I’m as old as….

Today is my birthday (Monday, October 11th). Students don’t have class today as they celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day so on Friday, I celebrated with my students.

First I played this video of one of my favorite poets, Billy Collins, reading his poem Cheerios. Do take 2-minutes to view it HERE.

Next I shared this poster I made showing books of a few children’s books published the year I was born. It also shows inventions made, an historical event, and buildings built. But best of all, the foods first found on the grocery store shelves the year I was born are listed. Yep, I’m as old as Chip-Ahoy cookies!

Students used their iPads to find out what was going on the year they were born. They began a list on the white board. We laughed as we compared.

We stepped outside to safely to enjoy a Chip-ahoy cookie and returned to view this video of a classic picture book. Then we returned to our regular Reading lesson for the day. I’m glad I took 15-minutes to celebrate my birthday with my students! Poetry, a little research, a laugh, a cookie and an read-aloud. The perfect birthday celebration for me as I turn 58 years young!

Can you find out what you are as old as?
Do and then share as a comment!

20 thoughts on “I’m as old as….”

  3. Anne Donnelly says:
    Reply

    I’m as old as NAFTA, the Space Shuttle Endeavor, the first ever text message, the Mall of America, China’s first McDonalds, Euro Disney in Paris, and the Washington Football Team’s last Super Bowl win !

    Like

  4. Ms Victor Reads says:
    Reply

    I’m as old as Sally Donnelly! (actually almost 8 months older). I want to do this with my class for my birthday in February (and so hoping it’ll be an in-person celebration). This is such a great idea! Lots of hard history facts in our birth year…

    Like

    • sallydonnelly11 says:
      Reply

      I love knowing we are both as old as Captain Crunch cereal! I also hope you can celebrate in-person with your students in February. I’m glad I gave you a teaching idea because YOU have given me SO many!! Curious, have you started to think about the r-word, retirement? Suddenly, I find myself wondering and thinking about making a plan?? Just not sure when, yet.

      Like

  5. margaretsmn says:
    Reply

    What a great idea for celebrating your birthday with your students! Ah, Chips Ahoy! I turned 60 on the very first day of the school year this year and tried not to draw attention to myself in any way. It’s been tough changing into this decade. I hope you will celebrate 60 as well as you did 58.

    Like

    • sallydonnelly11 says:
      Reply

      Happy Belated Birthday, Margaret! Thanks for reading. To be honest, I’m starting to feel myself slow down and find teaching more and more tiring. So also get why starting a new decade is tough. Hang in there.

      Like

  6. Melanie White says:
    Reply

    This is such a playful idea and I love that you shared yours with your students. I’m sharing my writing with my high school students but I think I’m going to keep them guessing about my age for now 🙂

    Like

      • Adrienne says:

        We are writing historical fiction stories in 7th grade. I mentioned that most of my life would be historical fiction because we consider anything set 10 years or more in the past qualifies. Students eyes popped out of their heads when they realized their early years could fall into that category.

        Like

  8. Denise Krebs says:
    Reply

    Happy birthday, Sally! It sounds like a great day for a birthday with a day off! This was a fun activity for your students. I was born in the year of the packaged RAMEN noodles. (By the way, the links don’t seem to be working for me. Is anyone else having trouble?)

    Like

Leave a comment