Howdy Friends!

I wanted to share with you a super fun resource that I created for my

kiddos when we return in January!

My students loved Jingle Belle {our sweet little elf} and they are

going to love writing letters to her in our writing station! Along with several different writing pages

to accomodate all my little writers, their station will be filled with envelopes, glitter pens

and holiday stickers!

I created a Parts of a Letter Anchor Chart to hang in my station.

Just {click here} to download!

I also wanted to share that it's almost my birthday....YAY!

So I am having a sale!!

Have a safe and wonderful New Year!

300,000 Views and New Year Giveaway!

The day after Christmas my blog reached 300,000 views!  I think that's a cause for celebration, as well as moving into a brand new year!

With the help of several of my blogging buddies, we've put together a nice giveaway package to start of 2013!

If you'll stop by Elementary Matters, you'll see how to win this:

Plus, 20 other products kindly donated by some of my blogging buddies!

Good luck!

Sequencing Train

I love Scrappin Doodles. . . do you? Have you seen their work? Click on the link to find out more about all their products.

This morning I bought some of her trains and felt the need to put everything aside and make something. So I made this simple sequencing activity that would be good for some first graders, but most 2nd and 3rd graders. The students arrange the cars in order from smallest to largest. There is nothing to write down, but there is an answer key to check their work.

This set has the numbers from 100-300.

This set has numbers from 300-600. 

If you are interested in winning one of these, I'm giving away 3 of them on my blog by tomorrow night. Or if you want to buy one or both, go to my TPT Store.

Patty 

2ndinline.blogspot.com

How NOT to Read Fluently

Today, my students spent some of our reading time practicing fluency.  Especially at this time of year, I go out of my way to make it fun.  (Brain research shows us that "fun" is a big motivator, but I think teachers knew that before the research was done!)

Click image to download freebie.

There are 4 important parts to fluency:

1. automaticity in word recognition 
2. accurate word recognition
3. rate (speed) of reading
4. prosody, or expression

I thought this activity would be perfect to put into my emergency sub plans.  It's got limited materials and is a skill that needs to be practiced frequently.  I've typed up the directions for you to download and put into your own emergency plans.  Come on over to Elementary Matters to learn more!

Enjoy!

Calendar Math in the Upper Grades

I don't know about you, but during my winter break I always seem to revamp things in my room.  I look at what is working....and what isn't....and start to tinker with things.

One area that I am always trying to make better is math instruction.  A few years back, during one of these winter breaks, I came up with something that I really feel has made ALL the difference in the world in my upper grade classroom.  I started doing Calendar Math...and I don't regret it for a second.  In fact, it is THE thing that I feel really cements my math block and helps my kids succeed.

Come on over to my blog to see how I have adapted this concept usually reserved for the primary grades into my class so that my students are receiving daily standards based review.  And pick up your free forms to get started on your own!

TOP TEACHER SMORGASBOARD WINNER REVEAL

Well everyone the moment has finally arrived and one lucky winner of the NOOK COLOR HD has been PICKED!  

CONGRATULATIONS to KELLY J.B, Contestant # 4002! 

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS KELLY!

Please check your inbox, for an email and respond to that email ASAP.  We want you to claim your winnings so that you can enjoy your BRAND NEW NOOK COLOR HD  for the holidays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary