Rulin' The Roost

Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner!

2012-04-27T22:06:00.001-04:00

I CANNOT believe the amount of people who have stopped by my lil blog in just a week's time! Last week at this time, well a day earlier-I was JUST at 100 followers---a week and a day later-I'm at 135?! I was also around 9,000 views---today I'm at almost 14,000! W.O.W.! I appreciate all the comments--and for you stopping by to check out what I'm doing or to get a new idea! I love getting to know people, regardless of where you are and what you teach! I'm inspired by you to do more, share more and THINK more.

I wanted to thank my followers by giving out my new "Making (Common Core) Waves" math games. I thought long and hard about what it was that I needed my kiddos to know before moving on to second grade-that is aligned to the Common Core Standards. Since our curriculum was aligned to it this year, I had a full year with it. I could have added a few more things, but I felt that what I had was a good variety. These games could easily be used as assessments for the year too! Check out the descriptions of the games on my TpT page (click on the picture)

And----the part you are all waiting for---Congrats to

I'll be emailing you shortly! I need to figure out how to get numbers next to my comments to make this easier on me next time! :P

I found another great give-a-way if you'd like to win something else! Check out Krista at Stellar Students for a great give-a-way that I'd love to win! :) Congrats on her getting to over 200 followers! Can't wait for that! :) (click on the picture to take you there!)

Another Math Game-Flower Power (Freebie!)

2012-04-25T07:55:00.001-04:00

I wouldn't say that my kiddos are getting bored with the math games we have out, but I have found them to be rather loud lately when they play their math games. In my room, I teach a lesson, they practice with a worksheet or game. Then they go to their "math drawer" (my variation of math tubs) and when they finish that work, they play math games with partners. My math games include many of the things I have posted on here, plus some that I created YEARS ago, that aren't as cute. :) (such as memory games where they match a number sentence to the answer.)

I created this game yesterday that we will be playing today. It is a variation of "War" or "Compare" or "Top It" (Those are all the names that I have seen the various math programs use.) There are number cards (40-99) and cards with either the word "Tens" or "Ones" on. Directions are on the file, but the kids will divide the number cards evenly between themselves (I will have only 2 kids play together because we have other things to choose from, and I find that more than 2 creates an even louder environment.) They will keep their number cards in a pile, face down. The "tens" and "ones" cards will be face down in a separate pile. I have written on the directions that you might want to copy those cards on a different color, though I didn't. My kids will just separate the cards first. Students will turn over a number card, then a "tens" or "ones" card. They will look at the number in that place and whoever has the higher digit gets to keep the cards. Game is over when all of the cards are gone. The person with the most cards is the winner.

You could also have the kids play and the least number in the place can be the winner!

Click on the picture to grab yourself a copy. =)

Don't forget to check out this post for another freebie (2D and 3D shape booklet) and a little note about the new math stations I'm making----and a chance to get a copy for free by leaving a comment---but please leave your comment on that post so that I can randomly choose from that post!!! I also have the same contest on my Facebook Page! There's a link to it on the side bar :)

Have a great day!

Contests, Shapes and Summer! (Freebie and Giveaway too!)

2012-04-23T13:09:00.001-04:00

I'm linking up with Manic Monday on Classroom Freebies! Thanks for stopping by!

First, this weather we had this weekend was just completely strange! Saturday was BEAUTIFUL! Great day for my little one's first baseball game of the year. Then, we weeded and mulched half of our house... Stormed... rained all day Sunday. Rained all night.... Monday---still raining! Thank goodness it wasn't raining at recess time! BUT! Now, instead of shorts and t-shirts like Saturday---I really think I need my winter coat back out! I think I even saw that there were snow flurries possible this week! C.R.A.Z.Y.!

Anyway-along with my giveaway this weekend-there were so many other good ones too that I entered! I'm so excited to have won a year for the Samson's Classroom website! I already set it up for my students to start using ASAP! I won it from the lovely Lori over at Teaching With Love and Laughter. Winners of our big giveaway will be announced once Trisha at First Grade Frosting has time to pick names!

This week in Math we are going to explore 2D and 3D shapes. I created a cute little booklet for the kids to complete while they learn about the attributes that make each shape the shape it is (as well as discussing what attributes do NOT make a shape---color, size, etc..) I also made sure to include the shapes listed in the Common Core Standards (half circle and quarter circle) and added 2 extra 3D shapes (sphere and pyramid) that weren't listed in the Common Core Standards, but felt the kids could know those too (if they don't already)! The booklet only has them listing what the shape has and space to draw pictures of the shape. They can draw the actual shape, or draw something that is that shape... or even bust out those magazines and have students cut and paste the shapes! (OR-even add more technology and have the kids go on a shape hunt and they can print and glue their shapes they took pictures of!) Click on the picture to grab your copy. (when you print it out----in order for it to copy correctly double sided, turn every other page upside down-and make sure to keep it in order so that the 2D and 3D shapes stay together in the booklet.)

(I changed the cover of the book to have a different title since taking this pic. I'll upload a new one once I get a chance to upload more pics!)

(Inside pages-this is actually 2 pages because you'll fold in the middle to make your booklet.)

What I am looking for when we complete the book for the "has" part-is where we'll list the number of corners, sides, points, flat sides, whether it rolls or slides, etc...

If you read this far, thank you and you might be in luck! I have also been working on my last set of math games for the year (literacy will come after I complete this). Of course it has a "Beach" theme! I'm trying to tie in all of the important skills from the year that they need to know before moving on---and of course it is Common Core Aligned like all of my Math games. Because of all the generosity and kindness out there in the blogging world, I am going to offer someone a free set once it is finished! All you need to do is make sure you follow my blog and leave a comment about what you are looking forward to doing this summer. (Don't forget to add your email address---or make sure to keep an eye open for when I'm finished and announce who will be the lucky one to contact me.) :) The contest will end when I finish the unit. (I'm 1/2-3/4 complete) I'll pick someone at random once I am complete! (check out my facebook page and a second opportunity to win a set!) Here's a preview of the cover!

So far, the games included practice the skills of: greater than/less than/equal to, graphing, meaning of the equal sign, fact families, and shape composites! I have about 4-5 more skills I will address yet.

