One of my favorite read alouds to share this time of the year is Gustavo The Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago. Gustavo The Shy Ghost is a story about a shy ghost who's just too shy to make any friends, but he really wants to try. It's such a well written and beautifully illustrated story and a perfect read aloud for any time of the year, but especially timely for Día de los Muertos. I love this book for all sorts of reasons and it's such a great choice for a class read aloud. There are so many different topics and skills that can be addressed before/during/after reading. While there are many different SEL lessons you can pull … [Read more...] about Gustavo The Shy Ghost
FREEBIES
The Koala Who Could – A Virtual ELA Lesson
This week's lesson is all about making inferences and I'm reading aloud the story, The Koala Who Could by Rachel Bright to practice our inferring skills. You can watch the full video lesson HERE: I'm using this printable to talk more about inferences and what readers do when they infer as they're reading text. To illustrate the concept of making inferences prior to reading the text, I created an "Inferencegram" printable to tell a story. Basically I explain that my mom has given me the task of buying a gift for her friend, but I know NOTHING about her and have no idea what kind of gift she might like. So, I need to INFER what … [Read more...] about The Koala Who Could – A Virtual ELA Lesson
Charlotte and the Rock – A Virtual ELA Lesson
This week's lesson is all about a little girl named Charlotte and her pet rock. Charlotte and the Rock is a PRECIOUS story...from the storyline to the illustrations and everything in between, this is one of my most favorites. I'm using Charlotte and the Rock to reinforce the concept of making predictions. You can watch the full video lesson HERE: I'll use this printable as a reference for what it means to make a prediction. This printable would be great for your kids to have on hand as you're reading the story. While it can absolutely be used with any book you're reading, we'll use this to make a prediction about Dennis. … [Read more...] about Charlotte and the Rock – A Virtual ELA Lesson
Rot The Cutest in the World – A Virtual ELA Lesson
I love picture books with personality and Rot The Cutest in the World is full of just that! Rot is a story of a mutant potato who isn't short on confidence UNTIL he starts thinking he should be just like everyone else. The story is illustrated so incredibly well and the lesson/theme is perfect for kids of all ages. Rot is great to use as a mentor text for several different concepts & skills (theme, character traits, making predictions, etc.), but for today's ELA lesson we're focusing on Fact & Opinion (with a heavy emphasis on the opinion piece.). Feel free to check out this video to see this lesson from start to … [Read more...] about Rot The Cutest in the World – A Virtual ELA Lesson
Building Relationships – Use Your Spidey Senses!
Creating opportunities to share an experience together is one of the best ways we can help build relationships with others. Whether it's establishing connection with our kids, co-workers, spouses, or family & friends, shared experiences are the building blocks in the foundation of relationships. As teachers and parents, it's important for us to create opportunities that allow our kids to engage in those experiences. Whether you're a parent with kids at home or teacher with kids in school, it's important to be intentional in the experiences you're providing. One of my favorite relationship building activities for both home and school … [Read more...] about Building Relationships – Use Your Spidey Senses!
30 Free Virtual Learning Resources for COVID-19 School Closures
As schools all across the country continue to shut their doors amidst growing concerns of COVID-19, I've been encouraged to see so many individuals and companies provide virtual opportunities for kids to continue their learning experience even when they aren't in the classroom. I thought it would be helpful to share a landing space here that would provide both parents & teachers with free resources that can be accessed while your students/children are at home. If you'd like to add any additional resources in the comments, please feel free to do so as well. I hope this helps make things a little easier for us all. Before sharing … [Read more...] about 30 Free Virtual Learning Resources for COVID-19 School Closures
6 Conversation Heart Activities
There are so many different ways to use conversation hearts instead of saving them for a sweet treat. Here are 6 different ways to use conversation hearts in the classroom and will definitely have your kids looking at candy in a whole new way! 1. WAR OF HEARTS War of Hearts has always been a class favorite and there are a few ways to incorporate this one into your instruction. This game is played like the card game, War, and here are a few different ideas for play... Partner Play - both players grab a conversation heart from a bag/container and count the number of letters on each. Players write the numbers in the matching heart … [Read more...] about 6 Conversation Heart Activities
Penguins
This time of the year lends itself to learning about winter animals and one of my favorites to incorporate into reading and science is the penguin. When starting any kind of informational/non-fiction unit of learning, it's good to start with a schema chart. Here's an example of one I used in the past to assess what my kids thought they knew about penguins before we started our unit and understand what they hoped to learn as we explored the topic further. A chart like this will stay displayed on the whiteboard throughout our unit of learning. This gives the kids an opportunity to add more information (new learning) to our chart and we … [Read more...] about Penguins
Monster Math – a Freebie!
