Hodge Podge

Hey there friends! Blogging has definitely become a difficult task. My little mister is almost 11 months old and he is ALWAYS on the go! If I'm not chasing him down, I'm trying to figure out what buttons he pushed on my laptop that has made my screen all wacky, lol.

Here's a little Coop fix for y'all!

I tried very hard to resist that frog costume but I just couldn't. Coop came to school for our Halloween parade and he was basically a celebrity. I can't tell you how much I love where I teach! Both of us are truly blessed that I am there with such wonderful people that love us.

I know I have been neglectful, but honestly, I will eventually get the hang of this new life. There are so many unknowns right now and so much new responsibility that sometimes its just overwhelming, ya know? Anywho, a few weeks ago someone had asked if I could post the directions to the stained glass apples that we make in September. I was good...I got out my camera and took pictures and had every intention of posting them right away but then life just got in the way. Here are how they turn out...

Here is how to make them...

Pre-cut two apples with the centers cut out for each student. Lay one of the patterns on wax paper. I have students use Elmers glue and a paint brush in the middle. They just put glue all over the center and the edge of the apple. Then they get to choose what color tissue paper they want in the center. They layer the tissue paper in the center AND on the edge until it is covered. Then we lay the other apple pattern on top (this way it hides the tissue paper edges from showing). Allow it to dry overnight. Then you can peel it right off the wax paper! Viola!

I was recently contacted by MPM School Supplies to try them out and boy am I glad I did! So, last year I purchased this timer...

I LOVE this timer. I use it for guided reading and recess, lol. Well, last year during my maternity leave, my timer took a leave of absence, as well, and has been missing ever since. So, I ordered my little timer and Carson Dellosa Quick Stick Word Families. I have been wanting to try them out for a while. With all of our crazy fire code regulations I really needed to find new smaller posters and these are PERFECT!!

The order was super easy to complete online and it shipped really fast. I was so excited to have my little timer back, lol, it's the little things. Anyway, something was wrong with it. The screen was kind of wonky. I called the customer service and they said it was no problem and they would send out a new one. A few days later, I had the replacement and it works wonderfully!

If there is anything your classroom could use, I highly recommend MPM.

10% off your first 10 orders:

http://www.mpmschoolsupplies.om/redeem/S1210XDABECFE

I have been asked if I am making anymore units and I am, it just is taking me a bit to get them together. My December unit is almost finished and from there, I will be working on a Winter unit, I believe. If there is anything you are desperate to see in those units, please let me know and I will try my best to accommodate. 

In the mean time, here are some fall favorites from last year :0)
Hoppy Fall Y'all 2011

Here is my Fall unit...

Poetry Journals...

I hope you are all happy and healthy. I miss the blogging world soooo much! Hugs to you all :)
Shannon

Apple Giveaway

Could Learning Resources be any better? No, they can't! Please check out their great product videos on YouTube. Ok so Learning Resources gave me the opportunity to play and review a few products, as well as, host 3 new giveaways! 

The first review is for Attribute Apples. 

This is a nifty little set. There are 5 attributes (size, color, and physical attributes). These are going to be a wonderful center for the fall. They will tie in perfectly to an apple unit <wink, wink>. They can be used for sorting, patterning, and counting (I'm sure there are TONS of other ways we will be able to use them. I can't wait to use them with our Sorting Circles! The apples are durable and super cute! The little container is made to resemble a basket. It will hold up. The entire set is great quality...exactly what we have come to expect from Learning Resources. 

The set retails for $21.99. For one lucky reader....it will be free! Here's how to to enter...

1. You must follow Learning Resources on either...

• Facebook,
• Pinterest, OR
• Twitter

2. You must follow my blog :0)

3. Leave 1 comment that includes the following (that you follow LR on one of the 3 listed), that you follow my blog, and an answer to this "School supplies have made their way to the shelves...does this excite you or freak you out?" Be sure you leave ONLY ONE comment along with your email address. 

