tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31071558987878211512024-03-13T23:15:32.916-07:00The Kinder GardenBlooming and Growing in PrimaryThe Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-41197052433206630562019-07-20T17:27:00.000-07:002019-07-20T22:23:21.655-07:00Getting Ready for Meet the Teacher NightMost schools have a Meet the Teacher Night before the first day of school. In between getting your classroom ready for the first day, lesson planning, making copies, and attending all those back to school meetings, it can seem overwhelming to even think about how to prepare. But it doesn't need to be that way! I've got some tips for you to make your back to school night a little less stressful - and use the event to cross other things off your to-do list as well!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE DETAILS: Get Your Paperwork Ready</b></span><br />
Meet the Teacher Night is one of the few nights of the year where you will see most, if not all, of your students' families all in one place. This is your chance to get that all-important paperwork filled out by those who attend! As a primary teacher, here are the forms that I absolutely <i>must</i> have before the first day, if at all possible.<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Student Information Cards</span></i></b></div>
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I use these forms to get basic contact information for my students' families including name, phone number, e-mail, photo release, and after school transportation, among other things. It's a great way to get current, updated contact info in case you need to get ahold of any parents on the first day (it has happened!).</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>After School Transportation Form</i></b></span></div>
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Okay, stick with me here. But the after school transportation form is arguably my <b>MOST IMPORTANT</b> form I need to have parents and guardians fill out <i>before</i> the first day of school. Why? Because you don't know these kids yet. You don't know the parents yet. You don't know where on earth they are supposed to go after school! I can't even tell you how many times I've had one of my kindergarteners tell me they were supposed to ride the bus (newsflash: they weren't, they just wanted to go to their friend's house!) and I was able to use this form to check and make sure they were getting where they needed to go. It's a bad feeling to not know where a student is supposed to go and, more importantly, who they are able to go with. Definitely get parents to fill this out <u>before</u> the first day because some parents don't always bring their kids to the classroom on the first day of school - then you're stuck trying to call or e-mail at some point during an already crazy first day to find that information out. Trust me, it will make your life a lot easier come the end of the day!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Supply List</i></b></span></div>
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Your school may have handed your supply list out to parents over the summer. But if not, meet the teacher night is a great place to give families this information. We always make ours a "suggested" supply list as we do not require students to bring in supplies if they are financially unable to. The school usually provides the basics (but we all know teachers supplement and buy supplies with their own money in spades). In giving this supply list to parents at Meet the Teacher night, this gives families the opportunity to bring donated items to you at school on the first day. If you can give them the supply list even earlier than that, then you can have parents bring them in on Meet the Teacher Night, giving you a chance to organize the supplies for student use <i>before</i> they arrive on the first day of school! That is the ideal option there! I put big buckets out for families to put their donated supplies in since I do community supplies in my classroom.<br />
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That picture is probably giving you organized people heart palpitations - ha! - you could do smaller buckets and have parents sort the supplies for you, but since the main goal of Meet the Teacher night is to introduce yourself and get to know your students, I don't make this a huge priority.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>How Can I Set it all Up?</b></span></div>
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Okay, now that you've gotten all your paperwork and forms copied and ready, you might be wondering how to set it all up so that parents can easily see the forms and know they need to fill them out that same day.</div>
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I fan the papers out on each student desk so that they can clearly see the title of each paper. I also color code them all so there aren't any mix-ups or things missed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaKkMzQU_qEfqPWrlGjloV2mWJAafTdt9TYjKTNtM0i_oEfnYB0_OXbWrPgMsuksluv7l3PFaA836RIa4K3e6_MydtnLqZV6aLVxd4y9CNZUek2NTK25ysWLj_XcwsGYJuFLdQScPYrHD/s1600/Meet+the+Teacher+Night+Set+Up.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1223" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaKkMzQU_qEfqPWrlGjloV2mWJAafTdt9TYjKTNtM0i_oEfnYB0_OXbWrPgMsuksluv7l3PFaA836RIa4K3e6_MydtnLqZV6aLVxd4y9CNZUek2NTK25ysWLj_XcwsGYJuFLdQScPYrHD/s400/Meet+the+Teacher+Night+Set+Up.PNG" width="305" /></a></div>
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Notice I put the transportation form on top - most important! :)<br />
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Putting the papers on top of each student desk is also a nice way to see who you still need to give the paperwork to on the first day if they didn't make it to Meet the Teacher Night.<br />
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Next, I clearly label baskets on a table so that parents can turn in their completed paperwork AND it gets sorted for me all at the same time!<br />
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<b>If you're interested in using the student information card, transportation form, and supply list for your Meet the Teacher Night, I have editable templates for all three forms in my TPT Store! Just click on the picture below to add them to your back to school resources and you can type your own information in to fit your needs!</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-Back-to-School-Forms-3989669" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="919" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMc6821hiWvBMbmgoiizp-N152pRrEvH70sZKs4F_0oA_hNka4wTM30ruyzLGw_DhRUp4w7PpZdIuQynKpSWRdd7hTV1cSsVUI7Dx_PPJZEZuQnVX6reIARPLHqTvltfQHVe2N-clNd7O/s320/editable+back+to+school.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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While parents are filling out paperwork, it gives you an opportunity to meet and greet with other families who come trickling in so you can greet your new students as soon as they come in. Which brings me to the most important thing about back to school night....<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>FOCUS: Meeting and Greeting Your Students and Their Families</b></span><br />
As nice as it is to get all those extra details lined up and collected and filled out and in buckets and the like... the main point of Meet the Teacher Night is to (wait for it) meet... the... teacher! So even if you aren't able to get forms filled out or supplies donated or the room perfectly cleaned up and ready for the first day, none of that matters as much as making your new students feel welcomed as soon as they walk in the door. Most of the littles are scared and nervous and just greeting them with a little excitement and love helps ease their worries just a little bit. Meet them, smile, ask them their name, introduce yourself. I always make sure to give some sort of encouragement to let them know how glad or lucky I am to have them in my class this year. Forging those initial relationships and first impressions with students and family members can go a long way in starting the year off on a positive note.The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-15646796821850623192018-11-24T20:27:00.002-08:002018-11-24T20:27:42.102-08:00Holiday Crafts with a Educational Twist<div style="text-align: center;">
During the month of December, I'm always looking for ways to keep my students engaged in learning activities - as any teacher knows, the closer you get to Christmas, the bigger the struggle that is! I wanted to find a way for my students to practice skills, but not with your typical worksheet, so I created three different holiday crafts that you can use with your students to practice <i>any</i> skill or concept!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiENTwZfxhwBbNlw7894U4sZyZzVJWJiVWfPS_z3z_qeR4O1EL_513KB2WADpT7zIC0GTTHXxUgku_aZ6WvG_uhmwrljXIVLI8QH_8m9HUszyS-jdFO8YvXV7eB8G5E82Qa0XBh_ovqdlR/s1600/December+skills+crafts.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="798" data-original-width="1094" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiENTwZfxhwBbNlw7894U4sZyZzVJWJiVWfPS_z3z_qeR4O1EL_513KB2WADpT7zIC0GTTHXxUgku_aZ6WvG_uhmwrljXIVLI8QH_8m9HUszyS-jdFO8YvXV7eB8G5E82Qa0XBh_ovqdlR/s400/December+skills+crafts.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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In this resource, all of the template pieces are included to make a reindeer, Christmas tree, or gingerbread house. On the blank templates, you can have students practice any skill you want including sight words, math facts, word families, spelling words, letters, fact families, grammar skills, and MUCH more!</div>
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<b>Here are some of the ways I used the Monthly Skills Crafts in my classroom:</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4fRezKMrxOKIXIENmqVw0OaHyrooUid8e4vGmuHi-1FHf2DQqrVzybOTnprKFjC-gujQvJEEDrj-yz-a7t1FBX1z0k0yL21rFnNLIvOzrM6ia0qZkOeo0oLT1S4Sxc-MKkF-agq01Hi9/s1600/sight+word+reindeer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="565" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4fRezKMrxOKIXIENmqVw0OaHyrooUid8e4vGmuHi-1FHf2DQqrVzybOTnprKFjC-gujQvJEEDrj-yz-a7t1FBX1z0k0yL21rFnNLIvOzrM6ia0qZkOeo0oLT1S4Sxc-MKkF-agq01Hi9/s320/sight+word+reindeer.png" width="229" /></a></div>
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I wanted to give my students a chance to practice reading and writing their sight words they'd learned for the first part of the year, so I put this activity in a center and they wrote their sight words on the Christmas lights and put them on the reindeer antlers. After they created them, I hung them up in my classroom and they made the cutest decor to boot!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90sM20wNzyzsZHDJ8hShjAIjfXHTqEog-i8E0j1_OuOW69f5bsTnVVWXfRKTZY2dyP30BAts8-SNtA2NVcrqLi6xcloCjTaYXteFWhSfTu0aEEJpaiCuDiUhrtQQ5agTzE9j4K786IFi8/s1600/sight+word+reindeer+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="615" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90sM20wNzyzsZHDJ8hShjAIjfXHTqEog-i8E0j1_OuOW69f5bsTnVVWXfRKTZY2dyP30BAts8-SNtA2NVcrqLi6xcloCjTaYXteFWhSfTu0aEEJpaiCuDiUhrtQQ5agTzE9j4K786IFi8/s320/sight+word+reindeer+2.png" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This student decided to make hers like Rudolph!</span></div>
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In math, my students were working on decomposing numbers so I decided to have them create a Christmas tree to practice their math facts for making ten.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV47MGwy5NoGHOuHQAvhG8C_tcZN11JA9R3XidsiDLIuj_vkfMsFw7gqOPY_DE-5rhYok1lh3JfyBjnbvIsEGW5iBBRyVfHmU70IOmkqr5124znceevXaj9rJFNpeP2igvQPQ8I1DidnT/s1600/make+ten+tree.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqV47MGwy5NoGHOuHQAvhG8C_tcZN11JA9R3XidsiDLIuj_vkfMsFw7gqOPY_DE-5rhYok1lh3JfyBjnbvIsEGW5iBBRyVfHmU70IOmkqr5124znceevXaj9rJFNpeP2igvQPQ8I1DidnT/s320/make+ten+tree.png" width="215" /></a></div>
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There are SO many different ways you could use this craft! You could also have students practice addition and subtraction strategies, place value forms, number writing, skip counting, and more! One way I may use it this year is to have them write adjectives to describe their tree after they decorate it.</div>
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For the last craft, a gingerbread theme is <i>always</i> one that students enjoy. This template allows students to decorate a gingerbread house the way they want it and then use the candies to practice different skills! This example has students practicing writing words in the "short I" word family. There are so many great options for this template and they always turn out so cute and creative!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiqJzF-7t4RVA3Jb72SVSBkf2F2nEZknwEI-hAEohoczebIJSQ8wz3Oq8EZCtOtk9JlS_OqInsZNztogLroc5VTcv5iWQU4gEK7JaMfx4jcWyJDE1ZgtxIqjawCpVeAcgbmxmyfpV-GV9/s1600/gingerbread+word+family.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="546" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiqJzF-7t4RVA3Jb72SVSBkf2F2nEZknwEI-hAEohoczebIJSQ8wz3Oq8EZCtOtk9JlS_OqInsZNztogLroc5VTcv5iWQU4gEK7JaMfx4jcWyJDE1ZgtxIqjawCpVeAcgbmxmyfpV-GV9/s320/gingerbread+word+family.png" width="251" /></a></div>
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My favorite thing about this resource is that the activities are SO versatile, students love creating them, and they make fantastic holiday decor to hang in your classroom as well. </div>
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If you'd like to add this resource to your classroom this year, click on the picture below to find out more!</div>
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<br />The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-50547027014577457632018-09-16T16:15:00.000-07:002018-11-24T20:39:34.611-08:00Teaching CVC Words with Games in the ClassroomOne of my favorite things about teaching in the primary grades is how much they grow as readers throughout the year! When I taught kindergarten, most kids came in not knowing all of their letters and sounds, much less how to blend them to read a word. But by the end of the year, they were independently reading decodable CVC word readers with ease! It absolutely amazes me every year! As a teacher, it is such a thrilling moment to see how far they've come.<br />
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Now that I'm teaching first grade, the beginning of the year is SO different - now I'm starting out the year working on CVC words and word families! The majority of my kiddos this year are at or above grade level, so I've been able to dive right in with some short vowel review activities and literacy centers. I'm going to share some of my favorite strategies and resources for teaching CVC words and provide some simple, low-prep activities that you can implement right away!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKA2cAAw-DMYaSsMx_Z-fNX0V3eVwnuC7DxXz8bEObhHgSPRWDN90jUSYNe1FZ3fnVblsPajfhDp6UppvUmuJv0UnAJSnPmL_X6i34cC19ynLK5We_Ncq0HLwE-zxAzCqb96DV1aAt-b_2/s1600/Short+a+Facebook.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="1206" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKA2cAAw-DMYaSsMx_Z-fNX0V3eVwnuC7DxXz8bEObhHgSPRWDN90jUSYNe1FZ3fnVblsPajfhDp6UppvUmuJv0UnAJSnPmL_X6i34cC19ynLK5We_Ncq0HLwE-zxAzCqb96DV1aAt-b_2/s640/Short+a+Facebook.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of the best ways to increase student engagement and learning is to have them play games! Kids love to play them and half the time they don't even realize they are working on skills and supplementing their learning. I also love getting kids involved with creating their own activities to help them learn, so here I had my students make their own game to practice one of their Short A Word Families: -ag. At this center, they created the "Bag of -ag Words". Students wrote -ag family words from a list on different paper bag printable pieces.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsSOzWC3jeN4JUDR9h6qaISUyu7D8qP6r_9NAc1Wdt8ATBNWD7w3BfRi-2gg0gghyphenhyphenuHvgRXoYA7B-NTVSfdsrpRlHJB4KL-_8g9kdz-b1P2YuLZMhE7Z-amTh0Y9XtH4RAg4xeOkwHbzR/s1600/bag+of+ag+words.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="824" data-original-width="824" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsSOzWC3jeN4JUDR9h6qaISUyu7D8qP6r_9NAc1Wdt8ATBNWD7w3BfRi-2gg0gghyphenhyphenuHvgRXoYA7B-NTVSfdsrpRlHJB4KL-_8g9kdz-b1P2YuLZMhE7Z-amTh0Y9XtH4RAg4xeOkwHbzR/s320/bag+of+ag+words.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then, they cut them out and put them inside an actual paper lunch bag.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEi4rSA5-BgP4-gYdRhrg9Fot8BfdBd9RlLico5PF51q4WUnATKC5AR-PE1a9KJRhah3jx_34L4XjUGLevXkFyxGgvzRiW9PvDaJKTwibhGqy3_E1Iz5cW5Z-1ZRwUZL4rMHFmJITdl9n/s1600/short+a+ag+words.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="897" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEi4rSA5-BgP4-gYdRhrg9Fot8BfdBd9RlLico5PF51q4WUnATKC5AR-PE1a9KJRhah3jx_34L4XjUGLevXkFyxGgvzRiW9PvDaJKTwibhGqy3_E1Iz5cW5Z-1ZRwUZL4rMHFmJITdl9n/s320/short+a+ag+words.png" width="319" /></a></div>
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Now, they are ready to play the game! Students pull one -ag bag word out at a time and write the word they read on the recording sheet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKsQBi5H2ZWHSSgfBrmzMD_WepxpbkRKl4DFEdxbbwbHsYfd9TFDs5kdXdqoBwk-zHvmt7TleYPDHXrdOSJevBamIgpY7LoSzoPpOg8aTqgr5l7rOjDGI0Xqkuus4HP4nztyZMYG_6de4/s1600/short+a+ag+family+pack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="844" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKsQBi5H2ZWHSSgfBrmzMD_WepxpbkRKl4DFEdxbbwbHsYfd9TFDs5kdXdqoBwk-zHvmt7TleYPDHXrdOSJevBamIgpY7LoSzoPpOg8aTqgr5l7rOjDGI0Xqkuus4HP4nztyZMYG_6de4/s320/short+a+ag+family+pack.png" width="316" /></a></div>
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To keep with the theme, I implemented other activities that had a play on words to go with the word family we were learning that day. The next game students can create is the "Can of -an Words" game. Students cut on printable lines to create a can that they glue to a piece of paper, cut out words in the -an family, put them inside the can, then pull, read, and color the word they chose. It's a fun way to work on word recognition and fluency!<br />
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For the next Short A Word Family, the -at Family, students can create a "Mat of -at Words". Using multicolored squares (love Astrobrights paper for this!) students will write all the -at family words they can think of and glue them in different places to create a colorful mat.</div>
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The last activity for Short A Word Families isn't a game, but just a fun little activity that is SO easy to prep. The last word family we learned was the -ap family, so students practiced reading and writing the words by creating an "-ap Family Cap". I just printed the template out on colored construction paper, the students wrote the words out and cut the cap template out, and then I stapled it together around their heads using a sentence strip!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvhthfeQForQSsr1e2j-4Jld8K24f1ls_Z9cwHK-fdzUlLB0JiwNplWiH-IjyjUJ-ZSGtUU6pfmwYF8XcezAzf-W9Kjt63W_sQ_LH11Gu28D6vSaOpe29m6mzb_5EslUYHzaPaY210kVj/s1600/ap+family+activity.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="803" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvhthfeQForQSsr1e2j-4Jld8K24f1ls_Z9cwHK-fdzUlLB0JiwNplWiH-IjyjUJ-ZSGtUU6pfmwYF8XcezAzf-W9Kjt63W_sQ_LH11Gu28D6vSaOpe29m6mzb_5EslUYHzaPaY210kVj/s320/ap+family+activity.png" width="261" /></a></div>
