I have become paranoid about showing all my work since blog stealer is lurking around. However, I am forcing myself to share because my friends are confused about this alphabet packet and I wanted to show you a finished product. Students cut off the bottom of the paper, find the letter being focused on, and glue it in a chart provided. It helps to expose them to a variety of fonts which preps them for the text all over my room! I hope this helps clarify things. This packet is at my TpT store for just $5.00 if you want to purchase it!

Patterning With A Passion

So we all use patterns using our classroom calendars and we might use manipulatives along with this but why not record these in strip books so the children can take them home and "read" them to their families? You can do ABAB forever and just use different images to keep it interesting. This book would be for the kids that understand this concept and need more of a challenge. I love the cut and paste aspect too. I will be selling strip style books in my TpT store if you love this and want them. My partner cannot get enough of these (seriously).We start out patterning the kids and using hand motions which our students really enjoy. I think this year I will have a new pattern every day that we can build in a pocket chart. Remember you can use dot markers at the very beginning and have them work with 2 colors (KISS).I have it as a free download in a much earlier post. What do you use for patterning?

Kids Love Tiny Stuff

I really can't explain this to you. My kinder kids love these teeny tiny books so much. I make them all the time with the sight words we are working on and they love to color them, highlight the "star" word with their yellow crayon, and put them in their pocket to take home and read to their parents. Who knew this would be so popular. Do you want this? Click here.

Cut and Paste If You Dare!

Whose has real courage at the beginning of the year? If you do than this is the perfect alphabet book for you to buy. Students trace each letter, color in a picture that begins with the sound of that letter, and cut and paste various fonts using that letter into a chart. Finally, it can be made into a student book or class books can be created. Take a deep breath... We have to give them scissors-right? Maybe I can wait a few weeks or maybe not.

This is perfect for kindergarten and can be used for first grade as an independent literacy activity. I hope you like it. If you want to purchase it click here to go to my TpT store. Please let me know if you like it! Leave a comment.

I Believe In You!

We all want to start the year with a positive attitude and this book will help to build community in your classroom like no other book written. This author is wonderful and I have given my own children books by her. Her use of language is just magical and will leave you in tears. I will read this throughout the year because of the message it sends to all of us-
"I want you to remember, I'm hear to watch the ride. I believe in one amazing you with all my love and pride." 
This message is for each of my blogging friends as you embark on a new year.

                                             Love,

We all have our heroes and I just met mine...

I have been out of town this entire week spending time with my curriculum specialist and (BFF) in Salt Lake City, Utah. What an amazing way to end my summer. She was invited to the 2011 Summit featuring my mentors,
Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell. When I reflect back on my teaching career these are two educators who deeply influenced my thinking and make me look at guiding reading in a systematic way. I had the honor of gaining an invitation to this event through my friend and it was an experience I will reflecting on for a long time.
The room was filled with administrators, coaches, and curriculum specialists from across this country. I was the only classroom teacher! Canada was also well represented. We worked together for several days and had rich conversations about teachers, balanced literacy, and best teaching practices. I learned so much and loved meeting so many educators who were working to make importance changes to improve the lives of our children.The Heinemann people worked hard to bring us together in the most beautiful setting they could find, providing fabulous food (better work on that weight) and entertainment. We had informal discussions in wooded areas with wildflowers and the sounds of nature surrounding us. It all ended too quickly with hugs and promises to stay in touch and this event changed me in so many ways.
Thank you Gay Su for making this so meaningful. You are a warm and loving individual who never complained when asked to take a picture, sign a book, or listen to another story we needed to tell you. You connected with everyone in the room and I feel blessed to have met you.

Happy Birthday Cindy!

Okay so today is Cindy's actual birthday but I am in Utah at the Fountas and Pinnell Sumit. Yes, you read that correctly and I am so excited I don't know where to put myself. It should be amazing and I will tell you about it when I get back. Please go to Cindy's site for some birthday surprises and to check out this super wonderful friend of mine... Right now I have to give you another present because we all love a party!

      I hope you like this birthday game.

The dog ate my homework!

This book will have your kids screaming with laughter if homework is a part of your daily routine. Brace yourself if you have never read it. What happens when your dog really eats your homework because you dropped peanut butter and jelly on it. What happens when your mom washes your jeans and your homework is in the pocket? What happens when your little sister takes your backpack to preschool by mistake? Martin finds out that the substitute teacher does not put up with any of his excuses and he has to suffer the consequences of not having his work at school. This is the perfect book to use when introducing homework expectations to your class. It is such a great read! Hurry and buy it. You will never regret it! I promise.

Help! What Just Exploded From My Computer?

This is the best piece of work I have ever created and I hope it makes my team do a "Happy Dance" when I bring it in to start the year. It grew into an enormous packet with tons of activities for students to build independent skills through well established routines. I have also included blank templates for teachers who need to add other words. I hope you love it as much as I do. Head over to my TpT store if this looks like a winner to you and now I need to pack for my trip to Utah. Click here to start shopping.

A Digital Party for Cindy

Cindy is the owner of  a wonderful blog that is my "go to" place when I need a bit of tech help (she's not even a geek)  and for other great classroom ideas. Her birthday is this week so I had to grab some ingredients and cook up some great ideas. I am still focused on the beginning of the year so I am offering this little reader that is a class favorite. The kids never, ever get tired of it. Simple text, simple graphics, and it provides an opportunity to practice name writing which EVERYONE needs help with ( unless you went to private preschool and you are almost six). When they show me their name proudly  in all capitals, I have to bite my tongue (ouch) and just accept the fact that it might be a long year! LOL. Click on her picture to check out her blog. You'll thank me.

Another oldie but goodie is to put the birthday song in a pocket chart, substituting different names of students in the class. Every five year old loves a party! What traditions do you have in your classroom? Leave a comment if you are in a party mood. Happy Birthday Cindy! Grab your gift Grab your gift right here and eat a cupcake in Cindy's honor. I fixed this link and it should work. I am so sorry.