Butter

Our science unit over matter is always fun in my room. After the students learn what a solid, liquid, and gas, I read the story, "The Butter Battle" by Dr. Seuss. Before reading the story I give each student a 1oz container filled halfway with heavy cream. While I read the story, the kids shake the containers. We stop and discuss how it started as a liquid, and how we are changing it to a solid. The kids enjoyed eating their butter with saltine crackers.

*Butter lesson is from Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom. 

Practice card parent letter

As mentioned before the practice cards take the place of our behavior sheets. When a students has to be reminded of a rule more than once, you give them a white practice card. The student will spend 2 minutes (during recess or free time) practicing that rule, and they will take a note home for their parents to sign. The practice card stays in their packet until the note comes back signed. If the note does not come back after 2 days, you send the student with a copy of the note to a co-partner in the building. That adult will have them practice the rule, and then send them back to class.

I found a great letter at Teacher Will Run for Books. She has both the needs work note and the great job note.