Did you read that title the way I'm singing it right now? The O'Jays?? Anyone? Bueller?? So let's talk MONEY!!! A few weeks ago I did a standards-based training that centered around teaching financial literacy concepts to our primary babies....first grade to be exact. Our district starts with introducing coins, identifying coins, and determining the value of a set of coins. I felt like I needed to talk a bit about this concept before heading right into financial literacy because they piggyback off each other so beautifully. SO, I wanted to give you some ideas that maybe you can incorporate … [Read more...] about Money, Money, Money, Money….MONEY!!!
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Leap into March!
If you're anything like me, then you like to plan ahead. With the first day of March being tomorrow, I thought today would be the perfect day to talk about St. Patrick's Day and get a head start on planning...if you haven't already. But before we get to all that, HAPPY LEAP DAY!!!! This couldn't be more true. If you happen to be checking this before your school day starts...or during your lunch/planning break....and you need some Leap Day ideas, you can check out what I shared last week by clicking the pic below. In honor of Leap Day, I'm throwing a sale in my shop. Click the pic below for 20% … [Read more...] about Leap into March!
Let’s Talk Leap Day!
Leap Day is coming up...February 29th, to be exact. Y'know..in case you needed a reminder ;) So HOW do we celebrate and make this day relevant for our kiddos?! Well here are just a few fun ideas!!! This is a GREAT book to read on Leap Day! Leap's Day: February 29th, by Stephanie Bee Simmons. Here's a great Leap Day video geared toward kids, too! And here's another! Of course, no new concept is complete without an anchor chart. Here's the one I did with my first graders four years ago! That year we learned that Leap Year babies are called "leaplings" or "leapers". We did a little … [Read more...] about Let’s Talk Leap Day!
Science of March FREEBIES!
Last week I popped in to tell y'all all about the books Abby and I are using for our Science of March resource. We just released it yesterday! WOO HOO!!! Here's a little sample.. Rainbows/Color Science, Clouds, Weather in Spring, and Sun/Moon Stars. That's a mouthful! Here's the pacing calendar for those of you who asked... If you're interested in adding this to your science resources, just click on the pic. Four weeks of detailed science lesson plans plus additional cross-curricular activities, too! We always put our science resources on sale (20%) off for the first 24 hours, so you can … [Read more...] about Science of March FREEBIES!
The Science of March Book List
Hello all! March is quickly approaching and if y'all are anything like me then I'm sure you like to get a head start on planning. Abby and I have been furiously working on our latest resource...The Science of March...and plan on releasing it it this Sunday, February 21st! We are really excited about this one because Spring themes have us excited about the change in weather and well...the end of the school year, too ;) Last week Abby posted a few of the books we'll be using for our lesson plans and I wanted to quickly pop-in and follow up with the rest of the titles in case you're interested in grabbing them! … [Read more...] about The Science of March Book List
Dental Health and President’s Day
With President's Day behind us, I figured it would be a great time to take a walk down memory lane to look back in time to what went on in my classroom this time of year. President's Day has always coincided with our study on coins. These bubble maps focusing on both the coins and their attributes really tied in nicely with these concepts! As usual, no unit on President's Day is complete without this darling George Washington craftivity and writing! I think I've been doing this one just as long as I've been teaching! An oldie, but goodie...always a favorite! It took NO time to cut out the hats {steps below} … [Read more...] about Dental Health and President’s Day
Simple Vocabulary Activities for ANY Word Study
I'm back from a two-day conference in Oklahoma where I got to meet and talk to so many amazing Kindergarten and 1st grade teachers. It was definitely a busy two days, but so much fun!! I absolutely love working with teachers!!! One of the sessions I presented was all about vocabulary. I'm such a huge believer in intentional and explicit vocabulary instruction that not only focuses on academic vocabulary words, but Tier 2 vocabulary words, too. It's so important for us as teachers to provide our kids with instruction that targets vocabulary retention. Not only do we want our kids to know what words … [Read more...] about Simple Vocabulary Activities for ANY Word Study
Writing Interventions, Guided Reading, Behavior, & Vocabulary (with Freebies!)
Yesterday I had the privilege of talking to some of the most wonderful teachers in the world...my Texas teachers!!! Okay, so I'm a little biased ;) Honestly though...it was such a GREAT day in Austin. SO much to cover!! Writing interventions, guided reading, behavior management, and vocabulary! This is how I typically feel after a day full of talking... Hahaha!! I absolutely love it! The exhaustion is most definitely worth it! I promised my Texas teachers I'd pop-in today and leave a few goodies to download :) If you attended my Writing Intervention session, you might remember me … [Read more...] about Writing Interventions, Guided Reading, Behavior, & Vocabulary (with Freebies!)
