X is for XtraMath

I am doing an adaptation of Whole Brain Teaching's Universal Homework. I am using something similar to Stephanie's idea of Star Homework. Check hers out!

One of the "stars" students can earn is practicing basic math facts using XtraMath.org. I just checked the report that is generated and 10 out of my 17 darlings logged in and practiced on the first night!

For a Title 1 school this makes me very proud of our families. I love when home and school can work together to best help our students.

If you need your students to practice basic math facts head over to XtraMath.org and sign up FOR FREE!

Here is a copy of my Star Homework number charts. We will mark off a square for each star earned to reach our weekly goal.

Star Graph

Happy Homeworking!

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F is for Fighting Fires

Whew! The wild weather should be called MILD weather today. We mostly got some on and off rain showers. Thank you to those of you who kept us in your thoughts.

To continue to make light of the "situation"... one of my facebook friends posted this picture:

Hurricane Isaac 2012

Having the day off helped me to finally finish Treasures centers for Fighting the Fire (Unit 1, Week 3). Click the pic to get it from my TPT shop.

Skills covered:
Main Idea
Short a/Long a
Nonfiction writing
Word Family -ell
Science (Black Bears)
Social Studies (Community Helpers)
Sentence Subjects
Fluency practice through poetry

Here is a simple (we're still basically first graders after all...) activity from this packet that can be used in any classroom. It helps students identify subjects and predicates.

Silly Subjects

 It's back to school tomorrow for us! I'm ready. =)

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P is for Putter

Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea makes me teary every time! I've posted center resources that go along with this story in my TPT shop.

Here is a freebie that can be used with any fiction story.

Story House

Happy Monday!

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S is for Stoplights

There are some FABULOUS stoplight behavior plans out there.

Proof is in any random google search.

There is also a WONDERFUL stoplight writing format that I used last year from Mrs. Prince.

{Source}

Thanks to Marzano and our district's teacher evaluation model, I came up with a stoplight inspired system to check for student understanding. As teachers, we know what each of our students need to work on. However, we need to make sure the students are responsible for their understanding, too.

Backstory:
My principal was observed (to be certified) on her understanding of the evaluation model while she was in my class (by a "person" from the "official" company). After my lesson, we had to do a mock follow up conference to discuss my mock evaluation. An area I needed to work on was "how I know that the students know that they know." Yeah, it took me a while to wrap my brain around that comment from the "person".

I whipped out my trusty stoplight chart I formally used to monitor classroom noise level.

Add caption

I created some cards for each student to use during/after lessons.

Graphic representation =)

I wrote a parent letter.

And I made it into a packet you can use.

Click picture to go to TPT

Students use a crayon to put a smallish dot by their name on papers. They do this before they turn in any work or tests. When I grade the work/tests, I compare the grade to the dot.

100% and a red dot? That student needs some reassurance!

0% and a green dot? Yeah, that student needs a chat...

We also do it on our reading centers to-do lists so I can have a quick look at the students week on Friday.

                   See that "Dot" column? ^

I have found that it truly makes the students stop and think. I was worried they would always use green, but they actually wanted to be honest. They weren't embarrassed by putting red dots because we had a discussion on how we are all good at different things. We talked about how it helps us to be better learners. These dots have lead to some empowering conversations for my little darlings and some meaningful teaching for me.

So, thank you Mr. Marzano. (I guess...)  =)



 
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D is for David's New Friends

Wow! I've gotten quite a few new followers thanks to Mrs. Simpson's Fabulous 15 Giveaway. Welcome to all of you!

For those of you who don't know, we use Florida Treasures at my school and I have made centers for Unit 3, Week 5 to Unit 6, Week 5. Click {HERE} to read the post on how I run my centers during our mandatory 90 minute Reading Block.

During the summer, I'm going to start at the beginning and make centers for each story. I just finished Unit 1, Week 1 David's New Friends. (I'm currently loving Miss Law's cute fonts.)

I've also been asked to explain how I'd use the centers each week. I think that some/most of the activities can be used in classes that don't use Treasures. If you can hang on to the end of these centers posts, I will include a freebie from the unit.

Click picture to go to Teachers Pay Teachers.

Each unit also comes with a student To-do list, teacher planner list, and center menu to display on your board.

Here are some activities:

Poetry - using Just 4 Teachers Poetry Pack

Social Studies

Science - use nonfiction texts about baby animals

Grammar Sort

Word Work (2 sort versions)

Vocabulary

Writing (planning page)

Reading - use with any fiction books in your library

 Here's a freebie of the Reading center:

 Book Look

I hope you find some of these things useful. =)

 
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V is for Vistaprint

Hi. My name is Emily and I am STILL a Vistaprint addict. And I don't care! The Independence Day Sale was too good to pass up.

Click for the deals!

So here is what I got:

Oh and...

All for $26.69! Wooohooooo! It probably would have cost me that much in ink to print these things myself.

This is how I am going to use them:

I give these out at Open House for students to put on their refrigerators at home.

These will go on the first few spelling quizzes of the year. They will be a big hit.

This is for Whole Brain Teaching's Scoreboard. It will stick to my whiteboard. Click for details.

Love this resource from Zeke's Zoo. Click to get yours!

I used these Pig Math cards last year and they were a hit. Don't worry...this year I didn't mess up and double the sprinkles...I changed it even though the kids didn't care a bit. =)

And this binder cover is for a new endeavor. Do you use data binders in your classroom? I'd love to hear how they are set up/used. If you'd like this, leave a comment with your email address and I'll be glad to share with you.

Border from The 3AM Teacher

Font from First Grade a la Carte

So now I just have to order Star Cards, Bucket Filler slips, more pens, tote bags...

I wish Vistaprint paid me to advertise!

 

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S is for Stirring Up Memories Centers

Center Resources for Stirring Up Memories are now on TPT. Click the picture to see.

Here is an Articles freebie that is included in this packet.

Appetizing Articles

And Ginger Snaps Clip Art is having an awesome giveaway!

Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate it!


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M is for Mice and Beans Centers

Spring break is half over! Ahhh! It's okay, I guess. I've been trying to relax.

I did crank out another week of centers. Click the picture to get the Mice and Beans center resources. I just love that story!

Here's a freebie from the unit.

WhatsInsideAdj

I'm off to shop for my Easter baking! Happy Thursday!


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T is for Top Ten {Freebie}

My darlings love making lists.

They also help me find the lists that I've lost around my classroom, but that's normal right?

They are going to be so excited when they see that I've created a specific list for them to make each week.

These Top Ten lists go with the 2nd Grade Treasures series, but can be used in any classroom.

Click the picture to get yours for free! Let me know what your darlings think if you use them.

Have a happy Monday! I'm going to try to do at least one thing on my Spring Break to-do list. It is much longer than ten.

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M is for Moon

The Moon center resources are now available. Click the picture.

Also, there is still time to enter my HOPE giveaway!

Have a great Thursday! Two more days until my Spring Break.



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