Sunday, April 28, 2013

Creating Class Books and a Peek at Some Number Sense

Do you create class books to put in you library? Whenever we work on a writing project, I usually make 2 copies. One will go in the student's writing file (which I compile at the end of the year and send home with their year's worth of writing) and the other will be used to make a class book. Our class books are very simple. Just construction paper stapled on the front and back and a handwritten front page with the title, author and date. Here's a look at some of our books!

Here is my favorite one from this year. Who doesn't love Mrs. Wishy Washy?!

 Very simple front cover.
 (Worms are not supposed to have a dog.)
This little writer has come such a long way!
These books are in a basket and stay in our reading center. When they get damaged, packing tape fixes them right up and they will survive the whole year through. By the end of the year we have enough so every student will get to take one home. I will draw names and each child will get a class book.

Now, on to some number sense. We only have 16 days left of school and of that only 9 will not be interrupted by an end of year activity, field trip, etc. So I  have decided to go completely hands on in math and work on number sense. My kiddos that I know have number sense will work on addition facts, but my other little cuties will be working on this to build on their number sense:

 
This packet if 40% off in my little TpT store until I remember to take it off sale. Be sure to check it out!
The 1st 2 followers to leave a comment with their email will get this little packet for free!  The 1st 2 have already commented.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

How This Kindergarten Class is Going To Survive State Testing {with a freebie!}

Hello friends. This week every class in K-5 is taking their state test at my school. This will be the first time that kindergarten has joined in. To be entirely honest, I'm not sure how it's going to go. They seriously have to bubble in their own answers on the test (and some of my sweeties don't quite have the motor skills to color in that tiny circle). But, anywho, we are going to rock that test and show what we know. I figure fun activities in the afternoon would be a huge plus.

We are going to read one of my favorites, "Alexander and the Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" and do fun writing and crafitivities.
Here's a picture from last year's craftivity.
 


 We will learn about Australian animals since that's where Alexander wants to go.

And, we will do lots of writing!
{Be sure to grab this little freebie!}

Another fun activity in the afternoon with be our seasonal scavenger hunt. Students will walk around the school in a line and we will look and observe the signs of spring all around us!
 
And it wouldn't be fun activities without using paint in at least one thing. From An Interesting Mix, I found this cute activity. I think I might leave the Mother's day part out and let them give it to someone special instead since a lot of my kiddos don't necessarily live with their mom.
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And this from Kristen Clements would be fun.
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Happy testing!
 
 


Saturday, April 20, 2013

Product Swap

MrsStanfordsClass


It's time for another product swap! This time I have swapped with the awesome Aussie teacher, Brooke Benyon.
 My Photo
 
Teachable Moments
 
You should check out and follow her blog if you don't already!
Her teacher tip Thursdays are awesome!
 
Now...on to the product I picked from her store {there were so many good ones it was hard to pick!}.
 
 
This unit is packed FULL of fun activities for when you work with plants!
We planted beans because I was pretty sure I could keep them alive and we documented the growth.
My favorite activity (one of those where you take the picture with your phone, yet somehow it's not on your phone...) was where students wrote and drew what they thought our bean would end up looking like.
Below are some pictures from this super fun unit:

 


 One of my student's parents so thoughtfully provided the items for us to make "dirt" for a special snack.
Helping another open the pudding.
Double thumbs up good!



Teachable Moments
Now you can hop on over to her blog to check out her product review on something from my little store (which is now 20% off!!)
And be sure to click on the product swap button at the top to see all the product swap reviews!

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Boot Scootin' Blog Hop {come on ya'll and grab up your freebies!}


Hello friends! So glad you could drop by and check out this awesome Boot Scootin' Blog Hop! Elizabeth from Kickin' it in Kindergarten has organized all of this fun with all of us Tennessee teachers! I hope you hop around and grap up some goodies!
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Here is my freebie to you. It is Beehvie Bingo for the 1st 60 Fry words. You can get it from my TPT Store or from Google Docs whichever works best for you.
 
Earth Day is coming up. I can't wait! For part of our unit we will be reading "Diary of a Worm" and then we will do a worm study. I love this project {although earthworms do creep me out just a little bit}. The best part is when kids write about worms using their 5 senses. Just imagine a kindergartener's face when they see they have to write about what they think a worm tastes like! You can check out my "Diary of a Worm" unit in my little store.
 
Now, hop on over to Mary's blog, Pitner's Potpourri to see what awesomeness she has in store for you! She always has something fun going on, so you know her freebie will be fabulous!
 
  

Monday, April 1, 2013

April Currently

This is my first time linking up with Farley with currently.
 
 
 It's  never to late to try something new! So here it is:
 
Listening...to the TV in the living room. It pretty much stays on all the time for the boys - Tank and Charlie.
 Loving...my last day of Spring Break! I can't believe how quickly it passed by!

Thinking... I am acutally ready to go back. I spent 3 days of my break in the classroom trying to get ahead on things.

Wanting...a chinchilla for my classroom. I've always wanted one. And when we were at Petsmark last week looking to replace my classroom fish that had died, I spied one. I have to get principal approval first, but my hubby is all for it!

Needing...to get housework done. I'm not a cleaner and I despise housework, but alas it has to get done.

Advice...Stay positive! No matter the situation you choose how to react and try to stay positive (this is for myself as well).