1-2-3 Come Do Some More Brown Bear Activities With Me

Do you read the story Brown Bear Brown Bear as part of your back to school activites?  If so, I think you'll enjoy these 3 Brown Bear packets, which practice a variety of standards.

First up is a set of number puzzles featuring all of the characters in the Brown Bear story.

Number strip puzzles, are a quick, easy & fun way for your students to practice sequencing numbers, counting from 1 to 10, counting backwards from 10 to 1, as well as skip counting by 2s, 3s, 5s & 10s.

There are 11 different character puzzles, plus a grouping of all of them.

Each character comes in a 1-10 numbered puzzle, as well as a skip count by 10s to 100 puzzle, plus an assortment of puzzles that count backwards, plus skip count by 2s, 3s, and 5s.

There are puzzles in full color, so you can use them for an independent math center, as well as black & white, so that children can make their own puzzles. 

Next up, is  a “Brown Bear’s Colors" booklet.  There are two black & white booklet options, which feature all of the colorful characters in the Brown Bear story.

There’s a blank square with lines in one version, where older students can think of 3 items that are also that color, then write them in the space provided, while younger students can simply trace the words with the matching crayon or maker, in the other option.

I’ve provided pages in color as well, so that you can quickly and easily make a sample to share.

Besides using the patterns to make a booklet, you can also cut the 4 sections out and then glue them on a matching sheet of construction or scrapbook paper.

These can be hung up as a single poster or put together like a quilt. 

Finally, I made a Brown Bear Literacy Packet.  After reading the story, review each sentence using the pocket chart cards.

Don’t have a pocket chart? You can also put magnets or Velcro dots on the back and use on your white board or flannel board.

Make an extra set and use these for a sequencing game.

You can also pass this set out to students while you read the story. When you come to that character, the child holding that card places it on the board.

For more word work practice, I’ve included 6 worksheets where students read, trace, write, color, cut & glue, character and color words.

These are great for Daily 5 word work, homework, or early finishers too.  I’ve also included a “Which was your favorite character?” graphing extension.

For an individual center, or whole-group activity, print, laminate & trim the individual word cards. There’s a large set to use for your center, as well as a smaller set, to make for your whole group.

Children play “Build a Sentence” by arranging the cards in appropriate order, which will help reinforce beginning capitalization and end punctuation.

When they’ve “built” their sentence, they record it on their “construction” worksheet. (There are 5 options, which include BW & color versions).

For a job well done, give children a “We read Brown Bear. I can retell the story” bookmark, as a prompt to share the tale with their families. 

This is also my first packet that I've made a Spanish version for!

The bundle is just a dollar more, so woo hoo if that helps you out too.  

Today's featured FREEBIE includes back to school treats and a bulletin board, as it will "o-fish-ally" be that time all too soon. 

Until then, wishing you a super relaxing summer. 

Gotta dash; time to go buy some fireworks! 

"Our nation will remain the land of the free, so long as it is the home of the brave." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Chalk Up Some Fun With Me

Woo Hoo!  I now have 500 wonderful people following my TpT shop, and as promised,  here's "Chalk Talk" a special milestone FREEBIE. 

A special thank you to all of my spectacular followers.  Please know that I'm grateful & appreciative.

Like most kiddos, I LOVE sidewalk chalk.  You can buy 6 to a dozen sticks at The Dollar Store, so I always had a big bucket on hand, for those crazy days when everyone has had enough, and you just need to take a break and get outside. 

Keeping in mind, that just about everything we do has to be "educational" and include the "standards", I'd have my kiddos start by practicing writing their names, letters, numbers and drawing shapes.  After we got that out of the way, they enjoyed creating "mess-terpieces" 'til it was time to go in. 

For quick kid-cleanup, make sure you bring some wet wipes with you, so students can wipe off their dusty hands.

If you give your students a first day gift or treat bag of some sort, and are looking for something easy and inexpensive, then I think you'll enjoy my "Welcome! ___________ is 'chalk' full of learning fun!"  treat bag.  I have templates for preschool, kindergarten and first grade, plus a blank one to fill in with whatever you teach.

