April 3, 2013

ROCKIN' RETELL - AN "OUT OF THE BOX" SUMMARY PACKET

Someone PINCH me!  I finally finished it!  It darn near killed me, but I pushed through the distractions (spring sunshine has been my biggest nemesis) and managed to wrap it up yesterday!  So, without further ado, I bring you . . . Rockin' Retell - Centers + Activities.

CLICK HERE to take a closer look!
This summary packet contains 71 pages of common core goodness that can be slipped in throughout the year - it's great test prep too.  Here is my thought process on this (just in case you wanted to know).  Most of our babes become pretty savvy when it comes to summarizing a story and the task can become rather ho-hum.  I wanted to create a pack that attacked retell from numerous different angles.  Angles that help keep things fresh and exciting for kids.  I tried to think of things I would like to see unfold as a teacher . . . then I slapped on my student thinking cap.  I put myself in my students' shoes and thought of things that 6-8 year olds would get worked up about.  I think I did a pretty good job (I act like I am 6 more than I act like I am 33 these days) . . . and I am super stoked with how this one turned out.  


I tried a few of the activities during the past few weeks (just to make sure my kid brain wasn't WAY off base).  Let's just say I was pleased as punch with the outcome.  

We started with News Report Retells.  I have a bunch of hams in my class this year and I thought why not try a little roll play??!!  This lesson has two activities tied to it.  A whole class acting ditty and a partner interviewing task.  Both were big hits with my babes!


The next week we abandoned our regular old summary sheet for something MUCH MORE kid friendly - comic books.  Yup.  My sweeties completed a retell comic book style.  They worked extra hard for me on this one and didn't even know it.  The buy-in was extraordinary!


Last week we read a different tale and rolled with this Phone-A-Friend idea (inspired by Ms. Ashley Hughes clip art).  Common Core is all about student interaction and I wanted to keep creating things that encourage interaction. What better way to do this than with cell phones??  This lesson comes with a whole class portion as well as an individual follow up activity.  My kids LOVED playing with those silly fake phones . . . they were frothing at the mouth to get a chance to retell our read alouds!  


We will be rollin' with the Rockin' Retell craft next week and I think it's gonna be a grand event.  We are always playing air guitar when something good happens in class, so it only seemed logical that I make a craft to capitalize on this excitement.  If I know my crew, I know that their eyes will light up when I tell them we are going to be "Rock Star Retellers" for the day!  I'll be sure to post pictures next week :)



Alright my friends . . . that's my Rockin' Retell Pack in a nutshell.  There are oodles of other activities jammed in there too, but I figured I better give it a rest!  Check back on Friday for a Rockin' Retell Freebie.  I am working on something extra fun, but I need a few more days to get my ducks in a row.  Oh, and be sure to watch Facebook today.  I am going to do a giveaway later tonight.  Be sure to follow my Teacher Idea Factory page if you don't already!! With this said, I am off to get busy!  Thanks for visiting :)



13 comments:

  1. This looks ridiculously awesome!! :)
    Jprowell11@gmail.com
    The kids willLOVE it!

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    1. Thank you so much Jay! I put my heart and soul into this one :)

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  2. H.O.L.Y. Cow Kelley! This looks amazing! You've been working your tail off!!!
    The girls on the phone crack me up! Such great ideas to keep kiddos engaged Love it!

    ~Christy
    Fluttering Through First Grade

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    1. What's shakin' So Cal?? Thanks so much for the sweeter than sweet words. I pulled out all the stops for this one :)

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  3. Congratulations Kelley! I am trying to gather my own collection of creations to start a TPT store this summer...you're a great inspiration! I also wanted to tell you that your About Me statement is straight out of Dave Burgess' book, Teach Like a Pirate! If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it...sounds like you're already "On Board"!

    Robin
    It's All Elementary!
    www.teacherszone.blogspot.com

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    1. I haven't heard of Dave . . . I'll have to look him up. I am a marketing major turned teacher, so I still have all that "sellin' jive" running through my blood. If you have questions when you start your store this summer, do not hesitate to look me up!

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  4. That is AMAZING! Such fun ways to practice retelling!
    Chrissy
    First Grade Found Me

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    1. This pack is definitely me in a "nutshell" . . . I'm so glad to hear that others dig it too. Thanks so much for stoppin' by.

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  5. love the pack! but I'm very disappointed in the lack of "O" faces for the demonstrating! lol <3
    #nothin'butlove!

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  6. This resource looks great. I missed the giveaway chance on FB, but I am glad I came over to read more.

    Glad to follow you.
    Iteachkidsabc@gmail.com
    :o) V.
    Special Teacher for Special Kids

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  7. Your stuff is crazy amazing friend. Love it all!!! Thanks for sharing your amazing resources!!!

    Heidi
    My (Not So) Elementary Life

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  8. Keep on acting 6! Staying young at heart is the key to success as a teacher! I just love this new pack! Those phones are too cute! I can just bet they were fighting over who could share first! You have such great ideas to always keep learning fun!

    ThePolishedTeacher

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