Creative Displays for Writing

I thought I would share some great displays that showcase student writing!  The one above uses the book, The Sandman by Ralph Fletcher. What a great way to write about dreams and display them for others to enjoy!

This is a great idea for the beginning of school!  Children can introduce themselves and proudly display their pictures!

Do you have a Hollywood theme?  This is a cute way of showcasing writing all year long!

Love this jungle-themed display!

These guys are on a Safari to find the most interesting writing!

This just makes me smile!

Flip books are everywhere!

I love this one!  This shows a great deal of learning!

Using the school mascot!

Springtime display!  

I hope you enjoyed these great ideas!  I wish that I could give credit, but I just can't remember the school!  If you find these and recognize them, let me know!

                                                   

Teacher Travel

I thought I would share a few pictures from my wonderful vacation in Europe this summer!  It was so much fun and a wonderful family experience.  One of the things that made it so special was our tour guide extraordinaire!   You would love to have John take you around!  He is a delightful Brit who has tons of patience and a great sense of humor!  I can personally vouch for his his enthusiasm and impeccable service.  So, if you just want his company to schedule your hotels and travel, you will not regret it!  I told him that I would share the info with teachers in the USA who would definitely appreciate a discount!

Contact John Here!

John having a Gelato with us in Rome!

The collage above is from Italy.  We started in Venice and then went to Tuscany and Rome.  John filled us in on all the history and informative tidbits!  He had minibuses or trains scheduled to transport us from city to city.    We stayed in family-owned hotels that were great and reasonably priced.  Every hotel was clean and more than adequate.  A few didn't have air-conditioning, but that is to be expected in Europe.  All of the hotels in Italy were air-conditioned.  It is very hot in Italy during the summer!

We really enjoyed a trip to a winery.  The views were just beautiful!

We had a wine tasting and then a great meal!

  

John departed in Rome, but we headed by train to Interlaken, Switzerland.  Words cannot describe the beauty! 

Our hotel! Seehotel Bönigen

We took the Jungfrau to the Top of Europe.  This was a great experience for the kids.  They loved snow-tubing and zip-lining in the Alps.  I know that this is a touristy thing to do, but it was worth it, especially if you have young people!  The views from the mountains are gorgeous!

View from the Top!

Bundled up in the Ice Palace!

We then headed to Germany!  Check back next Saturday for more pictures!  

First Grade Kid Friendly Math CCSS Freebie

Printable Math CCSS for First Grade.  These match the ELA CCSS for First Grade found here!  

Download Here!

I have included blank cards.  You can rewrite some of the standards into a more simple "I Can" statement.  I wanted to create cards with the correct language, taken from the Common Core.  However, you can adapt these to fit your class. 

Another great use is to take the vocabulary words for first grade, and use the blank cards as flashcards.  Write the word on one, the definition on another, and an example on a third.  Students can match the three cards!

I would love to hear from you!  Let me know if there are any problems with these!

Writing Notebook Labels Freebie

Writing journals and notebooks are such a great idea!  Here are a few labels to use on the front cover.  Regular-sized composition notebooks work great for older students that write a good bit. Younger students can use the permanently bound notebooks that are usually very inexpensive this time of year.  (You need smaller labels for those.)

Download Large Labels Here

Download Smaller Labels Here

Dr. Steve Perry: IRA 2012

Have you heard of Dr. Steve Perry?  He is Principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School located in Hartford, Connecticut.   He is also an author, speaker, and CNN contributor.  

Controversial! Inspirational! Thought Provoking! 

Dr. Steve Perry will make you uncomfortable, and not apologize for it!  He has his critics, but he is not afraid to address difficult topics in education.  I enjoy hearing what he has to say.

I need to be challenged, and this address at the IRA 2012 convention surely fits the bill.  Take a look and let me know what you think?

LearnZillion CCSS Math Help

                                

LearnZillion is a learning platform that combines video lessons, assessments, and progress reporting.  Each lesson highlights a Common Core Math Standard for grades 3-9.  There are currently 400 lessons, but the goal is to have over 2000 lessons.  The lessons are created by teachers for teachers!

I love the idea of using it on the IPad!  This is great for individualizing instruction!

10 Ways to Help Your Child Love School

Parent Posters: 10 Ways to Help Your Child Love School!

Download Here

Parental involvement has a significant impact (positive) on student achievement.  Here is an article from the Center for Public Education that identifies 6 types of parental involvement!

CCSS Math Links

Illustrative Mathematics is an initiative of the Institute for Mathematics and Education, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation.  You will find grade level Common Core Standards with illustrations!  Don't miss this resource!

K	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Geometry
Measurement and Data						Statistics and Probability
Number and Operations in Base Ten						The Number System
Operations and Algebraic Thinking						Expressions and Equations
Counting and Cardinality			Number and Operations---Fractions			Ratios and Proportional Relationships		Functions

Inside Mathematics is a professional resource for teachers to improve math learning and performance.  You can find videos and lessons. Grades 2 and up.

The Teaching Channel has a great video showing students and teachers working on Common Core problems.      

This video shows how math and literacy work together! 

Teacher/Kid Friendly Math CCSS K5 Freebie

Printable Math CCSS for Kindergarten.  At the K5 level, these are more teacher-friendly that kid-friendly.   These match the ELA CCSS for Kindergarten found here!  

Download Here!

I have included blank cards.  You can rewrite some of the standards into a more simple "I Can" statement.  I wanted to create cards with the correct language, taken from the Common Core.  However, you can adapt these to fit your kindergarten class.  For example, you could have a sequence of "I Can" statements that reflect the learning taking place in you classroom.
I can count to 5!  I can count to 10!  I can count to 20!
Another great use is to take the math words that I have listed on one card, and use the blank cards as flashcards.  Write the word on one, the definition on another, and an example on a third.  Students can match the three cards!

I would love to hear from you!  Let me know if there are any problems with these!

Kid/Teacher Friendly ELA CCSS for First Grade Freebie

Just finished the First Grade set of Common Core ELA standards for printing and using in a pocket chart or on the whiteboard!  These are designed to be kid/teacher/parent friendly.  

Download Here for free!

I am working on the printable CCSS for Math for Grades K-2!  Check back soon!

As usual, if you see a mistake or need something else, just comment!

IEP 12 Month Organizer 2012-13 Freebie!

I love special education teachers and therapists!  Here is a 12 month organizer to get you ready for the 2012-2013 school year!

Calendar

Monthly Organizers

Roster

Note

Communication Log

Thank you for all you do!

Do you know a special educator that could use this set?  Why not make a notebook for them as a gift!

Download it HERE for free!

If I can change anything to meet your needs, let me know!

I would love for you to follow me and comment!