New Year 2017 FREEBIE

What a whirlwind week it has been!  I knew that teaching until the 23rd would mean Christmas would be busy, but yikes - I went right from 20 super-excited, elf loving, energetic students to Christmas Eve overnight - literally!!!!!

But now ... RELAXATION is in order until January 9th!!  Netflix and I have some catching up to do!

A few weeks ago I updated my New Year's mystery picture but haven't had a chance to let you know.  Students solve to find the number, then color.

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My kiddos get so excited when I copy the 2 pages side by side on an 11 X 17 piece of paper - which they think is a 'poster'.  :)

You can download this for FREE HERE.

I hope this helps make your January planning a little easier.  Enjoy and I'll be back in the near future with a new product I'm working on. :)

Magic Seeds!

Christmas is such a magical time for children and adults alike.  This activity will help keep that magic alive and get students doing some writing.

My classroom elf will be stopping by with some Tic-Tacs Magic Christmas Seeds, a bowl and some sugar.

He'll have instructions with him and I'll have a few candy canes tucked aside along with a writing flip book for them to record their observations.  My plan is to have the candy canes 'grow' when they are out for recess. :)

You can find this activity at my TPT store HERE. 

As always, the first 3 people who comment on this post will get a copy. :)

Candy Cane Investigations

Happy December!!!  I absolutely love the holidays and enjoying a few candy canes is no exception!  Using those yummy treats in my lesson planning is a no-brainer!   For that reason, I've put together my Candy Cane Investigations to engage students and get them writing!

This learning pack is editable to suit your students and their needs.  For my class I placed min candy canes in water, 7-Up and vinegar and let the magic happen!

I've provided lots of options and made it easy for you to differentiate.

You can find this learning pack HERE at my TPT store and as always, the first 3 people who comment in this post with their emails will get a copy. :)

Number Maze

As a review of representing numbers to 20 I created a number maze of ten frames, dice, dominoes, fingers and tallies and my students had a blast!!!  So much so that I thought I'd share it with you as a freebie.

This activity really showed me who my quick subitizers were and who needed a bit more more practice.  Click HERE to download and enjoy!!

Add or Subtract?

I've had requests to create more resources with the building block theme so here's my latest :)

To play this game students work with a partner or a small group and roll 2 dice, decide if they want to add or subtract the numbers and cover the result on their playing card. They need to do quick mental math and decide is adding or subtracting would benefit their game.

An "I can..." card is included to build student independence.
I have included both color and black and white options.  Given the state of my color ink I should have printed in black and white ... a trip to Staples is in my near future!

Lego pieces as playing pieces would be perfect with this theme :) 
You can find this game HERE in my TPT store and it's part of the CYBER sale that ends at midnight.

As always, the first 3 people to comment on this post will get a copy :)

Add or Subtract Gingerbread Style!

Hi all!

I am a happy gal tonight ... you know that feeling of finishing report cards?  That's me, now just to finish parent teacher conferences next week and then it's all things Christmas!

With the extra time on my hands I can get some products that I've been using ready to post in my store.  First up ... a new math work station.

My students have gained a solid understanding of addition and subtraction, but are having a bit more trouble deciding which to use when given a choice. I created this math work station to help reinforce this skill.

To play this game students work with a partner or a small group and roll 2 dice, decide if they want to add or subtract the numbers and cover the result on their playing card.
An "I can..." card is included to build student independence.
I have included both color and black and white options.

Although the gingerbread theme is perfect for Christmas this product does not contain any reference to Christmas which may be important in some schools.

It won't take your students long to figure out if adding the dice together or subtracting the smaller number from the larger will benefit them.  Imagine the quick mental math happening!

You can find this resource HERE in my TPT store.

Would you like a copy? The first three people who comment on this post with their email will get a copy.

Candy Corn Investigations

Happy mid-October!

I'm not sure what the weather is like where you are, but here in the east we have been spoiled by an absolutely gorgeous fall! The colors on the trees are more vibrant than I have seen them in recent years!  I LOVE seeing the seasons change, but must admit I'm not looking forward to winter.  Fingers crossed that it goes easy on us this year.

My kiddos have enjoyed my Apples and Pumpkins Investigations this year and were asking for more so I've created Candy Corn Investigations.

I've included 2 investigation options that work with my students and my class, and 3 different recording options (my class is so diverse that I needed to use all three!).  I've also included an editable download so you can choose the investigations that work for your class. 

Here's the one that I am using ... (with boy and girl scientist options)

I placed candy corn in water, 7-Up and vinegar and after just 30 minutes it looked like this ... ummm YUCK!  But the language ... fizzled, bubbles, dissolved ...

You can find my Candy Corn Investigations HERE

As always, the first 3 people who comment on this post with their email will get a copy.  And to the people who have purchased it today before I even had a chance to blog about it - THANKS!

WINNER!!!

