Kids love music! I try to find ways to incorporate it throughout our school day. It is such an amazing learning tool. My Songs for the Year
Making a Dates to Remember File Box is a fantastic way to keep track of all the essential dates and occasions in your and your loved ones' lives. Whether it's family birthdays, wedding anniversaries, or cards for special occasions, having a dedicated and organized system ensures you never miss an opportunity to show your love and appreciation. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to set up your own file box. What You'll Need A clear hanging file box A package of pink hanging folders (6) Black and white file folders (18) — available at Staples or any stationery store A set
Take Note! {Note Taking in the Primary Classroom} 9 comments Note Taking, Popular Posts, Social Studies, Writing Note taking. It's a skill we've all used in our lifetime. I probably didn't start taking notes until junior high, but it was definitely a skill that I developed and used up until the day I graduated from college. In fact, I still take notes. This past year, I introduced note taking to my second graders. Say what? Don't worry, I didn't lecture my second graders and expect them to sit intently at their desks as they took copious notes on the subject matter at hand. Promise. Last year, everyone on staff was asked to come up with a few teaching goals. One of my goals was to foster student stamina within a whole group setting and one of the identified ways in which to do this was to incorporate note taking into my repertoire. At first, I was like, "Uh, how am I supposed to teach these kids how to take notes? I'm still hounding them to write a complete sentence!" But, then it dawned on me, I could do both! Plus, the more I thought about it, note taking is an awesome learning strategy! It fosters concentration and understanding. When we write things out by hand, our brains store the information more easily, so note taking leads to remembering. What does note taking in second grade look like? Here's a sampling of one second grader's notes. She did a pretty good job of writing complete sentences, most of the time. I told you, I'm always hounding my students to write complete sentences (insert winky smiley face). This was from one of our very fist note taking sessions dating back to November. When do your students take notes? I typically use note taking during a nonfiction read aloud pertaining to a unit of study and/or during a content related video. Note taking usually makes an appearance during my social studies and science time since most of my units are language arts based. What does the process look like? It goes a bit like this: The students gather on the carpet with their materials (the carpet area is my favorite teaching space). I read several pages in a nonfiction book. I pause and tell the students to write down one important thing they learned from the reading up to that point in time (in the form of a complete sentence); they use bullets to separate their ideas. I let a few students share their notes with the whole group. I read a few more pages and repeat. If we are watching a video, I do the same thing. I pause the video every so often and give the students time to write down something they learned, and then let a few students share their notes before resuming play. What do you do with the notes? Typically, I compile the students' notes onto a class anchor chart (or two). Note: I don't always write their notes as complete sentences on my charts. This is usually due to time constraints, paper size, and/or it may not be conducive to the assignment I give them once the chart is completed. Then, I have the students use the shared notes to write an informative paragraph (one reason I don't always write complete sentences on the anchor chart) or complete a graphic organizer (can/have/are, fact/opinion, and so on). While I mainly used this skill during Social Studies time, it can be used whenever and however you like, that's the beauty of note taking! What materials do my students need to take notes? Last year, the students did most of their note taking on mini whiteboards (as shown at beginning of this post), but that was not the greatest tool to use. The ink smears and many of the students write way too big most of the time. This year, note taking will make a return visit to my classroom, but instead of using those messy, super small boards we will use one of these generic note taking forms that I created. There are two different versions so I can start with the one that I think will best meet the needs of next year's kiddos. I may even copy the form double sided, just in case! You can grab a copy of these forms by clicking {here}. I hope you can use them. So, the burning question is, do your primary students take notes? Share It:
Painting your rented house or apartment is a great way to make it feel more like your own. Here are 8 useful tips to consider when painting your rental.
Since the death of my father, I have learned many things during the grief process. This is what a year of grief has taught me.,
Do you fall for any of these seven traps when trying to discipline your students? Check out this blog post with ideas on how to avoid falling victim to these mistakes.
