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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

It's Time to...HIBERNATE!

Happy New Year!
I am excited to be a part of my first blog hop of 2015!
There are 16 bloggers who have some New Year and winter themed freebies, ideas and products ready for you to implement as we embark on a New Year and head 'back to school' after a much needed and enjoyed winter break!

In case you are like me and already have your New Year plans & activities prepped and ready, I chose to show you all about our hibernation fun!  I didn't have a chance to blog about it before break, so thought this would be a perfect time to share!

On the first day of school I introduce my kinders to our class bear.  He helps out kids who are having some transition issues, and then he hangs out in our book nook!  Many choose to 'read to bear' as they learn how to read!

But come winter, our bear needs to hibernate!

So we create a den from him, give him a kiss and hug 'goodnight' and then put him in our book nook to hibernate all winter long!  Come spring, we wake him up and tell him all about the things we did and learned while he was 'sleeping!'

Come on a visit to my classroom during 'hibernation week!'

This year I found 3 new books to supplement my hibernation unit!
There were all on Amazon and reasonably affordable!
What I loved is that they were in simple 'kid friendly' language!  I have a few others I have acquired over the years through Scholastic but really like these new additions!

And this is an adorable fiction read aloud to compliment any hibernation unit!  
It is all about animals as they prepare to hibernate.  The kids LOVE that the animals put on PJs!

 So before we begin, we complete a what we 'know' chart, as well as what we 'want to learn!'
It always gives me a good sense of background knowledge about hibernation!

During our unit we learn about animals that 'hibernate' those that 'migrate' and those that 'remain active.'  I have real life photos that we sort and display.  The kids use those as reference while writing stories about animals in winter (they choose to write about those that hibernate, migrate, remain active or a combination of all).

As we learn and read about hibernation, we fill in the answers to our 'questions' and when we are all done we chart all that we learned, in addition to the answers we figured out!

A lot of our work that week centers around hibernation!
We complete this interactive activity for identifying where each animal hibernates.
Last year we did it in the 'science' section of our Interactive Notebooks.  This year I did not get that 'section' up and running, so I had them do it on manila construction paper!

In math were were working on identifying, counting and ordering sets to 5, so they completed hibernation themed number puzzles!

We were also reviewing ordinal numbers, so we played an ordinal numbers game!  
 One student hid a bear under/in a den and the others had to guess which den he was in by asking 'Is the bear hiding under the __insert ordinal number___ den?'  We would lift the den to see if the bear was in there!  If correct, that person then had a chance to hide the bear.  If not, we continued to guess which den the bear was in!
When we had practiced a few times we then completed an ordinal numbers coloring activity for extra practice!

You can find that game here:

A lot of our 'reading' that week was all centered around hibernation too!
We built sentences in the pocketchart and after several re-readings they completed and read their own books!
For some it was easier to reference our class chart to assist completing the books.
They loved adding them to their Readers Workshop baskets and reading them independently all week!

Our sensory bucket for the week was filled with beans and housed a number matching activity.
 
They matched a number, to a the number of hibernating animals and a ten frame of places the animal hibernates!

Our 'read the room' for the week was for students to find nests that had a picture in it and then write the letter that that pictures begins with on their recording sheet.  I thought I had a few pictures of it 'in action' but can't seem to find them!

The 'real fun' was creating a den for our class bear!
We first read this adorable story about a bear that is reluctant to hibernate!  Our bear sat in the meeting area to hear the story too!

Then it was time to build our den!
You can read about it in my Hibernation Super Pack too!
A copy box served as the base.  
I gave each kid some construction paper to rip and we glued it to the box.
We used the extra paper as 'blankets' for him!

The den was ready, but everyone needs hugs and kisses before bed! 
We didn't want anyone waking him, so we needed to make a sign for the den!
Using interactive writing, the students constructed a perfect sign!
While students came up to write on our class sign, each had a white board and was writing the same message on his/her board!


 And now our den, sign and bucket of hibernation books are in our book nook for the winter!  We can still read to him- with whispers of course!

But everyone wanted their own bear and den, so it was time to make our own bears and dens!
You can also find all the directions for this in my Hibernation Super Pack!
I pre-cut the den doors, but they each added 'snow' to the dens and wrote 'shh' so the bear would not be disturbed!  They created a bear with the information they had learned about bears throughout the unit!


They gave their own bears 'hugs and kisses' before it hibernated too!

Bears and dens are drying and almost ready! 

SO cute!  I especially love the triangle 'warning' sign on this one!

