Free Number flash Cards with Ten's Frames

I am so blessed to have such a great class this school year, however this past week was super challenging.  It seemed like all of my kiddos were already on break and moved at a snail's pace when doing their work (except when it was time to play, they can sure move fast then!).  I'm so glad winter break is finally here!  *sigh of relief*  This is wonderful!  Then REALITY sets in.  There's lots more to do!  It's my own doing though.  I absolutely LOVE teaching, but it also means work never ends and when I am on break it means I need to catch up on my own personal life and chores that have been neglected, hehe!

I wanted to share 3 craft projects that I did with my class this past week.

This santa project was inspired by Mrs. Lee Kindergarten.  I loved this project because each Santa came out completely different. 

We used white tempera paint to create this Santa Handprint Ornament.  Make sure the paint it THICK and not runny.  You can also use acrylic paint instead.  Paint on white paint onto each child's hand and have them hold the ornament like a ball, gently of course.  We then used permanent markers to add details to our snowman.  I've used window markers as well and they worked perfectly fine.  I usually buy my frosty ornaments from K-mart (Jaclyn Smith Brand).  

Here's the poem I usually include with this gift.  

These aren't just five snowmen

As anyone can see.

I made them with my hand

Which is a part of me.

Now each year when you trim the tree

You'll look back and recall

Christmas of 2012

When my hand was just this small!

We also learned the letter Ll and made a cute ladybug out of uppercase L. Check out my alphabet letter art  page on pinterest for more craft ideas.  

Lastly, in class we are learning our numbers 1-20.  I was getting tired of my handmade number flashcards and finally got around to making some on the computer.  These flash cards include numbers 0-40 with 10's frames beneath each number. I usually use these number cards for whole group or small group instruction. We use these for games, centers, flash cards, etc. There are many possibilities for these cards. All you have to do is print and laminate!  

They look like this:  

I wanted to share them with you!  Click any of the number cards above or click here to get them for free on my TPT page.  If you download them, would you kindly leave a rating and/or comment on my TPT or on my blog :)

My heart goes out to Sandy Hook Elementary :(

I am deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary.  It reminds me of how precious life really is and that we should make the most of every moment we are given.  As you see your loved ones today hug them a little tighter, kiss them a little longer, and take time out to say that you love them.  Let's remember the bravery of the teachers and staff who selflessly protected the children from harms way.  To the families who were affected by this tragedy my prayers go out to you. I'm sorry for your loss and know that God can be your firm foundation in these difficult times.

"Simple & Cute Daily Schedule Cards"

Oh Sunday!  Why do you come so soon and then quickly go away?  I had intentions to be more productive today, but my nice comfy bed beckoned me to take a leisurely afternoon nap.  Two hours later, it's 4 pm and I still have to plan my week at school, blog, cook dinner, watch my favorite sunday shows which are The Walking Dead...oh wait, mid season finale ended last week, darn it :( and Homeland...will Brody get caught or will he continue to sit on a throne of lies?  I had to throw in a line from the movie Elf.  I just watched it yesterday to get me in the holiday mood and to get some good laughs.  Then I need to get things ready for my new student.  I always tell myself I should make several new student packets so I don't have to scrabble at the last minute and reprint things I gave at the beginning of the year, but I don't. *Note to self:  My new year's resolution is to be more organized! 

Anyway, on to the good stuff.  I finally made Daily Schedule cards for myself and for you if you'd like them.  

The first 10 people to leave a comment and your email address can get them for FREE.  You can also purchase them on my Teachers Pay Teachers page.  

Click here to get them or click on any of the pictures below.

These schedule cards are great for any bulletin board, white board, or pocket chart. Just print and laminate. I place these cards on my white board and put magnetic strips on the back of each card. Simple and cute graphics match each subject area. Each page has 4 cards. It includes cards for analog, digital, or digital and analog clocks. There is 64 cards total, and 4 blank cards. I've also included 4 different "Daily Schedule" headers. If there is a schedule card that is not included, please don't hesitate to let me know and I'd be happy to include what you need in this document, just leave me your email address and I'll let you know when I update the document. Unfortunately, I am not able to give you an editable version due to clip art copyright issues. 

