March 18, 2014

It's Finally Here......


It’s finally here..

It has been such a looooong winter and I cannot believe High School BASEBALL SEASON is finally here!  I absolutely love watching my middle son Clayton  play baseball.  Baseball is also my favorite sport to photograph.  In fact I must have been so excited I forgot to make sure my battery backup was in my camera bag.  OOOPS!  I absolutely hate to be almost anywhere without my camera but especially sporting events, so my daughter and I made a quick trek back home to pick up my battery and a few blankets.  It was a beautiful sunny day but the wind was very chilly and although we dressed warm it wasn’t quite enough to keep the cool wind from making us shiver.  After several innings the wind won and I took cover instead of taking hundreds of pictures like usual.  


AND.........Unless you have been living under a rock I am sure you are very aware that this FINALLY happened today……..

My daughter has been counting down the days and was so afraid that this was going to sell out today!  Since I wanted no part of the chance I might have to go into a bidding war on eBay or spend my Saturday standing in line waiting for a truck to come in to the local Best Buys or Target I made sure I got it today.  Who else picked up Frozen today?  

 

                                                               Tomorrow is Hump Day!
                                                               WOOT, WOOT!

                                                              Alison

March 16, 2014

St. Patrick's Day $1 graphics Sale Tonight until Midnight


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Zip-a-dee-doo-dah-Designs/Search:st+patrick%27s+day+/Page:1
Only a few more hours left in ZIP-DEE-DOO-DAH’s
 $1 Flash Sale on ALL St. Patrick’s Day Graphics

I’m also having a St. Patrick’s Day Sale offering my March Unit for $3.00
through St. Patrick’s Day at midnight. Here’s a Peek!


http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-March-Printables-1144662
 
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-March-Printables-1144662   
Happy St. Patrick's Day
Alison

 

March 10, 2014

Writer's Workshop Part 1 and a Spring Freebie


 Writer’s Workshop Part 1

Writing is such an important part of any literacy program whether it be pre-k, k, 1, 2,3, etc .  During my years of teaching I can’t tell you how many times I have been at a professional development meeting with other districts where I’ve heard teachers make statements like “We don’t start writing until January” and “How can they write if they can’t read?” January???  REALLY????  Think of all the instructional time and practice time that is not being used wisely.  Students reading and writing go together like bread and butter; one is not complete without the other.  Writing allows students to “play” and “practice” with letter sounds in the context of their own thoughts and ability; differentiate learning at its best!

Writing for Any Classroom

Journal Writing
Formal Writing-Informative, Explanatory, Narratives, Biographies, etc.
Reading Response
Making Books

 

Today’s Topic-Journal Writing

When To Start Journals

Students start writing in their journals the first day of school and will write in their journals every day for the first nine weeks. 

The Mini Lesson

Modeling daily before students write in their journals is essential. Students learn their ABC because someone sang with them and practiced writing the letters with them. The same is true for writing a paragraph or story, it is important to model how to use basic mechanics, organize thoughts, and put letters/sounds together within a sentence before expecting students to do so.

Rules for Journal Writing

Journal Writing is a time when students can explore how writing works, practice how letters go together to make words, and share their ideas.  Here are the rules I give students to help establish the expectation for putting those three components together in their journal. 

·         Everyone writes for the entire writer’s block.
·         Writing First/Drawing Pictures Last-otherwise some of the artistic ones will spend their entire writing period drawing.
·         No copying-I always erase what I write because some students will take the easy way out and copy what I have written.  I honestly don’t even use sentence stems.  I might use a sentence stem during my modeling and say it out loud but I don’t leave it on the board for students to copy.  I find that copying doesn’t help students because they are not having to think about letter sound relations or the process of how words go together.   

Erase the board or turn off the projector.

·         Students are responsible for their own spelling-Students should say the words slowly and write what they hear.  (I do not let students use their dictionaries until later in the year because some would spend the entire journal block looking up every word. 

This also helps students……

*put letter/sounds together
*encourages students to be risk takers instead of always depending on the teacher/others

 

What Does the Teacher Do During Journal Writing?

