Sharks and Ocean Animals

Summer is quickly approaching and the heat is getting intense.  I am in a school without air conditioning and it can get incredibly hot in our rooms.  However, with fans in place (that work perfectly to blow the hot air around), we try our best to think cool thoughts. 

This year my kids are obsessed with sharks, so they work as a perfect motivator to keep cool and productive at the end of the year. Somehow I can pretend that reading and writing about the ocean, and the things in it, will keep us cool... as long as I don't pretend to actually be in the ocean with the sharks!!

Click on the pictures to find some fun and motivating activities to use with your students.  

          

          

          

          

End of the Year Bump - Freebie

We're getting closer... I can almost feel the sand in my toes.  Only 14 more days to go, not that I am counting.  

As a way for my students to review their addition skills, I have created these End of the Year Bump games. Chick on any picture to download them for free!! 

Caterpillars and Butterflies

Look what came this week!  Watching these little caterpillars grow and change into butterflies is one of my favorite first grade activities. The children are amazed at their growth and show so much enjoyment when the butterflies finally emerge from each chrysalis.  

Here are a few of the activities we 

have been working on.

These are just a few of the activities that can be found in my butterfly packet. Click on any picture below to check it out.  

     

 

I'll post some more pictures once our caterpillars get a little bigger!

TPT Sale!

It's time for a sale!  Head over to TPT to save up to 28% off of the resources in my store.  Don't forget to use the code celebrate at checkout.

Question of the Day

I started Question of the Day in my class last month and my students are loving it!  Each morning, my "Star Student" completes the question as his or her morning work.  The star will ask each student the question and graph the answer on the sheet.  

After the graph is complete, the student will then have to "interpret the data."  I have taught my students that they can find out many things by a graph.  The star will write one or two things about the graph he or she has completed and then present it to the class.  

Not only do my students practice their math skills, but they are also practicing their oral presentation skills as well.  It's a win, win!  Here are a few examples.

I have just posted my April - Question of the Day graphs.  Click on the link to check them out!

Rabbits and Snow?!

I never thought I'd be celebrating the beginning of Spring with a snow day!!  However, that's what we had yesterday.  My boys were beyond excited. Me... not so much.  I am done with the snow and cold. I am ready for Spring!

After a few minutes in that crazy, white stuff with my boys, I got to work and finished up my Rabbit packet. These rabbits were my happy, Spring reminder! Click the picture below to check it out.

You can also check out the bundle...

Ducks

Snow?!  I am going to completely ignore the idea of a big storm coming my way.  I am ready for Spring!  So despite the forecast, I am going to keep thinking happy, Spring thoughts.

Two things that always remind me of Spring are ducks and bunnies. This week we started reading fiction stories about ducks. We'll continue with non-fiction ducks and then jump right into bunnies.

Daisy is one of my favorite ducks to read about in class.  She is a lovable duck and a great character to write about.  Here are some examples of the character traits my students came up with to describe Daisy.

 

My students have also been working on using the story parts in their writing to retell a story.  Here are a few examples from other great Daisy books.  

You can check out my duck packet for more fiction and non-fiction duck activities.