Look what we've done!

We have been learning about all things Halloween

 {we start this early because we go off track next week for year round school}.

First, we learned about scarecrows and we read:

Then we made these paper plate scarecrows:

I love how they're all different but have the same exact pattern to use! 

We also did some spider spelling. We walked around the room and found the spiders with our spelling words on them. 

And then we learned TONS about spiders! We read informational books about spiders and made a chart about what we learned.

Then, we did an informational/explanatory writing about spiders.

My kiddos loved learning this poem, "Spooky Night". We made up actions to it and preformed it for each other.

We then filled in the blanks on our own sheet.

Lastly, we worked on a page from our "Green Witch, Green Witch" books.

Whooooo-weeeeeeee! What fun...and we're not even half way done with the Halloween Unit!
 All of the activities we've done can be found in my "Halloween Unit" on TpT.

Halloween Bingo!

My super talented friend, Lindsay, from Artsy-Fartsy Mama, posted a super cute printable that I know ALL you teachers are going to 

L-O-V-E!!!

Lindsay owns her on graphic design studio and created all these cute graphics herself. Her Halloween Bingo set will be a perfect touch to your Halloween festivities. 

Please stop by her cute and crafty blog to download your on set of *FREE* Halloween Bingo cards. While you're there, please leave her a comment and her know that the girls from What The Teacher Wants sent you. 

 Here's  a pic of the complete set!

THANKS LINDSAY! I know hundreds {possibly thousands} of teachers will be using this in their classrooms this Halloween!

 P.S. She also designs websites, so if you're looking for a blog make-over, you should check out her designs at Happy Potamus!

Management Monday: Pumpkin Present

Halloween time is full of wonderful things!  Like: pumpkins, haunted houses, candy, soup, and REALLY EXCITED STUDENTS!  To help my students remember the rules and expectations during the few weeks leading up to Halloween, we do a "Pumpkin Present" each day.

During the day, if a student is following the rules and expectations, 

they will get the pumpkin on their desk.

I move the pumpkin all around on different students' desks all day.  If you are working nicely, you'll probably see the pumpkin once, maybe even twice on your desk! You can't play with him or touch him, but if you are the very last person to have the pumpkin on your desk at the end of the day..... YOU GET THE "PUMPKIN PRESENT" that is inside of the pumpkin!  I like to put pencils, or stickers, or smarty pants tickets, or maybe silly bands! *If you have lots of kiddos in your class...send around 2 pumpkins!

You do this everyday leading up to Halloween! You'll be amazed and how nicely they work!  This idea is a bit like the Dr. Seuss one I did in March.  Try the "Pumpkin Present" for yourself. You'll be in awe and how well it works!

What do you do to maintain order and focus during the weeks leading up to Halloween?

The ZYX Song (and other fun Halloween music!)

Looking for some fun Halloween music to play in your classroom during the month of October? I found the cutest song that teaches the alphabet backwards using Halloween type music and sounds. It is seriously fun for all ages!

The song is called Halloween Alphabet and is available for download on iTunes or Amazon for 99 cents! 

While you're there, check out some of the other fun Halloween music. Here's a fun Werewolf song.

This one might interest you. It's an hour of spooky sounds perfect for your Halloween party. It would also be fun to play in your classroom while your students work quietly throughout the month of October!