A Teacher's Touch

QuTh Smartboard Sort

2012-02-13T22:58:00.000-05:00


QuTh Smartboard Sort

Here's the first of several smartboard digraph sort activities.

Digraphs Literacy Workstations

2012-02-12T23:07:00.000-05:00

shch literacy workstation

quth literacy workstation

wh literacy workstation

response sheets

For several weeks I have uploaded digraph songs and videos. I designed workstations for each digraph. I designed them so that you can take any two or three to sort. There are also response sheets for all the digraphs. The clipart is from Microsoft Office. I hope you will find these useful, my kindergarteners have enjoyed them. I have the Lakeshore set of blends and digraphs, the pictures match those manipulatives. In case you don't have them, each set has picture cards. I have my students sort the manipulatives and then use the word cards to record two digraphs of their choice. I will be adding Smartboard activites soon.

Last but not Least ! The Wh Shake Up Pokey

2012-02-09T22:37:00.001-05:00

The wh video

The wh song

The wh song chart

I hope your children will enjoy singing the Shake Up Pokey songs as much as I've enjoyed recording them! But more importantly, I hope they are a big help in learning the digraphs.

QU The Shake Up Pokey

2012-02-05T21:38:00.000-05:00

Qu video

Qu song

Qu song chart

Here's the Qu Shake Up Pokey!

Dollar Tree Valentine Eraser Patterns Freebie

2012-02-04T10:04:00.000-05:00

Valentine Eraser Patterns

Here are your Dollar Tree Valentine eraser patterns. If you haven't made it to Dollar Tree, there are pattern pieces included. Thank you for all the positive comments and emails!

Ing: It's Great to Use when you're Writing!

2012-02-01T21:39:00.001-05:00

Ing video

Ing song

Ing song chart

Here's a little video that helps students remember "ing" when they're writing! I have refreshed each link, I received several emails saying the links didn't work. Hope they do now!!

February Smartboard Calendar

2012-01-30T21:48:00.000-05:00

February Smartboard Calendar

Wow, January has flown by! I just realized this morning that I had to get busy making the February calendar. Hope you will enjoy it!

CH The Shake up Pokey

2012-01-29T22:18:00.001-05:00


ch video ch song ch cards

Here's one more digraph song! I have a couple more that I will be sharing soon.
P.S. I added the sh song and sh cards to the sh post! Linda

TH!! The Shake Up Pokey

2012-01-22T21:50:00.001-05:00

"th" movie

"th" song

letters for the "th" song

Here's another little digraph movie teaching the "th" sound. I also made cards that you can laminate and use while singing the song. I am including the "th" sound song.

A Song for Teaching the "ap" Word Family

2012-01-19T22:05:00.000-05:00

I Can't Spell Hippopotamus

Song Chart

I use the old song "I Can't Spell Hippopotamus" to teach word families. Hope your kids will enjoy singing it and will learn some "ap" words as well. Please leave a comment with your thoughts and suggestions.

SH!! The Shake Up Pokey

2012-01-16T22:47:00.001-05:00


The Shake up Pokey SH song SH song cards

I am trying my hand at making short videos to teach digraphs. My children love to sing the songs, but I wanted a little more animation. If you like it or have any suggestions, please leave a comment.

Love to Joplin Linky Party

2012-01-14T12:36:00.000-05:00

Love to Joplin Linky Party

I read DeeDee Will's blog every day. When I saw the post about the need for teaching goodies in Joplin, MO I tried to think of something to do. I don't have a TPT store, so I tried to think of something I could do online for the teachers and children in Joplin. I went to Barnes and Noble and found that you can send an e gift card starting at 10.00. I sent an e card to Erica for the Kindergarten meeting they are having on Monday. To get all the information you need click on the Love to Joplin heart and it will take you to DeeDee's site.
Sending lots of love to all the children and teachers in Joplin, MO.

Winter Patterns Freebie

2012-01-12T23:43:00.000-05:00


Winter Patterns

In December I promised you more Dollar Tree eraser patterns with snowflakes, snowmen and polar bears. I almost forgot, but here they are. If you didn't get the erasers, I made patterning cards as well.

More Snowman Songs!

2012-01-07T23:59:00.000-05:00

Here are two more songs to add to your Snowman unit.

Five Little Snowmen song

Song Chart

Snowman song

Song Chart

Winter Listening Center Response Sheets

2012-01-05T23:01:00.004-05:00

Some of My Favorite Winter Books

Listening Workstation

Here are some winter listening response sheets I hope you can use in your classroom. Just click on the titles below each picture to download.


Froggy Gets Dressed

But No Elephants

The Missing Mitten Mystery

Snowman Freebies Galore!

2012-01-05T09:33:00.002-05:00

Just click on the caption under each picture to download the items in the Snowman Freebies Galore! packet that I posted on January 4th. I sent an email to each comment posted and I appreciate all the positive comments! Thank you again.

Linda

A Snowman Sort (powerpoint)


Snowman Sort (Smartboard)


Who's at School Today? (Smartboard)


Snowman Measurement (Smartboard)

Snowman Measurement (Powerpoint)

Snowman Measurement Response Sheet (Powerpoint and Smartboard)

Snowman Freebies Galore!

2012-01-04T08:55:00.004-05:00

If you would like a packet of Snowman freebies, just stop by A Teacher's Touch, become a follower and make a comment. If you are already a follower, leave a comment. Be sure to leave an email address so I can send you the packet. The packet includes a snowman measuring activity for smartboard and powerpoint, a listening response activity, an attendance activity , a sorting activity and more surprises. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.

Linda

Snowman Sudoku for Smartboard

2012-01-02T23:43:00.001-05:00

Snowman Sudoku

Here's another Smartboad activity you can use either whole group or as a Math workstation. I will use the three by three puzzle for a while, then I will move to a five by five puzzle. Look for more coming soon!

Smartboard Teen Number Generator 2

2012-01-02T23:22:00.000-05:00

Smartboard Teen Generator2

Here's the second Smartboard Teen Generator for the numbers 14-19.

Smartboard Teen Number Generator

2012-01-02T12:55:00.002-05:00

Teen Number Generator

We are still working on teen numbers. I've created a game (can be a math workstation or whole group) for generating teen numbers using dice. I used the image dice to keep the ten's number always coming up 1! I'll be back with the other teen numbers soon.

