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Saturday, April 28, 2012

Whew!! What a week!!!

 First, let me announce the winner for the Making Words with Blends packet.  Congrats to Heather Salsman!!  You can see how the winner HERE on Rafflecopter.

This week, our specials and intervention time was cancelled.  That makes for a LONG day!!  I survived, I'm still in one piece, and was still up by 8:00 a.m. this morning---so I must have not been completely exhausted!!!  I'm so thankful I have a GREAT class!!  They were so well behaved, worked hard and stayed quiet (there are two classes on the other side of my wall that were testing).  I think they enjoyed their week too!!

This week we were finishing up our discussion on insects.  We read a story called Insects.

They loved the facts in this book!!  I have to admit, it was really interesting, and the kids were engaged.  We then used the computer to bring up some images of insects with the projector so they could see what they really looked like.  (Some of the pictures are drawn images in the book).  Then students wrote a sentence about something they found interesting from the story and illustrated it.
Here are a couple of examples.
 

(A few teachers in the building commented on what I'm teaching my class---there were words listed for them to choose from, but we do a lot of invented spelling....INSECTS was one of the words in our bank---ohh well?)

 We labeled parts of a bumble bee.  I had these cute bees from Teacher's Friend (I think that's where they came from) so I just typed up some labels for a little quick check. 
 We wrote on our anchor chart.  We hung it on the door and decorated our door with butterflies. (Pictures didn't come out as clear for that.)

Then Thursday we began our countdown for the last 26 days.  We will be counting down the days with a fun activity, or snack for the remainder of the year---from A to Z (when the zip up and zoom out!) These activities help keep my students focused, and then at the end of our day, for good behavior they earn their special "treat" for the day.

Our story for the week in Treasures was Little Bear Flies to the Moon.  We read and discussed astronauts and space.  So for the letter A, we did a picture of ourselves as astronauts.  (They also wrote space stories.)

 Friday, was letter B.  We did a quick little bird craft, and I gave them blow-pops (if they stayed on green--part of our school wide behavior management).  I can not remember where I found this idea.  The materials needed are paper plates (cut in half), paper bags (or napkins), glue, scissors, and construction paper.  Last year, with my 2nd graders, I used paper lunch bags. Here is an example.


I had a parent donate napkins (from a fast food restaurant), and we used them to make this:


In math, we are also working on graphs.  They really enjoyed their M&Ms graph. 

You can get your copy of my M&M graph by clicking on the image below.

So all in all, it's been a great week!!  One last thing I'd like to share with you an awesome opportunity from Learning Resources.

Learning Resources announces the sponsorship of a teacher grant hosted by WeAreTeachers. To apply, teachers must answer this question: “How would you use portable interactive technology to create collaborative lessons?” After the application process concludes, educators can invite colleagues to vote for their favorite lesson ideas. Each of the three top vote getters will win a set of three now!Boards and three GeoSafari Tuff Cams, a prize package valued at $2,000. Additionally, two merit-based winners selected by a panel of teachers will each win one now!Board and one GeoSafari Tuff Cam, a total value of $700. Teachers can apply for the grant online through May 22, 2012.

For more information and to apply for the grant, visit http://www.weareteachers.com/teaching-ideas/grant?grantId=102.

 

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

And the winner is...................

The winner of the Easi-Speak is.....................drum roll please.........................





Amy, I will be emailing you for your mailing information.  Please be on the lookout for it.

There will be a new Learning Resources Giveaway coming soon!!  In the meantime, have you entered the blog hoppin' giveaways?  Check the post out HERE! 
*One minor detail, some are entering, but are not playing fair.  Please make sure you follow the rules of entering.  Thank  you!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Giveaway Galore--Blog Hop Style

I have some REALLY great bloggy buddies who have some ROCKIN' products up for a giveaway! I wanted to make sure I shared it with you so you have a chance to enter. Look at all the great products up for grabs!

