Teaching Tip Link-up!

I'm linking up with Miss Kindergarten! She's having a teaching tip linky party!

My tip is how to handle unfinished work. When my students don't finish their work, whether it be due to an absence or tardy, or, the dreaded, excessive talking or lack of focus, I staple or clip a little note to it, explaining to the parents that the work needs to be completed at home. The note also tells the parents why the work was not completed at school. There's even a spot to write in a reason. I made the notes tiny, so I could fit a lot of them on one page, to save paper and copies. These notes have saved me lots of time. Now, I don't have to keep writing notes home for the same reason. I always have a supply on hand and when a student is absent, I automatically attach the note to the work and put it in the child's mailbox. If you would like to use my notes, just click on the image below. Or, you can always make your own that is specific to your needs. Mine actually have my name on it.

Veterans Day and Thanksgiving

Today, my students made these really cute soldiers, courtesy of Miss Kindergarten. They had so much fun making them! One of my first graders suggested I make name labels for them. I blackened out their last names, but, you can still see what I did.

Before they made the soldiers, the children learned all about Veterans Day by completing some fun activities in this Veterans Day packet by Gladys, from Teaching in High Heels.

We also began talking about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. I always begin by reading this book by Ann McGovern.

I started my Thanksgiving stations in kindergarten. One of my stations is to make this cute, long-legged turkey.

Sadly, I can't remember where I got this idea from. Last year, someone posted this idea using painted paper plates, but, I used construction paper, instead. If anyone knows where I got this idea from, please let me know so I can credit this talented teacher.

My students are also having fun playing a beginning sounds game:

Matching rhyming words:

And, unscrambling sentences.

These activities can be found in my Kindergarten Thanksgiving Activity Pack, by clicking on the image below.

On a personal note, today, I had to say goodbye to my student teacher. I can honestly say that she is a wonderful person and will make a great teacher. My students and I were a bit teary because she has really become one of the family. One student was teary and another one told her not to cry, but, to remember the happy times. Right after the children went home, I received an email from a parent, letting me know that her daughter was so upset it was her last day and asking if I could email her a picture of her. How sweet! My student teacher knows I love yorkies and gave me this adorable stuffed yorkie. Here's what happened when I introduced one of my yorkies to my new furry friend.

It's hard to tell which one is real, right?!

Claudine, if you read this post, please know that I love you to pieces and will miss having you by my side. 

I'm linking up with Amanda at Teaching Madness!

Let's see your best photos from the week!

November Currently and a Handwriting Freebie

How are your students doing with their handwriting this year? I'm happy to say that mine are doing pretty well. With some direct instruction, weekly practice, and a fun incentive, my students are motivated to write their best every single day.

I've been using these handwriting booklets. 

Here's how I teach handwriting: 

First, I taught my students how to form each letter, using the alphabet chart page in the booklet, stressing which letters are tall, which ones are small, and which ones fall. We discussed how we start writing from the top and how we don't trace over our writing. Then, I showed them how to complete a page properly. Now, whenever they are done with their station work, they can choose to do a page or two in their handwriting booklet as an "I'm done, what can I do now?" activity. You can read more about this here. Believe it or not, they LOVE to work in their booklets. I am using the booklets for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. This is my first year doing formal handwriting and I couldn't be happier with the results. The best part is, it is done completely independently. And, they work at their own pace. They are very motivated to complete the book, earn a certificate, and be known as a neat hand writer!

As an incentive to complete the book correctly, I have promised my students a certificate upon completion. First, I assess their handwriting, and, if I'm pleased with it, they earn this little cutie...

Just click on the image above for the free assessment sheet and certificate. I hope your students are as motivated as mine to write neatly!

Here's my November Currently...

Obviously, my mind is on the people affected by Hurricane Sandy. I have a strong love for NY because I was born and raised there. Watching the news is heart wrenching and I pray that everyone gets the assistance they deserve and the strength they need to pick up the broken pieces and start again.

What's on your mind right now? 

Link up with Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade, and let us know!

Treats for Our Sweets

Thanks for stopping by to pick up your treat! If you’re just joining in on the fun, make sure you click on the trick-or-treat bag above and start at Freebielicious, so you’re sure to get all of the freebies!I have a fun sight word game for your students to play in a small group. It's called Pick and Spell. Students choose a word. Then, they take turns picking letters. If the letter is in their word, they keep it. If not, they put it back in the pile. Play continues until all words have been spelled. I hope you enjoy it!

