Being a teacher during the holidays is...let's just say.... tough...think about it all the kiddos are doing is thinking about the upcoming winter break. So...to make your life a bit easier, here are some ready to print, cut, laminate or just print and use activities, ideas and lessons that you can simply have fun with while learning. You know the old saying..."when in Rome do as the Romans." Let's just say "when in a classroom full of excited students anticipating the holidays...well.... do as they do and just get excited about the holidays and sneak in a little learning!"
These resources are created for 1st grade, but they can be used as stations, breaks or review for other grades or maybe just plain FUN!!! Happy Holidays!
I am so excited about the TpT Cyber Sale. I mean isn't it the sale y'all have been waiting for? I know I have! It seems like ages since we have had a sale like this...and YES I can't wait and it is starting in 29 minutes from right now!!! YOU can get 28% off your purchases by using CYBER2016 at check out. In order to help you make some selections, I have teamed up with a few of my colleagues to showcase some of our top 3 wishlisted resources...So ready, set, go...here they are...Happy shopping and don't forget to use that promo code!
First 100 Sight Words (FRY): this resource was created to be used in a booklet or individually. It is great for differentiation in that you can pull the pages that each child needs to work on and staple then to be used as reinforcement for Homework or differentiated Word Work Stations or even as an intervention. It can even be used as Morning Work or for fluency reading sight word sentences. However you decide to use this fabulous resource...you kiddos will enjoy it. Each word is written in a form to encourage coloring the word, tracing and then writing free hand by the student. Then the student colors the boxes that contain the designated word, reads, traces and copies a sentence using best handwriting, draws a picture that shows understanding of the sentence, which will show understanding. it seems like a lot, but i can sure tell you ONE thing, your students will know the word after completing this page...ENJOY! Oh and did I mention this is top seller? Check it out here!
Stop that Blurting and Calling Out: I LOVE this resource... you could say it is one of my all time favorites. Many of my colleagues have used it and found it very successful for their classrooms. It can be used alone or with any book that discusses calling out. Included are role playing cards, strategy cards and differentiated response sheets. This is also a top seller and all that have used this resource have been extremely pleased. Take a look.
Kindergarten Readiness Skill: These are print and go resources aligned with Common Core Kindergarten skills, which includes matching pictures to beginning consonant sounds, sorting pictures according to beginning sounds,matching and sorting pictures to beginning L,R and S blends and matching and sorting pictures to beginning digraphs including words ending in ck. These sheets can be used as an informal assessment, reinforcement of a particular skill, as a center, for homework or as an intervention and let's not forget about RTI and ELL. YES...this is another top seller and is ready to print and use as mentioned above!!Here you go!
You can check out all the other TpTers Top 3 wishlisted resources HERE
In today's fast paced world of quick meals before practices and quick breakfasts before the bus comes and quick...lets get up and get moving before we're late, there is not much room for children to ease into their day and notice the beauty around them.
If they are running late Mom or Dad is dressing them in their practice uniform while they are eating or while they are eating an adult might be helping them tie their shoes or get their socks on so they will not be late for whatever the activity for the morning, afternoon or evening is that day!
Believe me...I was right there with this when my 3, now adult children, were little and involved in so many activities...so many, in fact, that I look back on those days and wonder how I did all of it with a traveling husband and really not much support to get them back and forth to cheerleading, football, dance, play rehearsals, violin, viola and piano lessons, field hockey practice, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, Brownies, singing lessons and who knows what else!!
Although "our world" was not as "techie" as today, we did have Pac-Man, Froggy and some other types of "computer"games to beg our kids to STOP playing them!
So where am I going with this? Well, as teachers, we must realize what our families and little ones are up against in this fast-paced world so that when they come to school, they feel safe, calm and can feel like they are in a world that is nurturing and relaxed. A world were they do not have to feel stressed or overwhelmed, but can be their best selves.
So here are a few tips that you can put into place immediately that will give your kiddos a relaxed haven.
As teachers teaching during holiday seasons, you might want to incorporate some of these ideas on Monday or right after Winter Break when the students have been away from school for a week plus and now...well...let's just say many of your students may have forgotten many or ALL of the classroom routines and have been away from the classroom structure.
So, try some of these tips...oh and did I mention that these are tried and true...I have used these for over 20+ years in my classroom and now that I am retired and volunteer in my daughter's SpEd Kindergarten classroom, we use these ideas in her classroom, too!
