Introducing Journeys Through the Year!

I am so excited to start using the new common core Journeys reading program. Since I love to start each new school year prepared and organized, I knew I had to create something to help me easily transition into this new series. So, here is what I came up with...

I created this product to help those who use Journeys stay organized as you plan for reading instruction each day. All of the labels in this pack are the perfect size for a pocket chart. Every single card is clearly labeled with the lesson number.

Here is what's included...

Focus Wall Headers

Leave the focus wall headers in your pocket chart permanently and just change the skills for each lesson.

Essential Questions

I always disliked having to write the essential question each day/week. 

Now I don't have to!

Target Skills/Strategies and Writing Genres

The skills, strategies, and genre cards are all labeled with the lesson numbers so you can use it, store it, and then easily find it for the next lessons.

Grammar, Spelling, and Phonics Skills

Each color coded card is labeled with the lesson number and ready to hang on your Focus Board every week.

Scope and Sequence

These easy to read scope and sequences will help you know, at a glance, what is being taught in each lesson and what books you need to pull. 

HFW for Word Wall

As the HFW are taught, you can hang them on your word wall. Each card is labeled with the lesson number. Spelling words are also included, to be hung on your focus board.

This pack also comes with 7 separate scope and sequences that contain the weekly sight words, spelling words, reading target skills/strategies, grammar skills, spelling/phonics skills, vocabulary skills, and writing skills for each lesson. 

I plan on storing everything in a file crate or a file cabinet. Each lesson will be stored in its own file folder. When I am finished using the items for each lesson, I will file them back in the correct folder. Talk about organized!

If you are using Journeys and you teach first grade, I hope you check it out and let me know what you think. Click on the image below to see it in my store!

Writing Right Through the Year: Part 2

I am happy to say that my Writing Right Through the Year series is...

DONE!!!

This series took months to complete and I can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Any time I create something for the entire year, it is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I know I'll always be prepared for the year. And a curse because it is a lot to create, check, recheck, and check again and again!

Recently, I blogged about Writing Through August/September, October/November, and December/January. You can read about that here.

I'd like to take this opportunity to show off...

February/March

These are the themes included.

Here are some images...

I'd love to post all the images here, but there are just too many. For a complete viewing of everything included in the February/March pack, please click here to download a PDF file with tons of images.

Here are the themes included in April/May...

And some images...

For a complete viewing of everything included in the April/May pack, please click here to download a PDF file with tons of images.

Here are the themes included in the June/July pack...

And some images of what you'll find...

For a complete viewing of everything included in the June/July pack, please click here to download a PDF file with tons of images. This product is 20% off until 6/25!

And, finally, the BIGGEST of them all...

The Themes Edition!

Here are the themes included...

Here are some images of what you'll find...

For a complete viewing of everything included in the Themes Edition pack, please click here to download a PDF file with tons of images. This item is 20% off until 6/25!

I am so excited to begin the Daily 5 and literacy work stations next school year. These activities, along with my other writing and work work activities, will surely be fun and engaging for my students, as I meet with individuals for guided reading. I am really looking forward to using them! I hope you have enjoyed my photo dump today!

If you have any questions about any of these activities, please don't hesitate to ask. To see them in my store, just click on the images below.

I have also bundled together some of the items. They are always 20% off the cost if purchased separately. However, they will be 30% off until 6/25.

Here are the links:

Up next...

Daily 5 and literacy work station boards!

I can't wait to share them with you just in case you need some too!

My Teacher Always Says Linky

Tis the season to link up! Today, I am linking up with Tammy, from Forever in First, and letting you all know some of the things I say over and over again to my students.

Here they are...

At the end of the day, when we are ready to pack up and I do my final clip up of the day, we play the quiet game. I say the above to start the game. If the children talk during the quiet game, then they don't get their star for the day. The leader of the day puts the stars in the chart. When this task is done, the leader tells the class the quiet game is over. I love a nice, quiet, calm pack up! And so do my students.

Whenever a child tells me that so and so said this or did that, I say the above, as long as it isn't anything too terrible. I want the children to learn to ignore these little annoyances and not let every little thing bother them. If it's good enough for me, it's good enough for them!

I am a huge fan of Whole Brain Teaching, and I made up a few of my own ways to get the attention of my class. This is one of my favorites because they say it back to me. Of course, they say, "Yes, dear, yes!" I love to be called dear! And I always say it in a sweet voice, as do they. Sometimes, I substitute sweet for the word dear.

This is another of my made up Whole Brain Teaching mantras. Whenever I need my students to write their name and the date on their papers, I say, "name, name, name." And they say, "date, date, date." When they are done writing it, they stay silent when I say it again. This way, I can tell how many kids I'm waiting for. When I say it and no one answers me, I know I can proceed.

And, there you have it. My many mantras! 

Why don't you link up too?

You know you want to!