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!

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!

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?!?!

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!

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!

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!

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 :)

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!

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!!

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!