This post contains affiliate links. Each day, my first graders complete a few hands-on literacy activities during our reading rotations. Students get to choose what they work on, and I even have some kiddos who take centers home a few nights a week to do for fun with their families– it melts my teacher heart!…
This post contains affiliate links. Although I currently teach first grade, I do occasionally have students move-in from other areas in need of some kindergarten skills. To help these kiddos out, I like to have literacy and math centers on hand that they can do independently and feel successful with! These adorable zoo-themed matching puzzles…
This post contains affiliate links. This past week, my first grade class learned about fractions! I started out with 1/2, 1/3, and 1/4 using the language “one OUT OF two pieces,” and so on. This seemed to work best for introducing the concept, but as the week progressed I wanted my students to also use…
This post contains affiliate links. My first graders are really starting to take flight with their reading and writing, but I’ve noticed lately that some of my kiddos still haven’t quite made it over that tricky B/D and P/Q “hump”. Because I’m somewhat obsessed with centers, I whipped up this quick and easy letter identification…
This post contains affiliate links. When my $60 electric pencil sharpener began to wear down, I did what any teacher would– I started browsing the internet for pencil sharpeners to replace it. Although my electric sharpener did a good job for a solid two years, I still wanted to find something less expensive that would…
This post contains affiliate links. As a first grade teacher, it’s my job to help my students gain an understanding of mathematical procedures– not just show them how to do something and drill it. Even understanding that the number 26 is made up of 2 bundles of 10 and 6 individual “ones” is a tricky…
This post contains affiliate links. I’m not huge on giving my first graders food treats, or anything treasure-box related, but I’m a big fan of positive praise and good old fashioned love and attention! I give my students certificates when they show exceptional leadership, I draw big stars on their papers when I think it…
This post contains affiliate links. Even though my first graders have come such a long way since the beginning of the year, there is still so much room for them to grow their little literacy brains! I wanted to help my kiddos practice their reading and also take notice of the features of print– AKA…
This post contains affiliate links. The other day I had a substitute and needed something fun for my kids to do during writing! Since our theme was “Pumpkins,” I whipped up this free writing paper! When I returned from my all-day meeting, I was pleasantly surprised by the creative, great work I saw! I considered…