Sailing Through Spring Linky

I've joined up with some of my bloggy friends to share a Sailing Through Spring Linky.  In my case it should be a Sailing INTO Spring linky - I tell you, it's FREEZING here!  I.AM.SO.OVER.WINTER!!!!!

Thanks to Mel at Graphics From the Pond for the cute graphic!

When you visit my friends you will find a Teacher Tip and some suggested products you might want to help you get through spring.  Of course, TPT is having their big sale on the 27th and 28th so the timing is perfect.  I know I have some shopping to do.  Now for my tip ...

My tip is simple:

We ALL have those days.  You know the ones I'm talking about - sick kids at home, sleepless nights, those 'cheerful' emails from parent ... the list goes on.  However, no matter what ALWAYS let them see you smile :)  You might be the only person who smiles at them everyday.  I have a saying when I'm having one of those days.  

"And the Oscar goes to ..."

Teachers make great actors and actresses!!

While you're filling up your carts at TPT here are a few of my faves that I know will help me sail through (and into) spring :)

If you are on the lookout for more teacher tips and ideas to add to your cart be sure to check out my friends :)

An InLinkz Link-up

St. Patrick's Day Adding 10

Are you working on adding ten?  I've got just a few more kids that need some more practice so I've created a St. Patrick's Day version of my adding ten math game.  Why are those teen numbers so tricky for some of them anyway???

 Students work with a partner or in a small group to play this game.  They roll a dice add ten then cover the number.  To help differentiate I've included a shamrock ten frame for students to use for counting on.  My hope is they will need this less and less :).  You'll also find an "I can..." student instruction card to help keep them on task.

I've included each page in both color and black & white.  

You can find this activity HERE at my TPT store.  As always, I'll send a copy to the first 3 people who comment on this post.

Have you seen this?  I came across it on You Tube - perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

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Have you heard???????

Have you heard that there are now 3 million teachers who use Teachers Pay Teachers?  TPT has made me such a better teacher, not only have I created materials for my own classroom, challenged myself, bought some amazing resources but I have met some of the most amazing friends on this adventure.

To celebrate TPT is having a sale.  It doesn't happen often so you don't want to miss it.

In honor of this incredible accomplishment, many sellers will be having a sale on Thursday & Friday (2/27 & 2/28).  The products in my store will be marked down 20%.  However, if you use the code TPT3 on the day of the sale, you can save an additional 10% (total of 28% savings).  

So, how are you going to spend your evening?  I know that I'll be filling my cart!

Asking AND Telling

Can you use the same words to build completely different sentences?  Yes you can!  Look at these two:

Is the cat brown?

The cat is brown.

I've updated one of my word work stations that I like to use with a few of my firsties who need a little challenge.  

Students will choose a card which has sentences scrambled and then they will try to come up with both an asking and telling sentence.  I have included an anchor chart (for instruction) and I can student instruction cards (for independence).

Each page is in color and black & white.  (I love the colors but let's face it - ink is expensive!!)

You can find this unit HERE at my TPT store.

If you already own this please head over to your purchases and re-download.  As always, I'll send a copy to the first 3 people who comment on this post :)

The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear

Have any of you been as glued to the TV as much as I the past two weeks?  I have been watching the Olympics morning, noon and night and even have my students excited about it :)  Like our Olympians I strive for perfection and even thought one of my units at TPT has a rating of 4.0 I knew it wasn't my best so I have redone it while watching the Olympics.

In your class library do you have a copy of The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and The Big Hungry Bear by Don and Audrey Wood?  If so, you need to see this and if not that's okay too (I've explained below).

I loved many of the activities in this unit including inferring, mental image, antonyms, alphabetical order and sentence scrambles but really wanted to add a story retell rope.

Now I said that if you didn't have a copy of the book that it was not a problem and that's because I found a video on YouTube!!!!!!!  Even though I have the book I also show this :)

You'll find my unit HERE at my TPT store.  I'll also send a copy to the first 3 people who comment on this post who do not have a copy.  If you already own it you can re-download for free in your purchases section of TPT.

Need a copy of the book? Find it on Amazon

Enjoy what's left of your weekend!!!!

