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WELCOME! Sit, read, relax, laugh, share stories and teaching ideas.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Mouse TV

Raise your hand if you love watching TV! I do!
Yes, we all have our favorite TV shows. It's so easy to relax, grab some popcorn, and watch the "telly."

But with school starting (or perhaps already started) it's time to become more active and turn off the TV. Time to add soccer, football, school sports, and homework to your schedule. And hopefully cooler weather.

Mouse TV
by Matt Novak is a fabulous book about a mouse family.  There are 10 family members plus the baby. Each member of the family likes watching a different show on TV; adventure, comedy, history, mystery, science, scary stuff, music, games, how-to channel,  and where-to channel.  They argue during the commercials and wake up the baby.  Then one night the TV doesn't work. They discover a perfect solution to the problem. Plus the story has a cute, funny ending.

Extending the Reading Experience
After reading the book to your class, brainstorm and chart their ideas:  
Things to do instead of watching TV. 
Examples:  Play soccer, rollerskate, sing, dance, etc.

Then have your students pick one idea to write about on their paper and draw a picture to match. (Free blackline master below.) Have them write 2 sentences. A topic sentence and a then a detail sentence.
Example: I can roller-skate with my brother. We roller-skate at the park.

Once everyone is finished the students can partner share their work. You can also hang them up in your classroom.

Please click on the blackline master below to print your FREE copy. There are two pages with two kinds of writing lines. It will link you to teachers pay teachers where you can download a free copy from Picture Book Reviews With Writing Connections.



Enjoy!
Kathy 

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Something to Think About

This makes me feel better when I don't understand what in the world someone is trying to say or is talking about.  It's not me it's them! :)


Let's keep things simple and less confusing as the new school year begins.
Kathy

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Christmas in July!

Thank you Sally.  What a great deal.  Several wonderful TPT stores and myself have linked up together to have a Christmas in July sale.  All day Wednesday, July 25, for one day only, enjoy Christmas in July sale, 20% off!  Click on the picture below and go to Sally's blog to find the list of all the TPT stores that are participating.  
Happy Shopping!




I'm also linking up with Blog Hoppin for more TPT stores that are having Christmas in July Sales.
Please click on the picture below.

Kathy


Back to School Poem-ingo!

"What's Poem-ingo?" You ask.

Take a fun Back to School poem, merged it with Bingo and you have Poem-ingo!  This is an enjoyable and challenging way to address the common core standards of poetry, phonics, word recognition, fluency, and shapes.

YES!  All that and more.
It motivates and encourages students to read and learn shapes while playing a fun game, engaging in pocket chart activities, and writing prompts!

"Really?" You say.
YES! Games provide a wonderful, relaxing, fun setting for learning.  So come on over and take a look.  Please click on the picture below.  Learning should be an enjoyable adventure.


Happy Playing!
Kathy

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Love Funny Stuff!

I love reading funny stuff!  It brightens up my day and puts a smile on my face.  So if you are in need of some amusement or laughter, please click on over to my Pinterest board called Funny Things and have a good laugh, smile, chuckle, grin, etc. :)  Please click on the picture below.


Keep on laughing,
Kathy

Monday, July 16, 2012

LAUGH OUT LOUD #7

They say "Laughter is the Best Medicine."  Laughter and humor strengthen the immune system and help against stress.  So if you are feeling a little stressed or down because summer is almost over and school is about to begin, here is a little dose of free medicine, laughter.
Please click on the happy face.


Smiles and good wishes to you!
Kathy

Friday, July 13, 2012

Thank you Deana!

Thank you Deana over at First Grade Chatter for the Liebster Blog Nomination!  This award recognizes blogs with under 200 followers.  Please stop by Deana's lovely blog for a visit.
http://firstgradechatter.blogspot.com/
Best Wishes,
Kathy

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Terrific Tickets for Terrific Behavior!

Wow! It is so hot! 108 degrees today with unhealthful air.  The news is broadcasting to stay inside and stay cool.  So that's what I did today.  I decided to stay inside and spiff up my "Terrific Tickets for Terrific Behavior!" and post it to my Teachers Pay Teachers store.

This is a wonderful behavior reward plan for your students.  It is an excellent resource for teaching and showing kids what good behavior looks like and how to establish great habits.  The use of Terrific Tickets is a fun and positive way to demonstrate and reward good classroom behavior and build responsibility.

If you are looking for a new idea to add to your classroom behavior management plan please take a minute and have a look.  Please click on the pictures below.



You deserve a Terrific Ticket for being a terrific teacher!
Kathy




Friday, July 6, 2012

Back From Peru!

Hello Everyone,
Yesterday my husband and I got back from our vacation.  Wow!  It was quite an adventure and so much fun.  We went to Peru for 12 days.  We flew to Lima, then went to Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Ica.  Here are a few pictures.

Riding donkeys in the Sacred Valley.


Hiking in Machu Picchu.


Rock Climbing & Zip Line in the Sacred Valley.


Dune buggy riding & sand boarding in Ica.


Hope you are enjoying your vacation!
Kathy