tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66748706257835371692024-03-13T08:02:24.519-07:00Miss M's KindergartenMeredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-19176059230550737452022-01-24T11:15:00.005-08:002022-01-24T11:15:47.442-08:00Literacy Centers in the Kindergarten Classroom FREE Download<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/61eef7a96114df05454c38e0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1333" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA3krfvZ5WiY-9vIRK4qu4CHJA6Tf46g4DzZC9T2Zlvp5nxbZLxmMyEXE47UKDBZNKtR13AEhFvNbJ8p3hd3VSCp89nD8IRRswFMMD1CJLQ2GnvhkshMfyDa0FsnVYIC9TnlGX8RoUfBZ7ahaIS8Ibif6QWb0BqqRokGbwrsGAczCFlzLrsNoCNKjQ=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p>My students can't get enough of our kindergarten math and <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Literacy-Centers-Literacy-Task-Boxes-6630395" target="_blank">literacy centers</a>. They love to use them in pairs, and I love how they work together while learning new skills.</p><p> </p><p>We don't currently have a designated center rotation in our schedule, so our centers are used throughout the day. They are my students' favorite early finisher activity, and often rush right to our shelf to grab their favorite when they can. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Some of my students' all-time favorite centers are ones they use with dry erase markers, so I added some fun detective pup-themed literacy centers to our rotation. The first literacy center is a set of 60 sight word tracing cards. The second is all about ending sounds.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/61eef7a96114df05454c38e0" target="_blank">And you can get them both for F R E E ! CLICK HERE to download both literacy centers!</a></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Literacy-Centers-Literacy-Task-Boxes-6630395" target="_blank">And for more of our kindergarten literacy centers, click here!</a><br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-59406590797649690642021-12-23T14:29:00.004-08:002021-12-23T14:32:08.685-08:00December Read Alouds for Kindergarten<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/December-Interactive-Read-Aloud-Bundle-December-Read-Alouds-5069474" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="612" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicVUN0W2YyJWk1ITA6kgwBmvVI7GAqtDuF14skh2LWrm6-wmOFpfssR_pxoW4IynsOFw1DniG1AxZW2doRDPaGbzBAl6UpS_XTgKbvuARVhlG4D9s-eb1XiUG3BCOSxcqpQScsVHxKWrw5F-44YgNwlkbA_3GR23Jpp38svMHBYPSTt-edIqCC9Bzy=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>December is a magical month to be a kindergarten teacher. And instead of Santa-centered projects, I love to focus the month on acts off kindness and generosity. Although some of these books feature Santa, they all go perfectly with these themes.</p><p><br /></p><p>My interactive read alouds help teachers provide purposeful and meaningful read alouds in the primary classroom. Students will get a deeper understanding of the texts read aloud, and build connections with each other and the book. The lesson plans are on one page, for easy teaching and re-teaching year after year. And the interactive stop-and-talk questions are all on sticky notes for perfect reminders to stop and interact with the text and one another. They also stay for years (I've had some in books for 6+ years) without losing their stick!<br /></p><p> </p><p><b>My favorite books to read in December center around these themes:</b><br /></p><p>- making new friends</p><p>- generosity + acts of kindness for others</p><p>- helpfulness</p><p>- determination</p><p>- acceptance + identity<br /></p><p> </p><p><b>And the best books to fit within these themes are:</b></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Making-a-Friend-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-5066639" target="_blank"><b><i>Making a Friend</i><i> </i></b>by Tammi Sauer</a></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hanukkah-Bear-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-5069397" target="_blank"><i><b>Hanukkah Bear </b></i>by Eric A. Kimmel</a></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Olive-the-Other-Reindeer-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-5089703" target="_blank"><i><b>Olive the Other Reindeer </b></i>by Vivian Walsh</a></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Snowy-Day-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-5096886" target="_blank"><i><b>The Snowy Day </b></i>by Jack Ezra Keats</a></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Wish-Tree-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-5105395" target="_blank"><b><i>The Wish Tree</i><i> </i></b>by Kyo Maclear</a></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Stick-Man-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-6279077" target="_blank"><b><i>Stick Man </i></b>by Julia Donaldson</a></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/A-Hat-for-Mrs-Goldman-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-6308604" target="_blank"><b><i>A Hat for Mrs. Goldman</i><i> </i></b>by Michelle Edwards</a></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/HALF-OFF-48-HRS-Tough-Cookie-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-7531133" target="_blank"><b><i>Tough Cookie: A Christmas Story </i></b>by Edward Hemingway</a></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The links above will send you to
my interactive read aloud resources. Please note that they do not come
with the book, and the book is necessary to use the resource. <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/December-Interactive-Read-Aloud-Bundle-December-Read-Alouds-5069474" target="_blank"><b>And to save B I G on the December Interactive Read Aloud Bundle, C L I C K H E R E ! </b></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy reading! :)</span>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-64202171355829725872021-12-08T20:34:00.004-08:002021-12-08T20:45:41.798-08:00Snowman Shape Craft F R E E Download<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/61b189c36fd16bd0a4ddc026" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Snowman Craft Freebie" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAwww7_SvBqxLqOSXmBY1cps5jpP4VUV25mOOoBbn5zgOPDx19np32rX7CQnJCd1WwtsofmUi890hfnspkcK7r6XspC-VSkDUYblyc4xFqK6BKm0rfiTUY8fi7GFOtTwdxH4OH9pctBhsIW4gp2XUl80tPPWG-_LklbOCFmVNU-zXQTIDI72ggbLOo=w426-h640" title="Snowman Craft Freebie" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p>My students have been L O V I N G crafts (seemingly more than usual) this year. And I love a craft that has an academic goal, in addition to fine motor practice. So I've been trying to incorporate at least two per week that correspond with our various learning goals.<br /></p><p><br />Some of our favorites have been our shape crafts: </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Christmas-Crafts-Reindeer-Shape-Crafts-7475185" target="_blank">Reindeer 2D Shape Crafts</a></li><li><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Math-Crafts-2D-Bat-Shapes-7319461" target="_blank">Bat 2D Shape Crafts</a></li><li><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Apple-Crafts-Apple-Life-Cycle-7225068" target="_blank">Apple 2D Shape Crafts</a></li></ul><p> </p><p>And to share the 2D shape craft love, I'm sharing a Snowman 2D Shape Craft download for FREE! These printable crafts are NO-PREP, simply print and go! <br /></p><p> </p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/61b189c36fd16bd0a4ddc026" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to download the Snowman Shape Craft for F R E E !</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I hope you all enjoy these crafts as much as we do. Happy crafting! :)<br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-35815610718843463522021-11-02T20:16:00.005-07:002021-11-03T16:10:06.729-07:00Kindergarten Read Alouds in November<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/November-Interactive-Read-Alouds-Bundle-Thanksgiving-Read-Alouds-4979290" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipRTedDK9ZXfXI2Bxniqewi6EVVxULg8_yaCisIyO683S6DXopEBxvS9PfLU8ue2c-NGVUbEzAu-0MC2RpJpKf7_BCdtkqR6WOyVyBv9gGVMzZG5HER-us7KGJmLPdRpmT6S9I1XZrB7E4Qm85_n52_XTxWBopIgc16Z8i9Ad2FSMtuwVukuh2TaB5=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> </p><p>November is such a fun month to be in a kindergarten classroom. There aren't many days in the month with Thanksgiving break, Veteran's Day, and our parent-teacher conference schedules. But it makes the days we are together that much more meaningful. </p><p> </p><p>My favorite books to read in November center around these themes:<br /></p><p>- being grateful and thankful for the people and things we have in our lives</p><p>- helping others and giving back go our community</p><p>- the changing seasons</p><p>- Native American family traditions</p><p>- Diwali</p><p> </p><p>And the best books to fit within these themes are:</p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Old-Bear-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-5011781" target="_blank"><b><i>Old Bear</i></b></a> by Kevin Henkes</p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Turkey-Trouble-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-Thanksgiving-Activities-4993284" target="_blank"><b><i>Turkey Trouble</i></b></a> by Wendi Silvano</p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fletcher-and-the-Falling-Leaves-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-Fall-Activities-4979266" target="_blank"><i><b>Fletcher and the Falling Leaves</b></i></a> by Julia Rawlinson <br /></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Thankful-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-Thanksgiving-Activities-5052539" target="_blank"><i><b>Thankful </b></i></a>by Eileen Spinelli</p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Last-Stop-on-Market-Street-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-4854101?st=52f6678ab054b0c13161a5ccfce80bc8" target="_blank"><i><b>Last Stop on Market Street</b></i></a> by Matt de la Peña<br /></p><p><i><b>Binny's Diwali </b></i>by <span class="rush-component s-latency-cf-section" data-component-id="7" data-component-type="s-search-results"><span class="a-size-base">Thrity Umrigar</span></span></p><p><i><b>Fry Bread</b></i> by Kevin Noble Mailard</p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Scarecrow-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-4978738" target="_blank"><i><b>The Scarecrow </b></i></a>by Beth Ferry</p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sofia-Valdez-Future-Prez-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-6183983" target="_blank"><i><b>Sofia Valdez, Future Prez</b></i></a> by Andrea Beaty</p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Those-Shoes-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-Gratitude-Activities-5025520" target="_blank"><i><b>Those Shoes </b></i></a>by Maribeth Boelts</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The links above will send you to
