Five for Friday: 01/10/14

1. Cold...

I know we are all feeling it. I had Monday off but was back to work the rest of the week. I'm not complaining though, a 4 day week is sweeter than a 5 day week. I must say today was rough, both on the kids and the teachers. They have been inside all week because of the insane temperatures and they are feeling the strain of holding all that energy in for so long. It is supposed to warm up a bit this week, I can't wait.

2. Winter decor...

I've had this cutie bulletin board set for a couple years now but January always goes by so fast I never get it up. This year I've been relying on two ladies at work to do my laminating and cutting and it finally got done. I have a few more penguins in the set that I want to use for anchor charts when we study penguins in a week or two. It just brightens my day.

3. The Jacket I Wear in the Snow...

I do this activity every year and it is one of my FAVORITES. First I read several books about winter clothing, The Jacket I Wear in the Snow, Froggy get's Dressed, and Joseph had a Little Overcoat. I take pictures of the kids all decked out in their winter gear and we label it all. It is a perfect activity for January, to remind the kids about labeling. I also take this opportunity to teach my ELL kids the names of all the winter clothes.

I do have to admit it is NOT an easy activity. Identifying the words is hard for my kids. This little bugger is notorious for giving me a hard time. Today was no different, I must have repeated myself at least 20 time. 

If you are interested I blogged about this activity in previous years, with freebies.

2011

2012

4. New years resolutions...

Can't tell you how cutie this activity came out! I combined a couple of freebies, and tweaked it, to create something new! The kids had so much fun and I can't walk by it without looking at it. The bright paper makes it POP!

The first freebie is Teri's, from A Cupcake for a Teacher, her freebie new years hat was supposed to be a wearable, BUT since we didn't get back until Tuesday I thought would be adorable on their pictures.

The second freebie was Leigh's, from The Applicious Teacher. She has a fab goal setting tab book, again a freebie. I didn't use all the pages, because I didn't think my 1st grade ELL kids could handle ALL of them, but the ones I picked were a hit! Thanks ladies. :)

5. Snow week...

Personally I am tired of snow and cold, BUT next week is all about snowmen and MLK jr. for me and my kids. We get to read one of my favorite books, Snowmen at Night. However what I am looking forward to the most is all those cute activities you all have created, that I get to copy. :P 

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Wordless Wednesday... (01/08/14)

Craftie

Keeping me on track

My addiction.

Intervention 

Chilly

Story with props.

Writing with a beginning, middle & end.

Guided Reading...

Happy viewing.

Lesson Plans... (01/06/14)

OMG it should NOT be this hard to type up my lesson plans and post them for you all. Geez Louise! I know several bloggers do this and I wanted to join in the fun, but damn.

OK here is the deal, I teach MULTIPLE grade levels and by that I mean I teach two Kinder ELL groups, one First grade ELL group and one multi-grade (3-5) Math ELL group. Now I LOVE being an ELL teacher. I adore that even when I hate my schedule, which I don't, but even when I dislike it that my day is broken up. However, this makes for a TON of planning. Which isn't too bad, cause I do enjoy planning. I wouldn't be able to create lesson plan templates for others, if I didn't enjoy some part of it. However, it is tedious and time consuming. So with that said I've only been able to finish one set of lesson plans. I always start with my Kinder groups, because they are my largest group and take the longest to plan for. So those are the plans I will post for you all tonight.

With all that said! Just to remind you I teach reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Click on the image to download a PDF version of my plans.

Unlike the format I love, two pages side by side, for my own plans I decided I would do a 1 page and then all the resources just spilled onto pg 2. So I print front and back. Then separate my binder by grade level.

Now that Downton is back, I am throughly distracted, I will work well into the night on my other two groups. Especially since I just recently learn I will have a "Too cold to go into school." day tomorrow, so I will probably post those plans for you all then.

Don't forget you have a few more hours to grab a pre-made lesson plan from A Teacher's Plan.

As my way of wishing you a happy new year, all pre-made lesson plan templates are 10% off. 

Just click on the button below.

Flashback Friday

Hi everyone,

Because I missed sharing so much of my classroom's going ons I wanted to do some reflection posts. Here is my attempt to share some of what you missed...

A few weeks ago, my school participated in "Hour of Code". You might have read Jennifer's, from Rowdy in First Grade, post about how her students participate. I was so excited to see another blogger who participated.