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Hands-on activities always make learning so much more fun! I love using these activities during our literacy center time. To add these fun activities to your short vowel resources, click on the picture below to find out more!</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Short-Vowel-A-Hands-On-Word-Family-Crafts-3393084" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="911" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXW-TzMQIoYSS2c5MuyRXFzMMyaVRupdbJ3mJJZlZAwUHyuEja1u5T7RS3ux2bueQqFOdt5wksRgg5aGmZtHGZsbnFxh0NQdhtSYaZoaXyh0eQj__YfzDi5CKZlXUH0JYWi-XwQH_d1QF/s320/short+a+word+family+crafts.png" width="320" /></a></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-89699094825998512732017-07-28T15:28:00.001-07:002018-08-30T20:32:31.873-07:00Changing Grades and Changing Plans<span style="font-family: inherit;">The teaching field has a way of lulling you into a comfort zone and then suddenly and without warning, turning it upside down. Things can become so unpredictable at a moment's notice. I experienced this myself a few years back, and I thought I'd share my story and offer some tips for making it through unexpected changes in jobs, grade levels, or any huge change you might come across in your teaching career.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SpTLKJzX57odcsh4_4G-B_43HjbOWSofVDsRgCrdCxHOprgbZ_UjmpxPRMr8XsS6DTRwDfOkA2qa639uFquZYWGRflwaCT1bjan5XQKbKJenNLByXiRdmFqHPD1KWexBCMYEfOtxwxbq/s1600/Changing+Plans+for+Teachers.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1066" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8SpTLKJzX57odcsh4_4G-B_43HjbOWSofVDsRgCrdCxHOprgbZ_UjmpxPRMr8XsS6DTRwDfOkA2qa639uFquZYWGRflwaCT1bjan5XQKbKJenNLByXiRdmFqHPD1KWexBCMYEfOtxwxbq/s400/Changing+Plans+for+Teachers.PNG" width="265" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know I started my career as a kindergarten teacher. I wasn't thinking about teaching kinder in the least while I was applying for jobs. In my mind, I was going to teach 2nd grade - after all, my mom had been teaching 2nd for over 30 years and loved every second of it - so why shouldn't I do the same? So, I started applying for jobs in different districts here in Arizona, confident that I would get a call for an interview at any moment. I went to job fairs. I dropped resumes off at school offices. I continued to apply for even more districts. Yet no one called. Not. One. Principal. Back in 2008, there wasn't the teacher shortage that there is now. Jobs were a lot tougher to come by. But surely someone needed an upbeat, excited new teacher who would give their all for their students....right?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wrong.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My phone stayed silent nearly the entire summer. I started to get anxious and worried that I wasn't going to find a job. My friends and family kept encouraging me, and I kept trying to apply, and even e-mail principals to let them know I was interested in a job opening. Still nothing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Finally, in mid July, which is fairly late to still have a job opening only a few weeks from school starting, I heard from a principal who wanted to interview me. I was so excited! I couldn't believe it! And it was even in a district I wanted to be in. I went to the interview and was full of nervous excitement until that principal told me what job she wanted me to interview for: a 3rd/4th grade ELL combo class. My heart sank, even though I kept a smile on my face. That wasn't the job that I was hoping for. In fact, it sounded terrifying as a brand new teacher to be faced with teaching students in not one, but two different grades all at the same time. Not only that, but I would be on a team of one, going solo. Not exactly the ideal situation to be faced with as a newbie teacher. But I kept on through the interview, answering questions as best I could and trying to be optimistic about the opportunity. I left the interview feeling disappointed and unsure of the direction I wanted to head. That night I went home, talked through it with those closest to me to get their opinions, and most importantly, I prayed that God would guide me to the decision that He wanted me to make for my life.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After deliberating, praying, and talking with family about my decision, I knew what I wanted to do. And the answer might surprise you. So when that principal called me to offer me the job....</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I said no.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">No?!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">That's right, no. Even though it was close to the beginning of the school year and I hadn't received even one other phone call for any sort of interview, I said no. It didn't feel right. I didn't feel that God was leading me to take that job. And I had to be okay with my decision. Even though I desperately needed a job, I didn't want to get myself stuck in a difficult position where I'd be miserable and unhappy all year.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To some people, I'm sure that's hard to understand. And it may even seem ungrateful, or picky to some. Some people even told me that I should have been happy to take any job that came about. But everyone's life circumstances are different. I just did not feel like that was the right job placement for me at the time. And by the time the school year began... I was still jobless.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I went to Plan B - substitute teaching. No, it wasn't ideal, and no, it wasn't what I had envisioned for myself coming out of college. But here I was. I applied in the district where I student taught and started picking up sub jobs where I could. It seemed like the only jobs available were half day jobs at first, until I subbed for a teacher at the school where I did my student teaching. This ended up being a great opportunity for me. Not only was it amazing to see all my former "coworkers" (I say that loosely, since all I had done was student teaching!), but an opportunity came about for me to be a long-term sub for a teacher at the school who was soon to be going on maternity leave. Not only did this give me a steady job for a few months, but it was also at the school that I loved. It ended up being a great way to have my own classroom, but with the support of having the first few weeks' plans already made up for me. And the amazing part was, I already knew most of these kids - it was a 3rd grade class - because they had been in my student teaching class the previous year in 2nd grade. So, if I didn't have a classroom to call my own that first year, this was the next best thing. I continued substitute teaching in various ways while also working a second job to supplement my income.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The school year ended and I'd been applying for jobs all over again, but with a new excitement. Now I had something to put on my resume. I'd actually been teaching in a classroom. Surely this would give me an edge over other brand new teachers... right?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wrong. Again.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">All throughout the spring and summer, once again, I did not receive a single call for an interview. I began to wonder what was wrong with me. Sometimes doubts even creeped in that maybe, just maybe, I wasn't supposed to be a teacher after all, even though I'd dreamed about it since I was a kid making up class lists and seating charts with my Barbies and dolls. May passed. June passed. July was flying by. I felt hopeless and sad. When people asked me if I'd found a job yet, and I had to tell them no, I felt them silently thinking, "You could have had that other job a year ago." I already knew, I'd think back to them, because I already was doubting my decision myself.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the end of July in 2009, I was just about to resign myself to applying for substitute teaching positions once again when I received a phone call. FROM A PRINCIPAL! A principal who wanted to interview me for a kindergarten position. Well now, as I said before, I never really thought about teaching kindergarten, but who was I to say no at this point? I certainly wasn't opposed to it. So, we set up the appointment and I hung up the phone feeling excited and hopeful. The day came, and I left a whole hour early, and printed out the directions on Google Maps (no smartphone or GPS at that time... haha!). And... the directions led me to THE WRONG SCHOOL. You see, it was a fairly newly developed neighborhood and not all of the directions had been updated. And I was late to my interview.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you know what a terrible feeling that is? To finally get an interview, leave way ahead of time, and not be able to find the school? Who on earth would hire anyone that was late to their interview? But what could I do? I called the office, let them know I was lost, and then finally made it there. I met with only the principal, no other teachers, and I thought it went well, but wasn't feeling so sure because of my lateness. The whole weekend passed and I didn't receive any phone calls. I thought that was it. I remember it was a Sunday afternoon that I was at a friends' house for a barbecue, and I got the call from the principal - I had gotten the job! I was beyond excited, but also so nervous and stressed because the first day of school was literally one week away, which meant that I had to spend the entire week before school started attending new teacher orientation meetings and new staff meetings in the morning and set up my classroom as fast as I could during nights. Meet the teacher night was only 4 days after I got hired, so mere minutes before parents and students were due to arrive, I was shoving things into cabinets and hiding boxes in my office.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Needless to say, saying "no" to that 3rd/4th grade combo class was the best decision I ever made, because that kindergarten job ended up being my dream job. I had the best teammates ever - they taught me so much about what it meant to be a good teacher and they even made their own amazing resources - which inspired me to further do what I do today. We were a well-oiled machine and always had fun every day we came to work. It's hard to find a team that has that magic together. You can have a solid team, even a good team, but I was lucky enough to have the magical unicorn team teaching a grade that I ended up absolutely loving. If I had settled for that first opportunity that I knew wasn't right for me, I would have never experienced that. So, sometimes <b>it's okay to say "no".</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Things were great. I loved my school, loved my students, loved my team, loved my coworkers. 6 years passed by and I figured I would be at this school forever.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wrong again.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't know what it's like where you live, but in the state of Arizona, we often have school district overrides that the public votes on in order to continue a property tax that provides funding to our school districts. This provides for low class sizes, full-day kindergarten, teaching jobs, classroom resources such as aides and support staff, etc. Every time one of these is up for a vote, it's a scary time, because we know if it doesn't pass, people are going to lose their jobs. My first year teaching, this override was up for a vote, and it didn't pass, and because I was the low man on the totem pole, I received a Reduction in Force (RIF) slip. However, for whatever reason, that spring, it was able to be put up for a revote, and it passed, so I ended up keeping my job. This year, 6 years later, I was worried about it not passing, I stood on street corners with signs encouraging others to vote "yes", and I attended meetings for support groups, but I wasn't worried about my job. After all, I'd been at my school for 6 years and was on the leadership team, and was more of a veteran on my team. Surely I wasn't the low man on the totem pole anymore, right?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Wrong. (Are you sensing a theme?)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The override didn't pass. The people of my city had voted it down. We were crushed. And no one was more shocked than me when I received a RIF notice. For reasons I won't get into, the way they decided who got to keep their jobs hurt kindergarten teachers the most, and the biggest percentage of people who lost their jobs were kinder teachers. So, all of a sudden, I was a part of that, even though others who were first year teachers in different grades got to keep their jobs. I never, ever want anyone to lose a job that way, but that didn't quite sit right with me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Needless to say, I was totally devastated. I loved my school and didn't want to leave my team, or my former students, who are ALWAYS my students for the rest of their lives once they walk through my classroom door. The thought of not seeing them anymore in the halls crushed me. I cried a lot of tears that month.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">All of a sudden, I was having to apply for teaching jobs again. By the way, do you know how hard it is to apply for jobs when you hadn't gone to college in ages and had to track down all of those transcripts?! Ha!</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This time, I had a lot of interest from principals wanting to hire me. I was grateful for that. In the span of a week, I ended up having 3 interviews. I was nervous and excited, but also confident. The first couple of interviews didn't feel quite right. There wasn't anything overtly wrong with them, but I just didn't get that feeling that they were the places I was supposed to be. And if there's one piece of advice I have to anyone who is going through a similar situation, it's <b>go with your gut</b>. Don't ignore how you feel! My third and final interview was amazing. I felt so excited about what was going on at that school, and I left the interview feeling so excited about the possibility of working there. And after 4 long days of waiting... I got the job! I was completely over the moon about it and felt like it was the exact school I was supposed to be at. And that's the school I have been working at for 3 years now, I'm happy to say.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, things STILL didn't end up working out as planned - and as I'd learned throughout my short career, do they ever?! I was hired to teach kindergarten, but then they didn't end up having enough students to warrant a third classroom, so they cut my job and I was moved to first grade in the middle of the summer. Thankfully, I was able to stay at my school and not get surplussed to a different one. I taught first grade for a year, and then the same thing happened - we didn't have enough students for 3 classes, so I moved grades <i>again</i> - this time to 2nd grade!</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have to say, teaching a new grade level is not easy. When I taught kindergarten for as long as I did, I knew it like the back of my hand. I was becoming an expert in that field; and I knew what those kids needed best to succeed. I thought I had myself all figured out, and I was going to stay in kindergarten forever! But, needless to say, God had other plans. I've now taught 2 different grade levels in 2 years, and each time I felt like a first year teacher all over again. It's tough. And this year, I'm moving <i>again!</i> Only two second grade classes were needed, so it's back to first grade I go for this upcoming school year. Maybe someday I'll be able to stay in the same grade for more than 1 year :) - but for now, it's all part of the adventure, and I try to embrace whatever challenge comes towards me, because no matter what grade I teach, it's all about the kids; and it's been kind of fun teaching new material.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are still with me and reading the longest blog post on earth, I thank you! Hopefully you can relate to my story in some way and know that you are not alone. If you're experiencing unexpected change in your school or job, here are some tips to help you make it through:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xuZEt_DFGLecbxm8kXbJ4Tu7TnhS_H8O0CSxq_3IBVRDWU2RjN3irnoyw-jQyimGx7aAAsvq3LIl-hH2dGvJExeyYXHiihiHAf3bLIKM1aXmHnji9b_DK02TDIWhYgIfNxtmlxl4q6jW/s1600/Changing+Plans+Tips+for+Teachers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="908" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xuZEt_DFGLecbxm8kXbJ4Tu7TnhS_H8O0CSxq_3IBVRDWU2RjN3irnoyw-jQyimGx7aAAsvq3LIl-hH2dGvJExeyYXHiihiHAf3bLIKM1aXmHnji9b_DK02TDIWhYgIfNxtmlxl4q6jW/s400/Changing+Plans+Tips+for+Teachers.png" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Even though losing my job at my first school was one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through, it ended up being a blessing in disguise. I love where I am now and the school I am at allows me to bring out my creativity in the classroom. And even though it's been an adventurous two years moving around to different grades, I'm grateful for it. I feel like I'm a better teacher having had these experiences in different grades. I love teaching kindergarten, and I still feel like that is where my heart is, but teaching first and second grade is also a blast in their own different ways as well. And if there's one thing I've learned as I'm going into my 9th year of teaching - expect the unexpected, but embrace it when it comes.</span></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-30352414688649003502017-06-08T23:06:00.000-07:002018-08-30T20:36:09.032-07:00Make a Geoboard! {Guest Post from Education.com}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiUjsTqJiCP2Jqy4K4jjZ0Z-D48HcrPRi3cWvBOM-NxDb3j6pk8NPXjrMSd5q4WhfGcJVPeWs6d9fIOmWTDUlDqVc4nrcAdYxE72RJWx65J_AmfqZn4T73Ztn0R81SvFGcSX_FxLEeubk/s1600/education.com.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="723" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiUjsTqJiCP2Jqy4K4jjZ0Z-D48HcrPRi3cWvBOM-NxDb3j6pk8NPXjrMSd5q4WhfGcJVPeWs6d9fIOmWTDUlDqVc4nrcAdYxE72RJWx65J_AmfqZn4T73Ztn0R81SvFGcSX_FxLEeubk/s400/education.com.png" width="315" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When it comes to learning, sometimes it's the simplest things that can be the most effective. You and your child can make your very own geoboard with a few simple supplies from your local hardware store. This is a fun and inexpensive project and it's a great way for your child to build <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.education.com/resources/geometry/&source=gmail&ust=1497073318015000&usg=AFQjCNGdIcjHpZdDQk2fhjFmpahuSCF_-w" href="http://www.education.com/resources/geometry/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">basic geometry skills</a>, like shape recognition and pattern and angle familiarity. Plus it's loads of fun!<br /><br />What You Need:<span style="background-color: yellow;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pegboard, 12" x 12"</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Nuts and Bolts, sized to the pegboard</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rubber bands, multi-colored</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Small container with lid</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><br /></span>What You Do:<span style="background-color: yellow;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Help your child push the bolts through the holes in the pegboard, securing them on the back with the nuts. The front of the geoboard is the side with the protruding bolt ends. Each hole should have a bolt in place.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your geoboard is ready!</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Place all the rubber bands in the small container with lid.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Encourage your child to use the rubber bands to create shapes, designs and patterns by stretching the rubber bands around the bolts. She can also overlap the bands to create a variety of complex designs.</span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When finished, have your child take all the rubber bands off of the geoboard and place them back in the container for later.</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjwzDjc3FKnViX2BIPTvIY1PpM8KlKNGmev09TKCOJ_xBoXro5mM5Hm-KxgFELLAEHUPiwoSoh2KHzgKlpm2G_Hhn-pHUJ-UE256tRHKgfHf0DzGNP79Bzrgi1866ng6H-rCRIRIkWnZk/s1600/how+to+make+a+geoboard.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="688" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjwzDjc3FKnViX2BIPTvIY1PpM8KlKNGmev09TKCOJ_xBoXro5mM5Hm-KxgFELLAEHUPiwoSoh2KHzgKlpm2G_Hhn-pHUJ-UE256tRHKgfHf0DzGNP79Bzrgi1866ng6H-rCRIRIkWnZk/s400/how+to+make+a+geoboard.png" width="306" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Find more great geometry resources over at <a href="http://www.education.com/resources/geometry/">Education.com</a>!</span></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-59804910515412161852017-02-26T18:43:00.001-08:002018-08-30T20:38:12.711-07:00Fun with See and Build: Homophones!<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I'm teaching second grade this year, and with that comes teaching many concepts either that, I've never taught before, or if I have, it's on a much deeper level. One week, upon looking at my curriculum framework, I saw that one week my students' spelling words were to be homophones. The tricky part about that is that my students were going to have to understand the word in the correct context of a sentence to know which word they were supposed to spell. This is easier said than done! So throughout the week, I knew I had to come up with multiple ways to practice homophone spellings and meanings in ways that would be meaningful to my students.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">They love anything hands on - and since they were going to be spelling words for the week, I wanted to incorporate some sort of word building activity. I was having trouble finding too many resources to fit that skill, so I came up with my own!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wanted to create an activity where my students had to do their own thinking, was hands-on, and also easily assessable so that I could tell who was still having trouble identifying and spelling the correct homophones.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I came up with an activity called See and Build: Homophones. I created a PDF with pictures of common homophone pairs. Then, I projected one slide on the smartboard.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: start;">The students had their own letters - enough for each word they'd be building - that they cut out and built on their own to attempt to spell the correct homophone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My favorite thing about this activity is that it includes self-checking slides for students to check and fix their work! After students have a chance to build and spell the word, simply click to the next slide on the screen and the correct word will pop up! My students literally cheered as loud as they could if they spelled the word correctly. They loved it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We kept going through 8 pairs of homophones and my students were totally engaged!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can grab See and Build: Homophones by clicking on the picture below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/See-and-Build-Interactive-Spelling-Homophones-3003168" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="827" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZZprAxk32xW0TWllyWg8nf92aBp0lOMliHaXY__tOfAuHhFyrk6ztxPcu82C1aYnT3ZUa1W_0TaBaHBDWZ_c_YjoLZ7qbaY6xJ_4gA1a1BS1ANpHAoR2ueaVb5NcLyNnr7OACle5YvGz/s320/cover+page.png" width="320" /></a></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-48290695215257485572016-11-27T15:33:00.002-08:002017-07-01T10:53:33.839-07:00Using Elf on the Shelf in the Classroom<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For the past five years or so, I've brought the Elf on the Shelf into my classroom each December. My students absolutely love it each year and it brings a little holiday magic into our room! They love looking for the elf each morning and it's a great behavior incentive as well. They never want the elf to see them doing anything "naughty"! But here's the thing - it may seem like a big chore to implement a few elf activities into your day, but it doesn't have to be anything time consuming for you unless you choose to do it that way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the first day the elf arrives at our classroom, I usually wrap the box up and cover it with super gaudy, sparkly bows and ribbons. I then put it somewhere in the classroom and don't say anything about it until someone notices! I then, of course, act completely surprised that there is even a gift in our classroom.