And... no worries if you've already started school.  There's a generic "Wishing you a day that's 'chalk' full of fun!"  black & white, plus colorful note too.

My "pinspiration" for this packet, came from My Sweet Sanity's blog spot.  She used the "chalk full" play on words, for an end-of-the-year summer gift.  Click on the link to zip on over and see her rainbow version. 

If you'd like a first-day time filler, use the black & white header, so that students can pull it off, color and use as a bookmark. 

Attach the card to the front of a Snack Baggie, with a glue dot.  (I don't like using staples with little ones.) Put a piece of sidewalk chalk inside and you're done!

Super quick, easy, & inexpensive, yet a thoughtful gift that "keeps on giving".

Because students will want to play with the chalk right away, I wouldn't put them on their desks.  Instead, put the treats in a big basket in full view and wait for children to notice, or show them one and let them know that they will get their Baggie at the end of the day to take home, or...

Use them as a behavior modification technique.  Tell students that they need to work as a team with their new friends. 

Each time they complete a task, or show great group behavior, you'll color in a letter on the "chalk" poster.  When all of the letters have been colored in, they get their chalk and are able to go outside for some special fun.

As long as you're outside, why not take some pictures. Pinterest has quite a few photo op examples that involve sidewalk chalk.  If you take a first day of school picture, one of these ideas would make a cherished keepsake.  Children tend to be less camera shy while playing outside, so you should get some adorable shots like the ones pictured here.

I especially like the kindergarten idea.  Write your grade level as shown, and then have each student pose. 

I've linked back to give credit when I could, however some showed just a photo and went no where.  (Hover over the photo to see if it's linked and then bop on over to those sites for more details.)

The balloon and crown idea are also easy and cute. That little guy is so joy-filled!

Keeping with the sidewalk chalk theme, I designed some writing prompts that I call "Chalk Talk". 

There's one for boys and one for girls.  Children complete the prompt: "I had a nice day at school.  These are a few of the things that I did..."

I've also included two "chalk talk" posters to use for whatever you deem appropriate. 

Click on the link to view/download the Chalk Talk packet.

To see if I could find any other interesting things to do with sidewalk chalk, I Googled it.

For 30 fun games and activities with sidewalk chalk check out this creative birthday party idea website.

You can buy a bucket of sidewalk chalk at The Dollar Store, but if you’d like to make some, you can find a recipe on wikihow. For 7 fun ways to make ice chalk, click on the link.  I like the idea of using Popsicle sticks, so children's hands don't get as messy.

Finally, click on the link for a recipe for scented sidewalk chalk paint, (She used Kool-Aid for non-toxic fragrance) and says: "This is a super-simple and inexpensive paint recipe that rinses off with a hose."

Well that's it for today.  Time to go make some special memories with my grandchildren and our brand new tub of sidewalk chalk. 

Wishing you a day "chalk" full of giggles. 

"Leave a little love wherever you go." -Unknown

1-2-3 Make Some Back To School Treats With Me!

I enjoy browsing Pinterest to help trigger ideas.  A big thank you to all of those creative geniuses out there who make the time to share.

I especially think that a "play on words" is really cute.  I've used some favorites that have been Pinned in a variety of ways, and added my own twist, for some sweet back to school treats.

Click on any of the bolded links to zoom there.  Here's hoping they help you have a wonderful time getting ready for back to school!

As a special way of saying Welcome; I like leaving a little surprise on my students' desks on the first day of school.

The "I hope you have a 'bear-y' special school year", features Gummy Bears. You can buy individual packages, or bulk and make your own Snack Baggies.

This star treat features Starburst candy. I put 3 on a star, but 1 also works just fine. If you don't want students eating candy in school, simply have them tuck it in their backpack, or distribute them at the end of the day.

Mini boxes of cereal make a nice snack. Students can munch it dry, or save for home and enjoy with milk. "Cereal-ously" is a stretch for "Seriously" but it works.

For a really inexpensive and simple treat, there's nothing like a refreshing Popsicle at the end of a warm day.

Simply have your students choose a flavor at the start of school, freeze in your cafeteria fridge and take out for a sweet snack before your kiddo's leave.

