Goldilocks, Hiking, Turkeys, and a little ME time - 5 For Friday :)

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Hi Again!

I am back two days in a row!  At least as I am beginning this post, it is still Friday - hopefully I can finish it before tomorrow ;)!  This week has been a bit unusual - a field trip, two short days for conferences, and a long weekend coming up, but we still managed to fit in LOTS of learning and LOTS of fun!  I even was able to sneak out for a little ME time on Wednesday with my sister-in-law- Check out #5 to see what we made ;)

Super thankful this week for the TPT LOVE I have been getting this week.  If you have made a purchase, please consider leaving me some feedback on TPT (you get points!!).  Thanks :)

Goldilocks and the Three Bears:  The Play

Last week we read James Marshall's version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  We then talked about how to retell a story by using ALL of the characters, the settings, problem, and solution.  The kids thought the story and activity were fun!  We even made bear shaped books to help them retell the story at home too!  This week we continued the fun by using Kim Adsit's reader's theatre version of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  I made character necklaces for each child and split the class into 4 groups (2 groups of 5 and 2 groups of 6).  I assigned the parts so that it was easy for the kids to read.  I couldn't get any good pictures of the plays since the kids were in the way :)  So here are some of the necklaces and the play!

Craft Moves With George McClements The Night of the Veggie Monster

So yesterday, I shared with you my mini-poster for the craft moves we found in The Night of the Veggie Monster.  Here's a peek at my whole class poster we made.  The kids LOVED this.  Though, because we focused so much on these three craft moves, I feel like they think these are the only ones they can use....There's my teaching point for next time I guess :)

If you would like to look at the mini-poster or my writing posters bundle click HERE or HERE!

FIELD TRIP - Weather Observatory and a HIKE!

We traveled to Blue Hills Observatory on Wednesday.  We really lucked out - having such nice weather!  It was gorgeous.  The group I was with started at the weather observatory watching weather videos, checking out the weather instruments and even climbing to the observation tower.  Here's the view of Boston from the top!

Then we hiked down the mountain.  It was such a nice hike (and I am grateful we got to hike down and not up!).  That is of course until we saw a snake and everyone panicked.  Nothing like a little drama to spice up a field trip!  

Overall a great trip and one I would love to do again next year - :)

Turkey Centers 

If you have visited my blog before, you will probably recognize the next two centers.  I think I may own the entire Made for 1st Grade store (not really, but I have a lot!).  I love the centers that they use for each season.  They are fun and engaging and match up PERFECTLY to the CCSS.  I choose to copy 8 sets on 8 different colors of paper.  That way the cards won't get too mixed up and they can be easily sorted.  Then I laminate them and they are ready to use!

This week I started using their Turkey Time Nouns and Verb Sort.  Of course I meant to take pictures....did I think of it....NO!  Here's a screen shot of the recording sheet.  Picture two columns of cards organized in the same way for the sorting.  The kids LOVED it and did really well.  NOTE:  I took out the word Indian from nouns, because we don't use that term, you may choose to too!

Then today I tried the Turkey Sentence Scramble.  These sentences were a little bit harder than the first few sentence sorts they did.  The sentences did not have capital letters to signify the beginning or punctuation to end the sentence.  They were tricky and because of that there were multiple correct answers for each one!  Once they got past the changes. they LOVED it and it helped that the sentences are really FUNNY.  Here's a peek!

Head on over to Made in 1st Grade's TPT store HERE right now to get your copy!

Time FOR ME!  

Last year, my sister-in-law and I took the first 2 Wilton Cake decorating classes.  And while they were fun - they take a lot of time to prep for and TIME is fleeting lately.  So, I wasn't sure I was totally in for Class #3, but it was GREAT!   The class is focused on gum paste and fondant, which you have to buy (but I don't have to make it!!!!!!!), so there is nothing to prep for next week - YEA!!  

Here's what we made this week:

Bow:

Daisy:

We also made some bases for flowers we will make next week, but depending on how they come out I may or may not share ;)

That's all for now!  Hopefully you all have a great long weekend!  I have some fun family time planned, but I also have enough time to relax a bit too.  I hope to be back Sunday or Monday with 2 new pack - Sight Words List #2 and Bonus Letter Practice and a give away too ;)

:)

TWO NEW PRODUCTS - and save on a BUNDLE!

Two posts in one week and 3 new products this week - I am on a roll.  Don't expect this motivation to last though ;)  I'm sure I will be tuckered out soon enough!  Tonight's post will be quick.  I just want to share what's new in my store - come check it out!