We put the bears in their dens, and I stapled the tops.  They are hanging on a bulletin board in our room, but for some reason (I am thinking Christmas crazies!!!) I did not get a picture of our dens hanging!

When Spring comes rolling in and it is time to wake the class bear, we will wake our own bears too!
I use this book as our read aloud right before we wake them:
The text is in rhyme, the pictures are adorable and its about all the 'spring' animals that both wake and are born so it is a great lead-in to our Spring discussions!

As part of the hop, we are each offering a 'forever freebie.'  I have had this freebie in my store for about two years, so if you have not already downloaded it, here is the link:
It is a book where students cut/paste hibernating animals into a foldable reader.  
It can be used stand-alone, but is a great book to use with my hibernation unit

I have marked this pack 20% off  for the duration of the hop (January 1-4) and would also love to give one away!  If you are selected as the winner, but purchased it during the sale, I will give you a $10 credit to my TpT Store!
Simply leave a blog post comment about whether you would like to hibernate, migrate or remain active during winter!

Ready to find more fun, new, fresh and exciting winter and New Year ideas?!
Head over to my blogging buddy Kourtney from:
Mrs. Payton's Precious Kindergarteners

Hope your New Year rang in with a blast and your worries and troubles are left in the past!
Happy New Year!
Until next post,
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Lets Read About Penguins!

For the past 2 years I have had 'Make Penguin Early Emergent Readers' on my 'to do' list...and every year winter comes and goes and I never get to it, so I moved it to the top of my 'to do' list for Winter Break and am so excited to finally have them done!  I tested them out with my 2 boys and I can't wait to use it with my kinders!

My original idea of a few readers 'snowballed' into a pack of 11 Informational Text Readers that PreK-1 students can read independently!  PLUS it has a fun 'carrying case' and more....

Here is the 'carrying case' with all the goodies!
The pieces come in both color and black and white so you can choose what works best for your classroom!
It is made from a file folder (although you could also use a 12x18 piece of construction paper).
You can choose to include the optional back writing activity, but it is not necessary!

There are 11 books- each in color and black and white.
There is a book for each of the following penguin types:
*Adelie
*Chinstrap
*Emperor
*Erect-Crested
*Galapagos
*Gentoo
*King
*Little
*Macaroni
*Rockhopper

PLUS a 'review' book that mentions all the penguins! 
 There are also 'fact cards' in both color and black and white!
Students cut/read/paste the facts to each penguin type based on what they learned from the books, discussions in class, read alouds or by using the large scale display fact cards that are also included in the pack!

These are the 'large' scale fact cards.  Use them while you are learning about each penguin type, use on posters, to display at centers, for partner learning games and more!


Also included are 3 different types of crowns- you can use them to differentiate and/or find which works best for your classroom!

The versions include:
~Students color the 10 types of penguins

~Students write their favorite type of penguin (seen in photo) & color from the line-up
(the strip can be used for students' name and/or to write a penguin fact)

~Students write their favorite penguin, draw a picture and write facts about it

I also have this cut/match/paste printable in the pack.  It is a good way for students to learn how to 'reference text' to find the answers!

To make sure it was 'kid approved' I had my son try it out!  He is just learning how to read and is SUPER excited about reading and VERY proud of his efforts!

I am going to start by saying...please ignore that he is wrapped in a blanket!  He loves to hang out in his undies but didn't think they would make for appropriate pictures!!  We compromised on a 'penguin colored' blanket!

The text is simple and each book starts the same... 'This is a ____ penguin.' so it was easy for him to pick up!  He did need some help with penguin names, but loved finding sight words he knows in the text, as well as words he could sound out!

The books also allow for him to practice pointing to words as he reads and he was so happy he could read about penguins all by himself!

He wanted to make the crown so that he could read the rest of the books like the 'King Penguin!'

I picked the simpler of the 2 'write in' crowns- and he looked at all the penguin types and choices and decided "Macaroni" was his favorite because it was like 'Macaroni and Cheese!"

He circled the penguin from the 'line-up' and then copied the word onto the line!

He colored his favorite, as well as the 2 on the strip and added his name
(You could have students write a fact/why it is their favorite in that place too- or use a sentence strip to attach the crown to the child's head)

And he was all set!

Now it was back to reading the books and fact cards in his penguin pack!




And when he was all done he put all the books and fact cards back into his little carrying case!
They are currently under his bed as he takes a nap because he doesn't want anyone reading his penguin books while he is sleeping!

I think it is safe to say these books are 'kid approved!'

Want to try it out with your little readers?
I made the Emperor Penguin book a freebie for you to try out!
Just click the cover and download it from Teachers Pay Teachers!
I'd love to hear what you think about it in the form of feedback after download!

