Common Core places such a huge emphasis on comprehension.  I am working hard this year on using the text to pull vocabulary from.

Our district has adopted Wonders by McGraw-Hill as our new reading series.  After reading the book, Word Nerds this summer, I have placed greater emphasis on helping the students make personal connections to the text and the vocabulary words.

In my Wonders Supplemental Units (Units 1-4 have been completed), I have added  vocabulary connection pages for each story where my students have the words and definitions and draw a picture to match the words.  This has helped them to make that personal connection to the word.  As the year goes on, the children will be adding their own definitions and them sentences for each vocabulary word.



I am thinking that I would like to combine them into a vocabulary notebook so the children can go back and review vocabulary words.  That, however, might be a summer job:)

In order to aid in the review process and incorporate the vocabulary into their daily conversation, I have created an interactive vocabulary wall just for vocabulary.  The words are categorized alphabetically and include the word and the definition on a ring.



You can read about one of my favorite Vocabulary products HERE.  I would love to hear about what you do with Vocabulary!

OK, I know I have been missing in action, but I (along with all of you) got buried under my huge TO-DO LIST and I am up for a very short breath!

So, I will be back this weekend to share a bit of what has been going on in my classroom so I hope you stop on by!

Until then, head over to Jen's Kinder Kids and check out her AMAZING giveaway.  While you are there, wish her a HAPPY 40th!


I am giving away one of my fall units over there... A Cornucopia of Learning.  It contains fluency phrases, doubles facts, words with /or/ and counting by twos.


So what do your kids need extra practice on this fall?  Leave me a comment and I will be giving away a copy of my Cornucopia of Learning here too! Check back on Friday and don't forget to leave your email address:)

We just completed out third week of school and I can't believe progress reports go out in a week and a half!  That is CRAZY!! Anyways, I am linking up today with Michelle at Run! Miss Nelson's Got the Camera with Saturday Snapshots (yes, even though its Sunday!).


Last Sunday, I went into school for a few hours to get some work done and finally got up my sounds board in the Word Work Center.  I believe this was a Deanna Jump freebie from years ago, but has since been taken down.  It is a great visual for digraphs and vowel combinations. I also decided to use my teacher desk for a word work center this year!  My firsties get to stand up during this rotation or they can take an activity back to their seats:)  It helps get their wiggles out!



Here are a few of the things I printed and laminated over the week that have  been since cut out! Writing Right Through August/September, Behavior Tags, Flash On! The Fry Edition,  Primary Colored Polka Dot Classroom and Daily 5 Goodies (freebie) are some of my favorites this week.  Click on the links and check them out:)



I took the boys bowling with their cousin this weekend. It was nice to spend time together.  Although we only live 30 minutes away, we seldom see them. It is a reminder to me to not let life get in the way of the important things!


Fall is one of my favorite times of year which is crazy since I live in Florida and we don't really have a fall.  It is usually in the 90's through October!  However, look what I found:) Has anyone tried them yet?



I finally finished my Super Reader Fry Words 1-100 pack!  It includes a master check off list for the teacher, 4 smaller lists (25 words each) for students to work on at home, "Super Reader" flashcards and awards when they have mastered the first 100 Fry Words!


I am off to finish plans for the week:)

I love Farley's Currently series and I love blackboard backgrounds so this month its a win-win!


I think all of my Currently thoughts for the month are self explanatory!  I am super excited about my team this year.  They are such a positive group and since I am a half full kind of girl, it makes me smile...A lot!

I am giving away my Wonders Supplemental Units for Units 1, 2 and 3!  Even if you do not use Wonders, there are tons of activities that will work in first and even second grade classes so head on over and check it out HERE!


So after you have entered (Wink, wink!) head over to Oh' Boy 4th Grade and link up with her Currently.  Remember to give some love along the way:)