Are any of you doing Daily 5 in math? I came across some info on it last night, and I think it is just what my kiddo's need! I'm super excited about the prospect of it, but would love to hear from some of you before I try to get started.
Thanks!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A Little Off Topic...
In a few short weeks I will be embarking on a journey to help end Breast Cancer. For the second time, I will be walking 60 miles over the course of 3 days to raise awareness. Too many of us have friends and family that have fought this horrible disease and I don't want anyone else to have to fight that fight!
I am asking for your help. I need to raise $2300 in just under 30 days. I have no doubt that I will raise that and beyond, but I'm dedicating my blog to the cause today in hopes that someone out there in the blogosphere will be able to help.
Please, if you can help by donating (a few small donations goes a long way!) I would very much appreciate it. If you can help by sending others to this post, I would appreciate that too! Below is the direct link to my page to donate, or simply click on the link to the right of this post!
Thank you, from the bottom of my "soles" :)
I am asking for your help. I need to raise $2300 in just under 30 days. I have no doubt that I will raise that and beyond, but I'm dedicating my blog to the cause today in hopes that someone out there in the blogosphere will be able to help.
Please, if you can help by donating (a few small donations goes a long way!) I would very much appreciate it. If you can help by sending others to this post, I would appreciate that too! Below is the direct link to my page to donate, or simply click on the link to the right of this post!
Thank you, from the bottom of my "soles" :)
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Monday, October 10, 2011
When I Grow Up
My class just wrapped up a unit on Community and Community Helpers. We started off by talking about what a community is and what you find in a community. Once they had a hang of that, we talked about all the people that help a community run smoothly. They worked in groups to come up with a community helpers for each letter of the alphabet, then we worked as a whole class to come up with one helper for each letter. Once that list of compiled, each kid drew a community helper out of the bowl to make a page for our "Community Helpers A to Z" book. It came out super cute! I will try to post the page that we used later (it's at school and I'm at home on Fall Break).
Next, we invited parents to come in to share about their jobs. We had 6 parents between 2 classes; police officer, fire fighter, interior designer, graphic designer, lawyer and insurance agent. The kids rotated through the 6 jobs and completed a bubble map at each station. The kids had a blast learning about their jobs!
Finally, to wrap up the unit, each student did a "When I Grow Up" project. The had to write a "report", complete a project and dress up. Then we had a Celebration of Learning for everyone to share! I was totally impressed with the quality of work that all my kids did as well as how much they learned.
I have included the report page and the project guidelines. Feel free to use, but please leave a comment below in return.
When I Grow Up
Next, we invited parents to come in to share about their jobs. We had 6 parents between 2 classes; police officer, fire fighter, interior designer, graphic designer, lawyer and insurance agent. The kids rotated through the 6 jobs and completed a bubble map at each station. The kids had a blast learning about their jobs!
Finally, to wrap up the unit, each student did a "When I Grow Up" project. The had to write a "report", complete a project and dress up. Then we had a Celebration of Learning for everyone to share! I was totally impressed with the quality of work that all my kids did as well as how much they learned.
I have included the report page and the project guidelines. Feel free to use, but please leave a comment below in return.
When I Grow Up
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Three Weeks Down
So here I am, three weeks into school and things are finally falling into place. Pre/Post state testing is complete, intervention groups are in place, the schedule is finally starting to make sense and the kids are settled into the groove that is school.
I have a student teacher which is SO GREAT! Just having another set of eyes, ears and hands is so helpful and I had such an amazing student teaching experience that I love being able to "pay it forward."
Now that we have settled in, I'm hoping to have more time to blog...I have missed so much that to try and catch up would be ridiculous.
I hope you all had a great start to school and if you haven't started yet, I hope it all goes smoothly!
I have a student teacher which is SO GREAT! Just having another set of eyes, ears and hands is so helpful and I had such an amazing student teaching experience that I love being able to "pay it forward."
Now that we have settled in, I'm hoping to have more time to blog...I have missed so much that to try and catch up would be ridiculous.
I hope you all had a great start to school and if you haven't started yet, I hope it all goes smoothly!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Back to the Grind
This week was spent putting finishing touches on my room, meeting with my GLEAM (Grade Level tEAM) and meeting parents and students. As my head dances with ideas I can't help but be excited for the new school year to start. With starting Daily 5, having a student teacher and being in a new classroom it just seems so new. I'm going to back off the blogging world this weekend to spend time with my husband and baby girl before the craziness of the school year settles in.
To all the teachers starting back on Monday, have a great first day! I can't wait to hear all about it.
Happy New Year!
To all the teachers starting back on Monday, have a great first day! I can't wait to hear all about it.
Happy New Year!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Snack Time Linky Party
Christina Bainbridge is hosting a Snack Time linky party.
Last year we had snack right after specials. The kids would get hand sanitizer as they were coming in the classroom and then get their snack that was set up on the back table. We would then have about 10 minutes to eat snack. I just allow them to socialize, but they have to stay at their seats and use inside voices, just like at a restaurant. We spent lots of time in the beginning of the year talking about expectations during snack time.