1. As Students come into the classroom, greet them at the door to make them feel special and relaxed. If children feel good about themselves, they will be calmer and ready to learn.
2. Play soft classical music. You will be surprised at the calmness it brings and how parents notice this calming music, which they always had a positive comment to share about the music playing as the children entered the classroom. I always enjoyed hearing children humming the music as they unpacked and got ready for the day! They were relaxed and learning about music and what feelings it evoked.Some classical musicians who have calming genres are: Brahms, Wagner, Pachelbel, Handel, Chopin and Bach to name a few, but I would suggest listening to the works before just hitting "play." Here is a site that has some calming classical pieces you can check out! Relaxing Music for your Classroom This is a sample of music that promotes calm. It plays a medley of different classical composers and can be set on your computer.
3. Many teachers give their students morning work to complete, which is fine. However what I have done over the years is given students a "soft landing" time. During this time, the kiddos can chat calmly, buddy read, read to self, work on an activity that needs to be finished, pick a morning work sheet to complete, buddy write or complete their classroom job, which are jobs that helped our classroom be organized (attendance, calendar, lunch count etc.).
4. Our schedule was not very conducive to calmness as within 15 minutes of arrival time, our special teachers were in our classrooms ready to start their lesson. As a result, we had to have our Morning Meeting after special time. In order to address this issue and create a calmness before the kiddos jumped into working with the special teachers, we would gather on the rug and "Pass a Smile." This only took a few minutes and supported a calm feeling before the children got to work.
5. Add a daily "Quiet Time" to your schedule. Schedule 5-10 minutes after your recess or at a time you notice your class seems to need a break. During this time the children listen to calm music and can do any activity within your rule expectations independently and alone. Some ideas are: Relax and listen to the music, read, color, draw, write, catch up on work, anything that is quiet and can be completed alone. This time is a time to relax and refocus for the rest of the day
6. Addbrain breaks into your day to support children to refocus and be relaxed and ready to move on with their day. Some ideas for Brain Breaks can be found at: Brain Breaks TpT . The ideas in this resource are ones I have used through the years before the buzzword Brain Breaks was popular!
Just had to add one more... Kids Yoga: ABC's of Yoga with Theresa Power: This video is great because Theresa introduces yoga through easy standing poses which can easily be completed at home or school. She has a soothing voice and it is only a 5 minute video!
I hope you find these ideas helpful They are ALL tried and true and have helped hundreds of children stay calm in our hectic world.
I will leave you with this one thought: During those calm and quiet moments we give ourselves time to think and understand; come up with ideas to inspire others; become our best selves and are ready to learn what the world has to offer.
Enjoy the rest of your year!
As I watched the Thanksgiving Day Parade this morning...rising at the crack of dawn, which I have not done since I was retired...I am reminded of how many years my family has attended this parade and how it has become and important family tradition. We have made it there for many years and the first parade we ever attended was with an old friend Jackie. I can still see my son, Sean, at 20 months old, with his red, blue and yellow jacket and a big bird hat on his head. He was ecstatic as Santa and Santa's reindeer came ...so excited as the postal carriers walked among the crowd with their bags and children tossed their letters to Santa into the bags.
This year I am reminded of all the blessings I have in my life and so thankful to be able to experience this parade with my children and grandchildren who are so enthusiastic as each blow-up, marching band, Eagles Cheerleaders with the drum brigade pass by....but my most favorite part is and will always be when Santa rides by in his sleigh with Mrs. Claus. Just watching as the eyes of those who believe light up with the wonderment and magic of the season makes my heart full of joy and love. Seeing them jump up and down with excitement reminds me of the innocence of children and I say to myself, "We must never stop believing and perhaps we should live life through the eyes of a child...with that being said....May you always believe in the magic of the season. May you always know that you are blessed in many ways and may you be thankful for all you have. I am thankful for all of YOU! Happy Thanksgiving!!! Remember:
Well...it is that time of year again...you know the time when eager parents want to see how their children are progressing in school. Now..I have over 30 years experience with parent conferences as a teacher not to mention the ones I have attended as a parent and I would be lying if I said," Oh all my conferences were as sweet as sugar...no sour spots here! You just tell the parents how their little cherubs are doing and that's that...WRONG!" Having a great Teacher/Parent conference takes a little more than that, but if you follow a few of these easy sweet steps, which I am sure some of you are already doing or at least thinking about, your conferences will go down in the books as the BEST EVER...well maybe I am exaggerating a little bit...let's just say you won't go home crying your eyes out like I did my first year even though I was told I did a fabulous job with a very difficult parent...the stress was so high before, during and after this conference...at least it was my last one for the night....that I got home, ran upstairs and literally cried my eyes out and then picked myself up, wiped my tears and started all over the next day. That's the teacher spirit! (I may have to write a blog abut my most memorable conferences sometime soon...30 years encourages many, many interesting conference stories to say the least!)