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS0Pi_RgowqVerpNqud8mw30uD9Lnu8FjzcV7Q3ixxNaVyLrvXR7zZPm3hRLY2m7mo1CkREql6afbDGQ9tGEsYCBSgSsxf2tecocsUhUg08F9kf1qtJP5x2XajIcYhijywkRQO-TCTMko/s1600/elf+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS0Pi_RgowqVerpNqud8mw30uD9Lnu8FjzcV7Q3ixxNaVyLrvXR7zZPm3hRLY2m7mo1CkREql6afbDGQ9tGEsYCBSgSsxf2tecocsUhUg08F9kf1qtJP5x2XajIcYhijywkRQO-TCTMko/s320/elf+2.png" width="318" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We open it, the students are excited (understatement of the year), and then we read the book. After reading, we brainstorm potential names for our elf and vote on them to choose.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQux_pon1r4JAlExzfhQ9gd7ekEaX2HoVNzsa0mh0xAVS5_dYuNQupphXUXhyphenhyphenFzDP-fdggiv8aKbGEtYAd_gZEr9lMjS2MLOP1Anj7nj8JeRHNBH4rhJeiVnj1zR4yw0HS45HQKLET7DG/s1600/elf+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQux_pon1r4JAlExzfhQ9gd7ekEaX2HoVNzsa0mh0xAVS5_dYuNQupphXUXhyphenhyphenFzDP-fdggiv8aKbGEtYAd_gZEr9lMjS2MLOP1Anj7nj8JeRHNBH4rhJeiVnj1zR4yw0HS45HQKLET7DG/s400/elf+3.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The winner last year was Snowflake! Every year, my students end up picking a different name. Sometimes the name doesn't even have anything to do with Christmas or winter, as evidenced by the list pictured above.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I don't usually do anything too huge in regards to the elf. I move him every day so the kids can find him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CXNsc5SPsoeiKNI7HFiGM667T4wPWUSpqDVtRYcTwn9Zsw3OcdM2nLUmsxzmA3TID0CJzIUdrvc2nKdy26eZnEKsmmqXG7YiZkRjr9EzANfvtAdkXNNWJ53FesuEgAzOFb7RG_dxANq2/s1600/elf+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4CXNsc5SPsoeiKNI7HFiGM667T4wPWUSpqDVtRYcTwn9Zsw3OcdM2nLUmsxzmA3TID0CJzIUdrvc2nKdy26eZnEKsmmqXG7YiZkRjr9EzANfvtAdkXNNWJ53FesuEgAzOFb7RG_dxANq2/s320/elf+4.png" width="268" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-BtoK8hiMFCRaCUqJkhg2PlbYE85G7CBHPKXY83oLSTsiF9ufWjZxr84-uWsUHGIWu7gv-PlM_yaNAfFWMN1jBONbmBN0QHHkjsGvNXk_Xue2u-E9vN6N-eS2Mf8JnocfTRMa4gPW9WZ/s1600/elf+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-BtoK8hiMFCRaCUqJkhg2PlbYE85G7CBHPKXY83oLSTsiF9ufWjZxr84-uWsUHGIWu7gv-PlM_yaNAfFWMN1jBONbmBN0QHHkjsGvNXk_Xue2u-E9vN6N-eS2Mf8JnocfTRMa4gPW9WZ/s320/elf+5.png" width="241" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He can also be a little bit mischievous... going on joyrides while we're not at school!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOhLycbTA7wdKT9uf-ryrA_JaCSk2OO6dx7TpWRnAkYo1vJ3cYFvqZiQutgGkRVaGZNl0H6k5sPfbfeNEMSJdZIFIZvj4Aj7IkJ9X_XbhpE2F01j6aF2v5jWGI5cKuev6Z-lFuCT0czst/s1600/elf+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOhLycbTA7wdKT9uf-ryrA_JaCSk2OO6dx7TpWRnAkYo1vJ3cYFvqZiQutgGkRVaGZNl0H6k5sPfbfeNEMSJdZIFIZvj4Aj7IkJ9X_XbhpE2F01j6aF2v5jWGI5cKuev6Z-lFuCT0czst/s400/elf+8.png" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And sometimes he brings us special treats... like candy canes!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYf3ejlHv4xqZnLj2ugeXZbn1Ve3D78RL-jnmYsBogW20tyv2s5ChJ1YVpITLrCMlw_du96qVQCJt0hU7K3DvOSQJdyclkxovFq0RyjgIkvX-sCEBL-4vq0YjJ43RKoOWn3lV_nwNfork/s1600/elf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYf3ejlHv4xqZnLj2ugeXZbn1Ve3D78RL-jnmYsBogW20tyv2s5ChJ1YVpITLrCMlw_du96qVQCJt0hU7K3DvOSQJdyclkxovFq0RyjgIkvX-sCEBL-4vq0YjJ43RKoOWn3lV_nwNfork/s400/elf.png" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then we have a mini-candy cane day! We observe them and describe them using our 5 senses and create a web of all the adjectives we came up with.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmOP6JK5Ie6vd2yuI8A2-3ubZyFkm6WY0dIPejamynjYE9cqP2YdAN2yGjbzAMs6ok_ULIJlqRPsYg1C8YK10v_e1UhrZP_ksqde9eu3dWFPbm46DjGIgGEAA-lA9Jh-9pBT3NlpUs1uV/s1600/elf+6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmOP6JK5Ie6vd2yuI8A2-3ubZyFkm6WY0dIPejamynjYE9cqP2YdAN2yGjbzAMs6ok_ULIJlqRPsYg1C8YK10v_e1UhrZP_ksqde9eu3dWFPbm46DjGIgGEAA-lA9Jh-9pBT3NlpUs1uV/s400/elf+6.png" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Using an elf in the classroom is also a great opportunity for students to write in a variety of ways. My students always love to write their own notes and letters to our elf telling him their Christmas lists, how much they love him, and any other little sweet things they want to "tell" him.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HLZgl1OcBi87KfMKcNqiS_nUQKbfR3IFwRPlto9eKe7qBdOLuuRELAHokSQDc4Q5wDpxvflYjjoSZhXxODwN3HSRKMKTPg_q2EWKZZI7ffJWw_WPIdwG6cVLh6XyGilI5IlYv-9ELYdz/s1600/elf+7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HLZgl1OcBi87KfMKcNqiS_nUQKbfR3IFwRPlto9eKe7qBdOLuuRELAHokSQDc4Q5wDpxvflYjjoSZhXxODwN3HSRKMKTPg_q2EWKZZI7ffJWw_WPIdwG6cVLh6XyGilI5IlYv-9ELYdz/s400/elf+7.png" width="298" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of my favorite writing activities to do with my students is a persuasive writing project. Students write a letter to their elf to try and convince him to tell Santa why they've been good this year. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl42ydDMnA7oP_qW0fvA71ZzcBVONX1uMD6AGNYHWXXewexqLlpDna0XmrJOix6bJe0QvOj-yW0BRW7K5ceOa1xg4pyQEWY1QKoTKJDjgKcQwWlmseEC6LnxXm_cktqD0gqQBXJJThNoN/s1600/elf+persuasive+writing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl42ydDMnA7oP_qW0fvA71ZzcBVONX1uMD6AGNYHWXXewexqLlpDna0XmrJOix6bJe0QvOj-yW0BRW7K5ceOa1xg4pyQEWY1QKoTKJDjgKcQwWlmseEC6LnxXm_cktqD0gqQBXJJThNoN/s400/elf+persuasive+writing.png" width="311" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The stuff they come up with is always so funny! They come up with reasons you wouldn't even think of as to how they've been nice all year. If your students need help coming up with ideas, you can create a group thinking map together to brainstorm ways they've been kind to others, followed directions, or worked hard all year.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7nDigBiC6mxUC-qoJHOUE3_vwhDvJ1HgC0NaR6rHFNepD3o3U6pLbVldc6SdcyvtNvQL9wHsRpdiuUoqQVlmcO19NS15Tu3J3FHrs9JghmQ7lgGmJxap03DyPOksHcF-paeYd8B5vQ5U/s1600/elf+8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7nDigBiC6mxUC-qoJHOUE3_vwhDvJ1HgC0NaR6rHFNepD3o3U6pLbVldc6SdcyvtNvQL9wHsRpdiuUoqQVlmcO19NS15Tu3J3FHrs9JghmQ7lgGmJxap03DyPOksHcF-paeYd8B5vQ5U/s320/elf+8.png" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After they write their letter, they create a craftivity of our elf and pair it next to the letter. They always turn out absolutely adorable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can find the elf in the classroom persuasive writing activity by clicking on the picture below! It has differentiated writing paper options for you to choose from to best fit your students' needs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Once Christmas break begins, our elf returns back to the North Pole. Sometimes I like to get a gift from the "elf" for the kids to find when we return back to school in January. In years past, I've gotten supplies for our kitchen/home living center, a holiday book, or a stuffed animal like the Grinch. The kids are always sad to see our elf go, but finding a special gift from him is a great way for them to say goodbye. Having an elf in the classroom can be such a special, magical experience for your students!</span></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-68397002048837242562016-11-06T13:36:00.001-08:002016-11-06T13:37:07.652-08:00Veterans Day Activities<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">November has arrived... and I think we all can agree that this is the first official start of the holiday season! From now until December, teachers everywhere will be attempting to fit holiday themes into their teaching including Thanksgiving, Winter, and holidays around the world... and it's tough to fit it all in! However, I will be kicking off the month of November by teaching about a holiday that is often overlooked amidst all the hubbub of the last two months of the year: Veterans Day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I usually don't have more than a day or two to devote to teaching my students about Veterans Day, so in the past, I've tried to find quick, low-prep activities that are still engaging for my students to learn about this important day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The easiest place to start is by finding some great books that tell the history of Veterans Day in kid-friendly language. Here are some fantastic books to start your collection:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My two favorites pictured above are <i>H is for Honor </i>and the <i>Rookie Read About Holidays: Veterans Day</i>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Videos are also a great way to get students interested in new topics. I found this great little video on Youtube that tells about Veterans Day in a way that young students will understand. I'll definitely be showing this one to my first graders this year!</span></div>
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I also love implementing fun little songs and creating movements to go along with them. My students love them and end up singing them all day long! I sang this adorable song last year, courtesy of this freebie from <a href="http://firstgradewow.blogspot.com/2013/11/veterans-day-mini-unit.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+FirstGradeWow+(First+Grade+Wow)">First Grade Wow</a>! I wanted my students to have access to a version that they would be able to use and read themselves, so I added a little Melonheadz clipart and turned it into a poster that the kids could refer to. Love it! </span></center>
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After researching facts about Veterans Day together, we usually do a fun little activity together. I used this coloring sheet with my kindergarten kiddos last year and had a sentence for them to trace and tell about the meaning of the holiday.</span></center>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We also made a Veterans Day hat with three badges on it to tell about the importance of the day.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfQM4gqAeMUsafRmS84T_EcivLntwbzBpDEC42ftMIFgsVT3V2ieBqHdJ9QS59HPBCkUdSFiYCRHZY2cg9C9XUW_mmg4arwndf-mMMLvGub_uG5QmOm7wdqn4ZQeeJTkIDajMTdg-cHDT/s1600/veterans+day+hat+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfQM4gqAeMUsafRmS84T_EcivLntwbzBpDEC42ftMIFgsVT3V2ieBqHdJ9QS59HPBCkUdSFiYCRHZY2cg9C9XUW_mmg4arwndf-mMMLvGub_uG5QmOm7wdqn4ZQeeJTkIDajMTdg-cHDT/s400/veterans+day+hat+2.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDJjISLGfgx-r0uqm_5BEU2cepgrSf4GIpuxUP1TFQO07Qj7VA2_Fi0crPiG0WLDyTevV-eLvcR40l8r77tHXqpsu7VFUd3h6DP8KPginjfS1bPk81Rl9409DywiiNHjvcM9taQMeFPCW/s1600/veterans+day+hat+kid.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDJjISLGfgx-r0uqm_5BEU2cepgrSf4GIpuxUP1TFQO07Qj7VA2_Fi0crPiG0WLDyTevV-eLvcR40l8r77tHXqpsu7VFUd3h6DP8KPginjfS1bPk81Rl9409DywiiNHjvcM9taQMeFPCW/s400/veterans+day+hat+kid.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can download the hat for FREE by clicking on the picture below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4JXpfFPawHGT0FUT1Y1VDBZbkE/view?usp=sharing" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt=" photo veterans day link pic_zpsn3hcfdoa.png" border="0" height="299" src="https://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k574/c8lino/veterans%20day%20link%20pic_zpsn3hcfdoa.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-12714747551857332822016-10-03T22:46:00.001-07:002017-07-01T10:56:09.780-07:00Compare and Contrast with The Three Little Pigs!<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm in the midst of teaching a big fairy tales/folk tales/fables unit at the moment and it's been one of my favorite units to teach so far! There are so many fun, classic, high-interest stories that kids love to read. Before we began reading any fairy tales, we created this schema chart together of all the things we thought we could find in a fairy tale. Their ideas were actually pretty dead-on!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of our big standards to teach during this unit is comparing/contrasting similar stories. There are so many great versions of the classic fairy tales to choose from! One of my favorite fairy tales to use for comparing and contrasting is The Three Little Pigs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For this unit, I read three different versions of The Three Little Pigs and my students compared and contrasted each one by analyzing story elements such as characters, setting, and plot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We learned that in fairy tales, things usually happen in "threes", and of course the 3 Little Pigs is no different! I had the idea for my students to create Compare/Contrast Story Houses to create one big book. I absolutely love how they turned out and my kids had a blast creating them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">First, I created a little graphic organizer and my students filled one out for each story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My students loved the fact that I included a "villain" square on our graphic organizer since there was a different villain in each version we read! We glued the graphic organizer to a piece of construction paper to create the first book page, then flipped it over and added the front cover to the opposite side.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To complete the first page, we added a roof by cutting a piece of 4.5x6" construction paper into a triangle shape and gluing it to the top of the page. This is where we wrote the title and author for each story we read!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXbfn-RR3mZ6DsWE1agSPapWC_jKauKTzL5yL87Lggwr-QirW4tYNHuhYS0oHgdfPVdBAK33mOLJnNlIlBW7AvRiRRbXJi1h7T2bf9rCzTmKeKtUYS386Uz-pVXvNLHYbQC1MdrTpMZ9o/s1600/3+pigs.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXbfn-RR3mZ6DsWE1agSPapWC_jKauKTzL5yL87Lggwr-QirW4tYNHuhYS0oHgdfPVdBAK33mOLJnNlIlBW7AvRiRRbXJi1h7T2bf9rCzTmKeKtUYS386Uz-pVXvNLHYbQC1MdrTpMZ9o/s320/3+pigs.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We repeated the same process for each book we read and matched the book page colors to each "pig house" from the original story: yellow for straw, brown for sticks, and red for bricks! Each time we finished a new story page, I attached it to their book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By the time we were done, we had 3 pages to complete our compare and contrast story house! I stapled the rest together to create an accordion book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Creating the story house book was such a great, creative way to compare and contrast the different stories. My students absolutely loved making them as well! They really added so many details to their illustrations and were able to practice writing story summaries in the plot section.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are many different versions of The Three Little Pigs to choose from, but here are the versions we read to create our compare/contrast story houses: <i>The Three Little Pigs</i><b style="font-style: italic;"> </b>by James Marshall, <i>The Three Little Javelinas </i>by Susan Lowell and Jim Harris, and <i>The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig</i> by Eugene Trivizas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To end our unit, we read one of my all-time favorite versions: <i>The True Story of the Three Little Pigs</i> by Jon Scieszka. It's the story of The 3 Little Pigs from the Wolf's point of view!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The most unique version we read was <i>The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig</i>. The houses and settings were completely different from the original, and it had a happy ending too! Because the settings were so unique (and there were 4 of them!) I had my students split themselves up into groups of 4 and use giant whiteboards to create four window notes. Each student was responsible for drawing a picture of the four different houses the wolves built in the story. Then they took turns retelling the story to their fellow group members. Such an easy and engaging activity!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you're interested in using the Three Little Pigs Compare/Contrast Story House with your fairy tale and folktale unit, you can grab it here in my TPT store by clicking the picture below! Differentiated graphic organizers, the cover page, and directions for making the book are all included in the pack. The great news is, you can create it using as many or as few versions of The Three Little Pigs as you want! It's such a versatile activity. Click below to check it out!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-3-Little-Pigs-Compare-and-Contrast-Story-House-2814298" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoSikKk9i0HXBN5zr04hw86KzmMMX-31BLxhkf20o-MCIHVJO0I2YCHobfUY3bQs8WDICMhYzXsQYB1fAXoq2IImMhxUrywqCFl0x6q1PCUTK6q3m1tcMwhb2X4HhveyWGtSyqrfmtBMl/s320/cover+page.png" width="240" /></a></div>
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The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-38825719811311876252016-09-25T17:04:00.000-07:002018-09-04T20:07:46.439-07:00A Quick Update: Blends!<span style="font-family: inherit;">When students are beginning to grow their reading skills past simple CVC words, blends are one of the next basic phonics patterns to introduce to young readers. They begin to blend the letter sounds together and combine them with short vowels to read more complex words. Since you say both sounds in blend patterns, they are very easy for students to pick up and master. When you're introducing a new blend pattern, it's important for students to work with the words in a variety of ways - and you don't just have to use worksheets to accomplish that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When introducing a blend pattern, I always started off by creating an anchor chart for each one. I drew bubble letters and wrote words that began with the blend inside of them. Then I hang them up around the room for students to refer to throughout the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This allows students to brainstorm words that begin with each blend to help them become more familiar with the pattern. I drew my own pictures to go with each word, but you could even have students take more ownership of the anchor charts by drawing the pictures themselves!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When introducing different blend patterns, it's always fun to come up with related art projects or crafts for students to create to practice writing and spelling their words with blends. For the FL- blend family, I gave my students a piece of construction paper and they created their own FLags and wrote their blend pattern words onto the flag. So simple and the kids loved it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If there's one thing students love to do, it is getting to write on the big teacher whiteboard or smartboard! Don't ask me why... I think it's because they love pretending that they are the teacher for a small moment in time! There are so many patterns for S-Blends that I like to introduce lots of word sorts for students to become more familiar with the patterns. I drew a chart on the board and had students brainstorm a word that fit with each blend pattern. Then they wrote their word on the board in the section with the correct pattern!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Of course, there are always times when using a worksheet really helps students identify phonics patterns, spelling words, letter formation, and sentence structure. When introducing a new blend pattern I like to have my students begin by using an activity sheet from my No-Prep Phonics Word Work Pack. With these, students read, write, and highlight the words as well as read sentences to practice fluency and create their own sentences using words from the blend pattern they are practicing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This video shows a sample from my diphthongs pack, but I use the same format for every pack.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzEiVLgq3ZZbOMo4Wc8wTIYVRDp4jtZZyNoTYs_AUCFqywy4lBDgGBJrWWyqX-M_gU7nhlsR3Pv5M5OSnu3MA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For blends, I currently have packs created for S-Blends, R-Blends, L-Blends and Triple Consonant Blends, which can be found in my SUPER-discounted Word Work Bundle (over 60% off!). Just click on the picture below to find out more!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/No-Prep-Phonics-Word-Work-Printables-GROWING-BUNDLE-2603868" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="955" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds-6y6s37dORKpLFyxT8qqjlAn-yOxUzEOQXrjabG3F0hbP0Cw6LakwNGiqdLIRA0xruSwb_DdQQ_A2uiWnDN54hr0kuD1bM21S7rdWxrrjcnsCQkc0W6xQdMzUeAj6wwMCtQwS5BlmeE/s320/growing+bundle+cover+page.png" width="240" /></a></div>
