Crayons & Cuties In Kindergarten

Monday, January 2, 2017

Winter Math Centers

I am going to be honest...I had hoped to have this post up back in December...I had a bunch of winter/holiday center ideas using goodies I purchased at Target, as well as freebies I found on blogs and TpT that I wanted to share with you to help make planning easier...BUT some little things like motherhood, teaching, being a wife/running a home and life in general got in the way!

So I pulled out the things that were winter and could continue to be used to share with you!

Let's hope I can be better prepared next year!

Let's start with these snowman plates I found at Target! They were in the holiday party goods section. THEY might even be on clearance now!

I found the white pom poms in the Dollar Spot. If you can't find white pom poms, cotton balls would work just as well!

The double dice are from Lakeshore and can be found HERE. I have the Jumbo Double Dice (12 to a package) although they also sell regular size double dice where there are 70 to a package!

The tweezers are also from Lakeshore. I have used them A LOT this year...we've needed a lot of fine motor work. They work great for picking up Target Dollar Spot erasers too!

Take a look at this video if you need a 'visual':

Here's another way we used the plates as I reference in the video:

And if you don't already own this tape you want it...NOW!

We used it for interactive writing to cover up 'mistakes' but I have found it's great for making center activities when I don't want a permanent mark!

(I used them on these puzzles too!)

And if you were lucky enough to find these erasers (and I even read some teachers found them in Target Christmas clearance for 30 cents a bag!!!!!) you can use them instead of the pom poms/cotton balls.

Speaking of clearance....I am SURE these Santa plates are on clearance now!

I purchased present gift tags and simply removed the string part. We also used these candy cane erasers with the Santa plates.

The dice were great but I also wanted my kids to work on numbers to 10, so I created this spinner that we used with the plates too. You can find the spinner in the download pack at the end of this post for FREE!

The other goodie I found in the Dollar Spot were these 2-sided wooden trees. Of course we called them Christmas trees, but you could also call them 'winter' or evergreen trees!

And for my readers that need a visual...

And a few other things that popped into my head on how you could use them:

Next up is these number ordering cards. My kids L-O-V-E these because they get to use the fun links! We have been practicing these since Fall. I know this picture shows the Christmas stockings, but the winter center pack download (free at the bottom of this post) will have the snowflakes to order. We'll be using them starting next week!

I don't have a 'counting by 10's' set but they would be easy to make..go to Google images (if you don't already own snowflake images) and find a snowflake image, insert a text box and print them on cardstock. Cut & hole punch just like above.

Back to the famous Target Dollar Spot erasers...

This is one of my students' FAVORITE early finisher basket activity and I also put it out for morning stations/tubs. The directions on how to play are included in the FREE download pack. If you don't have the erasers- no big deal! You can use chips, cubes, flat glass 'marbles' (you can find them in the florist section of craft stores), pom poms/cotton balls, buttons, etc!

I just added this to my TpT Store for practicing numbers 10-20:

It is a follow-up to the New Year Theme for Numbers 0-10 that I posted for FREE!

Think these are some things you'd like to try out this winter?!

This FREE download includes:

*snowflake number ordering cards (0-10)

*Roll & Remove instructions & game boards for 1-6 and 2-12

*Snowman spinner for 1-10

*Snowman button cards for 1-10

We also used this freebie from Life Over C's:

I printed the Christmas and Winter sets she offers back to back. We used the Christmas version and will now be moving onto the winter side. We used the glass gems to help find and count all the items and I put the recording sheets into clear sleeves so we could use dry eraser markers:

I have been pinning a lot of cute center and project ideas on my Winter Pinterest board:

I'd love to have you follow the board so you can grab some of the ideas, as well!

Well tomorrow is 'back to school'!

I hope everyone had a wonderful break and enjoyed down time with those you love!

Until next post,

Friday, December 30, 2016

New Year FREEBIE...And Some Magical Deals!

How is it possible that we are getting ready to ring in 2017?

As much as I dread the end of my winter break, I do love the start of a new year and all that comes with starting fresh!

I prepped my 'New Year' goodies before I left for break so that I wouldn't have any 'work' hanging over my head. I 'prettied-up' this math center I prepped and am offering it as a New Year gift!

