Johnny Appleseed Giveaway !

 September 26th is Johnny Appleseed's birthday! Yes that is soon! I have collected some great videos for the kiddos to watch to teach them about the life of Johnny Appleseed. I have also made a packet with two writing activities, a hat template, and a T or F sheet for the kids. I have posted it in my store here!

 I found these two videos ( CLASSICS WHOOP WHOOP) and have linked them for you below...

Here is the giveaway details...

On September 23rd I will pick 2 winners to receive the Johnny Appleseed Activity Packet and 1 free item of choice from my TPT store! All you have to do is comment on this post with the number of your email address and visit/like my Facebook page with a comment under the giveaway post!

Exploring Space with an Astronaut

This week's story was Exploring Space with an Astronaut!  This  was a fun story because there is no limit to the activities you can do with this story.  One activity I had my student's complete was a writing activity on what they thought space would be like if they could explore it. I asked them to answer these questions:

• What would it FEEL like to visit space?
• What would it LOOK like?
• What would it SMELL like?
• Would you HEAR anything?

I was surprised at how excited my kids were about this writing activity. When my kids get excited about writing I always feel like I have won. Writing can sometimes be hard to get students to do. They want to tell you ALL ABOUT IT , but they don't want to write it. After my students were finished they were allowed to color and cut out this trendy little astronaut I found here<---- . When I found this I signed up for education.com  They have some really neat things. After they cut the astronaut out they glued it to black construction paper and drew their stars and planets with white (light colored) crayons. woo-lah! They turned out A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E! And their writings??!..... IMPRESSED ME! I will definitely try this activity again next year.

Reading and Math in action

 In other news I have been SLAMMED busy keeping up with second graders...... ready for it? SIGH!!!! They are busy bodies for sure but I absolutely love teaching 2nd  grade. I'm still moving things around in my new classroom and trying to figure out what exactly works best. Its a slow progress but I will get there eventually. I have been creating some new reading packets for each weekly story we have. I tried to include some fun writing activities that the students can get excited about . I have recently posted the kits for Henry and Mudge and A Walk in the Desert. Check those out by clicking the links!

  This year our school district has picked up a new math series called GOMATH! Its taking some time to adjust to a new series but so far I really like it. The website access gives you tons of animated resources that demonstrate the skills being taught. All of the manipulatives are digital with LOTS of noise which the teachers...I mean kiddos really like :) Next week we will be beginning chapter 2 which is all about comparing numbers. I have just recently completed a packet that has several activities for Common Core's comparing numbers. The packet also include the chapter vocabulary for that topic.You can find it here!

While working on different ways to write numbers this week I noticed my kids definitely needed some extra practice identifying the word for of numbers. Here is a little freebie practice sheet I  threw together to quiz my kids--->Name That Number Freebie

Big things are happening

 I have been busy trying to put together the last few things for this upcoming school year. One project I have recently completed is the small group seats made from those fabulous $3 target crates. A great co-worker of mine made some and they were so cute I just couldn't resist. They will cost a little bit of money, but I really think my students are going to enjoy them.

These are mine

These are Mrs. Mills' fabulous chairs to go along with her "peace land" theme :)

  for this project you will need:

1. 6-8 crates 

2. material (2 per yard)

3. 6-8 plywood squares  ( Home Depot cuts them to fit the crates , I got 6 for $4.01)

4. foam padding ( Joannes)

5. A staple gun ($8.88 at wal-mart)

I have read on other websites that you can get these crates for free from waffle house. It is worth a shot!

    While I was at Home Depot getting the wood cut I met a lady and her son. After having conversation about various things, which included teaching, my wood was cut and we parted ways. Before parting they asked for my number in order to get in touch with me about some school supplies. A few days later they contacted me and we met up. The two boys , Daniel (16 yrs old) and David (14 yrs old), were SO kind. They decided to gather a ton of supplied to help my students start out the year. I was so overwhelmed at the kindness of these two boys. Along with the supplies they also wrote this kind letter to my students....

 

and here are all of the  supplies...

I am beyond excited to read this letter to my students and show them all of the helpful supplies that were given by  these kind boys! 

 

Vocabulary Game FREEBIE

 This is a second grade compilation of the vocabulary words on cards ( word on one side, definition on back) They are organized by story. Just print out and laminate back to back.  Enjoy :)

 download for FREE here!

On the horizon...

Only a few more weeks until school starts back!  Summer has flown by. Seems like last week we were packing up and leaving on the last day. In other news, I have been working like a bee trying to get all of my ideas together to make sure that I have a very easy organized first year in second grade. My main focus has been how to manage all of their seat work so that it isn't such a sloppy mess like it has been. Sadly, I really struggle with keeping their desks neat and in order. NO MORE! This year it is up to them! I know several teachers at my school  have seat work folders so I thought I would give it a try this year. Today I bought 20 Plastic Poly folders from Target for about .50 cents a piece. Whoop Whoop! It isn't exactly a steal compared to the .15 cents paper folders but I  thought about these two things:

•  They will last so much longer. ( No sloppy ripped crunched up folders being crammed into their desks)
• I could very well use them next year if I explain carefully that it is my property and they better protect them! :: Insert evil laugh:: 

So then began the thought process of how I could make these folders more effective and sufficient (A teacher's two favorite words).  It didn't take me long to decided I wanted it to be something that would help minimize how many times I have to repeat myself everyday..... seriously. So I created a "Checklist" to insert into a clear sheet protector and attach to the 3 prongs. So every time they get ready to turn in their seat work at the end of the week they Must go through the checklist. I tried to add things that were my greatest pet peeves. If you have any suggestions or ideas for me to add please let me know and I will add the :) Click the here to download the checklist!

Finished product...

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Collaboration Nation

 So now that summer school is officially over I have been "pinterest-ing" non-stop trying to find some quick print centers and games for my new 2nd grade classroom. While doing so, I found this SUPER site. Her name is Mary and she is the author of the blog Pitner's Potpourri. She has a whole page full of center freebies. I printed, laminated, and cut them out ..... Waaa-lahhhh!

Super easy centers that are all correlated with the 2nd grade common core standards. Thats right! COMMON CORE! ahhh... the simple life :)  Go check her out!