Happy Birthday Mr. Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was born 204 years ago in a log cabin in Kentucky.  I love teaching about Abraham Lincoln almost as much as the students love learning all about him.  I use this lesson to teach many things to the kids.  It is great for learning about timelines and introducing biographies.  We also compare and contrast life then and now.  The unpleasant history of slavery is also discussed.  My favorite book for this it "The Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln".  It is perfect for K-2 students.

After learning about the life of Lincoln, we write about what we learned.  This is the graphic organizer we use.  I also talked about chronological order and how important it is when telling a story that makes sense.  You can grab this organizer and matching writing paper here.

The students did a fabulous job writing.  We then writing craftivity to display their writings.  My hall way looks amazing now!

I hope your writing turns out as awesome as mine!  The kids even had fun doing it!

Monday!!!! and a Freebie!

It is Monday, and what a Monday it was! 

I woke up with my oldest kid sick with a fever.  Luckily she could stay home by herself for the morning.  I had to take a 1/2 day sub for the afternoon and bring her to the doctor for antibiotics. 

My dear hubby was out of town this morning.  He usually wakes us up and more importantly makes the coffee.  So I rush around to make it out of the house in time to stop by Dunkin' Donuts for a morning treat.  Well apparently in my rush to get out the door, I left my purse at home!!!  So I had to tell the somewhat annoyed, usually cheerful person at the window that I left my purse and couldn't get the amazing iced coffee she was holding in her hand or the munchkins my little munchkin in the backseat ordered.  My daughter was crying and I felt like crying.  Leaving that coffee at the drive thru was so hard!

I made it to school, with no coffee, but the morning went pretty well.  I had a great lesson about greater than and less than.  I introduced the kiddos to my very hungry alligator who always eats the biggest number.  As a Florida Gator fan it always make me smile to teach my kids the Gator Chomp!  (I know many people not from Florida will not get this, but Go Gators!  Chomp Chomp!) 

Speaking of the Chomp... I am enjoying teaching about Dental Health.  My writing is turning out great.  Here is what it looked like last year.  The toothbrush is the graphic organizer.

Source: Uploaded by user via Teresa on Pinterest

You can grab my mini-unit here.  Chomp Chomp!

Bee Mine with this color by word.  What could be better?  Learning and coloring fun!  Grab your copy here!  (It goes very well Storytown Lesson 20)

I "Mustache" You a Question...

I "Mustache" Will You Be My Valentine?  I made these adorable cards with my students last year for them to give to their parents.  It was so much fun and turned out adorable!

To start, you need pictures of your students with a mustache.  This is super easy with the help of an iPad, iPod or iPhone.  Download the free app Mustache Me.  The kids (or you) take a "head shot" picture on the iPad.  Then students pick their favorite mustache and position it.  Save the pictures and print one out for each child.  (I also save these pictures for my end of the year video.  They are always good for a few good laughs.)

Then add the adorable pictures to one of the following cards.  You can either print the card, or print the pieces to add to your own card or frame.  Click here to grab the file and have fun!

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed this freebie, and check out even more great freebies featured on Classroom Freebies Manic Monday and Classroom Freebies Too!

More Funtastic February

February is such a fun filled month with so much to cover.  A little while ago I started a Funtastic February Linky.  I have had so much fun finding and meeting other people this way.  I have also found some great ideas.  If you haven't checked it out lately, check it out!

Have you linked up a blog post already but have another great one?  Link up again!  Here is my latest February Fun.

A Fabulous February Feature

My students love these beginning book reports.  The best part is that they are completely ready to go home and they are perfect for K-2 kids to complete.  They can do the work on their own and they don't turn into expensive parent projects.  This months project is a Famous American Biography report.  You can pick it up at my TpT store or Teacher's Notebook store.

A Fantastic February Freebie

Here is a fantastic Sweetheart Math activity.  Click here to grab it and pick up some Sweethearts to enjoy this activity with your little sweethearts!

and A Funny

  My funny today is a very corny joke, a little bathroom humor for you!  What did one John say to the other?  "Are you OK?  You look flushed."

Ah Ha Moment!

I was teaching math today and had an Ah Ha (why didn't I think of this sooner) moment.  I'm sure many of you already do this, but maybe there is someone out there like me. 

My problem:  How to give extra instruction to those kids who need it without boring the other kids to death?  I needed a way to determine who isn't "getting it" before the quiz or test.

My solution:  After teaching the main math lesson with the kids on the floor, I did review or practice problems on the smartboard.  If the student answered the problem correctly, I had them pick up their independent practice worksheet and return to their desk to begin work.  If the student couldn't answer the problem, I had them stay on the floor with me and wait for another turn.  (Little did they know they were listening and learning while they waited.)  At the end, I had a hand-full of students who still weren't getting it with me on the floor.  I was able to try another approach with this group while the others were working on their own at their seats.

I don't know why I haven't been doing this sooner.  This quick, informal assessment really helped drive my instruction and I got immediate results.  I didn't have to grade it, enter it in a grade book or graph it! 

I love to do "ticket out the door" quick checks.  I keep various stacks flash cards by the door or ask a question about a lesson I have just taught.  This information I get is great, but we are on the way out the door so I don't have time to continue the lesson with those who need it.

Have you had any Ah Ha teaching moments lately?

100th Day Pics & a Freebie!

I survived the 100th day and we had a lot of fun at school on this day.  Here are a few pictures from our very busy day.

 

We started the morning with a special snack.  (I apologize for the picture you have to turn your head to see.)  

 The students (at least a few of them) came to school dressed as if they were 100 years old!

 One of our Super 6 Centers was building with 100 cups.  This is always one of their favorite activities.

 We put together 100 piece puzzles.

The students wrote about what they would buy if they had $100.  If only you could really buy a new car for $100!

What was your classes favorite 100th day activity or what are you planning?

A lovely FREEBIE for you!  Numbers I Know by Heart Flashcards Games.  These flashcards are designed to help students recognize numbers quickly, without counting.  The cards include numerals and 10 frames for numbers 1-20.  I have also included directions for several flashcard games we play in class.

I also have just added a digital flashcards version of these along with a 10 frames work mat.  There are two versions of the digital flashcards PowerPoint (manual and automatic advance).  Click here for TpT or TN store.

Looking for some other great freebies?  Make sure to check out Classroom Freebies!

Super Sale Sunday!

As I am sure you all know, it is Super Sale Sunday!!!  Most shops (including me) at Teachers pay Teachers and Teachers Notebook are having an amazing sale!  I have been busy buying my wishlist items!  I especially stocked up on some fun clip-art!

Yesterday was packed with house work (my least favorite thing in the entire world!) spending time with my girls (my favorite thing in the whole world!) and working super late on my computer while watching Season 2 of Downton Abbey (my latest addiction.)  When I finally went to bed last night at 1:45 a.m. with my iPad and earbuds finishing an episode of Downton Abbey I think my hubby thought I had completely lost it!

I did finish up my February Beginning Book Report.

You can grab this today at my TpT or TN store. Even better it is on sale for Super Bowl Sale Sunday!