Inside: Information and tips for correcting letter reversals “Yikes! My child reverses her letters. Does this mean she’s dyslexic?” As a Grade 1 teacher, I hear this a LOT! But you can relax. Letter reversals in young children are not only normal and common, they’re also developmentally appropriate Why do children reverse letters? Young children will often reverse b, d, … Read more
Inside: Lots of bear activities for first grade. We have now wrapped up our Bear unit. Well, except for our biscuit bears which we’ll do next week. We’re going to add a red hot heart to their lil’ bodies to tie it in with Valentine’s Day. On to the bear activities. Art My teaching partner had the kids make these … Read more
Inside: Thanksgiving books, how to draw a turkey, turkey writing, free printable, scarecrow art project. It’s Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada so I’m sharing some of the activities we did last week. A Plump and Perky Turkey + Post Reading Activities First off, we read this very funny book, A Plump and Perky Turkey, about a clever turkey who outwits … Read more
Do your kids love to get up and boogie around the classroom? Yes? Then you’re going to LOVE this fun activity for practicing sight words. I found this on The Reading Corner and instantly knew I HAD to try it. Thank you, Renee! (I would link to her blog if I could but sadly it no longer exists.) We did … Read more
In 2014 I received a Hot Wheels FUNdamentals Learning Kit for my classroom. I was given a fabulous set of cars and tracks in exchange for a blog review. My kit included an educational Activity Book, a CD with lots of lesson plans, cars, and tracks. Check out all these gorgeous little cars! I introduced the kit with a game … Read more
Did you know that first graders have excellent problem-solving powers? My class figured out LOTS of great ways to save Santa should he ever find himself stuck in the chimney! They would use ropes, ladders, toilet plungers, soap and oil. One creative person decided that he would feed Santa many cookies to make him even fatter in the hopes that … Read more
Last September I blogged about this fabulous book And Here’s to You! I’ve since read it to my class two more times. I absolutely LOVE this book. I wish I had written this book! It’s so incredibly delightful and heart-warming. If you don’t have it yet … go buy it! We spent some time reading and re-reading it so that … Read more
Last week we wrote some class poems using the Alligator Pie (by Dennis Lee) pattern. Here’s what the class came up with! Chocolate bar Chocolate bar If I don’t get one I think I’ll break my car. Give away my ice-cream cake Give away my star But don’t give away My chocolate bar! Apple sauce Apple sauce If I … Read more
For some reason I don’t make many class books with my kids. I’m not sure why because I think it’s a fabulous way to engage the kids and to teach them the craft of writing. Tammy, from Forever In First, is a class book master. Every time I read about one of her books I promise myself that THIS time … Read more