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!