Let’s Celebrate Reading (free downloads)

 

Want to play a guessing game?
This week’s Book Nook post is all about a man we shall not name.
This man loved to write silly stories that rhyme.
But, mentioning his name is actually a CRIME (gasp!).
He wrote stories all about green foods and lots of crazy creatures.
Did you guess this week’s Book Nook Feature?

While I don’t mention any books in this post, these resources can certainly be used to celebrate books. Enjoy!

1. Create your own “Happy Birthday” banner to celebrate the life of the man who shall remain nameless! Your students will love seeing this little banner hanging in your classroom doorway. Print, cut, and then string the letters together.

 

2. Print out these fun (and free) bookmarks. Give a bookmark to your students before they go on a reading adventure. This bookmark comes straight from my Reading Can Take Anywhere packet, but I’m giving it to you all for free!

 

Grab both of these free downloads by clicking HERE!

Celebrating Books Week!

Hi Friends!

I just finished up this little Reading Can Take You Anywhere packet! I’ll be completing these activities toward the end of the week and next week.

Here’s a sneak peek at the packet:

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In this 40 page packet, you will find:
- A Book Celebration Invitation
- A Special Bookmark
- "We're Off On a Book Adventure" Postcard
- A Write Your Own Author Study (students research an author and write a mini-report about that special person
- A Reading Log Board Game
- Graphic Organizers and Printables (favorite book, problem/solution, cause/effect)
Please view the Preview to see more of what is included!

You can grab it at my TPT shop below!!!

Enjoy!

I’ll give this packet away to the first THREE friends who comment (with their e-mail addresses). in your comment, tell me all about YOUR favorite book (adult book or kid book).

R-Controlled Vowel Packets

 

Happy Sunday!

I’m just quickly swinging by to tell you all that the entire “R Team” has officially landed in my TPT shop. You can now find activities for all of the r-controlled vowels.

Our newest superhero friend is Stormy Norman! Stormy Norman is his name, and flying through storms is this superhero’s favorite game. Click {HERE} to grab this packet to help teach your students all about /or/.

And, I can’t wait for you all to meet Smart Clark! Smart Clark is nice and kind. He has the biggest heart and a super SMART mind. Click {HERE} to grab this packet to help teach your students all about /ar/.

And, in case you missed my post all about The Super Girls (for teaching er, ir, and ur), you can read all about it here or you can take a look at the packet in my shop by clicking {HERE}.

 

Have a SUPER week at school!

the book nook (anti-bullying books)

 

This week’s Book Nook is all about anti-bullying books. March 1st is the “official” anti-bully day, but why wait until then to read some great stories that promote a bully-free classroom?

These are my favorite anti-bullying books. Some of these may be more familiar to you than others; however, I guarantee you’ll love them all!

Top to Bottom, Left to Right
The Recess Queen
Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun
Enemy Pie
Chrysanthemum
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon
Hooway for Wodney Wat
The Juice Box Bully
Don’t Laugh at Me
Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns About Bullies
How to Lose All Your Friends

One anti-bullying book that holds a special place in my heart is Hooway for Wodney Wat. This book is just DARLING. It’s about a little rodent who can’t pronounce /r/ and is often teased because of it. Poor little guy! It’s a perfect story that teaches children they can succeed and triumph, even if they are different.

This is an excellent activity to do after reading the book. It helps students see that even though we are different, we can still be friends! Click {HERE} to download it for free.

I also blogged about these fun bully-free posters awhile back. You can grab them for free {HERE}.

What activities or books do you use to teach your students to be bully-free?

Are You In Need of a Hall Pass?

Phew! I had my third formal observation today. I am so glad it’s O-V-E-R. The anticipation is way worse than the actual observation. I always have nightmares leading up to the day. I’ll never forget the nightmare I had last year before my first observation. It went like this: The county superintendent was visiting my classroom. I was in front teaching a math lesson with chalk that wouldn't write. My students were sitting on the carpet casually reading magazines, and in the center of the carpet was a Little Tikes car that, no matter how hard I tried, WOULD NOT MOVE!

Why do we torture ourselves like this?

Thank goodness only some of my dreams come true. HA! Today, my sweet principal said she wished she could start every morning in my classroom. Woo hoo! My students were BEAMING when she said that to them. They take such pride in their work. I just love them. 

Even with the relief of having another observation over and done with, I am still in desperate need of a hall pass (a little time to escape and take a breather). And, that’s why I’m linking up with my SWEET friend, Reagan, from Tunstall Teaching Tidbits. I just LOVE this girl! She is the REAL DEAL.

My favorite product is definitely my Common Core graphic organizers. These little bad boys come in handy ALL THE TIME. They’ve saved me hours and hours.

My favorite area in my classroom is The Writing Zone. My kids refer to this area all the time during Writer’s Workshop. They love it, and so do I!!!

My favorite signal is this cheesy song I sing. It works like a charm. Don’t judge, you guys!

It goes like this:

If I had to compliment anyone, who would it be?

It would be the friend that is standing/sitting quietly.

I usually end up complimenting the whole class because they all stop and listen!

What keeps me sane? COFFEE! If you find me with a cup of coffee in my hand as you greet me in the morning, you’re likely to see the pleasant side of me. However, if that coffee is missing…..WATCH OUT! Ha! I once overheard a student of mine say something to that effect.

This ecard makes me LAUGH!

 

Want to share all about YOUR Hall Pass? Go link up with Reagan.

Super Girls to the Rescue (Er, Ir, and Ur)

 

Meet The Super Girls!

The Super Girls are superheroes with awesome superpowers. They’ll be flying into my classroom in the next few weeks to help us review r-controlled vowels. 

I’ll be pulling out these anchor charts:

And, I’ll be reading this mini-story filled with “er,” “ir” and “ur” words. I know my kids will LOVE each little superhero.

I’m especially excited for my kids to make (and decorate) these simple superhero masks before heading out on our “er,” “ir”, and “ur” word hunt around the classroom!

I know my kids will also love writing super sentences and a superhero story (using “er,” “ir,” and ur” words, of course!). We’ll also be doing a little sorting, too.

And, nothing beats a good old fashioned game of bingo (superhero style) and a fun review game. We’ll be squeezing in these SUPER games, for sure.

If you’re introducing or reviewing “er,” “ir,” and “ur,” you can grab all of these resources below!

In this 45 page packet, you will find:
-A Mini Superhero Story {to teach students all about er, ir, and ur}
-Anchor Charts {to refer to while introducing each superhero}
-Practice Activities {Cut and Sort, Super Sentences}
-Two Word Hunts {includes recording sheet and words}
-Mask Template {for students to make before they go on the hunt}
-Super Board Game {to reinforce learning about er, ir, and ur}
-Bingo Game {includes calling cards and bingo sheets}
-Make Your Own Superhero Activity

Want this fun poster for free? Just click on the Preview at my TPT shop to grab it.

Grab the whole packet at my TPT shop! Click on the link below.

Also, get ready to meet Stormy Norman (for the /or/ sound) and Smart Clark (for the /ar/ sound). I hope to have these guys in my shop by the weekend.

Filling Your Hearts!

 

My Freebie-licious friends and I are here today to fill your hearts with all kinds of free sweets!

If you need a fun activity for your Valentine’s Day party, be sure to grab the freebie below.  I can’t wait to do this with my kiddos. They are going to eat it UP! This little freebie comes right out of my Valentine’s Day packet.

Click on the activity to download it for free!

Head on back to Freebie-licious to find more free resources!!!

Need more Valentine’s Day resources? Check out my Valentine’s Day packets. Click on the covers below to grab them. They are ON SALE today and tomorrow only!!!

 

The Book Nook (Black History Month Freebies!)

 

There are so many great books out there to teach during Black History Month, which makes it is impossible for me to pick just ONE to highlight this week!

Below you’ll find 18 fabulous books that are very informative and excellent discussion starters for teaching your students all about famous African Americans! You’ll be able to read a little blurb about each book by clicking on the links below.

From Top to Bottom, Left to Right:
1.    I Love My Hair by Natasha Trepley
2.    Aunt Flossie's Hats (and Crab Cakes Later) by Elizabeth Howard
3.    Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
4.    Of Thee I Sing by Barack Obama
5.    A Picture Book of Rosa Parks by David Adler
6.    If a Bus Could Talk by Faith Ringgold
7.    Garrett Morgan Inventor by Garnet Jackson
8.    A Picture Book of Frederick Douglass by David Adler
9.    Ellen’s Broom by Kelly Starling Lyons
10.    What Color is My World? By Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
11.    When Grandmama Sings by Margaree King Mitchell
12.    The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
13.    Who Was Harriet Tubman? by Yona Zeldis McDonough
14.    George Washington Carver: Teacher, Scientist, and Inventor by Lori Mortensen
15.    Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport
16.    Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull
17.    He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands by Kadir Nelson
18.    Desmond and the Very Mean Word by Desmond Tutu

Last year, my kids especially loved learning all about Garrett Morgan. We read many different  articles and stories all about his amazing accomplishments. After we learned all about him and other famous African American inventors, I held an Invention Convention in the classroom. It was super simple and fun to do! I gathered a bunch of items from home (egg cartons, tissue boxes, craft sticks, clay, pipe cleaners, etc.) and had my students work together in pairs to come up with a new invention. It was an excellent teamwork activity!

You can grab some resources below to have your own Invention Convention in your classroom. Click on any of the activities below to grab them.

I’ll also be using LOTS of activities from my Black History packet. Click here to read all about it.