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The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-80628721091018187022016-07-31T23:26:00.001-07:002019-07-31T23:24:03.176-07:00Teaching Early Literacy Skills With Nursery Rhymes<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the beginning of kindergarten, I always start off our year with a mini-unit on nursery rhymes. I love using nursery rhymes to introduce early literacy skills to my students because they are familiar "stories" that most of the kids will have heard before. Most kindergarteners enter school unable to read on their own, but using nursery rhymes can help them feel successful and build confidence in reading because they have memorized the rhymes. Here are some of my favorite activities and resources to teach when introducing nursery rhymes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCpn5z3sq571iGZNW5bG-dTgOLDL-RbIHBKj8ViM68rYkySV49gS_KUEyHOWQOvjVQaTpl8eUFa0EO69E5N6s0m6SywIahFE8-MA0U-IuDnSCMwoEyjl_xY-sqjUf4jLmlGmtnec0krQD/s1600/Nursery+Rhyme+Literacy+Ideas.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCpn5z3sq571iGZNW5bG-dTgOLDL-RbIHBKj8ViM68rYkySV49gS_KUEyHOWQOvjVQaTpl8eUFa0EO69E5N6s0m6SywIahFE8-MA0U-IuDnSCMwoEyjl_xY-sqjUf4jLmlGmtnec0krQD/s400/Nursery+Rhyme+Literacy+Ideas.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">A print-rich classroom is vital to have in the primary grades. When introducing nursery rhymes, I'll usually focus on one rhyme per day, so the unit ends up being about two weeks long. First, we will read the rhyme together using posters. Sometimes I'll project them on the smart board and other times we will hang them on the wall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-E3XmuGbKWzGiJatF1tGCz696Imtoo4d8LpMjBDByK2LDROGHDqevuxh6Q_D2-_HLgys5_KaVWBVcZf1aTPVUC1jY2tXkP_tyDz9eTmqd_ZXm5mYy1ooUsNOS1Nsl4pofz29oSoUXi1-B/s1600/nursery+rhyme+posters.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-E3XmuGbKWzGiJatF1tGCz696Imtoo4d8LpMjBDByK2LDROGHDqevuxh6Q_D2-_HLgys5_KaVWBVcZf1aTPVUC1jY2tXkP_tyDz9eTmqd_ZXm5mYy1ooUsNOS1Nsl4pofz29oSoUXi1-B/s400/nursery+rhyme+posters.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To switch it up a bit, I also love using the interactive nursery rhymes on <a href="http://www.literactive.com/">Literactive</a>! If you haven't been to this website... go now!!! It's got amazing literacy resources for K-1 with interactive games, books, and more! You have to register to use the site, but it's completely free. They have a bunch of different nursery rhymes on there, so chances are you'll find the one you need! Each rhyme is interactive and can be read aloud in different ways. There are also games included as well. When you go there, you'll see a page like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60C94DIkHTgi9tTQJdt5CB1USbPBv4UayrxtZbk6OxzYCg9vpUCSJazxCzU2CJeCR2j6Yygb9HOdB9qOSLFdJcQKeh9-jfxJVLuMXy5G-Sc75iNTPGJXEYPkTm0ll1wENrDeI1khl9Hs6/s1600/literactive.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60C94DIkHTgi9tTQJdt5CB1USbPBv4UayrxtZbk6OxzYCg9vpUCSJazxCzU2CJeCR2j6Yygb9HOdB9qOSLFdJcQKeh9-jfxJVLuMXy5G-Sc75iNTPGJXEYPkTm0ll1wENrDeI1khl9Hs6/s400/literactive.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The kids love seeing the nursery rhymes come to life and participating in all of the activities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After reading the rhyme together, I like to give my students a copy of their own to follow and read along with me. Reading and tracking print is such an important skill to teach new readers, so I like to use printables that have dots or some other marker underneath the word so that students can follow along with me. Otherwise they will point all over the page (bless their hearts)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLKFYL-q3_KOi3LRD1299_d9dPnq0JqgYBjtXZha4kfy1Kx60c1eBhKhlh_wGlJ6WALtiSDmSww0Hef50iO0fnWDmNzHhqaD5Y6rsSHnFMcqc5Mzn3vCBGVCMgUWOkjVhr4_qsCjnjUiJ/s1600/tracking+print+with+nursery+rhymes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLKFYL-q3_KOi3LRD1299_d9dPnq0JqgYBjtXZha4kfy1Kx60c1eBhKhlh_wGlJ6WALtiSDmSww0Hef50iO0fnWDmNzHhqaD5Y6rsSHnFMcqc5Mzn3vCBGVCMgUWOkjVhr4_qsCjnjUiJ/s400/tracking+print+with+nursery+rhymes.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It always makes it more fun for the students to add an exciting reading pointer into the mix as well. I've even given students something as simple as a colored popsicle stick - and they love it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you implement interactive notebooks into your reading time, you can also use interactive notebook printables for students to read and respond to a nursery rhyme. For each rhyme, I'll give students their own copy of the rhyme where they can hunt and highlight letters, sight words, or rhyming words. Then, I have a story response strip with a comprehension question about the rhyme as well. At the beginning of the year, most responses will only be with illustrations, and that's fine!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztRfvkGfz3mYER8UrMiCgJokLGTAaOj-qAq59OqUuUVfiHS3D-76r36KKutJ9ryRInN_jDLfjcWvhpA7TujGyP6O3zFI1rq5og_NSCn5O4xcXQmuJwjXei5_rCTfpfx6OXKNUJFIXABbS/s1600/nursery+rhyme+interactive+notebooks.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztRfvkGfz3mYER8UrMiCgJokLGTAaOj-qAq59OqUuUVfiHS3D-76r36KKutJ9ryRInN_jDLfjcWvhpA7TujGyP6O3zFI1rq5og_NSCn5O4xcXQmuJwjXei5_rCTfpfx6OXKNUJFIXABbS/s400/nursery+rhyme+interactive+notebooks.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also like to do a lot of sequencing activities with my students. Whether it's sequencing words, or pictures, both are great activities for students to learn how to retell a story. You can have your students sequence events in so many different ways! They love making flip flap books - these ones I use are a great way to sequence the nursery rhymes with the words as well as the pictures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBihRtwRw5czyDLCTW9T-xEJ803r83-G5uhnAoVlFUdKlACFOxQljzdh3-8XbrEBp7sSCXd68sgNVLKb4KaOBo5jXz7R6IbiTPywIb6krRmSRwa7Q00AFKchNmyJk4GprtZ7dhZfMR_r6n/s1600/nursery+rhyme+retelling+flip+book.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBihRtwRw5czyDLCTW9T-xEJ803r83-G5uhnAoVlFUdKlACFOxQljzdh3-8XbrEBp7sSCXd68sgNVLKb4KaOBo5jXz7R6IbiTPywIb6krRmSRwa7Q00AFKchNmyJk4GprtZ7dhZfMR_r6n/s400/nursery+rhyme+retelling+flip+book.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can also use picture cards to help students sequence events together. Then they can complete their own version!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKLmGmxWnejVHYxKCz8euh4GoQk2sYlTFOAqUSGvoXAVpd5_abe1rbb1tXaaHQpz4Pbnw3O1uXcWat8m1N465SSW5R7o81Bty9YeLfVdXMIc-ilRxSkIm1zeozNfsZRXNMZ7WSK__GaAn/s1600/nursery+rhyme+sequencing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKLmGmxWnejVHYxKCz8euh4GoQk2sYlTFOAqUSGvoXAVpd5_abe1rbb1tXaaHQpz4Pbnw3O1uXcWat8m1N465SSW5R7o81Bty9YeLfVdXMIc-ilRxSkIm1zeozNfsZRXNMZ7WSK__GaAn/s400/nursery+rhyme+sequencing.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Once your students become more familiar with the nursery rhymes, they can begin to use resources to recite, retell, and act out the rhyme on their own. One thing I created for my classroom was Storytelling Folders. Inside each folder, I put in different resources for students to interact with the nursery rhymes in an engaging way. Here's what you'll need to put them all together (all pieces except for the folder and popsicle sticks are included in my nursery rhyme literacy pack).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSNxYRnGCad5f-jmHjaqznHNwt_Hczad8ECIUaFscobb1_mSpU-8ebm1X0SoMbWQ5agrdb33uMuA_FklsqRKAb93LmzRAtnLwIP4LP5UpW54oSgpj5JG8pmH1_XaZvob_AmnXJWNP4Xk0/s1600/storytelling+folders.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSNxYRnGCad5f-jmHjaqznHNwt_Hczad8ECIUaFscobb1_mSpU-8ebm1X0SoMbWQ5agrdb33uMuA_FklsqRKAb93LmzRAtnLwIP4LP5UpW54oSgpj5JG8pmH1_XaZvob_AmnXJWNP4Xk0/s400/storytelling+folders.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">For each nursery rhyme storytelling folder, you'll need: a <b>2-pocket folder, popsicle sticks for the character puppets, a nursery rhyme poster, cover page, and setting page</b> printed out. When you put it all together, it will look like this:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHOGyBCs4o-9DQTxLtDdU99LOWTF3be3h1hOIw8my5K0_LrnV9dI0r7GGx5uoBBuGmqhBRoH-dDtTGOHw62ZmUcUcjGOLHOxM_E78SR8HAjuiQwd31BqiS2qPF5nd2lOHCsuLk_Q8v_IR/s1600/retelling+folders+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFHOGyBCs4o-9DQTxLtDdU99LOWTF3be3h1hOIw8my5K0_LrnV9dI0r7GGx5uoBBuGmqhBRoH-dDtTGOHw62ZmUcUcjGOLHOxM_E78SR8HAjuiQwd31BqiS2qPF5nd2lOHCsuLk_Q8v_IR/s400/retelling+folders+2.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">These folders can be used in small groups for students to read and retell the rhyme. You could add any other resources you want to the folders! The options are endless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitojQP3mEwDff1F4VzTY91-CWo5gKDqKXM7dVP1lvBxsTmk40Hw1xf9QuovsyzYWLrJjKEM-F8ES7WiMdgfkWQ3OMFtMh-2MYnCWu4b6gXSUwtpwj2hvfz2WI7_P6UGPJE6Vmhxoh_Rny-/s1600/Nursery+Rhyme+retelling.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitojQP3mEwDff1F4VzTY91-CWo5gKDqKXM7dVP1lvBxsTmk40Hw1xf9QuovsyzYWLrJjKEM-F8ES7WiMdgfkWQ3OMFtMh-2MYnCWu4b6gXSUwtpwj2hvfz2WI7_P6UGPJE6Vmhxoh_Rny-/s400/Nursery+Rhyme+retelling.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To turn the storytelling folders into more of a comprehensive center activity, I might add an activity for them to complete as independent practice such as "Sort-a-Rhyme". With this activity, students will use one of the nursery rhyme posters to help sequence the verses in each rhyme. Students will cut the sentence strips out and glue them back in order on the graphic organizer. This helps students work on skills such as sequencing, understanding print, and reading text aloud.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9NQJ0mtY0_ffxoEz15iKQmEFaxKsiG5ssJgHzQBRlWvNhlZO6TalwMfyl6qgFbawgMnFFmiuJQ-f8b3YC8O6Y0h_mJ2zJUatX9hnWWPkhhehuNpDL3HqIECsJ9iFAhyphenhyphenzFxR2YVd5ql7Z/s1600/nursery+rhyme+sentence+sort.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9NQJ0mtY0_ffxoEz15iKQmEFaxKsiG5ssJgHzQBRlWvNhlZO6TalwMfyl6qgFbawgMnFFmiuJQ-f8b3YC8O6Y0h_mJ2zJUatX9hnWWPkhhehuNpDL3HqIECsJ9iFAhyphenhyphenzFxR2YVd5ql7Z/s400/nursery+rhyme+sentence+sort.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Another great literacy center activity I always love to include in my weekly rotations is a pocket chart station. Students love building sentences or sequencing pictures in pocket charts - I think it makes them feel like they're the teacher! This pocket chart activity is a step above the previous activity pictured above - students will have the individual words cut out onto separate cards where they will sequence and build the nursery rhyme. This helps with sentence structure and fluency!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ883Wchyphenhyphen9qMO0JHYr-v6mrvSHYmhO_iv__1PCooO196oLofjD4g-2oLiLEAVn4pRP8IzuMdviu-wi7dKpOJ4p_3Ab0l8He-Pl7FAIM1km_sPnWLZaTeP011aAjIWvbXDNHSEDhE73oqz_/s1600/nursery+rhyme+pocket+chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ883Wchyphenhyphen9qMO0JHYr-v6mrvSHYmhO_iv__1PCooO196oLofjD4g-2oLiLEAVn4pRP8IzuMdviu-wi7dKpOJ4p_3Ab0l8He-Pl7FAIM1km_sPnWLZaTeP011aAjIWvbXDNHSEDhE73oqz_/s400/nursery+rhyme+pocket+chart.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Students can refer to these printable black and white posters (that I jazzed up with some neon cardstock!) to help build the rhymes in the pocket chart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsmdwB3Y8a0Nk-76JaWr8S9LAahdtPjK6xgGlpyCBmO7BNLvNUpLs9Fm-KzdcG9KBpQQeQMNEQQY49PRsJgeHJgAq0JcR7hwAt8tjFmXoFVZ7vyK1FsffN3ASVt2Dc6A_GP-BVgWb_5ms/s1600/nursery+rhyme+pocket+chart+activities.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlsmdwB3Y8a0Nk-76JaWr8S9LAahdtPjK6xgGlpyCBmO7BNLvNUpLs9Fm-KzdcG9KBpQQeQMNEQQY49PRsJgeHJgAq0JcR7hwAt8tjFmXoFVZ7vyK1FsffN3ASVt2Dc6A_GP-BVgWb_5ms/s400/nursery+rhyme+pocket+chart+activities.png" width="398" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To continue practicing their nursery rhymes at home, you can send home these little mini-booklets that they can color and practice reading at home with their parents! So easy to print, fold, and put together!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfkzamviopTK5cGzS89V01yw19y_GvhbYCDP1zZhbgepCzdDqdKTPxcLUscvmPBKc89HxIqCNdtp1JhQz9msf82fYmLOTzmgeqvZnpt03g_Ky43EXsJ1959Kv5fabcrZhahUjANJXnl5T/s1600/nursery+rhyme+mini+books.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfkzamviopTK5cGzS89V01yw19y_GvhbYCDP1zZhbgepCzdDqdKTPxcLUscvmPBKc89HxIqCNdtp1JhQz9msf82fYmLOTzmgeqvZnpt03g_Ky43EXsJ1959Kv5fabcrZhahUjANJXnl5T/s400/nursery+rhyme+mini+books.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love using art projects and craftivities as a hands-on, fun project for students to create during themed units. For all 10 nursery rhymes that I teach my students, they'll be creating a craft for each one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvShfZFZHfzGv2kLWT8PDEgnmcPAFXpOnO-EsslSfg5pSzDk863xgLyg43T5FCu-Im12HUZrFBDHtDRBq9CDDr0SKjtaslhwyJBXp_um4n95_d8_PIj47cmbm39t0HSqP5pMT8nPezHaAC/s1600/nursery+rhyme+craftivities.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvShfZFZHfzGv2kLWT8PDEgnmcPAFXpOnO-EsslSfg5pSzDk863xgLyg43T5FCu-Im12HUZrFBDHtDRBq9CDDr0SKjtaslhwyJBXp_um4n95_d8_PIj47cmbm39t0HSqP5pMT8nPezHaAC/s400/nursery+rhyme+craftivities.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now, I know creating all of these projects can create piles of art everywhere around the classroom - after all, there is only so much space to hang student work up in our classrooms, and we can't keep everything (even when the work is as adorable as these craftivities!). I wanted to create a way for students to keep all of their projects in one place. With that, the nursery rhyme art portfolio was born!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'll tell you a secret - it's not rocket science to put these puppies together. ;) Simply take a 9x12 piece of construction paper and fold it up in half. Staple the sides shut so that you are just left with an opening at the top. Print out the provided cover page, and boom! It's ready! Each time your students complete an art project, they will store it in their nursery rhyme art portfolios.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu3esMWVj2aqJWfFfbV0HF1gprKO14SksR2O5ctdq4uMBLCsQMHMtUWjESjwCRAZBu-bD0-L0SUkvnahee43pbpBiTqByV_ALnzlRGJpYG2calYhiVFTO4rTK8bNxNqfLxuvWd5UGNrbB/s1600/nursery+rhyme+art.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieu3esMWVj2aqJWfFfbV0HF1gprKO14SksR2O5ctdq4uMBLCsQMHMtUWjESjwCRAZBu-bD0-L0SUkvnahee43pbpBiTqByV_ALnzlRGJpYG2calYhiVFTO4rTK8bNxNqfLxuvWd5UGNrbB/s400/nursery+rhyme+art.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccqxWLwX5mMtNdTH_FX-S7Isd313SvfVd2v0imZu0y3WFq8C1zTrfwyJtVrS35lhpSD6eRVfCHx9JB2FBT2xgioyg43IT7b6KUrRp9WrhXGYMe0nOeI2efL-RsfEUTgIFDZ1I7ULd55on/s1600/nursery+rhyme+art+portfolio.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccqxWLwX5mMtNdTH_FX-S7Isd313SvfVd2v0imZu0y3WFq8C1zTrfwyJtVrS35lhpSD6eRVfCHx9JB2FBT2xgioyg43IT7b6KUrRp9WrhXGYMe0nOeI2efL-RsfEUTgIFDZ1I7ULd55on/s400/nursery+rhyme+art+portfolio.png" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Step-by-step directions and templates are included for all crafts!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you'd like to implement these activities - and more! - to your nursery rhyme teaching themes, every last one of these resources is available in my Nursery Rhyme Literacy Pack! It's nearly 400 pages long and filled with 15 different activities for ten different nursery rhymes: <i>Hey Diddle Diddle, Humpty Dumpty, The Itsy Bitsy Spider, Hickory Dickory Dock, Little Miss Muffet, Jack and Jill, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Mary Had a Little Lamb, </i>and<i> Row Your Boat.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can find this teaching resource pack in my TeachersPayTeachers store - just click on the picture below to take a closer look!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Nursery-Rhyme-Literacy-Pack-2697123?utm_source=http%3A%2F%2Fthekindergarden.blogspot.com&utm_campaign=Nursery%20Rhyme%20Blog%20Post%20Link" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="955" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSlvkxPNN8H-LLhyDRoPO7Sm53u_NEv9ZmRg5-_dpfzLr_nHXMii0ARGjjomk2pIyXiucKEx870YVNJEDHDF2gqX4bCpzHWhhNyzDRIaixVZWP4t4MVxfqR-DYIJWE5lkY3zt3E1j0jK_/s320/cover+page+photo.png" width="240" /></a></div>
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Want to try before you buy? You can grab a <b>40 page sampler of this unit for FREE</b> by clicking the image below! You'll get a ton of activities for the nursery rhyme "Hey, Diddle Diddle!" It's a great way for you to see if the full resource will be beneficial to your students!</div>
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<a href="https://mailchi.mp/43c562d6af49/nurseryrhymefreebie" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1159" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_XXq1kMBvApIVvqpDDH9NtdlCSOBhiXXwg4VGxBU40sh-Ejleb0w-lcTXx-Rg8KHXrzlcUKnV9NbP0V1adgvMiYAbae5uv-xLTrp93sV_tlOpw2B4k0-6jmalg5UTLfNDlTAAnLQdX-5N/s320/email+freebie+clickable+link.png" width="320" /></a></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-47365027172919586642016-07-04T03:41:00.000-07:002017-07-01T11:04:46.263-07:00Monday Made-It 07.04.16<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This week I just HAD to link up with Monday Made-It because my good friend Maribel from <a href="http://learninginwonderland.blogspot.com/">Learning in Wonderland</a> is hosting it for Tara over at <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2016/07/monday-made-it-with-learning-in.html#comment-form">4th Grade Frolics</a>! She is an amazing person and is insanely creative and I can't wait to see what she shares with us!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbkRQ6jSlXzIe1VB8KmCLHF7UxTlwpDWuCJRmF5Fldx3jbQmWSsmw2AoHQciH0aNPAHvZRX5wW5R7BFK-kC5JU-8Wqln-amxzf5RK-B_Z3Uzm5tlwMk1P33pVuizwOroarJToCsulfxPw/s1600/Monday+Made+It+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbkRQ6jSlXzIe1VB8KmCLHF7UxTlwpDWuCJRmF5Fldx3jbQmWSsmw2AoHQciH0aNPAHvZRX5wW5R7BFK-kC5JU-8Wqln-amxzf5RK-B_Z3Uzm5tlwMk1P33pVuizwOroarJToCsulfxPw/s320/Monday+Made+It+1.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This year, my school is putting a really big focus on teaching math vocabulary to our students. We want to have common vocabulary that we use, especially between grades K-3, so that students are familiar with the words before they even arrive in the next grade! I think it's so important for our students to know, understand, and be able to use math words effectively to help their understanding of the concepts being taught. One thing I really tried to do more with my first graders this year was having them describe how they knew how to solve a problem. To do that, they needed to be able to use the math words they had learned to explain their thinking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Being at a new school last year, it was my first year teaching in this particular classroom, and I was so excited to find that I had bulletin boards GALORE covering almost every wall! I decided to make one of my big boards into a math wall.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKo-9nCM2A7MgJ01cacYQRwy9ikxV4Et0HeNlSwcnT3P1eU4IFMLSqj0UNjiy9mQzgNctefzSZeToKWbWzhJVGqarJroaqEq-PMq6_h6Lf8IJ2SMnCvDijliQuVLq28y0FqIpRGrtDvwA/s1600/Math+bulletin+board.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjKo-9nCM2A7MgJ01cacYQRwy9ikxV4Et0HeNlSwcnT3P1eU4IFMLSqj0UNjiy9mQzgNctefzSZeToKWbWzhJVGqarJroaqEq-PMq6_h6Lf8IJ2SMnCvDijliQuVLq28y0FqIpRGrtDvwA/s400/Math+bulletin+board.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I put up a few posters and anchor charts here and there, but never really used it to its full potential. Truth be told... most of the posters I put up at the beginning of the year stayed there even long after we finished learning about the concept! (oops!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZmD-fu4qhNag1kCBQR-JCzFpntgHRfVbJXUkTSjwGpxTg5T9rD9eEX-upcq1LTtEg0444QKRoLjr9Qp3dBm4iHhEey4VWAL7xAuu9C2AOpAATgmrkvLqIlT4ECKkwwQpZIku9hz-N2HU/s1600/math+bulletin+board+classroom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZmD-fu4qhNag1kCBQR-JCzFpntgHRfVbJXUkTSjwGpxTg5T9rD9eEX-upcq1LTtEg0444QKRoLjr9Qp3dBm4iHhEey4VWAL7xAuu9C2AOpAATgmrkvLqIlT4ECKkwwQpZIku9hz-N2HU/s400/math+bulletin+board+classroom.png" width="397" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yeahhhh... see how there's only one thing in the corner and then GIANT EMPTY SPACE? That is officially not using my math board to its full potential. Ha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I wanted to create something to use on my math wall that would be meaningful for my students as a resource while teaching certain math concepts - and something that I could use as a teaching resource as well, so I created math vocabulary posters!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZ0tMjcOp2Iwbc4yIF1wTJgOEWTlXTgahzfwy7zr0ywQff8EQVWBqka_Pi2Hlc29K-zAUjmF5N9g8-rzmn8-wLZqpZ8bIDRrSkJFH0QvZnbQ5ovMtqqn1qipw_UZMbMfBz1poRHJuWQn9/s1600/math+labels+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIZ0tMjcOp2Iwbc4yIF1wTJgOEWTlXTgahzfwy7zr0ywQff8EQVWBqka_Pi2Hlc29K-zAUjmF5N9g8-rzmn8-wLZqpZ8bIDRrSkJFH0QvZnbQ5ovMtqqn1qipw_UZMbMfBz1poRHJuWQn9/s400/math+labels+picture.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm going to use these cards in pocket charts as I'm introducing the words - when I'm done, they'll go on my math wall for student reference. Each one has the math word at the top and a picture and a kid-friendly definition on the bottom.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy7sodyyPQPs52hLkOuzdSb8o29I52OnMST4N8Dia8o0y7x6jecXvY6GVmlqQGtgoBYks29g7KV2zO1leDcscQQtoH6PKCNhGejsDr5KmleJpY4EMuUCH7Ee0-80fQBlBvyIY_Py_PDq-/s1600/Math+Vocab+Posters+pocket+chart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy7sodyyPQPs52hLkOuzdSb8o29I52OnMST4N8Dia8o0y7x6jecXvY6GVmlqQGtgoBYks29g7KV2zO1leDcscQQtoH6PKCNhGejsDr5KmleJpY4EMuUCH7Ee0-80fQBlBvyIY_Py_PDq-/s400/Math+Vocab+Posters+pocket+chart.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWclOxzpDchXf_iRnQnM5PQejPt_xLawuffqA517YkLaitvIUkPfHQeCwk6kFC8OHFMfsPvZjRJIXYLFmpwPo1X3l98ezbbPAs_RrhD0yvg1ihyphenhyphensFdnOtdlS6U_1O_VPM6JNHWaVc3r__A/s1600/math+vocab+posters+display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWclOxzpDchXf_iRnQnM5PQejPt_xLawuffqA517YkLaitvIUkPfHQeCwk6kFC8OHFMfsPvZjRJIXYLFmpwPo1X3l98ezbbPAs_RrhD0yvg1ihyphenhyphensFdnOtdlS6U_1O_VPM6JNHWaVc3r__A/s400/math+vocab+posters+display.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I also plan on printing them a bit smaller for students to have their own set on rings! I'm so excited to get them all put together. I really think that these math vocabulary posters will help my students in their number talks, calendar, and whole group learning!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEPg8RLtSbDoaMgf_8uv_9zzNx40zNCLGHSV523PRTHFqLNt_Ub3y-wy4l8949m4c2r4E1U6-BGyDeOm-EOa4jb_ZA0Lxyr9jMBIcPe2Av3pTRGZjI0NHU9cxnWzmon6gmU_F4bOGMbD0/s1600/Math+Vocabulary+Posters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEPg8RLtSbDoaMgf_8uv_9zzNx40zNCLGHSV523PRTHFqLNt_Ub3y-wy4l8949m4c2r4E1U6-BGyDeOm-EOa4jb_ZA0Lxyr9jMBIcPe2Av3pTRGZjI0NHU9cxnWzmon6gmU_F4bOGMbD0/s400/Math+Vocabulary+Posters.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can get these editable posters right now in my TPT store! Over 40 math words are included. The best part is... they are totally EDITABLE! So if there is a word you need; or a different definition you'd like to include for a word, then you can change the card to fit what you want it to say! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In honor of the 4th of July and Monday Made-It, these math posters (</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">along with</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> the rest of my store) are 20% off today only! </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Click the picture below to download a preview and check out all the words that are included!