ABC Order Sundaes

I am not sure how many of you all use Scott Foresman, but I made an ABC Order Sundae activity for the An Egg is an Egg.  I just liked the graphics, and plan on doing some hot chocolate, cookie, and cupcake stuff next week.  I hope you can use it.  Let me know if you would like the template to make your own.  I can probably email you the blank one to add your own words.

Click on the picture to download

Power Pellets!

I loved the idea of Power Pellets by WhatTheTeacherWants blog.  I decided to not only make me a set for my room, but for all of our Title 1 people too.  I know those students could use some brain food and attention to do that strategic intervention teaching all day!   Let me know if you want the labels.  I used Avery shipping labels for my tags.  

Here is my take on Power Pellets! 
I love PINK and POLKA DOTS!!!

Here are the labels

Label with what I did on back

Blank Label for back for your to use

I printed out on Avery  White Shipping Labels 18163:  Template 8163

I also got these mini plastic paint cans at Michael's yesterday for $.49 and used the template from WhatTheTeacherWants to make this one.

So cute!!!

Here is the polka dot template I added from WhatTheTeacherWants

PolkaDotPellets

I love them both!

Awesome Blogging Class

OK guys, I am biting the bullet and taking this awesome class by April over at April Showers.  She teaches us how to make our own templates, graphics, and learn how to do everything for ourselves and others!  Wouldn't it be great to make some cash doing what we love!!!  I know as teachers we ALL need this! Imagine the school supplies and materials we could buy!!! I used to be so great at graphics with my old Paint Shop Pro 9, but now I have Mac's and I am ridiculous trying to learn the new programs like Photoshop!!!  I want to draw my graphics again and this will put me in the right direction.  She is offering a great deal for all of us.  Just email her or sign up.  

Just click on her cute button!

She has a few more spots and was nice enough to give First Grade Teaching Early Bird Prices for my followers! I hope to see some familiar names and bloggers.  Starts January 4th! I can't WAIT!!!

Cupcake Contractions

Inspired by First Grade At Last, I decided to make my own Cupcake Contractions.  I can't wait to do this when we get back.  I may have to have a winter cupcake day with our hot chocolate activities.  I may make them use Alphabits or Alphabet sprinkles on cupcakes to spell contractions.  Maybe Twizzlers so they can cut the words?!!!

Click on the Picture for Delicious Cupcake Contractions!!!  I am going to laminate and cut the tops off so that they can make matches.

Make sure you download this copy.  I had a little typo.  I guess working at midnight because of my delicious Starbucks White Mocha had a typo on a cupcake.  All is fixed!

Action Verbs Unit

Here is a mini-unit I made for action verbs.  

I hope you can use it.  

If anyone has any good verb ideas, please share some links.  I would love it!

Takes a few seconds to load.

I am trying to get prepared for the new year.  I am working on antonyms and abc order next, in case anyone has any to share....hint...hint...  :)

Graphics and Fonts

Many of you guys email me with questions on the graphics that I use.  I use a few different ones, and have asked my best friend who is an intellectual property lawyer the ones that are OK for teachers to use.  

Here are my favorites!
If you don't mind, buy from these links.  I am an affiliate, and it helps me to buy graphics to make for the site.  Don't feel like you have to, but it would be nice.

Scrappin Doodles is great because you are buying the ability to use it for stuff to sell and share.  It is included in the price!  If you sign up for emails, you get tons of coupons and freebies! Most of the graphic bundles are $1.00!!!!  

Click on picture to go to store!

Love This site too!  Many include resale into the price and Educators can use it for free for products.  It is a little more expensive, but I can promise no one has the graphics!

Click on picture to go to store!

Also a great site for graphics!  Make sure you buy the ones that are resale ready and you don't have to buy the license to use on downloadable or creative goods.

Click on Picture to go to store!

Many educators don''t know until it is too late, but most of the clipart and graphics out there will get you into trouble.  One of our favorite education clipart companies with initials will send you an ugly letter in the mail to stop using their art on your site and things you share with other teachers, or they will sue.  Seriously!  If anything we are promoting their products!!!!  Be careful on Font sites too!  We all use a favorite one, and if you are reported, they will cancel your membership ASAP!  It says that you can use it to resell on arts and crafts, but not downloadable goods, so BE CAREFUL!  I have seen too many horror stories, and this comes from my best friend who is an intellectual property lawyer!  

Read all the fine print teachers!  I don't want anyone sued for our intellectual property because we used the wrong graphics or fonts.  YIKES!

An Egg is An Egg: Scott Foresman First Grade Lesson

For all of you Scott Foresman users, I made this to go along with An Egg is an Egg.  I am going to make a few more activities for Action Verbs, Antonyms, and Syllables.  Hopefully some of you can use it.  Click on the picture to download.

Be patient, it is a pretty big file.