So here are a few tips that can be easily incorporated into your already fabulous conference ideas:
1. Be Prepared and remember parents are only concerned about their child. You may have 15-30 or more students in your class, but the only child who is the most important to them is THEIR child. So make sure you take a few minutes to jot down some positives and some areas with which the child needs to work. You can certainly make up your own frame, but here is one I have used to help me have some notes on hand to glance at as needed. Have all data ready to go to show baselines, progress, reading levels and whatever else is important to you as a teacher and your district guidelines. I also send a reflection sheet home prior to conferences so parents can jot down what they may want to chat about. They return it to school and then you can use this as a guide and be proactive during your conference.
PS. Have as conference schedule hanging outside your door, chairs for waiting, class books to browse as parents wait, lots of KID work displayed outside your classroom. Inside the classroom, have a BIG bowl of candy, some Sticky Notes for you and anyone else who might need to take notes, a duplicate schedule with phone numbers and times as well as a file with everything in conference order.
2. Always start the conversation with an enthusiastic handshake and "It is so great to see you again!" or "Oh my Johnny looks just like you!" Something positive to encourage light conversation. Eye contact and a welcoming phrase will make everyone feel more comfortable and add a little SUNSHINE to the opening greeting.
3. Start the conference on a positive note. A compliment about their child, a cute story jotted down the other day in your notes as it was happening....anything you can think of....."Mia was so helpful the other day when Julia fell on the playground......."
4. Another Tip for adding a bit of positivity: For about 25 years or so, I have always started my
conferences with a self-reflection sheet either written or in Kindergarten dictated depending on the student's level along with a self-portrait. This has been extremely successful over the years. First, parent LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see their children's portraits and when they read the self-evaluation about what their best work is in school and what they think they might need to do better, they are right on and funny to boot. I have the students use kid writing and then edit on a sticky as needed so we can read them together...we always have a blast with this!
5. Have a portfolio of student work ready to show as you are going through strengths and weaknesses so parents can see first hand and understand what you mean. I always had these ready to share right under the self-evaluation sheet so I was able to pull them out and then "show and tell" starting with the strengths so when you get to some "areas of concern," the parents know you are positive, like their child and are working to support and help them. I will never forget a conference I attended as a support for a parent and when I asked, "Can you tell us something positive about Lilly...we know she is social and has a great imagination, but what about her academic strengths?" and the teacher replied...and I kid you not..."What do you mean?" So, then I began to chat about the positives and strengths I noticed in her work...." I wasn't even the teacher...I was along for the ride. You can imagine the conversation in the car on the way home...this goes back to the old Girl Scout Rule: BE PREPARED!
6. Think of positive ways to say something that might be a bit negative...this does not mean to SUGAR COAT!! You need to be honest with parents. They deserve the truth about their child even if the truth is difficult to express. Just think of a positive way to say it! For example: Instead of saying Johnny is running all over the classroom, interrupting his classmates and will not stop. He is always in motion...you might say: Johnny enjoys movement in and around the classroom. He loves to visit and chat with his classmates. We are working with Johnny to understand when is the best time or appropriate time in our schedule to socialize with his classmates. You are basically saying the same thing, but in a more positive way. 7. Ask what the parents are seeing at home so you can understand their situation a bit more. Sometimes parents will share something that is going on at home that may explain some of the actions or behaviors you are seeing at school. Parents are busy, too and sometimes their own personal lives are filled with ups and downs that they may have simply forgot to mention! I am sure that if you see behaviors that are unusual from a child, you will call the parent, but perhaps this just started to surface a day ago and your antennae are posed and ready to zoom in. You can learn so much from giving a listening ear to a parent or guardian.
8. Send parents home with a list or checklist of what they can do to support their child at home. You can have a generic form or a checklist where you simply think of each child and check off what parents might need to do at home to support their child.
End on a positive note: "I am so glad that we were able to chat about Johnny's progress today! I am thrilled he is in my class this year! He makes me smile everyday! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns OR I will contact you in a few days to let you know the results of ...OR to share how things are going..." SMILE, SMILE, SMILE...NEXT PLEASE! Here's to some SWEET, Fabulous Parent Conferences...Let's Go!!!
