Sunday, March 31, 2013

Fill Your Basket-- Blog Hopping for {FREEBIES}

Who doesn't love something that is free? No one, you're right.

The authors at Freebielicious are bringing you another jam-packed blog hop filled with ah-mazing freebies. As always, right? 


I'm sharing with you some Peeps Games! I just can't get enough of Krista Wallden's clip art, especially these fun peeps! In this freebie you get supplies for peeps tic-tac-toe and peeps sight word memory.


Just {click here} to go download your freebie in my TpT store. 

While you're here, make sure you follow my blog! I'm getting close to having an 1,000 follower giveaway!

Continue to fill your basket by going over to visit Marsha at A Differentiated Kindergarten.

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Saturday, March 30, 2013

Love Washi Tape? You MUST Check this Out!

I'm pretty sure my constant references to washi tape make it no secret that I LOVE the stuff.

It's awesome. I've used it for some crafting, extra sealing on an envelope, and mostly in my planner.


My favorite thing about using it in my planner is that I can take it off and move it around if a meeting or something changes. Can we please make note of my month of April. Look at all that stuff! And the month hasn't even started yet. Oy vey. 

Yesterday while in Michaels I think I just about died. They sell washi tape dispensers now! I know, I know, couldn't you just put washi tape in a regular tape dispenser? You could. But you would need a lot of tape dispensers! 


My Michaels was having a sale on craft storage for 50% off so I got a great deal on these. I would go run to your Michaels before Monday to see if they are having the same sale.


They are sold in different packs. The piece at the bottom is sold on it's own, then the 2 on top are sold together. As you can see, they all work together and connect. You can also see that I don't have much more room for my collection to grow. I think I need some more purple and black tapes though! ;) 

I am one happy washi tape addict. Happy, happy, happy. 

Do you love washi tape? What is your favorite thing to use it for?
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Monday, March 25, 2013

Peep Pops! {and a FREEBIE}

First I saw this pin on pinterest and I pinned it.


Then when I was in Walmart, I bought bunny peeps, bags, and lollipop sticks. While in Walmart I also saw these.


Then I clicked the {link} to the pin looking for a gift tag to go with it. No gift tag, and I found out that this original idea was from the Peeps on a Stick seen in Walmart! Who Knew? Not me. (Plus, I think the homemade ones are cuter!)

Because I want you to learn from my mistakes, let me point out what does and does not work when making your Peep Pops.

1. DO use lollipop sticks. DO NOT buy the thick ones. At least if you are using bunnies.
2. DO buy plastic bags to put your pops in. DO NOT buy printed plastic bags. Unless you prefer to hide the pretty peeps. (didn't think that one through the first time...)

Reject Pop:

Excuse my poor photography skills and the reflection of the light in the table..

I couldn't see the peeps, and it was kinda tricky to push them down the thicker sticks. {insert unplanned/last minute run to Michael's}

Pretty Pop:


I made the tags and added chevron print scrapbook paper behind them. You can download the tags for {FREE} by clicking here. I included "Love, Miss Erin" on my tags, but left that blank on these so you can fill in your preference. With this download, you get 4 different options of gift tags:


Now, call me crazy, but from my experience, the purple bunny peeps didn't "mush" quite like the others. They kept their shape much better if they stayed on top than they did if they went on the bottom. Just my experience--yours could be different.

I hope you'll leave some feedback if you grab this freebie!
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Sunday, March 24, 2013

SPLAT! Where's the Easter Bunny?! Activities

Last weekend when I came across this book I thought it would be so fun to read with my pre-schoolers. I'm not typically a fan of lift the flap books (trust me, pre-schoolers can reek havoc on these things), but as a teacher directed activity, I figured we'd be in the clear. 


I always like to have something to engage my students while reading, hence my continuous use of "activity cards". I had to think about how I wanted to create something with this text. I decided on creating cards of the items that were lift the flaps. The student who has the picture of the flap will get to come up and lift that flap to reveal what is behind it.