my interactive read aloud resources. Please note that they do not come
with the book, and the book is necessary to use the resource. <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/November-Interactive-Read-Alouds-Bundle-Thanksgiving-Read-Alouds-4979290" target="_blank">And to save B I G on the November Interactive Read Aloud Bundle, C L I C K H E R E ! </a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy reading! :)</span><p><br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-70246143161854886502021-10-06T20:03:00.010-07:002021-10-06T20:05:26.402-07:00Favorite Halloween Reads<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/October-Interactive-Read-Aloud-Bundle-Halloween-Read-Alouds-4919062" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNypn0B8426WoLRp5N1rCkGG9vEq2XA3bInYd_jcyAfjHgRCNozwlwVFKKywHl6akkKZWpQHiGGex7qvpa0dW5fAiQi0KvNkC9PsVlVJTDwYyERlLwprUc64LIaqBuHtuevl-djEg8-sLVBfI4_Y_pYk0P5LxGkzGgdBvXtTkl-1Uc0RSYK1kmQHDQ=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p>
</p><p style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"> </span></p><p style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">An
interactive read aloud is the purposeful read aloud of a story to focus on
specific content, central theme(s), and vocabulary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are an essential component to balanced
literacy that provide many opportunities for all students to engage with rich
texts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Interactive read alouds are
typically done whole-group with pauses throughout each read to:</span></span></p><p style="direction: ltr; language: en-US; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-top: 0pt; mso-line-break-override: none; punctuation-wrap: hanging; text-align: left; unicode-bidi: embed; word-break: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">discuss
the text and theme</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">discuss</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"> the illustrations and meaning(s)</span></span>
</li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">make
predictions</span></span>
</li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">make
connections</span></span>
</li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">have
conversations <br /></span></span></li></ul><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of my most favorite interactive read alouds are during the
Halloween season. They are books about being yourself, sharing your
passion, teamwork, accepting differences, and helping friends.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">And my top ten Halloween interactive read alouds are:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bonaparte-Falls-Apart-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-7314977" target="_blank">Bonaparte Falls Apart</a></b> </i>by Margery Cuyler</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>The Little Kitten</b></i> by Nicola Killen <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creepy-Carrots-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-4919043" target="_blank">Creepy Carrots</a></b></i> by Aaron Reynolds</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Big-Pumpkin-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-4936239" target="_blank">Big Pumpkin</a></b></i> by Erica Silverman</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Little-Old-Lady-Who-Was-Not-Afraid-of-Anything-Interactive-Read-Aloud-4950502" target="_blank">The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything</a></i></b> by Linda D. Williams</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><b>The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt</b></i> by Byron Eggenschwiler <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Hallo-Wiener-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-4938403" target="_blank">The Hallo-Weiner</a></i></b> by Dav Pilkey</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Gustavo-the-Shy-Ghost-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-6132628" target="_blank">Gustavo the Shy Ghost</a></i></b> by Flavia Z. Drago</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Room-on-the-Broom-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-4914423" target="_blank">Room on the Broom</a></i></b> by Julia Donaldson</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Stumpkin-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-4923911" target="_blank">Stumpkin</a></i></b> by Lucy Ruth Cummins</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The links above will send you to my interactive read aloud resources. Please note that they do not come with the book, and the book is necessary to use the resource. <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/October-Interactive-Read-Aloud-Bundle-Halloween-Read-Alouds-4919062" target="_blank">And to save B I G on the Halloween Interactive Read Aloud Bundle, C L I C K H E R E ! </a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy reading! :)</span><br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-56220519972069445552021-09-27T18:25:00.001-07:002021-09-27T18:26:21.948-07:00Setting up your year for success<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Starting a new school year is the best feeling ever. It's a feeling
unique to teaching; new students, new supplies, new curriculum, and
sometimes even a new classroom. It's a clean slate in many ways, but
also one of the most stressful and busy times of the year.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In kindergarten, there are a few things that I like to focus on to set my year up for <span class="il">success</span>: classroom management, parent communication, and assessments.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Classroom management</span></span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Classroom
management and structure is one of the most important things needed for
a classroom to run smoothly. Students need to know what is expected of
them, what their daily schedule and routines look like, and what
consequences there will be if they do not follow those routines.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Classroom
management is also a very personal decision for all teachers. At my
school, we have 30 classrooms and they all are run very differently, but
we all have the same goals and outcomes (mostly). For me, I like to
have individual, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ts.fdske.com/ls/click?upn%3DeujtLzx7zhhc-2BwoTG7jc2NNwL-2Ffv6V0uIiBGA6BseaxSEx5oOX0abE8TPuyWtE5yEoeUHY62IMWS7TdWMTXoYuQ1dO-2Bit7Vj2Iji4nI0SGaWT8DI7xvT9CFThnqtpss38m1tXL8G-2Fnp-2BCpEM-2FfS6UA-3D-3DEmAh_EG0nID484Zic8KlhBnHrR5M0RfdNALky-2Bau3wuoRxF6pBbHCSJuOOl1sfNSDIJmofHOgoKLtDxRYyHB5doWo4SynmNsip8dZZqi8xlctldmZWIrnUw4xyCvKRA6FVWkr1bpYdWbfqDpoA0L02n5Nmw8Mx-2B-2FfvRWbVkI-2FSVJPcY47GlDGw7fK-2F2XqEaqVmwfKtjrMNMqhOjc6tkjZ196tQSvffFIDcCrBzeTbZjJMqf8KKr8Ropuj1iZb7KJdPvZXhlwikT2USd-2FbQYhClA9V3hIegBDKgH3ofJi07pM13jCw1wImodpsGo7pQiQ0sktRpkCL19jhDB2Yj2IIzpQmI8lIX-2FPwGOvFfyEyVmb7r4EN59FYSY7lzv-2F2k939ythpztKUdSYvW7ZMSOXBDrqXxHBlRyVSHleDinC-2BLz-2BBEdI-3D&source=gmail&ust=1632151053445000&usg=AFQjCNGkf_20-6xsFoj1OkZzc5adBA9ERg" href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Table-Points-with-Ten-Frames-Editable-3332707" target="_blank"><span style="color: #36d6ee;">small group</span></a>, and <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ts.fdske.com/ls/click?upn%3DeujtLzx7zhhc-2BwoTG7jc2NNwL-2Ffv6V0uIiBGA6BseaxSEx5oOX0abE8TPuyWtE5yaJtZXZFPeIgMggczGGfnfilv3QjcJ0Q45k5PAIKLH-2BQ-2BRkvQ1cEj9fltqTl-2BeWwRsLa8IT9wSFTgTXJByHYNkg-3D-3DrqGO_EG0nID484Zic8KlhBnHrR5M0RfdNALky-2Bau3wuoRxF6pBbHCSJuOOl1sfNSDIJmofHOgoKLtDxRYyHB5doWo4SynmNsip8dZZqi8xlctldmZWIrnUw4xyCvKRA6FVWkr1bpYdWbfqDpoA0L02n5Nmw8Mx-2B-2FfvRWbVkI-2FSVJPcY47GlDGw7fK-2F2XqEaqVmwfKtjrMNMqhOjc6tkjZ196tQSvffFIDcCrBzeTbZjJMqf8KKr8Ropuj1iZb7KJdPvZXhlwikT2USd-2FbQYhClA9V3gbgiOQyjKrK3fwhT5xxo-2BvTlLRmBkyIgx5r-2BEc9lN-2FEqrIY86F8C-2BbDDgCmPGSkzN75TmhLqxrv3fAKJtb6Ub7-2F7CMGN3eWwvmCo-2FkL4Upc5WtaarJO6072O1ksATecaGPE-2BbhshRx5n9fEXO-2Bt9v8-3D&source=gmail&ust=1632151053446000&usg=AFQjCNF6vSd5Ba4nHvviAXDoVdyCZFzAKQ" href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Digital-Rewards-Digital-Classroom-Management-6403967" target="_blank"><span style="color: #36d6ee;">whole-group</span></a>
positive reinforcement. And having a prize box full of legit prizes
always makes it better (Play Doh, bubbles, sticker books, etc.).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Parent communication</span></span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Transparent
and consistent communication with your students' grown-ups is
absolutely essential. This can be a mixture (or one) of what you're
most comfortable with: phone calls, emails, Zooms, etc. My advice is to
spend some time thinking about how consistent you can be with your
communication. If weekly does not seem manageable for you, focus on
thorough bi-weekly communication.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also like to be clear
about our standards and goals throughout the year. I don't give weekly
updates (it's really hard to stick to weekly schedules--especially
during a pandemic), but simple and easy-to-understand lists and
explanations. My favorites are my <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ts.fdske.com/ls/click?upn%3DeujtLzx7zhhc-2BwoTG7jc2NNwL-2Ffv6V0uIiBGA6BseaxSEx5oOX0abE8TPuyWtE5yrnBtT6Po7GCl1UhFYIesJ2zNMWx9rb6wR-2BSMWYGMWODBLRqAfRuatpA4sBvQd67AE9g7x2yWvtiJje0Co8ZyT5iq5lBwYsjMNjoCJo19rbo-3D-rC3_EG0nID484Zic8KlhBnHrR5M0RfdNALky-2Bau3wuoRxF6pBbHCSJuOOl1sfNSDIJmofHOgoKLtDxRYyHB5doWo4SynmNsip8dZZqi8xlctldmZWIrnUw4xyCvKRA6FVWkr1bpYdWbfqDpoA0L02n5Nmw8Mx-2B-2FfvRWbVkI-2FSVJPcY47GlDGw7fK-2F2XqEaqVmwfKtjrMNMqhOjc6tkjZ196tQSvffFIDcCrBzeTbZjJMqf8KKr8Ropuj1iZb7KJdPvZXhlwikT2USd-2FbQYhClA9V3nF6MuGUVLVJBr29jD1PoJYqzhr0W-2BBzmu5CcC7r9b8fOCM8LJGakGxTp7lrkYeV5FPoUjahxtTxMSLq3jPTU70djZRd24ipCHIDxRAcqu53Agu3LfsKnbQbDzHfNykmTFMYeFj0NkPTiu2Q8XEXuKU-3D&source=gmail&ust=1632151053446000&usg=AFQjCNEhIfsgGkaBWQocPNhrPY4f5LQALw" href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Handbooks-Bundle-Kindergarten-Readiness-4080468" target="_blank"><span style="color: #36d6ee;">handbooks</span></a><span style="color: #36d6ee;"> </span>(they give full page overviews of each standard) and my<span style="color: #36d6ee;"> </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ts.fdske.com/ls/click?upn%3DeujtLzx7zhhc-2BwoTG7jc2NNwL-2Ffv6V0uIiBGA6BseaxSEx5oOX0abE8TPuyWtE5yrnBtT6Po7GCl1UhFYIesJ-2FqKUMBaWcD2y6JNZdi02KcDm-2BDKa23G5rqJ0jiqYyH-2FxNGP_EG0nID484Zic8KlhBnHrR5M0RfdNALky-2Bau3wuoRxF6pBbHCSJuOOl1sfNSDIJmofHOgoKLtDxRYyHB5doWo4SynmNsip8dZZqi8xlctldmZWIrnUw4xyCvKRA6FVWkr1bpYdWbfqDpoA0L02n5Nmw8Mx-2B-2FfvRWbVkI-2FSVJPcY47GlDGw7fK-2F2XqEaqVmwfKtjrMNMqhOjc6tkjZ196tQSvffFIDcCrBzeTbZjJMqf8KKr8Ropuj1iZb7KJdPvZXhlwikT2USd-2FbQYhClA9V3sMyJ9ft3ETk7djRykhpkL-2FHCRrkrGRV2abHQUYjTbF3gH8zYbUm1H5wWZKtbU8WLg9aYSOistKJY5l5BnqoSIjE4fUcOR8gFN7m4ZgZSmJmCD7AFlfu6nepeILMkk7XTUJQQWM5kXT3UtXdRNEoDlQ-3D&source=gmail&ust=1632151053446000&usg=AFQjCNEzP52I5BRg6qJOwnUBCYOPvRYvyQ" href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Standards-Checklists-5784264" target="_blank"><span style="color: #36d6ee;">standards checklists</span></a>.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Assessments</span></span></span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Assessments
