Winter Break Homework Tic-Tac-Toe

Today was our class party and it was a hoot and a half! We had a great time but, it sure did get me excited about winter break. : ) I thought I'd share how my team keeps our little firsties learning while they're gone.

I found this great idea on a blog a couple of years ago. I wish I could remember what the blog was called. I adapt it a little each year to meet the needs of my students. A homework tic-tac-toe is a great alternative to  making hundreds of copies for winter break homework packets. Students can choose their activities and get a little bit of learning time in over the break. I copy a hundreds chart to the back of each sheet in order to meet the requirements of one of the activities. Click on the picture below to download my version of holiday homework.

Polar Express Pajama Day

Tomorrow is our Polar Express Pajama Day and I am super excited! I bought my team pajamas for the big day and made this cute little note to remind the kiddos:

Click on the picture to download the note.

We'll spend the day doing activities from the fabulous Deanna Jump's Polar Express Unit. Then in the afternoon we'll watch The Polar Express!

Math Journal Monday (Christmas Word Problems)

Holiday Bingo

I've spent the last few days planning our class winter party with my room parents. We're going to have four stations. The stations are food, holiday bingo, friendship bracelets, and a Christmas craft. Students will spend 12 to 15 minutes at each station and then rotate to the next one. Click on the picture below to download my holiday bingo game.

This game was created using clip art by KPM Doodles.

Holiday Book Exchange

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in my classroom! : ) Next week we're going to have a book exchange and I thought I'd share the letter that I sent home with my students. Click on the picture to download the letter. 

I asked parents to send the books the day before we exchange them so I can donate books for my little sweeties who forget. We usually label them with numbers and then draw numbers to get the present that matches. One of my teacher friends asks her students to sit in a circle. They then pass the books around in a circle while a song plays. When the song stops they keep the book that's in their hands. I think I may try that this year.

What are y'all getting/making for your students for Christmas? I usually buy my students books but, I wanted to try something a little different this year. Any ideas?

Math Journal Monday (Gingerbread Word Problems)

This week's math journal problems feature characters from some of my favorite gingerbread tales. My students love the rhythmic, repetitive way in which these stories are written. Deanna Jump just posted a precious freebie that would be a perfect complement to these problems. Click HERE to check it out.

Wondrous Winter Unit

The winter unit is complete and the best part is that it's on sale through Thursday! Click on the picture to check it out.
 

Math Activities

*Arctic Addition Game and recording sheet

*Snowy Subtraction Game

*Addition I Have Who Has

*Math journal problems and cut out manipulatives

*More Wins Number Word Game

*Wonderful winter Probability 

Literacy Activities

*Color and number word memory

*Penguin and Polar Bear Venn Diagram

*Penguin Race sight word game

*What’s in the Mitten class book

*Camouflage prediction writing

*Camouflage mystery art and writing 

Math Journal Monday (Winter Word Problems)

Hi, Friends! I hope that y'all had perfect Thanksgiving breaks with your families! Last week I planned on spending my break completing my winter unit. Well, that didn't happen! : )  I was too busy hosting Thanksgiving dinner at our house, decorating for Christmas, and buying a new classroom pet. Expect a full blog post soon on our cute little guinea pig that I got for practically free!

Anyways, my winter unit is super close to being done! Today's freebie is the math journal problems from my unit. It includes problems and pictures to help solve them. Hopefully, the unit will be done by this evening so I can post it in time for the big TpT sale. I'll keep you posted!


* Update: My winter unit is complete! Click on the picture below to check it out. 





Click on this picture to download the winter word problems.

Guided Reading Bookmarks

Every week my students go home with a new guided reading book. I usually include a bookmark. On the bookmark, I write down the reading skill that they are currently working on for their parents to reference and use as a guide for at home instruction. I recently revamped the bookmarks to make them a little cuter. Click HERE to download the bookmarks that I'll be using with my reading groups next week.

Math Journal Monday (Inventor Word Problems)

Today's math journal problems come from an inventor unit we did a few weeks ago. If you want more info about the activities we did, check out my amazing teammate Kim's blog.

Click on the picture to download my inventor word problems.

I'm Thankful for...

My absolute favorite teacher blog, What the Teacher Wants, is hosting a linky party and I just could help but join in on the fun. 