I send home a snack calendar on the last Friday of every month so that they have time to prepare if they have snack on Monday. I assign the dates in ABC order. It works out to about 1 time a month.
If someone forgets snack, we use leftovers or extras that the parents have sent in.
Our schedule is different this year, so I don't know how our snack time will flow this year, but I'll come back and post when we get started to let you all know!
Last year we had snack right after specials. The kids would get hand sanitizer as they were coming in the classroom and then get their snack that was set up on the back table. We would then have about 10 minutes to eat snack. I just allow them to socialize, but they have to stay at their seats and use inside voices, just like at a restaurant. We spent lots of time in the beginning of the year talking about expectations during snack time.
I send home a snack calendar on the last Friday of every month so that they have time to prepare if they have snack on Monday. I assign the dates in ABC order. It works out to about 1 time a month.
If someone forgets snack, we use leftovers or extras that the parents have sent in.
Our schedule is different this year, so I don't know how our snack time will flow this year, but I'll come back and post when we get started to let you all know!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Daily 5 start up
I've read the book, scoured the internet and done a lot of thinking. I have decided to start Daily 5 in my room this year. I LOVE what daily 5 is and what it stands for and I haven't been this inspired to try something new in, well, ever! But...there is so much information out there and even just sticking to what the book says is a little overwhelming. So I'm asking for help from those teachers who have done it before me. Please leave some comments on what worked and didn't work for you. I'm really curious and can't wait to hear what everyone has to say! Also, if you know other bloggers that may be able to help out, please send them my way!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Monday, July 25, 2011
New First Grade Blog to Stalk
Amy over at First Grade Pandmonium is giving away a super cute Book Club unit. She has some great ideas and looks as though there will be even more wonderful giveaways in the future! Check her out :)
My Promise to My Students
Clutter Free Classroom is hosting a New School Year Resolution Linky Party!
Every year I "promise" myself to stay organized, put things away, have nice neat piles, but the truth is I just live better in organized chaos. As soon as I put something away, I can't find it!
So this year I'm making a promise to my kiddo's...my promise is to stick to Daily 5, no matter how hard, tricky, unlike me, it may be! I have read the book and totally LOVE IT. It seems practical, makes total sense and is basically exactly what I've been doing, just more regimented. I'm excited to start it out!
Do any of you have any tips for starting Daily 5?!?!
Every year I "promise" myself to stay organized, put things away, have nice neat piles, but the truth is I just live better in organized chaos. As soon as I put something away, I can't find it!
So this year I'm making a promise to my kiddo's...my promise is to stick to Daily 5, no matter how hard, tricky, unlike me, it may be! I have read the book and totally LOVE IT. It seems practical, makes total sense and is basically exactly what I've been doing, just more regimented. I'm excited to start it out!
Do any of you have any tips for starting Daily 5?!?!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
A Favorite Blog and a Giveaway
One of my favorite teacher blogs - Mrs. Bainbridge's Class - is having a fun, Flippy giveaway!
It would be totally worth it for all of you to check it out. I found Christina's teacher website last year and totally fell in love. I emailed her back and forth in the beginning of the year about some of her ideas, and she was totally willing to help me get them started in my own classroom. I love how we are able to connect with teachers all over the country and WORLD to share ideas.
Check out her giveaway by clicking the link below and be sure to check out her entire blog AND classroom webpage.
Scrappin' Doodles'
I was recently introduced to Scrappin' Doodles' by the ladies at First Grade Fanatics and wanted to share! Use coupon code JULY2011 at checkout for 15% off your order of $5 or more! Hope you can find some cute clip art like I did!
Pinterest Linky Party
Have you pinned yet?? I'm addicted! Pinterest is such a great resource for all things school. From bulletin boards to Daily 5. If you don't already Pin...you should! Follow the link below to find others that Pin and have joined the linky party.
Happy Pinning!
Happy Pinning!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Back to School Linky Party
Jodi over at Fun In First is hosting a linky party about back to school activities.
The teacher next door to me is a close friend of mine. We teach with our "doors wide open." Not literally, but sometimes it is! We do a lot together. So in order to introduce the kids to one another and allow them the chance to meet the other teacher we do our first snack time together.
We bring together our two classes and talk about what good friendship looks like. We make a list on the board as we brainstorm together. Then we get out various snacks that we have brought in like pretzels, animal crackers, chex, peanuts (check allergies first!), dried fruit and some M & M's. Then we talk about how we like each one by itself, but how all together it tastes so much better, just like doing things with your friends is so much more fun. We mix it together and serve snack to our classes.
It's a delicious snack and super fun first day activity!
The teacher next door to me is a close friend of mine. We teach with our "doors wide open." Not literally, but sometimes it is! We do a lot together. So in order to introduce the kids to one another and allow them the chance to meet the other teacher we do our first snack time together.
We bring together our two classes and talk about what good friendship looks like. We make a list on the board as we brainstorm together. Then we get out various snacks that we have brought in like pretzels, animal crackers, chex, peanuts (check allergies first!), dried fruit and some M & M's. Then we talk about how we like each one by itself, but how all together it tastes so much better, just like doing things with your friends is so much more fun. We mix it together and serve snack to our classes.
