Sunday, September 30, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Inspire. Dream. Believe
I don't know if you caught Deanna Jump on CNN last night...but it was truly inspiring. Not only for the amount of money she has made, but the way that her products have changed so many teachers lives. How many people can say they made an investment that helped as many people as she has? Think about this....teachers have always helped each other, that's how we get through our jobs, and this is no different. The sellers on TpT, are just HELPING us. They are creating materials and selling them at a reasonable price to help us teach the skills we need to teach. I think about my career before Teachers Pay Teachers and how much of a better teacher I am now because of it.So many advantages to this site, but one that I just LOVE is that once your purchase a file, you have it forever! Remember going to the teacher store and buying a book about literacy centers....tearing it all apart for the one center you need. You just spent $25.00 probably for a "few" centers! Crazy! Now we can go find the exact skill we are teaching, and save it! That way if you need multiple copies for small group instruction, or the kiddos mess it up, guess what, you just re-print! Such a grand idea! I am in LOVE with TpT and have made over 125 purchases! I love my little digital collection of files...and that reminds me..back up your files! Several Times! Don't lose your files!I also love the fact that we know these centers are created by teachers. Someone who probably just got through teaching the exact skill that I am teaching and knows the rigor that it needs to be taught at....
Stay tuned this weekend for some great FREEBIES! I am throwing a little sale this weekend, so be sure to head over and check it out HERE!
If you didn't catch the video of Deanna, check it out HERE! She is so humble, kind and willing to help anyone. Such a wonderful person!
Till Next Time
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Staple Centers Part 2
In my previous post, I talked about "Staple" Literacy Centers. These are centers that I can pull out throughout the year and use. I also use these centers in my "I'm Finished Bin". When a student is finished with their work, they can get a station to work at their seat quietly. I really love this idea, especially for math. I always a have a few that I have to really keep challenging them!
One of my FAVORITE "Staple" packets is from Anna Brantley's Fun-in-the-Sun-Math-and-Literacy-Center-Packet. I love this packet because it includes both Short and Long Vowels, Time AND Money, and the sentence scrambles are amazing! I love packets that include a variety of popular skills, because I can use them for so many things! She has TONS of great products, but this my favorite!
Another great one from the none other than Cara Carroll is her Ready-Set-Learn-Back-To-School-Math-Literacy-Activities packet! This one is great because it focuses on skills that are often assumed. Sometimes teachers "skip" basic steps, and before you know it, students get to third grade and can't spell the word "twelve"! This packet is great for basic skills that sometimes we assume kids know, when in actuality they do not :) Go check it out..now :)
Another great "staple" packet is my Parts-of-Speech-Mini-Packet. This packet includes 4 literacy centers, 6 printables, and 6 mini anchor charts!
One of my FAVORITE "Staple" packets is from Anna Brantley's Fun-in-the-Sun-Math-and-Literacy-Center-Packet. I love this packet because it includes both Short and Long Vowels, Time AND Money, and the sentence scrambles are amazing! I love packets that include a variety of popular skills, because I can use them for so many things! She has TONS of great products, but this my favorite!
Another great one from the none other than Cara Carroll is her Ready-Set-Learn-Back-To-School-Math-Literacy-Activities packet! This one is great because it focuses on skills that are often assumed. Sometimes teachers "skip" basic steps, and before you know it, students get to third grade and can't spell the word "twelve"! This packet is great for basic skills that sometimes we assume kids know, when in actuality they do not :) Go check it out..now :)
Another great "staple" packet is my Parts-of-Speech-Mini-Packet. This packet includes 4 literacy centers, 6 printables, and 6 mini anchor charts!
Finally-- my Leaping-Over-Word-Families
is great for those moments when you just have a few minutes here or there. "Sponge" Moments is what my principal calls them! I love these cards for that purpose. They are great on rings, and can be pulled out at any time!!
Be sure to head over and check em' out right HERE
Stay tuned this week, I am linking up with some of my favorite bloggy friends for a great surprise!
Till Next Time :)
Monday, September 24, 2012
Staple Literacy Centers
I can not believe it is ALMOST *October*! This makes me so happy, as most know, my husband is in the Navy, let's just say the closer to the end of the year the better :))))))) Also, my son turns ***5*** this month! This is insane! He's my baby! He can't grow up..he just can't!!!
