Punctuation Pals - Punctuation Posters

 

My old set of homemade punctuation pals that I had hanging in my classroom years ago got a little update today.  I love how they turned out so I decided to share them!

They ended up being so easy to make.  I can't believe I didn't update them sooner. 

I simply printed each punctuation mark on colored paper and added the eyes and speech bubbles to it!

You can grab these cute little guys by clicking HERE!

Using Touch Point Math when Teaching Addition and Subtraction

Over the years I have used different methods when it comes to teaching my first graders how to add and subtract.  My favorite method to use is TouchMath.  I have found students easily become more fluent with their addition and subtraction facts when using the TouchMath method.  

This summer I have been working on teaching my son, Landon how to add.  It was a no brainer that I would use the TouchMath method to teach him with.

I started by teaching him what the dots on the numbers mean, how many dots each number has, where the dots are located on each number, etc.

At first all I had him do was practice and memorize the dots on each number.

One of the fun activities I had him do was add these pom poms to the dots on each number.

For the numbers that have the double dots (the black and white dots) I had him add two pom poms next to the double dot.

After he got the dots down for each number it was time to introduce solving an addition problem!

 I made this small 1-9 number line for him to use as a reference tool when solving his problems.

Each number has the dots and the steps on how to count the dots written on it.

These would also be a great reference tool for your students to use in the classroom!  They are the perfect size to tape on each student's desk.

I also made this reference tool for him to use when writing his numbers.

Landon is doing so well with his beginning addition facts and he's only 5!  TouchMath makes it so easy!

If you haven't checked out the TouchMath method you can read more on what TouchMath is and how to use it in your classroom by visiting their website HERE.

You can also grab these handouts I made for him to use by clicking HERE!

Personalized Kid Classroom Labels

Looking for a new and individualized way to label your classroom?  

Check out these personalized kid labels!  

The labels come with over 65+ clip art kid characters.  There are 31 boy and 38 girl characters to choose from to match your multicultural classroom.  

The labels come in 6 different sizes.  The variety of sizes allows you to label your students' cubby boxes, supply bins, book baskets, coat hooks, and more!

The labels are editable in PowerPoint so all you have to do is simply pick a matching clip art character for each of your students and add their name to the label.  You can pick which font, font size, and color font you want your labels to have.

Your students will go crazy when they see their personalized label that looks like them.  

These labels are also great for those younger grades, like Pre-K and Kindergarten kids that can't quite read their classmates' names.

Here's a look at the different size labels and ways you can use them in your classroom!

3 Drawer Sterilite Bins

These labels fit perfectly on the Sterilite 3 drawer paper size bins.

These storage bins are perfect to use as student cubby boxes.

Simply slide each student's graded work into their drawer.

Circle Labels

These circle labels can be used so many different ways.  They are perfect for book baskets, coat hooks, and more!  They measure 4 x 4 inches.

Simply punch a hole at the top of your label and attach it to the book basket using a book ring.

Each student now has their own basket of books.

Square Labels

These square labels are 3 x 3 inches and fit perfectly on magazine holders.

These are perfect to use when labeling book bins.

Small Rectangular Labels

These small rectangular labels fit perfectly inside the Really Good Stuff label holders.

Simply slide the label into the label holder.

These label holders attach perfectly to so many different storage bins.

A great way to label supply bins!

Medium Rectangular Labels

These labels are 3.5 x 5.25 inches and work great when labeling book bins.

10 Drawer Rolling Cart Labels

These labels fit perfectly on the 10 drawer rolling carts.

These carts are always great to have in your classroom.  They work for cubby boxes, supplies, and more!

Each label also has a spot marked so you know where to punch a hole and insert the drawer knob.

Those are just some of the ways you can use these personalized kid labels in your classroom!

Your students will love all their personalized bins!

Also check out my personalized take home folders that match these labels!

Click HERE to read more about how I setup and use these personalized Take Home Folders in my classroom.

Click HERE to download my Personalized Kid Labels!

Click HERE to download my Personalized Take Home Folders!

Handprint Calendar – Student Made Calendar for a Parent Christmas Gift

You might think I'm crazy writing a blog post about parent Christmas gifts in June, but it's actually one of my summer time - prep for the next school year - projects.  Let me explain...

