1-2-3 Come Do Some Whimsical Shape Activities With Me

Sometimes when I'm designing something, the initial idea comes from some clip art that I found.  I'll look at it and say: "This is so cute!  How can I use this to make something educational?"

Thus was the case with this whimsical boy and girl done in black and white.  I LOVE DJ Inkers graphics.  I've bought a lot of stuff on her site. You can click on her link to the left of my blog under "Other Resources" to check out the adorable goodies. 

By adding different shapes for the boy's and girl's mouths, I came up with the Shapely Mouth packet.  Use it to teach, review and assess shapes and shape words.

The packet includes:

• 12 large 8x10 posters of each shape.  Use these to make a border, bulletin board, or for large flashcards.  There's also a  large 8x10 "shapes" title poster to provide a caption for your grouping.
  

• 2 posters featuring all of the shapes on one page.  You can run these off and give each child a copy to refer to, or give them a manipulative and have them place it over the various shapes as you call them out. 
• This could also be done as an "I Spy" game where students would trace the shapes that are called out.  (A quick, easy and fun way to whole group assess.)
  

• 2 Boy & 2 Girl Face Mats for students to play the "Shapely Mouth" game.  I included lines above one set of head posters.  Laminate these.  Using dry erase markers, students write the name of the shape down for whatever word card was selected. 

• Run off the other set for students to keep.  Trim off the directions on the bottom.  Children use these to play the shape game at home.
  

• 12 mouth-shape pieces for manipulatives.  Laminate red or pink sheets of construction paper.  Trace the various shapes once, and then cut 3-6 shapes at a time. Store in Snack Baggies.  Run off the shape master for students to color, cut and use as manipulatives for their game.
  

• 12 word cards with no shapes. Use these if you want to whole-group assess your students knowledge of the names of the shapes.

• 12 word cards with shapes on them. Use these to help teach little ones the names of the shapes.
• They look at that card and then place the matching shape on their head mat.
  
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There are also 12 mini shapely mouth cards to use for Memory Match and "I Have; Who Has?" games.

• Plus 2 trace and write shape booklets with 2 different covers.  Students trace and write the shape words, and then trace, draw and color the shapes. 
  

• Finally, there's a certificate of praise to help encourage your students and build their self-esteem.  There are 2 on a page for easy printing.
  

Click on the link to view/download the Shapely Mouth 2D Shapes Packet.

Thanks for visiting today.  Of course it's raining, because I watered my flowers early this morning.  The down pour did nothing to alleviate the humidity.  It's hot and muggy and a nice day to stay in the cool air-conditioning designing the day away with new FREEBIES. 

Feel free to send any special requests you may have to: diane@teachwithme.com   Wishing you a refreshing day!

"If you’ve told a child 100 times, then it is not the child who is a slow learner." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Make Some Posters With Me

I've learned that when it comes to young children, keeping things simple is a recipe for success.  With that in mind, I designed this simple rules poster.  Use it to review, reinforce and remind. 

This is the latest addition to a lot of other posters and anchor charts that I have on TeachWithMe.com  Over 50 are just a click away. 

I LOVED using posters as a quick way to decorate my room and our hallway, for the various seasons and themes that we studied throughout the year.  Having taught PK, K, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 9th, 10th, 12th and college, you can imagine the collection I accumulated over the years!  They were not easy to part with, but I'm glad to say they have been happily recycled.

Since I wanted to post the newest addition and blog about it, I needed a bit more of an article, so here are a few of my favorite classroom-management type posters.  I've also used posters as a writing prompt, asking my students what they thought and if they agreed or disagreed with the poster.  Click on the various hot links below to grab your copies.

"Please ZIP your lips!" was something that I taught my students on the first day of school. 

Since sewing is one of my hobbies, I had a few zippers on hand, so I took them to school, laying one on my chalk sill, another on my desk, and a 3rd by my reading chair. 

To signal silence, I'd hold up the real zipper and zip it shut.  My students would then pretend to zip their lips. 

It was a simple and effective way to start story time, and my students really enjoyed the monkey-see monkey-do zipping. 

