Back to School 2022

 Summer is Flying By!

I hope you've had time to rest and recharge this summer, but we all know how it goes. As July progresses, our thoughts start to turn to back to school.
Some of you, our Southern Hemisphere friends, are about halfway through your school year. Some of you may be gearing up to go back in the next few weeks. And some of you, myself included, are looking at a late August, early Septemer return.

No matter where you are in your school year, July typically brings a lot of sales on quality teacher resources. Right now, there's a #ChristmasinJuly22 sale going on. It will last a week, and every two days the deal changes. It starts with $1 deals today and tomorrow.

click here to see the over 1,000 resources!

click here to see the three resources I'm including.

But wait! There's more!

The annual Summer Sale is back and better than ever! We've got some amazing deals for you!
Over the next two weeks, you'll be able to pick up teaching resources for 50% off, $2, and just $1!
We're also giving away two $275 TpT gift cards each week!
To stay up to date on this sale, we're inviting you to join our Facebook page, Teacher Deals and Giveaways. These deals will start tomorrow. We will have 50% off deals, $2 deals, $1 deals, and giveaways and freebies weekly!

Join Teacher Deals and Giveaways

A Freebie for You!

Wherever you are in your school year or back-to-school mindset, I hope you find some great resources over the next few weeks to help make it the best year ever! Here's a little something I use every year at our Blessings of the Backpacks, which is usually the Sunday before school starts. After Mass, the school is opened up and the children and parents come in to drop off supplies and say hello to me. It's such a joyous event greeting previous years, families and meeting this year's families that we don't mind giving up a few hours on a Sunday to come in.

I always put this little greeting card and treat on the desk for the children. It's a great way to break the ice and welcome them back to school. Feel free to click picture and download your free copy!

Until next time...

In Defense of Morning Work

Funny how the educational pendulum swings, isn't it?  Years ago, I started my kindergarten mornings with what I called free choice time.  Students were able to come into the classroom and coose an activity that helped them ease their way into the day.

                          

Fast forward to a few years ago, and morning work, or bell ringers, were all the rage.  Students came in, got settled, and jumped right into work, reviewing and practicing previously taught skills.

Now, it's all about morning tubs.  Essentially free choice time again, but in a more controlled manner.  Instead of building with big blocks or building puzzles or choosing to free draw or free playing with smaller blocks and cars or legos, students can choose a tub that interests them and explore the materials in the tub.

                                                                               

Are you a morning work person or a morning tub person?  Does it have to be either / or?

Is it possible to be an "and," as in I'm a morning tub AND a morning work person?

Why yes, it is!

Here's how I schedule it:

7:30 -7:55  Morning Tubs

7:55-8:05  Morning Prayers and Announcements

8:05-8:20  Morning Work

I created my morning work to go with reading series I used at the time, which was the Journey's reading series.  Since then, our reading series has changed to Wonders, but the skills, although presented in a slightly different order, are still the same.  So my same morning work still supports my reading series.  Sometimes it's a review, sometimes it's an introduction, and sometimes it's a practice of skill we've covered.  It includes a sentence fix up section, a phonics fix up section, a math section, and basic facts practice section, and a writing section.  I really feel like practicing these skills every day helps my children master them.

                                                                                                                                                            
We begin by completing the sections together for the first few weeks we use them to provide scaffolding in how to complete the work.  Slowly, I pull back on the support.  For the next few months, I will put the sentence correction on the SMARTboard for the students to copy, and I provide a framework to answer the journal prompt on the SMARTboard.

By the beginning of the second semester, I am only providing them clues as to what needs corrected in the sentences by using proofreading marks in red and giving them the introductory sentence to the journal prompt.  At first, they have to write one more sentence.  Then two more sentences.  Then two sentences and conclusion by the end of the year.

This provides me with valuable time because as the children are completing their work independently, I pull a few kids back to me for progress monitoring.

Most importantly, we check the morning work together.  I feel that this is so important for learning.  If I check them and hand them back, the children look at the corrected work, but what does it really mean to them?  But if they have to make corrections as they check their own work, that helps them understand their mistakes!
                             

