Egg-citing Freebie

Follow my blog with Bloglovin It is just another Manic Monday!  Did you see the great "Tech Tips for Teachers" freebie in the TpT newsletter.  I was happy to contribute to this, and even more excited to read all of the great information from the amazing 40+ contributors.  The eBook is meant to be viewed on the computer, not printed (wow the ink it would waste!).  Also make sure you are viewing it in Adobe, not Preview to make sure all of the hyperlinks work.

Inside you will find a informational tech tip from each contributor.  I must admit I learned several new things.  Each author also has a freebie for you!  Make sure to download you copy today!

Speaking of Tech Tips, have you checked out my new blog?  It is Technology with Class.  My latest post is a quick tutorial video showing you and easy and safe way to share a YouTube video with your students.  Click here to stop by and view it.

I have more egg-citing stuff for you!  Here is a few fun pack of activities & centers for the kiddos.  Click here to get it.  My students love these Easter themed centers so much they forget they are learning.

Want more Freebies?  I'm linking up with Classroom Freebies' Manic Monday.

QR Code Task Cards Freebie

Those of you who have been with me for a while know how much I love integrating technology into my classroom.  It makes my life as a etcher easier and more productive, but more importantly the students love it and benefit from it so much!  I know many teachers are hesitant to bring new technology into the classroom because they are not a tech expert.  I am by no means an expert either, but I love learning new things and that is all it takes.  I also enjoy simplifying things to teach others new things (thus why I teach K/1).  I integrate technology in multiple ways everyday in our classroom and my students benefit from it.  My mission now is to help other teachers see how easy it is to do the same.  If I can do it with K/1, then anyone can do it!  Because of this, I am happy to announce a new blog I just launched, www.technologywithclass.com (don't worry Fun in K/1 isn't going anywhere.)

So please stop by and check it out!  Keep in mind it is just getting started, so please check back often.  I have also changed the name of my TpT store to Teaching with Technology and Fun.  It's still me and the same great stuff, just a new name and soon to be more products.

Now, on to my QR Task Card Freebie!  My kids love scanning QR codes.  I have tried using these in centers with task cards several ways.  My first attempt, was simply using QR codes for students to scan to check their answer.  Well the students were so excited to scan the code, they would rush their work.  Well now, I have them scan the QR code to get the question.  Then they answer the problem on their recording sheet.  When they complete all of the cards they get to scan another code to check their answers.  This way has worked beautifully!  Give it a try.

The best part is that there is very little printing, paper and ink involved.  However, the students still benefit from the full color questions and images!

What do you need to get started?  
A device capable of scanning a QR code  - (preferably one for each child at the center.)  The app is free, you can use an iPad, iPod and old Smartphone or any tablet with a rear facing camera and QR reader app.  (You can do it with a computer with a web cam at http://www.webqr.com but it is a little more difficult.)  

WiFi -  The codes are linked to a URL with the question as an image.

QR Code Task Cards - Today is your lucky day!  I'm giving you a set for free!  Click here to download my newest set I am using this week.  This set of QR Code Task Cards features Double Digit Addition without Regrouping.  The file includes everything you need: directions, a storage folder, 12 QR Code Task Cards, a student answer form and self checking answer key code.

Don't forget to stop by checkout more freebies at Classroom Freebies Manic Monday! 

Very Productive Monday

In honor of President's Day, I had a very productive day.  I spent Saturday and Sunday playing, so I decided to spend today working and creating!

I finally finished and uploaded my Building Dolch Sight Word Fluency System.  This is something I have implemented in my room this year and it is working amazing!

I have 22 posters (Lego themed of course with my room!  I am working on other themes too.) each with 10 Dolch words.  The students have a name card on the wall with sticky tack.  If they can name all 10 words quickly, without sounding out, and without errors they can advance to the next poster.  They do this until they have mastered all 220 Dolch words.  When they get to the end I make a big announcement and the student is awarded a certificate.  I have challenged the class to have everyone make it to the end.  If everyone makes it we will have a Pizza Party!  Now students who have made it help their peers work on the words they need to learn.  It is woking out fantastic!

In the Building Sight Dolch Word System I have also included several PowerPoint slide shows to use for practice or assessment.  They automatically advance after 1.5 or 2.0 seconds.  I also have a checklist to use that is in the same order.  I also included a themed word list, certificate and iFlash Digital Flashcards PDF.  You can buy this system from me at TpT or My Store.

Did you notice I said "My Store"???  Yes, you read correctly, I am starting my own little store right here on Fun in K/1!  You can not shop right here, pay and the download will be automatically sent to you.  You can find my store by clicking on the "My Products" tab above.  I am still playing around with how I would like it formatted and only have a whopping 2 products listed, but hey it's a start!  It has been on my to-do list for a while, so now it is on my in-progress list!

