Monday, September 26, 2011

My First Award!

Wow! Thanks to Barb over at Kinderzoo for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award!

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7bEiFSWBPzQe1nVrehKRM7ZVamMDBBd-XtD_SRA7SE0upO5-dHnAu3Tmi-AePchSXj8W2J9ngK4NupsmXk8bSZg9c6CUxXO2EUxrYvgbn8pUMLOQf1glHXZ7mkkXsbHHLu2upa8c2FFQ/s1600/versatile_blogger_award.png

Seven Things About Me
1. Obviously I need help. I can't even get the Award image to show up!
2. I just got a new Interwrite Board. I need help with that, too!
3. I have 3 cat children.
4. I'm addicted to Pinterest and blogging. My husband hates it.
5. I've been teaching for 26 years, mostly in Kindergarten. I still LOVE it!
6. I hate coffee. I have a Mt. Dew to get me going!
7. I am my school system's Elementary Teacher of the Year!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Interwrite Board

I am so excited! I have been wanting a SMART board for the longest and now I have one! Yay! I have seen so many neat activities that are free or on TPT to use with them. The problem is that it is an Interwrite board, not a SMART board. The files have a different extension. Does anyone know where I can find ready-made activities for the Interwrite? I wonder if the ones from Lakeshore can be used on Interwrite? Is there a way to convert .notebook files to .gwb? I know some of my blog buddies out there can help! Thanks!

Farm Freebie!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while! Busy, busy, busy! You know how it is!
I will begin one of my favorite themes this week - The Farm! I thought I'd share this labeling sheet with you. For the labels, I will use the easy words cow, cap or hat, pig and hen.
Farm Labels

Don't forget to become a follower if you use this document! :)

Sunday, September 4, 2011

New Center Rotation Chart

Sorry, I haven't posted in a while! We've been back in school 3 weeks. They've been VERY busy ones as you all know so well! My class is great! I know we're going to have a great year!
The one thing that has been a problem for me is my center rotation charts. I've had a wheel to rotate for Literacy Centers for the last few years and it has worked well. It was right behind my table so all I had to do between groups was stand up and turn it.
This year I was determined to have Math Workshop rotation also. I used a chart with clothespins to show the kids how to rotate, but it was across the room from my table. After every group, I had to walk across the room to move the clothespins on the chart. It drove me NUTS! It's not that I don't need the exercise, but it was just a huge waste of time!
I decided it was time for a combination center chart. This is the result. I think it will be exactly what I wanted!