tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33252900447368894292024-02-07T23:40:52.783-08:00First Grade FascinationRebecca Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14001810252436625222noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-19096279779388788492013-10-02T23:33:00.000-07:002013-10-02T23:33:28.022-07:00Which witch?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aren't these just adorable??</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVcZSv4t-AvXriQFBJrygoWl0ZEITfwqrU7gvX9gC7zAApPVkMl0umYobWAC6Zz1Sx5ie_Win-cn8s66JtWb6NLbcOetXvThxInRCCQgdCUWjkpDgZsBHg7yZj5jyei1PcrBFeropzVwL/s1600/11.3.12+205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIVcZSv4t-AvXriQFBJrygoWl0ZEITfwqrU7gvX9gC7zAApPVkMl0umYobWAC6Zz1Sx5ie_Win-cn8s66JtWb6NLbcOetXvThxInRCCQgdCUWjkpDgZsBHg7yZj5jyei1PcrBFeropzVwL/s320/11.3.12+205.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I totally stole this cute craft idea from Ms. Leslie Ann over at <a href="http://lifeinfirstgrade1.blogspot.com/2011/10/cute-little-witches.html">Life in First Grade</a>! Well, not totally. I bought some Halloween scrapbook paper from the dollar bin at Target. I cut each sheet in half and that's what we used for the dresses. She now offers patters, but we didn't use them. Also, Ms. Leslie Ann ended up tying this craft to a sequencing activity. I went another route and had my kiddos further experiment with descriptive writing. I asked them to write 3 or 4 sentences describing what their witches look like.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I displayed the witches and their writing on a bulletin board. (I made sure they wrote their names on the back of each item.) The small pink square on each witch is a number I added using post-its. When people walked by they could read the descriptions and try to find the matching witch. After noticing the number, they would fold up the bottom half of the description and check the number on back. If the number of the witch they thought of was the same as the number on the back of the description, it's a match! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_33GOFuA3uUCRLbJJBrplQH8hvQ8NOV5qS472-zioK3G5AVc_NCfhcCUovA2eePsh4l4dcNLAztwZkuZH_9ZjkPY9si4T-cAypeN5_QtXeNa_vG78SWUxXMOZdbCcRX4hTJbZ8Kp_B4oB/s1600/11.3.12+203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_33GOFuA3uUCRLbJJBrplQH8hvQ8NOV5qS472-zioK3G5AVc_NCfhcCUovA2eePsh4l4dcNLAztwZkuZH_9ZjkPY9si4T-cAypeN5_QtXeNa_vG78SWUxXMOZdbCcRX4hTJbZ8Kp_B4oB/s320/11.3.12+203.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My sweet kids had SO much fun showing these off to the older students and making them guess which witch was theirs! If you want to give it a try, feel free to <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwRtgNEXGbuuNTdabl8zUlJ4b2M/edit?usp=sharing">download the writing sheet</a>. I did make a few design changes because well, that's what I do. Always perfecting... never satisfied... I'm sure next year it'll be something even different!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes.</span>Rebecca Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14001810252436625222noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-61571758962920068542013-09-17T23:52:00.001-07:002013-09-17T23:52:13.746-07:00Please and thank you...As you all know, I live in California (only for 10 more day... whooo hoooo). One MAJOR difference I noticed here vs. other parts of the country is this... We. Lack. Manners. Period. It's true! On any given day I can go about my business in the world and not here one "please" or "thank you." People are so consumed in what they're doing that they don't notice others. There's no holding the door open for the person behind you or, heaven forbid, letting someone go in front of you. It's sad.<br />
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Well, my mama raised me better than that! And I try to teach my students what I have been taught. At my school, in previous years we had a character education program that was taught by parent volunteers (allowing us teachers to get out and attend school wide staff meetings). As you can imagine, the kids got very excited when their parents came in. Most of the time was spent on classroom management and that didn't go over to well. Then the librarian tried to take over (bless her heart), but there's only one of her and tons of them. That, also, was an epic fail. The kids would come back to class afterwards with cute coloring pages, but wouldn't be able to tell me what they learned.<br />
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I decided that I needed something I could do myself, in the classroom, but wouldn't take a ton of time (because who has that). Behold... the Manner Planner!<br />
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It's a pack dedicated to teaching our little angels how to be little angels! I took 20 character traits and made them into kid-friendly posters. I added some cute little headers and buckets for bulletin boards. There's even a journal to collect their learning. See.....<br />
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Aren't those just the most darling graphics? I'm seriously in love with everything <a href="http://melonheadzillustrating.blogspot.com/">Nikki</a> creates! Anywhooser, if you teach character education in your class, head on over to<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Manner-Planner-878920"> TpT</a> or <a href="http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/arigminassian/manner-planner">TN</a> and pick this up. I'm positive you and your kiddos will love it! But wait, if you're one of the first 5 to comment, you'll get a copy for free! :) Just leave your email and a little mention of what you do to teach character education. Now go and enjoy your Hump Day!<br />
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Best wishes,Rebecca Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14001810252436625222noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-65633808612918528412013-08-25T10:37:00.003-07:002013-08-25T10:37:54.212-07:00Sad, Sad, Sad...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So if you follow my blog, you already know that the hubs and I are moving to Texas. Although there seems to be delay after delay, the house is coming along nicely! While moving to a new state may be one of the most exciting things I've prepared for, I can't help being a little bummed right now. And here's why... I seriously miss going back to school!! I miss shopping and decorating my classroom. I miss hitting up back-to-school sale after back-to-school sale and stalking the Target dollar bins. I miss planning the get to know you games and the tell me all about your summer stories. I miss the silly dreams and anticipation that always seemed to keep me up the last night of summer. And most of all, I SERIOUSLY MISS THE KIDS!! I am beyond blessed to have taught the past 7 years at a very small private school. The principal is welcoming me with open arms on the first day and I cannot wait for that visit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since I have no classroom to prep and no plans to write, I've got an abundance of time on my hands. And when I'm not creating goodies for my TpT store, I'm crafting up a storm! Our new house is going to be almost 1,000 square feet larger than our current one! That's a lot of empty corners and wall space to fill. Well have no fear, Pinterest to the rescue! And since I'm so nice, I'm going to be blogging and posting anything you may be able to use in the classroom. For starters...</span><br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/a/agminassianschool.org/file/d/0B87gZihgur6dS1oxUU93UlZJQkU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OrjXC5F4oJU/UhpAIZyv8hI/AAAAAAAABEk/N0r1bRYh0ik/s320/20130824_220114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't this the most adorable Halloween banner you've ever seen?! ;) It was super simple to create! Simple enough for anyone to create, really. So, <a href="https://docs.google.com/a/agminassianschool.org/file/d/0B87gZihgur6dS1oxUU93UlZJQkU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">click here</a> to print the pennants. Then cut, attach ribbon, hang, and enjoy! Well, maybe wait until it's October to hang, but you know what I mean! ;) Oh, and you may even think about laminating it for use over many, many years!</span><br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/a/agminassianschool.org/file/d/0B87gZihgur6dS1oxUU93UlZJQkU/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iA0fB1Dc42Y/UhpAojqymhI/AAAAAAAABEs/QXVvZNfQrh4/s320/20130822_203307.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And for anyone interested, here's the progress on my little piece of heaven...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(I can't wait until they move the gigantic storage container!) Only a few more weeks to go!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-34488107581053591912013-08-15T07:23:00.004-07:002013-08-15T08:00:46.634-07:00Happy, Happy, Happy...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am so happy TpT's annual Back to School sale is just around the corner! Can I get a whoooo hooo?!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/First-Grade-Fascination" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vlAA7TAkwT8/UgzjuFSrx8I/AAAAAAAABDM/ltRzzmcO2AI/s1600/bts2013-250x120-2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those of you who follow my store, you're already aware of the many new products I have put out this summer! If you're not a follower, what are you waiting for?! Go and check out some of my latest creations....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a chalkboard theme classroom pack (just add accents in your favorite color) which includes several editable pages</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-Chalkboard-Classroom-Calendar-and-Signs-Super-Pack-754059" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZPtLzoNWag/UgzfCWWV7MI/AAAAAAAABAc/aqP6s_Sjglw/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> a nautical theme classroom pack</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Nautical-Theme-Calendar-and-Classroom-Super-Pack-EDITABLE-737411" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-97c90AqCn9g/Ugzfkc7fycI/AAAAAAAABA8/OJ2asM3ygdg/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7ho5SERK50/Ugzfnl20ImI/AAAAAAAABBE/7j5o57mwEnQ/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E7ho5SERK50/Ugzfnl20ImI/AAAAAAAABBE/7j5o57mwEnQ/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ER4AJNjk7Os/UgzfoTTk9sI/AAAAAAAABBM/3pTsK6I0i50/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ER4AJNjk7Os/UgzfoTTk9sI/AAAAAAAABBM/3pTsK6I0i50/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">adorable door decorations for any bee theme classroom</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> some editable labels (in many themes)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-Polka-Dot-and-Owl-Supply-Labels-811915" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iakod9di-UE/Ugzf0f1O70I/AAAAAAAABB0/kZd_Vh5mWds/s200/Slide1.PNG" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-Polka-Dot-and-Owl-Library-Labels-811592" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ieP_3VNOTKc/Ugzf23TqfQI/AAAAAAAABB8/yXNbcohVvNg/s200/Slide1.PNG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">parts of speech posters for primary or upper elementary</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chevron-and-Polka-Dot-Parts-of-Speech-posters-809101" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ps16KQ8GHGk/Ugzf9iGcn3I/AAAAAAAABCE/VkQQXhO6pJo/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and (this is what I have been working especially hard on) a common core collection for second grade ELA</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/My-Common-Core-Collection-for-Second-Grade-808312" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SdxOZZUC4hk/UgzgIvgaFtI/AAAAAAAABCM/ydW9T26O7JY/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wON1NuFpyGo/UgzgXQmwaBI/AAAAAAAABCU/Qgot6IHzP5U/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wON1NuFpyGo/UgzgXQmwaBI/AAAAAAAABCU/Qgot6IHzP5U/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TrsXJbtDNV4/UgzgYTWYnjI/AAAAAAAABCk/wc1lnskxWYQ/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TrsXJbtDNV4/UgzgYTWYnjI/AAAAAAAABCk/wc1lnskxWYQ/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="150" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o6m_mS6mHrA/UgzgZ7DWSBI/AAAAAAAABC0/zx5mrkurJ2w/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o6m_mS6mHrA/UgzgZ7DWSBI/AAAAAAAABC0/zx5mrkurJ2w/s200/Slide5.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O0XygPaYOU0/UgzgaVeZdWI/AAAAAAAABC4/jZGre3wRvBc/s1600/Slide6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O0XygPaYOU0/UgzgaVeZdWI/AAAAAAAABC4/jZGre3wRvBc/s200/Slide6.JPG" width="150" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And <b>coming soon</b> (by Sunday, of course)</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RL5QaGs1uD0/UgztDpe1I1I/AAAAAAAABDc/kpWbeELF0bQ/s1600/Welcome+Back+Jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RL5QaGs1uD0/UgztDpe1I1I/AAAAAAAABDc/kpWbeELF0bQ/s320/Welcome+Back+Jack.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I know you're excited to get purchasing, printing and laminating but WAIT! The sale doesn't begin until Sunday! So add everything your heart desires to your wishlist for now, <b>jot down coupon code <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/First-Grade-Fascination" target="_blank">BTS13</a></b>, and set your alarm... only 2 more days to go! Happy shopping!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span><br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-82795049803930428262013-05-28T21:35:00.003-07:002013-05-28T21:35:42.930-07:00There Was An Old Lady Who...Don't your students just love these stories?! Mine get so excited every time they find an Old Lady book in our library. Feels like no matter how many things that woman swallows, it'll never get old for them! Well, I recently purchased There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Books from our school book fair. I read it to the kids and they were (not surprisingly) just as entertained as ever. That's when it hit me... Why not have the students write their own Old Lady story?! I became even more convinced that this would be the perfect assignment once I realized how much non fiction writing we have been doing (thanks Common Core). I can't wait to get started on this tomorrow and see their imaginations run wild!<br />
