Last day for PJ and me. The weekend is looking a little busy . . . and then I will be back in school. YIKES!!!! Where in the world did my two weeks go? I would like to know. I am going to file a complaint with someone about the rapidity of it. Does anyone have the address of that someone?
I mentioned that my team got together this week to start planning our new Open House Theme. And I got a couple of questions.
First, I DO have a great team. Truly. We enjoy each other’s company, and make each other laugh, and enjoy eating together, and generally know what is going on in each other’s lives. We currently have five people on the first grade team . . . and four of us are tight. That’s all I will say about that. Ahem. Cough.
I’ve said before that I do not have a classroom theme. I’m always changing it up.
But when it comes to Open House, we theme it out.
The teachers at my school joke that we are an Open House School.
This is true in many aspects.
We’re open. No hallways.
We’re open. Parents are always around. I spoke about that a little bit {HERE} in a post called Helicopters.
But what we really mean is that we go ALL OUT for Open House. It’s almost kind of crazy. But it’s fun, and stressful, and exciting, and energizing, and crazy. Our Open House is just about two weeks from the end of the year. Testing is basically over, curriculum is pretty much covered, summer is coming . . . it’s cause for a celebration.
In the past, our first grade team has had Habitats as our theme. Here are a couple of pics from last year’s Open House.
We always get our kids balloons as a little treat and write a personalized tag to go with it. And we have a snack table that relates to the theme (beware of upper graders visiting you during Open House because they say they miss you. No, they don’t. It’s the food! Now I take Tae Kwon Do and stand near the snack table.) For example, I had blue gatorade for the pond with a little note that said, “Have some pond water. It’s fresh.” And for the grassland, I had animal crackers with a note that said, “Are you a carnivore? Try the lion. I hear he’s really good.” And so on. Rainforest music would play in the background . . . I’m telling you, no detail was left unnoticed. If I do say so myself. And I do. I say so.
But we decided to switch it up. Insert Jazz Hands here.
We’re going to use our Social Studies standard of what life was like long ago to have a Western/Pioneer theme. It is going to be SO SO SO cute!! I LOVE teaching this standard and now it’s going to be a whole theme. Yee-haw! Ride’em Cowboy! Boot Scootin Boogie!
I’ve been working on it a little bit over the last couple of days and I have some freebies for those of you who might be covering this Social Studies topic. Anyone?
Homes Publishing
Farm Publishing
I am also working on a take home project for the families to complete . . . a Wanted Poster! We’re going to hang them from the ceiling over each student’s desk. (We’re not allowed to hang stuff from the ceiling. But my principal looks the other way at Open House. Because we told her to she’s pretty cool like that.)
I use these books to cover a lot of this standard.
Ages ago….I had a pioneer theme for our classroom. We actually made our library into a covered wagon. It was great…haystacks were the chairs. So much fun. We also had teams make a covered wagon and pioneer people. Your kids will love it. Soon, they'll be playing pioneers outside at recess.
I'm picturing a General Store sort of table with all sort of "staple" supplies. Instead of using bowls to hold your snacks, use a rolled down paper bag, like you might see at these old time stores. I am still working on some catchy lines ๐ Good luck, it sounds fantastic!!
Amanda
How about little pretzel sticks which are logs for log cabins? Or something circle shaped like a cookie or cracker could be a wagon wheel from a covered wagon? Cute theme idea by the way!
How about beef jerky? Something like "where's the beef on the prairie" Or wheat thins (ya know wheat- Kansas Oklahoma). Really cute paper thanks and wish our school did something so fun…but not in April already too stressful. Have fun!
Tammy
First Grade @ Klinger Cafe
dtklinger@gmail.com
We practiced categorizing things that they would have needed on their trip. We made wagons and they opened up to our lists. You could also have the kids make a trail out of sugar cookies, frosting, and stringed licorice. Hmm if I think of something else I will let you know.
HOLY COW, I am uber jealous of your classroom. Seriously! We aren't allowed to have more than 20% of our walls covered and nothing can hang from the ceiling at all. It looks very plain and boring. LOVE your idea of theming it out for Open House!