Sometimes, we'd sing the "Zip Your Lips" song, when we prepared to get ready to transition or go somewhere.  Click on the link to view/download the "Zippy" posters and song.

"Owl" Be Watching is an effective, yet gentle reminder, to make wise choices.  Making students take responsibility for their actions and holding them responsible with consequences, is a must for successful classroom management.

I got the idea for my "Dear Students"  poster from Caroline’s 6 point-note to her 3rd grade English students in SC.  Check out her cute Tupelo Honey blog by clicking on the link.

To make your new students feel extra special, run off copies and tuck them in their take home folders or Open House packets, then display one on your classroom wall. 

Likewise, the "In This Classroom..." poster (another tweaked idea) is a nice addition to your classroom booklet.

Studies have shown that good readers are risk takers. 

It's important to foster the idea that it's OK to make mistakes, so students feel at ease making a "guess-timate" and taking the risk of being wrong.  It's simply how we learn.

With that in mind, I designed this pencil poster. 

Remembering to put their name on all of their work, was something that I reminded my students of daily. 

To help with that in  a fun way,  I taught my students this simple rhyme and then made it into a poster that hung above our "turned in work" basket.

"You get what you get, so don't get upset!" was another rhyme that I taught my Y5's.  This is especially handy if you have young ones who pout and/or pitch a fit when they don't get their 1st choice or color preference. 

My little ones were quick to pick up on this, so whenever a child carried on, at least one, if not more students would kindly chant the rhyme to them.

The other Don't Get Upset poster in this pack, is for when students cop an attitude when they don't get to participate, or do a special craftivity, because they did not complete their work.  This "Don't Get Upset" poster is a gentle reminder of the choices they made. 

 If you're like me, you hate it when children continue to whine and give excuses for not following through, staying on task, or completing an activity. This little "Make an Effort Not an Excuse" poster is one of my favorites.

If you practice the "bucket filling" philosophy or simply want your students to consider their words and actions, you may find the "Trading Places" poster helpful. 

Have you used the technique of "Put your thinking caps on?" I actually had my Y5's pretend to put one on, and then make a goofy noise to show me that theirs was working. 

We'd zip our lips and be ready to get down to business.  Click on the link for a cute picture of a "real" thinking cap that I made into a poster. 

Finally, I had to throw in a silly little teacher poster  to make an even dozen FREEBIE posters today.  I hung all sorts of paper "stuff" (poems, posters, quotes, pictures and notes) inside my cupboard doors that would make me smile, or give me a much-needed lift. 

We all need this boost to our spirits, especially if it's been a challenging day -- and the reason we became a teacher in the first place is clouded by craziness.  Thus, I give you my "Whew!" poster, for when you've had one of those days.  I'm sure you can relate, as we've all been there; done that!

Thanks for visiting today.  Hopefully you found at least one goodie that you can use in your classroom, as you prepare for a "clean slate" and exciting brand new year. 

A zillion more ideas are floating through my head, so I'm off to jot them down before they disappear like my summer seems to be doing!

"There's no tired, like teacher tired at the end of the first, last, or party day!"

1-2-3 Come Make Some Voice Choice Things With Me

I think if you'd poll young children about voice volume they'd say loud or soft.  Little ones are just learning that there are varying degrees to those, and that they will be required to adapt their volumes and voices when inside the classroom.  

If you Google voice level posters, you'll get a huge assortment that are very similar and basically agree.  I also designed one of my own, but wanted to go a bit farther to not only help explain things to your kiddos and remind them of voice levels, but offer up some real classroom management that made a world of difference with my Y5's.

There are several options in the Voice Choice packet.  You can display the cards in a pocket chart and go through them with your students or hang them on your white board and put a magnet next to the level you want your students to be at.  Simply gluing a smilie face to the back of a large, glass flat-backed "marble" and attaching a magnet, is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to make one. 

If board space is limited, hang up the mini poster and then clip a colored clothespin to the appropriate voice level.

You can also explain things via the large posters. Show each one to your students and read the examples for when they should be using that voice. 

