My new leprechaun

My friend Wendyle Gillis and I constructed this new leprechaun for my classroom.  He is more realistic than the leprechaun stuffy I was using. He stands about 10 inches tall. 

Leprechaun Traps

I tell the students that they must build their traps at home and bring them in the week of St.Patrick’s Day.  We are attempting to catch any leprechauns that might be sneaking around.  I, of course, spring their traps the night before St.Patrick’s Day and leave a picture of the leprechaun at their trap.  I also leave behind gold and green sprinkles, shamrocks and chocolate money.   I dump some of the desks and chairs, and make the room look like the leprechaun made a mess of our classroom.  I pretend, in the morning as they arrive, that I slept in and haven’t been to my room to unlock it yet.  I’m wearing my jacket and holding my purse and bag, and when I pull out my key, I tell them to be very careful as there may be a leprechaun caught in their trap.  They go wild when I open the door.  Have fun with this! 

Writing to Mr. Blarney

St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner on March 17.  I have a mail box set up in my classroom that magically appeared this week.  I left a letter in the mail box for the students.  They had so many questions, that I said we had better write to Mr. Blarney to get some answers.  I have included a picture of the mail box and a sample to two letters that were written by my students. 

Dear Grade One’s

My name is Mr. Blarney.  Did you know that St.Patrick’s Day is just around the corner?  Yep, on March 17^th you can try and catch me if you can, but I have never been captured yet!  I know you will be building your traps at home and bringing them to school, good luck with those.  I’m sure you have lots of questions you would like to ask me, so go ahead and ask your teacher if you can write to me.  Put your letter in my mail box and I’ll get right back to you.  My mailbox will only be available for one week and then it will disappear! 

Mr. Blarney

Leprechaun Mail Box

100th Day / 100 Chart

100th Day and Valentine's Day fall within a day of each other, and some years on the same day.  I was given this idea from a colleague and the students have fun with this.  I recruit older students to tape or sticky tack the numbered hearts up around the school.  When we are ready to do the activity, I tell them they must go out of the room and find the numbers and once all the numbers are in place there is a hidden number to find.  They are only allowed to bring ONE numbered heart, at a time, back to the room and find the correct spot on the 100s chart. This is a great way to assess which kids know their numbers to 100 and their location on the 100s chart.  Once all the numbers are collected, you can see the 1 0 0 embeded in the 100s chart.  Enjoy!   

100th Day & Valentine Celebration