Five for Friday!

I don't know if I've told you all, but I really love this linky!  It's such a fun way to recap the week and I love that even if I miss a week, I can easily pop back in the next.  Plus, I really enjoy taking a peek inside all your classrooms and seeing what you've been up to!  You ALL are so creative!  So here is a shout out to Kacey of Doodle Bugs Teaching.  Thank you for continuing to host this linky each week.  You rock!

And to get on with it...

The hubs and just got back from what I think,we'd both agree, was one of our MOST favorite trips.  Iceland!  Seriously it is so beautiful.  Waterfalls, ponies, the blue lagoon... what more could you ask for?

Mother's Day is next weekend.  NEXT WEEKEND!!!!  Are your kiddos gifts for mom all planned, prepped, and ready to go?  Here's a Mother's Day Gift/Book that I finished just in time and it could easily be completed in a day or two.

You know how I know it's spring?  The BUGS!  Yep, this week I've seen tons of little critters crawling and flying about.  And although I don't find them particularly attracting, kindergartners generally do.  I love to put out fun spring write the room activities and I know this is one I'd definitely be using around this time of year.  Do you have kids who collect bugs and bring them in to share? 

Look at that!  That's my product in the sponsored spot.  I was so excited when I received the newsletter e-mail and saw my Oviparous Animals product listed.  Literally I was jumping for joy.  

And finally, during my Pinterest browsing this week I came across this activity and I just had to share.  So Simple.  So Fun. Directions for this end of year keepsake can be found here: The Educators' Spin on It. 

Click for Original Pin

So how was your week?!

Mother's Day Craft & Book

Are you ready for Mother's Day?  I know this time of year can get pretty busy, but this is one holiday you just can't forget!  If you're still looking for a Mother's Day idea or maybe just want a little something more to add to the pot,  I might have just the thing for you.  

 I am SO excited that I finished this book and craft in time for the holiday.  I seriously LOVE how it turned out and really like that it won't take A TON of time to complete.

When the project is complete it just looks like a little flower pot craft.  BUT, actually the flower pot itself acts as a little pocket which holds an "All About Mom" book!

Now if you don't want your littles to complete an "All About Mom" book I have also included book option 2: "Top 5 Reasons I Love My Mom."

And don't worry I have also included a grandma, aunt, and blank option just in case.  

Here's a look at what comes in the set.

This Mother's Day Book and Craft will be 50% off for the next 24hours so be sure to check it out HERE.

Five for Friday!

I am one happy gal because...

It's Friday!  I mean I think most of us get a little smiley on a Friday.  Wouldn't you agree?

via:agirlsrighttodream.tumblr

The SUN is out!  I am beyond thrilled that this week the sun has been shining most days and although not as warm as I'd like, I can leave the house without my big puffy coat!  Come on Summer I need a tan!

I finished up this Earth Day Flip Book & More set!  Earth Day is such a fantastic holiday to celebrate at school and I enjoy watching kids talk about all the ways they can help our Earth!  I like to fill an Earth Day week with FUN activities that get the kiddos talking.  This set includes a simple flip book, a class anchor chart, a writing sheet, a class graph, and posters for talking about The 3 R's! 

A variety of baby girl's nursery items arrived this week and I am starting to put together the pieces of what will be her room.  Here's a look at a few pieces all crammed together to give you an idea of the colors I'm going with.  I actually have a really hard time decorating because I have trouble seeing the end picture and generally have a lot of ideas that may or may not go together (generally the latter).  So, while I'm excited to put things together,  I can't wait for it all to be ready and done. Ha-Ha

I was able to go to the library this week and as I was browsing through the children's books I came across these plant part books!  Do you use these when teaching about plants?  Maybe I'm a little late to the show, but I've never come across these books and I really wish I would have.  The books are all part of a series written by Vitaya Khisty Bodach.  Each plant part has it's own little book and the text is simple with great pictures.  I definitely recommend checking these out if you are working on or planning your plant unit.

Well that's a wrap for this week.  Now head on over to Doodle Bugs Teaching and link up with a recap of your week.

Groggy Groundhog Predictions

Do you celebrate Groundhog Day with your class? 

