First Grade Tips for Mrs. Sanford - Linky

Jessica over at Mrs. Sanford's Class is moving to first grade! She is a little bummed because her heart has been in Kindergarten, but we are here to help her transition into first grade!

1. Websites/Blogs

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_1st.htm

http://www.earobics.com/gamegoo/gooey.html

www.schooltube.com

www.teachertube.com

www.spellingcity.com

http://www.arcademicskillbuilders.com/games/

http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/2011/04/1st-grade-blogs.html

(as for our favorite blogs, you seem to frequent the same ones that we do)

2. Books for methods of instruction

Hmm...We're getting ready to do the Daily 5 book study so we don't know about it yet. Kagan has a lot of great resources...I believe it is their 1st Grade Balanced Literacy where we got a lot of premade stategies to work with (rhyming quiz-quiz-trade, punctuation showdown, sequencing, etc.).

3. iPAD apps

No iPAD :-(

4. Products

Teachers Pay Teachers! You can find most anything there, of course.

Funky Phonics CDs (you probably used some in K, too, but the kids love the songs that go with the sounds we are learning about)

Kim Sutton Math CDs-kids love these songs and they seem to help with some of the concepts.

5. Our Advice

Enjoy it! I think firsties start the year like Kindergarteners, but they grow so much throughout the year and gain independence. It is especially enjoyable to see them become more confident and take off in their reading skills. I'm still learning myself (2012-2013 will be my third year) so that is all I've got for you! :-)

~Crystal

You will have a blast!  It is amazing to watch them transition.  It is like something just clicks with them around Christmas time or after and they are so excited because they are reading at this point.  Fun to watch!

Remember to always be consistent and fair in your classroom management.  They are a little bit older and know more of what is right and what is not right. 

Like I'm sure you already know, remember to reflect on your day (what went well, what will you change, etc.)  Also, know that there will be some good lessons and some that flop.  :-)

There will be some late nights learning the first grade curriculum, so just take it one day at a time so you don't get overwhelmed.  Most of all if you have someone to talk to (co-teacher) when you feel frustrated go to them and talk until you feel better.  

Most of all remember first graders are still very excited to learn, and even on those days that you have been up late studying the curriculum, grading etc. and you've had 30 cups of coffee to try to wake you up, (LOL!) you have to go in excited and motivated so they continue to be excited as well.  Have fun with it and enjoy!

~Kristi

AWESOME GIVEAWAY AND A SICK KITTY

Well, I just got back from the Salina River Festival and saw that my friend has posted about 45 LOL! 3 blogs since I've been gone. I always give her a hard time because she is definitely the writer between the two of us. Anyways, I thought that it was my turn now.


I too, am doing the weight loss challenge, which I do need to lose weight unlike what Crystal said. I have gained about 10 pounds since our last one. It was pretty funny because the same day that I started my diet, Crystal text me to tell me that she had started her diet. We hadn't talked about it at all beforehand, but evidently we were on the same brain waves. Anyways, I did drop 5 lbs. in the first 4 days (YEAH!)! Amazing what cutting carbs and sugar can do for you. But boy was day 3 hard for me. All I wanted to do was eat and I couldn't stop thinking about food. Love to hear how all of you are doing and what things you are doing to drop the pounds.


Besides going to Salina this weekend, we have been busy having company on the weekends and my other new career has kept me busy since school has been out. You may be wondering what my new career is, well it is like nursing only it is nursing a cat. You can check out my photos of my patient below. My lovely 16 year old cat has been very sick :-(. About 8 months ago, he had a seizure and they said that it was probably due to his age. So, he was just fine after the seizure and he went on as if nothing had really happened. Then about 3 weeks ago, he had another one. Only this time he didn't recover like the last one. When his seizure was over, he was unable to stand. He couldn't keep his balance. This was the last week of school and I was a hysterical mess. The vet kept him throughout the day and took care of him. Gradually, he began to walk more, but would lose his balance a lot in his hind legs. So, we have now been doing better from the seizure, but our next battle is arthritis in the back spine by the hips. He has had it for several years, but it is getting worse. So, I have been nursing him along as much as possible. Giving him fish oil, coconut oil, and glucosamine to help try to alleviate the arthritis. I have also tried to switch him to canned food instead of dry food because they say the wet food helps with the kidneys and arthritis. But, unlike a normal cat, he doesn't like to eat from the plate. Instead, he wants to eat out of my hand. WOW! Can you say spoiled?? Well, it takes him what seems like forever to eat from my hand. Therefore, I feel like I've become a nurse for my cat. But, I won't complain too much because he is like my kid (since I don't have kids of my own). My vet says that he isn't to the point where we need to put him down, but if he continues to get worse, we are going to have to do something about it. Makes me sad to think about it, but I definitely don't want him to be miserable. I was wondering if anyone else has had a cat with any of these issues and wondered if you found anything that helped your cat out. If so, I'd love to hear from you.


