Introducing Blog Favorites

Hello Friends!

Am I the only one who is just about done with Winter??? We've already surpassed our normal snow totals and it has been c.o.l.d! I'm over it. I'm completely over having indoor recess, as well. Poor lil' things are dying to play in the snow and it's been impossibly cold, then it all melts....repeat. Ugh!!!

We are about to start our Transportation Unit. I'm not really excited for our unit, but I know once we start talking about our mini box cars the Hoppers excitement will build until it's contagious or until I feel the need to pull my hair out. I put together a Wake-Up Work Companion Pack for my On the Go Unit.

The other task I've decided to undertake is a looooong time coming. I've received A LOT of requests to take my individual blog freebies and compile them into one file. Well, friends, I've started. Here is the first in a series....

These are not new files, just individual things that are now in one easy to download file.

Winter Blog Favorites Includes:4 Emergent Readers (The 

Snowman, Snowman Buttons (adding book), The Snowman For 

You, and Winter Colors

Snowflake Numbers Worksheet

Snowman Sight Word Color by Code

Spin & Graph Spinner and Worksheet

Snowflake Adding Worksheet

Mitten Counting by 10's Worksheet

Winter Patterns Worksheet

Winter and Summer Things Season Sort

Hoppy New Year!

It's amazing to me that a single year can literally be the best and the worst all wrapped up into 12 months...but here I am. While I became a Mommy in late 2011, I truly felt that I came into my own in 2012. I took on incredible responsibility and my heart opened in unimaginable ways. He is my heart. He is the reason for me. I became a better and stronger person in 2012. I have thrown everything I am into being a good Mommy and a better teacher. I can't begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to 2013...there is a tiny light beginning to shimmer at the end of this tunnel.

I am ever so grateful for the support that I have found in the Blogosphere. I know I don't always email back, but you should believe me when I say....I love you all. You have helped me get through this year. You have helped me support myself and my son...and not just financially but emotionally, as well. So many of you, I just know I would hug if we met...and someday, my head will not be in the clouds and I will reach back to you.

I sought to change things in my classroom in 2012. I felt that I had control there. I revamped my room and by doing so, I changed it for the better. I am more in tune with the Common Core....but I will never lose sight of what my students need. They absolutely need to learn but they also need to love school. I feel that I am succeeding within my classroom. I have always loved teaching; however, this year has made me love teaching in a greater depth.

I just finished up my newest unit. It is Transportation...ya know, one of my favorite units of the year...LOL. Anywho, I just know my little Kinder-Hoppers are going to love the centers! There are a total of 14 centers (7 math and 7 literacy), each with a response/worksheet that corresponds. Here are some pics...

It has been a while since I posted just some free stuff and for that I am sorry. I wish I could just put everything for free, and hopefully one day, I will be able to go back to that. For now, I am putting up a few penguin things that I created a while back, as always, I hope you find something you can use within your classroom! Click on the images below to download :)

 

May 2013 bring you much love, great healthy, and lots of happiness! Happy New Year, my friends!
Love,
Shannon

Snow Much Winter Fun

Today we celebrate the marriage of Q and U!! I purchased two wonderful units one from Crystal over at Kreative in Kindergarten and the other from Kathleen over at Growing Kinders...

 

My kiddos had such a good time! We played the wedding march, danced, had cake, and had our little puppets get married. It was wedded bliss and the perfect way to return from our break! Thanks ladies your units were perfect.

I couldn't resist doing a little shopping over on TPT. I bought up a bunch of Teri's craftivities from A Cupcake for the Teacher. I am just in love with how cute they are! Be sure to check out..

Those elf feet are adorable!!! I seriously can't get enough...also bought Best Friends, Penguin Pals, and Hot Chocolate :0)

Also, purchased Cara's new North Pole or Bust from The First Grade Parade. Complete awesomeness!

Picked up some fabulousness from Katie over at Little Warriors.

 

Also, wanted to let you know I finished up my Snow Much Winter Fun pack. I uploaded it last night :)

Happy Shopping!!!

Happy New Year!

