A Big Announcement and Fall Learning

I cannot believe that as I write this, Thanksgiving is only 11 days away and Christmas is only 39 days away... where has the time gone this year?? As we approach my favorite season of the year and I know time will slip away from me very quickly I want to reflect and share some of the exciting things and learning that has been happening in my classroom the last few weeks.

Just about 4 weeks ago, I had the joy to share with my class that Elliot and I will be expecting a little baby in May. The kids responses were priceless and so compassionate for 6 and 7 year olds. Each and every day since then they ask questions such as, "Has your baby grown today?", "Can you tell me again when your baby will be born?", "How many more days till we find out if its a boy or girl?", and  "When will your tummy start to get big". Each question comes with so much love and curiosity.

 After I announced our pregnancy to my class they each filled out one of these sheets. I am saving them and will create a little book with them. I wanted to share two of them:

After each child finished drawing what they think Baby Nolan will look like and writing a note to Baby Nolan I took some suggestions for baby names. I was surprised to see most names were normal names until we got to "Ariana Grande".

 

 

This fall in our class we have been doing a lot of nonfiction studies and learning. In October, we read a variety of nonfiction books, watched some video clips, and even did some research of our own to learn new facts about pumpkins, bats, and spiders. For each topic we created a class chart of information we already knew about the given topic and as we studied and learned more we added to our charts each day. Here is what our finished charts looked like:



 

The last bit of fall learning that I want to share about was our study on Benjamin Franklin. This year while studying Benjamin Franklin I created an interactive folder/book for students to fill out and create as we learn a variety of facts and information about Benjamin Franklins life. Here is an example of the book. In this book students were able to decorate the front cover. Inside the folder as we did our learning and conversations about Ben Franklin students filled out a KWL chart, compared and contrasted themselves to Ben, filled in new vocabulary words, and recorded inventions that Ben created.

 

If you are interested in doing this interactive book/folder with your class please click on the link:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Benjamin-Franklin-Interactive-Book-1462363



 

That is all for now!!! Look back soon for more updates about our classroom fun and learning! :)





Literacy Centers

I cannot believe that the last time I sat down to write a post was over a month ago. What can I say... the busyness of the beginning of the school year got to me once again. Looking at the calendar I cannot believe that September is about to be over and we will be sliding into October in just a few short days. This year has been a great year so far. Their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn is contagious.

Since last time I blogged we have introduced, modeled, discussed, and practiced, practiced, practiced literacy centers. I wanted to share some of my literacy center ideas for this year. Each day my students reference their literacy center chart to see which centers they will be visiting that day. I made this chart with different color construction paper for the different days of the week. All student names and center choices are in Velcro so that they can be easily changed.

 

 

Each morning students visit 3 centers. Each rotation lasts for about 20 minutes. Every day each student will engage in some sort of seat work that matches our spelling pattern or reading skill for the week.

Every students will also attend a guided reading session with me where we will be reading a text based on each students individual reading level.

Throughout the rest of the week students will rotate through the various centers: listening center, pocket chart, word work, writing center, and computers. When they travel to each center they will carry around their green literacy center folder. On Friday each student will meet with me individually to fill out their literacy center rubric for the week based on their behavior and work completion. Each conference takes about 2 minutes and after about two weeks my students are pretty honest if they were on task or if they tried their hardest. After each conference they set a quick goal of something they will work on next week in centers. Here is a sample literacy center conference form: 

Here are some examples of activities my students do in each literacy center throughout the week. In the listening center student will listen and follow along with the selected book. After the book is over they will fill out a response sheet. The response sheets vary as the year progresses. Here is the sheet that we are currently using:

 This is what my listening center looks like. All supplies are kept in the crate. Headphones are on command hooks on the wall:

 

 

Another center that my students visit each week is the pocket chart center. At the pocket chart students have a few choices of what they want to do, however they must complete the "MUST DO" first. In the "MUST DO" activity students use the laminated spelling words to work with their partner in placing them in ABC order. After they have placed them in ABC order in the pocket chart they complete the ABC order answer sheet. Once they have completed the MUST DO activity they have several choices of what they would like to do next. Some of the activities involve matching vowel pattern words to pictures, sight word memory games, or games using student names. Here is the ABC order sheet that each student MUST DO after placing their spelling words in ABC order:

