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31 July 2014

August is Here - Back to School Sale & Giveaway!

Can you believe it? I hope you all have had a wonderful summer and are ready to jump back into another great school year! I know some have already started, and some have a few more weeks of summer break left, but wherever you are, there's no denying that Back to School is in the air!

One of the most exciting things about this time of  year is the big Back to School Sale at Teachers Pay Teachers! I already have my cart filling up with things I'm planning on buying! This year the sale will be August 4-5!

 
 
To make things even more exciting, I'm having a giveaway for some TpT gift cards that you can use during the sale! There will be 3 winners for the following prizes:
 
1 - $25 TpT gift card
2 - $20 worth of products from my store - Mrs. Thompson's Treasures
3 - $10 TpT gift card
 
Enter below and good luck! 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

30 July 2014

5 Ways to Improve Reading Comprehension



We all know that reading is so much more than simply sounding out letters on a page. For many kids, understanding what they are reading and answering questions about it can be very difficult! Here are 5 things we can do to help improve reading comprehension skills!

1) Boost Confidence  - Sometimes kids have so little confidence in themselves as readers, that they give up before they even try! Something I love to do is play a game of charades to show students that they are already good at using context clues! During the game, the students use clues to figure out what the person is trying to get them to say. It's the same thing while reading. They use the clues in the text to figure out things that aren't actually said.

2) Ask Questions - As they are reading, ask them questions to get them thinking about what they are reading. Some good examples would be, "Why do you think she did that?" "What would you have done?" "What do you think he was feeling?" "What do you think will happen next?"

3) Read Aloud - Having students read aloud to themselves is a great way to improve comprehension, especially for those who are auditory learners. In a classroom setting, try to have a space away from others where those who need it can go and read aloud without bothering other students. Another part of this is when you read aloud to them! Many people think that once kids are past early elementary that you don't need to read aloud to them anymore, but it is important to continue for many years after that so they can hear what fluent reading sounds like and learn new vocabulary.

4) Learn Vocabulary - When kids come across a word they don't know, many of them will just skip over it and keep reading, not bothering to think about what the word might mean. Incorporate vocabulary lessons into your day - especially specific words that you know are in the students' readings. Knowing what a few words mean can have a great impact on a student's comprehension!

5) Make it Fun - I believe kids can learn anything if you make it interesting and fun for them! Play games with vocabulary words, act out parts of a story, and let students read comic books and joke books instead of a chapter book sometimes.

One resource that I have created to help in this area is my Logic Puzzles Galore set! Logic puzzles are awesome for helping kids use context clues and deductive reasoning to come to conclusions!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Logic-Puzzles-Galore-Reading-Comprehension-Critical-Thinking-Activities-352668
 
There are 40 regular puzzles in this pack, plus 3 challenge puzzles to really get your kids thinking. You can check it out here!
 
 Logic Puzzles Galore -  Reading Comprehension & Critical T
 
For more help with students who are just beginning the reading process, see this post!


27 July 2014

Christmas in July

Who doesn't love a little Christmas in July! I'm teaming up with some of my blogging buddies to bring you an $80 TpT Shopping Spree just in time for back to school!

 
Below you will find the blogs of those involved, and the Rafflecopter form to enter! Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

25 July 2014

Freebie Friday - Back to School!

 

It's that time of year again! The school supply aisles are taking over the stores and whether we like it or not, going back to school is just around the corner!
Here are some free resources to help ease us back in. :-)

By: Mrs. Thompson's Treasures
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5dsPzSlPOCebU81UjQ0NkFrdnM/edit?usp=sharing
 
By: The McGrew Crew
Back-to-School Measuring Practice *FREEBIE*

Back to School Teacher Mystery Picture Graph
By: Mrs. Thompson's Treasures
Back to School Mystery Picture Graph - Teacher
 
By: Amazing Documents
Amazing Polka Dot - Alphabet Letters - {FREEBIE}
 
By: Linda Nelson
Tallies & Graphs: Collecting Class Data
 
By: First Grade Fever By Christie
Bright Dots GOOD LISTENER Poster Set
 
By: Reagan Tunstall
 
A Teacher's Math Resource Unit 1 Numeracy {free}
By: Games 4 Learning
 
Back to School
 
By: Lindy Du Plessis
Back to School PowerPoint Freebie {editable template}
 
By: Primary "Teach"spiration
 
Back to School Welcome Letter and Postcard {Editable}
 
*Disclaimer: All the products are free at the time of this post. Sometimes authors change the price or availability of products. I'm sorry if any of them are no longer free or available!