My students just finished our 'comparing and ordering numbers 0-10' unit before break so I know they'll need a bit of review and 'refresher' when we return before we dive into numbers 11-20. We completed something similar for Christmas and I saw they needed a bit more practice with this skill. SO, I made one using some fun new clip art I purchased from Little Red Schoolhouse!

All the directions and suggestions for use are in the FREE DOWNLOAD!

Students identify what the 'missing number' is and then write it on the recording sheet next to the picture that was in the missing number's place!

If you are in a paper crunch, or trying to be more environmentally friendly, you can also have them use magnetic numbers to cover the picture...they can then record it on a dry erase board and/or a laminated version of the recording sheet so that it can be re-used!

After we use this in math center next week, I plan on putting it in one of our morning tubs with magnetic numbers and a dry erase board for them to practice writing the number (aka my trick to squeeze in some extra number writing practice!)

You can click the pictures above or HERE to download it for FREE!

(There is ANOTHER FREEBIE at the bottom of this post too!)

If you LOVE the New Year one for Numbers 0-10, be sure to check out my Winter Theme for Numbers 10-20 too:

But that's not the end of the New Year fun!

I have teamed up with 30 other sellers for a 'Magical New Year' promotion!

On Saturday December 31st we are each offering a dollar deal!

I am offering my New Year's Early Emergent Readers Pack!

It is normally $3, but will be reduced to $1 for ONE DAY ONLY!

Much like the Winter Express Readers Pack I offered back in November (see post and video here), this pack comes with word cards, word and picture cards and 2 versions of the reader to aid differentiation in the classroom!

It is also offered in both color and black & white:

We will be reading and coloring our books the first week back when we discuss 'New Years' and then they will be added to our Readers Workshop book baggies for independent reading, sight word recognition and fluency practice!

If you are like me a 'visual' always helps!

This shows what is included:

And here is my son reading the book that is included:

Be sure to check out all the DOLLAR DEALS for 12/31/16 HERE:

In addition, each author is also offering one of their bundles for 50% off on 1/1/17!

From me you will find my EDITABLE SIGHT WORD PUZZLES BUNDLE for only $18!

We use these puzzles EACH week in centers and it has really helped with being able to identify, read and write our 'tricky' words!

I pair it with this great editable FREEBIE from Resource Ranch:

It is editable too!

After the kids complete their puzzle, they take this to complete- we call it 'shake and write' because I put the dice in small plastic containers so that we aren't chasing them off the tables!

I started by making a fall set and continued through the year. I recently added a 'non-seasonal' set and then bundled them all together so you will never be without a puzzle!

You can read more details about the puzzles HERE and find all my posts that contain sight word puzzles by scrolling through HERE!

Basically- you decide on what 2, 3, 4 or 5 letter word you want your student(s) to practice. Because they are editable, you can change around the words so everyone has the same picture, but the words are different!

Follow the instructions in the pack to edit and then print:

Students color/cut on the dotted lines:

And then glue the pieces to spell the word:

They practice writing the word 3 times:

And can even use it in a sentence on the back:

There are also full color puzzles included that can be used at a center, during word work, etc!

And in each pack there is a free sample to download so you can try it out!

AS A SPECIAL HAPPY NEW YEAR GIFT...

Try this New Year Puzzle (for the word 'have') for FREE!

Using them is as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4!

This video explains how to use them as well:

Searching for more New Years resources?

Just click this picture to be brought to all my paid and free resources!

You can also check out these blog posts for New Years projects!

One of my favorite things to do is have this puzzle on the kids' desks when they come in the first day from break! It's super easy- they cut, build the new year and color!

(Click the picture to find it in my TpT Store- I edit it each year so you'll always have it!)

We work through these New Year goodies during the week back

The kids each make a pair of monocles (see in picture below) and I take their picture wearing them with a New Years hat and blower in hand! Then I print the pictures and mount them with their New Years resolution foldable (see above). It makes a great bulletin board/hallway display!

We also make and read these books:

and watch the ball drop via YouTube!

In addition to the FREEBIE at the beginning of this post, be sure to grab my New Year Countdown FREEBIE in my TpT Store too!

