Owl Classroom Materials

I have been working on some things for my classroom and thought I would share in case someone else was doing an owl theme and wanted to use some of the things I've made. They are FREE in my TPT store. I love to see comments and new followers! The clip art is an AppleGirlAmber original! This was my first try at making clip art so I'm hoping I get better as I go on.


Click each title for a link to my TPT store to download for FREE!

 

Owl Display Cards

  Owl Calendar Set

 

Owl Nameplates

 Owl Behavior Cards

 

Owl Pennants

Manners for School

As I am getting ready for next year I stumbled across some great books for the first few weeks of school. The books are a part of a manners series by Carrie Finn. I actually found them at Dollar General for $1 each. The books retail at amazon for about $7 each.

I was so inspired by these cute books that I decided to make a few things for my classroom. Each Set includes a page with reasons why we should use manners, and two student pages.

 

 

If you would like these for your classroom click the links below: 

Manners at School

Manners in the Library

Manners on the Playground

Manners at the Table

Also as a special treat, the first person to comment below will receive a free copy of each of the four books. Make sure and leave your email address so I can contact you to send your free books your way.

Happy Summer!! 

ELA Common Core Standards FREE Posters

As a teacher in Georgia we have been busy researching and preparing for the common core implementation next year as I know many other states are as well. Since I'm on Spring Break, I have had a little extra time to work on things for next year. My grade level currently posts our Georgia standards we are working on each week in the front of our classrooms. In preparing for the Common Core I created a set of posters for my 2nd Grade team. Georgia has slightly altered the nationally set standards so I am including a set with the Georgia changes and abbreviations. If you see any errors PLEASE leave me a comment or e-mail me and I will gladly correct them. Thanks and I hope they are useful! I am working on the math standards and will post them when I am finished.

Common Core ELA Standards-National Edition

Georgia Common Core ELA Standards

Christmas Money Math

Just in time for Christmas, here is a math center activity to build adding of three digit numbers in the form of currency. Check it out below!

Presents Please

Turkey Money Game

I know it is a little late but, I thought I would share anyway. You can always save until next Thanksgiving.

Here is a money math matching game.

Click here to download in Google docs.

Brain Bubbles

Brain Bubbles are designed to be "fun" educational short activities that students can complete when they finish their work. 

This was not my original idea, I found the idea on proteacher and adapted the idea to meet my needs. The original idea originated with and Mrs. Sanchez and Mrs. Gold, then Tonya0581 (proteacher name) brought the idea to proteacher. I don't want to take credit, simply share my finished project.

I only spent $5!

Here is what I used, for the bubbles I used dollar tree 10 pack mini storage containers (I used 40) and a $1 ice bucket from the dollar tree for the container. Total cost = $5.00

For my brain bubble questions I used the mailbox brain boosters that come in the magazines each month. I am a subscriber and was able to go online to their member only section and print 8 sheets for language arts and 8 sheets for math.

Here is how I am managing them:
I decided to change them every nine weeks so I created a label that is stuck on each question with the nine weeks and the number. I printed Language Arts questions on Yellow paper and Math on Green (it added some color too!)

I labeled each of the containers with colorful labels (1-40).

I may decide to add more later but, the container I choose only held about 40.

Students will fill out a postcard I made on Vista print to answer their brain bubble question and turn in to me. Here is a picture:

Here are some of my documents:

Brain Bubble Labels (PDF)
Brain Bubble Labels (Word Doc)

Brain Bubble Numbers
Brain Bubble Numbers (Word)

I have listed the websites that explain this idea in more detail.
Here are the links to the original posts:
Proteacher Thread 1
Proteacher Thread 2
Proteacher Thread 3
Proteacher Thread 4
Proteacher Thread 5
Proteacher Thread 6

Classroom Before Pictures

I have begun the daunting task of working in my classroom. Monday was the only day this week (due to district level profession development)  I was able to go but, I plan on going back next week. I am going to post my progress as I get going.

The Before...

Giveaway

Plug-N-Plan is giving away her new time unit. So head over to her blog and check it out!

The Book Whisperer Introduction & Chapter 1

My Wordle 

When reading the introduction and chapter one I was encouraged and inspired to continue to share my passion for reading with my students. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"My source of credibility is that I am a teacher who inspires my students to read a lot and love reading long after they leave my class."

-Quoted from the Introduction to The Book Whisperer

I love this quote because this is the goal I have every year to create lifelong readers and lovers of books!

