Sunday, September 30, 2012

Book of the Month Blog Hop for October

I am linking up with Tammy @ 1...2...3... Teach With Me for her Book of the Month Blog Hop.
Come check out the Hop for some great read alouds for your class and join in to share some of your own.

Little Mummy isn't afraid of the usual scary Halloween sites but he IS scared of a wee little Mouse.   The rhythm & repetition in this book make it easy for my firsties to join along in the reading a few pages in.  The illustrations are wonderful.
If you liked Bats at the Beach, you will fall in love with Bats at the Library, too.  In this story, the bored bats find an open window to a library and go on quite the adventure.  Pay close attention to the illustrations.  I love the rhyming text and use this book for Round up the Rhymes Activities.

A Must Have for the month .... Halloween Is... by Gail Gibbons.  Halloween is  is a nonfiction text filled with information about the origin of the Holiday and how we celebrate it today.  I love to use Gail Gibbons books when students are learning about nonfiction text features and learning to write their own.


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Saturday, September 29, 2012

Math Review = Fun!

Today was review day for math. I had a two sweet moms and a lovely grandmother come in today to help with math centers. It was great because I was able to put students in groups of 4 to better meet their needs.
Center 1:   Shake those Beans from Made for 1st Grade to explore Ways to Make a Number.

Center 2:  Smore Fun from First Grade and Fabulous.
I used this center to have students write addition sentenced.
 They added marshmallows + graham crackers.  
Isn't it just adorable!
 Center 3:  Counting On & Back: Monster Style
created by me.  Get your copy here.

 Center 4:  Having a Hoot with Tens Frames also created by me.  Get your copy here.  This set contains multiple games.  Today, students worked on "Making a 10."

Center 5:  Dice Addition:  Easy enough.  Students roll 2 dice & write the addition sentence that goes with it.

 Center 6:  I worked on understanding the equal signs with my students in small groups.  It has been a tough concept for them this week.  So, first we worked on problems paper pencil style & then I showed them how to play "Equal Signs Bug Me!" 
Get your copy here.


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Thursday, September 27, 2012

First Grade Common Core

     Last year my district switched over to the Common Core for grades K-2. I scrambled left and right to find resources & activities to go along with these new standards. I spent hundreds of dollars out of my own pocket on TPT and created many activities myself. This is now my second year and I am still scrambling.
     I just found an awesome resource thanks to Dana @ Fun in 1st grade.  It is called "First Grade Common Core" Workbook.  This book contains over 550 pages of worksheets, centers, and posters for math and ELA.  I can't wait to get my hands on this resource. 

     Bloggers can receive a free copy.  To find out how, click here.


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Saturday, September 22, 2012

Happy Fall Y'all

Fall is my favorite time of year & it begins today!  I think my hubs and I should hop on the Harley and ride for a while.  

To celebrate myself and lots of other bloggers are having a 20% off sale.  It ends Sunday evening.  Click here to go to my TPT store.
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Friday, September 21, 2012

Zoom Balls - Push & Pulls

The zoom ball shows how forces of push and pull can work together.  When Partner #1 pulls the cords outward on one end, the Zoom Ball goes flying to the other side, as long as, Partner #2 pushes their ends together.  The pushing action of the cords against the opening of the bottle sets it in motion.  After the Zoom Ball reaches Partner 2, he sends it back by pulling on the cords while Partner 1 pushes on their cords.   If both partners pull the Zoom Ball will go to the middle and stay.   It takes opposite forces working together to make the Zoom Ball work!

The little boy on the left is my BEST Friend's little boy since 3rd grade.
She is a teacher assistant in the room right next to mine and he is a doll!
He had to practice a lot not to call me by my first name or refer to me as "Tanner's mom" while at school.

If you want to make one for your class here's how:

      

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Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Coaching Sheet for Partner Reading - Freebie

My class has been working on building our stamina for Read to Self.  Last week, we began Read to Someone.  My students are just about ready to learn how to be a "Reading Coach."  I made this cute Coaching Sheet for my Firsties and wanted to share it with my Blogging Buddies!
Just click on the picture below to get your copy.
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Saturday, September 15, 2012

Counting On & Back Monster Style Giveaway

Fall is my favorite time of the year!  I love the cool weather and the chance to bundle up in my favorite pair of blue jeans and sweatshirt.  The colors on the trees are absolutely amazing - a beautiful reminder of WHO is really in control in this crazy world.
Not to mention the best holidays are in the Fall!
So, I am gearing up for the Halloween Season with this cute game where students will practice counting on and counting back.

Enter to win your very own copy of my newest math game!


If you gotta have it now, go to my TPT store to purchase.



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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Tell Me Something Good Linky


Just in the knick of time I am linking up with Jennifer @ Rowdy in First Grade for her Tell Me Something Good Linky.  I know I am not the only one in the teaching world who feels like they are barely staying above water with all the demands and to-dos of teaching!  I am exhausted every day and never seem to complete what is on my to do list.  What a perfect time to be reminded of all the good in our lives.
Something Good about my First Grade Team:
      This summer, my team read 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp.  Ann challenges you to pay attention to your many blessings, no matter how small, and not focus on the negative.  One of our team members gave us all a notebook to keep our list of blessings in this year.  She knew we would need reminding of all the many joys we see daily in our classrooms and school. 
Something Good about my Class:
      I have a sweet little class of 22 munchkins.  They are kind to each other and get along well.  It is day 11 and so far I only have 1 tattler, which is so much less than normal.  (I feel like I should knock on wood!) 
     The owls in my classroom are such a hit with my students!  Not to mention, they are really cute!

Something Good from Home:
       Just celebrated my daughter's 19th birthday with family over the weekend.  I am so blessed to have a close family with most of them living close by. 

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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Currently

Currently, I am without internet service at home!  Boy, do I miss it & NEED it back for school work & fun! 
I am linking up with Farley once again as the calendar turns to a brand new month.