Paper Plate Fiesta

Teaching on a budget? Tired of buying overpriced items, just to have your students destroy them faster than it took you to click Buy-Now on Amazon?

This will be the first post in a monthly series providing tips and tricks on how to incorporate everyday items you find at the grocery store, even the Dollar Store, that your students will find engaging and it won't break the bank! 

Our first player up to bat is something that can be used in any grade level and any subject: the paper plate. Now, I'm not talking about the expensive Dixie plates with all of the decorations to make it look like you aren't eating off something you eventually throw away. No, I'm talking about the 200 count for less than $2.00 paper plates. They are way better to use in the classroom because they are easy to fold and the kids can write on them easier.

Here are some suggestions on how to use paper plates in the various subjects you may teach:

Math: Studying multiplication? Have students divide the plate into four sections. Next, have them write four multiplication facts, one in each section. Then, use it as a Frisbee and fly it to someone else for them to answer the multiplication fact. Repeat until all sections are filled out!

Writing: Put a prompt on the board. Have the students divide the plate into however many sections you would like. The students will then have to provide opening sentences that will "hook" their reader in for as many spots you had them make. Then, they will Frisbee the paper plate to someone else, the student will then read the hook, and on the back provide peer feedback on the sentence they read!

Science: Introducing vocabulary? Have the students write the word on the front of the plate and the definitions on the back. Again, Frisbee the plate to a classmate and they will have to draw the picture on their friend's plate!

The possibilities are endless when it comes to paper plates!! If you have used them in your classroom, The Learning Tree Studio would love to hear from you!! Leave a comment below with your favorite use!!

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