Go Green!

Teach students Earth friendly concepts 
with...

Enjoy! 

{Click here}

Clipart by Scrappin Doodles .

Get Your Kagan On!!

Winter break officially ends tomorrow. Like me, I'm sure my students are bummed, but excited. I know their minds will be elsewhere…Seeing their friends; Is it time for recess; Hey, guess what I got for Christmas; I can't wait to play with my new…

I learned a long time ago to embrace the notion that the first day back from any break is not going to be jam-packed with curriculum. Let's just say that I've learned to incorporate these distractions into a framework. That's where Kagan Structures come into play. For the first part of our school day, students will interact with their peers and describe their holiday excitement using various Kagan Structures. Some of the structures I can adapt include: Jot Thoughts, Draw It!, A-Z Brainstorming, Four Corners, Body Graphs, or Puzzled People. 

Kagan Structures engage every student, and require every student to participate. What a great way to refocus the class on procedures, expectations, and teambuild. Just throw in topics like Winter Break, Santa, family, gifts, and toys…what else could you need on your first day back? {A couple Red Bulls, maybe!?! HA!!} 

Behavior & Teamwork

As teachers, we have received extensive training to understand student behavior. But, even with years of teaching experience and a bag full of tricks, student behavior can make or break a classroom environment.


So, what's the solution to this age-old problem? Don't try to tackle behavior on your own. Understanding behavior takes teamwork. Involve students' families in the process.  


Click on the pictures above for a handout that can be used to educate families. This handout addresses the following topics: Is Behavior a Sign? What are Typical Behaviors? What are Some Behavioral Signs? How to Steer Towards Positive Behavior. Plus, there is a "parent toolkit" with tips and resources.


Here are some additional resources to help communicate with students' families.


Looking for a weekly behavior report template…click here


Need a behavior report with more than one week on a page…click here 


Need a more detailed means to communicate behavior issues with parents…click here

First and Foremost

I am thankful for so many people and experiences that I've had in my life. But, there are 3 that stand out in the front of my mind. 

First and foremost, I am thankful for my family. Second, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a teacher. I love learning from my students everyday. Third, I appreciate the teacher blogging community and the creativity it offers. 

My first graders spell out Happy Birthday Mrs. Lochridge.

As a way to say thank you, here are some free Thanksgiving resource links.

The First Thanksgiving Readers Theater

The First Thanksgiving Video

Head on over to What the Teacher Wants to link up!!

Have a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday!

Writing Support from Home

Writing is typically one of the last academic pieces to fall into place for students. Writing involves both mental and physical skills. It also depends on such variables as encouragement, motivation, support, etc. Because of this complex process, parents frequently ask for ways to help their child become a more fluent writer. In response, I was moved to compile various ideas, strategies, and tips for helping students write at home. Encourage a writing support system in your own classroom. Get your copy here today! 

Check out these fabulous picture prompts 

from Rachelle @ What The Teacher Wants.

Help Wanted: Apply Within

Reading Comprehension Strategy Materials

Also after many requests, I am posting my Reading Comprehension Strategy Materials. This download offers a parent letter describing the importance of reading comprehension strategies, an overview page describing each strategy, and bookmarks that can be used for either home or school. Clipart by Scrappin Doodles and ThistleGirl Designs.

Word Attack Strategies, take 2

After many requests, I have customized my Word Attack Strategies Posters into a landscape format. And just because you all are so wonderful, I am including some Word Attack Strategies Materials. This download offers a parent letter describing the importance of word attack strategies, an overview page describing each strategy, and bookmarks that can be used for either home or school. Clipart by ThistleGirl Designs.

Making Students Feel Special

Lindsey, of The Teacher Wife fame, posted a great question on her blog yesterday. She asked, "How do you make your students feel special?" Since she is looping with her students to second grade, she needs some new ideas. So, scroll down to see how I celebrate my students. You can even download my materials. Then, head on over to Lindsey's blog to read more and even share your own ideas!

To celebrate my students, I have a Super Star Student of the week. A new student is chosen each Monday. When students walk into the classroom each Monday, they excitedly look to see who's been chosen. On their desk, they find a star cutout, a letter to their parents, and their Super Star questionnaire. It's so cute when they realize who was chosen and they congratulate that student, saying, "I knew it was going to be you! You are always so good." 

