September 30, 2012

It's Raining Freebies!


It's been raining this weekend, so I've been able to just finish putting together the second part of the context clues unit.  I put together mini-lessons that I've used in my classrooms to teach this concept to my kiddos.  Since I've taught K-8, many of the lessons can be adapted for upper elementary students.  I love using picture books to introduce a concept or teach a strategy.
 You can check out this unit at TPT or TN .  

As a Freebie, here's a list of picture books that can be used to teach context clues. These titles aren't included in  my Reading Comprehension Skills Book List.  The first three people to comment will get the Context Clues (Part 2) unit for FREE!  Once you receive the freebie, please take the time to send me your thoughts and feedback :)

September 23, 2012

Rockin' Rollin' and Readin' plus a FREEBIE!!

This weekend flew by!  I'm so loving spending time with my daughter.  It is so unusual for her to open up and talk to me.-- actually she's trying to annoy me into leaving the house with her.  I'm just going to finish this post and we can leave since she's looking over my shoulder.  Gotta love teenagers!!! 
Anywho, I just finished updating my reading response notebooks and have put them on TPT and TN.  I also finished working on typing my strategies for my CRAFT/CAFE Board.  Sweet Kristen at Ladybug Teacher files was kind enough to share her CRAFT Board papers which I used to type up the mini-lesson strategies.
Lucky you, I giving it away as a FREEBIE! Click the picture below and enjoy.
 

September 11, 2012

Classroom Reveal Photos - Finally!

Well, tonight was our Back to School Extravaganza.  My kiddos showed up in full force.  I love what I do!  I finally took pictures of my classroom after the umpteenth time rearranging my room.  I can never say I'm ever done - since I have a pinterest addiction - but I am please with the current state of things.  Looks like a giant room, huh.  I actually have a very small room with a wall of mirrors.

I have six table groups by color.  Since I team teach, I can't really label anything with student names so my chair pockets are numbered 1-4 to make for easy grouping. 

In the back of the room I have my small group area and my Writing resources for the Daily 5.  I also have a few pinterest inspired projects - rainbow drawers and teacher toolboxes. In the front of the room I have my class library, whole group area and word wall.

As you enter the room, we have our social contract, rules, procedures and brownie points.
On the otherside of the student mailboxes, We post our student of the week, bucketfillers  and birthdays.
 
And to complete the 360 tour, there's the CRAFT Board, book boxes, clock and computers.
That's all folks... Sorry for the picture overload :0)


 
 
 
 
 


September 09, 2012

I dropped the ball, got a clue (context clue) and a freebie!

I'm so dizzy from all the activity this week at my home and school. It's nice to breathe a little this weekend.  I think my life is a 3-ring circus and it seems harder and harder to juggle all the little balls.  As a matter of fact, I dropped the ball.  I haven't been posting to my blog like I thought I would this year.  The start of school is so hectic, plus I've had 10 new students added to my roster, and add the fact that my daughter got her first job (and doesn't have her license, yet) and you get one tired mamma.  Well, the show must go on!

I've been working on context clue mini-lessons for my little second grade sweeties.  I created a two part unit that includes mini-lessons, anchor charts and activities to teach context clues.  Context Clues  (Part 1) has been posted to my TPT store and at Teachers Notebook.
 

I teach my students a six tools to use for context clues.  In Context Clues (Part 1), I begin by teaching how to use pictures, words you know and helping words to identify the meaning of unknown words. In Context Clues (Part 2), I include using examples, definitions synonyms and antonyms as context clues.
I use several books as mentor texts as we discover how to use context clues. Some of these books are listed in my Reading Comprehension Skills Book List.  This unit also includes an expanded book list of possible mentor text to use for teaching context clues.  The first 3 followers to comment will receive Part One for free!!! Just be sure to send me feedback :) Pretty Please!!!



September 02, 2012

Just when I thought I was finished and a freebie....

Well, I'm definitely pleased that this is a 3 day weekend.  Who would of ThUnK I would be so exhausted after only one week of school?  I spent most of yesterday asleep!  Today we've been up and about enjoying the beautiful weather.  On the back of my mind have been all the "little" projects I have yet to finish for my classroom.  I'm beginning to wonder if the list will ever shorten.  My daughter says I just create work for myself.  I think I'm a little OCD - I can't help it.

Just when I thought I my room was picture perfect, I find out we're losing a teacher because of "leveling."  For those of you who don't know what that is, its when the district decides to fill every classroom to capacity to most effectively serve the budget.  I understand that this is a necessary evil, but it still makes me sad to lose a team member.  I am thankful that my co-worker gets to stay at our school in another grade level.  With the changes, I have inherited more students in my teeny  tiny classroom.  Needless to say, I have to rearrange my room to accommodate 11 more children.  I feel like the little old lady who lived in a shoe. 

I cannot put into words how important it is for me to have everything labeled and organized.  It literally affects my sanity.  So now I have to go back and create additional labels, take more student pictures and organize notebooks, spirals and folders - AGAIN.  Well,  that can wait until Tuesday (probably not but I like to think so...)  I'm enjoying my weekend so much that I've decided to share a few freebies!

Here are classroom library signs that I created to help remind students about taking care of our library.  I also included Books in the Spotlight for our weekly featured books/authors.

You can get the freebie on Teachers Pay Teachers or Teachers Notebook

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!