How-to Interactive Books

My how-to writing books in a few of my literacy bundles have been a success in my classroom and a couple customers suggested that I create a bundle of just them.  Here's what I came up with ...

It contains a variety of student writing booklets, instructions on assembly, a few graphic organizers and 40 how-to writing topics.

My goal is to keep adding to this bundle, including more variety of books

 and organizers.  If you purchase it at my store you'll always be able to re-download any additions.

Topics included are:  How-to...

make a sandwich
make hot chocolate
stay dry on a rainy day
roast a marshmallow
make a s’more
make lemonade
put on a band aid
plant a garden
paint an Easter egg
build a snow fort
catch a frog
recycle
catch a turkey
play darts
bowl
play soccer
rollerskate
go apple picking
make your bed
brush your teeth
plant a garden
carve a pumpkin
get ready for school
build an ice cream sundae
decorate a Christmas tree
ride a bike
play soccer
play hockey
be a good friend
plan a party
make a pizza
catch a fish
build Lego
build or fix a ???
wash a pet
juggle
make a valentine
catch a leprechaun
wash the floor
blow a bubble

You can find this at my TPT store HERE.  Please take a peek at the preview at my store for a closer look :)

If you'd like a copy I'll send one to the first 3 people who comment on this post.  As well, it's on sale for 50% off for the first 24 hours :)

Planning for March

I love St. Patrick's Day for so many reasons.  First, I have some Irish in me - my paternal grandfather was from Ireland (miss you Grampy <3 ).  Second, it means spring is on the way (I've had enough snow for this year thank you!) Third, last year I celebrated the first arrival of my classroom leprechaun and the kids went crazy!

In preparation for St. Patrick's Day I have my literacy work stations ready to go!  You can find them HERE at my TPT store.

Here's a little peek:

There are six activities included to keep your students engaged and learning including:

* how-to catch a leprechaun writing (flap book)

* long and short vowels

 * ABC (alphabetical) order

 * digraphs (ch / sh / th / wh)

* scrambled sentence sorting and

* plurals (photo to follow - I'm sure I took one :)

If you're getting ready for St. Patrick's Day and would like a copy you can find it at my TPT store, but I'll send a free copy to the first 3 people who comment on this post.  In your comment please tell me a skill you will be covering soon that you'd like to see included in my next set of literacy stations.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Building Block Fun

We have had indoor recess after indoor recess and I've noticed that my students have a particular interest in 'building 'this year.  Perhaps it's the new Lego movie coming out or I have a room full of future engineers ;)

In either case, I have a new math station and a freebie to share with you tonight.

First, the new station.  It requires students to work with a partner or small group.  They will roll a dice, add ten and cover the number.  To allow for differentiation I have included a counting on card.  I will have students place the dice on the card then use the ten frame of building blocks to count on.

As you can see there is an I can card included to build student independence and every page is included in color and black & white.

You can find this math station at my TPT store HERE.

Now how about that freebie I mentioned?  I saw a picture on Pinterest of a building block board game and it sparked an idea so I thought I would share with you :)

Students spin the spinner and move up the board following the directions as they travel.  (The building possibilities are endless with just the spinner.)

I have included an I can... card to keep students in task.

The goal is to build the highest tower.

You can download a copy for free HERE.

Now, let's see who's spending a quiet Friday night at home.  I'll send a copy of my Adding 10 activity to the first 3 people who comment on this post :)

Pirate Doubles!

I have a confession ...lately when my Pirate Doubles math station sold I cringed.  I knew it was one of my earlier creations and knew it could be better.  So, today was the day...

Yo Ho Ho!  MUCH better!!!!

Students roll a dice, double the number and cover it on their card.  It sounds simple and should be but for some reason doubles are difficult for many.  Of course, an I can student instruction card is included to keep them on task and the entire pack is in color and black & white.  Do you have any girls who are not fond of pirates?  They'll love these ones - half are girls in pink!

This unit also matches my Tens and Ones Place Value Pirate Mystery Picture.

It's a busy day in bloggy land.  You'll find a couple of my products in a Valentine's Day giveaway over at I is For Inspire.  You can (and should!) enter the giveaway HERE.

Would you like a copy of my pirate activities?  I'll send a copy of BOTH to the first 5 people who comment on this post. :)

If you are a football fan enjoy the game today!