Monday "Make and Take:" Magazine Puzzles

I can never bring myself to throw out old magazines.  For one, I never know when I might want to make that 18-step cake in last July's issue of "Food and Wine", or someday I might want to use those "make your own cleaning solution" tips on page 45 of "Real Simple" - ha...so instead, they stack up next to the coach in the family room.  What can I say..I always have the greatest of intentions...

But luckily, they came in handy today for our "make and take" game:  Magazine Puzzles!

I went seaching for a great picture in my magazines today to start.  It was a little difficult because there are not many great "kid-friendly" magazines inside "Taste of Home,"  "Food and Wine,"  or "Clean Eating."  But if you have some magazines like National Geographic, you can find some great nature pictures that would make for great puzzles.

Now, I don't trust my hand to make nice straight lines, so I went ahead and made a 4 by 4 grid on the computer and printed it out to be my puzzle pieces.  (I provided the same grid as an attachment at the bottom of the post in case you want to snag it).  And, certainly if you are creating your own, your puzzle can be as many pieces as you'd like.  If you are free-drawing your puzzle pieces you will want to draw your own grid on a blank piece of paper, then make a copy of the grid before cutting it.  You will see why later on.  If you are using my grid, simply print out two copies.

You may need to cut your magazine picture down to size if you are using my grid.  You may also choose to laminate your picture and grid, now that they are glued together, for durability.  

Now, this is where it can get tricky, so pay special close attention.  As you cut the picture along the grid lines, you may want to place the puzzle pieces right on the 2nd blank grid so that they don't get mixed up.  And this will make it easier for the next step as well.

This is why you will need the second copy of the grid.  When students are putting the puzzle together, they will use the 2 (uncut) grid as their guide.

This is where the learning part comes in (I didn't just have you make a magazine puzzle for students to put together with no learning background :) Don't worry).  On the back of each puzzle piece you will write a question (any type of question; math, ELA, Social Studies or Science - whatever your needs are).  On the blank grid, you will write the answer.  

This is also why placing the puzzle pieces on the blank uncut grid as you cut them is helpful, so you don't put the wrong answer in the wrong box.

To have students play, place all puzzle pieces in a baggie and paper clip the baggie to the answer grid.  Students read and solve/answer each puzzle piece and find the correct answer on the answer grid.  As they do so, they will be completing the picture.  You may also choose to have them show their work on a recording sheet for accountability.

What skill could you review with this puzzle game idea in your classroom?

Well, now that this post is done, maybe I should go make that 18-step cake from Food and Wine :)

Enjoy!

Attachments:

Puzzle Grid

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Sunday Save-Day: "Flip-Flop Reflections!"

It's Sunday Save-Day!

I like Sundays - especially when they are sunny!  It's been a busy weekend!  How about yours?  

One of things I would do with my students at the end of the school year would be to have them reflect on how they thought their year went (academically, socially, behaviorly, etc...).  In addition to having them complete a memory book of some sort, we would play a game where they would each receive a card with a reflection question on it.  

The students would take their question cards and go around the room and ask another classmate the question that was on their card.  Then, after both students had ask their question, they would switch cards and go ask another student their new question.  This was just a fun way to reflect about the year in a way that allowed them to move around the classroom. (because we all know students can't sit still once June rolls around)

Then, I had one of those light-bulb/I've got a great idea moments the other day when I was looking through my clip art and remember I bought these adorable flip-flop clip art pics recently.  I created "Flip Flop Reflections."  After students read and answer each other's reflection question - they "flip-flop" or trade their cards.  Cute right?  Ok, well, I was giddy about the cuteness of the title of the game, so just humor me - mmmk?

These cards are MUCH cuter then the one I used to use!

Want them?  Just download them at the bottom of the post!  They are shown in color above, but they are also provided in black and white as well! If you download and use them, I'd love for you to pin them and pass along!

Enjoy!

Attachments:

Flip-Flop Reflections

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Memorial Day Resources

Can you believe that next weekend is Memorial Day weekend!  The official kick-off to summer - Wow!  Some of you will be tasting the sweetness of summer vacation, while others will be powering through until June!  We don't finish till LATE June here in New York - so I feel your pain if you'll still be in school.

Either way, I'm here with you the whole way!  

Starting with some Memorial Day fun!

Learn About It

Students read a short article about Memorial Day, and learn what the holiday is all about:

Play!

In response to what students learn about the holiday, they can participate in several games and activities:

I also dug up this old post that has a patriotic freebie.  I had originally made it for Veteran's Day, but it can work just fine for Memorial Day as well.

To take a closer look at the Memorial Day Pack, click on the dominoes below to be taken to the store of your choice!

For those of you still in school, what will you be doing in your classrooms to celebrate Memorial Day?

Friday Feature: Money Dice

As I posted on my Facebook page today:

I do love me a good Friday :)  The weather here in NY is supposed to be great this weekend.  I've got big plans for the public market tomorrow morning!  I also have a wedding to go to!  And, the hubs and I are gonna grill out tonight :)  Yum!  Sounds like a winne weekend to me.

Well, since it's Friday, it's time to feature a blog post that I've come across recently that highlights a great game idea.

One of the bloggers that I follow is Denise from Sunny Days in Second Grade.  Sometimes I get lost in all the different posts she has on her blog.  There are so many great tips and ideas on her blog.  One such post featured a DIY game showing you how to make money dice!

Get out your play-money coins and a glue gun!  These are soooo cute!  My mind is already spinning with all sorts of game ideas that you can create with these money dice.  Denise even has one game using these dice for free on this post.

Like I said in yesterday's post, games are what will get you (and your sanity) through till the end of the year - so stock up!

Hope you've got some great weekend plans ahead of you!  Enjoy!