Five for Friday - Two Week's Worth

I missed last week's Five for Friday due to jetting off right after work for a baseball game that didn't end until 11pm! So I'm combining these past two weeks into this Five for Friday post. That's okay, right? ;)

Earth Day was last week! When Earth day comes around, I HAVE to make my coffee filter Earths. They always turn out some awesome! I love the fact that everyone's Earth looks different.

Writing template from A Cupcake for the Teacher

We have also been working on opinion writing. Last week, to follow the theme of Earth Day and recycling, we tried to convince our readers why they should recycle.  After going through the writing process, the kiddos got to "publish" their writing in their "published" book. Remember seeing those blank books in the Target dollar section? Yep, those are the books! We pick a final draft from each writing unit and put it in our "published" books. Also becomes the perfect writing portfolio too.

This week's opinion writing was about our favorite pizza. I love the reasons this student gives for liking pepperoni and bacon so I just had to share.

Template from There's No Place Like Second Grade

Oh, the logic of a first grader. Didn't burst her bubble about the truth behind bacon coming from pigs. She can learn about that at another time. 

Continuing on last week's activities...We read 10 Things I Can Do to Help My World. After reading, the students brainstormed their own ideas on things they can do to help the world. Then we made a book about it. One of the ideas listed in the book we read was to reuse recyclables. So it only made sense if our own books were made out of recyclables too, tissue boxes!

Want to learn how to make a tissue box book? Learn from Mary at Teacher Treasures!

We had some special guests arrive after school last Friday...painted lady caterpillars! These little critters have only been with us for a week and they have already grown so big! I hope they don't turn into chrysalises over the weekend!

Day of arrival

Four days later.

Six days later. They grow so fast!

We also started working on our Mother's Day gift this week. I absolutely loved how our toilet paper roll frames turned out last year so I'm doing it again this year! The students helped me with painting the toilet paper rolls. I need to spray paint the frames and cut the toilet paper rolls this weekend so that we can put it all together next week. 

I can't believe it's already May! This month is going to go by so fast! Not only that, Open House is in two weeks and I haven't even started planning for that yet! Feeling the stress level rising as I speak (type)! Friends who are on the same boat, we can do it! :D