Fun Phonics Freebie!

So in full swing as a long term sub, although it doesn't really feel like it with the FOURTH potential snow day coming up!

Don't get me wrong, I love snow days just as much as the next person but 4 :(  I feel behind on curriculum and it is hard to make a schedule when you are only there 3 days a week!  Goodness!

Well nevertheless we have been doing some fun stuff lately.  The class plays phonics games on Wednesday and they LOVE THEM! If you read my previous post about phonics here - then you would know how new this is to me. I've never had this much time devoted every day...not that I'm complaining it feels like they are teaching me a thing or two sometimes - yes they are lil smarties!

One of the games they played was a beanbag toss where they had to make new words!  What a  hit it was!

I remade the game board so you can make one for yourself.  It is pretty simple just toss the beanbag and make a word with whatever it lands on.

You can easily customize it for your classroom with some blank labels as well! 

Hope you can use it - it certainly has worked wonders and keeps them engaged!

Click the pictures to download your FREE COPY!

Be on the lookout for Friday when I have my first Friday Feature blogger!

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Sight Word Charades

So we have to have so much exposure to sight and spelling words each week but I get tired of the normal routine hangman, writing words in sentences, pictures, etc....

 

 

the Pigpen code ....that one is super helpful but can't be used everyday-

 

 

 

 

 

today we played sight word charades.

 

 

We acted out clues or just said them (as some words you can't act)

 

It was something different and fun to bring the words to life. 
 

 

To bring in the actual spelling we held up dry erase boards to guess the word- it was a GREAT TWIST!

 

 

 

 

You can do this with:

 

*spelling words

*sight words

*phonics ( a certain spelling pattern words)

*fun game for review

 

 

 

 

 

Any new ideas I should incorporate for spelling time?  I'd love to hear!

 

Leave me a comment with your email and your suggestion!

 

I'll pick someone to win a copy of my new Pigpen code- end of year activity!

 

 

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Inspirational Monday

So Dana over at Fun in 1st Grade has a great linky every Monday about inspiring things teaching or otherwise.  Who couldn't use that on a Monday?!

I have a story for you:

The last day of my student teaching one of my students in my class came up to me (one I had a particularly hard time connecting with)  and said, "Ms. Haslag you are on your way to becoming an extraordinary teacher."  It made me tear up to hear that!  I knew I would miss him among many of my other students, we had become really close.  I think of that sometimes when I need some encouragement, sometimes hearing it from students makes it even more meaningful.

What inspires you?!

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Secret Code - Pigpen!

So last week, I was at a loss for what to do for our journal time.  It has to be something with our sight or spelling words and we already did sentences with our words the day before.  In first grade, it was tough for me to think of something they could do.

Well, I pulled out a trick, have no idea when I learned this but I give to you- Pigpen code!

  Instantaneous Engagement- I tell you!

Granted, all we did was use it to spell our words but giving students more exposure and practice with the words I think would help.  

Out of our words came my brilliant idea...since everyone was asking to do all assignments in code.....I thought we SHOULD incorporate this but in fun way.

I created this Pigpen unit so that you can introduce this secret code (aka AWESOME)  into your classroom.

It really works the problem solving skills and gives the students a chance to interact with words in a new way.

It even includes a Secret Mission using the Secret Code.....who cannot tell me being a spy/detective was one of their childhood dreams?!

and a Joke Book!  I don't know about you but this is like MAGIC I tell you for elementary students!

They love jokes!  They laugh, think they are hilarious and have fun...what's better than this?!

It would make a great end of year fun activity or to get more engagement with sight words, spelling words, or vocabulary.  Great to introduce for a Word Work or at least every once in awhile.  

Also, if you want a chance to win my Gummy Bear Inquiry Lab check out this awesome GIVEAWAY!

100+ products, that's insane! :)

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Must Have Website - FYFF

 

 

I'm so excited to FINALLY start these posts....I didn't know if I would have a guest blogger or not (if you want to sign up click "First Year Friday Form" at the top!!!! I would love it!)

 

 

Well the authors of this website contacted me about their FANTASTIC site.  I decided to check it out and was literally shocked. 

 

For me.....this was the JACKPOT!

 

Welcome to EDU Edge : Insider's Edge for Landing a Teaching Postion!!

 

 

 

 

We have all come across tons :( of interview questions and tips but this is written by adminstrators and principals...what a better place to get advice than from them?!

