Turtle Diary

I think it's fun when I stumble upon a nifty website.

This one might be fun for parents to explore together with their children.

It has a variety of free games by grade, subject and topic.

Might be worth an explore.....

Have a blessed day!

Playing With the Names

Inspired by Isaiah 43

I was given a list of names waaaaaaaay back in June. :)

This list contains the names of potential JK students for September.

I had the pleasure of meeting several of my new students when we had an orientation day back in June. 

What a wonderful group!

I am truly enjoying this break from the classroom, but there is also a part of me that is looking forward to all the fun that a new school year will bring. It has been great to have lots of time to reflect on this past year and think about what worked well, as well as to plan for what I'd like to add and change.

It's no secret that I get excited about 

making new things for school. 

Whether it's a new literacy or math centre activity or a classroom decoration, I get a certain thrill from creating something and seeing it being used, enjoyed and appreciated.

Today I was designing some new name plates for the class tables.

I change out the name tags several times during the school year, because they tend to get used, abused, and battered.

When I get the official "final" JK class list of names, I will be having my "printing and laminating" party.

Until then, I shall keep designing and creating.

Here's just a sneak peak preview of some of the things I've come up with so far...

Once this name plate is laminated, it will be great for the beginning
of the year when we focus on name writing. The children will
be able to write on them with dry-erase markers/crayons.

This is the label for the "mail bag" that goes
back and forth between school and home.

Okay, now I'm off to try to locate my camping lists.

Happy trails to you!!!

Yes, I actually camp in a tent......

Summer Creations (Freebies alert!)

I am enjoying my time away from the classroom and have had some time to work on some new items for September.

The first item is a collection of letter search pages. They are arranged in the (Jolly Phonics) order that they are introduced in my JK class and are "themed" for use throughout the school year.

You can find this product HERE or HERE.

The next item is a printable ABC book. It contains a page for each letter.  Children will cut out the letters and glue them on the corresponding letter page. 

I tend to focus on the letter sounds rather than the names, (although I do also teach the names), and when we make these books together we will have another opportunity to practice our reading, "/a/ is for alligator..."

If you choose to do one page at a time with a group, there are two options for the "cut-out" letter pages. One option is to copy the pages that have the entire alphabet, the other option is to just duplicate individual letters sheets. (see last 2 pics below.)

This item can be found HERE or HERE.

I always get excited when I find some new clip art to use in my JK creations, and here's my newest find. It is a set of what I call "stitches" letters, and here are a few of my "fresh off the press" items.

The first is a FREEBIE, so be sure to click on the pic and get your own free set. They are great for whole group or individual letter/sound practice, but also make great letters for a Word Wall or class alphabet display.

Find your FREE copy HERE or HERE!!!

The next two are themed flashcard sets.

You can find this product HERE or HERE.

I am excited about the construction set, because there are always some in my class that absolutely "LOVE" large noisy tractors, vehicles and equipment! Who doesn't have boys (or maybe girls) who love big trucks and diggers?!?  If having cool construction pics on a flashcard makes practicing your letter sounds more attractive to those students, I say go with it! :)

You can find this product HERE  or  HERE.

This next freebie is for a highlighting game that my JK's love to play. 

Use the highlighting page with the "Stitches Construction ABC flashcards."

Place the cards in the centre of the table upside down. The children take turns drawing a flashcard, identifying the letter of the alphabet, and then they find it on their sheet and highlight the corresponding vehicle/letter. They keep taking turns until all the flashcards are finished. 

Options: Have all children highlight every card pulled, or have individuals highlight just the letters that they pull.

I tend to do this activity as a "whole class" activity early in the year before the children know all their letters.  I let the children take turns picking a card, I help them identify it and then we find and highlight the letters together as a class. Later in the year, when they can handle small group literacy groups, it's a wonderful literacy activity that they can do together with a few classmates on their own.

Get your FREEBIE right HERE or HERE!!!

The last item is another FREEBIE!

Cute construction themed number flashcards 

for the numbers 0-10.

Get your FREEBIE right HERE or HERE!!!

Unfortunately, laundry is calling me......or rather playing the sweet "I'm-finished-time-to-switch-the-load" song.  LOVE my LGs!!! 

I'm signing off to put on my domestic hat for a while......

Have a blessed day and enjoy the FREEBIES! :)