I Love Getting Mail

My boys and I have been visiting my mom and stepdad at the beach for the past few days. When returned home yesterday, I was greeted by a package addressed to me in perfect Kindergarten teacher handwriting on my kitchen table!!! I was so excited! As soon as I put my bags down, I tore into the package.  Randee from 'How About Them Apples' had sent me a Christmas in July gift! She sent me This is the Sun along with a precious idea she created for the students to make their own book and I also received Pete the Cat! I feel spoiled rotten!!! Thank you so much to my new friend, Randee!!! I LOVE my gift!!!

My Goodies from Randee

Christmas in July Book Exchange- The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza)

So thanks to the idea of a Christmas in July book & activity exchange by Randee at How about them apples? (check her blog out), I now have a new teacher friend and our classes are going to be pen pals.  Our students can tell each other about the areas we live in and ask questions. The hope is we can even Skype with each other at some point!

Any who...Randee was actually my partner and the book I sent her is one that my students love. During my farm unit, I always read the classic tale of The Little Red Hen. The kids always enjoy reciting 'Not I', said the dog, 'Not I' said the cat...you get the idea. Well a day or two after reading the classic tale, I bring out the book The Little Red Hen (Makes a Pizza). This is a great book and the kids love it too! I do a big Venn Diagram to compare the 2 stories. We compare characters, setting, how the Hen gets the ingredients, and the endings.

Another great idea that I use with this comes from Shari Sloane at http://www.kidscount1234.com/ I use her pizza glyph idea and they always turn out so cute!  Great idea, Shari! Thanks for sharing!



I hope some of you will try this in your classroom this year. Let me know how it goes! If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them!
Cristy

Free Shoe Unit Giveaway!!!

Please go to Another Day in First Grade's blog to receive your Shoe Unit for FREE!!! How generous!!! Just visit her blog and follow her directions on how to be a part of this great GIVEAWAY!!!!

http://anotherdayinfirstgrade.blogspot.com/2011/07/um-shoes-shoesa-mini-unit.html



Christmas in July Book Exchange!!!

Christmas...

in July!

Hi y'all! Check out Randee's great idea for a book exchange on her blog. Such a wonderful way to meet new friends and get a new book.  Click on the link below to her blog!

 

 

http://www.schatzskindergarten.blogspot.com/

Great Websites to Use in the Classroom

Do you find that sometimes during the school day you have a few minutes between what is planned? May I recommend to you the following websites. These are a great alternative to you reading a story to your students. If you have a SMARTboard or even a projector, you may want to try these websites. My kinders LOVE them!  Please check them out and let me know what you think! Thanks!

http://speakaboos.com/

Speakaboos brings children stories to life. Some of the things on this site you need a paid membership but there is a lot that is free for teachers to use.

http://www.storylineonline.net/

Storyline Online is sponsored by the Screen Actors Guild and has some of Hollywood's top actors and actresses read stories to your students.

Robert Munsch

http://www.robertmunsch.com/

One of my favorite children's authors is Robert Munsch. He writes the funniest stories and kids LOVE him. This is his official website and you can listen to the author himself reading his stories. It is great!