100 Followers HUGE Giveaway!!!!!

2012-04-19T21:04:00.002-04:00

I MADE IT TO 100 FOLLOWERS!!!!
Can you tell I am excited?

Tamera at My Heart Belongs in First and Trisha from First Grade Frosting have also reached 100 followers so we have teamed up for an even bigger giveaway!

Tamera from My Heart Belongs in First will be giving away three items from her TPT store (winner’s choice) to the first winner.

Trisha @ First Grade Frosting will be giving away a $10 gift certificate to either TPT or Amazon.com (winner’s choice) to the second winner.

Angie (ME!!!!) @ Rulin’ the Roost will be giving away one item from her TPT store (winner’s choice) to the third winner.

Here's how to enter: Jump over to First Grade Frosting to read what to do and to enter! We're using her blog to do the drawing from. (It's all the typical stuff-follow our blogs, TpT stores, facebook(me)/pinterest pages(theirs))

Please post your comments by midnight on Sunday! Winners will be picked Monday!

Thanks a million bloggy friends!!!! Never in a billion years did I ever predict or see all of this happening! I hope that you have found things worthwhile from my blog and that I will do my best to continue to provide more things for you that you find helpful!

5 Things I'm Loving in April! (linky party!)

2012-04-18T21:41:00.000-04:00

I LOVE April! There's so much to love------and not love on days, I suppose. Like today. I came across the Linky Party that Fun in First is hosting and thought that I would join in and get me thinking back on the positives again!

1. I am LOVING driving to work with the sun up. It's just so hard in the wintertime when I'm leaving the house in the dark! (My school starts at 7:50 and we have to be there by 7:40). E.A.R.L.Y!

2. I am LOVING being able to play outside with my 2 little guys AFTER dinner-burning off energy and stress.

3. BASEBALL!!! And, my oldest is starting his second season of little league---though this year he's not a Phillie.... he's a Red Sox! The Horror!!!!! :P Just kidding... kinda! ;)

4. I only have TWO more weeks of recess duty for the year! (I'd love to say I have like 20some days left... but we start after Labor Day and we're at 37 days left right now....)

5. Driving with the sunroof open! My 2 year old is loving this now. For the past 2 years, I could only drive with it open when he wasn't in the car. Now we can enjoy it anytime!!! I love the fresh air---even if my allergies are extra horrible this year!

What are you loving this April??? Join the party if you have a blog---or just comment below!

Click to follow my blog! I have some pretty exciting/fun/great news as soon as I get that number 100 follower!!!!!!!!! I hope it happens sooner than later! I don't know how long I can hold out! lol

Catch That Bug!!! (A Math Game Freebie)

2012-04-17T13:20:00.001-04:00

~~First!~~ Jump over to First Grade Frosting to read about our HUGE giveaway for us all reaching 100 followers this past week!! You can have a chance to win some great prizes, including any item of your choice from my Teachers Pay Teachers store!

I've been working on having more games in my math stations for kids to play when they are done with their work. I just created these little buggers for them, and thought I'd share with all of you, my bloggy friends! Directions are included on the first sheet. There are 2 "different" games----each with 2 versions using the 120 chart. They go perfectly with my Catching Common Core Bugs Math games! Click on the first picture to grab yourself a copy of my free games (it's on TpT for free) and the second to take a peek at my Common Core Bug Math games on Teachers Pay Teachers!

~~Click to be a follower so you don't miss out on other great free stuff! I wonder who lucky number 100 will be?!?!?!??!?! It's getting close!~~

Click to follow me on Facebook!

Have a BEEEEEE-utiful day!

Animals-Living or Nonliving

2012-04-16T20:22:00.002-04:00

I had quite the crazy and chaotic weekend-but that's nothing new! :P Saturday was getting things ready for my 2 year old's party and also getting my 6 year old's baseball gear! Sunday---PARTAY at Chuck E Cheese! Poor Carson doesn't get to have the Gymboree party that my oldest had at his age... their cut off is age 5, and half of the guest list is now 6-8 year olds! So, Chuck-E it was. He was NOT a fan of all that attention and was his usual momma's boy---but that's okay. I know one day he'll be pushing me away!

That afternoon----i had to take my 6 year old to Urgent Care (well, i was debating ER... but glad I chose UC) He face planted himself doing flips on his rings on his swingset, while wearing sunglasses..... he needed glue "stitches." Getting him in the car to go was a NIGHTMARE! But he made it there and thought glue was awesome. Totally beats the actual stitches he had on that same eye when he was like 2.... (and by the way-I was NOT around for EITHER accident! But was the lucky one to take him yesterday to get checked out.) We left the house at 3 and was back all glued up by 3:50! Urgent Care totally rocked! I've never used them before!

Anyway---sorry for the rambling of the weekend......

We are starting our animal unit. We always have saved it for the end of the year so that our kiddos can take a shot at researching their animals. This week we are focusing on what makes something living or not. Today we discussed and brainstormed some ideas. We discussed how it has to GROW and CHANGE on its own. Then we went outside since it was BEA-UT-I-FUL! We went outside to JUST observe. They were to look for at least 4 living and 4 nonliving things. When we returned inside, they were to draw and label their items.

Click on the picture below to grab a copy to use if would like! It's a simple worksheet, but the kids did so well with it---and they turned out beautifully! :) (copy the pages back to back to make a booklet) I also let my kids color in the lettering to make it theirs. We have content time at the end of our day and while they were getting ready to go home, they had a chance to color in the letters to make it their "own."

Thanks for reading friends! Click to follow me on Facebook! I'll be back in a few days to add some more things that I've been creating for our animal unit as well as some other things I have planned! Birthday "season" is over at my house, but baseball season has just begun. I am planning on creating one LAST batch of math and literacy centers to end out the school year------beachy style! My Story Problem books have been updated and created through the end of the year! Click on the pictures to see them at TpT!

(May-bug theme)

End of May/June---I'm actually thinking I may send it home with my kiddos for summer! I know that most of my kids LOVE doing these and they would love to have it for summer! Crazy kids! :P

I'm Having a Sale!

2012-04-15T07:17:00.004-04:00

Today is my baby's SECOND birthday! Where has the time gone! In honor of his birthday and tax day (even though taxes aren't due till the17th?!?!) Everything in my store is 15% off!!!!!!