Rockin' with Five Little Snowmen song and song chart

2012-01-01T23:54:00.000-05:00

Five Little Snowmen

song chart

Enjoy rocking with Frosty and the Five Little Snowmen!

My Most Supportive Bloggy Friend

2012-01-01T22:37:00.005-05:00

Mrs. Coe from Little Miss Kindergarten is hosting a Linky Party: "My Most Supportive Bloggy Friend."

Mrs. Jump's Class

My most supportive blog buddy has to be Deanna Jump of Mrs. Jump's class. From the first email I sent her a couple of years ago, she has always been gracious and giving. Being a fellow Georgia teacher I appreciate all the wonderful ideas she shares with her readers. Her units are the best! Thank you Deanna for being everyone's supportive bloggy friend.

"It is Snowing" song and song chart

2012-01-01T01:04:00.001-05:00

It is Snowing song

song chart

Hope you and your students enjoy this song!

Snowflakes song and song chart

2011-12-29T22:36:00.001-05:00

Snowflakes song

Snowflakes song chart

I hope your students will enjoy singing Snowflakes, look for more songs and song charts coming soon!

January Smartboard Calendar

2011-12-28T17:52:00.002-05:00

January Smartboard Calendar

I am so excited to finally have a smartboard! I have been busy making activities for winter that I'll be posting soon. If you have any suggestions about the calendar, please post! I want to provide materials that are helpful to you. (If you would like the calendar in ppt, please leave a comment.) Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-18T11:02:00.001-05:00

Wishing all my blogging friends a joyous holiday season filled with love and light!

Hello Santa Song and Song Chart

2011-12-06T22:54:00.000-05:00

Hello Santa song chart

Hello Santa song

S-A-N-T-A Song and Chart Freebie

2011-12-04T20:40:00.000-05:00

S-A-N-T-A song chart
S-A-N-T-A song
Here's another song my children love to sing!

Let's All do The Reindeer Pokey

2011-12-02T23:43:00.002-05:00

The Reindeer Pokey

Let's all do the Reindeer Pokey and get in the Christmas spirit! This song came from the wonderful Can Teach site where I find lots of songs for "Bonita Bunny" to record. Click on the link for other Christmas songs.

Five Little Reindeer Song and Words Freebie

2011-12-02T22:42:00.001-05:00

Five Little Reindeer song chart
Five Little Reindeer song

If you read the post I am the Real Recording Artist you know that Bonita Bunny is the "voice" of the songs I post. I hope your children will enjoy singing Five Little Reindeer. I'd love to hear from you, I promise to let Bonita Bunny know! Be on the look out for more Christmas songs.

Christmas Patterns Freebie

2011-12-01T20:43:00.001-05:00

Christmas Patterns

Dollar Tree has two different Christmas erasers. I love the pack that has a polar bear, snowmen and snowflakes. I'll have erasers for January patterns!! You can download pattern strips using the Dollar tree erasers. If you didn't get any or can't find them, I made pattern pieces. Hope your kiddos will enjoy them. Just click on Christmas patterns to download.

December Smartboard Calendar

2011-11-30T22:22:00.000-05:00

I had many comments and emails wanting the Smartboard December calendar. I am afraid that someone might not get it so just click on the title to download your copy. Thanks to all for your interest in the calendars. Be on the lookout for the 2012 calendars!

December Smartboard Calendar

December Calendar

2011-11-29T22:57:00.000-05:00

December Calendar

Here's the December calendar. I've added some new features. If you like them let me know. Also, if you want the calendar in Smartboard, comment and add your email.

Comparing Gingerbread Man stories

2011-11-27T00:05:00.003-05:00

I have collected gingerbread stories for years. We spend a couple of weeks reading and comparing the many versions of the gingerbread man (or boy, girl, baby, stinky cheese man, pancake, matzoh ball boy.....) We compare settings, characters and refrains. If you take a look at my website you'll find ideas for activities we've done in the past. Click on the link to take you to my gingerbread man site: The Gingerbread Man at Linda's Learning Links. During Reader's Workshop, we'll complete several graphic organizers. Just click on the pictures below to download a character and setting comparison.

I chose these two books to compare settings because the setting of The Gingerbread Man by Richard Egielsky is in a town and the setting of The Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth is in the country.

The difference in the characters of these two stories is obvious. The fox is in both stories.

Gingerbread Man Websites

2011-11-23T12:03:00.001-05:00

I went on a search for gingerbread man websites to use in my classroom next week. I made a gingerbread man page and put in on my website Linda's Learning Links. Just click on this link:

Gingerbread Man Websites to find them. I put a shortcut to pages I create on my student's desktop computers. I hope you'll be able to use these.

More Gingerbread Freebies

2011-11-23T00:10:00.001-05:00

To celebrate finally getting my smartboard, I took the gingerbread measurement and sort activities that I sent in my Gingerbread Packet and made a smartboard activity to introduce the sorting and measurement workstations. Just click on the title to download.

Gingerbread Sort

Gingerbread Measurement

I am the Real Recording Artist

2011-11-22T22:20:00.003-05:00

I know this might come as a shock to readers of this blog, but Linda McCardle is not the singer of the songs she is posting on her blog. Oh no, it's me Bonita Bunny, aka Bun DMC aka Bonita Blues Bunny! While Linda McCardle is busy with Thanksgiving preparations I have taken over her blog to reveal the shocking truth! I toil in the recording studio (it's me,a (really cheap) microphone and a computer) while she makes me do take after take. She's planning on putting some Christmas songs on her blog this week. But, did she let me record any songs about Christmas bunnies? Oh no, they're all about elves and reindeer. I begged her to let me tell the true story of the gingergirl bunny, but she insists its the gingerbread man. So, now that you know the real story, try and have a happy Thanksgiving. Don't think about me working while every one is enjoying their time off. At least the boys and girls in Mrs. McCardle's class love me and know who the real singer is, just ask them, they will tell you. Mrs. McCardle even left me at school, but that's okay. I am going to be using her computer and new smartboard, yes she finally has one. (I am so glad, she has whined about it enough). So, look for pictures of me popping up on the web, I am probably going to be the next You Tube sensation, Harry Kindergarten watch out! Thank you for letting me get this off my chest!!

Bonita Bunny

P.S. If you don't hear from me again, call the ASPCP (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Puppets), because I could have been stuffed in a drawer or closet!

More Fall and Thanksgiving Listening Work Stations

2011-11-13T11:11:00.002-05:00

It's the week before Thanksgiving! My daughter Joy (a wonderful kindergarten teacher!!) and I share materials and we wanted to share them with you today!! Here are 5 listening work stations that we hope you can use this week! Just click on the titles.