I can't believe we're staring down the end of another month. I swear the older I get, the faster the days and months fly by. Anybody else? Last week I sent out a math game to my email club. If you aren't subscribed, I'd love for you to join us. I promise I won't inundate you with emails, but it's definitely the quickest way to get updates and freebies just like the one I'm about to share. I designed these games to accompany the activities I created to use with the book, Monster Trouble. Monster Trouble is a great read ANY time of the year, but it definitely lends itself to the festivities and themes in October. This game is no … [Read more...] about Monster Math – a Freebie!
Back to School Gift & Teacher Questionnaires
At the beginning of every school year, I like to send small gifts in with my boys to gift their teachers. Typically these gifts aren't expensive nor or they extravagant. Just a simple little token of appreciation to let them know that we're looking forward to a great school year with them as our teachers. I was at my local Hobby Lobby about a week ago perusing the scrapbook aisles and I found tubes of washi tape on clearance for less than $5!!! I was so excited. I use washi tape in my planners, snail mail, bible journaling, etc. so I bought several different tubes to bring back home. I knew the amount purchased far exceeded what I … [Read more...] about Back to School Gift & Teacher Questionnaires
Summer Chores & Boredom Busters
Ahhhh, summer. It's almost here. In fact, it's so close I can taste it. I love summer. Everything about it (except the crazy Houston heat and humidity!) What I love most about summer is having my kids home with me. Having them home also means I need to figure out ways to keep them busy. Not shuffle them here-and-there kind of busy, but active (both physically and creatively). Since the boys were little, they've been helping out around the house (as much as they can). If I'm being totally honest, this last year they've been slacking in the responsibility department quite a bit. I can't blame them solely for it though. If I had a mom … [Read more...] about Summer Chores & Boredom Busters
100th Day of School
With all the random crazy weather days we've had this year, I know many teacher friends who have yet to celebrate the 100th day. If you're anything like me, you like this special day to be organized, simple, and FUN, but MEANINGFUL at the same time. I gotcha covered, friends! Check out some ideas below for celebrating the 100th day of school. For the first few years of my teaching career, I didn't think the 100th day of school was all that. I mean sure...it was special. SUPER special (for lack of a better description). But I didn't invest much time in planning because I guess I didn't think it was THAT big of a deal. Oh, how … [Read more...] about 100th Day of School
Back To School Printables
It's back to school season...my FAVORITE time of the year! While it's an exciting time for our kids, I know our teachers are just as excited, too. As a parent, I love to start the school year with a few teacher appreciation gifts. And while I might not "know" my child's teacher(s), I truly appreciate them. I appreciate the time they've spent all summer readying their classrooms to pour into their students. I appreciate the time they've spent away from their own families to prep for their new classroom family. I appreciate everything they WILL DO for my child...and every other child...throughout the year. I appreciate everything about … [Read more...] about Back To School Printables
Boast Board – Bulletin Board Idea
Back to school is one of my most favorite "seasons" of the year. The excitement and anticipation of a new year is palpable. The new backpacks & lunchkits, fresh supplies, & chance to start over. I love it ALL. This back-to-school season I had the opportunity to help one of my favorite campuses prep for the school year by creating a special board for the front office. Administration came up with the most AMAZING idea. We see staff shout-out boards decorate teacher's lounges & office hallways everywhere. This is similar in concept, but instead of teachers and staff recognizing their co-workers, this board is intended to … [Read more...] about Boast Board – Bulletin Board Idea
Celebrating Mother’s Day
Can y'all believe we're already (quickly) approaching the end of April?! WHERE DID THE YEAR GO?! Our babies get out at the end of May and you know how May goes. Everything sort of hits us at once. Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, testing, assessment after assessment, portfolios, cumulative folders, plays, musicals, field trips, graduation, etc., etc., etc. Try as we may to be on top of things, sometimes the inevitable just sneaks up on us! For me, that is usually Mother's Day. I always think I have more time to plan and prep. What about you?! Well today I wanted to share with you some Mother's … [Read more...] about Celebrating Mother’s Day
All About the Weather – Ideas & Freebies!
Happy first day of Spring to you!!! To be completely honest, I'm not sure Texas even had a winter. Well, not much of one anyway. A few chilly days, but nothing to write home about. I'm definitely NOT complaining....I'm cold when the temps dip below 80 degrees...but it's crazy to think it's already SPRING!!!! And you know what that means?! Summer break is only 48 short days away...but who's counting?! #andalltheteacherssaidAMEN Now let's get on with the reason we're here! WEATHER. Y'all. Have I told you before that this is one of my most favorite thematic units to teach?!?! I love … [Read more...] about All About the Weather – Ideas & Freebies!
