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Ericas Ed-Ventures

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Visual plans

Long E Freebie and Visual Plans for the Week

Our reading story for the week focuses on Long E and is about cats.  I made this fun center activity using adorable cat graphics by blogging buddy, Ashely Hughes.  My font is by my ever so talented friend, Cara Carroll.   Click the image above to download the file for FREE. ...

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Filed Under: Free Downloads, Uncategorized, Visual plans

Valentine’s Day Updates and a Frebbie, Plus Visual Plans

I survived the blizzard.  It actually was not as bad as it could have been here.  I will be going to school tomorrow.   Being snowed in gave me some time to update my Valentine's Day packets.  You can click the pictures below to check out the packets.  If you have already ...

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Filed Under: Uncategorized, Valentine's Day, Visual plans

Visual Plans and TpT Sale Finds

Here are my visual plans for the week.  We are still trudging along with our penguin informational writing.  I forget that I have five more students than last year and that many of the kids get pulled in the afternoon. Things just take a lot longer this year!  I am hoping to have the ...

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Filed Under: Uncategorized, Visual plans

Pirates, Penguins, and Pugs: Photos from My Week

I thought I would do a quick post to share some of the cute things I have been doing this week with my class!  Click on the photos to check out the packets.  Click here to check out my lesson plans for this week.  We actually made Abby's Pirate Mark last week.  I ...

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Filed Under: Penguins, Pirates, Uncategorized, Visual plans

How To Do Spelling H.W. in a Notebook and Visual Plans

After Christmas break, I decided it would be time for my students to do their spelling homework in a notebook.  I usually send home a spelling packet, but I noticed my students were really struggling with writing properly in their writing notebooks.  They were all over the place!  I ...

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Filed Under: Free Downloads, Uncategorized, Visual plans

Visual Plans: Classroom News, R-controlled a, Pirates, Penguin, & MLK

This week's plans are a bit all over the place - ar words, Martin Luther King Jr., penguins, and pirates! Click any of the pictures to download the visual plans with clickable links from Google docs.    *These visual plans were inspired by my sweet friend DeeDee. **My ...

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Filed Under: Pirates, Uncategorized, Visual plans

Visual Plans and Penguin Unit Posted

Last week, I shared my first ever visual plans inspired by my sweet friend DeeDee.  I loved all the feedback I received!  So much so, that I decided to post them for this week.   Click on any of the pictures to download the file from Google Docs. I just finished my penguin ...

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Filed Under: Penguins, Uncategorized, Visual plans

A Peek at My Week – DeeDee Style :)

My sweet friend DeeDee shares her visual plans each week and it is a huge hit with her followers.  I decided to try and share my plans for the week with you.  I cannot promise this will be every week but I will try. First, my lesson plan template can be purchased through Ms. M's blog. ...

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Filed Under: Uncategorized, Visual plans, Winter

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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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