How to Catch Santa

So, how do you catch Santa? 

     I had a lot of fun reading the book How to Catch Santa to my son's kindergarten class. It's written by Jean Reagan. I thought I would share the lesson in case you want to use it.  

 I started off by having a Christmas bag filled with goodies.  In the bag was a picture of a period and a question mark. I also had a gift box, a small Santa, and some garland.  As a preview to the book, I pulled items out of my bag one at a time.  I first told them we were going to read a book about how to catch Santa, and that's when I pulled Santa out of the bag.  He got to sit by me while I read.  I then pulled the picture of the period out and we reviewed what it was and where it goes in a sentence. I explained that while I was reading, they needed to think about something they would like to tell Santa. I pulled the question mark out and we discussed when and where we use a question mark.  I told them they would be coming up with a question they would like to ask Santa.  A gift box came out next and we talked about how Santa gives us gifts, but what if we gave him a gift, what might we like to give him?  Last, I pulled out my garland and we discussed the name of the book being How to Catch Santa, and would garland work to catch him? By this time, they were eager to hear the story.

The story covers all of those topics above.  It focuses on being prepared if you do catch Santa.  Being prepared means you aren't going to have much time once you catch him, so you need to know one question to ask him, one thing to tell him, a gift you would give him, and of course you need to know what your plan is to catch him.  It's a fun story that sparks the kids' imagination. If you choose to do this activity with your class, here is a follow up activity where students can write down their answers to the topics mentioned above.  You can get the activity by clicking the link below.

How to Catch Santa Activity-Click HERE

Merit Pay for Teachers

 Merit Pay for Teachers: An In-Depth Look

Few topics regarding education reform spark as much debate as merit pay for teachers. Merit pay, or performance pay, is a compensation system where teachers' salaries are based on their job performance, typically measured by student achievement and standardized test scores. But is this system genuinely beneficial for our educators and students, or does it come with significant drawbacks? Let's delve into the pros and cons of merit pay for teachers.

What is Merit Pay?

Merit pay is a system where teachers receive financial bonuses or salary increases based on performance. The idea is to reward those who excel in their teaching duties, thereby incentivizing high-quality education. Performance metrics can include student test scores, classroom observations, and other measures of student progress.

Pros of Merit Pay

1. Encourages Excellence: By tying pay to performance, teachers may feel more motivated to improve their teaching methods and invest in their students' success.
2. Attracts Top Talent: Competitive pay based on performance can attract highly qualified professionals to the teaching field, raising the overall quality of education.
3. Rewards Hard Work: Teachers who go above and beyond, dedicating extra time and effort, receive recognition and financial rewards for their commitment.
4. Focuses on Results: Emphasizing student outcomes can lead to innovative teaching strategies and a stronger focus on effective educational practices.

Cons of Merit Pay

1. Measurement Challenges: Determining a teacher's merit can be complex. Student performance is influenced by numerous factors beyond the teacher's control, such as socio-economic status, home environment, and previous educational experiences.
2. Unfair Pressure: Merit pay can place undue pressure on teachers to "teach to the test," potentially narrowing the curriculum and stifling creativity in the classroom.
3. Morale Issues: Teachers working with disadvantaged or high-need students might feel penalized despite their hard work and dedication. This situation can result in decreased morale and high rates of employee turnover.
4. Collaborative Barriers: Education thrives on collaboration, but merit pay can foster competition rather than cooperation among teachers, harming a school's culture.

An Analogy to Understand Merit Pay

Imagine a gardener in a community park. The gardener's pay is determined by how well the plants and flowers bloom. If the weather is favorable, with plenty of sunshine and rain, the plants flourish, and the gardener receives high praise and a good salary. However, if there is a drought, poor soil, or an infestation of pests, no matter how skilled and dedicated the gardener is, the plants won't thrive as well. Similarly, teachers work with students whose "growth" can be significantly affected by external factors beyond the teacher's control, such as their home environment and socio-economic status. Just like the gardener, a teacher's "garden" (student performance) can vary greatly based on these external conditions.

