ROCKIN RESOURCES - Linky!!!

Kelley over at the fabulous Teacher Idea Factory, is hosting her first linky party! It's all about sharing resources that we couldn't live without!
In random order, here are 5 things I couldn't live without!

1. Class Dojo

I love this!  If you would like to read more about Class Dojo check out my previous post! (you can find it under Find It Fast)
2. Number System
Ahhhh my beloved number system.  I know it's not really a resource, but it's a huge part of the happenings in my classroom.  I got the idea from a Rick Morris training.  I assign each student a number for the year. Instead of writing their name on everything I write their number.  I put it on glue, scissors, pencils, crayons, etc. I also use it on non-consumable things so I can use them year after year.
3. Highlighters

Simple yet AWESOME.  It's amazing what a little ole highlighter can do.  My favorite way to use them is with our weekly phonics readers.  I have students highlight the spelling phonics pattern we are learning for the week in the phonics readers. It helps students really focus their attention on the sound/spelling pattern.  Recently, I used them when introducing double digit addition and subtraction.  If students were having a hard time, I had them use a highlighter to draw a line dividing the tens and ones - worked like a charm.
4. Elmo

Long gone are the dinosaur days of overhead projectors.  Two years ago our district joined the 21st century and invested in some much needed technology - hooray!
5. Promethean Board (photo from Google Images - not my student or classroom)

I'm not sure how many districts out there are using interactive whiteboards, but along with the Elmos we got a few years ago our district got Promethean Boards.  I can't imagine teaching without it!  Our 1st grade team got together and made flipcharts for all of our language arts curriculum. The best thing is now that they are made I just have to open up a virtual folder.  No more trying to find where I put the pictures that go with a lesson, they are already there in the folder.

Don't forget to join the linky! Can't wait to see what you can't live without :)

Fireflies For Nathan - Open House

Here is one of the many projects we had out for display at our Open House.  Fireflies For Nathan is one of the stories in our anthology series.  Students drew a scene from the story with crayon and then painted over it with black water color.  Students copied the poem in their best handwriting(it was in our anthology book).  I have done this project for several years and always love the way they turn out! 

Last Days of School and Memorial Day Sale!

Wow, I can hardly believe this school year is almost over! Only 4 days left.  It is going to be a busy week.  I found out last week that I am going to be moving rooms for next year so I will be busy packing away my room along with all of the other end of year craziness.  Moving classrooms is always a pain(this will be move #4), but the upside to this move is that I will have a room with air conditioning!!! AND lots of wall space to hang all the new anchor charts I've been making.  This morning while drinking a not-so-delicious cup of coffee - all out of my sugar free hazelnut creamer = BOOOOO - I was pinning away ideas for classroom design and organization.  So many great ideas are out there and I'm glad I have the summer to plan. Until then, I'm going to enjoy the holiday weekend and the rest of the school year!

In honor of Memorial Day I'm having a 20% off sale in my Tpt store.  All items are on sale!!!

Have a great weekend!

Drive-In Movie~Project & Activities

I can't wait to do this project and activities with my students.  It is perfect for an end of the year celebration!  When I did this project last year, it was one of the best days of the entire year.  It was SO much fun for everyone!!!  Here are a few examples:

Click on a picture above to head over to my Tpt store and download a preview!

Teacher Appreciation Sale

Hi friends!  I am excited to tell you that I am going to be participating in the Tpt Teacher Appreciation sale by offering 20% off my store in addition to the 8% off code TAD12.  Mother's Day is next weekend, so don't forget to check out my Mother's Day unit - When I Am Old with You Mom.  Here are some examples of the book project that is included.  My students came up with the SWEETEST stories!!!

 

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