Shannon
Kindergarten Hoppenings
Kim is the sweetest thing ever!!!! I'm excited about your open house theme! We just had our olden days, I'm going to post some pictures on my blog…maybe it'll spark an idea? I would try to help but this past week has been a blur for me, I don't even know what we did…
I was thinking trail mix. Maybe something about riding the trails or something like that. Good Luck !
I have no ideas – but maybe you could search it on Pinterest?!? I've never heard you talk about Pinterest…do you DO Pinterest? You should.
I need to be a nicer blogger and do special sparkly stuff for people…I got the cutest coffee cup snuggie from Staci and it made my day!!!!
I went to see The Hunger Games yesterday…it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO good. I told hubby I want to go with him now…gotta experience it with another person {and another, and another}…
Hugs!
Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade
I heart all of this. Our Open House stinks. It's right before testing, so basically I stack the kids' notebooks on their desk and say, "Tell your parents what's in those notebooks."
I think the gummi bear bears are good – the pioneers had to look out for wild animals. and the pretzel logs are cute too. Maybe those pretzels stuffed with cheese or peanut butter? They look log-ish. The blue gatorade could be water from the well – lots of pioneers dug wells.
And thanks SO much for the virtual wine the other day ๐ It was rough, but getting so much reassurance from everybody really did help.
Buzzing with Ms. B
What about trail mix….the pioneers were always blazing a trail, right ? Your room looks amazing, cute idea for the new theme. I love those books, my daughter grew up on them. Big dream for me, 2 summers ago we drove out west to Yellowstone and on the way we stopped one night and camped at the Little House homestead, amazing ! Have fun and enjoy your final days…..
Have you ever made dirt pudding with gummy worms? That would fit in with the wild dirty west.let me know if you need the recipe.
Patty
Prutenba@sturgisps.org
2ndinline.blogspot.com
Your room looks AMAZING! I can't wait to see pictures from this year!!!! ๐
Your room looked FABULOUS at last year's open house!! How cute!!!
แฆDeAnne
First Grade and Fabulous
ok…let's see…
green gatorade for well water? is there such a thing as green?
Wagon wheels could be some sort of cookie right?
if milk didn't cost so much you could do flavored milk from bessie the cow. (chocolate or strawberry)
beef jerky is pricey too so that's probably not a good option either.
swedish fish? since you have the fishing thing with the goldfish.
what about fire…let's see…hot tamales?
It's all I've got! I am tho thorry.
You won my giveaway! Come check it out. Where do you want me to email the gift certificate to TPT?
Kimberley
First in Maine
The pioneers went west: how about tortilla chips and salsa?
Okay, I just found your BLOG. I couldn't find anywhere to post a comment on your OPEN house theme, but let me tell you it totally rocks!!
OMG! I am just in awe from your pictures…
We have an open house coming up but it isn't for our families… it is like a recruitment open house so we can try and get more kids. For some reason a class of 12 kids seems like low numbers to my principal….. haha!
I wonder if I should do something fun like this too?? Ay yi yi!!
Marvelous Multiagers!
Ok……didn't read all the comments so this might be a repeat….sorry…what about pretzels….like pretzel sticks could be logs…or I think there are round ones for wagon wheels…..I would also do yellow gatorade for lemonade…they had that then didn't they????
You're a riot as always and yes, Kim is a doll!!!
4th Grade Frolics
Your room looked incredible! It's making me think about Open House ideas. hmmmm….
–Chrissy
http://firstgradefoundme.blogspot.com
I will have to remember what one of my friends did for snack. I know that last year she had the kids use baby food jars, a wick, and poured in wax like the pioneers used for a light. The kids decoreated the baby food jar somehow and it became a great Mother's Day present. She bought her "candle" stuff at Swan Creek, but most places sell that stuff. Your Open House looks awesome!
Robynn
BusyBees
I love the freebie stationary you posted! We also learn about pioneers as part of our social studies- so THANK YOU!!
I agree with all of the pretzel, trail mix people…what about filtered water- you don't want anyone catching diphtheria ๐
Julie
Light a Fire in Third Grade
Wow, you really put a lot of work into your Open House. Your room looks great! We always have our Open House right after school starts each year. I'm always swamped with the beginning of the year stuff to do be able to go all out like that.
