Writing Folder - A helpful tool for building independence

Hi All!

I have been working on this one for soooo long. It's one of those ones that has sat and marinated, if you get my meaning. When I look up the details of the file, it tells me it was created in September 2014. Hmmmmm....

Introducing Writers Folder - A Student Writing Companion

I'll give you a peek at one I put together!

Print out all the pieces. To make it fit in one manila folder, I printed the inside pages 2 to a page.

Choose the cover you would like to use! I have included vertical and horizontal, color and B&W and girl and boy options which should cover you completely!!

Glue the chosen cover onto the front of your manila folder.

Glue the pages you would like inside. I have chosen to go in order that they are in the pack

Done! A easy-to-use student tool to help during writing time. You could make one for each student to store in their desk or tray, or make a few to place on tables or around the room.

Click any picture to find it on TPT.

Some updates

The nicest thing about reflection is that it allows us to look back and question. I have been working on TPT for a few years now and have been reflecting on some earlier creations of mine - and decided they needed to be freshened up!

Here is a look at a few of my recent updates

Ninja Verbs

From this

To this!!

 Place Value Pack

From this

To this - and over 20 pages added

 Ordinal Numbers

From this...

To this!!!

 and Independent Reading Contracts - 

with another new contract added to the pack

I'm happy with the updates and I hope you enjoy them too. If you own any of the packs, you can grab all the updates for free in My Purchases.

Bundles of Fun!!! and a TPT sale :)

Have you heard about the TpT sale coming up! One of my fave things to do in the sale, is stock up on  fabulous teaching resources by buying bundles!

What is a bundle? A bundle is a collection of teaching resources that a teacher-author has grouped together in a zip file, so you can purchase it in one time-saving, value-packed swoop!

Not only are they time saving, but they are $ saving! Teacher authors will often give you a significant saving when they price their bundle. 

So you get time and dollar savings!!

Here are some of the bundles available in my TPT store for at least a 30% saving!

So, the lesson to be learned here - is 'Buy it Bundled"!!

I have put all my bundles in my store, in one time-saving store category for you, click below to find it! 

Head over now, and add the ones you like to your wish list! That way, you will be all set for sale day! 

Remember to use the code BTS14 on August 4-5 to get your 28% off!

I have been chatting to some of my friends about the sale, and discovered that they too, have some awesome bundles in their TpT stores! Head over to their blogs to find out more about their resources and special offers! Click on the links below to find them:

I would also like to give you an opportunity to win a TpT gift voucher to spend during the sale. I am giving away a $10 TpT gift voucher - just enter your details in the rafflecopter below! Have a great day and go get your bundle on!  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Numeral Identification in Kindergarten

We have been working a lot on identifying dot patterns on dice in the last 2 weeks. We have been rolling and drawing the dot patterns over and over and over! The kids have been getting faster and faster at identifying the patterns and this week we needed to take it somewhere different - and connect it back to numbers.

Some of my kids are quite confident with their numbers to 10 but others are not. With these activities, it gives support and independence to those who can identify numbers but are unsure how to form them by themselves.

So how to play?

Each student needs a dice, sheet and whiteboard marker. Roll the dice, say the number and record the number. Continue with the game until one number "wins".

There are 2 variations for you 1-6 with dot patterns to compliment the numbers or 1-10 with just numerals.

Click either pic to go grab the file from Google docs.

(Sorry for the side alignment here)

Cute graphics by Krista Wallden and Graphics from the Pond

It is a zip file which contains the pdf version of the recording sheet as well as a jpeg version which you can use on your Smartboard and turn it into a whole class demonstration or game.

I would love some feedback on what you think :)

And while you're here, have you bought this awesome Educents bundle yet?

Click to go and have a look at the fabulous goodies you can grab! 

Domino Parking Lot Freebie

Just a quick one as I get myself prepared for school tomorrow. I have had this week planned for a while, but the weekend is where I prep any small things I need to make the week work.

I am sure you have seen this idea on the internet somewhere...such as this one here on Pinterest.

This will be one of our activities this week, for both addition and subtraction.

If you have never played it you need:

*dominoes (small size is probably better)

*parking lot sheet

Students can work together or in pairs to 'park' their dominoes in the correct spot.

Use for addition - students add the two sides of the domino together and park in the total.

Use for subtraction - Students subtract the smaller side from the larger side and park in the remainder.

Warning : the car theme may cause some 'brooming' noises.

I have included two versions - with a domino representation and without.

Click the pic to go and download your freebie. It also has a second sheet with numbers 13-24 (thanks to a request).

Making CVC words

When your students have the basics of sounds of letters, the next step is making those CVCs. Some kids click....some kids don't. To help out my kids I made these activity cards. I haven't blogged about them yet but when I made an update for a friend today, I thought it was time!

This is what I started with. A magnetic white board, my cards, and a set of letters I bought at the $2 shop (and a horse! But please don't ask). I like them because the vowel is a different colour to help the kids find it. I know some sets have blue consonants and red vowels too. But you could do this with any magnetic letters or with a white board marker.

Choose a card. The boxes tell the students which kind of letters they are looking for, tall, short or long. They build the word in the bottom boxes and then push it up, letter by letter. The sounding out of the letters helps the students build the word.

Another example. I have just updated the file to include cards that have the vowel already written in the middle to help support those students still learning the concept of building a CVC. Both sets of cards come in black and white as well as colour.

Click any pic to find these activity cards in my TPT store.

You can support this activity with the CVC stamping pack (also in my store). Write the word, stamp the word, colour the picture! Lots of hands on, engaging learning fun!

Click on either picture to go and grab this in my store. I will soon be making the same update to this pack (hopefully over the next week).

I love you comments so let me know how you teach CVC's and don't forget your email. I will pick one comment to receive my CVC cards and one to receive my CVC stamping pack. I'll give you just over 24 hours....