Thanksgiving is Here

When the Leaf Blew In

The Nutty Nut Chase

The Silly Turkey Party

Run Turkey Run

Gingerbread Man Freebies Galore

2011-11-11T11:35:00.001-05:00

I love anything and everything that even remotely resembles gingerbread men. My classroom and home are decorated with gingerbread men during the holiday season. While Thanksgiving is still a couple of weeks away, I am already planning my December math and literacy workstations. I am uploading some gingerbread songs today. If you would like some gingerbread man math workstation ideas, just follow me and comment (include an email address) or comment and tell me you are a follower! I hope you and your students will enjoy the gingerbread man songs. I have appreciated all the comments and emails about the songs I've posted. I am not a professional and the songs are recorded using audacity software. (The songs all come from internet sources such as http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems.html ).

Five Little Gingerbread Men

Yum, Yum, Yum

Where is my Gingerbread Man?

Ten Little Gingerbread Kids

Do You Know the Gingerbread Man?

Here's a peek at the packet of goodies you will receive: A Gingerbread Man Roll game, Gingerbread Man Sort, Gingerbread Man measurement, Gingerbread songs in a ppt file.

Fall Songs Freebie

2011-11-05T00:12:00.001-04:00

Here are some fall songs that my class is singing. Insert the words into powerpoint and click on the song name to download an MP3 audio file. I have gotten several emails about my songs. I record them using my computer and free Audacity software. I use a Suzuki Q chord to play the songs. I hope you will enjoy using them in your classroom.


Leaves are Falling


Leaves are Falling Down

In the Fall

Fall Math Freebie

2011-10-30T22:32:00.001-04:00

I love the book Fall is Here: Counting 1 to 10 by Pamela Jane and Steve Haskamp. I made a set of fall manipulatives with salt dough and tiny fall cookie cutters (look for them in the Wilton cake decorating area in craft stores and at Walmart. I use them with counting mats and for patterning. But, if you download the Fall Patterns powerpoint there's a page of manipulatives you can laminate and use as counters and pattern pieces.Click on the image below to download your fall patterns!

Fall Patterns

November 2011 Calendar

2011-10-29T23:46:00.000-04:00

November calendar (ppt)

November is almost here! Here's the November Calendar. If you want the smartboard version just comment and leave your email address.

Schema Pocket Chart

2011-10-26T23:06:00.002-04:00

I bought lots of the small pocket charts at Target this summer. I decided to use them in my guided reading area. I have one pocket chart with our current reading strategy, the others with reading vocabulary, reading fix up strategies and our guided reading information. (I purchased the Reading Vocabulary words from Kim Adsit (Literacy Vocabulary Packet and Word Wall) at Teachers Pay Teachers)

Double click on the posters and insert into Powerpoint. The font is Catchup, click on the font name to download.

Halloween Eraser Pattern Freebie

2011-10-23T10:22:00.001-04:00

If you were able to find the Halloween Erasers from Dollar Tree or if you have other Halloween erasers, here's a set of patterns to use this week! Just click on the title below to download abab, aabaab, abbabb, and abcabc patterns.

Halloween Patterns

Fall Listening Work Stations

2011-10-16T10:10:00.002-04:00

I have a listening work station filled with books and individual cd players. I have at least 6 choices for the children each week with a response sheet. Most of my listening stations come from Scholastic. I also record books using Audacity. Just click on the response sheets below to download.

The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything

The Bumpy Little Pumpkin

Sixteen Runaway Pumpkins

Too Many Pumpkins

"Goblin" Good Graphing Ideas and Freebies

2011-10-14T23:22:00.002-04:00

I found these mini packs of Boo Mallows at Walmart yesterday (also saw them at Target today). I look for these every year and this year I was lucky! The children love sorting the marshmallows and graphing them.
Just click on the graphing sheet title below to download it.

Boo Mallow Graph

The Ghostmallows come only in large bags, but I use snack bags and make individual packs for the children.

Ghost Mallows Graph

Fall Math Work Station Freebies and Ideas

2011-10-08T21:26:00.002-04:00

I am loving math work stations and so are the children! They look forward to math time everyday. I am also enjoying designing activities for stations. I made a trip to Dollar Tree and Target last week and picked up some great manipulatives.

The jack-o-lantern erasers are from Target, you can download the gameboards below. In this game, students each have 20 erasers and a set of numeral cards 1-9, they each choose a card from the container and place that number of jack-o-lanterns on their board. The partner who has the most, gives their erasers to the other player. The player who ends up with all the erasers wins.

The acrylic pumpkins are also from Target, the gameboards can be downloaded below.The game is the same as the one above.

I found these adorable ice cube trays from Dollar Tree, each student will have 20 pompoms (or you could use pumpkin seeds). Each player takes a turn shaking the dice and putting the correct number of pompoms in the pumpkins. The last roll must be the correct number of spaces left for the student to win.

I found this adorable pumpkin pattern on Kristin Poindexter's blog Kristen's Kindergarten. Students will spin a pattern block spinner and fill the pumpkin pattern. They will then count each shape and record on a response sheet. I use magnetic pattern blocks on a magnetic dry erase board. It helps keep shapes in place!!
(I made several sets of blocks by putting a magnet on the back of thin plastic pattern blocks on a magnetic dry erase board.)

I also found the erasers at Dollar Tree. This week my children will make sets and next week I will use them for patterning. I will be uploading the patterning strips next week.

Gameboards

Double click on the gameboards below and insert them in a powerpoint slide.

More Pumpkin Songs

2011-10-04T23:49:00.002-04:00

Here are two of my kindergartener's favorite songs. I use poems and songs to teach sight words, decoding, rhyming.... I make a book of songs and poems and put them in my listening center. It's a popular choice during literacy work stations. Just click on the title under each picture to download the song. You can copy the song graphics and put them in powerpoint or Smart Notebook. Happy singing and learning!

Pick a Pumpkin

Pumpkin Song

Five Little Pumpkins

2011-10-01T23:14:00.004-04:00

Five Little Pumpkins

Click on title above to download the powerpoint and song.

October Calendar

2011-09-29T23:33:00.001-04:00

Here is the October 2011 calendar. just click on the image above to download in powerpoint. As I mentioned in the September calendar post, if you would like the calendar in notebook for Smartboard, comment and I'll send it to you. The font I used is Impress BT. Click on font name for a free download.