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If you're interested, you can pick up a copy for yourself at<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/There-Was-An-Old-Lady-Who-Writing-planning-and-publishing-711310" target="_blank"> my TpT store</a>. Or you could be one of the first five to leave a comment. Be sure to let me know about your favorite Old Lady activity and you'll get one for free! Don't forget your email address!!<br />
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Looking forward to letting you all know how it turned out!<br />
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Best wishes,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-22662499216052046822013-05-25T14:57:00.001-07:002013-05-25T15:03:15.307-07:00Turtles, manatees, sea stars and jellyfish... Oh my!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't tell you enough about how much inspiration you all out there in Bloggyland give me! A few months ago I was reminded of the amazing rain forest display <a href="http://teacherbitsandbobs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Teacher Bits and Bobs</a> does for their open house. I didn't want to copy it exactly (mostly because there's no way I could EVER duplicate something that awesome), but I wanted to do something similar. So, I decided to have a theme for my open house. I tossed a few ideas around and settled on an ocean theme.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each week I would introduce a new ocean animal. Honestly, since there are sooooo many to choose from, I picked the animals that I had books on and the kids were interested in. For each week we would read a few books and do some research online. (I have a projector system in my class that comes in really handy!) We would take notes and complete a few worksheets to record our learning. At the end of the week we would complete an art project for that animal. Then I would display everything on our bulletin board. Actually, I kept the art projects hidden until open house. I think it turned out quite nice...</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Manatees</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WrB1wufBrCM/UaEqKqJC1WI/AAAAAAAAA7g/UgZ1rEI7lb4/s1600/5.25.13+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WrB1wufBrCM/UaEqKqJC1WI/AAAAAAAAA7g/UgZ1rEI7lb4/s320/5.25.13+013.JPG" width="240" /></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--C4ccN15MC4/UaEqHeb_L-I/AAAAAAAAA7U/lfBxNv1vh1M/s1600/5.25.13+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--C4ccN15MC4/UaEqHeb_L-I/AAAAAAAAA7U/lfBxNv1vh1M/s320/5.25.13+006.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each student wrote something they thought they knew about manatees on a post-it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our art projects...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hwwujFV-4FY/UaEqthR31cI/AAAAAAAAA80/2ic4Jo3GQbg/s1600/5.25.13+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hwwujFV-4FY/UaEqthR31cI/AAAAAAAAA80/2ic4Jo3GQbg/s320/5.25.13+095.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sea Stars</b> </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqOWm4YT2M8/UaEqkB3YFrI/AAAAAAAAA8c/Aj65YRChgy4/s1600/5.25.13+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqOWm4YT2M8/UaEqkB3YFrI/AAAAAAAAA8c/Aj65YRChgy4/s320/5.25.13+092.JPG" width="240" /></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5Kf5AIioxA/UaEqX_pEe0I/AAAAAAAAA78/rUjJQ9f8HU4/s1600/5.25.13+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5Kf5AIioxA/UaEqX_pEe0I/AAAAAAAAA78/rUjJQ9f8HU4/s320/5.25.13+035.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I proposed three questions before we did any research. The students answered each question. Later, we reread the questions and decided on the correct answer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We wrote the can, have, are on our worksheets and then on the pick sea stars you see at the bottom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the art project, I had the kids draw a star on paper and cut it out. Then we used pastina to add some texture to our stars. Warning, glue bottles may get clogged with pastina! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFUjorcAp1A/UaEqart7k1I/AAAAAAAAA8M/og4IMryPUsQ/s1600/5.25.13+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gFUjorcAp1A/UaEqart7k1I/AAAAAAAAA8M/og4IMryPUsQ/s320/5.25.13+089.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> After drying for a few hours, I taped them to another piece of paper. This helped A LOT! The students were able to hold the larger paper which kept their star still while keeping the paint off of their desks. Next, I had everyone paint a first coat in any color they choose. Then I added a little black OR white to their bowl and mixed. Last, they used to the new color to add stripes or spots to their sea star. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here students wrote their schema on the tentacles. They thought that was hilarious BTW! The purple fish are the "cans," the pink fish are the "haves," and the green fish are the "ares."</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TnZIWnY8Q18/UaEqwWz8pvI/AAAAAAAAA88/nYqaXiseASQ/s1600/5.25.13+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TnZIWnY8Q18/UaEqwWz8pvI/AAAAAAAAA88/nYqaXiseASQ/s320/5.25.13+099.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Want to see the whole jellyfish board? Well then I hope you brought your time machine because someone forgot to take a picture of it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also spent a week learning about sea turtles. Check out my<a href="http://1stgradefascination.blogspot.com/2013/04/ketchup-and-bit-of-mustard.html" target="_blank"> previous post</a>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the art, they colored an outline and then cut it out. I stapled the shell together in a few strategic places (otherwise known as the labeled places) and viola!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--PuKP8uXMeY/UaEyxu382KI/AAAAAAAAA90/m9004HmaRBw/s1600/5.25.13+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--PuKP8uXMeY/UaEyxu382KI/AAAAAAAAA90/m9004HmaRBw/s200/5.25.13+007.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ej1DdJcrtQU/UaEyxt7FfxI/AAAAAAAAA94/tw-9FDNFRoI/s1600/5.25.13+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ej1DdJcrtQU/UaEyxt7FfxI/AAAAAAAAA94/tw-9FDNFRoI/s200/5.25.13+009.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, I took all of this down and decorated for open house. Out with the worksheets and in with the art...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gq2BIXSZql4/UaEwfyS4xZI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/jORdjO4KBco/s1600/5.25.13+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gq2BIXSZql4/UaEwfyS4xZI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/jORdjO4KBco/s200/5.25.13+127.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ADOKgX3DPAY/UaEwhPj3zBI/AAAAAAAAA9g/_hprPi8C9As/s1600/5.25.13+131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ADOKgX3DPAY/UaEwhPj3zBI/AAAAAAAAA9g/_hprPi8C9As/s200/5.25.13+131.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had the students fold a large sheet of blue construction paper in half and draw an ocean scene. Then I asked each one to choose a title for their book. All of their research was stapled inside. The scuba divers just completed the theme!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRfZrgRQ5ZE/UaEwV4tL9yI/AAAAAAAAA9I/bwPcy7zrQnk/s1600/5.25.13+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRfZrgRQ5ZE/UaEwV4tL9yI/AAAAAAAAA9I/bwPcy7zrQnk/s320/5.25.13+124.JPG" width="240" /></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TQVL9gC_Fs/UaEwZKY1jvI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/FJgvbAyc7r8/s1600/5.25.13+125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TQVL9gC_Fs/UaEwZKY1jvI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/FJgvbAyc7r8/s320/5.25.13+125.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See our jellyfish hanging from the ceiling?! We painted a bowl, let it dry and then added streamers. Simple and easy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perhaps their most favorite part... seaweed hanging in front of the door. They still won't let me take it down!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ft_GV_jNaos/UaEwi9zqruI/AAAAAAAAA9o/OXkg95VvIas/s1600/5.25.13+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ft_GV_jNaos/UaEwi9zqruI/AAAAAAAAA9o/OXkg95VvIas/s320/5.25.13+133.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, what did you do for open house?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-32050772095349271282013-04-09T20:47:00.000-07:002013-04-10T11:43:05.082-07:00Ketchup... and a bit of mustard...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First the ketchup! I can't believe how long it's been since my last post. There's sooo much to fill you in on! So grab a coffee and something to jot ideas down on. This is gonna be a long one...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's see, when I last left you we were wrapping up our Valentine's Day and teeth units. So, on to March... I usually make a pretty big deal about St. Patrick's Day in my class. I just love it! I'm not sure if it's because I find his story fascinating, because I get a kick out of the leprechaun who visits us, or because I just have so many cute ideas! Regardless, here's a snapshot of our learning...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I always begin by telling students the story of St. Patrick. In past years I would read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/St-Patricks-Day-Gail-Gibbons/dp/0823411737" target="_blank">St. Patrick's Day by Gail Gibbons</a>. This year I found an <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UociNQHztiY" target="_blank">adorable video</a> on YouTube that the kids absolutely loved! They even asked to watch it twice!! Then we completed a little mini book to retell the story. We ready several other books and completed many centers and activities. I like pictures better so here you go...</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/St-Patricks-Day-Shenanigans-activities-and-crafts" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6lG21QnjGAI/UVuOq0hJxJI/AAAAAAAAA0c/MORuxDGss4k/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhiEQmWsIjc/UVuOrjTNzFI/AAAAAAAAA0k/qcMNCCwPFho/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhiEQmWsIjc/UVuOrjTNzFI/AAAAAAAAA0k/qcMNCCwPFho/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kSPMgK2JNDo/UVuOCbpjYYI/AAAAAAAAAz0/r1G005QUx5U/s1600/3.11.13+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kSPMgK2JNDo/UVuOCbpjYYI/AAAAAAAAAz0/r1G005QUx5U/s200/3.11.13+003.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eub1t2YqP44/UVuOC_dbiVI/AAAAAAAAAz8/BR0DEE-Y2zI/s1600/3.10.13+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eub1t2YqP44/UVuOC_dbiVI/AAAAAAAAAz8/BR0DEE-Y2zI/s200/3.10.13+121.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uRkrHtbbHqc/UVuOTBat6JI/AAAAAAAAA0U/6gFf3p7uiX8/s1600/4.2.13+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uRkrHtbbHqc/UVuOTBat6JI/AAAAAAAAA0U/6gFf3p7uiX8/s200/4.2.13+090.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMGK6GC-fpc/UVuONOuAZUI/AAAAAAAAA0M/NnS6e10k65o/s1600/4.2.13+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMGK6GC-fpc/UVuONOuAZUI/AAAAAAAAA0M/NnS6e10k65o/s200/4.2.13+012.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since March is reading month, we completed many Dr. S related activities. Something new I added this year is Wacky Wednesday. This is one of those books that the kids love to read over and over. During the read aloud, it takes a good 30 minutes for me to get through the book because the kids are so engaged in finding wacky things. So... I decided to have a Wacky Wednesday in our class! Before the kids came in, I found 10 little ways to change the class...</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-arrCrWmPrwM/UWTavNQSCyI/AAAAAAAAA2s/tLCBsubR4Uo/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-arrCrWmPrwM/UWTavNQSCyI/AAAAAAAAA2s/tLCBsubR4Uo/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seriously, as soon as the first student walked half way into the classroom, the kids began noticing things! They are so observant! During writing, we jotted down a few of my wacky changes and illustrated.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w01pun2_Izc/UWTbBG2tcOI/AAAAAAAAA20/GvjskTRDA3c/s1600/4.2.13+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w01pun2_Izc/UWTbBG2tcOI/AAAAAAAAA20/GvjskTRDA3c/s320/4.2.13+040.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_qTgv3fXHoc/UWTbBmwIKLI/AAAAAAAAA28/gpCbH4SkXhg/s1600/4.2.13+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_qTgv3fXHoc/UWTbBmwIKLI/AAAAAAAAA28/gpCbH4SkXhg/s320/4.2.13+041.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQg7SpYDCj4/UWTbIdzIShI/AAAAAAAAA3M/SoPAg4v047c/s1600/4.2.13+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQg7SpYDCj4/UWTbIdzIShI/AAAAAAAAA3M/SoPAg4v047c/s320/4.2.13+044.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gStsXawXOd8/UWTbI_iu8nI/AAAAAAAAA3U/tar6XsrKS-I/s1600/4.2.13+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gStsXawXOd8/UWTbI_iu8nI/AAAAAAAAA3U/tar6XsrKS-I/s320/4.2.13+045.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have also spent some time recently working on similes. I got this adorable activity and glyph for free last year, but I cannot remember where I got it from! If you recognize it, please let me know.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-YCuxVN7sQ/UWTOW8vJZfI/AAAAAAAAA00/oDQl6ovnknA/s1600/cell1+371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e-YCuxVN7sQ/UWTOW8vJZfI/AAAAAAAAA00/oDQl6ovnknA/s320/cell1+371.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also completed this mini book courtesy of yours truly!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lJspEoV7QPI/UWWDXVHmocI/AAAAAAAAA30/r5ZJmd7WmnY/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lJspEoV7QPI/UWWDXVHmocI/AAAAAAAAA30/r5ZJmd7WmnY/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzT3yX0Ql3g/UWWDXn8BYFI/AAAAAAAAA34/1CrQ9eEXPi0/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SzT3yX0Ql3g/UWWDXn8BYFI/AAAAAAAAA34/1CrQ9eEXPi0/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZqp_tjdETQ/UWWDZIiVC0I/AAAAAAAAA4c/PimerN4mF4k/s1600/Slide8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PZqp_tjdETQ/UWWDZIiVC0I/AAAAAAAAA4c/PimerN4mF4k/s200/Slide8.