FREEBIE for First Day of School

I know lots of you use the Magic Play-Doh at the beginning of the year...or Play Clay as my Firsties call it! But if you don't (or even if you do!) you might be interested in this Freebie from my TpT Store!

It has the RECIPE I've used for years, an ORIGINAL SHORT POEM I wrote, (and small ones to attach to Baggies) and a CLASS BOOK you can make. There are two pages to choose from: one the kids simply write the color their clay turned into and the other one includes a space to write about their wish.  A great beginning of the year activity! Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

This is all you need to make the magic happen: (and food coloring!)

And it's so easy to make!

And fun to help make the magic happen!

 

And once the balls go into baggies, they're ready to be passed out!

It's 98 outside right now and my pool is actually 90 degrees!  I'm jumping back in!  Enjoy!

Creating Again...

Now that school's over, it's time to start creating clip art again AND time to think ahead about September/School! Eek...too soon?  Never!

I started off with a no-brainer for the classroom.  I couldn't resist buying my Crazy Straws for my birthday balloons at the Dollar Tree last week. I'm making the same ones.  Last year, I had a hard time deciding which balloons to make but finally decided on cute clip art from Heidi Oldenburg.

I also bought more "Smart Beads" since my supply got low.  I decided early on last year to allow kids to wear their Smart Beads home to show their parents if they promised to bring them back.  Most of the time, they returned the sparkly gems.  The cost to replace them is so cheap, that I didn't mind a few "lost" ones.

And it feels so good to finish some new clip art.  I just came up with a cute idea for tomorrow's clip art.  Can't wait!  Going to design it now.  Until then, here's a peek at what John and I did today.

 

 

'Night!

Tweaking a Great Idea

Often I read such great ideas on a blog that I'm inspired to implement them immediately into my own classroom.  Such is the case with a post I read from Tammy in Forever in First last year! (Thanks, Tammy!)

It was very simple: offer a challenge to the kiddos during writing such as "use quotation marks."  

Once kids implemented the strategy, (which could be something you just taught or a review...possibilities are endless!) they would sign their name on the board as proof they accepted the challenge.  A great motivator! Here's an example of one I did where I asked them to use an exclamation mark in their writing:

While I loved the idea, my execution hit a few bumps in the road. Like....the kids swarmed to the board all at once.  Yep- a long line formed at the board and they were waiting there instead of actually at desks writing, etc.  Changing over to writing initials (much quicker!) only helped a bit as did waiting until the END of the writing session to go to the board.  NOTE: I should also say that my room is so tiny that a line anywhere except by the door is not a good idea! 

The problem with waiting to write names at the end of the writing period was that the kids wanted immediate satisfaction to show they used the strategy. They wanted that immediate pat on the back.  Who can blame them?

Since I used this technique several times a week (in all subject areas) I knew I needed to rethink how I did it but pushed it back to the area of my brain that's labeled, "Summer Projects."

Well, it's summer now!  So, while visiting my brand-spanking new Dollar Tree that opened up oh, so close to my house, I came across these for four for a dollar:

My mind raced!  I knew they'd be just the tweak I needed!  I'm going to place them in their baskets on top of their desk and they'll just have to grab one and put it on their name tag whenever they complete the challenge. I'll be able to immediately see who's done what was asked and the kiddos can easily get back to work.  It will cut down on the distractions while achieving the same goal.

I can use them like Yes/No cards, too!  Ah, the possibilities! I really see them coming in handy during my Guided Reading Groups.  When I'm working with one group, I can scan the desks to see the trophies and know what the kids have been up to, who needs help, etc.  OR- kids can even use them with each other as a nonverbal signal.  Think about it: 

"Class, if you are done with your work and need a buddy to read with, put your trophy out today."

Kids can quickly look around the room from their seat and see a buddy in need of a partner.  No more, "Are you ready to buddy read?" or things like that.

Fingers crossed that they work like a charm!