Balancing Merit and Circumstances

The complexities of tying teacher pay to student performance are significant. Teachers often work with students facing substantial challenges, from poverty and homelessness to lack of parental support. These circumstances, which are beyond the teacher's control, are crucial to a student's academic performance.

A merit pay system must account for these variables to be fair. One way to address this is through a value-added model, which measures a student's progress rather than just their achievement. However, this approach has limitations and needs to capture the nuances of teaching and learning fully.

Conclusion

Merit pay for teachers is a contentious issue with valid arguments on both sides. While it aims to reward excellence and improve educational outcomes, it also poses significant challenges in fair implementation. As we consider reforms to our education system, it's crucial to recognize and address the diverse circumstances that impact teaching and learning.

Creating a balanced approach that acknowledges both the merits and limitations of teachers, as well as the circumstances of their students, is key to fostering a fair and effective merit pay system. Only then can we truly value our educators and support them in their mission to educate and inspire the next generation.

St. Patrick's Day for Kindergarten

St. Patrick's Day Tracing & Coloring

Fun and Easy St. Patrick's Day Activity for Primary Grades

Recognizing St. Patrick's Day in school is a delightful way to introduce students to Irish culture and traditions while making learning enjoyable. Engaging activities like art projects, themed stories, and festive decorations create a vibrant and exciting classroom environment. This holiday offers a unique opportunity to blend creativity with education, as students participate in fun and interactive lessons that enhance their understanding and appreciation of different cultures. Celebrating St. Patrick's Day fosters a sense of community and inclusiveness, making it a memorable and enriching experience for everyone involved.

Looking for a fun and easy St. Patrick's Day activity? Here are two I made for primary grades. One is a basic St. Patrick's themed trace and color activity, and the other focuses on the when, why, and how of the holiday; when is St. Patrick's Day celebrated, why is it celebrated, and how is it celebrated. These have many uses, such as a center activity, a whole group activity as a follow-up to a read-aloud, or use them however you would like.

St. Patrick's Day When, Why, and How Activity - HERE

St. Patrick's Day Trace and Color Activity - HERE

Hope you have a lucky day! :-)

Motivational Poem About People

What kind of people are you?

People come in all kinds, each with their unique way of interacting with the world. Some people lift you up, making you feel unstoppable, while others seem intent on bringing you down. There are those who always remember to say thank you, showing appreciation in every small thing, while others focus only on faults. Some people admire your dedication, recognizing the hard work you put in, while others are too self-centered to notice. The long hours required to achieve something meaningful are understood by some, whereas others never take a moment to reflect on such efforts. Learning from defeat is a hallmark of resilient individuals, while others are solely focused on winning at all costs.

Joyful words from some can brighten your day, contrasting with those who deliver hurtful comments. A heart of gold shines in some people, unlike those who glare with envy. Faithfulness is a virtue held dearly by some, remaining loyal and steadfast, while others struggle with trust. Encouragement from some people cheers you on, yet others prefer to criticize behind your back. Recognizing the effort behind success is a mark of insight, missing in those who remain oblivious.

Celebrating hard work is common among those who value effort, but some people are quick to condemn. Love and passion are deeply appreciated by some, while others fail to grasp these emotions. The ability to be motivated by defeat contrasts sharply with those who sulk in their losses. Support for your labor is given by some, while others belittle your efforts. Deep thinkers ponder long and hard, while the impulsive react without much thought.

Gratitude is a constant trait for some, making them appreciative, unlike those who are never satisfied. Good friendships are nurtured by some, while others struggle to keep them. Optimism radiates from some people, spreading positivity, while others dwell in negativity. Spiritual fulfillment is a journey for some, leaving others always wondering what's missing. So, ask yourself, which 'people' are you?

