Ting-a-ling-a-ling School Bell Rings!

In the words of one of my more memorable students after he returned from school...I'm back! It was a great summer and I created a lot of fun memories. However, I must admit, I didn't prep as much as I usually for the new school year. I took time and updated, refreshed, and cleared out a few of my older materials to make room for materials and ideas that will focus on Common Core!

I still have my beloved race car theme and I am very happy that more students were excited to enter my classroom.

For the past couple of years, along with my "Welcome to My Class Letter" to students, I have included a key labeled the "Key to Success" with my student's name. They bring the key to me and when they enter they go to their desk and exchange their key for some fun race car themed treats. The kids love it. Then their key is added to the classroom door. I love to see their faces as they hand me the key. It is as if they are entrusting me with the ability to motivate, educate, and protect them this school year.

This year I plan on getting a little more interactive in science and taking social studies into a more creative approach. So far, I have more time in my schedule to do just that so I am very excited. I plan to use Social Studies Weekly, the first grade Georgia edition. I also plan to bring in my iPad and put it to good use in the classroom.

I have also bought two more resources from one of my favorite shops, Lakeshore Learning.

I bought the Daily Common Core Comprehension Journal and will use these daily. I also bought Crayola erasable colored pencils for students to use with them. Just a little something to spark their interest and give them a change of pace from always using plain pencils.

I am also going to use the Number bond journals. I started off now, even though students haven't been introduced to subtraction, we are using them to find the missing addend and practice related facts. I am introducing problem solving this way with simple steps each day. The first day they listen to the math story and illustrate it. One the second day the fill in the number bond boxes after figuring out the number bond. We are working these out together. On the third day we fill in two of the related facts in the fact family. Then when we start subtraction, they will be able to go back and fill in the subtraction facts, thus extending the learning.

I plan to post at least once a week, and add more pictures this year. I am fully turned up and ready for a great year. I love that my county allows teachers to have a little fun. Check me out in the video below. This is right up my alley and why I love to "Teach to the Beat!" Have a Great School Year!
Footloose Teachers