You can begin by showing them the picture and reading the name of each voice level, in the appropriate volume.

i.e. If you are showing them the volume level 1 Whispering poster, whisper to your students: "When do you think you would use this kind of voice?" 

After they have shared their thoughts, read the list and add anything else that's appropriate for your class.  Finally, reinforce the sound of this level, by having students model the volume of that voice, as they too "whisper" the name and number of that level.

As a review, after you explain the voice choice concept, put the number cards in a container, and have students pick one.  They share when they would use that number voice level. 

Another way to play this game, is to have students say the words “Voice Choice” in whatever number level that's on their card and have the other children guess what number they are modeling.

You can also use these voice-level number cards to remind students what level they should be on, by quietly placing the appropriate number on their desk or group table. 

Once they read it, hopefully they will make the appropriate volume adjustment and flip the card over, so you can pick it up and re-use it when necessary.

Another thing you can use the voice-level number cards for, is to make a class book.  (Templates provided.) Whatever number a student picks, is the voice level that they write about and then draw a picture. 

Collect and collate the pages and add the cover, then read as a whole group with the entire class.  Each child comes up and shares their page using the #4 sharing voice level.

Besides the number cards, I also made several designs for "Quiet Cards."  Print, laminate and trim the cards and keep them in a narrow basket on your chalk sill, under your voice choice poster. 

As with the number cards, without a word, you place the appropriate card on a child's desk or group table.  This is a great way to silently encourage students, as well as have children adjust their behavior or voice levels, without disturbing the class or bringing negative attention to someone.

Another quiet way to remind your students to adjust their voice level, is with the paper STOP sign.  Simply run off the pattern on red construction paper; fill in the letters with white crayon or paint; laminate; trim and put on a craft stick.

Without a word, and with a grand flourish, (they'll spot the movement) hold up the sign when students are not at the appropriate voice level.  With your other hand, hold up the appropriate number of fingers to show what voice-level number students should be using. 

Keep holding up the sign and fingers ’til everyone has their hand up with the correct number of fingers showing. If they should be at zero, with their lips zipped, put your index finger on your lips as if saying Shhhh, and stare at specific noisy students with your best “teacher look.”   I also made matching "quiet cards" that you can use as well. 

I've included a "Please zip your lips" and a "Shhhhhh!" poster.  These could also be mounted on a large Popsicle or paint stick.  If students don't notice your "grand flourish" as you hold one of these up, and are not adjusting their volume, you can signal them with the tinkling sound of a bell, or flicking the lights off and then on. 

These were a few more quiet ways I got my students' attention. I also hung a lovely sounding wind chime, next to my reading chair to signal story time.  You could use one for your volume adjustment bag of tricks. 

Clapping out a pattern and having students repeat it, was also a successful sound signal for me.  Make sure you explain these sound signals to your students, so they know what you're expecting from them.  Equally important, is having a consequence if they don't make changes. 

If most of your students are doing a wonderful job with their voice choices, you can reinforce their great behavior by giving them a praise bookmark.  They come in full color, as well as black line. 

Unfortunately, there always seem to be a few stragglers, who need a bit more reminding.  Self control was probably one of the top reasons I always had more boys than girls in my Y5's classes.  With them in mind, I designed some positive reinforcement voice control activities for you and included them in this packet.  

Z is for zipper and  ZIPPING your lips.  You can send one of the "I'm having trouble zipping my lips" poster-notes home to a child's parents, or have them color it while they sit in your Time Out or Think chair. This is an easy way to communicate with parents and enlist their help.

Every year I had at least one child with ADHD. An effective behavior modification technique with them, was to earn the right to connect a dot on their paper to make a mystery picture.  Whenever they modeled the appropriate behavior that we were working on, they got to connect another dot. 

This was super-simple, quick and easy for me.  If they completed their picture that day, they received the agreed upon "prize."  If not, they could continue the next day.  Thus, I also made the "Z is for zipping" paper,  into "color a star and connect it to the next one" -- voice control worksheet. 