Martin Luther KIng Jr

I made this book a few years ago and I still like to use it in my class.  I wanted something the kids could understand that was simple and to the point.  I also wanted to help them with fine motor skills so I made it traceable.  Nothing fancy, just something to help when celebrating this important American figure!  Sorry about my graphics.  These were when I was first learning to use a tablet and create my own graphics.  :)

Just click on the picture below!

Hot Chocolate Fact Families

Here is a winter math game with addition, subtraction, and word problems.  It is snowing like crazy here in West Virginia and I was in the mood to create something with hot chocolate and marshmallows.  :)  Hmmm.... I think I will go make me a cup right now.

Click on the picture below to download.

Silhouette Machine Giveaway

OMG!  They are giving a Silhouette Machine away at one of my favorite blogs, Brown Paper Packages!

I never win anything, and if I win this, I will seriously be the most excited and dancing teacher fool!  I have wanted this for so long and just never could justify buying it!  Oh, I please hope I WIN!  If not, maybe one of you guys will win!

Predictions, Speech Bubbles, and More

I have been using this during Work on Writing for years, and my students love it!  I use pictures and write things such as:

What Comes Next?

What are they Thinking?

What Happened Before?

Speech Bubbles

Then the students fill out this form

How much fun is this?

Download Here

COUPONS! I LOVE PEOPLE WHO GIVE TEACHERS DEALS!!!

This is such a great deal for all of us teachers!

Go now to www.elementary-teacher-resources.com to get this amazing deal!

And the WINNER is....

Thanks to everyone who entered!  Be on the lookout for some new and fun ideas, and possible contest!  A special Thanks to Elementary Teacher Resources for their generous giveaway!  I know that I love her stuff and use it everyday!

Number was obtained by using RandomGenerator by Random.org

THE GIVEAWAY OF ALL GIVEAWAYS!!!!

All of this holiday spirit has got me inspired!  I emailed my Cyber BFF Kelly at 

and told her I HAD to do a giveaway of her coolest stuff!  I love everything!  My favorites are her Writing Craft Posters, which I use EVERYDAY!

If you haven't used her stuff, you are missing out!  She has the best resources ever for Kindergarten and First grade!  Her materials go perfect with all of us Daily 5 followers and are super easy to implement.  The kids love them, and the best thing is they are quick and purposeful!  I can't say enough fantastic things about her Primary Literacy Centers!  

Elementary Teacher Resources is giving away the Entire Primary Literacy Center Collection for FREE!

That's a $21.99 value. 

 FUN and AWESOME, right?!?!?

SO…what are you waiting for?!  Get your name on the giveaway list today!  Here’s how to enter…

MANDATORY ENTRY:

Stop by www.elementary-teacher-resources.com, come back to my blog, and leave a comment telling me why you would like to win her entire Primary Literacy Centers Kit {1 entry}

EXTRA ENTRIES

Become a follower of First Grade Teaching {1 entry}

Become a fan of ETR on FB {1 entry}

Follow Elementary Teacher Resources {1 entry}

Blog OR post about this giveaway on FB and leave me a comment with the link {2 entries}

REMEMBER TO LEAVE A COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So there ya have it…6 chances to win if you’re a real go-getter ;)

The giveaway ends on Sunday at 12:00PM EST.  Don’t be late!  And don’t forget to leave a valid email address so that I can contact you if you win!  If the winner doesn’t contact me within 48hrs, a new winner will be chosen at random.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Vowel Sounds of Y

I am done Christmas shopping and was snowed in today at my house.  I decided to start working on some ideas for January when we get back to school.  Our next story in Scott Foresman is An Egg is an Egg.  We are going to practice the sounds of Y, so I made some games.  I will upload them over the next few days.  Does anyone else do anything with the vowels sounds of Y?  Here is a copy of my game for download.  Let me know your thoughts.

Download Game Here

Babbling Abby Giveaway!!!

One of my favorite teacher blogs for cute ideas is giving away the cutest ear warmer/headband.  Check it out and you can win one too!  I soo want to win one!  I think they are the cutest things ever!  Good luck to everyone!

Babbling Abby Giveaway

Cookie Math Game

Here is a copy of my Cookie Math Game.  Again, I printed out the sheets, cut them out, glued them on poster board and laminated.  The kids in my class LOVE these games.  They ask for them all the time.  I love how it teaches them to work cooperatively, learn rules, and develop social skills that teaches winning and loosing graciously.

Here is the board that I made for my own kids.  They thought the games were so cool that my own Kindergartner and 2nd Grader wanted a set of games for home.  Much better than TV or Video Games!

Cookie Math Game Pieces

Reindeer Math Game

I love math games! 