UPDATED JULY 2015:  I use these ALL THE TIME and they are WONDERFUL!  Effective!!!  In every observation I've had in last two years, my observer has written about it and has been just as enthused. Again, a huge shout out to Tammy for her inspiration!!



Summer Vacation Starts with a Clever Joke!

An ongoing fun way to build and strengthen classroom community is Joke Telling!  

Kids love jokes and even if I don't always get the punchline, kids seem to roar with laughter and repeat the jokes they hear over and over again.  

My sweet little student,  Olivia, told me she made up this joke.  Honestly, if she did, GENIUS!  I heart it!  Your kiddos will. too!

Drumroll  please...

It was Snow White's birthday.  Mulan gave her an iPad and an iPod.  Snow White fainted. Cinderella said, "Mulan, you know she can't have apple products!"

Cute, no?  Just like Olivia!!  

WeGiveBooks.Org

How have I missed out on this gem of a program sponsored by Penguin/Pearson? 

Register your class now!  Every time your class reads a book online, a book is donated to a school in need of books.  Yep- it's that easy.  The books are AWESOME!  What a wide-range of books for kids (up to about ten years old) to read.  The nonfiction selections are amazing and can really help you supplement your curriculum needs.

I read the story on my computer as it projects up on my screen.  The large format is, obviosuly, a great advantage over my typical read aloud where the kids on the back of the carpet can't see the pics as well.  The images are crisp and clear and COLORFUL!  Lots of DK books which makes me hap, hap, happy!  My kids are going to have accounts as well so they can read at home and get credit for our school.  I believe I read that the amount any one school can "donate" would be 250 books. 

A win-win situation for all! 

Great for Read-to-Self, too!

Since  I signed up this week, I've read 7 books to the class from the list.  Mostly nonfiction. And every student has picked out a book and rotated through my workstation so they could see the images on my huge monitor.  FUN!  I haven't viewed on iPads yet but I'm assuming (hoping!) the stories will also load onto them.

Check out the titles (with new titles added often!) and I think your kiddos will be as excited as mine!

A Five Below Find...

Looky, looky!  The Very Hungry Caterpillar welcomed the kiddos today!  This rubber mat is big...about four feet long!  Who doesn't love a springtime welcome even if it came a day early when snow covered the ground?

Only five bucks...a good deal, yes? 

Tammy is having a Giveaway!

Tammy over at...

is celebrating 600 followers with three chances to win lots of great stuff for your classroom!  Yep...over 100 TpT products are up for grabs!  First up: Clip Art!  I've donated...

 Enter to win all the cool sets offered.  Good luck!

Groovy Tie-Dye Cupcakes!

I'm always thrilled when I actually make something from one of my Pinterest boards.  I repin and repin (and repin some more!) and often forget what I've repinned/have on my boards.
 
Anyhoo, I needed a cupcake.  Fast!  Something different, easy, and without much mess potential.
 
So, thanks to Pinterest...

 
 
 
Isn't this cute?  It's so easy!  Just squeeze one drop of food coloring on top of batter before you pop pan into oven, drag a toothpick through it and cook!  Don't overdue the mixing...
 
My daughter's comp team is heading to Nationals at Disney next week and we had a breakfast to celebrate.  A little clipart and a Popsicle stick later...

 
Go Boro!!

Your Chance To Win Big!

Want to win a mega prize pack for your grade level? Olivia over at Liv To Teach is having a giveaway for reaching 1,000 followers on TpT!  Go, Olivia! There are so many TpT products you can win including one from yours truly:

The contest runs for a week and there are several prize packages to choose from.  Enter all of them!   You know what they say: 

You Gotta Be In It To Win It!

I cannot believe that February is just a few days away!  Eek!  Here's a freebie poem for you to enjoy!  It's linked to my TpT Store because it won't upload for some strange reason in Google Docs.

Enjoy!!



My Snowmen Make Me Happy!