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3V9RqT8q1cg/UWWDb9HTTBI/AAAAAAAAA4s/UO2iSebMkXQ/s1600/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3V9RqT8q1cg/UWWDb9HTTBI/AAAAAAAAA4s/UO2iSebMkXQ/s200/Slide5.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leave it to me to forget to take pictures of their work!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then we wrapped it up by reviewing similes and adjectives with Pop Rocks! This was totally stolen from Abby at <a href="http://theinspiredapple.blogspot.com/2011/09/flash-sale-descriptive-writing-activity.html" target="_blank">The Inspired Apple</a>. I just loved how much fun the kids had using all of their senses!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Somewhere in these past few months we also worked on long e words. Last year I came across Sheep in a Jeep, a poem many teachers use when studying ee and ea. My kids love any time they're allowed to use highlighters, so I typed up a quick copy and they went to town. Then we made sheep and practiced writing some of the words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Science has been fun because it's one of my favorite units... matter! I just LOVE all of the experiments you can do! For example, we had some liquid races...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and observed air taking up space...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IUX4RJ1nQTQ/UWTV97XzokI/AAAAAAAAA2U/tMgxgJIkk20/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IUX4RJ1nQTQ/UWTV97XzokI/AAAAAAAAA2U/tMgxgJIkk20/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_h4wdfVKJHQ/UWTWZ2AlgdI/AAAAAAAAA2c/cGjcbzUc7bA/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_h4wdfVKJHQ/UWTWZ2AlgdI/AAAAAAAAA2c/cGjcbzUc7bA/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This one blows students' minds! If you've never tried this, do it now! First ask students if they think you can put a piece of paper in water without getting it wet. Of course they'll all say you can't. Show students an "empty" container. Tape a piece of paper to the bottom. In a large bowl or bucket of water, place the container face down on the surface. Make sure it's flat so that you're trapping air. Then submerge the whole container! Be sure not to tilt the container to either side! Lift straight up and reveal the still dry piece of paper. The kids had a lot of fun trying their hand (HA) at this! Just remember to keep a few paper towels laying around! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This year I decided to have the students keep track of the things we're learning in a little matter mini book. We're still working on it, but so far I love how it reinforces what we've read. Reading this is going to be a great review before our assessment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am always interested in what's going on over at <a href="http://teacherbitsandbobs.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Teacher Bits and Bobs</a>. They have so creative and I can only imagine how much fun the students have while learning! Every year they complete a huge rain forest unit. Then they decorate their class with all of the related art projects. What a great idea to wow parents for Open House, right?! Well, it just so happens that my students and I love all animals! We are even going on a field trip to the local aquarium! So... I decided to start my own ridiculously long unit in an attempt to enhance learning and transform my classroom. Instead of going with a rain forest theme, we are diving into the ocean!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So far I have plans for about 5 animals. We will focus on one each week. Last week we began with sea turtles. First I gave each student a blue circle (bubble) and asked them to write something they already know about sea turtles. Then, I had a super old phonics take home reading book with the perfect nonfiction story for the kids to read! We also researched sea turtles online and in my life cycles book. After reading, we recorded our new information on different worksheets and I put up this bulletin board</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The blue bubbles at the top are their schema, green words label the picture, white eggs match our can/have/are tree map, bottom left worksheets illustrate the life cycle, and bottom right worksheets are our research notes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are going to save all of our research notes as we work. After learning about all 5 animals, students will pick one to write about. This will be a good opportunity for them to practice staying on topic and writing supporting sentences. I'll let you know how it turns out...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>And finally</b>, and completely non teaching related, I have a BIG announcement! I am moving to Texas!!! That's right! From crummy Cali (sorry residents) to terrific Texas! The hubs and I spent our spring break house hunting in the Austin area. We didn't think we would actually buy a house, but we were presented with an opportunity we just couldn't pass up! We actually got to pick everything out since this is going to be a "new build." I'm talking exterior stone and brick color, interior paint colors, cabinet colors, flooring, granite, shower size, bedroom vs. study, and so much more! We were even able to choose the lot where our house will be built! And let me tell you, the view from our backyard is going to be ah-maz-ing! We're going from this...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (notice the dead grass, pathetic palm trees and lovely view of the block wall)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to this...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm always looking forward to the summer, but this year will definitely be different! Is it too soon to start counting down the days?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-18178404641990479912013-02-10T13:42:00.002-08:002013-02-10T13:50:40.869-08:00Quick Valentine's fun...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Happy Sunday everyone! I'm gearing up for the big day Thursday and thought I would share some freebies!! Besides all of the centers we'll be completing, we will also be making great use of some little hearts I snagged from the dollar bin at Target.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first activity we'll do is a little coin count. I have 10 heart containers (because I have 10 students). Each lid has a number and inside are some coins. When I say "go," students will open their heart, count the coins, and record their answer. After about a minute, I'll say "swap." Students will have to quickly put the coins back in their heart, put on the lid, and pass the closed heart to their neighbor. I've also played different versions of this game where the materials stay (the heart and coins) and the students travel to other seats with their paper. Either way, after everyone has had a chance to count the coins in every heart, we'll go over the answers. I'll call out number 1. The student with that heart will come to the front, empty the coins, and count them. All other students will count along (I have matching coins on my SmartBoard) and then check to see if they got the same answer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The buckets are also from the dollar bin and just a cute way to hold the hearts. Here's the recording sheet. If you would like a copy, click on the picture. It will take you to <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Rebecca-Johnson-7" target="_blank">my TpT store</a> where you can download it for FREE!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Valentine-Coin-Count-and-Pretty-Parts-of-Speech" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MIv-rBFIDU/URf9yS_1cwI/AAAAAAAAAww/M6w2XWl-3G4/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another way I'll be using the hearts is in a part of speech sort. I have a ton of small foam shapes. So I took out some hearts and wrote either a noun, an adjective, or a verb on each one. Then I put that foam heart inside one of the numbered hearts. Obviously, I'll be removing the coins before inserting the foam heart! Just like before, each student will start with a heart. On "go" they'll open their heart and read the word. If the word is a noun, they'll color the corresponding numbered heart on their response sheet pink. If the word is an adjective, they'll color the heart red. And, if the word is a verb, they'll color that heart purple. They will also be writing the word inside of the heart on their paper. After about 30 seconds, I'll say "swap." Students will return the foam heart and replace the lid. Then they will pass the heart to their neighbor. This will continue until we have passed all 10 hearts around. Then, just like with the coins, we'll go number by number and check our answers. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pb9oClmZ0Y8/URgU2bYqIMI/AAAAAAAAAyg/zB1emCbdqHc/s1600/20130201_115635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pb9oClmZ0Y8/URgU2bYqIMI/AAAAAAAAAyg/zB1emCbdqHc/s200/20130201_115635.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yvFmZPwrsPo/URgUzT3r6CI/AAAAAAAAAyY/ztyf6uYbHYU/s1600/20130201_115756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yvFmZPwrsPo/URgUzT3r6CI/AAAAAAAAAyY/ztyf6uYbHYU/s200/20130201_115756.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the way, I made sure to write the words on hearts that WERE NOT the same color as the answer. For example, no verbs were written on purple hearts. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The response sheet for this activity is included in the download for the coin count. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Valentine-Coin-Count-and-Pretty-Parts-of-Speech" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtjcO_cbF4k/URgSeH9JGzI/AAAAAAAAAxc/W-jFOdnwGRs/s320/Slide2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, another heart activity is graphing the candy conversation hearts. I'm sure you all do this, too. However, if you're looking to change things up a little, check out my worksheets! Did I mention they're free?!</span><br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B87gZihgur6db09CdFJZSW5CdUE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Cg7XRG-R9RI/URf6uGllJvI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/faNeuFwz0yk/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B87gZihgur6db09CdFJZSW5CdUE/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OKreMCW9R0U/URf6uqMncBI/AAAAAAAAAwY/1IQMmVdEoSU/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are a few questions about estimating and measuring, as well as, graphing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well there you have it. Some Valentine freebies for my friends :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're still in need of some centers, mine are a steal at only $5.20 until Wednesday! Click on the pictures to check them out...</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sweets-and-Treats-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Centers-for-Valentines-Day" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fr5oiTREsPg/URgT4YB_1cI/AAAAAAAAAxo/RsbM_qoDsxM/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sweets-and-Treats-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Centers-for-Valentines-Day" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nh2gPrrJjf4/URgT5s0FihI/AAAAAAAAAxw/bgTEjx5hXms/s320/Slide2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a great week and Happy Valentine's Day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-24773789172254577282013-02-09T12:55:00.002-08:002013-02-09T13:03:25.089-08:00Terrific Teeth...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's teeth time in first grade! And since last week was a short week for us (only 3 days) we're going to be spending quite a bit of time learning about our pearly whites this week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm sure like most of you, we begin each unit of study by talking about what we already know. My kiddos this year really like this part because they love saying the word "schema." I really love post-its because I can remove them easily and save my posters for next year.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aXOi-v0Rang/URaqRzt_UmI/AAAAAAAAAu0/k5Smh_3yNK0/s1600/20130204_154542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aXOi-v0Rang/URaqRzt_UmI/AAAAAAAAAu0/k5Smh_3yNK0/s320/20130204_154542.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then we started reading about losing teeth. Some of my favorites are Moose's Loose Tooth, Wibble Wobble, and Tooth Trouble. So many of my students have wiggly teeth right now so they were more than happy to make connections.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dental-Health-and-More" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xYC_e6NoETQ/URar9DWAPGI/AAAAAAAAAu8/Bb-65eWiU0M/s320/Slide8.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something new I'm doing this year is keeping track of what the Tooth Fairy brings each time they lose a tooth. All year long my students have been reporting large cash deposits under their pillow!! When I was a kid, it was a bright and shiny quarter, sometimes a dollar! And I'm not even that old!! Man... inflation! Anyways, I'm calling it the Tooth Fairy Total. So far we're up to $501 (a few teeth aren't pictured) and a pair of roller blades. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm hoping those weren't under her pillow all night!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CJRVymmqC5A/URas2NGoLkI/AAAAAAAAAvE/dDgRR65XvCI/s1600/20130205_123631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CJRVymmqC5A/URas2NGoLkI/AAAAAAAAAvE/dDgRR65XvCI/s320/20130205_123631.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have also begun working on a creative writing piece. We spend so much time writing nonfiction and showing evidence to support our claims that I really wanted to kids to have time to just be creative. So, I asked the students if they have ever pulled one of their teeth out. Not surprisingly, many of them have. And just as I was hoping, one student recalled the time her grandparents tied a string around her tooth, the other end to a door knob, and then slammed the door shut! That really got the kids excited!! I asked them to come up with an idea for how to pull out a loose tooth. I told them it could be nice and easy (like wiggling it gently and then pull when the tooth is ready) or silly and creative. Boy did they deliver! My favorite is... step 1: run into a hard wall, step 2: eat a crunchy apple, and step 3: push it out with your tongue! Only a kid could think that up!