Magical Fairy Tale Fun! {OVERLOAD!!}

I have SO much to share with you about our Fairytale unit we just wrapped up!  I just updated my Fairy Tale pack with all the goods you're about to see!

Jack and the Beanstalk addition-craft and writing (I always incorporate academics with my crafts!) ;)  Students answered the question-"Would you climb the beanstalk?"

Goldilocks and the 3 Bears
Fun new bulletin board!  Turned the kiddos' pictures into bears-they created them, I'm not always a fan of "cookie cutter" crafts.  We brainstormed ideas of what Goldilocks could get into in the classroom and came up with more things than students.  Each student picked one (all different) and wrote in a speech bubble.  I turned myself into "Goldilocks" to add to the "fun" of the display!

Three Pigs
 New Worksheet-where kids create 3 different houses using different materials and circle whether it is "weak," "okay" or "strong."

Fun display too!  My coworker created this for her display.  Turned the kids into "pigs" and they came up with reasons why the wolf can't come in (the last house).  James Marshall's version works well with this as the last pig makes excuses as to why the wolf can't come in.

Last, but certainly not least!  We wrapped up the unit for our Open House displays!  Each of us took a different fairy tale and created the display.  (I showed you 2).  On the kids' desks, I had a "portfolio" that had their picture on the front with a crown on.  Inside were various pages I kept from each fairytale we read and did together.

I also had the kids create themselves with poster board.   I printed out their pictures 8X10 size.  I traced the kids hands and feet on the poster board.  The students had to connect the head, hands and feet to make little bodies!  They were quite hilarious!  Of course we added a crown to their heads again.

I did save the best for last.  I created a "fairytale photo booth!"  (Included in the pack is 3 pigs and goldilocks.  I found crowns online to copy and trace--but could not create them myself right now.  Speech bubbles are included as well for all.)

All of this is updated in my Fairytale packet!  {Which also includes lots of goodies that I blogged about last year-including adding some nonfiction research on WOLVES!  My kids ate that up!}  If you have purchased this already, please go to your purchases on TPT to get the updated packet! 

Last, but not least, I've just uploaded a fun twist on the end of year memory book!  Fairy Tale Themed!

You can find it {HERE}

End of Year Awards and a Sale!

I always had a hard time finding the perfect award set.  Last year I created my own.  Our end of the year is still a loooooooong way away, but I thought I would share what we did.  (sorry for lack of pictures of it, but I'll have more this year instead.. but you'll have to stop back late June...)

I fell in love with Melonheadz's Troll set, so I used them as my "theme" and actually gave each student a little troll with their award, but it isn't necessary-and apparently hard to find this year. 

I have found these cute things that I think my kiddos will enjoy-if I can remember to order them in time with all of the chaos of my life right now! ha!

 And these rings could be a hit too!

We aren't allowed to use food, so that is just another thing that limited me last year.  There are just SO many cute food related ones....  But, non-food items get SO darn expensive!


The award includes:
Bookworm
Fabulous Friend
Most Improved
Peacemaker
Future Environmentalist
Star Worker
Future Hollywood Star
Most Enthusiastic
Free Spirit
Biggest Heart
Future Teacher
Sweet Storyteller
Sweet Words
Super Helper
Outstanding Behavior
Super Leader
Future Author
Class Comic
Team Player
Organizational Royalty
Handwriting Queen/Handwriting Hero
Mad Scientist
Problem Solver
Rad Reader

You can find these in my store {HERE}  Color version is included, as well as a black and white version to save money with color.  Just print on colored paper or cardstock!

Also, I've been quite behind with everything going on with my life-both personal and professional--and completely missed the email about the TPT sale!!!!!  I'm putting my store up for 20% off Tuesday and Wednesday---and enter code TPTXO  for an additional 10% for 28% off total!  I have to get organized and figure out what goodies I'll pick up for myself!  I can never NOT get something when there's the big sale!!!!!  =)

End of Year Gifts and A New Look!

I'm sure you've noticed!!  I have a brand new, pretty awesome blog look now!  I was tired of my old, dark, mismatched look.  After searching and looking, I went with the Honey Bunch Blog Design---and I am beyond thrilled!  LOVE! <3

I have 2 hours and 45 minutes left with my students.  It's been one of those years.  I will miss them dearly, however, I will enjoy not being as stressed as I was this past year.  I slept the best I have ever slept last night....  hoping for a repeat tonight.  Coincidence?!? 

