Writing Folders are a gift. Seriously. When my kindergartners returned from winter break they had one final gift to open. It was their writing folders. By the time, they get their folders they are ready for them. We have practiced…
Word Cards! I've said it before and I'll say it again: if we take the fear out of writing, students will write forever. Part of what we need to do with early writers is teach them to enjoy writing. Taking…
Punctuation is important. It's important for clarity, understanding, and fluency. It effects voice and comprehension. It changes a situation with intonation and inflection. I was reminded of this when I was eating my favorite donuts. Donuts? The best…
4 Square is a perfect tool for teaching students to write sentences. Many years ago, we visited friends with a newborn. We had been warned the baby was fussy and the parents were tired. When we got there, we were…
Writing Center is a must. But, I also think a 4 Square Center, a First, Then, Last Center, Fab 5 Center and a Word Wall Word Center with Configuration Boxes. Writing Centers are the most important part of their independence.…
Silly Sally is one of my favorite stories for back to school. Not only is written by the Audrey Wood, but it's a simple book with lots of layers. Silly Sally is so silly, it speaks to kindergartners in a…
Said is dead. A simple phrase to encourage writing. So, here's the thing: I had a great family and a great childhood. Things that I thought were crises, we just teen angst with girlfriends and boyfriends and school dances. I…
In January I told you about my visit to Bristol and the Classroom Makeover Winner, Jessica Watts. It was such a fun day and she was as excited as her students to use their "new" classroom set-up. Jessica emailed me…
Sequencing is always a hard task with early students, but this mentor text can help. This is such a cute book. The text is deceivingly simple and so are the illustrations. BUT, the book can be as complex as you'd…
Check out this school-wide 100th day event. AND I'll give you a cheat to help with it. First and Second Grade We decided to have a 100th Day School-wide Idea. There is a bulletin board on either side of the…
Expectations are the key to student success. If you believe it, they will do it. It's time to up the game. BUT, that doesn't mean changing the game. You know I'm a "process/product center" girl. I believe in centers where…
Bessie Coleman is a woman to honor. She is noted as the First African-American Female Pilot, but she was so much more. She was also the First Native American Female Pilot, as her father was born of both races. Bessie…