Here's the birthday boy!

(He actually posed for me last week! Turned his Easter basket--bucket--upside down and sat on it so I could take his picture!!!)

Don't forget I now have a facebook page! Click HERE to go and "like" me!!!!!

Have a wonderful Sunday friends! It's supposed to be BEAUTIFUL here today and the next few days! (Go figure.... it's not my week out for recess duty, but it was last week...) :/

Earth Day Linky Party! (Freebies!)

2012-04-11T07:39:00.001-04:00

Check out Sunny Days in Second Grade for a linky party for freebies for Earth Day! I included my Earth Day Recycled Show and Tell------read here to get more info and to grab yourself a copy if you haven't already! My students have actually started to bring their creations in already! Can't wait to see them all! :)

Have a great day friends!

Getting to know you---through numbers! (Keep reading for a freebie!)

2012-04-09T07:53:00.001-04:00

First-I have to share that I had been working on a place value packet that I just finished and uploaded to Teachers Pay Teachers! I had created 10 games and activities that align to the First Grade Common Core Math standards. I have many variations of each of those games for differentiation in your classroom too! All you would need to do is supply the base ten blocks (and possibly dice for a few of the games!). Click on the picture to check it out!

I had to share an activity that I am sending home with my students for Math homework. I used to have each kid do a poster for their "star of the week" that I did in the past, however with out new schedule and our switching kids for classes, I just couldn't find a way to fit it in or get into a routine to do so... That gave me a little dilemma because I would have these posted for our Open House we have in early May. I thought more, and I realized that I won't have that much for my Math students' parents to see, since most of what is displayed in my room is reading related, as well as most of what is in the desks!

I had an A-ha moment! Each student is going to pick 6 numbers that describe themselves and we will turn this into a poster! I asked that they also send in 1-2 pictures to illustrate 1-2 of the numbers that they could place on the posters.

They were soooooo adorable working on this project before break. We have 1 hour for math. The room was almost silent for that entire hour while they worked! They all finished in that time too! I asked them to illustrate each number, but also have some kind of math involving their number in the box too. They came up with great ideas!

Here are some pics of what they did!!!!

Click on the worksheet to grab a copy for yourself to use in your classroom!

Don't forget to follow me to keep up with more freebies and giveaways! I'm nearing the 100th follower and am planning something special! Also-follow me on facebook too! https://www.facebook.com/RulinTheRoost

Hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend friends! We go back tomorrow. I can't believe that it's soon the middle of April! (and my second son's 2nd birthday!)

Easter Freebie

2012-04-02T21:46:00.001-04:00

Click on the picture below for a copy of my Easter ABC order that is out of my Easter Literacy Packet.

On a personal note, I had quite a horrible week last week that included me, an angry man in a car and a g.u.n. (not mine-I don't own one!) and police on the way to school. I've been keeping my mind busy and have finished my May Common Core Math Games! Wow-are they ever rigorous! As I have said before, I have been trying to design games that would match the difficulty of the math concepts that are being taught. I have 12 games included and a few "enrichment" versions too! And---it's BUGS! :P I will be working on one more set for the end of the year, and will spend some time this summer working on the beginning of the year! I only started doing this in January and have had such an overwhelming support from around the world that it has just motivated me to make more and make them better! Thank you SO much from the bottom of my heart for making me a better teacher along the way too. It's amazing what the internet can do. Click on the picture to check out my unit in more detail!

I started a Facebook page for the blog too! Come "like" me and get updates and links to more freebies (coming soon!) Hopefully the link works :) Click on LIKE or click here: https://www.facebook.com/RulinTheRoost

Hope you have a wonderful week. I'm jealous of all you on Spring Break now. We don't get things like that! I'm looking forward to our 4 day weekend instead :)

Eggs!

2012-03-28T22:02:00.003-04:00

So, I'm planning for next week, which canNOT come fast enough! Every year we have done the story Rechenka's Eggs (if you've never read this book, it is a great story. Click on the pic below to take you to Amazon to read about it.

After we read this book, we have students decorate hard boiled eggs (that we asked them to bring in). Each kid brings in 2, that way if one happens to break, there's usually extras. The students use CRAYONS to decorate their eggs any way that they would like. Once they are done, they choose a color to dye it. The eggs turn out SO beautiful! We started doing this a few years ago, and since then, it is what I do with my own children at home now. (There's also a Reading Rainbow for Rechenka's Eggs that we watch too that actually shows Patricia Polanco designing eggs like the story-minus the goose of course). Here are a few pics of my HOME eggs from last year. They are kinda hard to see in the carton, but a few you can see. The crayon color comes out so bright after being dyed!

Since we are having a 4 day week, I decided to make the theme "Eggs." Thursday morning we will read Rechenka and decorate the eggs. One other book I will be using is called The Perfect Nest. I just absolutely LOVE this book. If you haven't read this one, you definitely should check it out! (Click on the pic to see about it!)

Other possibilities are: Horton Hatches the Egg and Easter Eggs Everywhere. I'm still looking for additional ones since the ones noted above are so wonderful. :)

I quick whipped up some recording sheets to use next week. 3 are for reading responses and the last page is a writing activity for How to Find the Perfect Hiding Spot. The "Read All About It" page is a page that I have included in my Literature Circles packet that is posted on TpT.

And about that! I have finished my INFORMATIONAL book groups packet! This packet will also have role cards and worksheets for the grouping. Of course, I designed it with the Common Core Standards by my side, since we lack books to actually use. I wrote a grant to get some books, so we'll see if I can get some for next year! :) I'm very excited to use it with my kids. They have been doing a great job with the Book Groups from my story packet. I have actually added a few things to the file on TpT for it---so if you have already purchased it before this past Tuesday, go back and download it again!!! Click on the picture to read more about the informational book packet!

Back to the freebies! Click on the pictures below to grab a copy of the recording sheets that I have made up for next week. Graphics are from From the Pond and the 3AM Teacher. Sorry that this pic is sideways....

Thanks for reading and stopping by! I can't believe that I'm close to 100 followers! W.O.W.! I think something special will definitely have to happen when I reach 100! Make sure to follow so you don't miss it! :)

Earth Day

2012-03-22T21:54:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, we had an in-service and were going over the Common Core standards for Literacy. I'm a little less knowledgeable with those, as I am not on the committee to redo our LA curriculum, like I was on the Math. We got into a discussion on how to meet the Speaking and Listening Standards, which are new to us to assess. The topic of Show and Tell came up-which, we haven't done in YEARS because of the time frame, and well-it took away time from "other" things we had to cover.

Show and Tell covers MANY, if not all-depending on how you would run it, standards. My grade partners and I decided we wanted to re-institute Show and Tell this year, but have it more focused. Next year our goal is to have 2 kids share a day-which will give them about 2 times a month to bring something in. We do actually have kids do show and tell at the end of the year where they incorporate their Step Up To Writing techniques---but we'll definitely need to do MORE next year. We are *thinking* of having themed or content related show and tells for each month...

Next month we are going to have our students create something at home that is recycled. My son just did this at his Kindergarten enrichment (fancy word for-where he goes after his half day of kindergarten) :P They had a little art show where all of the rooms (it's a daycare too) created art that was "recycled" in some form or another. He painted over a cereal box and made it into a picture frame. In the middle of it was a drawing of himself (self-portrait).

We are going to have our kids fill out a short form to help them when it comes time to "present" their art next month. We will be planning on having students ask questions too-to cover that standard! :) The standards that could possibly be met through this are: SL.1.1, SL.1.2, SL.1.3 and SL.1.6

Click on the picture to grab yourself the letter and worksheet that we are going to have our kids take home to complete! We are going to send it home next week-to give them a good amount of time to complete it. (I have one with the dates filled in and from The First Grade Teachers, and I also have one with blank lines for you to write in the dates of when you would have your students bring it in) (NOTE: Download again, if you downloaded it before 12:12pm EST.... I corrected a mistake on the kid paper....)

Oh---also, I wanted to add that I am currently working (and almost finished) with an addition to my literature circle packet! This will include roles for INFORMATIONAL texts!!!! (now, I just need to find some good informational books to use them with......) Click on the picture to see my Literature Circle packet (for primary kiddos!).

Math Game Freebie

2012-03-20T09:25:00.003-04:00

I changed the graphics from my St. Patrick's Day +10 Roll to have an Easter theme and also an April Showers theme. Click on the picture to grab yourself copies! Like before, there are 2 versions of each. 1 for using 2 dice and 1 for using 3.

If you need math center/game ideas I have an Easter packet and an April Showers packet on TpT! I was in love with the bunnies, but then I created the April Showers and just LOVE the graphics for that one! Just a friendly reminder that my math games increase in difficulty as the year goes by. I try to create activities that they should be able to complete now (i.e. there is some place value and double digit addition/subtraction thrown in and no longer making groups of ten, etc..) I have been creating some review games for things that I notice they have either forgotten or could use a refresher too. Click on the pictures below to check out my stations! :)

Math

Literacy

OH! I just finished my Easter Story Problem Math booklet! I created 2 version with it. The first version is exactly the same template as the ones in the past, with room to draw/work and also to explain. The second version has a smaller workspace and larger area to write the reasoning with added lines and the word "because." I also included questions about fair shares within it (along with the usual problems that I have had in the past with +/- 10, missing parts, 3 digit. There is also double digit adding in it this time too!) Click here to see it! Easter Story Problems

Hope you are enjoying beautiful spring-like weather like we are! If not, so sorry.... :( but-the bad thing is that I have to keep reminding myself (and my students....) that it's ONLY MARCH! We still have quite a ways to go!!!!

My Week

2012-03-18T22:02:00.001-04:00

Wow, was that ever a LONG but short week?! This is what I accomplished somehow this week.

*My entire plans and copies for next week. The hubs is going out of ~~town~~ COUNTRY for the entire week, leaving Sunday morning... Which means I'm on drop off duty and pick up duty ALL week. (He's usually drop off since he goes to work MUCH later than I do. My school starts at 7:50...)

*Cleaned most of my room because it was our yearly Superintendent visit for the day..... sidebar here----she was in and talking to my kiddos and asked one student to tell her what she was learning in my class-----my lovely, spirited kiddo told her, "No." ?!?!?!?!?!?! sigh....... She then walked out. Guess she'll be remembering my room! :/

*Wrote 2 complete grants for our district educational foundation grants that they give out each year. Plus I'm 9/10 of the way through a third one that is for my team.

*Finished making party favors for my son's ~~birthday~~ BIRDday party. Finished gathering the rest of the supplies that I needed to get too....

*Fit in a haircut for the little bird, which was a nightmare. He's now at the stage of screaming hysterically, like we're really cutting his head off....... ugh. I remember going through that with my big bird.........

I know that there's more that I did, because as I felt it was a TON of work, once I put it out there on the blog--I guess it didn't seem like THAT much?? We had such a beautiful day for my son's party Saturday. He had an Angry Bird theme that I just loved getting into the crafty spirit for. Funny how different the weather is each year. We had to postpone his 1st birthday party because of snow! Today-it couldn't have been any better! I can say that it definitely has me itching for summer! (The swimming at his party today-indoors of course-didn't help the cause!)

I don't have anything free for ya this week since i was a bit preoccupied last week. Here's some pics from my room:

An example of my students' work with their story problems. I've now encouraged them to write what they did and also add "because" into their sentences. For that reason, I'm a little behind on creating April story problems because I want to rework the template a little to add more room for writing, since they are getting better at showing work in other ways. I will most definitely be working on these this week so I can get them copied for April, which is right around the corner!! This is the packet I'm using now------> March Story Problems

Working on their Math "drawers" I allow students to work anywhere in the room-except they may not be next to someone else with the same game (helps eliminate lost pieces...). I have drawers that I use instead of "tubs" and have 3 sets of games in each drawer along with recording sheets. The students' names are on the drawer for them to know where to go. Each day I move their names down.

Sorry for the sideways picture... i tried to fix it. I'll try again tomorrow. This is the "drawers" that I use for the math games. I do not have fancy name tags for this. It's just names written on cut index cards. Each day the names just get moved down one drawer (or to the top if they are at the bottom spot) Students come to this activity after I teach a lesson and they complete any work that is required for the lesson. They usually have about 20 minutes to complete. Once they finish, I have random math games that they play with others who are finished.