Here's what's included:

Page:               Content:

3-5    Time Cards: Digital, Analog, Both Digital & Analog

 6      Arrival, Morning Broadcast, Morning meeting, Calendar

 7      Language Arts, Math, Recess, Lunch

 8      Quiet Time, Social Studies, Science, P.E.

 9      2nd Step, Handwriting, Hawaiian Studies, Library

10     Health, Drama, Creative Movement, Art

11     Read Aloud, Play Centers, Literacy Centers, Math Centers

12     Dismissal, Assembly, Snack, Writer’s Workshop

13     Reader’s Workshop, D.E.A.R., Daily 5, Music

14     Computer, Spanish, Circle Time, Show & Tell 

15     Clean Up, Current Events, Guest Speaker, Free Time

16     Breakfast, Test, Quiz, Field Trip

17     Nap Time, Spelling, Journal, Pledge

18     Special Event, Bathroom, World Language, Phonics

19     Home, Chapel, Bible, Small Group

20     Closing Circle, Guidance, Birthday, Poetry

21     Gym, Videos, Sesame St., Pack Up

22     Blank Cards

23     Daily Schedule Headers

Have a great week everyone!  Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Fun Winter & Christmas Craftivities

I absolutely love the holidays!  In fact, I think I've gone a bit overboard on my Christmas decorations this year at home that it's starting to look a little tacky.  Good thing my family enjoys it!  Now that I'm done, I'm in a good mood and I thought I'd share some of the arts and crafts I do in my classroom during the Christmas season.

Have the students color or paint one of those cheapy paper plates and then cut it into 4 pieces.  The size of each piece doesn't have to be equal.  Have the students place the biggest piece on the bottom of the tree and the smallest piece at the top.  Make little snips at the bottom of each piece to create the needles of the pine tree.  Use glitter, sequins, etc. to decorate the tree.  

This tree is just made out of construction paper.  I have the students use  hole punchers to create holes in the tree so it looks like ornaments against the red background.  Place sequins and glitter to give it a shimmery look.

Count down to Christmas bell.   Students make patterned paper chains.  Each day the student rips off one loop.  Once they reach the yellow loop, it should be Christmas day.  

Here's what they poem on the bell says:

Author:  Unknown

Christmas day will soon be here

And I can hardly wait.

I've made this little Christmas chain

To help me celebrate.

Each day I'll snip one loop from it

To help me to remember,

That happy, happy Christmas day

is the 25th of December.

Please help me hang my chain up high

I'll cut one loop each day.

And when I reach the golden loop,

It will be Christmas Day.  

Paper plate Santa.  Use cotton balls for his facial hair :)

This is our Epsom salt winter scene art project.  It's supposed to make you feel like you are looking outside your window.  Students draw a winter scene with their crayons on dark blue or black construction paper.  Then they brush on an Epsom salt mixture.  Remember to allow their artwork to dry on a flat surface.  Do not hang to dry.  After doing this over the years, I noticed that some puddling on their paper is a good thing because it allows for more salt crystals to form.  See below for the salt mixture recipe.  Once the mixture dries on their paper the salt crystalizes and makes their artwork look frosted with snow. 

Epsom Salt Mixture:

Mix an equal part of Epsom salt (look for it in the bath or health section of the grocery store) and boiling water together.  Mix, dissolve,  and let cool.  About 1.5 cups of epsom salt and 1.5 cups of water is enough for a class of 24

.   

We make snowflakes and find the line of symmetry in the center.  We made these out of coffee filters.  I  usually give each student two filters already folded so they have one for practice and another to glue on to their black construction paper.  Click here for step by step instruction in how to fold the filters to make a snowflake.