Magnets are a staple tool in any early childhood classroom. Mine included!! But the struggle is how to use them after the newness and novelty of sorting them and making your name with them has worn off. I struggled with this too, so I came up with an activity that could grow with my students and challenge them as they move throughout the year. And best of all, they are totally independent! I love that! WHAT YOU'LL NEED: I have a small classroom, so making my stations mobile is a must. ... VIEW POST
Making Magnetic Word Work Independent With This Free Activity
Rolling The Dice
Some time last fall, before MacKale got sick, SDE (Staff Development for Educators) contacted me to ask if I might be willing to present this summer at their National I Teach K and Differentiated Instruction conferences in Vegas. While I was a bit nervous at the prospect, I accepted their offer. But then, of course, my teaching world as I knew it came to a screeching halt. I wavered back and forth, not knowing where I would be or where MacKale would be in his treatment this summer. I felt ... VIEW POST
Getting Started With Fine Motor Morning Work Stations
I've told you before how much I dislike paper/pencil morning work. Blah! I mean, like anything, if it works for you, GREAT! But it has never really been an effective or engaging activity for my students. I needed something that would provide hands-on practice but give them a chance to work cooperatively. Morning Work Stations are THE BEST thing to happen to my mornings. Seriously. Students used to come in, dragging their feet and wasting time. Today, they are ... VIEW POST
Back To School Sales and Getting Your Hands On Hands On Activities.
It’s crunch time people. Many of you are probably already back to schooland the rest of us are feeling the heat of the pending countdown until the first day. It’s time to get serious!!! My mind has been turning to 'hands-on' activities these last couple of weeks. I know that when my kinder friends arrive, they are going to be needing to move those hands (and bodies) and so I've created (and revamped) a couple of new (and old) products just for that. If you're doing the ... VIEW POST
Send Them Off For The Summer with a School’s Out Freebie and Summer Review Packet
The end of the school year is quickly approaching in Michigan. I'm scrambling to complete all those last-minute projects on top of assessing, scheduling a couple of walking field trips and planning our annual kindergarten field day. What better time to offer a time-saving freebie for all my teacher friends? One of my biggest projects each year is gathering a small send off gift to accompany my students' 'First Grade Here I Come' summer review packet that I send home at the beginning of the ... VIEW POST
THROW AWAY THOSE PAPER/PENCIL ASSESSMENTS. I HAVE SOMETHING FOR YOU TO TRY!
When I love something, I want all my friends to know about it, and, when possible, I want to share it. If you despise paper-pencil assessments, then you have to try this . . . In fact, I love it so much, I want you to try it for FREE! Let me explain! THE ACTIVITY Hide and Seek is one of my best weapons for infusing recognition skills with fun. It's such a simple concept and my students NEVER ever tire of it. I mean . . . there are days when I'm like, "Seriously! You want to play this ... VIEW POST