 

The blog part contains tips on stuff so relavant to me it's scary:

 

 

• To do/ do not list for student teacher
• should you approach principal for observation?
• What about accepting aide/assitant jobs?
• What can you do as a sub to get a job the following year?
• Process and Timeline for hiring
• Public vs. Private Schools

 

 

the list could go on and on....

 

 

Sadly, I may have already broken a few of the rules but after reading- they make so much sense!  Any teacher looking to apply again should check out their website!

 

 

You can even submit questions (which I did) to get specific answers.

 

 

What a fabulous resource for up and coming teachers as well as veterans written from people who want to help and share the information....making it a lot less scary, in my opinon. 

 

 

 

Are you reapplying or changing schools?  Would this information help you?

 

 

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1st Grade Here I come!

 

I started my first long term substitute position!!!!

 

She had the baby on Sunday and I took over on Tuesday.  I'm in a first grade classroom and I absolutely LOVE it!

 

The class is a lot smaller, which lets me work one on one with students!

 

The curriculum is a whole lot different but simplier in some ways, so it takes a little adjusting.  I have plenty of "We do it this way...." or "That's not what she does....."  but I know they are just trying to help!

 

 

I'm already off to a great start I believe and I have ideas for projects and fun things to incorporate but would love more theme stuff. 

 

I know we have Dr. Seuss and St. Patrick's Day coming up.....anything else???

 

Any fabulous resources I need???  Leave a link below so I can check them out.

 

 

 

 

-----------------------GUEST BLOGGERS WANTED--------------------

 

 

 

 

 



I would LOVE to have some guest blogger featured on my blog to offer advice to new and aspiring teachers, sadly I have had no one fill out the form yet (although it was just put up a week ago)

Click the tab "First Year Friday FORM" at the top to get your post on!

 

Fill it out if you are interested!  I would love to get this started soon!  I know there are some amazing teachers that would have great advice to share- remember it doesn't matter what grade/subject.

 

 

What are you waiting for????

 

 

 

 

 

Snow expected tomorrow....potential first snow day here....sleeping with pajamas inside out!

 

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First Year Friday Feature!

Want to help New Teachers??

Ok, I know it is not Friday but I have a new Feature that I'm needing some help with!

I'm looking for teachers to offer advice/help for first year/new teachers.  This posts will be on Friday and are open to anyone!  All the details are available if you click above on "First Year Friday FORM!"

I would love all the help guest posting with this!  If you do fill out the form I will email you when your post is set to air.

Thanks for all your help in advance.

Last Tab at the top of the screen on the right!

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This is my Playground!

So yesterday....Big day for me!

I presented in good ol' St. Louis at the Midwest Educational Technology Conference!  I was nervous before but it felt great to share and talk with others afterward about how they would use the new information in their classroom.

My best tip if you ever have to present is get to know the room before.  I kind of went around and talked to people in the room before we started to break the ice and know who I would be speaking to.  It helped me ease the tension and get to know them a little more. 

Let me tell you it was one COOL place to be!  What conference do you go to where you get to tweet people at the conference and the conference even tweets you back!  Talk about building a PLN!


Just being the in the building you could tell it was pretty different from a normal conference.  So much was going on.   Learning about so much new technology and what teachers can do with it in the classroom was truly empowering!  So excited that I will get to do that soon.


Like I said to the people I spoke to, "this is my playground." So cool to play with all this new technology and get to use it in the classroom!

Take a look at the Prezi below which is what my professor and I spoke on. It focused my blog-folio as a form of assessment.  We also talked about how to make blogs in the classroom more reflective to get students thinking about their thinking and different sites to host on.

It really reaffirmed (I'm saying that a lot lately..is that a good thing?)  that this is definitely a field I want to be a part of!  

What is your best tip for presenting? 

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Tech Tuesday - Into the Book

Today I wanted to let you in on an Awesome resource that will definitely help you with reading!!!..

Well comprehension strategies anyway!

I've seen this used in multiple classrooms and its on my list of go-to sites for reading!!

Those can be difficult even with modeling, and practice so this resource can really be a great interactive tool to take it to the next level.  

Have you ever heard of Into the Book?!

You can pick from a whole menu of Reading Comprehension Strategies: 

- Visualizing

- Summarizing 

- Synthesizing

- Making Connections

- Prior Knowledge

- Inferring

- Evaluating

- Questioning 

These are tough sometimes to get the point across and need multiple lessons in a variety of formats so Into the Book is perfect.  

