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Saturday, March 31, 2012

Saturday Celebration

 

Come join me on facebook!! I WANT to hear your happy of the week!!  I need to hear happy thoughts/great achievements.....especially on this dreary day here in Ohio.   While you're there, you can pick up the link to this cute little freebie! :)

Make sure to like me on facebook to grab it! 

 See you on facebook! ;)

Friday, March 30, 2012

Friday Freebie

Happy Friday y'all.  Has your week been as CUH-RA-ZY as mine?  My kiddos today were SOOOOOO talkative.  They must be coming down with a case of spring fever...I know that I sure am!!  Not that I'm counting (3 days left), but spring break is just right around the corner----and again, not that I'm counting we're not far (41 days)  from summer vacation. 

I hope you've entered the giveaway.  You have until 10:00 PM Sunday to enter.  If you haven't checked it out---please click *HERE* :)


So, I hate to say that I'm just winging it next week, BUT---I'm doing what I can to survive until I get some R&R during break.  Here's a center that I hope my kids enjoy next week.  It's a review of doubles facts.  OHH--that reminds me.  Have you seen the doubles facts songs on youtube?

Here's one with numbers 1-5.




And here's one with the numbers 6-10.

If you're a Pinterest fan, I have started a board of kids videos and songs from YouTube, that I (or my collaborative board friends) have watched, so they should be clean (hate that so much stuff has all that filthy language or what not in it). 

Okay, I think my mind is wondering----where was I?  Oh yes, the Friday Freebie.  It's an addition math doubles game. Just add dice, and you're ready to roll! ;)  Students can also fill out the recording sheet and practice ordinal numbers.  Click the pic below to get your freebie from TpT.  :)



So, bloggy friends/followers.  My first week trial of my "scheduled" posts is almost coming to a halt.  Give me your feedback....random posts, or did you like the schedule?  Let me know!

Happy Friday!! 

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Thursday Treasures :)

Hey my dear Treasures friends! :)  This is going to be a quick post, because quite frankly, I'm beat!  I so LOVE conferences after teaching all day----can you hear my enthusiasm in my voice?  I'm ready to veg out in front of the TV with my hubs and just have a do nothing evening.  But first---here's a few freebies for my Treasures peeps (though some others of you can use the phonics stuff that I'm posting too)!

 Our story this week was Whistle for Willie.  I LOVE this story.....it's great for teaching the 7 Habits too, if your school does it.  If not, it's just a great story in general to teach how you should NEVER give up. Love the determination he has!!  

Homework Worksheet
 Story Quiz


If you're looking for some activities to go with the phonics pattern for the week, here's a bundle for you.  You will find a word sort between (ar/or), word riddles, shape boxes, and a Making Words activity.  It's all in one download because frankly, I'm lazy tonight! ;) 



OHH and just a reminder about the giveaway!!  It is great if I do say so myself! :)  You can click HERE to see how to go about entering. 

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Thank you, Wednesday's Wonderful Read with a Freebie and a Giveaway!!

Okay ya'll, I warn you now---this is going to be an UBER long post, but I'm assuming by as much stuff I threw in my title, you probably knew that ;)

First of all, I want to thank April from A Modern Teacher for awarding me as one of her top ten.  How sweet of her.  I posted about this here, but wanted to make sure I thanked her, and had ya'll check out her cute blog.  Click the image below to check her out! :)



Have you heard of this book?


It's such a cute little book.  I actually got it umpteen years ago when I was doing my student teaching and it's been one of my favorites ever since.  It's all about Froggie and how he dreamed of being a Rabbit. He would watch them paint eggs, and get baskets ready.  He longed to be like them.  Then a situation arises where the rabbits are unable to help out with Easter, and a help wanted ad is placed.....so does Froggie get a turn?  Well, you'll have to read the book to find out...but you won't regret it!  Seeing that next week is a short week for us, I am going to use this as a review for some of our skills.  You can click the image below to grab you some freebies to use with the story.


Now for the good stuff--I know ya'll want me to quit blabbering.  Okay, okay!!  WELL----I hit my 500 follower mark!! YAY!!!  Which means GIVEAWAY time!!! I know of some AWESOME bloggers who are so sweet to let me us their goodies for my giveaway.  Here is a rundown of what you can win!!!  READY?

From Jeannie at Kindergarten Lifestyle
2 Cute Sight Word Games :)


A Fabulous Math Center

From April at A Modern Teacher
Wonderful Reading Response Bookmarks

An AWESOME vowel sort packet

From Erin at Small Types
 A Read and Write at Home (Activities to help Parents) Packet--(FABULOUS idea)
Math Warm-Ups using Common Core for K/1 (How great is that?)

From Melissa at Dilly Dabbles
A HUGE Making Words Packet 

So thank you to all the wonderful ladies above for helping me with my blog giveaway.  Now let's talk business on how to enter. 