Gently Guide Students-This means something different for each student. 

 Students might need help:

          *with letter formation
          *holding their pencil correctly
          * staying on task
          *Stretching out words
          *Getting thoughts organized

       

Topics for Writing

When I get started with journals the first day of school I always assign a topic for writing. Over the years I have found that if I don’t some students either.

      *Never come up with a topic
     *Write about the same topic every day

And let’s face it some of those kiddos already have enough to stress about; holding their pencil correctly, getting the letters/sounds correct, and getting the letters on the line, not to mention all the thoughts of what’s going on at home swirling around in their head.  Wow, first graders have a lot to stress about!

 

What Are the Topics?

The first few weeks of school I always give the students topics about “THEMSELVES 

WHY??????.........Because first graders are EXPERTS onTHEMSELVESand always have something to share about “THEMSELVES.  Ex: What did you do this summer?  Tell me about your family? 

 Expectations

As we all know first graders are all very different; therefore, the expectations for each student should be different.  Each day I set an expectation as to the least amount of sentences students can write but then add if those are finished before writing time is up more details/sentences should be added.  This ensures that students have a requirement for completion but also differentiates and challenges those that are ready to write more.  

Journal Sharing

Just as students like to write about themselves they also enjoy “sharing” what they have written.  Once Writer’s Workshop is over 4 to 5 students will share their journal entry in the group area.  The students each read on their scheduled day.  Warning………. if you get mixed up because you were off on Monday for Columbus day but call the Monday group up to share, the class INFORMER will let you know. 


Here’s a Spring Break Journal Freebie that can be used any way you like it but here are a few suggestions. 

·         If your students haven’t gone on Spring Break yet you could send this with them to document how they spend each day.  I am by now way suggesting this as homework over break because I think that is absurd but I do know there are those kiddos that are overachievers that would love to do this just for fun. 

·         I also know some families will go on spring break whether your school has spring break or not and this would be a great way to document their trip. 

·         You could also put this in your writing center/station.  Enjoy
 
 
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8nk0zAfy9MPcVNBOXI2ZjhablU/edit?usp=drive_web


 
If you have a freebie you would like to share you can link up with :
 
http://www.classroomfreebies.com/2014/03/MM-3-10.html
What tips or tricks do you have for journal time?

 
Have a Great Week

Alison Funk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 4, 2014

Crazy Days in March and Today's Giveway


The crazy weather continues around here.......every school around us has been closed the past two days due to all the ice we received Saturday and Sunday.  Since we had ice instead of snow and couldn't go sledding  this is the way my daughter and I have spent the last few days.......The boys are on a hunting trip so while in our PJ's we have done all things girlie, hair, makeup, you name it. 

 
Ok during the last few weeks as I was getting together my packet for March I ran across some very interesting findings for the special days celebrated this month.  Read about all the special days in March here.  Here are the ones that stuck out in my mind.....
 
 I am all about 
March 9th Panic Day & Get Over It Day
I can so easily Panic over anything especially when it involves my kids 
 "I AM A WORRIER!"
However, I also GET OVER things very easily so it all balances out, right? Moving along  I know I am going to do very well with
March 30th-I AM IN CONTROL DAY
Isn't this why we all became teachers so we could be in control of our own day.  I'm so glad someone is giving me 1 out of 365 days to say it's ok to be in control.  HA  After reading the history of this day I'm pretty sure that is not the way it is meant but GUESS WHAT I AM IN CONTROL OF THE WAY I ANALYZE this day.  RIGHT?  
 
I know we are already a few days in to March but I wanted to share with you and hopefully GIVEAWAY one of my March Printable Packs.  As always leave a comment and your e-mail if you would like to take part in this GIVEAWAY  and receive a copy of the March Packet.  It is also on sale through tomorrow for $3.40. 
 
First Grade March Printables
Common Core Aligned
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-March-Printables-1144662
Common Core Aligned LA and Math Activities  
ABC Order and Making Words Activities are not shown her but I will be adding them tonight. 

Woot Woot Hump Day !!!!!
Tomorrow!

Alison