Here is a pic of the favors i made for my son's party: i forgot to get a pic of the magnets...... and there were no extras :( (I did NOT make the slingshot!!) :P

Kinder-2nd Linky Party!

2012-03-13T08:07:00.003-04:00

I have linked up with Jeannie at Kindergarten Lifestyle to share my First Grade blog for the Kindergarten through Second Grade Linky Party! Go check it out to see some wonderful blogs by some talented teachers!

Jeannie is also going to make a pinboard on Pinterest of all the blogs that join.

A New Look & Rainbow Adjectives

2012-03-09T21:01:00.000-05:00

I'm the type of person that JUST has to figure things out on my own. Blogging to you, is quite new to me. I wasn't happy with how things were looking, nor could I find anything that I liked----so I started googling and looking for ways to make it more appealing, and also JUST a little bit different than others. So, for now, I'm mixing a few different things with a header that I created myself. :) I think this blog will forever be a "Work-in-Progress." :)

Next week we will review adjectives-specifically with color adjectives. I figured I'd tie in the rainbow with it, since St. Patrick's Day is next weekend (not to mention my oldest's birthday party that I'm frantically planning and making things for!!!) I had the idea, but had to figure out how to make it the easiest way possible. When you download it, keep it in the EXACT order and the EXACT way it prints out. Every other page will be upside down. This is very important. Once it printed, copy it double sided. Then, you will be able to layer it and fold over to make a pretty cool flip book. Under each flap, have the students write a sentence using the color adjective. I am going to make sure my students write a sentence that does NOT say "The ball is red." But instead, model and get them to write saying something like "The red ball bounces high." I created 2 different versions for you. The first one already has the color printed. The second one will be black and white, so that students can color in the word/box (and also save ink---plus the indigo printed out a little bit off for me...)

Color Version Black and White Version

Don't forget to follow me so you don't miss out on freebies and ideas! I'm still loving all the "love" from your emails and comments :) It's amazing that there are so many different people from ALL over the world checking this blog out. Thank you! I love getting ideas and inspiration from others too-which is what makes this blogging "era" absolutely wonderful!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend and week! I'm going to be working on my soon-to-be 6-year-old's Angry Bird party! Which involves me making 60 pom pom red birds and 40 green pom pom pigs... and trying out my new found crafty-ness inspired from Pinterest and am also making some cute angry bird magnets (well, they are cute in my head---we'll see what happens to the final product) and will also be requesting the assistance of a certain 5 year old to make his "non-edible" birthday (non)treat for his friends in Kindergarten. (Melting more crayons, but molding into a football shape) :) (Then, I have 1 month to plan my soon-to-be 2-year old's party! That's right-my kids are EXACTLY a month apart--March 15th and April 15th!)

Check out my TpT store for more St. Patrick's Day needs! Literacy Games Math Games Story Problems

Book Groups and a St. Patrick's Day Freebie

2012-03-05T21:31:00.001-05:00

I LOVE book groups, but have never found a "good" template or job roles, etc. that has ever completely met my needs, nor has been very primary grade friendly. Now that I have started making my own things, I decided to work on this so that I can finally put them back into my classroom. I am SO happy to say that I have completed it and am actually very proud of what I created that I am the only one that ever uses them, I'm okay with that! I just posted it on TpT tonight. I created different roles related to animals and have recording sheets that I feel my students will do well with. We are in the early stages of completing them together with a book that I would read aloud to the class, just so they get used to the recording sheets. I have already had my students read a book together in a group, without jobs over the course of the past few weeks, when all were present. I have decided that all of this work will be done in class, as we now have a homework policy for our firsties that is only 10 minutes of work a night. I can't expect my kiddos to read a chapter/book AND complete his/her "role" for the next day or 2 days at home. Next week we will go full steam ahead with the groups and I'll see how it goes by only doing it in class.... I'm hoping for the best! Click on the picture to go to my TpT store to read a detailed description of what I created. I didn't want to bore you and have it here too. :)

With St. Patrick's Day coming up, I created a quick game for students to play with partners. There are 2 versions, of course :) Version one--students will roll 2 dice and add ten. They will find that number and cover it. They need 5 in a row to win. (They can decide what happens if the number they need is no longer available--lose a turn, roll again, etc...) The second version is for THREE dice. Same rules, just adding 3 numbers. (Covers yet another Common Core Standard!) ;)

Click on the picture to grab your copy!

(I have Common Core Aligned Math games and Literacy games/stations on TpT if you are in need!)

Hope you have a wonderful week! We are still finishing up Dr. Seuss stuff! AND OH.MY.GOODNESS! Have you seen the Lorax?!?!?!?!? They did such a fantastic job with that movie! My son and I saw it this weekend (while the hubs stayed home with the almost 2 year old, who is definitely already hitting the "terrible twos") :) If you haven't seen it------you definitely need to!!!! If you did see it, what did you think?!

Don't forget to click to be a follower! I'm getting closer to the big 5-0! (and almost to 100 on TpT!) W.O.W.!

Math Games; An FYI Post

2012-03-01T07:58:00.000-05:00

I wanted to give more information about how I do my math games. The math games I design are what I am using in my classroom with my kiddos. As the year goes by, the games get "harder," meaning that we are no longer working on those early math concepts from the beginning of the year (such as part/part/whole, and number combinations for 10, etc). The games match how we (myself and another first grade teacher in my district) created our curriculum this past summer to match the First Grade Common Core Standards and how we thought the pacing should be. We created the pacing, keeping in mind what our kiddos had struggled with in the past and making sure we had plenty of time to teach it and have our kids master what they need to. (ex... place value and double digit adding with regrouping!!) We were SO relieved when money was removed from our standards. It has become such a difficult task to teach our kiddos such an abstract concept---especially in a world where that uses credit cards 98% of the time! I would always have those kids who got it right away and those that are in second grade now that still have no clue....

Right now in math, we are working on place value and the 120 chart (soooo weird to say that instead of the 100's chart..) :) I do have to say that I absolutely LOVE the new standards. I feel that it ups the game for our kids and I am quite anxious to see how it plays out and how the kids take to it. (I have a love of math too----I'm always thinking about numbers, patterns..... just another reason I don't sleep at night!!!)

