TPT Updates

I have been busy getting everything and everyone back into the routine.  In the meantime I have been creating some new games for the classroom.  All of them can be found on my TPT page.  Be sure to check it out!  Click the pictures for a copy.

Roll and Write Digraphs
Roll and Write Sight Words
Roll and Color Dice Games
Basic Phonics {Pack 1}
Valentine’s Day Print and Go Pack
Please enjoy and be sure to leave feedback!

Fall Math Word Problem Pack for Young Learners {With Pictures}

I am just loving this season!  I have created a new pack to share.  I actually already do this in my classroom and I have for quite some time, but another teacher told me I should share it.  So I put it together into 4 packs.  I have uploaded the FALL version, but it can really be used at any time.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fall-Math-Word-Problem-Pack-for-Young-Learners-With-Pictures-1017578

I took a regular spiral notebook and cut it in half. Each day I put the daily math word problem on the next clean page. You can do this ahead of time for the whole month or teach your students to do it themselves. I find it easier to do it for the whole month.

I have the students write the date at the top. They are to read the word problem and circle the numbers. Then they need to underline or highlight any key words (i.e. in all, altogether, etc.). Once they have done this, they are to draw a picture to show me how they got the answer.

Once I have taught them to write a number sentence, I ask them to write a number sentence under their picture.

Lastly, I ask them to write a word sentence about the problem and/or answer (i.e. There are 3 balloons left.). This incorporates their beginning writing skills into the math program.

I use these labels for bell work, but you can use them for a ticket out the door, early finishers, etc.

This packet uses Avery template 5163. Please make sure you are using the correct labels to print for the best quality.

If you do not have labels, you can print these on regular paper and cut them apart. Then have your students glue them into their journal.
You can get you copy here!  Stay tuned for the other 3 packs!

 Happy solving!

'Tis the Season

I just wanted to check in and see how everyone's Thanksgiving went?  I hosted this year, and I think it was a big success.  Have you started your holiday shopping?

A great place to start is on Teachers Pay Teachers!  And if you haven't started your own shop, you totally need to.  Share your best resources with other teacher.  Here is a link to get you started.

I also wanted to tell you about a new Christmas Review Pack I have posted.  Use this 7 page packet as a review of basic skills over the holiday break. Students will be able to continue writing and putting words in ABC order. Also included is a color-by-number and a holiday word search.

I created it to help encourage some learning over break.  I also encouraging reading over the break.  It saddens me when students come back and have not even read with their family over break.  I hope these fun activities are things they can work on together.

The countdown is on....25 more days until Christmas!

It's Almost Here!

I am not sure if I am referring to Thanksgiving or Black Friday.  Here are a few pictures of some things we have been working on this week and last.


Here is what my kindergarteners did for number recognition practice.  You can get a copy of it here!


I was getting tired of the kids focusing on spelling all the time and not getting their ideas on the paper.  So, I put a prompt on the paper and we brainstormed words we might need for our writing.   drew a picture next to each word so that students could easily find it.  To give them some ideas, we read the book Thanks for Thanksgiving.



Last week, or was it two weeks ago already, we made a general chart of words we might need for the whole month.  I really like this idea for each month because I find the kids using it and not asking me how to spell everything.  With it, I have noticed their writing improve.

Happy writing!

A Short Post

Today is my last day of Fall Break!  Oh how I love my job, but it has been very nice to have a week off.  I cannot wait for the next day off.  I could totally get used to not going to work, but knowing me,  would be ready to go back fairly quickly.  And I would be working on stuff for the classroom anyway.

I am back to work tomorrow until the two days we get off for Thanksgiving.  I do have to say that I love this time of the year.  Do you have any special plans coming up in your classroom?

Happy Fall Y'll!

I know it has been over a month since I have posted.  I have not been doing a  great job at keeping my blog up.  I can list all my excuses or just continue to get back on track.  Here is a summary of what I have been doing:

Grad School:  I posted this summer that I decided to go back to school for my Master's Degree.  I have been spending a lot of time working on that.  Working full time and trying to balance that is a tough one for sure!

Student Council:  This year, I was asked to be the student council sponsor. So far I am loving it.  We had our elections and I got a great group of kids.  We have since helped with the school BINGO night, school store, spirit day, and we are working on  can food drive as well as a float for the local light parade.  I am having a ball with this one!

School Store:  This goes with student council, but I listed it separately because it takes my time alone.  I have to count, sort,  and roll the money that the kids bring in from what they sell.  I also have to order and track the items we sell.  I could spend a whole day just doing inventory.  But it is for the kids and I have found if I do a little bit each day, I can manage it.

Work:  I still am working full time and loving that too.  I have a great group of kids this year.  Next week I am starting our Halloween writing prompts and I can't wait.  This week we are going to be writing about pumpkins, but next week is probably my favorite activity of the season.  I did it last year too and you can read about it here.  I am referring to my ghost writing prompts.  During the week we discuss transition words and how writers use them to sequence events or steps.  Some people teach this using PB&J.  Since I love Halloween so much, I teach it with ghosts.  I have my students make ghosts out of cheese cloth and then we write the steps using transition words.  The kids love it as much as I do.

Home:  I also have my responsibilities at home as well as everything listed above.   I don't know how you all do it.  I am ready for bed when I get home.  And now I am moving, so I have to come home and pack.

That's my update for you and I will try to get back to writing at least once a week.  In the mean time, be sure to check out my TPT Store for updates!

Back to School

I know it has been a little over a month since I have posted, but here I am.  So much has been going on at work.  A lot of changes on top of the usual beginning of the year stuff.  Some days I still feel like I am a chicken running around with my head cut off.  But then I remind myself that it is only August and that is allowed for the first few weeks.

As you know, I am a special education teacher.  Well, my district is implementing full day kindergarten.  Guess who works next to the kindergarten classrooms?  Guess who may have to move their whole classroom?  Guess who finally has their classroom how they want it?  The answer to all of those questions is ME!  The other special ed teacher moved this week.  If enrollment continues to increase,  I will be next.  I work in a very transient area, so it is hard to determine our enrollment at certain times.

But, don't get me wrong!  I totally love the idea that we are offering full day kindergarten.  I think in the long run it will be very beneficial to the students.  It just creates a lot of work to start up.

I am also the new sponsor for student council this year.  Just got home from a sponsor meeting.  Can't wait to get started with that.  Oh and my grad school classes start up this week too!  Did I forget to mention, I teach all day too!?

When school is in session, it is a never ending day.  Sometimes the days blur together.  I am exhausted by Fridays!  But, I love what I do and I cannot imagine doing anything else.

How is your year starting off?
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