It's finally summer and a freebie!

I have been green with envy the past month or so reading blog posts of teachers who started their summer vacation ... now, I have finally joined the relaxation!  My plans consist of lots of relaxation, family time and of course adding a few new products to my TPT store. :)

First up, I decided that this fall I will introduce my Mystery Pictures with an easier picture that uses numbers to 50.  This will be a great lesson on it's own but also be the perfect introduction to the other pictures I have them do throughout the year.

You can pick up a copy (did I mention it's FREE?) in my TPT store - enjoy!!  You can find it HERE.

Getting ready for back to school

Summer is winding down which means my thoughts are filled with back to School.  I have 2 weeks until I head back, for those of you who are already back or start this week, I hope you quickly settle into a routine.  I'm glad I'm not back yet because I've been glued to the Olympics and staying up WAY past my bedtime. :)

I have been puttering a bit and have a few back to school things ready:

First up: a First Day of School Emotions FREEBIE.  You can download it HERE at my TPT store.

I also have a Back to School writing activity you can find HERE.

I've got my Glow Stick Editable FREEBIE printed and ready to attach my glowsticks (which I bought, put in a safe place and can't find - I know they're in a safe place which I'll find after I buy new ones).  You can download these HERE.  I just need to punch holes and slide my glowstick bracelets through the holes.

I have my First Day of School FREEBIE printed and ready to go!  You can download a copy HERE.

Today I posted my Classroom Rules.  These are the same rules I have used for years but they needed a little update.  I've made them editable so you can 'tweak' them to suit your needs.  You can find them HERE.

Would you like a copy of my Classroom Rules?  I'll send a copy to the first 3 people who comment on this post :) 

Happy Back to School!

Back to School Writing

I LOVE knowing what my students are thinking and what their hopes are for the school year.  For that reason I've created this writing lesson.

I've included an organizing web, school words printable an a variety of writing lined pages.  You can find it HERE at my TPT store.

I hope this helps a bit with your back to school planning and lets you get a glimpse into what your students are thinking!!

As always, the first 3 people to comment on this post with their emails 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!

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 :)

Dice Activities for Back to School

I hope that you are all enjoying some much deserved rest and relaxation.  Since school ended last week I've painted my kitchen and living room and gone to half a dozen appointments that I just never have time for during the school year.
Today I spent some time finishing up my newest addition to my Dice Activities Bundle.  It has a Back to School theme and focuses on skills for early in the year.  Each activity has an 'I can' card so if you choose to use it in a center or as early finisher work students can use them with some independence.  You can read more about it HERE.  You'll find more details in the preview.

The bundle now includes 13 learning packs so if you own it be sure to download the newest addition.

As always, I'll send a copy of my newest learning pack to the first 3 people who comment on this post.

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!!

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!!

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 :)

'Glowing' back to school freebie

NOTE: This FREE product has been updated to include an editable version.  You can read more about it HERE.


My firsties are always glowing with excitement (and energy) on the first day of school so I've made them these cute glow stick gifts.

I included 2 glow stick bracelets that I picked up at our local dollar store and voila!  My camera didn't know what to do with these glowing bracelets :)

I've made mine for first grade but also included pre-K, kindergarten (did you know I taught kindergarten for 13 years?), second,third and fifth grade.

You can download these for free by clicking HERE.  If you use them I'd love to know.  Your feedback is what encourages me to create!

Happy Back to School!!

Are you thinking about back to school?

I haven't posted in awhile but I have a REALLY good reason ... my oldest graduated from high school last week (*sigh) and it was the last week if school.  Need I say more?

So, I have come back with a freebie!

 Students work with a partner or small group to use this activity.  They roll one die, double the number and cover the number on their playing card.  They won't even know they are working!  I plan to use this early in the year when I introduce doubles. You can pick up a copy at my TPT store.

If you like this activity and are looking for more I have a set of 10 Back to School Math Stations.

I used these last September and already have them ready to go in the new school year.  If you would like a closer peek click here to find them at my TPT store.

I'd like to send a copy of these back to school math work stations to 2 followers.  before I head to bed tonight, I will randomly choose 2 from comments left on this post.  Be sure to leave your email!

UPDATE:  I'll be sending the unit out to comments #5 and #9.  These numbers were chosen by my daughter :)

Back to School Math Work Stations

Do you use math work stations in your classroom?  After reading Debbie Diller's book last summer I included them in my math program right away and have not looked back! 

Be sure to check out my Back to School Math Work Stations on TPT.  They are ready to print and use.

check it out here

Look what you'll get - it's a back to school bargain!