Target Dollar Spot for your Classroom

Today I had to hop on the blog to share some of the awesome finds I saw in the Target dollar spot.  I'm not in the classroom anymore, but I am planning to start a "Tot School" in the Fall at home with my sweet girl.  She is more than ready.  Only 2 and she can identify all her letters, shapes, colors and some of her numbers.  I'm not sure where she gets it... I'm guessing her dad.  I have never had book smarts.  I am the creative type.  Anyway, I picked up a few things I thought would be fun to use with her, and thought I'd share what I found with you guys.

Big Dice!

I used these all the time for Math Centers in Kindergarten.  These are the perfect size for Sara.  I won't have to worry about her putting them in her mouth.  She doesn't do it often, but I'm not taking any chances.

These are small shapes (triangle, heart, circle, square, etc..)

You could ID shapes, graph them, sort them, use as counters, addition, the list goes on!

I can't wait to use these when practicing letters.  I know she will love them!

We didn't buy this, but I had to share.  In my classroom we had a kitchen with hardly any food, but I never really wanted to spend much money on it bc we rarely played in it.. 

What teacher doesn't love some Mod Podge?!?! Only a $1 at Target. Yahoo!!

I hope you all are having a fabulous summer!!!

PS- I had to share this video, because it's so me when I go to Target without my girl.

Contact Paper Heart Craft

I've mentioned before that I am working on being more crafty with my daughter.. Well, here is something super easy and cute you can try without spending much money or any at all.

This is seriously the cutest and easiest craft to make with ages 2-6.  I say such a wide range because if the paper is pre-cut for a toddler it's easy to do, but older ages can tear or cut the paper themselves.

Start by cutting out a heart.  I just used the old school method of folding it in half, but you can use a die-cut or even a cricut if you have one.

Cut out the contact paper to match the shape and place it on the construction paper.  Stick it back on the other side so it won't stick to anything yet.

Cut little squares of tissue paper.

Stick it on a window if you are able and let your little one go to town!

She had so much fun picking out each individual piece of paper. *Grin

So focused...

Daisy was very confused by this.

I thought it turned out so pretty!  She kept saying, "I finish." haha

Have fun making this with your students or your own children.  I love watching Sara explore. I plan to do more of these throughout the year with different shapes.  It's perfect for fine motor practice!

Polar Bear Fun!

I love teaching students how to gather information from non-fiction books.  One of my favorite ways to do this is by learning about animals.  Polar Bears are the perfect animal to learn about in winter. Here are some of the activities we did in my classroom and in the home school setting.

  

First, you have to gather some non-fiction books from your school or local library.  You can also find information ALL over the internet.  Just google kid friendly videos on _____ (whatever you are studying).

Then, I like to use tree maps to help them organize what they learned.  These also help them learn how to write a paragraph or a couple sentences and stay on topic.

It's also really nice when your Scholastic reader just happens to be on the same topic! haha

Then, we have to do a craft!  But, to justify it, we use it to display our informational writing. 

I also love to do thematic math journals.  This pic came from a TK class.  She doesn't do math journals but she uses my prompts on construction paper.  This little friend made theirs 3D-- I seriously LOVE the creativity!!!

We practice polar bear sentences.  These can be used in a pocket chart or just like this mom did for home school.

Searching for Letters.

Practicing some Polar Bear addition.

Last but not least, the science experiment!

How in the world do Polar Bears not freeze?!?!

Because of all that blubber!

Kids love this experiment.  It can be placed in their science journals or simply filled out and sent home.

 You can find all of these fun activities in my Polar Bear unit!

Thanks for stopping by!

Find a friend to tie your shoe...

Picture this....

You're walking down the hall, and one of your students trips and goes flying across the floor.  It causes a huge disruption and everyone starts laughing or talking.  Your somewhat quiet line is now in an uproar.

Or

You have that 1 student who seems to be the real life Junie B or Clementine character playing the perfect off the wall child in your class.  That poor child can't seem to keep their shoes tied, and better yet, they don't know how to do it!

"Mrs. Baxter, can you tie my show?"

This is said about 5 times a day for the entire first semester.

One day, I heard another teacher tell a child in the hallway to "find a friend to tie their shoe."  I thought, this lady is a genius!!!  (This also happened to come in handy when I was pregnant and basically refused to bend over and tie their shoes.  I figured if I could not tie my own shoes, I probably can't tie theirs either.)

Not only did I get out of tying hundreds of shoes, but I was able to use peer tutoring (haha).  When this begins to fail... 

I suggest the 1 second method.

This sweet girl watched a video on You tube that her mom found on learning to tie shoes quickly.

Her mom stated: I showed her the video and by that afternoon she was tying shoes.

This was me:

I said, "Teach me your ways!!!!!"

(ok, maybe it wasn't that dramatic, but you get the point)

I felt like I had struck gold, and instead of keeping this treasure to myself, I had to share!!!

Click the video below to watch.

In general, I told my parents at the beginning of the year I would not be tying shoes after January.  It seems harsh.. but if you are a Pre-K or K teacher, you understand!!!

I thought this might be something fun to show your kids during indoor recess one day or even on an iPad with your kiddos who still can't tie their shoe.

I hope this is a helpful tip.  Have a great day!!

