While your there check out my EDITABLE Teacher Binder! It's going to be a great year!
Showing posts with label Katy's Korner on TpT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Katy's Korner on TpT. Show all posts
Monday, August 1, 2016
Back to Schoo Sale on TpT!
Woot! Woot! It's going to be the BEST YEAR EVER! Head over to Teachers Pay Teachers to move all those fun activities and games from your wish list to your cart!
While your there check out my EDITABLE Teacher Binder! It's going to be a great year!
While your there check out my EDITABLE Teacher Binder! It's going to be a great year!
Sunday, February 28, 2016
St.Patrick's Day Measuring FREEBIE!
My students love to measure things around the classroom. They really love to ask if they can measure me! It's so much fun to see the excitement they have when exploring within the classroom.
This fun nonstandard measurement activity is FREE for a limited time!
Students will have fun measuring and comparing different St. Patrick's Day pictures in Lucky Measurements.
This fun nonstandard measurement activity is FREE for a limited time!
Students will have fun measuring and comparing different St. Patrick's Day pictures in Lucky Measurements.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Friday, November 13, 2015
Math Journals
Math Journals are a quick 5-10 minute activity that I use in my classroom. I love that it can be a quick check of my students understanding of the concepts I've been teaching and I can also add in new concepts that are a preview to things to come.
I looked all over Teachers Pay Teachers for labels that were already made, could be printed on to mailing labels, were core aligned, and made for first grade. BUT NO LUCK! So... I made my own, and I LOVE them!!
Each label is aligned to 1st grade curriculum and can be done in as little as 5 minutes. I start the year by placing the first label in my students' notebooks. Each day that we work in our Math Journals I give my students a new label. I just do a quick check, star their paper, and stick a new label on the back of their hand. My students are responsible for placing the next journal label on the next blank page. (...... Sometimes the next blank page is really the middle of the notebook!)
You can find Math Journal Labels for the entire school year HERE (That's 180 labels!), or find labels for each month here:
I also have a FREEBIE if you want to sample my Math Journal Labels to see if they are a good fit for your classroom too!
Each label is aligned to 1st grade curriculum and can be done in as little as 5 minutes. I start the year by placing the first label in my students' notebooks. Each day that we work in our Math Journals I give my students a new label. I just do a quick check, star their paper, and stick a new label on the back of their hand. My students are responsible for placing the next journal label on the next blank page. (...... Sometimes the next blank page is really the middle of the notebook!)
You can find Math Journal Labels for the entire school year HERE (That's 180 labels!), or find labels for each month here:
I also have a FREEBIE if you want to sample my Math Journal Labels to see if they are a good fit for your classroom too!
Sunday, November 8, 2015
That wiggly kid!
My last blog post got me thinking about all the things that I try to implement in my classroom to help those wiggly students.
Over the years I have tried MANY different things, weighted vests, weights for shoes, stress balls, bands on chairs, wiggle seats, etc. It seems like every year I try something new because what worked the year before is not working or because every student has different needs.
This I have loved the exercise bands (surgical tubing) I have implemented. I originally purchased a set of three exercise bands (for $17.00) from a local sporting goods store. It had three different strength bands; heavy, medium & light. The medium and light did not last very long! The heavy weight band has been great but expensive! Check it out!
Because I have several kids this year that bands would benefit I was working on writing a grant to purchase more bands and balance cushions (I couldn't afford $17.00 per band!) when a dad of a "wiggly" kiddo asked what he could do to help his child.
I showed him the exercise band and told him I was working on writing a grant for more (as well as balance cushions), he had a great idea to use surgical tubing! For less than the price of one set of exercise bands, he was able to make 5 surgical tubing bands! AND they are much sturdier than the bands. He simply measured the chair width, tied each end in a knot, made a loop and put a zip tie around it. It works wonderfully! (I found tubing HERE and zip ties HERE on Amazon for a great price; it would make each band approximately $2.00-$3.00.)
This dad also brought in a balance cushion for his son as well. The cushion has been incredibly helpful too. It allows my student to wiggle without falling off of his chair and he gets the movement he needs to help him stay on task.
This is what his chair looks like with the balance cushion and band. He carries his cushion all around the classroom with him because he knows it helps him to stay focused.
It's been a great addition to my "wiggly" kiddo strategies. I found them HERE on Amazon for $12.00 a cushion. I have several students who could benefit from the balance cushions, I just have to get on the grant writing!
Over the years I have tried MANY different things, weighted vests, weights for shoes, stress balls, bands on chairs, wiggle seats, etc. It seems like every year I try something new because what worked the year before is not working or because every student has different needs.
This I have loved the exercise bands (surgical tubing) I have implemented. I originally purchased a set of three exercise bands (for $17.00) from a local sporting goods store. It had three different strength bands; heavy, medium & light. The medium and light did not last very long! The heavy weight band has been great but expensive! Check it out!
Because I have several kids this year that bands would benefit I was working on writing a grant to purchase more bands and balance cushions (I couldn't afford $17.00 per band!) when a dad of a "wiggly" kiddo asked what he could do to help his child.