A Free Sample of Some of the Conference Sheets mentioned above. ENJOY!
When I was a little girl, my dad's favorite holiday was Halloween. he would secretly follow us around the neighborhood and hide behind trees and walls in a dark suit, put on his best monster face, which was quite scary I have to admit, and jump out at us as we Trick-or-Treated around the neighborhood. of course we knew he was doing this so we REALLY were never scared...well...I take that back... maybe a few times when he caught us off guard!
Halloween is not my favorite holiday,but my dad always made it so much fun. So, I guess that is what I always remembered. I have many fond, scary yet boo-tiful memories about this holiday and always loved to have fun in my classroom..well actually I am lying...I LOVED to have fun, but it was probably the most difficult day for a teacher and I remember leaving and wanting to go right to bed or sit alone in a closed room in the dark! UGH!
With that being said. Here are some FREE tried and true activities that you can do in your classroom this year that are fun, fun, fun for everyone!!!
I will start with my all time favorite...SPIDERS! Kids love to learn about these creepy, crawly, spooky friends. In fact just last week I encountered one as I was walking out the door!
Yes, there he was just sitting in his web across my door. I had to make a plan to escape from my house without getting caught in this sticky web...I thought and thought and thought and then decided to use the back door so as not to wake up this sleeping beauty. The broom came in handy and that was that!
So...ere hare some BOO-tiful Halloween Activities just for you...BOO! Oh and did I mention all of the ideas I am sharing can be found in my TpT shop with directions and everything you need. Have I become your BFF yet? Here they are!
1. Make spider headbands after reading a Nonfiction text about spiders. But first we had to have some learning. So, read and discuss the text and have children write spider facts they have learned form the story. You can use spider frames for the kiddos to write their facts and glue or tape the facts onto a chart like the one I made up below...we are doing this on Thursday so I do not have the actually chart to show you.
After the students learn a bit about spiders, you can then have them make the spider headbands.
2. Make Wicked Witch Craft as shown above with Boomer. The directions are Included for your convenience and they look like this: These can be used for older students for an independent activity.
Included with this craft is a writing activity worksheet that works well with Kindergarten, English Language Learners and Special Education Students,
These are from last year and are shown with a sheet that states W is for witch. We are using a different writing from this year as shown above.
Are you having fun yet? I am because I LOVE sharing ideas especially when they are helpful and FREE!
3. Clifford...Everybody Loves Clifford!!! With this lesson you will read the Norman Bridwell story Clifford's Halloween. Discuss the story, Think/Pair/Share ideas as you read, ask questions...you know what to do!!!
After reading the story, brainstorm ideas of what Clifford might be for Halloween and then have children make Clifford in his costume and write what Clifford will be and what the students will be for Halloween!
This sample is from last year. We have changed the writing frame to what is shown above.
So there you have it some ideas to make Halloween a little bit more fun. I know what you are thinking...are you crazy...we really want a little calmness this Halloween! Guess What? That is not going to happen when in the classroom during Halloween week do what the kiddos do...jump around and have some fun!
Here are some other Halloween Spook-tacular Ideas from Sunshine and Lollipops. There are 16 Resources to be exact. You might want to check them out! All 16 Halloween Resources
Happy Halloween!!!
I am a chocolate lover...well...I take that back I am a lover of sweets any kind of sweets; chocolate candy, any kind of chocolate including triple fudge layer cake, cake-pops especially chocolate iced, Tootsie Pops (orange is my favorite); Milky Ways, Snickers, chocolate brownie sundaes, cupcakes and Tootsie Rolls....I guess I need to come clean: I am a sugarholic, chocoholic and maybe even a sweetaholic...Can you relate?
I learned a LOOOOOng time ago that a little sweetness goes a long way whether using sweet, kind words to those in need or giving out candy at Halloween...a little sweetness is hard to turn down. Who doesn’t want to visit their Mimi (that's me) and experience a reality “Candyland” game with all kinds of forbidden pleasures like lollipops, Hershey Hugs and Kisses, cupcakes, brownies and all the sugary treats you can imagine...I mean I have a 7pound bag of Tootsie Rolls in my pantry right now...(yes...you read that correctly)...wait...be right back ....Ahhh better chewing a Tootsie Roll while blogging ...can't get any better than that!