Printable Passover coloring page for kids | Free coloring page for Homeschooling, Sunday School and Sabbath School lessons |
Is it that time when your students suddenly forget the classroom expectations? Well, then it's time to try V.I.P student!
I’ve had a lot of interest in my previous post about reverse perspective. I’ve promised a number of people that I’d try and post some more detailed instructions, so here they are: Firstly a …
Mumball/ Mum-ball is a fun game to play as a brain break or for inside recess. Learn the rules of playing mum-ball.
Photo Source: F is for First Grade Help your kiddos remember what it means to be a good listener with this super cute diagram featured over at F is for First Grade! Melissa took it a step further and put together a printable worksheet to use along with the diagram she found on First Grade Garden that will give your kiddos a chance to show everything they know about being a good listener. Check it out: Photo Source: F is for First Grade Head over to F is for First Grade to grab the FREE worksheet!
Backwards planning and curriculum mapping for school year success are an essential part of being organized and making your teacher life easier.
What does the research tell us about best practices in teaching vocabulary?
Hi Everyone! I made a rubric for the Easter stories that we did last week, and decided to make a generic one as well so I could share it wit...
Use this free All About Me Activity Worksheet as a way to get to know your students at the beginning of the year. They will have fun writing about themselves and decorating these pages. They could also be used throughout the year as a student of the week activity and that student can share their poster with the class. You will receive 1 activity worksheet within this set. This is a great activity for first day of school or even substitute work! Artwork comes in only black and white. This make it easier for you to print at work and for your students to color! You can get fancy and print on different color paper if you like too. This is not clipart graphics this listing is for a printable sheets. Files are provided in only .JPG format only with secured graphics. PLEASE NOTE: These activity pages are for teachers to print and use with their students. You are not allowed to use these files in activity units sold for educational use, for freebies, etc. *Personal Use Only* Please consider leaving FEEDBACK on this freebie if you like it! Thank you! :) This is not clipart graphics, this listing is for a printable JPGs. These coloring pages are for you to print and use with their students only. You are not allowed to use these files in activity units sold for educational use, for freebies, etc. *Personal Use Only* TERMS OF USE: All designs are property of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Designs and all rights are reserved. Please read my FREE TERMS OF USE DOCUMENT for more information about personal and commercial use of these graphics prior to purchasing. Hope you have a Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Day!!! GET SOCIAL! Be sure to follow me for flash deals and announcements: Follow Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Designs on Facebook Follow Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Designs on Instagram © 2017 Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Designs | All Rights Reserved. Keywords:
One of my favorite projects of the year is our End of the Year Memory Book. It's a special keepsake for students and parents that features photos, drawings, writing samples, and more. It's a project the class works on periodically throughout the year. I love it because it shows how much the kiddos change over the year. It gives parents a memento to remember the year by, rather than trying to save everything the child brings home. #guiltyofthat This is Ellee. She was in my very first class. She just started 10th grade! Her Mom sent me these pictures of her looking back on her Kindergarten Memory Book before school started last month. It made me so happy to know that she was reliving all of the fun we had in Kinder. Crazy to think 10 years has come and gone! You can see in the photos that Word Art was all the rage back in 2007. LOL. I've made some updates to my Kinder Memory Book since 2007, and I've also created a Preschool and 1st grade version. I have some tips for creating these Memory Books that will make them manageable. 1. If you have active parent volunteers, find a parent that will head up this project. My first year in the classroom, I had 26 kids in my morning class and 25 in the afternoon. 51 memory books! Thank goodness I had an amazing aide and some super parents that helped out. 2. Two options for binding the memory books... You can copy all of the pages you need and bind them over the summer/at the beginning of the year. However, I think it's better to wait to bind them until the END of the year. To keep it all organized, I have a file folder for each student. As we complete a memory book page, I file the completed page away in the child's folder. Then at the end of the year, all the pages are in order and ready to be bound. 3. Print extra copies for potential new students or for "Uh Oh" mistakes. 4. If you forget to take a photograph of a student for a certain page, they can draw a picture instead. The combination of photographs and illustrations will make it extra special. 5. You can send a page home for "homework" every now and then if you just don't have time to get to it in class. Be sure to tell your students how important these pages are so they come back in good condition. I would recommend sending them home in an envelope or file folder so they don't get ripped, folded, or destroyed on the way home. :) 6. I've included extra pages at the end for photographs. Students can personalize it, color it, add stickers, get autographs from friends, etc. The teacher can write a special note to the child in the back of the book as well. These Memory Books will work great for Homeschool Kiddos and for the crafty Mamas out there. Just print and use the pages you need. I'm thrilled to be making one with my preschooler.
