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What I’m Doing this Week: Plans, Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Updates, and Links for Freebies

I am cramming in a few holidays before we have off for February Break next week.   We are celebrating and learning about Valentine's Day and Presidents' Day.   I have included my plans for the week in this post and links for some freebies!  We are supposed to get hit with more snow ...

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Filed Under: Free Downloads, President's Day, Teachers Pay Teachers, Uncategorized, Valentine's Day

Jam Packed Post: What’s New, Short u Phonics Based Literacy Centers, & Freebie

I have some exciting news!   Carson-Dellosa Publishing has selected me to be part of their Creative Partner Blogger Summit!   Here is my letter!   I am one of just five bloggers invited.   I cannot wait to share with you my experiences and to hang out with the other four ...

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Filed Under: Free Downloads, Literacy Centers, Teachers Pay Teachers, Uncategorized

Time Savers, Helpful Hints (a little freebie, too), Activities Like, and New Ideas

I am a little late to the Blog Hoppin' party, but better late than never!   Here are some of my quick Time-Savers: I don't file away my original copies for the week right away.  I actually keep them in my "To Copy" file and then I grab them quick if needed.  You know like when a ...

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Filed Under: Free Downloads, Organization, Uncategorized

Thanksgiving Freebies

I just wanted to let you all know how thankful I am for all of your comments, feedback, and support!  It makes me feel better that I am not the only teacher out there who has walked out the door in mismatched shoes, burns food (see my gingerbread post from last year or my instagram of my ...

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Filed Under: Free Downloads, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized

Batty for Freebies, a Contest, and Come Meet Me!

Last we started Bats and we will continue on with the unit this week!   I updated a my Batty for Bats TpT file to include a file folder word wall, a few little centers, more informational writing papers (see my informational post for more ideas), and bat lifecycle activities.   ...

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Filed Under: bats, Free Downloads, Teachers Pay Teachers, Uncategorized

Pumpkin Plans, Informational Text Features, and More!!

This post is full of info and an informational text features FREE download!  I thought I would give you the FYI at the top because I don't want you to miss out on the freebie.  It is towards the end of the post.   I just finished this huge pumpkin themed, center focused unit. I ...

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Filed Under: Free Downloads, Informational Texts, Pumpkins, Teachers Pay Teachers, Uncategorized, Visual plans, Writing

The Cat’s Pajamas and Plans for the Week (Plus a Freebie)

 Last week focused on the -at word family and I decided to build a cat themed unit around it.   My students LOVED the picture books I found:  Cat Secrets, Grumpy Cat, Cat the Cat, and Kat Kong.   Here is a peek at my week.  Click to download.  I have included a freebie ...

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Filed Under: Free Downloads, Uncategorized, Visual plans

Spelling Homework Menu

This year, I decided to try a spelling homework menu.  Above is my cover page for this weeks' words.   I hope and think my students will enjoy having a choice of activities.   I don't feel my first graders are ready to do their homework in a spelling notebook just yet.  Nor do I ...

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Filed Under: Free Downloads, Spelling, Teachers Pay Teachers, Uncategorized

Christmas in July Day Seven – File Folder Word Walls and Freebies!

My file folder word walls are on sale for %15 off!  These are why I started selling on TpT!   I noticed how much my students loved them and other teachers in my district would email me asking for them.  I laminated them about 8 years ago and they still look great today!   Click ...

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Filed Under: Free Downloads, Uncategorized

A Peek at a Mish Mosh of a Week – April 29th

I made another Search/Read/Write the Room Center for this Week.  I have gotten some sweet feedback to keep them coming, so I will.  This one focuses on Short and Long O.  Here are my visual plans for the week.  There really isn't a nice theme going on unless, I throw it all ...

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Filed Under: Free Downloads, Uncategorized, Visual plans

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📚 Back-to-school magic starts with the right read- 📚 Back-to-school magic starts with the right read-alouds!
These are my absolute favorite first-week books for building classroom community, easing those first-day jitters, and setting a positive tone from day one.
From Our Class is a Family, All Are Welcome, The Book of Rules, and so many more — these stories never miss.