Aren't they adorable?  First Grade Blue Skies offers the patterns in her TpT Store.  This is the second year I've used them and they just make me smile, smile, smile! 

 

 

 

I had the kids name their snowperson and write two interesting facts about them.  Very cute!  Feel free to grab the paper from Google Docs.  Just click on pic.  Since the paper uses very little ink, I printed them out in color.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

Family Journal: A Versatile Tool

One of my favorite activities in class is having the kids write in their Family Journals on Fridays. I've been doing it for years. It's so easy to implement and serves multiple purposes! (Can be adapted to any grade level!)

First, it's a great way to communicate what's going on in the classroom.  Of course I send newsletters all the time so what makes this different?  The kids are sharing what they feel were the week's highlights. 

Second, it's a quick assessment of the child's skills.  At one glance, I know what I need to reinforce with the child and many, many mini-lessons have been born this way.  Sometimes individually and often, whole group.(Sometimes I use as a formal assessment and conference with child.)

The skills are broad and besides the obvious, handwriting is also in the spotlight here.  I admit, it's so much fun to look back to the first entry of many of my kids and see the change.  Whoa!  Big changes for most! 

Third, it's a great way to create a memory book of the year!  Easy peasy lemon squeezy style!  (And be prepared for babies and pets responding!  A hoot!)

If you plan on implementing a journal like this, here are some TIPS!

When I started this years ago, many of the journals were returned on Monday mornings CORRECTED with writing splitter splattered all over it.  Boo to that! 

Those eager parents certainly deflated my budding learner's enthusiasm for writing.  Now, I include a letter to the parents explaining to them that while light editing goes on at school, they are NOT to correct the letters.  However, I encourage them, when they write back/respond, to stick to what the child has written about and use the correct spelling/format in their letter.  I assure them the kiddos are geniuses but don't have all the skills necessary at this point in the year to spell everything the right way.  Temporary Spelling, as I prefer to call it over Invented Spelling, is a good thing! We know that but you know how parents need the reassurance! 

So if a child wrote:  tsday was fin in schol. 
They can respond:  Wow!  Tuesday really did seem like a fun day in school! 

It's also important to make sure parent's stick to the topics their child wrote about.  Why?  First of all, you don't want novels coming back!  The kids share these with partners and often with the class during Morning Meetings on Mondays.  I don't want the sharing to be too long.

Also, if parents are throwing in info about their vacation coming up or such, it gets the kids sidetracked AND the beginning readers won't know most of the words.  Then guess who has to read them all to the kids? :)

Since I include a letter in the front, it doesn't happen too often anymore.

Another tip I've garnered this year: if a child's parent doesn't respond, have someone else respond.  In all my years, this has never been a problem.  Until this year. I have had one parent who hasn't responded. The child also "lost" two journals . Since he never brought it back with a response in September/October, I found someone else the child writes to (after discussing with the child) and it's worked out well. 

Occasionally, I've had a child forget to bring it back on Monday morning and even the whole week!  It doesn't happen often but I'm ready if it does:  keep extra papers handy and have kids write a letter in school along with their buddies but insert it into their journals over the weekend. Simple!

I offer the packet in my TpT Store .(includes secondary handwriting lines as well as the primary ones shown here.)

While I always start mine in September, January seems like a good place to implement this super activity as well!   Do you have journals go home?  Any tips to offer me?  I'd love to hear them!

Toss It! Make a Quick Place Value Game

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A post shared by First Grade Teacher (@firstgradebloomabilities) on Dec 12, 2019 at 5:40pm PST

I have no idea where this game- TOSS IT- came from except that I saw another teacher playing it with her class last week.  Investigations materials?  Everyday Math? Made up herself?  Who knows but I will ask tomorrow!

It's so simple and yet really gives the kids another approach to counting those tens and ones.  (I didn't introduce until after we used connecting blocks/base ten blocks, etc.)

Ready to make it?