I am giving away a Making Words Packet.
Making Words with Blends by DeAnne of First Grade and Fabulous: "Making Words is a great activity to work on phoneme isolation, segmenting sounds, and blending sounds to make words. This packet includes Blends (with both short vowels and long vowels with silent e. You will find ten different making word directions which include their own recording sheets."(k-2)


You can see how to enter at the bottom of the post.  Follow the steps on Rafflecopter.  Then check out what my bloggy friends have up for giveaway!!  There are bonus entries if you do! :) Please join in on the blog hoppin' fun and take a look at their products.  You can click their blog link to visit their blog.  While you're there, stay a while.  You won't regret it! :)

Sight Word Snap Cubes by Jennifer of Empowering Little Learners: "Looking for a fun new center for your kids? How about having them make the sight words with Snap Cubes! Use these cards to have your students count out blocks to create the letters and form the pre-primer sight words! Then they count how many cubes it took to make the words! Two recording sheets are included (one where students just count the snap cubes, and another where students count and write the word.)" (K-3)

Dolch Sight Words for Kindergarten by Lidia Barbosa of Kid’s Reading Activities: "Sight word cards in a fun theme. Use them in a center, small group or on your word wall. A word sorting activity is included." (K)

  Center Signs in Spanish by Lidia Barbosa of Kinder Latino: "These are 24 colorful center signs in Spanish. It includes two sizes. One full page size plus small cards for your Centers pocket chart." (K)


  Adding 3 Numbers Pack by Melissa of Dilly Dabbles: "Pack full of activities to support instruction on adding three numbers with sums within 20." (K-2)

 Baseball Antonyms by Sally DeCost of Elementary Matters: "This is a game to practice antonyms. It has a baseball theme, and can be played like "Old Maid" or like "Concentration". It can be played with a pair of children, or a whole reading group.." (1 - 3)

 Compound Word Magic Square for Grades 3, 4, & 5 by Heather of HoJo's Teaching Adventures: "This is a great fun puzzle where students need to match 24 compound words together. You will get three different puzzles with this item."(3-5)

  Interactive Student Notebook by A Teacher's Treasure: "The ultimate alternative assessment & differentiating tool. Students will become creative, independent, reflective, thinkers, readers and writers. Students will be able to express their own ideas, process, and or apply the information and skills learned in this class. This notebook serves as a live journal, personalized textbook, and working portfolio. Engages learners of all learning modalities & multiple intelligences." (4-12)

  Alphabet Writing: Quick Prompts From A to Z by Erin of Small Types: "Get students' pencils moving and their creativity flowing with these short alphabet-themed writing prompts. Students can write notes to friends, make lists, turn alphabet letters into main characters and describe the details in fictional adventures--All corresponding to the letters of the alphabet. (Includes five prompts for each letter to suit different levels and interests.)"

Fun on the Farm by Brian of Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings: "Here is a fun Farm Packet for primary grades. It includes Farm Rhyming Words - The words used are actually from the book Country Morning by Christine Lynn. Read more about it on my blog. It also includes I Have Who Has Dolch Words, Addition and Subtraction Center. You can use them as concentration matching, go fish, etc. All, but the I Have Who Has, has a work sheet and an answer key to go with it! I hope you enjoy!" (K-2)

Geometry Fun: A Supplemental Unit by Mandy of Mandy's Tips for Teachers: "This 77 page packet includes vocabulary cards, a student dictionary, three games, two sorting activities, two creative art projects and a short assessment." (2-4)

  Busy Teacher Forms by Michelle of Teach123 : "Fourteen forms to help busy teachers." (K-3)




Farm Math Work Station Activities numbers 11-20 by Mandy of A Special Kind of Class: "Seven math work station activities including, subtracting, counting, number recognition, number matching, measuring and 2 adding activities. Includes response sheets and answer keys." (K-1)

  The Three Frogs by Arlene of LMN Tree: "This is an ELA Guided Reading and Writing Unit for Grades 1-2. It includes a complete lesson plan, Word Study, Make and Take Book, Graphic Organizers, Story Sequence Writing Activity, Phonics Worksheet, Writing, Chant and Activities.

  Writing Center by Caitlin of Kindergarten Smiles: "I created these activities for my students writing center. They are all independent and fun! These can be used throughout the year (more than once). Activities range from name writing, to writing the globe, to sight word writing, to much, much, more!" (K-2)

   I Spy With My Frog's Eye-A Differentiated Word Work Activity by Marsha of A Differentiated Kindergarten : " This is a differentiated I-Spy activity which includes 16 pages of CVC, CVCC and CVCe activities that are tiered to help you meet the readiness levels of all your students." (K-2)
 

  Writing Lists by Nicole of Teaching With Style: "This set of 10 lists is perfect for using during Daily 5. In my classroom, if students choose Work on Writing, they can work on their story from Writer's Workshop, start a new story, write a letter to a friend, or write a list. " (K-3)

  Digital Clock Sorting Game by Jennifer of Best Practices 4 Teaching: "This product allows students to sort digital clocks by 'quarter til', 'quarter of', 'quarter after', etc. Students will quickly see the pattern of the times and commit it to memory! In 2 days, all of my students had learned this concept using this sort whereas the lesson in our math kit totally confused them!"

