More F words...

Nope, still not THAT F word. One of the same F words as last week...
And another that you will have to read through to see what it is all about.

My freebie for this week (seriously how does Friday get here so stinkin fast in the summer?!) is something simple, but something I needed for my class.

In third grade we work on mastering multiplication facts. And I expect my students to master one set before moving on to the next set. Meaning a student could potentially take the 2s tests 10 times before finally getting the 100 on the test. In fact, I had a student that was working on the 0s and 1s for over a month. And that, my friends, leads to a LOT of paper. I needed a way to reduce the copies. And I finally figured out a way! Enter my freebie...

You may have seen my post about the dry erase pockets from My Binding... Well I have decided to make sure I have a class set and utilize these for multiplication tests.  In this freebie there are three templates for students to use. They say ___ x 4, ___ x 7, etc. In random order. I did this so that 1. students can't cheat and 2. students won't always get the same test so they can't just memorize the order of the numbers and answers. Each student will get a dry erase pocket and when I say go they will have a minute to write down whatever facts they are working on in the blanks and solve all the problems (only 11). So a student working on the 3s would put 3 in all the blanks then solve the problems.

When time is up I can quickly check to see who got a 100 and put a sticker on the class chart for that test. If they didn't get a 100, they will take the same facts test next week. This last year I used the bubblegum machines for students to keep track of their own progress (read about that here), and I may use that one again next year, or use another that goes with my classroom theme. I am undecided because the gum really was a good motivator.

The file has pictures and more explanation than up above, but that is the general idea. Clicking the picture will take you to the freebie! Enjoy!

Now the other F word... Halle at Across the Hall in 2nd Grade has come up with this cute linky party and I just can't resist a good linky!

Favorite Things! And this week's topic is Morning Must Haves...
I am not your typical person I guess, because aside from the necessities (toothbrush, soap, etc), I don't have many must haves... but I do have two...

This is my makeshift vanity. I think it is a writing desk. I don't even remember. But I love it. It is the perfect size for all my makeup. You don't see all the mess of makeup. And I can sit comfortably while getting ready in the morning.  (My straightener is also a must have, but I didn't take a pic of it. You do NOT want to see this 'do without that thing.)

(Please don't mind the blurry picture- Payton was in my arms and we were busy laughing hysterically over nonsense... picture had no chance of being clear.)

And this little girl. It is a sad day when she isn't up when I leave for work. She wakes up in the morning usually right before I leave and comes outside to say bye to me. Every morning. She gives me kisses and as soon as I am in the car she is demanding her daddy come to the door with her so she can give me a high five, hug, and another kiss. Then they go back in the garage and she waves frantically bye bye.

What are your morning must haves? Link up by clicking Halle's image!

The F word

No no, not THAT F word... Freebie!!! What?! I have a freebie for you! Yes I do! Being on summer vacation has done me some good already! And, it will do you some good because I have freebies! Are you excited?!
I have started planning for next year already. I know, summer break just started, but we all know teachers work on summer break. And I have had ideas in my head for so long that I had to get started. Every year I have at least a handful of kids that really need phonics help, but there is no time for that during regular instruction time. So, I am going to work with those children during morning work time. I bought a third grade phonics workbook but I needed more. So the first thing I made (for the first week of phonics fun- that is what I am going to call it) is a making words activity.

 

I will be doing this with my group, but it can be done as a center activity. (I realize this is definitely NOT something most third grade teachers need, but my tier 3 kids do. Feel free to pass it on to your friends that teach younger grades.) Each student will get a 3 letter word mat, 4 letter word mat, and a set of alphabet cards.  All of the image cards will be flipped upside down. One student will pick a card, say the word, and then we will discuss the sounds they hear and how to spell it. So if they picked the star (it says color on it, so the answer is pink), they would say pink and identify which letters make that sound. They would find the letters in their pile and put them on the mat. Then they will record the answer on their recording sheet.

 

There are a total of 11 cards for students to work through. To make it more "fun" looking, I am going to print the word mats and alphabet cards on bright colored paper. Or if I am feeling extra ambitious, I may print the word mats on white and color the beach balls in. 

I really think my kids will love this. Once we do a few together, I may turn it into a friendly competition. We will pick a card and then see who can come up with the correct spelling of the word first. The winner will get smart beads and a note sent home. (If you haven't seen my post on how I use smart beads in my room, you can click here.) 

I hope you enjoy this freebie! (click on the cover page picture to take you to the posting).

Ready for another F word. Two of them actually. Fabulous Finds (from Target of course)

A couple teacher friends posted pics of this AMAZING find in the dollar spot... and so I hunted them down and finally found them in my third target. I bought every single one they had (23). 

Book boxes! For $1! Now, I know they don't match. And well, they certainly don't go with my plans of doing a pirate theme, but I needed them, and for $1, I don't care if they match. Plus I am thinking of doing bright colors with a touch of pirate anyways. I am thinking of putting these on a shelf where you wouldn't be able to tell that they didn't match anyways.

My next target dollar spot find...

Happiness! All kinds of sticky notes and tabs. There were all different sized flags and even regular post its. But I didn't get those (yet). The 2 packs of dry erase markers were perfect because my students are going to need them for our multiplication tests next year (post coming next week). And the other thing you see is a 2 pack of mini erasers. Yes I know my kids could use socks or fabric scraps, but these were cute. For now, I only have 8 of each, but I will be going back to get a class set.

I am linking up with