Math Flashcard "Monstage"...with Freebie!

Well earlier this year I posted here about storing word wall flashcards into our daily binders.  After cleaning out my own first grader's binder, I realized that I never posted the math flashcard pics and printable!!! This one actually took me awhile to figure out. I knew that I wanted to use the super cute alien/monster duck tape.  I also wanted to figure out how to incorporate the word monster or alien into the label.  The results....

So I did have to explain to my firsties what a montage was, in order for them to pick up on the "mon-stage" reference.  I really don't think they were as concerned at that point with the words as much as they loved the super cool duck tape! giggles

The labels turned out too fun!

(Graphics & Fonts by: Springhill Graphics, Kevin & Amanda)

Of course you can grab your own set of labels by clicking here!! They are made to fit Avery 5163. 

If you've got another fun idea for a play on the word monster, alien, or space that would work for flashcard storage...I'd love to see your comments. Perhaps I can re-vamp for next year!

Sloth Love...with a freebie of course!

I absolutely adore spring and everything about it.  It is probably my favorite time of year for themes... rain forests, insects, ocean....just love!! Well right now we are in the midst of the rain forest.  We've written about crocs, explored research questioning, and now my personal favorite, THE SLOTH!!  These little guys make me smile. I just think they are 7 kinds of cute.  Now on to the work...

This week our scope and sequence focuses on story elements.  We've touched on these elements throughout the year in isolation but now we are drawing attention specifically to comparing these elements in stories by the same author. I was excited to be able to introduce and post these fabulous posters from Leslie Ann at Life in First Grade that I'd purchased earlier in the year...

You can get them HERE!

I chose to focus on characters, setting, main idea, theme, and sequencing this week for my firsties.

 Story elements, an author study, plus our rain forest theme meant one perfect combination...

My kids love hearing this story every year! And it was a fabulous fit for our Shared Reading lesson.

Today, I divided my kiddos into groups and had each group illustrate or record an assigned story element onto chart paper after hearing the story again. I whipped up this freebie to record our group work and display with our sloth craftivity which we will create on Friday.

Click here for your copy of the recording sheet!

And just for giggles, I MUST include this little guy that I fell in love with during our visit to the Dallas World Aquarium a few years back.  He just hangs out above the visitors. Totally head over heels for him!

I hope that you all are able to enjoy a little of the glitter that comes with this time of year and the fast approach of...dare I mention... summer break!!

Math Strategy Posters...Plus My NEW Favorite Thing!!

Oh my word...I am all giggles over our campus' newest purchase! A COLOR POSTER MAKER!!! I am completely obsessed and having to pace myself to keep from running every single glittery printable that I can get my paws on through the thing. It is just amazing! (more on that in a minute...)

I don't post very often about math.  I have a huge passion for literacy and I'm sure that's evident by my previous posts and TPT products.  The other reason, is that we team plan on my campus.  My fabulous first grade teammates do a wonderful job of covering the other subject areas. A week or so ago we created anchor charts for our addition and subtraction strategies. My chart paper is quite large and I was worried about finding a spot to hang them on my shrinking wall space.  I figured it was the perfect opportunity to put the new poster maker to use! Soooo...I created a set of printables with the strategies.  Check them out...

You can get them HERE in my TPT store! ($2)

(Graphics & Fonts by: JW Illustrations, Melonheadz, DreamlikeMagic, Print Candee, Kevin and Amanda)

*Unfortunately at this time, I will not be able to make any custom changes to the strategies.  Sold as is.)

Now back to my new obsession.  Time for the magic...

Oh my!! Just amazing.

 And a perfect fit for my space! (Sorry for the pic quality on this one!)



Since I'm in a math-y kind of mood, I can't leave you without a freebie.  Here's a little doubles poster that I made to add to my meeting board!

You can get your own copy by clicking HERE!

(Graphics & Fonts by: ErinBradleyDesigns, DreamlikeMagic, Small Town Clipart, Kevin and Amanda)

I hope that everyone has a wonderful week and is looking forward to an upcoming break!

Pinkalicious & Cupcakes!

