Planning for 2016 with a freebie :)

I hope that everyone is having a wonderful winter break - I know I am!!!  I've been doing some mindless reading and doing some Netflix binging!

I've updated my New Year's Mystery Picture for 2016 and it's still free :) You can download it HERE.

I've also added a new Mystery Picture to my Place Value bundle - If you own it you can download it HERE.  The bundle now contains 28 pictures.

This picture has a Superhero theme and will provide place value practice anytime of year.  Students solve the tens and ones to find the number before they color.

I copy the two student pages on an 11 X 17" paper and the students LOVE working on the large paper!!

As always, I'll send a copy of the Superhero mystery picture to the first 3 people who comment on this post.

Build a Snowman - 8 Math Games!

Have you seen snow where you are yet?  We've had just a dusting but it has gotten me into the winter spirit.  Using the same learning outcomes found in my Build a Santa pack I have a created a Build a Snowman pack that includes 8 learning games which my students will tell you are for LEARNING and FUN!

It includes eight learning games that cover the following:

•Roll and Count

•Add 1

•Add 2

•Add 5

•Add 10

•Doubles

•Doubles +1

•Subtract 1

Each game is played with a dice and has an I Can student instruction card to help build independence.

You'll also find a colour and black and white option for each page.

Here's a little peek:

As always, I'd love to give a few of these learning packs away.  I'll send a copy to the first 3 people who comment on this post :)

If you're celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow enjoy your day!!!

Magic E

Magic E, Bossy E, Super E ... whatever you call it, it's an important letter.

My kiddos loved creating these Magic Es!! They turned out absolutely adorable!!

You can download the pieces you need to create your own Magic E HERE.

We have also been enjoying this adorable video.

.

Here in Canada, we had Thanksgiving weeks ago, but if you're celebrating Thanksgiving this week ENJOY!!!!

Build a Santa

I always tell my students that games are played for two reasons

learning and fun !!

For these reasons I incorporate games in my planning.

I've just added a new learning pack to my TPT store HERE.

It includes eight learning games that cover the following:

•Roll and Count

•Add 1

•Add 2

•Add 5

•Add 10

•Doubles

•Doubles +1

•Subtract 1

All pages are included in both color and b&w and each includes an 'I can' student instruction card to build student independence.

As always (although I haven't been posting often lately!) I will send a free copy to the first 3 people who comment on this post.

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Adding 10

Hi all!

I hope that you are all enjoying your weekend!  The fall leaves are in full color right now making it my absolute favorite time of year!!

It's been awhile since I've posted anything new but love this new fall station that I just added to my store.

Students roll a dice, add 10 and cover.  I have included an apple ten frame counting on page to help with differentiation and an 'I can' student instruction card to help build independence.  All pages are in both color and black and white so you can just print and add to a math center.

In addition, I have included a roll, add 10 and color activity page. It also includes an 'I can' student instruction card. Again, the counting on ten frame could be used to help with differentiation.

You can find this activity HERE.  Please download the preview for a peek at everything that's included.

As always, I'll send a free copy to the first 3 people who comment on this post.

Spaghetti and Meatball Spaces

Hi all,

It seems like it's been awhile since I posted .. you know the drill ... back to school...family...  How can it be that we've only had 23 school days?!?  I must add that I LOVE my class! They are a wonderful group of first graders, but I just don't have mush energy left at the end of the day. :)

We've been working in class on Spaghetti and Meatball spaces in our writing.  A couple of years ago (wow - time flies) I created an anchor chart and have recently gave it a little update.  You can download a free copy in both color and black and white by clicking on the picture below or HERE.

Enjoy and I promise not to be so long between visits next time :)

Rug Rules

I just finished making myself a new mini-poster to use during carpet time this year.  I thought it turned out pretty adorably (how could it not with those cute kiddos!) so thought I would share it with you.  Just click on the picture below to download a copy.

Well, must run ... tomorrow I am back to work ... oh where, oh where did summer go?!?!

Syllables

I teach first grade and the kindergarten teachers at my school do an amazing job teaching syllables, but there are always a few... you know the ones!  So, I've created a learning pack to use to target those students in particular, but could also be used in kindergarten.

I've included picture cards to sort using either a pocket chart or sorting mats, a name sorting activity, anchor charts, and 4 different recording pages including a flip book.  There are "I can" cards included to build student independence and everything is in color and black and white.

