The North Pole - Adaptations and Arctic Waters

Hot Off The Press!!  I was determined to finish this 16 page inquiry into The North Pole.  I wanted something that was seasonal, but loaded with Science and Language skills.  And just because I'm "Me" I included a page on Global Warming and the Causation/Responsibility that accompanies it.

The last page is open to interpretation.  Who Lives at the North Pole?  Younger children will certainly illustrate the guy in the red suit.  Older children may provide a literal response.  

Take a Look - http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/An-Inquiry-Into-The-North-Pole-Animal-Adaptations

Elf Math

I just posted my Elf Math activities on http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Elf-Math
These are K-1st grade activities.  2nd graders could use them for review.  Read Elf on A Shelf to get your students interested in all of your Holiday Fundays!!

City Nights

I had a few darling 1st graders help me with a City Nights picture.  They did their very best cutting squares and rectangles.  Good Job!  It's a great compliment to their studies on Rural and Urban Communities.

Inquiry Into Endangered Species

This unit can be used to support a 4 week inquiry or as an "All In A Day" center rotation.  It makes connections with biographies, Critical Thinking, Fluency, Perspective, and Adaptations.  I used it in a 2nd grade Gifted Classroom, but it can be modified for grades 1-3.  A great science lab activity to add is the exploration of Blubber.  the teacher will prepare one plastic glove with Crisco or another vegetable shortening.  (The tub of white shortening)  Then, place another plastic glove on top.  You'll have a glove within a glove with "Blubber" in between.  This adaptation will be put to the test as students dip the insulated hand in a bowl of ice water.  They will they dip the other hand without insulation.  Draw Conclusions!  Perfect for the connections with penguins and whales.

Available at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Carla-Walk

Rhyming Words

Just posted my rhyming words flashcards.  These are perfect for Literacy Centers or Independent Projects.  

Inquiry Based

My first inquiry based center is up and running on Teachers Pay Teachers.  Great "Thought Provoking" activities to be used for individuals or collaborative groups.  Go to http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Carla-Walk
Inquiry Based

Communicator Pumpkin

Be a communicator!  I used Dr. Seuss as an addition to my Pumpkin Patch.  He represents the encouragement to be a communicator.  Reading, Writing, Drawing, and Speaking are wonderful ways to express our thoughts and ideas.  This is the perfect time to connect with the work of Dr. Seuss and have children work on rhyming words.  Stay tuned for learning center connections!

The Principled Pumpkin

This is a sample of my first pumpkin in my Inquiry into Being Principled.  It offers many opportunities for children to add questions, thoughts, and connections.

Fall Festival

Nothing says, "Fall is here!" like a school's Fall Festival.  Milam School celebrated a time honored tradition and they did it with great style.  Haunted House, Dunking Booth, DJ, And Cotton Candy provided a good time for all who attended.  This put me in the mood for a little pumpkin fun.  I'm working on a pumpkin patch that will support the characteristics of The PYP Learner Profile.  My first entry is a representation of someone who is Principled.  I chose former President Jimmy Carter for his work with World Peace and Habitat For Humanity.

Back to Blogging

I'm back!  So many exciting things are going on for me, I decided to give blogging another try.  I'm also taking the plunge with Teachers Pay Teachers.  My first downloadable file is Wild Weather Station.  This is a short weather play that I wrote about 17 years ago.  I've made a few changes, but the play continues each year.  It's great for a Readers Theater also.  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Carla-Walk

I'm so excited to be included in SCEA 2012 ARTS & EDUCATION FORUM as a panel presenter. The forum will be held March 18-19 at The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.
Read my professional bio below, or click on the following link for more information.

http://www.utc.edu/Outreach/SCEA/2012-Forum-Panel-Members.php

Carla Walk is a twenty-three year veteran in the field of education. During this time, she served as classroom teacher, elementary drama teacher, and International Baccalaureate Coordinator. She is responsible for infusing the arts into the written curriculum and providing model lessons on arts integration. She has a BA in Elementary Education from Marshall University and an M.Ed in Gifted Education from The University of Texas Pan American. Carla has served her schools and community in several capacities. Her most recent contribution is the formation of Page ii, a team of consultants offering professional development and advocacy for gifted education. She has presented on differentiated instruction, arts integration, and the nature and needs of the gifted. During the summer, Carla offers creativity camps for local students. She lives in Edinburg, Texas with her husband and three sons. 

Welcome to Page ii

This Blog is finally up and running. After many planning sessions, we are finally going in the right direction. My business partner and friend is Sandy Atkins. We share a passion for gifted education and a desire to support programs and professional development.