**1 entry for each of us you follow us on facebook (by the way--I give random facebook freebies that I don't share on my blog) and comment.  Be sure to include your email for each comment you make.
Here are our links:
 http://www.facebook.com/FirstGradeandFabulous
 https://www.facebook.com/ASpecialKindofClass
 http://www.facebook.com/kindergartenlifestyle
https://www.facebook.com/amodernteacher
 http://www.facebook.com/TalesfromOutsidetheClassroom
http://www.facebook.com/DillyDabbles
 http://www.facebook.com/HoJosTeachingAdventures

 **1 entry for each TPT store you follow and comment.  Be sure to include your email with each comment.
First Grade and Fabulous
Kindergarten Lifestyle
A Modern Teacher
 A Special Kind of Class
Small Types
Tales from Outside the Classroom
HoJo's Teacher Store
DillyDabbles

**1 entry (total) if you follow ALL of our blogs and comment. Be sure to include your email.

I will use random generator for my pick.  Giveaway ends at 10:00 pm (EST) on Sunday April 1st.  I promise though, this giveaway is NO joke! :)

Wow---That's a long post.  I hope ya got it all!! 

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Tuesday Tip

Our school district has recently taken the training in FranklinCovey's Leader in Me. Our district is the first school in Ohio where all elementary buildings (as well as 6th grade and Middle School) are implementing it.  One of the habits that we focus on is "Think Win-Win".  In other words, we want the best solution for all.  As I was thinking about this habit, I realized that it's done in our Classroom Behavior Bingo.

Have you heard of Classroom Behavior Bingo? It's a way to get students to all work together to earn numbers pulled in hopes of earning a Bingo for a treat.  This is not my original idea.  I found it on Proteacher.  I did change it to fit my classroom theme for this year, as well as ideas that I thought my kids would like to earn.

 I made and hung this earlier in the school year, I've since added one more thing to it.  If the room is tidy at the end of the day, and they are quite as they are tidying, I pull two more numbers.  They have quite a bit of chances to earn numbers--but they have to work together to get their numbers pulled.  I've not had any issues with someone being on something other than green, or homework not being done as to where students are disrespectful with each other.  All they say is, we'll have to try again tomorrow.  They are so sweet! :)

Monday, March 26, 2012

Monday Meal/Delicious Recipe

Happy Monday! I hope everyone survived their day.  Only 1 more Monday for spring break for me! YAY!!  That's enough of a reason to be all happy...at least for me.....but for the rest of you, how about this little picture?

Do you have picky eaters?  Do you feel like you have to rush for some supper meals?  Do you need a quick meal before heading out to yet ANOTHER sports (of some sort) practice or game?  Do you have to head to a 4H meeting and need a quick meal?  Well, all those questions I can answer yes too! lol ;)  

Here's my quick supper solution on those CRAZY nights. 

Picky Kids Supper (my own little invention)

*2 pkgs. Lipton rice (I prefer the Creamy Chicken)
*1-2 cans of cooked Chicken Breast, drained and shredded (I use a 10 oz. can)
*1 can of Cheddar Cheese soup
*1 can of Cream of Chicken soup
Fix rice with 4 cups of water, instead of package directions.  Microwave for 15 minutes.  Add shredded chicken, and soups.  Stir.  You can put it back in the microwave for a few minutes, but it's really not necessary. 

**Notice I said this was a PICKY kids supper.  You could always add some veggies if your family isn't as picky as mine.  My daughter likes hers with just a hint of garlic/seasoning on it.  Though this may not be the best "nutritious" meal----it sure beats Chicken Nuggets from McD's on those nights that we're so rushed. 

Check back with me next Monday for more quick recipes!

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Blog Management

Happy Sunday everyone!  I've been thinking about how best to organize this blog---as I just post random things and ramble about not much of anything.  I asked my wonderful facebook fans what they thought, and several of them like my ramblings!  They are soo sweet!  What do ya'll think? Ramblings or organize my thoughts in hopes to help you better? 

Here's my thinking---and I'll try it out this way for a couple weeks and see what ya'll think.  It's not like I have to stick to it, but I'm gonna give it a shot.


Sunday Spotlight-I will feature a blog, website, person, whatever/whomever.  There are so many great ideas running around out there that it's hard to keep up with them all.  This will hopefully help give some recognition to those that are working their hineys off to help us out! :)


Monday Meals/Delicious Recipes--Yeah, I know I run a teaching blog, but a teacher's got to eat.  :)  If you know anything about me, you already know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE baking.  I sometimes am looking for a great new recipe, so I figured, HEY, so are probably lots of other people.  Tune in on Mondays if you want yummy recipe ideas! :)

Tuesday Tips-This will be anything from management to organization to strategies.


Wednesday's Wonderful Reads-This will be a spotlight on a children's book.