Poem about  People

Decorating Valentine Bags

Valentine Bag Idea

Today I had fun decorating a Valentine bag with my four year old son. It was actually an assigned activity for his preschool class.  Things like this become huge projects with a preschooler! In addition to the bag, we put together some Valentine cards with heart shaped ring suckers. I made him write his own name on all of the 15 cards, which he didn't like.  I got a lot of the, "My hand is soooo tired!"   LOL.... I even let him do 4-5 at a time with a pretty long break,  but I still got a few complaints.  He did have fun decorating the bag though.  We used  a white gift bag and painted it with colored glitter paint.  He then added some sparkly glitter dragons to the front and back.  I cut out some felt heart stickers that he also added to the front and back, and then he put all kinds of other Valentine themed stickers on the sides.  He added his name to the top.  Yeah, I know the 'h' is lower case, but oh well.... there wasn't a capital one in the pack. :-)

Fun Book Report Idea for Valentines

If you are looking for a Valentine bag idea for upper elementary, I made this fun bag activity, and it can be found in my TpT store.  It lets students share a little about themselves, and it also has a book report sheet the kids fill out and glue to the back.  They get to share about a book they LOVE.  After they bring it to school and present to the class, they get to fill it with all of the Valentine cards their friends brought them.  Even big kids love Valentine's Day activities.  It's one of my favorite days of the school year. :-)

Find the Printable activity in my TpT store.

 Valentine's Day Bag Activity HERE 

21 Sayings Elementary Teachers Can Relate To

21 Things Teachers Say

Being an elementary teacher comes with a unique set of challenges and humorous moments. Here are 21 sayings that every elementary teacher can relate to:

Things Teachers Say:

1. WHY am I here late on a Friday.... AGAIN!!
2. I can't believe I am dragging all of this crap home, I'm sure it won't even leave my trunk!!
3. It's Sunday night..... do I have to get up and go to work tomorrow?
4. Awww. Good morning. Thank you sweetie for the (half-eaten) breakfast treat.
5. Planning time... what planning time???? Oh, you mean meeting time!
6. Quiet in the halls...stay in a line... right side.
7. Who on Earth locks the stall from the inside and crawls under!!!
8. This is the fifth time we have done this!! What do you mean you have never heard it?
9. Is there an acronym we don't have?
10. I cannot believe I just sat down and in walks my admin.
11. Really... how many times does a pencil need sharpening?
12. You found WHAT in your desk?
13. And why am I writing these standards on my board?
14. Hey... it's quiet reading time! Hey... it's QUIET reading time.
15. Have they never seen snow before?
16. Make sure you bubble in the circle. #2 pencil only.
17. Please don't pour your milk in your corn, and STOP stabbing your apple. Does your mother let you do that?
18. Hey... get down from the monkey bars like that!
19. Pencil shavings are the death of me!
20. Quiet, it's bus call! Thank you, Jesus!
21. I sure love my job!

These sayings encapsulate the day-to-day experiences, frustrations, and joys of elementary teaching. Teachers often juggle a myriad of tasks, from handling classroom management to understanding each student's unique needs. Through all the chaos, one thing remains constant – their love for teaching and their students.

For more fun and relatable teacher content, visit Classroom Confections.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Activity for Kindergarten

Let's Learn about MLK
I Have a Dream Activity

If you are looking for a basic Martin Luther King, Jr. activity for your kindergarten kiddos, then this "Trace, Color, and Write" activity might be perfect. It has some basic facts about Martin Luther King, Jr. for kids to read and trace, an MLK image for kids to trace around, and printed lines for them to share their own dream for the world. 
It would make a great literacy center activity or even use it for morning work.  It would also work as a follow-up activity after you read a book on Martin Luther King, Jr.  Use it in your classroom however you would like, and please do pin the image below.   Click the link below to download. Enjoy!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Activity

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Goal Setting for Teachers

How can you set goals as a teacher?