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Vocabulary-Posters-for-the-K-2-Classroom-EDITABLE-2613757" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="622" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSd6KaGb8xMwqzuyajR0EBimzxjYGa7mLXFEpCC6eTPnFom7XP9zOnK_dElM1wbccqiyIv81a8hhCcBzUml-V1xcuP6ZPTyZ8fRghGmzPO5E87YvmbZvCT-JYWpRRpjLdyY6aYg87X-M0B/s320/cover+page.png" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Head on over to <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2016/07/monday-made-it-with-learning-in.html#comment-form">4th Grade Frolics</a> (click to get there!) and share some of YOUR Monday Made-Its!</span></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-8905719500137192092016-06-20T05:00:00.000-07:002017-07-01T11:02:54.616-07:00Monday Made-It 06.20.16<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After hearing so many great things about <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/">4th Grade Frolics'</a> Monday Made-It from my good friend <a href="http://learninginwonderland.blogspot.com/">Learning in Wonderland</a>, I knew I finally had to join in the fun! I'm linking up for Monday Made-It to share my newest creation!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4BtJx1W0EfKL9wGeHZTHEuXoU7Ll3wawqXcCwNxRC42Yuyt-Zytx-Yz1K7A0VjWnaLNzQ970Zi0f6FgYxPfRvXl8b-4UTe7DDQpoNsdGAMrCblWR-WTv6WVvSRyofzex5z9paKnAiTpR/s1600/Monday+Made+It+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL4BtJx1W0EfKL9wGeHZTHEuXoU7Ll3wawqXcCwNxRC42Yuyt-Zytx-Yz1K7A0VjWnaLNzQ970Zi0f6FgYxPfRvXl8b-4UTe7DDQpoNsdGAMrCblWR-WTv6WVvSRyofzex5z9paKnAiTpR/s320/Monday+Made+It+1.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the resources I needed most this year to help my students learn were hands-on resources to teach place value. In moving up to first grade this year, I found out that it was one of the most difficult concepts for them to master, at least in the beginning! The thing that helped them learn place value skills the most were by participating in hands-on, engaging activities, so over the weekend I created 7 different place value activity mats for my students to use next year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With these mats, students will use number cards and place value blocks to practice creating various double digit numbers! I also plan on having them use play-doh as a fun manipulative on these mats as well! Why is it that every time you add play-doh into the mix, they all BEG to do it?! Ha!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRKTBUD3c5v8NPfwRbelqG28JWUq7_pK7lULhrAqUzmajtdP2xXLpTeJfSf7YFVU2Gp1lqjf9m38Z9gwD5_CgDboydXBVB4Wswmw072ciqVKUsp-0FX4RPxu_3BCELaDQTJLpxQsYZ_wu/s1600/Place+Value+Mats.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpRKTBUD3c5v8NPfwRbelqG28JWUq7_pK7lULhrAqUzmajtdP2xXLpTeJfSf7YFVU2Gp1lqjf9m38Z9gwD5_CgDboydXBVB4Wswmw072ciqVKUsp-0FX4RPxu_3BCELaDQTJLpxQsYZ_wu/s400/Place+Value+Mats.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I also made activity mats to practice adding and subtracting double digit numbers. Something about seeing the numbers built in front of them make it so much more simpler for them to solve.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKojVG7ChVJ3pVTWhjZGBEOualdNQDEBwLzRPeqWUtZddpunjyp_ZUjY8xrlPCtvXaUcNZpGMQFxcapLatxrHhAMFQSqDC9dQciArh3Vk9LpDWkjWUAF4k3YA2MRzzAoM819qWIfhysNU/s1600/Place+Value+Mats+Addition.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKojVG7ChVJ3pVTWhjZGBEOualdNQDEBwLzRPeqWUtZddpunjyp_ZUjY8xrlPCtvXaUcNZpGMQFxcapLatxrHhAMFQSqDC9dQciArh3Vk9LpDWkjWUAF4k3YA2MRzzAoM819qWIfhysNU/s400/Place+Value+Mats+Addition.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you don't have access to place value blocks, you can laminate the mats and have your students write directly on them with a white board marker.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I included black and white versions of each mat to save ink, so I printed out this comparing numbers activity mat on fun neon blue cardstock and stuck it in a write-on/wipe-off pocket!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I also created activities to practice identifying groups of tens and ones in each number. Students use the number cards again to choose a number and describe how many tens or ones the number has. I modeled it by drawing a picture to solve as well as writing the answer in the space below. You can also use place value blocks or play-doh to build the answers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The last activity mats I created were Ten More, Ten Less ladder mats. These tens ladders helped my students SO much when it came to adding double digit numbers by ten later in the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can find all of these place value activity mats by clicking on the picture below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Activity-Mats-2600732" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQu2swYwtZpfS8x3MuRW6aDBSInt8K1ClXoHIiVFcfccKkIjTUpzn01qNJoSvJ_QMTrjmYijsNcOM5QYu5ScEHhtnGv2fDU-fpAqnnH4gCoca887OCK6uxxxF9WAidfgJDIOTbYo4A5E_/s320/Place+Value+cover+page.png" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I hope you'll link up with us over at this week's <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2016/06/monday-made-it-hosted-by-inspired-owl.html">Monday Made-It</a>! There's always so many great ideas to be found!</span></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-79183951402785837162016-06-18T21:42:00.000-07:002017-07-01T10:40:09.359-07:00Hands-on Place Value Activities!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This past school year was my first one teaching first grade, and with that came a whole new set of standards that I had never taught before, including place value in math! In my district, they dive right in to place value in the first part of the school year; and it was so difficult for my new first graders to understand all of the concepts. It was so important for me to give them hands-on, meaningful activities to work with learning all of the basics of place value and I want to share a few of them with you today!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of the first things I wanted my students to understand was the meaning of tens and ones. They could tell me the name of a number, but did they really understand how it was made? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One easy strategy I implemented during calendar time was asking them what we needed to make a certain number. I'd ask them, "How do we make the number 23?" And they'd answer "2 groups of 10 and 3 ones left over. It was important to get them to use the math vocabulary when describing the number. That helped them begin to understand what each place represented in the number.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Then, we set about building numbers with hands-on manipulatives. Here's the beauty of place value - you do <i>not</i> have to have place value blocks to teach kids how to build numbers! When I first got to my new classroom, I had no math manipulatives - zero! The previous teacher in my room had taken them all when she moved to a new school. So, until I could get some official math resources of my own, I had to use a few unconventional hands-on resources. Trust me, your students won't mind! In fact, they love when they get to use something new in the classroom!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To help my students understand the difference between tens and ones, I had them start by just creating separate groups of ten. I put two giant whiteboards on the rug and wrote the number 10 on them to let the kids know that only 10 was allowed to go on the board - no more, no less! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I wanted something big enough to see on the large boards, so enter unconventional manipulative #1: pointers! I gave 20 pointers to various students and we sorted them by tens. Once we were done, we skip counted by 10 to see how many we had and then practiced writing the numbers we created.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another unconventional place value manipulative we used often was beans (bought a bag for less than a dollar at the grocery store!). I gave each table group a bucket of beans and a stack of Dixie cups. They had to create groups of tens by filling each cup with 10 beans until they were completely gone from the bucket. Then we counted to see how many groups of ten we had! They were amazed at how many cups they were able to fill to make ten.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Another unconventional place value manipulative we loved to use was unifix cubes! To continue practice making groups of ten, I gave each student a pile of cubes and they used their desks as a whiteboard to count and circle each group of ten they had.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once my students had a stronger grasp on tens, we moved to ones and began building whole double digit numbers in various hands-on ways.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once my students were able to work more independently on these concepts, I started putting some of these activities into independent or small group math stations. One of our favorite activities was using card games and place value mats!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Students use these build-a-number mats by choosing a number card, placing it on the mat, and building the number with tens and ones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With these printable mats, students identify how many groups of ten or how many ones are in a given number.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My students became much more confident in their skills... it was so exciting for me as a teacher! Then we built upon our skills with comparing numbers using greater than, less than, or equal to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Later on in the year, we paired up our knowledge of place value with addition and subtraction. We started by learning how to identify ten more and ten less than a given number, which I blogged about <a href="http://thekindergarden.blogspot.com/2016/05/hundreds-chart-fun.html">here</a>! My students loved filling out these tens ladders with giant whiteboards.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5DcJavgstehM7BZQZGlQDWG12-1y7UO45ohW4mxhI5pyUM5a0HRjsj5sjc1KC8v5_sijcylzBfHF5-K1Wmw6XoLdZnSfmfltFm5ofGys318kuBsrsqBbli7GOHp7Oz-60L8hgZkwJP7n/s1600/hundreds+chart+cross.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5DcJavgstehM7BZQZGlQDWG12-1y7UO45ohW4mxhI5pyUM5a0HRjsj5sjc1KC8v5_sijcylzBfHF5-K1Wmw6XoLdZnSfmfltFm5ofGys318kuBsrsqBbli7GOHp7Oz-60L8hgZkwJP7n/s320/hundreds+chart+cross.png" width="253" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And we used these write-on/wipe-off mats in math stations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">With these addition and subtraction mats, students choose two number cards, place them on the mat, and then build and write the number sentence to solve the answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most of these activities can be found in my Place Value Activity Mats pack on TPT! Just click the picture below to go to the product. Both full color and black and white versions are included for each activity mat!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Activity-Mats-2600732" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="845" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQu2swYwtZpfS8x3MuRW6aDBSInt8K1ClXoHIiVFcfccKkIjTUpzn01qNJoSvJ_QMTrjmYijsNcOM5QYu5ScEHhtnGv2fDU-fpAqnnH4gCoca887OCK6uxxxF9WAidfgJDIOTbYo4A5E_/s320/Place+Value+cover+page.png" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-32640183524322875372016-05-13T05:00:00.000-07:002016-05-13T05:00:04.293-07:00Five For Friday 05.13.16<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As the end of the year is drawing to a close, life seems busier than ever. Just glancing over at my May calendar stresses me out! The last day of school is going to be here before I know it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our week was totally packed full with tons of different activities in science, math, and reading - my kids had such a blast with them this week that I thought I'd link up with Kacey at <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2016/05/five-for-friday-linky-party-may-13th.html">Doodlebugs Teaching</a> for this week's Five for Friday to share some of them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We started on our shapes unit this week, which is always one of my favorites! There are so many amazing, hands-on, fun geometry activities to do with your students. Since my first graders already have a strong concept of the shape names, I just did a quick review and re-introduced the attributes of sides and vertices. I gave each student a flat plane shape and called out different sorting rules - it was then their job to go around the room and find their matching group. For example, I'd say, "Find everyone who has a shape with 4 sides"; or, "Find everyone who has a shape with curved edges". And then they scrambled around to find their grouping matches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaXSf6mb0Un5l7T8otJQ7wyiMD9EQRZ5j7V0IfTMYeISdKSwzc8OlRY0z4klQmL634_De4S-iYWljvAWg-5LeTQR04LMA62xybsm_vwplZ6GsVOOH8f2xPpw_P_7EFbzqx5lWyGUMWBfj/s1600/shapes+sort.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzaXSf6mb0Un5l7T8otJQ7wyiMD9EQRZ5j7V0IfTMYeISdKSwzc8OlRY0z4klQmL634_De4S-iYWljvAWg-5LeTQR04LMA62xybsm_vwplZ6GsVOOH8f2xPpw_P_7EFbzqx5lWyGUMWBfj/s320/shapes+sort.png" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW99q5GeFJn2WvfdeFsiWgdEN3R0dIi_ErhYmrTAOKoegyUT-mXXOtTvNA2C5LB2yZtKxsRpp9NstcPEooGJMfHo9TNGZUKRBiyJGyZ2nDA8DHBEkYylHz0wNZbwMq75K4xSGHC1cLWiX/s1600/shapes+sort+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW99q5GeFJn2WvfdeFsiWgdEN3R0dIi_ErhYmrTAOKoegyUT-mXXOtTvNA2C5LB2yZtKxsRpp9NstcPEooGJMfHo9TNGZUKRBiyJGyZ2nDA8DHBEkYylHz0wNZbwMq75K4xSGHC1cLWiX/s320/shapes+sort+2.png" width="239" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After we practiced sorting by different attributes, we did our own little shape sort by counting the number of sides!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The shape sort and tons of other activities can be found here (click the picture to see more!):</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2D-and-3D-Shapes-Teaching-Resource-BUNDLE-2495948" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt=" photo shape bundle cover_zpss3lpsi6q.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k574/c8lino/shape%20bundle%20cover_zpss3lpsi6q.jpg" height="236" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We just wrapped up a little mini-unit reading the book <i>Frog and Toad are Friends</i>! My kids absolutely LOVED it and could not get enough. At the end of it, they made this adorable Frog and Toad craft with opinion writing - they had to describe which character they thought was the best friend and why. So fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Click <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Frog-and-Toad-are-Friends-Integrated-Unit-218353">here</a> to get this activity!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We've been learning all about the ways Earth change, including the four layers of the Earth. I've been using a ton of different strategies to teach them about the four layers including songs, movement/tableau activities, videos, and anchor charts (blog post coming soon with all the details!). I wanted to include another hands on activity for them to complete, so I created a layers of the Earth flip book to go with full-color anchor charts! My kids used the anchor charts to fill in the blank for each book page to tell about what the four layers of the Earth were made of. They loved it! You can click on the picture below to check out more of the details!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Layers-of-the-Earth-Flip-Book-2540032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt=" photo Layers of the earth preview_zpsic9pyiuf.jpg" border="0" src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k574/c8lino/Layers%20of%20the%20earth%20preview_zpsic9pyiuf.jpg" height="302" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In keeping with our Earth changes unit, we've also been learning about things like volcanoes and earthquakes! My teammate had this great little experiment to show how volcanoes erupt - using old film canisters, you glue an Alka-Seltzer tablet inside the lid and then fill the canister half-full with water. Then you put the lid on, turn the canister upside down on the ground, and then BACK UP! After awhile, the pressure builds and it explodes, just like a volcano! My kids were SO excited! Here's a little video so you can see how it went!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I only have 7 1/2 days of school left! So crazy! In the meantime I'm going crazy trying to figure out how I'm going to complete all my assessments, fill out all my end of the year paperwork, practice for our first grade performance, finish up end of the year projects, attend multiple meetings, practice for a teacher talent show, etc. etc. etc.! Why does everything pile up SO much at the end of the year? I know y'all can relate, so this meme is all of us.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckJRepWLqm5cwv3uqhw-G9qC1gHXBYO2INdqU5v6LH_xQWxgPQPWtvrspk61p5RWUPYej8ZGRFUIZrSJzGvYKtNugWJIZYuy8V6b-X84zyfkNAv1BP1C3r88gW213UlHxV9L2hhgumR6w/s1600/83219d81c70487a7fd3eeef73b9d46a5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjckJRepWLqm5cwv3uqhw-G9qC1gHXBYO2INdqU5v6LH_xQWxgPQPWtvrspk61p5RWUPYej8ZGRFUIZrSJzGvYKtNugWJIZYuy8V6b-X84zyfkNAv1BP1C3r88gW213UlHxV9L2hhgumR6w/s320/83219d81c70487a7fd3eeef73b9d46a5.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We can make it!</span></div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3107155898787821151" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3107155898787821151" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-80917526120940360862016-05-10T20:31:00.002-07:002016-05-10T20:32:17.353-07:00Hundreds Chart Fun!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This year was the year I rediscovered the hundreds chart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This statement might make you just cover your face in disbelief, but it's true. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I neglected and underutilized this little math tool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm sorry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">HOWEVER! I am here to make it up to you all by sharing some simple, but meaningful ideas that I've used in my classroom recently that helped my students understand concepts such as ten more/ten less, one more/one less, number order, and adding groups of ten.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I first started teaching my kids about using the hundreds chart to find one or ten more/less than a number, they really struggled with the concept. Many of them would confuse the two because they didn't understand which way to go to count on the hundreds chart. More specifically, they struggled with mastering "ten more" - they would just call out any number that they knew was more than the number I gave, but not necessarily ten more. I knew I had to simplify it by breaking it down into a simpler format for them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Luckily, my old friend Pinterest came through for me - I found an AMAZING and FUN resource to help kids learn how to use the hundreds chart from <a href="http://www.foxwellforest.com/hundreds-chart-more-or-less-song-and/">Foxwell Forest</a>. She created a fun little hundreds chart song to go with the Cupid Shuffle. I found the song (music only) on YouTube, played it in the background, and we sang and moved and grooved to the song. I love any lesson that I can integrate music and movement to, so it was the perfect activity that helped my little friends remember which way to go to find ten/one more/less. Here's a video of Becca performing it in her own classroom so you can see!</span><br />
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Find the free song lyrics <a href="http://www.foxwellforest.com/hundreds-chart-more-or-less-song-and/">here</a>!</span></center>
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After we practiced the song a few times, each student got their own hundreds chart and one unifix cube. </span></center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvGKkR5m_B5uuTMoXqwWMHs700o08c4JkuVNtJtnKC2TKwyQv83EqsotoswSu_cGarxdgEUg4pSS6la10oNbe8JmiW8y0OSMJ5oRKdIN43rPUppZjp_WcWMOexhRu1G23j51t5AtdTnKy/s1600/hundreds+chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvGKkR5m_B5uuTMoXqwWMHs700o08c4JkuVNtJtnKC2TKwyQv83EqsotoswSu_cGarxdgEUg4pSS6la10oNbe8JmiW8y0OSMJ5oRKdIN43rPUppZjp_WcWMOexhRu1G23j51t5AtdTnKy/s400/hundreds+chart.png" width="296" /></span></a></div>
