New Product-Student Progress Checklists

Quick pop in! 

Last week I blogged about maintaining communication with parents and how to update them via progress checklists. (you can read about that here)

Well I had some interest in these and decided to tweak it to make it more generic for others to be able to use. 

So here it is! 

 You can check them out here as well if you are interested in them :) 

Have a BLESSED night!!

Five for Friday-2016 Edition!!

Happy 2016!! Ok someone please slow this time thing down! 2016?! I mean weren't we just partying like it was 1999?! Ahhh, its so crazy! Well it is what it is and another year to start fresh and make things spectacular!
One resolution....blog...ah I always feel like I fell off the wagon...and I've slacked on creating too. I have a ton of projects either on the to-do list, half done, almost done, done, done? I just have lacked some motivation and creative juice to get it all wrapped up! Soon!

Balancing equations.....in first grade?! Crazy town I know but they can do it! I am in no way looking for mastery in this at all because it is a very intricate and developed concept but I did want them to just see and experience this for the moment. Plus they LOVED it! Who would have thought? But after we were done they were like "This was awesome!" *mind blown*

My main goal really from this was just to get them to understand that the equal sign is a symbol to show that the left is the same as the right. They get so used to seeing it one way that when it changes at all it throws them off track and they freeze. When in all actuality they can do it. I broke out the balances and you would have thought I was a super hero . I also found one online that was interactive so we were able to use the smartboard and the small balance they could touch. 

Here is the interactive online one: https://nrich.maths.org/4725

I also felt the need to have them be able to record their thoughts and findings throughout the lessons so I created a packet that incorporates missing addend, balancing equations, and word problems. (I am hoping to get this up on TPT as well soon!) I went very slow and gave them a lot of time to talk and explore and discuss reasoning's. Seriously, my mind was blown listening to them think through and use math talk. Everyday after these lessons I felt like I had run a marathon, not in an omg I am going to pass out, what was I thinking kind of way, but like an omg that was exhilarating, I feel accomplished, it can be done kind of way. Especially when they were so interested and pumped as well. 

 

We not only worked through seeing the equal signs meaning but we also challenged ourselves to make a false, unequal, unbalanced equation, actually balanced. 

They started seeing how they could create certain equations different ways and that there was not just one way to make or see it. 

I thought they were going to explode when we got to one problem that went past 10 and since they balance only goes up to ten they had to either put more than two weights on or stack the weights to get to their answer. 

There was so much good stuff that we did that week I can't even list it all! 

 

 

Here is a little video of one of my friends sharing his math thoughts. It may not seem like much to you, but it was a celebration that day to get that kind of thinking even started!

When I get the packet uploaded I will repost the link!

So as I was decorating this year, I had this sparkly frame just sitting not being used. I also had some old card covers I had saved from greeting cards I was given over the years. Sometimes you get cards that are so pretty and just can't seem to throw them away- I mean cards are so pricey now days. So I had compiled a few that I really liked and just tore off the cover. 

I added some scrapbook paper in the background and.....

fast, easy, pretty decor! 

You could do this really with any card you may get Easter, Valentines, etc. 

I also threw these little candy jars together one night. I filled each jar up with some candy (starburst and jolly rancher) added a little card and....

a fast, easy, cute, tasty gift.

I wrote these little sayings in each card as well...

"Hope your Christmas and New Year is "bursting" with blessings."

"Have a "jolly" Christmas and New Year full of blessings."

We talked long and hard about characters in books and their traits. This is always something they love to do but sometimes have difficulty moving past their external characteristics towards their internal. We want them to get to know their characters like their BFF! 

So I made this poster to use during our mentor text reading to help out a bit. This is something we took very slow and it took us all week to make it through each section. 

We read good 'ol Kevin Henkes! 

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse lent itself to some very good character analysis and let me tell you when we were done we knew Lilly like our BFF!