Besides encouraging them to adjust their volume, you can also work on interrupting, and not blurting inappropriate things out.  I hope you find these techniques helpful, and that you are able to use a few of them to make life in your home-away-from home less hectic.   

This packet will be FREE for an entire year, after which time it will be up-dated and put in the Classroom Management section of my TpT shop. Voice Choice Packet.  

Well that's it for today.  The sunshine is calling me!  As always, thanks for visiting and feel free to PIN away. 

Summer: "Hair gets lighter; skin gets darker; water gets warmer; drinks get colder; music gets louder; days get longer; life gets better!" -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Make Some Useful Signs With Me

During the 1st few days of school  there is so much for children to learn and remember, which is often difficult because they can't read.  Some years I was lucky enough to have a bathroom in my classroom, other years my little ones had to truck down the hallway.  Just getting and staying in a line was an accomplishment!

Let's face it, when you're 4 and really have to "go" running into the wrong bathroom is an easy thing to do.  As with all bathrooms, ours was labeled with boys or girls.  Not all of them had the universal stick people signs on them.  Even if they did, most of my little girls also wore pants, so the "different" connection wasn't always there. 

To help my little ones with this, I made a poster showing a little girl and put it next to their bathroom door, along with a boy for theirs. No more confusion. 

Since children are really fast learners, this was really only necessary for the first week of school, but if you mount the posters on construction paper and laminate, why not keep them up all year to assist other young visitors. 

With the help of the sweet clip art from My Cute Graphics, I designed some new posters.  I hope your kiddos find them helpful and that they empower them with confidence about their new surroundings.  Click on the link to view/download the Bathroom Posters.

If you'd like to take a look at all of the other classroom posters and anchor chart FREEBIES on TeachWithMe, click on the link.  

Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN away.  I try to PIN a few things each day.  My boards are mostly educational in nature with tons of FREEBIES.  (I do the work so you don't have to! A big time-saver.)  Click on the big heart to the right of the blog to check them out. 

Any hoo, while surfing I found two adorable bathroom procedures that I thought were pretty cute.  Elizabeth, over at Fun in 4B, is a 4th grade math teacher in South Carolina. She uses two melamine plates and has students sign out with a dry erase marker.  The marker has a pom pom on the cap to erase the name when students return. 

She also has them put a hand sanitizer bottle on their desk.  She can see at a glance who's gone, and the student is reminded to use the sanitizer when they return.  Click on the link to grab the labels if you want to make some of your own.

I hope you're having a rejuvenating summer.  Blessings to you, from my little corner of the world.

"The voice of the sea speaks to the soul." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Review The Alphabet With Me.

I like to do "regular routine" stuff with a different theme each month.  Even tho it's the "same old-same old" things are kept fresh and interesting by simply tweeking them for the seasons.  With that in mind, I designed 20 Letter of the Day anchor charts.  There are some for each month as well as a few extra's for popular themes.

If you’d like to use these each year, print, laminate and clip to your white board changing things up each month.  This is also a nice activity to use as a review if you post it on your calendar board.

Another option is to not laminate the pages and have children fill in the information.  When the page is complete, add it to your Letter of the Day binder. (I've included a cover for this. )

When you have done all 26 letters, put this student-made booklet in your classroom library.

Occasionally, you may want to run a page off for your students to work on for Daily 5 Word Work.

It's easy to make this a part of your morning routine, job chart, or calendar time. Using a dry erase marker, write the upper and lowercase letters in the boxes.  You can show correct formation of the letters, or choose a student to do so.

Ask students, “What sound does the letter make?”  Say the sound several times.  Ask them if they know any words that begin with that sound?  Write the words in the appropriate boxes.  Have students look at your word wall to see if they can find any more to add to the list.  Another question could be,  "Is this letter a vowel or a consonant?"

Make it personal, by also asking, "Do any classmates have a name that starts with that letter?"  You can either write their name on the paper or have the child with that name come up and write it. 

Choose another child to circle the letters in the “Find it” section. This is a good time to point to each letter and say the letter or sing the alphabet song.  Click on the link to view/download the Letter of the Day Packet.

