Hi Everyone,

Where has the Summer gone?? I can not believe it's time to go back to work. Erica and I have had a great Summer and we are ready to get back into our groove. With that said, we are throwing a 20% off sale on TPT. We are already working on new items to post. Be on the lookout for them.

Good luck to you in your 2012-2013 school year and enjoy!



P.S. Erica got engaged this Summer to a great guy named Cole. She has been busy, busy, busy planning her November wedding...yes November! Can you believe she was able to find her wedding dress in 2 hours! A big CONGRATULATIONS to Erica and Cole.

Viva Las Vegas

Vegas, Vegas, Vegas!

Erica and I just got back from the SDE Differentiated Instruction conference in amazing Las Vegas. The SDE presenters did a great job of giving us new ideas to use in our classrooms. My list is getting longer and longer of things to get done before the new school year.

After an afternoon of learning, we got to unwind by meeting some of our industry's leading bloggers. We were able to talk with Deanna Jump (Mrs. Jump's Class), Kathy Griffin (Kathy Griffin's Teaching Strategies), Hope King (Second Grade Shenanigans), and Rachelle Smith and Natalie Kay (What the Teacher Wants) to name a few. They all went out of their way to talk with everyone and answer questions. Everyone was so nice! 

Erica, Deanna, and Ashley

A group of these teacher bloggers put together a bunch of fabulous giveways.  Who doesn't like free stuff?! These ladies know the way to a teacher's heart.  Erica and I were two of the lucky winners. We both won resources from Heidi Songs.  I got a DVD titled "Little Songs for Language Arts" and Erica got a "Sing and Spell" CD.  We can't wait to use these next year! Erica also received a $25 gift certificate to the Blue Bird Gift Company (an awesome shop on etsy!). I think everyone at the meet up won something. They had so many prizes!

We were so blessed to have this experience in Las Vegas and can't wait till next year!

Predicting Next Year

 I have seen a lot of creative end of year activities on everyone’s blogs. This got me thinking I should get the kids to predict what next year will be like. So I created a Book of Predictions for Next Year. I know my little kiddos are excited that they will be big 2^nd graders next year. They are already trying to predict who their teacher will be. I am so sad that they are moving on but I am READY for summer break. Enjoy the last few days and go check out this free...yes, free... Book of Predictions for Next Year at TPT.

Digraphs ai and ay

Only 16 days to go! I am definitely ready for it this year.  Looking forward to relaxing on the beach! 

I just wanted to let you all know that we've added another spelling sort.  This time it's digraphs ai and ay.  I use these sorts in my literacy centers and am loving them.  The kids are engaged and their spelling is improving!  We use Saxon Phonics and Spelling at our school. Although it is very thorough, I don't feel that it gives the students enough practice with each sound.  That's why Ashley and I are creating these centers.  This time, I've included 3 levels of difficulty in the sort for differentiation.  I hope you'll check it out!

Teacher Appreciation Week!

Have you seen the sale that's going on at TpT?  It is time to stock up!  Many of the sellers, including us here at Fit for First Grade, are offering 20% off on all of their products.  AND you can get another 8% off if you use this code at checkout:  TAD12.  I finally get to buy those products that have been waiting in my cart!

It gets even better!  Have you checked out the Teacher Appreciation Jackpot?  Head over to A Modern Teacher to take advantage of these amazing offers!  I've already downloaded 20 freebies and have at least 60 more to go!  A BIG thank you to the participating teachers for their generosity.  The products I've seen are AWESOME.  What a wonderful gift for Teacher Appreciation Week!

I just uploaded our Math Journal Prompts for May and June. It includes 40 word problems for giving your students daily practice with addition and subtraction. It, along with all of our other products, is on sale for 20% off until May 8th!  Click on the picture below to go to our TpT store.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you're having a great weekend...I'm off to download more freebies!

ow and ou spelling center

After using Erica's oy and oi spelling center, I had to make one for ow and ou. I sat with a group of my students and watched them work with these diphthongs. I could see their level of confidence rise with spelling words like mouse and plow. I hope your classroom enjoys working with this new center for ow/ou.

Center includes:

 teacher and student directions
- ow and ou spelling rule reference sheet
- ow and ou sorting mats
- 24 ow and ou words to sort and spell
- recording sheet to write the words

Head over to our TPT store and check it out.  Enjoy your weekend!

Words of Encouragement

It's time for FCAT here in Florida.  FCAT is our high stakes assessment for 3rd grades and up.  This is one of the many reasons I am so thankful to be a 1st grade teacher! 

This year our school has really made an effort to get the kids pumped up for the test.  Each K-2 teacher has buddied up with one of the intermediate teachers.  My students are buddies with a 5th grade class.  In addition to having my kids write notes of encouragement to the 5th graders, I thought I'd make little goodie bags for each day of the test.  I found some really cute ideas on Pinterest.  Here's what I ended up with:

You can click {here} to see my Pinterest board where I got the inspiration. 

I decided to make a little freebie that includes 4 notes with suggestions for treats to go with them.  Head over to our TpT store to check it out and download for free!  They're great for wishing students luck on any test!

 

oi and oy spelling pattern

Honestly, I was afraid we were going to have to give up on the blog. It's been way too long since we've posted anything!  I'm ready to get back on track. 

We have been working on diphthongs oi and oy in phonics.  I felt like we needed a new center to help reinforce the spelling pattern.  So, in honor of baseball season beginning this week, I found some cute baseball clip art from Scrappin' Doodles and made this spelling pattern sort.

It includes:

- teacher and student directions
- oi and oy spelling rule reference sheet
- oi and oy sorting mats
- 24 oi and oy words to sort and spell
- recording sheet to write the words

Head over to our TpT store to check it out!  I hope you all have a great weekend!  Happy Easter!