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Then I used an online interactive hundreds chart on <a href="http://www.abcya.com/interactive_100_number_chart.htm">abcya.com</a> and called out numbers for my students to start on. Then, I'd call out, "Ten more!" or "One less" and vice versa and my students would have to move their cube to the correct number. This allowed me to see who had a good understanding of the concept.</span></center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8FYxWxUzlpUarrnBF3M7-suNv2BAPo1ipPIoHxDwn3JpT2Hjlxf4hJwHyfEhNUC0Uk9Nq3ljyAgiT64ORWnHgSrYI-h8xj9zYK6anslxUAidZIX4ZzIT19Yr3fkCmMgl9bA7OXOwKfsa/s1600/hundreds+chart+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8FYxWxUzlpUarrnBF3M7-suNv2BAPo1ipPIoHxDwn3JpT2Hjlxf4hJwHyfEhNUC0Uk9Nq3ljyAgiT64ORWnHgSrYI-h8xj9zYK6anslxUAidZIX4ZzIT19Yr3fkCmMgl9bA7OXOwKfsa/s400/hundreds+chart+2.png" width="296" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once my students had a chance to practice on their own hundreds chart, I wanted to increase their critical thinking a bit by giving them a bit more abstract of an activity to complete. I put my students into groups of 5 and gave each one a whiteboard. Then we put the whiteboards together to form the 10 more, 10 less, one more, one less cross as if it were a bigger version of a hundreds chart. Then I gave each group a number to start with, which they put in the center, and then each student was responsible for filling out the rest of the blank boards with the numbers that were more and less than the given number based on the hundreds chart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then we completed a little activity sheet for independent practice. After reviewing the work they did, not every student had a grasp on the concept, so the next day, I added another little activity to our hundreds chart learning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm lucky to have a big rug in my classroom, and it just so happens to have big multicolored square spots on it. An idea struck me - it was the perfect template to pose as an empty hundreds chart! I printed out a bunch of papers with various numbers on it from 24-58 and handed one out to each student. Then, they had to take their paper and use their knowledge of ten/one more and less to fill out the "hundreds chart". It was such a great activity and helped my students mathematical thinking so much! Every time a student placed a number down, they had to tell me how they knew it was supposed to go there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These activities were so great because they were hands-on, fun activities with absolutely no prep required (except for printing the numbers out!). These are the best kind of activities to use, am I right?!? And the most exciting part of it all, for me, was that my students really began to grasp the concepts of more and less and began to relate it to double digit addition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These activities helped me rejuvenate the use of the hundreds chart in my classroom so that now it's a useful tool for my students to use in a variety of ways!</span></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-59425158586119777892016-05-02T07:00:00.000-07:002016-05-02T07:01:18.238-07:00Top Wishlisted items and a SALE!<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hi everyone! Teacher Appreciation Week is next week and I have some great news... TeachersPayTeachers is getting in on the fun and throwing a big SALE! On May 3rd and 4th, my entire shop will be on sale for 20% off - and you can get extra savings by using the code CELEBRATE during those two days!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBU1jbGztMISs54XLsiwVjz4eHlKAJN1LRlSiKe6H4gywI4wWWaIx42cF2Oeo3oEVxzPRI_JQopY1sXtHKt5Moip4Xt6tGFErYn-vSvckv6qjiPHZfd_yeXiL2FtXZyOpfJceaLdcJUbu/s1600/wishlistmay4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDBU1jbGztMISs54XLsiwVjz4eHlKAJN1LRlSiKe6H4gywI4wWWaIx42cF2Oeo3oEVxzPRI_JQopY1sXtHKt5Moip4Xt6tGFErYn-vSvckv6qjiPHZfd_yeXiL2FtXZyOpfJceaLdcJUbu/s200/wishlistmay4.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To celebrate, I'm linking up with Jen at <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.teachinginthetongass.com%2F2016%2F05%2Fis-your-wishlist-or-cart-ready.html&h=-AQGEQiyU">Teaching in the Tongass</a> to highlight the three top wish listed items in my TPT store - ones that you may be interested in adding to your classroom resources!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Kq3NQH5uzyDFR7MkbHIpxDCnvPS-jFM9BHLYzNPU1IpYHZ_WwMxK-56LQ3gaDhMQ91fs8EYmrsxRXRHthbIm9P-T99LpkdbgsyRG6J7dq0t-hQ9j4CKApdgqFX-LYgqPZHRmMhyA6-x8/s1600/wishlistmay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Kq3NQH5uzyDFR7MkbHIpxDCnvPS-jFM9BHLYzNPU1IpYHZ_WwMxK-56LQ3gaDhMQ91fs8EYmrsxRXRHthbIm9P-T99LpkdbgsyRG6J7dq0t-hQ9j4CKApdgqFX-LYgqPZHRmMhyA6-x8/s640/wishlistmay.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-size: 14px;">Shapes Galore for the Common Core is not only my top wishlisted item, it's also the top selling product in my store! This pack includes fun activities and resources for teaching 2D and 3D shapes. In this unit, you'll find classroom resources, decor, games, printables, and more to help you teach these geometry standards. I love what this customer said about Shapes Galore in her review of my product after using it in her classroom...kid-tested and veteran teacher approved! Click </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Shapes-Galore-for-the-Common-Core-360488" style="color: #f42736; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-size: 14px;"> to get a closer look at all that is included!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">My Kindergarten Journeys Interactive Notebooks for Leveled Readers are made to go along with the Journeys curriculum and are a great supplement to add to your teaching resources. There are differentiated, leveled interactive notebook activities that go with all of the leveled readers in Unit 1. As I was using the leveled readers with my own students, I found that I really wanted something concrete that they could work on all of the reading concepts and skills that I could show their families as a record of their progress... and this is what I came up with! My kids really enjoyed using them and creating them in their own reader's notebooks. I also have sets for units 2-6 as well! Click </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Journeys-Unit-1-Interactive-Notebook-Activities-for-Leveled-Readers-1322286" style="color: #f42736; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> to see pictures of the notebooks in action!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT03Wgn_M394-3PLHXsG-vI6Q0-9Y_WpLyJ9sbeMNSy_sJGJePSVfOHL1qJ1xLd087NN0rJQqCOyZz8EfPnj5nBXPfCyUWavW9D-3DEpDwaSNhnKi66NUK5vO0gGSNB875cf_eA8VLGrwo/s1600/wishlistmay3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT03Wgn_M394-3PLHXsG-vI6Q0-9Y_WpLyJ9sbeMNSy_sJGJePSVfOHL1qJ1xLd087NN0rJQqCOyZz8EfPnj5nBXPfCyUWavW9D-3DEpDwaSNhnKi66NUK5vO0gGSNB875cf_eA8VLGrwo/s640/wishlistmay3.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Counting Tools for Back to School is a comprehensive teaching resource that can be used to help you teach all of the Counting and Cardinality standards in a fun, engaging way! There are classroom anchor charts, assessments, math stations, games, number sense printables, teaching resources, and more to work with numbers 1-10! You can use these activities all year long! Click </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Counting-Tools-for-Back-to-School-A-Counting-Cardinality-Activity-Pack-820471" style="color: #f42736; font-size: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">here</a><span style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"> to check it out!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: grey;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The Teacher Appreciation Sale is a great time to start stocking up on those resources to get ready for back to school this year - buy and prep now, and press the easy button later! When the school year is about to begin, you'll already have your resources ready! Can't beat that! Check out the link-up over at </span></span></span><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.teachinginthetongass.com%2F2016%2F05%2Fis-your-wishlist-or-cart-ready.html&h=-AQGEQiyU">Teaching in the Tongass</a> to see all the top wish listed products that can help kick off your year!</span></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-80465256938907140342016-05-01T18:51:00.001-07:002016-05-01T18:55:50.208-07:00Currently May - The Last One!<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's May 1st (what?!) and I had a little extra time to spare on this Sunday evening, so I'm linking up with Farley at <a href="http://www.ohboyitsfarley.com/2016/05/the-final-currently-may-2016.html">Oh Boy It's Farley</a> for the last Currently linky EVER! Say it ain't so! It's been so fun linking up every so often and getting to know a little bit more about the amazing teacher bloggers in our community. It's had a great run!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdF0UNtlZ6e9SOw1nGoGZhePfuETIh1oiuAieMOhxKKvhMxnsjqzNuduo0vET7t_-37w7Pc-JRBV9w2mqxtorb52O4fWMXy3qi_SjszwcjrYLDM7tLqZrY9En8gga8oLaLohB2IAEPNLi/s1600/currently.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdF0UNtlZ6e9SOw1nGoGZhePfuETIh1oiuAieMOhxKKvhMxnsjqzNuduo0vET7t_-37w7Pc-JRBV9w2mqxtorb52O4fWMXy3qi_SjszwcjrYLDM7tLqZrY9En8gga8oLaLohB2IAEPNLi/s400/currently.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">{Listening}: The Pioneer Woman</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you didn't know this about me, here it is: I LOVE THE PIONEER WOMAN! She is my hero and I want to be her when I grow up. Ha! She's so funny and makes the best recipes! My DVR records multiple episodes so I like to put them on in the background while I'm working at home.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">{Loving}: My Church!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I feel so blessed and lucky to go to the church I do. It's amazing, my pastor is awesome, and the people are incredible. I also sing in the band and get to play every few weeks or so - I get to sing with the most talented, loving people! It means the world to me.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">{Thinking}: The End of the Year is Fast Approaching</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I mean, really. Where did April even go? And March, for that matter? There are so many things to finish before the end of the year: Mother's Day gifts, assessments, observations, paperwork galore, and more. Our entire first grade is also putting on a huge musical show the second to last week of school, and we are knee deep in practicing as it comes closer! I work at an arts integration school, so it's a huge production! It's going to be so cute, but it's getting stressful as it gets closer making sure everything is ready!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">{Wanting}: Clarity</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This year was the first year I did NOT teach kindergarten - I moved to first grade, and I really liked it! However, there's a chance I could be in line for another grade change next year; and also a slim chance that I could teach kinder or stay in first again. It's kind of up in the air! It would be nice to get some sure clarity as to where I'm going to be, but I'm going to stay as patient as I can. (Deep in my heart, I hope I get to teach kinder again! It has my heart!).</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">{Needing}: Clear out the DVR!</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When life gets busy (AKA, all the time), my DVR fills up so fast! Then, it's a race to watch things to avoid getting my storage space to zero... and believe me, it gets close often! Haha! My favorites to watch include Outlander, The Blacklist, Sleepy Hollow, Once Upon a Time, Nashville, and more! Oh, and also the occasional Hallmark movie (you know you love them too!!!!).</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">{Truth}: I'm tired.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So, this school year has been a really, really good one, but with lots of changes. I changed districts, schools, AND grades! Everything was new, which meant that I felt like a first year teacher again in a lot of ways. There were so many new things to figure out, the least of which was the teaching and lesson planning part of it. I have been working so hard with so many long hours. A lot of it has been very stressful just because I had to figure out how everything worked all over again. The great news is, I had a wonderful new school, supportive admin, and a great first grade team. That definitely helped ease the transition! But it's the reason I cannot WAIT till summer... just to get some "me" time again to recharge!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I hope you'll link up with us over at Farley's post that I linked near the top of this blog post. Gotta join in for the last one! The last day is almost here... you can make it!!!</span></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-53544948603838119232016-03-07T22:19:00.000-08:002016-03-08T07:30:07.627-08:00Plants and Living Things {plus freebies!}<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Spring is just around the corner! With the sunshine and warmer weather, it makes it the perfect time of year to begin a study on plants and living things.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQb28rS2VwZkDEd1DYJmtiI5ILnBfQQwCg7hYPLMHmqX8qUOylr7mY8BA12ZLsyqIQpBIUCGapcEsrdoOD4j6JHY-zAK-E5YVnFmfwLBGM-y1UxNVhQ6FdoTmJtxm1jC4uq9NHF2oEjqvE/s1600/plants+journal+pinterest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQb28rS2VwZkDEd1DYJmtiI5ILnBfQQwCg7hYPLMHmqX8qUOylr7mY8BA12ZLsyqIQpBIUCGapcEsrdoOD4j6JHY-zAK-E5YVnFmfwLBGM-y1UxNVhQ6FdoTmJtxm1jC4uq9NHF2oEjqvE/s640/plants+journal+pinterest.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">To gain some background knowledge, I always start off by creating some sort of anchor chart or schema chart of all the things we <i>think</i> we know about plants. It's always interesting to see what the students come up with. A lot of times, they surprise me with how much they know!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL7Vns0dHtDiJydfeznbvaDWBCSi3PE1ZGI4GtYSW80gv62FGBX6-mOzz6KSq-3c3SO_RzYy6O6civYTG71wg-BcZimX9BPwUIpLOxUNb-DBI_kN29ENfkG4mzvCVv6Qf9DSUq0jWmkbi/s1600/plant7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVL7Vns0dHtDiJydfeznbvaDWBCSi3PE1ZGI4GtYSW80gv62FGBX6-mOzz6KSq-3c3SO_RzYy6O6civYTG71wg-BcZimX9BPwUIpLOxUNb-DBI_kN29ENfkG4mzvCVv6Qf9DSUq0jWmkbi/s400/plant7.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After creating our schema chart, I always tell my students that they are going to become scientists so that we can find out everything we want to know about plants and living things! I talk about all the things that good scientists have to do with this little anchor chart, which you can download for FREE by clicking on the photo below!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/What-Do-Scientists-Do-Poster-Freebie-1823259" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo what do scientists do picture_zps7vl3kmnl.png" border="0" src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k574/c8lino/what%20do%20scientists%20do%20picture_zps7vl3kmnl.png" height="300" width="400" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The perfect way to implement all three of these things is to have students create a journal. They can use this to draw and write observations, record facts, and more! The first thing we do at the beginning of the unit is practice making observations. We go outside for a walk and draw a picture of EVERYTHING we can observe. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTJcVESRP33kzffd8Z_Igk4RxITRASwSMX7RMJKWQ1kuOK7EsHHRz0oBd-uUPCAkYzXK2irYdQacvSrHVLy7uR0sidbEflWoVGKrcJoJwbjwvow481czoP1hXUPPagKonHSPV8P5ixkaG/s1600/plant6%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTJcVESRP33kzffd8Z_Igk4RxITRASwSMX7RMJKWQ1kuOK7EsHHRz0oBd-uUPCAkYzXK2irYdQacvSrHVLy7uR0sidbEflWoVGKrcJoJwbjwvow481czoP1hXUPPagKonHSPV8P5ixkaG/s640/plant6%255D.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrSgaDKWTzBY-nNt1LJ-UhKgMpAiBWoEkOzZG4m0uBYIhCrVflYcAiQO_Ev6j4vE_bbppgzV_eyFfpWU6kCciVlswGQ-Lv1iKdJbxuYAFcTH3q_Nx8Slu52jFH5MqilgZPX4rtZ9jX5NI/s1600/plant4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrSgaDKWTzBY-nNt1LJ-UhKgMpAiBWoEkOzZG4m0uBYIhCrVflYcAiQO_Ev6j4vE_bbppgzV_eyFfpWU6kCciVlswGQ-Lv1iKdJbxuYAFcTH3q_Nx8Slu52jFH5MqilgZPX4rtZ9jX5NI/s640/plant4.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyF6DNDG9OVCIzEwcueXylQRmkr1XMJ3ftZFbIvUi1jNbYc3emWbtb5EE_XoQCXfGCP02Dr5ochYF1p9shehAxQ0FOmx7buUcDpUIJBsNk2klLltOScPXtzWU2ZE7BkyhOHHckotDYu88/s1600/plant5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyF6DNDG9OVCIzEwcueXylQRmkr1XMJ3ftZFbIvUi1jNbYc3emWbtb5EE_XoQCXfGCP02Dr5ochYF1p9shehAxQ0FOmx7buUcDpUIJBsNk2klLltOScPXtzWU2ZE7BkyhOHHckotDYu88/s400/plant5.png" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I remind them to include details about everything they can see. Then, we come back inside and share our observations with a partner!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The next day, we learned about the difference between living and nonliving things. We used some real pictures of objects and sorted them between living and non-living. I got the pictures <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/50109120/Liv-Nonliv-Sort">here</a> for free from the blog Chalk Talk! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I made up our own little version of the picture sort for students to work on independently. You can download it for free by clicking the picture below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4JXpfFPawHGeW1ldnJ5QWNyTmM/view?usp=sharing" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img alt=" photo plants and living things sort picture_zpsuzgze5p7.png" border="0" src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k574/c8lino/plants%20and%20living%20things%20sort%20picture_zpsuzgze5p7.png" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We then went on another observation walk outside and recorded our observations of all the living and non-living things we saw.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogzI5X7WXpOoZR2Fmmwl1VRBC_2KbBW0UTvAoCQF65Q8D1KB8a6iA61phFhQ9-3L-8_N313ilQr9NyYAhnZ-Dif5_ZO_eoBQyeXTUqoJZgl4Y47jQsKXO9pNPUJPG5CnxVVLhIGWsEt5t/s1600/plant10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgogzI5X7WXpOoZR2Fmmwl1VRBC_2KbBW0UTvAoCQF65Q8D1KB8a6iA61phFhQ9-3L-8_N313ilQr9NyYAhnZ-Dif5_ZO_eoBQyeXTUqoJZgl4Y47jQsKXO9pNPUJPG5CnxVVLhIGWsEt5t/s400/plant10.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once we had a little background knowledge on living things, it was time to observe and inspect the seeds we would be planting. I gave each student a magnifying glass and we observed our seed using our five senses in our plant journals. They had SO much fun looking at the seed up close!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now we are ready to plant our seeds! I called kids up 4-5 at a time and let them pour soil in a cup, observe and feel the soil, and plant their seed in the middle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once we planted seeds, it was time to find out what plants need to thrive and grow! We watched one of my favorite songs about the Needs of a Plant from Harry Kindergarten:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And then we used our plants and living things journals to record our learning!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We planted our seeds, watered them, and then put them outside everyday to get some sunshine! I just used a big paper box lid to put all of our plant cups in to make it easier to carry it in and out of the classroom. As they started to grow, we learned about and labeled all the parts of a plant in our journals next!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Day by day, we checked in on our plants and used the observation pages of our journals to record what our plants looked like every couple of days!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can print as many of the observation journal pages as you need for however many days you plan on letting the kids observe their plants before taking them home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Once the plants grew enough to see the stem and leaves pop out, I let my students take their plants home! They were so excited! I had more than one student tell me that they went home and planted their flowers in their yard at home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can find all of these activities and more (including plant vocabulary cards) in my Plants and Living Things Observation Journal in my TPT store. Just click on the picture below and it will take you right there!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Plants-and-Living-Things-Observation-Journal-410422" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo plant journal cover page_zpsoefidz46.png" border="0" src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k574/c8lino/plant%20journal%20cover%20page_zpsoefidz46.png" height="299" width="400" /></a></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-69039100602109417532016-02-18T21:18:00.000-08:002016-02-18T21:18:59.280-08:00Changing Up Our Word Work Routine: Long Vowel Teams ai ay<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Halfway through my first year in first grade, we have officially gone deep into learning new phonics patterns, especially vowel teams. Each week I am introducing one to two new patterns; and it can be easy to get into a rut of introducing them all the same way with the same activities each week. Read the word. Write the word. Draw the word. Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Can you relate? Here's a tip. The easiest way to change it up and make it new and exciting for your students is to integrate a monthly or seasonal theme into the activity they'll be doing. And here's the kicker - it could be the exact same word work activity they've been doing since time began, but once you add in some new fancy themed clip art, the students get ridiculously excited and buy in to what you are teaching.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We began working on long a vowel teams ai & ay; focusing on each phonics pattern for a week at a time. By the time we got through the two weeks, we were ready to compare and sort words with each vowel team. I'm lucky enough to have a smartboard in my classroom this year, so I created a quick snowman sort for my students to interact with. They read the word on the snowman and sorted into the correct vowel team category.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once we sorted and read all of our words, my students completed their own snowman ai/ay sort. I created two different versions to meet the needs of my learners. Some students had a sort with pictures only; and added their own labeling word. Other students who needed more support had a snowman sort with the actual words on it so that they could visually see the phonics pattern.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTi25D6EqXkKpNWIguKP6hxwTlidhdVrCzLpULuzmBdfDb-UWCeU_YwgzkXnu922rdgwst-1p-pknkCBH1DKT8SnHub_qvIBlJ5GifZxZhCk41fVlg7xNSkbrIq70eDKVgZUBFJSd6VQC/s1600/ai+ay+word+sort.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTi25D6EqXkKpNWIguKP6hxwTlidhdVrCzLpULuzmBdfDb-UWCeU_YwgzkXnu922rdgwst-1p-pknkCBH1DKT8SnHub_qvIBlJ5GifZxZhCk41fVlg7xNSkbrIq70eDKVgZUBFJSd6VQC/s400/ai+ay+word+sort.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJcmmxl9oKRRrnVAkAxw5SB5YkkjhRD_CuNO8zfYRCuFfsSAWYkHOL981c9gNaTF8kSgo2GQMvIYtRuq_KQboPDFojjgUIu_Y4m19hFIJ4qQNAHGuRNs-15BLS3tpaxcn72KPDD2TjowS/s1600/ai+ay+word+sort+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJcmmxl9oKRRrnVAkAxw5SB5YkkjhRD_CuNO8zfYRCuFfsSAWYkHOL981c9gNaTF8kSgo2GQMvIYtRuq_KQboPDFojjgUIu_Y4m19hFIJ4qQNAHGuRNs-15BLS3tpaxcn72KPDD2TjowS/s400/ai+ay+word+sort+2.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you'd like to use these differentiated sorts in your classroom, click on the picture below to grab it from my TPT store! (Note: The smartboard file is not included due to clip art copyright, but I've created color cards for students to sort in a pocket chart!).