Classroom Helpers Chart

Hey everyone! I know I've been neglecting you all lately but I've been having such a busy summer! Still no luck with the job hunt, but we've still got a month before school starts here so you never know! Anyhow, I just added a new product to my polka dot theme...a new Classroom Jobs Chart! It's bright and cheery and includes 44 job cards, each adorably illustrated with Scrappin' Doodles clipart! I also recently updated my Daily Schedule pack to include dozens of new cards AND I updated my Polka Dot Posters to include numbers 11-20. Click the picture to check it out!

Good luck to all of you who are already heading back to school! I hope you all have a fantastic year <3

First Grade Common Core Posters!

I've just finished my First Grade Common Core "I Can" Posters and they're up for sale in my store! This is the first grade version of my Kindergarten Common Core set. All the first grade common core standards are included for Language Arts and Math! This set is a black and white polka dot theme. I'll be working on a multi-color polka dot theme next. I'm also working on a class jobs chart with some cute new Scrappin' Doodles clipart! Click the image below to check out the posters!

Lesson Plans & FREEBIE Template

Hey everyone! Due to all the requests, I've finally uploaded my entire year of lesson plans! Also, I've gotten hundreds of requests to share my template. I've been hesitant to do so because of how funky things can get with Word Documents. But since I've just re-made my template in PowerPoint, I decided to go ahead and share it with you! I made 4 versions (vertical and horizontal formats). You will need a basic knowledge of PowerPoint to use these. These are basic blank templates, so you can choose your own cute fonts, clipart, etc to customize your own visual lesson plans. If you need help with this, Deedee Wills has made a great video tutorial here: Mrs. Wills How-To Visual Lesson Plans

Let me know if you have any questions! Good luck with all your planning! As for me, I'm still searching for a job! I'm keeping my fingers crossed! ;)

Click the image below to see my lesson plans from last year.

Click the images below to download my PowerPoint templates.

                                Horizontal Templates                                     Vertical Templates

Down by the Sea Centers + FREEBIE

We wrapped up the year with an ocean theme and had such a blast these past couple weeks! All of these activities (and more) are part of my Down by the Sea Math & Literacy Centers!

Fishin' Addition

We go fishing with our partner, then we add up both of our catches and record the equations.

 Marine Measuring

We use cubes to measure the different sea animals.

 Shark Attack

We compare numbers and make the sharks eat the bigger numbers.

 Ten Frame Race

We roll a ten frame cube, count the sea creatures, and trace the correct numeral.

 Skip Counting Crabs

We sequence the crabs in the pocket chart and then cut and paste the crabs in order on sentence strips.

 Seashell Patterns

We use seashells to make patterns and then color our patterns on the recording sheet.

 Fishing for Sight Words

We go fishing for sight words and write the words we catch.

 Digging for Crabs

We dig crabs from the sand and write the ending sounds on the recording sheet.

 Label the Turtle

We label a turtle and then record the words on the labeling sheet.

 Beach Ball Bash

We sort beach balls by middle sounds and record the words under the correct ball.

 Beach Blends

We roll a cube and record the beginning blend or digraph on the graph.

Roll a Word

We roll a beach ball with our partners and write the words that land under our hand.

 Sandcastle Sounds

We dig objects out of a pail and write the beginning sounds on the recording sheet.

Seashell Segmenting

We choose a shell, segment the sounds, and use stamps to spell the words.

 Seashell Syllables

We sort seashells into the pails by how many syllables are in the words. Then we use do-a-dot markers to stamp the syllables.

Seashell Sight Words

We dig up seashells and then write the sight words in the sand.

Hope you enjoyed! Check out my Down by the Sea Centers for more oceans of fun!!!!

Here is your FREEBIE! This Add & Cover game is just a sample of what is included in the unit. Students can use cubes or other counters to play this game, along with a set of dice. Enjoy!

Subtraction Action! {FREEBIES}

Wow! This last month of school has been a whirlwind of craziness for me! On top of closing up the school year and getting ready for a big move across the country to NY, we've been displaced from our apartment for weeks due to a flood and mold issue...right in the midst of all our packing!! We leave on June 20th and I am soooo not ready! In other news, school is out and I am ready to enjoy Maui for the next few weeks before I say good-bye to this beautiful island!

And as I promised way too long ago, here is some of the fun we had with subtraction. Better late than never!

