Fan Freebie Now Available On Our Facebook Page

Whoa, life sure is busy these days and I have every intention of catching everyone up on what’s going on in my life but until then I have linked up a Fan Freebie for you on our Facebook Page.  You can pick up these "sweet" activities just in time for Valentine's Day; all you need to do is stop by our Facebook Page  and click on Fan Freebie.

       Little Reader      

Noun/Adjective Activity

Click on one of the Images to head on over to our Facebook Page

 and  Grab Your Freebie

Have a Great Week!

Alison

Reading Focus Wall FLASH FREEBIE

Hey all!

I've had a :::crazy::: busy day today!  I went into school early this morning to try to get work done before my kids woke up (we're talking 6 AM) and ended up in urgent care with my littlest little guy by 6 PM.  They say he just has a virus but what a day!  He's sleeping now so mommy's getting some work done since I can't cuddle anymore.

This morning I was pretty productive and I did get my focus wall DONE.  I'm WAAAAY excited.  I think all my Instagram followers can probably tell, right?  I decided to put it up as a FLASH FREEBIE so go ahead and grab it here!  It'll be a freebie until I go to bed...or if I fall asleep, it might be in the morning!

I'm going to be adding some Open House stuff and other classroom decor things this week so keep watching!  I've loved seeing all my new followers on Instagram!  Love it!  Come check out my TPT store for lots of freebies and some fun units!

Smile!
Caroline

Reading Strategies Freebie

I can't believe that spring break is only 2 1/2 days away.  I don't know about you but I have two thoughts here, number one I am more than ready for a break and number two I can't believe we are already heading into the last quarter! Where on earth does the time go? 

 

This week we are spending time DRA testing our students.  DRA testing brings on so many feelings for me; it  is super exciting to see the amazing progress some students have made but also frustrating and sad to see that some students are still struggling to become readers.   But that is A OK because we have sailed into, as I call it ...........

While testing students can be stressful, my many years of teaching first grade has taught me that even though there are only nine weeks left..... amazing things can happen in just four.  Honestly, it does seem like some of those kiddos can barely read a level 4 one day and the next day they are tearing up a level 24!  Believe in the Magic of First Grade

 

Here's an updated version of my reading strategies posters to help get your kiddos through the Magic of March! 



 

Elephant and Piggie SAY WHAT?

Can I just tell you how much my kids this year LOVE writing in speech bubbles????? One of the big books we read during the first week of school used speech bubbles and ever since my kiddos have been adding speech bubbles to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING they write.  So.....I decided to take their interest in speech bubbles and run with it!!!!! We spent last week reading Elephant and Piggie books and learning why Elephant and Piggie are such great friends.  On Friday my kiddos were beside themselves when they learned they were going to make their very own Elephant and Piggie!!!!!   Let me just say you could hear a pin drop while my kiddos were perfecting these adorable little characters! If you would like the template, directions, and speech bubble for Elephant and Piggie you can get them here. 

                                                       

The follow up to our art projects of course was the creation of  speech bubbles on why Elephant and Piggie are such good friends.

Top Left:  You are a good friend because you share with me. 

Top Right:  You are a good friend because you pick apples with me.

Bottom Left:  Piggie you are a good friend because you share your toys.

Bottom Right:  You are my friend because you help me. 

 

Everyone did a great job on writing what made Elephant and Piggie good friends.  These examples are of the various levels of writing students are using in my classroom.   

 

One of our next lessons in writing will be on the difference between Wif and With.  :)

 

Here are just a few of the Elephant and Piggie Books we read last week.  I also used this link to the "Elephant and Piggie" activity guide for teachers. 

 

Did you know that Mo Willems hides a Pigeon in every Elephant and Piggie book?  You can usually find Pigeon in the back cover of each book!  Once your kiddos know this you will  NOT be able to move to the next activity after reading an Elephant and Piggie book until you find the Pigeon, not even if  you have read the book 5 times. 

~Alison