I LOVE Libraryland! Have I mentioned that before? I have always been an avid volunteer, one that likes to try new things.. and I love connecting. Now, is libraryland overwhelming.. it sure is! Another thing I love is learning from others (and having a space to offer to different activities is great as well) The title of this blog is collaboration.. but when rethinking and writing it, I realize that the collaboration that I had with my art teacher was bouncing ideas off of each other.. and making sure the space was ready for various activities. That is still collaboration..right?? Before I became a librarian.. I was already following some amazing librarians (some that I will actually get to meet in person soon!!!) So, one awesome librarian/tech facilitator Nikki Robertson posted this way cool picture that she had found (if you are the original poster of this.. would you please let me know so I can thank you for the wonderful idea.. and give you credit!) How absolutely beautiful is this! So, I talked to my amazing art teacher on campus.. and the conversation went something like this: "Hey Mrs. R... want to work on something like this for the first of the year? The feathers can be students hopes, dreams, wishes and resolutions." "Sure! That is great!" A couple of weeks later.. Mrs. R approaches me and shows me the bag of beautiful feathers. "Yes, Mrs. R.. these are PERFECT! How can I help!?" "I am still getting feathers" We decided to hang this up for science night (as what better time to talk about wishes and dreams) "Hey Mrs. R.. what can I do to help with these wings?" "Help me hang them!" In other words.. I had nothing to do with this! (Well.. I did make the poster above the wings.. and I helped hang them) Seriously.. they are beautiful! She created a generic feather and then asked each student in the school to create/decorate their own and then combined them with this wonderfulness.These wings are right across the hall from the library, so I loved hearing the conversations that students had with their parents about their goals and dreams (and of course it was a perfect photo opp!) Mrs. R. the rocking art teacher At the beginning of January, Mrs. R. came to me and asked if I would like to help with a Chinese New Year Celebration. She did tell me that there would be no glitter! (Side note.. I love seeing things being created in the library.. and I don't mind mess. HOWEVER.. I HATE using glitter.. that is the one thing not allowed) Of course I said yes.. as the library is a great space to have people! We set a date, got it on the calendar.. and like before I asked what can I do to help. The space is how I helped (and help somewhat monitor the stations) The Chinese New Celebration ran much like the Late Night in the Library. It was an extended time with several stations set up. I read a short story in the middle of the time, but the hightlight.. the Dragon Dance! Stations: -Rooster stamp -Paper lanterns (like this idea.. but of course there are tons of ways that you can make them) -Chinese Plastic Spoon Dancing Dragon (like this idea, but did it with plastic spoons, string and paper pieces) -Chinese drum (much like this idea) -Write Happy New Year in Chinese (this was a super cool station because she had put out thin paper and brushes with the black paint) The art club students ran the stations, and we had over 30 attendees for a Friday afternoon. These art club students are also the ones who did the Dragon Dance. We are already talking about next year for this! We are going to do the Dragon Dance to end the day.. but before the event starts as almost a parade to the library. Did you celebrate Chinese New Year? How do you collaborate? Upcoming blogs- -how my lesson plans are evolving -February happenings (I just finished my first actual display!)

This Beach Theme for Preschool has over 45 activities and preschool lesson plans to enjoy the beach in your preschool classroom!

Brag Braclets...

