Holiday Hoppenings

SURPRISE...a pre-baby post! I know I had said that I doubted I would post something before our little guy arrives, but I need a distraction. One can only clean, cook, organize, and bake so much! Before I give you a few things, I would love to share pictures of our nursery! I can't wait for our baby to make it complete.

And, here is the basket of double chocolate chip Heath cookies that I made this morning for the nurses and doctors who have to put up with me. Yum-O!

My last day at school was Friday. My intention was to work until I labor...on Thursday our doctor scheduled an induction for Monday, December 12th!!!!! I am over the moon excited and scared to death at the same time! I pray that everything goes smoothly.

My gift is coming tomorrow. Those of you who have read my posts from way back when now what a long and crazy journey it has been for me. It seemed to take forever to get here....lots of tears, medical interventions, and doubt. The pregnancy has not been very easy, I have thrown up every single day due to chronic and horrible acid reflux. Now that it is ending, I will miss feeling him within me. It will most likely be my only pregnancy and I have truly tried my best to enjoy it. A new journey lies ahead, I hope that you will stick around as I find my way through it....I probably won't be creating so much, but I will try.

Now for your gifts. It's just a hodge podge of Holiday stuff! I adore all things holiday related, so maybe next year I will go all out with a fabulous post. For now, I haven't created anything new, it's mainly things that I've used before. I hope you will find things to use in your classroom. Remember...it is the season of giving. If you have a blog, it is the perfect time to just post a unit as a freebie :-)

Happy "Labor" Day...couldn't resist!

Shannon

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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.

Literacy Goods

Christmas Tree Sight Words

With the Bingo cards, I give my kiddos the list of words and they write their own cards.
December Sight Word Bingo

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Polar Express. We have a whole party for it...which is tomorrow, I hope my kids have so much fun!
First Gift of Christmas Class Book

Holiday Journal

Holiday Syllables

Holidays Around the World Bingo

For this emergent reader, copy the main page on cardstock and the rest on regular paper. It will hold up nicely!
Holiday, Holiday, What Do You See

Reindeer Noses Books

Santa Medial Sounds

Santa Sight Words

Math Goods
Christmas Graphing Worksheet


Count the Menorah Candles Book

Do You Like Candy Canes Graph

Elf Squeeze directions are actually on the document. It's just an update of the Everyday Math Game "Monster Squeeze". My students are beyond 1-10 by this point, but definitely need practice with the tricky teens!
Elf Squeeze

Polar Express Numbers Worksheet

We use sentence strips for this sequencing activity.
Present Number Sequencing

Roll a Christmas Tree (2 Dice)

Santa Number Puzzles

Spin and Graph December Spinner

Spin & Graph December Holidays

Poetry Journals: Making them Matter (December Edition)

I really thought I wouldn't have another post until someone had left a comment about the last Poetry Journal set. Yowza! I completely forgot!! Well, I woke up bright and early and put together this little post. We only have three weeks in December, so there are only 3 poems. We do one for our Gingerbread Unit, one for Holidays Around the World, and one for Christmas (because I ADORE the Peppermint Stick song)! I have kept the format the same....new journal pages, followed by old for anyone who wants them.

I plan on posting another Edition of Poetry Journals in the winter. In my room, we begin to do more activities with them and try to utilize them during center time. It is my hope to put together a post of activities!

As always, I hope you enjoy! Leave a comment if you feel chatty! Again, I am sorry for the late arrival of this post!!! Will post some pics as soon as my little bundle arrives, thanks for all the sweet comments and prayers!!!

Thanks for reading!
Shannon

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.

All of my Poetry Journals can now be found on TPT, as well.


Four Gingerbread Men


Four Gingerbread Men

The Driedle Song

The Driedle Song

Peppermint Stick

Peppermint Stick

Run, Run, as fast as you can!

I know I have not been the best blogger in the world, I am sooo sorry! I had these grand delusions that I would get a good Thanksgiving unit done and posted...here we are just days away and I've got nothing for you. I have been consumed by all things BABY!

We had our baby shower October 23rd and suddenly the flood gates opened up for us! Our loss last year truly kept us extremely cautious. Once we had our shower, I began M.A.J.O.R nesting! From organizing his nursery to stocking our freezer. I try to sit down and blog or create and I find myself on etsy ordering a zillion custom burp clothes. He's our first and most likely our only, so I am going to shop to my hearts content and spoil him!!! We are getting very close to D Day, December 16. I am truly torn because I am beyond excited to meet my little guy but I LOVE teaching in December...it is the best. I guess I just need to sit back and enjoy the ride.

If you have sent me emails, I am sorry that I have not replied. It isn't because I don't appreciate your kind words, I am just consumed with baby, prepping for a long term sub, and report cards/conferences. Also, if you leave me comments on Scribd, I will just come right out and say it, it's a pain to read them. I have to click on each individual comment and then wait for that dreaded site to show it, so the moral of that story is that you should send things to gmail or leave them on the blog because we all know Scribd is a pain! Also, I know there have been some mistakes in some of my games like I have/Who Has, I blame my pregnant brain, LOL. I promise I will eventually fix those mistakes and repost....might be next fall, but it will get done!