</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWF9GBh-aYU/URavPvHD0GI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/xwnT2UrP1y8/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWF9GBh-aYU/URavPvHD0GI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/xwnT2UrP1y8/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHFYIIuF04c/URavPkQXUiI/AAAAAAAAAvM/1tyECwaSpm4/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cHFYIIuF04c/URavPkQXUiI/AAAAAAAAAvM/1tyECwaSpm4/s200/Slide3.JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day we turned our ideas into complete sentences. I helped them write a topic sentence and a conclusion. Happily, about half of my kids are beginning to work ahead of me. I'm so glad they're getting the hang of this! The day after that, we reread our stories and added more details. I usually proofread for them, but we're going to be working on that ourselves on Monday! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know it all sounds like fun and games so far, but I promise there's leaning going on, too! For instance, we had some dental hygienists come and show us the correct way to brush our teeth. They mentioned brushing from the gums up, using a circular or up and down motion, and remembering to brush our tongue. Then they passed around a large set of teeth to let the students try. Somehow, I didn't remember to take pictures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After learning about how to brush our teeth, we discussed when to brush our teeth. The dental hygienists told us to brush 3 times a day! Realizing the difficulty of brushing our teeth after lunch (bringing toothbrushes and toothpaste, labeling them, storing them, remembering to bring them down to lunch with us, taking away recess time to brush, plus having a ton of kids in the bathroom at once...), we decided to promise to brush our teeth twice a day. In order to make sure my little ones are keeping their promise, we made a Brushing Teeth Toothbrush Tracker.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqFBjlISTaU/URa0KLX3XgI/AAAAAAAAAvc/dOZvvboDmXs/s1600/20130204_154517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XqFBjlISTaU/URa0KLX3XgI/AAAAAAAAAvc/dOZvvboDmXs/s320/20130204_154517.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUoyUtRbdwU/URa0LYyZlGI/AAAAAAAAAvk/_Vp-BU68UaQ/s1600/20130204_154534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUoyUtRbdwU/URa0LYyZlGI/AAAAAAAAAvk/_Vp-BU68UaQ/s320/20130204_154534.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each morning the kids brush their teeth, they get a sticker. Each night they brush their teeth, they get another sticker. Since I took this picture Monday afternoon, we only had an opportunity to get 1 sticker. However, on Tuesday I asked them if they remembered to brush their teeth last night (Monday night) after dinner and that morning before school. Those that answered yes got more stickers. Those that answered no did not receive a sticker. This, by the way, is a fantastic follow up activity to our lesson on honesty. We spent quite a bit of time discussing honesty last month during Character Education!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of these ideas are bundled together in my </span><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dental-Health-and-More" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Dental Health and more pack</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. If you're looking for something to supplement what you're already using, please check it out! Since I announced a new product, you know what's coming next... the first 5 who comment will get a copy for absolutely no cost! But wait! There's more... just kidding! I just wanted to sound like an informercial, hehe!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next week we're going to be performing the tradition egg experiment. I'm using </span><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dental-Health-Mini-Unit-Brusha-Brusha-Brusha" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Cara Carroll's Dental Health Mini Unit</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Have I ever mentioned that she is my absolute favorite teacher blogger!! She always has such great, engaging ideas!! If you ever need anything, and you can't find it here, of course, go visit <a href="http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The First Grade Parade</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I'm off to work on the kitchen now. My husband and I started to remodel our kitchen 3 YEARS AGO and still haven't finished! My, oh my, how time flies!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-16373212127125865252013-02-05T18:29:00.000-08:002013-04-02T18:41:27.100-07:00Valentine's Day bulletin board...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In an attempt to make this a super quick post, I'm gonna get right to the point... </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ejRWADlJWQ/URG_fBfVJsI/AAAAAAAAAuE/6WokWPHpqLA/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ejRWADlJWQ/URG_fBfVJsI/AAAAAAAAAuE/6WokWPHpqLA/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the Valentine's Day bulletin board I have done for years now. It's a huge hit around school and very easy to do. Plus, my students love thinking of themselves as little pieces of chocolate! All you have to do it make a few large hearts, snap some cute photos, and grab muffin papers. I cut a circle around each student's face and put it in the center of the muffin paper. Then I staple everything to the board. Easy as that! If you put one up in your room, I'd love to see it!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's all for now. Like I said... super quick tonight! I feel a cold coming on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-91481017402406632142013-02-04T19:06:00.001-08:002013-02-04T19:06:18.148-08:00Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been quite a while since I've tried using Google docs. Or is it Google drive now? Or neither?? I can't keep up with all of this technology. TpT has seriously made everything so easy for me as far as selling items, but I'm looking for a more convenient way to share my freebies. Thus, a return to Google whatever. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A quick post to show what we're working on this week. We are reading The Sleeping Pig. It's such a cute story and the kids love acting it out. What I wanted to do was integrate some "making connections" into the lesson. I whipped this up real quick so the students could tell me about a time when they tried to wake someone up. Some of their stories were pretty hilarious! Let me just say I hope my future child(ren) don't...</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FDxWXMby8Lc/URB0NAFiNFI/AAAAAAAAAs0/tuHM-sqq40E/s1600/20130204_154655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FDxWXMby8Lc/URB0NAFiNFI/AAAAAAAAAs0/tuHM-sqq40E/s320/20130204_154655.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's right... he threw a fake spider on his poor mom and dad to wake them up!! I shudder to image how I would respond to THAT!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEmPSG0Jsqs/URB0PLfcAAI/AAAAAAAAAs8/Eh2KOUF5A-k/s1600/20130204_154643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DEmPSG0Jsqs/URB0PLfcAAI/AAAAAAAAAs8/Eh2KOUF5A-k/s320/20130204_154643.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uMnpNvvm_Rk/URB0QcxinII/AAAAAAAAAtE/Wi4U9EUuZrE/s1600/20130204_154711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uMnpNvvm_Rk/URB0QcxinII/AAAAAAAAAtE/Wi4U9EUuZrE/s320/20130204_154711.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I could, however, live with that! What a sweetie, making breakfast for her parents' anniversary :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put them all together with a little cartoon pig, some other watermelons, and a vine. Viola!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgBcPw98f_Q/URB0dTRwydI/AAAAAAAAAtM/_27aXDcNn-U/s1600/20130204_154629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgBcPw98f_Q/URB0dTRwydI/AAAAAAAAAtM/_27aXDcNn-U/s320/20130204_154629.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you read this story in class and are interested in making connections, I posted the writing prompt to Google. At least I think I did. Hence the testing title ;) You should be able to click on the picture below. If it doesn't work, let me know and I'll do a little more googling. Ha! </span></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1P0diioNrmNkvWUzQdPUhCuOYWr0kd0WpmyAfA30RVmY/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X1r1m2oMX_M/URB0rE3aKDI/AAAAAAAAAtU/STH6JAPrLAM/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've got sooooo much good stuff in the works that I'll be back tomorrow! Until then sweet blogging buddies!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-13072408242789386872013-01-29T17:25:00.002-08:002013-01-29T17:30:32.922-08:00Groundhog Day...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can you believe January is almost over?? With February around the corner, there's lots to think about. First up is Groundhog Day! I get so excited about celebrating Groundhog Day each year! I make a pretty big deal about it each year. First graders can be a bit silly (imagine that) and truly seem to enjoy learning about this silly tradition. I usually begin with reading <u>Wake Up, Groundhog</u>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a cute little story about a little girl groundhog who wants to take over for her uncle, Punxsutawney Phil. It also talks about signs of spring which is perfect since we're usually learning about the seasons. After reading, we discuss any experiences they have had with groundhogs and Groundhog Day. I also like to take a few minutes to watch some videos of past Groundhog Day predictions. Then it's time to make our own. I give each student a sentence frame to complete.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2yPQOsIki5g/UQhxSm_GF7I/AAAAAAAAAqc/aUqHPaMWa4M/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2yPQOsIki5g/UQhxSm_GF7I/AAAAAAAAAqc/aUqHPaMWa4M/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course we need a craft to go with it! So we make these...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAjkTyG0C6E/UQhx4TzH5qI/AAAAAAAAAqk/IdZ9SKgfjWY/s1600/20130120_194245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAjkTyG0C6E/UQhx4TzH5qI/AAAAAAAAAqk/IdZ9SKgfjWY/s320/20130120_194245.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The students who predict that </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Punxsutawney Phil will not see his shadow will make the same picture minus the shadow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once I post these on the bulletin board, we graph our results. By the way, I place all of the "will see his shadow" predictions in a column and the "will not see his shadow" in a separate column next to it. I add labels to the top to make it into a picture graph.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Throughout the week we read nonfiction texts about groundhogs and write a short report. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jvZgs7I5BvE/UQh0TB2HfMI/AAAAAAAAArQ/VeOJXV9EA_8/s1600/Slide9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jvZgs7I5BvE/UQh0TB2HfMI/AAAAAAAAArQ/VeOJXV9EA_8/s200/Slide9.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZmMSMANfKA/UQh0SifeLQI/AAAAAAAAArM/fnmNC7jT0vw/s1600/Slide8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZmMSMANfKA/UQh0SifeLQI/AAAAAAAAArM/fnmNC7jT0vw/s200/Slide8.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During centers, we use the groundhog vocabulary words to put in ABC order and to write sentences.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jo66jsWB7Q/UQh0wa2Z-ZI/AAAAAAAAArc/E5pVKTmyXqY/s1600/Slide6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8jo66jsWB7Q/UQh0wa2Z-ZI/AAAAAAAAArc/E5pVKTmyXqY/s200/Slide6.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg5OmAwfmEQ/UQh0woHd3EI/AAAAAAAAArk/Ung7AFR-H44/s1600/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg5OmAwfmEQ/UQh0woHd3EI/AAAAAAAAArk/Ung7AFR-H44/s200/Slide2.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J4Alk8bG9DA/UQh0wtflorI/AAAAAAAAArg/LzUQ59CT3eU/s1600/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J4Alk8bG9DA/UQh0wtflorI/AAAAAAAAArg/LzUQ59CT3eU/s200/Slide3.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We work on some groundhog labeling and read a funny little book. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74FhyOH-c5U/UQh3L4xVdKI/AAAAAAAAAsE/PT7Dqlxk1O4/s1600/Slide23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74FhyOH-c5U/UQh3L4xVdKI/AAAAAAAAAsE/PT7Dqlxk1O4/s200/Slide23.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--YbXdYShANU/UQhzw73TozI/AAAAAAAAAq0/n6lqHaXbSUk/s1600/Slide12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--YbXdYShANU/UQhzw73TozI/AAAAAAAAAq0/n6lqHaXbSUk/s200/Slide12.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a0RWgHqsLVA/UQhzuf9DuuI/AAAAAAAAAqs/e__W5xdu5fE/s1600/Slide22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a0RWgHqsLVA/UQhzuf9DuuI/AAAAAAAAAqs/e__W5xdu5fE/s200/Slide22.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There's also a little measuring center!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXFhCBZl_t0/UQhz9p42aSI/AAAAAAAAArE/4jDixEg21Wk/s1600/Slide34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jXFhCBZl_t0/UQhz9p42aSI/AAAAAAAAArE/4jDixEg21Wk/s200/Slide34.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDOtuTL1fIo/UQh1Ju6exNI/AAAAAAAAAr8/KD8V_NBn0SI/s1600/Slide30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDOtuTL1fIo/UQh1Ju6exNI/AAAAAAAAAr8/KD8V_NBn0SI/s200/Slide30.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Soc7lhMC9Ic/UQh1JYWoxsI/AAAAAAAAAr0/FtxC3W8ttd0/s1600/Slide32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Soc7lhMC9Ic/UQh1JYWoxsI/AAAAAAAAAr0/FtxC3W8ttd0/s200/Slide32.