Balanced Literacy Plunge

As an elementary teacher, I find that the balanced literacy approach is something that I simply cannot live without.

One approach that I've added to my day is that I try to add at least two content area centers throughout the week. We have seven stations a day, so that's pretty easy for us to do! 

My balanced Literacy routine is pretty simple. I try to incorporate as many content area centers as I can. The past few weeks we've been working on Map Skills. 

My kiddos LOVE floor puzzles! They are such a great tool to help develop important critical thinking skills. My kids do the puzzle, then complete a labeling activity. The puzzle shown is one of my favs from Melissa and Doug! 

Read Alouds for Maps

We've also worked on Rhyming Words this week. These puzzle match ups are great for reinforcing those tricky rhyming words....and they are on a little flash sale :) 

 Here are few other centers we used this week from my Winter Literacy Center Packet (also on sale!)

ABC Order

I know this probably comes as a ~huge~ surprise  but I love teaching ABC Order. It's such a great way to challenge students to use their critical thinking skills. My oldest kiddo and I have been working really hard on ABC order  the past few weeks and I wanted to share with you some of the resources we are using! I created a "to go" set of centers. These are small, compact and we can use them ANYWHERE! I made them with Spring Break in mind, because we were road tripping. I gave my kiddo a set of these cards, and he went to town in the back seat! It was perfect because that way they weren't in the backseat watching movies for an entire 8 hours! 

 My ABC-Order-Rings-To-Go-Literacy-Centers are so easy to use. They contain 6 different literacy centers. Four sight word ABC Order centers, one color word set, and one number word set. They are also so easy to make. You just print, laminate and cut! Then, you secure the cards with a binder ring. They are also good for flash reading. You can send these home with your students for extra practice at home! I have these cards on sale through tonight, so get them while they are a little bit cheaper! 

Here is another great resource for Spring and ABC Order! Check out my Spring Literacy and Math Packet Spring-Mega-Literacy-Math-Center-Packet-22-Centers

Also, I am not sure if you've stopped by my Fitness Blog but be sure to check it out! We have several collaborators that are posting helpful fitness and healthy eating tips!

My hubby has asked me about nine times if I've started planning our trip home to the sunshine state this year...I better get to planning because if I don't pencil in Mickey Mouse..he sure as heck won't just appear at our doorstep! 

Thanks, Friends!

Till Next Time

Patriotism & Veteran's Day

Well, I am HAPPY to report that my husband made it home safely from his deployment! What an  experience it was! I've never experienced a carrier homecoming before, let alone one that was decommissioning  It was such an awesome experience! Needless to say, I am one **SUPER** Proud Navy Wife!! This picture was taken *after* he changed out of his uniform! It was SO crazy when he got off the ship, we didn't get any good pictures! I still love it, but BOY I <3 p="p" the="the" uniform="uniform">

Welcome Home USS Enterprise!

After the excitement of homecoming, it was time to get back to work! I've created a Patriotic-Literacy-Center-Mini-Packet! 

This Packet contains {4} Centers and {3} Writing Printables!I love this packet because it can be used during Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, President's Day or any other time frame that you wish!!!

*Compound Words
*ABC Order
*Verb/Noun/Adjective Word Sort
*Sight Word Game*3 Writing Printables

Another *GREAT* Veteran's Day activity is from Miss Kindergarten! Her Soldier-Boy-and-Girl-Craft-and-Writing-Templates is amazing!!! I have this and can't wait to put it to use! 

Till Next Time!!!