It's a delicious snack and super fun first day activity!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Post-It Linky Party
Creat - Teach - Share is having a Post It Linky Party...
I love post it notes! I use them in my classroom all the time. Here are a few of the ways...
1. I use them to remind myself of things. My computer screen is framed in post-it's!
2. We do a lot of graphing in the first few weeks of school and the kids love having their own post-it to write on and put on the board.
3. Before we start a new unit, the kids will write one thing they already know and we will post it on a small board. After the unit, we write one thing new they learned and we go back and look at the old post-it's.
Those are just a few of the ways we use them in my 1/2 classroom. I'm excited to get new ideas!
I love post it notes! I use them in my classroom all the time. Here are a few of the ways...
1. I use them to remind myself of things. My computer screen is framed in post-it's!
2. We do a lot of graphing in the first few weeks of school and the kids love having their own post-it to write on and put on the board.
3. Before we start a new unit, the kids will write one thing they already know and we will post it on a small board. After the unit, we write one thing new they learned and we go back and look at the old post-it's.
Those are just a few of the ways we use them in my 1/2 classroom. I'm excited to get new ideas!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Lesson Plan Template
I'm always on the hunt for a lesson plan template that I can print and use in a 3 ring binder. I don't always have much luck. I LOVE Lakeshore's lesson plan books, so I used that as my inspiration for the one I have created. I'm new to Blogging to the outside world so I thought I would put this up as a Thank You for following me. If you like it, let me know in the comments and share my blog with your friends.
THANK YOU!
Lesson Plan Template
Here is an editable version through PowerPoint.
Editable Lesson Plan Template
Please DO NOT repost as your own...you may link others back to here!
Thanks :)
THANK YOU!
Lesson Plan Template
Here is an editable version through PowerPoint.
Editable Lesson Plan Template
Please DO NOT repost as your own...you may link others back to here!
Thanks :)
100th Day TBA Linky Party
In honor of Teaching Blog Addict's 100th Day in the Blogosphere, they are hosting a linky party about 100th day of school activities.
We do a lot of fun stuff in our classroom for the 100th day. Here are just a few:
1. Every kiddo brings in 100 small items (stickers, cheerios, macaroni, etc.) and each table makes a poster using those items.
2. The kids each make a list of 100 words they know. This is difficult for some, but they always have fun trying to think of all the words they know.
3. We play Chutes and Ladders since it has 100 squares.
4. We read Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten (even though we are a first/second grade class)
5. I give them a grid with 100 squares and they can decorate it how they want.
6. We see how many jumping jacks, hops, skips, etc. we can do in 100 seconds OR how long it takes to do 100 of those things.
7. We count to 100 in many ways ie: forwards, by 2's, 5's, 10's, backwards, etc.
We always have a lot of fun on the 100th Day!
We do a lot of fun stuff in our classroom for the 100th day. Here are just a few:
1. Every kiddo brings in 100 small items (stickers, cheerios, macaroni, etc.) and each table makes a poster using those items.
2. The kids each make a list of 100 words they know. This is difficult for some, but they always have fun trying to think of all the words they know.
3. We play Chutes and Ladders since it has 100 squares.
4. We read Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten (even though we are a first/second grade class)
5. I give them a grid with 100 squares and they can decorate it how they want.
6. We see how many jumping jacks, hops, skips, etc. we can do in 100 seconds OR how long it takes to do 100 of those things.
7. We count to 100 in many ways ie: forwards, by 2's, 5's, 10's, backwards, etc.
We always have a lot of fun on the 100th Day!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
That's 1....
Mrs. Bainbridges Class is having a Linky Party...
I've never done this before, but here goes...
We use 1-2-3 Magic at our school. I don't live and die by it, but there are a few kiddo's that it works really well for. It involves saying "that's 1......that's 2......that's 3" and then they have a break away from their peers for a few minutes.
Around December, we were all coming down to the carpet for read aloud. One of my kiddo's, J, was not listening, as usual. In unison my class started with "that's 1......that's 2....." J just stopped and looked at everyone and came to sit down!
Kids, gotta love 'em!!
I've never done this before, but here goes...
We use 1-2-3 Magic at our school. I don't live and die by it, but there are a few kiddo's that it works really well for. It involves saying "that's 1......that's 2......that's 3" and then they have a break away from their peers for a few minutes.
Around December, we were all coming down to the carpet for read aloud. One of my kiddo's, J, was not listening, as usual. In unison my class started with "that's 1......that's 2....." J just stopped and looked at everyone and came to sit down!
Kids, gotta love 'em!!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
First Grade Awesomeness: Go FIRST GRADE, IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!
So I'm back...I know I say every year that I will keep up with my blog and I don't :( But I'm saying it again this year. I will try my best, but with a 6 month old at home it may just not be possible.
On any account, check out this blog for your chance to win a birthday unit. Looks super fun!
First Grade Awesomeness: Go FIRST GRADE, IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!
On any account, check out this blog for your chance to win a birthday unit. Looks super fun!
First Grade Awesomeness: Go FIRST GRADE, IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!
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