are the most important tool to inform instruction. I also love sharing
assessment data and goals with my students' families. Again,
transparent and consistent communication is essential, especially with
assessments and data.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I recently grouped all of my literacy assessments into a <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ts.fdske.com/ls/click?upn%3DeujtLzx7zhhc-2BwoTG7jc2NNwL-2Ffv6V0uIiBGA6BseaxSEx5oOX0abE8TPuyWtE5yrnBtT6Po7GCl1UhFYIesJxeKrPCIWQMDTVuO5gOocAchllFqwJuEk9nQoZYjDD3is1ewAApCkgyk-2BW1UwaiTEQ-3D-3Doqrg_EG0nID484Zic8KlhBnHrR5M0RfdNALky-2Bau3wuoRxF6pBbHCSJuOOl1sfNSDIJmofHOgoKLtDxRYyHB5doWo4SynmNsip8dZZqi8xlctldmZWIrnUw4xyCvKRA6FVWkr1bpYdWbfqDpoA0L02n5Nmw8Mx-2B-2FfvRWbVkI-2FSVJPcY47GlDGw7fK-2F2XqEaqVmwfKtjrMNMqhOjc6tkjZ196tQSvffFIDcCrBzeTbZjJMqf8KKr8Ropuj1iZb7KJdPvZXhlwikT2USd-2FbQYhClA9V3ty9ww20Xa3Eq-2FmSdTQMRH8Q3zSVkgiuUcWlnyYiB4Sik0IyDtetO8NShvxIGjdTl0NAg0Y5VOeD6oBezQnst-2FxZ6oKrLYv-2BWsL7IpDe4WhFw6EQrl2c6JOPlfOQY31zpEZ0X48hkfv0JjVOsK7wNCI-3D&source=gmail&ust=1632151053446000&usg=AFQjCNEuk8_GgVl916YC3F3J54MUbWz6Lg" href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Assessments-and-Portfolio-7258680" target="_blank"><span style="color: #36d6ee;">year-long resource</span></a><span style="color: #36d6ee;"> </span>for
my classroom. I'm so excited to have a comprehensive portfolio to use
for my phonemic awareness, phonics, and writing assessments and
instruction. Each month also includes a progress report to send home to
students' grown-ups. I most likely won't send one for all; just the
friends that need extra practice on specific goals.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ts.fdske.com/ls/click?upn%3DeujtLzx7zhhc-2BwoTG7jc2NNwL-2Ffv6V0uIiBGA6BseaxSEx5oOX0abE8TPuyWtE5yrnBtT6Po7GCl1UhFYIesJxeKrPCIWQMDTVuO5gOocAchllFqwJuEk9nQoZYjDD3is1ewAApCkgyk-2BW1UwaiTEQ-3D-3DnXuK_EG0nID484Zic8KlhBnHrR5M0RfdNALky-2Bau3wuoRxF6pBbHCSJuOOl1sfNSDIJmofHOgoKLtDxRYyHB5doWo4SynmNsip8dZZqi8xlctldmZWIrnUw4xyCvKRA6FVWkr1bpYdWbfqDpoA0L02n5Nmw8Mx-2B-2FfvRWbVkI-2FSVJPcY47GlDGw7fK-2F2XqEaqVmwfKtjrMNMqhOjc6tkjZ196tQSvffFIDcCrBzeTbZjJMqf8KKr8Ropuj1iZb7KJdPvZXhlwikT2USd-2FbQYhClA9V3qmUKN6et5Rf6p-2FEjsmYpf2-2BMIv5uyt30UkwVK9Mvdi1HDFWWkBvdYTLvzQdWut915Faf0BfNPpkFwmkaCL2sE8S-2FacSqebgRuthVkps8OkyzcTpH9yS4rCfyUNgi4-2FDyHf1Kyp1J-2Fg0ngG9yUBavfg-3D&source=gmail&ust=1632151053446000&usg=AFQjCNGfsSkYYL5Wns3_3cIrYcKTsJFV_w" target="_blank"><span style="color: #36d6ee;"><b>CLICK HERE for my Kindeergarten Assessment Portfolio!<br /></b></span></a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Best of luck for the school year! :) </span></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Assessments-and-Portfolio-7258680" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPdmNFIULF4/YVJutS7yV5I/AAAAAAAAA6I/qZyn6vHjuUwJYC-2INwA8JsJfJBOkzh8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Literacy%2BPortfolio%2BCover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-68050421315534421792021-07-07T09:48:00.002-07:002021-07-07T09:52:46.878-07:00Kindergarten Writing + FREE Writing Checklist<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60e52c49cdca6d9f95768ecc" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHf3ahEzMdI/YOXWnSiBKhI/AAAAAAAAAzU/XkWEtZtNWcABom28869Wvsx-7Ehs65nhQCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/writing%2Bchecklist.png" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p>Teaching <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Writing-Bundle-Kindergarten-Journals-6589564" target="_blank">writing in kindergarten</a> starts on day one and is a major focus every day. Writing involves a variety of different skills: letter identification, sounds, letter formation, fine motor and handwriting, sentence structure, and more. And because it is so complex, it is important to be consistent with how you teach it, the time devoted to it, the structure of your writing workshop, and how you edit/review students' writing.</p><p><br /></p><p>A couple years ago, I began using a simple writing checklist that my students are able to successfully use themselves. There are five points to our writing: beginning with a capital (we normally use the term uppercase), using finger spaces (we start in the beginning of the year with two finger spaces, and some move to one once they become strong writers), sounding out words, ending with punctuation, and having a detailed picture. When we review our writing, we use our fingers to count and see if we have all five points. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This writing checklist is a part of all of my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Writing-Bundle-Kindergarten-Journals-6589564" target="_blank">Kindergarten Writing resources</a> including my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Personal-Word-Wall-Student-Dictionary-5851085" target="_blank">Personal Word Wall</a> that I use in the classroom digitally (and my students have a hard copy they keep at home). I LOVE how my journals, my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Personal-Word-Wall-Student-Dictionary-5851085" target="_blank">Personal Word Wall</a>, and my Writing Checklist flow seamlessly together and allow for my students to write (mostly) independently. </p><p><br /></p><p>And you can get my Pencil Writing Checklist for FREE below! It's a large-format poster in the shape of a pencil for easy access in the primary classroom. It also has picture supports for students learning to read. It also includes small bookmarks for students to keep in their writing folders or at home.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Writing-Bundle-Kindergarten-Journals-6589564" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HF7C5NoC_A/YOXZXLxh1kI/AAAAAAAAAzc/ZbA5ECjJpm0klLrFGtJODl6icyab9gDrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>My <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Writing-Bundle-Kindergarten-Journals-6589564" target="_blank">kindergarten writing bundle</a> has everything you need for successful writing instruction throughout the year. It includes my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Personal-Word-Wall-Student-Dictionary-5851085" target="_blank">Personal Word Wall</a>, a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creative-Writing-for-Kindergarten-5620974https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creative-Writing-for-Kindergarten-5620974" target="_blank">creative writing journal for narrative writing</a>, an <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Opinion-Writing-for-Kindergarten-6463260" target="_blank">opinion writing journal,</a> an <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Expository-Writing-Journal-6684244" target="_blank">animal journal for expository writing</a>, and a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Feelings-Journal-Social-Emotional-Learning-6574910" target="_blank">feelings journal for narrative writing</a>. And it's majorly discounted for the bundle of five resources!</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60e52c49cdca6d9f95768ecc" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to access the Pencil Writing Checklist for FREE!</a></p><p> </p><p>Happy writing! <br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-38723125523187215222021-06-20T13:30:00.006-07:002021-06-20T13:32:06.302-07:00Name Craft FREE Download!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60cf924adc36ee423d080cfd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F3OnD5zjx48/YM-jKHrZdjI/AAAAAAAAAxE/VyBUYYbT38crsMO9JOFH5gQSR4Hc3MtPgCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/ladybug%2Bname%2Bcraft%2Bpin.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p>Last year, I began doing monthly name crafts and we all LOVED them. They were successful both during distance learning and in the classroom and helped to create amazing bulletin boards that my students adored.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>All of my name crafts focus on the same skills: name recognition and spelling, handwriting, letter recognition, and fine motor (cutting). I simply print and my students take it from there. I typically print on colored cardstock, so my students can focus on letter formation and spelling their names. I also love printing on colored cardstock because it really helps to make our bulletin boards pop.<br /></p><p> </p><p>I also included a Google Slides™ option for all of the name crafts so you can type and print! This is a great option for younger students who might only be tracing their letters and names.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Name-Craft-Bundle-6108726" target="_blank">I have a year-long Name Craft Bundle that is always 30% off! It includes eight different name crafts for the year: ice cream cone, apple tree, pumpkins, acorns, snow globe, candy box, pot of gold, and butterfly.</a></p><p><br /></p><p>And I just added this adorable Ladybug Name Craft as a bonus to the bundle, but you can access it below for free! I love how the ladybug sits on the leaf with students' names.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60cf924adc36ee423d080cfd" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to access the Ladybug Name Craft for FREE!</a></p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Name-Craft-Bundle-6108726" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVek-gyEG-0/YM-lDDgeLsI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/bk_LUmIreLYdJ8wIIAzn58BsMRhG4tfZACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/bundle%2Bcover%2B11.56.17%2BAM.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Happy crafting! :)<br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-18524338652690759862021-06-09T11:53:00.003-07:002021-06-09T11:53:17.465-07:00Father's Day Picture Books + FREE Craft!