I also got another project started today!  I have been toying with an idea for a while and I just took the first steps to getting it started today.  I will give you a hint, it involves technology in elementary education.  I hope to have more details very soon and will be sure to share right here!

I did all of this today, and still found "time" to make a freebie for you!  I am addicted to my iFlash digital flashcards.  If you haven't tried them yet, you must.  Don't worry there is no printing or cutting involved and they are super easy to store.  All you do is download the iFlash Digital Flashcard PDF to your iPad, Smartphone or tablet, then open in an eReader.  Then you can open the "book" from your bookshelf and swipe through them.  I use them with students to get out the door, come into class or while we are waiting anywhere.  You can grab them free from my TpT store or click here to grab them.  (I have also added them to the "My Freebies" tab on the blog.  I am going to keep adding to this section too.)

Don't forget to check out Manic Monday at www.classroomfreebies.com for more freebies!

President's Day

February is such a short month, but they cram so many topics into it!  Groundhogs Day, President's Day, 100th Day, Valentine's Day, Month of Kindness, Dental Health Month and Black History Month!    That is so much to fit in!  Don't forget there is also all of the normal stuff to cover as well.

President's Day has always been one of my favorite topics to teach.  George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are both very interesting men to cover and the students love learning about them.  I usually get such great writing pieces.

Here are the two writing packets I use.  They contain a great writing organizer to help students plan.  Click on the picture to get each packet.

I also found amazing directed drawing directions from Kindergarten Planet for Lincoln and Washington in this weekends TpT newsletter.  Here is the link.

Need Suggestions & Manic Monday

I love Monday nights, it means that Monday is almost over!  Why are Mondays so exhausting?  Well one good thing about Mondays is Manic Monday over at Classroom Freebies. 

I am sharing this February freebie with you.  It is great for working on describing words.  Click here to grab it free.

Now I am asking for your help and suggestions.  Today I had a new student join our class.  Our new friend is from Haiti and speaks no English.  He is very overwhelmed with everything.  Then starting in a class over half-way through the year.  I am looking for ideas to help my new student.  Please leave any suggestions in comments. 

A Manic Monday with New Things!

Whew, I am glad the school day is done!  The kiddos were crazy today for some reason, but I still had several things go really well and I wanted to share.  I also have a timely Manic Monday freebie to share!

More Wonders....
We use the Wonders reading series.  So far I am liking it and enjoying making it my own.  I have a few things I have made to go along with it (you can get them at my TpT store).  I am currently finishing up the More Wonders set for Unit 4.

I have tried using the presentation they have for you in the series and find it rather time consuming.  I have been using a quick PowerPoint/Keynote as a daily review with the kids.  I start off with our promise.  We review our high frequency words for the week by chanting all of the words.  One day we will also practice using them in sentences.  We cheer our spelling words each day.  I also try to find fun YouTube clips that go with our phonics skills.  I also have a quick slide to review grammar and the Oral Vocabulary.

When I do all of this in PowerPoint or Keynote the file becomes so large it is hard to share.  This week I made it in Prezi and thought I would share it with anyone.  This week I am on Unit 4, Week 1.  Please let me know if you use it or like it and I will continue to share it (FREE of course!)  Click here for the link to it.



Show What You Know with Puppet Pals2...
I think I have blogged earlier about how my class will use Puppet Pals2 on the iPad to make a quick movie to illustrate what they have learned.  Last week we learned all about Martin Luther King Jr..  So today the kids had to use Puppet Pals2 and select the Martin Luther King puppet and tell about him in first person.  They turned out so cute.  I will share a few as soon as I figure out the easiest way to share them.

And a Freebie!
Groundhog's Day is coming up so I thought I would share a Groundhog's Day freebie with you for Manic Monday!  It is a cute class book you can make with your class.  Click here to grab it free!

Don't forget to check out Manic Monday at Classroom Freebies for more great finds!

Turkey Time - It's a Fact

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching!  I have been doing a few fun things in the classroom!  With so many things to teach and so little time, I have a hard time fitting fun crafts in!  I generally won't do a craft unless I can tie a lesson to it too!

Check out these fun Fact Family Turkeys my little turkeys just made.  We are working hard on understanding the ins and outs of fact families.

Each student made a different fact family on their turkey body and wings.  Then we did the addition feathers and followed with the subtraction feathers.  Finally we assembled our turkeys.  I loved them.  I traced some of the parts on construction paper and printed some parts on colored paper.

I'm sure these are easy enough for you to make your self, but if you want to save some time I have uploaded the patterns and directions to my TpT store.  Click here and grab it for $2.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, here is a First Thanksgiving KWL I used last year and am using again this week.  Click here to grab it if you like.