February Science!
Last week I got to travel to Columbus for a quick day of fun and learning. Of course, it was FREEZING in Ohio and this Texas girl forgot her jacket at home. Praise God for heaters. I'd say it was a nice change of pace compared to what we're experiencing in these parts, but NO. It was not. I'm convinced it shouldn't be that cold anywhere!! Ha!!! My husband has decided that we need to take the boys skiing over Spring Break (I've never been!) and so I fully plan on sitting by the fire sipping a hot chocolate cocktail while the boys tough it out in the cold. That's something I can handle. … [Read more...] about February Science!
Lots to Cover
Happy Sunday, friends! I just wanted to pop-in real quick to say "hello!" and give y'all a quick update because I've had several questions about a few resources and I figured this was the easiest and most efficient way to give y'all the details :) First up, I'm hoping to see some of my Ohio friends this week at the SDE Ohio K Conference. This will be a quick trip for me...less than 24 hours in Columbus!...but I'm really excited about getting to share with teachers some of the things I'm most passionate about. Vocabulary, Behavior Management, Math, and Anchor Activities!! It'll definitely be a BUSY, but fun!!!, … [Read more...] about Lots to Cover
100th Day Planning & Freebies
I wanted to get a jump start on the 100th day this year since I've talked to so many teachers who are in the process of planning theirs. This may be premature, but hopefully a few of these ideas will help you as your plan your 100th day celebration this year!! I know I like to be prepped and ready even though I'm most known for flying by the seat of my pants :) This is one of those days that deserves thoughtful consideration because it can be SO MUCH FUN for you AND your kids!!! And SO very full of meaningful learning and content at the same time :) For the first few years of my teaching career, I didn't … [Read more...] about 100th Day Planning & Freebies
January Science…with Math & ELA, too!
One of the common things I hear almost in every state I visit with every set of teachers who come to my sessions is that teachers are in need of more science resources. Not just an experiment to do here and there, but science with "meat". Science activities that have cross-curricular connections and can be fit in at any time during the day. Science lessons and activities that not only reach specific standards for a set amount of time, but lessons and activities that span a variety of concepts and skills so that instruction and practice can be reinforced through spiral review all year long. I get it! I do!!! … [Read more...] about January Science…with Math & ELA, too!
The Snuggle Is Real – Team Gift Idea & Printable Tag
Looking for a easy and affordable gift to give to your team?!?!? Something that doesn't break the bank, but cute and useful?! How about a blanket?! Maybe I'm the only one who doesn't think there's such thing as too many :) Right now Wal Mart has adorable leopard print blankets for $4.98 and Old Navy has their fleece selection of blankets on sale for $5. A steal!!! I personally think blankets make great gifts...especially this time of the year! DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE GIFT TAG Stay cozy, friends!!!! … [Read more...] about The Snuggle Is Real – Team Gift Idea & Printable Tag
Holiday Fun (& A Few GIft Ideas)
Let's talk holiday fun! I know this time of year goes by in a flash, so here are some easy to implement activities that you might be able to put to use before winter break in just a few not-so-short days :) At the beginning of the month, my kids were telling me ALL about their elves at home. I thought their little conversations were a perfect springboard for a little graphing activity… “Do you have an elf at home? Or not?” We graphed the data and then made our very own little elves…then we filled out our elf applications to send to the north pole. The holidays are the … [Read more...] about Holiday Fun (& A Few GIft Ideas)
Holiday Craftivity with a Vocabulary Twist
I know how fast and furious these 3 weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter Break can be, so I wanted to revisit an old post today to share one of my favorite ideas in case you haven't seen it yet! Not only was this activity absolutely precious, but we were able to weave in a vocabulary lesson with it as well and for the remainder of the year my kids had a solid connection to the focus word (overlap). Anytime that word came up in a book, in conversation, etc., my kids would say, "remember when we made the overlapping Christmas tree?!" And if I stopped to ask what that word meant, they could tell me without faltering. … [Read more...] about Holiday Craftivity with a Vocabulary Twist
Guided Reading Activities
Hello from New Orleans! I'm in Louisiana today for the SDE 1st Grade Conference. Fun stuff! So excited to meet the teachers here, share a few things, and (fingers crossed) eat some beignets :) Have you heard that TpT is having their sitewide sale today and tomorrow?! Here's a throwback to me in first grade to celebrate!! Hahaha!!! You can check out my holiday resources and more in my shop. Don't forget to use the promo code SMILE at checkout to save 28% on your total purchase! This past weekend I added a few new things to my store. If you already have my Guided Reading Phonics Bundle … [Read more...] about Guided Reading Activities