Leave a comment by 12PM (Central Time) on Wednesday, July 18th, 2012. The winner will be announced on Wednesday evening.

Be sure to check out my very first unit on TPT. It's all new and aligned to the Kindergarten Common Core!

Teachers Notebook

First and foremost, I want to thank EVERYONE who has donated to me. Coop and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts! I cannot express the gratitude I feel. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

I truly hoped that the Donate Button would be my fix; however, I don't believe it will be. I am going to keep it, for a while at least, for anyone who wants to donate for any of the Scribd downloads. I don't want to remove any of the 594 free downloads I have (holy cow...I didn't realize I had so many :0) ) , so they will remain, for now. I am hoping to still giveaway some creations, but I know that it is in Cooper and I's best interest to begin selling things, just to stay afloat.

After reading comments, I have opened up a Teachers Notebook Shop! In honor of my grand opening and because I am so grateful for the support that has been given to me, my Apple Unit is set at 25% off!!! Click on the image below to check it out.

Thank you again for all your kind comments and support. :0)
Shannon

Decision

First and foremost, I want to thank EVERYONE who has donated to me. Coop and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts! I cannot express the gratitude I feel. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

Well, I debated and heard TONS of advice (all appreciated, by the way), and I've come to a decision...I will be opening up a shop on Teachers Notebook and Teachers Pay Teachers.

I truly hoped that the Donate Button would be my fix; however, I don't believe it will be. I am going to keep it, for a while at least, for anyone who wants to donate for any of the Scribd downloads. I don't want to remove any of the 594 free downloads I have (holy cow...I didn't realize I had so many :0) ) , so they will remain, for now. I am hoping to still giveaway some creations, but I know that it is in Cooper and I's best interest to begin selling things, just to stay afloat.


My very first post on Teachers Notebook and Teachers Pay Teachers is a new Common Core Apple Unit. With a total of 10 math and literacy activities all developed around the Kindergarten Common Core Standards. Activities and skills addressed include;

* Sort the Apples (Understand that words are separated by spaces in print)
* Perfect Punctuation (Recognize and name end punctuation)
* A-P-P-L-E Poem (Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print. Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding)
* Let's Write About Apples (Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book)
* Don't Pick the "Ick" (Read common high-frequency words by sight)
* Spin and Write (Print many upper- and lowercase letters)
* I Have/Who Has (Correctly name shapes regardless of their orientations or overall size)
* Apple Ten Frames (Count to answer “how many?” questions about as many as 20 things arranged in a line, a rectangular array, or a circle, or as many as 10 things in a scattered configuration; given a number from 1–20, count out that many objects)
* Comparing Sets (Classify objects into given categories; count the numbers of objects in each category and sort the categories by count)
* Apple Math Fun (Represent addition and subtraction with objects, fingers, mental images, drawings, sounds (e.g., claps), acting out situations, verbal explanations, expressions, or equations. Solve addition and subtraction word problems, and add and subtract within 10, e.g., by using objects or drawings to represent the problem)

The packet includes over 100 pages of color activities and student work (sorts, recording sheets, emergent readers) for your Kindergarten classroom. Also, good for early first grade :0)I truly hope you check it out. Click on the image below to purchase.

I've also made a sentence building activity. I made it with two Facebook fans in mind...Alane Connolly and Stacey Arballo :0). Hope you like! It's FREE! Click on the image below to download.

Again, I thank everyone for their support. I hope everyone understands. It was a difficult decision, and I hope that you will continue to support me!
Shannon

Way Up High in the Apple Tree

I know it's not fall yet, but I couldn't resist posting some of my Apple Unit. It is one of my absolute favorite units! I know that the main reason I just love doing the unit is because it ends with a fabulous visit to County Line Orchard in Hobart, IN.. http://www.countylineorchard.com/ If you live anywhere near County Line, I HIGHLY recommend visiting. Walking around and picking your own apples is just part of what makes it great....without a doubt what draws my husband and I there is the great food! We spend the day picking apples, snacking on apple doughnuts and fresh grilled corn, and shopping. It always turns out to be a great fall day!