Digraphs Practice Pack

Here is the second pack in the series.  Thanks again to my AMAZING friend and colleague, Melanie, for helping with this pack.   This pack matches up with Fundations Phonics Unit 3, but could really be used by anyone teaching digraphs.  The digraphs included in this pack are sh, th, ch, wh, and ck.  There are also some trick word practice sheets focusing on to, into, as, has, he, she, be, me, we.  Take a look below to get a sneak peek and follow the link HERE to check out the pack on TPT

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Craft Moves with The Night of  the Veggie Monster by George McClements

We have been working on the Personal Narrative Unit from Lucy Calkins for the last couple months and the kids have become AMAZING writers.  I was nervous about starting this bend because it required kids to find and use craft moves - something I had only touched on in the past, but they did SO well.  Many parents even spoke about their kids talking about these craft moves at home!  We found 3 main craft moves in this mentor text, ellipses, exact action words, and POP-OUT words.  After spending some time on each of these and trying them out I placed one of these in each child's writing folder for reference.  

You can find these HERE in my shop!

Lucy Calkins Writing Poster Bundle (Personal Narrative Grade 1)

Now that we are moving into the publishing phase of our writing unit, I decided to bundle all of the Personal Narrative Mini-charts I made into one easy to print and copy pack (of course at a BIG discount compared to buying each separately).  Here are some of the posters included in the bundle.

Find it HERE in my TPT store!

That's all for tonight!  Hopefully I will make it back tomorrow to post a bit about our week - until then TGIF!!

CVC Pack and Currently...November Linky

Happy Monday!  While I can't say I am totally caught up (I NEVER am!), I am feeling like I have it under control (I can't say I have felt this way for a few weeks!).  I was driving home today and I felt happy and carefree!  Yeah!  

Carefree enough that I FINALLY finished the CVC practice pack (aligned with CCSC and WIlson's Fundations Unit 2). You can get it HERE (in my TPT store).  It's on sale for tonight only for 1/2 price only $2!  Here's a sneak peek!

I also wanted to link up with Oh Boy 4th Grade and her monthly Currently... Linky.  Here's mine for the month.

Check out her page HERE and get your own currently to fill out and post!  I would love to see yours!

As always I heart comments, so please let me know what you think!!

A Spooky 5 For Friday from ONE Tired Teacher

TGHIO!!  Can you guess?  Thank Goodness Halloween is OVER!!!  Starting last Friday and running through today this week has possibly been the busiest week  in a L-O-N-G time.  Between Halloween events, family pictures, and birthday parties (and throw in a cold for the little lady and now me!)  I am toast!  Stick a fork in me - I'm done!  The Hubs will be lucky if I make it to 9 ;)  

Let's see how much I can share in this Halloween themed 5 For Friday (with a bonus family tip!) before I pass out!

1.  First Annual Costume Parade

I've mentioned before that we have a new principal this year and she has made some welcome changes to our community events.  She started a (hopefully) tradition of a costume parade.  The WHOLE school K-5 dressed up in costumes (or just in orange and black) and lined up for a parade through the neighborhood around our school.  It was GREAT to see so many families lining the street and even neighbors coming out of their houses to see us all.  The kids and the teachers had a great time (Even if it was a little LOT chilly!)  I took a few pictures, but they are all of kiddos and their faces, so here's one of me and my sister-in-law at   the Little Lady's school party.  

And before you ask...YES I did dress as a Care Bear for the WHOLE DAY!  It was actually FABULOUSLY comfy!!  Already looking forward to next year's parade!

2.  Pumpkin Painting

Every year I ask my kiddos to send in a pumpkin (one they can carry) for a little pre-Halloween decorating fun.  Some colleagues I have worked with have tried to carve them - I have NEVER been that brave, but I do like some painting with my firsties.  I was lucky enough to have 5 moms who were willing to come in to help with the setting up and the cleaning up.  The pumpkins dried overnight and were all dry and ready for the kiddos to decorate our room with them Halloween morning.  I let them choose where in the room they wanted to put them and they seemed to like to cluster them together.  Here a pick of one cluster.

3.  Halloween Themed Math Centers

Teaching new content on Halloween is always interesting, but there is no reason for it to be a wasted day!  I choose to theme my math games for Halloween around the holiday.  I had three centers planned, but because the parade went a bit longer than planned, I cut out the Jolly Jack Pumpkins Number Order.  Here are the other two...

Batty Addition Bingo 

Jolly Jack Number Models (Which of course now I can't find where I saved the picture ...maybe I should pop to bed now? ! ?)  In any event this activity asked kids to add and subtract using 10-Frames filled in with different pumpkins!

I got these two packs HERE and HERE.  Both are from Made In First Grade.  

4.  Halloween Themed Literacy Centers

From the same packs I linked above I made these Halloween literacy centers...

Scaredy Cat Real and Nonsense Words (all CVC words)

Nighttime ABC Order

Bat Facts Sentence Scramble

5.  Halloween Afternoon Crafts

In the afternoon, I gave in to the FUN and tried out these games and crafts!

Halloween Bingo from Apple of My Eye.  

The Little Lady played this game in her class too and LOVED it. 

Candy Corn Men from Made in 1st Grade

Bats FREEBIE from A Cupcake for the Teacher

BONUS:  Family Pictures with Another AMAZING Teacher!