  Synonym-Antonym Rap Packet by Abby of Third Grade Bookworm: "This packet is full of activities for a 2nd or 3rd grade classroom studying synonyms and antonyms. Students will enjoy the Synonym-Antonym Rap, partner game, buddy reading activity and other printables included in this set. Wrap it all up with a cute class book template that can be used with other units in the future!" (2-3)


Early Elementary Science - Human Body Unit with Literacy Math by Lisa of The Lesson Guide: "This Early Elementary Science based Anatomy Unit will teach students about the Human Body (inside and out) with colorful graphics and diagrams using a variety of Literacy and Math skills. This unit includes Measurement Skills, an original Poem with a Get Moving Analysis, Information/Facts about each Body Part with Vocabulary, Templates for students to create a nonfiction book about their body, Full color pictures of body parts and locations of body parts, a Classification and Math graphing activity with Critical Thinking Analysis, a Unit Project/Human Diagram, a Word Wall Classification activity with Phrase Cards, Resources and more!" (K-2)

  Building Popcorn Words by Krissy of Mrs. Miner's Monkey Business: "This product includes weekly cut, build, and glue activities that follow along with my Monkey Popcorn Word Fun Unit as well as the Treasures series word list (which includes many Dolch and other HFW as well). It also has center materials that students can build the words in a pocket chart." (K-1)


  Scooping Up Story Elements by Tonya of Super Second Graders: "This is a fun way for students to pick story elements to plan out a story. Students will pick a card from characters, setting, and plot and record then on the recording sheet. Students will use the chosen element to create a story. Students will have a blast getting to create fun and whimsical stories. " (1-4)

  The Answer is… What’s the Question? Math Task Cards by Michelle of Making It As A Middle School Teacher: "28 numbered cards that leave the level of difficulty and specific math skill to be assessed up to you! Some students may only do basic operations, while other students may be required to do more advanced skills and give more details for their answers. Two student response options are also included!! Use for early finishers, have the whole class complete in Round Robin style, or use as a center. Pull out specific cards or use all 28 cards." (5-8)

  David Shannon Author Study by Mary of Sharing Kindergarten: "This is an 80 page author study using the books of David Shannon. It features 8 book. Each book title has a reading comprehension game, answer key, and writign prompts with it. " (K-1)


  Candy Land Long Vowel Game by Mel D of Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations: "This unique game is one of over 50 games I have to offer! Over 18 pages of long vowel words are on "look-alike" Candy Land cards. All you need is a game board & game pieces. Print, laminate & cut & use for years to come. These games can be used during Daily 5, tutoring, literacy stations, Daily 5 Math, RTI, ELL, Title 1 groups, homeschooling & more! The possibilities are endless!" (K-3) 


A Not So Wimpy Resource: Fractions, Decimals & Percents Using Money by Kathie of The Diary of a Not So Wimpy Teacher : "This resource is great for differentiating instruction. Help struggling students, or those who have a difficult time with math concepts, understand fractions using money. This resource includes an info sheet, practice sheet, flashcards, and a bingo board." (3-5)                                                      

To enter my giveaway for this:

 follow the directions on Rafflecopter.  Giveaway ends on midnight (EST) on Friday, April 27.  A winner will be announced on Saturday, April 28.  Now after  you've entered this giveaway, remember to hop on to the other great blog links above and follow their terms for their giveaway!! 






Monday, April 23, 2012

OO-- These are the bully brothers!

I am so proud of my students and how well they are performing.  I can't say enough how much I love the Phonics Dance (and no, there's no connection between me and the AWESOME Ginny Dowd).  I just truly believe that my students have learned/do learn from it.

Our phonics pattern this week is oo (the short sound).  We took a spelling pretest today and they did AWESOME!!  They only need to practice a few "trick words" this week, and I know they will do well.

This is a CUH-RAZY week in my building as the OAA's are given in my district/state.  That means schedule changes and being UBER quiet.  My students miss out on their specials (my planning time) for the next 4 days.  Our intervention time is also cancelled----so if I'm like not around blogging---it's because I have fallen on the couch and passed out.  These are going to be some long days with my littles without having a break----God help me (and them!)

With that said, I am posting my oo goodies for you now! ;)  But first, let me tell  you how I do the Treasures Phonics/Spelling for the week.

On Mondays, I give my students a spelling pretest.  I do this to see what words they know, and they also like to know what words then know.  I give them the test, AFTER we do our Phonics Dance and discuss the chunk of the week.  After the pretest, students take out a crayon and correct their words as we go along.  We underline the vowel pattern for the week, and look for other hunks and chunks in our words.

