Gingerbread Man Science Experiment FREEBIE

I love, love, love my two week long Gingerbread Man Unit!  It's definitely one of the most memorable units that we have all year.  Here's how I pull it off:

Literacy

Week 1:  Read the traditional story of The Gingerbread Man.  There are so many versions of this book!  Any one will work.  Read The Gingerbread Boy  and The Gingerbread Girl. Sequence the stories using sequencing activities from Deanna Jump's fantastic Gingerbread Man Math and Literacy Fun Unit. 

Week 2: Read non-traditional versions of the story including The Gingerbread Ninja, The Gingerbread Pirates, The Gingerbread Bear, The Gingerbread Baby, and The Gingerbread Girl Goes Animal Crackers.  Have your students compare and contrast the different stories.  Ask them to name their favorite story and tell why it is their favorite.  

Math

I created this Gingerbread Man Math Unit especially to use with the above mentioned literature.  It has some fantastic activities to keep your kiddos engaged!  The best part, it's on sale from now until December 14th, so be sure to pick it up at the discounted price. :)

Science

I think my kiddos enjoy this Gingerbread Man Science Experiment more than any other part of this unit of study!  Click the link to download this FREEBIE to use with your class!

Trust me, your kiddos will be talking about this unit for weeks to come!  Have fun!

Amy

Father's Day Gifts

Aren't homemade gifts the best?!  My daughter is five now, and every year, we try to make something special for her daddy for Father's Day.  Last year, we made a bouquet of his favorite candy and some fun scratch off tickets.  It was easy breezy and even though he didn't hit the big bucks, he really liked it!

This year, we decided to make something that we know he's going to love.  I found the recipe for these Spicy Cajun Nuts on Pinterest.  They are from Spicy Southern Kitchen, and they are delicious!  I know that my dad and my husband are both going to love them.  

We doubled the recipe in order to yield two half gallon jars, because we know how much our guys like to snack.  ;)  I made a cute tag and tied it on with some jute, and TADA...

I made several different versions of the tag to meet various needs.  You can download them for FREE here.  If you are making them with your class, you could easily just put them in small bags and add the tag.  If you do so, you may want to choose to print two sheets per page so that they are a bit smaller.   

Happy Father's Day to all of the great dads out there! 

100th Day Fun in 1st Grade!

My sweeties had a great 100th Day today!  This year, I'm teaching 1st grade, so in addition to my normal 100th Day activities, we tried some new things. This morning during our morning meeting, we brainstormed a little about the number 100...

I love these responses!

In math, we played "Race to 100", which helped reinforce our addition skills.  Using a 100 chart, two dice, and some counters, the worked with their partners to see who could move their counter to 100 first. This was an excellent early finishers activity after they had finished their CGI problem this afternoon.

Race to 100 Game

To play: 
           1)  Each group of partners need a 100 chart, two dice, and two counters of any kind.
           2)  Partner 1 rolls both dice, and adds the total of the two dice together. 
           3)  Partner 1 moves their counter that many spaces on the 100 chart.
           4)  Partner 2 rolls both dice, and adds the total of the two dice together.
           5)  Partner 2 moves their counter that many spaces ont he 100 chart. 
           6)  The partners continue taking turns until someone reaches 100! 


            **To differentiate, you could have students just use one die for an easier version, or use three dice for a harder version. 


Happy 100th Day!!!

Veteran's Day

Veteran's Day is the perfect opportunity to teach our kids about the sacfirfices that military men and women have made for generations in order to fight for our freedom and protect our country.

 

 

This Veteran's Day in our classroom, we will be remembering those who were willing to make sacrificies for our country, and honoring them by writing thank you letters to veterans that will be delivered to our local VFW. 

Here are some resources that I highly suggest using with your class when learning about this special holiday: 

Wonderful text and vibrant pictures!

This book is excellent for teaching early learners the holiday basics.

 

 What is Veteran's Day: Tribute, Celebrations Video

 

 

Happy Veteran's Day!  I hope you and your students enjoy learning about and honoring our veteran's on this important day

 

 

 

 

My Favorite Back-To-School Freebies for Primary Grades

It's that time of the year...Back-to-School time!  Every year I'm so anxious and excited about getting back into my classroom, setting up my stuff, and implementing all of the ideas and materials that I've gathered over the summer.  This year is no different!  While looking through my Pin Boards, I compiled a list of my all-time favorite Back-to-School FREEBIES from fabulous TpT sellers, and thought I'd share!

The following items are all things that I've used in my classroom, and would highly recommend!  However, as a TpT seller, I know how much work goes in to creating a product, even a free one, so please remember that if you choose to download any of these items, LEAVE FEEDBACK for the seller!  It means so much to us to see that you appreciate our hard work!

1. Schedule Cards by Cara Carroll
**These are sooo cute!  You'll be able to see why it's the top downloaded freebie on TpT!

