Reading Center Freebie!!!

After a Literacy First PD on Monday, I decided to change up what my student's do when they go to the reading center. Right now they buddy read a preselected story and fill out a budding reading log. When finished, they are allowed to look and read a book of their choice. I have been wanting something  a little more higher order and differentiated for them to do. At our PD we had a great discussion about differentiation and we shared our ideas. So searching around for different levels of HOTS questions combined with out PD share session, this is what I came up with. I just wish I could remember what teacher shared this idea!! These reading task cards are leveled, orange being the lowest and blue being the highest. Click here if you would like a copy. They will also be in our TPT store.

Tag We're It...

The question was asked "Did you like playing tag as a kid?" I am going to answer NO!!! for Mary and myself. It was never any fun standing there "frozen" because no one would come and "unfreeze" you because you were not a challenge.

Delighted over at First Grade Delight tagged us in this game. Here are the rules:
Step 1: Rules
1. You must post the rules.
2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger ser for you in thier post, and then create 12 new questions for the people tagged.
4. Tag 12 people and link then in your post.
5. Let them know  you've tagged them.

Step 2" Twelve Fun Facts About Me
1. I stood my husband up on our first date ( I was a bit nervous)!! Barbara
2. I became a National Board Certified teacher last year,what a challenge! Mary
3. I am my schools nominee for the Excel Teacher of  Year for the district. Barbara
4. I spent time in Brazil on a teaching mission trip. I can't wait to go back. Mary
5. My leadership project this year has been getting my team on the right track for PLC's. I am going to St. Louis this summer with some other teachers from my school to learn more about PLC's and how to utilize meetings in the best way. Barbara
6. I created a literacy program for my school. Mary
7. I am not organized, well I am in my own way! Barbara
8. I am very organized, so why did I decide to blog with my sister ! :) Mary
9. I have been remodeling my house for about a year now and I am still not done. Must be that orgaizational thing mentioned above. Barbara
10. I have three children 2 boys and 1 girl, in that order. Mary
11. I also have three children 2 boys and 1 girl, in that order. Barbara
12 Most Importantly We Are Best Friends!!!!

Step 3: Answering the Questions

1. Do you have to sign in and out when you arrive and leave school? (including if you leave for lunch?) We have to sign in in the morning only and we are not allowed to leave for lunch, district policy.
2. What is your favorite snack? Chips, any kind.
3. What time do you usually get to work? We have to be at work by 7:10, I get there around 6:35, Mary lives across the street from her school so she get there around 6:50.
4. What is your dream vacation? Mary and I both want to go to Italy! When we make it big on TPT that's were we are going!! :)
5. Who is your favorite actor/actress? Shemar Moore, he plays Derick Morgan on Criminal Minds.
6. Have you ever had a bad habit that you have now overcome? No, all bad habits firmly in place. :(
7. Is there a smell that you can't tolerate? I would say strong flowery smells. They give us headaches.
8. Do you have a favorite sports team? I am a University of Kentucky fan and Mary is a University of Louisville fan.
9. What is your favorite type of music? I like country the best and Mary likes hip hop.
10. What annoys you more than anything? People that are always late! Do they not think our time is just as valuable as thiers?
11. What is your favorite children's book? We don't really have a favorite book, there are so many great authors out there.
12. How long have you been teaching? I have been teaching for 8 years and Mary has been teaching for 15
years.

Step 4: Passing Along the Tag.. With Your 12 Questions

1. What is your favorite subject to teach?
2. How many hours do you spend on teaching related items?
3. Are you married? If so how long have you been married?
4. What is your favorite past time?
5. What is your favorite thing to drink?
6. How did you find out about the blog world?
7. Do you have a school dress code for teachers and or students?
8. What is your favorite things about your job?
9. What is your favorite tv show?
10. What kind of car do you drive?
11. How long do you stay after work?
12. What dinner time meal is your families favorite?

Tag You're it!!


Pencils, Glue and Tying Shoes


Life in First Grade

Teaching in Cute Shoes

Doodle Bugs Teaching

Precious Perks

The Bubbly Blonde

Stepping Into First Grade

Lory's Page

The Lemonade Stand

What the The Teacher Wants!
First Grade Teaching

Mistake on Freebie Fixed!

I know,  I know, you are not suppose to post more then one time  a day. Someone just posted a comment and let me know that my  So Stinkin Cute Addition game was not printable. I guess I forgot to change that when I was adding the securities. Anyway it is fixed on here and I am headed over to TPT to fix it as well.
It is under the post Presidents Unit Almost Done and an Math Freebie. Sorry for the inconvenience

President's Unit On TPT and a Math Freebie

So hard to believe January is almost over and that President's Day is quickly approaching. Our latest creation, a literacy based unit on Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, is now on TPT. This unit will take about five days to teach and was built around the national reading standards. We are currently working on a unit on American Symbols that can be incorporated into this unit. We have also posted a math freebie, subtraction math review! Click the URL at the bottom to download the freebie, however, it will be on TPT as well. Enjoy your weekend!