Since you read the Little House books to the kids, I thought of apples since that is what the girls got for Xmas along with a penny and a tin cup.
Kelly @I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher
Since you do HM with Johnny Appleseed…you can tie in apples …maybe apple pie? Or apple chips. I like the pretzel and trail mix idea too.
Your Open House pictures sure look wonderful!
And I must say that, knowing nothing at all about the situation with your team, I feel sorry for teacher number five that is not "tight." I've been there and it is not a fun place to be, and sometimes, it's not even your own fault. I would encourage you to include her and encourage your team mates to do the same- even if you think she doesn't deserve it- just because of the Golden Rule!
Heidi Butkus
http://heidisongs.blogspot.com
Love your blog!
I would do mini corn muffins or you could cut cornbread into small squares. Lemonade or a sweet tea based punch would be appropriate for the period. I love that many people said trail mix. Jerky is pricey. Maybe some dried apple chips. Popcorn is something pioneers learmed from the Native Americans. Ranger or cowboy cookies but if they are not available in CA get oatmeal. Have fun!
I want to do the balloons with my class for open house! That is so cute!!
Michelle
Apples and ABC's
I didn't read through the comments above, so this may have been mentioned–wagon wheel pretzels. The Snyder brand has peanut butter pretzel or cheese pretzel sandwiches, and they really look like a wheel.
Live Laugh and Love to Learn
You could put the blue gatorade into buckets, or use a small bucket as the ladle to gather the water to pour into cups (perhaps silver cups to resemble tin cups) which would mimic the pioneers fetching water from a well, or pump, or creek. All of your ideas sound really spectacular!
I like the trail mix idea and then maybe a tag that says " Happy Trail Mix to You" play off of "Happy Trails to You." Then a tag for pretzel stick " Mosey on over and grab some logs for a fire." Maybe these are corny, but their the best I got :). Oh wait, what about this tag for the blue water.. " You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink ."
I wish we had a spring and fall open house. It seems like we hardly know them when we have ours in the beginning of the year! It all looks so great!
Staci
Going Nutty!
misssquirrels@yahoo.com
Hi! Not sure if anyone said gummy worms for the goldfish bait. Teddy grahams for bears too and maybe the Annie crackers at Target since the pioneers hunted rabbit right?? Not sure about the catchy lines though!
I LOVE going all out for Open House. I think it's great watching the kids excitedly show their parents everything that they are so proud of. We've always done oceans and I still love it….. the only downside are the kinder shoppers ๐
โคTraciโค
Dragonflies in First
Your room was amazing last year! How about s'mores? There are s'more cookies in the store. I like pretzels, mini-muffins, and trail mix too. To drink – plain, old water! Did they have anything else? Okay, maybe add a slice of lemon.
Pamela
First Class Teacher
How about trail mix? For being on the trail – plus dried raisins and cranberries and such because it would last longer.
You could make chocolate-chocolate chip cookies and call them cow pies or cow chips (only Okies or Texans know what those are! LOL!). You could do a version of chocolate birds nests only form it like hay bales. A gumdrop on top of a cookie could be a cowboy hat maybe…make steer or bull sandwiches like you would normally make Rudolph at Christmas just put a black nose.
TAG! I tagged you in the interview game. If you find this comment in your line of a bajillion, I'd love it if you'd participate. I love your blog!
Tessa
http://talesfromoutsidetheclassroom.blogspot.com/2012/04/tagged-on-easter.html
Our March Reading Month Theme was Western so the kids followed a recipe to make Trail Mix–Granola, raisins, goldfish crackers, etc. and had a nice cold drink of Sasparilla –(sp?)–Root Beer.
Our March Reading Month Theme was Western so the kids followed a recipe to make Trail Mix–Granola, raisins, goldfish crackers, etc. and had a nice cold drink of Sasparilla –(sp?)–Root Beer.
I would love to see more pics of your room last year. We are doing the rainforest this year and I need some inspiration! ๐