Parents send in 5-8 pictures of their child to post in the classroom. I have a picture board with elastic criss-crosses to hold the photos without stapling, taping, etc. I also put a title above my picture board, using my favorite angled letter tiles {of course}! Students love this display, especially when there are baby pictures. The Super Star can also choose to be line leader, sit at the teacher's desk, pick where they sit, or lead calendar for the week.

On Friday, we gather in a circle so the Super Star can show their pictures, share their Super Star questionnaire, and read their favorite story to the class. Afterwards, everyone goes back to their seat and writes to the Super Star. They describe the student, write nice thoughts about them, and then illustrate. The Super Star writes to the teacher. I compile all of the students' writing and place the Super Star questionnaire on the top. Next, I fold an 18x24 piece of construction paper in half to make a Super Star book. On the top of the book, there is a super star cutout, along with the student's name and date. That Friday, the Super Star gets to take home their own personal class book.

Click on the picture

to check out my materials.

Weather Graphs Freebie

I recently put together my Math Journal Pages download to help you create student math journals throughout the school year! Well, another aspect to my math block is weather observation and graphing. 

So, here's a download for you...

Get your very own set of monthly graphs to record rainy, windy, sunny, cloudy, stormy, and snowy weather. Keep that monthly data posted so students can compare and analyze the weather from month to month. You can also keep track of the weather for the entire school year. School year weather graphs help students recognize and discuss patterns throughout the year. I laminate these graphs and post them on my calendar bulletin board. Students also have a copy in their math journal so they can more actively record, collect, and analyze weather data. Clipart by ThistleGirl Designs. 

Behavior Report

When students misbehave, provide an opportunity for them to reflect on their behavior. This can be accomplished by having them fill out a stop and think form, or behavior report. 

1. The first portion allows for the student to pick a specific behavior that was problematic.

2.The second section asks the student to express how they feel about this situation.

3.Third, students think about what actions need to be present in order to make a good choice.

4.On the back of the report, there are three sections for a written response from the student, teacher, and parent.

5.This form also requests that parents sign to confirm receipt. Students are then required to bring this form back to school the next school day.

6.The teacher can place the report in the student's file and have an easily accessible record of behavior incidents. Clipart by ThistleGirl Designs.

Start of the Year Parent Forms

With so many things on your back to school to do list, you might find yourself wondering where to start. A great starting point is to prepare your parent forms. Here are some samples of my parent forms. Click on each image to download! Clipart by DJ Inkers and ThistleGirl Designs. 

Parent Welcome Letter

Student Information Form

Parent Helper Form

Classroom Procedures

Classroom Discipline Plan

Class T-Shirts

One of the yearly traditions at my school is creating class t-shirts! Each grade level has their own color. As as a school {K-5}, we work together to decide which colors we are going to choose {kinder: yellow, first grade: red, second grade: green, and so on...}. 

Then, each teacher has 
their own class t-shirt. T-shirts are made with students’ own artwork.  Each student creates a self-portrait, along with their classmates’. One lucky student can even draw the teacher!!  

These t-shirts are memorable keepsakes for years to come. Here's my collection so far. Most importantly, our class T-shirts are worn on spirit day, and on all field trips to easily recognize our students and their respective class. 

The company that creates these adorable self-portrait t-shirts is called Whitney Daniels Designs. They are based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Click on the image below for my teacher directions, teacher order form, a sample parent letter, and parent order form. Clipart by ThistleGirl Designs.

All About Me Bag

                                                                                               

                                                                                                                 

Songs That Teach

Hadar at Miss Kindergarten is hosting a Linky Party with the question: 

Do you sing songs in your classroom?

I've found that my students retain information and are more engaged when a concept is tied to a tune. I use songs to teach classroom management routines, math calendar concepts, and reading skills. Here's a download with some of the songs that I use to teach. Enjoy!! Make sure to check out and even join the Linky Party.

Also check out Heidi Butkis' recent post. She gives some wonderful highlights from the “I Teach K! National Kindergarten Conference” from my hometown of Las Vegas, Nevada!! One of the sessions she attended was with author Marilee Sprenger, Ed.D, concerning brain research and its applications in the classroom. Her article called “Wiring the Kindergarten Brain for Reading” discusses the correlation between young children’s physical activity and the increased ability to learn to read.

Just add a little dash of song to that physical activity and you’ve got a recipe for success! Who says we don’t have the best job in the world?