Hello Everyone!! If you are working on fractions, you have to read this book! Equal Shmequal by Virginia Kroll is a perfect book to introduce kids to the concepts of equal and unequal, symmetry, same, congruent, etc. This week I used this darling book to introduce our fractions unit. Today we worked hard on the symmetry aspect of equal and unequal. In first grade, symmetry is an important mathematical concept that actually serves as a jumping off point for many different mathematical objectives. We naturally look for balance and order in our lives, as well as in math. Symmetry can be taught with real life examples and leads beautifully in to a study of fractions. To help grasp the concept further, I made up a life sized game of equal schmequal! Kids got some paper triangles. I made sure that there were two of each color. I taped a line of symmetry down the carpet and we reviewed some of the math talk words that would be important for this game. Then the kids took turns placing the shapes one at a time making sure that the design they were creating was symmetrical, the shapes were congruent, the sides were even, the same, mirror image, etc. They were delighted with the design created and definitely understood the idea of symmetry. Equal Schmequal!!! I have some similar activities in a symmetry mini unit I shared last spring. This little unit includes : 2 mini posters with definitions A hands on shape activity creating a class symme “tree” 4 visual activities 3 center or math tub activities A vocabulary word search For your 20 page symmetry unit (free) click HERE!! :) We had a great day!! We hope you had an equally great day!! Thanks for stopping by for a peek into our little Window On Wonder!" Let us know what you think!! Joyfully! Nancy Oh! And stay tuned for a quick little terrarium unit to help learn about living things and dependency!!

Creating a scene list changed my novel-writing life, and doing the same will change yours too. Includes examples of the scene lists from famous authors.

These Preschool Math - All About Numbers worksheets are an fantastic way to begin introducing new math concepts to your preschooler

Idées pour décorer la porte de la classe avec divers thèmes, allant de l'espace à la Saint-Patrick.

There's something here to match every teacher personality, and most of them are easy enough for anyone to do.

A collection of 25 All About Me activities, including free printables, arts & crafts and learning activities for kids.

Create color patterns with free skittles pattern cards. 12 easy to use printable patterning cards for preschool and kindergarten.

Teaching states of matter in kindergarten can be a tricky! Here are some resources to help students gain a solid understanding of the topic!

This pirate board game is perfect for preschoolers learning shapes and colors. It's a race to the treasure with this fun and free board game printable. This Pirate Board Game is the perfect way to introduce the concept of learning colors and following directions, all while creating fun family

Hello Everyone! Thanks for stopping by! I have to tell you, I am loving this whole blogging thing. I hope to learn how to upload some of my printables very soon. Check back again for things like that! There were two activities that ended up being our favorites today! The first one is math related. We have been working on "area" of shapes. The kids have really caught on to simple area, so I decided to challenge them a bit. I gave them a piece of one inch grid paper. They had to use the squares to create one of the animals we have been studying. After a practice sheet, they had to recreate it with markers on a new piece. When finished, they had to document the area of their animal. Fantastic job kids!!! By the look on their faces, I know they were enjoying every minute of it!! Take a look!! practicing area with animal shapes It's a moose, of course! Cute Coyote! Sweet Skunk!! Terrific Turtle! Our next favorite thing was learning about fireflies!!! Fascinating insects! After reading some of our favorite firefly books and poems, enjoying interaction with a firefly in a jar, we practiced the firefly lifecycle, wrote a list of things that also light up the night sky (sorry I don't have a pic of that) and then worked on a craft connection. The kids were given a paper jar to cut out...tricky cutting out the inside! :) The jars were laminated and the film was left in the middle. We then fingerprinted the wings of fireflies with glow in the dark neon paint. Add a silver sharpie body and voila!! So cute!! The kids had a ball!! We will hang these from the ceiling!! Have you seen these?? Battery operated firefly in a jar!! LOOOOOOVE IT!! Click here for your copy! :) Glowing fireflies in a jar! Another awesome day in first grade!!! Thanks for taking a peek!! Have a Glowing tomorrow!! Joyfully! Nancy

The green and red choice board is a universal support available for all students to support their social-emotional behavior.

I love starting the school year with this activity. It’s easy, parents love it, and it immediately gives the children a little boost of self-esteem by identifying a part of themselves that they like…

Explore teachers' favourite ways to get your students to take a brain break. Even if it is for just 5 minutes, it is sure to limit distractions and improve attention.

This Tetris printable game will bring back nostalgia for your favorite childhood video game. Print, cut, and try to fit as many pieces in the grid.

Explore katie 5575’s 511 favorites on Flickr!

Fun With Firsties