Stop, Swap and Roll (Product Swap) and a Give-Away

Happy Saturday, Folks!

Today, I'm pleased as punch

to join other bloggers

for a fun product swap

sponsored by
Melissa at

Jungle Learners

For this swap, I was paired with the lovely

Amy from

180 Days of Reading.

She is a busy wife, mom, and 

reading specialist from

the great state of Pennsylvania! 

Amy has an absolute plethora of activities in her store, all disguised as FUN, so it was quite a challenge to select just one product.

I finally decided on her game... 

With its snowman theme, it was perfectly suited for the time of year 
I would be introducing
this skill to my firsties. 

There are 3 highly-engaging games in
Amy's product, however I knew I wanted to 
 incorporate the "write the room" activity into my center time.
My kids had not been exposed to such a game and I was eager to give them another reason to leave their seats.  
With a class make-up of two-thirds BOYS,
you can probably understand the need!
Bless my heart!

Prep could not have been any easier.
Just print, cut, and tape the cards 
around the room... literally!
You might want to provide your kids with  clipboards 
and then...
let them go!

Here are a few pics of this 
fun game in action.  

This firstie found a card on a spelling
bulletin board.

Then he noticed one taped to a stereo,

and one taped to a shelf, 

and one on a closet door.
Absolutely any space in your classroom
is more than suitable for this activity!

I also loved how Amy's product included all the necessary recording sheets 
so your kiddos can be
held accountable for their work.
That alone makes my job so much easier.

I encourage you to tip-toe on over to 
Amy's store and check out her other products.
She has a wide, WIDE assortment of
activities for whole group, small group,
intervention, etc...
Go See!

I mentioned a give-away, too!
Amy has graciously agreed to allow me to give away a free sample of her fun game
plus another product of your choice.

It's simple to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There are MORE giveaways going on during this product swap.
Amy's even giving away one of my products.  Go see her HERE.

Be sure and visit these other blogs for more giveaway opportunities!

Kim Adsit at Her Best

Hi Everyone!

My entire grade level recently had the pleasure of attending a seminar conducted by

Kim Adsit of Kindergals

and I must say she was 

everything I expected her to be 

and oh, OH so much more.

 If you find yourself 

in need of fresh ideas, 

recent research in early childhood education, or simply confirmation 

that you're doing something right, 

this conference is for you.

It was entitled...

and it's got something for everyone...
 the teacher at the threshold of her career and those of us 
who will soon bring it to a close.  
I encourage you to RUN - don't walk,

and take a peek at her schedule.

She's probably coming to a city near YOU! 

Thank you, Kim for posing with all of us!

If you're still reading 
(and I'm so grateful if you are!), 
I'd like to share with you 
a reading skill called prosody 
and how my classroom kind of lost one of the ways in which it is so easily developed.
Through her seminar, Kim so graciously inspired me to return to it once again. 

So... what's this thing called prosody?
Basically it's what makes 
expressive reading
well... 
expressive!
It's timing, intonation, phrasing, emphasis and it's easily developed 
through chants,

poems,

and songs!

While I have always included 
a weekly chant or poem 
for my kiddos to practice,
the singing had essentially disappeared.
My daily schedule 
would allow for only so many  
"must haves" 
 and they multiplied each year.  
Some element of my day 
had to be dropped and sadly, 
for my kiddos... that was singing.

Now that I'm reflecting on Kim's teaching,
I am reminded 
of the importance of singing 
and it will return to my classroom...
with a vengence next week!

I'm starting with this favorite...
Today is Sunday.

It's a simple one 
your kids will be humming 
all day.  
If you don't have it on a cd,
you can sing along on youtube HERE 
 and if you'd like your own copy of the poster
click HERE.

Clipart by My Cute Graphics and public domain images

Enjoy your weekend and thanks, Kim!

Fresh Start Fry Phrases

Hi Everyone,

It's 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 4th and my 

Christmas break is quickly coming to an end.

Monday morning will arrive 

in just a few short hours 

and that means I'll have to set my alarm before going to bed tonight. 

 My brain is already beginning to show 

signs of rebellion 

at the mere thought of it.

Morning person... I'm not. 

With the tiny bit of time 

I have remaining, 

I thought I would offer 

a free sample of a product 

I recently posted in my store.

This product is intended 

for the ipad in your classroom.  

  

Each slide has a sentence 

using a common phrase 

consisting of fry words. 

It would be most appropriate for late kindergarten or first grade classrooms. 

  

What kid would not enjoy 

reading to and with a friend... 

especially when they're using an ipad! 

I'd love to share 4 copies

Leave your email address, please.

After those are gone, you can find this product HERE.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend!

January Currently

Happy New Year!

It's so nice to have a fresh start, 

don't you agree?

Anyway... I'm linking up with 

Farley's January Currently

to kick off the new year.

Listening: We're currently between ballgames at my house.  Hubby is napping so it's just me and the dehumidifier.  My life is so exciting, I know.  

Loving:  The afternoon I spent with my parents watching THE Auburn Tigers in the Outback Bowl. Although my mother served a wonderful lunch (peas and cornbread!) and we were all sporting our Auburn colors, my team sadly lost. We'll regroup and return next year. There's always hope in next year. 

Kudos to YOU, Wisconsin! 

Thinking: I am a list-maker and every year during my Christmas break, I make an impossible "to do" list.  This year is kicking my bottom because I'm not remotely getting close to completing it.

Wanting: My pup, Brownie, is not well.  We made an emergency trip to the vet hospital last weekend and after a round of meds, he's still not on the mend.  We have an appointment with our regular vet tomorrow.

Needing: My lesson plans are not complete for next week!  My teacher friends had them done before we left school 2 weeks ago!  

Yes: I should GET UP and go for a walk before the soaking rain that's forecast for our area arrives later today.  I really should... just.get.up.

Wanting: I had an earlier conversation with our vet yesterday.  Her prognosis was not good for my furry friend. Perhaps after she examines him, she'll have better news.

Wishing: I desperately want to attend a professional development seminar in Mobile in 2 weeks.  My district, however, has not approved these type requests in YEARS.

What's up with THAT?!  Folks, Kim Adsit is presenting! 

Happy New Year to YOU and YOURS!