Classroom Pictures and a new TPT item

Hi Everyone! I feel like it has been forever since I have had a chance to post on this blog. This school year is off to a great start and I feel so lucky to have such a sweet group of first graders! I posted pictures of my classroom on the blog that I set up for my parents and students. Click here to see pictures on my other blog.

I also posted a new item on TPT tonight. It is a sight word game pack for the "smart start" portion of our reading series, McMillan McGraw Hill "Treasures". Click here to see it and my other TPT products. For the next 48 hours, this product will be on sale for the low price of only $3!

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.

The Boxcar Children

I am so excited to share with all of you a FREE book club packet that you can use with your students. I created this a few years ago when I finished my reading series early and needed a few fun activities to do at the end of the year. My kiddos really enjoyed listening to me read aloud The Boxcar Children. After I read aloud a chapter, they would complete the response page for that chapter. This book club packet could also easily be used in a small group or even as an independent activity. I hope that you enjoy it and hope to be able to post more book club packets soon!

The Boxcar Children Book Club Packet

Click on the link to download this freebie!

All About Alligators

In Science, we have been busy learning about plants and animals. My students LOVE science more than any other time of the day! As an extension to one our lessons, I plan to read aloud the book All About Alligators by Jim Arnosky.

My students just can't seem to get enough of non-fiction books! I love using anticipation guides before reading non-fiction stories to activate my students' prior knowledge and build curiosity about a topic. Here is an anticipation guide that I created to go along with the book, All About Alligators by Jim Arnosky.

All About Alligators Anticipation Guide

If you would like a blank anticipation guide, this website has two great templates that you can print.