Three Little Pumpkins Song Freebie

2011-09-25T22:42:00.001-04:00

Three Little Pumpkins

This is the first of several songs I will be posting for October. I added music to poems that I have used for years. Look for scarecrow, pumpkin and jack-o-lantern songs and poems. Click on the link below the graphic to download the song. You can also download the Three Little Pumpkins graphic and paste it in Powerpoint. Enjoy!

Thank you

2011-09-24T23:54:00.003-04:00

Dear Nicole,

Thank you so much for this award. I love sharing activities I create for my classroom. I have been teaching a long time and still enjoy every minute of the day. I love your blog The Kinder Kid. I will be following you and looking forward to sharing great ideas!

Linda

Now for the rules of this award:

1. Thank the person/people that nominated you and provide a link back to their blog.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass this award along to 15 other blogs that you have discovered.

7 Things to Know About Me

1. I am a grandmother and two of my granddaughters started kindergarten this year! My other granddaughter is in preK and my grandson isa junior in high school. (Did I mention I had three granddaughters born in a year?) All four are too precious for words!

2. My daughter is a kindergarten teacher! Two of my cousins are kindergarten teachers.

3. I have had a website Linda's Learning Links for 10 years and starting blogging a couple of years ago.

4. Though I love teaching, I also have a passion for history. I am currently working on a book based on letters my great great grandfather wrote during the Civil War.

5. I love to sing, I record lots of songs for my kindergarten class using a Suzuki Q Chord and Audacity.

6. I love gingerbread men, I decorate my Christmas tree completely with gingerbread men, I collect gingerbread men and gingerbread men literature.

7. I mentor new teachers because I want their first experiences to be great ones!

Blogs I've Discovered

Kristen's Kindergarten

Under the Big Top

Mrs. Morrow's Kindergarten

Mrs. Saylor's Log

Growing Kinders

The Silver Lining

A Pocket Full of Kinders

Apple Poems and Songs

2011-09-22T23:56:00.001-04:00

I use the following poems and songs to teach and reinforce beginning sounds, sight words and rhyming words. I introduce the Visualizing strategy with the poem Apples and Apples Big, Apples Small. Click on the Apple Poems and Songs for the powerpoint. Click on the titles under the songs to download the music file.

Reader's Workshop Schema Poster

2011-09-20T09:29:00.000-04:00

Here's my latest poster for Reader's Workshop. Just click on the image to download. If you would like the poster in Publisher, make a comment and include your email address and I'll send it to you.

September Calendar

2011-08-29T23:25:00.000-04:00

Here is the September 2011 calendar. just click on the image above to download in powerpoint. As I mentioned in the August calendar post, if you would like the calendar in notebook for Smartboard, comment and I'll send it to you. The font I used is impress bt. Click on font name for a free download.

Reader's Workshop Anchor Chart Revision

2011-08-29T21:53:00.001-04:00

Three Ways to Read a Book

I had a couple of my followers email me about changing the words in the above chart. Here it is! I appreciate all your comments and suggestions.

Math Activities with Dollar Tree Erasers

2011-08-14T11:02:00.001-04:00

When I last visited Dollar Tree I found these erasers, I thought to myself boys will love them! I am going to use them on storyboards for the first few weeks, rolling a dice and placing the correct amount on the story boards. Later I will use them for a graphing activity (I will post this activity soon). Hope you will enjoy using the storyboards!

Outer Space Storyboard

Road Scene Storyboard

Daily Schedule

2011-08-06T10:26:00.000-04:00

I have had several requests for my daily schedule. Here is the latest one.

Reader's Workshop Anchor Chart Ideas

2011-07-29T00:03:00.000-04:00

I have been busy this week getting ready to do workshops at our county's New Teacher Orientation, so I've only gotten 4 chart ideas done. But I promise to get busy and finish my post on Reader's Workshop Part 2 and post more anchor chart ideas. While I make anchor charts with the children I can't resist adding small touches that brighten the charts and also gives those non readers and emergent readers some visual clues. Hope you'll find these helpful. Click on the title under the charts to download. I made them with Powerpoint.
The font I used is Catchup, a free font, click on font name to download.

Parts of a Book

Three Ways to Read a Book

Turn and Talk

Ways to Take Care of Books

Building a Reading Community in Kindergarten Part 1

2011-07-25T23:49:00.003-04:00

I've given this post a great deal of thought. I began the transition to Reader's Workshop in kindergarten several years ago. But, it's taken me that long to realize how important building a classroom community is and where it can take the children. Last year, I decided that I would take at least two weeks to complete the process. As the two weeks came to a close, I rushed through lessons, skipped making anchor charts with the children and began to implement activities they weren't ready for. Nevertheless, this class achieved much more than my class the year before. With that thought in mind, I've decided to take a month or more, if needed, to truly have procedures in place. Part 1 (The First 10 Lessons) is available for you to download along with book suggestions. I will post the next 10 lessons very soon. I hope these lesson suggestions will be of help.

Arrival Actvities

2011-07-21T22:19:00.002-04:00

I am always looking for independent engaging arrival activities that will keep my students active, engaged and learning. At the Target Dollar Spot I saw some individual white erase board strips. I decided to make strips with the children's names, numbers, letters, sight words, number words, color words, etc. I am going to make each child a set of strips, adding to their strips as needed. I also found some popcorn containers, I decided to make word cards and place a container at each table. The students will be challenged to help each other learn the words in the container each week. There is always a basket of books at each table, I will place word sheets in the baskets and challenge students to find words they know and words they want to learn. I am going to introduce activities one at a time until the students have several activities to choose from. If you have any ideas, please leave a comment and I'll put them in a later post. I am including the strips, popcorn words and a words list sheet; I create in powerpoint. It will be easy to change fonts, put your student's names on the strips. I used Print Bold font, its a free download, just click on the font name.