Thursday Treasures-If you are a Treasures Reading Series User, check here on Thursday for Reading Quiz, Reading Homework, a possible craft and/or guided reading group graphic organizers/activities.

Friday Freebie--This may be a math activity, a center, a writing prompt-lots of ideas---but it will be FREE! :)

Saturday Celebration--We all have goals.  You guys help me with mine all the time!!  Let's celebrate yours!!  Put it out there for all of us to see!!  Let's celebrate together! :) 

So there it is---my attempt to organize a little better----we'll see how it works! :)  That brings me to Sunday Spotlight! :)

My spotlight is going to be on Charity Preston.  Have you guys heard of her?  I'm sure you all have because that's probably how you found me (through Classroom Freebies).  Charity is such a giver and a helper.  She is the author of the Organized Classroom Blog.  She manages Classroom Freebies and Classroom Freebies Too.  She has helped so many bloggers through her Teaching Blog Traffic School.  She is seriously one awesome, dedicated, sweet lady(and I only know her through the bloggy world---could you imagine how awesome she is in real life?).  If you haven't checked out the above sites, please do!!   You won't regret it.  If you're wanting to begin your own blog, and aren't quite sure where to begin.....if you want to open up your own TpT store, and need advice.......if you're already a blogger and want more help---I really encourage you to check out Teaching Blog Traffic School, you won't regret it! :)

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Telling Time--my strategy

Just a quick post today.  This is how I've taught my kids to notice the difference between hour and minute hand for the past several years. It has worked with my firsties (AND second graders) so it must help :) Here's your freebie for today.




Thursday, March 22, 2012

12 Away---and things for Treasures users ;)


Hey, I'm 12 away from that giveaway.  Slowly, but surely I will get there.  I want to have that 500 giveaway that some of my bloggy friends are helping me with!  In the meantime, here's a couple things for Kids Invent.  I used the graphic organizer information and filled out part of the chart to make it a little easier for my kiddos.


Here's the story quiz (using the Treasures disc and adding a couple of my own).

I've also added a few new products to my TpT store.  Here is a sneak peek! :) You can click the picture to check them out.

Hoppy Easter (Math Workstation Activities)



Working Hard on the Farm with -Ar!


Making Words Activities
Double-ly Delicious Centers



And now for a Freebie ---for my facebook fans!!  YAY! :)  If you've already liked me on facebook, the direct link for the center below is posted on the fan page.  If you haven't joined me on facebook, once you "like me"---you will see the link on the wall! :)


Happy Almost Friday! :)

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Is it Summer yet?

Goodness gracious, it is 89 here in my part of Ohio....89!!!  This is the first day of spring people---not the first day of summer!  Surely Mother Nature is all confused...I won't knock this beautiful day she's given me....but it just depresses me to know that I'm spending it inside--instead of swimming!!  Ahh---summer break--I can't wait.  Yes, I said summer...... ;)  It's getting there!

I can also tell that we're nearing the end of our school year because my kiddos are running out of supplies.  The way my building did it this year, they were to be shared supplies.  I know some of you do shared supplies and it works out great for you.  I guess I'm torn as a parent.  I don't want to be supplying them for someone else to use them (and then they not bring in their own---ohh that irritates me--but that's a whole other topic!) So, when my kiddos brought in their HUGE supply this year, I put them in baggies and put them in my cabinets and only pulled stuff out when THEY needed it themselves.  It's worked out GREAT, but now they are in need of more supplies.  I didn't want to fill out numerous papers for their supplies, so I made a quick note for them today.  All they had to do was circle what they were out of and stick it in their homework folders----I'm anxious to see if I have firsties with new glue sticks tomorrow! :)  Here's my paper I used.

Yes, there are even scissors on that paper.  Not sure how they've lost scissors (when school supplies don't leave our room---I don't think they grow legs and walk away, do they?)

The other thing I wanna talk to you all about is game websites.  Can you help my list grow?  Here are some that my kiddos have seemed to enjoy throughout this school year.

http://www.starfall.com
http://www.abcya.com
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com
http://www.funbrain/com
http://earobics.com/gamegoo/gooey.html
http://www.learn4good.com/games/index.htm
 http://www.tutpup.com/
http://www.knowledgeadventure.com/default.aspx
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/
 http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-1
 http://www.playkidsgames.com/mathGames.htm
http://funschool.kaboose.com/arcade/index.html
http://www.primarygames.com/
http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/
http://www.coolmath-games.com/
 http://www.spellingcity.com/

I found out about this one today! :)
 http://www.cookie.com/


Plus there's also pbs kids, scholastic, and national geographic.  Would you like to leave a comment on your favorite game site? :)  Would love to extend my list.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Linky Parties!!!

Yes, I said parties! :) Check it out!