These sequencing cards can also be used to re-tell the story. I have also included them in a 3.5  x 3.5 size to use in a pocket chart if that interests you more.

BUT WAIT! There's more! :) In addition to the sequencing cards I have made a few other activities to go with the text. Here is what is included:


Sequence Cards: Sequencing cards to use while reading the text. The cards are for the images that you fold down. Pass them out to students. The student holding the card of the image gets to come up and turn down that flap.  See the activity cards for my idea to end the story! (pg. 3- 8)

Pocket Chart Sequencing: The same images on the other sequencing cards, however, these are sized to fit into a pocket chart. (pg. 9- 11)

Duck Counting: The back of the book suggests to try and count the amount of ducks found in the book. Using this idea, I have created a mini activity. Tell students prior to reading to keep in their heads the amount of ducks they see. After reading the text, allow students to make guesses. Record their responses. Students use the worksheet to fill in along with you. Together, answer the questions at the bottom of the worksheet. As a whole group, go back through the text and count the ducks. Students try and draw that number of ducks in the box at the bottom. (pg. 12)

Making Inferences: Take your students on a picture walk through the book. Ask them where they think the Easter Bunny is hiding. Give them the activity sheet to write where they think the Easter Bunny is and to draw a well illustrated picture of the hiding bunny. (pg. 13)

Where is the Easter Bunny Hiding Game: Match the pictures of the hiding Easter Bunny to the correct sentence. Can be used in a pocket chart too. (pg. 14- 21) 
 
You can purchase these Splat Activities in my TpT store by {clicking here} I hope they are something you will be able to use and your kiddos will enjoy! When you purchase this item, you will also get the Teaching Strategies Gold Objectives that the activities align with.
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Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Shape Tracing Eggs- {FREE}

I created these shape tracing eggs for my students to practice their writing and fine motor skills. To prep; print, laminate, then provide students with Expo markers and erasers. 
Depending on your class size you may want to consider printing more than one set.


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Monday, March 18, 2013

I might just be a {wee} bit excited for Easter!

Every weekend usually involves a trip to walmart for me. Whether I'm in need of something, or my classroom is. Usually it's my classroom. I should really just have my school district deposit my paycheck to Walmart and Michaels. Might be easier.

I found myself get a little Easter Holiday happy while I was there on Sunday.


I went ahead and picked up items for a pinterest inspired Peep treat to give my kiddos before Spring Break too.

There were only 3 Easter items on my list when I got there: jelly beans, m & ms, and There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick (because I haven't a clue where the copy I already own is!)

I think it's obvious I walked away with more items than that! I saw the Splat the Cat book in Michaels, and it is a.dor.a.ble. It's a lift the flap book, which I typically steer away from, but as a group activity I think we can handle it. I hope to share with you the idea I have for that book! It involves that large yellow egg in the back too! 

And did you all see Abby's post about The Easter Bunny's Assistant? She raved about the book on Friday in this post. When I saw it in the store I had to look inside. Oh. my. word. HILARIOUS. You have to go buy this book. Your kids will love it! The activities Abby made for the text are too high for my kiddos, but I know I want to make something this week to accompany the read aloud. I definitely need to go check out more books by Jan Thomas! 

Are you doing any really fun activities for Easter? Share them in a comment! Is your school even allowed to do Easter related activities? I am SO GLAD we are allowed to!
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Sunday, March 17, 2013

20% off {FLASH} Sale!

Let's squeeze in one last sale before the end of this quarter...and what a better time than St. Patrick's Day!

Today & tomorrow enjoy 20% off my entire TpT store!

Thanks Miss Kindergarten for letting me use the graphic!

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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

St. Patty's Day Update!

Yes, I have a calendar. I know St. Patty's day is on Sunday. And yes I know that you are all doing your St. Patty's themed activities this week and I am just now posting my update for this unit. I can live with that.

For many of you, who already own this unit, this is going to be a great deal for you! You paid only $2.00 to get my mini-unit and will now be able to update to my not so mini anymore unit, free of charge!


Perhaps you can just plan to use these activities next year and will already have them on file! 