AND DON'T FORGET TO GRAB YOUR:

DOLLAR DEALS- Sat 12/31/16

HALF OFF DEALS- Sun 1/1/17

Wishing you health, happiness, peace and serenity as you head into 2017!

I would like to say that I am resolving to blog more in 2017 but I don't want to break my resolutions TOO quickly this year! I post a lot of ideas on Instagram and my Facebook page because it is easier and less time consuming, so if you don't already follow me via those social media outlets, I would love to have you join me this year!

Until next post,

Sunday, November 27, 2016

Dollar Deals, Gift Card Giveaway & Cyber Monday Sale!

It might just be 'the most wonderful time of the year'...

That's right...within the next few days there will be a dollar day, TpT Gift Card Giveaway and the TPT Cyber Monday (and Tuesday) sale!

Find all the details, links and how-to's below!

Today, Sunday November 27th,

I am participating in a 'Deck Your Classroom' Dollar Deals promotion!

Find over 30 products discounted to just ONE DOLLAR for today only!

From me you will find my 'All Aboard! Early Emergent Readers Pack!'

I am a visual learner, so I like to see things 'in action,' so I made this video highlighting what is included:

Now that you've seen what is included, here is how I used it in my classroom!

I use it with my students after we read The Polar Express.

We talk about the people/objects that were in the story using the word and picture cards:

We build sentences using the cards in a pocketchart

My students are working on reading with one to one correspondence, so the 'touch points' are key. They really like that the ones in this story are bells!

There are 2 versions of the story so that you can differentiate for your different learners!

One version the text is complete and in the other version, they need to fill in the missing word to complete the sentence on each page:

I KNOW this time of year is SUPER busy and there is nothing more frustrating then spending time prepping materials! These books are SUPER easy to put together...

*Simply download and print the pages you plan on using.

*Collate them in the order you want your students to read them.

*Put them through your copier in the 'Collate, 2 Staples Left' mode:

Once copied simply cut on the dotted lines using either a paper cutter or scissors and you have 2 books ready to read:

My students keep their books in their book baggies all holiday season long. It's great for working on pattern books, fluency, story recall/comprehension, 1:1 correspondence and building reading confidence and stamina!

I often have them pull out their books during small group instruction to work on some 'word work' such as sight word ID, letter ID, initial sounds, etc!

Grab it HERE for $1 TODAY ONLY:

And be sure to check out ALL the $1 Deals HERE:

Next way to save....WIN A $10 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card!

The lucky recipient of this gift card gets to spend $10 anyway s/he likes to!

Enter using the rafflecopter at the end of this post!

To get the best 'bang for your ($10) buck(s)' use it during the TpT Cyber Monday and Tuesday Site-Wide sale!

Monday November 28th and Tuesday November 29th my ENTIRE TpT Store will be 20% OFF...use TpT Promo Code CYBER2016 for an additional 10% off!

My store will remain on sale Wednesday November 30th in case you forget something, but the extra 10% promo code will not be active, so I suggest shopping early!

Here are a few things from my TPT Store that would make GREAT DEALS to snag up during the sale!

Sight Word Puzzles!

This video shows one of my winter puzzles in action:

I have sets for Fall, Halloween, Winter Holidays, Winter, Spring and a General 'All Year' set...

You can find all of them in this bundle:

Old Lady Retelling Bundle

The bundle is completely up to date and includes ALL of the Old Lady stories, including her newest story! The bundle also includes retelling bags that you can only get by purchasing the bundle!

Valued at $52 you can grab it for $25.92 with the promo code during the sale...that is only $1.99 per story!

Sight Word Readers

These were the first thing I posted in my TPT shop and one of my best sellers! It has been updated several times to make it even better! I have been using them in my classroom, along with the sight word fill in the blank worksheets, for over 12 years!

This link will take you to the SUPER BUNDLE that contains ALL of the books (best value), but you can also purchase smaller sets and smaller bundles!

Elf Pack

If you are planning any elf fun in your classroom this holiday season, you don't want to miss out grabbing this pack! It contains elf naming dice, elf hat craftivity, elf foldable reader and elf poems exclusive to the bundle...you can purchase each component separately but you save money and get these 'extras' by purchasing the bundle!

Hibernation and Animals In Winter Pack