Five Little Ducks

 We read Five Little Ducks and acted out subtraction problems using duck puppets. Then we used rubber ducks in a "pond" to model subtraction stories. I modeled with the ducks while the kids used orange cubes for ducks and blue construction paper ponds.

This lesson inspired an idea for one of my math tubs. I just filled one of the tubs with a bit of water, added some small rubber ducks (from the Walmart party favor section) and a recording sheet! They modeled subtraction problems with the ducks and recorded the equations on the sheet. They LOVED it! So simple to make, and it was definitely the hit of the year! Click here for the Duck Subtraction Recording Sheet. You may want to laminate the recording sheets and have them use expo markers to avoid making a mess!

Peter Rabbit

 We read The Tale of Peter Rabbit, then acted out story problems. In each problem, Peter would take some carrots from Mr. McGregor's garden. I didn't have any bunny ears, so I made some from construction paper and I printed out some large carrots for props. While some of the kids acted out the story problems, the rest of the class modeled the problems on their Bunny Work Mats and recorded the answers on their white boards. This cute idea is from Deeanna at Golden Gang Kindergarten. She is so creative!

Five Little Monkeys
We sang Five Little Monkeys and acted out subtraction problems with monkey puppets (ex: 6 little monkeys swinging in a tree, teasing Mr. Alligator, "Can't catch me!" Along came Mr. Alligator, quiet as can be and snapped 4 monkeys out of that tree). One student was the alligator and used his arms to "snap" the monkeys out of the tree. Then the kids used a tree mat and monkeys to model the problems. Finally, they colored and pasted their monkeys on their page to make a subtraction story for a class book. Click here for Five Monkeys Subtraction activities.

 

Five Speckled Frogs
We sang Five Speckled Frogs and modeled subtraction problems using frog props on the felt board. Then each student got their own lily pad and frog counters (I found these in the party favor section at Walmart). They modeled and wrote subtraction problems as we sang: "4 green speckled frogs sat on a speckled log eating the most delicious flies, yum yum! 2 jumped into the pool, where it was nice and cool. Now how many green speckled frogs?" Click here for Five Speckled Frogs Props.

Pete the Cat
Do your kids love Pete as much as mine do?! We read "Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons" and then modeled subtraction problems using my Pete the Cat poster and some buttons. Then each student got a Pete Work Mat and some buttons. As I told stories about Pete losing his buttons, they modeled the problems and wrote the equations. This awesome idea was also adapted from Deeanna at Golden Gang Kindergarten. Have I mentioned how creative she is?!

Who Stole the Cookies?

We sang "Who Stole the Cookies?" and modeled subtraction using a big jar work mat and some "cookies." As one child took away cookies, the class wrote the equation on their white boards. Then, each child got their own cookies (Cookie Crisp cereal worked well for this) and a cookie jar work mat and recording sheet. I told subtraction stories as they modeled and wrote the problems. Fun and delicious! The kids wanted to take the work mats home so they could practice subtraction with their cereal in the morning! Love it! Click here for my Cookie Subtraction Activities.

If You Were a Minus Sign

We read "If You Were a Minus Sign." Similar to the addition version, this book is filled with many adorably illustrated subtraction stories. After reading, we worked together to illustrate subtraction stories on chart paper. Later, each child illustrated their own subtraction story for our Subtraction Class Book.

Alexander Who Used to be Rich
We read "Alexander Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday." After reading, we used piggy bank mats and pennies to model subtraction. I used the kids' names to tell subtraction stories. For example, "Jenna used to be rich last Sunday. She had 6 pennies in her piggy bank. Then she bought a (child names an item) for 3 pennies. How much does she have left?" They had to model the problem with pennies and record the equation on the recording sheet. They loved hearing the stories with their own names! Click here for my Piggy Bank Subtraction Activities.

Monster Musical Chairs

To practice subtracting one, we read this fun story about some monsters who play musical chairs. Each time, one monster is out! After reading and discussing the story, we played musical chairs! I had one table play at a time, and the remainder of the class watched and wrote the subtraction sentences on their white boards. Then we discussed the patterns we noticed in our equations (minus one, one less each time, etc). Then, the kids used these cute monsters from First Grade Best to cut and paste a "minus one" subtraction story in their journals.

The Cheerios Counting Book

We read The Cheerios Counting Book and then ate cheerios as we practiced subtraction. I told them how many Cheerios to put on their plate and then how many to eat. As they ate the cheerios, they wrote out the subtraction sentences.

