Learning is Sweet

There is nothing quite like candy to capture the attention of children excluding video games and live animals neither of which are allowed in my classroom. I know it can be intimidating to introduce themes into a classroom with the high demands on our students to meet state and national standards and the overload of curricula and standards we squeeze into a day. Teaching with themes can still meet all the standards AND engage learners in a nontraditional but highly relatable way. Here is how we used candy to teach reading, writing, math, science and social studies ALIGNED to state standards.

Recommended Books:
Curious George Goes to the Chocolate Factory
Chavala and the Magic Bubble
Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum
Hansel and Gretel

I started with Candy Shop packs from Teachers Notebook. You can find them here: Writing Pack, Reading Pack

Reading/ELA:
Take home reader for the week: The Candy Shop
The Candy Shop Easy Reader

For my students that are still working on letters, we used Twizzlers Pull and Peel Licorice to make letters and spell words. I used letter mats as a modification for my students struggling with letter formation. Such a great alternative to tracing.













We also worked on the -eet word family. My students made these fun "-eet sweets" with paper plates and construction paper. Two paper plates and a metal brad makes studying for spelling way more fun!

Directions:
Decorate one paper plate. Cut out a small rectangle on the decorated plate. Poke small hole through the center of both plates. Push the brad through both plates. Spin the blank plate and write the onsets in the rectangular opening.

Math:

 We used these plastic number trays to practice formation and identification with M&Ms.

Today we read Hershey's Kiss Addition Book and added along with the book. We used tongs to add in a fine motor component. My students have never been more excited to practice their addition facts

Art:

Twizzler Pull and Peels are amazing paint brushes. I gave my students half of one with no directions. So much fun!

Science:
This six weeks we are learning about the moon and stars. Today we read Draw Me a Star by Eric Carle. We used toothpicks and DOTS to make stars. We also made some constellations.