Five for Fraturday Let it Snow!

Snow is so beautiful and fun and COLD, I am not a fan of cold, thus the reason I live in central Cali, where we have no snow. Don't get me wrong, I love to look out at it, I just don't want to have to shovel my driveway to leave my house. But...snow in the classroom is lots of fun! I am linking up a little late with Kacy from Doodle Bugs for her Five for Friday on Saturday! 

I am going to share just a few of the activities we did this week involving snowmen.

I must have a dozen books about snow and or snowmen, but one of my favorites is Snowmen at Night. Each day we reread the story and do a different literacy activity. This week we sorted details from the text. We completed this whole group in our pocket chart deciding if the card had a detail that was or was NOT in the text. After our whole group activity each student completed it on their own.

They cut out their picture squares, glued them on the correct side of their recording sheet and then colored the pictures.

We also did an opinion writing activity. Each student wrote whether they liked hot cocoa or chocolate milk better and why. We did a partner/group discussion first then each student wrote on their own.

These were two of my favorites. "I like hot cocoa because when I am cold I drink hot cocoa." "I like hot cocoa because when I watch a movie it is good." I am just so proud of how my kinders are using our word wall and stretching out their sounds in their writing. These activities are all from Deanna Jump and Deedee Wills Guiding Readers January pack. They are one of my favorite resources!

Another component of the Guiding Readers resource is a weekly art activity that goes with the literature that is being studied. This week we painted Snowmen at Night. My kiddos did a fantastic job and they look so cute hanging in our room. It is helping it look more like winter now.

I usually go all in with my themes, so of course our poem this week was about snowmen as well. This is from Deedee Wills January poetry. Using these poems every week has really made a huge difference in the language development of my kiddos. My class is 99% ELL and these are fantastic for learning word patterns, rhyming, phonics and so much more.

We say our poem each day and then do a different quick word activity each day. The blue spots, are plastic file dividers that I cut and we use to highlight our sight words, usually on Tuesdays. They were so excited that we knew 24 sight words this week. Deedee also has a song for each poem and we love to sing anything! It is so cute, I usually hear them singing our poems out on the playground too!

My writing center is always one of the most popular activities in our room. Each month I have new word cards. This month they are all about snow, winter and January holidays. I use mini clothespin clips to hold my cards, so it is a breeze to change them out the first of each month. These are also from Deedee Wills, she is just fantastic!

At the writing center they get to choose which kind of writing activity they want to do. They can do a label or list activity.

They can write a story or make a book. Once they have their writing done they get to use any of the tools to finish their project. I have 2 different kinds of markers, colored pencils and crayons. I think being able to use all of these is part of the reason it is so popular.

I love it because, it encourages independence in their writing, allows each child to go at their own pace and it is amazing to see how much progress each student makes during the year.

Something else we did this week, well really every week is use ESGI. It is sooo fantastic. If you teach PK, K or 1st you need to use this. It makes it possible for me to do quick assessments on my kiddos without any paper mess, and often times with no prep. Time is a precious commodity these days. For the Guiding Readers units I talked about above there is an assessment already loaded into the program. On Friday I can quickly see how each kiddo is doing on comprehension. 

Another preloaded assessment is for Ball Words. It is a sight word program from Marsha McGuire from A Differentiated Kindergarten. I have used this system for a few years and my kiddos love it. The Dolch sight word list is divided into 11 lists each on a different ball. I have these hanging in my room, see the pic below, and the kiddos have access to practice at all times. They also have their list in their homework folder. I test every Friday, and I would have to be sure I had all the lists and highlighters ready to go. This year Martha joined forces with ESGI and now it is easier than ever to assess my kiddos. The word lists are preloaded, I just pull up their name, click on the list and away we go. The kiddos are asking me all week, when are you going to test me! What a time saver.

The other great thing is that the data is now right at my finger tips the moment I finish giving the test. I can view an individual student, a small group or even the whole class. It makes it great for small group planning. I just pull up the group and I can see what words or skill we need to focus on. I can choose how I want those results displayed as well. Genius I tell you!

It also makes it easy to see what students need RTI and on what specific skills. I can do individual printouts and even letters for parents, in English or Spanish, to keep parents updated on their child.