18 July 2014

Freebie Friday - Fabulous Clip Art!


I don't know about you - but I am in love with clip art! There are so many talented artists out there! I love to use clip art for products I create, and I know many teachers also love using clip art to spruce up their newsletters, planners, or other classroom decorations. Here are some awesome free sets from some of my favorite clip artists!

By: Krista Wallden
HUGE FREEBIE! Design a Banner {Creative Clips Digital Clipart}
 
By: Krista Wallden
HUGE FREEBIE! School Favorites {Creative Clips Digital Clipart}
 
By: Whimsy Clips
Teddy Bear Faces Clip Art Freebie
 
By: Teacher Karma
FREE Clip Art:  JOURNAL~ Notebook ~ Writing ~ Book ~ Clipa
 
 Owls
By: The 3am Teacher
Five Little Owls: FREE Clip Art!!
 
By: The Hazel Owl
FREE Apples Set: Clip Art Graphics for Teachers {Bright Chevrons}
 
By: Graphics From the Pond
Silly Stars - FREE Clip Art & Line Art for Teachers
 
*Disclaimer - All of these products are free at the time I wrote this post. Sometimes an author may choose to change the product to paid. I'm sorry if any of these products are no longer free or available!

16 July 2014

How to Teach Sight Words: Ideas and Activities

This post may contain affiliate links.

Sight words are so important in helping little ones learn to read! After learning about 200 words, a reader will know over half of the most common words in English! That's so amazing to me.  Since many of the words do not follow the normal phonics rules, it's best to learn them by memorizing. Easier said than done for most kids!

I feel that teaching in a way that appeals to all different learning styles (visual, auditory, logical, physical, social) is the best approach when teaching sight words! Make it fun, make it engaging, and watch your kids grow into amazing readers!  Here are some ideas to get started:
  • Have students look through books they are familiar with and find sight words. Start by focusing on one word at a time and make tally marks each time they find it!

Check out some best selling sight word books HERE

  • Try playing a matching game. It's simple to make with some construction paper cut in squares, then write 2 of each sight word you are practicing. Mix them up, turn them over, and take turns with a partner turning 2 over and trying to make a match.

  • Give students a mix of cards with sight words and pictures and have them create sentences. They can just play around with making and reading sentences, or take it a step further and copy their sentences onto paper.

  • Get them moving by playing games! Get some fly swatters (clean of course), have a list of words on the floor, and have kids smack the word as you call it out! Or try putting words on the wall and have students try and hit the correct word with a ball.

  • Practice writing sight words with different mediums: paint with water on concrete or a chalkboard, use real paint on paper, draw in sand, cornmeal, or shaving cream, make the words with playdough or stickers.

  • Do something unique and fun, like these dot marker mystery pictures! These best sellers are a hit with students and teachers alike! These are perfect for students who are bored or tired of other reading activities.
Sight Word Practice- Dot Marker Mystery Picture ActivitiesSight Word Practice - Dot Marker Mystery Picture Activities SET 2
  • Fill the chalkboard or whiteboard with sight words, then have kids erase the words as you say it. Split the board into 2 sides and make it a contest. Anything is more engaging when it's a competition!

  • There are a ton of resources available that are great for practicing and reviewing sight words. One of my favorites that I'm using right now with my kindergartener is my Sight Words Sentence Practice pack. It gives her practice with the words in the context of sentences, and it starts from the beginning and builds on itself, so she always feels successful! You can get a couple of these practice pages in this free download!
                                                  Sight Words Sentence Practice Freebie

 FREE Sight Words Sentence Practice

14 July 2014

Monday Made It!