Which one is a must-read in your classroom? Drop it in the comments and I will send you the links to my follow up activities!

#BackToSchool #ReadAlouds #picturebooks
These play-doh first day gifts are cute and practi These play-doh first day gifts are cute and practical!  The play-doh gives your students something fun to do while you are busy greeting students at the door.  Then once everyone is in, then you can unpack supplies as a class. 

Want the link to the FREE tags and to see what else I do on the first day?  Comment “first day” below and I will DM you the links!

#teacherhack #teacherfreebies #playdoh #teachersfollowteachers #backtoschool
How do you handle this situation? Do you put the How do you handle this situation?  Do you put the new student at the end of the alphabetical list or do you start over with a new one?
I know I am next for a new student (I have 24 kids and everyone else has 25), so I am holding off until the night before the first day.  I wish I could just wait but I like modeling where their bags and mail goes, both of which are set up using numbers.

True story: One year on the first day, I had a no show.  Then I was assigned a new student.  That student fit perfectly in the alphabetical order spot that was left.  I should have played the lottery or something.  What were the odds of that?!

#teacherproblems #teacherhumor #primaryteacher
5 things that are worth the money for your classro 5 things that are worth the money for your classroom!

1. A color printer.  We don’t have color printers at school and this has saved me from having to remember to print something at home. I brought in mine from home and then bought a new one for home. 
2. MacBookAir - This is my personal laptop.  I bring it home on weekends and holidays but for the most part I keep it at school.  I did need approval to get it on our district WiFi, which meant my phone could not also be on the WiFi.  There is a one device per teacher rule.
3. A lay-flat binder for my plan book, dismissal binder, and sub binder.  These save so much space and they are flexible. 
4. A laminator at school and a laminator at home.  It took me many years before I caved and bought another one but again, it saves me from remembering to laminate at home and I can also laminate during snack time and preps. Matte laminating is also worth the splurge.
5. My teacher toolbox! This toolbox has been with me for over 10 years, I just change out the labels to go with my decor theme.  Everything has a place and it keeps my desk organized.

Want the links?  Comment “links” below and I will DM you them. 

#classroommanagement #amazonfinds #classroom #teacherhacks #firstgradeteacher
✨Center time just got so much better! ✨ These 1st ✨Center time just got so much better! ✨
These 1st grade phonics-based literacy centers keep my students engaged, independent, and actually cheering when I say it’s center time. 🙌
Year-long skills that spiral and build (short vowels → digraphs → blends → vowel teams → multisyllabic words and more), primary lined recording sheets, supportive visuals, and activities that are easy to prep once and reuse all year.

Perfect for Science of Reading classrooms, Fundations® users, Daily 5, or anyone who wants structured, decodable practice while you pull small groups.

My students know exactly what to do… and I get to teach without interruptions. Win-win! 📚💛

Comment LINK if you want a full year of ready-to-go phonics centers and a free sample set!
#PhonicsCenters  #LiteracyCenters #FirstGradeTeacher  #Phonics #WordWork ReadingCenters
🌻Sunflower Classroom Decor Room Tour🌻 This was my 🌻Sunflower Classroom Decor Room Tour🌻

This was my room decor before the pastels.  It worked well to incorporate my old farmhouse items (my decor theme before that) and as a bonus it made my Ukrainian students smile (the sunflower is the national flower of the Ukrainian).

Do you want the links?  Comment “sunflower” below. 

#classroomdecor #tptcheckoutmyclassroom #firstgradeteacher
Teacher Tip: Sort and store your printables for th Teacher Tip: Sort and store your printables for the upcoming weeks in a file tray above drawers for the days of the week.  This helps to keep you organized for the weeks ahead.
Save and use leftover colored copies as dividers. This makes them less bulky, than if you had used binder clips.
When you near the end of the week, pull the papers from the tray and sort into the weekday drawers and centers.

Have questions?  Ask them below!

#classroomorganization #classroommanagement #teachertips #teacherhacks
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