Apple Number Stories Freebie

WoooHoooo - 100 followers! I am seriously so excited. I never thought it would happen. There will be a giveaway coming very soon...but in the meantime, here is an apple number stories booklet that I plan on using with my class this week. You can download it for free on TPT!

Click on the picture to get your free copy!

A Writing Helper Freebie

Hi blog friends! I sure have been in back-to-school mode lately. I know that many of you have already started back to school, but I still have a little under 2 weeks until I "officially" go back - 12 days to be exact.

Today I have a little writing helper freebie for you. I made these because my students (especially in the beginnig of the year) tend to write sentences like this: ilikemycat. No Spaces!! Therefore, I introduce them to the "Space Man" or "Space Woman". We use them to help us place a space between our words when we write. (I model how to use it before they use their own.)

The "Space Man" helps us make perfect spaces between our words.

To make your own, click  here or on the picture below.

Then print, laminate, cut and glue onto a popsicle stick.



You can store the Space Men in a cute cup.




Snickers just loves getting his picture taken.



P.S. - I am so excited that I am getting close to 100 followers. Keep a lookout for a 100 follower giveaway when I reach it!

More Jungle Freebies

I'm back with more jungle themed freebies! First, I have nametags that I will put in our cubbies. There are four different tags for four different groups. Last year, I had a red, green, yellow, and blue group. Since I have color-coded baskets already made, I plan on sticking with the same color groups, but with a jungle twist. So...I made a blue elephant tag, a red zebra tag, a green monkey tag, and a yellow lion tag. Click on any of the pictures below for your free copy!

       Also, I have been thinking about how I will manage my reading logs this year. In the past, I have sent home a weekly form that I collected every week. (Resulting in lots of loose paper!) Then, I switched to a monthly calendar, but those seemed to get lost in the shuffle and weren't always returned. Therefore, I am going to try using a three-pronged folder this year. I will add the cover that you see below, and laminate the folders. Inside, I will add a letter to the parents explaining the reading log procedures. Then, I will add the reading log papers inside the folder. I will collect the folder every Friday, add a sticker if the child meets thier weekly reading goal, and then send the same folder home again.

Click on the picture to download.

Any thoughts on reading logs, friends? How do you manage them? What types of rewards (if any) do you use?

Rules

     Most of the teachers in my school (including myself) have been trained in the Responsive Classroom approach. If you are not familiar with it, the Responsive Classroom approach is a research-backed approach that increases academic achievement, decreases problem behaviors, improves social skills, and leads to more high-quality instruction. If you want to read more about it, you can click here.

     One of the most helpful books that I refer to is called "The First Six Weeks of School", by Paula Denton and Roxann Kriete. This phenomenal book has detailed guidelines for structuring the first six weeks of school. This book has allowed me to develop the rule-creation process that I use at the beginning of the year.

     The "brief" version of my rule creation process is: 1. discuss our hopes and dreams for the school year 2. brainstorm a list of rules we think we need to have in order to accomplish our hopes and dreams 3. revisit and condense our list of rules to 3-4 rules 4. post and illustrate our rules and revisit them often. As we condense our list of rules, I try to guide students and point out that most of our rules fit into these three categories: take of yourself, take care of others, and take care of our school.

    I have created these posters to hang in my jungle-themed room. After I post the rules, I give each student a blank index card, have them choose one rule, and draw a picture of what someone would like following that rule. Then I hang their illustrations around the rules. If you'd like a copy of my rule posters, click here or on any of the pictures below.

Enjoy!

I'm Back!!!......(with a freebie, too!)

I'm back from the happiest place on Earth! I had such an amazing time. We spent time at Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal. Let me just tell you, we were exhausted on our way home! Here are a few pics from our trip.

And now for the freebie! (Inspired by the Toy Story Ride)...

Click on any of the pictures to download! Enjoy!

Magic Tree House Freebie

I am so excited to post another freebie tonight!

I was inspired to create this because over the last few years, I have had several super-duper readers in my classroom. ( I mean - kiddos who were reading chapter books at the beginning of year.) When these students finished their work, I was always trying to find other things for them to do. Although reading independently was highly encouraged, I found myself wishing I had something more. So, I created a book club packet with comprehension questions and writing to accompany the story. This activity would be great as an independent activity, but it could also be used in a small group where students can discuss their responses to the questions in each chapter. The book club packet I am posting tonight is for Magic Tree House #1 - Dinosaurs Before Dark. I hope to create more of these in the near future! Enjoy! :)

Click on the picture to dowload this freebie.

Jungle Patterning Center Freebie

I don't know about you, but my first graders absolutely love making patterns! Here is a freebie pattern making center! In this center, you will find some cards that start a pattern and other cards that can be cut out to finish the pattern. There are also some cards that allow your students to make up their own patterns.

Click on the picture for this free download!

Sweet Parent Poem

Here is a sweet little poem that I send home at the beginning of the year to the parents and guardians of my students. Several parents have told me that this poem brought them to tears! I have come across several versions of this poem over the years, and I am not sure who the original author is, but I did make a few changes to come up with this version.

Parent Poem

Also, I have sent out the ABC order centers to those of you who left me a message with your email address and follow my blog. If you left me a message and didn't get it, let me know so that I can resend it. If you would like the centers, and didn't leave a message- it's not too late - just leave a message and I will send them to you!! Thanks for following!! ;)

My First Contest

I think that it is about time to have my first contest! :) Up for grabs are three diffrent animal abc order centers. Each set has different animal cards - one set is forest animals, one is zoo animals, and one is arctic animals. For each center, the student puts the cards in ABC order and then records the words on the provided recording sheet. HERE IS THE BEST PART: everyone can be a winner!

All you have to do to win is follow my blog and leave me a comment with you email address! (Or leave me a comment telling me that you already follow my blog.) And if you'd like to blog about my giveaway that would be super too!  :)



Happy Friday everyone! :)