If you are anything like me, then you set goals for yourself. When it comes to my goals, I tend to set lofty ones, and I often set too many. I end up being hard on myself when I don’t meet them, and I am sometimes left feeling defeated, almost like I haven’t accomplished much at all. This can apply to goals in teaching, fitness, family, and more. Sometimes with my goal setting, I aim high, usually looking too far into the future, which can be a real problem. It can cause me to skip over the present, making me lose sight of all the “baby-step goals” that I need to accomplish in order to meet the ultimate long-term goal.

Think of baby-step goals as the step-by-step plan for reaching the “big-picture goal.” My big-picture goal may be to lose 20 pounds, but my baby-step goal for today might be to walk for 30 minutes. Another big-picture goal could be to have all students in my class reading on grade level by the end of the year, while today’s baby-step goal might be to implement a strategy to help Johnny learn the basic sight words he has been struggling with.

When I think of goal setting in education, I can't help but consider the lofty long-term goals and the stress they cause teachers. Reflecting on my goals as a teacher, I recall all the grand goals set over the years. Often, someone else set those lofty goals for me, which is why I always felt so stressed. It was up to me to figure out how to meet those goals.

Having baby-step goals can give you a sense of accomplishment, especially as a teacher. Teaching can be overwhelming and stressful, and many days we leave feeling like we worked hard but barely made any progress toward the big-picture goal. The problem is, you can't see and appreciate the present because you are so focused on the future. Sometimes, we need to "stop and smell the roses."

And that's where sticky notes come in.

It's a bright idea that helps me focus on the present.

Each week, when you are making your lesson plans, take a minute to think of one "baby-step goal" for that day. For example, on Monday, maybe you want to make sure you meet with your low readers for 30 minutes. You can write the goal on a sticky note and place it with the plans for that day. On Tuesday, you might set a baby-step goal to pull five kids in math to review multiplication.

Remember that those baby-step goals are both factors in helping you meet the "big-picture" goals. For instance, pulling low readers is a baby-step goal that will help you reach the big-picture goal of having all kids on grade level by the end of the year. Similarly, reviewing multiplication with five kids helps work toward the goal of getting 100% of your students on grade level.

Once you accomplish your daily baby-step goal, you can throw the sticky note away, leave it in place in your plans, or keep a journal of all your accomplishments. By the end of the week, you will have met five goals. By the end of the month, you will have met around 25 goals. By the end of the year, you will have met 180 goals. That's a lot of sticky notes to reflect on! It's something to be proud of.

Why just one goal a day? I know I can do more than that.

You are not just accomplishing one thing each day. You might accomplish ten things or more. That's great! The idea behind this sticky note goal-setting plan is to start each day with one goal, one thing you want to make sure you accomplish, and then walk out each day having met that goal. It's a way for you to feel accomplished and leave work each day knowing that you achieved what you set out to do. That's a good feeling!

So, what are you waiting for? Take a look at your lesson plans, grab some sticky notes, and start setting a daily goal.

And here's something else wonderful about this goal-setting activity. If you get to the end of the year and don't have 100% of your kids on grade level (after all, you knew they set an unrealistic goal for you to begin with), you will still see 180 goals you did accomplish. Don't feel defeated. Feel proud!

Sticky notes for goal setting? Yep! It's so easy and worthwhile.

OH! And here is something else wonderful about this little goal-setting activity. If you get to the end of the year and you don't have 100% of your kids on grade level (after all, you knew they set an unrealistic goal for you to begin with), you will still see 180 goals you did accomplish. Don't feel defeated. Feel proud!

Thank you for visiting my TpT store for great lesson ideas.