 

We Do Like Green Eggs and Ham!

Yesterday we celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday with some green eggs and ham!  First, we read the book and completed this cute little writing prompt and rhyming activity from Cara Carroll's March Madness Mega Pack.  (If you don't already own it, go get it.  It's a must for March!)

Then, we sampled our very own green eggs and ham!

Looks delicious, right?!  A huge thank you goes out to my sweet grandmother who prepared nearly 100 green deviled eggs for my class and Ashley's.  The ham was purchased at Publix and we painted it with green food coloring while the kids were at recess.

It was so funny to see the kids' reactions.  A few of them were grossed out, but overall it was a hit!  Many of them were asking for seconds!

After eating, we voted on whether we like green eggs and ham or if we do not like green eggs and ham.

The results were close... but most of us like green eggs and ham! (I think there were a few sympathy votes for the naysayers...we had quite a few clean plates!)

Here's a {link} with some recipes for your own green eggs and ham if you'd like to use it next year. Better yet, if you're doing Dr. Seuss throughout the month of March, it would be an "egg-cellent" activity to incorporate with St. Patty's Day!

 

And the Liebster Award goes to...

Thank you so much 1..2..3.. Teach With Me for recognizing us with the Liebster Blog Award. We were so excited to get this award. It is nice to have an outlet to share ideas with fellow teachers and get so many ideas from other teachers.

If you received this award, share it with 5 bloggers by commenting on their blog.  We found 5 new blogs to start following and honor with the Liebster Award. These blogs are AMAZING, filled with information, and have under 200 followers. We can't wait to catch up on reading all of them this weekend.

Congrats Ladies!

Anna at  A Sweet Southern Mess
Sheri at 1st Grade Rocks
Kelly at All That Glitters in First Grade
Tanya at A Class Act
Molly at Lesson with Laughter

Going Fishin' for Addition

I am always looking for new ways to make learning fun. I came up with this "Going Fishin' for Addition" game to help the kids familiarize themselves with common math facts. You play the same way you would play the normal Go Fish but you are matching math facts. This is a great center for 2-5 students. I tested this game out with my students and they had so much fun with it. This is the first center all the students want to go to.

Head over to our TPT if you would like to download for only $1.00.  I'm uploading this just in time for the Teacher's pay Teachers' Leap Day sale!  Our products will be 28% off all day on February 29th! Click the link below to go to our store!

Get Ready for Spring!

We've just posted our Math Journal Prompts packet for March and April to Teachers Pay Teachers!  It includes 40 word problems with a springtime theme. 

These word problems are handy for use in Math Journals or Notebooks.  If you are a 1st Grade teacher that uses Go Math, make sure to check it out!  Many of the problems are a great review for Chapters 6, 7, and 8. 

Click {here} to grab your copy!

P.S.  Sorry the picture is blurry.  Does anyone know how to fix that? :)

Valentine's Day Word Wall Words

My students are always asking me how to spell everything...even if they know how to spell it. I have found that if I put commonly used words with pictures up on my word wall it really helps. I know my little kiddos will soon be asking me how to spell Valentine's Day words. I am able to keep my sanity by  pointing to the word wall and telling them to find the word they are looking for. I have put together a list of Valentine's words with pictures for FREE on our TPT site.

Valentine's Day FREEBIE

I have FINALLY gotten my freebie posted!  I hope that you will check it out.  I've created Valentine's themed math journal prompts that are perfect for first graders.  Head over to our TPT store to download your copy!  Any suggestions or feedback would be appreciated--it is my first product ever!  Can only get easier from here on out, right?!

We have been getting ready for next week which is going to be crazy busy.  Our 100th day of school is on Monday.  I have gotten some cute ideas from Deanna Jump's 100th Day Math and Literacy Fun Mini-Unit that I plan on using. The 100 Year Old Portraits are adorable! What are your plans for the 100th day?  Or, if you've already had it, what did you do?

Of course, I'm also looking forward to celebrating Valentine's Day.  Passing out Valentine's cards is one of my favorite memories from elementary school.  There's just something about sorting and delivering mail...if I wasn't a teacher I would want to work at the post office!  I hope the kids have as much fun as I'm going to!

DI for the Little Guy!

Yesterday, Erica and I went  to a training called "DI for the Little Guy!" Kim Adsit is the presenter and she is a hoot! She kept us laughing the whole time. Her information is so helpful and inspiring. I can't wait to apply her practices to my classroom. I would absolutly recommend that everyone go to her training.  Click here to see if she's coming your way!

Valentine Freebie

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching so I have started decorating. I made a template for these darling little bees. My class loved putting them together and learning all about bees. All you need is some black and yellow construction paper. The final touch is to add some googly eyes. The template can be downloaded for free on our Teachers pay Teachers site.

Freebies soon to come...

Well I've just completed my first freebie to share...A Dozen Math Journal Prompts for Valentine's Day.  I am so ready to get this posted but I'm not sure how to convert the file into a secure PDF document.  Any suggestions?  I'd really appreciate it!


I also wanted to thank Teacher Tam for her video on making products for TPT.  It's perfect for someone who's just getting started or a little unsure of their computer skills like I am!  I used many of her tips to create my freebie.  You can check it out {here}!

Welcome!

Welcome to Fit for First Grade! My name is Erica and this is my fifth year teaching. I taught Kindergarten for three years and this is my second year in 1st grade. I am loving 1st grade!

This year has been especially amazing because my friend Ashley was hired to teach 1st grade right next door to me. We have been friends since middle school...almost 20 years! It has been such a great experience working together that we've decided to start blogging and creating materials to share with other teachers. We are very excited to be here. Thanks for stopping by!