 

Here is my pocket chart center. All supplies are kept on the rolling cart: 

Another center that students visit during the week in the word work center. When students get to this center they MUST DO the creating words activity first. For this activity students will be creating words that have the same spelling pattern as our spelling words. After they complete the MUST DO activity they then can practice or build their spelling words with their partner using white boards and markers, magnet letters and cookie trays, letter cubes, or stamps. Here is an example of the MUST DO creating words activity:

Here is what my words work center looks like with the word wall behind it. All supplies are kept in the cubbies:

 

Another center that students rotate to throughout the week is the writing center. When students arrive at the writing center they MUST DO the writing prompt for that week. Each student is required to respond to the writing prompt with at least 3 sentences. While they are writing they are focusing on proper spacing, capitalization, punctuation, and WOW sentences. After they finish their writing prompt they can choose to write a letter to a friend, make a list, write a song, write a story, or write a letter to me. While they are in the writing center they can reference the writing board. Here is what I use for writing prompts which I use from Danielle M:

Here is my writing center with a reference board for students:

 



 

As the weeks have progressed on my students have become very comfortable with the tasks they must complete in their literacy centers. They are doing a fabulous job at using teamwork for each center. Their behavior during center is awesome because they are being held accountable for their center work on Friday's when they have their literacy center conference with me.

 

Happy first day of fall!!!!

Back to School

After three long days (and a few late nights)my classroom is finally ready for Open House tomorrow. After preparing and thinking all summer of how I want my classroom to look for this school year, I think I have it just right! I am so excited to meet 19 little faces tomorrow, who I will call mine for the next ten months. Over these next ten months, we will do a lot of learning, exploring, making new friends, working thru problems together, all the while celebrating milestones, and most importantly creating a strong classroom family. I know that there will be little sleep for me tonight as I anxiously wait to meet my students and their families tomorrow morning. In the meantime here are some pictures of my finished classroom:

 Main bulletin board as you walk in with hooks for student backpacks.

 

 Reading center bulletin board with a few of my favorite books.

 

 Writing center with writing center bulletin board

 

 My counter

 

 Classroom jobs

 

 Computers and bulletin board where I will display anchor charts we create as a class

 

 Word work center and word wall

 

 View of my classroom from the door with my wonderful husband who came to help

 

 My desk

 

 Reading center

 

 Smart board and rug

Open House

As I sit here this morning and type this I cant believe how quickly this summer has flown by. With this being said, it is probably about time that I begin working on some things for the fall. I, like any teacher, am eagerly awaiting to see my class list and see those names which will make up my class, and community for this school year. With only a few weeks left till open house I decided I would work on some things I wanted to edit from last year. Here is what I came up with:

First day of school reminder note to remind parents and students of what needs to come to school for the first day of school: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL REMINDER NOTE

We all know that dismissal on the first day of school is a little bit hectic. To make dismissal easier on the first day of school for my class I have created this quick and easy form for parents to fill out at Open House: TRANSPORTATION ON THE FIRST DAY

I have created this mega pack of all things necessary for Open House. I have created it in Microsoft Word so that you can edit it to meet the needs of your class and schedule. It includes a cover sheet, all about the teacher note, class schedule, All About Me Bags, what your child will learn in 1st grade, expectations and rules, and student information form: OPEN HOUSE PACKET. 

 The last product I created for Open House is a basic, but cute sign in sheet for parents and students: SIGN IN SHEET

 

 

To all my teacher friends I hope you have a great last few relaxing weeks and I will see you in a few short days.

 

Happy Summer,

Sarah 

Reading Like Crazy

I'm not sure about you, but one of my favorite things to do during the summer is to relax and read. I love to get really deep into a series and to feel like I can't put the book down. I haven't always loved to read but over the last few years I have found a deep appreciation for books. During the school year I don't get to read a lot so during the summer I stock up. Here are a few of my favorites that I have read/reread so far this summer:

Firefly Lane is an amazing book by Kristin Hannah, a local Atlanta writer. In this book two girls start their long friendship on Firefly Lane. The book continues with the girls lives and friendship thru high school and then goes on to college, marriage and families. This is an amazing book that I read in just a few short days.


Fly Away is the sequel to Firefly Lane. I wont say much about it because it will give away the plot of Firefly Lane but this book also had me deep into reading for a few short days.