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you're looking for something to use in your class, head on over to <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Rebecca-Johnson-7" target="_blank">my TpT store</a>. All of this and more is in my "<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Lets-Learn-About-Groundhogs-Common-Core-aligned-activities" target="_blank">Let's Learn About Groundhogs</a>" pack. Now you know how I like to give out some freebies! All you have to do it leave me a comment and let me know how you celebrate/teach about Groundhog Day in your class! The first 5 who leave me their email will get it for free! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-68139259779214312812013-01-24T20:09:00.002-08:002013-01-30T18:09:04.937-08:00I love Love Bugs...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isn't this time of year just wonderful?! Everyone is working hard on keeping their New Year's Resolutions, school is back in full swing, and love is in the air!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By this time in first grade, students have pretty much mastered nouns and verbs. We have moves on to adjectives, but still need some practice. It just so happens that I have the perfect activity to help reinforce some Common Core Literacy standards while incorporating a little bit of art... the Love Bug!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I begin by giving the students a black piece of paper. Then I pull out my box o' scrap paper (you know you have one) and encourage students to choose "Valentine's colors." Next I tell them they will be using their imaginations to make a Love Bug! Of course they ask what that is! I tell them I don't know because they haven't created it yet. I mention that it may have wings and it may not. It could possible have 2 legs, but maybe 3! Perhaps it has an antenna, 2 heads and a huge smile! I even say that it's possible for a love bug to have parts from many different animals! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, and I also mention that these sweet new beings probably don't have scary features like long claws and sharp teeth. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that their creative juices are flowing, I ask them to begin making a body. After they will decide if their bug has a head or if their Love Bug's face is actually on the top of their body. Last, I encourage students to make their Love Bug have parts of all of their favorite animals! I suggest adding details like stripes and polka dots (made by my hole punch). A heart or 2 can usually be found somewhere, too! By this time I can hardly stop them!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day, after the excitement has settled, we share our Love Bugs with each other. After, I ask them to compare and contrast their Love Bug with their shoulder partner's Love Bug. We take a few examples and move on to the writing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The main activity we do with our Love Bugs is to write in great detail. We review what an adjective is and refer to our adjective anchor chart. Then we brainstorm a new list of adjectives that specifically describe our bugs. Last I give the students some sentence beginners. I feel like they happily complete these sentences because they are so proud of their cute creations! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the final result...</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GCMTr8EFFMI/UQICQFXKc1I/AAAAAAAAAnc/kbGEUQydmgk/s1600/20130122_120820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GCMTr8EFFMI/UQICQFXKc1I/AAAAAAAAAnc/kbGEUQydmgk/s320/20130122_120820.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G6vMOp5LtB8/UQICeh-JQYI/AAAAAAAAAoM/dHRHGvLYSLk/s1600/20130122_121042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G6vMOp5LtB8/UQICeh-JQYI/AAAAAAAAAoM/dHRHGvLYSLk/s320/20130122_121042.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V1NWMNs1QI0/UQICRrgxTQI/AAAAAAAAAns/Oaq2jP7hOMs/s1600/20130122_120917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V1NWMNs1QI0/UQICRrgxTQI/AAAAAAAAAns/Oaq2jP7hOMs/s320/20130122_120917.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eirOLQKHIQ4/UQICgpcQTjI/AAAAAAAAAoc/e-fiJ0G9rB4/s1600/20130122_121122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eirOLQKHIQ4/UQICgpcQTjI/AAAAAAAAAoc/e-fiJ0G9rB4/s320/20130122_121122.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kzwbrgaqqQ0/UQICkx0HmDI/AAAAAAAAAok/mqlRbTJYEmM/s1600/20130122_121136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kzwbrgaqqQ0/UQICkx0HmDI/AAAAAAAAAok/mqlRbTJYEmM/s320/20130122_121136.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9FLecu0Is8/UQIClrUA1II/AAAAAAAAAos/fvBK_Ygyf8Q/s1600/20130122_121155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9FLecu0Is8/UQIClrUA1II/AAAAAAAAAos/fvBK_Ygyf8Q/s320/20130122_121155.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sentence beginners I give them are, "This is my Love Bug. It is special because it has __________ and __________. It also has __________. My Love Bug likes to __________. I love my Love Bug!" Each blank must contain at least one adjective. It is not shown here, but I later have students highlight each adjective. Then we count and compare!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strike>If you would like, I'll make the writing paper available for FREE... tomorrow. I accidentally left my zip drive at work. Gasp!</strike></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally... <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Love-Bug-writing-paper" target="_blank">hot off the press</a>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And while we're on the subject, I've got a fabulous set of Valentine's related centers that also reinforce many Common Core standards! There's even a sorting center about adjectives! C<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sweets-and-Treats-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Centers-for-Valentines-Day" target="_blank">heck them out on TpT.</a> Get them now so you'll have plenty of time to cut and laminate!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sweets-and-Treats-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Centers-for-Valentines-Day" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uWCtrco5pOE/UQIFMHPmO8I/AAAAAAAAApU/zAXEn79SekU/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sweets-and-Treats-Common-Core-Math-and-Literacy-Centers-for-Valentines-Day" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uYqLO1faZA0/UQIFMsXk2eI/AAAAAAAAApc/55cGjeECgLs/s320/Slide2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's all for now... I want to get some blog stalking in before bed time!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-30730210776073222152013-01-20T19:01:00.002-08:002013-01-20T19:05:10.229-08:00Snowmen...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just wanted to post briefly on my latest bulletin board. It turned out so cute, I just couldn't keep it to myself!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AKGl50FFI8Y/UPysSTFdRgI/AAAAAAAAAmw/hsI8JcvWb8o/s1600/20130108_160428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AKGl50FFI8Y/UPysSTFdRgI/AAAAAAAAAmw/hsI8JcvWb8o/s320/20130108_160428.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few close ups...</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkAO_8wrvpQ/UPysQc3Ou4I/AAAAAAAAAmg/LHpuijy0drw/s1600/20130108_160449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YkAO_8wrvpQ/UPysQc3Ou4I/AAAAAAAAAmg/LHpuijy0drw/s320/20130108_160449.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99uqrOAfgsg/UPysRZ0NHrI/AAAAAAAAAmo/qdQSt2p5JGc/s1600/20130108_160501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-99uqrOAfgsg/UPysRZ0NHrI/AAAAAAAAAmo/qdQSt2p5JGc/s320/20130108_160501.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I purchased the<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Lets-Make-a-Snowman" target="_blank"> adorable project</a> from Jennifer at <a href="http://firstgradeblueskies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">First Grade Blue Skies</a>. The short writing tells why we think our school is the best. It says, "There's "snow" place like AGM because..." My students has so much fun creating these after our week long snowman unit. Could be the perfect end for yours, too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And since MLK Jr Day is coming up...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6mvMAsK5F0/UPysWe68IaI/AAAAAAAAAm4/aIrmT4N3WNU/s1600/20130118_113626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6mvMAsK5F0/UPysWe68IaI/AAAAAAAAAm4/aIrmT4N3WNU/s320/20130118_113626.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the bulletin board I created for that. After much reading and discussion about who MLK Jr was, we brainstormed how we could make the world a better place. Some of my students really thought about the bigger picture and I was SOOOO proud. Some girls wanted to build houses for homeless people, some wanted to cut their long hair and give to Lock of Love (yes, they already knew what is was), and others wanted to give old toys and clothes to kids who didn't have money to buy their own. I'm not sure if this would really make the world a better place, but one of my little cuties wanted to decorate the world with lights to make it prettier. Smile!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The crayons were completed after we read <u>The Crayon Box that Talked</u>. Then we discussed our differences and reasons why we're so special. One by one, I told each of my students why I thought they were special. They then felt compelled to do the same... for me!! The things they said seriously brought tears to my eyes! Being loved by my students is one of the greatest joys of my job!! Anyways, if you like this bulletin board, you can get more information <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Martin-Luther-King-Jr-Activities-and-Printables" target="_blank">here</a>. The first 5 to comment will also get it for FREE!! Enjoy your Monday off!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-50740828421682787152013-01-05T14:45:00.002-08:002013-01-05T14:54:20.623-08:00A little gingerbread party<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each year, before going on winter break, we read several gingerbread stories. I'm sure like most of you, we note the refrain, examine the characters, events, and endings, and compare and contrast our favorites. But after that, my favorite thing to do is actually bake gingerbread cookies in class!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UaN8419pHsU/UOigpMUeKmI/AAAAAAAAAjA/dKyFMhyku_8/s1600/1.5.13+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UaN8419pHsU/UOigpMUeKmI/AAAAAAAAAjA/dKyFMhyku_8/s320/1.5.13+046.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have all of the ingredients laid out on my desk when the kids come in that morning. I quickly show them each one and we talk about when they have used them before. I also let the kids smell the ginger, vanilla and molasses... always a crowd pleaser.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This list of ingredients hangs on the board so we can refer to it when mixing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the direction poster which I also hang on the board. We do step 1 - 5 in the morning, reading each one as we go. While a few students are helping me add ingredients, the others are writing and drawing in their mini books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of these pages were completed in the morning, some in the afternoon and some the next day. This student was absent the day we finished the books. Also, I have since cut and staples these together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I cannot remember where I found this book last year. If you recognize it, please let me know so I can give them credit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the afternoon, we perform a simple science experiment. We recall the gingerbread characters that did not want to cross the river on their own. The students say why they think those characters did not want to get wet. Then we predict and record what will happen when we place a gingerbread cookie into a bowl of water. Next, we get the dough out of the refrigerator and begin rolling it out. I make sure each student gets a turn. After, we use the cookie cutter to cut out our cookies. This takes about 20 minutes, so then we check on our experiment. The students record their observations and continue working in their mini books. After 30 minutes, we check on the experiment again, record our new observations and discuss the outcome. Later, when the kids are in PE, I bake the cookies in the school's kitchen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The recording sheet came from none other than the amazing <a href="http://mrsjumpsclass.blogspot.com/2011/11/gingerbread-unit-updates.html" target="_blank">Deanna Jump.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once the baking is finished, I can prep for the best part... cookie decorating!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We usually have enough for the kids to decorate 2 cookies. One of the cookies we eat and the other we take home. We chart which part of the cookie we ate first. The next day we graph and analyze the results. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also can't remember where I got this adorable graph. I was not using Pinterest last year, if you can believe it or not! So again, please let me know if you recognize it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's how we wrap up our gingerbread unit! What do you do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-47929469415173033872012-12-05T18:32:00.001-08:002012-12-05T18:39:41.452-08:00If Santa was stuck in my chimney...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is absolutely one of my favorite writing activities to do throughout the year!! At this point in the year, the kids know what to expect when we begin the writing process and are really beginning to enjoy it. Although we have not finished our paragraphs yet, I predict they will be absolutely outstanding! Here's how we got started...