Strips

Popcorn Words

Words List

My Favorite Author Linky Party

2011-07-20T11:14:00.003-04:00

One of my favorite blogs Clutter Free Classroom is hosting a series of Linky Parties this week. When I saw this one I just had to participate. It is so hard to narrow down my favorite author. But, I have to say Kevin Henkes is one of my all time favorite authors and kindergarteners love his books. When we start talking about making text to self connections you can't find better characters to connect with than Chrysanthemum, Owen, Sheila Rae, Wimberly or Lily. Kevin Henkes is my first author study every year. The children just gravitate to his basket of books. Last year, after I had introduced Mr. Henkes and we had read and discussed his books, there was always a mad scramble to get to his basket. One day, one of my boys came over to me with a very serious look on his face. I asked him what was wrong. He told me that Owen had disappeared, I must have looked very puzzled. He then said, "Mrs. McCardle, Owen is a book by Kevin Henkes and it has disappeared. I looked in the baskets around him, but it's gone! You'll just have to get another one, I like to "read" it every day." We looked everywhere but couldn't find it. So, I bought another copy. A few weeks later I found the lost copy of Owen in the back of one of the book shelves in the classroom. I told the class that I had found the book and where I found it. The same little boy piped up and said, "That's where I hid it so I could read it every day!" Then he turned bright red. I told him it was okay, I was so glad that he loved Kevin Henkes books so much, because I did too.
P.S. I will be adding some text to self connections graphic organizers for Kevin Henkes books this week.

Labels for Math Manipulatives

2011-07-19T16:15:00.001-04:00

I am working on getting all my math materials labeled. I've created several pages of labels using an Avery Template 2X4" (8163) I downloaded from their website. When you download the pages they will be in a Microsoft Word file, but will print on labels. I can't wait to get back to school and get my shelves in place. I will be taking pictures soon. I used the font Cherry Cream Soda which is a free font. Click on the name to download.

Label 1

Label 2

Label 3

Label 4

Music Videos You Will Love!

2011-07-18T13:16:00.002-04:00

I found the Let's Start Smart videos on You Tube last school year, my kindergarteners loved them! I ended up ordering their dvd, the songs teach word families, blends and digraphs, vowels, etc. I also use the Between the Lions video clips, they are a big hit as well. They love the Dixie Chimps. In a previous post about Harry Kindergarten I addressed the issue of getting around You Tube restrictions in most school districts. If you have any questions please leave a comment and I will email you.
I have enjoyed reading all the posts about music in our classrooms. When children are in a joyful music filled environment they are going to learn!

I Love Harry Kindergarten!

2011-07-18T10:50:00.001-04:00

Harry Kindergarten

I am always searching for great videos to use with my kindergarteners. I found Harry Kindergarten a few weeks ago and I have been downloading all his great music videos ever since. I also subscribed to his You Tube site and now I'm notified every time he puts up a new video!
A Techy Tip
Because You Tube is blocked in our school district I have had to come up with a way to be able to show them in the classroom. There's a simple way to do this. Download Real Player, enable the download button in the program and then download videos you like. You can then burn them on a cd or copy them to your flashdrive. I use HP Simple Save. I noticed that Target had a 250 GB external harddrive for 29.00 yesterday. You'll have to have Real Player installed on your school computer. Short videos are easy to imbed into powerpoint or notebook files. Then the video you want to use it right at your fngertips.
I hope you will check Harry Kindergarten out, you will love him!

1,000 Followers Give Away

2011-07-18T01:18:00.000-04:00

Click on Oceans of First Grade Fun to find out how to qualify for her 1,000 Followers Give Away. While you are there, look around it's a fabulous blog!!

I'm Getting a Smartboard!!!!!!!!

2011-07-16T01:11:00.003-04:00

I am so excited! I am getting a smartboard for my classroom finally!!! I have used an infocus projector for several years, but it's not interactive. I put my calendar in ppt several years and have done calendar time with it since then. I have a small calendar board that I use for things that needed to be posted all the time. But, long story short I found out I could take all my powerpoints and convert them into a Notebook file! I will be putting up calendars starting with August in powerpoint as I update them. If you want the Notebook version, just email me (iluvkdg@gmail.com) or leave a comment and I'll send it to you. The songs Rules Rap, Days of the Week, and Macarena Months are by Dr. Jean. The font I used is Impress BT (click on the font to go to the download page).

Just click on the graphic to download the calendar.

The Rules Rap song is also a powerpoint and can be linked to the August calendar powerpoint.

Click on the graphic to download.

It's Almost Back to School Time

2011-07-15T10:53:00.001-04:00

I had a meeting with our school design team yesterday. After we met I paid a visit to my room (I only meant to drop off some of my summer purchases), but found my self putting my math work station shelves back together, uncovering book bins and placing them back on their shelves. I started thinking about my class and wondering if they were reading every day and writing in their summer journals. Okay, I'm ready to get started on a new school year....

More Bead Freebies

2011-07-14T23:59:00.001-04:00

I didn't quite get finished with my bead activities yesterday, so here's a few more items to add to your math workstation collection. I made the bead graphics and put them in powerpoint , you can just click on the graphic to copy. I am also working on teacher models for my workstations as well as Math Talk cards. I made a set you can either copy for the whole class or use on a smartboard as well as a set for the box. I want the students to be as independent as possible, using anchors like the math talk cards and teacher models will help (I hope!) Hope you'll find these materials helpful.

Click on the pictures below to download activity sheets.

The pictures below are examples of patterns made with the Target beads. I found that chenille stems work really well with these beads, I cut each stem in half.

Those Target Beads

2011-07-14T00:29:00.000-04:00

Last week I bought several packages of the beads in the Target Dollar bins. I liked them because they were smaller than the wooden stringing beads I've had for years and they were in primary colors. I've made I Can cards for beads and several different pattern cards. If you would like the bead graphics you can follow my blog and email me at iluvkdg@gmail.com. Click on the pictures below for PDF files.

Buttons, Buttons

2011-07-13T00:16:00.001-04:00

Amazon.com Widgets

Buttons are valuable manipulatives to have in the primary classroom. Buttons are great for counting, sorting by attributes, and making patterns. Children love buttons (and I must confess, I do too). Here's a few ideas for buttons to use at the beginning of the year or any time!

Read "The Lost Button" chapter from Frog and Toad are Friends. Have a small box of buttons with all the described buttons in the story. Pick them up as you read. After reading the story, make a list of attributes of the button that Toad was looking for. Then have students try and find the particular button Toad had lost. This activity is most effective when done with a small group. I use this activity in my math station time after introducing sorting.

Read Grandma's Button Box to class. Have students play a secret sort game by secretly selecting the attributes for a set of buttons and then asking children in the group to "guess the rule" by identifying the attributes.

Read A Button Muddle. Have students sort and count groups of buttons.