With the click of a button I can even print out flashcards for each individual student with their name on them for the words they need to work on. I know I never want to be without ESGI. I can use preloaded assessments and make my own. If you want to give it a try in your own class you can try it out for 60 days for free by clicking on the logo on my sidebar or going to ESGIsoftware.com and using the promo code B7284. If you are already convinced that you need it, you can get a $40 discount with the same code. What have you got to lose!

I am off to enjoy the rest of my 3 day weekend! Have a great one! Be sure to check out the rest of the posts in Doodle Bugs link up!

New Year, New Goals!

Now that it is 2016, and I have already taken a look back at how fantastic 2015 was, you can read all about that here, I am ready to look to what lies ahead. I am linking up a bit late with my girls Diana at My Day in K, and Jayme at Teach, Talk, Inspire for their fun Resolutions linky. Better late than never right?

I know so many people make resolutions in the New Year, only to forget about them a week or two later. I am determined to not let that happen to me. I like to think of them as goals. I know that is really the same thing, but if I tell myself it's a goal, I am somewhat more likely to stick to it, go figure! Here are my goals for the coming year!

1. My first goal is to exercise at least 4 days a week. I used to be at the gym 5-6 days a week and actually had more energy than I do know. So, I literally dusted off the treadmill and am ready to jump back in. Often it is so much more than just exercise, it is a time for me to destress after the school day. I also broke out my endless collection of exercise DVD's. I feel so out of shape at this point that I am going to need several weeks of work at home, before I can feel comfortable going back to the gym. I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but it is my reality.

2. My second goal is to stick to my 80/20 food rule. That is to make healthy food choices 80% of the time and 20% of the time it is ok to make a not so smart food choice. I figure I have to still enjoy get togethers and parties with friends. Afterall, I need to enjoy life while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This past year I have gotten off track, and the scale is showing it. I am not happy with where I am so it is time to get back on track! If I am not taking good care of myself, I can't give my best to others.

3. A weekly date night with the hubby is next on the list. We often get so caught up with the kids, racing, school, work, etc. that we forget to put aside time to just unwind and enjoy spending time together. So we are going to schedule it on the calendar and make time for just us.

4. The time with my boys is just flying by. My oldest is in college, my middle one will go to college in the fall and the baby is a sophomore in high school. There isn't much time I will still have them at home, so we are going to schedule a fun outing each month that we can all do together. It is so important to make the most of the time that we still do have.

5. This year my blogging has really fallen off. I have had a difficult time finding the time to sit down and write. What I have found is, that I really miss it. I am going to schedule a specific time to blog each week and I think that will really help me stay on track. Even if it is just linking up with Doodle Bugs 5 For Friday and Farley's Currently it will be a start. I really enjoy sharing my ideas and connecting with other like minded teachers.

6. I also want to add 25 new products to my store this year. I enjoy creating, it is like a hobby and creative outlet for me, but once again I haven't been making the time to do this a priority. Like my blogging, I am going to schedule a specific time each week to work on my products. So you should be seeing posts about new products very soon!

7. My last, but maybe most important goal for this year, is to cherish the little things. That Friday night game night and pizza with the boys. A lunch date with a few of my oldest girlfriends. Cuddling on the couch while watching a movie with the hubby. These may seem in significant at the time, but these are just as important as the big moments in life. Those are the everyday things that keep us going.

Lastly my motto for this year is... Focus on what is most important.

What are your resolutions for this year? What ever they are may you enjoy this year to the fullest! Be sure to check out the linky to read everyone else's resolutions!

An InLinkz Link-up

Reflections of 2015

How can it be the end of 2015 already. Time just seems to fly by faster and faster each year. What better way to ring in the new year than by taking a look back at this year and all the fun times we had. To do that I am joining Miss Kindergarten, A Teeny Tiny Teacher and Dragonflies in First for their fun linky.

I must warn you upfront this is going to be a bit of a picture overload. I have said before I am a recovering "scrapaholic" and so this is my way of scrapbooking my way through 2015. I decided to pick 1 or 2 ... or 4 or 6 ... of my favs from each month of the year. So you have been warned! Here we go!

