Monthly Market - My first linky party!!!

Alright y'all, please be patient with me as this is all new territory for me but I am hosting my very first linky party!  Monthly Market came to me at one in the morning while I was debating lesson plans and what not.  After talking to a few different blogging buddies about what they do for certain times of the year I thought, "Oh man, this is good stuff!  I need to write this down."  But it would have been too much writing and trying to remember who said what and where to find it so I thought, "Well, a linky would solve all those problems for me and a whole lot of other people!"  Just like at a Flea Market (LOVE!) or the Farmer's Market where you go to look for hidden gems and get good ideas or trade for other products, you will do the same here!

Every month I will post 2-3 theme units for the month and I would love for y'all to link up your ideas for what activities you do for those units.  It doesn't matter what grade or subject or even if you haven't done it yet but found it on Pinterest and plan on doing it, we want to know!  If you only have an idea for one of the units, that's fine too!  I'm pretty easy going here :o)

April's Monthly Market is all about poetry, testing, and weather!

Poetry:
One of my favs!  Two years ago was probably the most fun poetry project my kids had ever done.  Sadly, it wasn't a possibility at my new school with so little computers at school and home but this year we have a laptop cart so things are looking up!  After learning about six different types of poems and writing examples I assigned my students a Poetry Anthology Project through Glogster.  If you've never heard of Glogster, it is like an interactive poster you create on the computer.  Any who, the kids picked one topic and had to choose three different poems to write about that topic.  Once the writing was complete then they got to create their Glogster and design it with pictures, backgrounds, videos, animations, etc.  My favorite one was a girl who did middle school and her three poems were based on the cliques: jock, nerd, and outcast.  It was amazing!  I wish I still had them but you'll have to take my word for it.  Here is a copy of the directions I gave them if you want to give it a shot!

Testing:
My class has the FCAT Fairy and the FCAT Fairy sends a package to the teacher the day before with instructions and a poem for the students.  I usually leave it outside the door and they find it when we get back from specials.  I always pick them up a minute or so late that day and say, "I'm SO sorry I'm late. I was in a meeting the whole time?!"  This way they don't get overly suspicious, lol.  We all read aloud the letter inside and the kids get really pumped to know the FCAT Fairy will be visiting them everyday.  She leaves us magic dust to sprinkle on their heads when they walk in the door (5th grade boys still love this!), a fairy hat for me to wear, a magic wand and directions of how we can earn her treat every night.  At the end of the day they have to leave a note for her on their desk that tells her something they did well on that day's test that they are proud of, it's usually some sort of testing strategy.  Now in fifth grade our testing lasts two weeks so we do whatever we can to get through it y'all!  The kids love her!

Here are some sample cards of what we put with their candy.  I also ask parents to write them a note for the first morning and I put it on their desk.  They are always so thrilled with this surprise!  The I write them a note every morning after that to encourage them.  Again, this is a long two weeks so whatever works!

Usually after the test we do One Hour Mysteries.  It is really interesting to watch the kids in detective mode and using their logic and reasoning skills to solve the crime.  Definitely a book worth buying!

I know, usually only the intermediate grades have to deal with testing but I know that our primary grades are a huge support system to us that week!  We get a buddy class and they pamper my kids with support posters and candy and homemade cards and my kids feel like kings and queens.  They also do an FCAT Parade the day before!  It's so stinkin' cute!!!!  They make their posters and signs and musical instruments and all form a big line.  The front office puts parade music over the intercom and the intermediate kids stand outside our classroom while K-2 march along and sing.


Now I do not have anything for weather as I have never taught science :o( but that's okay!  I do still have my science drawer in my file cabinet though (because you never know what's going to happen) and I would love to get some good ideas or TPT things to fill it!

I do however have a Writing Prompt Calendar for the month of April and I will send it free to the first five people to link up!  Click on the image below to get your copy!

Thank you so much for reading ALL THAT.  I know it was a lot and y'all are troopers.  Link up below and tell us all what great ideas you have in your file cabinet!  Please be sure to grab the button above and link back here so others can link up as well.  Don't forget to comment on the person before you and after you as well!  Everyone enjoys some bloggy lovin ;o)