Have Popsicle sticks? Okay- you are probably like most teachers and have millions.  You need ten for each student and I made 21 bundles. OR just make enough for half of your class/partner work.

Use a marker to draw 10 black dots on the front of each one and one dot on the back.  If you do 5 and 5 on the front, I think it helps kids "see" the ten a bit better.

Unbundle the sticks and "toss" in the air.  When they land, sort into tens and ones and then count and record. Expanding/ decomposing numbers can be tricky but this game really helps reinforce the concepts.

And this little one below was the first to get all tens in a toss!  It was her 7th toss...the paper is two-sided. She was proclaimed the Boss of Applesauce!

We've played it a few times this week and I sent home the sticks and a recording sheet for homework tonight.  You would have thought I was sending home candy!

Grab a recording sheet by clicking on pic:

Two tips:

If you have a parent volunteer, have them make the bundles.  While easy, they do take time! 

and

Easy to differentiate for those kids who are ready for higher numbers and those who might need more practice with smaller numbers under 50.  Just add or take away sticks to meet their needs.

Happy tossing!

I Heart Morning Meeting!

While I've always had  "morning meeting" each day in school, it wasn't until I started working in a Responsive Classroom school that I've followed a specific "schedule."  I really do "buy into" the whole "it sets the tone of the day" thing!  Yep- hook, line, and sinker.  Love, love, love it!

Starting this month, I'm inviting parents to join us for MM any day they'd like whenever they like.  I pointed out that they are not there to observe, but rather participate along with us.  That means joining in our greeting, sharing period, activity (oh, so much fun!!) and our daily message. 

As a parent, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall and see my kids' MM time.  I think it's insightful for the parents and FUN for all.   Besides a quick wave hello and a hug good-bye, the parent is just one of the group...no special perks to the family or anything.  It's business as usual when they are present. They come in at 8:30 and leave at 8:50 sharp.  (RC wants a 30 minute MM but our district says 20.  I have to say, I start off at 20 in the beginning of the year and taper down to about 15 minutes for the last two months of school. Don't get me wrong, I could seriously do 30 minutes a day because while we do an activity (game, dance, or such) I still just have to sing!  So, we do sing a song (or three!)  almost every day.  There's just something about kids singing that makes my heart sing!

What goes in that 15-20 minutes is amazing and sometimes I think I teach a whole's day worth of lessons in that time frame!  The time flies by and we move immediately into writing workshop each day.

I've always infused lessons/reviews into my message BUT, from what I was taught and read, the Responsive Classroom really doesn't want you to do that.  (EDITED TO ADD:  my district frowned upon this but had a change of heart last year.) But a teacher's gotta do what she's gotta do, right?  Here was my message for today:

I usually have a question on the bottom that they have to answer or a Do Now like the one above. They do this DO-NOW as soon as they arrive and unpack each day. (EDITED TO ADD:  All of my Do-Nows are now Open-Ended Format Journal Responses.  So. Much. Deeper!   Before reading the message together at MM,  we use swatters to "Whack a Word." I draw names out of a jar and that child gets to come up, say a word, and whack it.  After we have lots of whackers (and I do allow for kids to repeat words. That in itself is telling!) we read the message together.  Sometimes I'll ask if anyone wants to read it to us.  Yesterday, one of my struggling readers read the above to us by herself!  Sniff, sniff!  After reading, I simply ask the kids if anyone has a compliment for me (since I've been working SO hard on my friendly letter format!) or if they want to tell me something they've noticed.  I'm always amazed what they come up with!  Sometimes they point out that I didn't spell a word right and you know what?  That's never on purpose!  It happens, right?

In this letter, some kids commented on:

*Rhyming words/silly words

*Contraction Let's (quick mini-lesson)

*The word TO being a "no excuse word" and the child who said it is one who struggles with sight words...I was thrilled!

*I remembered the date!  (Yea, me!)

Someone noticed some short a words

*That the "ir" in First sounds like the -er sound

 A Chunky Monkey pointed out that EAR is part of Dear, etc.

