Happy Fall, Me Hearties Bulletin Board and Freebies

Instead of making a full-sized Welcome Back Bulletin Board like I usually do, I decided to make a much smaller one using poster board. The kids love it so much and touch their names when they enter the room. Some say they make a quick wish. :)  Although September's "Welcome Back" time is over, I wanted to keep this so I switched out the greeting.  Cute?

I love to have my door area welcoming to staff, students, and parents. 

You can only see a small part of my actual door, but it gives an idea as to what I put on it.

Aren't these Hipster Dog adorable? Grab them in Hanging in Mrs. Hulsey's store for free.

This is just one of many posters included in Victoria Saied's product. Grab it! I have this poster in a few spots in my room including the class bathroom! 

This poster comes in pink/orange tones and blue/green tones from Array of Sunshine. I love, love, love it! I do reduce it and cut it out. Not only is it on my door, but I put it in each cubby so the kids are reminded of the sentiment when they see it.

If you'd like to make the bulletin board for yourself, here is John's Clip Art.  Click the pic to grab it.  I may put the whole thing in my store but not sure of interest.  Either way, you can easily make it yourself for FREE!

And since there's a good chance that there are some sharks in these waters, don't forget to download this free SNEAKY SHARK Clear the Board math game that is perfect for k/1 students!

I start this week off with Back-to-School Night! Have a great week!

The Power of Yet Bulletin Board

I finally made a bulletin board to go with my "The Power of Yet" Growth Mindset theme! 

Creating a Growth Mindset culture and community isn't hard to do. Growth Mindset describes a way of viewing challenges and setbacks. When your students understand that their abilities, skills and talents can be nurtured and their goals achieved with hard work, grit and determination, they’ll begin to see their “failures” as a small detour and an opportunity for continued learning. 

I start off the year reading these books:

Here's another way I use The Magical Yet to work on Setting Goals with my class.

Then we have a morning meeting share following this prompt:

Here are the answers I got this year:

1. Ride a two-wheeler.

2. Make toast for my grandmom.

3. Read Piggie and Elephant by myself.

4. Wash my own hair.

5. Go to sleep away camp.

6. Play in my backyard without my big sister there to bug me.

7. Blow my nose.

8. Fly to Arizona by myself to meet Auntie Kim.

9. Make a Fortune Teller.

10. Tie my shoes. 

11. Take off my training wheels. (7 kids said this!)

12. Put the bait on the hook.

It was a long share but so worth it!  The discussion was great as to WHY they could now do these things. Words learned:

GRIT, PERSEVERANCE, DETERMINATION

By the end of September, I no longer hear frustrated students saying," I can't do it" but instead, "I can't do it YET."  I feel like my First Graders are ready to tackle anything and everything with a new sense of determination.

If you are interested in this Bulletin Board display, you can find it in my store. Click on pic if interested.

Do you know of any other books you could recommend to me on The Power of Yet theme? I'm always looking for new books. Drop me a title or two below if you can. Thanks!

5 Fun Shark Week Activities to Dive Into

If you're anything like me, then you've been anxiously counting down the days until Shark Week. Although I'm not in school during Shark Week, this year, I'm declaring a week in September as my very own SHARK WEEK to celebrate with my kids. Why? Because kids are FASCINATED by sharks and so am I!

Here are 5 simple ways you can bring a little of SHARK WEEK into your classroom:

1. Share Some Shark Jokes!

I'm looking forward to the hilarious shark jokes that will be flooding my social media feeds over the next few weeks. To get you in the Shark Week spirit now, I've put together a collection of some of my favorite jokes about these underwater predators.  Download for FREE!

2. Watch Documentaries and Videos

In preparation for my own Shark Week, I've been binge-watching shark documentaries and trying to learn as much about these fascinating creatures as possible. Where to start: anything by National Geographic!

or anything by Daniel Attenborough:

Here's a great video I found that I'll be sharing with my class:

3. Make a Headband

Who doesn't love to wear a headband? This headband is so cute and easy to make. I saw this from Simple Everyday Mom on Pinterest and it's FREE! Isn't it adorable? Thanks, Simple Everyday Mom! I'll be sure to posts pics when my students make them!

4. Play Sneaky Shark Math Game:

Read more about the game and learn how to play this "Clear the Board" game for K-2 students. 

Sharks + Math = FUN LEARNING!

5. Read Some Awesome Books to Your Students

Check out Some FINtastic Books for SHARK-TASTIC Readers.

Missing from the list, however, is one of my favorite books to share: SHARK LADY: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist. Take a sneak peek!

You can read more about it and see how I do a few activities to support Shark Lady.

So, there you have it- five easy things you can do to celebrate SHARK WEEK. And the best part is that all of these activities are fun, easy to do and FREE! Who wouldn’t want to read more books, watch thought-provoking documentaries, listen to funny jokes, make a shark craft or play games that make them smarter? I know I do. Your kids will, too!