Elementary Lesson Plans TpT Store

Brain Breaks Video

Fun Brain Breaks Activity

Brain breaks are essential for kids because they help improve focus, reduce stress, and boost overall productivity. Short, regular breaks allow students to refresh their minds, preventing mental fatigue and promoting better concentration when they return to learning tasks. These breaks also provide an opportunity for physical movement, which can enhance cognitive function and emotional well-being. By incorporating brain breaks into their daily routine, kids can maintain higher levels of engagement and enthusiasm for learning, leading to a more effective and enjoyable educational experience.

Do you have fidgeting kids? Do you need to take a moment to let them get their wiggles out? Maybe it's time for a brain break!

Sometimes, if you just allow students a few minutes to get their energy out with a "brain break," they will become better listeners and learners once you start the lesson back up. I created a little video that takes no preparation. Just click play and let your kids have a few minutes to move their body. Brain breaks are a great way to improve the mood of you and your students. After all, it can be quite entertaining to see kids move and groove, bend and reach, and skip in place. There is also lots of humor to be found when the teacher joins in. But, the best part is they can get a little break and then get back to the lesson. There are two options for watching the video. You can watch it right here via YouTube, or you can download it from my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

Brain Breaks Video

If you would prefer to download it from my store, just click this link: Brain Breaks

Classroom Library Poster

I can't believe it's already FALL! 
Actually, I didn't even know yesterday was the first day of Fall until my 4 year old informed me.  That's right!  My preschooler.It went something like this... 
I was sitting out in the back yard while my little guy was playing in his sand box.  Keep in mind the temp was the high 80's here in Georgia. He looks over at the fire pit and asks, "Can we build a fire?"  I was like, "Are you kidding, it's hot out here!"  Of course he asked again... and again!  You know how that goes.  My next comment was, "We need to wait til Fall!"  His eyes got wide as he said, "It is FALL!!"  Oh my.... I mean, I knew Fall was nearing, but I didn't know it was already here. :-)  I was like, "How do you know that?" His response, "We put it on our calendar at school today." My first thought was, "Crap!  We can NOT build a fire!!  (haha).  My second thought was, "YES! He is a good listener at school!"  He always keeps me on my toes.
In case you are wondering...no fire! I know... bad mommy!  We  ended up having a good conversation about the temperature and how it really was not a good time to build a fire, and he was okay with that. Soon though!! He is an understanding little guy.
But, it is Fall Y'all.... so, with that in mind, I hope you can use this fun little fall reading poster I made. Perfect for your classroom library. Just click the link below.  Just trim it down, pop it in a frame, and place it in your reading center.  If you have a bookshelf in your classroom library, place it right on top. Or, don't use a frame at all.  Just laminate and hang. Your kids will love it, and it just might inspire them. Enjoy!
Classroom Library FALL READING POSTER - click here

Thank you for visiting my blog.  For fun and creative lesson ideas, please visit my store by clicking the link below.
Click HERE for Elementary Lesson Plans 

Ice Breaker Activities for the First Day of School

Ice Breaker for Back to School

Ice breaker activities can help make your students feel more comfortable. If you are like me, you know the feeling of uneasiness that comes along with walking into a room full of people you don't know.  I ran into that at the recent Teachers Pay Teachers Conference in Vegas. It was  800 people I had never met, and although I warmed up to everyone, it took some mingling to help make that happen.

Mingling is a great way for your students to get to know each other on the first day of school.  I have used lots of different ice breaker activities over the years, one of which is the 'get to know your classmates scavenger hunt'.  It's a fun activity, but many of the kids have done it before.  In an effort to change it up a little, I came up with my version, which is called Bubble Gum Buddies.  It's the same concept, but it's bubble gum themed and the kids get to chew gum while they walk around. I also included a version without gum chewing just in case anyone was forbidden to have gum in the classroom. Bummer if that is the case! Keep in mind that it's only about 25 minutes of gum chewing and bubble blowing, so it's not too big of a deal. Have your camera ready because it is going to make for some cute pictures.

Get this fun Ice Breaker Activity by clicking HERE

You can also find the ice breaker activity in my back-to-school bundled activity pack for upper elementary. It has 15 activities to choose from at a reduced price.