If you're looking for more alphabet activities, click on the link to zip on over to that section of our site to grab some more FREEBIES.

Thanks for visiting today.  I design and blog daily so I hope you can stop by tomorrow to check out the newest FREEBIES.  Feel free to PIN anything.  To ensure that "pinners" return to THIS article, click on the green title at the top; it will turn black, now click on the "Pin it" button located on the burgundy menu bar.   If you'd like to take a look at all of the wonderful-educational items, that I spend way too much time pinning, click on the heart button to the right of the blog.  I have an entire board on just alphabet stuff.

"The life you live is the lesson you teach." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Do Some Fall Writing With Me

Since the "Apple Sense" craftivity was downloaded quite a bit, I decided this format would also work well for Pumpkin Sense.   No matter what grade your students are in, they need to be reminded to use their senses to make their writing "come alive."  The use of adjectives is equally important, and such a simple thing to explain using examples.  I find that if students can add a bit of art to their creations, writing is more fun and completed projects make wonderful bulletin boards that build self-esteem.   

Run off the pumpkin template on orange construction paper.  Students add a bit of color to the the stem, with a green crayon.  You can make this even cuter, by having students trace their hand (with their fingers spread) onto a sheet of green construction paper, trim and glue their "leaf" next to the stem.  Adding a photograph gives things that finishing touch.

Run the "pumpkin guts" off on yellow construction paper.  Students trim and fill in their answers.  Before hand, discuss the 5 senses, as well as what an adjective is, explaining the importance of using both to write better.  

Brainstorm words that can be used to describe a pumpkin using the various senses and write them on the board.   Students can draw from this word bank when they write. 

So that they are practicing starting a sentence with a capital letter, have students write a complete sentence, rather than filling in their answer.  Review proper end punctuation.  To make sure that they use adjectives, encourage students to underline them.

You may want children to write a rough draft, checking to make sure that every noun has a descriptive word before it.  Can they think of a better word to describe what they are seeing, feeling, tasting, smelling, etc?  When they are satisfied with their final draft, they can write it on the yellow insert.   Click on the link to view/download the Pumpkin Sense craftivity.

Continuing with adjective practice, I designed a Describing Fall packet. 

Students think of words that describe the various fall themes: school, apples, leaves, pumpkins, spiders, bats, scarecrows, sunflowers, turkeys and Pilgrims, and then fill in the appropriate boxes with adjectives.  Once they have done that, students incorporate several words into 1 or 2 sentences that they write on the back of their worksheet. 

Children can add a bit of color with crayons or markers.  When everyone is done, have them share their work.  I've also included a definition of an adjective anchor chart. Click on the link to view/download the Describing Fall Adjective Writing packet.

If you're looking for more activities involving the 5 Senses you may like Sam's Senses craftivity.  Children cut and glue the labels to Sam the pumpkin man.  What makes Sam special is that his hands are the traced hands of the student.  Click on the link to view/download Sam. 

My Fall Senses, is a quick and easy candy corn graphic organizer that again helps students practice their writing skills.  Click on the link to view download this fall writing activity.

Thanks for visiting today.  I design and write daily, so I hope you can stop by tomorrow for the newest FREEBIES.  Feel free to PIN away.  To ensure that "pinners" return to THIS blog article, click on the green title at the top; it will turn black, now click on the "Pin it" button on the burgundy menu bar.   If you'd like to take a look at all of the wonderful-educational items that I PIN, click on the heart button to the right of the blog. 

"Strength: A river cuts through a rock not because of its power, but because of its persistence." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Decorate And Hang Up Some Posters With Me!

Has anyone else out there lost an entire morning on Pinterest?  I swear their new pop up windows with suggestions of other boards is rather addicting.  I kept saying: "You are only going to PIN and putz around here for an hour!" Well it's 3 hours later, and the "just one more peek" has certainly gotten me away from my "to do" list, that I now have no desire to do.

The good news is that I stumbled upon some wonderful quote boards.  I LOVE a quote that makes you laugh, nod in agreement, or come away with a wonderful bit of advice to reflect upon.