Each year we go to Pismo Beach to spend New Year's playing in the sand. It is always a great time with family and friends and the boys always have a blast. Of course 2015 did not disappoint and I can't wait to head out in the morning for our little get a way this year! 

February was very memorable. I was named Teacher of the Year for our school district. I was so honored and excited to have received this award. Of course they gave me this framed piece of art work from our county with my name, school, etc, but it is hanging on the wall at school, and since I am on vacation I was not driving out to take a picture so this will have to do for now.

Every year in March we take our younger 2 boys to the NASCAR race in Las Vegas. Our oldest son isn't into racing, and he was away attending UC Irvine, so it was just the 4 of us. It was a jam packed 5 days at the track and tons of walking, but always unforgettable.

In April, my middle son attended the Jr. Prom. He just looked so handsome all dressed up. My favorite pic was actually the one of he and all his buddies. They got a limo so they could all go together with their dates and they had a blast.

My favorite pic from May was this one on Mother's Day. We haven't had a nice family pic in 3 years and the boys have all grown so much. So, my MIL took this one out in my mom's backyard for me, I love it! We had a great brunch and hung out, and the boys swam, with my Mom, MIL and grandma Sweetie. It was a perfect day.

Each summer we spend at least one day with the family at the water park. The boys took some friends and cousins along and had a blast playing in the water and on the slides.

My little niece had the cutest little bathing suit! Wish I looked that good in mine, lol!

In July I was fortunate enough to attend the I Teach K and TpT conference in Las Vegas. I had a fantastic time learning from some super teachers and meeting so many of my blogging and IG friends IRL. It was unforgettable!

The Venetian resort was beautiful. Here I am with some of my Primary Punchbowl Girls, Sara @mrsbfirsgrade and Chris @thescoopinsecondgrade.

These are just a few of the MANY pics I took with all the amazing teachers there, Kim Adsit @kindergals, Erica @missveeskinderkraziness, Cristy @kindergartensquared, Chris @famousinfirst, Greg @kindergartensmorgasboard, Chad @malekindergartenteacher, Kimberly @livelaughlovekindergarten, and Greta @learningwithmrsleeby.

Deanna @mrsjumpsclass, Deedee @deedeewills, Mary @sharingkndergarten, Suzanne @kindergarten_planet, Becky @theclasscouple and Alex @thekindergartenconnection,

In August, I helped organize a fun Central California Teacher/Blogger Meet-up. It was fun getting to chat with like minded women who "get it", and don't think you're crazy for owning ALL of Creative Clips Clipart, lol.

These were just a few of the pics. Carol @thesupersparklyteacher and I having fun with the photo booth props and Erin @veryperryclassroom another one of my Primary Punchbowl girls. I met so many wonderful teachers and I can't wait to do it again.

We are a race family and spend 2-3 weekends a month at the track. This year the boys moved up to a new series and had been doing fantastic with many top 5 finishes, but in September our youngest won  his first race in the 600 Micro Sprint and made it to Victory Lane. We were all super excited and proud of him!

Here he is being interviewed after the race in Victory Lane!

In October, the hubby surprised me with a quick day trip to the beach to celebrate our 23rd anniversary. Besides the race track, my favorite place is the beach! It was relaxing and a great day with just the two of us.

Thanksgiving was a great time spent with family and TOO MUCH FOOD. We played a fun new game, Pie Face. It was hilarious. Everyone was such a good sport, even Grandma Sweetie, considering she got the pie in the face twice! If you have little ones they will love seeing the adults get the pie.

December is one of my favorite months of the year! I love all the traditions, and food, and baking and time with family. One tradition our school has is that Santa visits on our last day and brings each child a toy and takes a picture with them. For many of them this may be the only present they receive and it is magical and wonderful to see the joy on their faces. Here I am with my class and Santa. (sadly, we had a few kiddos out sick who missed it, but we saved their gift for them)

Once school is out, it is a mad rush to get ready for Christmas, with lots of baking and shopping and wrapping of gifts. But I finished it all in time and we had a very blessed Christmas.

My 2015 was a great one and I know that 2016 will be even better! Have a great New Year's Eve and see you in 2016!