Ten Frame Race
Certainly not original, but the kids had fun using this game to review addition and subtraction. First we played on our large human ten frame. We took turns rolling a large pocket cube (labeled +1, +2, +3, -1, -2, -3). Each time students were either added or taken away from the ten frame. The game continued until we got to 10. Then partners worked together to play the game. I labeled wooden cubes to use with this game and quickly made up some game boards. Here is a copy of my Ten Frame Race game boards. I included Race to Ten and Race to 20.

Number Line Race
This is another great review game. We practiced playing as a group using a large "human" number line and pocket cube. The cube is labeled +1, +2, +3, -1, -2, -3. Two students modeled for the class, rolling the cube and racing to the end of the number line! They start on zero and go forward or backward depending on their roll. First player to reach 10 wins! Then, students played with their partners, using a number line game board, spinner, and car counters to play. The game board was inspired by The Teacher Wife! Click here for the Race to Ten Game Board.

Quick Freebie + New Facebook Page!

We've been working on subtraction this week, and I just whipped up this fun little game to use with my kiddos tomorrow. Once I introduce the game in whole group, it will be perfect for independent practice at math centers. If you have a mini bowling set, you can use the work mat to set the pins up on. Otherwise, you could just use a regular bowling set or even paper cups! Click the picture to download.

 

More subtraction action to come! I'm also working on a plant unit and some ocean math & literacy centers!! Busy as always ;)

PS - I just *attempted* to add a button to my new Facebook page. If you follow me on Facebook, you'll be sure to get up-to-the-minute info about all my freebies and sales! Let me know if you have any problems getting there!

Sight Words & Segmenting Freebies!

I'm currently working on a plant unit and some subtraction freebies, but I wanted to share something with you in the meantime! My kids this year have had a really hard time with sight words and segmenting, so I've come up with lots of different games and activities to use with my small groups. Here are some of the activities we've been having fun with lately!

Swat It!

Just program the bees with your sight words (they're editable). Call out a word and the student has to swat it. If they get it correct, they keep the bee! Click here to download the bees for Swat It!

Sight Word Parking Lot

This game was inspired by Juggling with Kids. It's editable so you can program your sight words! I call out a word, and the kids have to park their car on the correct word in the parking lot. Click here to download Sight Word Parking Lot.

Sight Word Ball Toss

Sorry I don't have a picture of this one. I simply wrote sight words on a beach ball. I toss or roll the ball to students and they have to read the word that is facing up when they catch it!

Sight Word Chants

I found these fun chants at Growing Kinders! The kids love spelling their sight words while doing jumping jacks, dancing the disco, and more! (I just wrote them on craft sticks and put them in a cup, instead of printing out all the labels). Here is the Label for the container.

WORDO

Similar to Bingo. The children fill in the boxes with sight words of their choice. I call out words and they mark the word with a counter. First to get 3 or 4 in a row wins! Click here for the WORDO boards.

Sound Hop

We use these rubber dots for hopping the sounds in words. The children hop on a dot as they say each sound in the word. This is great for those kinesthetic learners!

Tap Light Segmenting

These cute tap lights can be found at Walmart for $1.00! I posted about these last year, but I'm posting them again because they are so much fun! The kids pick an object or picture card and turn on each light as they say the sounds.

 Slinky Stretch

So simple and fun...we stretch out a slinky as we s-t-r-e-t-c-h the sounds in words!

Head Shoulders Knees and Toes

We tap our head for the beginning sound, shoulders for the middle sound, and so forth.

Race Car Segmenting

We use Hotwheels cars with these work mats to segment sounds! We roll the car slow as we say the sounds, then fast as we put them together and say the whole word. Click here to download my Race Car Segmenting.

Elkonin Boxes

I made a variety of these Elkonin Mats to change things up a bit each month. We use different manipulatives to go along with each theme. For example: candy corn in October, peppermints in December, cotton balls in January, candy hearts in February, gold coins in March, seashells in May, etc.

Songs & Chants

We love singing these Segmenting Songs. I found two of these in the book Phonemic Awareness Activities for Early Reading Success and the bumblebee song is based on the well-known name song. For the cheer, I found some cute pompoms at my local supermarket!

Please leave a comment and let me know if you use any of these activities with your class! I'd also love to hear any other ideas you have for sight words and segmenting! Thanks for visiting :)