I hope you find some things you can use! Thanks so much for reading!
Shannon


My Apple Unit that is linked to the Common Core can be purchased here...

All documents contain fonts that are copyright DJ Inkers. Virtually all documents contain graphics that are copyright DJ Inkers. They are used with permission. Please visit http://www.djinkers.com/, for wonderful clipart and fonts.


Unit plan...
Apple Unit


Books We Love



The Literacy Goods
This is our Apples Class book. I mount the cover to tag board or construction paper and laminate it. Students write their name in the banner, fill in the color of their favorite kind of apple, and then illustrate their page. I take all the pages and bind them for our classroom library.
Apples Class Book


Sight Word Color by Code

Apples Book

These are Alphabet Concentration Cards. Cut apart and laminate. You can use them for whole group matching or as a center.
Apple Alphabet Concentration

I Have/Who Has is one of our favorite games to play as a group throughout the year! This apple edition helps students with lowercase letter recognition.
I Have Who Has Apple Edition

This is a worksheet to help students identify initial sounds in words. For those that use Jolly Phonics, I used the first set of sounds that are introduce in the program.
Beginning Sounds Match Up

This is a sound recognition game. Copy the apples on cardstock, cut, and laminate prior to use. Have students sit in a large circle. You can put the apples in a small basket or on a large cut out tree in the center of your circle. Teach the students the chant "Apples, apples nice and round. Pick an apple and make its sound!" Allow each child to choose an apple. The apples can also be used for ABC order in a large group or as a center!
Apple Sounds

The Math Goods
These are number mats. Students place the specified number of apples on the tree.


Apple Tree Number Mats 1-15

Patterning Worksheet (there are three levels of difficulty).
Apple Patterns

Roll an Apple is a dice game. Students roll a single die and then fill in the corresponding apple. They only get to fill in one apple each roll. Students can use crayons, markers, or the ever so popular...Do-a-Dot Markers to fill in the apples.
Roll an Apple Tree

The Apple Survey is more of a project. I have my high level students complete it; however, I am sure that students could be put into groups to complete it. It is a fun activity but does require students to visit other classrooms. In our school this is fairly easy because all the K rooms are in one hall.
Apple Survey

Here is the components of my "Do You Like Apples" graph. I use a piece of colored poster board. I glue the two apples to the corner with the title in the center and yes/no goes beneath the title. I use a dark marker to create the middle line of the graph. Students write their name on the small apple square and color it. Then we graph :)
Do You Like Apples Graph

The Comparing Apples Worksheet is completed as a whole group. I bring in three apples; one red, one yellow, and one green. I make sure they are 3 distinguishable sizes. We fill out the worksheet and taste each apple!
Comparing Apples Wksht

I don't have students bring in their own apples for this activity. I have students work in groups...so I am not cutting apart 21 apples. Each group gets an apple and each student completes their own worksheet.
Apple Seed Count Worksheet

Miscellaneous Goods
I love making various kinds of playdough throughout the school year for my Kinder-Hoppers! This is a recipe for Apple Pie Playdough. You certainly could make it with your students if you can use a burner. I just make it at home. I put it into a Ziploc bag and then into a brown bag and students smell and guess what is in the bag. Along with the recipe is a paper for you to fill out with students...like an Apple Recipe Book. It is soooo cute to see what they come up with!


Apple Recipe

For your little overachievers, students can play with the Apple Pie Playdough and create words. This is the worksheet that corresponds.
Playdough Words

Apple Investigation worksheet has two levels of difficulty. You can have students bring in their own apple or give each group an apple to work with (it definitely helps it cutting the apples).
Apple Investigation

This is an Apple Webquest for your high level students to complete as part of the unit.
Apple Webquest

My absolute FAVORITE art project during our apple unit has to be stained glass apples. They look gorgeous hanging on the windows!


We also do the seasons of an apple tree project.


Listen and read from Scholastic.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/listen_read_27/apple-grows.asp

One of our absolute favorite songs!!!!