0 FIVE FOR FRIDAY - FASHIONABLY LATE

I have been Jonesin' to link up with Doodle Bugs for ages and it's finally becoming a reality!  With this said, I bring you Five for Friday . . . a little late and Teacher Idea Factory style!

Random Moment #1

It was our monthly "lunch date" yesterday and the weather couldn't have been more spring-like and wonderful.  We took our trays outside and stuffed our bellies in the grass. We laughed.  We ate.  We watched the clouds.  It's moments like these that stay with you forever.  

Random Moment #2

We ran with Reagan Tunstall's {Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits} Acrostic Rainbow Name-Bow project.  Instead of sending it home with parents, our 7th Grade Big Buddies helped us with these.  It was such a whimsical project and they brighten up our little classroom so much.  And . . . you wouldn't believe the number of big kids who asked to make one too :)

Random Moment #3

I taught my kids the "Tens Cheer" this week.  I always use this as my intro to adding three numbers - you gotta start by making that 10, kiddos!!!  And, what is a cheer without pom-poms and megaphones??  Uh, not a good one in my book!  Sooooo, we busted out the props and showed off our mad cheerleading skills.  The kids bought in immediately and we chanted until our throats hurt. The poor sweet kinder teacher who shares a wall with us is used to such shenanigans now :)  

If you want to try this cheer in your room, I have attached a freebie print out of this ditty below (just click the image).  I don't bother with 9+1 because all the kids already know this easy one.  Also, be sure to really draw those second addends out . . . eight plus twwwwwwwooooo, seven plus thrrrrrrrrrreeeeeee, six plus fouuuurrrrrr are ten!  Toe touches are optional.

Thank you Cara Carroll and Teaching in a Small Town.
The frame and font are delightful!

Random Moment #4

We have been learning all about weather this week.  We went on a couple of cloud walks (the weather has been all over the place out here) and made our cloud posters yesterday afternoon.  They were so focused and wonderful throughout this project . . . we had to follow up their hard work with a couple of rounds of their new favorite game - silent ball.  Little did they know that it was a teacher's dream come true . . . hehehehehe :)

I figured I might as well share the cloud note pages I made for this too.  You can download it for free below.  Thanks to CC Fonts and Fonts for Teachers for the design support!!!!

There are notes for cumulus, stratus, and cirrus clouds :)
Click the image to snag them!

Random Moment #5

I just finished my Adjective Bunny Craftivity/Writing Packet.  It is in the final editing stage and I should have it posted tonight.  It's up - click the picture to see what it's all about.  Oh, and check back tomorrow for the full 4-1-1 and a little freebie!  As soon as I hit upload, I will be moving on to my Rockin' Retell packet (although I should probably be doing report cards instead). Eh . . . I still have time :)

 

Alright all you alls, I am off to finish that little packet above and freshin' up my cold cup of coffee!  Thanks for taking the time to visit - see you tomorrow.

Detail: FIVE FOR FRIDAY - FASHIONABLY LATE

0 FIVE FOR FRIDAY + STATE TESTING FREEBIE

Word y'all . . . it's FRIDAY.  I don't know about you, but I find that my smile is just a little bit bigger by the time this day rolls around each week.  I know a little of this goofy grin is linked to gettin' to participate in my favorite Linky . . . Doodle Bugs' Five For Friday.  So, here you be (big 'ol smile and all).

RANDOM MOMENT #1

We finished up our money unit this week and one math center in particular proved to be an AMAZING hit with my babes.  Jennifer Tice from Rowdy in First Grade delighted my money makin' fools with her Who Has the Most Allowance Game.  Uh . . . we loved it soooooo much that we played it TWICE this week. Thanks bunches Jennifer :)

RANDOM MOMENT #2

I stumbled across the best common core math worksheets a few weeks back and I finally put them to the test this week.  I knew I liked what I saw when I got my hands on the pack, but I had no idea that I would love 'em as much as I do.  They are perfectly aligned with first grade standards and they make for the best independent math station, quick transition paper, or homework option. These are the brain-child of sweet Dana over at Polka Dots, Checks, & Stripes!

