When I Was in 1st Grade....

Second Grade Sparkle is having a fun linky party and I've decided to join up.  To join the party I'm sharing a picture of myself when I was in the grade I teach now and a current picture of myself.  

Here I am in my 1st grade school picture.  My 1st grade teacher still teaches first at the same elementary school :)

Here I am last summer on vacation.  Now you know my hair isn't naturally this light! hehe

Want to join in on the fun? Here are the rules:

1. Post a picture (or two!) of you from when you were in the grade you teach (or around there).
2. Post a picture of you now! :)
3. Be nice and visit others to comment.
Have fun!!

Click on the picture below to head over to Second Grade Sparkle and get started!

Long A a_e & SALES!!!

With a few extra days off I had a chance to finish up my Long A unit.  It focuses on the a_e pattern for Long A.  I may do another unit with other spelling patterns for Long A in the future, but next week we are just teaching a_e so I focused on that.  I went with a baking theme and looking at all those graphics gave me a sweet tooth!  It has more activities than the other recent units I've done - I was feeling extra inspired :)  Here is what looks like:

For more info on what's included head over to my Tpt store or TN shop!

While you're there download my latest Christmas FREEBIE ~ Elf Hat!

Thank you Ashley for the ADORABLE button!!!

SALE TIME :)

As you've probably heard, many Tpt stores are participating in a Cyber Monday + Tuesday sale.  I am too! So if you are interested in the above unit, or any others, you can grab it at a discounted price Monday and Tuesday.  Don't forget to enter the code: cmt12 at checkout to receive 28% off products in my store. 

Tpt isn't the only one having a sale.  Teachers Notebook is having a sale RIGHT NOW, no waiting until Monday!  Their sale started Saturday and ends Monday at midnight.  Many shops are participating, me too!

Click on the links below to grab the deals!

My store on TPT

My shop on TN

Happy Shopping :)

Elf Hat ~ FREEBIE!

I hope everyone has had a nice Thanksgiving holiday and you are enjoying a few extra days off.  I had Thanksgiving dinner at my parents' house and it was great to see the family.  My pecan pies were a hit and I have been voted the official pecan pie maker in the family.  Taking over pecan pies are BIG shoes to fill.  My grandma has always made them, but at 95 she was happy to pass on the recipe and just enjoy them.

Now it's time to start thinking about Christmas!  I was looking through my Christmas files on Tuesday and came across the elf hat template I made when I was teaching kindergarten.  I really don't think the picture does it justice, the students look SO CUTE in these hats!  So, I had to share with you.  Click on the links below to get your FREEBIE!

On TPT click HERE

On TN click HERE

*UPDATE- I have linked up this post with Fabulicious Freebies on the First.  Click on the link below to head over to Freebielicious and grab more fun freebies!

Mr. Turkey

We have been having a lot of fun with all of our November activities.  It's amazing to me how many times students will sing a song and not get tired of it :).  One of the songs I enjoy teaching them in November is called "Mr. Turkey". It's simple and fun, check the poster I made below.

 Hand Movements:

"Big and fat" - hold arms out in a circle in front of you

"I am going to eat you" - pretend to be putting food in your mouth

"Just like that" - "Just" right hand out palm up, "like" left hand out palm up, "that" clap hands together

Along with some fun turkey songs, we made some fact family turkeys.  These fact family turkeys came from Erica Bohrer's unit Thanksgiving Art, Literacy, and Math Activities.  This is a great unit with many fun activities for November. 

 For the turkey eyes I used some self adhesive googly eyes I found at the Target Dollar Spot in August.  Now I'm asking myself 'WHY did I not buy more of these?!?!'  You know how students can't resist touching a googly eye that has not completely dried....well you don't have to worry about that with the self adhesive!  The eyes won't move once put on, so now I'm on the look out for more!  

This week is a two day work week for us and then a few days off for Thanksgiving vacation - yay!!!  I wish everyone a wonderful time with family and friends this Thanksgiving.  

  

 

3 Books for the Halloween Book Linky Party!

I always love a good book, so I was very excited to join this great linky party!  I have a few Halloween book favorites I'd love to share with everyone.

This story is soooo cute!  It's about a witch who runs into a few problems because everything she owns, including her cat - is black.  She tries some witch style problem solving that doesn't go the way she expects, but it does have a happy ending.  I've been reading this book for years to my students and I always look forward to reading it again!

This isn't  really a Halloween book but I read it every October. Good ole lovable Grover doesn't disappoint.  The students think the book is hilarious, especially when you ham it up!  Throughout the book Grover doesn't want you to turn the pages because he's afraid of the monster at the end.  The students get really into it and BEG me to turn the pages - hehehe.  Highly recommended!!!

Another book about monsters :)  This is a book I found about two years ago.  The "perfect" little monster does everything a good monster does - terrible messes, scowling faces, etc.  At the end he does something so horrible he scares his entire monster family - all to the delight of the students.  The ending is what makes this book a must read.  

So if you happen across these books be sure to check them out.  They would be a great addition to your Halloween book collection.  If you'd like to join this linky, or see other books suggested click on the link below to head over to First Grade Found Me and visit the other blogs who have joined this linky.

October Ten Frames ~ FREEBIE

I know I should be working on other things....but I'm having so much fun with October things I put together this freebie to share with you.  In math we have been using a lot of ten frames.  I find that if you spice things up even a little bit with something fun (like graphics the kids will love) they have a spiked interest in doing it.  And want to do it over and over again :)  So friends, head on over to my Tpt store for your free download! Please don't forget to leave feedback after your download ~ happy thoughts make my day :)

Click on the picture to get this FREE download!

Double Final Consonants

This last week we had fun learning about double final consonants. Here are a few pics:

This is a color by the code for double final consonants.

Aaaaand a word sort.

Here is a kiddo working on a read/write the room activity.  I ran out of printer ink last weekend - booooo, so I had to print the word cards in black and white.  I know it's not a big deal but I like my room to be happy and colorful!  Just waiting for my ink recycling rewards so I can cash them in for more ink.

If you'd like to get a better look at this Double Final Consonants Activity Pack you can view it on Tpt HERE.