My next book I read this summer is the very popular, The Fault in Our Stars, I wont go into too much detail because I am sure you have heard all about this book, but it is worth the quick read. I couldn't put it down and finished it in two short days (shout out to my friend Caitlin Layfield for letting me borrow it).  I am looking forward to hopefully seeing the movie sometime this week and seeing how it compares to the book.


The last book that I have read so far this summer is yet another Kristin Hannah book, Home Again. This book has an incredible plot and love story. I could not put this book down the past two days and highly recommend you give it a read.


If you still have some extra time on your hands this summer or if you're heading off on a vacation I highly recommend you read one of these great books.

Happy Reading!

Happy Fathers Day

 

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there! I am so thankful to have my loving, caring father. From an early age my dad has always encouraged me to do the best that I can do and be the best that I can be. This still continues even though I don't live at home anymore. I love sitting down with my dad and sharing with him stories from my classroom or ideas I have that I want constructive feedback on. He never fails to give me advice and encourage me to be the best teacher that I can be. Thank you Dad for always being one of my biggest fans and Happy Father's Day.

 

 It's been a busy few weeks since school has let out for me. Not too much relaxation yet, but I have promised myself and my husband that I will start relaxing very soon!! Last week I attended Fulton County's Summer Summit and learned so  much that I cannot wait to share with my team and implement in my classroom this year.(Look back soon for resources from Summer Summit). I was able to be a representative for my school for Assessment Uses. In these sessions I collaborated with peers from all over the county where we discussed developmentally appropriate assessment uses. I also attended some elective sessions on guided reading, math centers, math daily five, and the responsive classroom. All of which I gained a plethora of knowledge and ideas.

 

After finishing up with Summer Summit we went down to the beach for a much needed long weekend of relaxation and family time. Many hours were spent sun bathing, taking walks on the beach, reading, and playing our family favorite game... Corn Hole. In our spare time we were able to snap a few family photos.

 

After some wonderful family time at the beach with my side of the family we headed down to Mobile to spend some time with Elliot's family and attend our friends wedding.

 

 With a five hour car ride to Mobile, I decided to dedicate some of that time to create a writing PowerPoint. One of the things I have committed to this year is getting my students to write more. With this commitment I created a PowerPoint for each month with a writing prompt for each day for students to respond to. If you are interested in seeing any of these PowerPoint please click HERE. I have also combined a few of the months into one purchase for a discounted rate. If you are interested in viewing this click HERE.

 

 I plan on having my students respond to one prompt a day. On Friday each student will get to participate in Writer's Theatre, where they will get to choose one of their prompts from the week to read aloud to the class. Writer's Theatre is one of my favorite activities to do with my firsties. At the beginning of the year several will take a pass on sharing because they are too shy, but as they feel more comfortable they all begin to share and without prompting always compliment each other on their writing. It is a joy to see how each student gains the biggest smile after their peers give them a roaring applause and compliments after they have shared a writing piece.

 

Well that's all for tonight! Tomorrow is an early start for me with our first week of Summer Bridge Camp! Happy Father's Day!



 

 



Classroom Decorations

Classroom Decorations

Each and every teacher out there has an obsession with a collection of some sort of material for their classroom. Some might include a certain type of pens, books, fonts, construction paper, or bulletin board borders, the list continues on and on. For me I have quite an obsession with anything Zebra. Let's just say my classroom is covered in zebra anything and everything. From bulletin boards, to alphabet and numbers, to word walls and literacy centers, my room is filled with zebra. As the year went on I seemed to accumulate more and more, not only from my own purchases but also from my students as they saw zebra apparel with their parents and thought of me and my classroom. I wanted to take a moment and share some of the zebra products I have created for my classroom in case any of my fellow teachers/followers have the same obsession I do.

I have created my own zebra calendar. If you are interested in downloading it click on the  link: Zebra Calendar

 I have created my own "Look what we're learning" sheets that you can download and laminated and display on a white board or bulletin board in your room. If you are interested in downloading it click on the link: Look What We're Learning

I have also created pencil labels. Download this product and laminate and hot glue to two different plastic cups. This is a great tool to help keep pencils off the ground and an easy way for you to determine what pencils need to be sharpened. If you are interested in downloading this product click on the link: Pencil Labels