</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Snowman-Sort-Phonics-Center-Vowel-Teams-ai-ay-2316791" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt=" photo snowman sort ai ay_zpswj8h8bjh.png" border="0" src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k574/c8lino/snowman%20sort%20ai%20ay_zpswj8h8bjh.png" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another new activity I came up with to practice sorting our long a vowel team words used just one simple material: index cards! I gave each student a blank one and told them to choose either one ai or one ay word to write on their card.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLRYYnrWmc1xv36D9mxRO-7Q9kiksEAe2aRCLDDbRLikYWhfTYS8Yr5XKQQLyIksvHuplatkbDfAmpg0HKK65WKv6hrR8CykHzOl7DrKkkdWmTKoj6zCZHheKlkq9_7-GiLoFv_YMS1cM/s1600/ai+ay+words+notecards.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLRYYnrWmc1xv36D9mxRO-7Q9kiksEAe2aRCLDDbRLikYWhfTYS8Yr5XKQQLyIksvHuplatkbDfAmpg0HKK65WKv6hrR8CykHzOl7DrKkkdWmTKoj6zCZHheKlkq9_7-GiLoFv_YMS1cM/s400/ai+ay+words+notecards.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the back, they had to write a sentence using their ai/ay word.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1fc_OvwRgRz1JXpCNB3N_h0RpSah0a2aQqs71wgC7LUHaqJNdF_KZ79vuW6cZXBvPcsHmSiEnOVaIPyGSmI09iWlxYPJzyjZjem4VjzW1f1ixxIqwad-itONTEPvb5maTZDGNz4cV39V/s1600/ai+ay+sentences.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1fc_OvwRgRz1JXpCNB3N_h0RpSah0a2aQqs71wgC7LUHaqJNdF_KZ79vuW6cZXBvPcsHmSiEnOVaIPyGSmI09iWlxYPJzyjZjem4VjzW1f1ixxIqwad-itONTEPvb5maTZDGNz4cV39V/s400/ai+ay+sentences.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then, we sorted our words together in the pocket chart.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kUvzO8cpiZqtvxY2y3iF775ecVaN-SXhM_B1lio_RncPIfPxelkX3JuhcY7tS6tDQRiaR16kz1lIHXatr9WmEd6YlkKoNAlSYJfSAAflyLWVTaeBw_R9cC1mNebdOnIuKeqUBJHG4dJz/s1600/ai+ay+pocket+chart+sort.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kUvzO8cpiZqtvxY2y3iF775ecVaN-SXhM_B1lio_RncPIfPxelkX3JuhcY7tS6tDQRiaR16kz1lIHXatr9WmEd6YlkKoNAlSYJfSAAflyLWVTaeBw_R9cC1mNebdOnIuKeqUBJHG4dJz/s400/ai+ay+pocket+chart+sort.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After sorting our words, we read them together aloud. My students loved it; and so did I - how great is it to have a no-prep, interactive activity like this?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also love to find fun videos and songs on youtube for my students to get up, move, and sing with. They absolutely loved this surfer themed video for sorting ai/ay words. They laughed so hard at his "Heyyyy duddddeeee!" surfer voice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hope this post was able to give you a few new fun, quick ideas to use during your word work routine! </span></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-18385492227149884172016-01-03T21:08:00.005-08:002016-01-03T21:12:43.992-08:00Teaching Story Elements with Kevin Henkes Books<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I just love Kevin Henkes' books. Every. Single. One of them. Not only are they creative stories, but they also have great life lessons to teach my students as well. Another reason I love his books is they have the most incredible characters; and they really lend themselves as great resources to use while teaching story elements and reading comprehension!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A class favorite that I always read every year is <i>Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse</i>. It's a great story, especially for the beginning of the year when you are introducing rules and procedures in the classroom!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh5hyDf2T5KbwO-T5aFHS74hYvU-B5K8YL_O19vlGXAXBjvsrGkOnutYR8rCjGcjn6EK91iN9nCGDxvXKRYPieoJkchHbobk1TtuSJ-mFqFdZ2Usvjz7bKObapmHkAXloPRnS0N475J75/s1600/Lilly+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh5hyDf2T5KbwO-T5aFHS74hYvU-B5K8YL_O19vlGXAXBjvsrGkOnutYR8rCjGcjn6EK91iN9nCGDxvXKRYPieoJkchHbobk1TtuSJ-mFqFdZ2Usvjz7bKObapmHkAXloPRnS0N475J75/s200/Lilly+book.jpg" width="160" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In this book, Lilly brings all sorts of fun little trinkets to school and she is excited to share them with the class - a little TOO excited. She interrupts the teacher multiple times until, finally, the teacher takes her prized possessions away and she gets just a <i>little</i> upset. Various shenanigans occur throughout the story until she finally realizes that she shouldn't have acted the way she did. The book is great for a character study on the main character, Lilly, because she changes so often throughout the story and goes through a myriad of emotions. So I used the book for a little study on identifying character traits and describing how the main character changed throughout the story from beginning to end. We created a little anchor chart together and these are all of the words my students came up with to describe Lilly - they did a great job!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xSK7dujyAKHTU30jWheJTEaW3EsDPiSl_zejxr9-YzBiLBr8TT3YEZ_mY2HPhey-MFr4pyCWZVJINbMVzkOAkJ3OAxUKerZhxUQ6i7_MS39FQj2Cu3DjhANr07fo9F6cF6x21f83eCjD/s1600/Lilly+poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5xSK7dujyAKHTU30jWheJTEaW3EsDPiSl_zejxr9-YzBiLBr8TT3YEZ_mY2HPhey-MFr4pyCWZVJINbMVzkOAkJ3OAxUKerZhxUQ6i7_MS39FQj2Cu3DjhANr07fo9F6cF6x21f83eCjD/s400/Lilly+poster.png" width="316" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can see from the web words how much the main character changed throughout the story and it was a great discussion to have with my kids to help them understand how to describe her!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next day, we read the story again and my focus was to have them work on retelling the story by sequencing events. We used the picture retelling cards from the wonderful <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guiding-Readers-August-September-NO-PREP-ELA-Unit-for-K-1-1899369">Guiding Readers K-1</a> pack by Deanna Jump and Deedee Wills. I put my students into small groups and gave them each a set of retelling cards. They then had to work together with their groups to try and retell the story by putting their pictures in order from beginning to end. It was awesome for me to walk around and hear them all collaborating together on why a certain picture should be moved; or put in this spot; and why, etc. It really helped them think more deeply about the events of the book.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_tjgdFeXIKNFoELHhgqMy8hITnJZyASKCnUCERV_LOMprQ0HAJMxH4FJvzZwvr3Yh1K7DHxns2FqZTp4tiEAP57LD__lHcDR6GRDIXWcTPztAIx_SD_HWs3XbvpKOhFq0pkcRb0pUoWB/s1600/Lilly.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_tjgdFeXIKNFoELHhgqMy8hITnJZyASKCnUCERV_LOMprQ0HAJMxH4FJvzZwvr3Yh1K7DHxns2FqZTp4tiEAP57LD__lHcDR6GRDIXWcTPztAIx_SD_HWs3XbvpKOhFq0pkcRb0pUoWB/s400/Lilly.png" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After they put their pictures in order, we came back together as a class and I put the pictures in the correct order so they could check their work. They were SO excited when they got a picture in the correct sequence! Having my students talk with each other and use visuals to retell the story really helped them have a more in depth understanding of what happened in the book, rather than just hearing me stand up there and talk about it as they listened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once we finished our group work, my students then got a smaller version of the retell pictures and had to sequence the pictures again on their own. This was a great check for understanding for me on who really understood the sequence of events and what little friends still needed a bit of support on it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(The small retell pictures are also from the ladies' <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guiding-Readers-August-September-NO-PREP-ELA-Unit-for-K-1-1899369">Guiding Readers</a> pack)!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbelRAYC9VY6drsw4vUwerAvxvJQmv_7W7ptTiFRaI_oHbcnb0NcYzft5CQx8WJBH2CNLHHJKgBGlXOL2bXepo_uoQ5J9QFZLlapFRxuKDh3bUF579oK8ZWrxutFabkRCrfpH6RGFMne8/s1600/Lillys+purple+plastic+purse+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbelRAYC9VY6drsw4vUwerAvxvJQmv_7W7ptTiFRaI_oHbcnb0NcYzft5CQx8WJBH2CNLHHJKgBGlXOL2bXepo_uoQ5J9QFZLlapFRxuKDh3bUF579oK8ZWrxutFabkRCrfpH6RGFMne8/s400/Lillys+purple+plastic+purse+2.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On the third day, we read the story again, this time by listening to this version on Youtube, just to change it up a little bit so that it didn't get too stale for them:</span></div>
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I liked this version because it is read by a teacher and she stops and asks little comprehension questions here and there! After hearing the story, we focused on story elements: characters, setting, plot, problem, and solution. Mind you, even though our activity on the third day focused on story elements, we had been talking about story elements and learning about them long before this day, so they had a little background knowledge. To make it fun, we made a little book in the shape of a purse: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse Story Elements! The kids did SUCH an awesome job writing and illustrating these details about the story. They absolutely loved that they had their own little plastic purse at the end, too! It was the perfect culminating activity for this story.</span></center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME5sqC95zxlXBUOGgRNJ448uIsz7RYrUAR4r8k8ynDMDx5OsuY-AY2n02bj6dqYiflpcY56NZFCBpfsTVbSpqVMQeaawZEkaS0yKOtbEnGewYfYwE170aMc5aBw3G1paUIJYQRtpt1inV/s1600/Lilly+cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME5sqC95zxlXBUOGgRNJ448uIsz7RYrUAR4r8k8ynDMDx5OsuY-AY2n02bj6dqYiflpcY56NZFCBpfsTVbSpqVMQeaawZEkaS0yKOtbEnGewYfYwE170aMc5aBw3G1paUIJYQRtpt1inV/s400/Lilly+cover.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfytOfqKJa35QFi8o0U3D0yTtsHAATJLJJMPYf8vZEY92eYXJp9R43GQLo4yiGssCwpEfZt_PUUAyKHYanz9zuhh673XcblBysWW9Xjs8kr9BuWuu8OG_NbsuWH8ej6eCq9AzzN0uv1X2u/s1600/lilly+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfytOfqKJa35QFi8o0U3D0yTtsHAATJLJJMPYf8vZEY92eYXJp9R43GQLo4yiGssCwpEfZt_PUUAyKHYanz9zuhh673XcblBysWW9Xjs8kr9BuWuu8OG_NbsuWH8ej6eCq9AzzN0uv1X2u/s400/lilly+3.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwbVq57fOm-6SRULGMvpRk2E5rb9qrg4NSu8tT4huzQccNFyEP6qWWoBXpTgujtg7jldX2fy9eYepOVta0c0chUcl52W-Z5rxQC8ac4qcuulme-cxvDz6Zq_KgaqNQIa0orr-FutMxGSZ/s1600/Lilly+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwbVq57fOm-6SRULGMvpRk2E5rb9qrg4NSu8tT4huzQccNFyEP6qWWoBXpTgujtg7jldX2fy9eYepOVta0c0chUcl52W-Z5rxQC8ac4qcuulme-cxvDz6Zq_KgaqNQIa0orr-FutMxGSZ/s400/Lilly+4.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K6RMoswplzstZKVMMz2TTdpD1ygZtC48Iv-JyKuX2ujHwCy61LMB1Q41iCyz-c51OyEqKwwGwgeL7D8xLsbVTjDyGyp0PGGft8z0pKaY51cF1qjzOLDlHXBcaj6mJr-5NN08_UzfpRKB/s1600/Lilly+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-K6RMoswplzstZKVMMz2TTdpD1ygZtC48Iv-JyKuX2ujHwCy61LMB1Q41iCyz-c51OyEqKwwGwgeL7D8xLsbVTjDyGyp0PGGft8z0pKaY51cF1qjzOLDlHXBcaj6mJr-5NN08_UzfpRKB/s400/Lilly+5.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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Another Kevin Henkes book that I love reading to my students is <i>Kitten's First Full Moon</i>. It's a simple book, but a great beginning book for teaching students how to retell and summarize a story.</span></center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0k5Y0X4nMJtcryXniI8kG1En5JgdoNz-3JYf35-KErqSXPGKdA9Iq6l4RNONSkq2uXOSC_wKkrDFdMmX_QF4mvpI6-BUtP6H9oDFXowPViDkzaDP2cMbgpWLGgpFXjUKw7h6gadXwQhv/s1600/kittens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0k5Y0X4nMJtcryXniI8kG1En5JgdoNz-3JYf35-KErqSXPGKdA9Iq6l4RNONSkq2uXOSC_wKkrDFdMmX_QF4mvpI6-BUtP6H9oDFXowPViDkzaDP2cMbgpWLGgpFXjUKw7h6gadXwQhv/s200/kittens.jpg" width="199" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First, I read the story aloud and, as we go through the story, I'll stop periodically and ask my students what the kitten did using order words such as <i>first, next, then, after that</i>... this helps them recall the order that events occurred in the story because they've got that vocabulary to guide them. After discussing the main events in the story, I modeled how to summarize the story in their own words. I told my kids excitedly that they would get to tell the story with the words that THEY wanted, as if they were going to be the author. They were so into it! I whipped up this little writing craftivity to put with their summaries and they turned out so great! In the story, the kitten sees the moon and is attempting to get to it because he thinks it is a bowl of milk. In the craftivity, he is peeking over the edge to try and get to the moon, which is popping off the page 3D style!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSSBJWv8LUz23dyHBKP7l81FZkWkuOkAvgl29_bRvcumq5pPr48KDzGNW7MSpd-cbnQWnHDzgA6l8BFGwY61W5BOGNa_bETfxHSuSUq1qaOmSbj6ZHVs5IH766RcqtE3eJ48221laf-UC/s1600/Kitten+full+moon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSSBJWv8LUz23dyHBKP7l81FZkWkuOkAvgl29_bRvcumq5pPr48KDzGNW7MSpd-cbnQWnHDzgA6l8BFGwY61W5BOGNa_bETfxHSuSUq1qaOmSbj6ZHVs5IH766RcqtE3eJ48221laf-UC/s400/Kitten+full+moon.png" width="296" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqa2wgmU3_8zxA5rez4_Zvs_CYkETSKbi7i1EYHp_0FjL3JpxkWfvjYL7D5nlvWOOVx_I5Yguygp9PBPql0hAUnsQbtV8u6oNDVUGffPX-7q08qIbKAzH4yb9FD8ptpKJLGcduwATttT_/s1600/Kitten+moon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqa2wgmU3_8zxA5rez4_Zvs_CYkETSKbi7i1EYHp_0FjL3JpxkWfvjYL7D5nlvWOOVx_I5Yguygp9PBPql0hAUnsQbtV8u6oNDVUGffPX-7q08qIbKAzH4yb9FD8ptpKJLGcduwATttT_/s320/Kitten+moon.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are some student samples of the <i>Kitten's First Full Moon</i> story summary craftivity:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEcXvG4thxDqLcUt1vTrlBZsWugRuBZ37JerMBH0rl_8n2j0ZwAoc8q62SznajdcuNnlXlZXjM0E01Y-EUcQG7-7fx6YLvDgvuHJjT-0lHuJnGBTwwR_TpVfpJDMVsCLuyGtQIjbBUOob/s1600/Kittens+First+Full+Moon+craft.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEcXvG4thxDqLcUt1vTrlBZsWugRuBZ37JerMBH0rl_8n2j0ZwAoc8q62SznajdcuNnlXlZXjM0E01Y-EUcQG7-7fx6YLvDgvuHJjT-0lHuJnGBTwwR_TpVfpJDMVsCLuyGtQIjbBUOob/s400/Kittens+First+Full+Moon+craft.png" width="398" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you're interested in adding this story summary/reading comprehension craftivity to your Kevin Henkes' study, you can grab it from my TPT store by clicking the picture below! There are multiple differentiated writing template options available in the pack to help you best fit the needs of your students!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kittens-First-Full-Moon-Writing-Craftivity-1773549" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt=" photo Kitten Full Moon_zpsde9wmaps.png" border="0" src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k574/c8lino/Kitten%20Full%20Moon_zpsde9wmaps.png" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I could go on and on about all of his books... they are all wonderful options for teaching story elements and reading comprehension skills! What are some of your favorite Kevin Henkes books?</span></div>
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The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-79045392689124904602015-11-28T13:00:00.000-08:002015-11-28T16:14:07.568-08:00Top Wishlisted Products!<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you haven't heard, the annual TPT Cyber Monday Sale begins November 30th! I have been flooding my personal TPT Wishlist with tons of items I've had my eye on, and I'm sure you have too! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrJJUGSztiDYh0V515W4ZTTOTWHLDkIhQyWdHnH-M_n48TyBGVo64rs9wSpRxIM7zH__P5usbqRorDCcfrLN7vCo6pvYB2aeEz9VVgMPZHD_r-GS2T7vmGQno_2US-31XlDJXdNLTb0qx/s1600/wishlist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYrJJUGSztiDYh0V515W4ZTTOTWHLDkIhQyWdHnH-M_n48TyBGVo64rs9wSpRxIM7zH__P5usbqRorDCcfrLN7vCo6pvYB2aeEz9VVgMPZHD_r-GS2T7vmGQno_2US-31XlDJXdNLTb0qx/s200/wishlist.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm linking up with Jen over at <a href="http://www.teachinginthetongass.com/2015/11/topwishlisteditems.html">Teaching in the Tongass</a> for Top Wishlisted Items! These are the top 3 products in my store that people have put on their wish lists. There is also some customer feedback attached from teachers that personally used each one!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGXsm4Vo_WNfHkO1sgKcM5iBkVDBikW_QauSf9437CpmOa6lBR4rVpbS8q2xlg8MklKqsSFV3DbXR3Yy9XFtxrAzGnmql2sdYWVsKDtmAyPwMREdxnxlO3lToFWgyIxoOiPU3V6jPQvrC/s1600/TPT+wishlist+link.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGXsm4Vo_WNfHkO1sgKcM5iBkVDBikW_QauSf9437CpmOa6lBR4rVpbS8q2xlg8MklKqsSFV3DbXR3Yy9XFtxrAzGnmql2sdYWVsKDtmAyPwMREdxnxlO3lToFWgyIxoOiPU3V6jPQvrC/s640/TPT+wishlist+link.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Shapes Galore for the Common Core is not only my top wishlisted item, it's also the top selling product in my store! This pack includes fun activities and resources for teaching 2D and 3D shapes. In this unit, you'll find classroom resources, decor, games, printables, and more to help you teach these geometry standards. Click <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Shapes-Galore-for-the-Common-Core-360488">here</a> to get a closer look at all that is included!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My Kindergarten Journeys Interactive Notebooks for Leveled Readers are made to go along with the Journeys curriculum and are a great supplement to add to your teaching resources. There are differentiated, leveled interactive notebook activities that go with all of the leveled readers in Unit 1. As I was using the leveled readers with my own students, I found that I really wanted something concrete that they could work on all of the reading concepts and skills that I could show their families as a record of their progress... and this is what I came up with! My kids really enjoyed using them and creating them in their own reader's notebooks. I also have sets for units 2-6 as well! Click <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Journeys-Unit-1-Interactive-Notebook-Activities-for-Leveled-Readers-1322286">here</a> to see pictures of the notebooks in action!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Counting Tools for Back to School is a comprehensive teaching resource that can be used to help you teach all of the Counting and Cardinality standards in a fun, engaging way! There are classroom anchor charts, assessments, math stations, games, number sense printables, teaching resources, and more! You can use these activities all year long! Click <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Counting-Tools-for-Back-to-School-A-Counting-Cardinality-Activity-Pack-820471">here</a> to check it out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hopefully you found a few great items that you can add to your wishlist for the big sale! You can find other great items by heading on over to <a href="http://www.teachinginthetongass.com/2015/11/topwishlisteditems.html">Teaching in the Tongass</a> to see what other top items TPT sellers have in their shops - and even link up yourself, if you like! Happy shopping!</span></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-77148287030085026712015-10-18T20:33:00.001-07:002015-10-18T20:38:41.532-07:00Spider Study!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the past week and a half, we have been up to our ears studying everything we can about spiders! I've never had the time to do a spider study before, so I was so excited to gather up as many spider-related resources as I could in reading, science, and math. I truly feel that cross-curricular studies are the most meaningful ones for students.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First, I began by collecting as many non-fiction books as I could find about spiders. Here are some options if you are looking for some great ones to use with your K-2 spider study.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUb4TvJkO_6wV6fLjrWkA36RGS06nDWUizF-Sagu0QPu_sgaHiEJFcz9GdWmGkUtNRBNCvYNvWxTRRfhgfX9NKPLVjjAZSebvDiSqXNfAk_r-H-DtBFOSyio9KH8LX60W1w40FXcy3F05/s1600/spider+study+books.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUb4TvJkO_6wV6fLjrWkA36RGS06nDWUizF-Sagu0QPu_sgaHiEJFcz9GdWmGkUtNRBNCvYNvWxTRRfhgfX9NKPLVjjAZSebvDiSqXNfAk_r-H-DtBFOSyio9KH8LX60W1w40FXcy3F05/s400/spider+study+books.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am blessed to have a smartboard in my classroom, so instead of using a bunch of chart paper to make various anchor charts and posters, I decided to streamline it and keep them all in digital form. It ended up working out SO nicely! We could easily go back and refer to our schema chart and add new notes pages for each topic we were learning about. Not to mention, I didn't have to worry about finding a place to hang up a million posters/anchor charts. Here's a few of our digital anchor charts we made:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77bj4wDibGlD8xkWt5yqFXK7vauS2XNwuKVZipy9K2hjLANt0N4a6oSfPcm9eu5tmV6DridHjPLAPqhYBTMImPIC6oG81ze1UfPoA_Hpwxs8b4eNUDGxX0wRKYbCmn3mTaqvNPlmuYZKd/s1600/spider+smartboard.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77bj4wDibGlD8xkWt5yqFXK7vauS2XNwuKVZipy9K2hjLANt0N4a6oSfPcm9eu5tmV6DridHjPLAPqhYBTMImPIC6oG81ze1UfPoA_Hpwxs8b4eNUDGxX0wRKYbCmn3mTaqvNPlmuYZKd/s400/spider+smartboard.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv-PkY_1Y65yRX0IZ_93qwpWdBk2ooaurWd1IbymjJ-bNnDTlaL4I-1RtSCaBPYVA41E2wDJhyphenhyphenbt0s3R9nhI1vq9oI35ut52q8OzgS3enhLWuOi3uwhHh6xUO1FSuI53w4XnNXOqNKPPG/s1600/spider+smartboard+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv-PkY_1Y65yRX0IZ_93qwpWdBk2ooaurWd1IbymjJ-bNnDTlaL4I-1RtSCaBPYVA41E2wDJhyphenhyphenbt0s3R9nhI1vq9oI35ut52q8OzgS3enhLWuOi3uwhHh6xUO1FSuI53w4XnNXOqNKPPG/s400/spider+smartboard+2.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGs9ajn7fGJ1JhvAqlPHajBKG0MAT9EQeL7kiDGOv_w6Y751qCrR8oqO-WvKKBXBlz-Ip8RUNWGiCBgO7vCY9Y7rUFcwOGHx37dJoKhosd4upwV15VjFv8YdG4NmNXzFAwK4ZDd_vepdvf/s1600/spider+smartboard+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGs9ajn7fGJ1JhvAqlPHajBKG0MAT9EQeL7kiDGOv_w6Y751qCrR8oqO-WvKKBXBlz-Ip8RUNWGiCBgO7vCY9Y7rUFcwOGHx37dJoKhosd4upwV15VjFv8YdG4NmNXzFAwK4ZDd_vepdvf/s400/spider+smartboard+3.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even if you don't have a smartboard in your room, you could easily create every single one of these anchor charts on big paper, powerpoint, etc.! We ended up making a separate page for each topic that we learned and studied about spiders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also got by with a little help from my TPT friends! I used A Year of Many Firsts' AMAZING non-fiction spider unit, which you can find <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spiders-A-Complete-Non-fiction-Spider-Resource-1485127">here!