1-2-3 Come Get Ready For Back To School With Me

I don't know about you, but I get all crazy-excited when the stores start their back to school sales. 

LOVE the isles brimming with supplies and the smell of a new box of crayons. My head spins with ideas and I'm running hither and yon to snarf up all those fabulous loss leaders and sales promotions.

To help celebrate getting ready for back to school, TpT is also hosting a site-wide sale!  It starts tomorrow, August 3rd at 12:01 AM and runs through Tuesday, August 4th 11:59 PM.

Shops will be 20% off, plus use the coupon code:BTS15 to take an additonal 10% off!   Woo Hoo.

This is the sale I've been waiting for to buy all the things I put on my "Wish List".  (They have that cool option on TpT, so I don't have to remember all of the fun things I was hankering for at the time I came across them, which includes a ton of clip art for all the new things I have in the works!) 

So if that describes you too, now's the time to buy and save.  Hopefully, that will include a few of the items in my shop.  I now have 39 super-fun items, 12 of them FREEBIES. 

Some of my favorite packets are the Wizard Dolch Word Work Packets, the alphabet wheels, the alphabet activities packets, and of course the matching alphabet word packets.

Click on the link to pop on over to make a wish list today, then shop the sale & save tomorrow & Tuesday, and don't forget that extra 10% off coupon code: BTS15. 

I hope the sale helps you get a cart full of resources to help make this the best year yet! Wishing you a fun-filled day.  Happy shopping.

"The educated differ from the uneducated, as much as the living differ from the dead." -Aristotle

1-2-3 Come Make An ABC Flip Booklet With Me

The Alphabet-Word Puzzles, continue to be very popular, as well as the other matching packets.

My latest creation, ABC Flip Booklets, also match, which makes for nice coordinated center/station activities.

These “Flip Booklets” are a quick, easy & super-fun way to review lowercase letters.

They come in both color & black line.  Color, so that you can make a sample to share, or an entire set of laminated ones, to use as a center/station activity. 

Make an extra copy, put them on a split ring, and tuck in your classroom library.

The flip booklets also come in black and white, so children can color & create their own.
Assign a flip booklet, each time you’ve practiced that group of 4 letters.

Students can draw their own pictures on the blank template or color the black & white patterns.

So that you have more examples, and can build more vocabulary, I designed the black & white and full color sets, with different pictures.

Besides drawing or coloring a picture underneath a “flap”, another option, is to have students alphabetize the words of the pictures that are inside each letter.  They write these under the flap.  

For your convenience, I’ve also provided completed sample templates, with an alphabetical list of the words under the appropriate flap, so you can easily laminate and make a set for a reading or word work center. 

The packet is 37-pages and can be found in my TpT shop.  Click on the link to pop on over: Alphabet Flip Booklets. 

I sincerely hope that your students really enjoy practicing lowercase letters, beginning sounds, and vocabulary building, with an ABC flip booklet.

As always, I have a FREEBIE for you today as well. 

This was a Pinterest inspired idea from a homeschool mom who put masking tape on her carpet to create a parking lot for her boys. 

I wanted to make something permanent that teachers could use in their classrooms, so I made templates. 

My kiddos LOVE this activity.  Click on the link to grab this super-fun FREEBIE: Park It! An Alphabet Matching Game.It!

Thanks for visiting. It's time for a much-needed break, and to take Chloe, my poodle pup, for a walk before it rains. 

Wishing you a carefree day, filled with marvelous moments.

1-2-3 Come Do Some Alphabet Activities With Me

Since the lowercase picture-word puzzles have been so popular, I decided to make a few more matching items. 

I don't know about you, but I like when things are coordinated.  This new packet is an Alphabet Poster Packet with 74-pages of goodies.

As with the puzzle packet, these items can also be used as an independent center or whole-group activity.

The packet includes:

26 (8x10) full-color lowercase letter posters.  
     Use them as toppers for your word wall letter columns, a border, bulletin board, or jumbo flashcards.      

Laminate a set and put them in your alphabet center.  Using a dry erase marker, students choose several cards and record other words that they can think of, or copy words from your word wall.

