Fall Book Activities Blog Hop

Hey Friends! I got together with some of my sweet blogging friends to host a little Fall

Blog Hop!

We wanted to bring you suggestions for read alouds and activities to do for fall!!!

One of my favorite books for fall is "Paddlefoot Pumpernickel's Pumpkin" by Lucainne DeLong. 

This book is such a great story for firsties! The story is about a boy who is trying to find the biggest, best, most amazing pumpkin ever....and all he really needs is something that's a little different. I love this book because it reminds me of life sometimes! I think even as *adults* we get that mentality that we need the "biggest, best and most amazing things ever"...but do we really? Can't we just be our amazing, unique selves and have that be okay? That's the moral of this story and I LOVE expressing that to kids! It's okay to be different and be your own person.

I will  admit, I'm a tad bit sad! I had a TON of pictures of a craft I did with this story and I can't find them at all! Basically, I made a pumpkin template, and gave the kids all sorts of different supplies. The kids were allowed to decorate and make the pumpkin however they wanted..it didn't have to be any certain color. So to make up for my lack of pictures, I made this little printable for you!

Pumpkin Freebie

A few of my favorite fall read alouds:

*There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves!

*Halloween Mice!

*The Berenstein Bears and the Prize Pumpkin

*Clifford's First Halloween

*Flat Stanley and The Haunted House

*Leaf Man

Hop on over to my friend's blog to check out all the other great posts! 

Speaking of Fall, I just posted my Fall-Literacy-Centers-for-Big-Kids-8-Centers! 

It's geared towards the intermediate grades, since that's the area I am currently working in!! 

Till next time :) 

A little hard work never hurt anyone...

Hey friends :) 

I'm not going to lie, teaching with centers is absolutely HARD Work.. I know so many teachers that do not do it because of how hard it is. It's a lot of time printing, laminating and cutting. It's an investment, an investment that will pay off year after year.I still love people's reaction the moment they realize that typically everything in a classroom is almost 75% paid for BY THE TEACHER! They think all of this stuff just appears and is paid for by schools...not likely.  I understand that teachers earn a small amount of money in comparison to the cost of teaching, and the amount of hours we work. I get it..but teaching is a CALLING. I know that God put me here on this earth for three things: To be a  MOTHER, A WIFE and A T EACHER. That's my calling, those three things. I know so many of you feel the same way. And I know it's frustrating to spend our "own" money on our classrooms and feel as if we have no support from admin..I get it. But I also know what it's like to go without a teaching position (due to our family moving states). This is an emptiness like no other. I promise you. Even with ALL of the aggravation, hard work, and money spent, I wouldn't trade it a single day, to have my own classroom. Again, this is why  I'm here, this is my calling. That's it. Bottom Line. Seriously, so many times I get asked "Why don't you just go work at a bank"..I always reply "Everyone who works a bank can READ"... The crazy thing is this has been on my heart all week....this little message. Then, today at church, we had a speak from Big Oak Ranch..oh my word..if you have a second take a look at this video..it will remind you why we are doing what we are..and God Bless the Croyle family :) John Croyle talks a lot about how we were all put here on this earth for something...what is God using you for? Take a look at this little Video Clip

okay.. back to literacy centers ;) I'm a little scatterbrained tonight :) 

Build yourself a "center library"..and just think of how many students will benefit from it! Hands on instruction is the way to go these days...students NEED an approach to their education that fits in with things they do on a daily basis...children aren't going home and playing with sticks anymore people...they are playing with iPhones, tablets, e-readers, video games..etc...... So why not use fun, colorful and engaging literacy (& math) centers? Paper and pencil has it's place in the classroom, and ALWAYS will, but adding some variety to your instruction will pay off! I promise!  Someone asked me the other day "Why do you use all of these materials"..and my answer is ALWAYS this "My kiddos love coming to school because of the fun and engaging activities we do".  So yeah, it might require a little work on your end..but as my daddy always told me 

"A little hard work never killed nobody.." 

Remember going into a teacher store? Spending $29.99 on a "Literacy Center Book"...??? Getting it home, flipping through, and only being able to use one or two things from it? This is when I started creating my own materials..materials that MY students needed. Materials that were created with students first. So yeah, it's a lot of work...but the good news is, since the launch of TpT, you can now go and find centers already created for the exact skill that you need. Then, you have a digital copy FOREVER. So what if your computer crashes and you lose all of your files...guess what? TpT SAVES it ALL For you! What if students tear up your centers that you purchased with your (own) money?? Once again, just visit "My Purchases" and print the file that you need AGAIN. I am such a fan of TpT because of this, I can find exactly what I need and most of the time it is a huge hit with my classroom! 

