Fun in First

A Teaching Blog by Jodi Southard

Back to School

Classroom Supplies I Can’t Live Without

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It’s officially time to start thinking about heading back to school.  I know you may not be ready, but I also know that you can’t help but think about it.  The school supplies are out in the stores, and they are just staring at us every time we go.  I am proud to say that I have not purchased a single item, yet.  I’m holding strong…until next week.
I wanted to share some of the classroom supplies that I can’t live without.  These are items that I find myself buying every school year.  Maybe this will help when you are ready to start buying.  You’ll have some ideas of what you might need this year.
{This post contains referral links, but I would never recommend products that I do not truly love.}
1.  Mr. Sketch Markers are my absolute favorite markers.  They are perfect for anchor charts.  One packet will last me the entire year.
 (Click on any of the pictures to purchase.)
2.  Crayola Crayons – This one is kind of a no-brainer, but they are definitely a necessity that I buy EVERY single year.  I always stock up while they are cheap at Walmart.  This way, I do not need to buy new crayons in December when ours are lost and broken.  I can also pull out a new box anytime I need one, because in all honesty, I’m a sucker for a brand new crayon. 

3. Laminator & Laminating Pouches – I use my laminator all.the.time!  I purchased this one a couple years ago, and it’s still going strong.  I buy my laminating sheets from SAMS in bulk.
4. A Good Pencil Sharpener – I have gone through SO many pencil sharpeners, but I finally found one that I love.  This X-Acto Teacher Pro sharpener is my favorite!  It sharpens the perfect point, and I love that light that comes on when the pencil is ready.

5. Stickers – I LOVE cute stickers!  I usually just stock up at Dollar Tree.
6. Astrobrights Paper – I’m kind of a paper hoarder!  I LOVE beautiful colored paper.

7. Coffee – This may not be a necessity for you, but it definitely is for me!  I purchased this adorable mug from Bound to Be Loved on Etsy last year.  I love it!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Boundtobeloved?ref=condensed_trust_header_title_items
8. Sharpies – I truly love Sharpies of all kinds and colors.
9. 2 Pocket Folders with Prongs – I use so many of these.  I stock up at Walmart when they are super cheap.  They are great for writing folders, my Comprehension Notebooks, Poetry folders, homework folders, etc.
10. Primary Writing Journals – I put these on our school supply lists, but sometimes they are hard to find.  I always buy some to have for those that cannot find them.  They are perfect because they have writing lines and a space to draw.
11. Post-It Notes and other notepads – I love cute notepads and colorful Post-It Notes. 

12. Personal necessities – Mints, lotion, chap stick, snacks, Band-aids, etc. 
I also always have a sweater on the back of my chair for those days when the air conditioning is on too high, or the heat doesn’t come on soon enough in the winter. 
13. Thank you Notes & Blank Notecards – I always have a stash of Thank-You notes as well as blank notecards.  You never know when you will need one quickly.
What classroom supplies do you find yourself buying every year?

Everything You Need for the First Week of First Grade

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Even though the first week of school can be such an exciting time, it can also be downright stressful!  The first week of first grade is full of excitement, energy, and pure exhaustion.  Even though I have taught 1st grade for MANY years, I still get overwhelmed before school starts with planning exactly what I want to accomplish during that first week.  I wanted to help take away some of that stress by putting everything together for the first week of school.
Are you a new 1st grade teacher or do you just need some fresh and new ideas for the first week of 1st grade? This First Week of First Grade includes everything you need to have a successful first week of first grade.
This has been a LIFESAVER because everything is in one place.  It takes the guesswork out of back to school planning.  I make no promises that this will take away all of your back to school stress, but it will definitely help 😉
I have included detailed lesson plans.  Plus, they are EDITABLE to fit your needs.
Are you a new 1st grade teacher or do you just need some fresh and new ideas for the first week of 1st grade? This First Week of First Grade includes everything you need to have a successful first week of first grade.
 You will find student information sheets that are perfect for sending home during a Meet the Teacher Night or on the first day of school.
Are you a new 1st grade teacher or do you just need some fresh and new ideas for the first week of 1st grade? This First Week of First Grade includes everything you need to have a successful first week of first grade.
 Every printable that you will need for the first week of school is included in this packet.
Are you a new 1st grade teacher or do you just need some fresh and new ideas for the first week of 1st grade? This First Week of First Grade includes everything you need to have a successful first week of first grade.
This packet also includes editable welcome letters, attention grabbers, activities, games, to-do lists, dismissal tags, and more!
Are you a new 1st grade teacher or do you just need some fresh and new ideas for the first week of 1st grade? This First Week of First Grade includes everything you need to have a successful first week of first grade.
Whether you are a seasoned 1st grade teacher or you are new to this grade level, this will be a fantastic resource for your first week of school.  Head over to my Teachers Pay Teachers Store to learn more about The First Week of First Grade.
Are you a new 1st grade teacher or do you just need some fresh and new ideas for the first week of 1st grade? This First Week of First Grade includes everything you need to have a successful first week of first grade.
What are teachers saying about this product? 
“There.are.no.words. Really…this is a wonderful resource tailor made for first grade teachers. This is so going to help me train my firsties in procedures. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas and work! :)” -Susan

“Wow, thank you! I wish I would have had this last year for my first year of teaching. This is invaluable. I appreciate all the hard work you put into it and also how engaging the lessons are. I can’t wait for the first week with my first graders!” -Hannah

“This is perfect. I have been teaching first grade for 7 years and this summer I have been thinking I needed to change it up! This is right on. Thank you very much!” -Valerie

Are you a new 1st grade teacher or do you just need some fresh and new ideas for the first week of 1st grade? This First Week of First Grade includes everything you need to have a successful first week of first grade. Welcome letters, editable lesson plans, open house information and ideas, printables for morning work, seat work, phonics and math practice, fun and engaging activities, and more.