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rdbt0ul8DZY/YMEKLARD-2I/AAAAAAAAAwA/rvC2RTemNkgQh31w-I2Fm-LjazJemRTuwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Father%2527s%2BDay%2BBooks%2BPin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rdbt0ul8DZY/YMEKLARD-2I/AAAAAAAAAwA/rvC2RTemNkgQh31w-I2Fm-LjazJemRTuwCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Father%2527s%2BDay%2BBooks%2BPin.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p>Father's Day is such an important holiday that unfortunately does not always get celebrated in the classroom (my school year ends at the end of May). Every year, I try to be organized enough to get crafts done and read some wonderful books featuring dad and grandpa relationships, but it doesn't always happen.</p><p> </p><p>I'm trying to get better about organizing my books by theme, so are ten of my favorite books all about special dads and grandpas:</p><p><br /></p><p><b><i>Jabari Jumps</i></b> by Gaia Cornwall</p><p><i><b>Lubna and Pebble </b></i>by Wendy Meddour</p><p><i><b>Grandad's Camper</b></i> by Harry Woodgate</p><p><i><b>Drawn Together </b></i>by Minh Lê</p><p><i><b>How to Cheer Up Dad</b></i> by Fred Koehler</p><p><i><b>Just Me and My Dad</b></i> by Mercer Mayer</p><p><i><b>Grandpa Grumps</b></i> by Katrina Moore</p><p><i><b>Stella Brings the Family </b></i>by Miriam B. Schiffer</p><p><i><b>My Dad Used to Be So Cool</b></i> by Keith Negley</p><p><i><b>Papasaurus</b></i> by Stephan Lomp</p><p><br /></p><p>And a F R E E craft for you and your littles! Inspired by the book, <i><b>Papasaurus</b></i> by Stephan Lomp, this craft includes a build-a-brontosaurus and a build-a-tyrannosaurus rex with hearts with different phrases like: You're the best papasaurus in the world! Phrases included for dads, grandpas, uncles, and loved ones.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60c102ff4c0e49583b6f80a1" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to access the Dinosaur Father's Day Craft for FREE!</a></p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60c102ff4c0e49583b6f80a1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RKGdg0x0gdo/YMEOC9Pl_1I/AAAAAAAAAwI/X0chnPJB-ksgoY9Ax5J11u4UY4YJNgDiACLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/father%2527s%2Bday%2Bcard%2Bpin.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /> <br /><p></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-36565897284470491462021-05-22T12:31:00.003-07:002021-05-22T12:34:37.707-07:00Kindergarten Summer Activites + FREE Summer Journal!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60a85c765e1bdf888812be86" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P5GUoXqZIUM/YKlbRMQLCHI/AAAAAAAAAuo/hdC-PKtpyEsH_yl0cxsh-lAqqCWFXhJQgCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/summer%2Bjournal.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> </p><p>After a full year of hard work and getting my students ready for first grade, it can be difficult to say goodbye for the summer without worrying about the dreaded "summer slide". Typically, the summer slide refers to the loss of reading and math skills in young students.</p><p><br /></p><p>So every year, I send my students off with my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-Summer-Packet-Kindergarten-Summer-Handbook-3782201" target="_blank">Kindergarten Summer Handbook</a> and my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Writing-Journal-3158566" target="_blank">Summer Writing Journal</a>. I love my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-Summer-Packet-Kindergarten-Summer-Handbook-3782201" target="_blank">Kindergarten Summer Handbook</a> because it's for both my students and their parents; it explains every skill and provides parents with essential information and tips for practicing each math and literacy skill included. </p><p> </p><p>My <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Writing-Journal-3158566" target="_blank">Summer Writing </a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Writing-Journal-3158566" target="_blank">Journal</a> is also a fave because it includes all three types of writing: narrative, expository (how-to), and opinion writing. It includes 40 summer-themed writing prompts to help keep students writing throughout the summer and an easy-to-use writing checklist for independent editing.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>But the most important things students should be doing over the summer is reading every day. This should be a mix of reading what they want plus reading at their level. They should have access to a diverse library filled with many different types of texts. Local libraries are a great source for summer reading books and incentives. I also recommend for students to have a designated "reading area" at home: a quiet, peaceful space where students can read with little distractions. My students also love reading incentives, so I send them home with a special <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Reading-Log-for-Distance-Learning-5614721" target="_blank">100-book reading log</a> (it's a free download in my TpT store).</p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-Summer-Packet-Kindergarten-Summer-Handbook-3782201" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wJ_5aHVdVc/YKlbwC751SI/AAAAAAAAAuw/FCAX9MrTt0s5GdncZWOb9TwfNMD1dL6VgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/First%2BGrade%2BCover.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60a85c765e1bdf888812be86" target="_blank">And as a special summer freebie, CLICK HERE for access to my Summer Writing Journal for FREE!<br /></a></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-29886970799824145082021-04-29T18:19:00.003-07:002021-04-29T18:19:56.435-07:00Mother's Day Crafts + FREE Download!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZC4P4socZF4/YItXqrBYhmI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/ypVDubEJnSU9pTNY14GZLTlnXqI3IUZewCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/mother%2527s%2Bday%2Bcraft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZC4P4socZF4/YItXqrBYhmI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/ypVDubEJnSU9pTNY14GZLTlnXqI3IUZewCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/mother%2527s%2Bday%2Bcraft.jpg" width="426" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Kindergarten students always love making crafts for their loved ones. There's something so special about working hard on a special gift to take home. And because not all of our kindergarten friends have moms or grandmas, both of these crafts can be used for ALL loved ones!</p><p><br /></p><p>My "<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mothers-Day-Craft-Gem-Craft-3135333" target="_blank">You're a gem" Mother's Day Craft</a> is so universal it can be used for a large variety of purposes: Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparent's Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, birthdays, or a fun just-because craft! It's also really easy to cut out and can be done in one sitting. I even had someone mention they want to use it for Pirate's Week in their classroom--so fun!</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mothers-Day-Craft-Gem-Craft-3135333" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for my Gem Mother's Day Craft!</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>And if you already downloaded my Koala Valentine Craft, re-download or revisit the resource in your Google Drive because it got an update! It now has hearts to say "You are a koala-ty mom!", "You are a koala-ty, dad!" and "You are a koala-ty loved one!" </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/602597a799bcbd438314f9e3" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to access my Build-a-Koala Loved One Craft for FREE!</a></p><p> </p><p>Happy crafting! <br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-68576689309869914462021-04-12T14:58:00.002-07:002021-04-12T16:00:36.065-07:00Literacy Centers in the Classroom + FREE Download!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6074bf6b6b2fd8e1c78e11b6" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lqeMwtoRNr4/YHS_BkxLrPI/AAAAAAAAArU/QtcELkeCAOY6LkB1wIY_hTnfHksFsrJOgCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/digraph%2Bliteracy%2Bcenter%2Bblog%2Bpin.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p>Now that half of my kindergarten students are back in the classroom, I have rediscovered my love for hands-on literacy centers. Even though I LOVE <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Ms-Reading-Resources/Category/-BOOM-CARDS-434170" target="_blank">Boom Cards™</a> and <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Ms-Reading-Resources/Category/-GOOGLE-DRIVE-456555" target="_blank">Google Slides™</a>, there just isn't anything like the experience of a literacy center in kindergarten.</p><p> </p><p>We have about 15-20 minutes every morning for drop-off. This is a huge chunk of time that I needed my students to work independently. So as my students come in, they choose a literacy center and get started. I love this routine because it also allows me to target specific skills for students.</p><p><br /></p><p>My <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Literacy-Centers-GROWING-Bundle-6630395" target="_blank">literacy centers</a> range from letter matching (for letter recognition and fluency) to CVC segmenting. I'll also be adding more this summer and next year to the growing bundle.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>And I wanted to give all of you a FREE download! Now that we have a solid foundation of letter sounds and blending and segmenting CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words, I wanted to teach my students a trickier literacy skill: digraphs. Consonant digraphs are <i>two letters</i> that together make <i>one sound</i>. I often teach my students digraphs during writer's workshop and guided reading, as the need comes up. But this year we are more than ready to all tackle these sounds. And if you're in need of a digital center, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Digraph-Boom-Cards-Beginning-Digraphs-6774454" target="_blank">click here for my Beginning Digraph Boom Cards™</a>!<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6074bf6b6b2fd8e1c78e11b6" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for a beginning digraph literacy center download for FREE!</a></p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Literacy-Centers-GROWING-Bundle-6630395" target="_blank">And click the image below to find out more about my Kindergarten Literacy Centers Bundle:</a></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Literacy-Centers-GROWING-Bundle-6630395" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaVySnnxxic/YHTCPU7Zj5I/AAAAAAAAArc/zRxtu1f_2zEYZju0NZEp6MewvPWdbxfcgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/Literacy%2BCenters%2BCover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p>Happy {literacy} centering!