So obviously I didn't finish this on Friday or even Saturday morning, but better late than never RIGHT??  Here's my bonus from our photo shoot last weekend. I am in LOVE with our pictures again this year. Special thanks to Cady from picture you happy photography. She's a teacher and mom who does amazing photo work on the side. Check out her work linked above!  

Here are my favorites!!

Frankenstein, Bug Invasion, and some AMAZING Chicks! What A WeekinFirstGrade!

This week was a great week in first grade!  The kids did so much great work!  They really have the basics down and we are able to do so much more!  We are still working on the chatting though - this group starts talking during every transition.  I started to up the rewards with the star jar, so hopefully we can get that under control!  

With all the build up to Halloween next week, I can't believe I have made it!  Between the kiddos at school and the Little Lady, I don't know who is more hyped up!  I tried to keep the learning (and the fun) going in my room this week.  

Here's my 5 for Friday!

1.  Halloween Crazy!

I think we have gone a little over the top for Halloween at school this year!  We have a new principal and a totally new vibe.  We are doing a whole school costume parade (fun!) and a haunted hallway for the school party Saturday night.  In preparation for the party we decorated our doors for the occasion- THANKS for the ideas Pinterest!  Here is my door:

And my sweet teaching neighbor's (and bestie) door:

What do you think?  I feel like we should do this more often.  They weren't that much extra work, the kids are LOVING them and everyone is talking about them!  Smiles all around!

To connect (slightly by coincidence) we made these mini-Frankensteins (what do you call a girl Frankenstein??).  Again this is a craft from my favorite Cupcake for the Teacher!  You can find her pack HERE!

2.  Retelling A Story Using the Characters

We started reading Chicken Little last week and used it to talk about character.  We continued that into this week.  On Monday, we compared Chicken Little and Foxy Loxy.  I always try Venn Diagrams in my reading groups and kids have so much trouble, but this big Bubble map helped the kids understand it better.  And when I did a similar activity with 2 of my guided reading groups they carried over the learning!

Then we talked about how we could make connections with the characters in the story.  The kids all made a connection with Chicken Little (they have friends, they have made a mistake, they have been tricked).  They had to draw and write their connections and it really illustrated how much they have learned already!

Finally, we talked about the importance of retelling a story and including the characters.  We retold the story of Chicken Little and put the characters in order together.  The kids put the characters in order on their papers.  

Finally, we made these chicks out of toilet paper rolls.  The kids rolled up their character lists and placed them inside.  The kids were asked to bring them home and practice retelling the story to someone at home.  Hopefully they did!  Thanks to Kim Adsit's Digging Deeper Pack for these ideas!

3.  BUG INVASION!!

In science we learned about living and nonliving things and have moved on to learn more about the habitats in our schoolyard.  To help with that (since its getting COLD!!) the district purchases materials for us to keep a sample schoolyard habitat in our room.  Yippee!  Can you hear the sarcasm!!  I don't like these bugs!  When they arrived yesterday I had to build the habitat for these creepy crawlies!  

Inside you will find pill bugs, millipedes, crickets, and bess bugs (which make noise and bite!).  Here is a close up of a cricket - They like to escape, so I'm guessing he won't be in the habitat by the time I get back on Monday!

Here is a peek at the millipede and the pill bugs getting comfy in their new home.  

Can't wait to dig through this with the kids next week ;)

4.  Sticky Notes Folder for Sharing Books With Partners

We have been working on what we can share with our partners during partner reading time (see last week's post for a picture of the poster.  This week we worked on how we can hold on to what we want to share from the time we read our books on our own to when we share with our partners.  Thanks to Kim Adsit's Powerful Partnerships pack I made these sticky notes folders.  Each kiddo has their own to keep in their book bag.  

Inside they have 4 icons (they match the things they can share) and 4 stickies.   Kids learned to draw sketches of the icon on the stickies to help them remember why they placed the stickies in the place that they chose.  They also learned where to get more stickies.  The kids LOVED placing them on their books and sharing what they noticed with their partners.  I am hoping that by the end of next week they will be ready to do all of this work independently while I run guided reading groups (right now I'm squeezing in partner reading lessons wherever I can!).

5.  Math Morning!

Every October my team invites families in to play some math games.  Our math program (mostly Everyday Math with some Kathy Richardson and CML sprinkled in) has LOTS and LOTS of games to help kiddos learn math!  What a better way to get families involved than to see their kids in action!  

Each family received one of these direction packs with all of the game directions. 

They also received a pack of materials to play these games at home too!

Here's one of the stations (before school started) that we available.

I hope you enjoyed the peek at our week!  How was your week?  What are you doing for Halloween?  We are out straight this weekend!  Family Pictures in the morning, town costume parade in the afternoon and (maybe) my school's Halloween party at night!  And that's only Saturday!

I may got to bed NOW to prepare ;)  Have a SPOOKTACULAR weekend!