 Once I read through the story once we worked on just the first section of "feelings". They taught their buddy about how she felt throughout the story and then we recorded a few of the places they talked about. That was all we did for the mini lesson that day. The next day we went back and reviewed her feelings we wrote down and then I wanted them to help me with exactly what were her actions during these feelings. So we pinpointed two of those feelings and I had them prove it to me in the book. I really challenged them to show me and defend their answer. We then went back and proved her words she used in the story to back up her actions and feelings. We were only able to get one answer recorded that day.
At the end of the week after a lot of modeling and partner chat I gave them each a recording sheet I made to match the poster we had used that week. As a class I modeled very specifically what we were going to record and used the book to refer back. Since it was teacher lead it looks near perfect haha but my reasoning behind them copying is to get them practicing their book talk and proving their thoughts rather than worried about spelling etc. I feel this in turn will help them when they do go off on their own and can manage this kind of activity without me being right there.

Click HERE to grab these printables!

Throughout December we decided as a team to try out a new idea for celebrating family traditions around the holidays. Long story short, the kids went home and created a  "quilt" piece (on paper, material, photo paper etc) discussing and sharing their families traditions. We wanted them to understand why a tradition is important to them and their family. 

After they turned them in, we presented them to the class to learn about everyone's traditions. It was really neat to see and hear different stories and see their creativity. Here is a short little video of them presenting. 

How do you share progress updates with your parents? I always feel like I can do more or maybe should do more when it comes to communicating with my parents. I am sure if I listed all the ways and frequency I do initiate communication it would actually be adequate. But I got to thinking more about making sure I am really letting parents know throughout the week, month, and even semester how their child is doing. Especially those whom their child is not having any issues academically or behaviorally. Sometimes those kids get pushed to the back burner not because they are not important but because, well, they are not a red flag or concern. I decided I wanted to do something else for everyone in my class at semester time to kind of wrap it up and give a quick update since I can not have 22 conferences all over again in December. It started as one page then quickly turned into 8-10 just since I was not sure exactly which format I liked the most. I printed them all out and decided to go with this particular one. 

I wanted to make it easily read and understandable. I filled one out for each kid and will send it with the report card. I have not offered this yet in my TPT store or as a download yet because it is more tailored for my classroom expectations, however, if I see interest I may tweak it to be more generic and offer it in case there is someone that may be able to use it as well! There are, like I said, many different versions I made, it all just depends on what people prefer. 

Have a BLESSED weekend!

 I hope you start your 2016 full of hope and joy! God will do great things! 

To Do Board!

On to the main event!

How do you manage your classroom work and objectives? I am sure if your classroom is anything in the form of a normal classroom you got a lot going on throughout the week. Things can start piling up if you do not have some kind of a system in place. Well I have tried various different things over the years and finally have settled on my newest technique...for now anyways lol. I have tweaked it over the past two years and have seen such good results. And I promise you 1st graders can manage it! 

The To-Do board! 

I have posted in the past about my kids having the chance to earn Fun Friday. After they accomplish all of their goals for the week they can earn that extra time to just be a kid and have some fun. I mean we work so hard during the week! 

On my back wall of cabinets I have two empty front cabinets I decided to use. I made picture icons of the objectives they would typically be faced with throughout the week as well as icons for what to do with the assignments when complete. I mean who just craves hearing..."I'm done!" What do I do with this? Where do I put it?" Well I can tell you I do not haha...I really want to foster independence and problem solving skills within those 4 walls. 

(I would have offered the icons as a freebie but it is tailored to what we do specifically, you would need to take pictures for your own icons-sorry!) 

Now we had a lot rolling this week so it looks kind of overwhelming to the naked eye lol...but my little owls have been trained on this and can execute it pretty well now days.

I put any assignment we have started and needs to be finished by Friday on the left side. On the right side I put the picture icon for where or what they need to do with it so they do not have to ask. 

"Corner of desk"- this tells me non-verbally I am done and you can come check my work.

"File"- I have made a file system at the front of the room with all their numbers on a file folder. They can slip their finished work in their and on Thursday and Friday morning I will check it.

"Picture of Me" - they can hand deliver it or also put it out on desk so I can come snatch it at my convenience. I don't typically use this one often but will when it is something I want right away.

"Work folder"- everyone every week has to have this out before starting Fun Friday. I do have some try to slip through the cracks each week and "say" they are done ;) ya know what I mean Vern?

The numbers next to the assignment are the magic numbers for the kids whose items I have not checked or have turned in. Once it is done I get to erase it off the board. I can tell you they love seeing their number go away. This is also helpful for some of my friends who are still learning to read. They know their number by heart already and the picture icons are obviously super fast to see as well! 

