happy hump day freebie

Is tomorrow already Thursday?! Thank goodness! I mean this week has just been rolling along and it is beginning to dawn on me that it is already progress report time-- say what?! I know some of you are just beginning your school year, it is hard to believe we are almost halfway through the first 9 weeks...our 20th day to be exact!

I finally took some pictures of my A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E milk crate seats at my guided reading table.

I love them! I put hanging file folders inside and now I am storing my leveled readers that came with the reading series in them. I have each week separated in a file folder (I should've taken a pic! sorry!). I am hoping this will make finding books super easy and now they aren't in those UGLY, HUGE reading series displays. I am in love! 

This week we have been working on communities. I found the perfect circle map on pinterest:

I used this template from Ginger Snaps in our lesson yesterday. I also introduced the topic with BrainPop, Jr. (have you used this?). I really like how I can introduce a topic and the kids are totally engaged. 

Here is our anchor chart. I broke the Fire Marshall's rules and hung it on the blinds. I need my wall space for other (more important) anchor charts! 

We are working with another first grade class to build a first grade community tomorrow! I can't wait to see how it turns out!

In other news, we are working on addition with Envisions. Do you use Envisions? I HATE the way it teaches addition with part part whole. It doesn't make any sense. So, I made some super cute Part, Part, Whole mats! Feel free to use :)

Click the pic for the TPT link!

One more thing, have you seen these before?

These little cones are an AWESOME behavior management tool. During whole group, small groups, transitions, basically anytime during the day I use these to keep my tables on track. I just have to drop one on the desk (it makes this noise that automatically gets the other tables attention). The table with the most cones at the end of the day gets their choice of a gumball or a dum-dum from this:

I used this during open house too. Those blue circles are actually items from my wish list. 

Anyway, those cute little cones are from Dollar Tree! Have a great rest of the week :)

Source: Uploaded by user via Laura on Pinterest

Late Freebie Friday and an AMAZING pencil

I know... I am late... It seems sometimes in this bloggy world we make our own time! I have been working hard to start centers next week. It will be challenging, but it WILL happen!

I hope to actually pull a small group by the end of the week... it's only the 4th week of school...
we have learned a few things...

For example: I learned on Friday that First Grade will be taking the Stanford Achievement Test this year! Am I super excited about this?

I don't know... Should I be? Apparently, teachers in our county haven't been happy with the new eval. system-- part of it includes TCAP scores (which are not from 1st grade) being averaged into our evaluations. I can understand that frustration but my firsties are not, I REPEAT, NOT ready for a standardized test! Who's with me on this? Any of you going through this?

I am going to get over it... I mean.. I don't have a choice! So, we REALLY REALLY need to start guided reading ASAP!

I know I posted all summer about D5 and I really really really wanted to implement it but with my late move, my lack of leveled readers, and my EL kids--- it isn't happening right now! It may happen at Christmas... just slowly take away a center a week until all that is left is D5. We shall see... I hope everyone else is moving right along with it!

That is why I am a late linker. I stayed at school for 3 hours today (with my sweet little girl) to prepare centers for Monday morning. Glad that is out of the way... and I was even able to go get some frozen yogurt at our fave, Sweet Cece's, with my little helper.

Phone photo

Now, I can get on with it! I made this freebie a couple weeks ago but didn't post about it. I used it to go along with Topic 1 of Scott Foresman Envisions Math. It was a good "I have, Who has?" ice breaker.

You can click either picture for a link to my TPT store! 

In other news... have you heard of Zebra pens? You can buy them at Shoplet.com along with a ton of other supplies (that we use on a daily basis!). I got this neat little binder full of pens in the mail the other day and I can't wait to use them...

You know you can't resist a good pen that just rolls across the paper. I have a favorite pen. (Addison tried to take it out of my purse today-- it wasn't happening!). Anyway, here are some nice writing utensils that are worth a look:

These are all clicker pens... I love a good clicker!

I love this little mechanical pencil! So adorable! It is called a Cadoozle and it is adorable! I am thinking of getting these for birthday presents... you know the kids will love them! 

You should check out Shoplet.com for more than just pencils... but that will be my next purchase :)

Last bit of info...

I don't know if anyone recalls this but I was starting a series for Reading Street supplements over the summer and then I switched jobs. I switched to a county that uses Treasures so I will not be adding anymore Reading Street packets to my shop... I will be adding supplemental Treasures packets! I am getting a late start (because of the move... LOL- I wonder how long I can use that excuse for!), so the first one I am posting is for Unit 1, Week 4- Pet Tricks. I will eventually go back and create the first three weeks but I am just going to start from here.

You can click the picture to check it out on TPT! 

Ok, I know that was a long one... Enjoy the freebie and the rest of your weekend!!

delivery

Yesterday there was a package on my doorstep... 

The hubs called me and said, "What have you been ordering on the internet?" I am not an everyday internet shopper (except for TPT and clipart) so I had to think for a minute.... 

When I got home I found out what it was:

A huge box of school supplies/decorations from Craft Project Ideas! I was super excited to open it and go through it today! Look at some of this amazing stuff...

Color posters with Red, Green, Blue, Orange, Yellow, Pink and Purple. These are so cute! I haven't hung any colors up yet this year (with the move I haven't had time) so I am thinking I will move to these colors. They are just so cute!!

I was so excited to see this because I ran out of that hologram border the other day and was thinking how I was going to have to buy more! Saved me a trip! 

Look at all these stickers and incentive charts! There are also stickers for birthdays in blue and pink for boys and girls. If you prefer stamps, they make those too (with the pads). 

There are nametags, notepads, and accent decorations. I love those apples! I will definitely be using them sometime this fall! 

I love these colored file folders! Too cute!!

The best part about all these supplies and decorations... Each is only 88 cents at Walmart. I am usually not a big fan of Wally World but these are worth stopping in for! Check them out for sure :)

Click here if you want to see more products on their website: Craft Project Ideas