Literacy Fair

My school has decided to do a school wide Literacy Fair for the first 9-weeks.  This is something completely new for our school and especially for K-3 because they haven't been required to participate in any type of fair in the previous grades.

It is going to be set up a lot like a science fair.  The kids will do their projects on a science board/poster board, and they will be displayed for the school to see.  The kids will also be judged, and first through third place will be rewarded.

Since this is a new project for us, I decided to create a packet to make sure my students are working on their projects a little bit at a time.  They are turning in their title, author, and illustrator by a certain day.  Then the following week, I will have them turn in the characters and setting.  I will have them do bits and pieces at a time and turn them in to me so that I can be sure they are completing the projects at home and not waiting until the last minute.

Below is an example that I did with my class so they would know how to do it.

If you would like a copy of the packet that I am sending home, click HERE.

 The packet includes:

• a letter to send home to parents
• templates that can be turned into a booklet for the younger grades
• templates for the older grade levels.

Sweet Behavior

In the past, I have always done the compliment chain and warm fuzzy jar to reward my students.  I wanted something different this year.  So, I decided to make different sweet treats to reward my students for good behavior.  I didn't want to do just brownies because you always have at least one kid that doesn't like brownies.  So, my packet includes brownies, cookies, cupcakes, dessert bars, and cinnamon rolls.  When they get a compliment from another teacher or they are behaving for me in class, I add a sweet treat to the cookie sheet.  Once the cookie sheet is full, I bake them the treat and bring it in.  So far my kids have filled up one cookie sheet and I baked and brought in brownies.  They were excited about the treat and excited to find out what treat they were working hard for now.  If you are interested in downloading this packet, you can get it at my TPT store.

I bought my cookie sheet at the Dollar Tree for $1!!  If you do not have a cookie sheet, I have included a picture of one that you can just print off.  I also laminated my treats so that I will only have to print them once.

Father's Day Coupon Book

Every year I have the students make something for their dads for Father's Day.  I usually have the students paint flower pots for their dads. You can check them out on one of my past blog posts. This year I decided to make the dads coupon books.  The kids LOVED doing these.  All they have to do is pick out the tie that they want.  Then they choose which coupons they want to add to the tie.  Then they staple them to the tie with a title on the front.  I also included To Someone Special in case they do not have a dad at home. This gift is quick, easy, and FREE.  If you want a FREE copy of the template, click HERE.

Mother's Day Bookmarks

I saw some really cute bookmarks on pinterest and decided to create my own.  The kids use their fingerprints to make a flower for mom.  Then you just glue the paper to card stock to make it sturdy.  I then had mine laminated so they will last for many years.  They turned out really cute!  If you want a copy for FREE go to my TPT store or click HERE.

Spelling/Phonics Books

I decided to create a spelling booklet to go along with all the word work packets I have created.  I do not like giving a spelling test over words the kids have all week to study because I have found they learn the words for the test, but they do not actually learn how to spell them to use later on.  This spelling booklet has words we work on all week in word work.  I then select random words from the lesson to test the kids on and to check and make sure they have learned the phonics skill.  Another thing I added to the booklet, that I love, is a place for multiple people to check, sign, or initial.  The kids have to read the words and sentences with an adult, buddy, and parent.  This is to make sure they read them at least 3 times a week.  If you want to check out the booklet click HERE.

Leprechaun Writing

I posted 2 years ago about a writing activity that I do with my 2nd graders for St. Patrick's Day.  You can read about it HERE

I have made it into a PDF file on TPT if you would like to download it.  It is FREE.

Get your FREE leprechaun writing HERE.

Here are some examples of the writings I did a few years ago.

Conversation Heart Stories

I like to do writing activities to go with each holiday.  For Valentine's Day, I have the kids create stories using conversation hearts.  This year I had them pick out 5 conversation hearts that they wanted to use in their story.  Then I had them write away and glue the hearts where they go.  This is fun way to incorporate writing.  They also love it because they get to eat the left over candy.  :)  For some reason, conversation hearts were harder to find this year.  I found some in individual packets, but thought it would be nice to have a printable version just in case I can't find them in the future.  HERE is my printable packet!  It is FREE!!!  If you don't want to use the printable hearts, you can use the stationary with the candy hearts. :)

 Here is an example with the printable hearts and stationary from my packet.