Basically, The Hour of Code was a week of Computer Science where students all over the world learn to write lines of code and program. Here is a quick video.

My whole district was encouraged to participate. I am excited and proud to say that my WHOLE school participated, thanks to our wonderful Technology Integrationist. Students from Kindergarten to 5th grade wrote lines and line of code using the Angry Birds game. 

The kids were so excited, they could barely contain themselves. I sat in with the Kinder kids. 

Instructions.

 Collaboration.

 Writing the "code".

Watching our birds move.

I really wish I had taken  video. They cheered after every successful move.

Since then, I have been to the app store and found that there are SEVERAL free "coding" apps out there for free. However, I think if you wanted to find a place to start, go on over to "The hour of Code" site. They have several tutorials and programs to start with. They teach you to create your own holiday cards, create your own games or apps, even learn different kinds of code, like Java.

It really was a wonderful experience. Anyone can try it and be successful, so no worries if you aren't techie. Give it a go, you might surprise yourself.

Happy New year, 2014

Happy new year!

I woke up to a new year and snow.

I wasn't too thrilled, the temps were low and the snow kept falling, but I put on  my hoodie, grabbed some hot tea, and pulled out my computer.

I hate to admit, but I have been gone for what feels like forever. In my mind I am constantly posting to you all. However, when it comes down to actually typing it all out I kind of fall short. So it seems that I have missed the whole first half of the school year. Sorry about that. 

Consequently my new years resolution is to be a better blogger. :) 

I've grabbed my new planner from Brittany Fuson

and wrote down all those ideas rattling around in my head. Good thing too, because I got back to work on Friday. Once I go back it is full speed ahead and before we know it May will be upon us. Yikes!

I know what your thinking, FRIDAY? Yep, I go back on Friday for a teacher plan day, and then get two days off. On Monday I start back with kids. At first, I felt the same way, BUT last year when we did this, I found that I LOVED it. I mean I get to ease back into work with NO students, and prep everything for the following crazy week back with students. You know how wild it can get. Having one day back, before the students, join me allows me to be one step ahead of them. Plus who can complain about one day when you get two days off after that?

The good news is that on Friday I get to devote my time to taking down the holiday decorations, changing my calendar, organizing my copies and prepping all the cute crafties I got on sale. :) 

Speaking of sale... I've extended mine.

Don't spend the last few days off worrying about what you will teach next week. Make lesson planning a breeze with a pre-made lesson plan from A Teacher's Plan.

As my way of wishing you a happy new year, all pre-made lesson plan templates are 10% off. 

Just click on the button below.

But before you go, I wanted to share a new Currently for the new year!

Click here to read all the other links.

Hope your having a WONDERFUL start to the new year.

Five for Friday (09/21/13)

Hi Everyone,
It is Five for Friday, on Saturday.

1. Sit Spots

First heard of these wonderful creations from Kathleen, Growing Kinders, Line Up post. Loved them so much I ordered a free sample. When it arrived I ran around the building showing it to everyone and proceeded to order.

They arrived! Well I should say they arrived last Friday and I was so excited I put them down the very same day. Check out my not so straight line, BUT look at how they match the "line up here" sign I love so much. :)

 The kids loved them, I love them and then... we had a mishap. I should say a mis communication and they were gone. :( So I got a second set. Love them just as much. :) Can't wait for the kids to see them on Monday. They will be so excited.

If you haven't heard of them, jump on over to their website and check them out. One of the best things to happen for teachers in a long time.
SitSpots

2. Brittany Fuson

You know what else came? My beautiful new planner from Brittany Fuson. So super cute and was super excited to see one of my fave images on the cover. I already shared with a close friend that it is her and I on the cover. All black and a scarf, so me. :)

3. Capitol Building

The view down the street from my school. Pretty isn't it?

4. Writing Notebooks

Love how these turned out despite being the wrong color. Something I will live with cause I secretly love it. Gave them to the kids today. :) They like them too.

5. Coven

Not to much a pic, but a vid. I am hooked on to American Horror Story and I am looking forward to the new season, Coven, so much. Have to wait a few more weeks though. Meanwhile I have been enjoying all the teaser trailers.

 Yeah, I did that, :) Love how they turned out. It will be my next Monday Made It post. :)

That's all folks.

Have a great weekend. 
Don't forget to check out all the other bloggers on Doodlebugs Five for Friday Linky.