A Thank You and Giveaway Reminder

I have 50 followers! I know 50 is a small number compared to some of you guys out there but it really means alot to me. So with that I say thank you and don't forget about my Making Words Giveaway. For all of you who have not commented you still have until July 3 to enter!

Good Luck to all and thank you for following!

Mrs. Shepherd

Erica's Elementary Excitement!!! Giveaway

Go to Erica's Elementary Excitement to enter her giveaway to win a $50.00 giftcard to Lakeshore and a $25.00 giftcard to Target. Hurry the giveaway ends Thursday!

My first Giveaway!!!!!!

A lucky winner will be receiving my 10 weeks of Making Words Unit! My school is really big on Making Words and since I'm going to 2nd grade next year all of my making words activities from first had to be revised due to us doing Readers Worshop vs literacy Centers. So I've come up with my own Making Words unit for my team to follow this year. This format works great for me because we can begin it whole group and they can finish independtly.

You can have 3 possible entries!

Here's what you need to do to enter:

First: follow my blog and leave a comment saying you do. (1 entry)

Second: blog about my giveaway on your blog and make sure you leave me a comment. (1 entry)

Third: Add me to your blog list/wheel. Don't forget to leave a comment:) (1 entry)

Below you will see a copy of week 1 which you can download. I know it's off but when you download it is fine. I can't seem to fix the shift on scribd.

Good luck guys the winner will be chosen at midnight on July 3rd!!!!!
Making Words Cover Sheet
Making Words Lesson 1

Awesome foldables

So today I had to finish up my GT training on differentiating curriculum in the classroom. I thought it was going to be like every other training I've attended which involved huge packets and long power points. Of course I was surprised when the instructor had a table full of craft supplies and paper bags for us to cut apart and decorate in the training. I can honestly say that this was one of the most engaging training I have been to in a long time and I got tons of things I can use in my room. Here's a look at some things we made.

We made a paper bag book let. The one that is focused on math is an example a student did for her to show math tips and problem solving. These would be great for sequencing events!

Here is a paper bag man if you look closely at the bottom there is a pocket that held our extra papers. I'm thinking of using this as a math problem solving template and the pocket can hold story problems and manipulatives for them to solve. Or use it for a book retell.

Lastly I was really motivated to make this place value mat since I had seen them on another blog. It was super easy and tons of other teachers couldn't get over how cool it was. To make one I use 2 1/2 sheets of paper. I will definately have my students make these for their math folders. I was thinking instead of buying a place value chart I could make a large one out of construction paper and post it on my calendar board.

front:

back:

One more thing my teammate came up with this cute 5 finger rule reminder craft for the students to use when the go to the library the first of the year. Students will trace their hand and write the 5 rules on the fingers and write in complete sentences how to choos a just right book.

Just thought I would share these ideas with you guys. If you have any other ideas of how to use them I would love to hear from you.

Beach Theme Freebies!

This year I've decided to do a beach theme in my classroom. So after seeing tons of you guys creating things for your rooms I've decided to try making them too. Now this is my first time working on anything like this so please be patient with me and kind. I've included table signs, supply caddy labels and locker tags. If you think you can use any of these please do all I ask is that you leave a comment, follow my blog and add me to your blog roll, wheel whatever you call it. lol

Hope you guys like!

Mrs. Shepherd

Group 1

Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6
Basket Labels
Locker Tags

Who doesn't love Target???

So while searching for great ideas for next year I came across a post from a teacher in North Carolina talking about Target putting their teacher supplies out in the dollar bins already. So of course I had to go see if they did at my Target and boy was I surprised!  They have tons of bins and baskets, books, games, stickers and lots more.  Here are some things I picked up....

Book Bins for $2.50 each

These cute signs which come 2 in a pack for a $1.00

Lastly I bought these math bingo games my kids can play during indoor recess.



It's funny because when I cam home I had a received a catalog from Really Good Stuff and compared the prices and Target really saved me alot of money.  Hope this post can save you guys some money as well!

Primary Inspired Giveaway

Hey guys go over to Brenda's blog Primary Inspired to enter her awesome giveaway for reaching 200 followers.  The lucky winner will win this math mat challenge game.  Good Luck! 

Lesson Plan Diva Giveaway!

Hey guys right now if you head over to lessonplandiva.blogspot.com you can win a back to school literacy packet including beginning and ending sounds and 2 centers.  This is truly a win win just select the link and win.  Here's a look at what you'll get!