And now for an awesome giveaway Crystal found. We are anxious to hit 50 followers so we can do our first giveaway. While she was checking out Rafflecopter, she stumbled on this...an IPAD giveaway from the Giveaway Scoop! Click here to check it out! Crystal is feeling a bit of regret for not signing up for the IPAD pilot program at school. Ha ha!

Hope you are enjoying your week!

NTR - Weigh-In Day

Okay, I tried really hard to think of something teaching related to go along with this post, but I have to say it is my summer break and I couldn't come up with anything... I attempted to look on my work laptop for a FREEBIE that I could give, but I can't access the drive where all my stuff is saved from home...so this is it. All you get is my progress for the week - short and sweet. Kristi would say nothing I write is short and sweet - some of you are in agreement I'm sure!

I had two main goals - eat no ADDED sugar (explained more below) and exercise 5 times per week.

How did I do?

Day 1 - A snap!

Day 2 - I was so strong - resisted ALOT of temptations!

Day 3 - HARD - If I had the same temptations as Day 2, I would have failed miserably!

Day 4 - Good, but hubby made homemade ice cream and I had to have a small bowl...

I lost...

{insert drum roll here}

4.4 pounds and 3 inches

For those of you taking the challenge, here are some tips for success. They may or may not work for you, but it is what works for me when I get serious about weight loss.

My favorite "diet" foods.

1. Don't give up EVERYTHING you love to eat. I have a homemade "chocolate coffee drink" every morning that has 2 TBS of sugar and 2% milk in it (SHOCK!). I know it is awful and I have tried to substitute "fake" sugar, but it just isn't the same. I also allow myself one piece of dark chocolate every afternoon (I love Ghirardelli chocolate - the ones pictured are good, but my favorites are the 80% dark chocolate truffle balls). I do not count these two splurges as ADDED sugar because I am planning to eat them. I love chocolate and if I tried to give it all up, I would be setting myself up for failure. The Fudgsicles are for my late night snack if I just have to have something - serving size is 2, but I am happy with 1.
 
2. I eat eggs and bacon - and not turkey bacon either - for breakfast with my coffee drink, of course.
 
3. Lunch is salad w/ protein (varies and depends what I have - usually sliced turkey or leftover grilled chicken).
 
4. For dinner, I eat what I make for my family and concentrate on smaller portions.
 
5. Aside from the coffee drink, I drink water the rest of the day.

Looking to next week, I know this was the easiest four pounds to lose (my goal is 12). So if you took the challenge, comment below and tell me how you did. I can't wait to hear from you!

Also, all are welcome to join us. You'll find details in the summer weight loss challenge post and a link to a spreadsheet to track your progress.

Crystal

 

June Currently...and Random

Well, I'm just a bit late to Farley's Currently party, but here goes...

Okay, I'm not much a of a traveller, but I really would love to go on a Caribbean Cruise someday. Hubby is not that interested so it will probably have to be a surprise if it ever happens...

We celebrated our 15th anniversary in December and took a quick trip to Kansas City. The best part was going to the KU vs. Ohio State basketball game on the way home! Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

This summer we are going to MO to visit friends and go to Silver Dollar City. Can't wait!

Random 1

We are working on bringing COSMO (pictured below with my daughter) home. This has been in the works since the first of the year. We had some friends offer to give her Cosmo (she has been in love with horses since she was 3 years old - now she's 11). After much prayer, we began cleaning out our barn and now we just need to finish the fence...so maybe within the next couple of weeks.

