High Frequency Word Spelling

Hello Everyone!
Well, it's another ice day for our little town in Texas.  I know the kids are probably very excited, and I have to say I am too!  The day off of school gave me time to finish up a high frequency spelling unit that I had been meaning to finish.  It will come in handy this coming week as we review some of the words we've been working on. Being able to read and spell some core high frequency words with automaticity is so important for success in reading and writing for our littles.  This mini unit includes some lists especially for first graders, and plenty of reading and writing activities to help kids have fun practicing those words.  Many of the activities are based on the work of Diane Snowball.  If you are unfamiliar with her work, you need to check out her books!! She is genius!! The unit I've put together includes some activities for specific words my kids will be working on, but also some "loadable" pages for your own word choices or even those of your students' choosing.  Simply write your specific words in the blanks! 
I am hoping you can use even a small part of this unit as your students make their way through that list of words!!!  Here are some pics of just a few of the practice activities. (66 pages in all!!)  All are easy to print and go!!

Magazine Letter Pages included (black and white)

Mixed up sentences

writing and graphing high frequency words

For your own High Frequency Spelling Word unit...CLICK HERE!!! :)

On another note, even though it is so cold outside, my heart is warmed by all the e-mails and comments from teachers and parents who have been able to use some of my meager attempts at making learning fun for kids. Your stories inspire me to keep sharing!! I have been blessed by you!!

Prayers to all of you battling even worse weather than what we're having!!!  Stay warm and safe!!

Joyfully!

Nancy

How To Write A "How To!"

Hello Everyone!!
My apologies for not posting in a while.  We have been so busy both at school and on the homefront.  We had some major events to attend and my baby moved to Austin to start his first real job.  Needless to say...emotional rollercoaster!!! At school we celebrated the 100th day of school, Valentines Day, and Presidents Day. All were a huge success. Here are a couple of pics!

100th day balloon launch!!

Over the past couple of weeks we've been working so hard on our expository writing.  We are writing an "All About Me" book with about 5 chapters.  They are turning out so great!!  I don't have pics yet, bu I will soon. This coming week we will begin our "How to Writing." We have a kind of hat theme going on for our open house, so I wanted to include a hat idea in our writing, so I've added a "How to Make a Newspaper Hat" component.  I will show the kids how to make this fun little hat, and then let them get busy making their own and writing their "How To's." 

The unit I'm sharing today include templates, brainstorming sheets, and publishing ideas for a generic "How To" plus some specific "How To's" including "How To Eat An Oreo," and "How to Make a Newspaper Hat." 

For your own 40 page unit CLICK HERE! :)

I am so excited to show the kids how they can teach someone how to do something! I know they will love the hats!  I can't wait to show you some pics of them in the process. Till then, have a wonderfilled rest of the weekend! 
As always, thanks for stopping by and taking a peek through our window of wonder!! Don't forget to leave a comment!!
Joyfully!
Nancy

All About The Math!!

Hello Everyone!!
It's is all about the math tonight!  We had a great time exploring the concept of addition using an interesting pattern. Those of you who have been reading this little blog for a while know I just have to throw in our life sized  100 board for a group lesson every now and then!  Today we had a blast creating a "ginormous" number sentence with a hands on visual to help us!! We started off with 1. We added 2. then, 3, then 4 all the way up to 10 and then went backwards by adding 9, then 8, then 7, then 6, and so on and so on!  I cut out some quick squares of paper in various colors and had the kids lay them out according to the number we were adding.  The kids were working on the number sentence on their whiteboards. At the end, when we finally got to the last +1, we were at 100!!! 
Take a peek!

We were able to have huge conversations with a ton of "math talk" throughout the whole lesson! The kids wanted to put the board and cards in a math tub!!  I said, "Of course!!" :)

There is an individual independent practice activity similar to this whole group lesson in my 100th Day of School unit.

You can get that HERE!! CLICK!!!

Next I want to share a few things I will be putting in math tubs next week.  They are all Valentine related!  So Sweet!!

These are a few of the 8 or so activities you will find in the 30 page unit.  You can pick and choose appropriate things for your little learners.

You can get your sweet little packet HERE!! CLICK!!

OK friends, off to get ready for a huge Gala my honey and I are attending on Saturday...I haven't been to a black tie affair in forever.....OK...never... sooooo...I am just a little excited!!  Got to find the shoes and a little sparkle yet!! :)

Hope you're having a great week!

Till next time,

Joyfully!

Nancy

Interdependence- Terrariums and Cactus Hotel

Hello Everyone!
We had a lot of fun this week learning about Interdependence in science. We ended the week making our terrariums.  The concept of a terrarium is a new one for most of our little friends.  We talked about the fact that it would become its own little ecosystem where everything inside would depend on everything else. We would put it together and probably (hopefully) leave it alone and watch the plants thrive.  We compared it to an aquarium which is a water habitat, whereas the terrarium is a plant habitat.  When we were finished, most of the kids wanted to make their own at home! And they most certainly can with simple supplies!  All they will need is:
2 clear plastic bottles, some gravel or small rocks, some soil, small plants, and a little water.

For your own little unit, you can simply CLICK HERE!

This coming week, we will continue learning about interdependence using a wonderful piece of literature... Cactus Hotel by Brenda Guiberson.  This book is a great telling of the life of the giant Saguaro and the interdependence that takes place throughout--- and really beyond its life.  Kids will be amazed at the story Brenda tells...a close up look at the marvel of interdependence.

I put together a little mini unit to go along with this book. 

I am looking forward to sharing this book with my kiddos!! 

If you think you might want to try this, you can get the free printable mini unit by CLICKING HERE!

Thank for stopping by today!! Now off to get ready to watch the Superbowl!! Queso is in the crock pot, and other yummy snacks are in the works!! May the best team win!! I'm personally not cheering for either team this year. Too many weird things came up during the season, if you know what I mean. But the big game is still fun to watch and I looooove the commercials!!! 

 Ha Ha!!

Til next time!!

Stay Joyfull!

Nancy