Author's Purpose Charts

Wanted to make some charts for Author's Purpose that would appeal to my first graders.  I went with the P.I.E acronym (Persuade, Inform, Entertain) but took it to the next level by actually using Pie as the text examples.  I then added some Other Examples so the students would get additional visual examples of the different purposes.  I have these up on my Teachers Pay Teachers site for only $1.00!

Click here to go to Teacher's Pay Teachers to get them :)

Silly Band Math (and a Freebie)

I went to Walmart the other day and found packs of silly bands for $1 (on clearance from $2).  I immediately looked to see if they had the alphabet packs because I had been looking for these to use in Word Work centers - SCORE!  They had them!  They also had number sets so I started thinking that would be great for a math center too.  I made up a couple of math boards to use with them - one for addition and one for subtraction. 

I also made up a quick answer sheet to put both addition and subtraction equations on.  My school is a green school (we don't make copies) so we would normally just write the equations right in our math journal, but I may sneak this out (will have to run copies at home - that is why I put the answer sheet two-to-a page).  Anyway, if you would like to use this, you can save paper too :)

Click on the image below to download the Silly Band Math boards and answer sheet :)

Happy Wednesday! 

More Pinterest Inspiration & Another Freebie :)

First of all, I ♥ Teacher Tipster!  I saw this idea on his site:  Power Towers.  You've gotta watch the video if you haven't seen it.  I've had it on my list of things to do - even had the Pringles cans saved.  Then, on Pinterest yesterday I saw this cutie patootie idea for covering the Pringles can from Grade Two Zoo:

I LOVED the poem and design she had on the math can so I just had to "borrow it".  I decided to go ahead and make my cans.  I made the one for Math -  and I also made up another one for Reading - I even made up a little poem for the reading can to go with her math can.

The Pringles cans come in two sizes - one is taller than the other.  I originally got the taller cans but they were too tall, there was too much space left after putting the cups in.  I went back and got the shorter cans (4.93 ounces) and they work great!  You will need to trim the top and sides of the pages just a little to make the pages fit on the cans - easy peasy!

If you would like these, click below where it says "Math & Reading Power Towers" to download them for free:

Can't wait to use these in centers next year!

Story Map Inspiration

I saw this fabulous Story Map on Growing Kinders a few weeks ago and was so inspired by it that I knew I had to make one for my class next year.  Isn't it brilliant???

This is what I came up with:

I will get this laminated when school starts back so I can use a dry erase marker to write on it (instead of using the sticky notes - although I like the sticky notes too!).   

*I had a freebie download for this but had to remove it due to the graphics/clip art I was using deciding to change its terms of use and no longer allowing teachers to post free items with their graphics.  I hate that :(

 

Happy Monday!

Reader's Tool Box - Stategies to "Build" Better Readers!

I've just posted an item at Teacher's Pay Teachers to make a Reader's Tool Box.  I used this "Tool Box" pretty much everyday last year at Guided Reading.  When a child stuggled with a word, we'd pull out the tool box and find a tool to "fix it". 

Best if all, it's ONLY $1.00!   I'd love for you to check it out.  And, for the first 5 people to leave me a comment below (with your e-mail) - I'll send one to you for free :)

Create a "Tool Box" of reading strategies for your readers. Fun tools suggest strategies that "build" better readers. This download consists of 12 pages:

1. Photos of a sample Reader's Tool Box that I use in my class. (Plastic box purchased a Michaels Arts and Crafts.)

2. Reader's Tool Box Cover (to put on your own box, file or large envelope to hold the "tools").

Strategies/Tools included:
3. Saw: Look at the first letters. Get your mouth ready.

4. Hammer: Sound it out.

5. Pliers: Look at the pictures.

6. Handsaw: Break the work into parts.

7. Wrench: Skip the word and come back to it.

8. Screwdriver: Take a running start and re-read the sentence.

9. Tape Measure: Does it make sense? Does it look right? Does it sound right?

10. Bonus! Mini Tool Kits printed two-to a page. Print, cut and laminate so each student can have their own mini tool kit!

12. Photo of tools (to show how they can be cut out).

Suggestions: Print tools in color on cardstock, cut around the tool shapes and words then laminate. Place in a box. Put the cover onto the box lid or purchase a box as shown in the photos.