Dr Seuss Week!!!

Well its only Monday... but our week has gotten off to a great start!  In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday this week, we are having a different guest reader come everyday and read their favorite Dr. Seuss story.   Today was our first guest reader... who happen to be a 2nd grade teacher at our school.  The kids LOVED it.  What a fun way to be exposed to a variety of Dr. Seuss stories... and what a great way to squeeze in more re-alouds!

I dont have time to go into great detail... but we have a ton of FUN activities planned for this week.  Hopefully Ill be able to capture them for you to see. :)

Math Math Math!

Lately I have been trying to focus a lot of my time on my math stations.  I recently received in the mail, the long awaited new Debbie Diller Math Stations book.... Oh my word- I never knew it was possible to love teacher books more than I love Debbie Diller's!  This book has definitely inspired me to make my math stations improve.

Something we are getting ready to work on in our next chapter is MONEY! I am so excited to pull out the money rhymes!!!

Also in my math stations, I try and have a variety of options on each cabinet shelf...  I continue to hit time really hard.  I also am trying to incorporate a lot of addition and subtraction activities.  My kiddos need this so badly!  Something I put in a station is...

 

Snowman Addition

I love this idea.  

My kids love using the dice... they love it so much that they have "misplaced"(aka- stolen/taken them home!) all of my dice.

Word Work Addition

This is fun too. 

 My kids can practicing their spelling words while also 

practicing addition and subtraction! :)

I am continually working to improve my stations... and for that I need some ideas from you!
Do you do math small groups?  How do you group your kids?  How often do you meet?
Also, for math stations where and how do you store your materials for each station? Baskets? Tubs? Shelves?

fashionable late... or should I say WAY overdue!

Hello to my blogging friends!
Oh how I have missed updating my blog, and reading all of your AMAZING posts.

The last 3 weeks I have been one BUSY teacher, between conference and becoming a homeowner!  I have been busy decorating and organizing my new home, I kind of forgot to blog/didn't have internet!  WOW how nice it is to be back (somewhat) into my routine.

While I was away, I received the STYLISH AWARD!

Thank Sarah at http://snippetsbysarah.blogspot.com/ for giving this award.  :)

Here are the rules for receiving this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 5 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

7 things about myself (in no particular order): 

1. I was a cheerleader for 7+ years- high school and all star teams.

2. I have had 3 knee surgeries, and my knee is still messed up!

3. I have 2 wonderful sisters that I love dearly.

4. I love sushi.  My friends and I get sushi weekly! :)

5. I am a Starbucks addict. Ahhh I love coffee!

6.  I absolutely love summer.  I cant wait for this winter to end. 

7. I am officially a homeowner! :)

Point to the Word...

Small Group Reading: 

In my reading small groups, we do a lot of echo, and choral reading.  I like to have my kiddos following along pointing to the words as we read/they listen. I along with them find it BORING to use their fingers... since I am so creative this weekend- haha.  Ive decided to make these lil guys- 

I know my kids are going to LOVE them- with the little wiggly eyes and the fun little pom pom ball.

Simple cheap and fun... My kind of thing!

Enjoy! :)

Sadly I probably wont be posting for a few days... I start conferences tomorrow and we all know how BUSY AND TIRED we are after those!   Hope to post some new ideas soon- maybe Wednesday or Thursday.  Hope my blogger friends have a great week. 

Brain Feelers!!!

Here are the long awaited pictures of the CUTE brain feelers aka brain feelies as I've been calling them all day!

Attached also is a list of labeled questions I used on my brain feelies! 

List of reading brain feeler questions!

NOW FOR THE SURPRISE... don't get too excited, because it isn't that cool- 

I am a sucker for new fun cute things that can be used in my classroom, and today I have the brilliant idea of making NEW pointers!  These are only the first few that I've made- cute, not the best but a start! I bought a cheap package of dowels from Walmart, and the fuzzies are from there as well. :)

arent they cute?!! 

I know my kiddos are going to love them!!!

excuse the horrible picture of myself! haha... 

Hope you all love the new fun brain feelies and cute pointers! :)

Something new is coming....

You all have something to look forward to!!!
Ok so like I promised, on my TO-DO list are the brain feelers.
Tonight I made my questions on labels.  Tomorrow after I the finished product is done, I will attach the questions for your use, along with my pictures- requested by some blogging friends! :)

(Dont worry this is just a screen shot...) 

Brain Feelers

Ok so I am totally LOVING the brain feelies that Miss Knight has shared with us....

Im always coming up with questions to ask, but having these fun little sticks with questions already typed up and ready to go- looking cute might I add!
Ahhh so fun.  Certainly on my TO-DO list this weekend :)
That TO-DO list is getting a little ridic!   Oh well, the life of a first year teacher is always crazy right?!!

Do you have anything fun you do to strike up the comprehension after reading a story to your kiddos???