So, what are you waiting for?  Download all the Freebies above, kick back and read some books, watch a few documentaries, and...go for a swim today! 

You never know what you'll see! 

FREEBIE Math Game for Shark Week!

Looking for a SIMPLE, easy-to-learn math game that will have kids practicing their counting and addition facts? A game that even Kindergarten kids can play during the first week of school? A game you can add to centers and rotations at any point of the year to have them practice fact fluency? Well, here it is: SNEAKY SHARK! A Clear the Board game.

I have this same game for Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day but wanted to make one for SHARK WEEK and summer fun.  Takes a minute to learn and is a quick game that the kids want to play again and again.

How Do You Play?

Place all ten of your tokens on the board. Take turns rolling 2 dice and add numbers together. Look to see if your token is in that column. If it is, remove it. Roll doubles? Take turn and ROLL AGAIN! If your token isn’t in that column, skip a turn. First one to remove all of his/her tokens is The Sneaky Shark!

Two boards are included (both in color and BW) so Kindergarten students can play while using one die on a 1-6 board and Grades 1/2 can use two dice and add numbers together on the 2-12 board. SO EASY and FUN!

Here's one of my FAVORITE shark-related books, SHARK LADY. My class LOVES it too! Have you read it?

ENJOY!
 

THIS is the Playlist You Need For Your Classroom

Did you know that the first five minutes of each school day is critical for establishing or deepening connections with our students? Even after you've built that strong community, you must nurture it to ensure it continues to thrive. 

The second I step outside into the hallway and see my kids coming toward me in the hall, I'm ready to greet each one by name and make a quick connection like, "Did you win your game last night?' or "Today's Friday. Pancake Day for your family! What kind did you have?" 

Yep- even short interactions foster that community spirit.

Then, they enter my classroom and I have this playlist on in the background while they're unpacking and chit chatting with each other for 5-7 minutes before they start their Do-Now. 

 

 Isn't it such an easy way to continue the community building?  

I also play it during snack, dismissal, and times when they request it. Does belting out the above songs really strengthen our classroom community?

YOU BETCHA! Music is so powerful whether you are 1 or 100 years old. 

I hope you can use this for your class. Do you have any songs you'd like to see added? Any songs that resonate with you and your class? Let me know!

Check out my other playlists for Writing Workshop and Brain Break Dance Songs.

Thirty Second Game Changer for ANY Grade Level (Problem Solved)

Can you relate to this scenario?

You're having a wonderful discussion about a picture book with your class. Kids have their hands flying in the air to share their thoughts, opinions and feelings, and are ready to make a connection to their own lives or another book the class has read. Their enthusiasm is palpable.

You call on several kids to share out. Lots of their answers motivate even more hands to shoot up and wave wildly in the air.  

The kids are so excited but being respectful trying hard to signal to you that they're sitting nicely, hand in the air, and ready to share. Some are making noises and you're not sure if they want to share or telling you they're sick! :)

 Sometimes, lots of times, you get those begging eyes that if those same eyes could talk, would be screaming, "PICK ME! Look how I'm sitting crisscross applesauce!"

You glance at the clock and think: Do I have time to call on one more student or do I need to line them up now so we're not late for gym?

You decide to call on one more student.

Said child answers and when you say, "Okay, kids.  That's all we have time for today," you hear moans.  Groans.  Mumbling  Grumbling.

Kids are bummed. Frustrated. You overhear at least one kid say, "It's not fair.  You didn't call on me." They want to be heard.

As they line up, some are coming up to you to share. Others are walking to the line, shoulders slumped and muttering under their breath.

I get it. I feel their disappointment.

At least I used to before implementing this SIMPLE 30 second strategy:

When you end the lesson and are about to transition, simply say, "If you didn't get to share out, turn and share with someone next to you."

INSTANT happiness! It's a SUPER DUPER QUICK FIX!

Students immediately feel validated since they've been heard. They feel like an important community member that had something to contribute to the discussion.

This 30 second trick truly helps foster your classroom community because they're making connections with classmates. A bond. Even small shared connections- one word answers- have forged many a friendship.

It's really a gamechanger!

There is no downside. I do it every time. Try it!  Let me know how it goes.

I'm big on "sharing" and feel it's the most important component of Morning Meeting. Totally contributes to turning your kids into a community! 

One thing I learned the hard way when I started teaching: Your SHARING doesn't always have to be WHOLE CLASS sharing which can be tedious at times.  

To see how I handle sharing in class and maybe find a tip or two you can use, you might want to read the post from a few years ago.  Enjoy!

