Math Freebies! - Polygon Creatures & Name Patterns

We made our Polygon Creatures in math today!  It was too fun! And most importantly, the kids were able to tell me exactly what a polygon was once they were done with their creations.   :)    Here's how a few turned out:

Click the template below to grab a free copy of this activity!

Next week, we will be doing our name patterns activity (idea from Saxon Math).  The students will repeatedly write their names on a grid and color each letter a different color.  When they are done, a pattern appears!  Here's an example of the finished product:

Click the image below to download the free Name Pattern template!

Social Studies Writing Freebies: Communities

We've been working our way through our Community Unit and I needed some writing activities to tie in this week.  I created a few and thought I'd share!   Click the images to download them for free!

 When I Grow Up  - This can be used after discussing careers and local community workers.

I Love My Community - Have students paste a photo or draw a picture of themselves in their community and write about their favorite local place to visit!

I hope you can use them in your classroom!  :)

S.T.A.R. Behavior Packet

I have posted several times about my S.T.A.R. behavior system and documents in my classroom.  I've updated all of my forms and included a few more.  You can download all of these items in my new S.T.A.R. Behavior Packet on TpT!  Click the image to check it out!

 Here's a peek of what's inside:

Behavior Binder Cover

Student Recording Calendars for the 2012-13 School Year

"Parent Contact" letters

Teacher Recording Forms

Sight Word Mega Pack - Hello, TpT!

I've finished creating my Sight Word Assessment/Incentive Pack!  It's the first time I've uploaded anything to my TpT store, so I'm super excited!  The packet includes activities for the first 220 Dolch sight words:

Superhero Sight Word List (100 Words) -  Includes incentives, students forms, and a teacher screening forms.  Each student receives a Superhero Sight Word I.D. card once they can fluently read the first list.  Once the whole class passes, we will celebrate with a Superhero Day!

 

Sweet Sight Word List (120 Words) - Includes incentives, student forms, and a teacher screening form.  Each student will receive a Sweet Reader bookmark once they can fluently read the second list.  Once the whole class passes, I will treat them to ice cream sundaes!

Visit my TpT shop to download this packet for your classroom!

On another note...We've been talking about the Scientific Process, so I created a versatile Lab Report printable to use when conducting experiments in class.  I kept it simple in order to better suit the needs of lower elementary students.   I wanted to make science a bit more exciting this year by incorporating more investigations, so I thought this would be a good way to make it purposeful!  Click to download on TpT!

Classroom Tour

 I've had a handful of people ask about my classroom layout, so here it is!

I'm linking up with Brigid from Brigid's Daily Lesson Log for the Classroom Tours Linky Party!

 

 Front of the room

Student book boxes

 Listening Center

"Sun-Sational" Word Wall

 Behavior Chart, Daily Schedule, and Objectives display

 Post-it Reading Comprehension Posters & AR Line Chart

 Student AR Incentive Board w/sticker charts

 I LOVE the vowel glue bottles from The Teacher Wife

(Do you see Sneaky E hiding up there?)

 Restroom Passes - Idea from the Clutter-Free Classroom

 Boggle Board - Can't wait to try it this year!

 Class Jobs

 View from behind my desk

 Whole classroom view

 Caught Being Good Box, Monster Drool Scentos, and Reading Incentives!

 Classroom Library

 All ready for the kids!  :)

 Hallway bulletin board

"Writer's Eye" display above windows....I need some border to brighten it up!

And there you have it....my little room in a nutshell!

AR Line Chart

Thank you Pinterest for another great idea - an AR line pocket chart!  Actually, the idea comes from Ms. Simoneaux at First Grade Fresh.  Basically, the idea is to have your students place their class numbers on a pocket chart when they are ready for an AR quiz.  This helps minimize the little arguments over whose turn it.  Click HERE for the link on Pinterest.  Here's how I did mine:

To store the numbers, I plan to group them by color and place them in the bottom row.  This way it will be easier for the kids to find their own.  I bought the pocket chart from the Dollar Spot at Target (of course!).  The numbers are actually "Calendar Numbers' that I found at United Art and Education.

If you'd like a copy of the chart I made, click on it below to download!

Sight Words - Challenge List

What enrichment activities do you make available to your higher level students?  Over the last few years, I noticed several high readers flying through my sight word packets and feeling quite bored with the whole process.  I thought I'd try out a Challenge List of upper grade level sight words to keep my strong readers engaged.  I used the Dolch 4th grade words to create a challenge list.  I also plan on creating a second list using the 5th grade words.  Below is the handout that I created.  Click to grab a copy!

Cute borders and frame from The Scrappin Cop!