My teaching style was and still is to keep all lessons dazzling, fun, hands on and whatever each child needs to learn and grow! I LOVE to differentiate instruction as much as I can! So...I am thinking that you may be wondering...OK.. how does all this relate to teaching and what do you mean by "Students are like a box of Cake-Pops or a Box Of Chocolates." Let's think about this...
Child Number 1: Looks put together in every way...that beautifully decorated chocolate petite four...(or choose whichever one you like) has hair perfect, outfit trendy and color coordinated with matching shoes, accessories and even the book bag matches and is monogrammed, but when you take a bite or see past the exterior, you may find something that is not quite the way you expected. Perhaps this student has some difficulties with reading, social issues, lacks confidence or might have some home issues. From the outside everything looks fabulous, but on the inside, this sweet kiddo is crying for support in some way! This is a child you want to help in any way you can.
Child Number 2: Comes to school a little disheveled, hair needs to be brushed, backpack is a mess and unorganized somewhat like that piece of candy that your are not sure about...should I try it or not? Kind of like the cake you tried to make, but just did not quite look the way you expected....but when you learn more about this child, or take a bite out of your disastrous cake, you realize it still tastes awesome and like this child, it is sweet, caring and empathetic toward others or your your taste buds with the cake! This child is much better that you thought or assumed. So...on the outside things don't look quite right, but on the inside the cake or candy is as sweet and tasty as can be.
Child Number 3: This child has strong verbal skills and this piece of candy is calling your name...the candy is saying," Please taste me...I am delicious, I am scrumptious and am the one piece of candy you will love forever. You will think of me night and day..Yes that's me!" This child can talk for hours about anything or any topic you bring up even if the chatting is not on topic at all. This little one is screaming for attention.."Is my work good? Mrs. Simpson...Mrs. Simpson I am pulling on your shirt. Do you here me?Am I doing it correctly? Do you like this? I know that answer...call on me!" This child is the one with whom you are trying to have willpower and support with the idea that we need to take turns, we need to wait our turn, we need to raise our hand when we have something to say....we need...we need...you fill in the blank__________! There are other pieces of candy that are just as good and I need to relax and have patience...that piece of candy or child is not the only piece in the box or classroom, but it is there...Can you see it or should I say, hear it calling your name? Yes that piece of candy keeps nagging at you and no matter where you are you hear it or see it or taste it!
Child Number 4: This little one is the one that can't sit still. This child runs from front to back and back to front. This one has difficulty staying in one spot...you see this little one in the reading center and then you turn around and he or she is not there. The playground is difficult and many times there are issues because hands and feet wind up places they should not be. This one goes in all directions and is never there when you want him or her for whatever you are doing. This is the candy that is gone before you open the box. This piece of candy or cake pop is gone and cannot ever stay in its little confined spot in the box or in the cake pop stand. This is the one that you need to have, but can never get it because some one else eats it first...you are determined to get that piece where it belongs in your mouth, but you are just not quick enough and the saga goes on!
All four of these children I have described need different things to help them become their best selves and it is our job to give them what they need. I could go on and on about all the different pieces of chocolate that are in the box and the kiddos that we teach everyday, but I KNOW you get it and understand the comparison.
Let’s face it, each year we get a classroom full of kiddos as different as a box of chocolates...Each piece might look pretty much the same on the outside, but when you take a bite, you can see and taste the difference...all sugary and sweet, but oh so different in many ways! You go home thinking and worrying about each of these children because you care and then you sit down to relax with a real box of chocolates and eat the entire box worrying about all the little cherubs who happily scamper into your classroom every morning and it starts all over again the next day...you try your best to figure out what will work with each of your students to make the progress and gains he or she needs and to make sure they all get exactly what they need.
I know it is hard to do what each child needs because you are only one person with a whole box of chocolates in front of you...AHHHH you could just eat the whole box at one shot, but you WILL probably be sorry in the end and get sick as well not to mention stressed at the outcome. So my advice is just plan it out. Differentiate your lessons and start out slowly taking one idea at a time. Sometimes how you differentiate for one works with another and remember by the end of the year the box of chocolates is gone and you can say that you did your best because you took your time and continued to move in the right direction one at a time! I remember about 28 years ago I had a student who wanted to know where we were going and when...so I made a schedule for him, but posted it across the front board so everyone could see it and use it..and guess what? You know the answer...it was beneficial for everyone including ME!
Our job is not easy! You have to take care of yourself as well as those kiddos not to mention your own children, if you have them...so with that being said...sit down and relax with a box of chocolates, or a few cake pops!