1.  What are you thankful for in your classroom?
I am thankful for my sweet, little kiddos who I get to teach for two years. Looping with your kids is the best, y'all! I've loved getting to watch them grow and mature as learners and as individuals. I also adore my teammates! They inspire me and help me make it through the stressful days with their positivity and encouragement. If you need any further proof that my team is amazing just take a look at this picture:

Aren't they just the cutest?

2. What person are you most thankful for?
I am most thankful for my husband, Joey. He is precious and kind and oh so patient with me even when I don't deserve it.

3. What 3 blogs are you most thankful for?
It was really hard to narrow my favs down to just three. There are just so many great teaching blogs out there! These three consistently provide me so many creative ideas and inspiration. I also adore these blogs because they all offer lots of freebies.

4. What guilty pleasure are you most thankful for?
I am obsessed with Cherry Coke and chocolate! I drink a Cherry Coke every morning for breakfast. I know that's terrible but, it makes me a lot more fun to be around. Trust me!  : )

5. What are you most thankful for?
I am most thankful for my family and that I have a job that I love to go to every morning. 

Take Home Sight Word Book #2

I just posted the second book in my Take Home Sight Word Books series. This book uses Fry's Instant Words 101-200. This sight word book contains:

Page 2               Detailed instructions
Pages 3-4          Covers for student book (choose the one you prefer)
Page 5               Labels for folder option
Page 6               Letter to parents
Pages 7-21        Word lists and corresponding sentences
Pages 22-25      Fry's Instant Phrases for review

Click on the picture to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers Store and download it.

Pilgrim Suitcases, A Thanksgiving Craft and Writing Activity

Writing and crafty activities are probably my two favorite things to do with my kids. I combined the two to create this:

One of my little geniuses said, yummy food, a book, candy, pillow, blanket, toys, and clothes. I think that about covers it, right? That's all I would need. : ) Click on the picture below to download this cute art and writing activity.

Math Journal Monday (Time and Thanksgiving Word Problems)

At my school, we use Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) to teach math. In this model of math instruction, students are asked to find a solution to a problem posed by the teacher. Students are allowed to use any strategy they prefer to solve the problem. Most of my students are using a pictorial model to solve problems but, a few choose to use a concrete or abstract form. After students have solved their problem, we share our thinking with the class. During this time, I ask guided questions and occasionally give them strategy suggestions. I love listening to how their little brains work! They never cease to amaze me! 

Every week, I create a new set of word problems based on our skill of the week and then share them with my team. I decided that it would be fun to share the word problems on my blog every Monday. I'll call it Math Journal Monday. Click on the picture below to download this week's problems.

We are working on time this week in math so all of the problems are based on that concept. Students are asked to solve the problem using the numbers underlined in the problem. These are the numbers that they use to share their thinking with. Then if they finish early, they solve the problem using the numbers listed below the problem. They plug those numbers into where the underlined numbers are. Is that about as clear as mud? : ) Feel free to email me if you need me to explain it in another way.

Writing Notebook and Personal Dictionary

Don't you just love Writer's Workshop? I think it's my favorite part of the day. It's taken a lot of practice but, my kiddos have really got the routine down. I'll devote an entire blog post to how our Writer's Workshop time is structured soon but, first I wanted to share this great resource I purchased from Mrs. Patton at Mrs. Patton's Patch.

Click on the picture to visit Mrs. Patton's Patch and learn about her Interactive Writing Notebooks.

I purchased this set over the summer and my kids have loved using it during writing time!

At my school we loop with our students. The class that I have now I also taught for kindergarten. I created a personal dictionary with the words my students learned in kindergarten. When my students learn a new sight word they add it to their dictionary. Click on the picture below to download a copy of the personal dictionary I created using adorable DJ Inkers clip art.

My First Freebie!

Welcome to Learning with a Happy Heart!  The inspiration for this blog came from my favorite after school pastime, checking out other teacher's blogs. Hopefully, you'll find some things on my page that you can use in your own classroom.

I just posted my very first free activity on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Click on the picture to download the sight word book.

The words in this Take Home Sight Word Book come from Fry's Instant Word List. Inside you will find:

Pages 3-4       Covers for student book (pick the one you prefer)

Page 5            Letter to parents

Pages 6-20    Word Lists for Words 1-100 and Corresponding Sentences

Pages 21-24   Fry's Instant Phrases for Review

Thanks for stopping by!