<br /></p><p><br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-20645140887211395242021-04-08T11:18:00.002-07:002021-04-08T11:19:41.264-07:00Unicorn Day Activities + FREE Download<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/606f455672a0c5926a72b40d" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l5AB-3DOXr0/YG9FltYwAkI/AAAAAAAAArE/Ukz3zKbhvvApqFJZFDxMyEA4x73JvRduQCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Unicorn%2BDay%2BPin.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p>April 9th is National Unicorn Day. Who knew?! But random days like this are just so fun in kindergarten, so I'm here for it.</p><p> </p><p>Just like most activities and special days, I love to begin with picture books. There are so many fun unicorn books to read to celebrate the occasion. My absolute favorite is <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Not-Quite-Narwhal-Jessie-Sima/dp/1481469096/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=not+quite+narwhal&qid=1617905256&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i>Not Quite Narwhal</i> by Jessie Sima</a>, which is a book about being yourself, no matter how you look on the outside. I love this one so much that it was one of my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Not-Quite-Narwhal-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-4735340" target="_blank">first interactive read alouds</a> that I posted to my Teachers Pay Teachers store. A couple more good ones are <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Unicorn-Day-Diana-Murray/dp/1492667226/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=unicorn+day&qid=1617904779&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i>Unicorn Day: A Magical Kindness Book</i> for Children by Diana Murray</a> (another about acceptance and being yourself) and <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/How-Catch-Unicorn-Adam-Wallace/dp/1492669733/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/139-2079286-0649113?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1492669733&pd_rd_r=c5bcbde7-550e-4129-875c-5414aa47c630&pd_rd_w=Mio0I&pd_rd_wg=RXt09&pf_rd_p=bd257e40-8799-42ac-88d0-f76e0faf3886&pf_rd_r=ZFH926NM0FVNH3JE5JGE&psc=1&refRID=ZFH926NM0FVNH3JE5JGE" target="_blank"><i>How to Catch a Unicorn</i> by Adam Wallace</a> (perfect for any expository/how-to writing units).<br /></p><p><br /></p><p>And to make National Unicorn Day even more special, we'll be writing about what makes us unique, how-to catch unicorns, and making unicorn crowns to wear (crowns are always a classroom fave of ours). </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/606f455672a0c5926a72b40d" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to download the Unicorn Day Activities for FREE!</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Happy Unicorn Day! :)<br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-36768157594823367032021-03-10T14:03:00.005-08:002021-03-10T14:08:00.689-08:00Love Tails Interactive Read Aloud FREE Download<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60493e3bc26c9c1761c36abd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u3_nG6zMfSk/YElAGLznG3I/AAAAAAAAAoo/nCf8TawXNIo4AdGBXxuHkZpA11HzCinLACLcBGAsYHQ/w427-h640/love%2Btails%2B1.jpg" width="427" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Interactive read alouds are my all-time favorite lessons in kindergarten. They are the <span style="font-size: 12pt;">purposeful read aloud of a story to focus on specific content, central
theme(s), and vocabulary. They are an essential component to balanced literacy that provide many
opportunities for all students to engage with rich texts. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When I first read <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Love-Tails-Rob-Sayegh-Jr/dp/1951836081/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=love+tails&qid=1615413122&sr=8-1" target="_blank"><i>Love Tails</i> by Rob Sayegh Jr</a>., I just knew I had to create an interactive read aloud for it. The text is simple, but the theme and illustrations are strong. Absolutely perfect for primary grades and can even be used as a mentor text in reading and writing workshop.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And this interactive read aloud is complete with an adorable dachshund craft and clip art from <a href="https://www.robsayart.com/" target="_blank">Rob Sayegh Jr.</a>! The dogs are sooo cute; they definitely give me all the cute aggression.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Interactive read alouds are typically done whole-
group with pauses throughout each read to:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">discuss the text and theme, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">discuss the illustrations and meaning(s)</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">make predictions, make connections, and
have meaningful conversations centered around the text.</span></span>
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</span><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Typically, interactive read alouds are above the students’ reading levels but the texts are age-appropriate
and high-interest. The read aloud builds community through reading with shared knowledge. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">My Interactive
read aloud lesson plans are on one-page and have many components that include:</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> story introduction,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> identified themes, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">read aloud of the story with pauses for discussion (“We’re wondering”/sticky notes), </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">vocabulary introduction and discussion (before, during, and after the read aloud), and a </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">discussion of the theme after the read aloud with think-aloud extensions. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For this specific interactive read aloud, we will discuss and write about our own "love tales" after the read aloud. And of course, color and craft our own dogs, just-for-fun.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I'm currently working on many more interactive read alouds with new + diverse books, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Sellers-Im-Following/Add/Miss-Ms-Reading-Resources" target="_blank">so stay tuned in my Teachers Pay Teachers store</a>! And to <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Ms-Reading-Resources/Category/-Interactive-Read-Alouds-367975" target="_blank">visit my library of 88 (and growing!) titles of interactive read alouds, click here.</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60493e3bc26c9c1761c36abd" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">CLICK HERE for my Love Tails Interactive Read Aloud lesson for FREE!</span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Love-Tails-Rob-Sayegh-Jr/dp/1951836081/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=love+tails&qid=1615413122&sr=8-1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-original-height="1690" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t0JYsJ_tWHE/YElCAj1wQ_I/AAAAAAAAAow/ztoe8OJOaTkdjChtlGbskENiDel9D6FlQCLcBGAsYHQ/love%2Btails%2Bcover.jpg" width="291" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'CenturyGothic'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Love-Tails-Rob-Sayegh-Jr/dp/1951836081/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=love+tails&qid=1615413122&sr=8-1" target="_blank">And CLICK HERE to buy <i>Love Tails</i> by Rob Sayegh Jr. from Amazon (not an affiliate link)! </a></span><br /></span></p></div>
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Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-60028712691958452162021-02-25T13:15:00.001-08:002021-02-25T13:15:01.928-08:00St. Patrick's Day Activities + Free Download<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60381323ea79bd41e10f31e9" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4fa57SH20gc/YDgQb30T9wI/AAAAAAAAAng/8mlr2RvyvnEcFZkt2HtzUuUmIEMiu_p_QCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/St.%2BPat%2527s%2BBlog%2BPin.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>St. Patrick's Day is one of those silly little holidays that don't bring much meaning, but are fun to learn about in the classroom. Over the years, my favorite crafts have been my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/St-Patricks-Day-Hats-3704164" target="_blank">leprechaun hats</a> and my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/St-Patricks-Day-Craft-Im-Lucky-Craft-4427626?st=c2e35be9d76e8ad1cc19ebcea6403346" target="_blank">I'm Lucky Pots of Gold</a>. The pots of gold always turn out so cute, and are an amazing family gift. Students most often writing about how lucky they are for their family. The best.<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/St-Patricks-Day-Craft-Im-Lucky-Craft-4427626?st=c2e35be9d76e8ad1cc19ebcea6403346" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1893" data-original-width="1891" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7YhaLIt72o/YDgSZHUvJlI/AAAAAAAAAno/-R3lNnOAU-8rzKRT38jO0GHfP19wFxl7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Pot%2Bof%2BGold.png" /></a></div><br /><p>But the other night, I went down a rabbit hole of leprechaun folklore. And because my students absolutely love readers, I thought it was the perfect way to learn about leprechauns. So I created a new resource that includes a <i>The Legend of the Leprechauns</i> reader in both color, black-and-white, and Google Slides™ plus a super-fun build-a-leprechaun craft. <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/St-Patricks-Day-Leprechaun-Reader-and-Craft-6616566" target="_blank">I posted it in my Teachers Pay Teachers store</a>, but I wanted to add it as a freebie, exclusive to my blog!</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60381323ea79bd41e10f31e9" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for my Leprechaun Reader and Craft FREE download!</a><br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-56561952118533222752021-02-11T13:02:00.005-08:002021-04-22T18:25:38.284-07:00FREE Valentine Craft<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/602597a799bcbd438314f9e3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4SiVqRO3avc/YCWavqXXMGI/AAAAAAAAAm0/_lIF-U6THSITjDYizRDr3-aIkbwE5qnhwCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/koala%2Bvalentine%2Bcover.