I'm sure you'll enjoy your next stop!

Writing Activities for Young Learners...with a freebie!

I love to keep my students actively engaged while they are learning. I'm not the kind of teacher who keeps her students sitting for long periods of time, completing busy work. I am constantly creating activities for them that involve moving around and collaboration. Recently, I updated my kindergarten and first grade writing forms. I added tons more activities and, even changed the name. Many of the activities keep the children moving around the room, finding words and making lists. They also draw pictures and write sentences. To learn more about what is included in this updated product, please click on the image below.

If you have already purchased Kindergarten and First Grade Writing Forms, 

go to your purchased products page and re-download.

Here is a freebie for you, to show you how much fun walking around the room and learning can be! I hope you enjoy it!

Writing Freebies

My students LOVE to write! In my classroom, I have this wonderful display called, I can write…

It looks like this:

I have since added 7 more posters.

My students love to choose an item from the menu to work on during station time or when they are done with their work. They can choose to...

*Write a story using any kind of paper they want. I always have a nice selection of stationary and story writing paper.

*Write a book using half or whole sheets of white construction paper for the inside and colored construction paper for the cover. My students add publishing labels when they are done.

*Write a note to someone using any of the cute notepads I have accumulated over the years.

*Write a letter to anyone using stationary.

*Write a recipe on a cute recipe card or on an index card.

*Write a list using any of the notepads or list writing paper I have.

*Write a card to anyone using any of the cards and envelopes I have. I always have plenty of seasonal, holiday, and thank you cards available.

*Write a poem.

*Write a sticker story. This is when they choose 3 stickers from the basket and place them on their paper. Then, they add details and write a story about their illustration.

*Write a scribble story. This is where they ask someone to make a scribble line on their paper using a black crayon or marker. Then, they make the scribble into a picture, add details, and write a story about it.

*Write a How To essay, using transition words.

*Write a book review using any of my book review templates.

*Write a comic strip using the comic strip template.

*Write an informative poster using large construction paper or card stock.

*Write out a word search using one of my differentiated templates.

*Write a postcard using real postcards or one of my postcard templates.

*Write an email (thanks, Hadar!). If students have access to a computer, they can write an email to a family member.

I love this display because there is always something fun and meaningful for the children to do. I never hear, "I'm done, what can I do now?"

If you would like more information about this display, just click on the link below.
Most of the menu items come with differentiated templates. Just keep a stock of them at your writing station and it is always ready to go!

Click here to see this item in my store. 

It's on sale through Sunday!

Just for reading this long post, here are two freebies that go with the pack! I hope you enjoy the sticker story and scribble story templates. I know my students love them! Just click on either image below and you will be taken to my teaching store. Click on download preview and you will find these two templates.

Scoot!

I'm sure you have all heard of the game Scoot, right? It's where the children scoot from desk to desk or seat to seat, answering questions. Truth be told, this game is nothing short of brilliant! Here are 6 reasons why I love this game:

1. The children don't realize they are being assessed.
2. The children don't realize they are doing work.
3. The children are actively learning as they stand and scoot around the room.
4. The children are doing some serious thinking (reading, responding, and making sure they write their answers in the correct boxes.)
5. There are so many skills you can reinforce by playing this game.
6. It's fun to say, "Start...Stop...Stand...Scoot...Sit...Start...etc."

Yesterday, my first graders played their first game of Scoot. I used my ABC Order game. 

They were so excited! Before the game actually began, we practiced scooting a few times. This is a must! We also practiced how to use the recording sheet. They did so well!

This is them scooting to a new seat.

Here are two girls working hard, but not realizing they are working!

Here is our victory cheer! They were so proud of themselves for succeeding at their first game of scoot. After this picture, they collectively asked me when we can play again!

These cards can also be used as task cards for a great center activity. Just leave the cards and recording sheets at a center and students can read the task cards and record their answers without going from seat to seat. What a fun, independent learning activity! Answer keys are included to make it self-checking.

I have created soooo many different Scoot/Task Card resources because they are always a hit, year after year. Click on each image below to see some them in my store!

Believe it or not, I have even MORE Scoot/Task Card resources! Click here to see ALL of them! There's even several math varieties!