It all began with a Compass Evaluation... what to do with those early finishers??  After the panic subsided, and I started thinking about what my students love to do (without my guidance), the early finisher ppts were born.  Since that revelation, I've continued to make my ppts/slides that help with keeping kiddos engaged and learning while the teacher can continue working with the other students.  I have to be honest, though - it wasn't any easy process to figure that out!  I tried EVERYTHING!  I tried task cards, math games, card games, math worksheets... But no matter what I tried, I was always frustrated by the end, because my students really couldn't do those activities independently or quietly.  My goal was to have something that not only kept them engaged, but kept them sort of quiet so that I could continue working with the students who needed me. Once my kiddos finish their problem set and exit ticket, they move to the carpet, get their......

Community Helpers/Career Day Craftivity This little craftivity was a huge success in our classroom - it took a bit of "set up" time, but well worth the final outcome.  Here's a snapshot of one section of our outside wall with student work!  Cute, right? How to set it up, you ask? OK - so, because this comes in six different pieces (head, bottom, cover, 3 writing sheets) - we found that the best way to organize was to create a binder with sheet protectors.   We only needed one binder for my entire team - and then we just shared the binder throughout the week.   We read several different books about community helpers and allowed time for student discussion.  I also sent home as homework that parents talk to their child about some possibilities.  After several days of discussion, it was then time to start the process of our activity.   Each student has a writing folder, so once they decided on what they wanted to be, I took my handy......

We Sure Appreciate YOU! So, every year we invite our moms and dads to our classroom to say, "THANK YOU" for a wonderful school year.  We started off just moms, and then when my youngest son was in first grade, he asked why we didn't invite dads. So, the tradition changed, and I'm so glad it did! We decorate our sweet little classroom, and have two different times for parents to come.  Students create a book for mom and a book for dad.  We also do a small craft for mom (the flower with their cute little thumb prints as bees) and we (I) create a video of our year together for dad.  I always make extra DVDs for families that are no longer together, so that mom will get one as well. Obviously the DVD is treasured for many, many years.  I show a shortened version (about 8 minutes) during our Appreciation Day, but I give them the extended version (usually about 30-45 minutes long).   HOW IT WORKS! The parents come in and the students d......

It's all about the GAME! So, seriously... do you want to find the most addictive game to play in your classroom, that has the kiddos learning the entire time?  If so, you seriously might want to try out my Spot that Word games.  Ya'll - I've never seen anything like it!!  All of the first graders absolutely LOVE playing this game! How do you play? Put the deck of cards in the middle (face down) Each kid picks one card  Turn the top card in the middle over Each kid tries to find their one word match with the middle card (the coolest thing ever... each card has ONE match with every other card) The player who says their match first takes the middle card and their card and puts it to the side. That player takes another card (the other players keep their card) Flip the middle card and do it again. When the deck is gone - players count to see how many cards they accumulated That player wins Shake hands Play again! What comes in the de......

INTERACTIVE MATH POWERPOINTS/TASK CARDS/GAMES So, how do you make things interactive?   How do you keep your kiddos engaged?    I've found that variety always helps in a classroom, because all kids are different, and different things keep students on task. I've created a year-long math product that hits most of our first grade standards, and also uses different ways to keep the kids engaged. DEAR STUDENT: If you are a "loner" and like to do things on your own during centers, then my interactive powerpoints are just the thing!  If you like to play games and are a bit competitive , then my game version is the way to go.  If you like to be with others, but you don't really want the competitive aspect, then my task-card version might suit you just fine! DEAR TEACHER: If you are at your "wits end" for setting up center activities... check out my interactive powerpoints . These powerpoints can be displayed on your Activboard, and students can ......

Career Day!   So, the tried and true question... What do you want to be when you grow up?  Students might get stumped on all kinds of writing prompts, but this one seems to be such an easy thing for them to write about.  They all know at the prime age of 6 EXACTLY what they want to be when they grow up.  I wish it was that easy when they are 18!  Anyway... We started this activity when we moved away from students wearing costumes to school for Halloween.  We changed the name to Career Day, and now teachers and students dress accordingly.   Writing Activity So, with this writing activity, students not only write about why they are choosing that career, they also write about what they will need to do that particular job, and then label some of the items needed.  It ends up looking great on a bulletin board or hanging from the ceiling.     I honestly think this is one of my favorite activities!!  Here's the link......