Read Corduroy. Have students brainstorm ideas about Corduroy's missing button.
Depending on the level of your class, students will choose an idea about Corduroy's button and write about it in their journals or the class can write a story together and illustrate.

Have students sort and graph small groups of buttons.

Ask students to bring in buttons to make button collages.

Staple 4 or 5 envelopes together. Give students buttons that have at least 4 or 5 different attributes. Instruct them to sort the buttons and draw or write an attribute of the button on each envelope and then place the buttons in the envelope that match that attribute. Its a great way to assess sorting skils.

This great homework activity was sent to me by my friend, Janna Smith, a kindergarten teacher from Texas. Ask your students to select a button and write down 2 or 3 attributes of the button on an index card (parents can help with this task). All students bring the button and the index card to school in a baggie. Teacher gathers all buttons and reads each index card with the attributes listed. Students use the attributes to identify the correct button. Janna says her students love this activity. Thanks Janna!!

Click on the picture for a set of Button Sorting Cards.

A Great Math Blog!

2011-07-10T21:56:00.000-04:00

Maggie's Kinder Korner

2011-07-08T23:44:00.000-04:00

Maggie is having her first giveaway, so go right now and visit her blog Maggie's Kinder Korner for a chance to win!

Top Ten Things To Know About Me

2011-07-08T22:18:00.004-04:00

Mrs. Owens is having a Linky Party and at first I wasn't going to link up, but I've had so much fun reading about bloggers I follow that I've decided to participate.

1. I have the best job in the world teaching kindergarten. I've taught kindergarten for 25 years and have loved every minute of it!

2. I am a grandmother and two of my granddaughters start kindergarten this year! My other granddaughter will start preK and my grandson will be a junior in high school. (Did I mention I had three granddaughters born in a year?) All four are too precious for words!

3. My daughter is a kindergarten teacher! Two of my cousins are kindergarten teachers.

4. I have had a website Linda's Learning Links for 10 years and starting blogging a couple of years ago.

5. I love to read and usually I'm reading 3 to 4 books at one time. I love mystery, historical fiction, educational books, biography, non fiction history (especially the Tudors, The Revolutionary War and the Civil War) and children's literature.

6. Though I love teaching, I also have a passion for history. I am currently working on a book based on letters my great great grandfather wrote during the Civil War.

7. If I could meet any historical figure I would like to meet Thomas Jefferson.

8. I love to sing, I record lots of songs for my kindergarten class using a Suzuki Q Chord and Audacity.

9. I love gingerbread men, I decorate my Christmas tree completely with gingerbread men, I collect gingerbread men and gingerbread men literature.

10. I mentor new teachers because I want their first experiences to be great ones!

A Place Value Game

2011-07-06T15:36:00.005-04:00

I found a great resource on You Tube: Teacher Tipster.com . Mr Smith makes lots of videos and I saw one about a game he had made for place value. It was a great idea, just not appropriate for kindergarteners. So, I decided to use his great idea and modify it for my students. In the meantime, Fran Kramer at Kindergarten Crayons had posted a great place value activity using bean sticks (I made smaller bean sticks using red beans and regular size popsicle sticks). So, using both of these great ideas I made the Tens and Ones Game. I purchased the three section tray from the Dollar Tree, made labels to put in the bottom and made dice especially for beginning place value instruction. I bought some Avery color coding labels (5472) and used the Avery template to make the labels for the wooden cubes you see in the picture. I only put 1, 2, 3 on the 10's label (twice) and 1-6 on the other cube. I went ahead and made labels 3-5 and 4-9 for later games. (It's also a great differentiation strategy). Students are to roll for 1's, then place the number of beans in the 1's section, along with the number card. They then roll for the 10's number and place the correct number of bean sticks along with the number card. They must record the number on the recording sheet. This game can be played alone or with a partner with students having to decide who has the largest number after each roll. They can draw a star by the number that's the highest with each roll and the winner will be the one with the most stars on their sheet. The instructions and recording sheets are below. If you have any questions please leave me a comment and I'll address it immediately.

Tens and Ones Game Instructions

Tens and Ones Recording Sheet

Number Cards

Math Work Stations Chapter 7 Geometry

2011-07-06T11:36:00.002-04:00

Here's a pattern blocks game that I made for my students last year.

How Many Sides?

Math Talk Card

Reading Rainbow

2011-07-05T16:53:00.001-04:00

If your state subscribes to Discovery Education then you'll be as excited as I was when I saw that they now have the Reading Rainbow videos (new and old). You have the option of downloading the whole program or segments. There are Reading Rainbow programs that had great books, but the other segments didn't relate to the unit were were involved in. I use Real Player to download my videos, it's so easy. Take a look!

A Freebie Linky Party

2011-07-03T23:01:00.001-04:00

Lauren Morse (Just Add Clipart) is having a Freebie Linky Party. One of the first units I do in my classroom is a nursery rhyme unit. Here are some gameboards and a ppt that I hope you'll be able to use.

Jack and Jill Shapes Game

Little Bo Beep Game

Hey Diddle Diddle Game

Hey Diddle Diddle ppt.

There are more ideas and downloads in my nursery rhymes unit on my website. Just click on little Miss Muffet to go to the unit.

Working with Larger Numbers using Math Literature

2011-06-28T01:00:00.004-04:00

There are so many great books you can use that help teach larger numbers. Below are a few examples. I try to have props when I am introducing math related stories to my students. These are some of my favorites:

More Target Finds

2011-06-23T23:40:00.001-04:00

I paid a visit to Target today and they are beginning to put out back to school stuff. I found some terrific things. I was excited to see the mini erasers. I use dry erase markers with sheet protectors in many math and literacy activities; these tiny erasers will fit easily into the bins I've bought for my work stations. They will also be useful at my guided reading and math table. I also found the cutest hand erasers that I will make pointers out of. The popcorn containers will be placed on tables with popcorn (high frequency) words. The stringing beads will be great for sorting and patterning activities (also fairly small). They also had some colorful certificates (I bought the reading certificates) and star pointers.

A Favorite Addition Story

2011-06-21T23:58:00.001-04:00

I recently posted an activity for How Many Snails? and included a ppt adaptation How Many Bugs? It's a great book to use when introducing many concepts: sorting, counting, addition.... Another favorite is Splash by Ann Jonas. It's a fabulous introduction to addition. I am including story props you can download. I copied them and used them on the magnetic board. The students used dry erase boards to solve the problems introduced in the book.

