Team {word} Building!

It's still a "get to know you" period in my classroom.  We are finishing our 3rd full week.  Getting into our new and exciting curriculum and also learning to work together!

Today, we had a fun team building activity.  But really it was a phonics lesson!  SHHHHH!!!  Don't tell them!

Each table got some letters.  I gave them the "wheel of fortune" usuals plus ALL of the vowels.  We were only working with short vowels.

I gave the class a word.  The team challenge was to find the letters and hold them at their bellies.  Rule #101 was that each student could only hold ONE letter.  They had to build quietly so they didn't give away any answers to other teams.  (THAT in itself was a challenge, but I found that even though they were a bit noisy, no team looked at another team to help them out!)

Once all teams were standing with the word in order, each student said their OWN sound.  (SO if the word was "cat" Student C would say /k/, student A would say /a/ and student T would say /t/.  Then I would clap my hands together and ALL three would say the word they made.  Blending, segmenting, sounds, team building, cooperation all bundled up in giggles.  PERFECT, simple activity.

Click {HERE} to grab a copy of the letters I used.  (Well, it's the entire alphabet.  I didn't use them all.  That would have been a bit overwhelming at this point in the year for my firsties)

Have a wonderful Friday and weekend!  It's so great to finally be back in the swing of things and have things to share again!!! 

MIA--but now I'm back {with some freebies!}

So, the first day of school came and went---well faster than ever this year.  I never made it!  I was carrying in my adorable "first day of school" frame, when a letter blew off.... I bent down to get it, in my heels and dress... stood up and completely lost balance!  I tried to beat it, but down I went, spraining my ankle and bruising my other knee.... (and possibly spraining the other ankle too---but we won't talk about that...) 

I was back for day 2 and 3--and then it was the weekend.  Woke up Monday AM ready to go, feeling like I got hit by a bus....  doctor's after school---sinus infection.  Neither were beating me down-and I was still having the BEST beginning of the year ever.  Friday came....  You know, the first FULL week of school with first graders who aren't used to a full day.  2:00 rolls by and guess what I get.  My first "walk through" observation!!??!?!?  AHHH!  Last 20 minutes of school of the first full week of school---well, I know I am LESS than perfect.  I'm just hoping to get all my babies home on the right bus, not to mention packed up and ready...  So we write in our journals.  The did fine.  However, my plans were less than desirable for the Friday of the first full week.  :(  I'm not going to lie.  (I wasn't even going to put this out there, but I wanted y'all to know, things aren't always perfect.)  Tears were shed Monday morning when I got my feedback.  I don't know about you, but that first week to us is getting into routines, tweaking lesson plan set ups, etc...  I also spent a LOT of time preparing things.  You've seen pics of my plans...  of course, those are when we are actually diving into curriculum.

Fast forward through a few more doctor's appointments and my 3 year old getting an ear infection---oh and not to mention his LONG adjustment to going to a new daycare and being away from me..........  Back to School Night was this week!  I was super excited about it.  I think it's all the experience and ideas I have gotten here and by my adventures on TPT.  Here's some pics of what I did.

I was in LOVE with my PP this year!  I was just so pretty (thanks to Nikki's wonderful graphics!)....

 I ended my presentation with a fun little slideshow of the kids learning.  I felt that it was a nice way to end the night, with the parents seeing their pride and joy smiling, having fun and being able to see their day!  (I totally took the idea from my son's own teacher this year.  As a parent, I loved it!)

 

Since I wasn't there on the first day, my lovely substitute did take my kiddos pictures.  I couldn't use the poem that is out there, so I just whipped up on that could be used in my situation.  It could be used anytime.  And could be wonderful parent gifts too!  Click on the picture to grab a copy for yourself.  I made a boy and a girl version.  Glue their pics on the clothespin.  Add magnets to the other side.  I added a fun button on the front to give it a little more "cuteness" but it wasn't necessary!

I have to look into if I am allowed to share/sell/what-have-you for my parent wish list table.  It was a last minute thing, and it's graphics I did not buy.  I have to read the terms of use to see and will post it if I can!

