Requested by Bev

Hello all. I am looking for some clever morning greetings I can do with my students. I want some way to get all of my students involved while at the same time getting them excited. I want them to greet each other in a positive way in order to set the stage for the remainder of the day. Does anyone have any ideas? I really appreciate it! Thanks!

Response posted by Teri:
When we come in and when we leave kids give me and one friend ONE of the 3 H's: 3 H's: hug, handshake, high five...They love it!!

Response posted by Maureen:
The Responsive Classroom has some great morning greeting ideas in their archives. One we tried and loved was;

Requested by Denise

Does anyone have any good ideas on teaching the three branches of the government to fifth graders? Also, do you now of a good children's book that would be appropriate to use with this grade level? Thanks for your help.

Response posted by Jennifer:
I actually build a tree. The roots are labeled as Constitution, since that is what holds our government together. The trunk is labeled republic, since that is the basis for the three branches. Then there are the three main branches, labeled with each of the actual branches of government. Off of that are smaller branches that identify the responsibilities of each branch. The kids put it together and they love it!

Response posted by Sue:
I got a book called Super Social Studies! In there, is a project taking the three branches of government and displaying them on a wire hanger. I have done this the past four years and it really helps, along with a quick one minute warm-up when they come in from recess, or lunch, asking them the levels and who's in charge etc. I also use the software from Inspiration or Kidspiration to web the three branches and have the kids attach it to their notebook for reference.

missjay asked: What to do with fall leaves??? Any good ideas as to what to do with the nice fall leaves we are collecting?

teacherkasey responded:
Make a leaf quilt. Let children collect leaves. Glue them to colorful construction paper (green, yellow,red, orange). Then laminate. Punch holes along the sides and tie together with yarn to make a "quilt."

Paulie responded:
What about pressing leaves? You place a paper towel or napkin on a page of a book, then the leaf, then another towel and close the book. Place other books on top for weight. After awhile, they will be flat and still look pretty for using on a bulletin board or in an art project.

Genie responded:
I let my children tape the leaf on a piece of paper. Be sure to leave space between the leaves. Don't over-lap them. Then they take fall colors of paint and paint the whole picture. It leaves a place where the leaves are when they dry up. It lets them also see how the size of the leaf changes as it dries.

Cindy responded:
We just made "baggie books" with our leaves. Staple several baggies together along the end of the baggie (so the zip lock side is open), the zip lock side of the baggie is the right margin and the staple side is the left margin. With a sharpie write sentences such as:

"I found one yellow leaf." Put the yellow leave in that baggie. The next page could say, "I found one red leaf." Or you could simply write the words: one red leaf - one yellow leaf.

teacherkasey responded:
Make a leaf quilt. Let children collect leaves. Glue them to colorful construction paper (green, yellow,red, orange). Then laminate. Punch holes along the sides and tie together with yarn to make a "quilt."