One thing that I had created and have on TpT for free is a game that helps kids understand the concept of the equal sign. What an important concept that we never really STRESSED so much to our kids. They really do think that the equal sign meant the answer, when really we need to be teaching them that it's kinda like a balance. One side is the SAME as the other side. A game that I used to first introduce it was my True/False Equations. They are looking at the number sentences and deciding whether they are true or false... Really thinking about if it's the right answer.. It still has them seeing it with an "answer" but it is the beginning of getting them to evaluate what's there. In some of my math games (which, I actually eliminated from my St. Patrick's Day and April Showers-- I believe--but it will resurface in May's games) is having 2 number sentences on both sides... (ex. 2+3=4+1) and having the kids decide if THOSE were true. That sorting IS included in my Dr. Seuss Math Games packet.

Click on the picture to take you to my TpT store to grab yourself a free copy of my True/False equations. It's an arctic animal theme again, but it could still work in your classroom for a few more weeks! :)

Last, I just wanted to say that I've only been doing this for the last 7 weeks. Crazy to think about what all I have created in that time. That being said, I do not have anything for the beginning of the year to post. (well, the first half of the year!) I will be working on those once I finish with the year. The last concept we teach will be Geometry and Fractions. We felt that we wanted our kids to end with a "fun" concept, that is FAIRLY easy for most students. (Plus there are SO many hands-on activities that we will have to do with the Geometry one specifically, to cover the standards! When better to do that than the end of the year when they are ready for summer!)

Thanks for reading! I know that I tend to get a bit wordy..... I'm working on that! (and trying to get better at uploading pictures from my camera so that I can share those with the world!!)

Random, Freebie and a Sale

2012-02-28T08:07:00.001-05:00

This week WAS going to be all about Dr. Seuss. But the more that I started planning for this week, it became a rather random week, ending with Dr. Seuss. First, we've been finishing up Mr. Popper's Penguins. This was actually my first time reading it! (It is a suggested reading for First Grade in the Common Core LA--for Vocabulary, I believe) Quick note-we started a new Vocabulary program this year that is just F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S! (Elements of Reading-Vocabulary; We do not have any of the other programs this company offers). Mr. Popper's Penguins uses SO many of our vocab words that we have learned so far this year, it's just incredible! The student's eyes light up each time a new one is read. So, it definitely was a good match to the Common Core and to our Vocab program! Too bad the movie is nothing really like the book..... I used to love watching movies and have kids write and persuade me to what I should do next year if I could only choose one thing (watch the movie or read the book). But I just don't feel right showing it.

So-Mr. Popper's Penguins is an alliteration! This week I introduced it to my kiddos. We read If I Were an Alliteration (found in our school library). The I was going to have the kids create their own alliteration. I had a "light bulb" go off right before I was going to have them figure out their own. We had been working on Alphabetical Order all year---I decided to have them get up and move to put THEMSELVES in ABC order. I let them decide how to do it (but I did step in and help the few that weren't so "motivated" to figure it out.) Then I wrote their names up on the chart paper in ABC order and they sat back down on the rug. They turned to their shoulder partner and brainstormed verbs to use with their names. (Not all were sitting next to someone with the same letter) It was neat watching them interact and help each other out. I need to give them more opportunities the HELP each other. They do work together to do things, but I think it's important to learn how to help each other and use nice words. :) The rest of the week we will be building more onto the alliteration. Today we will write Three Part Sentences (Who, does what, and finish the thought)---The first 2 parts are done from yesterday! Tomorrow we will be completing the Alliteration Activities that I have in my Leap Day Mini-Unit. I just added 2 pages of certificates for you to print out (on card stock if you wish) and give your students tomorrow when you celebrate this unique day! (So, if you have already purchased it---go download it again to have the current file!) Click on the picture to see it at TpT.

(I am NOT sure why there are funny things next to the date on this picture! I'll look into it---if it's in the file you purchased like that, please let me know and I'll upload again. They weren't there when I uploaded it yesterday!)

While you are at TpT, I have a great word sorting activity that will probably be in "season" to do in the classroom for a few more weeks! Students sort Long and Short O words to whether they are hOt or cOld. :) Click on the picture to take you there to grab it for yourself if you haven't already!!!

Last, thank you for your purchases, comments, emails, clicking to follow me, etc!!! I am grateful that I am able to share things with people, and that you find my thoughts and items useful! It is crazy to me to think that only a few weeks ago, I had 3 followers. Now I have 32 and growing! I have over 70 followers on TpT and you have put me in the top 100 for the past 3 weeks! Not to mention that I've had almost 4,000 visitors from ALL over the world! I am just in disbelief! :) I hope that I can continue to give and share things with you that you will find easy to use in the classroom! I'm working on a fun little adjective activity that I will post sometime before St. Patrick's Day---it has to do with rainbows and adjectives! If you haven't already signed up to follow me and are interested---click to follow! It will be coming soon! :)

BEST NEWS OF THE DAY! Teachers Pay Teachers is having a fabulous Once in FOUR year sale-where you can grab anything and everything you like for 10% off! Because of all of your awesome support that I wrote about above, I will also have my store on sale for 20% off Wednesday only!! The grand percent off will be 28% (almost 29 in honor of Leap Day) Please note the code (L2P9Y) you'll need to enter to get the additional 10% off---click on the picture to take yourself to my store! These sales do NOT come often on TpT. It's a great way to empty those wish lists! I plan on stocking up too! :)

I am currently working (and almost complete) with my April Showers Common Core Math games. I hope to have them posted, along with April Math Story Problem books by tonight for you to be able to purchase on sale for Wednesday! I'm not so sure that I'll be able to get the Literacy Games for it completed in time. I don't want to rush, so that it is a quality purchase.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Have a great day and week!
Angie

LEAP Day!