There are always so many options when deciding on what you want your students to make and give their parents as a Christmas gift each year.  I always look for something that is cheap, doesn't take up much class time, and is a great keepsake for parents.  These handprint calendars are one of my top favs!  Not only is it a great keepsake but it's something parents can actually use and for a whole year!

I actually prep - print - and bind these calendars during the summer.  I do that so they are ready to begin at the beginning of the school year.  All you need is cardstock paper, paint, and binding combs to make these adorable calendars. 

At first look you might think these calendars would be so time consuming to have students make but I have it broken down so it doesn't take up a lot of class time and is a stress-free project.

Here's what I do....

1.  First, during the summer I decide what pages I want to include in my handprint calendar books.  After I decide on the pages I print and bind them together.  I prep these calendars during the summer so they are ready to begin once the beginning of the school year craziness settles down.  Also, by starting these calendars early in the school year you can break it down to a weekly project when you have extra class time.

When picking the pages for my calendars I decide what kind of cover I want them to have.  There are three different cover pages to choose from.

There's a cover that has a big blank space so student's can make their own handprint design on the cover.  (I usually have them make a heart handprint on this cover.)

Then there are two different handprint clipart cover options.  One that has hearts in the middle of the handprints and another that has the calendar year on the handprints.

(If you don't prep these ahead of time you could totally let your students decide which cover option they would like.)

Not only can you have your students color their cover page but they can also add their handprint as well!

2.  Not only do I have to choose which cover page my calendars are going to have but  I also have to decide what handprint crafts I want my students to make for each month.

There are two different handprint poem options for each month.  Here's a look at the different options to choose from for each month:

January

(Penguin and Snowflake)

Penguin

Snowflake

February

(Valentine, Heart, and Ladybug)

Valentine

Heart

Ladybug

March

(Shamrock and Leprechaun)

Shamrock

Leprechaun

April

(Bunny and Rain)

Bunny

Rain

May

(Chick and Tulips)

Chick

Tulips

June

(Butterfly and Strawberry) 

Butterfly

Strawberry

July

(Flag and Watermelon)

Flag

Watermelon

August

(Fish and Sun)

Fish

Sun

September

(Tree and Apple)

Tree

Apple

October

(Pumpkin and Spider)

Pumpkin

Spider

November

(Leaf and Turkey)

Leaf

Turkey

December

(Santa and Snowman)

Santa

Snowman

Once I decide what handprints I want my students to make for each month I copy the handprint poem pages and yearly calendars on cardstock paper.  I print them front-to-back so when you open the calendar the poem and handprint are on the top and the calendar is on the bottom.

I also copy these two keepsake pages to add to the back of each student's calendar.

This page has The Hands of a Child poem by Amy Ethridge on it.  I have the students add their handprint in the box.

This page is an all about me page the students fill out about themselves.

They are a perfect addition to the back of the calendar book.

3.  Once I have all the pages copied I bind the books together.  I use our school's comb binding machine.  If you don't have a binding machine you could use book rings, ribbon, etc.

The 3/8 inch binding combs are the perfect size to use with the calendars.

4.  Finally it's time to start adding student handprints to the calendar pages!

I use washable tempera paint for the handprints.

To make this calendar project stress free and fast I break the handprints down to about one a week (starting in September).  Each week I pick a day (usually when all the students are there) to make one of the handprints.  I call students up one at a time and paint /stamp their handprint.  I usually do this during quiet classwork time or during center time.  

Once the handprints have dried I give the students their calendar books to add details and finish up the handprint poem page.  This is a good project to have students work on when there is extra class time, when they have finished their work early, etc.

For example, after the handprint dried this student added dots and an antenna to their ladybug.  They also colored the poem page and calendar page.  Some students might even add grass, plants, etc. to their ladybug picture.

Some students might choose to leave the calendar blank or add special dates to it.

I continue this one handprint a week schedule until the calendars are finished.  By starting in September is allows for a couple extra weeks in December to finish up incase we get behind.  

By the time the crazy holiday season arrives the calendar gifts are already finished!  All we have to do is wrap them up!

Click HERE to download the pages to make your own handprint calendars!

*******************************************

Canadian poem pages are also included!