Click HERE for the Back to School Pack

Guest Blog Post for Laura Candler's Corkboard Connections

Calling all Laura Candler fans!! If you are like me, you have been a fan of hers for years. With that said, I am sure you can imagine how honored I was to write a guest blog post for her Corkboard Connections blog. The post is now live and ready for you to enjoy. It's a positively fun post with tips on how to  bring smiles to your classroom.  You can check it out by clicking the link below. There is a freebie  download included in the post. 
 After reading it, take a moment to look around her blog and Teaching Resources website where you will find many other great teaching ideas. She has lots of  printable resources, some of which are free. Enjoy!
Guest Post:  5 Ways to Make Your Students Smile

If you are interested in having me guest post on your blog, I am always open for the invitation. Just send me an email using the link on the sidebar and we can discuss the details.  

Teacher Burnout

Although I have been in the classroom for  nearly twenty years, it has been the last ten years or so where teacher burnout has become so prevalent.  It's a sad reality that great teachers all over the country are leaving teaching, or even the field of education, to never return.  We all see the open letters floating around the Internet from teachers exiting the classroom.  It's their way of saying why they simply can't do it any longer.  
The start to a new school year is a great time to give yourself a little reminder that teachers are not Superheroes.  Even though we are pushed into Superhero expectations, we are not.  So, take a breather, enjoy my little video, and start your new year knowing that you are not alone when you feel overwhelmed.  Remember to take a moment for yourself when you need it.  
Also, you might find this little list of back-to-school teacher tips helpful.  It's from a former post and can be found here: Back to School Teacher Tips Teacher Superhero
Feel free to share a link to this post.  Thank you. 

Creating Colorful Writing

Colorful Writing Idea

This is a fun activity to do at the start of the year with your kids.  It will get them thinking about the importance of writing using colorful words.  

Take a moment to check out these other bright ideas.  There are over 130 teachers participating.

Boxes Become Bookmarks

I am so glad to be participating in the Bright Ideas Hop/Link Up again this month.  Right at 150 teacher bloggers have joined up to share bright ideas that you can take back to the classroom.  Enjoy!
I thought with Earth Day right around the corner, I would share an idea that goes along with that topic; reusing items, or giving items a new purpose.  How cool are these re-purposed box bookmarks pictured below!  All you have to do is take any colorful cardboard box, such as popular cereal boxes, Little Debbie boxes, Pop Tart boxes.... use whatever durable box you want that you think will grab students' attention. Then cut the box into bookmark sized pieces.  Use your hole punch to punch a hole in the top.  Run some yarn, ribbon, or cross-stitch thread through the top to make a tassel, and there you go.....  a box becomes a bookmark!! 

To celebrate Earth Day, why not have your students bring in the front and back of their favorite cereal box or other treat box. By doing that,  the parents will have already helped with the time consuming cutting part of trimming off the excess cardboard. You can then take the flat pieces to your paper cutter and trim the large box pieces into bookmark sized pieces.  How easy!  When you are finished, you will have hundreds of the cutest bookmarks that kids will enjoy using. 

Free Printable 'EGG'stra Special Tag for Treats

Sending some sunshine with an "EGG"stra special treat......Spring time is a great time to let someone know you are thinking about them.  Maybe you want to  let your students know you are thinking about them. Maybe you have a co-worker that needs a 'pick me up' treat. Maybe you want to let your child's teacher know you appreciate him/her.  Whatever the situation is, this original artwork (yes, I created every little part of this tag... even the swirls on the eggs.... just a little doodle, but it turned out cute) gift tag is sure to pep up a friend's  day when you attach it to some chocolate eggs. Rarely can you go wrong with chocolate!! This printable "EGG"stra special tag is a freebie gift from me and it can be printed out by clicking the link below. They print 4 to a sheet.  Enjoy! 
Click HERE to print "EGG"stra Special Tags

Thank you for helping to spread the word about Classroom Confections.

Expanded Form Activity

Fun Expanded Form Activity

Expanded form, also known as expanded notation, is one way students need to be able understand and write numbers.  The other forms being standard form and word form. When teaching place value, students must be able to see and understand the value of each individual digit in a number, which of course would be expanded form.  For some kids, this concept can be a bit difficult to fully understand.

A few years back, I picked up a student calculator ... you know, the ones that we all have sets of,  but they get stashed in the back of the closet or workroom because we often times don't see them as a tool for helping kids understand. Trust me, I have seen many dusty calculators :-)    I think mine is designed for the 3-5 classroom. It looks like this:

Anyway, when I picked it up and I started punching in some numbers to add, it dawned on me that it was bumping the addition problem to the top of the screen, basically showing the values I was keying in.  I had this 'ah-ha' moment that this would be a great tool to use to help kids see the values of digits when working with expanded form.  At the time, I actually had a small group struggling with expanded form, so I tried it out with that group the next day.  

The first thing I did was give them an addition problem (basically just an expanded form problem), such as 5,000+600+50+9, but I didn't tell them what it equaled.  I had them write the problem out horizontally and vertically, so they could see that it was basically just an addition problem like they were accustomed to adding.  I then had them key the addition problem into the calculator, and they could see their problem across the top of the screen as they entered each number, which was pretty much seeing the expanded form or values of the digits in the numbers.  I then had them hit the equal button to get the standard form of the number.   Once they had the answer, or standard form, of the number, we looked at the number on their calculator screen, which of course was 5,659.  We compared it to the addition problem on their paper and discussed that what they had done was given each digit in the number a value and that is what they added up to find the total value of the number.  We continued this process several times to gain understanding.  

Then I transitioned to giving them the standard form number first, such as saying," If I gave you the number 9,876, what values would you give each number (starting with the 9) that you could then key into the calculator as an addition problem that would get you an answer of 9,876?"  They would then start by saying, "Well, I think we would enter 9,000 for the 9." So, I would tell them to hit a 9,000 and then the plus sign.  Then they would say, "Next I think we would add 800 for the value of the 8." They would key that in.  Remember, all along the addition problem they are typing will be popping up at the top of their calculator screen.  ...... They would continue with the process until they key in all of the values.  At the end, when they hit the equals sign, it's like magic to them because if they did it right, they will end up with the number I told them to start with.  Sometimes they will give me a little , "YEAH!" when it is right.... they came up with that part on their own. (Don't you just love it when they do that!)

By the way, the calculator on my computer will represent expanded form too.  I used it to type some pictures out to show you the process used in the problem mentioned above. 

Click on the image to enlarge. .... not on the 'p' that will pop up. :-)

For the last few years I have incorporated this expanded form activity into my teachings of expanded form and place value.  The kids LOVE using the calculators!  I hope you will have fun trying out this bright idea in your classroom.

Free Printable St. Patrick's Day Subway Art

Valentine's Day has come and gone, and now it's time to add a hint of green instead of red.  Rainbows and gold.... that sounds like happiness to me!  :-)  I made this cute St. Patrick's Day subway art, placed it in a black frame and Voila!... It turned out so cute!  Feel free to print yourself out one, as I am offering it for free.  Simply place it in an 8.5x11 frame and it will look so cute and colorful on your desk in your classroom or on display in your home.  Mine is actually on a table in a hallway off  my den.  Enjoy!   Just click the link below to print. FREE Subway Art for St. Patrick's Day
Check out my teacher themed subway art here.

Hover over image to pin.

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For more fun and creative ideas for the classroom, click the above picture to go to my store.

If you are a teacher and you like what you see, please visit often.

