Hello friends!! The end-of-year craziness is upon us. Field trips, parties, report cards, performances, assemblies, field days, the list goes on and on! I've been busy managing end-of-year projects and learning with getting ready for next year. I'm moving from an interventionist position I held this year back into the classroom and I'm very excited!!! I keep finding myself deserting all that grading for Pinterest, dreaming of back to school joy!! I enjoyed doing intervention work but really missed the full classroom experience. Despite having to balance all of these things, I was able to FINALLY finish my First Grade Common Core Math Morning Work/Homework Book. It includes ALL the first grade math Common Core standards with 7 activities for each day as well as an answer key!! It took about a week longer than I wanted, but I will definitely be using it these last few weeks as quick, no-prep skill work as the year winds down. I hope you enjoy it and it helps you get through those last days of the year.
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/1st-Grade-Common-Core-Math-Morning-WorkHomework-1256056
I've added a fun and colorful, beach themed reading game to my TPT store! Students help beach kids reach the sunscreen before they get burnt by walking through the beach and reading CVC words. Great for end of school year Word Work Center and Summer Time extra practice at home or reading camp. Only $1.50
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-CVC-Reading-Game-for-K1st-1245785
I had an interesting conversation with a team member at lunch the other day that I want to share with the rest of the teaching community to get your thoughts. I use the call signal, "Friends" to get the attention or give directions to my class. This is common verbage for our administration as well. One of my team members expressed her distaste for this phrase. I was shocked! Why would the phrase "Friends" offend a teacher? When she explained I could see here point, I didn't agree, but could at least somewhat see where she was coming from. Her thinking is that by calling students "friends" adults give up some of their power. That students, if they view their teacher as a friend, will think they don't need to listen or respect the teacher. While I can track her though pattern, I don't fully agree. My definition of a friend includes respect. I've never had issues with kids questioning my authority because they think I am their friend. In fact, I think the opposite is true. My students view me as a friend and because of that they know I care about them deeply. That I am on their side and have their best interest at heart. They feel safe to make mistakes, ask for help, and take chances because of the support I give them. They also view me as a person with feelings because I am their friend, not simply an adult who is in charge of them. Of course, there are about as many management styles as there are teachers and many different styles work. My style is definitely strict but full of love. So I don't mind calling students friends. They are my friends and I am theirs. I'd love to hear other opinions about this as well as your classroom management style. Happy Day!
My favorite book on friendship, "A Friend is Someone who Likes You" by Joan Walsh Anglund. My Grandma frequently read it to me and now I read it on the first day of school each year, incorporating it into a Writer's Workshop Lesson about Friendship
http://www.amazon.com/Friend-Someone-Who-Likes-You/dp/0152296786/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1400399346&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=a+friend+is+someone+who+loves+you
I am excited to announce the opening of Fun and Fabulous in First Grade TPT store. My husband and I are starting to save up to try to have a baby in a few months and I thought TPT could help with our goals. I've used Teachers Pay Teachers diligently for the past few years and was inspired by those who are so gracious to share their great classroom ideas with the rest of us. TPT has saved many of my days with quick, easy, and high quality content. Looking to all the great sellers already on TPT, I knew I'd have to step up my game. I've made plenty of activities and units for my own classroom, but none were really very cute or ready to be sold so after starting my sellers account, I spent a few hours figuring out all the legal stuff for borders and clip-art. Wow, that was quite a job!! I discovered so many great artists though that are creating and selling high-quality clipart, fonts, and borders on TPT for TPT sellers. Love that feeling of community!! After figuring out all that stuff, I got to work. I currently have a few pieces including some reading and math games and a behavior management clip up/clip down poster system. I'd love feedback as I am just getting started. I, of course, have a mile long list of project ideas and am trying to spend a little time each day adding to and growing products in my store. Enjoy and I'd love to hear from you about your teaching experiences or products. Happy day!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Fun-And-Fabulous-In-First
Hello!! I am so excited to get started blogging! I have learned so much from the blogs that I follow and wanted to help contribute to our amazing profession. I have taught pre-k through 3rd grade for the past 10 years and couldn't imagine doing anything else! Currently I am teaching 1st grade and loving it!! Getting to help lay the reading and mathematical foundation for our students is very fulfilling. I also can't get enough of singing, dancing, and playing every day so 6 year olds are perfectly awesome to hang out with every day. Looking forward to getting to know and collaborate with many more wonderful teachers. Happy Day!