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>Valentine's Day is such a fun holiday in the primary classroom. Unfortunately, we are still learning remotely so we won't be having any Valentine parties. </p><p><br /></p><p>But I wanted to give my students more options to make valentines for their families and friends. In addition to my new fave <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dinosaur-Valentine-Craft-Valentines-Day-Cards-6497930" target="_blank">Dinosaur Valentine Crafts</a>, I'll add these koalas to my virtual classroom for my students to print at home.</p><p><br /></p><p>This is the same koala I have in my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Australian-Animals-Crafts-and-Writing-5147040" target="_blank">Australian Animals Crafts and Writing</a>, and I'm so glad I found another fun way to use him!</p><p><br /></p><p>This download now includes a version for Mother's Day, Father's Day, and for loved ones.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/602597a799bcbd438314f9e3" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to download the Koala Valentine Craft for FREE!</a></p><p> </p><p>Thank you all for being KOALA-TY friends! <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dinosaur-Valentine-Craft-Valentines-Day-Cards-6497930?st=13f454886dc24b1ce591ea0e11ba7b29" target="_blank">And for more fun valentine crafts, click below!</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dinosaur-Valentine-Craft-Valentines-Day-Cards-6497930?st=13f454886dc24b1ce591ea0e11ba7b29" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEbbG3T-aIc/YCWbJjnSd9I/AAAAAAAAAm8/gBDOBH2oFOEVpA5IkEskgS8EnbqeprMCgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/dino%2Bcover.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-19209178957122781382021-02-04T10:32:00.004-08:002021-02-04T10:35:16.789-08:00Chinese New Year FREE Download<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/601c36f28b8b15704af60bb4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBQQBuQtDIU/YBw6l_aZIMI/AAAAAAAAAls/-5OMNJYPKjIN_3wKtw53RQd4etT7k0CzACLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/Chinese%2BNew%2BYear%2BPin.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p> </p><p>Chinese New Year has increasingly become one of my favorite holidays to learn about in kindergarten. There is so much history, and the Zodiac animals are so interesting.</p><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Over the past few years, <i>Ruby's Chinese New Year</i> by Vickie Lee has been my favorite read aloud for the holiday. It has a great plot while also teaching about the 12 zodiac animals. And it gives me fun fairy tale adventure vibes while reading it. And who doesn't love a classic "going to grandma's" story?!</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chinese-New-Year-2021-Lunar-New-Year-Lantern-3616263" target="_blank">My FAVORITE craft is my Chinese New Year Lantern</a>. It's so easy for kindergarteners to complete, and almost no prep for teachers! It includes student-friendly picture instructions, all 12 zodiac animals, and comes in both color and black-and-white! I print on cardstock, with the handles on red cardstock. But any type of thick paper would work as well. </p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chinese-New-Year-2021-Lunar-New-Year-Lantern-3616263" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSCH9kFi9Wk/YBw9lIRJ72I/AAAAAAAAAl4/a4WlVzGsOConyisLEQinT-HmUjHbT3gSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Chinese%2BNew%2BYear%2BCover.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>And it's time for another F R E E download! In December, I worked on a new <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Holidays-Around-the-World-Bundle-Chinese-New-Year-6238761" target="_blank">Holidays Around the World bundle</a>. I wanted my students to learn, read, and write about various holidays (other than Christmas). They loved them, and you can get the Chinese New Year resource for free at the link below! It includes a fact page, various writing pages, a word bank, and a reader. It also has a Google Slides™ version to share easily with students and their families at home.</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/601c36f28b8b15704af60bb4" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to download the Chinese New Year unit for FREE!</a><br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-28043231059522719562021-01-26T19:11:00.002-08:002021-01-26T19:11:57.983-08:00Groundhog Day Free Download<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6010d9bf1d41a7329a966e9a" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wPIDyYrmgJY/YBDU7F9W25I/AAAAAAAAAlA/PTZF0n8Z_XoNszXZVHSlWLjUETk_NUhxwCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/groundhog%2Bday%2Bblog%2Bimage.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> </p><p>I'd be lying if I didn't say that whenever <span class="aCOpRe"><span>Punxsutawney Phil</span></span> doesn't see his shadow, I'm a little hopeful for an early spring. </p><p> </p><p>Groundhog Day is such a silly little holiday. But I love it in kindergarten. It's the perfect excuse to do fun themed centers and activities and to talk about the weather and seasons. And I have a free download for you!</p><p><br /></p><p>A few weeks ago, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Groundhog-Day-Activities-6438779" target="_blank">I worked on some Groundhog Day printables and Google Slide™ activities for my students while we are distance learning</a>. I wanted them to have opportunities to craft, learn about groundhogs, talk about the weather, and predict the outcome of the day. <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Groundhog-Day-Reader-3619446" target="_blank">And one activity we always love are our emergent readers. This one is great to teach about Groundhog Day and to record the outcome.</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I was also working on more intervention activities for my students who are still working on letter naming, so I created some fun themed centers. In the free download, you'll get both a color and blackline version of a Groundhog-themed letter match game and a Boom Card™ digital task card game. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/6010d9bf1d41a7329a966e9a" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to download the Groundhog Day Literacy Centers for FREE!</a><br /></p><p><br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-4393131909607233862021-01-04T16:28:00.003-08:002021-01-04T16:30:20.675-08:00Google Slides™ Literacy Center Free Download<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5ff3aff11797ffce7cf5e25c" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nYRIJmiLRY/X_Owcch7a_I/AAAAAAAAAjE/Tikr6Hsly044EnMwZDe9UVQirxvTH3jEQCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/google%2Bslides%2Bfreebie.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>I love Google Slides™ for a few reasons: they're free, easily accessible, and easily customizable for most teachers. During distance learning, I have learned so much about Google Slides™; how I can use them for distance learning, and how my students can use them independently. They have really changed the way my distance learning curriculum has gone, and I'll never look back.<br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>I have worked on a few Google Slides™ bundles: </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Digital-Bundle-Google-Slides-Bundle-5871997" target="_blank">Back-to-School Digital bundle </a>where you can find a digital calendar, Zoom expectations, digital rewards classroom management, and more</li><li><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Digital-Literacy-Bundle-for-Google-Slides-6092496" target="_blank">Digital Literacy Bundle</a> where you can find letter formation slides, letter sound slides, a digital version of my Personal Word wall, and literacy centers</li><li><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Digital-Literacy-Centers-Bundle-Crayon-Google-Slides-Bundle-30-VALUE-6396785" target="_blank">Digital Literacy Centers Bundle</a> where you can find a matching set of adorable crayon-themed centers for essential skills: sight words, CVC words, letter matching, letter sounds, rhyming words, beginning sounds, middle sounds, and ending sounds</li></ul><p> </p><p>And if you haven't seen how Google Slides™ can work for your kindergarten classroom (or kindergarten student at home), I encourage you to do so! Most of these slides have audio, and when played in Present mode, the audio plays automatically! The below link will take you to a full freebie of one of my new crayon literacy centers.<br /></p><p> </p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5ff3aff11797ffce7cf5e25c" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to try my Crayon Letter Match Google Slides for FREE! </a></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-11891410278129033522021-01-02T16:53:00.000-08:002021-01-02T16:53:04.235-08:00New Year's Activities for Kindergarten<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/New-Years-2021-Resolutions-Google-Slides-6330017" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q0aTDlO5jac/X_ES_2eWicI/AAAAAAAAAiw/BjSw2jfeS3o-z4LaPGo7RPa6u9TxmqT3ACLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/resolutions%2Bpin.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>The first day we come back from winter break, I always spend some time talking about new year's resolutions. In kindergarten, many students don't understand what a resolution is and what it means. I love to do an <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Squirrels-New-Years-Resolution-Interactive-Read-Aloud-and-Activities-5135841?st=57fa942abd1880fb71374c756ecd69d0" target="_blank">interactive read aloud of "Squirrel's New Year's Resolution" </a>by Pat Miller to help with this. It's such a great story about helping friends; a trait we are always talking about in school.<p></p><p><br /></p><p>This year, as we come back from break while still in distance learning, I created <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/New-Years-2021-Resolutions-Google-Slides-6330017" target="_blank">Google Slides™ </a>for all of us to complete. After reading "Squirrel's New Year's Resolution", we will quickly brainstorm more ideas on what we would like to resolve to do in the new year; both in school and at home. I anticipate a lot of my students saying their resolutions are to "help friends" and "help family", and that is just fine. I love getting more creative, but making a resolution as a five-year-old is a tricky task. </p><p><br /></p><p>I anticipate it will take us a few days to complete a slide for all of us. I'll screen share my slides and type in what they would like to say. I love when my students share their ideas and goals with each other, they really are the best. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/New-Years-2021-Resolutions-Google-Slides-6330017" target="_blank">Click here for my New Year's Resolutions Google Slides™! Happy New Year, friends!