A set of full-color alphabet cards.  Use them for Memory Match, “I Have; Who Has?” games, or put them on a split ring and use as flashcards.

I’ve included a 4-page tip list of what else to do with the cards, including more games, like Kaboom.

“Alphabetize the Words” game, with 140 mini word cards that match the pictures inside the letters, plus a blank template for you to program with more words from your word wall.

A boy and girl “ABC Look At Me” alphabetize the words, recording sheet.

Besides placing word cards on the various letter mats, students can also choose X number of cards and write them on their recording sheet in alphabetical order. 

On the back, older students can use the words to make several sentences.

Two, “What letter is missing?” posters. Put one on the top and one on the bottom, with a set of the abc cards in alphabetical order in the middle. 

Each morning ask students what letter is missing?

A “What letter is hiding?” poster.  Hinge to the wall or your whiteboard with a piece of Scotch tape, so that it flips up. 

Place one of the letter cards under it.  Give 3 clues.  Children try and guess what letter is hiding, before you flip it up to find the answer. 

I've also included a word booklet where students can record words on the appropriate pages.

This packet matches the popular Alphabet (numbered strip) Puzzles, as well as the ABC Flip Up packet.  

As you can see, the packet is very versatile.  I think you'll find it extremely useful and a nice time saver. 

Click on the link to pop on over to my TpT shop; 74-pages and just $4.95.  Once laminated, you can use these items year-after-year! 

As always, I have a FREEBIE for you too. There is so much "paper-stuff" we have to pass out to families during that first week of school.

So that parents aren't overwhelmed, and really DO read these important handouts, I made up an "ABC's of School Information Sheet."

It was very successful, and I received lots of complimentary feedback. The needless questions, because I had already covered "all that" in this note, pretty much ended too.  I hope you find my sample useful in creating your own.  Click on the link to grab this time-saving FREEBIE.

Thanks for visiting.  It's a lovely summer day and time to get ready for our big, beach-birthday bash. I've reached the wonderful age of social security. Woo Hoo, happy that I don't feel 62. 

I'm really looking forward to fun in the sun, with all of my adult children, their spouses and my grandchildren.  Hopefully Lake Michigan has warmed up a bit, since it's been in the high 80's all week.  Wishing you a relaxing and fun-filled weekend as well. 

"To go out with the setting sun on an empty beach is to truly embrace your solitude." -Jeanne Moreau

1-2-3, Come Make a Letter Shape House With Me

This quick, easy & fun little craftivity, reviews a variety of standards; more value for your "time buck".
Do this sweet craft when you're working on the letter H, shapes (twelve, 2D shapes are included) or doing social studies and studying about families, communities & neighborhoods.

To review more standards, when students share completed projects, encourage them to name the shapes & colors they chose, describing where they are located spatially. i.e. "My green rectangle door is beside the yellow window..." etc. 

For a quick review, I've included 12, colorful flashcards featuring the 2D shapes.  If you're also working with fractions, have students draw windowpane lines, "cut" their windows in half and then in quarters.

If you have "knows their address" as a standard, have students write theirs in the middle of the letter.

I've also included two worksheets in the packet as well.

For that finishing touch, add a school photo.  Completed projects make an adorable bulletin board too.

To celebrate 300 followers, this is a special FREEBIE in my TpT shop.  Simply click on the link to grab your copy today. 

Thanks for stopping by.  It's a beautiful 70 degrees today; the sun is shining and I'm feeling especially blessed.  Wishing you a wonderful day.

This mini Trace, Write & Wipe packet, for the letter Aa, is a FREEBIE from my jumbo 184-page Write & Wipe Alphabet Binder in my TpT shop.  Click on the link to pop on over.

1-2-3 Come Make a "Write & Wipe" Alphabet Binder With Me

I just completed a real time-saving, stress-buster packet.  It contains all the pages you need to make a handy Write & Wipe Alphabet Binder. Why a traceable binder?