As we get ready for October, this is such a great time to get ahead with our centers. Now y'all know how much I LOVE themed and skill based centers! I can not stand when students are expected to work on the same dang centers allllll year long! That must get so boring! So this is why I've combined my theme/skill based. What this means, I have given a theme to whatever skill I am working on. For example, if we are doing subtraction facts, then in October, my centers will be themed for Halloween or Fall. But practicing SUBTRACTION. I do have what I like to call "Staple" centers.. these are centers I can pull out at any time and work well for my kids.
Here are a few of my "Staple Literacy Centers".
*Synonyms-and-Antonyms-Literacy-Packet After I have taught Synonyms and Antonyms, I use these centers off and on for the rest of the year!
*Long-Vowel-Packet-10-Centers My students LOVE Four in a Row, so I've adopted it to fit a variety of skills, this packet targets LONG Vowel words
*ABC-Order-Sight-Word-Literacy-Centers - these are great to use throughout the school year! My students always need extra practice with both ABC Order and Sight Words!
*I also use packets from other fabulous TpT Sellers, and I will be highlighting those later this week :)
When it comes to THEME Based Centers, I just uploaded Halloween-Math-Common-Core-Center-Packet
This packed is Aligned with Kindergarten and First Grade Common Core Standards
As we get ready for October, this is such a great time to get ahead with our centers. Now y'all know how much I LOVE themed and skill based centers! I can not stand when students are expected to work on the same dang centers allllll year long! That must get so boring! So this is why I've combined my theme/skill based. What this means, I have given a theme to whatever skill I am working on. For example, if we are doing subtraction facts, then in October, my centers will be themed for Halloween or Fall. But practicing SUBTRACTION. I do have what I like to call "Staple" centers.. these are centers I can pull out at any time and work well for my kids.
Here are a few of my "Staple Literacy Centers".
*Synonyms-and-Antonyms-Literacy-Packet After I have taught Synonyms and Antonyms, I use these centers off and on for the rest of the year!
*ABC-Order-Sight-Word-Literacy-Centers - these are great to use throughout the school year! My students always need extra practice with both ABC Order and Sight Words!
*I also use packets from other fabulous TpT Sellers, and I will be highlighting those later this week :)
When it comes to THEME Based Centers, I just uploaded Halloween-Math-Common-Core-Center-Packet
This packed is Aligned with Kindergarten and First Grade Common Core Standards
Math Staple Centers:
Ultimate-Math-Center-Packet16-Centers - I made this packet because I always struggle with levels on differentiation Sometimes the smarty pants in the class need a little extra above what the curriculum calls for. I've seen first graders doing multiplication like it was no big deal. So I did include a few file folder games for those teachers who may not want to purchase an entire third grade math packet, but need a few things to keep the other students engaged in their learning as well.
Oh yea and I EXTENDED My weekend sale, it ends TONIGHT! Head on over to my store and check it out :)
Till Next Time
Sunday, September 23, 2012
A little R and R
Hey Y'all. I took a little break this weekend to head down south a little bit.
I am visiting my family in Wilmington, NC. I don't know if any of you have ever been to Wilmington, but it is absolutely beautiful! My family had a few things planned for our little get away. My husband is Active Duty in the US Navy...but they have the USS North Carolina set up on the river in Wilmington. My family thought we wouldn't want to see this because of being around it so much...just the opposite! My boys LOVED it! They are future sailors FOR SURE. They had so much fun walking around the ship, even in all of those tight spaces. I, on the other hand, was ready to get out of there :) I am a little skiddish when it comes to close quarters. I just don't know how those guys do it!!!!
I just LOVE this picture. I am so proud of all the men and women current & previous who give up so much to defend our country. It is literately the ultimate duty and I am amazed and blessed to know so many of these fine people.
I'm not sure if you saw but Jen over at The Teacher's Cauldron highlighted my Fall-Literacy-and-Math-Center-Mega-Packet 17-Centers! Be sure to hop on over and check her post out! My packet is on sale this weekend for 20% off so now is a great time to go snatch it up!!
Take an extra break today, after all, everyone needs a little r & r.