St. Patrick’s Day Activities & Freebies
We're a week away from celebrating St. Patrick's Day, so I thought it would be the perfect time to First, let's talk behavior. I always get a lot of questions about behavior management. You will never hear me say I have it all figured out. Nor will I declare that all of my ducks are always in their rows. However, I do know that sometimes the novelty of what we're doing wears off and when it does our kids become less engaged in learning and more apt to act unfavorably. I've found that changing up behavior incentives at different points during the year really seems to curb undesired behavior. I don't … [Read more...] about St. Patrick’s Day Activities & Freebies
Valentine’s Day Freebies! – Blending & Sight Word Games
Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and today I'm at home nursing a sick child. There is nothing worse than not being able to help your baby feel better. This just STINKS. We could absolutely use the prayers. Fevers scare the daylights out of me...especially when the Motrin/Tylenol combo doesn't do a thing to relieve them. For those of you who will be at school tomorrow, here are a few activities you can implement for a little extra fun. Of course, they'll work perfectly for the month of February as well so no need to put them away after all the Valentine excitement has died down! First up, Valentine Bingo. … [Read more...] about Valentine’s Day Freebies! – Blending & Sight Word Games
Printable Valentine GIft Tag & Writing Craftivity – FREEBIES!
Can y'all believe it's almost already Valentine's Day? Does it seem someone pressed fast forward on February? Or nah? Well...that's what it feels like to me. Moving on. Since Valentine's Day is just a few short days away, I wanted to share a writing activity & a printable treat tag that you might be able to put to use in your classroom this coming week. First up, let's talk tags. I absolutely LOVE Valentine's Day and love gifting different treats to students, co-workers, friends, and family. There's just something my Kindergarten heart loves about the holiday (as commercial as it may … [Read more...] about Printable Valentine GIft Tag & Writing Craftivity – FREEBIES!
Orange You Glad It’s Friday?!
The first week of the new school year has started and I sort of feel like I'm back in a routine. My boys started 2nd & 1st grade(s) on Monday and they are LOVING it so far. I did a little news segment for a local station on Monday talking all about teacher gifts. Just a few quick and easy ideas, but then I got to thinking that I forgot one so I wanted to chat about that here in case you need any ideas for the teachers in your life. This would be a great one for any Friday of the school year :) Let me just preface this by saying that teachers DO NOT expect gifts. Ever. When I was in the classroom I didn't … [Read more...] about Orange You Glad It’s Friday?!
Meet The Teacher Ideas & Downloads
*** Thanks for stopping by! Sadly, I am NOT able to send you a file of these documents to edit due to copyright {graphics, fonts, etc.} I apologize for the inconvenience, but thank you for your understanding!! Blessings to you!*** Can y’all believe Meet the Teacher night is right around the corner?! For some of us, it’ll be here much sooner than later. I was going through some of my files and came across my “Meet the Teacher” packet, so I thought I’d share it with y’all incase y’all can put any of it to use. Our Meet the Teacher night always falls on a Thursday. That’s kinda genius if you ask me. It gives me the entire next day to … [Read more...] about Meet The Teacher Ideas & Downloads
Ice Cream Day Freebies
I LOVE doing ice cream themed activities the last few weeks of school. Since I haven’t met a kid yet that doesn’t like ice cream…or some form of frozen treats…these activities always seem to keep them engaged when the chaos of the end-of-the-year is almost too much to handle :) I thought you might enjoy celebrating all things ice cream, too! So here's a little freebie for you! And if you're looking for even more math, literacy, and science activities with an ice cream theme, check out these resources & what teachers are saying about them! … [Read more...] about Ice Cream Day Freebies
The cOOkie Monster Freebie & A “Bag”pack Tutorial
We finished up learning about the /oo/ {as in cookie} sound last week and I was so proud of my kiddos when it was time for our spell check on Friday. They did AWESOME!! One of the little activities we did for word work last week was “Feeding the Cookie Monster”. The kids had to sort through /oo/ words on little cookie cut-outs and feed the cookie monster with the cookies that had the /oo/ {as in foot} words. Click HERE to download :) We celebrated our learning with a little “Cookies & Bookies” party on Friday :) {I just passed out cookies while they read during D.E.A.R time. Put the word “party” in front of anything and the kids … [Read more...] about The cOOkie Monster Freebie & A “Bag”pack Tutorial
Stomp Your Feet
I’ve been a little MIA lately. In all honesty, I’ve had the blogging “blahs”. Not a whole lot of motivation to sit down and post anything. I’ve just been lovin’ on my boys and spending an insane amount of my “free” time just having fun with my little family of four {and some out of town visitors, too!!}. Since my last post, things at school have been, ummm…CRAZY. Since Friday, I have… …sanitzed my hands…and the hands of 17 littles…NO LESS than 2,347 times. …successfully cleaned up a few cases of the pukies {talk about gag reflex} …counted 6 kids absent on Friday & Monday…and sent two pukies home today. …cloroxed {yes, it’s a verb ;)} … [Read more...] about Stomp Your Feet