It can be used to introduce the strategy with an explanation!

I also provides in depth interactive examples!  For example, like the inferring picture above, you use the magnifying glass to highlight clues and then you have options of what you can infer and then you put the inferences together!

It is pretty cool and great for all ages or for review!

Did I mention it is free too? Doesn't get much better than that! 

To get to all the practice and explanations go to the student area and for more info go to the "Teacher Area."  

Love it- go check it out! 

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May I cross your ship, Potato Chip?

A day in the life of a sub.........first time in PE today!  Whole different ballgame let me tell you! First time I've had to get the principal too but lets not go there :(

Without plans, I sure was glad that I knew some games from camp and we had to be outside because they were setting up stuff in the gym all day.....needless to say I'm frozen like a popsicle!

If you are ever in this situation and are like me (afraid of balls going under cars, all the way down a hill, just far away in general) here's a game to play!  I'm keeping this as my PE lifesaver since my regular class games really don't work in this situation

Captain O' Captain

2 captains are picked

Everyone lines up on one side of the gym.  Everyone says, "Captain O Captain, may we cross your ship, potato chip?"   (That's what it is...don't ask me why)

Captains say "Only if you're wearing (insert color, characteristic, item of clothing, etc...) 

Those students walk across.

Teachers says GO and everyone tries to run across without getting tagged.  

If you are tagged, you remain seaweed and can wiggle your arms to tag others on the next round.

The last 2 standing are the new captains!

This worked great for about 1st grade and up - even older kids really like it.  I know that "tagging" can be troublesome but with CLEAR expectations set up ahead of time it works great!

Other options for people too scared lazy to get out equipment: 

• Line tag/ Pacman
• Freeze Tag
• Relay Races
• Simon Says
• Follow the Leader 

Any others I should add?????

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Teacher Tech Tip! - Transparent Background!

It is not often that I give a tech tip....not that I don't use it all the time, but there are some great websites that have it already all laid out for you.  

Well I use this tip ALL THE TIME!  I love using clipart especially from mycutegraphics.com but sometimes there is a white background that comes with the clipart.  Usually that doesn't fit with my color scheme.  No problem-o!

CHECK OUT THIS SUPER EASY FIX!

graphics by: mycutegraphics.com

Well this may or may not give you a clue to something I have coming up on my blog..stay tuned.  Let me know if you want to be featured as well- advice for first year teachers (any grade/subject welcome) and I'll send you the details!

Hope this helps you out!!

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Phonics Confusion

Holy Whirlwind of confusion Batman!

You would have thought I was in 2 different continents these last couple days. 

I know there are a couple different camps on phonics - meaning some view them as essential and some view them as part of another the curriculum.

Monday- Spelling time with no connection between words aka no spelling patterns and only 1/2 hour of time   (if that) spent on words.

Fast forward to Tuesday: 

1 1/2  hours spent on phonics!! I have never seen this much time spent on phonics - EVER! Granted this was a younger grade and a different district but that is a drastic amount of curriculum time!

Honestly,  after observing, I see how much it can really build the foundation if done correctly! It can really help emphasize and enhance spelling curriculum.  Working with ESL students the past year has really emphasized this fact as well- it can be extremely beneficial for those students!

Pairing a picture with a sound is a great way to help!

I think depending on how it is viewed in your district you may get special time devoted to phonics or those concepts get incorporated into centers, stations, or rotations of spelling or reading.

Do you incorporate phonics at all?  

Is it worked into other subjects if not given its own time?  What is your view?

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Currently and the Super Sale!

February and Currently already?!  When did this happen seriously?!

I'm linking up with Farley for the February Currently!

Mine is pretty straightforward.  I got to spend an incredibly relaxing weekend with the fiance and need to get started back to work on graduate school stuff :(  I am loving my classes so it isn't too bad!
It has been freezing and I am wanting some new skirts for spring anyone got any recommendations of places to look?  

My ultimate pet peeve:  
Well I'm a nerd, so when people wait till the last minute to do something....oh say for- maybe- group work.....or something like that then it makes me a little ticked.
Or they wait till the last minute to do something before leaving the house, which in turn would make them late.

Ahhhh...I do not like being late!

Enough ranting-  check out the big sale TODAY!


I just finished by Kindergarten CCSS Quick Checks- check them out!  Along with my others that are on sale today!! 

       

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