 

Although I feel these little furry friends have no official weather predicting skills I do enjoy joining in the fun and teaching about this holiday.  Many teachers use this holiday as a springboard into teaching about shadows and others spend the week talking all about groundhogs.  Either way I like to spend the actual holiday talking about Groundhog Day itself.  Here's a look at some of the things I'd have planned for a day of Groundhog fun!  

Click to see on Amazon

This story by Gail Gibbons is my go to book for Groundhog Day.  It is filled with great information about the holiday, the history, tradition, and even some facts about groundhogs.  I really like to start the day with this book and create a facts chart about the holiday.  

After this students would get my Groundhog Day emergent reader to color and read on their own.  We'd add this to their reading baskets for the week.

For math and writing I'd plan to ask the question "Will the groundhog see his shadow?" and then have students graph and write about their own prediction. 

 To jazz up their writing we'd complete and add this little groundhog craft to create a writing display.

And to add in science we'd talk a bit about shadows!  We'd start by reading this book by Clyde Robert Bulla.

Click to see on Amazon

Then we'd start exploring.  I created a little printable explore and fill book for students to record their observations.  In this printable book we'd start by defining "what is a shadow?"  

Then from there we'd continue our learning by answering the following questions in the book:

How is a shadow made?

How do we make our shadows bigger?

How do we make our shadows smaller?

What has a shadow?

To answer these questions I'd tape up a large piece of white butcher paper to the wall.  Then I'd turn out the lights and we'd use a flashlight as the light source.  Some students would become the "objects" and others would manipulate the flashlight to answer the questions.  At the end I'd send students off in groups with flashlights to see what else has a shadow.  

What do you think of these activities?  Do you do similar Groundhog Day activities in your class?

If you like anything you see above be sure to check out my Groundhog Day Mini Unit:

Martin Luther King Jr. Freebies

I know many of you are spending the day or week teaching about MLK so I thought I'd pop out a post full of FREEBIES that might help supplement your teaching for the week.

If in the classroom my kindergarten day would definitely consist of these activities:

Read Alouds all About Dr. King

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. by David A. Adler.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Doreen Rapport.

I Have a Dream by Martin Luther King Jr.

Reading & Writing Activities

Grab the above FREEBIES HERE!

Social Studies/ Science

Have you heard of the diversity egg activity?  It has to be one of my favorite activities to do when teaching about diversity.  All you need is 2 eggs (1 brown/1white) and a bowl.  To start have students discuss and write/draw how the eggs are different.  Then crack open the eggs and have students discuss what they see!  This is a fun little lesson that helps generate a discussion about how we don't all look the same on the outside but we are the same on the inside.  Here's a little sheet I made to go along with the activity.  To grab it for FREE click on the sheet below.

Graphics by Creative Clips and Border by Sweet Times in First.

Art/Craft

After talking about what the dove symbolizes we'd complete this simple peace dove collage that I found on Pinterest.

There are so many more great ideas and pinterest finds out there so be sure to keep your eyes open.  I look forward to reading about your MLK days and happenings throughout the week.  Happy Teaching.

January and a Sale!

Hi Everyone!  Can you believe Christmas Eve is tomorrow?!  The husband and I will be heading back to the states shortly, and although I dread the 10.5 hour flight I can't wait to see family and friends!  Before I go I wanted to share a few things I recently posted in my store that'd be perfect for January. 

If you're looking for something to do for the first day back after break why not check out my New Year activities.  I have included a New Year's Resolution craft writing display and a few other printables that are sure to keep your kiddos busy.  

I know in January many teachers teach about penguins and if you do, you might like my penguin tree map activities.  I've said it before but I absolutely love doing tree maps and I always try to find some way for my students to display their writing.  For this tree map I have created a little penguin book which students will create and fill in. I think they will enjoy having their own penguin fact books.  The set includes directions and templates for how to make the book as well as class tree map pieces and a student recording sheet.

And how about Printables?  This set of winter themed printables focuses on all kinds of kindergarten common core standards.  And no Christmas here, so the sheets are perfect for the rest of the winter months.  They're perfect for follow up activities, centers, homework, or even small group work.

Well, I hope you all are relaxing and getting ready to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones.  As a way to say thank you and Merry Christmas my store will be 15% off now thru Christmas Day!  Merry Christmas!