February is Random Act of Kindness month but there is no reason this can't go on all year long. I am one of the teachers in charge of Student Council at our school and we are promoting this throughout our school and home. Kindness is Contagious! Here are some pics from my classroom. The first grade assignment was to write a class book to our principal titled "What Does the Principal Do All Day?" The first grade classes had such a blast writing these. The principal is going to absolutely love reading these books. Out of the mouth of babes! If you look at the above pic take a look at the arrow. I had to leave the room after I saw this pic. He is going #2! I had him leave that part out but I can't wait to show him this pic after all is said and done! I provided 8 different book covers (male and female) with full color and black and white options. Here is a sample of some of the graphic organizers I included. I left some … [Read more...] about RAK PACK
Camp Kindergarten Family Literacy Night
I am so excited to share some amazing ideas from our Kindergarten team at my school. We are lucky enough to have a corporation foundation that offers grants about 3x/year. Our awesome kindergarten team wrote a grant for a family literacy night with the families at our school. They went with a camping theme and it turned out absolutely amazing! The team put together the above flyer with directions for the parents that attended. I love how they incorporated technology by using the QR codes! The various QR codes went to various camping songs for the families to enjoy while "camping". They had display signs complete with directions for every activity available. All of the activities had an educational spin to them. This showed our families how fun you can make learning. There was a big emphasis on sight words and CVC words. The team purchased a ton of Twister games and made them into sight word games. They made the pockets out of sheet … [Read more...] about Camp Kindergarten Family Literacy Night
December fun!
Well, I just got back from a MUCH NEEDED vacation in St. Croix! I still have several days of relaxation and then back to work. Here are just a few pics from our vacation............. Have you ever heard of "island time"? Me either! Um....it's equivalent to the idiom "slow as molasses". This city girl does not have the patience for "island time"....at all. I thought my head was going to pop off if they didn't move faster. If you are rude...you are inviting them to move even slower. Did I have fun? Absolutely! My husband and I had a wonderful time reconnecting and disconnecting from reality and it was much needed. If you decide to go here...don't be in a hurry....EVER. And if you like a cocktail or two, order 4-6 at a time. I'm not kidding! Now for some pics from our fun filled December! These are my top 5 AR test takers and they received this warm fuzzy as big as their head.... that is worth a whopping 200 fuzzies. … [Read more...] about December fun!
Elf in the Classroom
I can't believe I am going on my fourth year of doing the #elfintheclassroom! Where has the time gone? I get completely and over the top obsessed over this #elfintheclassroom every year! I can't wait to show you what I have planned for the elf arrival! I have included all of the above which is pretty self explanatory. Click on any image for a complete description. In the meantime, take a trip down memory lane and check out some of my previous #elfintheclassroom escapades. Click on each year to go back to that post. Here is another post from 2012! TONS OF IDEAS! Last year, Michelle from Apples and ABC's and I teamed up & hosted 2 linky parties. If you use the hashtag #elfintheclassroom on Instagram you will see a TON of other ideas for the elf in the classroom. Week 1 Week 2 I created The Ultimate Classroom Elf Kit last year but never blogged about it...whoopsie. I added nearly 30 pages of fun! … [Read more...] about Elf in the Classroom
Handprint Calendar Tips
I get lots of emails and questions about how I do things in my classroom. There is never a day that goes by that I don't learn something new or get a tip from another teacher in my school, on IG or FB or in blogland. Do you ever have those "duh" teacher moments? I do. Daily. This was one of those "duh" moments. My friend Stacey over at Teaching Ever After is also doing my handprint calendar with her class and even her own children. Check that out here. We were having our weekly grade level meeting discussing who has what paint and when are you doing this...when are you doing that...etc. We all had different ideas on how to get this done efficiently with little teacher or student frustration. Stacey decided to bind her calendars first! Unfortunately, I had already started BUT paused my class from gluing. Binding the paper first is genius. GENIUS. I will no longer be losing my mind trying to mentally figure out which way to glue the … [Read more...] about Handprint Calendar Tips
Handprint Calendar *Updated*
Guess what? The handprint calendar is indeed updated! Yay! You're welcome! Personally, I have not yet started. I work way better under pressure. I did not start until after Thanksgiving last year, moved schools & still was able to get 24 calendars done! Bam! Here is what is brand spanking new this year! The biggest request was to have a boy and girl option. Nikki from Melonheadz heard my whining, begging & pleading all the way from Chicago and gave in to my updates. I.love.her! So....you now have the boy and girl versions (color and black & white)! There couldn't possibly be any more requests (I hope not)! When these were passed out there were tears of joy! That my friends is priceless! http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Handprint-Calendar-Gift-968614 I will have this gift that keeps on giving on sale throughout the week. I "plan" on getting started after … [Read more...] about Handprint Calendar *Updated*