• Kiddos LOVE using dry erase markers.
• They are highly motivated to practice.
• They are quietly engaged and learning.
• Tracing and writing their answers on worksheets that are inside a sheet protector, saves you lots of time, energy and money.
• Once you’ve made it, you can use it year-after-year.  
• Get out of the copy room, conserve paper & ink, all while helping to save the planet and your sanity.
• Time saved planning center activities.
• Everything’s in a binder; it’s organized by letter so students can easily find what you want them to do.
• You’re freed up, and students can get right down to business.
• This independence also saves time explaining directions, as well as builds confidence and self-esteem.  You are empowering your kiddos.
• A binder is quick, easy and fun to make and you’ll be thanking yourself and feeling a sense of accomplishment once it done.  
• Traceable binders are perfect for centers, early finishers, children who are struggling and need more practice.

Emergency?  Sick? The substitute can easily take out any worksheet and make copies. 

Use them for finger tracing, word work worksheets, rainbow writing, Daily 5, table top lessons or whatever else you need.

Besides practicing lowercase letter formation, this binder also helps build vocabulary, aids in spelling, as well as beginning letter sounds that are associated with words. 

Children follow the arrows and trace the words, trace the dotted line words, and end by writing the word. When they are done, they erase their work, so that the binder is ready for the next child. 

I bought "dust mitts" at The Dollar Store for this.  They are also great for your white boards.  It's like a mitten that you put on.  When they get dirty (and this will take months) simply take them home and toss them in the washer & dryer.

For more practice, have your students write the words on the bookmark-size recording sheets.  If you want your kiddos to work on alphabetizing, have them write the words in alphabetical order. 

I've included "How did you do?" answer keys, so that students can self-correct, circling any ones that they got out of order.

The packet also includes a section called "Box it up." Since some letters are tall and some are small and some have a tail; boxing up letters is helpful. 

There are blank boxes for students to write the letters in, (much like an Elkonin box) as well as filled in boxes to use as answer keys.  I purposely used a dashed font for these letters, so they can also double as trace and write worksheets too. 

If filling in the blank templates is too difficulty for little ones who don't know how to spell yet, use the alphabet order answer keys as a word bank. 

Most children find it fun to look at the bank and try to figure out which ones belong in the various boxes.

So that you can easily keep track of who has completed their letter work, children color in that particular letter on their ABC poster. Once completed, this will act like a certificate of praise. You can sign & date it and add a sticker for that finishing touch, then students can keep it in their writing journals.

It's like a puzzle. This latest creation is a whopping 184-pages, and on sale for just $4.95 in my TpT shop. Click on the link to pop on over. ABC Write & Wipe Binder

Another thing you can put in this binder, are individual trace & write the letter worksheets. This is a FREE packet in my shop.

The Write & Wipe binder also matches the very popular alphabet puzzles, which makes for a nice coordinated center/station.

As always, there's a FREEBIE.  Just like the FREE letter Aa Alphabet Word Puzzles, I pulled all of the letter Aa activities from this packet, so you can try them out. 

I've also included 2 upper & lowercase "write & wipe" worksheets, and the full-color alphabet poster, which matches the puzzles.

Click on the link to grab a copy. FREE Letter Aa "Write & Wipe" mini packet. I've included a preview with it so that you can see photographs of my completed binder. 

That's it for now.  Thanks for stopping by.  It's my birthday today.  Sixty-two used to sound so old, until you've hit that milestone!

I'm feeling pretty sassy for my age. It's time to get off the computer and go celebrate. 

Wishing you a day filled with all that makes you happy. 

1-2-3 Come Make Open House Extra Special With Me

Do you have an Open House before school starts, or a Meet & Greet the Teacher Night, and are looking for ideas?  Here's a super-simple & inexpensive one:

Each year for my Open House, as well as parent-teacher conferences, I put up a small table, covered it with a seasonal tablecloth and set a basket of mints on it, along with a sign that said: "Families Are Worth A Mint! Help yourself."

While doing research on the web, I came across a variety of similar ideas, including this adorable poem that was all over Pinterest in various forms.

There was no link to who the original writer was, so I decided to jazz this sweet sentiment up, with a bit of clip art and my original saying.