As you start a new year, remind your Primary Teachers of these 9 things
One thing I have learned is that every reading skill needs to have a super fun and engaging lesson to go with it. If the students are doing something that does not feel like learning AT ALL then they will experience the skill and remember it. You cannot jump into reading and using the skill...
After finishing the 52 Week Sewing Challenge last year I decided to follow it again for 2019. It was so much better for me when I allowed myself to reject the challenges and actually sewed something(s) each week this year!
This Year You Were Born Printable is a great way to remember the events that happened in the year 2004. This digital file is set up on an 8.5" x 11" letter size page for easy printing at home or with your local printer. This high-resolution file has a white background with black text and graphics. You can print it on any color paper you choose. (See image #3 for samples on colored paper. These samples were printed on Neenah Astrobrights Papers, and the 2018 sample is printed on kraft paper.) Please CAREFULLY read the points below before purchasing! • ALL ITEMS in my shop are DIGITAL FILES ONLY • No physical item is shipped in the mail • This item will be delivered via email or direct link to download • Please be sure you are purchasing the correct year • Due to the nature of this product, this item is non-refundable once it has been downloaded ►► DIGITAL FILES ONLY This listing is for DIGITAL JPEG FILES. No physical product will be sent in the mail. The buyer is responsible for printing. - 8.5" X 11" high resolution jpg - 8.5" X 11" pdf ►► PRINTING You can print the sign at home on a high-quality matte photo paper at the highest print quality setting. Additionally, you can print this colored paper, kraft paper, metallic paper, etc... This can also be printed at an Office Supply store like Staples or Office Max. ►► TERMS OF USE You may use my images for personal use and for gift items. Under no circumstances may this image be used for resale purposes of any kind. Thank you! ►► CAN'T FIND YOUR YEAR? I can make the year of your choice (Any year between 1920 through 2019, US Version only) https://www.etsy.com/listing/686173078/choose-your-year-the-year-you-were-born?ga_search_query=choose&ref=shop_items_search_1&frs=1&crt=1
Create personalized name matching activities for preschool with our free printable templates. Easy to customize with your kids' names and photos, these activities are perfect for enhancing name
Think elementary and middle school is too young to apply for scholarships?! Not so fast! Here are scholarships for students 14 years old & younger.
Happy New Year! Here are 52 Inspirational End Of Year Quotes and Sayings for closing the year. Plus, take the FREE New Year’s Resolution Quiz.
