End of Year Math Assessment

This first grade math assessment is great for use as an end of year test. It aligns with Common Core and includes the following:

*representing numbers in a variety of ways
*missing numbers
*fact families
*ten more, ten less, one more, one less
*adding with three numbers
*double digit adding without regrouping
*least to greatest
*telling and representing time
*skip counting by 2's and 5's
*determining measurement with feet or inches
*identifying solid shapes
*greater than, less than, or equal to
*word problems

If you choose not to give a math assessment, it could also be used as great review of first grade math.
Check it out in my TPT Store

Reaching Out!

I am still very excited about my unit "Field Trip to Second Grade".  I have made another version for second grade friends called "A Field Trip to Third Grade".  Check it out in my TPT store! Field Trip to Third Grade

Hooray for me!

I have created and uploaded my first (non free) TPT item.  I am so excited.  It ended up being way smoother than I had anticipated.  I still have some questions, but this was a big accomplishment!  Now I am just hoping for a little success! :)

The unit is called "A Field Trip to Second Grade!"  I know my first graders get super nervous about the transition and I thought this was a cute idea to ease those jitters.  I arranged the "field trip" with a second grade teacher for next week.  I can't wait to try out my own creation!


Here's what's included:

First, the children will complete the worksheet titled “How I Feel about Second Grade”.  You will be able to use this sheet to compare their answers AFTER the field trip.

There are two options for “My Second Grade Questions”.  The first sheet allows the students to make up their own questions for the second graders.  The second sheet already has questions and a spot for the second graders’ answers.  There is also a page titled “Notes from My Interview” that can be used for the students to write down anything they want to remember.

Once the field trip is done, the children will complete the worksheet “After Field Trip Thoughts”.  The children can use the first sheet and this sheet to explore how their feelings have changed.

As a thank you to the second graders, the last page has bookmarks as an optional idea.

  

Here is a link to the item in my TPT store:

Field Trip to Second Grade

It's SNOW Surprise... We are so Wise!

Even though there is no snow here in North Carolina and the weekend is bringing 70 degree weather, we still enjoyed snowman fun in room 505!

Abby from The Inspired Apple has the most adorable idea for a snowman theme!  I bought it last year and loved it!  You can find it in her TPT Store!

It's called "A Snowman Celebration!"  It includes a party planning guide, a card template, centers, and so much more!  The unit ends with a birthday party celebration for snowmen.  Sounds silly, but if you know first graders, what a hit!  The children bring in a gift (from home, not purchased) that they feel would be a good gift for a snowman.  It ties in nicely with Common Core because the students have to explain why they have come to this conclusion.  Here is the snowman we made for our birthday party!

Have you ever made paint with shaving cream and glue?  It's so easy, the kids love it, and it is PUFFY paint!  We made some and painted snowmen.  Then we decorated them with beads and yarn.

Cute craft idea:

And so easy!  Just need paint, Popsicle sticks, glue, and googley eyes!

Praying!

Tests, Bulletin Boards, and Critters

I am so excited to have posted my first item on Teachers Pay Teachers!  I created a first grade math assessment for the first quarter.  It is aligned with common core and it includes numbers 1-50, addition, subtraction, word problems, least to greatest, representing numbers, tens frames, and comparing numbers. Check it out at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store for FREE!  I still have a lot to learn about creating, posting, and selling items, BUT today, I think I finally broke some ground!

In other news, check out our cute bulletin board!  It is called "Spooky Smiles"!  The children loved making silly/scary faces and getting their pictures taken.  Next, we did some descriptive writing and they described their face.  They worked so hard!

How cute is she?  "My Spooky Smile... It lux like a cat.  I look skery.  My handz are clos to my fais."  I am just so proud.  My kiddos did some awesome writing for this time in the school year!  I just LOVE first grade temporary spelling.  It makes me so proud to see them spell phonetically!

LAST, but certainly not LEAST!  I'd like to call myself a fabulous teacher because I have invited a creepy crawly creature to be our class pet for this week as long as he seems healthy.  I guess I have to admit, our little critter is pretty cute!  Thank goodness for one of my brave little fellas who holds him while I clean out the little cage.  I guess the hard part is getting the LIVING nasty insects in there for him to eat.  My little guy who caught it named him Sonic.

Happy Teaching!

Wonderful Back to School!

I have loved being back to work!  I have been so busy decorating, planning, and creating!  Maybe that can be one excuse why I have been away from my teacher blog for so long! :)

 Does anyone else have a collection like this after summer break?  I always seem to stock up so much!  Even though this is my 5th year as a first grade teacher, I still can't resist a great idea for the classroom.  Not to mention, things to keep my room fresh and organized!

A local library was closing this summer and teachers could get books for free.  To say I went a little *CRAZY* would be a major understatement.  I made multiple trips and even snatched lots of books for my friends and husband who teaches fourth grade!  Here is what I grabbed for myself!  I hope it is normal how excited I get over these types of things. :)

For the first time this year, I finally have an EXTREMELY organized classroom library.  I am just loving it!  I have every book labeled with its AR reading level and put in a basket with the cutest labels I made.  (Pictures to come!)  AND... Are you ready for a great idea? I labeled a clothes pin for each student and when they choose a book from one of the baskets, they clip their clothes pin onto it.  Such a great idea for them to remember exactly where to put it when they are done.  It works great for a forgetful first grader and an OCD teacher! :)

Here is a before picture of my classroom for the 2012/2013 school year:

And NOW for some AFTER pictures after weeks of hard work:

 Here is where I write the weekly learning objectives.

 This is our calendar area.

Another view of the calendar area.

 My Math bulletin board.

My Rules and "Reminders" bulletin board.

The whole view.

AND one of my favorite touches to the room.  I am doing monkeys (and of course leopard print) in my classroom this year... in case you didn't already notice.

I LOVE how my back to school bulletin board turned out!  I can't take all the credit though.  Thank you to my creative friend Ally for letting me borrow her monkeys and idea!  (Don't you just love the green vines?)