Saturday, July 30, 2011

5 Little Pumkins Freebie

Fall is just around the corner! Well at least I hope it is with this crazy heat taking over my life!
This is one of my favorite pumpkin activities.  I love to use it as a skit in class giving each person a part.  During the last line where the pumpkins roll out of sight...I let ALL the students roll around on the ground.  They love it and keeps them hanging on until the end! Enjoy!  

Friday, July 29, 2011

Fancy Nancy Poster


I first saw this fabulous (a fancy word for great) idea from  Fun in First Grade.  
I made a "Fancy Words" poster that I plan to use to make our writing more exciting and hopefully our vocabulary too!  Each week we will read a Fancy Nancy book and pick a word  to add to the outside of a library pocket (example: good) then we will come up with words that are better to use than "good" (fabulous, wonderful, amazing, fantastic...). The boring word will be written on the outside and the new words will be placed on paper strips inside the pockets.  When students are writing and want to use the word "good" they will (I hope anyway) go to the pocket and pick a "fancier" word.  I think it will also help them that the new word will be spelled for them and they won't hesitate to use it.  I would love to hear any feedback on anyone who has tried this before.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Birthday Pocket Chart Freebie

Kids love their birthday more than anything else! They will tell you every day of the year when their birthday is!  I made this pocket chart activity so students can celebrate their birthday whenever this activity is out!  It’s great for literacy & number sense!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Candy Containers

It's so nice to be able to get to some of the fun stuff!!!


I first saw this idea from Pinterest.  You can see the Tootsie Roll container at [RE] Beautify.  I am having trouble finding the Hershey container though! I am sorry because I think these are adorable.  If you created this than please let me know.  
These were simple and fun to make.  I purchased the containers from the dollar section at Target.  I used Mod Podge to seal it all on. 

Friday, July 22, 2011

Why I teach...

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.  He argued, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?”  He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers:  “Those who can, do.  Those who can’t, teach.”

To stress his point he said to another guest; “You’re a teacher, Bonnie.  Be honest.  What do you make?”

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honest and frankness replied, “You want to know what I make?  (She paused for a second, and then began…)  “Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.  I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.  I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can’t make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental…

“You want to know what I make?”  (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my student feel safe.
I make my students stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)  “Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant…You want to know what I make?”

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  What do you make?”
Taylor Mali

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Growing Brain! So funny...


I just came across a blog idea I think is hilarious and amazing!  Head over to First Grade to the Core to check out her "growing brain".  It will take 1 minute and I promise you'll love it!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Freebie

Here is a quick freebie I put together.  I think it's more of a K level activity but I may need it at the beginning of the year for some of my non-readers.
Click below for your free download.   



Monday, July 11, 2011

Your Next Read

I found an interesting website today while searching for some books.  It's called Your Next Read.  It easily finds books that you are looking for by typing in an author or title BUT...it takes it a step further.  It takes the book you choose and it gives you a fun little map of other books that relate in some way to the book you picked. Here is a sample I ran for "Pete the Cat".  Next to it are books that are related to it in some way.  



I think this will help a lot when planning lessons and trying to find just the perfect book for a topic! 

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Linky Pinterest PARTY!


There's a linky party starting!  Whooohooo...jump on board this train and let's get organized!  


Visit The Teacher's Lane to link up and see what all the fuss is about! 

Lindsey at The Teacher Wife got me hooked and we all know how amazing she is so...what are you waiting  for?

If you haven't started your Pinterest page leave your e-mail address and I will send you an invite to get started.  

If you've already started than you can follow me HERE.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Consider yourself warned...Pinterest!

(one of my recent pins!!!)

Lindsey @  The Teacher Wife has just gotten me hooked on Pinterest!!  This place is amazing and it's my new addiction.  I believe it may be the be all end all of organizing the internet!!!  

You must have an invite to get started and I would love to do this for you...but consider yourself warned!  Soon we will just be one big happy pinterest family!


You can email me @ randifleming1234@gmail.com or add a comment on this post with your email. 

You can read all about it from some amazing bloggers 
here (The Teacher Wife)
here (What the Teacher Wants)
and here (Pencils, Glue, & Tying Shoes)!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Watch This Video

I went to an awesome training about 2 weeks ago.  They played this video from YouTube.  It really got me thinking about my role as a teacher.   Teachers are no longer the main source of knowledge...we are the filter.  Watch this video I promise you'll enjoy it! I would love to hear your thoughts too! Happy 4th!


Sunday, July 3, 2011

Summer Project

Summer is a time for...PROJECTS!  My handsome man made these student mailboxes for me yesterday!  I still have to paint them but I was so excited that I wanted to share with my blogger friends who could really appreciate this!  Thanks for looking and have a wonderful holiday weekend!



 

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