RANDOM MOMENT #3

State testing (BLARG!!!) kicks off at our school next Tuesday.  In California, testing doesn't start until 2nd grade . . . phew.  But, my first year teaching I was lucky enough to experience the dreaded test.  That next year I transferred to first grade and when testing rolled around and I didn't have to "deal" with the nightmare, I decided to start Adopt-A-Class.  All of the classes in non-testing grades adopt 1-2 classes in a testing grade.  We do all sorts of sweet things for them leading up to the test.  With all this said, we wrote letters to our second grade friends this week.  They did such a wonderful job and they took such pride in their work.  It made my heart happy.  

Oh yeah . . . and if you are intersted in various Adopt-A-Class ideas to implement at your school during testing week, I put together this freebie pack last year :)  Feel free to help yo-self!

RANDOM MOMENT #4

The firefighters dropped by for their annual fire safety presentation this week. The kids (and teachers) were delighted that they spent some quality time with us. My babes didn't make a sound throughout the demonstrations . . . well . . . other than to burst into applause when they did something "cool."  The kiddlets also got to shoot the fire hose and they all scored a sweet little goodie bag!  

RANDOM MOMENT #5

After putting our money unit to bed, we launched right into our 3D Shape unit. We have been having a blast with oodles of interactive common core activities. The crowning moment of our week was surely the Sphere Races that were held on Friday.  The kids had an absolute "sphere" with this one . . . and I managed to slip in additional standards without them even noticing (measurement, weight, and comparing/ordering numbers).  Who knew solid figures could be so much fun??

The kids rolled their own sphere out of clay while we rocked out!

Everyone got little race flags and took turns launching their sphere down a ramp.
The kids even named 'em . . . "Fast" was the big winner (go figure).

They recorded the inches rolled and marked their end spot.
We ended the activity with a big old graph of the results.  

This activity along with tons of other common core aligned solid figure ditties are available in my 3D Shape Packet (I just uploaded it tonight).  A full review of this unit and a freebie will come your way on Sunday, but if you want to check it out now, click the image below.  It's 20% off through the weekend :)

Alright . . . I have to go RIGHT NOW.  I am supposed to be out at the fairgrounds to work the Rotary Beer Booth in about 15 minutes.  Boy Howdy, folks . . . it's Red Bluff Rodeo time!!!  

Detail: FIVE FOR FRIDAY + STATE TESTING FREEBIE

0 SHAPIN' UP + A FREEBIE TO FLIP OVER

Look out!  Ms. D is on a roll in the blogging department.  I figured I better squeeze some extra posts in now to help even out those days I'll miss with all the end of the year chaos coming up.  I also promised to tell you about my new pack and bring you a little freebie this weekend, so here I be!    

For the past two in a half weeks, I have been putting together my 3D Shape Pack.  We always do some really "off the wall" activities in our class when it comes to learning about solid figures.  Although my firsties come in with a wonderful foundation of 3D Shape knowledge (thank you Kinder), I like to review and build on this "base" with a series of cooperative, hands on, and just flat out "different" activities.  Case in point . . . Sphere Races.  

After reviewing/introducing all of the figures pocket chart style, we launch into our Sphere Day.  The kids all get a piece of clay to roll into the perfect sphere, we set up a course, and take turns launchin' them.  We discuss why certain spheres roll better than others and graph our results.  It always makes for the most memorable afternoon!  

Let me see . . . other ideas in this pack that help the kids conceptualize solid figures??  Team Stack 'Em Up, Ice Cream Cone Relays, "Cube" Games, Solid Figure Snacks, and the 3D Shape Museum are just a few of the activities that my kids get to experience during our 3D week.  

We always sing Ron Brown's (Intelli-Tunes) solid figure songs too.  These are fun little tunes that the kids love . . . it just brings it on home for the babes. These songs are all available on Ron's Learning Ride CD.  However, I managed to talk this genius songwriter into teaming up with me.  This 3D Pack contains a free MP3 of Ron's Cone Song.  This particular tune always delights my classes. I think it has something to do with selling the "sizzle" a bit more with cone-shaped tracking devices.  Yup . . . we break out the Bugles and they use these to track and sing along.  Such fun.  

Well, I promised a freebie today, so I won't drone on anymore.  I put together fun solid figure flip books for each of the shapes.  These work well as an independent math center and the kids seem to really enjoy them.  If you would like to snag the cylinder version to try with your sweeties, CLICK HERE.