I showed him the exercise band and told him I was working on writing a grant for more (as well as balance cushions), he had a great idea to use surgical tubing! For less than the price of one set of exercise bands, he was able to make 5 surgical tubing bands! AND they are much sturdier than the bands. He simply measured the chair width, tied each end in a knot, made a loop and put a zip tie around it. It works wonderfully! (I found tubing HERE and zip ties HERE on Amazon for a great price; it would make each band approximately $2.00-$3.00.)
This dad also brought in a balance cushion for his son as well. The cushion has been incredibly helpful too. It allows my student to wiggle without falling off of his chair and he gets the movement he needs to help him stay on task.
This is what his chair looks like with the balance cushion and band. He carries his cushion all around the classroom with him because he knows it helps him to stay focused.
It's been a great addition to my "wiggly" kiddo strategies. I found them HERE on Amazon for $12.00 a cushion. I have several students who could benefit from the balance cushions, I just have to get on the grant writing!
Sunday, November 1, 2015
That Kid
Dear teachers of my child and fellow colleagues,
That student in the back of your room, sitting by himself, silent, sullen, with an "I don't give a crap" look on his face; don't be fooled. He's actually trying to understand the concepts you are teaching but has a hard time focusing because of the noise level and constant talking of other students around him.
I know.
You're using all the methods that your district keeps providing training on; Restorative Justice Circles, Common Core, Group Work, Unit Work, Performance Tasks.... the list goes on and on; but did you know it's actually very simple..... he's THAT kid!
THAT kid who needs a quieter environment to work in.
THAT kid that struggles to concentrate when the other students around him are talking (even quietly).
THAT kid who won't ask for help, not because he thinks you won't help him, but because he feels there are other students in the class that need more help than he does.
But I'll let you in on a little secret.....
He needs YOUR help.
He needs YOU to recognize that he isn't avoiding participating because he's too cool or uninterested, but because he feels like he's standing in the middle of a busy sidewalk trying to focus on what you're teaching.
He is only able to catch bits and pieces of what you say over the many other conversations going on around him..
*the chairs moving about..
*the student in front of him that keeps getting in and out of his chair..
*the sounds of your footsteps as you walk the room..
*the hum of the lights..
*the computers that students are working on..
*the tapping of a pencil, clicking of a pen..
*did he remember to bring his assignment for his next class...?
*he has homework from the class before that he really wants to finish...
*he's running the mile today in PE (he doesn't like running and doesn't want to fail)...
*will his friends make it on the bus with him today or will they have to catch the second one...?
*what chores will he have when he gets home...?
*what's for dinner (he's a growing boy after all)...?
*he really wants to catch up on some TV...
*how hard will this class be tomorrow......?
My son's lack of participation in your class has nothing to do with you or his ability to understand and do the work, but everything to do with his inability to focus when there is just too much going on around him. Even with his medicine some days it's all he can do to understand just a little part of what you are teaching.
It's hard to reach out to the seemingly sullen, inattentive student sitting in the back of the class at times, but hopefully we can all find it in us to figure out each of our students and provide them with the best of us.
That student in the back of your room, sitting by himself, silent, sullen, with an "I don't give a crap" look on his face; don't be fooled. He's actually trying to understand the concepts you are teaching but has a hard time focusing because of the noise level and constant talking of other students around him.
I know.
You're using all the methods that your district keeps providing training on; Restorative Justice Circles, Common Core, Group Work, Unit Work, Performance Tasks.... the list goes on and on; but did you know it's actually very simple..... he's THAT kid!
THAT kid that struggles to concentrate when the other students around him are talking (even quietly).
THAT kid who won't ask for help, not because he thinks you won't help him, but because he feels there are other students in the class that need more help than he does.
But I'll let you in on a little secret.....
He needs YOUR help.
He needs YOU to recognize that he isn't avoiding participating because he's too cool or uninterested, but because he feels like he's standing in the middle of a busy sidewalk trying to focus on what you're teaching.
He is only able to catch bits and pieces of what you say over the many other conversations going on around him..
*the chairs moving about..
*the student in front of him that keeps getting in and out of his chair..
*the sounds of your footsteps as you walk the room..
*the hum of the lights..
*the computers that students are working on..
*the tapping of a pencil, clicking of a pen..
*did he remember to bring his assignment for his next class...?
*he has homework from the class before that he really wants to finish...
*he's running the mile today in PE (he doesn't like running and doesn't want to fail)...
*will his friends make it on the bus with him today or will they have to catch the second one...?
*what chores will he have when he gets home...?
*what's for dinner (he's a growing boy after all)...?
*he really wants to catch up on some TV...
*how hard will this class be tomorrow......?
My son's lack of participation in your class has nothing to do with you or his ability to understand and do the work, but everything to do with his inability to focus when there is just too much going on around him. Even with his medicine some days it's all he can do to understand just a little part of what you are teaching.
It's hard to reach out to the seemingly sullen, inattentive student sitting in the back of the class at times, but hopefully we can all find it in us to figure out each of our students and provide them with the best of us.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Desk Fairy
Have you had a visit from the Desk Fairy yet this year?! I have found that a quick visit from the Desk Fairy, who leaves a small treat, helps my students keep their desks and the classroom cleaner.