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_rA_RSZDbdOMGQ1MmM3MjItNzA3MC00Y2Q4LWFiZjgtOGRmMzlkNTk3ZjM2

The Winner is ......

Congratulations to Delighted from First Grade Delight and Gladys from Teaching in Highheels!!  We were only going to choose one winner but # 1 I couldn't figure out how to get the random generator on my blog it kept giving me a new number everytime I tried to reupload it!! So I didn't think it was fair :)  # 2 They were the only ones that commented that they follow our blog and TPT store. So ladies please e-mail me with your email address and I will get  your unit  to you.  If anyone eles is interested we will have it on our TPT store this weekend along with some more freebies so please check back. Have a great end to the week.

New design on the way and a freebie

We are soooooo excited !! We just got an e-mail from Jenn at Dream Team Designs and she is about ready to upload our new blog design!! She had done a fabulous job, so if you are wanting a new look I highly reccommend her!! We are almost at 25 followers but to be eligable for the giveaway you have to follow our blog and TPT store. Here is a freebie that Mary used last week with her 2nd graders.  She said her kids really  did well with it. Click the URL below the picture if you are interested.
Have a great week,
Barbara and Mary

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_rA_RSZDbdONjYwOTBhNzctNjExZS00NzY3LThlNWQtOThhYjgyMTMzYzAx



Presidents Unit Almost Done and a Math Freebie

Mary and I have been working on our Presidents Unit and its almost done!!  We are hoping to have it posted by next Saturday. I have also been trying to get my math stations ready for next month, February will be here before you know it. I made a addtion center (adding 3 numbers). My kiddo's are getting really good at this. Click the URL at the bottom of the page if you interested. Also, you can get it at my TPT store.
I hope you have a fantastic week,
Barbara

 https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_rA_RSZDbdOYjU3ZTE5NzctN2Q1Yi00MDRlLWI1ZjUtNTgzMWFiODJkNzdl



Lastest News and a Giveaway!!

We are so excited to being getting close to the 25 followers' mark!! As a way to say thank you, when we reach 25 followers we will giveaway  one Presidents Day unit. This includes a one week literacy based unit on George Washington and Abraham Linclon. This unit is  aligned to National Reading Standards for first and second grade. Not only does this unit include the activities but also a lesson plan for each activity.  All  you have to do is comment below telling us that you are a follower of our blog and our TPT store. We will randomly draw  and post the winners name the day after we have reached our 25th follower.
Barbara and Mary

New item on TPT

It has been a long week for just a 4 day week and only being Wednesday!! It is only 7:00 and I think I am going to go crawl up in bed and call it a night!!  I was trying to work on a money center for next month but can't seem to find money clip art that would be ok to use for freebies or sale.Because I am so tired I stopped looking so--- can anyone point me in the right direction? Also, I have just upload a new item to my TPT store. Its matching "S" blends with pictures. If you are interested click my TPT button at the top of my page.

Thanks for stopping by

Would you like a Free Math Unit?

Good Evening,

I have just finished up a small (mini) math unit that I am thinking about putting on TPT for sale . Before I do, I am looking for fellow teachers to take a look and it and give me "Hot and Cold" feedback. I will send the math unit to the  first 5 people that leave me a comment .  Just leave me your email address and I will send the unit to you for free. Some thngs that I am wanting to know is: how useful are the activities, are they  kid friendly ( can the students  understand them easily, are they eye appealing, and engaging), are the recording sheets easily to follow ect...?

Enjoy your evening and thanks for your help!
Barbara

TPT Is Now Open With Freebies!!

Happy Monday!

Mary and I have just opened our TPT account. We have not figured out how to link our documents on the blog to the store yet! So you can get them without going to TPT. Although, we would love for  you to click the TPT button at the top of our page and follow us. We will be adding new activities frequently.

Here is an antonym activity that we will be posting on TPT today.

Click the link below

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_rA_RSZDbdOYmZkZjkyMDYtNmQ0MS00YmExLTkxMDEtMzc1N2JiNzIzMzNk

Something New Every Day and a Freebie!!!

I am learning something new everyday about blogging, adding gadgets, PDF securities, photos's ect. I still need to figure out how to upload a picture of my activity and have that take my followers and visitors to google doc.  I have learned this weekend my first bloggers rule:  Rule #1-Don't start a blog until you are able to work a computer!!! :)

I accidently changed my blog layout (its a good thing, I do like it much better). Though I was waiting for Jenn Bates at Dream Team Designs to finish the REAL one!!