On Tuesdays, I give them a sort page.  I like using picture sorts because they have to listen for the sounds versus using word sorts where they match up the letters, though sometimes I do still use word sorts--especially if it's a crazy pattern.  This week, seeing that we're only focusing on one sound of oo, I have created a worksheet where they will match the picture to the word.  They will then choose one of the words to write into a sentence.  




On Wednesdays, we do a Making Words lesson.  I did a post on making words HERE.  I really do enjoy doing the making words activities with my students.  They seriously LOVE them too.  I'm not sure what it is about it, but all classes for the past 3 years I've been doing it this way get all excited for this activity (both my first and second grade classes).  By the way, the picture you see below is not the same as in my Vowel Pair Making Words on TpT.  This one is just for using with the Treasures words. 


On Thursdays, we do word shape boxes and riddles.  Sometimes we do little doodle loop activities where students read sentences and draw what the sentences are about.  I like doing this because they are actually reading the words for meaning, not just vowel sounds.  



Then on Friday we have our spelling test, and students write dictation sentences using high frequency words and words from our word list. 

I hope that gives you some insight on how I use the worksheets I create.  If you would like to use them, you can click the image below to grab you the whole set.  If you would take the time to leave a comment, I would be ever so happy. 



Thursday, April 19, 2012

Freebies, Easi-Speak Review, and a Giveaway

What a day!!!  How many more days until summer vacation??? :)  I feel like I've neglected my blog for a few days.  I am soooo sorry.  Spring is just a busy, BUSY, BUSY time for the Davis family.

This week in Treasures we were working on the ou/ow sound.  I thought I'd get around to making some things this week....but WOWSERS...it's almost Friday.  My kiddos seem to like the word boxes and riddles, so I made one up for us to do tomorrow as a review.  Here's one below to grab if you'd like it too.



We're also working on fact families---again!  We use Envisions Math, and it spirals back around.  Earlier in the school year, they had a hard time grasping fact families.  But by golly, I think we have it now!  Here's a simple cut and paste related facts page that I plan on using for a quick check in the morning.  You can click the pic below to grab yours!




On to the good stuff!!!  I was thrilled when my Learning Resources asked me if I would try out their Easi-Speak in my classroom.    Let me just say, I REALLY enjoyed using this (if I could pry it away from my kiddos--who also enjoyed using this!)
First, let me tell you that this is VERY durable.  I would have no worries leaving this at a center for my firsties to use.  (I even let my Kindergarten son use it before I took it to the classroom--he, too loved it.)  With the easy to understand on/off buttons, clearly labeled, and lights to indicate that it's ready to record, my students were quick to see how this worked.

Another great thing about it is that it requires NO BATTERIES!!  Uhm, can we say AWESOME?  I hate how my mimio pen, and projector controllers require batteries--and then I not have them to use.  Look how easy this thing is to charge.


It's  plugged right into my teacher computer--in the USB port. From here I can open it up and listen to my student's recordings.  I can file each student separately and save it on my computer.

This is great because I can record their fluency from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.  I can keep track of their growth. 

I used this to record my students during guided reading groups.  I wanted them to hear themselves, and monitor their fluency.  (One of my students couldn't wait to use it that he asked his mom, a teacher in my building, if she would borrow it before school started. When he listened to himself back, he said, "I need to read a little faster.")  During reading groups, when we played it back, they followed along in their books to monitor their fluency.  They also realized they made a few "minor" errors.

The possibilities of using this are endless.  With my classroom, now that they know how to use it, I wold have no worries putting it into a  reading center.  I could then listen back to them when I got a chance.  We also have a play coming up.  They could use it to get used to handling a microphone, AND practicing their lines.

I can't wait to get my new group of firsties next year and start recording them.  I now have a great tool in documenting them.  I can show parents the progress that their students have made, and have it in their voice so they too can hear.

Want to know the best part??????????  This too could be yours!!  Here's how to enter:

1) Follow my blog using the Google friend connect, and comment.  If you already follow my blog (BY Google friend connect) leave me a comment.--1 ENTRY
2) Like Learning Resources on Facebook and leave a comment--1 Entry
3) Follow Learning Resources on Twitter and leave a comment--1 Entry
4) Follow my TpT store and leave a comment--1 Entry

*Please leave your email address with each entry so I can contact you.

I will choose a winner using Random Generator.  Contest expires on April 23 at 10:00 pm EST. While your waiting to see if your the winner, check out Learning Resources at the following links.

http://www.youtube.com/user/LearningResourcesInc

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