 Add a bit more color by mounting the poster on construction paper, then laminate and file away in a folder to use each year.  This is a really inexpensive way to express your appreciation, as The Dollar Store sells bags of mints year round and you can pick up all sorts of little baskets at garage sales. 

For that finishing touch, and to draw attention to your basket, I've included some large mint patterns, so you can reproduce my entire display pictured in the photo.

Run the candy circles off on card stock and then tape them to long wooden skewers.  I tacked on a red bow using glue dots and then stuck my "peppermint balloons" into the basket.

One of the nice things about using peppermint, is that it's definitely NOT a favorite of children, however, it is something that adults enjoy.  (No worries about a few kids eating the entire basket.) 

If you'd prefer a smaller "bite size" mint, Sam's Club and Cost-co sell the mini butter-mints (pink, yellow, white and green) in bulk.  They have a long shelf life, so I always had plenty on hand.

Click on the link to view/download the Families Are Worth A Mint packet. 

Thanks for visiting today, feel free to PIN away. 

I hope you are enjoying your summer and starting to get excited for back to school.  Here's to the best year yet!

"Some beach somewhere, there's a big umbrella casting shade over an empty chair.  Palm trees are growing, a warm breeze is blowing.  I picture myself there, on some beach somewhere." -Unknown

1-2-3 Come Make Some Letter Puzzles With Me

Woo hoo!  I just finished another alphabet packet.  I hope your little ones enjoy practicing letters with them, as much as I did designing the puzzles.

These letter puzzles are not only great as a center or word work activity, they make an inexpensive & fun gift for your kiddos for that special first day or week of school. 

Print off each child's initial in color and laminate.  Cut them apart, mix up the pieces and fasten with  a paperclip. While you're doing all of those busy 1st-day activities, children can be putting their personal puzzle together. 

Numbered strip-puzzles are a quick, easy & fun way to help your kiddos practice counting and sequencing numbers, as well as review lowercase letters and words that begin with that letter.

Each letter has a puzzle that counts by 1s to 10, counts backwards from 10 to 1 and skip counts by 10s to 100.

They are in color as well as  black & white, so that on another day, they can color and create a different letter puzzle.

Make a laminated, full-color set, to use as an independent center, or do as a whole group activity.

For more word-work practice, older students cut their puzzle into strips, have them write the words that are featured in the picture. 

After they have cut their puzzle into strips, they can write an additional word that begins with that letter, on the back of each strip.

For an interesting “craftivity” have students glue their puzzle to a sheet of brightly colored construction paper. 

Remind them to leave a little bit of a gap between each section for an especially cool mosaic effect. Completed projects make an awesome bulletin board.

Another idea is to make a student-made classroom border, by assigning a different letter to each child. These could also be used for the letters above your word wall. 

This jumbo letter puzzle packet is in my TpT shop.  It's a whopping 163-pages long and just $3.95.  Click on the link to pop on over.  As always, there's a FREEBIE.   I pulled the 6, lowercase letter "a" puzzles, so you can try them out.  Click on the link to grab them.

That's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.  Time to take a much-needed break and go kayacking with my hubby. Such a peaceful activity once you hit the water.  Wishing you a lovely day.

"Summer: If you're not barefoot, you're over-dressed." -Unknown
 

7 pages. Number puzzles are a quick, easy and fun way for children to practice sequencing numbers from 1-10, counting backwards from 10 to 1, and skip counting by 10s to 100.

1-2-3 Come Tell Time With Me

Do you have an apple theme going on in the fall? Is studying time to the hour or half hour one of your standards? If your answer is "Yes!" then I think you'll find these apple-themed time cards useful.

Use them to teach/review digital and analog time to the hour and half hour.

This FREE packet includes 2 assessments, plus a black and white template and cover, so children can make their own "Itty Bitty" booklet.

This is a special FREEBIE in my TpT shop.  Click on the link to grab yours today and let the telling time fun begin.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Like yesterday, today is a hot "dog-day" in July. My grandchildren are coming, so it's time to get ready for the pool. 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, filled with lots of giggles, snuggles and love-filled moments.