Primary Graffiti

Shapes, Shapes, Shapes!

What is it about shapes that make kids delighted? There must something about exploring, building, composing, illustrating, and connecting with shapes that puts a smile on each child's face! Here's a glimpse at math this week through pictures...

Interested in the numbers page? It's a freebie download in my store. Link Here!

Click the image below for the freebie page below!

Understanding Tolerance...

Tolerance is defined as sympathy or indulgence for beliefs and practices differing from one's own. To spearhead the discussion for Martin Luther King Jr, kids were introduced to the word tolerance through the story, All The Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka. Following our reading and discussion, kids created rainbows prompted by attributes and desires. The goal was to understand that no two rainbows are alike because no two people are are exactly alike!

My sweet friend Gladys from Teaching in High Heels has a cute lil unit in which helps to build background and introduce vocabulary relevant words related to MLK.

As a school wide book of the month, we read Martin's Big Words. Throughout our study of the book, the kids and I compiled a list of words and created a Vocabulator.

Have you seen Mrs. Miner's guided drawing freebie of Martin Luther King Jr? Absolutely worth linking over to scoop up a copy. Click here to download! I combined this freebie with Sarah of First Grader...At Last dreams for the future and Rachelle of What A Teacher Wants peace means activities.

To prepare for his birthday, we concluded with birthday cards and party hats from Sarah's unit and celebrated Martin Luther King's birthday!

What a fun week of learning!

Freebie Number Formation Practice

I'm working with several students on number formations in the morning. I created this freebie file to assist. In math, we are currently working to compose shapes with smaller shapes. I included graphics to model this concept at the top of each practice page. My hopes are while students are practicing numbers, they're recognizing composing shapes so that this standard becomes recall!

If you are in need of additional practice pages, you can scoop this freebie up in my TpT store by clicking the image below.

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Rose {Sub Tub}

I've completed my next sub tub in time for Valentine's Day. I've been emailed a few questions about the tub and wanted to answer here....

My tubs are created to meet common core standards. The Swallowed Series does a great job at using various skills in each of their books. The skills featured guide the lessons in the tub. Example: Swallowed Some Snow used onomatopoeia, Swallowed a Rose includes contractions, Swallowed a Clover has compound words. This may mean that the standard for skill in Swallowed a Rose is a second grade standard. I've worked to ensure all lessons were appropriate for Kindergarten and First.

I prepare all my tubs in advance. These files are not meant to have printed the morning of a substitute! The activities include readers, pocket chart activities, and response sheets that may require time to prepare {print and cut}. The lessons are interactive and easy for the substitute to use but has depth.

If you are like me... I want to teach the lessons myself. Not planning on giving it away to my sub. Sooo, I prepared my files in case of an emergency. If a sub isn't needed, I teach a full themed day on Fridays before the specific holiday or season featured in the book. It's always nice to have on hand lessons for the days things just don't seem to work out. Give me an AMEN, if you agree!

I've kept the a focus on Predictable Text in each tub. The response to reading lessons are different. The math and writing content are inspired by the theme. As stated above, the skills come directly from the text. I've kept some consistent activities such as sequencing, retelling props, and emergent readers.

For my new followers, I've posted Swallowed Some Books, Swallowed Some Leaves, Swallowed a Pie, Swallowed a Bell, Swallowed Some Snow. I do have plans to create Swallowed a Fly and Swallowed a Bat but will work on these files once I'm finished with the upcoming holidays.

Soooo what's included in Swallowed a Rose...

Click to Link

Pocket Chart Sequencing

Pocket Chart Vocabulary

Kindergarten Skills Lesson

First Grade Skills Lessons

Interactive Emergent Reader

Friendly Letters

Posters and Songs

Odd/Even

Color and Blk/White

Retelling Props

I need to put the finishing touches on Swallowed a Clover. I'm hoping to have it ready next week. If you love the file, leave a comment. I'd love to send a copy to one random winner on Sunday!

Off Broadway Puppet Theater

Oh.my.word! I introduced a new center today. Well, the center isn't new but the theater is!!! Have you heard of Land of Nod? Warning, if you don't want to spent your loot, don't visit! The site is addicting, especially if you have kids of your own!

I picked up the Off-Broadway Puppet Theater in December. I scooped this bad boy up when it was on a winter sale for $19. Sorry to say, it's back up to the original price of $39. I can't express the excitement the kids had over the center. On the flip side, I had very sad kids that were unable to visit the station today. Needless to say... it was a hit!

This isn't a review just pure excitement! Click here to check out the product details for yourself! You won't be disappointed!

Rockin' Resolutions

January 2nd and already back to school! The kids were magnificent. Thank the heavens above for their behavior because 5:45 am rolled around too fast. Darn insomnia!

Yesterday I posted about Dots-N-Spots Rockin' Resolutions craft! Uber cute, right?!?

I just love this lil guys response. My book of the month for the fall was Pigsty. Still making connections which makes my heart go aflutter! Not sure if you can read but he says, "I want to help make the school NOT be a pigsty."

Today I read Squirrel's New Year's Resolution. Have you read this book?!? So cute! Several of multi meaning words. Great for predicting/inferring, sequencing, and problem solving! This story takes you on a journey with Squirrel as she learns about resolutions that better yourself and resolutions that help others.

Using the sheets provided in yesterday's post, I had the kids brainstorm a list of goals for bettering themselves and helping others. These goals could include school or personal. I had answers from helping friends learn to tie shoes to recycling more. Eating healthier to riding their bike without training wheels. All discussed by students through a turn and talk.

So... my classroom is located directly across the hall from guidance and the principal. I'm sure they thought my kids were nuts. Matter of fact, "Nuttier than a port-o-potty at a peanut festival!" Yes.I.Did! At 2:45pm I popped open several bottles of sparkling white grape juice. {SIDEBAR} I had one guy tell me, "No thanks, I'm too young for alcohol!" Holy Smokes, Batman! I can only imagine what they say to their mommas. HA! Anyhow, we popped open the bubbly and counted down "loudly" 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! We toasted each other and ate animal cookies at the stroke of 3pm. Since the Mr. broke his ankle during the holidays and awaiting surgery any day now, we were in PJs cozy on the couch. The most exciting celebration to ring in the new year happened today. Some might say "tho thad'! LOL!

Happy Teaching!!!!