To learn more about my 3D Shape Pack, check out my TPT Shop. It's 20% off for the rest of the day (Sunday).   

Alright friends, I am off to lesson plan for the week.  I hope y'all enjoy your Sunday . . . thanks for visiting.  

    

Detail: SHAPIN' UP + A FREEBIE TO FLIP OVER

0 FIVE FOR FRIDAY + COMMON CORE MATH FREEBIE

Just gettin' going out here in sunny California - GOOD MORNING y'all!  My coffee is poured, the tunes are pumping {still on my Shiny Toy Guns kick}, and I cleaned my glasses . . . holy shmoly, folks . . . this is serious!  With these kind of tools at my fingertips, I am ready to post Factory's version of Five for Friday.

RANDOM MOMENT #1
We launched into our Open House unit this week and the kids were in heaven. Our team uses Africa as a foundation for presenting all of the habitats.  This week was all about grasslands.  I happened to come across the BEST habitat packs from Fluttering Through First.  From photo vocab cards and games to mini books and writing templates, this collection proved to be just what I needed to fill all of my habitat holes!

My kids felt so successful with this mini book.
LOTS of wonderful vocab words.

CLICK HERE to check out this unit in more detail.
They have one for every habitat . . . I have them ALL!

RANDOM MOMENT #2

After introducing the overall habitat, we focused on the animals that live there. The first few days were dedicated to those overly large land mammals . . . ELEPHANTS.  I wanted to carry this creature into all subjects, so I tinkered around and came up with a few fun activities that target the common core.  I don't have a nut allergy this year, so I ran with a non-standard measurement activity with . . . peanuts.  Okay, so African Elephants don't eat Planters and I am stretchin' a bit, but the circus connection worked out alright in my book. The kids LOVED this one and the team math work was such fun to watch.   

I haven't put my African Habitats Unit together yet . . . it's in bits and pieces still (gonna be a summer project).  However, if you want to try this math ditty in your class, I didn't want you to have to labor to create your own version. Snag it down below for free {I heart my followers}.

CLICK HERE to add this freebie to your files!
Thank you Moffat Girls and Scrappin' Doodles - love the graphics!
License # TPT52127 

RANDOM MOMENT #3

Following our measurement activity, we celebrated by eating our math tools in the spring sunshine.  (I just had to let them be kids for a minute.)  One girl was disgusted that we had these on the floor . . . I kindly reminded her that the part you eat was hiding inside the shell.  However, the classic kid moment was when one little sweetie popped the whole dang nut in her mouth and chomped down (this story is even better when you know the kid).  **Toss . . . CHOMP . . . CHOMP . . . furrowed brow . . . look of terror**  So, in addition to measuring things, some kids learned how to officially eat a peanut in the shell :) 

RANDOM MOMENT #4

Raise your hand if you were draggin' this week!  Holy dreamin' of summer vacay, folks!  The dark circles under my eyes were black enough that I could have entered the NFL Draft.  I was so out of it that this happened . . . 

See . . . I look like I've been hit by a truck!

Yup, I had my shirt on backwards on Thursday and I didn't notice until after lunch.  The kids thought it was hysterical.  In my defense, it's a new shirt.  But, that morning I did think to myself,  "Whoa, it's kinda low in the back . . . that's cute."  #getdressedmuch   

RANDOM MOMENT #5
Okay so this is a today thing, but I am going to run with it cuz I am out of pictures (chalk it up to that "out of it" week).  My hubs is outside doing massive yard work and I am feeling guilty, but I have an obligation to get my May Good Morning Work {Reading} Packet out by noon tomorrow (Pacific Time).  So, I am firmly planted in front of my electronic box today.  Sorry honey . . . 

Check back tomorrow for my free tester pages, a packet overview, and a little Mother's Day idea {fingers crossed}.  If you are interested in the math version of May Good Morning Work, you're in luck, I already finished it!!!  You can snag the tester pages here or click on the images below to treat yourself to the whole packet/collection.  

   

Alright, got to get to gettin' while I am pumped and in the creatin' mood.  I'll see you soon and thanks for visiting.  Hugs!!

Detail: FIVE FOR FRIDAY + COMMON CORE MATH FREEBIE