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Monday, we began by discussing Santa and what we know about him. The students were more than willing to tell me stories about what he has brought to them in the past. Some of them even swear they've watched Santa fill their stockings! Such storytellers!! Afterwards, I gave each student a bubble map and asked them to imagine they actually found Santa... stuck in their chimney! What would they do?! I took a few quick responses and then asked the students to quietly write or draw their own plan. I really wanted to see how creative they could be. On Tuesday, we turned these ideas into sentences. Together we wrote the topic sentence and conclusion. Then they got with their shoulder partners to read everything out loud. Today we revised our sentences. I always have the students help me revise my paragraph first (one sentence at a time) and they allow them to work on theirs. Again, they met with their partners to read it aloud. They're really good at finding their own mistakes when they do this! We'll proofread tomorrow and publish Friday. I can't wait to show off the final product!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/If-Santa-was-Stuck-in-the-Chimney" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yn9NIQqycc8/UL_69bHlPfI/AAAAAAAAAhg/_CCIGUNsbxo/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you would like a copy of this activity, you can get one for free! Just click on over to<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/If-Santa-was-Stuck-in-the-Chimney" target="_blank"> my TpT store</a>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, I just finished up my holiday centers. Right now there are 4 math and 4 literacy centers, but I'm working on more. So, hurry and pick them up now so you'll have plenty of time to prep them. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Tis-the-Season-Math-and-Literacy-Centers" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JsPv8po_vEY/UL_86veXNNI/AAAAAAAAAho/nMMx_bfbVjM/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Tis-the-Season-Math-and-Literacy-Centers" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLwxMk1foDw/UL_89XAC0FI/AAAAAAAAAhw/UuXbBGeP5t4/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Tis-the-Season-Math-and-Literacy-Centers" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEU7H5Q9l-8/UL_8-jtVlmI/AAAAAAAAAh4/s9p5voZRly0/s320/Slide2.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't wait to get started with these centers!! And for my loyal followers, I'll give away 5 copies to the first 5 who comment with something they do in class during the holidays.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly, I have one more freebie for you! In my class, we practice our sight words constantly. So, I'm always looking for different ways to do this. One of the ways my students like best is our Sight Word Scramble. It's simple... the kids read the words and put them in order to make a complete sentence. I have such freedom to make up sentences using any words we're working with... sight words, holiday words, Science vocabulary, the list is endless! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the worksheet the sentences get glued on. Of course there's room to illustrate! What kind of teacher would I be if I left that out??</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sight-Word-Sentence-Scramble" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYM09pdWSnE/UL__EBxDm0I/AAAAAAAAAiA/nXRpUKjjo7I/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This sheet is where I type the words to be used in the sentences. In the spirit of protecting our natural resources, I fit 4 on a page. Each sentence I make up has 6 words or less. When the students get this sheet, they color all of the boxes in each row a different color. This helps them know which words go in which sentence after they cut everything apart. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sight-Word-Sentence-Scramble" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jyx1b6mKqaw/UL__E7ppGPI/AAAAAAAAAiI/1bEDUy8abug/s320/Slide2.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then they unscramble, glue and illustrate. Here are a few finished copies...</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwW4PUyU-J8/UMABCF4jwmI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/ecXdfZdHGW8/s1600/20121205_114212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UwW4PUyU-J8/UMABCF4jwmI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/ecXdfZdHGW8/s320/20121205_114212.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can grab your free copy <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sight-Word-Sentence-Scramble" target="_blank">here</a>. I think that's all I can give tonight. Have a great rest of the week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-59744703786715078842012-11-15T18:11:00.002-08:002012-11-15T18:11:59.495-08:00Turkey Talk...Well Thanksgiving is almost upon us and that means I've got one thing on my mind... turkey!! I love turkey! I love cooking turkeys, eating turkey and most importantly teaching about turkeys! <div>
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As usual, we began by talking about what we already know. I'm usually impressed by the depth of knowledge in their little minds, but apparently there's not much room in there for turkey trivia. Most of the kids came up with something like, "Turkeys are fat." or "Turkeys say gobble gobble." Yawn. Nevertheless, I had them write their schema on turkey feathers while I made a serious mental note to amp up the turkey lessons and activities.</div>
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After reading some nonfiction books, we headed to the world wide web to find out even more. Gotta love SMARTboards!!The kids couldn't get enough of the pictures. They even asked me to find one of turkeys kissing! Of course we had to jot down this new information. So cut a few oval, had the kids write something they learned, and asked them to color their eggs.<br />
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Can you guess what we did next? Yup, we labeled!<br />
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Label That Turkey is just one of the activities in my newest unit, A Thoughtful Thanksgiving. There is also an adorable planner to help your little ones write a terrific turkeys paragraph (perfect for hitting a few common core standards). We're currently in the proofreading stage so you can expect pictures of the finished product soon! If you're in the market for some last minute Thanksgiving ideas, head on over to my TpT store.<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Thoughtful-Thanksgiving-Common-Core-aligned-Math-and-Literacy-activities" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HLQkDaBR4DU/UKWgc4DsaOI/AAAAAAAAAhA/NzauROY9Nto/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next week we're going to dive into Pilgrims and Native Americans. Seems like I do things backwards compared to everyone else in Bloggy Land, but that's what make me special :) Happy Friday Eve!<br />
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Best wishes,<br />
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-27525437863313639052012-11-08T18:56:00.002-08:002012-11-15T17:25:05.697-08:00Veterans Day...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This week has been ca-rah-a-zee!! Let me give you all a quickie recap... Regular day Monday, field trip (including 90% of my students' parents!!!!) Tuesday, half day Wednesday with P/T conferences, quarterly awards assembly WITH first grade performance PLUS half day AND more P/T conferences today! I'm so tired I can't even bother to correct the numerous flaws in that sentence!! PTL we have an in-service day tomorrow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The positive side of this short week was that I was able to really get into Veterans Day this year. I usually address it in a day or two because that's all I have time for. This year we spent a little time each day to really discuss who veterans are and why they should be celebrated. Both my grandfathers and my hubbs were in the service which makes me love and appreciate veterans even more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Monday we began by watching a short <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ppEq7Eu_dc" target="_blank">video on Veterans Day</a>. The Veterans Day part begins around the 4th minute, if you're interested. Afterwards, we discussed who veterans are and if we know any. The kids are always so shocked to find out that my husband is one... and still alive!! I find that many students assume those who have served are dead!! They can't believe that someone can be in the Army/Navy/whatever and still be alive. Anyone else experience the same thing?? Anyways... next we took a quick poll and graphed our data.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tyeKXtLQjPQ/UJxqB90KNXI/AAAAAAAAAdk/2ECKnt6We1w/s1600/11.8.12+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tyeKXtLQjPQ/UJxqB90KNXI/AAAAAAAAAdk/2ECKnt6We1w/s320/11.8.12+074.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, I only have 10 students. Pick your mouth up off the floor and keep reading... (hehe)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our field trip took up most of Tuesday, but I did set aside some time to read the short books I got from the library. I was able to find very kid friendly books about 3 of the 5 branches of the Armed Forces. And let me tell you, the boys in my class have NEVER been sooooo engaged during a read aloud! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On Wednesday we recalled some of the details from the books and completed our Veterans tree map.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHxpmNA7-iI/UJxr9NX5jvI/AAAAAAAAAds/cG4Zwd1f2h4/s1600/11.8.12+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WHxpmNA7-iI/UJxr9NX5jvI/AAAAAAAAAds/cG4Zwd1f2h4/s320/11.8.12+072.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you can see, today we worked on our Veterans Day and Me mini-books. I was pleasantly surprised at how adorable they turned out!! On each page, I had the students write about how brave, caring, and responsible veterans are. Then they had to describe how they are also brave, caring, and responsible. It was fun to watch my students realize how similar different people can be! Does that make sense??</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h_GThpgS1qM/UJxsK01XZLI/AAAAAAAAAd0/jWlbYBCzdXM/s1600/11.8.12+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h_GThpgS1qM/UJxsK01XZLI/AAAAAAAAAd0/jWlbYBCzdXM/s320/11.8.12+073.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I mean seriously... how adorable are these responses?!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zKjXXnBw2B4/UKWVozMZgyI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/nzSIMBIgfek/s1600/11.15.12+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zKjXXnBw2B4/UKWVozMZgyI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/nzSIMBIgfek/s320/11.15.12+058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OfzA6Ma_KyA/UKWV2QxKRyI/AAAAAAAAAfY/Cy_UnIipadc/s1600/11.15.12+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OfzA6Ma_KyA/UKWV2QxKRyI/AAAAAAAAAfY/Cy_UnIipadc/s320/11.15.12+057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I put it all together on our bulletin board. Next Tuesday we'll spend a few minutes taking about how we celebrated Veterans Day and label our soldier.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NpGN2WOzHyM/UJxsYh0vAGI/AAAAAAAAAeE/4jmN9nwq5YI/s1600/11.8.12+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NpGN2WOzHyM/UJxsYh0vAGI/AAAAAAAAAeE/4jmN9nwq5YI/s320/11.8.12+071.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, we also journaled (yup, it's a verb) about which branch of the Armed Forces we would join. The kids had to choose one and tell why they decided that. Their drawings were seriously cute! I'll try and remember to snap a picture when I go back to class.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you like these Veterans Day activities and are waiting until next week to work on it in class, let me know. The first 11 people to leave a comment with their email will get it for FREE!!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Veterans-Day-Math-and-Literacy-Activities-and-Centers" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_EaSU4__28/UJxwZFAcA2I/AAAAAAAAAew/ZK0vrO2DHEk/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As if that wasn't enough, I also somehow found the time this week to change the small bulletin board outside our room. I'm sure you've seen it before, but it's one of my faves...</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67yvadgD2t8/UJxwFcytlVI/AAAAAAAAAeo/Gjy8-gXcVWA/s1600/11.8.12+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67yvadgD2t8/UJxwFcytlVI/AAAAAAAAAeo/Gjy8-gXcVWA/s320/11.8.12+048.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have a happy Friday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-61846743008858347132012-11-04T20:43:00.000-08:002012-11-04T20:43:15.532-08:00Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores... Oh my!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Real quick.... When I decided to begin blogging this summer, I thought if I just wanted it bad enough, then it would happen. Sometimes I can be so naive!! I have truly learned so much about how to be a better teacher and how to make my lessons more in depth and engaging from reading other blogs. I even found a new energy and passion for my once repetitive job. Now there's this strong feeling of needing to pay it forward. Hence, the blog. However, I grossly underestimated the amount of dedication it takes to create and keep a thoughtful, resourceful collection of ideas and resources I can share with others. Now that the first quarter is over and I have a more realistic expectation of the true demands on my time, I vow to be a more present influence in the blogging community. That is all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moving on...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My kids have been learning about animals this month. One of the topics we cover is herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores. The students are always eager to discuss anything animals related which make this activity all that much more engaging. After reading about the 3 groups in our Science book, we color small animals pictures and put them into the right category. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Herbivores-Carnivores-and-OmnivoresOh-my" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iINohJvDfRA/UJc6ySBkyTI/AAAAAAAAAco/R6Hxfmyy3i4/s320/11.3.12+209.