I haven't been creating like I normally do, but I do have some things I use for our Gingerbread Unit, which by the way, I ADORE! We read all the different variations of the story, compare characters, taste gingerbread, make some super cute glyphs...it is soooo much fun for me and the kiddos! I am posting the small amount of things I have, I wish I had more and I wish I could tell you that I will post things for Holidays Around the World, but it is doubtful.

I will post an update when my little guy makes his appearance and that may be it until 2012. As always, I hope you find something you can use; I hope I inspire you to share (especially during this time of year); and I hope you have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!!! May you, your family, and friends be blessed!


Please consider making a donation to my blog.

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.

Books We Love
    

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.


The Literacy Goods
Beginning Sounds Match Up

Gingerbread Sight Word Bingo

Gingerbread Man Sight Words

Gingerbread Man Medial Sounds

Gingerbread Man Class Book

Where is the Gingerbread Girl Little Book (Positional Words)

The Math Goods
Sweet Patterns

Gingerbread Tricky Teens Worksheet

Gingerbread Math Worksheet

Gingerbread Man by 10's Worksheet

Buttons for the Gingerbread Man Math Book (Counting Backwards)

Do You Like Gingerbread Graph

Hoppy Fall Y'All

First, I have to thank everyone for all the kind words!! I really just wanted to lay it all out for my anonymous "friend" out there. Your comments truly mean so much to me!


Well, here in the subs of Chicago, I think we can officially say that autumn is upon us. It was chilly, rainy, and quite windy today....great for snuggling and comfort food OR just chillin' on the couch with my laptop, a baby boy that is practicing Kung Fu in my belly, and a ginormous cat that is extremely needy. I've been creating, creating, creating!!! I realized I barely had anything for Fall, and after all the wonderful comments....I truly wanted to put together a nice package of downloads. 


For those of you in the throws of Parent/Teacher conferences, I hope this will help ease your planning. I hope everyone can find something useful! As always, I appreciate any comments and thank you for reading/downloading!


Please consider making a donation to my blog.

Enjoy!
Shannon


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.


Books We Love
        


Literacy Goods
Memory Cards...a favorite of my class!
Pumpkin Sight Word Memory


The template for Sight Word Uno came from kellyskindergarten.com. It does take a lot of practice with students, but once they have a handle on how to play...they LOVE it!
Fall Sight Word Uno

Fall Sight Word Find

I Have/Who Has...has become an obsession with my current Kinder-Hoppers. The pretty much beg to play it over and over, so I just keep trying to make new ones.
I Have Who Has Fall Edition Alphabet)

Have I told you lately how much I L.O.V.E. DJ inkers? Virtually all of my clipart comes from her...I am a clipart junkie. I loved these open pumpkins and thought they would work well as puzzles.
Pumpkin Alphabet Puzzles

You've seen this template before...St. Patrick's Day. I mount them to cute scrapbooking paper and put velcro circles on the letters and spaces.
Pumpkin Building Words Mats

The Sound It Out worksheet compliments the building words activity above. There are two different papers depending on what your kiddos need.
Sound It Out Pumpkin Worksheet

Early Fall Sight Word Color by Code

Beginning Sounds Leaf Match Up

I made this book quite a while ago and now looking at it, I kind of wish I hadn't included anything that could be related to Halloween. Maybe someday I will change it up!
Fall Colors Book

Pumpkin ABC's

We focus so much of our time at the beginning of the year with beginning sounds, but I know some of my loves are ready for ending sounds!
Squirrel Acorn Ending Sounds Match

The Falling Leaves Sort focuses on beginning sounds P and B. The second page has the leaves/pictures for students to color, cut, and glue. They are fairly small so I put two on a sheet to save on paper.
Falling Leaves P & B Sound Sort


The Math Goods
I adore these ten frames that we are going to use for centers. I am not using the acorns in my room. I went to Michaels and found these little stone acorns that were on clearance, well because it is October and time to put on Christmas decor, lol.
 
Squirrel Ten Frames

Squirrel Ten Frames 11-20




Students get to use dice and practice writing numbers on this sheet. Then after all the pumpkins have a number in them, they color by code.Roll, Write, And Color

Scarecrow-Crow Number Matching

Roll a Leaf

Number Match

I always have my kiddos make their own Bingo cards. I give them a copy of both sheets. They write down one number and then cross it off the second sheet...that way they don't duplicate any numbers. Four in a row wins!
Number Bingo

Falling Leaves Graphing Worksheet

Fall Comparing Sets Center

This book is similar to my Counting Spiders books. Students will use a stamp pad to make crows and then use a marker or pencil to make eyes and beaks on the crows. I tried to come up with a different title...but hey, I truly LOVE the Counting Crows and just couldn't resist.
Counting Crows Math Book

I have these printed on 11x17 paper. They will be mounted and laminated. I found foil leaf confetti (also on Clearance) at Michaels. Students will use a paperclip and a pencil as the spinner. The goal is to fill the trees with the specified number of leaves.
 
