Ideas coming soon...

Well.....my computer broke. I didn't realize how dependent I was until it's gone. I have this  great Olivia lesson, a fun sight word game, and some fabulous Dr. Seuss ideas but I have no way to share them! I'm currently using the hubby's phone and I'm not enjoying it! Hopefully I'll be back in blog business by the end of the week....fingers crossed!


P.S. I can't wait to get my package from my accesory swap partner....hope she likes what I sent her :)

Grouping Chart-a-mazing management idea!

It's back to work tomorrow after a busy 6 days off. I'm sure you can all guess what type of classroom I'll return to. Probably messy and a little unorganized, possibly some daring firsties who have had a taste of freedom and don't want to give it up. Either way I'm excited to get back.

No big lesson to share tonight...I have totally been off my game lately. I think life is a tad bit overwhelming and I'm not exactly living up to its standard. I promise (you & myself) I'll get back on track and start sharing my fun (I hope) lessons.

For tonight, I thought I would share something that I use on top of my reading center groups. For reading centers, I have my kiddos inter-grouped according to their ability. During centers I pull my reading groups so I try to put one student from each leveled group in their reading center groups. This month our reading center group names are Valentines, Cupids, Dentists, & Presidents. For most everything else I use my grouping chart.

I made this chart at the beginning of the school year. I made the "graph" and then had it laminated so that I could use it year after year. I list my students in alphabetical order (w/ dry erase marker). Then I go down the list using A. B. C.; 1. 2. 3. 4.; & shapes. I don't have any rhyme or reason for which student gets put into which group. (Ok, that's not entirely true. For the shape groups I try to make sure that the groups are different from the letter and number groups.)

Throughout the day I will just call out "number groups" or "shape groups" and my firsties know who they will be working with! It's a great management tool! And it was quick and simple, my 2 favorite things!

P.S. The reader's chair worm that is clipped to the chart is moved down the list of kiddos each day to go along with our reading calendar. Each day a different student reads a book of their choice to the class and I record how they did in their RAP (Reading Any Place/Reading As Partners) folders.

Finally...the week is over!

This week has been long.

I haven't had time to blog stalk or blog at all. Sunday night my hubby's grandma passed away and Monday I came down with the flu-bug (thank you to my love bug firsties who are full of hugs and germy hands).

Tuesday I went to work...I shouldn't have. By the end of the day I was practically a zombie and my kiddos knew it. They were all so good and well-behaved. They even offered to do all of the teaching on their own so that I could rest. It was the sweetest thing. I planned on rushing home after school, but, it was a faculty meeting day. So after a very long day I finally made it to my couch only to discover I had a fever of 102!!

Yowza!

I don't remember much after that. I stayed home Wednesday. And slept. And watched a lot of House Hunters. Thursday was spent at the viewings and Friday was the funeral.

Wheeew and today I'm back to resting. Tyring to knock this cold clear to China. I haven't even looked at my school bag since Tuesday afternoon...gasp. Worst teacher of the week award goes to me! Sorry no new or cute ideas from me this week. Family takes priority.

On a much happier note, my best friend Keri got engaged last night!

This is Keri & me at my wedding! Can't wait to snap a picture at her special day!

 My bestie read a beautiful verse for us on our wedding day!

And this one is basically how we are 99% of the time. Silly.

The Magical, Bossy "e"

So much for snuggling on the couch watching the Grammy's and doing nothing but eating my ice cream! I can't stop blog stalking and adding to my to-do list I was trying to ignore for the rest of the night.

 Mrs. Wheeler's First Grade Tidbits put up this cute magic "e" idea the other day and I couldn't help but think it would work in my classroom. I have been teaching the silent e as a bossy letter; it tells the vowel to say it's name. While I was out grocery shopping yesterday...ok who am I kidding, I was out "browsing" the aisles at Old Navy....I found this cute wand for a mere $5. I'm all about quick and easy sometimes, and this was just too perfect to pass up. I bought it and wrote e on it in permanent marker. I plan on telling me students that not only is the "e" bossy like some Queens and princesses we know, it is also a very magicical letter. I'm really hoping it helps my lower level readers understand the long vowel concept! Thanks for the great idea Mrs. Wheeler!

Valentine Gifts

First off I can't believe the weekend is almost over!! I feel like I just came home from 100th day and now I have to go back to the Valentine's Party. Talk about busy, busy, busy.

I just finished my cute Valentine gifts for my firsties. I totally stole the idea from Cara over at The First Grade Parade and mine do not look nearly as adorable but they'll work. (By the way-how crafty is she? I mean seriously I'm inspired by the things she makes. I'll certainly be giving her store my order when I have babies of my own)

Ok....back to my attempt at making a cute craft, which I am 100% ok with admitting I am not the most "creatively" inclined. I told myself the gifts are for 6 and 7 year olds, so how bad could they really think they are?

Not terrible, right?



Now I should go to bed but the Grammy's are on & the hubby is working 2nd shift tonight so I think I'll snuggle up on the couch w/ a bowl of Peanut Butter Cup ice cream and forget about my huge to-do list. Happy Valentine's Day blog friends! Enjoy your day full of of sweets :)

Accessory Swap!

The Adventures of Miss Elisabeth is having this fun accessory swap. It sounds like a fantastic way to make new friends...AND....get some fabulous new accessories! Who can say no to that? There is a $20 limit and you have until this Thursday (Feb 17) to sign up! 

So head over, sign up, & grab her button!

Cute giveaway!

Check out Patton's Patch for a fabulous giveaway! I'm loving this blog world where everyone is so willing to share and give their great ideas to others!! Why didn't I join sooner?