2012-02-23T09:59:00.001-05:00

I BIG puffy heart love Dr. Seuss. It grew even more when I was in high school. I was a baton twirler. My high school band didn't really have majorettes, nor did they really want us when they did... but I did twirl for a studio for over 20 years! I taught little 3 year-olds. Can you imagine how cute (and how difficult?!?) that might have been?! Well, in high school I got to twirl during the then Citrus Bowl. Not once but TWICE! My second and final time---the theme was Dr. Seuss! I got to be the Cat in the Hat twirling a baton! O.M.G it was SO much fun! (though, looking back at the awful costume.... ugh. A black, long sleeved unitard! With a big over-sized bow tie and a tall red and white striped hat. I still remember the song that we twirled to and it sings in my head often this time of year.... "Cat. Hat... it really is magnificiant... hum hum hum huuuummmmm...." Enough with that sidebar... it's not really a song that had been out anywhere.. possibly made for the 1996 Citrus Bowl halftime show...

So, I've been so consumed with getting things ready for next week with Dr. Seuss that I just kinda realized that we will actually be IN school for a Leap Day! The last one we had, well.... I don't remember it. I sat down the past few days and created some fun LEAPing activities that could fill up your day! It's packed full of Reading, Writing and Math. You can find the mini-unit here (click on the picture) ***If you've already purchased it, please go back and download again. I spotted a few formatting errors and also fixed a few sentences with the Venn Diagram cut and paste activity when I went to copy today!! Sorry!***

I thought that I would create a freebie for you to enjoy in your room too! I mean, it's not like an extra day out of the year comes often! ;) I took this FABULOUS kinesthetic class last year where we learned how to incorporate movement into learning. The benefits are just amazing, and it gave me new ideas on how to get them moving. Let's be honest. I'm not sure that there is a first grade classroom out there that DOESN'T have kids moving, but I was in a rut. I thought by having them move from their seats to the carpet or from station to station, that it was doing enough! Well, now that I've added "movement with purpose" into my lessons, I have seen such HUGE gains!

Here's a moving LEAP day freebie! You'll need to click on the link to my TpT store because of licensing issues (I can't give away freebies here unless I pay MORE money--so I'm directing you to my TpT store to download it for free). It is a "making words" activity. You will print out (and laminate) the frogs. The frogs have the letters for LEAP DAY FEBRUARY TWENTY NINE. I have 3 recording sheets to match whichever phrase you'd use. (I just wasn't too sure of how many words and how long kids would last with just LEAP DAY.) You will spread the letters throughout the room. Kids will "leap" to letters to spell words and "hop" back to their seats to record what they spelled! A few tips---you may want to either have additional copies of the letters, especially if you are using just LEAP DAY or you may want to section off the room and have groups stay in specific areas with all the letters there for them. (And most certainly, they do NOT have to leap and hop if the environment doesn't permit it!) ;)

Click on any of the pictures to grab your copy!

Let me know how it goes with your little leapers!

Dental Health Break

2012-02-20T21:37:00.000-05:00

Again, I had planned on having more posts on Dr. Seuss activities, but there has been a little snag in my plans on that. We have gotten word that we are not allowed to be using Dr. Seuss or Cat in the Hat on things that we are selling, but things are a little confusing so I'm waiting to see and hear more information. I was working on rewording things, etc, but because this just came out, I didn't want to "waste" my time fixing something that I may not have to, once things get cleared a little more. You may see some of my products on Teachers Pay Teachers change names (maybe even a few times till things get ironed out; we aren't supposed to have titles that are the same as someone else's too---so it gets a bit tricky) If you have purchased anything Dr. Seuss related from me--first, THANK YOU!! and second, I haven't created anything new-so don't buy another!!!!! ;)

Tomorrow, our grade is going to have a "Brush, Brush, Smile" presentation where they will have some hands on learning with teeth and dental heath. We've decided to take next week and focus on dental health, even though it really isn't in our curriculum (to at least teach it to the fullest, like in the past). I created a quick little mini unit that I posted on TpT last week that includes at LEAST 4 days of activities that you can fit in through all subjects, but it is heavily Reading/Writing related. I included a survey for Math and there's a page for making a collage of good and bad foods for teeth. I am planning on blowing that page up to the large copy paper size (the size is slipping my mind right now...) and will pick up a bunch of grocery store ads for them to cut things from. I think my favorite activity will be having the kids write their own Tooth Fairy Application. :) They loved writing the Elf Application at Christmastime. Click on the picture to see it on TpT.

We did find a cute little site that we are going to use in our computer lab time. If you have to teach your own lab like we do, check out this site: http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/health_games/dental/dental-jigsaw.html It isn't THAT exciting, but it's a way to incorporate Dental Health into that time too! I was thinking of having them draw a picture in KidPix and write a message related to teeth, but I need to get them "navigating" the Internet a little bit more.

Hope you had a nice weekend-and that you were lucky enough to have some extra time to spend with family. If not, just remember me in June, when you are out earlier and I'm still in school! :)

Thanks for all the comments and emails! I never thought that I would have so many people enjoying things that I have either made or done in my room. :) I also love hearing things that you do and checking out the awesomeness that goes on! I'd love to hear if you have any "tooth" technology things!

I promise-there WILL be more activities related to that author who loves to rhyme and has helped SO many of our little kiddos read, once I figure out more things involved!!!!!!! Have a great week! :)

Valentine's Day and a freebie!

2012-02-14T10:00:00.001-05:00

Valentine's Day has taken a different "feel" this year at our school. We are currently on the way to banning all food from school, other than lunch or things purchased through our food department. Knowing whether or not we/students were allowed to give candy with Valentine's was questionable. The verdict right now is that if they gave candy, they must take it home for parents decisions on what they may eat. So, I haven't really been in the "festive" mood. We've been doing a lot at home with furniture and painting as well as my daily work for school---that I'm quite behind. My youngest son, 22 months, JUST got his Valentine list for his daycare room on FRIDAY! I wasn't going to go out and buy a box for 6 kids.... so I got creative. We melted crayons in a heart shape to hand out. I originally found it in pinterest. While of course that idea is not NEW, I decided to give it a try. And OH.MY.GOSH! they turned out to be the CUTEST things..... that I just HAD to make them for my kiddos! Yesterday. That's right. The night before Valentine's Day! I googled searched for a "saying" cause I did not like the one on Pinterest, and figured there was something "cuter." Of course, I was right!