</a> She has gorgeous pictures and so many creative resources to use. We ended up referring to her spiders digital fact book, printable student readers, and spider fact book to record all of the facts we found. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lyndsey included 3 differentiated student read aloud books. I chose the middle leveled one for my first graders and we spent time reading and highlighting important details we found in the text.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPGo1e4vM1PYKVRvM8WnY57DCBTEgyYzOHKd_sSCi-qtnCdp8DuLUVDvjC0q-tXjQTRrLroLZJq7RPsma4zWclMHZN7eNlWgjf4EFI13JARpbccR7HTLXSrGJfPD3mFQMzq7L6f5Sop5u/s1600/spider+book.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPGo1e4vM1PYKVRvM8WnY57DCBTEgyYzOHKd_sSCi-qtnCdp8DuLUVDvjC0q-tXjQTRrLroLZJq7RPsma4zWclMHZN7eNlWgjf4EFI13JARpbccR7HTLXSrGJfPD3mFQMzq7L6f5Sop5u/s400/spider+book.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then we used the books to write our own facts in their student fact books, which we used all week to record facts about spiders.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_pDVFNfY27998RYU2VZq3fA4AXXcdxz8x364IaPgyl4auuOSab-S_59whcJ5oYjaLsVuulUK_4q5A2rEV1-qkE-AcYI2ToREJ_btJYCiV5_PrK7EDX_tQbDlP7k5m4OJ540AizeeUsvk/s1600/spider+book+fact.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_pDVFNfY27998RYU2VZq3fA4AXXcdxz8x364IaPgyl4auuOSab-S_59whcJ5oYjaLsVuulUK_4q5A2rEV1-qkE-AcYI2ToREJ_btJYCiV5_PrK7EDX_tQbDlP7k5m4OJ540AizeeUsvk/s400/spider+book+fact.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Each book page had a different topic to write and draw about. My students loved filling it all out; and their writing turned out amazing! I'm so glad that there are amazing TPT sellers that help me teach wonderful units in my classroom! Thanks, Lyndsey!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are a few other fact-finding activities we did:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Parts of a Spider Labeling Anchor Chart</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygw2x6d9ThMTroOa1XZJWE6QmaM2TY5kp2MzQTisi-g_T2swibt7ssfn5GiJtZEdNhpiJNyX6gBUtaNzjgCrO6RuRb7ex6fkx58pCEib5nW-T1Ypi9fDbjYKXzc0MQ_C69aAAj3lo9Duo/s1600/parts+of+a+spider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygw2x6d9ThMTroOa1XZJWE6QmaM2TY5kp2MzQTisi-g_T2swibt7ssfn5GiJtZEdNhpiJNyX6gBUtaNzjgCrO6RuRb7ex6fkx58pCEib5nW-T1Ypi9fDbjYKXzc0MQ_C69aAAj3lo9Duo/s400/parts+of+a+spider.png" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Then we used the anchor chart to label it using another resource from <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spiders-A-Complete-Non-fiction-Spider-Resource-1485127">A Year of Many Firsts'</a> spider unit. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3u1Xy4HlXZam99QpdC2ZutfezOEv4G20hHAx6-eLCLl24h93KS0LmOyDLm5ZB-pyy1ym_RBtmy0trr6Ycj_PTWzl-b62-l_x5Q7ldOGa8XBGWwzHHnFX9kbaPX5vbSg0qgUkSrsLvfIg6/s1600/parts+spider.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3u1Xy4HlXZam99QpdC2ZutfezOEv4G20hHAx6-eLCLl24h93KS0LmOyDLm5ZB-pyy1ym_RBtmy0trr6Ycj_PTWzl-b62-l_x5Q7ldOGa8XBGWwzHHnFX9kbaPX5vbSg0qgUkSrsLvfIg6/s400/parts+spider.png" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also implemented many spider themed activities for whole group math, reading, and literacy centers. It's amazing what a little themed activity will do to increase my students' excitement and engagement in a learning activity. Since they were loving learning about spiders, they were all in on these fun activities! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For our ELA time, I create this little Smartboard interactive Spider Sentence sort. The students had to move the spider's legs to the side of the body that it belonged to (sentence or not a sentence).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVY1sZ5l5dDgoNX45HcZe2t_EFW6iCPc64jXcwv2u1Q_n_aLDGaWJPjVf0Is_fYoL4CgICVCv8FtCtpR0QZnn6ZYsM5JPbUn1bmwX5zRUsbijpGHvF3EeRRwRYsGnbS7f2h2I0S2djVV2/s1600/spider+sentences.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVY1sZ5l5dDgoNX45HcZe2t_EFW6iCPc64jXcwv2u1Q_n_aLDGaWJPjVf0Is_fYoL4CgICVCv8FtCtpR0QZnn6ZYsM5JPbUn1bmwX5zRUsbijpGHvF3EeRRwRYsGnbS7f2h2I0S2djVV2/s400/spider+sentences.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My students absolutely loved reading the Spider poem from Deedee Wills' <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Poetry-Station-and-Shared-Reading-for-October-CC-aligned-354176">October Poetry Unit</a>. I gave them a giant plastic spider to act out the poem with each other's names and they couldn't even get over it! We'll be adding the poem to our reading interactive notebooks later this week and my kids will partner read it to practice fluency.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhyphenhyphenO0chqxwjXkcGPq43JhQZEqqWncbohO_9r98fAoJdq9cO9KAeAOQ0mEI5ZUZtRoLgz7VkaXRttUUOSbuh0ddyLiDL2tatS79OI-fsL95AN7IlkRMtPFGui9eReIhokIN2S8k4XrObMG/s1600/spider+poem.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhyphenhyphenO0chqxwjXkcGPq43JhQZEqqWncbohO_9r98fAoJdq9cO9KAeAOQ0mEI5ZUZtRoLgz7VkaXRttUUOSbuh0ddyLiDL2tatS79OI-fsL95AN7IlkRMtPFGui9eReIhokIN2S8k4XrObMG/s400/spider+poem.png" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also implemented our spider theme into many math activities we did last week. We've been working on addition concepts for the last few weeks, including decomposing numbers, so this adorable little freebie craftivity from Wild About Firsties was the perfect activity!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUHWjCj81NIfy1OjuETLQJHR4tlSLzxWL4puwLGNZ7W5074jqB_gsFpAHGUGyjLB9hGOkOmqa3UXrKrIIM_LL9nXVrgotNMPf5jDQWIMNEsXs4D6Drm9z7LzQJHXvtNBhVBvvg9kI3eRK/s1600/spider+sums.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUHWjCj81NIfy1OjuETLQJHR4tlSLzxWL4puwLGNZ7W5074jqB_gsFpAHGUGyjLB9hGOkOmqa3UXrKrIIM_LL9nXVrgotNMPf5jDQWIMNEsXs4D6Drm9z7LzQJHXvtNBhVBvvg9kI3eRK/s400/spider+sums.png" width="396" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">You can download the freebie <a href="http://wildaboutfirsties.blogspot.com/2014_10_01_archive.html">here!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hung them all up on a bulletin board in my classroom for some festive student decor!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkcasOv2Zfry6O2PXFyFc9G6CGFo2cY8bS9tySe8pNmdKcCJfiKo0mjNSir2LQNfqcSjuX14HE13KuLvKiSgCrnwW9ABWVIy_baWBAorfAEFoZDEhWBLQR92Cty2ASSytUlMHvSlfyIPr/s1600/spider+sums.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgkcasOv2Zfry6O2PXFyFc9G6CGFo2cY8bS9tySe8pNmdKcCJfiKo0mjNSir2LQNfqcSjuX14HE13KuLvKiSgCrnwW9ABWVIy_baWBAorfAEFoZDEhWBLQR92Cty2ASSytUlMHvSlfyIPr/s400/spider+sums.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We also did a little graphing activity: Do You Think Spiders are Cool or Creepy? Needless to say, I did NOT agree with the majority of my kids! Ha!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxR6Pl1EqTDQVk8krPGl0cG2DzjtsSI0N29wfB9jgf-Z-M_c372PwRbXcQHX0YLjj_9Am5lEgLFwyDTsoGNI1lwTj_qMP5emGM_f7vJiW0EsfNJVaU4Nw5LFaSjvJ5bSJehXloM13abGr1/s1600/spider+graph.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxR6Pl1EqTDQVk8krPGl0cG2DzjtsSI0N29wfB9jgf-Z-M_c372PwRbXcQHX0YLjj_9Am5lEgLFwyDTsoGNI1lwTj_qMP5emGM_f7vJiW0EsfNJVaU4Nw5LFaSjvJ5bSJehXloM13abGr1/s400/spider+graph.png" width="297" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of my teammates came up with this little data analysis sheet and we compared our results!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaai8dnXlfD2Iq3A6WpH2TJfV3-vONhAeEaQ0bjZkGHgKcI8yjZMwIfwBbijJVo8Syk1TSQoTwt8gzIcrik05tGTF0W_OpQO9pk4gS7jLf7MBpRofEGv4wk4CONM16SvPia-_n-BYNoUTC/s1600/spider+graph+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaai8dnXlfD2Iq3A6WpH2TJfV3-vONhAeEaQ0bjZkGHgKcI8yjZMwIfwBbijJVo8Syk1TSQoTwt8gzIcrik05tGTF0W_OpQO9pk4gS7jLf7MBpRofEGv4wk4CONM16SvPia-_n-BYNoUTC/s320/spider+graph+2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In math tubs, we've been working on fun themed activities like my Spidery Roll and Cover:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">...Which can be found here along with other Halloween math tubs in my Trick or Treat! Math is Sweet! Math Stations Pack (click on the picture below to find out more!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Trick-or-Treat-Math-is-Sweet-Halloween-Math-Stations-928871" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt=" photo TrickorTreatcover_zpsa1243100.png" border="0" src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k574/c8lino/TrickorTreatcover_zpsa1243100.png" height="235" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To add a little fun to literacy centers, I made this little Spider Digraph Spinner game that my students loved! They spun the spinner, and based on whatever digraph they landed on (ch, th, sh), they had to find a word that began or ended with the digraph and color it by the color code till they filled up the entire spider web!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can download this game for FREE by clicking on the picture below!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spider-Digraph-Spin-Color-Freebie-2158306" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt=" photo spider preview 1_zpscssc015v.png" border="0" src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k574/c8lino/spider%20preview%201_zpscssc015v.png" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, with all the fun we had learning about spiders, I must admit I am sad to see it go! However, that will be short-lived because this week we are going to begin our BAT unit... always one of my faves!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hey everyone! This has been a super odd week for me with a day off of school, parent teacher conferences, and two half days... but it didn't mean that we weren't just as busy in first grade! I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching to share some of the fun I had this week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">We've been doing a big spider study for the last week and a half and my kids are SO into it. At conferences this week, so many parents were asking about our spider unit because their kids have been going home and telling them all they've learned. I love that! We kicked it off with a little spider graph that asked, "Do you think spiders are cool or creepy?" Note: I did not agree with the majority of my class. ;)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">In keeping with our spider theme, we made this super cute Spider Sums to 8 craftivity from Wild About Firsties. We brainstormed all the ways to make 8 as a class and then each student picked one number sense they wanted to represent with their spider legs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I guest posted on my lovely friend </span><a href="http://mrs3rdgrade07.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mrs. 3rd Grade</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">'s blog the other night as part of her 30 Amazing Teachers series and shared about a cute little Halloween gift I'm giving my first grade teammates this week! Click </span><a href="http://mrs3rdgrade07.blogspot.com/2015/10/30-amazing-teachers-caitlin.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> to see how I put it all together (there's a link to the free gift tag I used from Eighteen25)!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now that I'm teaching first grade, I'm teaching a lot of sounds, digraphs, vowel teams, etc. that I never had to teach in kindergarten before, so I was lacking a lot of resources to go with those phonics skills and struggling to find any printables that worked for my students. So, I did what any good teacher blogger does... I made my own! Included in this pack are 5 no-prep printables to go with the -ck ending sound digraph (-ack, -eck, -ick, -ock, -uck). Students will read the words to practice fluency, highlight them in each word family, write and label pictures, read sentences, and write/illustrate their own sentences using -ck words. I tested these activity sheets out with my students and it really helped them with their spelling and fluency because they were interacting with the words in so many different ways. I just uploaded it to my TPT store... click on the picture to find out more!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/-CK-Ending-Digraph-Word-Work-Printables-2152806" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt=" photo -ck cover page_zps9hutryb2.png" border="0" src="http://i1116.photobucket.com/albums/k574/c8lino/-ck%20cover%20page_zps9hutryb2.png" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my favorite things about fall is... hockey starts! Hockey is my absolute favorite sport and I root hard for my Coyotes! I got to go to the home opener earlier in the week and had a blast!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm so glad Friday has arrived! I am ready for a weekend! Hope you'll link up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for more Five for Friday fun!</span></div>
The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3107155898787821151.post-37617695962177155102015-09-15T05:00:00.000-07:002015-09-15T05:00:16.416-07:00Sharing Sunshine with Hello Sunshine... New Dollar Tree Finds for Classrooms!<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This year has been a somewhat difficult transition for me: EVERYTHING changed. I switched districts, I switched schools, and I switched grades. After being in the same place in the same grade with the same team for 6 years, suddenly everything was different. I had to get used to different routines, different curriculum, different standards, a different team, different school procedures... you name it, and it was totally flipping what I knew about teaching and being a part of a school community. Now, don't get me wrong - I absolutely LOVE where I work and I wouldn't change anything about my new journey. However, it has definitely provided for some more stressful times than one normally has in their 7th year of teaching... sometimes I feel like a first year teacher all over again! That includes working LONG hours on planning, finding resources, and doing all the little things our job entails. When our teaching lives get stressful, it can be easy to reside in that zone of negativity: complaining, putting too much on our plates, and not bothering to find solutions to make things better. Once we place ourselves in that mindset, it can be hard to get out of it and see and share the positive things that are happening in our schools and classrooms!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That's why I'm so excited that my friends and I over at our collaborative blog, <a href="http://hellosunshineteachers.blogspot.com/">Hello Sunshine</a>, are starting a new monthly linky... Sharing Sunshine!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6nQ5TbwgkhOzJzFqx1kcP0sAZw3APJX7LGHWGyHrkHHAjBRO1gzNnsewdF-w6TBmoEeOpkHlVs5JfaKGbaTtHyhAVf0QmW71Oesl2E5paErI66P8gBa6Mab7Y-zZjEkB_JfNnOvGtBwi/s1600/Linkup.001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6nQ5TbwgkhOzJzFqx1kcP0sAZw3APJX7LGHWGyHrkHHAjBRO1gzNnsewdF-w6TBmoEeOpkHlVs5JfaKGbaTtHyhAVf0QmW71Oesl2E5paErI66P8gBa6Mab7Y-zZjEkB_JfNnOvGtBwi/s400/Linkup.001.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sharing Sunshine is a linky where you can write a blog post sharing some teacher-y sunshine with your fellow peers! It can be anything you are excited to share about: a new product, a freebie, a great lesson you taught, teacher deals, favorite products, favorite classroom supplies... ANYTHING! Share something you love about teaching and link up with us on every 15th of the month!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This month, I'll be sharing a little sunshine about some of my favorite classroom items from Dollar Tree! I picked up all of these things this summer and I am so excited to put them to use in my classroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first item that I was SO excited to find were these magnetic spinners:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKf7qi-eEq7SGAD1SOFC9vMa9FQQW1RjMB7SqhAwUOW3_01m4aSYBAOsmQ_hly1hlSYdzRxA79V4nXpx8HtbFMPy0R3ApCa13SRr43RJwjM5tlqV5fYeMNC9_HJAY3BxyxUiVHlkw_zVQ/s1600/magnet+spinners.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKf7qi-eEq7SGAD1SOFC9vMa9FQQW1RjMB7SqhAwUOW3_01m4aSYBAOsmQ_hly1hlSYdzRxA79V4nXpx8HtbFMPy0R3ApCa13SRr43RJwjM5tlqV5fYeMNC9_HJAY3BxyxUiVHlkw_zVQ/s400/magnet+spinners.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seriously, I went on the hunt for these babies after my mom told me about them and it took me going to 4 different Dollar Tree stores before I actually found them. So if you see them at yours, RUN to buy them! I tested them out and they work perfectly! I plan on using them for whole group spinner games, voting activities, and more! I'll also be using the finger pointer spinner in the middle of my GoNoodle spinner to choose our new class champ:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjKTZOIdCQSPeuOlzAn6lN_CzSLYahqCIKgSUJk7nAPg6QUwti05_iUOskPjyPBFD8dBge18katbu_OGv092uoOHjR3m_EFixmEt2o0v3XkjBFq-y4bhxeNE60el6Zrn2-G3tGcVARslJ/s1600/gonoodle+sharing+sun.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjKTZOIdCQSPeuOlzAn6lN_CzSLYahqCIKgSUJk7nAPg6QUwti05_iUOskPjyPBFD8dBge18katbu_OGv092uoOHjR3m_EFixmEt2o0v3XkjBFq-y4bhxeNE60el6Zrn2-G3tGcVARslJ/s200/gonoodle+sharing+sun.png" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can download the spinner for free <a href="http://thekindergarden.blogspot.com/2015/09/gonoodle-back-to-school-blogger-blitz.html">HERE</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dollar Tree is also the absolute perfect place to grab gobs and gobs of baskets, bins, and containers! They have them in all shapes and sizes in adorable colors... you can even get 2-3 baskets for $1! The little orange buckets and the long skinny green baskets came 2 to a pack! How are these even a dollar? You'd find these kinds of baskets at most retail stores for $3-$4... but not at Dollar Tree! Such a steal. And I don't know about you, but I can never have too many baskets in my classroom!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO0iPJEZOVhQujGHxo_R8YNiZE1h53eUMFnx96p3KIvJbjjx0vTf3nkDAe1hD1-cLCaICxexMWd4DibOJSG34I5L91w7o9fJ5U3z4wZ6N9xzsxgg6Av7MNGPJL-SD82Eeuz6d-rN9Zj-o/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUO0iPJEZOVhQujGHxo_R8YNiZE1h53eUMFnx96p3KIvJbjjx0vTf3nkDAe1hD1-cLCaICxexMWd4DibOJSG34I5L91w7o9fJ5U3z4wZ6N9xzsxgg6Av7MNGPJL-SD82Eeuz6d-rN9Zj-o/s400/IMG_0277.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This summer, they actually had a lot of things I hadn't seen before at a Dollar Tree, such as these magnetic speech bubble dry erase boards. You could use these in so many ways! I was thinking I could make some sort of area on my magnetic cabinets where I'd post a student's picture and have them write something about what we are currently learning about: a math fact, something new they've learned, their favorite thing to do at school, etc... the options are limitless! You could also use them as an adorable label and change it out when you need to, since they are erasable!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Duo65tclJfxl6CVsSxNNU3s0pl-zyqvs58fK3ApKt3oZPW73oOOhuEpy6Nrm-yMziA8gBTffCCX0kP4EMHicmiuEtrsmmgpMod5XcKsEHf-u0ZwD1ed7W2Gn8YG32DAnbUpRdLHEIfql/s1600/speech+bubble.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Duo65tclJfxl6CVsSxNNU3s0pl-zyqvs58fK3ApKt3oZPW73oOOhuEpy6Nrm-yMziA8gBTffCCX0kP4EMHicmiuEtrsmmgpMod5XcKsEHf-u0ZwD1ed7W2Gn8YG32DAnbUpRdLHEIfql/s400/speech+bubble.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another great item I was able to score at Dollar Tree were these colorful, big, plastic tweezers. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrim7K68BG85plxeuFirCpuWoyefLTJZ80lkhu6nPRu50f9ewLqpKlng1QOQYPAPGxzX203FJD_NQTH8X7UjdWLvEJptOv2d70tKwAc17QJKgKaa3eUbR_6J9oF2uupPFOfDLRmKPEV-0/s1600/tweezers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrim7K68BG85plxeuFirCpuWoyefLTJZ80lkhu6nPRu50f9ewLqpKlng1QOQYPAPGxzX203FJD_NQTH8X7UjdWLvEJptOv2d70tKwAc17QJKgKaa3eUbR_6J9oF2uupPFOfDLRmKPEV-0/s400/tweezers.png" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">These are GREAT for helping students develop strength and fine motor skills. I plan on using these in many different center activities where they'll have to pick up items with tweezers to sort them instead of just moving them around with their fingers. And don't even get me started on how completely excited your kiddos will be to use these! It can put a fun twist on any learning activity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are some other favorite Dollar Tree finds:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Recycling Game:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is a magnetic sorting game that I can't wait to use with my kids on Earth Day! It has tons of pieces to help students sort items by plastic, paper, and aluminum. Such a fun hands-on activity!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Big Foam Dice:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can't get enough of these giant foam dice that come two to a pack! You can't find jumbo dice like this ANYWHERE for the price of a dollar. They are very durable and I use them all the time in my classroom to play dice games in both math and reading centers.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Magnetic Mirror:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I love these! Mirrors can be used for so many different things. I plan on using a couple of these in guided reading groups to help my kiddos struggling with articulation of sounds so they can see how their mouth moves when they attempt to say them correctly. I also have one for a non-educational purpose: making sure I don't look completely scraggly after school if I'm headed to a parent or staff meeting! You know how we all feel and look at the end of a school day! Ha!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hope these affordable classroom ideas brought a little sunshine to your day! Be sure to link up with us over at <a href="http://hellosunshineteachers.blogspot.com/2015/09/sharing-sunshine.html">Hello Sunshine</a> to share some sunshine (and read about other bright ideas) today and then again on the 15th of every month!</span></div>
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The Kinder Gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14299251361580074748noreply@blogger.com2