I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics to show off something I made this week for us to use during the school year! Last year my son practiced writing a different set of multiples each day in his morning notebook. I love this because even though he was only in K, it has helped him with patterns and starting to be able to understand multiplication already! This year I wanted to make it a little more fun for him, so I made this popsicle stick activity!
 
 

I typed up and printed this worksheet and put it in a plastic page protector, so we can use it every day and not waste paper!


Then I made some sets of multiples by writing the numbers on popsicle sticks and putting them in baggies.


So now each day I can hand him a baggie, and he can order the sticks on the page, then use a dry erase marker to write the multiples himself!


Then the page can be wiped clean and used again the next day with a different set!


I'm really happy how this turned out, and I think it will be a great way for my kids to continue practicing patterns and multiples!

If you'd like to try this yourself, you can download the page HERE!

07 July 2014

I'm Diggin' Into...


Start off school at the beginning of the year!
 
 
Well, since we homeschool, my back to school is very different than a classroom teacher in many ways! I don't have to get to know my students since they are my own kids :-)
 
However, there are some things we do at the beginning to help the year go smoothly! I am going to try and set a consistent routine from the start, so my kids know what to expect. It's easier said than done since we will have a 2 year old and 1 year old in the mix, but the more we can establish a schedule and routine in the beginning, the better it will be!
 
I'm going to try and get the kids to take more ownership by implementing the workbox system that I blogged about here. They will be able to transition from one activity to the next without always having me help them! I really feel that if we can make it routine from the start, it will make our days go a lot more smoothly and I will be less stressed!
 
 

Here are 2 freebies that are great get to know you activities for the beginning of school, and can be used for a variety of grade levels!
 
Who Am I Classroom Activity - Beginning of the Year/End of
 
Class Bingo Game Card
 
I also have this fun class activity that can be used as a great team building exercise to start the year off right!
 
Class Poster Mystery Picture Activity - Ocean
 
Here are several more Back to School activities that are fun and interactive! Use them during the first week to keep your students engaged while you handle all the necessary tasks associated with the beginning of the school year!
 
Mystery Picture Graphs - Back to School Pack
 
All About Apples - Print & Go
 
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Build-a-Sentence-Literacy-Center-Activity-1294000
 
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Interactive-Emergent-Reader-783273
 
 

 Visit "Where the Magic Happens" to see more Beginning of the Year ideas!

http://wherethemagichappensdaily.blogspot.com/2014/07/tons-of-freebies-for-beginning-of-year.html


05 July 2014

Keeping Their Attention

Every year I think it is increasingly more difficult to keep the attention of students in the classroom! Even with my kids at home, there are so many distractions vying for their attention. And with technology that gives us instant everything, it's even more difficult to sit at a desk and concentrate on something that might take more than 2 minutes to complete! Many times we as teachers get mad at students for fidgeting or doodling, but often the students are still listening and learning. In fact, for some it actually helps them pay attention!

Here are some great ideas I have found to help the easily distractible - giving them something to do at their desk that allows them to "be fidgety" but hopefully still pay attention!

 
1. Stick some scratchy side Velcro dots under the students desk for students to rub their fingers over.

 
2. Tie an exercise band around the legs of their chair so they can bounce their feet.

 Letting feet stay busy ... students can push on the band while sitting in their chair. This will help the child who needs constant movement.  I know I've had luck with the little bouncy cushions.  This is probably an easier and cheaper option. Also, helps those chair tippers;)
3. Fidget Rings - These look so amazing to let the kids have something to move around, but it is way less likely to fall on the floor or get thrown across the room since they wear it on their fingers!

http://www.fidgetring.com/fidget-ring-rings.html
Fidget Ring. This designer has created some amazing rings for both adults and kids who need to fiddle with something to help them focus.

4. Find ways to integrate exercise equipment in the classroom! Stability balls can be used as chairs. I even read about a school who got some stationary bikes donated and set up a "reward room" where kids could go read a book while riding a bike!

What are some other ways you have found to keep fidgety kids paying attention? I'd love to hear your ideas!