 I was inspired once again by Mrs. Carroll and her giant math games she created.  I just had to make some!  Here is one of the Christmas games that I made.  I will be posting a few more as I get them from my classroom tomorrow.  The kids loved them and they are super cute and super easy to make.  I will post the Gingerbread Man later today.

 Here is the game the kids play.  I printed out the game, cut them, glued them on poster board, and then laminated.

Here are the directions.  I glued them to the back.

You can download them Here:

Reindeer Board Game

Decorations for Board

Here are other games that I made

Fun Little Elf Project

I am getting back to posting.  These last few days have been hectic!  I had report cards and Winter Celebrations!  I am officially out of school, but I wanted to post this really cute Elf project.  My kids made this really cute ornament or magnet if you wanted to put magnet tape on the back.  I had the students color an elf sheet and cut it out.  I took pictures with my camera and printed them off.  Here are the ornaments we made.  I also incorporated some writing activities.  Our school is a Franklin Covey Leadership School.  We value all children and teach them that they are leaders in something, and we help them to determine what that leadership may be.  I designed an elf sheet that incorporates the student writing about what they are a leader at, just like Santa's elves are leaders.

You can download my Elf Sheets in color and Black and white here:

Color Elf Sheet

Black and White Elf Sheet

Elf Writing Sheet

We also read these books:

Skip Counting Christmas

So, I only have 2 days left with my kiddo's so I have to pack a quick holiday punch and do some serious skills teaching!  Pressure!!!  

I really want to do the Skip Counting Reindeer from Bishops Blackboard.  They are sooo cute!  I am going to do those and this Skip Counting Christmas Tree that I just made at centers for the two days.

Here is a picture!

I made a set for 2's, 3's, 5's, and 10's.

You can download them here.

Skip Counting Christmas Tree and Presents

Student Sheet

Rudolph

I saw a fabulous idea for Rudolph, and I can't remember where I found it, but I took the idea and ran...  I took pictures of my students using the black and white option on my camera.  I printed them off and added a glitter red nose.  Then, I had the kids cut out their pictures and make antlers to turn themselves into Rudolph.  Next, the kids had to fill out a job application to apply for Rudolph's job this year, because he is retiring.  They had to create their own Reindeer name and answer why they think they would be a good reindeer.

Here are their pictures!

So much fun, and the kids loved it!

I love how their antlers are so different!

Download the Job Application Here

Download the Display Header Here

Gingerbread Man!

I was inspired to day by Mrs. Lee's Blog.  She has some great ideas for her Kindergarten class that I incorporated into First Grade.  She made a life sized Gingerbread Man and did an non-standard unit of measurement activity.

Here is the one we used in our class.  The kids loved it!

The students measure the Gingerbread Man with paper peppermints.  Then they compare themselves to see if they are shorter or taller than the gingerbread man.  I made my own version of the activity.  I added a writing extension to the activity to explain their findings.

You can download your set here:

Gingerbread Findings Sheet

Peppermint Measurements

Here is also my LoveTwoTeach Gingerbread Unit for free. It includes 18 pages of Gingerbread Man Ideas such as centers, math, and writing.   Happy Teaching!

Gingerbread Unit

Message Board

I love this easy and inexpensive idea that I got a few years ago from my friend Kelly at elementary-teacher-resources.

It is the Message Center

Basically, this is just a piece of white poster board that I measured off into squares.  I then put each students name in a box.  At each table, my students have a pack of post-its.  After my students come in and answer the question of the day in the morning, they go to their seats and write messages to their friends.  Then, they can put them on the message board for their friends to "pick-up" at the end of the day.  The only rule is that the notes are nice, positive, and meaningful notes.  I have never had a not nice note in the years I have been doing this.  The kids love to just write nice, fun, and happy notes to each other.  I love to see their writing!  I always smile when I see things like, "You are my BFF", "TTFN", and "You write real pretty".

I have a box for me and our principal too.

My cool Book and Chart Shelf!!!!

After visiting the Daily 5 site, which is awesome, I was inspired to make a Big Book and Chart shelf.  I love it!  I made one, but it isn't as cool as the one my friend made me.  For all of us NOT handy people, I needed someone to make mine, but even better.  He can make anything for us teachers and at a great price!  Here is a picture of the coolest teacher tool ever!  I called him, told him what I was looking for and he made this from a sloppy picture and a whining teacher.  

I cannot live without this shelf!  It is great for the Big Book Center, holding charts and poems, and housing everything else!  I don't go a day without loving this thing!  If you want one, visit Pipes Woodworking and send Wes an email.  He will give you a quote, let you pick out your stain, and send it to you very quickly.  He can pretty much make anything our teaching hearts desire!  I have a whole list of stuff for him to build for me.  I love it, and I know it is made well, will last forever, and is a great price!

Is it too early to think about holiday gifts?