Here are some up close looks:

I really can't tell you how efficient this has made my week each week and I love being able to see them turn around without me having to really say anything and check the to-do board on their own and Get 'Er Done! 

Well I am so proud of myself for getting this posted!! I hope it sparked your interest if you are looking to streamline paper/assignment management in your classroom! 

Have a BLESSED week!!!

Classroom reveal...organization.....FREEBIES!

Happy Friday ya'll!! Welcome back up for air after a crazy non-stop week! We started back this week and it has been a whirl-wind week. Love the new little ones though!! They have given me some natural energy to teach with.
It is the 2nd Texas Size link up and I am happy to be a part of it with The Little Ladybug Shop and Planet Happy Smiles.

This week for me is going to be a little bit of everything! 

First up, some B2S uplifter ideas...I know I am a tad late posting this but maybe you can still find a way to utilize this now or even for next year! 

I made these little minions to just say welcome back! (please disregard the horrible need for a manicure) One of my minions got bruised in the transport home so sweet hubby ran back to the store and grabbed a few extra as back up plans..nobody wants a bruised gooey minion. 

Grab the tags HERE

I am also the lead mentor this year for the campus so I put these little snacks together for all my newbie teachers and the new to campus teachers. I just attached a small bag of goldfish! Easy and fun!

Grab the tags HERE

One organizational idea I have done the past few years has been with my dry erase markers. We as teachers know that these are cherished in the classroom and seem to mysteriously dry out quickly..

haha...well we don't actually ask for them on our list so I use funds to buy the good stuff..expo!

To help the kids keep up with their marker and for me to also see how long they are lasting I use small labels and write the kids "magic number" on them. I then just tape it to each marker. It really is fast. Eventually I also write the date (8/23...9/14 etc) on the label after the first time I have to replace them just to help me see how long they truly are lasting...money doesn't grow on trees now..ha! I know, I know a little OCD much? Guilty...but it really does help keep the kids accountable as well not to just let the marker sit around open and airing out.

I also just went to Dollar Tree and picked up baby socks for erasers. They have lasted me like 5 years, no joke! I just take them home and wash them and they are good to go the next  year and are small enough to fit on their hands if needed. 

The kids store their marker in the sock and then inside their team tub at their tables. It makes it fast and easy to grab! 

I finally also got some of my Responsive Readers cards printed!!! You really never know how a product will look until you get it printed! Well I received the strips and I think I might like them!! I had them printed on cardstock so they will last longer and an amazing co-worker of mine laminated and cut them for me! I then just put them on a ring with the reading mini anchor charts. When a student or buddies need to respond to their books it is all in one spot!! Of course everything is color coded to help with finding the correct objective! 

You can check this pack out HERE!

Our campus has also gone full on Whole Brain Teaching!! I am excited about this especially since I have been using this for a few years now and have seen it work so well! I attended one of the training's this summer while Chris Biffle was in town and did learn about some other things I haven't tried out. Brainies!! Love love these!! I  am hoping to be able to post a video of one of my kids using them soon!! 

I put together a little cheat sheet resource based off what WBT already had. I just tailored the info to match what we will teach in first, slapped a cute cover together, laminated them on cardstock and put them on a ring! The teacher can carry this around if needed or the kids can refer back to it!

Ok so I may be a little late to the party for classroom reveal and mine isn't still a full reveal just bits and pieces, but I am sure you will get the idea! I finally found a set up I like and work wells so I have stuck with it for a whole 2 years now! WOOO! Give me until Christmas, I am sure I will find something to change up haha! 

This is right when you walk in my room. It is my happy spot! I have personal things that make me smile as well as where we start some of the postive reinforcements for the kids. Pebble jar, Tardy Tater, helpers, Super Improver Wall...(I posted about some of these things last year and how to use )

The orange folder file holder is where I keep their take home papers every week. Each kid has a numbered box. 

Next to this area are also our buckets for bucket filling! If you have never read this book it is a MUST! 

I have read it every year to start out my community in the classroom. The kids love it and really attach to the idea! All year long I will hear "_______ filled my bucket because...." and I will even get "_______ dipped a bucket...." haha we always end up discussing that. 

