Facebook Fan Freebie! Apple Research and Writing

I did it! I did it! I did it! I watched the tutorials, read the directions and...I figured out how to put a fan freebie on my facebook page. Generally I get a "Needs Improvement" for following directions, so I am feeling quite proud of myself. I wanted my freebie to be worth the effort, so I created an A+ apple reading and research writing pack. It has an easy reading page in can-have-are format. Also included are apple tree maps, trace-cut-paste facts, and writing frames. I hope you'll visit my facebook page, click LIKE and pick your apple-licious freebie today! Click here.

Back-to-School Gifts with Linky

Shhhh...I've been working on some back-to-school surprises for my Kindergarten peeps. They are all super sweet, smart ladies. While I'm not tooooo anxious to get back to working every day, I DO miss their jokes and pokes and the good laughs we get from teaching together all year. 

I'm not much of an artist, but I made these for our classrooms. First one for Lisa. She takes care of our online newsletter and teaches the precious friends in the inclusion class. She is calm and kind and perfect for the most special friends.

Then we have Tara. She is our Gone-with-the Wind Southern gal. Also the queen of our kinders with her royal-themed room. She does our ELA lesson plans. Need a laugh or a hug, Tara is your daa-ling. 

Jennifer is our grade-level chair and school TOY...Teacher of the Year. Woot! Woot! She takes care of business and keeps everyone smiling. She is in the tall girls club, so she has to get on her knees to look you in the eyes. But she'll also get down on her knees for you if you need prayer.

So what goodies are you working on? Are you also a gift giver? Will you be giving your fellow teachers or your own children's teachers gifts? Maybe you've just seen some cutie gift ideas on Pinterest that would be perfect for back to school.

How about a blog post about your gift ideas and throw the pass back to Smart Kids with a link and the pic. Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Picture Book Party: Character Education

I've been invited to all kinds of parties...jewelry, cooking supplies (no need for that...Fresh Market does my cooking), monogrammed bags, etc. Here's a party invitation I couldn't resist...First Grade and Fabulous is hosting Picture Book Linky Party #3: Character Education.

When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry...
by Molly Bang
Let’s face it...we all get angry. Sometimes we even get really, really angry. Chances are you’ll know when the time is right to share this book with your class. There are just those days when you and your students are tired and grumpy. Begin by showing your group only the cover. 

Infer...How is the girl feeling and how do you know? Invite students to make a similar face. Next have students take a closer look at the first spread. How is Sophie feeling now? How can you tell? Uh-oh. Now how is Sophie feeling? Can you use your experience with the picture clues to infer Sophie’s feelings? Show the next spread. Oh, my. Have students closely examine Sophie’s face and the cat. Even the zig-zag lines are a clue. At this point, you might want to remind your readers that inferring means combining your background knowledge and the clues in the book to infer a character’s feelings. Remind them that their own experiences count as background knowledge. Provide time for students to share similar experiences and feelings they may have had in the past.

Read the story aloud. Discuss the ways that Sophie handles her anger. Which are appropriate and which are inappropriate? Be sure to validate a variety of opinions. Finally, invite students to act out the story as you reread. Now doesn’t that feel better?

Younger students will enjoy this song and drama extension:

What Would Sophie Do?

(sung to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)

If you’re angry and you know it, kick and scream.

If you’re angry and you know it, kick and scream.

If you’re angry and you know it,

Smash the world to smithereens.

If you’re angry and you know it, kick and scream.

If you’re angry and you know it, give a roar.

If you’re angry and you know it, give a roar.

If you’re angry and you know it,

Roar “red” more and more.

If you’re angry and you know it, give a roar.

If you’re angry and you know it, run and run.

If you’re angry and you know it, run and run.

If you’re angry and you know it,

Don’t stop until you’re done.

If you’re angry and you know it, run and run.

If you’re angry and you know it, cry and cry.

If you’re angry and you know it, cry and cry.

If you’re angry and you know it,

Find a tree and start to climb.

If you’re angry and you know it, cry and cry.

If you’re calm and you know it, climb back down.

If you’re calm and you know it, climb back down.

If you’re calm and you know it,

Climb back down and walk back home.

If you’re calm and you know it, climb back down.

For an art and writing extension, be sure to visit my other blog   dedicated to book ideas and the arts.

The Next Step in Guided Reading: Freebies for Chapter 3!

Have you been following the Freebielicious summer book study? 

The book is The Next Step in Guided Reading by Jan Richardson. I enjoyed chapters one and two...but when I got to chapter three I pulled out the sticky notes and the highlighter. Wow. Talk about practical information! Now since I need visuals to keep me on track (not sure if it's my age or the ADD), I made some charts. Then I said to myself, "Why not share these with your bloggy friends?" So here they are.

First I made a mini poster to keep myself on track with my Pre-A reading groups. This is based on the lesson plan framework provided on page 60. 

I also put the framework onto cards that I can put in my pocket chart.

Next I made a mini poster to keep my lesson going with my emergent readers on levels A through C. This is based on the lesson plan on page 84.

Again, I put these on cards that can go into my pocket chart.

Did you read the part about how effective it can be for a child to trace the alphabet? Shut the front door! The research is exciting. So I made a little "homework" sheet to use with some of my little letter learners. Of course, I'll send this home with a traceable letters.

Finally, I made a chart to help me zip through the two minute procedure for teaching new sight words. You can find this info on page 89. Richardson suggests that you follow this plan every day with every word in this order.

Now how do you get these items? Well, I would just really love it if you would FOLLOW THIS BLOG WITH BLOGLOVIN'. Just click here!

Then just click this little link for your freebie.

For more info about this chapter, please visit these blogs:

Leave a comment if you are excited about using the info in chapter three!

Blog Hopping Back to School

There. I said it. BACK TO SCHOOL. I think that it is an unspoken teacher rule that once Independence Day has come and gone, we are allowed to think about going back to school. This year I'm going to work smart. I'm going to hop my way back to school. I'm going to participate in blog hops and pick up as much inspiration as possible. Here's the blog hop of the day.

Why not hop your way back to school with me? Check out the guidelines and join the linky fun. Back to school season has begun!