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After reading and discussing the definitions of each, we focus on their teeth. We look at pictures of fossils, bones, and living animals to come up with the conclusion that herbivores have flat teeth, carnivores have sharp teeth, and omnivores have both. Then we get molding! Each student uses play-doh to create one herbivore tooth and one carnivore tooth. Using our SMARTboard, I show an animal picture. The students have to hold up the correct tooth and say the correct group (herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore). If I show a picture of an omnivore, students hold up both teeth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day we draw and make the teeth out of paper. We began with the carnivore. After gluing and labeling, I pass out tiny pieces of blank paper. The students draw something on each paper so they can "feed" the carnivore. Then we turn the paper over and repeat the process for herbivores. Here's the finished product.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pbhrp_mYKMU/UJc77ivSJEI/AAAAAAAAAcw/YszI5hGN6DA/s1600/11.3.12+231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pbhrp_mYKMU/UJc77ivSJEI/AAAAAAAAAcw/YszI5hGN6DA/s320/11.3.12+231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lC8S4uCWWb0/UJc8JMoKmcI/AAAAAAAAAc4/lWIYPMxi82s/s1600/11.3.12+232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lC8S4uCWWb0/UJc8JMoKmcI/AAAAAAAAAc4/lWIYPMxi82s/s320/11.3.12+232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihtRVQUL4ec/UJc8XmNSF1I/AAAAAAAAAdE/Urbm6ypVRpk/s1600/11.3.12+233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ihtRVQUL4ec/UJc8XmNSF1I/AAAAAAAAAdE/Urbm6ypVRpk/s320/11.3.12+233.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you would like, you can get a copy of the posters I made for FREE! <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Herbivores-Carnivores-and-OmnivoresOh-my" target="_blank">Head on over to TpT to pick them up.</a> If you use them, please let me know how they worked out in your class! Have a great week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-56596593140898011012012-10-15T21:19:00.000-07:002012-10-15T21:32:12.420-07:00Winners and Booo on you...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow, I honestly thought that having a giveaway would be quick, simple and fun. Boy was I w-r-o-n-g!! If you've ever hosted a giveaway using Rafflecopter, you know what I'm talkin' about. However, now that it's done, I'm sure my next one will go much smoother! And thank you so much to everyone who entered and for your patience! Without further delay, the winners are... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Joanna, Sharon, Charlotte, Lisa, and Delighted! Check your emails ladies for the details!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lastly, thanks a ton to <a href="http://flyingintofirst.blogspot.com/">Mrs. Reed</a>, <a href="http://surfingtosuccess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mercedes</a>, and <a href="http://1stgradecurtis.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Carrie</a> for donating their awesome items!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now for a little more fun...</span><br />
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<a href="http://toristeachertips.blogspot.ca/2012/10/ive-been-booed-fun-october-linky.html?showComment=1349838015623#c4470932761726731856" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4kj56cN3DpQ/UHzjBz_XsmI/AAAAAAAAAcI/uKMVglVBeFc/s1600/boo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to Lisa at <a href="http://growingfirsties.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Growing Firsties</a>, I have been "boo'ed!!" My job now is to share some October activities with you all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Decorate, decorate, decorate!!! Thanks to Pinterest, I have been OUT OF CONTROL crafty lately! Here's a few things I'm working on right now...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEsdk7aR2zE/UHzYFJWtoYI/AAAAAAAAAaA/M1-szaI6BF4/s1600/135811744983428822_WTaZsZJo_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEsdk7aR2zE/UHzYFJWtoYI/AAAAAAAAAaA/M1-szaI6BF4/s200/135811744983428822_WTaZsZJo_c.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FhQnea1lYDk/UHzYHAjApNI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/ooWgVZYoX4E/s1600/255931191293754779_lwDVWmkH_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FhQnea1lYDk/UHzYHAjApNI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/ooWgVZYoX4E/s200/255931191293754779_lwDVWmkH_c.jpg" width="150" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y34JfHgqwmA/UHzYINNuuXI/AAAAAAAAAaY/wNfc7xIwzEM/s1600/266627240409569613_Sc9zSa5P_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y34JfHgqwmA/UHzYINNuuXI/AAAAAAAAAaY/wNfc7xIwzEM/s200/266627240409569613_Sc9zSa5P_c.jpg" width="133" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you would like to try some of these out, head on over and <a href="http://pinterest.com/arigminassian/halloweenie/" target="_blank">follow me</a> on Pinterest to get the info!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. I'm seriously in love with centers!! Last year was the first year I implemented them into my curriculum and I'm not sure how I ever lived without them. Then this summer I decided to bite the bullet and figure out how everyone makes them... and I did!! These 3 packets are my new favorite October activities. The best part is that if something's not working, I can come home and edit it!! Each one is aligned with the common core standards and guaranteed to keep your students engaged! Check them out and tell me what you think...</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spooky-October-Centers" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lX4NhGw7Ueo/UHzZWSx74mI/AAAAAAAAAag/IDSZkR2lmOU/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bat-and-Owl-Math-and-Literacy-Centers-and-Activities" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QGjC9IHeft4/UHzZZ4w-h_I/AAAAAAAAAao/cQVbqZn0JpY/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pumpkinopolis-Pumpkin-Activities-and-Centers" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-obZyWas7jZw/UHzZeaB-RdI/AAAAAAAAAaw/jv3jHcAseyE/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. I love reading any Splat the Cat books and it just so happens there's one for Halloween!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmUejXNiUw4/UHzbmYh4jAI/AAAAAAAAAa4/Umt4hi1rGak/s1600/P12620640a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PmUejXNiUw4/UHzbmYh4jAI/AAAAAAAAAa4/Umt4hi1rGak/s1600/P12620640a.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After reading, we talk about creative problem solving and what they would do if their costume "broke." Then I pull out my Tub 'o Costumes and have the students "repurpose" some of the items. It's pretty funny to sit back and see what they some up with. Of course we write and draw about our new costumes in our journals, too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In order to get some other October inspiration, I'm "Boo-ing..."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mercedes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nancy</span><br />
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<a href="http://firstgradewow.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OrSll0d-2m4/UHzd6u7zd0I/AAAAAAAAAbI/bNwVO702-R0/s1600/blogbird-1-1125x125.gif" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DeAnne</span></div>
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<a href="http://firstgradeandfabulous.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jrxgLs2K9b4/UHzeQTGCw6I/AAAAAAAAAbQ/BTEC8NXR3YM/s1600/firstgradefabulousbutton.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rebecca</span><br />
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<a href="http://teachingfirst-abc.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AHyyDynq_J8/UHzfAjjLpHI/AAAAAAAAAbY/OPn_o32yHjQ/s1600/button-307.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jeannie</span><br />
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<a href="http://classfullofspecialkinders.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RRT6_Vo5N2Y/UHzfoDoaZ9I/AAAAAAAAAbg/EmxXfd8f9fs/s1600/button-1194.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are the rules.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUTzx3CijOI/UHzf7Gr-fCI/AAAAAAAAAbo/HGhcQ0NQ9g4/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-10-09+at+9.15.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aUTzx3CijOI/UHzf7Gr-fCI/AAAAAAAAAbo/HGhcQ0NQ9g4/s320/Screen+shot+2012-10-09+at+9.15.13+PM.png" width="276" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now go and inspire!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes,</span></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-76917669806955352522012-10-03T22:42:00.002-07:002012-10-03T22:57:04.898-07:00Good news...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh happy day!! I finally made it to 100 followers! I never thought it would have taken me this long, especially after the successful summer I had, but going back to school has seriously cut into my free time. Sheesh! Anyways, I'm so happy that I think I'll do something really crazy. I know...How about a giveaway?! No one does that anymore ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks to the generosity of some magnificent women, I've got a bunch of goodies up for grabs! Here's what could be all yours...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ANY product from Mrs. Reed's TpT store</span><br />
<a href="http://flyingintofirst.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Flying into First</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Latoya-Reed" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4rOqOEHPeQc/UG0bVY-kgUI/AAAAAAAAAZQ/4ZSoTy0A310/s1600/flyingintofirst.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Winner's choice from Mercedes at <a href="http://surfingtosuccess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Surfing to Success</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mercedes-Hutchens" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b82Wr1Hq6JU/UG0bYqQUxXI/AAAAAAAAAZY/JQCX785sCeQ/s1600/Surfingtosuccess.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Any one item from Carrie at <a href="http://1stgradecurtis.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The First Grade Derby</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/carriebeez" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bh9pMtGbvJ8/UG0bZm8BBNI/AAAAAAAAAZg/of67zTeLIE0/s1600/firstgradederby.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And of course, up for grabs is any one product from moi!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The best part is, there will also be one grand prize winner who will receive ALL of the goodies! That's 4 products, 1 from each of us, all of your choice. It's like Christmas has come early!! So, what are you waiting for?! Get to it! And while you're at it... tell all your friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Best wishes (and good luck),</span><br />
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<a id="rc-22c5951" class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/22c5951/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-18530232326037912922012-09-23T19:50:00.001-07:002012-09-23T19:50:45.989-07:00Summarizing...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I've never liked how my TE expects me to introduce reading comprehension strategies at the beginning of the year. They're like... "Hey, you could jut quickly teach one strategy a day for a week and be great! Your kids are definitely going to learn each strategy after reading one story!..." This year, I decidedto do things my way (thank you private school for allowing me the freedom to pretty much do whatever I want)!! Here's to hoping I made the right decision!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last week we only focused on summarizing (we'll add synthesizing later... one step at a time). After attending a short, but helpful seminar on reading comprehension, I put together a new summarizing anchor chart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With each step, the kids and I say what we're doing while simultaneously performing a small hand gesture. For "stop," we hold our hand up. We point to our big brains while saying "think about the story," and we cup our hands around our mouth for "say it on your own words." Let me tell you, it's a lot easier to see who is particpiating and who isn't when there's movement involved!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first story we tried out this strategy on was <u>There is a Bird on Your Head</u>! by Mo Willems. This is one of my absolute favorite stories to read alound!! I really get into the different character voices and the kids are shocked when I actually yell!! Since it</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> was a short story we didn't need to stop and summarize throughout. We read the whole thing (twice because it's so much fun) and then summarized. I have mentioned that for longer stories we will stop after reading a few pages. Anyways, after reading, together we recited the steps for summarizing. Then we did it! We used our own words to retell what had happened. Since this was our first go around, I went with a simple picture answer. Again, this story is perfect because the illustrations are simple enough that the kids feel comfortable attempting to recreate them. Plus it helps that I do my own rendering on the board :) Exibit A...</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jOCX-rxWh3Y/UF_JBlGxSgI/AAAAAAAAAYc/9OdB1aqGstQ/s1600/9.23.12+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jOCX-rxWh3Y/UF_JBlGxSgI/AAAAAAAAAYc/9OdB1aqGstQ/s320/9.23.12+001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The next day we remembered the steps to summarizing and read another story. Again, it was short enough for us to read without stopping to summarize. This time I had the students write sentences. They were able to tell about what happened using their own words. I know it doesn't show below, but trust me... wer're going to need A LOT of work on retelling ONLY the important parts. I present you with Exibit B...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wouldn't you know it, I forgot to take a picture of this :/</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On Friday, we read <u>Bear's Loose Tooth</u>. This time, we worked as a class to write one fluid summary instead of a couple of sentences that answered questions. Exibit C...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If only I can get them to draw with more effort. I've NEVER had this problem!! Usually first graders love to draw!! But this class, they really like drawing in only one color and leaving out most details. Yikes! Any suggestions? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On a completely unrelated note... I just finished my Common Core Collection for first grade! Wow!! This is by far the most time consuming project I have taken on! I was excited when I began, extremely fatigued and doubting myself in the middle, and now relieved and proud that it's finished!! </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/My-Common-Core-Collection-for-First-Grade" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dyP4A1_Ea1s/UF_H-0LKKzI/AAAAAAAAAYU/C5ciJ5cZFNI/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This journal is 88 pages long and the perfect way to showcase your students' skills! I plan on working in this journal all year long, addressing one standard at a time after it's been taught. Our school has a book binding machine so I'll be laminating the covers and assembling them tomorrow. I'm soooooo excited to actually see the hard copy! And as a treat for my beloved followers (and for those of you who somehow happened to make it to the bottom) I'm giving away 5 free copies! If you would like one, please leave me a comment (including email address) letting me know how you teach one (any) reading comprehension strategy. I'm always looking for new ideas to incorporate into my lessons! So, whatcha got?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Best wishes,</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-43772508953273560922012-09-07T11:38:00.001-07:002012-09-07T11:41:14.935-07:00Sale...<div><p>I'm having a sale in celebration of the 10th anniversary of my 21st birthday!! Everything in my TpT store will be 20% off all weekend! So head on over and stock up! </p>