Compare and Contrast

Last year I did an activity to help teach my kids how to compare and contrast using a venn diagram  HERE is the activity.  I did the same thing this year, but I switched up the theme on them each day.  Here are some examples of comparing and contrasting Halloween and Thanksgiving.  We also did summer and spring and turned the circles into a sun and a flower, and we did a cat and a dog.  They all turned out really cute and the kids had a blast doing it!

Mooseltoe

It is that time of year when the students (and teachers) are getting restless and ready for break!  I wanted to do some fun activities with children's books to keep the kids interested.  I wanted to start with Mooseltoe, but I couldn't find anything age appropriate and that was free. So, I decided to create one and share with everyone.  It has a sequencing activity, writing pages, and a graphic organizer to review character, setting, problem, and solution.  If you want a copy for FREE, click HERE.

Name the Fish FREEBIE

We got a class pet this week!  I decided to get the kids a fish because they don't carry diseases, there are no allergies, and they are easy to take care of.  I think it is important for kids to have a classroom pet.  It is also very educational.  For example, we got the fish today and already did 2 math lessons with him! We did a tally chart and a bar graph to pick out his name!  You can download the freebie HERE at my TPT store.


Meet Skittles!

 Tally Chart

 Bar Graph

Addition Facts Packet

It is very important for students to learn their math facts.  I want my students to have their math facts memorized by 3rd grade so that they are not counting each addition problem on their fingers.  So, I made an Addition Fact Packet to help with this.  It includes and introductory page for each math fact, 5 (front and back) practice pages, fact assessments after each fact, review assessments starting with 40 problems and increasing to 100 problems, and flash cards.  The repetition really does help the kids learn their facts.  I also like to play Beat the Teacher with my kids when they are doing the practice pages.  I will give them between 1 1/2 minutes - 2 minutes depending on how long we have been practicing the fact.  They try and beat me on my time.  Sometimes I will even give them a head start.  They LOVE doing this.  I always do side A in class and send side B home for homework.  Below are some pictures of the practice pages.  If you are interested in having a copy you can get it HERE at my TPT store.  I also have a Subtraction Fact Packet you can get HERE.

Introductory Practice page

 Practice Pages

 Review Assessments

 Fact Cards.  I like to color code mine by facts.

"I Can" Statements

Over the summer, I decided to retype all of the I Can statements and turn them in to cute monkey graphics.  I have a bulletin board that I change out daily.  I also have the I Can statements on poster that are kept up year round (Just in case I forget to change them and someone pops in ;) ), and I have the numbers only printed out and posted by each subject.  You could do this beside your daily agenda if you have one.  I also made one with cute kid graphics.  If you want to check them out you can get the monkey statements HERE and the kid statements HERE.

Daily I Can statement board.

Core Standard Numbers placed by each subject for the day.

 I Can posters displayed all year.

Example of one of the kid graphic posters. Sorry the picture isn't the best.  I took a pic of it off my computer.  I don't have the hard copy with me.

Classroom Pics

BAt the beginning of the last school year, I wrote a blog post about my classroom.  I have added a few new things this year and wanted to share them with you.

 My new Boggle Board for Word Work.  I am very excited about this one!  I created it myself to match my monkey theme in my classroom.  If you like it and want one, you can get it HERE. I also have a really cute Owl Boggle HERE.

 I moved my reading center this year so that it is under my cubbies.  I also added some new disc chairs.   Someone also commented on a previous post and asked how I did my library.  I actually have 2 main bookshelves.  The black bookshelf has all my AR books.  They are also leveled for the students.  The tall brown bookshelf holds all my classroom library books that are not AR.  I do have them leveled though for the students.

 I saw a desk painted on pinterest this summer and decided to give it a shot.  I love the way it turned out!

 This is another pinterest inspired project.  It is my ziplock quilt.  I display student work in the quilt. 

 This is my I Can board.  It holds all my I Can statements that we are working on for the day/week.

I had to change my Tattling Toby sign this year since my name changed.  I had it on a poster board last year.  I decided to type it out this time so that it could fit on my desk since I am limited in space this year.  The kids love Tattling Toby.

Birthday Bunch.  This is where I display my students' birthdays.

I'm Back!!

I know it has been a LONG time since my last post.  I actually got married in May, and I stayed VERY busy with planning the wedding and putting the whole thing together.  It was a DIY wedding.  So, it took all of my extra time. Sorry for going MIA. Here are a few pictures from my big day!!