Halloween Freebie

The Itsy Bitsy Halloween Spider

Here is a poem to read, and a poem to write!

Download poem here.

Just Write

October 20th was the National Day on Writing over at the NCTE. Teachers were asked to participate and write on that day.  I thought a lot about writing.  Mainly, why I don't write.  (Well, since I have been blogging, I have written more.)  I worry about punctuation, messing up, embarrassing myself, fearing that I won't sound smart enough, or worse yet, appearing too high and mighty.  Maybe no one will like what I write.  Oh my!

I thought about what I have told students in class.  I decided that I am a hypocrite.  Yes!  I told children this morning that they can be authors.  That they can write poetry.

So, here is what I am going to do about it!  My own writing on display for the world to see.  I am going to "just write".

Just Write

It rises up inside of you

In spite of you

Those feelings in your heart

Will help you leave your mark

On a world that needs to hear

Your voice, My voice

Just write 

Tell the world

Who you are

Download Here

Sandi

I Spy

Just wanted to share some neat things that I saw this week at school and at home!

This was a brown coffee filter with hot glue applied for detail.  Then painted with watercolor.  I got the idea from this post.  I shared the idea with a teacher, and she added the poem.  Love them!

South Carolina loves her Palmetto Trees!  Third-graders painted these in art.

Look at this cute wreath made of hand prints!

How many ways can we praise our students and co-workers?  I love this poster and have already made one!  You can find it here!

If you need a quick treat that is yummy, try Boogity.  Beantown Baker has the recipe! Love my new pumpkin dish , too.

And finally, I like what I see when I come in the back door after a long day at school!

Paper Plate Continent Cut-Outs

Wow!  I have almost 1000 hits for my Paper Plate Continents idea.  Jody from Texas asked for the pattern used for the continents.   Amy  in third grade chose the pattern for the plates.  It was harder than I thought to find a "just right" pattern.  She enlarged one she had on file.  Thanks to Amy...you can download it

here.

Count Down to Fall

Sylvan Dell Publishing has "Count Down to Fall" by Frank Hawk as the free ebook this month.  It comes with a 34 page activity book for you to download.  The illustrations are beautiful!  I think that this is a great book to add to writer's workshop.  Just looking at the book makes me want to write about falling leaves.  You might want to purchase this one to add to your fall theme.  If you grab the activity book now, you will be ready next year!

Scarecrow and Cow Words-Two voices of OW

Helping children remember that OW has two voices can be challenging!  These activities use the cow and scarecrow to help them remember the difference.  I have included a list of possible words for you to introduce to your students.  The idea is to glue the cows and scarecrows to the top of a large craft stick.  You will write the word down the side of the stick or glue the word strip to it (provided).  They will identify the words as "cow" words or "scarecrow" words.  There are worksheets to use in literacy stations.  Students can read the words in pairs and record them.  There are poems to use in shared reading or in a whole group lesson.  

I find that struggling readers need a "hook" to help them remember.  The cow and scarecrow serve as the hook and reminder of the sounds.  

Click on the picture below to download!

You might find another way to use them!  I would love to hear about it!

Reading Fiction and NonFiction

Stephanie Harvey says that reading fiction is like watching a movie, and reading nonfiction is like watching the news.  I  made these simple posters to help students remember this idea.  It is all about that inner conversation in our head.  What are they thinking when they read?  You can download them here!         

Football Multiplication Game 3's, 4's, 5's

More footballs for the cute tray that was posted previously.  This time you will find footballs for the 3's, 4's and 5's.  I also included blank ones so that you can finish out the tables!  Click here!

See previous post here.

Please comment and follow my blog!  I would love to hear from you!

Football Multiplication Game

I just love Dollar Tree!  I found this football tray yesterday and thought it would make a cute game.

 

I made footballs for the 1's and 2's multiplication tables.  To play, place the footballs with the problems on the front in the middle of the tray.  Every time a student gets the correct answer, they get a point.  I have two different colored footballs for points. Points go on the sides of the tray.  You can write the correct answer on the back of the footballs or give each student a times-table checking sheet.  The winner is the one with the most points.  Click on the pictures to download the printables. 

If you download, please leave a comment.  I would love for you to follow my blog!  I will post the rest of the tables soon!  

And...Go Clemson Tigers!! My favorite football team!