<p>Best wishes, </p>
</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-31060815684946854142012-09-05T18:33:00.000-07:002012-09-05T18:40:31.945-07:00Have you filled a bucket...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of the perks of working at a small private school is getting to know all of the students, not just your own. I can name everyone on the playground which comes in handy when someone climbing dangerously high on the jungle gym or trying to flood the sandbox... again. I know most students pretty well before they ever step foot through my door. With that being said, I knew exactly what I was getting myself into when I began school this year. And I knew that this class was definitely going to need a lot of positive reinforcement right off the bat. I decided to finally try this bucket thing I've been hearing soooooo much about. In years past, I've always had a "Something to Smile About" board. I would put pictures of the kids up, they would draw and color their bodies and then anyone could attach a note to it at any time. Let me tell you, the kids absolutely light up when they see something clipped to their doll!! What I like about this bucket idea is that there is a cute story to go with it. So, here's how I've implemented bucket filling in my class so far...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">First, I played a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUgidl9wEZ0" target="_blank">YouTube video</a> of someone reading the story. My students always pay more attention when my projector is on, so I figured I would take advantage of it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Then we recalled details from the story about how to be a bucket filler and a bucket dipper. We wrote our thoughts down on post-its and stuck them on the door. That night, I typed up their thoughts, cleaned up a few spelling and grammar errors, and laminated them. They now permanently hang as reminders of what to do and what not to do.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwTnXwcpQcY/UEf37lIap8I/AAAAAAAAAXM/_sxpfejeGXk/s1600/9.5.12+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xwTnXwcpQcY/UEf37lIap8I/AAAAAAAAAXM/_sxpfejeGXk/s320/9.5.12+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also colored our own buckets. This is where we put our "bucket notes."I hot glued them to the paper on my closet door. At the top of the bucket I attached a paper clip (also with hot glue) so the notes can slide on and off easily.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The next day we watched the story again talked about how we feel when our buckets are full. After deciding it makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside, we brainstormed a list of ways to fill others buckets. Then we wrote...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love how she tried to make the bucket look like the one in the story!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqZcYXyySk8/UEf5N8uhguI/AAAAAAAAAXc/m6gzxJC5sGc/s1600/9.5.12+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqZcYXyySk8/UEf5N8uhguI/AAAAAAAAAXc/m6gzxJC5sGc/s320/9.5.12+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some kids couldn't quite understand that the bucket was imaginary!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHgETETf7Qo/UEf5bRzOplI/AAAAAAAAAXk/GZQnHo7Y_TY/s1600/9.5.12+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHgETETf7Qo/UEf5bRzOplI/AAAAAAAAAXk/GZQnHo7Y_TY/s320/9.5.12+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G-FdWvtY3uw/UEf5o7C9Q5I/AAAAAAAAAXw/MtHtSdrBQgg/s1600/9.5.12+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G-FdWvtY3uw/UEf5o7C9Q5I/AAAAAAAAAXw/MtHtSdrBQgg/s320/9.5.12+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ah, yes... a video game reference. What day would be complete without one??</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A1kB7ci3x44/UEf52nXfRtI/AAAAAAAAAX4/H_QyOlUURD0/s1600/9.5.12+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A1kB7ci3x44/UEf52nXfRtI/AAAAAAAAAX4/H_QyOlUURD0/s320/9.5.12+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And my favorite! I wonder if she knows my birthday is this weekend?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I can't remember where I got the worksheets from. I actually printed them last year, but never used them. I'm sure if you do a google search you can find something comparable out there. If it's ours, or you recognize it, let me know and I'll leave a link!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So far, the kids are LOVING this bucket filling! They take their bucket notes out to recess to show them off to their friends. I've even caught a few girls writing bucket notes in class!! Let's just hope they keep it up. Plus, I'll be letting the parents know about our"bucket notes" during back to school night next week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">If you would like to see another awesome post about bucket filling from another awesome teacher, visit <a href="http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/2010/09/have-you-filled-bucket.html" target="_blank">The First Grade Parade</a>. She's always a great resource!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Well, I'm off to get an early start on my birthday celebration! Be on the look out for an upcoming <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Rebecca-Johnson-7/" target="_blank">TpT</a> sale and some great tips for teaching summarizing! Have a great Hump Day (what's let of it)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Best wishes,</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3325290044736889429.post-34022037767424061512012-08-29T21:38:00.000-07:002012-08-31T14:54:12.752-07:00Back to school and a tour...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ohmiword!! I cannot believe it has been over 2 weeks since my last post!! It's also been about that long since my last blog stalking session! I'm not quite sure how I managed to survive! The end of the summer came quickly and let's just say I wasn't giving it up without a fight! There were a few last minute trips with friends and family. There were a few shopping sprees. Not to mention a few days pool side. But at last, it's back to the grind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I officially returned last week, but didn't get to see my kiddos until Monday. These past few days have been a blur of catching up, reviewing, assessing and practicing! We've been so busy, I haven't had much time to take pictures of all the action. So, you'll have to make due with a little glimpse into my little classroom...</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o6x1nCoXxOo/UD7m22lLVyI/AAAAAAAAAUg/-8dH0AY4vD8/s1600/8.29.2012+250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o6x1nCoXxOo/UD7m22lLVyI/AAAAAAAAAUg/-8dH0AY4vD8/s320/8.29.2012+250.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome to my home away from home. This is a view of my desk with my claendar wall and a few bulleton boards behind it. Like I've said before, my room is super teeny and I have to share it with their foreign language teacher. I'm so jealous of all of you out there with writing tables, word walls, meeting areas...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is my beautiful reading corner. You can see many of my Made it Monday projects here! The kids think the love sack (AKA the big red pillow) is the coolest thing inthe whole world!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUOeHccu5cI/UD7ng-DGwgI/AAAAAAAAAUw/vAOsnYMsCI4/s1600/8.29.2012+252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gUOeHccu5cI/UD7ng-DGwgI/AAAAAAAAAUw/vAOsnYMsCI4/s320/8.29.2012+252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The cubbies (without name tags). I snuck these pictures in before I arranged the desks. This is where the kidlets store their backpack during the day.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKQHos6rWYo/UD7nv510wmI/AAAAAAAAAU8/-c2fQ995huo/s1600/8.29.2012+251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lKQHos6rWYo/UD7nv510wmI/AAAAAAAAAU8/-c2fQ995huo/s320/8.29.2012+251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another view of my bulletin boards. To the left is my color chart and rules. I store my centers and daily supplies on the small shelves underneath. The black bin is for our OWL books and the blue (the only thing I didn't spray paint this summer, hehe) holds our journals, some manipulatives, and crayons. And try as I did, I was not able to resist turning my lanterns into owls. He's got his back to you, but they are used for center work. Yup, the kids go to whatever numbered owl I say and sit on the floor. Gasp! I know!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few days later I was able to get my "Whooo" has a writer's eye? posters up. The kids are already referencing them as they write! Hallelujah!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">A</span>h, my closet! I am a NEAT FREAK! I spent some time at the end of last year rearranging everything. I'm still not happy with the top shelf. To be honest, I never am. The second shelf holds most of my misc supplies for art, measurement, counting, dressing up... The third shelf (now) is stocked full of kleenex and Clorox, two things I absolutely cannot live without!! The bottom shelf is where I store my centers. I have two bins, one for math and one for literacy. I keep the corresponding response sheets in 2 three-ring binders behind my desk. On the floor, I have my large bulletin board displays in a rolley (yes, it's a word) container.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RyoZSn9sLCs/UD7r4txdQhI/AAAAAAAAAVw/IYldjBS3wCE/s1600/8.29.2012+253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RyoZSn9sLCs/UD7r4txdQhI/AAAAAAAAAVw/IYldjBS3wCE/s320/8.29.2012+253.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what my closet looks like when the door is closed. I have a chart to track their math facts progress, some buckets (not pictured) to be filled, and a behavior sticker chart at the bottom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now it's your turn to link up and show off your space!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Since I can't show pictures of my kids actually doing their activities, I thought I would just let you know what I'm using...</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Math-and-Literacy-Center-Packet" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2Nx3BLc_pE/UD7oPKryqVI/AAAAAAAAAVU/xyYKOPMeG_A/s1600/Anna's+back+to+school.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have always and will always be an Anna Brantley fan. I have most of her centers! Right now, we're working through her Back to School math. During Language Arts, I'm concentrating on reviewing the alphabet, assessing and introducing some reading comprehension strategies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Next week, we will be working on some of my centers!! </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Whooos-Ready-for-First-Grade-Math-and-Literacy-Centers" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l2iOC3Q01hY/UEEyD_zp1FI/AAAAAAAAAWg/4rNYls0OttE/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Whooos-Ready-for-First-Grade-Math-and-Literacy-Centers" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0atTIGlxvts/UEEyFDxgkhI/AAAAAAAAAWo/6etBgftCwjs/s320/Slide2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Whooos-Ready-for-First-Grade-Math-and-Literacy-Centers" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cwg_3Rf8zzY/UEEyGeWPACI/AAAAAAAAAWw/0BfUOiuZYek/s320/Slide3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In my spare time (HA) I managed to transfer all of my gazillion files to a new laptop AND complete my common core "I can" statements for first, second and kinder. If you're interested, you cancheck them out at <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Rebecca-Johnson-7" target="_blank">my TpT store</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On a final note, I'm super duper close to reaching 100 followers. I've got some great prizes lined up from some fabulous fellow bloggers. So, put the word out! Let's get this giveaway going!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Hope your first week/second week/last week of summer is going well!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Best wishes,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com6