*************************************
And as part of the 'Countdown to a New Year' deal, for today only- Wednesday December 31st- the Penguin Pack of Reading Fun is 40% off!


Plus, the Rafflecopters to win 5 $25 TpT Gift Certificates ends today!
enter the group I am in here:

And here are 4 other sets of Rafflecopters you can enter- 
each baring a $25 TpT Gift certificate winner for a total of $125 in TPT gift certificates! 




It has 18 'print and go' activities geared for grades K-2 with a New Year or Winter theme!

From me you will find a New Year mystery code printable!
that is part of my New Years Super Pack!

It is perfect as a morning work, do-now, center extension activity or indoor recess choice for the week we return from break!

In addition there is a linky for free and paid winter products from various sellers on the same post!

This is likely to be my last post of 2014, so I just wanted to wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year!
I have some fun things planned for 2015...including a belated 1st 'Blog Birthday' Bash!
Until next post,
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Monday, December 29, 2014

It Is Time To Ring In A New Year With Our Hand & Foot Projects!

How can it be the end of 2014 already?!!
My 'to do' list still has so much on it....not sure how to finish before the ball drops...
BUT...
We did finish one thing!

Our Annual New Years project...I say 'annual' as if I have been doing it for years...last year was the first year I did it- but plan to continue for as long as they let me...or I can bribe them!

Look at how much they have grown since last year...

This year they wanted to do all the writing on their own and you can read every letter in their name!
You can find out about our 2014 projects here!

Want to try it out....here is the 'how to!'

First....download these labels for free!  You don't have to print on labels- you can just print and cut on regular paper or use a full sheet label.  These will fit on 2x4 mailing labels.

*********************
Here are the 2016 labels:
********************

Here is the 2017 labels:



Next gather some paint and paper!
I used a poster size oaktag that I cut in half so that I had one for each boy.  Last year we used a 12x18 piece of construction paper (but I wasn't sure it would all fit this year!)

I used craft paint so that I would get a bold color contrast on the red oaktag.  You can use fingerpaint paint too- but the color won't be as bold.
Paint each hand- I used a foam craft brush.  And place it down on the oaktag.

Next is the feet....which are a bit trickier!
I had them first step in the plate of paint and then I filled in the gaps with the brush!
Having them lean on me, I had them step on the oaktag.


I placed the hands and feet together so that I could label them with '2015' later on, but how you decide to place them is totally up to you and your creative juices!


DO make sure you have wipes and/or wet paper towels on hand or you'll be scrubbing hand and foot prints off your floor straight into the New Year!

After the hands and feet were dry I had them write their names on the bottom of the poster with a marker.

I also sat with them to help them fill out their labels- although they didn't want much help this year!!!!


Here they are all filled out and ready to be placed on the poster!  So proud!!!

I cut out the '2015' so that I could put a number on each hand/foot, but again, you decide how you want to place the labels!  There is no right/wrong way!  If your child is real young and can't tell you the answers to the questions, you can simply write in their stats/favorites!

This year I decided to add a picture to the poster!


And now they are all ready for the New Year!
I hang these on our 'art wall' for about a month and then I tuck them away with all their other keepsake art!

It was fun to pull out last years projects and compare how much they grew- both physically and 'academically!'  

Be sure to check out the 'Countdown to the New Year' celebration sales that are going on today, Tuesday and Wednesday!

Today 3 of my products are 20% off:

Each day the 'sale banner' on my TPT homepage will take you directly to all the deals of the day!

Tuesday December 30th is 'Buy 1, Get 1 Free' PLUS $1 Deals!

Purchase my Snow Globe Phonics pack for $3 and get my New Year Beginning, Middle, Ending Sound Center cards for free!
Simply message me on Facebook, or email me, after purchase.  Include your tpt username and email address and I will send your free pack!

You can also find my Happy New Year Early Emergent Reader Pack and Winter Version Color by Ten Frame packs are only $1 all day long!

You can find more $1 deals by clicking here!

PLUS  go to my Facebook page and click on the 'Giveaway Tab' to win a $25 TpT gift certificate!
Winner will be announced on Wednesday, so go enter now!

You can also enter here:
And here are 4 other sets of Rafflecopters you can enter- each baring a $25 TpT Gift certificate winner on Wednesday! 




Check back tomorrow....you will find a bundle discounted and giveaway of a new product- plus find out who won the gift certificate!

To find all my New Years goodies, click here!

Wishing you and your family a very happy New Year!

Until next post,
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