2. Pick an Apple {An Open House Donation Idea} by Amy Lowes
**I used this last year and had tons of success getting those extra things that we all need!

 3. First Day Hand Print Puzzle by Deanna Jump
**This is adorable for the first day of Pre-K or Kindergarten!

4. A Bright Future (Student Gift) by Hope King
**I love this Open House gift idea!

 5. Getting to Know You Sheets by Miss Nelson
**Perfect for primary kiddos who are able to read and write!

 6.  Take-Home Reminder Notes by Amy Lowes
**I use these all throughout the school year, so I make sure to have them printed and on-hand at the beginning of the year.

 7. Common Core Informational Pamphlet for Parents by Christine Statzel
 **This is an excellent explanation of Common Core to give to parents at Open House.

 8. Open House Signs by Sparkles Smiles and Successful Students
**These Smart Board Welcome Signs are adorable!  They are available for multiple grade levels too. :)

 9. Picture Directions by A Cupcake for the Teacher
**I LOVE these!

10.  Our Classroom Rules and Procedures Handbook by Teaching With Love and Laughter
**Great project for kiddos who are ready to read and write!  

Have a wonderful beginning of the year everyone!
--Amy

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things... (Products I Can't Live Without!)

Back-to-School time is upon us my teacher friends...Ready or not it's coming!  I've been slowly getting myself into the groove, and by that, I mean SHOPPING for my classroom. :)  The following is a list of things that I'm glad I don't have to live without during those first few weeks of school (or anytime for that matter)!

Mr. Sketch Markers
I don't honestly know if I could survive without these!  I love the broad lines that easily hide errors on anchor charts, the wide variety of colors, and most of all---the yummy scents!  I once had a teacher friend who would draw stars on her students' hands as a reward with these markers. The possibilities are endless!

Really Good Stuff Deluxe Plastic Desktop Helpers
These are the best name plates you will ever find!  They actually last all year!  Even in a Kindergarten room--imagine that!  Really Good Stuff makes several different varieties of these name plates, but I love the ones pictured below.  The 100 chart comes in really handy throughout the year, as does the alphabet line.  These are a little pricy, but well worth the extra money!

Heidi Songs Sing and Spell the Sight Words DVD's

What can I say!?  These DVD's are absolutely amazing!  My kiddos start recognizing their sight words in a flash after watching these.  I typically pop one in the DVD player as we're packing up for the day, and instantly, the kiddos are glued to it.  I can honestly say that this was one of the best educational purchases I ever made!

The BEST Pencil Sharpener Ever!

This is the one that I let me kiddos use.  The one that makes NO NOISE, and gets the pencils super sharp!  Disclaimer here:  I still have two pencil buckets in my classroom.  One for sharpened pencils and one for broken pencils.  However, at the end of the day I have a special helper, and that student sharpens the pencils from the broken bucket for the day.  This totally cuts down on pencil interruptions throughout the day.  Now, back to this sharpener... I love this because, it's fairly indestructible, making it perfect for my Kindergarten sweeties.  No more breaking the electric sharpener by ramming pencils into it as hard as you can! Yay!  Plus, it comes in a variety of cool colors, and we all love that. :)

Pencil Fidgets

These were a new discovery for me recently.  Granted, I can see how it could create a distraction for some kiddos, the sweeties I tried these with LOVED them, and seemed more able to focus.  They're super cheap too, which is nice!  I highly recommend trying these for kiddos that need a little something to stimulate while they're working.

Transparent Colored Counters

These are some of the most frequently used items in my classroom.  These things are versatile!  They can be used as counters, for patterning, for BINGO games, for board games, and for word work with Elkonin boxes.  I love them so much because my kiddos are actually able to see what they've covered up while playing BINGO or completing word work tasks.  No more moving pieces, and losing your place!

Last, but not least, one just for me...

Republic of Tea Ginger Peach Tea Bags

Having a tough day?  Classroom a bit chilly?  Need a pick-me-up?  This is what does it for me.  I love this tea!  

 What are a few of your favorite things?  I'd love to know!

--Amy

Teacher Appreciation Sale and Giveaway!

I hope you're all having a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week so far!  To make it a little sweeter, I'm participating in the site-wide Teachers Pay Teachers Sale this week!  My entire store will be 28% off  May 6th and 7th when you enter promo code TPTXO.

And that's not all!  On Friday, May 9th, I'll be giving away $20.00 worth of free products from my store to one lucky teacher (his or her choice of products)!  All you'll need to do is comment below or on my Facebook page under the Teacher Appreciation Sale and Giveaway post with your email address to win!

I have posted some really great new No Prep Printable Packs during the past month, so if you haven't already checked them out, I hope that you'll stop by my store for a preview.

Sale price only $4.32!

Sale price only $3.60!

Sale price only $7.20!

 Have a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week friends!
--Amy