Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Spring Fever?!?!?!

Do your students have Spring Fever?

Do you have Spring Fever?

I think I just heard

Yes! 
OMG, YES!
Don't yours?
Do I really need to answer that?

We have some resources to keep your students engaged, learning and having fun! Check them out by clicking the pictures below.
   






Monday, April 25, 2016

Music and Movement Mania


Do you use music in your classroom? 
We do! 

During independent work time, writing, and while taking tests we play soothing music. The kids call it the "calm music" or "relaxing music." They actually ask to turn it on if it is not on!

Pandora is our go to! It is free and there are lots of choices.

Here are some of our favorite Pandora channels:

  • Soundscape Radio
  • Classical Relaxation Radio
  • Rockabye Baby!
  • The Piano Guys Radio
  • The Mozart Effect (Children's) Radio
We also use music during lessons. Songs are great hooks! If you teach Kindergarten or first grade you probably know Jack Hartmann! We were lucky enough to have Jack Hartmann come to our school for a concert last week!

If you are not familiar with him, check out his website! Check it out by clicking the picture below.


 He has songs for Reading, Math and Science! The kids love singing and dancing with him. He even has free videos on YouTube! Check it out by clicking the picture below.



Friday, April 22, 2016

Five for Friday - April 22


Hey everyone! We are linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five For Friday again this week!


 First Graders are doing a Social Studies/Science/ELA Project Based Learning Activity. Since we are learning about economics in Social Studies and plants in Science the students are going to start a business selling plants! 
To kick off the project we had a local business owner come and talk to the kids. 
The coolest part... the business owner is in Middle School. 
AND...he went to our elementary school! 
(I have to admit I think its pretty cool to say a former student started his own business before he could even drive!)
He owns Schmancy Pops. They are DELICIOUS! You can check out his website by clicking the picture below. They brought a sample pop for EVERY first grader!



Kindergarteners were working hard this week on classifying objects into categories, counting the number in each, and sorting each category by count. I am always looking for fun and hands on ways to teach math concepts. While looking, I came across this product. It was perfect for what we were doing! The students loved that they got to sort each card and then record the results. I had them work in pairs and then report their “findings” to the class. Check out the product I used below as well as another pack that is included in the bundle by A Kinderteacher Life.



We celebrated Earth Day today! We began by making a craft after we read about Earth Day. They loved painting the Earth. Then we had a discussion about how we can help the Earth. We came up a few ways to help at school. We started today by recycling our breakfast trays. They were very proud of themselves for helping!

We had a VERY special visitor. 
Jack Hartmann.
The real actual Jack Hartmann! 
He put on a concert for our Kindergarteners and First Graders. 
If you are in Florida, look into him coming to your school. It was a very reasonable cost and the kids absolutely loved it.



Do you need NO PREP First Grade Math Practice Pages and Assessments? 
We posted a new product this week for Measurement, Data and Geometry.  Check it out. It is only $3.


Go check out other Five for Friday Link Ups by clicking the picture below.  Happy Friday y'all!





Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Measurement, Data and Geometry Assessments

Are you teaching Measurement, Data and Geometry?

Do you need NO PREP First Grade Math Practice Pages? Assessments?  

We posted a new product this week.  It is GREAT for practice and/or assessment.

Check it out below. It is only $3.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Test Test Hooray!


True Story!

Hey Guys, Meredith here!

And I am NOT kidding!

After a Professional Development on ways to increase student engagement I tried out Go Formative. It is a paperless way to assess students and get immediate feedback.
Did you hear me?

IMMEDIATE feedback!

Without grading papers!
Go Formative works on any device that is connected to the internet. You can create quizzes, tests or even homework. There are also assignments that you can use.
Best of all......it is FREE for teachers!



My students are actually cheering if I tell them we are going to take a Go Formative Test!

If you want to check it out just click the picture below for the link!



Friday, April 15, 2016

Five For Friday

Hey everyone! We are linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five For Friday this week!

Kindergarteners and First Graders were busy planting seeds this week. We can't wait to see what sprouts!




We welcomed some new classmates this week. Monarch caterpillars have arrived in Kindergarten and First Grade! The students are so excited to check for any changes when they arrive to school each morning! 




First Graders are in the middle of an Economics Unit in Social Studies. My senior intern had them complete a project this week. The students researched the job they wanted when they grow up. They had to write  a paragraph telling if they would provide a good or a service and who would purchase their good or service. They presented their findings to the class. This little group even brought in props! (They wanted to be teachers by the way!)


Kindergarteners have been working hard on composing and decomposing numbers 11-19. They used the iPads to "show what they know". They LOVE using the iPads during math!

During FSA testing for the big kids our playgrounds were either closed or crowded! We did lots of Go Noodles!  Cheerleader and Clap, Stomp, Jump were favorites. If your class does not Go Noodle, you should sign up. It is free and fabulous!

Go check out other Five for Friday Link Ups by clicking the picture below.