Anyway, on to the freebie. I bought Debbie Dillers Math Station book this summer. My kiddos love math stations and I love teaching math in smaller groups. So here is a "Time" activity that I am going to use next month. Don't laugh at the title-I am not very creative when comes to coming up with all those cute names of units and activities that many of you come up with.  It matches the Common Core Standard for first and second grade. Click the URL at the bottom of the page to get it.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_rA_RSZDbdOMDk0YjUwNGEtYjllMC00MjlmLTg1ZTEtYmQ0NDBiMzIxNzNk

Enjoy your Sunday,

Barbara and Mary

A very chilly day in Kentucky and a freebie!!!

It is just down right COLD!!! Thought we might get a snow/ice day but the wind was so strong that it dried the ground and blew the snow off the road. Though we did have an hour delay, I was a bit disappointed ~~~ I'll be happy about that come May!! Anyway since it feels like Alaska (sure I am over exaggerating) I thought this would be a perfect freebie! Enjoy your Friday night, I am on my way out for a girls night out!! 

 BTW I am not sure why my pictures are not showing up -I am saving them as PNG files and then copying. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!

Click the link to download: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_rA_RSZDbdOYmMyNjA5NzctNWJhMy00MDlmLTk3NTAtZTQ2MmQ1YjM4ZTU5

Another vowel digraph freebie

Stayed at home again today, I was running a fever. It broke around lunch time so I was able to create another freebie for you! How are you bloggers so creative!! So please enjoy and leave me a comment and let me know if the activity is useful. Have a great night.
Barbara

Following this link: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_rA_RSZDbdOOTg2YTcxOGYtNWRhZS00NDcyLTk4YTItODg1OWNmOWNmMjYz 

Synonym Games with Common Core Standards

Happy tuesday!  Here is an activitiy my kids did today with the sub!! They loved it, We are working on CCSS 1.1.5d distinguishing shades of meaning among verbs ect.. I kinda take that  as synonyms- sometimes the standards seem so vague!! Any how, each student was given a verb and they had to walk around and find a partner that had a word that meant the same as their word. Then they had to act  out their word. When everyone was finished they switched words with someone in the class and did it again. They loved, loved, loved this!!! I have a really active class this year so we have to do lots of moving!! Also, my sister Mary made a synonym game that she is using for litercy centers. It  matches the CCSS L.2.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases.

Here is the link of Pick a Partner:   https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_rA_RSZDbdOY2M0NmVjYWQtNmY3MC00Y2M0LWJiMzctODkxYjVjYmJjNTJj
 
 Here is the Llink for SillySynonyms Game:  https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_rA_RSZDbdOOGZlY2JjM2MtMDM5OC00NTgwLTgwMGEtODRmYjgzYzVjNzZj


Barbara

Updated Penguin Subtraction and another Freebie

Good evening bloggers! I am going to make this short and sweet  I HAVE STREP THROAT!!! I just got back from the doctor,but wanted to get my latest creations posted before I head off to bed. Actually my sister (by blogging partner, more on that later) took the Penguin Subtraction and added some higher digit numbers for her second graders.thanks Mary!! I can use these as well for my advanced first graders. Also, I have added a vowel digraph sort for ee and ea. I guess I am over excited about my new passion!! A bloggee (If that what you call it :). I only know how to load my documents by the URL sorry. I am going to look at the blog tutorials at Ladybug Teaching Files just not tonight. So enjoy the freebies and your night. Please let me know if I can improve on anything or anything else you would like to see.

This one should be for the 2nd Grade Penguin Subtraction

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_rA_RSZDbdOYjQwMWMwYzktMzNjNS00ODhlLTg3ZjUtYzk5OGY5MTY2ZDgw

This one for the vowel digraph sort

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_rA_RSZDbdOYjE5YzhjZGEtOTRlZS00MGYxLWJkY2QtMGE5OTQ2NWYwODhm


Barbara

Math Station Freebie

Happy Sunday everyone!! I wanted to share a math station that I am going to use next week. I am just learning how to create activities so please bare with me!! I have not figured out how to post a picture of the activities for you to click on to take you to the download. If anyone knows how please e-mail me. If you download this and use it please let me know how it works. If you have any suggestions on how to improve it I am interested too!! Thanks for stopping by.

                                                          https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B_rA_RSZDbdOMjM0YmEyMmUtNjA5YS00NjBiLTk1MDEtM2UzZTlhNzg1NDM3

MLK FREEBIE

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B_rA_RSZDbdOOTQ4Yjk2MTctMjFhZi00ZDBjLWE3MGQtMjZhYTBlNjM0NWMz&hl=en_US

MLK FREEBIE

With as many lessons and activities that I have downloaded from other  bloggers, here is my first attempt to give back to the blogging community. Here are two lessons that can be used with just about any Martin Luther King picture book. They are differientated and have National Standards attached for both first and second grade. If you use either lesson, feedback would be greatly appreicated!

Testing

Trying to set up my blog again