Even once an item is purchased, I realize, it is  work for teachers...I get that...and I applaud you! For going above and beyond and making your students successful...isn't that the real reason we all sought out this path we call education? That might mean cutting things out while sitting in front of the tube with your spouse..or you could be like me and get your spouse to cut for you :) He's such a sport! Haha!

Okay..that's my rant and soapbox... 

I wanted to share with you my center calendar that I have used for the last few years in First Grade!! Now that I'm in 4th grade, I am developing a calendar to keep up with what products I use and when :) But here is what I have used for the last few years in First Grade :) 

For September through November, I relay heavily on these four packets:

Fall-Literacy-and-Math-Center-Mega-Packet21-Centers-

Fall-Sight-Word-Literacy-Centers

Fall-is-Here-Math-and-Literacy-Center-Packet

Autumn-Math-and-Literacy-Centers-

Here are a few FREE Centers that I like to use as well!! 

Fall-Fact-or-Opinion-Freebie

Fall-Word-Wall-Words

Fall-Writing-Prompt-Cards-Freebie-

Roll-Read-and-Color-Sight-Word-FREEBIE-

Till Next Time 

Gearing up for November!

Whew! Halloween in the middle of the week is *not* so much fun! Ha! Now is a GREAT Time to start preparing for November! Here are few things that I *always* find helpful!!!

One of my BEST Sellers is my Fall-Literacy-and-Math-Center-Mega-Packet21-Centers. I've reduced this product since Halloween is over :) So now is a GREAT time to head on over and pick it up!! It has 21 Centers that you can use throughout fall!!! 

My kids LOVE this--Sight-Word-Literacy-Centers! And it's FREE! 

And another GREAT  freebie Color by Sight Word Packet for November! You can check it out HERE

I also broke my Mega Packet into Smaller ones, for those who do not celebrate Halloween. You can check out the Thanksgiving-Literacy-Centers-Mini-Packet! 

Now, TpT is FULL of great products! Here are some of my November FAVORITES! 

* Made For First Grade - Turkey-Time-Math-Literacy-Centers

*Katie "Queen Of The First Grade Jungle"-Sum-Fall-Fun-10-Fall-themed-addition-activitiescenters

*Rowdy In Room 300-Compound-word-Pumpkin-Puzzles

*The Bubbly Blonde- Fall-Fact-Families; Awesome-Autumn-Activities-8-Literacy-Centers

*Miss Kindergarten Love- Soldier-Boy-and-Girl-Craft-and-Writing-Templates

November-Games-and-Centers

*LMN Tree- Fall-Leaves-Fall-Leaves-ELA-Reading-Poetry-and-Fall-Plays-K-1st

Till Next Time

Fall Literacy And Math Mega Center Packet and a FREEBIE!

Hey Y'all!! I updated my Fall-Literacy-and-Math-Center-Mega-Packet21-Centers! It' now contains *21* centers! For the same price! So if you have already purchased this file, be sure to go to "My Purchases" and re-download! 

If not, head on over and check it out right HERE!

This packet includes my fall literacy packet and math packet combined! With 16 Literacy Centers, and 5 Math Centers. It Includes B&W Recording Sheets

Harvest Theme: (Can use throughout fall)
Noun/ Verb Word Sort- Students sort the word cards by nouns/ verbs

Noun Words Sort (Person, Place or Thing)- Students sort the words by person, place or thing.

ABC Order- Students read the word cards, then arrange them in ABC order. Recording sheet included. 

Rhyme Time- Students read the word cards and match them with a word that rhymes.

Sentence Scramble- Students arrange the word cards in the correct sentence. 

Halloween:
Noun Word Sort
ABC Order
Rhyme Time
Sentence Scramble
Thanksgiving
Noun ,Verb, Adjective Word Sort
ABC Order
Rhyme Time
Sentence Scramble
Math Centers:
Packet includes:

Hay Ride Time
Fall into place Value
Collecting Coins
Fall into double facts

Bonus*3 Sets of ABC Order, 1 Raking Up Double Facts Math Center*

And for the FREEBIE~ Click here

                                                Till Next Time

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

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

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

Saturday FREEBIE!

Whoo Hoo! Thank You for ALL of the love yesterday! I wanted to reward you by giving you TWO more FREEBIES!!!

You can get your copy by clicking HERE!!

               Be sure to hop on over and  check out my TpT Store as I am throwing a customer appreciation sale TODAY!!! 

 Till Next Time :)

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!