Winter Freebie to Warm You

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted!!
I guess I hit the ground running this new year and haven't had time to stop to post. Progress Reports are done and I am in the mood to celebrate! You can join in with me and download my Winter Write the Walls! It's free for you and fun for kids! Click on the image to head over to my Teachers Notebook Shop to find this and other resources for Kindergarten & First!

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!

Wow, this has been a year of changes and challenges, but as Pete the Cat would say...."it's all good!" ;-)
I have really enjoyed setting up this blog, giving a facelift to my classroom blog ,  joining TBA, setting up my Teachers Notebook Shop, visiting so many new blogs and meeting so many new teachers who inspire me. I love all the ideas that are shared at TBA and beyond! I hope that along the way, I have managed to do a bit of inspiring myself. I had fun sharing my ideas at the Virtual Teaching Expo back in the fall and am really looking forward to the next one...."Everything's Kindergarten Expo".  This is the first Virtual Teaching Expo of the new year! My good blog buddy Fran Kramer of Kindergarten Crayons will be presenting there. I love all her work and can't wait to see what she has to share at the expo. If you didn't get your ticket already, be sure to click to register.





One thing I love about these Expos is you can attend in your PJ's! ;-) And you can pause the presentation to get more coffee! You watch the presentations as many times as you like and from your favorite device....Computer, iPad, or iPhone.... Gotta love technology, right?

Hope you can make to the Kindergarten Expo on Jan. 28, 2012. (Even if you can't be there THAT day, you can view the presentations at ANY time!)

Teacher Discounts

I consider myself to be a good shopper and yet I was surprised to learn of some of the retailers that offer a Teacher Discount. In case you didn't know, these are a few of the retailers offering discounts to educators.
 If you know of more, please share! ;-)
(disclaimer: terms and conditions are subject to change. Be cautious and call first) 

The Container Store (offer ends soon)

Ann Taylor's Loft 15% off

up to 25% off see site for details

Who among us doesn't LOVE shoes? 15% for NEA members

15% off select services

Ask for pricing discounts

Apple

15% off (Call to verify)

15-19% off

25-75% off retail

10%off (Call to confirm)

15% off (with ID)

15% off (with ID)

book at Government Rate (call for best rate)

15% off

15% off

up to 50% off magazines

Check site for details

I'm sure there are more....let us know some of your favorites too!

Using Voicethread

Sippin' & Surfin'

This is one of those rare mornings when I took time (away from  lesson plans,  laundry and other household chores) to spend time sippin' coffee and surfin' the Internet and taking time to think about using more technology in the classroom. I know some folks will giggle at that image, but if you know me...you know it was a warm and wonderful time for me. ;-)
 I am creating a list of new ideas to share...there's so much going on out there that I feel I could spend weeks getting all caught up. In my surfing this morning I came upon someone using Voicethread and it reminded me of how much my students and I enjoyed using it a few years ago. I don't know how I migrated away from it....but I will make plans to use it with my kids this year. I thought you might want to give it a try with your students as well. Take a look at an online Holiday Greeting Card we made to share with friends and family. The images came from Flickr and the greetings came from my kids. The way I put it all together was... I took photos of the kids in "Holiday" mode. Then uploaded them into Voicethread. As a class we looked at several photos in Flickr and selected the ones you see in the final project. Then each child got to come to the computer and express their Holiday Wish! We LOVED it! If you're interested, there are several tutorials at the Voicethread site and there's even an App for your iPad/iPhone/iTouch.
Take a look at our Voicethread from a few years ago....consider giving it a try with your kids.




Here's another Voicethread my students and I created on "Things That Come In 2's". (Note: the photos were all taken by students)

Get the App

Starbucks image from AForestFrolic @ Flickr

Sunshine Award

I am happy to receive this award from Laura of Kindergarten Kraziness. Thanks Laura! It also has my FAVORITE flower on it!! ;-) And yes, it brought some sunshine to my day!
 It's always nice to be recognized by our peers. In accordance with accepting the award I am answering the following questions and then passing the award along to others:

Here are the rules for accepting this award:
1. Thank the person who gave this award and write a post about it.
2. Answer the following questions below.
3. And pass the award to 10~12 fabulous bloggers, link their blogs and let them know you awarded them.

My answers to the questions:

• Favorite color? Red & Blue
• Favorite animal? Dog
• Favorite number? 85 (the numbers that make my birthday)
• Favorite drink? Coffee (Dunkin' Doughnuts!)
• Facebook or Twitter? It's a long story, but I just barely have a Twitter account. 
• Your passion? I enjoy making others smile! ;-)
• Giving or getting presents? I get pleasure from both. To me the best are given (or received) when one least expects it!
• Favorite day? Hmmmm a nice sunny day!

Now to share this....

 Fran at Kindergarten Crayons

Leslie at Kindergarten Works

Erin at  Kleinspiration

Annie at Moffatt Girls 

Tamara at Teaching with TLC

DeeDee at Mrs. Wills Kindergarten

Hadar at Miss Kindergarten

Charity at The Organized Classroom

I know this isn't quite 10, but I will try to narrow down my choices later...it's not easy to pick! ;-)

Thanks again Laura!

Teen Number Work

I have been so busy with report cards, assessments and the like that I barely have time to blog in the ways that I enjoy. I am beginning to look ahead at the next stage of assessments for my students. I already know there will be many struggles for them as we strive to learn the "teen" numbers (what IS it about the numbers that throw kids such a big curve?) I always think if someone had named the "teens" "one-e-one, one-e-two, one-e-three..etc" we'd have far less issues with teaching them to kids. ;-)
At any rate, as I look ahead, I decided to create some new materials to help my kids. I thought you might find them useful as well, so I created a packet to help us.
 The packet uses a WINTER THEME is filled with activities to help students see the numbers visually as well as build the numbers. Other key activities include:

* practice writing numerals 

* fill in missing numerals (descending, ascending & random order)

* count & make sets of object 11-20

*  Use symbols to show <, >, or = 

* create <, >, or = (Open-ended) number sentences

* numeral recognition (open-ended) 

* numeral recognition games with optional challenge levels included

* Game cards can be used in pocket chart to work on number order or          combine with tens frame game cards for a matching game

* make book(s) to show quantities 20-11 or 11-20, or random order

I put in several open-ended games, and sheets to help challenge those students that easily grasp the concept. There are game cards that show the numeral as well as tens frames to show quantity. The cards can be used in the pocket chart or to play matching games. 

There are also activities for working with the <,>, and = signs. My kids really enjoy learning about the signs and these games will extend that learning.

Visit my Teachers Notebook shop to see more images and grab a copy for your kids as well:

Letter Sounds Added to Packet

The other day I posted the Fall & Winter addition of ABC HIGHLIGHTS to my Teachers Notebook Shop. As I check my students for letters and sounds, I am noticing there are several in need of more practice with the letter sounds. Therefore I updated my Fall and Winter ABC Highlights to include 4 sets of letter sound cards. The price is the same but now you get 16 sets of game sets in all. These games are great for use in small group or partner work. They also make a quick activity for Parent Volunteers or others working to assist your students. Check out the UPDATED version here: