I found a super cute blog today.  I was actually over at Stories by Storie and she had a super post on math workshop.  One of my all time favorite addition activities with a super cute packet was Dunk it Dominoes with a link to The Happy Teacher.


So I headed over to The Happy Teacher to check out her blog and amazing packet.  Did I mention it is a FREE download at her TpT store?  So head on over and show her a little love.

Oh, I almost forgot!  I was her 100th FOLLOWER!!  How cool is that?  Well, even better...She is having her very first giveaway and is giving away a Target Gift card!  So spread the love and support a blogger!

Have you seen it?  Have you heard?  A comprehensive resource of English and Math standards at our fingertips.  There are hands on activities, passages and worksheets available for instruction and testing.  It is one of my favorite resources out there...along with a few TpT products I have purchased:)


As we work to align our current curriculum to the common core, The First Grade Common Core Standards Workbook is just the resource we need to make this happen.  Over 550 pages of Common Core activities are at our fingertips!  You can check out the link and look at  activity samples. I have the kindergarten edition and am able to pull many of the activities for first grade as well.

If you blog about it and follow the directions, you can even enter the Free First Grade Common Core Workbook Giveaway!  Its all a win-win:)

I am amazed I got it all on one bulletin board this year!  I have to say, I have been very resourceful when it comes to getting this done.  I have posted Deanna Jump's Common Core Standards posters under learning goals and Anna Brantley's Essential Questions on the top two rows. 




I use the objectives given to us on the county's "blue prints".  I have to say, up until now, I have not been so creative with the ticket out.  The ticket out is a quick assessment to see who understands and can apply the objective taught.  Lots of times a little dry erase activity or quick Kagan strategy (ex-Round Robin) is all I need.  However, today I ran across Anna Brantley's post on her newest packet for Literacy Journal Prompts-volume 2!  HELLO!!!  How did I not even know volume 1 even existed??

  
Let's just say I added 2 new packets to my TpT store and will be checking out later today:)  Speaking of TpT, I am joining Casey at Second Grade Math Maniac with her blog hop.  Check out the Happy Fall Y'all 20% off sale in my TpT store.  I only have only lonely item for sale, BUT would love you to check it out and pick up a few freebies while you are there!

Writing is a subject I love to teach.  It is a great time to integrate a book or two to pull in examples of what good writing looks and sounds like.  I generally pull my writing trait or skill from the story.  However, sometimes a response to a life experience is all you need.  What better than a class experience?  Yes, even a fire drill prompted writing in my class:)


                         

Yesterday was the first day we got to math centers and the kids loved it!  I am so diligent about literacy centers everyday, so why is it so hard to get to math centers?  There are so many valuable learning activities that work well in math groups.  I know others are doing them as I see and yes, even purchase (imagine that:) math centers.  They are often even printed, laminated and even cut out. HA!

So this week my goal is to get to math centers on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.  Wednesday is early release and Friday I try to get to an literature/art project in the afternoon.  I welcome any suggestions on scheduling and fitting it all in.

We are wrapping Chapter One with addition.  I have created and posted Ladybug Addition Mats on TpT.  You can check them out at my Teachers pay Teachers store.  I will be giving away 2 sets of them to the first 2 people to LEAVE A COMMENT here and FOLLOW my TpT store. 

Did you check out my prior post about the Kindergarten Common Core workbook?  I did go ahead and buy the First Grade Workbook. I love it! 

As I scrolled down, I read that if you blog about the kindergarten Workbook before September 16th, follow the rules and email your blog link to the email provided, you get a FREE download Kindergarten Common Core Workbook.  There are lots of great activities that can also be used in First Grade!  So head on over to Common Core Standards and scroll down to the Kindergarten Giveaway for the rules. 

So what are you waiting for?  Blog about it and get your FREE copy!!  :)

As I was blog stalking last night, I came across a post by Janine at Faithful in First. She posted about the Common Core Workbook for kindergarten that has lessons and worksheets.  I followed the link to Common Core Standards and look what I found!


This is an amazing workbook that can be used in conjunction with what you already have.  There are worksheets and assessments and did I say ADORABLE graphics?  The worksheet and lessons have clear directions, child friendly activities and teach each specific English and Math standard.  It is a comprehensive resource for Kindergarten Common Core.

I have purchased the First Grade Common Core workbook.  Just click on the link above and then click on the first grade option.  I purchased and downloaded the book and am so glad I have instant access to it.  I have already printed pages to use this week. 

So head on over and let me know what you think!

Test, Teach and Test Some More!  I feel like I am juggling so many balls at the beginning of the year!  My school and district has implemented Thinking Maps (more to follow!), Kagan Strategies, and Common Core for first grade this year. Lots of great programs I am beginning to implement:)

I have assessed kindergarten skills and high frequency words and am in the middle of FAIR testing, FAIR is the Florida reading assessment (on the computer) with high frequency words, reading passages, comprehension and vocabulary for first grade.  If a child struggles with the hfw's and/or reading passages it takes you into a phonemic awareness assessment!  Lots of great information can be attained and we use the data for classroom instruction as well as grade level intervention groups.

I have made word wall cards with the kindergarten high frequency words as a review.  You can get the FREE file at Teachers pay Teachers.  They can be used as flashcards or on a work wall.  Now that the kids have reviewed reading them, they are able to use them in their writing as well.  (For some reason, I am unable to upload the image as I am fighting with my computer!!)

Kimberly at The Learning Tree is having a 500 follower giveaway!  Check it out daily for her fabulous giveaways!  I almost didn't post this today because truth be told, I want to win today's adorable fall giveaway!

When you are done there, head over to Corrina's blog, Surfin' Through Second for her 500 follower giveaway!  Lots of great resources from creative educators:)


Good luck on the giveaways!