Math Work Stations Chp 5

2011-06-20T11:40:00.003-04:00

I agree with many of the kindergarten teachers that have posted of how crucially important it is to use number stories from the beginning of the school year to help with the concept of addition and subtraction. I have used the resources Math Their Way, Developing Number Concept with Unifix Cubes and Explorations ( an out of print Addison-Wesley product) to develop my math program for years. Math series come and go in my school system, but I've never found any thing better than the above mentioned resources. Work Jobs II has many story mats.

I am a collector of math literature and I begin as many lessons as possible with a math related story. I also have props for many of my books and the children then use them for additional experiences with the book. There are several math literature related pages on my website that have lots of information. I am constantly on the lookout for puppets, stuffed animals and small manipulatives to make the story more engaging.

Below are a few of the things you can find on my website.

Go to Math Literature on Linda's Learning Links for more ideas!

Counting Book Activity

2011-06-17T11:27:00.002-04:00

I love How Many Snails? by Paul Giganti. It is a fabulous counting book that promotes critical thinking skills in young children. Every page has so many objects to count and the questions promote higher level thinking skills. More importantly, each page allows the students to ask their own questions. This past school year I started making wordless How Many ppts. This is one of the children's favorites. I don't have a smart board in my classroom, but I do have an infocus projector. I divided the class into small groups and each group had to produce three questions about the page shown. (We do this activity after repeated readings of How Many Snails?)

Click on the title below to download.

How Many Bugs?

Math Work Stations Chp 4

2011-06-13T13:59:00.004-04:00

First of all, thank you Fran Kramer for all the wonderful ideas and downloads you so graciously shared with us. (A link to Fran's blog Kindergrarten Crayons will be at the end of this post).You out did yourself with your post. I have taken all my ink cartridges to be refilled so I can get to work planning how to use all your great activities. I am going to share some pattern block activities that I use at the beginning of the year to help develop number concept. Using pattern blocks gives the children lots of hands on experience with pattern blocks that really helps when moving into geometry.

Making Designs with Pattern Blocks
This activity can be used with number cards, I usually laminate 5X7 index cards with a number written in the upper right hand corner and have students make designs with each number. As an assessment, I will write a number on an index card or a quarter sheet of white construction paper, give students paper pattern blocks and have them make a design. There is a great pattern block website The Math Toy Box that the children can also use for making pattern block creations.

I also use premade pattern block task cards and have students make the designs then sort and count the patterns blocks and record their answers. You can also have students graph the number of pattern blocks. Another activity (game) is to have students spin for pattern blocks to make the pattern. I will make a spinner and place it in this post a little later this week. I have used the books Patternables by Susan Sehi-Smith (less than $10.00) to make my task cards but I recently found a great website Prekinders.com. She has tons of patterns block patterns, in color and black and white. I particularly like her patterns, because there are patterns with smaller numbers of pattern blocks, great for differentiation. If you don't have the ellison die cuts for pattern blocks, I found a website where you can download blackline masters and run them on matching colored paper.

I also have pattern block templates so students can trace designs. I bought one template and used large cool whip lids to make the rest.

Here's a list of websites that will give you lots of pattern block fun for your classroom:

Pattern blocks pdf file

Prekinders.com

Pattern block templates

Pattern Block Activities

Here are 2 sheets to grab

Click here to download. (the circle in the right hand corner will correspond to the pattern block template they choose to make; it makes it quite easy to see if they counted correctly)

Here's the pattern block graph to download.

Once again, a great big thank you goes out to my new BFF Fran Kramer and all the other wonderfully talented and creative teachers I have met through this book study. I also want to thank Deedee Wills for putting this book study together.

http://kindergartencrayons.blogspot.com

My Target and Dollar Tree Finds

2011-06-11T21:59:00.003-04:00

Because I want materials to fit in the containers I've chosen for my math work stations I have been on the look out for small things that I can place in the containers, Also, we can have up to 25 students this coming school year, so I'm thinking more children less room on tables. I found these approx. 8" heavy plastic plates that will be perfect for addition activities at Target 4 for $1.99. They also fit together. They come in assorted colors.

I found some plastic shell table scatters (125 for 2.00)(You just can't beat 125 very durable manipulatives for 2.00!) and some fruit erasers (1.00 a pack) also at Target. I trotted on over to Dollar Tree and found some clown fish and small pompoms (80 in a pack) for you guessed it a $1.00, just think of all the activities you can do with small pompoms (count, sort, pattern... and they are quiet!) Fran Kramer made some patterning activities using bingo markers and placed a set to download on her blog. It started me thinking that I could laminate some of the strips and have the children make patterns with the pompoms before using the dot markers. Thank you Fran for all the great ideas I've found on your blog. Because we start back to school the first of August, these summery manipulatives will be just the thing to excite the children about learning. I'm a mentor teacher in my school district and for several years I taught a workshop for new teachers called Teaching Cheap (click on Teaching Cheap and you'll find a page I created on my website several years ago). Below are some of my purchases. Deedee Wills made the statement on her blog that she uses the same type games, she just changes manipulatives. It keeps the interest high, but you don't have to keep teaching new games.

Nursery Rhymes

2011-06-11T16:33:00.003-04:00

I was thrilled to click on Kim Saylor's blog Mrs. Saylor's Log today and find a wonderful nursery rhymes unit to download. Thank you Kim! On my website Linda's Learning Links, I have several games,powerpoints, phonemic awareness and comprehension activities to download. Just go to the link above and they are listed at the end of the page (these are great for the smart board):
Name That Nursery Rhyme Spin a Wheel Game
Name that Nursery Rhyme Character Spin a Wheel Game
Hey Diddle Diddle ppt.
Nursery Rhyme sort (KIdspiration activity)
Mistress Mary gameboard
Jack and Jill Shapes Game
Hey Diddle Diddle Game
Little Bo Peep's Lost Sheep game

There are also a Nursery Rhymes Comprehension Activity page (I did this before I had great professional development on comprehension strategies so I will tweak this page over the summer).

I hope these resources will add to the wonderful unit Kim Saylor developed!!

P.S. I went shopping yesterday (Target, Dollar Tree...) and found some super stuff! I will be sharing them and the ideas I have for using them soon!

Math Labels for Drawers

2011-06-09T14:59:00.002-04:00

If you look at the post for the first 2 chapters of Math Workstations (my June 1st post), you can see the labeled drawers. Here are the labels in a Word document, you can print them on 2X4" labels. Just click on the link underneath the image. I made a page on my website Linda's Learning Links where I'll put all future math documents I create. The font I used for the labels is Dr. Soos Bold. It's a free font, just click on the font name and it will take you to the download page.