"I am convinced that if we show students how to embrace reading as a lifelong pursuit and not just a collection of skills for school performance, we will be doing what I believe we have been charged to do: create readers."

-Quoted from the Introduction to The Book Whisperer

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!!

"Reading is both a cognitive and an emotional journey. I discovered that it was my job as a teacher to equip the travelers, teach them what to do when they get lost, but ultimately, the journey is theirs alone."

-Quoted from the The Book Whisperer, Chapter 1, p. 16.

We are only their teachers for a short time, in that short time we must equip them to live out their journey on their own.

I inspire my students to be lifelong readers by modeling reading daily and by sharing my passion for it. It is amazing what happens after I share a new book or a new author. They all want to read the book I read and anything by that author. When they go to the media center they are searching for more Tacky the Penguin books or books by my favorite children's book author: Kevin Henkes. Each of my students has their own bag of books that they treasure. They love having "their books" that only they will read. I allow my students to choose what they read and I completely agree with  Donalyn Miller that students should have choice in what they read! My students have a passion for reading and ask all the time if they can read from their bag of books. What joy a teacher feels when students ask to read!!!

I am looking forward to reading more in The Book Whisperer!

The Book Whisperer Q & A part 1

 

I am joining the  The Book Whisperer book study that will begin next week. I bought my book yesterday and I read the first two chapters as soon as I got it. This is going to be great!

Thinking of Teaching had the opportunity to interview Donalyn Miller, the author of The Book Whisperer and is hosting a linky party to share answers to the questions that Mrs. Miller answered. Here are my answers:




1) What is your favorite book (or series) from childhood?
My favorite series was The Boxcar Children growing up. I also read Wilder's Little House series. I loved reading although wanted to choose my own books. My Mom is a reader and always wanted me to read the Nancy Drew series but, I refused because I wanted to be my "own" reader. To this day I have never read a Nancy Drew book...I know I'm a bit stubborn! I see this trait in my students too so I love giving them choice!

 


 2) What is your favorite book (or series) now?
I am a lover of Non-fiction, I love to read professional teaching books. I usually read fiction books in the summer though and I am currently reading Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones. I am also a lover of children's fiction (specifically children's picture books) and found myself in Books a Million Thursday reading book after book!



3) What is your opinion of e-readers?
I don't have one but, I see a purpose for them. On the other hand I love opening a book for the first time and cracking  it open and turning the pages.

4) Finish this sentence: "On Sundays I like to..."
Go to church, eat lunch, take a nap and work on some school work.

 

5) Describe yourself in 5 words!

Organized, Determined, Practical, Researcher, Workaholic

6) Hardcover or paperback? Why?

Either or, I am not biased!

7) Coffee or Tea?

Starbucks or flavored coffees only! Even though I live in Georgia I strongly dislike Sweet Tea!

If you would like to participate and answer the questions go to Thinking of Teaching.

 

Calendar Board vs. Promethean Board

I teach 2nd grade and I used both a calendar board and a Promethean flip chart this year. I am still not sure what the best solution is but here are my thoughts.

+'s of Calendar Board:

-Ease of use (no technology issues)

-Visually pleasing math display ( I have found that I really like having math reference materials up at all times for my students to refer to.)

-I love my calendar (because it's cute- I know this does not improve student learning but, it does improve my mood!)

-I refer to my board throughout my day and like having it up at all times.

Here are some pictures of my board last year:

I purchased a new place value chart for next year from Really Good Stuff and I am excited to add it to my board. Here is a picture of it:

+'s of Promethean Board:

-You can fit so many skills in a flip chart the possibilities are endless!

-It is quick and fast in that you just move things and write things very quickly.

-It integrates technology and the kids love that!

One of the reasons I ended up using the calendar board more was because I had some technology concerns with my current flip chart I used. What happened was I tried to be too cute and really should have simplified. I had all these great colors and things all over the screen and then when I put it up some things were hard to read due to my projector bulb slowly starting to die. My board was placed directly over our white board and therefore is pretty high creating a problem for students in reaching items at the top. I really want "need" a Promethean wand, does anyone have one? So I think if I redesigned my flipchart to include less colors or a better contrast and really make sure everything is low enough on the page that my kids can reach it I may be swayed to go back to the board. I am glad this post was posted because this is something I really need to ponder and wrap my mind around. 

So...What are your thoughts? I am excited to see what others post!!