God Loves You Valentine's Day Cards

Free Valentine Cards

My son attends the church preschool, so for a change, I can actually mention God on classroom materials. Imagine that!  I made these for him to deliver to his three year old class friends for Valentine's Day.  They would work for any age. Just print and sign a name. I stapled a heart sucker to each one. They are free to print, so I hope you can enjoy on a e future Valentine's Day. Click the link below.
God Loves You Valentine Cards

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Text Annotation Codes

The big push in the classroom is to get kids thinking about their reading.  They should be digging for deeper meaning. A basic yellow highlighter just doesn't do the job.  After all, most kids use a highlighter as a coloring tool, more like a paint brush in art class, rather than a tool to look for important information. Plus, kids should really be doing more than just shading over important points.  They need to be interacting with the text. They need to "read with a pencil". What better way to do that than to give them some codes to use while reading.  Interacting with text by using annotating codes can help the teacher monitor comprehension.  Codes can also help the reader stay focused and engaged; whether it be looking for important points, connecting the text to their life, asking questions, or just being aware of the 'ah ha!' moments.   In order to teach your students how to annotate while reading, you might like to use this code sheet.  I am offering it as a FREEBIE.  There is one for upper and lower elementary. Enjoy! Click the link below. Text Annotation Codes

For all other FREE READING POSTERS, click HERE.

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Building Fluency

Fluency-  The ability to read with  speed, accuracy, and proper expression.
Building fluency is a main focus in my upper elementary classroom.  The majority of my students can say the words on the page, but reading the words with proper speed and expression takes practice.  Working on fluency carries over to other areas of reading, such as it helps to increase comprehension. As I tell my students..... to read is to understand, and if you don't understand/comprehend what you are 'saying', you aren't really reading. Building fluency is just one reading skill that is going to help them better comprehend.

We have all had kids in our classroom read aloud, whether it be whole class or in a small group, or even one on one.  As a teacher (and even as a student), we can easily recognize a child that struggles with fluency. It can typically be identified within the first few sentences of having them read aloud.  The same struggles we hear when they read aloud are most likely carrying over to their quiet independent reading.  Because of this, there needs to be some kind of activity within the classroom (or for homework) that focuses on building fluency.

 In talking to other teachers about what they do in regard to building fluency, I have come to the conclusion that many teachers assess fluency, they correct fluency, but they simply are not providing activities to build fluency. As always, time is a factor.  With that said, I wanted to share a little activity I do with my students.

I named this fluency building activity "Read It and Repeat It".  Yep, it's as simple as that!  Just practice and improve.  I don't have the kids read an entire book, but rather I assign them a Read It and Repeat It paragraph or short passage.  I actually take a suitable passage from a book, type it, and then give a copy to each student.  The passage is not long, most likely just a paragraph, but I make sure it's one that allows for expression.  It may have commas and other punctuation that kids would typically struggle with.  When I type the passage, I can fit 3-4 on a page, so that cuts down on copies. I know you could just have students read a short passage from a book they have, but for some reason, the kids get so excited about seeing what the passage is.  Having it on the small slip of paper doesn't seem so overwhelming. 

So, how does it work?  I have done the activity several ways.  I have made it a homework activity where I pass it out on Monday and they are required to practice reading it aloud each night. Then they come back and read it to the class on a Friday.  You don't even have to pick all kids to read aloud, as you can draw five names and just have those few read it aloud. I have also encouraged my students to make two recordings at home, and I even pass that suggestion on to the parents.  The students love to hear how much they improve, and when they do, they are amazed!!  You could even do this activity with just your weakest readers in the area of fluency.  You could easily pull them to the hallway and record them reading their passage.  They can practice reading it aloud to you each day in their reading group or even in the morning while all of the kids are arriving, and then record them again at the end of the week. You are sure to hear major improvements that will carry over to other reading activities.

I encourage you to give it a try!  Try it once. Do it weekly.  Add it as a bi-weekly activity.  However you do it, I feel sure you will have readers that love it and want to hear themselves improve in the area of fluency.