Math Drawer Labels

Math Work Stations Chp 3

2011-06-07T20:40:00.002-04:00

I will admit this chapter is, was and always will be a challenge. Because I will admit to being ADD (sounds so much more sophisticated than scatter brained, don't you think?), I am always trying something new. I've finally decided after many many years of teaching kindergarten that I am going to make a management plan for the upcoming year and stick with it!! (Ok, I might have to do a little refining, but for the moment I am sticking to this plan).These are the following pearls of wisdom I gleaned from chapter 3 (I promise to read it again and again ......):

1. Be sure you model what you want students to do. You can't expect 5 year olds to play a game or use manipulatives they are not familiar with. Now, I know this sounds like a no brainer, but card games are foreign to kids today, as well as board games, dice, dominoes....... This year we will move at a snail's pace for about the first month. THIS YEAR I will give the children time to explore materials before expecting them to begin to use them to learn math concepts.

2. My anchor charts will be specific to the concepts we are learning about, I won't worry about the cuteness factor, I won't worry about the cuteness factor (Maybe if I repeat this enough I won't worry about the cuteness factor. I will post expecations for workstations: What it looks like, sounds like, feels like.

3. I will provide meaningful engaging learning activities at each workstation. I will resist the idea to pull out cute seasonal activities that aren't related to the concepts being taught. (I admit, I love Mailbox magazine).

4. My students will work in pairs. Once again, I admit that this is tough. I am the ultimate "5 rotating stations a week with students working in groups of 4-5" teacher . But, I will make it happen, I will make it happen..... I'm thinking that this repeating idea might work for me.

5. I will have a work station board with pictures of students and matching labels for board and bins.

My mantra will be: I can do this!

All kidding aside, I am excited about math in my classroom for the coming year. I feel very blessed to have found a group of committed, creative and caring teachers. Thanks for all the great ideas so far. I'm thinking the best is yet to come.

Go to Learning with Mrs. Parker for more great management ideas!

Dollar Tree finds

2011-06-03T23:24:00.001-04:00

I went to the Dollar Tree today, just to look around. After all, I've only been out of school for two weeks and I shouldn't even be thinking about school. But thanks to all the fabulous blogs I've found lately like Fran Kramer's Kindergarten Crayon's blog and Deedee Will's Mrs. Will's Kindergarten blog and so many others that I will mention in future blogs, I have math on my mind. I won't even mention the Math Work Stations book study. So, I found myself not just looking around (I should have never gotten a shopping cart), but putting things in the cart. Below are 2 items that I had to buy.

I love these square sorting trays, they will be so easy to store!

These ice cube trays have only 10 compartments. I can think of so many uses: counting games, graphing (because they have a hole at the end, they can be linked together, patterning, a ten frame....

Here are some links with math games using ice cube trays you might like:

Everyday Math activities

You Tube Video

Math Games

Math Work Stations Chps 1 & 2

2011-06-01T15:52:00.002-04:00

I am so excited to be reading the posts from fellow teachers who are enthusiastic about Debbie's latest book Math Work Stations. As a totally committed thematic teacher who has had to rethink and revamp my classroom to meet our state standards and now the Common Core Standards, I can't thank Debbie enough. I have slowly moved my math centers to work stations, I still am not differentiating my stations as much as I should. That will be my goal for the coming year. I am very mad at myself for not taking a picture of my revamped math center before almost dismantling it when the year ended. I am going to upload the picture and try to explain what I did. I also went to Target this week and found the containers I am going to use for the actual work stations. They are 15"X 11 1/2 and 3 1/4 " deep. I started using a lot of dice, domino and card games last year, putting the sheets the students used in sheet protectors. These bins are the perfect size. When you look at the picture of my area, you'll see the blue bins I originally purchased. They just didn't work out as well. So, I think a math station must reflect the skills students need to meet the standard. They must be activities the students are familiar with (I can't tell you how many "wonderful" math activities I have planned that students had no idea what to do, leading to frustration and disappointment for them and me.) Another important thing to do is to put all your materials together and choose wisely what you actually need to keep in order to have successful math work stations. I cleaned out and gave away a myriad of math materials to anyone who would take it this past year.

If you disregard all the junk on top, you can see that I put all the materials I use a lot in three drawer chests. I labeled them with 2X4" labels. I was using the blue bins, but will change to the bins shown below. I made a Math Work Stations sign, our math goals for the quarter and 2 books on either end. The bins for students will be placed where the blue bins are now.

Math Ideas on my website

2011-05-29T23:53:00.001-04:00

I am a follower of Debbie Diller's blog. I am so excited to be participating in the book study of Math Work Stations. Just click on the link to her blog for information about the book study. I started this blog as a way to comment on trends in education, professional issues, etc. But I've decided to change the focus and share materials found on my website and links to other great websites and blogs. I hope this will be a forum to share ideas and activities for literacy and math as well as science and social studies.
Math on my website Linda's Learnng Links

This post was from a workshop I presented in March:
http://www.lindaslearninglinks.com/marchmathness.htm

Fall Math Ideas: http://www.lindaslearninglinks.com/mathlitfall.html

Winter Math Ideas:http://www.lindaslearninglinks.com/mathlitwtr.html

My Classroom 2009-2011

2011-02-12T00:24:00.001-05:00

I had a lot of visitors in my classroom today. Our county is involved in the Working on the Work framework and as a part of each years local WOW conference, teachers have the opportunity to visit other classrooms. Several teachers visited my room today that had visited in the past and commented on the changes they saw. As I have posted in the past, our school became a Cornerstone school in 2009. At that time, I had quite a collection of books, pupppets, manipulatives, and the list goes on and on. I thought at the time that no one was going to make me give up my "stuff." I needed everything I had in my classroom in order to be an effective teacher. What a difference 18 months makes! As I have been involved in Cornerstone strategies, I have come to realize that the most important thing in my classroom is the children I teach. As I have given up my "stuff" my classroom has become the children's classroom. They gravitate to the places in my classroom where they can read to themselves, read to a friend or listen to stories on tape. I hope you'll take the time to watch my little smilebox. I hope you will be able to see a difference!

My Classroom an Extreme Makeover

2011-02-12T00:21:00.000-05:00

This free scrapbook design created with Smilebox