The 1950's

Today we celebrated the 50th day of school in 1950's style! For starters, the elementary students & staff dressed-up. You should know, they all looked amazing! 

Personally, I was really into the idea... see for yourself:

 

While prepping for the day, I did the first thing I always do to get my ideas flowing, I visited Pinterest (of course).

Follow my Pinterest Board for the 50's Day 

I also made a Pandora station using "The Chords (1950's)" 

We listened and danced along to it all day.

The students loved it!

I loved it more.

Check out the links below to access some amazing FREEBIES that I used to create a day of 1950's classroom fun.

50th Day of School Activities, by: Flying into First Grade

50th Day of School Coloring-Counting-Puzzles, 

by: Teaching Resource Resort

B2S13

Today was my first official day of being back in the classroom... it feels so good to be getting things set-up and organized for another great year with the same awesome students I taught as first graders. I do believe this "looping" business has some perks! 2nd grade - here I come (again!).

Today was also my blog's first day with it's new makeover. Wow! I love it. The colors, the designs, the adorable owls -it was everything I asked for! Thank you to Tricia for her design. Here's a great deal she is offering to my readers, if any of you are interested in some design help!

Lastly, today was the the big BTS13 sale on TpT -despite the fact I vowed not to spend anymore money on my classroom, I just could not help it! The deals were great and my "wishlist" was packed with additions I wanted to make to the classrooms this year.

Here are the links to a few purchases I just could not resist any longer:

Good Morning Work

All About Me - Paper Backpack Back-to-School Craftivity 

Writing Scoop - Ice Cream Rubrics

Common Core Math Quick Assessments 

Super in Second - Beginning of the Year Activities

I can't wait to get back to school in the morning to begin printing & prepping these items! Along with the rest of my two-page to-do list. Ahh! 
 
Please leave me a comment letting me know what you think of the blog's new look -and visit back soon. I am looking forward to making a 2013 classroom reveal in the very near future!

Morning work templates

I like the idea of laminating a morning work page to wipe off and reuse each day! Why didn't I think of that sooner?! This solves my dilemma of using up all that paper! Trying to "go green" in elementary can be tricky!

Here are some great templates to choose from.

Found here:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Special-Education-Morning-Work-Freebie-688050

Found here:

http://keepingitcore.blogspot.com/

Found here:

http://pinterest.com/pin/17170042300135593/

Found here:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/August-June-Calendar-Journal-255445

FREEBIE - Number Posters

Not only do these posters look awesome in the classroom but the students referred to them often -which is the point of all the bright fancy posters we hang up in the first place!

 

 These were created by another inspiring blogger, 

Kristen Smith - "A day in first grade"

Download them for FREE on her blog.

They also help model one of your Common Core Math standards of writing numbers in different ways.

Common Core Binders

Are you trying to organize your life for the Common Core?

I was so excited to put together these curriculum binders for my 1st AND 2nd grade math lessons.

What you need:

Four binders... one for each math strand.

 Lots of tabs... one for each standard.

I used pink tabs for 1st grade and blue tabs for 2nd grade.

Yes! I love organization :)

You can also Get the same FREE binder cover I used

Made by TpT seller: Kimberly Santana

Piece of Cake!

Now that I have your attention, let's talk about math. Fractions have become a "piece of cake" (or pizza! perhaps even a scoop of ice cream!) in our classroom -that is, thanks to some great resources. The following are a few TpT items I was thankful to have purchased and I am now recommending to you:

 Fraction Fun: A Math Packet. Seller: The Teacher Wife

  My Book of Fractions. Seller: Amy Lemons

 Make a Fraction Sundae. Seller: Amy Lemons

 Fraction Pizza Craftivity. Seller: Amy Lemons

Now, let's sweeten the deal! For great online fractions practice, your students can visit my post at:

Owl Ready to Learn (select topic: Fractions)