Hi Y'all! I'm back to talk with you about Strategy 7: Manipulatives, Experiments, Labs & Models. Even though this section of the book was only four pages long, I want to make sure that I cover everything so I've broken my blog post into two sections; Math & Science. I'm not sure if you've noticed but a lot of the math programs that our schools give us to use don't provide a lot of opportunities for the students to spend a great deal of time working at the concrete level by ... continue reading...
Search Results for: label/teacher conference
Guiding Math: A Workshop Model for Teaching
I love student-centered, problem-based learning so when Deedee and I sat down to design our Guiding Kinders and Guiding Firstie Math units, I knew the activities would have to be hands-on! Guided Math Workshop Model Our lessons follow the workshop format. Each lesson has five components. 1. Fluency This part of the lesson is a warm-up that will help our students build their fluency in various math skills. It will usually involve flash cards and the focus is on speed and ... continue reading...
25 Back to School Read Alouds for the Primary Classroom
25 Back to school read alouds to pick up and share with your primary students to calm their nerves and create a few laughs. Back to School Read Alouds Are you getting ready to go back to school? Maybe planning the first week of school? Then this list of back to school read alouds is just what you need! You and your class are sure to enjoy these lesson-learning, diversity-filled, alphabet-listing, and just plain fun, read alouds during the first few weeks of school. #1 The King ... continue reading...
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activities & a Freebie
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activities for Back to School. Kindergarten and first-grade classroom ideas with a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom directed drawing, science, and writing! Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is simply one of those books that is perfect for back to school time. See how we use this book throughout the week! Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Activities: Reading Ideas I always seem to start the year off with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, I bet you do too! But just because it is the ... continue reading...
Stellaluna Read-Aloud
Listening to a read-aloud is often the most exciting part of the day for students. They love sitting together and listening to their teacher read a fantastic book. Honestly, this is one of the calmest parts of the day. However, it can also be one of the most educational! With the Read Aloud Lesson Plans, students can enjoy amazing stories while working on engaging activities. For instance, they can enjoy the Stellaluna read-aloud and dive into their standards. Students will love the story and ... continue reading...
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse Reading Lesson Plans FREEBIE
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse reading comprehension lesson plans for K-2! This FREEBIE includes 5 lesson plans, complete with student response activities and a craft! Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse Lilly loves school and especially loves her teacher, Mr. Slinger. That is until he takes her new purse for being too disruptive. Lilly's feelings about Mr. Slinger quickly change. Use this story to teach a good lesson about having patience and being a good listener. You and your students will love ... continue reading...
Alphapalooza 2 Phonemic Awareness & Phonics Fun!
“The two best predictors of early reading success are alphabet recognition and phonemic awareness.” -Marilyn Jager Adams We spend a lot of time working on Phonemic Awareness and Phonics skills in kindergarten and first-grade, so we want to make sure that we create games and activities that will hold the interest of our students. My goal is to create activities that the students will want to come back to over and over again. Here are a few of the activities that are included ... continue reading...
The Easter Bunny’s Assistant Read Aloud
As Easter nears, students are getting more excited to hunt for eggs and Easter baskets. Therefore, it may be a little harder to keep them focused in the classroom. However, creative planning helps avoid behavior issues and off-task work. One of the best ways to do this involves interactive read alouds. Thankfully, The Easter Bunny’s Assistant will keep students on the edge of their seats with each hilarious page! Best of all, amazing lessons in The Easter Bunny's Assistant Read Aloud are ready ... continue reading...
Shark Schema Chart: Teaching with Intention!
Teaching with Intention by Debbie Miller is one of my all-time favorite professional development books. When I read this book in 2008, it really helped me define my teaching philosophy and think about WHAT I do as a teacher and WHY I do it. When you do activities with your students, it's important to be able to define their purpose and to be able to explain why you think it's important. I LOVE this book, and I've blogged about it MANY times over the last five years. One of my favorite things ... continue reading...
Book Study: Worksheets Don’t Grow Dendrites
Get Ready to do some on-line professional learning with some of your favorite bloggers! After visiting the Ron Clark Academy, so many of us are so inspired to find ways to reach our learners in fun and exciting ways! Starting February 28th, we are going to be hosting a linky party each Tuesday and Saturday with chapters from this book: Linky parties will take place on these different blogs each time. Here is the order so you can plan accordingly :) Kickin it in Kindergarten- Chapters 1 ... continue reading...
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH: BASH BASKET 12
Oh, my word y'all I am so excited! Our Back to School Bash begins today! If you missed yesterday's post, you will definitely want to check that out {RIGHT HERE} to see all of the amazing prizes that you could win! Are you ready to get started? Read the directions below and then you'll be on your way! Happy Blog Bash Hoppin' :) Y'all I am so excited to share this product with you. The WHISPER PHONE SELECT is such an amazing tool to use for Guided Reading Groups! I was able to ... continue reading...
Owl book pictures and a cool video!
Due to a request I am posting some pictures from our owl books. Some of the kids chose to color their pictures and some of them chose to leave them black and white. I told the littles that it was up to them. However, {NO Haters, please } I did tell them that since this was a Nonfiction book the owls had to be realistic. NO PURPLE OWLS, thank you very much. ;) They did a BEAUTIFUL job on their illustrations if I do say so myself. One thing I usually do when we are doing this type of ... continue reading...
Book study: In Pictures and In Words
Hey Friends! Nothing says summer like, book study! Woo-Hoo...I love diving into a great book that will help me learn and grow as a teacher. So put down your copy of Fifty Shades of Gray ;) and grab this book! This year we will be diving into Katie Wood Ray's Book, In Pictures and in Words. I'm so excited to participate in this book study with all of my bloggy friends. Who better to help me think more deeply about this text than you guys? When does it start? On June 22nd, ... continue reading...
Making Read Alouds Come to Life: Creepy Carrots
Teacher read alouds are just as important as giving students time to read independently. Read alouds take the student's focus away from having to decode the words and gives students a chance to really hone in and focus on the meaning of the story. I love it when I read a story to children, and they love it so much that they beg me to READ IT AGAIN! It's so important to reread books to children and give them time to: Hear you thinking ... continue reading...
It’s Shark Week! Freebies for Comparing Informational & Narrative Texts
FREEBIES Shark style! Clark the Shark is a perfect book for back to school, but it is also great as you round out the end of the year. Energy is high and patience is low and helping kids understand the importance of self-control, following the rules and thinking before they act. Clark the shark has an abundant amount of energy and enthusiasm and this causes him a few problems at school. {Sound familiar?} He loves school and he is so EXCITED about it that his behavior gets a ... continue reading...