Before I say anything I just want to say how much I appreciate all the comments and emails. Everyone has said such kind things and wished our family well. I can't describe how blessed and grateful I am! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

WoW, what a difference a month makes! My life has been consumed (for the better) by this little man! Cooper and I are doing well. My husband just went back to work this week so each day is a new adventure! Just thought I'd share a couple pictures of my little mister.

I just love him to pieces! While I love staying at home with him, I am also constantly thinking about my Kinder-Hoppers! I miss them sooooo much!! I can't wait to bring Coop to meet them. I've started a new Mommy blog, not much on there now, if you're interested you can check it out here...http://thefalliblemommy.blogspot.com/

I haven't forgot about my blog...I'm just finding it a bit difficult to create things, especially when I am not at school to be inspired. This morning I took a little time to create this Snowman Adding Book and a patterning worksheet. Hopefully, you will be able to use them in your classroom. I hope your new year is starting off as wonderful as mine!

Enjoy!
Shannon

All documents contain fonts that are copyright DJ Inkers. Virtually all documents contain graphics that are copyright DJ Inkers. They are used with permission. Please visit http://www.djinkers.com/, for wonderful clipart and fonts.
Snowman Buttons Adding Book

Winter Patterns

More Winter Activities (again)

I forgot I even had these! Just some additional things you can make.

Great for number identification and one-to-one correspondence.

 

Mitten concentration and Snowman Pattern Strips. I used Carson-Dellosa stickers.

 

More Winter Activities

We just keep plugging along through January! I took some pictures of additional activities.

Our Penguin Bulletin Board (idea from http://overallsuccess.net/)

 

Our Getting Ready (Winter Chart)
Anyone who teaches young children during the Winter months in a part of the country that experiences cold temperatures and snow, knows how difficult it is is to get ready to go home. It doesn't matter how many times you tell little "Susie" that she needs to put her mail into her folder and into her backpack BEFORE her mittens are on...because there she stands looking so proud....hat on, coat on but unzipped, snowpants on over her coat, mittens on, still wearing her cute little ballet flats because her boots are in the hall, and her mail and folder are still sitting on the table....then you multiply this by 20! It's no wonder that December-almost March, we have to start packing up to go home long before the bell rings. In the past, I go over how to get ready over and over, but I still have to run around like a chicken with my head cut off helping zip, grabbing all the dropped scarves and mittens, putting folders into backpacks, etc.. This year we created a chart for them to reference. I cannot tell you how much time it has shaved off our time!

The Mitten
We read two versions of The Mitten, one by Jan Brett and the other by Jim Aylesworth. We compare the stories and retell them.

We have a large die cut of a mitten. I hole punch them and the students lace and decorate their mitten. We color and cut out pictures to go with the Jan Brett version. Students LOVE retelling the story over and over! I believe the pictures came from a Frank Schaffer publication.

We also make a character comparison chart. Students decorated small mittens for the edge of the chart.

A sight word memory game. I created it using Carson Dellosa double sided die cuts and clear labels.

Looking for some easy printables? Check out...

And, lastly a Winter Unit....

Winter Wonderland

When we return from Winter Break, I like to do a unit on Winter. My Kinder-Hoppers love snow, but it is usually too cold for us to really enjoy it. I really try to make the unit a lot of fun!


All the printables can also be found in one file here...

All documents contain fonts that are copyright DJ Inkers. Virtually all documents contain graphics that are copyright DJ Inkers. They are used with permission. Please visit http://www.djinkers.com/, for wonderful clipart and fonts.
Snow Unit

Books we love...
      


My students LOVE creating these snow people after we read Snowballs. They work in co-operative groups and really have to make decisions together. I take out as much "stuff" as I can so they can decorate. It is truly an activity that they adore. The final product isn't always pretty or cute, but the experience they gain from completing the task is nothing short of awesome!

Math Activities/Worksheets
We make this graph...

Each month we make a math journal page for our memory books. We made snowmen using our fingerprints in white paint. Then we decorated them using more paint. Once they were dry, we used felt snowflakes for the final touches!

Winter Pattern Strips

Snowflake Numbers 1-30

Winter Count by 10's

Winter Adding Wksht

Spin and Graph Winter Spinner

Spin & Graph Winter

Reading Activities
Winter Colors Book

The Snowman for You

A Great Sorting Activity! 

Winter Summer Sort