What's Your Favorite Back to School Activity?

          I am linking up with Jodi at Fun In First

 to share my favorite Back to School Activity.
I have to say my favorite "game" is Find a friend who_______________? This game was shared with me a long time ago. I really enjoy it because it helps me get to know my new class.  It's not just the questions they answer, but how they interact with the rest of the class while doing the activity.
Basically you have a list of ideas starting with
"Find a friend who________" and the children have to sign their name in the blank. A child cannot fill in more than 2, that way they go around to more than just their buddy from last year.
Here are some examples:
Find a friend who has a pet. ________________________
Find a friend who has a sister or brother.______
Find a friend who's favorite color is purple._____________
Find a friend who's favorite color is green._______
Find a friend who likes to play soccer.__________
Find a friend who likes to swim.______________
Find a friend who likes strawberry icescream.____
Find a friend who can ride a 2 wheel bike._______
Find a friend who can tie their shoe.___________
Find a friend who likes to sing._______________

The children walk around asking, do you like this? or do you like that?do you have this? or do you have that? You can really tailor it to fit you and your classroom. If you are doing a theme, you can have: Find a friend who likes owls (that's my theme) and hopefully some of your students will come to you and ask you to sign one of their papers.

Holiday Picture Book Linky Party

I'm linking up with Chrissy at First Grade Found Me to share different books I use for different Holidays in my classroom. We are starting off with books we use for back-to-school and will be doing more throughout the year for each holiday.



I recently posted about Must Have Picture books, but this will focus on the beginning of the year.


Chrissy, of course loves this book she organized a HUGE alphabet exchange with it.  However, it's a great 1st week of school book, there are so many activities out there. My favorite is to make a palm tree and attach it to a paper bag.  I have a sheet of letters of the alphabet.  The students cut them out and put "act-out" the story, saying the sound of the letter as they climb the tree. Ex. student picks up a 'b', they say /b/, /b/, /b/  and then "plop" the letters in the bag. They repeat with the rest of the letters.

 
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse  by Kevin Henkes is super (especially if you love Purple) which I do. It's a super cute book. Lilly wants to show off all of the cool things she brought to school, in her cool purple plastic purse. (can you say alliteration?) Her teacher keeps asking her to wait, but she doesn't want to. She gets so upset that she draws a note of him being a "big, fat, mean teacher". When the teacher finds it, she thinks she is done for, but her teacher is a special man.  He loves her and explains it all in the end. 

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn--of Course.  I read this to my own children before the first day, and put my kiss in their hand before they go off to their rooms. There are great crafts out there. My favorite is to do a hand-print with a red heart in the middle of the palm. I paint the whole hand one color and make a little red heart shape in the center.  Hand-prints are great because every mom will keep it forever!
 A Pocket Full of Kisses is the sequel to the Kissing Hand. One year, a student bought me this book.  Chester gives his mom the kissing hand when he leaves for school. Oh, I could just cry, because it always makes me think of my own kiddos.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. "I think I'll go to Australia"  if you haven't read this, you won't understand. The boy is a pessimist. Everything is terrible and awful and one big, hot, mess!  Each time something happens he references Australia.  It's just plain old funny.  But the teaching point is, we all have bad days and bad moments.  Especially if that is all you focus on.  So try to focus on the positive--Like traveling to Australia one day. 


If you haven't had a chance and you are reading this before August 2nd, I am having a giveaway.
Click here and it will bring you there (not to Australia, I promise)

Happy Reading,

First Day of School Survival Kit

               

About 6 years ago, my cousin called me after her open house at school.  She was so excited because her son came home with the cutest thing for the first day of Kindergarten.  * JITTER GLITTER *
It was a zip-lock bag with glitter in it and a cute little poem. You sprinkle the glitter on your head so you are not nervous.  All the K teachers come into school with glitter on their shoulders for the first day, it's so sweet. Anyway, after she read it to me, I said "hold-on, I'm getting my pen"  I wrote it down, typed it up and used it for my Open House the following day at my school.   (I just fixed up the Jitter Glitter and put it up on TPT as a freebie. Click Here to download.)
   
Well,  I was transferred to that school a year later to teach First Grade, and since Kindergarten does  JITTER GLITTER  I had to come up with something else. 

(Sorry these Images are terrible)
I found a version of this 5 years ago while browsing the internet --this was before pinterest--so I can not credit this back,  I've made plenty of changes along the way so here it is.

These are my First Day of School Survival Kit  Portrait View
and First Day of School Survival Kit    Landscape view.
(Click on the name and it will take you to my TPT store)
I have a short letter welcoming each student to First Grade. (There is a separate letter for grades K-5, so if you ever change grade levels, you can just printout a different page--no white out needed)

In addition there is a  list of items which I give to each student in a white bag, with a reason why I am giving it to them.  For example, An eraser, because it's o.k. to make mistakes.  You can get the "Welcome To School" white bags from Really Good Stuff or buy your own from the store. 
 

(There are 36 in a pack, so I got them last year and can use them again this year because we are capped at 18 students)

I give these to my students at Open House (which is the Friday before school starts on Monday) and have them read it with their parents.   That way they are not nervous for the first day, and have a little gift from their teacher to start the school year out right. 

