Book Check-Out Station (Free Pocket Chart Cards)

Are your books disappearing?  There's nothing I love more than seeing kids get excited about books and want to take them home to borrow!  But, I can't help but notice that not keeping track of the books I send home with my students is starting to take a toll on my class library selection.  :)  I'm going to try the check-out system that Christina Bainbridge mentioned she uses in her classroom and see if that helps keep better track of which books are and aren't making it back into the classroom.  Students will record the title of the book they are borrowing on a slip of paper and place it behind their classroom numbers on a pocket chart.  My pocket chart cards are below (designed to best fit the small, $1 charts at Target).  Click any image to download {free}!

 

My Favorite Attention Grabbers {Free Poster}

 I love using fun sayings and jingles with my students to get their attention.  It keeps me from sounding "naggy" and the kids love it!  Best of all, it works like a charm!  It seems to work even better when having a variety to choose from  (keeps them interested).  I've found a ton, but have compiled my favorites into a poster to display in my classroom next year.  Grab it - if you'd like! 

<------- Click to download!

 

Nurse Passes

Getting some small items made for next year... Nurse Passes!

I know - Try to contain your excitement.  ;)

Click the image to download {free}.

 

Voracious Reader Tickets

Now that I've just finished up my first year using CAFE for reading {LOVED IT}, I thought I'd change my Reading Star tickets into Voracious Reader tickets.  I often pass tickets out to students who are going above and beyond with the amount of reading they are doing or for completing their home reading logs.  They have also been a motivator to my reluctant readers when trying to get them to read/finish more books.  Students get to place their tickets in a jar, which I then pull from at the end of the day for small prizes, candy stickers, etc.  It's nice, too, because I can tie these drawings into my dismissal routine.  The class can earn more drawings at the end of the day, depending on how well they pack up and listen to directions.  This makes for a stress-free dismissal...usually.  ;)

Click the image below to download the "Voracious Reader Tickets"{free} I'll be using next year!  :)

Updated July 25, 2014 - I found a tin to have the students place their tickets in and made a label for the front.  Here's what mine looks like:

The label is included in the free download!  :)

Mother's Day Book {Free Template}

If you are in need if a Mother's Day gift, here is a free download with a planning page, label, and book pages to have your students each create a book!  You can really do anything for the cover... but what I did was fold a piece of construction paper in half and pasted their pictures on the front with a paper flower and the "Happy Mother's Day" label.  I also laminated them for durability.  The kids plan their writing on the planning sheet and then copy their sentences (one sentence per page) on the book page templates and draw a picture to go with it.  Click on the images below to download the files!  :)

Several Odds & Ends Freebie Downloads

We are on our second snow day in a row! (Actually, school has been cancelled because of the cold temperatures with the wind chill...and next week isn't looking much better.)  With our time off, I'm trying to get a few odds and ends things done.  I've, of course, seen the adorable snowman craft idea from the We Heart Art blog (original idea from Artsonia) and wanted to make it with my students.

They were supposed to finish up their Day In the Life of a Snowman writing this week and make the snowman to go with it, but the snow days are pushing it off until at least next week!  I couldn't find a pattern already made, so if mine could save you some time, you can download it below.

 

At our school, we are also trying out the Reading A-Z Assessment with our students.  I'm hoping it will be an accurate indicator of our students' reading levels!  If you could use the binder cover I made, click the image below to download.  :)

Bee-ing Verbs {Linking & Helping}

Well...once again, a 20-minute project has turned into a 6-hour one!  My newest pack is for introducing and practicing "being" verbs (linking/helping).  Check out my bee-themed verb packet by clicking either of the images below!

 

I've searched the internet for the original source of the "Helping Verbs - Jingle Bell" song, but haven't had any luck finding who came up with the catchy song!  Since it is not my original idea, you can download a free-bee version of the song below.  :)  If you know where credit is due, please let me know!

Thanks for stopping by!

{Freebie} Versatile Opinion Planner and Writing Paper

If you need additional resources for opinion writing, I created a planning sheet and writing paper that can be used for any opinion piece throughout the school year!  Grab it below (for free)!  :)

Have a great weekend!  :)

Combining Scary Sentences Freebie

I made this to use with my class this week!  If you can use it, grab it below!

Free CAFE Binder Set

After reading The Daily Five and The Cafe Book by The Two Sisters (Gail Boushey & Joan Moser), I've been creating pieces to include in my Cafe Binder (or Pensieve, as the two sisters call it).  I created the forms to fit my preferences and teaching style, but are basically the same as the forms that are available on their website.  If you are interested in the binder cover, tabs, and forms I created, you can download them below by clicking on the image!

The contents of this set are "as is".  Since this is a free item, customizing it is not an option.

Thanks for stopping by!  :)

The Daily 5 and CAFE are trademark and copy written content of The 2 Sisters. They do not authorize or endorse these materials. Please read their books if you are interested in implementing this program into your classroom.   www.the2sisters.com 

S.T.A.R. Folders, Writing Centers, Class Photos, and Freebies

It has been JULY since I last posted!  (I did spend roughly an hour writing a post several weeks ago, but lost the whole thing.  GRR!  It has taken until now for me to find the time and motivation to redo it!)  :)

The first thing I'm going to share is the setup of my students' "Take Home"/S.T.A.R. folders (Striving for Terrific Attitudes, Responsibility, and Success).

 Front (Nothing special!)

 Front Pocket- This is where students place their homework and anything that needs to be returned to school.

 Class Information Sheet -  Includes: daily schedule, class list, Scholastic Book Clubs code, class website address and QR code, homework schedule, class rules, and grading scale

CAFE Menu -  After reading the CAFE book this summer, I decided to include a reading strategies menu in each of my students' folders.  As I conference with students, I highlight the skill they are working on so they can share the strategy with their families and practice building the skill(s) at home. 

 S.T.A.R. Behavior Calendars -  The students color the calendar each day to show their behavior on the color chart.  Click HERE to view this on Teachers Pay Teachers.

 Nightly Reading Log -  Click HERE to download a free copy of the log I'm using with my class this year!

 The 100 Club -  Check this out on Christiana Bainbridge's blog! 

Back Pocket -  This pocket is for graded work or anything else that can stay at home.

I hope this is helpful, especially to those of you that have asked about my STAR folders! 

I have made ONE measly product since school has started!  {Sad, I know.}  My newest TpT creation is my packet of Writing Center Activities.  I created these to use for the Work on Writing portion of the Daily 5, but they can be used as early finisher activities, for literacy centers, etc.  Here it is:

(Click either photo to view on TpT!)

I keep all of my writing journals, templates, and supplies neatly stacked away in this bin:

I also had many people ask about my welcome sign and table numbers.  You can download them for free by clicking on the photos below!  (Beware: It is a HUGE file...evidently!)

Last, but not least, here are some classroom photos!  (Links to pictured items are included.)

 Class "Treasure Chest"

 Class Library - Chapter Book Section with Petey the Pig

 Front Board w/Daily 5 Rotation Charts and Show What You Know poster

 Front Board with Behavior Chart and Daily Schedule

 CAFE Strategies Board, Early Finisher Cards, and Terrific Tables

 Behind my desk - storage and read alouds

 My Workspace

 Daily Folders - This is where I organize all of my supplies for the upcoming week.

 Storage Bins

 Class Library with Finny the Frog

 Front of room w/Cafe board

 Small Group Area w/Comprehension Posters

 A Cupcake for the Teacher's reading strategies posters and Brownie Points

Boggle Board and Writing Goals Chart