How to Utilize Pool Noodles Without a Pool

Fun Extension Activities

Hello!

I have created two fun extension activities involving pool noodles. One for ELA and the other for math. The best thing about these activities is that you can get ALL of your supplies at the dollar store!

Spelling Frenzy

In my class, I will be giving out weekly spelling tests. I remember growing up, I had a spelling book. Each night we had to do a page out of the book to practice our spelling words. I was not a fan of these spelling books. I was more of a hands on learner. 

When teaching spelling this year, I wanted to think of the best way I can teach spelling while incorporating multi-modalities. Every child learns different, and I want to make sure I reach all of them. My spelling schedule will go as follows:

1. Monday- Introduce the Spelling words
2. Tuesday- S P E L L it
3. Wednesday- Spelling Frenzy
4. Thursday- Sparkle 
5. Friday- Spelling Test

In this blog, I will be teaching you how to play Spelling Frenzy. All of the supplies you need, you can find at the dollar store:

Towel Racks

Buckets

Pool Noodles

The first thing you will need to do is cut up 3 pool noodles of the same color. I chose lime green. Grab a ruler and mark off every inch on the noodle. Then cut the noodle with scissors. Then grab one noodle of another color, I chose red, and cut that noodle the same. The lime green noodles will have all of the consonants written on them. The red noodle will have all the vowels on them. Make sure you write the letters horizontal, or else it will not work with the game.

Consonant and Vowels

After you create the letters, you can put them all in your buckets for storage. Once you take them to school, you can explain to your students how the game will be played. You will divide your students into 2 groups (or more if you get more towel racks). You will ask for one person from each group. You will dump all of the letters on the floor in front of them. Each team will get a towel rack. You will then write one of the spelling words on the board. When you say go each person will dig through the letters to find the correct ones to spell the spelling word. (For a challenge you can just say the word instead of writing it on the board!) 

Spelling Frenzy

This is a fun interactive way to have your students practice Their spelling words

Fraction Action

The last game utilizing the pool noodles is for learning fractions. The first thing you need to do is get a ruler and cut 4 different color noodles. Make them each a foot long. Then cut one into halves, fourths (quarters), and sixths.

You can use this in multiple different ways. You can use it to demonstrate how a fraction is one part of a whole. You can take the two halves and show how 1 of the halves is one half of a the whole noodle (for Ohio Standards this is 3.NF.1). 

You can also show equivalent fractions. You can show how 1 whole equals 4 quarters. (Ohio State Standard 3.NF.3)

You can also use these for a math center. You can create cards that tell students to make equivalent fractions. For an example: Find a fraction that is equivalent to 1 half (Answer: 2/4)

You can get a nice bucket to store these as well. And feel free to get extra colors to make different fractions.

Job Offer

Hello!

I have accepted a 3rd grade position for Columbus City Schools! I am so excited and school starts in less then a month. I am lesson planning all throughout summer. I get to see my classroom this Thursday and will start decorating. I will be updating my blog all throughout the school year to inform you on all the exciting things my class will be doing!

My school also doesn't have an ELA curriculum. I have decided to create me own and use it in my classroom. I will be sharing my tips, tricks, and struggles on creating your own curriculum. I am really excited that I decided to this. It will allow me to use more of my creativity and create more hands-on learning in my lessons.

Thanks for following and I hope you enjoy my journey as a first year teacher!