So as I write this post, there are 3 days and 7 hours left to enter my "Help me get to 100" giveaway.
I am so close, I only need 7 little old people and I will make it. Click on the link above and enter :0)

Thanks for reading,

I've got a New Blog Design

That's right, I've got a new Blog Design. I feel like I hear some background music now, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum or cha, cha, cha, cha, cha, hey!  I found the Honey Bunch Blog Design team

And could not be any happier!  These ladies, Misty and Erika, were so unbelievable.  They were contacting me every step of the way and produced a design, that is perfect for me.  I asked them to somehow include my children--as a bird or a bee or something like that.  1 pink, 1 blue, is what I originally said. Can you see them?  Can you find my kiddos?  That's right, they are the butterflies!  It's my little hidden secret, which of course I am sharing.  Butterflies are one of those special little creatures and I am so blessed that Erika decided to use them.

If you ever decide to re-do your design, I highly recommend this dynamic duo.  

Just another reminder I am having a Give away, to help me get to 100 followers. If you haven't entered yet, click here, and see what you can win.

Awards, a Giveaway and a Freebie

Thank you to Carla at 

Playful Learning Brooklyn 

For the One Lovely Blog AWARD

 For receiving this award I have to...


1. Follow the person who gave me the award (done)


2. Link back to the person that gave me the award (done)


3. Pass to 5 new bloggers and then let them know they have received the award (done)

Judith from Teaching with J  
Has given me the Liebster award.
 

 

The rules:
1.  Link back to the person who gave it to you. √  

2.  Post the award to your blog. √  

3.  Give the award to other bloggers with less than 200 followers. √ (This was easy with the Newbie Blog Hop happening)

And Both awards go to:
Haley at   My silly Firsties
Meredith at  Diary of a First Year Teacher
Elizabeth at  First Grade Jungle Room
Miss L at  Miss L's Whole Brain Teaching
Who's on First


Don't forget my
My Giveaway {click here}

It's still going on.  I am really close now!

Need a Creative way to assess your map skills unit?
Here's a project I love and it's FREE!!!
 
Create-A-Country Map Project with rubric and example

                                    Thanks for reading,

                                    Jessica

Rockin' Resources and a Giveaway!

 
The Teacher Idea Factory  
Is having a Linky Party for Rockin' Resources.  I love, love, love school supplies so this is right up my alley.


I am going to try and share some different things because some of you have already shared some really great stuff.  Ooh which leads me to Really Good stuff!  I love that place.  First of all, they offer an EZ Pay plan, where you can pay in 3 smaller payments instead of 1 big one.  That makes it so much easier.  Here are a few things I've gotten from them and absolutely love for the organization factor.


 
Durable Book And Binder Holders
I use these book bins for each of my students. They have their Own book bin to keep their "Good-Fit" Books, journals, and Fluency binder.  They take it with them during Daily 5. They are durable and easy to carry for my little firsties.  I don't know what I would do without them.  Plus they have all different colors so it's easy for the kids to see who's is who's.
 I also use these for MY materials--I have one for every day of the week. I put my copies, read alouds, craft supplies, in each one, for the day I am going to use it.
  
Compartment Caddies

I put one of these on each table for easy access to supplies. You can get them with or without the labels.

  
Store More® Wire Works Desktop Secretary.   

This thing is awesome, it's like 3 things in One.  I can hold my important files, manuals and my abundance of pens all in one place!


 
White Board Stand Including White Board.  

A few years ago our PTO bought everyone one of these little guys.  I don't know what I would do without it.  I have it at my Guided reading table.  When I am working with my small groups I use this for my target and phonics skills.  It fits perfectly right at my side and it's easy for the kids to see.


NEXT is my Daily Objectives Poster


 I don't know about you, but we have to post our learning goals every day for every topic.  This poster is great, because it's dry erase ready.  I can put it either on  a bulletin board in the front of the room or my white board and still have space.


        
Crayola Skinny Markers
I use these everyday for lots of things.  First, I have a document camera that I use all day long.  I use these markers when I am writing, because they are just the right width, when projected on the screen.  I also use these for grading papers, because I have such a nice variety of colors and it doesn't bleed through the students papers.  I bought mine at Wal-Mart.

I hope you like these resources, I really don't know what I would do with out them in my classroom.  

Don't forget to stop by My Giveaway  (click here)
I've some great things from my TPT story to give--Please help me get to 100 followers.  We are almost there!!!

                                                                Enjoy,

                                                               Jessica 

Help me Get to 100 Followers Before School Starts Giveaway

Is that like the Longest giveaway title ever or what?
haha, But really that's my goal, to get to 100 Followers before I go back to school.
I'm giving away 3 great items from my TpT store.
Take a look.
 Back-To-School-Books-Bundle- 
 3 Books for you students to use and write in the first month of school.
1. My First Day of School
2. All About Me
3. My Book of Wonders


I've been thinking about the Book of Wonders for a while now.  Kids are always asking who, what, when, where, why and How?  My own children are so curious about how everything works  in the world. So I thought, why not give them a chance to write about it.