But my favorite comment today was this: 

You made a funny smiley to entertain us.  As a writer, you have to make it fun for your reader.

I

Kid

You

Not!

How can I not seize the moment with my kiddos?  It's a quick activity but so valuable on so many levels!  Then one child gets to take the message home.  I pick a stick from the jar UNLESS it's your birthday.  The birthday king or queen ALWAYS gets the message. 

I always tell them to keep the message for a few days and then recycle it but from what I've heard, they are plastered around bedrooms, on the bathroom mirror (!) and even on the fridge! Cool, huh?  That's why I'll never project the message...I want the winner of the jar to have a living, breathing document to take home. 

I know everyone reading this probably does a MM and a message.  It's nothing new. I just wanted to share an example of mine with all of you!

New Year Freebie!

I'm honestly looking forward to making realistic goals this year.  I'm already starting to generate a list today. Yep- I'm a list person, are you? I don't necessarily FOLLOW them but, hey...at least I make them!

But better than that, I'm going to visit a brand new baby today! Is there anything better?  And I'm getting my hair a much needed cut!  Double yippee skippy!

If you haven't done Make-a-Word activities to practice letter/sound combinations with your kids, make that one of your resolutions!  The kids really crank out the words and it's great when you see them APPLYING the letter combos that they've learned.

My firsties loved them so much that I decided I had to make a whole bunch for my store. I don't think I'll ever have enough for them!

 

Enjoy the freebies above.  Click on pics!

End of Day Rockin' Routine! (Freebie, too!)

For years, I've had a closing circle (when time permitted!) at the end of the day.  Honestly, it never knocked my socks off.  Same old, same old...you know what I mean?

So this year, I wanted to make it more meaningful.  I thought and thought and thought some more and I do believe I've found one of the best, most focused, activities to do at the end of the day.  You know what?  With my idea of Personal Daily Goals, I make the time.  I NEVER have to fit it in.  It's a must.

 

What's so great about it?  It really allows the kids to be reflective of THEIR day.  I don't set the goals for them...they come up with them all by themselves and take it very seriously. 

 

Their goals range from, "I will try hard tomorrow to raise my hand" or "I won't pick my nose" or "I am going to push is my chair so no one trips and falls over it."  It tickles me to hear their goals each day and how well targeted they are for the following day.

 

Sometimes a child will keep the same goal because it wasn't reached.  They decide. It's very insightful what they choose to do.  In the beginning, some kids would simply make up a goal- any goal- even if it didn't apply to them.

 

Example: one kid said, "I won't run in the hallway."  But this child NEVER did that so we spent the first two weeks practicing naming our personal goals and telling WHY it was chosen.  I explained that they had to think about their own day and think hard about what they could improve upon tomorrow.  That really helped a lot to see the connection. It took about 20 minutes in September at the end of day.  Now?  A breezy 6-7 minutes for whole class. They get SO EXCITED the next day if they can report to the class that they reached their goal.  Ownership of the task is so important. 

 

It also allows ME to be reflective because I often hear MY WORDS coming back to me when someone states goal like,  "I need to remember to bring back my homework so I can be more responsible."

 

Up until now, I've been writing the goals to save time.  Starting in January, they will take their sticky off the door, fill it in, and it will be their exit ticket as they hang it back up and share their goals with us.  On Friday, kids always take paper home with them.  Seriously, if you are looking to change up your last miutes of the day, try it!  Let me know how it goes.

 

Click on the picture to get the printout.

 Edited post by using my answer below...

Holiday Gifts To Parents from Kids

Aren't these As Cute As A Button?  They were so easy to make and if you still need a gift for a grandparent, aunt, etc., for the holidays, you can make one in a snap.

I wish I didn't have to blur the kiddo's faces so you could see what cuties they are.  Here is one up close without a pic.