Ashley
I am visiting my family in Wilmington, NC. I don't know if any of you have ever been to Wilmington, but it is absolutely beautiful! My family had a few things planned for our little get away. My husband is Active Duty in the US Navy...but they have the USS North Carolina set up on the river in Wilmington. My family thought we wouldn't want to see this because of being around it so much...just the opposite! My boys LOVED it! They are future sailors FOR SURE. They had so much fun walking around the ship, even in all of those tight spaces. I, on the other hand, was ready to get out of there :) I am a little skiddish when it comes to close quarters. I just don't know how those guys do it!!!!
I just LOVE this picture. I am so proud of all the men and women current & previous who give up so much to defend our country. It is literately the ultimate duty and I am amazed and blessed to know so many of these fine people.
I'm not sure if you saw but Jen over at The Teacher's Cauldron highlighted my Fall-Literacy-and-Math-Center-Mega-Packet 17-Centers! Be sure to hop on over and check her post out! My packet is on sale this weekend for 20% off so now is a great time to go snatch it up!!
Take an extra break today, after all, everyone needs a little r & r.
Ashley
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Weekend Sale!!
So to celebrate FALL..I am having a sale this weekend!
Be sure to visit my My TpT Store and check out everything at 20% off!!
Be sure to go check out all the other great sales this weekend!!
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Teacher Supply Surplus
Hey Ya'll! I have to let go of some of this inventory! I have so many books it's unreal!!! If you need any type of resource books, please let me know! I've listed some of them on TpT, but I still have a ways to go! Head on over there and check it out because they are priced to SELL!!!
Here is a few I've already listed:
Thanks for ALL of your wonderful support!
Here is a few I've already listed:
I am still adding more so keep your eyes open.
Go check them out HERE!
Thanks for ALL of your wonderful support!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Saturday FREEBIE!
Friday, September 14, 2012
Friday FREEBIE!
Hey everyone! I wanted to share this cute little sight word game I made!
Be sure to stop by and check out my TpT Store!
Till Next Time
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Training Your Students using Literacy Centers
This is my most often question...how to set up literacy centers. So much time and preparation goes into setting up your guided reading program. So this will be a series of posts. I am going to start today with centers and how to teach students how to use them. Creating a reading program that is interactive and hands on is SO important! Students should be actively engaged in the learning process!
This takes so much time! First and foremost, I NEVER put an activity in a center that the students have not been taught how to use. Just because it's a cute, or really useful, doesn't mean it will effective in the students learning if they are not using it correctly. Teaching with stations can be very difficult, because you have to be able to hold the students accountable. Students should be completing the activity correctly, or it's just a waste of time :/
First step, introduce centers in small group teacher instruction first. For example, I am using my Corn Maze Rhyme Time. This game includes over 28 cards to it. So when I first introduce it, I am only using 8-10 cards. I arrange 8-10 cards out on the table. We read the words together, then the students take turns picking the rhymes out of the display. Once we've practiced this a few times, I will put it in a center and the student can then to the activity with a partner or independently. This game comes from my Fall-Literacy-and-Math-Center-Mega-Packet21-Centers-
Then, the student makes a stack with the cards they have chosen. At the end of the game, everyone reads their cards to me to and we discuss how they rhyme. We do not do the response sheet that goes with this activity, but I do explain to them how to use it.
Speaking of my Fall-Literacy-and-Math-Center-Mega-Packet21-Centers-..this packet is JAMMED packed! It has 13 literacy centers and 4 math centers. A whopping 147 pages and less than .10 cents a page! Super deal! I also broke the packet up into smaller units to meet the needs of all of my customers.
It includes:
Harvest Theme: (Can use throughout fall)
Noun/ Verb Word Sort
Noun Words Sort (Person, Place or Thing)
ABC Order
Rhyme Time
Sentence Scramble
Halloween:
Noun Word Sort
ABC Order
Rhyme Time
Sentence Scramble
Thanksgiving
Noun ,Verb, Adjective Word Sort
ABC Order
Rhyme Time
Sentence Scramble
Math Centers:
Hay Ride Time
Fall into place Value
Collecting Coins
Fall into double facts
Be sure to go check this packet out on TpT!
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