I love the week of Valentine's Day. Yes party day makes for a crazy afternoon, but it's the week that we read one of my FAVORITE books...Pinkalicious!! I just adore this book.  How could you not with this amount of pink in one place?  Even my boys get into it.  I had a little giggle today when after reading her call herself "Pinkerbell" one of the boys spontaneously yelled "Red-erbell" after she turns red.  haha.  Our theme for this week and last is cupcakes, so this fits perfectly. I use and just adore this little pack from First Grade Fanatics...

Click HERE to grab your copy.

We are also reviewing long a word families this week. I made a little gameboard for practice that matches our theme and thought I'd share as a freebie.

Get your copy HERE!

That's it for now Pink-tastic friends. Enjoy your Valentine's Day!!!

I'm back...Plus Owl Punctuation

Well I took a little unintentional blog break! It has been a rough cold/flu season for both my classroom and home.  In my house alone, we had 5 cases of strep and 2 cases of the flu...and I only have 3 in my family. YUCK!  Anyhow, the point is I'm refreshed, moving forward, and ready to throw a little glitter....

Let's start with a fun product that I added to my TPT store.  In my classroom, we've been working on punctuation. I needed to re-vamp my punctuation anchor chart this year to match up to my owl decor.  Here is a picture of the final anchor chart.

(I can't find the original author of the punctuation statement. If it's yours, let me know so that I can give you credit!)

I've put together a poster pack which includes the 3 signs above, a punctuation definition poster, and the 3 sample sentences. Check it out...

Click HERE to head to my TPT store to grab your set!

I hope that everyone is doing well and looking forward to Spring as much as I am! Back soon with a freebie!

Behavior Clip Chart....Freebie!

Just before school started I posted a picture HERE about my new owl clip chart that I downloaded from 3rd Grade's a Hoot.  I'm loving this clip chart system!! I feel like I am signing (well actually a responsible student from each table is signing behavior sheets...unless a student is lower than "ready to learn", then I sign!) so many fewer folders at the end of the day and it truly saves a headache!! I LOVE that it gives a chance for those fabulous behaving students to strive for something above and beyond! Sooo...this post and couple of freebies are dedicated to those sweet owls! After reading the free ebook linked above I decided to go with the idea of adding "jewels" to the clips that reached outstanding for the day. Check out the bling (aka: glitter)!...

(Yes, my clips are spray painted white, because the wood color just wasn't working for me!)

Now on to the freebies...the ebook also suggests a "Clip Hall of Fame" for those receiving a certain number of jewels.  I went with 5! Once a student reaches 5 outstanding jewels, their clip is retired to the Hall of Fame! Check it out!

I just used a $3 frame from Walmart, some of my favorite ribbon from Hobby Lobby hot glued to the back, and this free printable!

Click HERE for your copy!

But wait, there's more...

One of my fabulous first grade team members needed her clip chart and hall of fame to match her zebra & green theme. Taadaaa!

Get your copy of the clip chart with hall of fame printable here!

And finally, one of my other teammates uses my Birdies & Buntings Classroom Decoratives so of course I'm glittering you with a clip chart that matches that set as well!!

Click here for your copy of the Birdie Clip Chart and Hall of Fame printable!

Well I hope that at least one of those will fit your room's decor and you can get some use out of this amazing little behavior management system.  I'm off to enjoy my fall weekend. giggles...

Silent Auction Basket

Our school's major fundraiser every year is our Fall Festival.  It's huge!! Our building is transformed into a family friendly Halloween celebration.  There are games, a haunted house, concessions, a pumpkin decorating contest, and my favorite...The Silent Auction!!!

Each class is in charge of providing a themed basket for the auction.  You can usually find a family fun night basket, cleaning basket, gift card basket, etc.. One of my favorite this year was "Keep Calm and Bake On!" Super cute theme, right? This year my firsties and I made a basket themed "We LOVE Reading!" Each student brought $5 OR an item for the basket. I am sooo happy with the way our basket turned out.  (I actually thought about bidding myself!) The most impressive part of our basket was the basket itself.  My room mom did an AMAZING job of painting it to match the theme.  I just fell in love and hated to see it go!!

We had about 10-12 books, a Barnes and Noble giftcard, a custom Dr. Seuss quote cup, a framed Keep Calm and Read On sign, Dr. Seuss socks, and a SkippyJon Jones notecard set.

Here is a shot of the back of the basket. Just fabulous!

I'll be back later this week with a freebie that I'm working on! Giggles...