Michelle from 

is having an AWESOME linky party on Teaching Tips.  These are great for those starting out (and even us *ahem* older seasoned well, those of us who have been doing it for a long time while! :)

I admit I didn't read through all of them, but the ones I read---such great advice!  Here are mine!



So check out Michelle's great linky party!!  While you're there, stick around and check out her great blog! :)

Okay, so you now how I mention to check out the blogs in my blog roll?  Well, there are SOOOO many amazing people out there that I can't keep up with them all!!  

So Jeannie from
had this AMAZING idea to put them all in one spot, and then to link it to Pinterest.  I know I'm not the only Pinterest Addict, right? :) 

Check it out! Click on the image below to head on over! :)



I'm sure you will find TONS of Fabulous bloggers! :)

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Frog and Toad

I didn't get around to doing a reading quiz on Frog and Toad this week, and their homework sheet was a simple "retelling."  I just revised the graphic organizer that was in the workbook. You can click the picture below to grab it, if you'd like.

We also made toad puppets to hang up in the hallway.  I found the idea for the inspiration here, but I wanted him to look more like the story from The Kite.  The kids enjoyed making these, and they did turn out cute.  Here's a picture of mine.

and here is a picture of some of theirs.  They are hanging in our hallway right now.
A few of you asked about my Olivia craft that we made a couple weeks ago.  Here is a picture of her.
The craft you can purchase from Leslie Ann at Life in First Grade, or click HERE for her TpT link.  I wish I would've taken a picture of my firsties Olivias.  I don't give them patterns on most things.  I want their own creations.  I give them paper, they use mine as a model to look off ---and they turned out SOO cute.  You can tell that by their toads! :) 

We did add a note that says Olivia can ________, but a real pig can not.  It reviewed our fantasy/reality for the week.  Enjoy! :)

Don't forget---I WANT to do that giveaway---I still am BEGGING (I ain't too proud to beg) for followers to get me there! :)

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Giveaway!!!

I'm almost at that 500 mark!!  If you aren't already a follower (clicking that little blue follow me button), perhaps you could help me meet my goal?  When I hit that 500 mark---I have some sweet bloggy friends who are helping me with products!!  Stay tuned to find out who! :)

I'd like to say in the meantime, I won't post until I hit that mark----but have ya'll noticed I'm kind of a blabbermouth?  I could go on and on and on and on---well you get the point! :)

Keep watching--and join in the fun!!!  I'm just 32 away from a great giveaway! :)

Thursday, March 15, 2012

I-G-H, I-G-H, I I, I-----

That's part of our phonics dance chant!  I love it!!  My kiddos are doing so GREAT with their spelling thanks to these chunks.  Last week's oa/ow sounds I was worried about (seeing that it's incorporating 2 long o patters, and we've worked on long o/silent e already)--but I had 14 kids (14!!!!) get a +  on their Spelling Test.  *Sidenote, our district gives +,  check +, check, check -, and - as grades (it all means the same as A, B, C, D, F---so why do districts make things so confusing?)  But that was almost my WHOLE CLASS!!!  YAY!!  I'm hoping for the same great news for tomorrow's spelling assessment.

Here's a center I made to go along with our long I review.
We've been working on igh, y, and i all as the long I form.  We also made cute little Toads to go with our Frog and Toad Story (The Kite) today.  I HAVE GOT TO REMEMBER MY SD CARD!!!  *Taking it and laying it out now*

Okay---I also was in next year mode last night--so I make a new silent e packet.  Here's a preview:


You can click the images to check it out.

One more thing that I found online this week...perfect for tomorrow.  It's a cute leprechaun craft---free with templates.  Here's the picture, and you can click the image to take you directly to the link.


I'll leave you with two questions---

1) Do your kids take spelling tests?
2) What is your district's grading scale like for your grade level?

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Magic E---need input!!

Can you believe that my mind is in gear for NEXT YEAR?  I know right?  Not that I'm "done", but I'm trying to revamp some things for next year.  See, I have two kindergartners who come to me for guided reading groups this year.  They will most likely be in my classroom next year---which means---thinking of new ways to enrich them, creating new workstations, maybe making some author studies for them.  They both read on a 2nd grade level so I can only imagine what will happen next year.  Anyhoo, that put my brain in overload and now I'm thinking of next year already, but I need input. 

I posted earlier this year that I introduce him as a bully letter, that he's a meanie (Mean E lol) Get it?  Okay---I'm rambling as usual.  I have seen some cute ideas with the wand and such with the magic E floating around on pinterest (which is a much nicer way than mine lol).  I thought I'd create a mini lesson (I thought it would be good for one-on-one.small group with an aide/helper).  I'd like to know if it's okay---I found a poem a while back that was cute---but it needed more UUMPH, so I added to it and rearranged it.  Maybe it doesn't flow very well---so advice would be great.  Thanks so much....click below to grab your copy. Then please leave me a comment.

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