Here is what I did for my kids this year.  I see about 40 first graders throughout the day, and have 3 different groups.  For my reading group-I just gave them a new book from Scholastic with my bonus points.  I noticed that Robert Munsch's Sandcastle Contest was $1, so I snatched it right up.  It was THE perfect gift for them, as they just are in love with him since our Author Study.  Easy, peasy.

For my math kids, I wasn't sure what to do.  One day I was shopping at the Dollar Store and I came across the supply aisle and saw the 3 pack of rulers (for $1) ;)  Perfect!  {Of course, just forget that we don't teach STANDARD measurement anymore.... the kids certainly didn't care!  OH-and you might want to have the little talk we had before they left my room.  Rulers are NOT weapons.  You know, just in case some of those boys have forgotten?!  They are also not backscratchers, drum sticks, fly swatters...}  :P

{Click HERE to grab a copy of the tag I attached to the rulers}

My homeroom was where I got creative.  Inspiration came from Pinterest of course!

Though, it took me FOREVER to find a mold for the popsicle crayons!  But, at last I did!  I'll save you the trouble---go here! {My popsicles started to become mixed ones as I ran out of colors---the kids will love it, I'm sure.  Of course my 2 little ones at home thought they were pretty cool, anyway!}

Word to the wise--they do NOT work well just baking in the oven....  bummer.  So I melted crayons in the microwave in small bowls I got at Target for just that reason.  {Another word to the wise--melt SAME color crayons together--otherwise you just get a brown crayon.  I did know this before melting!!}

I also had corkboard laying around that I had gotten at BJ's a few years ago.  It used to be up in my room, but has since fallen down.  If you don't have easy access to it, you can find it {HERE} fairly cheap.  I was able to get 9 small "clipboards" out of 1 sheet.  Make them about 3 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches.  I got the clips at the dollar spot at Target and the post-its from staples.  I divided the post-it notes into halves to clip to the boards.

You could get all creative and decorate the corkboard with duct tape, but it looks pretty cute all on its own!

{Click HERE to grab yourself the tag I used for this gift*}

Last, we created class books throughout the year that I sent home for parents to read, comment and return.  I disassmbled it and sorted them all by the student's work.  I whipped up this cover and used my random leftover cardstock that was in my closet.  Staple together---and you have yourself a fantastic keepsake for the parents!  {Whoops!  I completely forgot to take a pic of the final books to show you!}

{Click HERE for a copy of the cover sheet* also-I took the date off, so that you can use it ANY year}

*I included K-6 copies in the file

I know a lot of you are already out of school {LUCKY!!}, but you can tuck this away for next year!

Pigeon Fever-Part deux

Before I start this post, I just have to share another new packet I just finished!  I'm so excited to use it, but of course haven't yet, as our last day of school is still 30 some day away....  I know many of you are getting close, so I wanted to show you the goods now!  I call it iMemories.  Students will design an iPad screen with their favorite memories that they "iRemembered" and will then write a little bit about it.  There are 2 different "Home Screens" with matching writing pages and also a blank.  Here's my little example:

Click on this picture to read more about it at TPT (or {HERE} to see it at TN.)  This will be perfect for kids K-6!

Now-back to Mo!  (Don't forget to visit my {ORIGINAL POST} for a chance to win this packet for free!  I'll be choosing a few winners tonight!) After spending a week with just the Pigeon books alone, I still felt that we needed a little more closure.  We spent Monday wrapping up and wrote about our favorites from the week.  We also started thinking about making our own Pigeon stories!

First we brainstormed our own ending to the titles.  (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the....  etc.)

Then we drafted. (Sorry for this little pic... it's from my packet--I'm having quite the difficult time uploading from my iphotos today...  grrrrr!  BUT it has some pics to see about the process)

After I edited for them, they wrote on speech bubbles in PEN and illustrated their pictures.  

I laminated them and will be binding them before our Open House this week!  They are SO excited!

After I edited for them, they wrote on speech bubbles in PEN and illustrated their pictures.  

I laminated them and will be binding them before our Open House this week!  They are SO excited!

This week is going to be boring, I think!  After 4 weeks of exciting books with LOTS of expression...  I'm not so sure I can top it!

Oh-before I go.  I think this might be hidden waaaaay back in my blog.  It's a great freebie for math, perfect for May.  Students turn over 2 cards.  One is a double digit number and the other is a card that says "tens" or "ones."  Students will compare whatever place the tens/ones card says.  Who ever has the greater number keeps the cards!  Simple as that!  My kids LOVED this game last year.  I can't wait to get it out this week!  Click {HERE} to grab your freebie!