I chose a few favorites and turned them into posters, suitable for the classroom.  Hang 1 in your closet that will make you smile, when you go in there to sniffle, to remind you of why you became a teacher, as we've all had one of those days.  Print off some extra's and tuck them in the mailboxes of your teacher friends, as a sweet surprise on the 1st day of school.

The "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day!" poster is a great one for all of the above. My Girl, by the Temptations, is a personal favorite.  I thought I'd give the poster a unique twist by adding: "I teach!" after the lyrics.  I believe that all great teachers truly LOVE kids.  Children have a way of stealing your heart and leaving footprints there. Their empathy, sense of adventure, and wide-eyed wonder, can't help but bring sunshine to your life.  Their boundless energy, and enthusiasm can be contageous if let it. 

Click on the above link to view/download this "hope it makes you smile" poster.

I also like to use posters as little life-lessons; pearls of wisdom that can become writing prompts.  The poster "Remember you don't need a certain number of friends..." is a great springboard.  Do you agree with the poster? Why or why not?  How is this good advice?  The "Put yourself in their place" poster, is a nice "make you think" poster.  What does this quote mean?  Would putting yourself in another's place help you understand them better?

Click on the above links to view/download these posters.  If you missed the latest new ones I posted, click on this link to zip to the Anchor Charts & Posters section.  I have over 100!  I hope you find just the right one to add some sunshine to your day.

Thanks for visiting. Feel free to PIN anything you think others might find useful.  My "Pin it" button is at the top.  If you'd like to see all the wonderful educational things I PIN, simply click on the "Follow me" heart to the right.  Be sure and set a timer so your morning doesn't fly by!

"So many PINS, so little time!" and "Thank you Pinterest for helping me feel so creative, even though I've just been sitting at my computer for hours!"

1-2-3 Come Decorate With Me!

I LOVE posters.  I spent a small fortune on them, which is a big reason I design a lot of FREE posters so you don't have to. 

I not only use them as decortations and reminders, but anchor charts and writing prompts.

Keeping with the pencil theme from yesterday, I whipped together 2 pencil posters perfect for your back to school decorating.  I've seen the reminder name poem pinned from a huge variety of sites, so if you created this adorable poem, please let me know, so that I can give credit where credit is due.

Click on the link to view/download the Pencil Reminder Poster Poem.

Encouraging my students to take risks was something I endeavored to do all year long.  If they didn't take risks, it took them so much longer to become better readers and writers.

I have always loved this anonymous quote and decided to make it into a poster.  Hopefully it will reasure your students that it is really OK to make mistakes.

Click on the link to view/download the Pencil Mistake poster.

If you're looking for more free classroom posters & anchor charts, click on the link.  I have over 100!

Thanks for visiting.  Feel free to PIN anything you think others may find helpful.  My "Pin It" button is at the top.  If you'd like to see all of the cool things I PIN, simply click on the "follow me" heart to the right.

"If you don't risk, you can't grow.  If you don't grow, you can't become your best!" -Unknown

Let's Decorate!

Just in time for all of you who are thinking: “Back to School”, and looking for some new posters to freshen up your room.

I’ve designed some this week for rules, reading and writing etc.

Type up your own class rules, glue them in the "book" and then laminate.

I hope you enjoy the posters! If there's something special you're looking for, shoot me an e-mail and I'll see what i can do.

Click on the links for:

Reading posters,  Writing posters,  Owl rule anchor chart,  Agenda anchor chart.

I've included an extra book template for the Agenda poster so you can write down more things in your schedule.

Laminate and put this on your white board and allow students to check things off on the side, as you complete them, or as your day unfolds.  This is especially helpful for little ones so that they can get a grasp of time.

If you are looking for more posters and anchor charts, I have LOTS!  Simply click on the link Anchor Charts & Posters to view the complete collection.  Just scroll down and choose whichever ones you like!

Thanks for visiting. Feel free to PIN anything you think others might find helpful.

I hope you can pop in tomorrow for more back to school ideas!

“There seems to be 2 choices in life: give up; give in, or give it all you’ve got!” - Unknown