Wrapping Up the Year

My school year ended on April 5th because I took a terrible fall in school and broke my kneecap, detached my quad muscle, broke a toe and suffered a concussion!  Yep! I was in the hospital for ten nights and had surgery. Did I mention this was all on my NEW custom-made knee replacement knee/leg? Um. Yep.

Crushing.  If you know my story, I had spent the prior 18 months home due to my leg and had a few major surgeries and was even in ICU. It's been a difficult journey for sure. To be in this position again is beyond frustrating. So I've been reading night and day.  Adult- not kid- books.  I'll post some of the books I loved that I've read these last few months at the end of this post.

Over the last week, I've been working on some new products. Trying to fill my days while I'm still in this brace for another six weeks. 

With the uploading of my June Crowns packet above, I finally finished the CROWNS BUNDLE.  I did go back and added additional crowns to all of the individual packets.  I just couldn't resist! There's truly something for everyone!

Do I use all of them in a month? NOPE! But I'm glad I can pick and choose AND I often put a few out during FREETIME so kids can grab if they want.

NOTE: All of he crowns are also offered in COLOR in case teachers want one (or to give to a colleague) but don't want to color in themselves. 

Also made this: May/June Craft & Goals.  SO EASY and an INSTANT bulletin board. 

My newest product? Class Books to make for your classroom library and enhance your print rich environment. These books are a great way to get to know your students and are a fun way to build community in the classroom. Pick from printing out the cover in color OR have a student color it in. (Can pull a name out of jar to decide who is the Lucky Duck!)

Although June's not finished yet, I have September-December ready to go. If you are interested, the price is over 60% off while I add new packets.  Grab it now! The bundle is listed for only $14 but will go up soon. That means if you buy this week, each month would only cost about $1.50.  That's for FIVE books per month!  It would be 50 books in all for $14! I'll add the rest by June 14th. 

Here are 5 September Class Books so you can see whar they're all about.

Books Included in September:

✿ The Apples of Our Eyes
✿ Chicka Chicka Book Boom! Looks Who's In Our Room!
✿ Make Your Mark (Inspired by the book The Dot. Dot Day is September 15th.)
✿ A Beary Fun Classroom (Teddy Bear Day is September 9th)
✿ A Peaceful Class (World Peace Day is September 21st)

These are so easy to make! Pass out the appropriate sheet (primary, secondary or blank space (no writing lines) for kindergarteners or not-yet-ready to write students.) and have them complete prompt and draw a picture. Ten minutes later, another class book to add to your library or display.

I let my kids check them out throughout the year AND at the end of the year, I give out all of the books for the students to keep. We make 40 books a year so kids usually get 2 books!

Last page: I like to take a picture of the class (holding their individual pages) and glue it in the book. If you don't want to include a picture, have each student sign their name or draw a heart or flower and write name on or under it. 

Can use for Writing Workshop, Morning Meeting activity or a Do-Now.

See an OCTOBER Fire Prevention CLASS BOOK.

As promised, here are the covers of some of the books I've read recently  No reviews but if I'm putting cover here, I loved the book!

I'll post more books next time.  Have any recommendations for me? Let me know!

If you're out of school, enjoy your break! If you're still teaching, hang in there! Sand, sun and fun are coming your way soon!

Grab Some March Freebies and Ideas

Hello, Teacher Friends!  

Happy March! I really love teaching in March. Maybe it's leaving winter behind? The welcome of spring and warmer weather? The feeling that summer isn't too far off? For whatever reason, I always feel energized with the kids during March.

Maybe it's the fun Leprechaun Traps the kids make at home and the anticipation of bringing them in to catch a pesky Leprechaun? Feel free to grab freebie and use...

(Here's a video of our traps and what happened when we put them out....FUN!!!)

March means it's time to pull out some March-themed math games. This year, I added this freebie for a  St. Patrick's Day theme .  It's super easy to play! Perfect for K-2.

We always do a quick craft or two for spring to refresh the classroom, too.  Usually it's this:

But this year, as part of my Monthly Goal Product series, I made these instead.  Kids tucked a goal for March underneath.  The best part? These are so easy that from start to finish was 15 minutes for most kids...including the goal writing!

I had kids pick one or the other.  Most picked the lion.  Next year, I'll have them make both so I have lots to decorate with and they'll have a matching pair to bring home. They'll do two goals, too.  I have 25 goals to pick from in the product so that won't be a problem.

Of course we kicked off the month with Read Across America. My kiddos enjoyed making a headband to wear. Isn't it cute?

Here are my March Crowns / headbands if you want to take a peek:

But my favorite activity so far in March? One I just started to implement last week and I'm sure I'll do for years to come EVERY DAY in my classroom! Yep! EVERY DAY.

What is it? Stay-tuned! That will be my next post later this week.  It's late and I've gotta get some sleep!

Thanks for reading!