You can find a free sample of my morning work booklet by clicking the picture below.

Click the picture for a free sample of Morning Work Week 1

So don't give up on this valuable learning tool. Make it intentional to support the learning objectives in your classroom. Find ways to incorporate it into your learning day. Maybe as homework.  Maybe as seatwork during small group time.  Or maybe, like me, as part of your morning routine.

Getting Ready for Battle

 I saw this today, and it made me wonder what you would be fighting with.

I would be fighting with a digital food scale, a laptop riser, and fruit bubbles to make bubble tea.  

It's been nice knowing you all.

One thing I won't have to fight this school year is being prepared no matter what the school year throws my way.  In person?  No problem.  Online?  No sweat.  Last year taught us a lot about how to teach no matter the circumstances, didn't it?

I spent a lot of time last year creating digital resources, like this one, that are quick and easy to assign in a digital environment.  

Click picture for a closer look and to download.

I also have plenty of PDF resources that I can use in the classroom.

Click the picture above to see more and to download!

So what are you going to be fighting your war with this year?

Classroom Decor - Llama and Succulent Room Theme Freebie

Moving to a new classroom often means choosing a new theme.   Since I am moving to a new classroom this year, I have been busy creating my new classroom decor llamas and succulents theme.  I almost -- ALMOST -- can't wait to get back into the building to set up and decorate my new classroom with this adorable room theme.

   

 This forever free resource includes editable label in both rectangle and circle shapes.  To edit them, all you have to do is open the PowerPoint file.  Then type in whatever label you need. You can also make more labels.  Right click on slide view in the PowerPoint view panel. Then click on "duplicate slide." In that way, you can create as many copies as you need to have enough labels!

I've used them to label my storage baskets for various classroom supplies.  I also plan on using the circle labels in my classroom library.

 I love the soft watercolors of this freebie.  As I've coordinated the various parts of this set, I've used many of the shades for accent colors.  I think it will make my classroom relaxing and peaceful.

There is a complete line of classroom decor llamas and succulents available.  You can see them by clicking on the picture below.

 But even if you don't want the complete set, I'm sure you'll find many uses for this freebie.

 Click on the big picture near the top of the post, or you can click here to download this forever freebie!  Enjoy what's left of your summer!

Mega Gift Card Giveaway!

click the picture to visit the #schoolsavings sale.

*** BACK TO SCHOOL MEGA GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY ***

Fancy winning some extra spending money to help you purchase everything you need for your 2017-18 classroom? Myself and a team of amazing teachers have grouped together to gift THREE awesome teachers TPT gift cards. 

PRIZES INCLUDE 1 x $200 TPT Giftcard. 1 x $200 Amazon Giftcard, 1 x $25 Starbucks Giftcard, and 1 x $15 Starbucks Giftcard!

#1 TAG your teacher friends by adding their names in the comment section
#2 SHARE THIS POST
#3 ENTER HERE: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b4951b8521/?

REMEMBER: each entry counts as ONE entry, the more links you complete, the higher your chances of winning!!

Raffle CLOSES: Saturday 21st July 2017 12am

Also, SECRET SECRET HASHTAG SALE for two days only! Search #schoolsavings in the Teachers Pay Teachers search bar to find products 1/2 OFF! (14th-16th)

GOOD LUCK!!!

I've got two great bundles in the hashtag sale at 50% off!  If you use the Journeys series, you're going to want to check out my supplemental workbooks that provide extra skills practice.  Here's a video over of the whole series.

You can find the resources by clicking on the cover below.

The second bundle I'm offering at 50% off is my reading level and placement resource. Check it out by clicking on the cover below.

Good luck and happy shopping!!

The End of Summer

The days are getting imperceptibly shorter.  Nights are getting slightly cooler, enough that the air doesn't kick on at night, and I can sleep with my window open again. Through my open window, I hear the steady cacophony of sound that foretells the end of summer. The crickets are serenading me full force at night. It is a bittersweet time of the year.  Long, hot, lazy days spent at the poolside, floating on my special raft and having the LUXURY of reading for pleasure without falling asleep 2 pages into my reading, cookouts, fires, and camping days are coming to an end.  That makes me sad. And yet . . . there's a certain excitement.  My class list and schedule have arrived in the mail.  My thoughts turn to name tags and desk tags, and classroom decorations.  I'm starting to feel antsy to get back into the classroom, get it organized, meet the new group, and get this party started!