I know, it isn't December yet, but my class has a ton of things going on in the next two weeks.  Our last day is December 8th, so I have to get busy quickly!  This week we are doing a project based learning unit on "The 5 Senses" (I will post that stuff soon).  Today, I decided to make a quick gift for all of our school family people.  I had the kids decorate the margins of paper and we made stationary for our Principal, Secretary, and Title 1 people.

They turned out really cute!

I scanned the plain paper into my computer and added the file to Word.  I shrunk each file so that 4 fit on a page and printed them on colored paper.  I added a cute bow and a gift tag.  What a cute and easy gift to give all of the people who help our classroom.  Now for ideas for our parents.  Any suggestions?

My New Classroom Mailbox!

To go with my jungle theme in my classroom, I wanted a new classroom mailbox for the kids to send stationary and letters to each other.  I looked everywhere and didn't want to spend a lot of money.  I found a metal mailbox at Lowes for $5.99 and spray painted it tan for another $1.99.  Next I went to Michaels and bought acrylic paint for $.59 a piece.  Finally, I spray painted the entire mailbox with clear spray paint, another $1.99.  I love the way it turned out!

I JUST FINISHED THIS TONIGHT!!!

MY KIDS ARE GOING TO LOVE OUR CHEETAH PRINT MAILBOX!

This is going to go perfect with my Poco and Pop Monthly stationary.  I love her stuff!  If you haven't checked out her stuff, you need to do it now!  My kids love to write letters, and can't wait to see the new postage stamp and monthly stationary.

This is the December stamp that I put up for Calendar Time.

This is an example of the Postcard for December

Here is an example of the fold-over note for October

My kids can't get enough of writing letters to each other!  They love Friday's when I deliver mail.  My new mailbox sure beats my old cereal box covered in Contact Paper.

First of the Season: Addition Tree's

Hot Chocolate Fact Families

Here is a winter math game with addition, subtraction, and word problems.  It is snowing like crazy here in West Virginia and I was in the mood to create something with hot chocolate and marshmallows.  :)  Hmmm.... I think I will go make me a cup right now.

Click on the picture below to download.

Cookie Math Game

Here is a copy of my Cookie Math Game.  Again, I printed out the sheets, cut them out, glued them on poster board and laminated.  The kids in my class LOVE these games.  They ask for them all the time.  I love how it teaches them to work cooperatively, learn rules, and develop social skills that teaches winning and loosing graciously.

Here is the board that I made for my own kids.  They thought the games were so cool that my own Kindergartner and 2nd Grader wanted a set of games for home.  Much better than TV or Video Games!

Cookie Math Game Pieces

Reindeer Math Game

I love math games! 

 I was inspired once again by Mrs. Carroll and her giant math games she created.  I just had to make some!  Here is one of the Christmas games that I made.  I will be posting a few more as I get them from my classroom tomorrow.  The kids loved them and they are super cute and super easy to make.  I will post the Gingerbread Man later today.

 Here is the game the kids play.  I printed out the game, cut them, glued them on poster board, and then laminated.

Here are the directions.  I glued them to the back.

You can download them Here:

Reindeer Board Game

Decorations for Board

Here are other games that I made

I got creative last night, maybe due to the fact that my husband took both of my children to a WVU basketball game and I had the house to myself!  So what do most teachers do with peace and quiet?  They work on school stuff.  So sad.  I made a fact family addition game for my students.  I can't wait to see how they like it tomorrow!

You can download the game hereMerry Fact Family Game

You can download the student evaluation sheet here Student Sheet

I feel my creative juices flowing, so hopefully I will get some more stuff up here soon.  

Classroom Design and a Tree

This year I went from a Title 1 Reading Specialist back into the classroom.  I came into my classroom in October, so the kids had been with another teacher starting in July.  To top it off, we are moving to a brand NEW school in March!  I can't wait!

I love to have a classroom where I LOVE to spend time.  I figure I spend most of my time in the classroom, so why not make it a place that I love to be in.  I couldn't move into my classroom until the weekend before my student came back from our Fall break, so I had 2 days to make my classroom inviting and a place that I love, and get rid of the 12 filing cabinets, 7 tables, and 2 teacher desks.  Of course, I decided to do some crazy stuff.  I wanted a tree in my classroom and a jungle theme.  Here is the finished classroom!

My students love to read on bean bag chairs and partner read during the Daily 5.  The favorite thing in the room is our tree!

Here is my Cafe Board and small skill instruction area.  Our school is older, but is in fabulous shape.  I can't wait to decorate my new room in a brand NEW school.  I already have my thinking and creative caps on!

The computer center is used for listening to reading, math skills, and typing books.  I use hooks on the wall to store headphones so they never get tangled.  I also have hooks on the side of each computer to hold login cards for each student.

I love my SmartBoard, but I love our Self Portraits even more!  My students created their own portraits and we hung them in the front of the room.  They did a great job and they remind them that we are a School Family!