Autumn Leaves Math Game

Another blast from the past...Students roll a dice or two and write the number in the first box, then fill in the numbers that come next.

What Comes Next Fall Edition

Who I Am

So, this post isn't for everyone. It's actually for one. One person who has chosen to remain anonymous. One person who doesn't know who I am at all, based on what they've said about me. It isn't a person I work with and it isn't a parent from my school...just a random person. To that person let me give you some insight to who I am and what I know to be true.


I have been working with children in a teaching capacity since January 1994. I graduated high school early and began working at a Pre-School immediately. I teach because it is a part of who I am. I have a love for teaching AND learning. Some people go into teaching because they think the kids are cute, they have good lessons, or for a number of reasons that just seem wrong to me. I teach because I know in my heart of hearts that I can help my students achieve goals in fun ways. The lessons are not nearly as important as the outcome...


I am extremely hard on myself within my classroom. I am constantly reflecting on what I can do better for my students. My students are my priority. My lessons, my materials, and all the other things that go with it are important too; however, my students learning the things I want them to learn is above all else the most important. This has always been my priority since 1994. I self describe myself as a bit OCD in my classroom. I am focused on my students being successful and enjoying Kindergarten, if this is a fault...I am willing to live with it. I really don't know of any good teachers who are not OCD in some ways in their classroom. We are striving for success, we have an abundance of paper work to stay on top of, we aim to be experts in everything that impacts our classroom, we are constantly seeking new ways to teach, we are always looking for the most engaging lessons...the list goes on and on, or at least it does for the good teachers.


In regard to fellow teachers, I will do virtually anything I can to help them. I love to create and share with others. I seek help from other teachers, as well. If I have a concern of any kind, I utilize people around me. Good teachers use people and resources to help themselves. I will be completely honest, individuals that do nothing to help themselves or to improve their craft...I lose patience with. Is this a fault, perhaps; however, it takes a lot for me to lose my patience. I am not perfect. I am human. I make mistakes, but I try my very hardest to learn from my mistakes and not make them over and over.


So, if you still think of me as a teacher who isn't very good or one that you would not want your child to have, then so be it. I know who I am, my administrators and co-workers know who I am and what I can do, and my students and their parents know what type of teacher I am...no matter what you think you know just based on reading or perhaps, your other reliable sources of information.


For those of you who are anxiously awaiting my Fall post...it will be up sometime within the next week or so. It has LOTS of goods and will be worth the wait. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!!!


Shannon

Eat, drink, and be ScArY....

OH MY GRAVY...this girl is t.i.r.e.d. Unfortunately, I can't seem to sleep. I pray that I am not being to cranky with my little loves! I really try to stay focused on our goals and keeping positive. I can't complain because I adore my class and I am in LOVE with my little miracle, who by the way spends about 75% of the entire day doing Kung Fu. I have to share some pictures of how I celebrated Columbus Day...

That my friends, is the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life. I am unbelievably in awe and blessed. You have just peeked at my little boy!!!!


On to some school stuff...
I have some answers to recently posed questions...


How do I fit in all the extras with all the curriculum?
* I will be completely honest, I don't fit in all the extras all the time. The activities that are in color are usually taught during our Morning Meeting and then added to a tub for work center time. During work centers, the group that gets the tub can choose the activities they want to complete. The worksheets always supplement things that we are doing in class. Now that all being said...I really try to stay organized and try to utilize every moment of the day; however, sometimes we simply run out of time.


* Fall Activities are coming!


* Most of my clipart and all of my fonts are from DJ Inkers. I can't even tell you which ones are the best because I truly LOVE them all. I am the biggest Clipart junkie...eVeR. I have an addiction. Some of it is from some old Carson Dellosa clipart CD's.


"You kept me up all night waiting for the Great Pumpkin, and all that came was a beagle. I didn't get a chance to go out for tricks or treats."


I know Halloween is a touchy time of year. Many schools do not allow Halloween activities; however, I am not at one of those schools, so I do enjoy Halloween activities. This is the first year in a while that all of my students enjoy Halloween festivities...I will be taking full advantage of this! I, as always, am thankful for those of you who leave me kind words. I truly appreciate it. I hope you find something that you can use. I didn't include descriptions, mainly because I am just too tired to think, lol. I think everything is pretty self explanatory. If you need something specific answered, just shoot me an email smorss99@gmail.com.


Enjoy!
Shannon


Books We Love
      


Literacy Goods
Trick or Treat Beginning Sound Sort

Halloween Syllable Sort

Spooky Syllables

Witch and Cauldron Upper to Lower Case Match

The Ghosts

Witch to Hat Rhyming Match

Roll Say Keep Halloween Edition



Math Goods
Spin & Graph Spooky Bat vs. Black Cat

Number Matching Cards Moons and Bats

Patterning Practice Cards

Creepy Patterns

I Have Who Has Halloween Edition

Spooky Sorting Marshmallows)