Consonant Blends Farm Freebie

I am up to my eyeballs in paperwork, still trying to finish my lesson plans and progress reports, but I just wanted to pop on to wish everyone a Happy Sunday! I'm still working with my firsties on consonant blends, so I created a farm themed game to reinforce them. Check it out!
Farmer Blends

I just finished making the t shirts for tomorrow, I think they're super cute! I'll post pictures tomorrow after work so you can see how our International Talk Like a Pirate Day went!

International Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Monday is International Talk Like a Pirate Day and I am taking that opportunity to introduce "ar" words. Now, according to the pacing calendar we don't introduce R-controlled vowels until the 2nd semester, but I couldn't resist this opportunity. I have a handful of students that are actually ready for this, and the others can only benefit from exposure. I'm making shirts today for myself and my firstie partner, along the lines of the one on The Inspired Apple (by the way, totally buying her pirate unit when I teach this in depth 2nd semester). I also made a memory type game with some adorable clip art from Pixelpapers. It can be used as an individual matching type of activity or a small group memory game. Some of my firsties are reading way above grade level, so some of the words are a bit harder, but since there are 24 words you can choose the ones you want your kiddos to work on and only play with those. Check it out and if you like it, please leave me a comment, they really make my day!
International Talk Like a Pirate Day Game

Question about Rewards and Ocean pictures!

Whew! It's Friday again! I have a TON of work to do - progress reports are due Monday! I am absolutely flabbergasted that we have are sending progress reports home already. It seems like just yesterday we were starting school! I am still struggling with grading - what to grade, what criteria to grade by etc. The hardest part is assessing what is "grade level" and what is "above grade level" work.

I also have to tweak my behavior plan. I'm using the clip chart behavior system (found here). because we still do not have a budget and therefore we haven't bought our yearly planners yet. I ran my behavior plan letter by the principal but she wants me to offer a reward for students who go above green on the chart. Now, everyone who is green or above all week gets a trip to the treasure box, but I hadn't planned on offering extra incentives for the extra levels. Does anyone have an idea for this? I was planning on blinging up their clothespins - every 5 times they are above green they get a sticker and after 5 stickers they get a new clothespin, but I wasn't intending to offer any other extrinsic rewards. Last year when I only had a 4 step system (4 was great, 3 was good, 2 was had to be reminded about procedure, and 1 was interfered with learning and had to be removed from class) I didn't offer a special reward for 4's and students still worked to get them. I really am resisting the idea of offering more "prizes", especially since I am trying to save up for desperately needed books! (By the way, if you don't vote for anyone on Limeades for Learning, would you consider supporting my class? It's quick and free, just click the icon on the top right sidebar)

In other news, here are the pictures (finally!) of our ocean of creatures! The shark and orca came from Deanna Jump's Ocean Animals Math and Literacy Unit.

 Look how long our display is! I had to make a super huge ocean to fit all of the creatures we made!