</a><br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-18593132501643562082020-12-29T22:07:00.004-08:002020-12-30T09:55:47.218-08:00Winter Writing and Craftivity Free Download<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5fec1919d4ea45839b9911bd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l9WpRt9yoIU/X-y_BxDIflI/AAAAAAAAAiU/hWq7Jv_FMGsTn6ZR6ZAyBzrEQ27cORqZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w427-h640/PENGUIN%2BFREE%2BDOWNLOAD.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>My students always LOVE learning about animals and reading non-fiction. They absolutely devour our National Geographic readers in the classroom. After reading about animals, they love to teach each other about the facts they learn. And I love how this just creates a bigger thirst for knowledge and reading. </p><p> </p><p>So last year, I decided to tap into their interest of non-fiction during our expository writing unit. We read, wrote, and crafted six different winter animals: penguins, arctic foxes, snowy owls, snow leopards, polar bears, and walruses. The writing and animals turned out SO cute. And they made the best bulletin board.</p><p><br /></p><p>Although I'm printing most everything for my students every month, I decided to make my Winter Animals Crafts and Writing into Google Slides™ for distance learning. You can print or easily share these activities digitally! </p><p> </p><p>Now all six animals include a fast facts page, three different writing pages, and a two-page craft. Both color and black-and-white versions included for the facts and writing pages. <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Animals-Crafts-and-Writing-5125967" target="_blank">Get the full unit here in my Teachers Pay Teachers store!</a></p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Animals-Crafts-and-Writing-5125967" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8es5Onk4gSw/X-wYUb36NoI/AAAAAAAAAiI/yHdz9zFKoDIGXnlNHd7mkapnCsrSQ1uhgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/winter%2Banimal%2Bcraft.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p> </p><p><a href="https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5fec1919d4ea45839b9911bd" target="_blank">And now you can get the full emperor penguin craft and writing for F R E E ! Simply click this link and add your email. You'll also gain access to exclusive freebies and sales from my email list.</a></p><p> </p><p>Be sure to tag me in your classroom (and distance learning) projects on Instagram! <br /></p><p><br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-550242995702287032020-12-02T15:11:00.004-08:002020-12-02T15:14:56.338-08:00Distance Learning in December<p>As the months go on during distance learning, I am often asked about my monthly curriculum: what I send home with my students, what I do during Zooms, and what they work on asynchronously. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8euaUdyEHg/X8geeT7H9VI/AAAAAAAAAgo/gk-9S7udplAW62Uq2vOxsO6G5Roy9NjFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/december%2Bdistance.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8euaUdyEHg/X8geeT7H9VI/AAAAAAAAAgo/gk-9S7udplAW62Uq2vOxsO6G5Roy9NjFwCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/december%2Bdistance.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p> </p><p>When my district decided to begin the year fully remote, I knew it was important to me to have my students writing on paper with pencils, just as they would in the classroom. There is just no "digital" substitute to the process of writing. So the first thing I created was my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Personal-Word-Wall-5851085" target="_blank">Personal Word Wall</a>. I wanted a "one-stop" stop for my students when writing: alphabet charts, word banks, sight words, and an easy-to-use writing rubric. I printed and bound these for my students in August. And every other month or so, I am printing and hole punching more word bank pages for them to add to their books.</p><p> </p><p>Most often with emergent writers, coming up with writing ideas can be the trickiest part. So in September I began creating my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Narrative-Writing-GROWING-Bundle-6021439" target="_blank">Build-a-Story</a> bundles. In these units, I have word banks, clip art for characters and "things" to cut and paste, backgrounds to color and use as settings, and various writing pages. My students use these to create their own stories, and what I have seen is unbelievable. They are not only loving writing stories, but they are writing more than I have ever seen in the fall of kindergarten. This month, I printed a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Holiday-Craft-and-Writing-December-Craft-and-Writing-6260322" target="_blank">Holidays Around the World</a> set for them.</p><p> </p><p>And to round out my writing for the month, we will be beginning our <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/How-To-Writing-Bundle-for-Kindergarten-5096992" target="_blank">expository "how-to"</a> writing next week. I have made <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-How-to-Writing-How-to-Build-a-Snowman-6298592" target="_blank">Winter How-to readers</a> for my students to read and write. Specifically, I prepped the "How-to Make a Gingerbread Man" and "How-to Make Hot Chocolate" books for them to color and write. We will be using the Google Slides™ readers as a model before writing our own books.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to writing, it is important to me that my students have projects at home to color, cut, glue, and create. I printed my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Wreath-Craft-Holiday-Craft-5057871" target="_blank">Wish Wreath Craft</a> and my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Snow-Globe-Name-Craft-Winter-Craft-6266784" target="_blank">Snow Globe Name Crafts</a> on cardstock and sent home. I also just added student and parent-friendly instructions so they are all extra clear on the directions. My students absolutely love sharing their crafts on our Zooms. And I especially can't wait to see how their wreaths and snow globes turn out.</p><p> </p><p>And to top off my December curriculum, I added six new <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/December-Boom-Cards-for-Kindergarten-6287294" target="_blank">holiday Boom Card™ decks</a> to my rotation. These are math and literacy decks that my students use to practice new skills and work on fluency of essential skills. And I'll be adding SIX new decks for the months of January through May, so this <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Boom-Cards-GROWING-Bundle-6300355" target="_blank">growing bundle is an amazing deal right now</a>.</p><p> </p><p>December is such a fun month to spend with littles in the classroom, and I'm hoping to bring some of the holiday magic into my virtual classroom! As always, email me at missmskindergarten@gmail.com or DM me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/missmskindergarten/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> if you have any questions or want to see more!</p><p> </p><p>Happy learning!<br /></p>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-25199451784821610532020-07-31T22:55:00.004-07:002020-07-31T22:55:28.877-07:00FREE Back-to-School Resources for Distance Learning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5nV0BtHiHR0/XyT_BYyXLHI/AAAAAAAAAas/RgMAH1ayMhMnInE5OBNPfJYb7uxcXttGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1898/freebies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1898" data-original-width="1265" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5nV0BtHiHR0/XyT_BYyXLHI/AAAAAAAAAas/RgMAH1ayMhMnInE5OBNPfJYb7uxcXttGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/freebies.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The reality of beginning kindergarten with distance learning has set in and I am working on more resources to support teachers and parents with the task. It is more important than ever to have a strong home-school connection and to provide parents with all they need to be successful at home. The below resources will help with beginning the year with distance learning. And check out my full library of free resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Ms-Reading-Resources/Price-Range/Free" target="_blank">click here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Distance-Learning-Tips-and-Tricks-5778866" target="_blank">Distance Learning Tips & Tricks</a><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Distance-Learning-Tips-and-Tricks-5778866" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1265" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hZWnkpnvtK8/XyT_H1RREOI/AAAAAAAAAaw/Qvy9Pw6WT8gFxkmYyTaqgwGaoh528DnzQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/distance.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To begin, I will be emailing this home to families before school begins. Many of these tips are common sense to teachers, but families beginning school for the first time have no idea how to create a usable workspace and to keep focused.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Handwriting-Alphabet-Charts-Distance-Learning-4813792" target="_blank">Handwriting Alphabet Charts</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Handwriting-Alphabet-Charts-Distance-Learning-4813792" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1265" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2XPVeh0V_J8/XyUAKWVkrNI/AAAAAAAAAbA/NQ89UC9vEv0tNKMWQ4QSDVJgcocKs0EywCLcBGAsYHQ/w328-h328/HANDWRITING.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Letter formation and path-of-motion is new to most students and families. These alphabet charts can be sent electronically and printed double-sided to use as an anchor for writing at home. I will also be linking them in my daily schedule so parents have easy electronic access.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Uppercase-Handwriting-FREEBIE-Letter-Friends-5825676" target="_blank">Uppercase Handwriting Pages</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Uppercase-Handwriting-FREEBIE-Letter-Friends-5825676" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1265" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Eo3zA7Y36go/XyUAwI1ENcI/AAAAAAAAAbM/PWhrA4bzfk060anyv7yBfabQO266q9segCLcBGAsYHQ/w328-h328/uppercase.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I absolutely love these handwriting pages from my Letter Friends phonics resource bundle. All letters have a "letter friend" animal to represent the letter sound. Each page has clear instructions and is clear of extra clip art or wording. I will be beginning with these pages then moving onto the Letter Friends Lowercase Handwriting pack when they're ready.