As a mini unit, there were 5 activities included. The "St. Patty's Day Not so Mini Anymore Unit" includes 11 activities! These activities have all be aligned with Teaching Strategies Gold for easy objective alignment! 



Here are the details of the activities: 

Pot of Gold Counting: Identify the number on each black cauldron. Put that number of golf coins in the pot (1-12). Use the recording sheet to practice writing the numbers.. Use the included gold coins or use plastic ones! (pg. 3- 10)
Vocabulary Words: 6 vocabulary words to use to introduce your St. Patty’s Day Mini Unit. I use mine during morning message. (pg. 11-13)
Number Puzzles: Students put the numbers in sequential order to discover the picture on the puzzle. Also includes puzzles without numbers. (pg. 14-19)
Memory Game: Print and laminate two sets of these cards to engage your students in a memory game. (pg. 20)
Letter Hunt: Use a dot paint marker to find all of the letter ‘S’ on the sheet. Mark each one that you find. (pg. 21)
Shamrock & Leprechaun Hat Letter Writing: Laminate and place these cards in your writing area with expo markers. Students can practice writing capital (shamrocks) and lower case (Leprechaun hat) letters. (pg. 22- 35)
1-20 Number Cards: Use these cards for themed flash cards, or a sequencing activity. My students will use these in a pocket chart to put numbers in order. Or I will set up the numbers with ones missing. Students will have to find the missing number. (pg. 36-40)
Action Cards: Flip cards over. Student picks a card and the whole group does the action on the card. 12 cards included. Great for “brain breaks” (pg. 41-43)
Roll & Color Even or Odd Game: Use the dice given, or print the cards included to put inside of a photo dice. Students roll and look to see what color is on top. If it’s even, color in a block on the even side. Vice Versa for odd numbers. When a number reaches the top the game is over. (pg. 44- 48)
Roll & Color Picture Game: Use the dice given, or print the cards included to put inside of a photo dice. Students roll and look to see what picture is on top. Color in the block for that picture. When one picture reaches the top, the game stops. Answer the questions at the bottom. (pg. 49-52)
Swallowed a Clover Activity Cards: Use these activity cards while reading “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover”. Students listen and bring up the card they have when it is read in the story, or, give the cards to a student to see if he/she can recall the story. (pg. 53- 56)

If you already own this unit, be sure you update it to grab the 6 additional activities! If you don't already own it, be sure to add it to your collection of resources!


Honestly, timely updates on my Hippity Hoppity Fun Easter unit, aren't likely. (Easter is early this year, and let's be honest, I'm just now updating St. Patrick's!) But you can always snag it now and then get the updated unit for free!

 

This is one of my favorite units! :)
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Monday, March 11, 2013

Have you Heard about Educents?!

Maybe by now you have heard of a new website starting, called Educents. But, just in case you haven't heard of it yet, I'm here to share about it with you!

From what I have gathered, this site appears to be similiar to a Groupon type site. They claim they will be offering 30-90% off of education products, curriculum software, etc.

The site is scheduled to launch on April 2, 2013. If you sign up for it now, they will e-mail you a $15 e-giftcard to use on their site when it launches. THEN, they will also provide you with a link to share with others.

When someone signs up via your link, they will give you ANOTHER dollar to use as in e-giftcard. So, 10 friends sign up= $10 in e-giftcard!

It's too easy not to do it! So take the 10 seconds and click the image above to get that $15 gift card!
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Thursday, March 07, 2013

Let's Learn Shapes!--New Unit

I know I may have mentioned that my bears unit would be up next, but my creative juices were just flowing more in the direction of a shapes unit, so that one got finished first. I promise the bears unit is in the works though--just stick around!

I've had several requests for a shapes unit like my Let's Learn Colors unit. I did in fact have this in the back of my mind and when I found myself searching for shape activities on TpT 2 weeks ago I decided I would get started on that unit!

This unit has all of the same activities as my Let's Learn Colors unit, except for Bingo. There is no bingo game in this unit. I'm going to be an honest and just tell you-- I don't enjoy making bingo games. There. I said it. That's why it's not in this unit.

