Thematic Thursday: Bats!

I am so excited to be linking up with Carla from Comprehension Connections for Thematic Thursday!  This week's topic is BATS!  I have been SOOOO busy on the computer that I needed a break and this was JUST the time to get it!  I ran to the Dollar Tree and got crafting!

So, here is how I did it: I chose to use the blow up bat I found at the Dollar Tree.  You could use paper versions as well.  

I used my paper cutter to cut the dry erase sheets.  I happened to have this box left over from another project.  Any paper or tape can be used for this if you don't have dry erase sheets!   Add the dry erase sheet (or paper) to the bat.

This blow up bat had sections on its wings that were able to be hole punched with out busting the bat!  If you use a paper version, you won't have to worry about where you punch the holes!   I used orange thread in my version (my daughter took my fishing line and I have no idea where she put it....does that happen to anyone else?).  It actually helped to show up better in pictures anyway.  Make sure whatever thread you are using gets wrapped through the holes you made in the bat AND through the middle of the clothespins.  Tie the string or thread in several knots to keep it secure.   Now, your Bat Mobile is ready to go!  

The choices at this point are limitless!  For my sample, I used phonics skills as well as numbers.   For most of my ideas, I used one strip of dry erase sheet per bat.  However, if you wanted, you could also use one strip on each side or even use a silver Sharpie to write directly on the bats.   One of the bonuses for using dry erase paper is that you could stop here and let the kids write on the bats!  They would think that is pretty cool!
Some ways you could use this Bat Mobile: *Write a word family on the big bat and have kids sort words written on the small bats. *Write a number on the big bat and have the kids sort number sentences (that equal that number) written on the small bats. *Write BATS on the big bat, as well as TRUE and FALSE.  Have students sort sentences written on the small bats into TRUE and FALSE statements. *Write BATS on the big bat, as well as FACTS and OPINIONS.  Have students sort sentences written on the small bats into FACTS and OPINIONS statements. *Write a number on the big bat, as well as TRUE and FALSE.  Have students sort number sentences written on the small bats into TRUE and FALSE statements.

What other ways can YOU think of to use this Bat Mobile?

You can grab this FREE recording sheet from my TPT store.  It includes an EDITABLE version so you can use whatever idea you come up with!  

For more fun BAT ideas, check out these books, sites, and ideas: