FREE Patriot Day Printable Booklet

Holy moly, mostacoli!  The last month has been a total whirlwind.  I'll have a longer post about the beginning of our school year with pictures of my room and activities.  I am loving my class this year!  They are so clever and fun!

I always find it difficult to teach first graders about September 11 and Patriot Day.  I was teaching first grade on September 11, 2001.  It was just as hard then as it is now.  At the time I had many parents request we not discuss the events at all in the classroom.  As much as I tried to follow their wishes, kids asked questions and I would answer them as simply and honestly as I could.  I still stick to that now.

As a way of teaching, honoring and observing Patriot Day I created a 4 page booklet that simply explains what Patriot Day is, why we observe it and how to celebrate it.  It is a free download on my TpT store.

What do you do on September 11?  How do you teach it to your students?

Wahoo! Back to School Sale on TpT!

I've been filling up my wishlist just waiting for the Back to School sale on TpT.  The time has come, my friends!  Sunday and Monday use the code BTS13 during check out to get an additional 20% off all my already reduced products!  Back to school bargains galore!

I also linked up with K. Almaraz's link party for Firstie Friends (other first grade teachers participating in the Back to School sale).  Check out all the goodies!

The kids start school Monday.  New curriculum in all subject areas and new schedules...wish me luck!

Updated Personal Dictionaries FREEBIE and a Coupon

    

I've updated my Dolch Word Personal Dictionary on TpT and added a Fry Personal Dictionary.  Each file includes 2 pages of alphabetized words with 5 different color backgrounds, a simple black frame and just words.  Go scoop them up for free!

Background examples:

 

Now for the coupon.  I am offering a 10% discount to my Etsy shop valid now through September 7, 2013.  Use it to purchase your own set of handmade chair pockets or any of my other cute products!

Hanging Fancy Frame clip art by Krista Wallden.

FREE CCSS eBook Resource from TpT (and ME!)

 

Can I just say how much I love TpT? I was introduced to it from a teacher I co-taught with during summer school last year and I have been obsessed hooked ever since.

The beautiful, wonderful, thoughtful people behind and involved with TpT have put together amazing resources with Teacher Tips and *free* activities to help implement the Common Core State Standards.  My tip and free download are featured on page 4 of the K-2 ELA e-book available here (or by clicking the graphic above)!  I am so honored to be included in this resource along side some truly amazing educators!

But, don't stop there!  Be sure to download the other subject e-books as well!

K-2 ELA  don't forget...scroll right to page 4 ;) 
K-2 MATH 
3-5 ELA  
3-5 MATH

There are also e-books for 6-12 in Science, Social Studies, English and Math if you want to pass the info on to teacher friends who brave those hormonal creatures day in and day out. I'll take a roomful of 6 year-olds over that! Links to upper grades can be found from any of the links above. Again they are all FREE and include lots of free resources and activities to use in your classroom! Share the news with all your friends and colleagues!  

Absolutely Adorable Chair Pockets

Lately I have been a pocket making machine!  I've had orders for over 200 pockets and have more than 120 waiting in the wings! 
This latest bunch is super cute.  The buyer asked for teal, gray and pale yellow with some chevron.  Love, love, love the all chevron pockets.
If your interested in ordering chair back pockets for your class check out my Etsy shop for more details!

Professional Development SALE Ends Today!

Just a quick reminder that my professional development sale ends TODAY! 

A week long workshop towards the end of summer is tough to get through!  Not to mention we ate getting all new curriculum guides, lesson plan *suggestions*, mandated master schedules, mandated quarter, yearly and twice-yearly assessments and at least 4 new curriculum tools/supplements. 
It was a lot to take in over a week, but I am super lucky to be part of a fabulous first grade team!  Teachers in my district are finally getting mandated common planning time.  This is amazing and new for us and I am so looking forward to it.

But I digress.  Back on track.  Sale ends today.  Have a great weekend!

Free Twitter Style Exit Ticket Display Board Printable

 

Tweet Thoughts is a super easy, super efficient exit ticket display board printable is available as a free download on my TpT store.  I was inspired by a pin I saw last week or so.

The birds have speech bubbles chirping numbers to correlate with student in class number.  Kids will write their tweets on 3" x 3" sticky notes, stick it to their assigned bird and done!  You can quickly see who's getting it or which questions need to be addressed.

I printed mine in blue scrapbook paper, cut and glued it to a metallic silver poster board.  The metallic shine doesn't photograph well, sorry.  I'll have it laminated for durability, of course.

You could also create a bulletin board with the graphics.

The file comes with two title choices:

Either with or without the smart hashtag.

I can't wait to use this next year...well a month.