The Desk Fairy simply looks for clean desks and leaves a little note of encouragement and a treat.
If a student's desk is not up to par the Desk Fairy skips over it!
Students are quickly motivated to clean their desk in the hopes the Desk Fairy will stop by again! I have made these cute Desk Fairy Coupons that you can print and use in your classroom and the best part is they're FREE! You can find them HERE in my teacher store.
I hope the Desk Fairy stops by your classroom soon!
If a student's desk is not up to par the Desk Fairy skips over it!
Students are quickly motivated to clean their desk in the hopes the Desk Fairy will stop by again! I have made these cute Desk Fairy Coupons that you can print and use in your classroom and the best part is they're FREE! You can find them HERE in my teacher store.
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Class Newsletters Just Got Easier!
Let's talk class newsletters!
I will freely admit that at times I have not been good at sending home a class newsletter monthly or even weekly. In fact I use to dread the time it would take to sit down and grind out a newsletter, all the time checking dates to make sure I had every activity school wide down for the entire month (because who wants to do this every week!), classroom goals, I can statements, birthdays, parent volunteers, field trips..... Whew! I would get it set up the way I wanted, cute as a button, printed and put into my students binders and then.... Date changes! Rescheduled events! Cancelled field trips!
BUT WAIT!
I just sent everything home with my students!
Dang it!! I know I could just send a quick, impersonal email though our district system informing parents of the changes, but I really dislike the impersonal look (read: "NOT CUTE"!) of our district email and I never really know if parents are getting my emails (unless they bounce back) and are actually reading them unless they talk to me personally about the topics in the email. I know that with a paper copy it usually makes it out of homework binders and I at least know it made it home ~ somewhere.
One day, while cruising through Facebook I came across a sponsored ad for Erin Wing's Classroom Newsletters through MailChimp.com. I was intrigued! It was cute and it was an email with SO much more going on! I could add links to our district parent portal to check grades and lunch accounts, I could link a direct email response, all the calendar dates could be easily added to any smart phone with just a touch! I loved it!
I don't know about you but anything that makes my life run smoother is a huge bonus and this new way of sending classroom newsletters has made them so easy and I don't dread them any more. Now, I actually look forward to sending classroom newsletters weekly!
I love these emails (actually called campaigns) because not only are they cute, and I can provide direct links for parents to use (district home page, email, websites for homework, etc.), I can also see which parents are actually opening my emails (and I hope reading them) and if they have clicked the links. I no longer am sending out a paper copy to any of my parents because the emails can be read on ALL smart phones, tablets, or any computer.
Here is the link to Erin Wing's website with a great YouTube video on how to set up an account with MailChimp and a link to her teacher store on Teachers Pay Teachers where you can buy her cute newsletters that are compatible with MailChimp.
http://www.erinwing.com/mailchimp-newsletters/
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Erin-Wing
I hope this can make your classroom newsletters a little less overwhelming and much easier to use! It has made such a difference in my communication with parents that I will be using it for years to come.
I will freely admit that at times I have not been good at sending home a class newsletter monthly or even weekly. In fact I use to dread the time it would take to sit down and grind out a newsletter, all the time checking dates to make sure I had every activity school wide down for the entire month (because who wants to do this every week!), classroom goals, I can statements, birthdays, parent volunteers, field trips..... Whew! I would get it set up the way I wanted, cute as a button, printed and put into my students binders and then.... Date changes! Rescheduled events! Cancelled field trips!
BUT WAIT!
I just sent everything home with my students!
Dang it!! I know I could just send a quick, impersonal email though our district system informing parents of the changes, but I really dislike the impersonal look (read: "NOT CUTE"!) of our district email and I never really know if parents are getting my emails (unless they bounce back) and are actually reading them unless they talk to me personally about the topics in the email. I know that with a paper copy it usually makes it out of homework binders and I at least know it made it home ~ somewhere.
One day, while cruising through Facebook I came across a sponsored ad for Erin Wing's Classroom Newsletters through MailChimp.com. I was intrigued! It was cute and it was an email with SO much more going on! I could add links to our district parent portal to check grades and lunch accounts, I could link a direct email response, all the calendar dates could be easily added to any smart phone with just a touch! I loved it!
I love these emails (actually called campaigns) because not only are they cute, and I can provide direct links for parents to use (district home page, email, websites for homework, etc.), I can also see which parents are actually opening my emails (and I hope reading them) and if they have clicked the links. I no longer am sending out a paper copy to any of my parents because the emails can be read on ALL smart phones, tablets, or any computer.
Here is the link to Erin Wing's website with a great YouTube video on how to set up an account with MailChimp and a link to her teacher store on Teachers Pay Teachers where you can buy her cute newsletters that are compatible with MailChimp.
http://www.erinwing.com/mailchimp-newsletters/
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Erin-Wing
I hope this can make your classroom newsletters a little less overwhelming and much easier to use! It has made such a difference in my communication with parents that I will be using it for years to come.
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