I'll be back soon with some more freebies of the beginning of year stuff I've done.  Of course my lesson planning writing is now taking me a good 2-3 or more hours....  that's really eating away at my time.  I didn't need to sleep, right?!?!  ;)  (I know that some are spending that or more---so I am thankful I can still make them "my own" but finding that more efficient way, so I can spend more time on creating resources, etc......  I wish that would come a little bit faster.  :)

PS-I've been sharing a lot more pics from the classroom on instagram!  It's just much more easier to click and share.  Make sure to check it out!  http://instagram.com/rulintheroost

Making Student Connections Monday

Hi everyone!  This week I'm sharing another idea for making connections Monday!  Read about my first post {HERE}

I know a LOT about my students.  And it's not from the time I talk to them.  Let's face it.  Talking to 21 first graders to get to know them would take all day!  I get to know my students through writing!  And not "required" writing.  This is through the writing done at the writing table during the Daily 5/station time and/or during free time.  I do not correct the pages, but I do read through them.  I've learned all kinds of things from them.  From one student not being afraid of Zombies (remember the talk of the Zombie apocolpse?!) to their mom never having another baby, but possibly adopting a child from China.  They LOVE when I write back to them on the page (when I have time) or when I bring up something they wrote.

Follow my Facebook page to grab a freebie sample from the pack that I use. 

Link up if you have any good ideas on how you make connections with students!

Making Connections Monday!

Hi all!  I am SO excited about our district's new focus for the year.  For years, we have been shuffling kids back and forth with different teachers to get their "needs" met.  As in, their academic needs.  We had a conversation at the end of last year to discuss NOT switching our babies so much... and they listened and reacted!  We are keeping our kids a LOT more.  I'm super excited about that.

Anyway, I had a brainstorm today, and hopefully we can get lots of different ideas that can be used in classrooms all over!

I introduce-Making Connections Monday (a day late this week though--but I couldn't wait till next Monday!) 

Check out this fabulous speech by Rita Pierson to be inspired and understand.  SO MOTIVATING!



Children pick up SO much from adults.  We are spending more time with these babies than their parents are.  It's so important to be making connections to help make a difference in their tiny lives.  They will forever remember it.  Which student will need you the most this year?

Here's what I can share this week, since I'm still not in school.  It's a freebie that I have posted about already.  During the first few days of school, I line my students up to play a little game.  They are in a line far away from me.  I will name some facts (or not!) about me.  If they think it is true, they step forward.  If they think it's false they stay put.  If they get it wrong---back to start!  It's a great way for students to get to know me and a little bit about me.  It also helps them realize that it's okay to make a mistakes! ;)

Click {HERE} to grab a copy!  It's editable for you to type in your own "facts"  I like to send home the sheet I read without answers the first night to see if the parents "know" me!  ;)

I want to start a weekly link up with ideas on how to make connections with students.  Research is all over this subject and all say the same thing.  In order for students to learn, their basic needs have to be met.  They need to feel secure and safe.  They need to know you care!  How are you making connections in your classroom?  What have you done this week?  How are you creating and continuing to foster your class community?

Link up below---Making Connections Monday!  My favorite quote from Rita that has stuck with me---Children won't learn from people they don't like!  SO true!

Travel Journals

I thought this was a fitting post, as I am on vacation right now....  My calm before the storm before going back to school.  It's less than an ideal time to vacation... with my room a mess and all... BUT, I am going to try my hardest to relax and enjoy time with my family.  

We went on a long road trip this summer.  It was the first time that we've driven somewhere far, instead of flying.  Surprisingly my kids did well!  Lots of movies, breaks and I took along my Travel Journal that I give out to my students when they go on trips during the year.  The surprising part was that my usually unmotivated child, got out the papers without me even telling him to in the car!  He LOVED car counting and was determined to find 100 total cars on the trip (of course, he promptly stopped after that)

After we got home, I had him create the pages for each day, instead of doing it while we were there.  We had enough melt downs on vacation, we certainly didn't need more because mom was being a teacher!  heehee :)  He also did other "reading" pages that you'll see below.

Here's some samples of his "work."  Use your imagination for more detailed pictures and more writing for those older students and those students who go above and beyond.  ;)

"Fun" pages---with a Reading or Math Twist!  (there were other pages in this packet, but I think I'm showing you quite enough.  I don't want to bore you!)

 


Days 1-10 for students to write about each day.  They can draw a picture or even attach a photo!

What is the coolest place you've ever traveled to?  There are lots of places I would love to visit, but the coolest place I've visited would have to be Aruba.  The hubs and I went there on our honeymoon.  My loved the beach and the divi trees (I think that's what they were called?!?!  It's been too long) The trees actually grew sideways/were leaning because there's always a breeze there.  A not-so-good part:  They had this breathtaking "natural bridge" that was made of stone over part of the ocean... I remember walking across thinking about how unsafe it felt.... years later it crumbled!  YIKES!

Comment below and when I return I'll pick a winner to try my Travel Journal out with their students!