Today I'm excited to share something I've been meaning to post for quite some time. It's a set of fun & colorful BLANK monthly calendars! Last year when I created my dated monthly calendar, I realized that I had a constant need for a blank calendar. I found myself printing out copies of my calendars for all kinds of reasons - for planning projects, keeping track of blogging deadlines, meal planning, writing out our monthly menu, tracking field trips and homework, etc. Instead of creating one set of dated calendar templates this year, I created something that could be used well into the
*Since posting this this morning, I decided to add a bunch of covers...there are now 46 pages of covers to choose from!* Teacher Binders are the #1 way to start organizing for next year. EVERYONE is making one, including me. I can't print in color at school so I end up buying a lot of ink! I wanted my binder to have some color but not a lot so I can print most of it at school. I made this kit with that in mind. Most of the pages have no color on them but I've included several ideas on how to personalize and add color to your binder. Here is my cover: The entire binder is editable - just add text boxes and graphics to match your theme! I added the cute little crab to go with my ocean/beach theme from Schoolgirl Style. In the pack, there are many binder covers to choose from....here are a few: There are 12 different "pops" of color to choose from - pick one that fits your theme! These covers is almost identical, except I added a little "cloud" at the bottom so you can add more info about the binder. For a teacher binder, I might add the year down there or room number. You can also use these covers for any other binder so you could list the common core standards or the weeks of material you are covering...up to you! I've just added colorful chevron & colorful diagnal striped covers (9 colors each): The third type of cover that is included has no color. It's like my binder cover so that you have more freedom to add graphics or a lot of text. These would also be good as section dividers. This is what's included: Binder spines are included for 4 different sized binders: (the Chevron print didn't look right in the spines so I went with stripes) What binder would be complete without a calendar?! Two versions are included...a 1 page template & a 2 page monthly template. I printed the two page template for myself. The little rectangle by the month is for the year. I didn't add dates because we don't all start school at the same time. So for those people who start the year in January, they would have to wait for me to update the pack before they could print the entire school year. I always color code my calendars by using flair pens. They are amazing and every teacher I know LOVES them! I use one color for scholastic book orders, one for parent meetings, one for CSE meetings...you get the point :) Just look at all those pretty colors! This is an example of how I used one of the cover pages as a section divider. Below are cute section tabs...just add text boxes and print! To add more pops of color, print on colored paper. I attached mine with packing tape. Since I made this binder for myself first, I included my planning and assessing tools. (Sorry it's sideways) this is how I plan units. When I plan, I look through my filing cabinet and pinterest to collect my resources, that way I don't forget anything! This helps me map out my quarters. I don't do those crazy long range planning guides that some of you do (I wish I could, I just can't!) so this is my lazy-teacher version. It says subject at the top, I usually end up jotting down the big topic that needs to be covered in each subject per week. It just helps keep me on track. Finally, a cute lesson plan template. It looks crooked but it's not...the frame is not a perfect rectangle. This class list form is how I initially keep track of grades. Later, I have my classroom aide transfer their scores onto individual grade sheets. When I enter report cards, I do it per kid so this makes it easier for me. So much in my room is individualized, the kids don't all take the same assessments. Here is my individual grading sheet. Two versions are included, one with 6 subjects and one with 4 subjects. I print 4 of these per student (1 for each quarter). This may not be for you, but I like it! I track IEP goals the same way. There are 20 spots to record scores for each goal (type the goal in the long blank space). I did 20 spots so that you can assess every other week. It's helpful to see all of their scores on one page. I try to only have 3-4 goals per student so usually this page printed front and back is enough. There is also a parent contact log included. I use these colorful dividers between my sections. I keep all my positive notes home in the parent divider so they are all cut up and ready to go...this means I actually send them! The best part about this binder is that it's only $1.50 Right now it's 20% off. I'm not necessarily done with this project...if you buy it and there is something else you want included, let me know. With that being said, there is no guarantee that I can do it but I'll do my best! Click the picture below to grab yours! Of course, you will also need a binder...I had a pink binder laying around that I used but I typically like to keep all the binders white to give my room a more cohesive look. This 1 1/2 inch binder on Amazon is 77cents! (of course this price might change but it's too good of an offer not to share!) This post contains affiliate links but all opinions are my own.
A simple way to teach your students classroom procedures and expectations at the beginning of the school year
Are you manifesting your dreams but not sure if it's working? Look out for these 7 signs that your manifestation is coming.
Have you been struggling to come up with a great family motto that can unite and inspire everyone? Family mottos can give your kids a real sense of identity as they try to figure out exactly