 

 

How Can I Help My Child Succeed? Printables for Parents

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As teachers, we know the importance of parental involvement in a child’s education.  Most parents truly want to know how they can help their child at home, but they need exact tips on how to do that.
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How many times have you had a parent ask what they can do to help their child?  I think many times, as teachers, we assume that all parents know exactly what to do with their children at home to help them with their academics, but this simply is not true.
These lists are perfect for sending home during the first week of school, or during Parent Teacher Conferences.  They are an easy reference to all parents of some simple things that they can do at home to help their children.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Printables-for-Parents-Freebie-1913266
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Printables-for-Parents-Freebie-1913266
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Printables-for-Parents-Freebie-1913266
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Printables-for-Parents-Freebie-1913266
 These lists look great printed in color, but that is definitely not necessary.  If you don’t have access to a color printer, I have also added a black and white version to these printables.  They look great on colored paper.
To download this FREEBIE, just click HERE or on any of the pictures at the top of the post.
I’d love for you to leave me some feedback in my store after you download them.
If you need some more back to school ideas and products for your classroom, make sure to check out my Back to School section HERE.

2nd Grade Morning Work

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For the past couple of years, I have been using my 1st grade Morning Work packets every morning.  I have had many requests over the years to create a 2nd grade version.  This summer, I finally decided to tackle this project.
It is similar to the first grade morning work in many ways, but I did make some changes.  Obviously, the content is different since it’s geared towards 2nd graders.  I have rotated back and forth between 2nd grade sight words and short reading passages with a comprehension skill.  I have also added an explanation component to the daily word problem.

 

I did not include the Common Core Standards that are addressed on each page like I did with the 1st grade packet.  Indiana, as well as many other states, have stopped using CC, and have readopted their own standards.  For this reason, I did not include these.  However, they do address MANY different reading and math standards.
As of right now, I only have the first quarter of the 2nd grade packet finished.  I will be working on the other three sections this summer.  These can be purchased separately by quarters, or as a year long BUNDLE.  Just click on either of the pictures below to check them out.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2nd-Grade-Morning-Work-First-Quarter-2584539
The bundle is a growing bundle that only includes the first quarter as of now.  As I finish up each of the other three sections, you will be able to redownload the product at no additional charge if you purchase the bundle.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2nd-Grade-Morning-Work-Year-Long-Bundle-2584543

Getting Your Students to Think

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Are you guilty of asking your students too many close-ended questions?  These are the types of questions with one correct answer.  I have to admit that sometimes I find myself getting stuck asking too many of these types of questions.  While they do have a place in learning, we definitely need to make sure that we are asking many more open-ended questions to our students.
So, what’s the difference between a close-ended question and an open-ended one?
Close-ended questions have one simple answer.  This could be a “yes” or “no” answer, or a one word or one sentence answer.
Examples of close-ended questions:
What is your favorite food?
Who was the first president?
What is the problem in the story?
Open-ended questions have a more in-depth answer.  They require the student to think and reflect on their answer.
Examples of open-ended questions:
What are some ways that you think the main character will solve the problem?
Why do you think George Washington made a good president?
What are some simple ways to make sure you are encouraging higher level thinking in your classroom?
Every morning during Morning Meeting, we have a discussion question.  These questions do not have “yes” or “no” answers.  They get my students thinking first thing in the morning.
 This is one of my favorite activities each day.  It is amazing the discussions that these have led to.  I also love that I learn SO much about my students during this time.
I have two sets of 100 questions, if you would like to check them out.
Set 1
Set 2
I also just created this Read & Respond packet to incorporate that higher level of thinking into my students writing.
This packet includes short stories followed by an open-ended question for students to write.  You can check these out by clicking on the picture below.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Read-Write-to-Respond-2486004
Take time this next week to really reflect on the types of questions you are asking your students.

The New Year

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It’s a new year!  Even though it’s not a new school year, it can still mean time for a fresh start.  The students have had a break, and it’s the perfect time to rethink your classroom.  What’s working?  What’s not working?  What changes do you want to make?
Here are a couple of things that we will be using to kick start our new year:
Last year I posted a New Year’s Flip book and a poem that was a perfect activity to do for that first day back to school.  I have updated both for 2016.
I love discussing New Year’s Resolutions and goal setting.  It can be pretty entertaining to see what they come up with sometimes.
You can click HERE to check out the flip book.
I also have this FREE New Year’s Poem download that you can find HERE.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/New-Years-Poem-1629163
One of my favorite times of the day is Morning Meeting.  We discuss our day, complete a morning message, do calendar, and then I read a “Discussion Card.”  I LOVE using these.  They really get the students thinking and talking.  This past week, I finished up a second set of 100 cards.
I use these for discussions, but they would also be great writing prompts.
You can click HERE to check out my first set, and HERE to check out my second set of 100 discussion cards.
 
I am also excited to use my January Guided Reading packet when we return next week.  These packets make planning SO simple!
I have 4 nonfiction and 4 fiction stories.  Each story includes 3 different levels of passages, vocabulary words, comprehension graphic organizers, and writing prompts. 
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guided-Reading-January-2257039
 I also know for sure that we will be taking full advantage of GoNoodle!  My students need Brain Breaks anyways, but I’m pretty sure that after having 2 weeks off, those Brain Breaks will be a definite necessity.
Hope you have a wonderful start to 2016!