Reindeer Facts and Fun

So I just have to say that this is my FAVORITE pack everrrrrrrr!  

And it just so happens to be my best seller as well.  As I was getting this unit ready this year I decided that I wanted to do a little update.  Since I've had so many fabulous people enjoying this along with me, I thought I would give them some fun little updates to spice it up this year.

Here is what is included in this pack (both what was there before and what is there now).  First, I updated the fonts and clipart because I have found some serious talent in the world and wanted a fresh look.  I also added some real photographs with these Fact Cards.  I can't wait to use these with my kids - they are going to LOVE them!!!

I don't know about you, but my students go crazy for NON-FICTION and really enjoy learning all about reindeer in this unit.  It's also the perfect unit to use in December that brings in some common core AND a fun topic without going Christmas crazy.  (I'm not saying I don't ALSO go Christmas crazy, but I know not all teachers are able to in their schools).

Next up, I added these Vocabulary Activities.  I first did this in my Animals in Winter unit last year and my kids did so well with this little vocabulary book that I really wanted to include it in this unit as well.

Finally, we have the FICTION activities to bring out the other side of things.  These two books make for the perfect literature connection to this unit!  And don't forget the Craftivities, which can be used with either the informational or creative writing.

If you want to check this unit out, just click the picture below.  It will be on sale until Tuesday and then the price will go up.  If you have already purchased this unit then you will want to re-download so you get the updates.

Thanks for stopping by!

FUN Times 2

Hello, hello, hellooooooooooo!

I wasn't lying yesterday when I said that was just the beginning of the FUN!!!!  If you missed yesterday's giveaway - be sure to check that out when you are done reading here.

But don't go yet!

Keep on reading my friends!

The Weekend Warriors are here for a little partay!  A giveaway or two!

I am going to tell you about my latest bundle that I am SO excited about!

When I started teaching 1st grade a few years ago (those of you who are new to my blog might not know that I taught 3rd and 4th grade for 10 years before switching to 1st, which happens to have become my home sweet home :).  Anywho - when I started teaching 1st grade is also when I discovered Teachers Pay Teachers because I was desperately searching for the best of the best ideas for teaching these little kiddos I was about to welcome into my classroom and into my heart.  At that time I would've been in heaven if I found a bundle of products to get me started on the right foot.  That was my goal in bundling these products together.  Whether you are new to 1st grade, or even a veteran 1st grade teacher, we are always looking for new ideas and better ways of doing things.  This bundle was 2 years in the making. What can I say - it's takes me a little while to get things just the way I want them :-)

Here is what you will get in The ULTIMATE First Grade Starter Kit:

Some Getting to Know You activities for those first couple weeks.

Guided Reading, Writing Center, and Word Work - yes, please!

 

And some Math Centers to get you going too!

So if you are like me and would be thrilled to get an ALL-IN-ONE package like this, you should definitely check this one out.

Oh, and did I mention that you can enter to win it??

Well, you can!

 Right now.

Oh and you can ALSO win a $50 Amazon gift card AND $5 to each of the wonderful stores below!

That's right - two giveaways -- well, actually more because some of my friends are giving away some of their awesome products too.  So many prizes, so little time!  So get moving!  Enter and hop along dear friends!  Oh, and stop back tomorrow for yet ANOTHER fun thing I have to tell you.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Tutu Teacher	Lucky To Be In First	Bright Concepts 4 Teachers	Primarily Speaking
Saddle Up Second Grade	A Burst of First	Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd	Hippo Hooray for Second Grade
Creative Lesson Cafe	Second Grade Perks	A Sunny Day In First Grade	First Grade Smiles

InLinkz.com

Setting up your Writing Center and a Sale

Ok friends, I'm baaaaack and I'm actually on the right day today!  Summer success :)

Today I want to talk about how I set up my writing center in my classroom.

Last year I decided that I needed my students to be working on writing EVERY DAY - even if it was just a little bit.  I also decided that sometimes I wanted them to choose what they wanted to write about and sometimes I wanted them to write to a prompt.  You can only hear about Pokemon cards and video games so much - am I right?.  This was how my Powerful Prompts monthly packs began.  

First I wanted enough prompts to get us through the month.  I included holiday and theme related prompts, as well generic.  I also included different styles of writing (Narrative, Opinion, Informational/Explanatory, How-tos, and Letters) so the Common Core Gods would be happy with me.  I made them simple to read so my little firsties would be as independent as possible with these.  Here are a couple examples from my September pack:

I put all of these prompts on a ring and keep them at the writing center for the whole month.  I also made prompts that can be cut and pasted into their monthly writing journals.  I like this because then when I look back at their journals with them during conferences we can figure out what they were writing about.  Sometimes it's not always easy to remember (or decipher).  ;-)

 However, I did include pages without the space for the prompt if necessary.  I also have other options for lined papers as well.

Finally, I made portable word walls for each month so students would have some references if they needed.  

 

These are just examples of my September Powerful Prompts - there are 9 others.  They all have at least 25 prompts (some have 50 - Yowza!).  That's OVER 300 prompts for the whole school year.  If you'd like to set up your own writing center you can grab these sets on sale TODAY ONLY!!!  Each month is on sale, but you will get the best deal from the BUNDLE.  

Remember to stop back tomorrow to see the last day of our sale!  

Bright Concepts 4 Teachers	Sailing Into Second	Primarily Speaking	A Burst of First
Crayons and Whimsy	Second Grade Perks	Lucky To Be In First	The Tutu Teacher
Hippo Hooray for Second Grade	Saddle Up Second Grade	My Second Sense	Creative Lesson Cafe
A Sunny Day In First Grade	First Grade Smiles

InLinkz.com