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Hello Cafe Friends!

I hope you have enjoyed your summer! I sure have! It's now time to get back into the school groove! I recently created some reading passage posters to help with comprehension.

  I've included these freebies HERE. 

I start using these the first day we begin reading passages. Using the mnemonic for "The Pirates Quickly Sailed Away" somehow stuck with my students and helped them think through reading passages and questions rather than just rushing through. It's a nice visual reminder. The pirate theme adds a little "fun" to sometimes redundant passages. 

Hope you can use this with your students! 

Thanks for stopping by the Crazy Critter Cafe!