October Fun

Happy October! A month of ghosts, spiders, witches, .... plain old Halloween fun. I love making my centers, seat work, and interventions around a theme. For example, we still need to practice our math facts but I redo the game sheets with Halloween characters.

Plus One and Minus One Cover Up

Directions: Only one die is needed. Roll the die and follow the directions by the title name of the game mat. For example, “Plus One” would be to roll the die and add one to the total. Cover any answer that corresponds like in Fast Fact Speed Roll. The first student to get five in a row wins! This can be played in groups of 2 - 3.

 

If you want more of these activities, I have an entire Halloween Unit for sale on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Happy Halloween on TPT by Amy Padgett Creations

I have learned that my students get more excited to learn when I have use a theme! Yes, it is a simple change, but it's all about getting students excited about learning, right? Well, here is a simple way. Add simple clipart to a routine worksheet. Write a short story about holiday characters working on the needed skill. Think like a kid - make it fun and simple. Enjoy!

 

What Was in the Corn Dogs Today???

My kiddos were the best listeners this morning, then we went to lunch. After lunch, I blame a secret ingredient in the corn dogs (LOL), they couldn't listen no matter what I did. What happened? Let's be honest, nothing happened. They are kids! The weather during recess was BEAUTIFUL and they wanted to play. They want to scream and run and just have fun. Who can blame them? I want to do that too! Well, getting through the rest of the day came down to tricking them into learning with singing, extra moving activities, cutting, gluing, coloring, and discussing with neighbors.

It is only Wednesday and this means we still have TWO MORE DAYS this week. And, tomorrow is Thursday, the dreaded day of the week. I don't know about you all but Thursday always seems to prove to be my hardest day. It is late enough in the week that the kids are getting tired. However, it isn't Friday yet and close enough to the weekend that you can almost touch it. Nope, it is just Thursday. I try to make it sound better by calling it "Friday Eve". I mean, that sounds better doesn't it?

Well, here we go... almost to Friday Eve and then Friday!

Ok, wait, one good thing about tomorrow is the first football game of the season (no more pre-season)! I am a die hard Bronco fan. I am born and raised in Colorado and we bleed Orange and Blue. Didn't you know God was a Bronco fan? If you aren't sure, go outside next time there is a sunset and check out the orange and blue!

Have a great day.

A New Year... New in SO Many Ways

So, there is a million different places I could start this post. Personal...classroom...where to start? Ok, let's start with the school news:

Students started on Monday. This week is the first week and it is a FIVE DAY week for our little firsties. FIVE FULL DAYS. Ok, those that aren't teachers, I know you do that all the time. But, when you start a school year with six and seven-year-olds that are used to summer freedom and you confine them to a classroom for five days in a row plus you add in rules, waking up early, no non-stop snacks, yadda yadda yadda; it makes for a very long week. The best part, however, is that my class is so stinking cute. They smile! They giggle! They love to color! They even think I am funny! Whew - woohoo for me. I just love these little sweeties.

For all my readers that know me, you know I became a teacher because of my mom. She truly was the most amazing teacher. She retired seven years ago and continued to sub, volunteer in the classroom, and make games and activities for my students. She loved her freedom but always told me that she missed the classroom. She was known in our hometown as one of those AMAZING teachers that every student wanted and every parent prayed for. She loved every student that walked into her room and her pure joy for teaching and her optimistic spirit was inspiring. My goal in life was just to be half of the teacher she was because that would mean I was successful as a teacher. Well, my mom, my best friend, my mentor, passed away on August 13th of this year. Yes, two and a half weeks ago. Some of my final conversations included her mentioning school this year. My heart is truly broken and I am trying to be as good as her in the classroom because I now know she can see me teach all the time. Did you know how hard it is to find books for a classroom that won't make you sad about moms? Here's a hint: Say no to "Llama Llama Red Pajama" because the message of a mom never being far away (even if you can't see her) is so sweet but too hard.

On the second day of school my little first graders were being pulled out of the classroom to do some testing. Every time one of my kiddos left I said, "Don't forget to smile" because it made them feel a little better about leaving.  Later in the day we read "No, David!" Then, we were going over rules for the classroom and school. When I asked my class for rules for our classroom the first rule they came up with was "Don't forget to smile"! That is a rule my mom would have definitely had in her room. I couldn't help but smile. I am so thankful for my class.

Summer!

Ok, it is technically summer, but I haven't had any time off yet. That's ok, I mean I have had family time, vbs, more family stuff, ... HOWEVER, I am super excited about some time off. I had a great year and my students taught me A LOT. And, yes, we all know there are "those" students that teach us more than any other kiddo in the class.

Crazy enough, we have been out less than a month and I am already ready to go into my room and start re-organizing, getting stuff ready, ... you know - the FUN stuff that we all get so excited for when we actually have time to do them? I mean, I want to get my math manipulatives where I actually can use them this year. Wait, what? Organize my library books again so they are in themes? That is just crazy thoughts, right? I will do it!

I hope you all are enjoying your break, night, etc. Happy summer to everyone!