                                                    

 Create Your Own Classroom Publishing-Co.
This item has lots of anchor charts and Writer's Workshop ideas.
With this item, I will also customize your Classroom Publishing Company name complete with Sign and Labels for student books.

My classroom Publishing Co. is called "Berggren Books"  I put avery labels with the name on the inside cover of student books that they have published in class.

and.....

 What is the Mystery Word?

In this packet I have 20 Mystery Words for each day of the first month of school.  I used this as my Daily Morning work, but it can easily be a word work Center.  I found 9 letter words that fit the beginning of school. I placed them in a tic-tac-toe grid.  Now the letters are mixed up, but students can find smaller words with-in. It's  great way to get the kids brains going early in the morning and differentiate.  The 9 letter word is not easy, but it becomes a challenge to figure it out.  My kids last year loved it!

I hope you join my give away, and help me get to 100!
see the raffle copter below. 

Make sure your email is available so I can let you know if you win!

                                                                       Enjoy,

                                                         Jessica








a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tell Me More

     
 I'm linking up with 

For the Tell me more, tell me more! linky party.


Ok, I don't know where to begin?



1. I have been married for 11 years (july 14th)

 Isn't he cute!  hubba, hubba!

2. I have 2 amazing kids!  Daughter age 8, Son age 6 

3. I have been teaching for 15 years starting in August.
4. I started teaching in New York City, 
 
stayed there for 2 years and then got a job on Long Island teaching 4th grade. After 2 years in my school, they  moved me to a new school that opened up to teach 4th grade.  After 2 years there, I had a baby, bought a house and moved to Florida.  I got a job teaching 3rd grade!  After 3 years of FCAT, I asked to change grade levels, and I got 1st grade.  I worked at that school another 2 years until the district closed it down. I was transferred to my current school to teach 1st grade.  This will be my fourth year there.  so let's add! 2+2+2+3+2+4=15!!!!

5. I love the show So You Think You Can Dance! I wish I could dance like that.
                                        

6. I love to bake!--I made this for the fourth of July

7. I try to sew--I made these pillows for my classroom this year.

8. My friend had her 3rd boy so I made her this Diaper Motorcycle! I am so proud of my self.

9. I love living near the beach! 

10. This our dog Joey--he's a hound mix, we got him at the Humane Society in the middle summer about 3 years ago.  What a sweetie!

11. Oh this is me trying to take a picture of myself with my phone--I'm a dork!

12. I love teaching with pattern blocks! My Daughter made this.  She is very creative!

13. I wish I could travel more, but It's hard with 2 kids and bills, so I love vicariously through my sister's postcards Kim the Artist and World Traveler

Last but not least,
I love to read!  Twilight, Hunger Games, Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, Nora Roberts, The Night Circus, Little Women,  they are all great reads!

I hope you learned a little more about me. Happy Reading!
                                                                    Jessica

                                

Must Have Picture Books

I'm linking up with a bunch of teachers with my Top 5 6 must have picture books.
Well here goes!

1. My Mouth is a volcano   This book is great if you have students who can't stop calling out!  I love it!!!!!!!!!  It teaches kids to take a deep breathe, blow out the words, and then breathe them back in when they are called on.  It's Fabulous!

2. The Judge: An Untrue Tale   This was the First book I bought as a teacher. My college Reading Professor Mrs. Voelker introduced me to it. I actually need to buy another one, because one of my students loved it even more than I did.  Anyway the thing I love about this book is it has a repetitive rhyme: "Please let me go Judge, I didn't know Judge, that what I did was against the law, I just said what I saw"  (see I have it memorized :0)  It's a great way to get kids to Choral read!

3.   The Keeping Quilt            Patricia Polacco!  Enough said.  She is amazing and awesome and wonderful.  I love her illustrations.  After I read this book, I like to encourage my students to try and illustrate with pencil and only make the important items in color.  Here's a peek at the inside of this book.
 
4. Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum! I love reading this story for the first week of school. It is a great way to teach your class, that everyone is different and you shouldn't tease anyone because of it.  I also love how the Teacher is the hero of the story, and makes the girls realize that just because Chrysanthemum has a long name doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it. I love doing the voices of the whiny girls in this story--the kids love it!


And now a little known book called


The Tale of Meshka the Kvetch
I found this book when my school was closing and the librarian was giving away all of her older, much loved books.  I quickly scooped up this little gem. First of all my grandmother was Jewish and would always tell me to stop "kvetching"  (complaining).  Now, I was raised in a Christian home, but my roots are in the yiddish/Jewish world. (I was Yenta in my 4th grade play of Fiddler on the Roof) But I digress, I love this book (Wait, I think I have said that about every book)  First of all it teaches a lesson--STOP COMPLAINING! or you will get the Kvetch's itch!  Your tongue will begin to itch, and low and behold everything will begin to come true.  I usually break this book out when the kids have had enough of each other and can't stop tattling.  No One wants an itchy tongue.

I have one more ( I know it's supposed to be 5, but I can't help it)
6. Stone Soup (see my post from March) I use all 3 versions, plus a reader's theater!  Text to Text here we come!
    


                                                Happy Reading,

                                                  Jessica