Finally, S'mores are a real hit.  Children can eat separately right out of the Baggie, or have them assemble, place as many as 5 on a paper plate and zap in the microwave for 7-12 seconds, depending on your micro.

These are just a few of my newest back to school treats.  For more ideas click on the link.

Thanks for visiting. As always, feel free to PIN anything you think others might enjoy.  My "Pin it" button is at the top. 

If you want to see all of the truly amazing things I PIN, simply click on the pink "Follow Me" heart button to the right.

"An educated person is one who can entertain a new idea, entertain another person, and entertain himself." -Sydney Herbert Wood

1-2-3 Make Some Back To School Treats With Me!

I enjoy browsing Pinterest to help trigger ideas.  A big thank you to all of those creative geniuses out there who make the time to share.

I especially think that a "play on words" is really cute.  I've used some favorites that have been Pinned in a variety of ways, and added my own twist, for some sweet back to school treats.

Click on any of the bolded links to zoom there.  Here's hoping they help you have a wonderful time getting ready for back to school!

As a special way of saying Welcome; I like leaving a little surprise on my students' desks on the first day of school.

The "I hope you have a 'bear-y' special school year", features Gummy Bears. You can buy individual packages, or bulk and make your own Snack Baggies.

This star treat features Starburst candy. I put 3 on a star, but 1 also works just fine. If you don't want students eating candy in school, simply have them tuck it in their backpack, or distribute them at the end of the day.

Mini boxes of cereal make a nice snack. Students can munch it dry, or save for home and enjoy with milk. "Cereal-ously" is a stretch for "Seriously" but it works.

For a really inexpensive and simple treat, there's nothing like a refreshing Popsicle at the end of a warm day.

Simply have your students choose a flavor at the start of school, freeze in your cafeteria fridge and take out for a sweet snack before your kiddo's leave.

Finally, S'mores are a real hit.  Children can eat separately right out of the Baggie, or have them assemble, place as many as 5 on a paper plate and zap in the microwave for 7-12 seconds, depending on your micro.

These are just a few of my newest back to school treats.  For more ideas click on the link.

Thanks for visiting. As always, feel free to PIN anything you think others might enjoy.  My "Pin it" button is at the top. 

If you want to see all of the truly amazing things I PIN, simply click on the pink "Follow Me" heart button to the right.

"An educated person is one who can entertain a new idea, entertain another person, and entertain himself." -Sydney Herbert Wood

1-2-3 Make Some Back To School Treats With Me!

I enjoy browsing Pinterest to help trigger ideas.  A big thank you to all of those creative geniuses out there who make the time to share.

I especially think that a "play on words" is really cute.  I've used some favorites that have been Pinned in a variety of ways, and added my own twist, for some sweet back to school treats.

Click on any of the bolded links to zoom there.  Here's hoping they help you have a wonderful time getting ready for back to school!

As a special way of saying Welcome; I like leaving a little surprise on my students' desks on the first day of school.

The "I hope you have a 'bear-y' special school year", features Gummy Bears. You can buy individual packages, or bulk and make your own Snack Baggies.

This star treat features Starburst candy. I put 3 on a star, but 1 also works just fine. If you don't want students eating candy in school, simply have them tuck it in their backpack, or distribute them at the end of the day.

Mini boxes of cereal make a nice snack. Students can munch it dry, or save for home and enjoy with milk. "Cereal-ously" is a stretch for "Seriously" but it works.

For a really inexpensive and simple treat, there's nothing like a refreshing Popsicle at the end of a warm day.

Simply have your students choose a flavor at the start of school, freeze in your cafeteria fridge and take out for a sweet snack before your kiddo's leave.

Finally, S'mores are a real hit.  Children can eat separately right out of the Baggie, or have them assemble, place as many as 5 on a paper plate and zap in the microwave for 7-12 seconds, depending on your micro.

Thanks for visiting. As always, feel free to PIN anything you think others might enjoy.  My "Pin it" button is at the top. 

If you want to see all of the truly amazing things I PIN, simply click on the pink "Follow Me" heart button to the right.

"An educated person is one who can entertain a new idea, entertain another person, and entertain himself." -Sydney Herbert Wood