Help! Classroom Website Setup

Well I've been thinking long and hard and have decided that I want to create a class website. My website will be used to inform parents of things going on at school and what their students are doing in the classroom. I'm also thinking that I can use my website for computer lab time, I would post appropriate websites for my students to use so I won't have to worry about logging them in. If you know about setting one up I would love to hear from you!

Christmas in July giveaway

Hey guys go over to first grade a la cart to enter Kathy's giveaway!  Right now she's hosting her Christmas in July sale which has tons of games for the kiddos.

Get your ticket

Just entered an awesome giveway from kindergartenworks.blogspot.com. she's giving away an awesome calendar packet including labels.  Hurry and enter giveaway ends tomorrow night.

My Summer To-Do List

So after blogging all night long I've decided to write out my summer to-do list even though so of my collegues are screaming rest my mind won't let me.  I don't know about some of you but since I'm teaching a different grade this year and working with a new team I feel that I have to start early with my plans just because.  Well anyway here is my to-do list for summer.

1.  Do everything I can to make sure my 2 year daughter is enjoying her summer home with mommy.  So far I've enrolled her in ballet, we have read alouds at the library, and trips to the water park all of which she loves doing so far.  Her summer will end with a trip to Sea World in July right before mommy has to go back to work. :(

2.  Complete my GT hours so far I have completed 2 of the 5 classes. At least the presenter is from out of district and is really funny so it's not that bad. 

3.  Finish Painting my bathroom that I started on.  After painting half I realized I don't like painting that much.  Oh well have to finish right!

4.  I know this is nerdy but it's me, all the ideas and templates I've found I have to complete one to show to my team.  I find that since I'm a visual learner I have to see and do to make sure it works for my kids.  So far I've made my poetry journal, math journal which I'm super excited about after seeing Mrs. Sauds example on primarygraffiti.blogspot.com., and my reading response journal.

5.  Pick a theme so Can go bargain shop for materials.  Right now I'm torn between a sport theme and oceans theme.  Last year I did bees and I'm bee'ed out.  If you head over to clutterfreeclassroom she has tons of pictures and theme templates you can buy on her tpt store.

6.  Come up with a brand new layout in my room.  Last year I changed my room a couple of times before I got it perfect and since I moving to a new room I want to get that out the way so my transition is as easy as possible. My new room has lots of boards to cover so choosing what to display on those boards is going to be tricky as well.  So far I know
Board 1 = word wall
Board 2: calendar math
Board 3:  work display board
Board 4: Reading strategies
Board 5:  Guided Reading Groups
Board 6:  Writing Board
Board 7:  Focus Wall ( after seeing this on clutterfreeclassroom under her frog theme I decided I have to incorporate this is my room this year!) Ieven want one for math as well

7.  Buy DJ inkers clip art cd and learn how to create math centers and units.  I've done some but they aren't worthy of being posted just yet.

8.  Work on my reading baskets!  have tons of bookshelves in my room now so I'm focused on printing labels, laminating and organizing books.  I also have to update my library so Halfprice books here I come!  I've already torn thru scholastic and got some great book for shared reading.

9.  Complete my book study my principal assigned us and do some more of my own.  This summer we are to read Revisiting the Readers Workshop and Reading with Meaning by Debbie Miller.  I want to read Math Workstations and some other math books since I plan mah for my team.

10.  Finally I've been on a weight loss kick since school has ended working out in between taking my daughter to her events, entertaining my husband, and of course blogging.  Well it has paid off and I am down 9lbs.  Woohooo I'm superexcited that I decided to something that I wanted to do forever which is learn how to SWIM!  I know how sad I 28 and can't swim, well that's changing.  So maybe at the end of this month I can write that I know how to swim right now I'm the best floater you'll see. 1ol

Mrs. Shepherd 

New Name!

With a new grade comes a new blog name! 

Hello Second Grade!

So it's official after many weeks of people saying I was moving to another grade my principal moved me to second grade.  After a long day on our first grade field trip to the zoo me and my team lead got called in the pricipals office for the official palcement meeting.  I'm sad not to work with my team next year because we worked so well with each other and all were looking forward to next year.  But I'm happy that I am to be moving up with my team lead who has helped me tremendously this year.  So with first grade under my belt it is time to conquer 2nd grade!  Wish me luck people.