Don't forget to stop by and check out Classroom Freebies Manic Monday!

iFlash with Glitter

iFlash my students do you?  I'm not talking about the kind of flashing that will put you on the 11 o'clock news!  I'm talking about flash cards!  Skill and drill practice with sight words, addition facts, subtraction facts, numbers, and alphabet is key to building fluent readers and mathematicians.  I have decks and decks of flash cards!  (nothing is worse than when they get mixed up!)  I flash the students when they enter the room, when they leave the room, in small group and anytime I have those odd 3-4 minutes.

Many times I can't find the deck I am looking for or we have a few minutes and I don't have a set with me.  I usually have my iPad or iPhone with me.  Although we need constant practice, the same old cards can get kind of boring.  Wouldn't it be great if I had holiday themed or more colorful cards?

So, one night I had a fabulous idea!  I could load flashcards on my iPad as a PDF and flip through them in iBooks with the class.  Think how colorful and fun I could make them with no worries of printing and colored ink!  I could change them out as the themes change.  Not only can you view PDF files on iPads, most eReaders and tablets can do this too.  I can put several of these older devices I have to use!



So this is how iFlash was brought to life!  I took Pre-primer sight word flash cards and spooked them out for Halloween!  Click here to download them and try them out yourself.

Simply click here to go to my TpT page and download the freebie.  Then click open in iBooks if you are on an iPad.  (With the TpT app, you click on the little eye next to the download button.)  Download the PDF on any mobile device you can use to view PDF files and page through with your students!

I have also done an iFlash Halloween themed set for all 220 Dolch Words, Addition and Subtraction.  You can grab each one of them for only $1.  The students will love them!

As I was creating these, I have fallen in love with the glitter graphics!  It is all the greatness of glitter and sparkle with out the mess!  I am quickly becoming addicted!

You can grab other great freebies too at classroom freebies' Manic Monday!

Eye See October Freebie

October is just a day away!  October brings Halloween fun and lots of gross stuff in stores.  We all know kids love gross things!  What better way to trick kids into learning by using gross things.

One of my favorite finds was eyeball ping pong balls.  I found them at the Dollar Tree.  When you see them buy several packs!  Use one set to write sight words on (get it sight word eyeballs!)  Then also write numbers on another set.  You can use these great things all month in a multitude of centers.

Here is a great freebie to start you off with!  This freebie includes a fun Sight Words Eye Can Read and Eye Can Make 10!  Perfect for your word work and math centers this month.  Click here to download it.

If you like this freebie, make sure you check out more freebies at Classroom Freebies Manic Monday!

In Love & Good Readers Zoo

I am in love!  I have a new man in my life and his name is Mac!  He is big, bright, fast and powerful.  What more could a girl ask for!!!

Can you hear the heavens singing???  I picked up my new man at the Apple store yesterday.  The educator discount helps a lot!  I do have expensive taste when it comes to my new man.  I have spent all day with him and been very productive.

As I was transferring a few files, I discovered air drop!  If you haven't found this yet, WOW!  No more connecting with cords, transferring files to a jump drive or anything.  Just drop it on the other device wireless!  I can not wait to get to school to see if my student computers have this capability.  I am so hoping they do!  Imagine how easy that would be to transfer files.  I will let you know!

I mentioned I was productive... Here is what I finally finished!

I love using the beanie baby reading decoding strategies.  I wanted to incorporate them with all aspects of reading and display them in my classroom.  Here is the complete set of posters with all 32 strategies and headers.  I couldn't decide on the background I liked best, so I did 3 different ones to let you choose from.  You can get this set of posters at my TpT store here.  I did them in primary colors to match my classroom.  I think I may do them in bright colors too.

Here is a freebie for you!  It is a decoding strategies bookmark.

Don't foget you can find many more freebies at www.classroomfreebies.com Manic Monday!

Made It Monday and Freebie

It is almost almost Monday and I am having mixed feelings.  I have one official week of summer left, however I can finally get into my classroom and I have LOTS to do!  So my plan is to work hard in my classroom for the first part of the week and then hopefully have Thursday and/or Friday to relish my last day of summer.

Enough about me and my world!  I love blog world on Mondays.  Two of my favorite linkys happen every Monday, Manic Monday and Made-It Monday.  Not only do I enjoy linking up to share, I really love blog stalking hopping to find all of the great things out there.

I have two things to share for Made It Monday this week.

Every year most of us start out with some type of an All About Me poster.  I have done this in the past too, but this year I wanted something different.  I created a template for an All About Me Dodecahedron.  (In case you are wondering what in the heck a dodecahedron is, it is a 12 sided 3D shape.)  I am taking All About Me 3D!  You can get it at my TpT store here.