Here's all 32 of them for my classes. I should have made more, but ran out of time. My 5 extra math kiddos will just get a card from me this year :( (My 5 year old just told me last night that he needed Valentine's for his friends in his wrap-around Kindergarten class.... which happened to be 5 kids... sigh)

Up close of the cuteness! You can find the adorable paper at this blog here: http://www.ourbestbites.com/2012/02/how-to-make-muffin-tin-crayons-and-a-printable/

You'll need to scroll down to the end of her post to download it. The folded over paper has this cute saying on the back: "This may look like a sweet treat, but take note, it's not to eat! Just grab a paper an write 'be mine' and give it to your Valentine!"

Last week in Reading group, my kids were discovering more and more words that just aren't following the rules! It's so hard to explain to them rules... but then tell them that there are many exceptions. I was reading around the 'net over the weekend and came across this fun idea at First Grader...at Last and decided to give it a little "tweak" to fit my room and style. I can't wait to get them displayed with the kids! (I glued them onto some bright pink cardstock-for the correct spellings and black for the incorrect)

Once I get them back from laminating, I'll post a picture of how they look displayed in my room! Grab a copy for yourself here or click on the picture!!

Thanks for reading! If you like what you read or download-don't forget to follow me! I have more freebies and also have some freebies listed at my Teachers Pay Teachers store! I can't believe I'm up to 35 followers on that site! What a whirlwind the past 4 weeks have been! Thank you all for your support and Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you have a LOVELY day with your kids and loved ones! <3

Edited Feb 15, 2012: I added more words to the file above---is, done, love and give.

100th Day--Teaching on the fly!

2012-02-11T17:08:00.001-05:00

So, I had all of these plans for our 100th day Friday, but with all the different things going on at school this year (having 3 different classes for one!) I ended up doing things on the fly! Lucky for me the printer was next to my room-where I could print some stuff out to use!

First thing that the kids noticed was the streamers that they had to walk through on the way into the class. They had a blast with that, and well, did have to have a few reminders about treating things properly... After we switched for our Reading Block, we did was our usual Friday tests---spelling, vocab, etc... Then we read a few 100 Day poems and songs. Then-----I had each of my tables work together to complete a 100 piece puzzle! For a week where the full moon had really influenced our days...... they worked SO incredibly well with this! After that, I had them draw a picture of it and write a story about their pictures. They turned out so cute!

Then I had them search for 100 words to write. I had them broken up into groups of 10. They found 10 short a, 10 long a, 10 short e, 10 long e, etc, etc... And by then, it was time to switch for Math. In Math, we started with our usual routine things, and then had some hundred day math worksheets to complete while the other half were surveying the class and then graphing what they'd like to have 100 of! Students came up with their own choices. They were super excited for this. Not only do they like talking..... but using the clipboards was a special treat for this too! I think we could just give up our desks and use clipboards every day..... that would be a way to save some money! ;)

Of course, that was the end of our morning and it was time for our recess, lunch and special. In the afternoon we shared special 100th Day water bottles that they filled at home and had written clues about. I already redid the paper home for next year to include that students should be doing the writing and to not have peanuts come in the bottle... but they were cute. (I also think that I will be saving my own water bottles to send with them next year too... I like having things looking similar) We got this idea from Read, Write, Think.org.

After that, they had time to write about what they would be like 100 years later. I've always done the what they would look like at 100, but I thought I would make it 100 year LATER. They wrote what they wanted to accomplish before that time and also things that they'd like and not like to have 100 of. The last thing that many took home to do was a 100 search that I had created that day. It was just 100 many different times in a word search format. They had to find and circle all of the 100s. So.Much.Fun!

I actually did not leave the day with a headache as I had many times before. Teaching on the fly sometimes gets the best out of me. I guess I wouldn't say that it was completely on the fly. I DID have plans. I just strayed. ;)

I uploaded my file that I created to TpT. You can see it here. It's not that fancy, being that I didn't want to have graphics making it seem like a certain time of year. Usually our 100th day is around Valentine's Day, but sometimes with snow--it's much later! And of course, it's probably a little late for most people since our school starts later than everyone else.

Hope you all had a great 100th day! If you celebrated, what did you do to make it special?

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Story Problems

2012-02-07T20:40:00.002-05:00

I had previously posted about how I made story problem books for my students to use each month. We have just finished my penguin ones last week and have since started the February ones. I am pleasantly surprised at how well my kids are doing with them! I actually just praised them the other day for this. When they first started with me (remember, we group for math...) they thought they could just answer anything they wanted-but had NO idea about HOW they knew the answers. They would look at me like a deer in headlights. To them, I was just plain crazy because they just KNEW the answer---my brain told me!

So.... I thought I would have a few word problems a day for the students to solve. They would work independently, with partners, in groups, etc.... BUT... only a few were benefiting. I still had some that would not take the risk to tell me HOW and WHY they were doing things! Along came Grinch Day, and I found some great Grinch word problems. I decided that I would turn them into a booklet where they would have to explain reasons, and after trying to figure out the easiest way to do that, I thought about our "First, Next, Then, Last" worksheets we would use all the time in Language Arts-and my light bulb went off! I had them complete this with partners, since the day was more "fun" than actual instruction. (However---little did they know-they WERE learning!) Afterwards, the kids were smiling and I asked them if they liked that booklet-to which they actually replied that they WANTED more!

Here we are-1 full month into it, and they are actually doing well. At first, it was a little difficult for them to actually think about 4 steps they took to solve things. (And actually, I have had a few teachers have a difficult time breaking some down into 4 steps.) What I tell them is that sometimes we may not have 4 steps, but our first step could always be what our brain is telling us to do (add, subtract, etc...) and WHY... it may sound like this: First, I knew I needed to add because it had the words "how many in all." Of course, sometimes there may be 5 steps, so I tell them to combine on one or 2. It isn't a perfect solution, but it has gotten them to break down their thinking and to REALLY understand why we do things in math!

I have created March story problems already, but have started to think ahead to April where I may rearrange the page a little---giving them less space to show work and more to write and possibly taking away the scaffold a little bit and NOT having the First, Next, Then and Last... BUT, I may just wait till May for that (or I'll just make it both ways).

I thought I would give you a small sample of the booklets I've made. I included 2 from February and 2 from March. You can access them here

Let me know how they have worked for you! If you liked them you can find the full sets here for February and for March.

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