One of the reasons I loved this craft was because I didn't have to get the paint out!  Now I love a good painting project but my classroom doesn't have a sink so it's a pain in the neck.  Instead, the kids used markers to color in one side of each stick.  Worked great!  Kids picked out buttons and I glue gunned them on.  From start to finish- ENTIRE time for 21 kids...about 45 minutes!  I printed pics out on printer (4x6) glued on back.  Kids trimmed themselves. Then the kids wrote names and 2012 on back.  Easy peasy!

And I don't wrap for my kiddos.  Why would I when they can make these cute giftbags?

Green and White yarn, colored reinforcements, markers, lunch bags

I think I've finally found the gift I'll be making each year! 

What Does Your Calendar Look Like?

For twenty years, I've been perfectly happy with hanging up the current date on the calendar one day at a time and then proceeding to do my daily calendar routines.  I honestly never gave it much thought.  Once in a while, I'd walk into a classroom and see something "odd" on their calendar:  all the days filled in even before the date happened. Can you imagine? :)

Um...why did I always think that was odd?  (Shrugs shoulders!) In fact, it's not odd at all. That's how the five calendars in my house look right now.  In fact, that's how the one at the bank looks, the one in my wallet looks, the one on my phone looks....

So why was I doing it the "other" way?  Why didn't I ever really THINK about it? 

To be honest, I never questioned "my way" until I read a blog post yesterday. Take a look. 

http://weedsareplantstoo.blogspot.ca/2012/08/rethinking-calendar-routines-is-it-time.html

Since lots of people repinned my pin of the post yesterday, I bet there are lots of opinions out there today.  I'd love to hear yours if you care to share.

I'm thinking there has to be a more authentic and meaningful way than I've been doing it for...gulp...20 years!

Differentiated Math?

I really want to step up this area this year.  I read the most wonderful post by Anna Brantley on the topic and pinned it a few weeks ago.  Really helped me clarify some of my thoughts.  If you haven't read it or need some ideas, click pic to take you there.

I was wondering if anyone has any other posts/links/books they care to share?  I'd really appreciate it.

One week of summer vacation left for me...

Win My New Chapter Book Series!

Wow!  I wasn't expecting these in the mail yesterday!!!  Let me introduce you to TJ Trapper, Bully Zapper...

I love, love, love the cover art, don't you?  I have the fabo artist, Gary LaCoste, to thank for doing such amazing artwork!  I am giddy when I look at them! Absolutely beyond giddy!  TJ is a fourth grader and these, I think, are perfect for grades 2-4!  Of course, I know that some 1st and 5th graders will like them as well and are totally appropriate for the firsties.  While they teach a great deal about bullying, they aren't preachy...promise! 

ABDO is my amazing publisher and my editor, Stephanie, rocks!!

When I do school visits (which is now seriously limited since I returned to teaching full-time!), I am often asked how I feel when I see my books for the first time.  Well, I could tell you but when I got my Katharine books and saw them for the first time in 2009, my 5th grader at the time just happened to have his new Flip camera and caught it on tape.  Although he taped 12 minutes of me (but his commentary was the best part!) I only show 1/3 of it.  Want to see it?  It's not pretty- me (9:30 at night!  Just saw them on porch) or the shaky tape, but you'll get the idea of how I felt when I saw my hard work come to life. 

The Books Have Arrived Video

If you want to win the set, just leave your email below.  I'll have it open for a week so if you know of any teachers who might like to win, send them here.  Good luck!  (No, you don't have to watch the video!!)

Okay- now I am off to celebrate my daughter's 15th (GULP!) birthday!  We're going to see this on Broadway today:

Giving Three Away...

Now that I have my handy dandy clip art binder, making this for my TPT Store was way easier than it normally is.  Yea for that!

Want it?  I'll give 3 away to random people. Just leave your email here and I'll pick tomorrow morning.  Don't forget to download the FREE packet I made for September.

I hope you're having a great day!  Thundering here! A storm's a-comin'!