But I have added extra activities to this unit- patterns and an I have, Who has game.


This unit is also aligned with Teaching Strategies Gold Standards. Kinder teachers-- I'd love your feedback on whether or not TSG is easily re-aligned with CCS. As in, can you read the TSG objective and easily and quickly identify a comparable CCS standard? I'm just curious! :)

Here is what is included in this unit:

Vocabulary Cards: vocabulary cards for each shape. Includes diamond and rhombus (pg. 4- 7)
 


Shapes Interactive Book: Cut out these pages, and the interactive cards. Laminate. Apply velcro for attaching interactive pieces. Use rings, or a binding machine to create the booklet Great for assessing shapes with students with low expressive communication. (pg. 8- 14)
 


Shape Mini Posters: Use these shape mini posters to display in your classroom all year long or while you are working on reinforcing/identifying shapes. (pg. 15- 27)



Shape Counting Cards: Count the number of shapes on each card. Fill in the number, and the shape word to complete the sentence. Use the recording sheet to have students record their answers. (pg. 28- 36)
 


Shape Memory Game: Flip these cards over to play a memory game, or lay them all out facing up to see which students can simply match 2 of the same shape. Print 2 copies of the cards. Use the vocabulary cards as headers, and use the cards for sorting shapes, or use the posters for a sorting activity. (pg. 37- 40)



Shape Word Missing Letter: Fill in the missing letters for each shape word. Record the word on the recording sheet. Students can use dry erase markers, or you can cut out the letter cards included. (pg. 41- 46)



Shape Patterns: Look at the pattern cards, used the shapes to finish the patterns. I suggest using Velcro to help with this activity. Use the blank cards to have students use the shapes and make their own patterns. Print off several copies of the shape pieces. Shapes are included for both sized patterns. AB & ABC included. (pg. 47- 53)



I Have, Who Has Shape Game: Cards for the well known, I have, Who Has game. Students read off the shape they have, and then the shape they are looking for. Excellent for practicing identifying shapes & listening. (pg. 54- 56


You can see the TSG objectives in a preview image on TpT.

Click here to check out the listing or purchase this unit!

P.S. I should also be sure to mention that I have included text for both rhombus and diamond. I teach diamond in pre-k. I'm sorry all you K teachers that are cringing because I just said that. When you are a big kindergartener, you can use the word rhombus. 
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Saturday, March 02, 2013

1-10 Card Matching Pocket Chart Activity- [FREEBIE]

One of my favorite changes that I made in my classroom this year, was taking down my calendar! Yes, I did it, no more calendar. I'm sure some of you are reading this and maybe gasping, but it was a smart move. [Even our K teachers aren't allowed to spend longer than 10 minutes doing calendar!]

Calendar wasn't a good fit for all of my students, and honestly it wasn't in years past either, but things are so different this year that I had to let it go. Yes, it works on counting, but other than that my students were getting nothing from it this year. And with a class of low expressive communication, not that many were actually counting with us!

And, on top of that, yes there are more reasons, counting any higher than 20, maybe even 12 for some, was really just a waste of time. I found myself with maybe 3 students getting a high rate of instructional trials out of calendar, and the other 4, just sitting. 

Bye-bye calendar. Insert pocket chart.

I had a picture of the new space, but didn't think I would get around to posting about it so I deleted it. Go figure.

Anywho, now, each week we have a different pocket chart activity that we do in place of calendar. I can constantly change the skills and address multiple areas, and each student gets more turns and a higher rate of participation. I am so happy with this decision! Now I'm sharing last week's activity with you, for FREE!


We worked on counting and number identification. I can give higher numbers to students at that level, and lower numbers to students who are still working on counting. We can place the hands on top of the numbers in the pocket chart and gradually narrow down the choices left, or place them behind the numbers to make the task more challenging.


Head over to my TpT store to download this freebie. And if you came here via Freebielicious, thanks for visiting! If it's your first time here and you like what you see, be sure to follow my blog! :)
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