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Sunday, September 30, 2012

Going Batty with this Bat Writing Freebie

It is almost October 1st, so I thought I would get started on some bat creations. I am offering this Bat Writing Paper {Bats ~ Can, Have, Are} for FREE!  Download from either link to TeachersNotebook or TeachersPayTeachers below.  Enjoy and tell me what you think! :)

Graphics © Dianne J Hook www.djinkers.com License # 0912172638

 



Monday, September 24, 2012

How about them apples?

Take a bite out of these "Apple Tree Work Mats"!  ONLY $1.50!  Students will enjoy using manipulatives or creating apples from play dough that correspond to each tree's number.  These math mats target numbers from 1 to 20. 
Color Version:
Black & White Version:
 
Kiddos could also use two different colored manipulatives to create their apples & then form addition problems.  For example: 10 yellow apples + 5 red apples = 15 apples in all
 
REMEMBER ... An Apple Center A Day Keeps The Boredom Away! Ha!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

The Catch of the Day!!

Check out this Big Kahuna of a center ... Fishin' for Numbers 1-10

Kids will have a splashing good time at your teacher table or center area catching number fish with their fishing poles.  {Don't have fishing poles?  Check out my tutorial on how to make your own here: http://smarttartslearning.blogspot.com/2012/09/gone-fishin-for-fishing-poles.html}

This pack includes:
4 Types of Fish: Numeral, Number Word, Tally Mark & Spotted Fish
A Directions Sheet {Includes: Preparation, Directions, Alternate Game, Differentiated Instruction, Teacher Table Use & More}
Center Envelope Label
Accountability Center Sheets {5 total}
Key Card {for your kiddos still learning numbers}
Zero Fish {= lose a turn}
"Gotcha" Fish {he eats the "zero fish"}
 Fishbowl Pocket {for the kiddos to put their caught fish in}
 
Choose a center below that fits your needs:
 
Click here for the color version:

 Click here for the black and white version:
Click here for the COMBO PACK {both versions FOR A PRICE BREAK}:

Here is an action shot:
 
This blog post is o"fish"ally over!
 

Friday, September 14, 2012

Gone Fishin' for Fishing Poles?

I LOVE to have the kiddos in my class fish for things {numbers, sight words, letters, etc...} at the "Teacher Table."  The kids have a blast and, I have to confess, so do I!
 
If you want to do this too, but DON'T HAVE {or can't find} MAGNETIC FISHING POLES, hang tight because I have the perfect solution for you... A magnetic fishing pole tutorial!  It is{as my hubbie would say} EASY BREEZY!
 
Supplies: Sticks or twigs{from your yard, park or any climbin' tree...make sure they aren't brittle}, yarn, magnets, a glue gun & a happy disposition!
Step 1: TURN ON YOUR GLUE GUN... this will save you some time!
Step 2:  Take your stick and tie the yarn around the thinner of the ends.  I hot glued mine as I wrapped it for durability. Tie in a knot to secure it in place.
 Step 3: Trim the length of line that you would like... shorter lines for fishing poles that are to be used at a table and longer lines for fishing poles that are to be used on the floor.
Step 4:  Wrap yarn around and hot glue a magnet to the end of your fishing line.
 Step 5: Wrap the yarn around again, hot glue, and tie {knot} magnet in place to the end of your fishing line. Trim off the excess line.
 VOILA!  Easy Breezy!  You have your very own ORIGINAL fishing poles.  These are way cooler than any you can find at the stores b/c they are unique. Now just repeat the process to make as many as you need and ....
  HAVE FUN!
Pssssst: Be on the lookout this upcoming week for my "Fishin' for Numbers" center post. :)

Monday, September 10, 2012

Phonological Awareness Assessment FREEBIE!

I am excited to share this freebie for Phonological Awareness.

This 8 page document includes a tracking page for your class & assessments for the following:

1. Listening
2. Rhyming {Part 1 & 2}
3. Alliteration
4. Words in a Sentence
5. Syllabication
6. Onset/Rime
7. Blending Phonemes
8. Deleting Initial Sounds
9. Deleting Final Sounds

It allows for assessment at the BOY {Beginning of the Year}; MOY {Middle of the Year} & EOY {End of the Year}

It is because of your feedback and referrals that I can continue to grow Smart Tarts Learning!




 

Sunday, September 9, 2012

For Your Smart Cookies!

I am thrilled to debut my "Smart Cookie" center.  It is choc{late} full of activities that will keep your "Smart Tarts" engaged and entertained... they won't even realize they are working!
 
Kiddos will take turns flipping over and reading cookies to add to their cookie tray. WATCH OUT! HOT cookies will make the player lose a turn. ALL 220 Dolch Words & 95 Dolch Nouns are included.
THAT IS OVER 300 WORDS from PRE-K to 3RDGRADE!!! 50 PAGES IN ALL for only $4.99!
 
All graphics in this download are drawn by MOI!
 
Here is an example of my daughter playing the game:
BUT that's not all.  I have also included 2 more games: Alphabetizing & Sentence Building. 
Items Included:

I hope that you enjoy this center... It has been a LABOR of love {in other words it has been in the "oven" for a while!!!} I am thankful for your feedback and/or purchase.  There is also a black and white option if you would rather save on ink.

You can pick your up at TeachersNotebook.com.  Here is the direct link: http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/SmartTartsLearning/smart-cookie-sight-word-game-over-220-words

Thanks for taking a look! :)

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Tweet-Tastic Classroom

I am thrilled to be singing about my newly decorated "Tweet" classroom.  Check it out under the "DIY/Tips" candy tab.  I would love to hear your feedback! :)

My TWEET Classroom

I went a little CUCKOO {pun intended! HA!} on a themed classroom this year.  I drew a graphic of a "tweet bird" last year {2011}, and my co-teacher and good friend, Sarita, informed me {said in the most loving way} that I should redo my classroom in "tweet birds." She had seen something similar on schoolgirlstyle.com ... even the color scheme turquoise and lime. :D

Well, since I was "looping" from kinder to first grade with my kiddos I figured it was time for a change, and why not "tweet birds?!"  That was just the beginning of the "cuckooness" as you will see in the pictures below... I hope you enjoy AND would love for you to "sing" your comments.  It helps me grow as a teacher and creator. :) 

THE DISASTER BEFORE THE FLOCK ARRIVED!!! Ay Yay Yay!
The flock has arrived:
The Word Wall:

Literacy Calendar Title {Math Calendar is my partner teacher's room}:

"Tweethearts" of the Week {like Star of the Week}:

{Clip Art By:DJ Inkers}
Feathers, Lamps & Lanterns Oh My!:

WELCOME! {I found paper plates at Dollar Tree & added letters}
Plan  Do  Study  Act
 SOARING to Meet our Objectives {Math, Science & SS are in my partner teacher's room}
 
 B.I.R.D Folder
Notes to go home to parents {Kudos & Goals (Clip Art By:DJ Inkers)}
Meet the Teacher Night
First Family Project {"Tweet" what you are excited to learn about in 1st Grade}
Student Nameplates

I am also planning to add a birthday board title, "When We Were Hatched."  My plan is to have nests as the months with each kiddo's name on a Tweet Bird inside the nest of the month they were born. 

Thanks so much for your time and taking a peek inside my classroom!  If you have any other TWEET-TASTIC ideas that I could implement, I would love to hear about them!  :) Nikki T