After reading, we make a chart with starter ways to fill a bucket. I then give each kids a sticky note and they write their name and draw a picture of a way they can fill others' buckets. I then have each kid stand up and share what they wrote to put on the chart. 

To help with oral language and get them feeling comfortable in front of the class they say..."My name is __________." We all respond with a big gestures wave and say "HI! _______" Then the kid proceeds to tell us how they can fill a bucket. 

Math Area:

This is where we do calendar and number of the day. I also have another wall adjacent that is empty for future anchor charts and the bookshelf of math manipulatives. I forgot to get that picture up close. Sorry!!

You can find the Number of the Day and Math Attitude Posters also in my TPT store.

I did get this shot of my ten frame boards I put on the shelf in the baskets. 

Fun Friday!!

I have posted before how I do Fun Friday in my classroom. This is the shelf of goodies. The black sorter is for the IPADS once I get them charged and ready to go!

Take home readers/Guided Reading:

I use this shelf for all the A-Z readers I use for take home readers. I also have my hats on the top shelf. I use these when I am reading with a group or student so the others know not to interrupt. I have different ones for various seasons and occasions ;) I scored big last year during crawfish season!!

I also have a smorgasbord of pencils!! This is not even the half of it! haha. I was blessed to be able to get these for the team for us to have to spoil the kids.

Goodies: 

I don't really do a class store anymore. I mainly use coupons and intrinsic motivation haha..however, a sista's gotta have a plan b....I use this little cart to store other things I can use to celebrate birthdays, accomplishments etc. I know some people don't believe in giving prizes but it is fun to have some goodies stored to use as needed. Oh and I didn't spend a fortune either! A lot of it I have compiled from various sources and I eat kids meals A LOT so......

Teacher Area:

This amazingly, gorgeous rolling cart from Really Good Stuff is where I am keeping my weekly activities and my personal planning resources. 

 I have labeled each bin to quickly grab what we need during planning for different subject areas.

I also have my personal books I don't necessarily want floating around the room. ;)

Teacher Area 2:

I also have these wonderful rolling carts to store resources for other grading periods and extra supplies. 

I also organize my mentor texts and teaching books like this.

I group them by objective and then use binder clips to keep them together. It has made it really easy to grab books we can teach with while planning. 

I keep supplies I might need close by.

nurse passes, band-aids, coupons, etc.

I know everyone had the pretty typed labels for these sorters. However, I discovered the dry erase labels at Hobby Lobby one day on sale for like 1.00 so I grabbed them! The best part is they are removable and can be moved!!

Class library:

Some more carts from Really Good Stuff!!

I have leveled almost every book I own haha. Thank goodness for Scholastic's App!!

For my "free choice" and subject books that do not have a label I organized them with a number sticker on the corner of each book. This way the kids can easily put them back in the tub they got it! It has worked perfectly!! Now to perfect putting the spine out lol!

Writing Wall:

This is the wall where all our writing will go! 

Right now it is bare since we just started. I have put up my anchor charts I have made that are part of my "Wondrous Writers" pack. I have not yet been able to get them on TPT but will soon! I want them to be used in action first to show how it all works together! 

The tree is empty too right now, but when I read "Rocket Writes A Story" we will add pictures of things we can write about all around the tree like leaves. (example from last year)

Wow that is not even the entire room! I will post more as things get going in first grade this year! 

Once more thing before I go:

Hubby and I made this Pinterest recipe for breakfast the other day and I took pictures joking that I could probably post it as a Pinterest gone wrong recipe...but it turned out great!! 

Ingredients:

Cresent Rolls

Cheese

Eggs

Bacon or Sausage or BOTH

Now pay attention this is where is gets complicated haha.

Unroll the cresent rolls

crack an egg on top (seriously though it is slip sliding everywhere so you may  have to bring that bad boy back onto the cresent roll)

Sprinkle cheese, sausage, bacon on top

Put in oven on 350 and bake about 10-12 minutes...

Yum!!!

I even took one to lunch the next day and it was still good!

Ok I seriously need to not wait so long in between posts haha this one is a long one! If you made it to the end as with all my posts, CONGRATS! and good night haha. 

I hope you found a little something to take away! 

Have a BLESSED (and restful) weekend!!

"Gracious speech is like clover honey-good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body."

Proverbs 16:24