Solid's Liquids and Gases.. Oh My!

 I LOVE teaching Science!  It has to be one of my favorite subjects!!!  There is so much excitement when students discover, observe and explore during a science experiment.

I always teach my "It Matters!" unit during our Snowman week.  I like to incorporate science into as many subject areas as possible.  Some themes are easier to do than others.. For example with snow, you can display changes in matter- score!

One of the experiments listed in my Matter unit is called: Air takes up space.  Here's what you do:  Fill up a bucket or large bowl of water.  Place a dry paper towel in the bottom of a clear glass cup. Ask the child to push the cup (facing down) to the bottom of the bucket.  Hold it for a few seconds, then ask them to pull it back out.  At this point, I love watching their faces, because they feel like they have just performed a magic trick!  After the experiment is over, we complete our recording sheet. 

Science is so much fun!!!

I also like to show this video after we discuss Matter.  Some students may have a slight understanding of the concept, but this video goes a little more in depth (And, it's FREE).  Click the picture to watch.

You can also find a couple of different sorting activities in my Matter unit.  This one was done whole group after watching the video.

And, if you use Science Journals in your classroom-- be sure to check out my Interactive Science Journals for Young Learners.

Another easy experiment to do with your students is to simply watch an ice cube melt.  The recording sheet used in the picture above is also in my unit.  It might seem simplistic but it will help students understand how matter changes.

 Click the picture to check out my unit!

26 Ways to Teach the Alphabet

There is something exciting about introducing and teaching the letters of the alphabet.  As years go by, we (teachers) tend to get into the same teaching patterns, and we forget to incorporate something new and fresh ideas in our teaching.

Some of these ideas have been around for a while, but I wanted to compile a list of fun and engaging activities you can use to teach the letters throughout the year.

Here are 26 ways to teach the Alphabet:

1.  Letter Find

Click here to check them out.

2.  Letter Songs by Have Fun Teaching

My kiddos LOVED these alphabet songs!  It was the perfect way to grab their attention and introduce each letter.  We also listened to these all throughout the year during transitions and as a review.

3.  Letter Practice

After introducing each letter my students would fill in a circle map of everything that starts with that letter and then do some handwriting practice.  Click here to check go the practice pages.

4.  Play-Doh Letters

5.  Circle Maps

These are perfect to do whole group when introducing the letters.

I snagged this from Smedley's Smorgasboard's post on ABC Bootcamp.

6.  Starfall

I loved doing each letter on my Promethean Board or as a review for a quick introduction.  My kiddos also loved going to this site during computer lab.

7.  Letter Poems

These are from Mrs. Jones's Kindergarten.  I couldn't find any pictures of the letter poems we did in my class, but her's are adorable! You can check them out by clicking here.

8.  Craft Projects

Click here to check these out!

9.  Letter and Number Sort

I use this at the very beginning of the year when I need my kinders to do something easy on their own.

10.  Alphabet Chart

Here's a FREE one I found from Maria Manore.

11.  Letters Posted in a print rich classroom!

Excuse the picture.. For some reason I couldn't find a better view of my letters posted.  This was from our Kindergarten Graduation one year.

12.  Alphabet Books

I like to do these books after introducing all letters.  It gives me a great idea of who is still struggling and with what letters.

You can purchase this printable book here.

13.  Art Alphabet Book

I did this art book at the beginning of every year I taught K.

You can find the idea here.

14.  Anchor Charts

Mine did not look this cute!  Click here to check out A cupcake for the Teacher's post on these adorable charts.

15.  Do a Dot Letters

These would be especially good for Pre-k children.  I just LOVE these!!  I am going to print this out ASAP to do with Sara.  

Click here to check them out!

16.  Magnetic Letters

Click here to check out this momma's post and the freebie!

17.  Sensory Alpha Activities

There were so many ideas on Pinterest for "Sensory Alphabet" I couldn't pick just one!  Just remember, every child learns differently, and especially ages 4-6 it is incredibly important to incorporate hands on activities!!!

18.  Interactive Pocket Chart & Anchor Charts

Until I had a Promethean Board (and still some after) I would use magnetic letters and this chart to act out the story Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. 

19.  Dr. Jean Songs

There are so many awesome alphabet songs.  This one is probably one of my favorites!!

20.  RTI Kinder Activities from Abby Mullins

Click here to visit Abby's post about it.

21.  Dry Erase Handwriting Practice

I found these at Target in the dollar spot! Score!!!

These are great for an added Literacy Center, I'm done activity, homeschool or Pre-K fun and so much more!  You can even stick these in your busy bag for church!!

22.  Sound Sorts

You can purchase these here.

23.  Magic Letters

Love this idea from No time for Flashcards.  

Check out her post here!

24.  Literacy Centers

If you're like me and you teach thematically, then incorperating the alphabet in centers is a must!  This simple center is in my February Math and Literacy Center unit.

25.  Chicka Chicka & Other Alpha Books

I ALWAYS do this book at the beginning of the year.  It's definitely one of my favs!  Here's my post about it.

26.  Alphabet Websites and Games

It look's like someone has created a Symbaloo with all kinds of websites for learning the alphabet.  Click the picture to check it out!

I hope you all found some great ideas that you will incorporate next time you plan to teach a letter!

Have a great week!!!