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

As usual, I'd love to give a few copies away, so the first 3 people who comment on this post with their email will receive a copy :)

The first day is coming!

I am one of the lucky ones who still have a couple weeks before the first day of school. However, i know that it's going to go by fast and I've been puttering to get ready.

Yesterday I sewed new show and tell bags.  I LOVED the material I used for my bags last year and of course couldn't find the same material but I think my firsties will like the 'candy' material I did find.

AND YES, you can laminate and then sew a note right to the front of the bag!  You can download my note and read more about show and tell HERE.

I made this flip page for my first day of school 

and have posted it for FREE at my TPT store. I have included options for kindergarten, grade one and grade two.

You can download a copy HERE or by clicking on the picture below.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

The Scarecrows Hat

I know it's August ... but in these last few weeks of summer I love to get planned ahead and autumn will be here before we know it!

One of my all-time favorite fall reads is "The Scarecrow's Hat" by Ken Brown.  It is an adorable circular story that has the characters making 'trades until each character is happy and their problems are solved.

Here is a peek of the story I found on YouTube.

This is a wonderful story that lends itself to inferring ... I mean really ... Why do you think chicken needs a hat?

and what does each character want? (how about a flap booklet?)

and who doesn't like a craft to go with a book?

and best yet? How about all this for FREE at my TPT store????? Just click on the picture below to download your copy.  

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Apple and Pumpkin Investigations

I just spent some time catching up on my favorite blogs and am surprised how  many of you are back to school or almost back.  I still have 4 more weeks before teachers go back and plan to enjoy every minute!!  However, I say that and seem to do a little something school related everyday ;)

I just put the finishes touches on an apple and pumpkin investigation activity and LOVE how it turned out.

There are two different interactive pages, one for apples and one for pumpkins.  Each one has a choice of 3 recording pages to help with differentiation.

I created these to work with my students, but realize your needs might be different, so have included an EDITABLE file as well. (Don't you just love being able to modify for your needs??)

Be sure to check out the preview for a closer look at what's included.

You can find this activity HERE at my TPT store.

And have you heard the news???? ... TPT is having a SALE!!!!  On Monday and Tuesday my store will be 20% off and TPT is offering an addition 10% off.  I don't know about you, but I have been filling up my cart and have some shopping to do!

As always, the first 3 people who leave a comment with their email will receive a copy :)

Happy weekend!!!!!!!!!

a little update ...

Just a quick note to say that I've added a new Mystery Picture to my bundle so if you own it be sure to download it again to get the newest addition. It's also posted on it's own HERE.

so now there are 27 pictures included :)

I'll send a copy of the School Bus mystery picture to the first 3 people who comment on this post.  If you already own the bundle no need to enter :)

using picture prompts for writing

In my classroom 'small moment' writing plays a key role, but sometimes my students have a REALLY hard time coming up with that 'spark', you know the one, the 'idea' that gets the writing started.  Honestly, I was one of those students too... I just needed the spark and could waste so much time just sitting and thinking.

To help, I've been adding to my Writing Prompts Pinterest board (sorry, if I've been adding too many pins, but there are so many great ones!)  Here are a few ...

It's easy to display a picture or two on your Smartboard or you could print them off and have students choose one they like.

Those are just a few of the many I have added (with more to come).  So, if you're on Pinterest follow my board by clicking on the picture below :)

I've also added a few writing pages onto Google Docs that you can download by clicking on the picture.

If you know of any great pins that should be added to my board please let me know!

Building Block Doubles and writing idea

My kiddos LOVE building blocks so I like to tap into that interest and find ways to keep them engaged and learning while 'playing'. :)

The newest addition to my building block math resources has students practicing doubles up to 6+6.  I'm thinking about creating one with doubles up to 12+12, do you think that would be a hit?

Teachers have a choice of using a spinner or dice with this station.  The students in the group are usually my deciding factor!

Students roll or spin then double the number to play this game.  I have included "I can" instruction cards for each option and made it available in both color and black and white.  For added fun I use Lego block as game markers.

You can find it HERE in my TPT store.

If your student love building blocks too I also have the following resources available, just click on the pictures to learn more :)

and this freebie :)

How bout turning those Lego creations into a writing opportunity? The next time you hear "I don't know what to write about" give them this paper and have them write about that Lego creation they made during recess :) Click on the picture below to download for FREE.

As always, I love to give a few copies of my new products away, so the first 3 people who comment on this post will get a copy of Building Blocks Doubles Math Station.