Hameray Publishing has chosen their winner from my previous post!  Congratulations Michelle Luckie-Taylor!!!   
I'm sure you'll love your new books!!!

Michelle - if you haven't already, you will hear from Hameray directly!

Just a few hours left to win!

There are just a few more hours left to enter the Hameray giveaway!  Read more about it HERE.

A chance to win free books!

Today was my first day back to school ... enough said! Right?!?

BUT I have the best way to celebrate -  a GIVEAWAY!

I feel so fortunate to have been asked to help Hameray Publishing with a giveaway!!  One lucky winner is going to win the Complete Joy Cowley Orange Set valued at $85!!!!  That's 15 brand new books for your classroom!!!

Joy Cowley Collection Orange Set features Joy's "learning with laughter" writing style, made famous by the Mrs. Wishy-Washy books, in fifteen leveled readers with cute recurring characters: Oscar, The Gruesomes, Barbie the Lamb, and more! Written at guided reading levels E–I, these books are perfect for students reading at a first-grade level.

You can explore these titles and Hameray's other literacy materials HERE.

Here's a peek into one of these wonderful books:

I can picture my kiddos singing this song now!

So, what are you waiting for?  Be sure to click HERE to enter this amazing giveaway!!!!  The contest will run for one week.  

Good luck!!!

Mystery Picture Bundle update

I was busy today ...

My Mystery Picture Bundle has grown again ... if you own it be sure to download it to get the additions.

If you look close you will see that I added a Scarecrow picture.

You can find it on it's own HERE and in the bundle HERE.  The bundle now contains 30 pictures and the price remains the same. :)

I've also updated the binder cover and spine and the 'I can' student instruction card.  Here's a peek!

Do you have a scarecrow theme?  If so, don't forget about The Scarecrow's Hat freebie I posted last fall.  Click on the picture below to read more.

Would you like a copy of the new Scarecrow Mystery Picture?  If so, be one of the first 3 people to comment here with your email.

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!

We have a winner!

Congratulations to Jennifer G! She was the winner of my giveaway yesterday.

I loved reading your read aloud ideas!  Thanks for sharing - I have some shopping to do!!

For those who didn't win, don't forget that my TPT store is on sale at 28% off today.  Just remember to use the code BESTYEAR when you checkout!

Happy shopping!

Sale and a GIVEAWAY!

Have you heard???  TPT is having a Back to School sale tomorrow and Tuesday!  All items in my store (and most stores will be 28% off).  I have marked products down 20% and with the code BestYear you get an addition 10%!

My shopping cart is FULL and I have left feedback on my purchases to earn credits so I am READY!  Are you?  How does a $10 TPT gift certificate sound to help with your shopping????

I am also including $20 in products from my store for the winner.  So what are you waiting for?  Enter below.  I'll choose a winner first thing Monday morning so you'll have it in time for the sale!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and happy shopping!!!

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.

Beginning Sounds Mystery Messages

I spent a rainy morning getting another learning pack ready to post in my store.  (I have a few that I need to do that too!)

My students love Mystery Messages and I love that they can use these to practice beginning sounds, capital letters, spacing, correct spelling, punctuation, and neat handwriting.

There are 24 messages included.  Each one has a choice of 2 writing lines.
Back to School:  I am very happy you are here!
Fall: The squirrel has an acorn.
Fall: Do you like to carve pumpkins?
Halloween: Are you afraid of spiders?
Halloween: What is your favorite candy?
Thanksgiving:  I am thankful for my friends.
Christmas: The elf on the shelf is magic!
Christmas: Do you like candy canes?
Winter: My snowman has a carrot nose.
Winter: Do you want to build a snowman?
New Year: It is going to be a great year!
Groundhog Day: Do you think the groundhog will see his shadow?
Valentine’s Day: Will you be my Valentine?
100th Day: I am one hundred days smarter!
Earth Day: We can all help the Earth.
Easter: Draw five eggs in the basket.
Insects: An insect has three body parts.
Summer: Swimming at the beach is fun!
Summer: It is important to wear sunscreen.
Friends: I can be kind everyday.
Color: What is your favorite color?
School: School is cool!
Superhero: I always try my best!
Recess: Playing outside is fun!

For each message students look at the picture, sound out the word and print the beginning sound.  The letters will spell a mystery sentence that students then need to print.

I have included an 'I can' student instruction card for you to use if you plan to use these in a literacy center.  

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

As always, the first 3 people who leave a comment on this post with their email will receive a copy.

Blends and Digraphs Word Building

I'm excited about this learning pack!

When working with small groups I am always looking for easy-prep resources to reinforce blends and digraphs so I created and laminated these words strips fro students to use with dry erase markers.  They are also included in black and white which could be copied to make student booklets.

As you can see in the background there are 4 recording pages so students can show what they know at a literacy station.  After they work in a small group with me I always send them off to work on a related task and thought these would be perfect!

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

As always, the first 3 people who comment on this post with their email will receive a copy. It pays to stop by! :)