Classroom Elf Freebie
Happy day after Thanksgiving! Are you suffering from a turkey hangover like I am?! I don't understand the words "moderation" or "restraint". Needless to say, I'm all about the leggings today :) Since December is quickly approaching...4 more days, what?!?!..I thought I'd revisit an old post all about our classroom elf. Here's a freebie for you and I hope you're able to use it in your classroom this holiday season!!! Click on the picture below to read all about how we celebrated with the elf in our classroom. … [Read more...] about Classroom Elf Freebie
Reading Comprehension
How's reading coming along this school year? By now I'm sure you're in full swing with guided reading. I recently went to both Indiana and Tennessee for the SDE Kinergarten and 1st grade conferences. I had the opportunity to talk a lot about guided reading (a hot topic!!) and reading comprehension in several of my sessions. If you're looking for some great guided reading phonics activities for teacher table, check out this resource full of tried and true activities I used in the classroom and read about how I used them HERE. If you already have this resource, be on the lookout for Volume 2!!! … [Read more...] about Reading Comprehension
Getting Ready for Thanksgiving
How many of y'all are in scramble mode right now?! Scrambling to get things planned and prepped for your Thanksgiving festivities...and I don't mean your homebound celebrations. I thought I'd throwback to some old things I've done in my classroom for Thanksgiving and share a couple of new things with you as well. If you're still not done planning and prepping, maybe these ideas will help! First up, here are my favorite Thanksgiving books! Before I throwback, here's a little something new for this year. I created this supplemental math & literacy resource full of printables and writing craftivities to get you … [Read more...] about Getting Ready for Thanksgiving
Veteran’s Day (& Freebies,too!)
If you're anything like me, you are always looking for more ideas and resources to add to your ever growing collection. I do this for EVERYTHING. Constantly looking for new ideas...more resources...and more time. If anybody can tell me where I can find more time, I'd really appreciate it ;) That to be said, I want to share with you a few ideas to help you get ready for Veterans Day {next week...ALREADY!!!! Gah!!!} I absolutely LOVE teaching my kids about veterans and the sacrifices they make for our freedom. At my old school, veterans related to the students were invited to an assembly and … [Read more...] about Veteran’s Day (& Freebies,too!)
Stoplight Sounds (Freebie!)
So, I was in Wal Mart the other day (I promise this isn't the start of a bad joke ;)) I was grabbing a few things from the travel section and found these great little containers. 97 cents a piece. Of course, there was no way I'd use them for travel purposes, but I knew they'd make a GREAT activity for the classroom! I picked up a red, yellow, and green because I knew I wanted to do something with a stoplight theme. They had orange and blue containers as well. As I was driving home it dawned on me. STOPLIGHT SOUNDS!!!! I could use the lids to segment sounds ...beginning (green)/ middle (yellow)/ end … [Read more...] about Stoplight Sounds (Freebie!)
Reading & Writing Simple Sentences
Hey y'all! I've been hard at work and busy planning and prepping a few presentations for several upcoming conferences (hence the radio silence). I'm heading to Indiana, Tennessee, and NOLA in November and I can't wait!!! In the meantime, I wanted to share a few things I'll be discussing in a few of those sessions...particularly guided reading. Today I wanted to take a break from all that planning and prepping (I have a sick one here at home!!!) and talk a little bit about reading simple sentences. First, look at this face. This is not the face of a sick child, is it?! Bless. He's got a case of … [Read more...] about Reading & Writing Simple Sentences
FrankenFun!
Now that we're in October it's time to focus on all things seasonal. Or is that just me?! ;) I wanted to re-post something I shared last year in case you might be able to use some of these ideas soon! If you're anything like me when it comes to planning, it helps to look at the "big picture" and start planning and prepping materials in advance. These skip counting "hats" were a favorite last year!!! The kids have the option to skip count by 5's or 10's and the hats are super easy to prep. My boys loved them! via FrankenFUN Math Activities & Printables These are some of my most favorite monster … [Read more...] about FrankenFun!
CVC Word Work Activities
Hello all! HAPPY WEDNESDAY! There's been a bit of radio silence here since our family arrived last week. We only get to see them 3 times a year, so when they come to visit I lock up the laptop so I won't be tempted to work and I can give all my undivided attention to my favorite people : ) Since they left, we've been trying to clean up from the mess the contractors left when the FINISHED...yes, FINISHED...our bathroom! Praise Jesus, halleluia!!! 5 long months later and we have a bathroom again!! In the last couple of weeks, I've received about 4-5 different emails asking me about introducing CVC … [Read more...] about CVC Word Work Activities