If you're feeling anxious to get the party started (or your party already started), then you will want to be sure to check out the last Oceans of Steals and Deals this week.  Here's a listing of what's coming up.

So it's Monday, and you know what they means?  #ManicMonday!  

I will be offering my fabulous back-to-school resource, All About Me, for only $1.00. Check out this video highlighting the resource and the ways I use it in my classroom during the first week of school to get to know my students better.

                                       

Click here to visit shoppracticemakesperfect.org 

For my second item, you can get these colorful Rainbow Theme room decor, 2D and 3D shapes posters.  They will mesh with most existing room decors, or buy the complete bundle and make your room bright and colorful!

Be sure to check back on Tuesday to see what my 2 for Tuesday deals will be.  I think you're going to like them!

Click on the pictures below to see the other great #ManicMonday deals being offered.

Have a great day!

An InLinkz Link-up

Only 171 More Days Until Christmas!

Did you know there's only 171 (or so) more days until Christmas!!??!!  That's less than half a year.

CHRISTMAS FREEBIE FOR 

PRACTICING ADDITION AND SUBTRACTION STRATEGIES

It’s never too late to think about Christmas activities!  Here’s a cute FREE math GAME for the children to play in those hectic weeks before Christmas break.  It's a great review because not only do children have to solve the addition problems, they need to identify the strategy they used to solve the problem.  It makes a great formative assessment to judge children's understanding of addition strategies!

Click here to download Christmas Scoot

While you are visiting my store, be sure to check out my back to school activities.  One of the favorite activities I do with my firsties during the first week of school is my Read All About Me activity.  It's great to display on the walls for open house!  It also gives you the opportunity to learn a little bit about your firsties, and it covers skills in both math and language arts to make integration easy.  Since we always start school on a Wednesday, I pair the activity  with a book I inherited in my classroom called "All About Me," and it makes for a nice, integrated block of math and language arts before we jump into the curriculum during our first full week of school.

                     

Click here to see my Back to school resources

I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer!  May the hot, sunny days go slowly for you!!

What?? An iPad Air 2 Giveaway? Sign me up!!!!

Back to School Giveaway

As sad as I am to see summer coming to an end, I can't help but feel a little bit 
excited about the upcoming school year.  While it is hard and exhausting getting 
back into the groove, I do love meeting my new kiddos and getting to know a 
whole new group of children and parents.  This year we have a new principal after
17 years with the old one.  I'm a little nervous about the changes that I know will 
be coming, but I'm also excited about  the new ideas he will probably bring with
him.  This year, everything is up in the air.  Will our schedules be different?  Will we
still be doing X, Y, Z that we have done every year?  

To help you get back into the excitement of back to school, the teachers of the 
iTeach blog are giving away the fabulous prize pictured above.  It would be an 
awesome asset to any classroom!

                            

HOW TO ENTER

To enter, click on the picture above to go to the iTeach 1st blog, and fill out the
rafflecopter entry form at the end of the  post and leave a comment telling 
us why you want to win, or how you would use the iPad in your classroom. 
(I only made that big and bold because I usually don't read closely enough and 
wind up missing that step.) We are accepting entries from Sunday 8/2 through 
Saturday 8/8. A random winner will be selected and announced here via the
Rafflecopter on Sunday 8/9. Best wishes on this new school year and may the odds
be in your favor for the giveaway!

Enjoy the rest of your summer (if you have any left) !

I'm done. What do I do now?

How many times have you heard that question?  It has been the bane of my existence in the classroom for going on 28 years now.  No matter how many times I tell the children what they can do when they finish their work, they just can't seem to do it.  I've seen these "fast finisher" boards and whatnot around for a while now, but when I look at them, they just seem to hard for first graders, especially at the beginning of the year.  Plus, a lot of them involve me checking work when it is finished, and I just don't want to make that extra work for myself.

