Bossy R Song Video

We watched this video from the PBS show Electric Company a couple of months ago when I taught about r-controlled vowels.  My students were up and dancing along.




Here's a few other ones on r-controlled vowels: 
  

Storing and Organizing Math Manipulatives

Using and storing math manipulatives can be cumbersome and chaotic.  I wanted my students to have access to the math tools any time they needed them and to be able to choose the tools that they related to and used the best.  I used this storage unit from IKEA for my children and had the thought that it would make the perfect storage for math manipulatives.  Well, it is perfect.  You can get the unit on Amazon, here's the unit I have:
or if you're lucky enough to have an Ikea within driving distance, you can get it a little cheaper and buy directly. Bins in medium and large sizes are also available along with other variations of the shelf unit.  Students can access the tools easily and they can be put away right back where they belong.  Here are some labels you can print out for whatever storage solution you have or come up with.  I just printed them on regular paper and put them on the drawers with clear packing tape.  How do you store your math manipulatives?
 

Kohls Cares Books - Eric Carle and Contest

Do you know about Kohls Cares program?  Kohls offers various books along with matching plush characters for $5 each.  The net profits are donated to support children's health ad education initiatives.  The titles change periodically (not sure exactly how often).  Right now, they are offering 4 Eric Carle books: The Very Busy Spider, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?, Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too?, and 10 Little Rubber Ducks each with a matching plush character.  This would be a great way to add to your library and help out a good cause.  These are also fun for take home bags.  Send the book, character and a journal in a tote bag home with students.  Students read the book and journal either about they reflections after reading or about what they did with the character friend.

On another note, First Grade and Fabulous is having a SUPER giveaway contest.  You can win items from many different bloggers, including my making words pack.  Head on over there and enter before 10:00 pm Sunday, April 1st.

Adding 3 Numbers Freebie

Last weekend I finished a math pack all about adding 3 numbers.  Here's a little freebie from the pack for all of you!  The full pack is in an animal theme and includes 7 different activities to help students practice CCSS 1.OA.2 all about adding 3 whole numbers for sums within 20.  The pack includes: 3 worksheets, 22 problem solving mats with 4 of them blank for student creation, matching cards set, poke the answer cards, gameboards for "bump" or "cover-up", mini-book to go with literacy connection book, and a follow the path game.  If you're interested, you can find it in my store.  (It's also available at TN and TpT.)

Word Sort Printables

I do a combination of Words Their Way and my district adopted spelling program.  I use the adopted program for my at level spelling students and WTW for below and above spellers.  Here's a copy of the in class or center practice students do with their word sorts. 

Stock Photographs

Do you know about stock.xchng?  It's a great website full of stock photographs that are royalty free.  There are for sale photos as well.  Simply search the item you want and click on the photos.  On the right side of the page, you can click on usage options to see what you are allowed to do with the photo.  Most of them can be used for personal use.  My husband, a Jr. High Technology teacher, uses the sight all the time for his students' projects.  I used some of the images in my March Newsletter too.  So, take a look at stock.xchng and see if the photos can be helpful to you.

Listening Response Sheet

I spent a half hour this evening searching for a listening response sheet that I liked.  Then I realized that I could spend the same amount of time and do one myself.  We're working on character and plot to write our own fiction stories, so I wanted a response sheet that focused on that too.  Here's what I came up with.  Feel free to use it too and let me know what you think.

Listening Response Who, But, So.

March Newsletter The Dilly Dabbler

If you missed the March newsletter, The Dilly Dabbler, that went out on March 17, 2012 you can click here to view it.  There are some links to some great resources and freebies.  You'll notice that the promotions have expired.  If you want to get in on the exclusive promotions and be the first to view free products and know about upcoming blog posts, you'll want to be sure you're signed up for the newsletter.  You can sign up here.

Teaching Blog Traffic School

If you're reading this, you've got a head start on the best tool to boost your blog.  This offer will be released to the public tomorrow, but you are getting it a day early!  I started Teaching Blog Traffic School about 1 month ago and it has made a big difference.  Charity is launching a brand new set of updated videos and membership site which contains opportunities for networking and collaboration with other bloggers.  You can get more information and see other testimonials here.  For a limited time, only until April 8th, you can get your yearly membership for $49.  After that, the price will be raised. So, if you are a blogger or thinking about starting a blog, you need TBTS to get the best information and knowledge to get your blog jump-started!