The students will complete the 12 pages writing and drawing, assemble and then share with one another.  I will hang them in the room for Open House.  I think the students will be so excited to use their new school supplies to make these.  I do think they will take a while to complete, but will be worth it in the end.

My next Monday Made It is a charging station.  Last year, I was lucky enough to have several iPods for the class.  I loved them for the students, but they laid all over my desk while they were charging.  This year I am getting several iPads too and needed a solution for charging.  Here is what I came up with!

It is a small dish drainer I got at the mart for like $7.  I had to bend the wire a little bit and moved the silverware cup to the side.  There is a power strip behind the basket and I wrapped the charger ends around the wire to keep them in place.  It will be perfect and it was cheap too!  Click here to download the labels free.

QR Codes and A Manic Monday Made It

Hello!  I have been busy making things, trainings and getting ready for school.  I have 2 weeks until I go back to work (or should I say getting paid to work!)  My ADHD has me all over the place.  I start something, have another idea and go off on that tangent.  I have so many projects started and not finished.  My goal today and tomorrow is to finish things!  I will try really hard not to start something else but, we will see....

All summer I have been meaning to join in the linky fun with Made It Monday!

I finally finished a project and thought I would share!  I turned these empty Pringles cans into my sharp and need to be sharpened pencil cups.  I have seen similar cups made with paper.  However, why use paper when you can use duck tape!

 

First, use yellow duck tape to cover the can.  I overlapped it to give it more of a pencil look.

Next, I took the pink duck tape and covered the bottom of the container.

 Then, I added the silver duck tape.  (My girls were amazed their dad silver duck tape!)  Then I added the pink for the eraser at the very bottom.

 Now for the pencil tip I used masking tape.  Folding it, I made it into a triangle and then taped it inside the pencil container.  I used black sharpie to add the lead. 

Of course the Pringles can is taller than pencils and falls over easily.  I filled the cans 1/3 of the way with dried beans.  This weighted them down a little and makes it easy to get the pencils out.  These were so easy and turned out super cute.  I am making another set for my daughter's teacher too!

I am excited to share a new idea and project with you that I actually started and finished yesterday! 

This year I am taking our hunt around school for the Gingerbread Man digital!  Not only will this make exploring the school fun, it will also teach the students how to scan and use the codes.  I plan to use QR codes quite a bit this year in class.

The activity includes a rhyming story I wrote to share with the class about the Gingerbread Man coming on a secret mission to visit our class with the Fox hot on his tail!  He is running around school looking for us and will leave clues as he goes.  He doesn't want the Fox to be able to read them, so he will use QR codes.

I will post the Gingerbread Man QR codes all around the school.  For added fun, I will make them a little hard to find. 

We will use and iPad or iPod to scan the codes.  (I haven't decided if I am going to do this whole group or with our buddy class.)  When they scan the code the clue will pop up.  It looks like this.

Would you like to take your Gingerbread Man digital this year?  Good news, I have done all the work for you!  You can purchase this activity at my TpT store.  Just download, print and scan to find the Gingerbread Man!

Now for a Manic Monday Freebie too!  I always start my year off with "all about me".  Here is a template for students to use as they draw their self-portrait.  (Don't forget to save them for their end of the year memory books!)  Click here to grab it free.

Looking for more freebies?  Check out Classroom Freebies for More Manic Monday Freebies!

Getting Ready for Back to School

It is hard to believe it is already July 8th!  I try not to focus too much on school during June, but start gearing up in July in hopes of a less hectic August.  (Of course this has not worked in the past, but I still hold out hope that maybe this year it will?)

We are using a new reading series next year, Wonders.  So far it all looks pretty good.  One of the biggest challenges at the beginning of the year is to figure out where your students are and what they know.  I normally do multiple activities and individual assessments the first week of school to figure this all out.  Well I think I have come up with an activity that will let me easily see where my students stand help me group them for differentiation.  It will also let me know where to start with the class as a whole.  I just completed this activity and you can get it in my TpT store.

This is a great activity to review alphabet knowledge and word work skills.  After reviewing the directions, I have the students complete the project independently.  Basically it is an alphabet book the students make sorting pictures by beginning sounds.  Then they label (or attempt to label) the pictures using phonetic spelling.  I can gather so much information about my firsties from this one fun project.  I learn about their ability to work independently, fine motor skills, handwriting, coloring, cutting & gluing ability, name writing, alphabet knowledge, following directions, and various phonics skills.  I complete the informal checklist regarding the observations while they work on this fun project, they don't even know they are being assessed.

The packet even includes the checklist you need.

I am also "filing" on my computer and ran across some cute class rules posters I made last year.  I thought I would share them with you on this Manic Monday!  Click here to download them.