Enter Dollar Tree.  Every few days I stop in and browse around just to see what they have.  Last time I stopped, I spotted these.

Those looked interesting.  And the little picture up in the corner got me thinking.  I bet I could make a fast finisher activity choice board to use with these.  So I got to work and came up with this.

I printed it out at 190% and carefully cut and lined up edges, glue pieces down, added some tape, and tried it out.

I love the way it works! I will make two more, laminate them, and use them on the side chalkboard every morning, spinning them to tell the kids each morning what they should do if they finish their work early.  I like the idea of switching it up a bit each day, but there will be lots of overlap of activities as well. 

I really hope this does away with the "I'm done.  What do I do now?" question!

If you'd like to print out the board, you can download it by clicking on the picture below.

Have a great weekend!

Rested and Relaxed

Hi everyone!  Can you believe it's already almost the 4th of July?  My June was a c-r-a-z-y whirlwind of fun.  The day after school ended, we headed to North Carolina to visit our son and daughter-in-law, who conveniently live very close to the shores of North Carolina.

Here they are at North Topsail Beach.  As you can see, the weather was gorgeous and hot, hot, hot and sunny while we were there.  For the first time ever, I had to get out of the sun because I just couldn't take it anymore.

We came home, and my daughter had a week of Camp Invention.  At the end of the week, we were off again to Ocean City, where my daughter and husband participated in the Fireman's Parade.

Again, we had great weather with wall-to-wall sunshine.

I caught this gorgeous sunset over the inlet from the top of the Ferris wheel on the boardwalk.  The red building, the Assateague House, is where we stayed.  I highly recommend it if you're looking for a place within walking distance of everything, but out of the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk.

It's a good thing we had all that sun and warmth at these two places because since we've been home, it's done nothing but RAIN.  Sunday our high temperature was 68 degrees!  We haven't been able to go in the pool since the end of May.  Surely hope this weather pattern turns around soon.

Anyway, now that I am rested and refreshed (because I literally did no work while we were gone), it's time to get back into the creation mode.  I'm linking up with Chalk One Up for the Teacher for her two for Tuesday sale.
                            
I've started working on a morning work series.  I know there are a ton of them out there, but none of the ones I tried weren't quite what I was looking for.  After much fiddling, I came up with a format that I really like, and I'm designing the activities to go along with our first grade math and language arts curriculum.

 I'm really pleased with it, and I would love for you to try it out and see what  you think.  I have made the first week of work available as a free download in my store.  You can find it by clicking on the picture above.

In addition, I finished the first 4 weeks, and it is currently available in my store for 50% off, only $1.75, for Two for Tuesday today only.

You can find this great deal by clicking on the cover above.

I've also revamped one of my earlier products that is perfect for back-to-school.
                                   

Here are some samples my daughter is working on finishing up for me. It includes a bulletin board header

The pieces to make a mini-me display, including a girl head, a boy head, or a blank head for your children to draw their own hair.  It also has the pieces to make the All About Me newspaper.

 It also comes with four follow-up worksheets, one that is a meet-your-classmates activity, and three math tallying, graphing, and data analysis activities.

I use it with my kiddos every year to make a hall display for the first open house of the year.  It's perfect because it incorporates math, writing, and social studies into the first few days of school before you jump into the meat of your subjects.  Depending on the grade you teach, you may have to walk your kiddos through the tallying and graphing activities, like I do, or older students will be able to do the activities independently.

I print the graph out at 185% to make a chart size graph, and we complete that together, with each child coloring a square in the appropriate birthday month. Then we go through the data analysis sheet together, with each child filling in the information on their individual sheets, and me filling it in projected onto the SMARTBoard.

This item is my second Two for Tuesday offering.  It is on sale for only $1.75 for today only. You can click on the cover of the resource to see it in my store.

I hope you are having a great summer as well, resting, relaxing, and starting to feel refreshed and recharged for the upcoming school year!

Be sure to check out what other stores are offering for Two for Tuesday! Click on the button below to visit Chalk One Up for the Teacher's blog and scroll to the bottom of the post.