Thursday, July 31, 2014

Short Vowels Flip Book

Happy Thursday!

I am super excited about my newest learning pack!


There are 25 picture cards with the middle short vowel sound missing.  Students need to print the missing letter, color the picture (might as well put in some fine motor skill practice!) and glue them onto the correct page of the book.

I've included 2 different options for creating the book.  One has you photocopy each page then have students assemble, the second uses less photocopies.  Make sense? Maybe this will help:

I have included an I Can student instruction card to go with each choice making it perfect for a word work station.

You can find this new pack HERE at my TPT store.  Next on my to-do list - you guessed it I need to finish up my long vowels book :)

Would you like a copy?  There are 2 ways - I'll send a copy to the first 2 people who comment here with their email AND I'm giving one away on my Facebook page.

Monday, July 28, 2014

How I use Sight Words and a freebie (or two)

Yesterday morning I posted a picture on Instagram of the Sight Words Pouches (pencil cases) that I picked up at Target.  Since then I've received a number of emails wondering how I store / use sight words.  Here's a peek into my sight word routine.

First, the picture I posted of the cutest pouches.


At the beginning of the year I stock up on recipe cards at the dollar store.  Each time I teach a new sight word I have the students print the word on a card and store it in their pouch.  The pouches travel home for practice but are returned to school so we can use them each day for practice (see the game below) and to add more.

I jazz them up with a label for the front.  Click HERE to download my labels. I have formatted them to fit on AVERY 5163 labels.  There are 10 on a sheet so I only needed to use 3 sheets :)


One of the games my kiddos love to play is an idea I picked up from a co-worker years ago.  It is called WORDO  - think bingo but no bingo markers!  You can download a copy for FREE by clicking on the picture or HERE.


I've included the directions with the game, but basically students choose 6 words from their pouch and place them on their playing card (which I print 11X17).  The teacher (or caller) calls out sight words and if the player has it they remove it from their card (NO MARKERS NEEDED!).  The winner is the player who clears their card first. EASY PEASY!!!  My students ask to play it ALL.THE.TIME!

I hope you enjoy these sight word freebies :)

If you have ideas for how I can use sight words in my classroom I'd love to hear them.



Thursday, July 24, 2014

Organizing Math Stations in your classroom

If you are a regular visitor here you know that I LOVE math work stations.  Well, I have posted a product that will explain how I implement them in my classroom and provide you with everything you need to get started :)


You'll find:
-some tips for your classroom
-binder cover and spine to keep you organized
-planning sheets
-table numbers signs
-students name cards and number cards
-pocket chart sign
-student expectation anchor chart


I am especially in love with my new table signs.  I've made them 4X6 so they will fit in any frame, but aren't these ones that I picked up at Michael's absolutely perfect?!?!


I've put these on sale in my TPT store HERE for the rest of tonight and tomorrow :)

Happy Organizing!!



Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Birthday Freebie

Birthdays can be a little CRAZY so I've created some crazy straw balloons for my students gifts this year.


I've taped a balloon to a crazy straw and displayed them in an empty upside down tissue box.  It was easy peasy and now my birthday gifts are done for the year!! (and they look pretty cute!)

Click HERE to download a copy for free  :)

The other thing I give my students on their birthday is a copy of this mystery picture.

You can find it HERE at my TPT store.

Happy Birthdays!!!!!!!

Friday, July 18, 2014

I just might like collecting data this year!

The expectations for collecting and using data increases every year in my district.  I am very good at keeping running records, writing rubrics, etc in student binders, but last year I also kept a 'teacher copy' - a go-to binder that listed current running record levels, behavior notes, etc.  But ... it wasn't pretty.  This year I'm keeping this one on my desk on a place for everyone to see!


I'm not loving my inkjet printer right now ... so while I dream about a new one I had these pages printed at Staples.  Seriously, I ordered it online and it was done before I got there!  I also included black & white pages not only as a save your ink option but wouldn't they be ADORABLE if they were colored in by your students???  Here's a peek:
I've posted this in my TPT store HERE as a zipped file.  It contains a PDF version and an EDITABLE Powerpoint (with instructions) for you to personalize your own.

I'm heading out to run some errands, but when I return I'll send a copy to 3 RANDOM people who leave a comment on this post.
We have 3 winners!!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

School Tools Mirror Words

I still have more than a month before back to school, but like you I'm always thinking about it!

I just put the finishing touches on a word work activity I'm going to use when I get back.  My mirror words started with a Tricky Leprechaun activity and my students loved it so much that I have included a few more since.  My latest will be the first that this year's students will see - school tools!

Students will use a mirror (I've picked up mine at the dollar store) to read the backward words.  There is a choice of recording pages to help with differentiation and all pages are included in black and white to save your ink :)


You can read more about it HERE at my TPT store.

I will send a copy to the first 3 people who comment on this post :)

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Two For Tuesday!

With my power outage last week I wasn't able to post my Tuesday deals, but I'm back online and ready to share (and find) some deals.  

the following 2 products are on sale today only for 50% off.
You can find my new Tornado pack HERE

and Popcorn Digraphs word work station HERE


Be sure to click on the picture below to score more deals, but hurry, it's only for today!


Happy shopping!!!




Sunday, July 13, 2014

It's here! A personalized I Spy pack!!

You've asked so you shall receive!!!

I have made a few of you an individual I Spy pack and sent them to you so this year I have decided to include the option in my TPT store.

My students LOVE it when I get the magnifying glasses out and what could make it even more special?  Why finding their own names of course!!

Here's what you get:


and here's how it works:

With your purchase you will download a set of questions for you to answer and email to me.  I will send you your personalized product within 72 hours (although usually much sooner!)
If you receive a new student within the 2014-15 school year I will make the addition to your product at no cost to you.
Due to the personalized nature of this product it is not included in my I Spy Bundle.
If you have not seen my I Spy packs before click HERE for a free one to see what all the ‘fun’ is about!!
Any questions? Just ask!  

I'm giving away a personalized copy.  If you win once you get your class list for this year just send me the answers to the questions I will send you.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Tornado in a Bottle!

Ironically in the middle of finishing up this pack about tornadoes I spent more than 3 days without power because of Hurricane Arthur!  Perhaps I was creating about the wrong wild weather?!?!  Regardless, I have a new appreciation for both electricity and running water!!

Have you been following any of the bloggers who are the TPT conference in Las Vegas?  They look like they are having so much fun!  I'm just a tad, okay a lot, jealous of the fun they're having!!

Back to my new unit.  Your students will have so much fun with a Tornado in a Bottle.  Just add two 2-liter pop bottles and either a tornado tube OR duct tape and you're ready to go!


Here's a peek at what you'll get :)

Your students will learn about tornadoes, storm chasers and how to make a tornado in a bottle.

You can find this learning pack HERE at my TPT store.

I'll send a copy to the first 3 people who comment on this post and I am also giving away a copy on my Facebook page.

Have a wonderful day!!

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Two For Tuesday

I'm linking up with The Teaching Tribune for another Two For Tuesday.  This is where you'll find products at 50% off for today only!  

Let's start with my recent update - Estimating Through the Year.  Today you can pick it up for 50% off.




Click on the picture below to find many more 50% deals - I know I will be!