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Reading-Log-for-Distance-Learning-5614721" target="_blank">Summer Reading Log</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Reading-Log-for-Distance-Learning-5614721" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1265" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XPB9qdKRIEM/XyUB6bFI2YI/AAAAAAAAAbY/sqdtAYtcX9o-dNe5HZEK-biJB3KkxQiAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w328-h328/reading%2Blog.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love to give my students reading logs from the beginning of the year. Before they can read, I have them use their logs for shared reading. These "I Can Read 100 Books" are so fun for students because it gives them a clear goal, sets positive reading habits and routines, and gives them a reason to celebrate when they have finished "reading" 100 books.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Crayon-Box-Labels-5746571" target="_blank">Crayon Box Labels</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Crayon-Box-Labels-5746571" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1265" height="328" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Apq9Ik1fjYo/XyUCrXcqyuI/AAAAAAAAAbg/hYO9Wxf_DeENXoOhlNSCrvcrPuenoISjQCLcBGAsYHQ/w328-h328/crayons.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I first created these labels when I thought I was going to be starting the year in the classroom. All shared supplies need to be re-imagined, so I found plastic crayon boxes at Michaels and made these labels to attach to the lid. They are fully editable in Google Slides and look great when printed in color.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Whether you are heading back into the classroom, or are beginning your year remotely, I hope these freebies help to make your transition a bit easier! Be sure to follow my Teachers Pay Teachers store for more freebies, sales, and new products:
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Miss-Ms-Reading-Resources" target="_blank">Miss M's Reading Resources</a></div>
</div>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-9393787635289985772020-06-07T17:14:00.019-07:002020-06-17T09:07:43.406-07:00Making a Felt Board with My Cricut Explore Air 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of <a href="https://lnk2.io/wDjmhwK">Cricut</a>. All opinions are 100% mine.</div>
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Who knew you could easily DIY a homemade felt board with (mostly) materials you already have at home? I say easily because I still consider myself a novice Cricut creator, and the entire project took me about two hours from start to finish (including the design in <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=713460&u=2435818&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=">Cricut Design Space</a>!). For this project, I used my <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=923343&u=2435818&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=">Cricut Explore Air 2</a> and my <a href="https://cricut.com/en_us/stronggrip-machine-mat-12-x-12.html">Cricut StrongGrip mat</a>.</div>
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Weeks ago, I found an old poster-sized frame that I have kept for nearly two decades. In my teens, I bought it to display a poster of Johnny Depp. Since then, it's had a few coats of paint and seen a few different pieces of art in a few different homes. But this one is by far my fave. Sorry, Johnny.</div>
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To start the project, I took apart the frame and spray painted it satin black. It just needed two quick coats and was quick to dry. I then recycled the glass to make the frame lighter. For the felt backing, I used black (black is usually my go-to for bulletin boards and display areas) to make the letters really pop. <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B084YQ2Z6G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">I found a yard of black acrylic felt on Amazon for relatively cheap</a>. For the backing, you really can use any felt of any color or material. I cut the felt to-size right on the frame backing then attached it all together. I love the monotone of the frame and the felt.</div>
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For the letters, I have read that certain felt works best to cut on a <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=923343&u=2435818&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=" id="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=923343&u=2435818&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=">Cricut</a>. Of course, <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1334639&u=2435818&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=">Cricut sells some made for the machines that would be best</a>. Second to Cricut, I've read that wool felt works well. <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H7RT6JQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">I</a><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H7RT6JQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1"> bought a rainbow (duh) pack of wool felt from Amazon from Benzie Designs</a> (also available on their website and Etsy). I then cut the pieces in half, as I wouldn't be needing the entire sheet of felt for this project.</div>
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<a href="https://design.cricut.com/landing/project-detail/5edd5fb3a422ea0da0fdb8d2">I designed this project in groups of four to five letters at a time to easily use different colors</a>. Although <a href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=923343&u=2435818&m=51766&urllink=&afftrack=">Cricut</a> has a FabricGrip mat made specifically for fabric, I just used the <a href="https://cricut.com/en_us/stronggrip-machine-mat-12-x-12.html">StrongGrip</a> mat and it worked fine (although the felt stuck to it, so I'm not sure how many more projects I'll be able to use it for). To cut just one group of letters at a time (this would only be needed if you want to do rainbow colors), I hid the other groups as I cut (to the right in Design Space--click the eyes open or closed by each cut group). I set the machine settings one notch beyond the "Bonded Fabric" setting and just used the blade already in my machine. To my surprise, it all came out super easy and I did not need to use scissors or a knife to get any letters apart.</div>
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To finish, I lined up all of my letters in the center of the board using the hearts (<a href="https://design.cricut.com/landing/project-detail/5edd5fb3a422ea0da0fdb8d2">included in the design</a>) to off-set the groups with less or more letters. </div>
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If you are wanting to make an alphabet felt board of your own, but don't have a poster-sized frame, simply edit the design in Design Space to make the letters and hearts smaller. You can also use any felt board you already have or make a bulletin board out of felt directly on the wall.</div>
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I absolutely LOVE the way this project turned out and think it will make an amazing addition to any classroom, playroom, or home. If you make one of your own, I would love to see it! Tag me on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/missmskindergarten/">Instagram @missmskindergarten</a>.</div>
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Happy crafting!</div>
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Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6674870625783537169.post-72252311380844936652020-06-02T15:41:00.001-07:002020-06-02T15:41:53.658-07:00Kindergarten Summer Practice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzDFFh36RQo/XtbVYKGXnVI/AAAAAAAAAWY/brlnDzt8sWMQIs2opN1UFs_SlE1aFWV6QCK4BGAsYHg/SUMMER%2BACTIVITIES%2BPIN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1898" data-original-width="1265" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzDFFh36RQo/XtbVYKGXnVI/AAAAAAAAAWY/brlnDzt8sWMQIs2opN1UFs_SlE1aFWV6QCK4BGAsYHg/w266-h400/SUMMER%2BACTIVITIES%2BPIN.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As a teacher, the "summer slide" is always one of my fears. We work so hard for ten months out of the year to get our kindergarteners reading, writing, adding, and subtracting. And many times, our students do not keep up with their newfound skills over the summer. This makes for a backward "slide" in reading levels and academic abilities.</div><div><br /></div><div>And this year, I anticipate it being even worse. The "COVID slide" is five months of missed classroom instruction; much more than the typical two months of summer.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So to provide my students and their families with meaningful summer activities, I created my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Summer-Packet-for-Distance-Learning-3782201" target="_blank">Summer Kindergarten Handbook</a>. It includes 11 essential end-of-kindergarten skills to continue practicing during the summer. In the beginning of each section, I included a parent instruction page that explains the skill, why it is important, how to practice it, and extra tips to make learning fun. The skills included are: reading, finding just right books, sight words (Fry 101-200 words), writing sentences, digraphs, long vowels, reading CVC words, nonsense word fluency, addition fluency, subtraction fluency, and numbers to 120.</div><div><br /></div><div>I printed these books, bound them, and delivered them to my students in a fun "summer swag bag" filled with various other fun things like Play Doh, bubbles, and books.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And this year, I had a lot of students that were loving writing at home, so I also created some <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creative-Writing-Prompts-for-Distance-Learning-5620974" target="_blank">Creative Writing Prompts </a>to send home in addition to the handbook. I added this to my summer HyperDoc for parents to print and use as they wish, along with my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Reading-Log-for-Distance-Learning-5614721" target="_blank">FREE Summer Reading Log</a> for extra reading motivation.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Summer-Packet-for-Distance-Learning-3782201" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1356" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoD6cN3fqRE/XtbTXpjRl7I/AAAAAAAAAV8/CgmqbTLSnUkEHWrd3tlYgec45_URJVwLQCK4BGAsYHg/s320/First%2BGrade%2BCover.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Meredith Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777487757331321878noreply@blogger.com0