CLICK HERE FOR FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES, LINK BUTTONS AND MORE! »

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Back To School SALE!!!

Back to school I go this week! I'm excited to start another year, but we all know this is also our busiest time of year. (Ok-as teacher's we really never stop..but back to school is even busier.) :)
I'm throwing a sale on my Teacher's Pay Teacher's site.  Grab those last minute items now through Wednesday and SAVE 10% on many of my items.

                       Save 10% now!

Monday, July 25, 2011

A-Z Write The Room

Last year in January I started using write and stamp the room activities with my students. This became part of our Friday routine. My students worked so well in small groups writing and stamping the room, that I created different write and stamp the room activities for the rest of the year. I also decided to create A-Z write and stamp the room sheets to begin using this fall.
While this teaches my students independence and reinforcing copying and handwriting skills, it also allowed me time to pull individual students for conferences or just to catch up on something with them.
HUGE success in my room, and the kids LOVED this activity.

Alphabet and Sight Word Activities to Start The Year!

Here are a couple of things I use for homework with my kindergarten class. We introduce two letters and two sight words per week. On Monday's and Wednesday's I assign an Alphabet Circle Map Sort for the  two letters. On those days I also send students home wearing their Sight Word Crowns! They are so funny wearing their crowns proudly home! I usually have the crowns premade ahead of time, and have students color the crowns for morning work. I added shapes to the crowns this year to practice patterns and shapes too. These have been successful in my room-and I hope you can use them as well!
:)
Lisa


Find the AlphaSorts Activities for the whole year here!
Sight Word Crowns for the year can be found here!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Numbers and Counting

Well, I'm counting down til we head back to school August 4th! Summer is flying by!
I'm planning to incorporate a Number Corner/Calendar Math Bulletin Board this year.  The Bridges and Number Corner website  has some great ideas and materials. While I won't be able use all of the elements of the Number Corner, I will be using the calendar pieces. Here is the link to the preview of the teacher's guide. http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/preview/b0/bknctg-1    I'm really hoping the calendar pieces will present us with opportunities for  math talks and mini lessons.
I've created some number cards for the top of my Number Corner bulletin board. You can download them below.
One of the components I'm definitely adding to my Number Corner in addition to the calendar pieces is ten frames. As we count each day I'll be adding a dot to a blank ten frame. I've created number writing and counting books 0 to 20 for students to practice this skill also. Please check them out below.

0-20 Number Cards Freebie!

My Counting and Writing Books 11-20



My Counting and Writing Books 1-10

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Cube Words and ABC's

My theme for this year is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. There has a lot of discussion about using photo cubes in the classroom.  So, I bought some cubes and have created some cards to insert inside of them for my class. I'll be using the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom alphabet and sight word cards during morning meetings and small group time. I think my kids will love this! Hope your's do too!
Get your cubes here!
Get it here!

Ten Frame Addition and Subtraction

Last school year I used my pattern block "triangles" for shark teeth to go along with one of Heidi Butkus' math projects. My kids loved it . So I figured why not use the "square" pieces with a ten frame mat to practice and visualize addition and subtraction problems. I'm going to make a class set on cardstock and laminate them. Here's what I came up with.It's simple but I think it will be useful! 

Click Here to Download!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Welcome!

 After much thought and consideration about joining the blogging world, I've decided to give it a whirl. Some of you guys make it look so easy. However after a day of just trying to figure out how to start the blog spot and figuring out how to edit fonts and font colors- I have a new found respect for you.  Bare with me as I muddle through this new technological adventure.
 I return to the classroom officially August 4th. Do you think I'll figure this out by then?
 I look forward to sharing our kindergarten experiences together.


Happy Teaching,
Lisa Morrow