I love this picture of Harley!

Random 2

Summer Weight Loss Challenge...If you don't know what I'm talking about click here. There were a couple of you interested so I will post my updates tomorrow and expect to hear from you in the comments. This is what I have to say so far...Day 3 (yesterday) was MISERY. Kristi and I decided there must be scientific proof somewhere that Day 3 of a diet is the hardest. LOL!

Have a great day!

Crystal

Summer Weight Loss Challenge

Okay, so this is definitely not teaching related, but I started a Summer Weight Loss Challenge yesterday...with myself. Kristi and I both did a weight loss challenge at work in January 2011. It was great to have that accountability - nevermind that we started on a Monday, the first weigh-in was supposed to be Tuesday, but we had two snow days and couldn't weigh in until Thursday. Kristi and I were both too stubborn to just start eating again and stuck with it those two days - losing A LOT of weight. You know how it comes off pretty easy when you first cut out carbs... Anyway, since we had already lost weight before the initial weigh-in, we did not win the BIG prize but we should have. I promise I am not bitter - just updating you. LOL!

So this year when they did it, I had only gained back 2 pounds and didn't feel the need to participate...and yes, now I do. That number has grown from 2 to well, let's just say less than 10. Some of this is due to the change in my workouts...I was doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred or Burn Fat, Boost Metabolism. Now I do P90X with my hubby which I know has built muscle, but I know this is not just muscle!

By the way, Kristi will probably say she needs to lose weight again but that is totally not true...just saying.

I started this challenge with myself and made up a spreadsheet to track my measurements and weight for the summer. I printed it off and posted it where I can see it everyday to keep me motivated. I thought there might be others who would want to do the same so here is the link to my cute little spreadsheet. It is all set up for Friday weigh-ins and will track your pounds and inches lost as you go.

Sorry it is not embedded. I tried to figure that out and couldn't...my Google Docs does not look like the pictures in any of the tutorials I watched. Hmmm...mystery for another day maybe.

I would love some accountability on this and wonder if you would too? If so, leave a comment below that you are taking the challenge and would like updates weekly. I would just post something about how many pounds and/or inches I am down or up, no certainly never up I hope I am and you could comment how you are doing as well. If no one is interested, I'll keep this little challenge to me, myself, and I. :-)

Crystal

TPT Purchases, Linky Party, and Raising the Roof

I was super excited to win one of Lisa's $25 gift certificate to TPT (50 follower giveaway - now she is up to 200 and doing another awesome giveaway - Congrats, Lisa!) and even more excited to start shopping. I thought it might be fun to share what I bought...

First, I just had to get some telling time graphics for the requested I Have, Who Has game AND a new project I'm working on. When I first got them, I wasn't pleased with the half-hour clocks...the hour hand pointed to the hour instead of halfway between the hour (okay, that is my perfectionism that Kristi talked about coming out, but...that is just me, okay?). So I asked if they could be changed and Michelle replied within the hour with an update! Hooray!! This set is AWESOME! She didn't just include the clocks WITH time, but lots of EXTRAS such as blank clocks with lots of different backgrounds and different colors and sizes of arrows - all for $5.00!

Telling Time Graphics Collection!! Over 160 Graphics by The 3am Teacher

Speaking of graphics, I got three sets from Graphics From the Pond, another awesome TPT graphic artist. I can't wait to use these cuties! We use a lot of FREE borders from them too. Very reasonable prices on all sets! :-)

Pebbles Round Frames - Graphics From the Pond

Kitty Cat Graphics Set - Graphics From the Pond

Puppies Clipart Graphics - Graphics From the Pond

Okay, now on to Common Core! We recently revamped our grade cards to align with Common Core State Standards and we are on the lookout for ways to assess these standards, so...

1st Grade - Common Core Math Assessments by Teaching Sisters

Common Core Graphic Organizers for Reading: 1st Grade Edition by Jamie Rector

And this one because Everyday Math has very little in the way of addition with three addends.

