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Updates, Thanksgiving FREEBIES, and Thanksgiving Served Up Common Core Style

First, I need to thank all of you for the outpouring of love and support you have shown me and my community.  I have had a terrible few weeks, between my friend, a police officer, being killed in the line of duty, Hurricane Sandy, a former student passing away suddenly from cancer, and the aftermath of Sandy.  I am trying to stay strong and these events have really given me some perspective on life.  Life is short and I want to make the most of it and DO the most good I can.  I want to be the type of person who when I pass on, people say kind words about me, the way they were said about my friend, Artie and about my former student.  My former student was only in third grade and she was the sweetest little girl and so helpful.  My heart hurts that the world has lost two kind individuals.   In order to do what I can to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy, I have started a fundraiser for victims in my town, of Lindenhurst. Long Island, NY.  You can click here to read the post.

I wanted to say thank you to all of my loyal followers with two freebies.   Just click the pictures to download them from TpT.  I appreciate all of your feedback and pins!  Comments (nice ones – not those spam or mean ones) on my blog posts really make my day.

First up is my Your Teacher is Thankful for You! packet.  It comes with two versions of the teacher certificates and one student writing certificate.

The cute turkey on the cover is from MelonHeadz!  I love her graphics.
  

  

Next up is my Thanksgiving File Folder Word Wall with Pictures.  This item was made mostly with graphics from my sweet friend, Ashley Hughes.  I don’t think she ever sleeps!  She is amazing and you must follow her blog, The School Supply Addict.  Plus, she has two little rescued dogs and lives in Switzerland – pretty cool in my book!
These file folder word walls are great for writing centers.  I print the pages, trim, and then glue to a file folder.  I laminate for longevity.   I usually make two folders and then have the students share them at centers. 

I also have a 129 page Thanksgiving Packet in my TpT store, which you can purchase for
$9.  The math activities in this packet are aligned to the Common Core.  Below are some pictures of some of the activities included in the packet.   Click the images below to go to my TpT store to check out the packet.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you and your family have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Filed Under: Free Downloads, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized

Previous Post: « Hurricane Unit Fundraiser
Next Post: Essential Questions »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. stephn

    November 9, 2012 at 2:31 am

    Thank you so much for the freebies! So sorry to hear about the losses in your life. I live in a South Jersey beach town and have a new understanding of thankful! Thoughts and Prayers

    • kk

      November 13, 2012 at 9:43 pm

      Family First believes public finances should be diverted from expensive (high tax) government bureaucracies to families and Family First also believes property rights, free markets and voluntary arrangements provide the best opportunity for Australia and Australians to prosper, so keep in touch with http://www.vic-familyfirst.org.au/

  2. Pattie

    November 9, 2012 at 3:19 am

    Erica,
    Thank you for the freebies. Your blog was one of the very first ones I got hooked on. I have been teaching for a long time and blogging has made me excited about teaching again because of the fresh ideas. My team is fairly young, so they laugh at me because my "old" stuff is new to them and they don't understand my excitement. Anyway, I'm thankful to you for helping me stay young at heart and a better teacher.
    Pattie

  3. Dawn

    November 9, 2012 at 3:37 am

    Wow! You've been through a lot! Prayers for you and your friend and former student's families!

  4. Ashley Hughes

    November 9, 2012 at 4:05 pm

    So many great Thanksgiving ideas in one spot! Love them. You're too sweet for giving me a shout out. 🙂

  5. Lisa Mattes

    November 10, 2012 at 5:08 pm

    Oh, Erica, I'm so sorry for all that you are all going through. AND, you're still putting together amazing freebies. You are one special lady. Thank you for everything.
    Growing Firsties is having a Pete the Cat Giveaway that also donates to Hurricane Sandy Relief!

  6. Colleen

    November 10, 2012 at 6:08 pm

    Thanks for the great freebies! I can't wait to fill out the certificates for my firsties.
    Hope things are getting better where you are. We are all sending good thoughts your way!!
    Colleen 🙂
    Fun and Fearless in First

  7. Anonymous

    November 13, 2012 at 2:39 am

    Hi Erica. I'm sorry for all that is happening in your area. I'm a first grade teacher in westchester and I was wondering if there are Any children who are in need of toys that were lost in the hurricane. My girls scout troop would like to donate gently used toys to them. I was wondering if you can contact me at bafonso@tufsd.org or benitadsaa@aol.com for more info. I look fowArd to your message. Thank you
    Benita

  8. Lori Woodman

    November 14, 2012 at 6:36 pm

    Hang in there! So many prayers in reno are said for you and all the other Sandy survivors! Love your stuff and you are already making a huge impact and legacy for so many people!! Lori @ http://www.teachertakeaways.blogspot.com

  9. Tanya

    November 14, 2012 at 10:48 pm

    Erica,
    Prayers for you. I lost a student this past summer and it was heartbreaking. My only advice: Be happy for the positive influence you had on her life, and be grateful that she graced your life as well.
    Tanya
    First Grade is Fantabulous!

  10. Teacher and Life Long Learner

    November 15, 2012 at 2:45 am

    WOW Erica! Despite your curbs right now, you continue to walk a straight line of giving and kindness! Stop by anytime! SMILES

  11. Julie Marciniak

    November 15, 2012 at 6:58 am

    Hi Erica!
    This post is stocked full of amazing ideas! Thank you so much for sharing your activities with us! I am LOVING the Thankful cards to the kids. I have mentioned it on a new post so stop by and take a peek!
    Happy Thanksgiving!
    Julie
    Ms. Marciniak's First Grade Critter Cafe

  12. Tamera

    November 15, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    I'm having a giveaway!
    Stop by soon to enter!
    🙂
    Tamera
    My Heart Belongs in First

    http://www.myheartbelongsinfirst.blogspot.com/2012/11/polka-dot-birdie-giveaway.html

  13. lisa ann

    January 14, 2013 at 8:30 pm

    when Family First see cronyism, wastefulness, backstabbing, price gouging by government agencies (water prices, power prices, land prices) and politicians spending millions of dollars on themselves while hospitals are being closed and pensioners can’t afford to heat or cool their homes, Family First know there is a lack of values and a failure of leadership.

  14. Nikki Benz

    March 28, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    family first should be at the centre of our Australian way of life, not government bureaucracies. With the rising cost of living putting more and more pressure on families they need more income to function properly and make ends meet.

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New Shape Posters for the Classroom! These have r New Shape Posters for the Classroom!  These have real-life examples and come with three versions. 
Want the link?  Comment SHAPES below.
PS- I fixed the spelling error on Louvre but didn’t have it in me to reprint and re-video. I am back to school tired from just setting up the room with no AC. 

#classroomdecor #tptteachers
Teacher Tip: Send your students’ families a photo Teacher Tip: Send your students’ families a photo of your classroom door before the first day of school.  This will help ease some of those first day jitters about not being able to find the classroom. 
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📚 Back-to-school magic starts with the right read- 📚 Back-to-school magic starts with the right read-alouds!
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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!

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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!

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

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✨Center time just got so much better! ✨ These 1st ✨Center time just got so much better! ✨
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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!
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