Addition with 3 addends packet by T.G.I.F (Susan Moran)

And finally (maybe my favorite), this Writing Center Starter Kit Printables by Mrs. Cupcake. Last year was my first year doing Writer's Workshop and I was really pleased with the results. I have just the bulletin board for this! Can't wait to get busy on it...

Writing Center Starter Kit Printables by A Cupcake for the Teacher

Isn't it awesome how far $25.00 will go at Teachers Pay Teachers?!?!?!

On to a super fun linky party by Kindergarten Lifestyle. This linky party is a collection of great ways to know it is summer vacation. Here's mine:

Although Kansas weather has not cooperated this last week - Saturday it was only in the 50s here!!! :-(

Okay, and what has kept me busy this last week? Raising our roof, literally! We had a part of our house where the roof was not built correctly and it had started to leak. This happens to be where we plan to put a master bathroom (in our LOOOONNNNNGGG Term plans) and we needed a higher ceiling. Check it out:

Demo - exterior wall gone, roof coming down...

New wall and roof are up...check out that demo pile? I *got* to help with that on Thursday.

New 8 foot ceiling inside - Yeah! BTW, this used to be an exterior porch (that is why you see old siding).

New roof - we had to shingle up both peaks too...

And finally, the wall is back up! Someday we will have a window, but for now I will get the job of painting. :-)

I can't complain...the job was so big my hubby called in a friend who now lives in MO and he brought his family (we miss them terribly). So I spent the week visiting with my friend, baking, cooking, and yes, even floating in the pool. The worst was when I heard, "I need you to go to town..." Ugh! Not fun when you live 30 minutes from the lumber store. They didn't do too bad - only 3 extra trips all week.

I am exhausted though...these friends are the kind where you stay up way too late visiting and playing cards, etc. We said good-bye on Saturday...but we planned a visit that way for July. :-)

Sorry this post is so long. I just had so much to share! Have a blessed week!

Crystal

Car Tag Trouble and Another GIVEAWAY!

Ok, you know what my bucket list was for the summer (posted in our blog earlier). Well, ORGANIZE was one that I wanted to get on right away at home. So, I thought I would get started on it after I registered my car and got tags for it. No biggie, right?

Wrong!

I had tried for about a week to go to the tag office day after day only to see the lovely sign that read...

Computers are down, try again later.

Well, I was so excited to know that they were back up and running. I pulled into the tag office and my mouth drops because the line goes outside the building and around the corner. My thought was......I have so much I wanted to get done at home!  I decided that I needed to get it done, especially since it was late now due to the computers being down earlier. So I get in line and wait 4 whole hours, yes 4 hours! 

I will admit that I met some very nice people and got to know them very well in those 4 hours of waiting. :-)

When it was finally my turn, you can imagine how excited I was that I was actually going to get this all taken care of. So I walk up to the lady and hand her my papers. Only thing was, she handed them back to me and told me that I was missing a paper and could come back when I had it. 

WHAT?

I'm sure my face and jaw showed it all, my excitement fled quickly.

So there went my day and I didn't even accomplish anything. I decided that there was no way that I was going to go back and wait again for another four hours on the same day, so I went home. 

I went the next week and waited an hour to get my car inspected (apparently in Kansas if you buy an out-of-state car it MUST be inspected before registering it) and then went up to register it, but saw 40 people in line. I decided that I was going home and getting my laptop and going to another location. I was determined that if I had to wait another 4 hours, I was going to get something done. 

So, I made it with my laptop to another location and waited 2 hours and then YEAH got my car registered. BUT this time I accomplished a few things because I had my laptop with me.

WOW, what an experience!  Needless to say, as of right now the organization of my house has been put on hold and I will have to try for next week to get started. We are having company in town this weekend, so I have to put it off til Monday. :-)

A bit of good news...I just found this great giveaway at The First Grade Parade!  She has just received 5,000 followers, which we all know is awesome!   Congratulations to her!  Since she has so many followers she decided to give away everything in her TPT store for free (WOW!!).  This is a great deal and she has a lot of neat things on her TPT store that I know we would love to have!  There will be 5 lucky winners and they will be chosen on 6/3/12, so go check it out before it's too late!

http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/

Hope you're getting some much needed rest if you are off for the summer!  Have a great weekend! 

Kristi