Teacher's Corner

Head over to Lakeshore to find 75 free summer activities for kids.  

There are three categories:  pre-school, early learners, and elementary.   You can click on the logo to check it out.   The teacher's corner also features ideas for classroom activities, printables, and grant opportunities for teachers. 

I also love the Classroom Designer Feature which will allow you to  create a model classroom without lifting a finger (other than clicking and dragging)!  This year I measured the dimensions of my room, and I'm planning on making sure that I have a layout in place before I begin the heavy duty work!  I also love Debbie Dillers's Spaces and Places:  Designing Classrooms for Literacy.  

 

I'll definitely be reading it again this summer as I decide on a great new layout.  If you don't own it, I highly recommend it!  I have to make quite a few changes since I will be using my Promethean board for my whole group instruction and I want it to be the focal point of the classroom.  

On a completely different note, I have to share a few updated pics of the boys.  Yesterday afternoon we headed out to take pictures as part of a Father's Day gift.  I thought I was being smart by taking care of it early.  However, I was SO wrong.  On the way there Christian and I talked about how we were making something special and it was a surprise for his daddy.  This was definitely not a good approach for me to take, but I guess I'm out of teacher mode a bit.  When Mr. Perry arrived home from work yesterday evening, he asked Christian (as he does every day) "How was your day?  What did you do?"  Christian said (with a huge smile), "Yes, I took a picture for you daddy!  It's a surprise!"  I SO did not do a good job with that one, but that's o.k.  because the pictures turned out pretty cute.  I love my little fellas!

Summer Days. . .

Happy summer everyone!  I'm already having tons of fun with my two little men. . .Christian is all about baking cupcakes (or anything else that's loaded with sugar and calories)!  He really loves cooking, and I can't wait to try out some new recipes and decorating tips with him. 

Solomon has fallen in love with watermelon, but he refuses to accept any assistance while eating it.  That's why he has his little bowl and a towel as he sits on the kitchen floor!

For the past few days I've been at a summer curriculum conference which is held by my district each summer.  I got a lot of great ideas from the conference.  One of my favorites was a new twist on a fairly common classroom activity "I Have...Who Has...?"  This game promotes listening skills which is an essential skill for little ones.  I plan on creating cards for upper and lower case letters, number recognition, colors, shapes, basic math facts, and vocabulary.  I think they're  great for review or if you just need a quick time filler.

I Have. . . Who Has Alphabet Cards

I plan on creating a few more sets like this to review kinder word wall words at the beginning of the school year.  

I Have. . . Who Has Cards

The first card in each set has two "green words," and the last card has a stop sign on it. All you have to to is laminate and cut them.  Mix them up and they're ready to go.  I designed them with a class of 22 in mind so you'll have to make a few adjustments depending on the actual number of kids you have in your class.  

  Also don't forget that starting next week you can stop by for How "Tues"day and Fab Finds Friday.  I'll be posting other activities, freebies, and ideas.  However, Tuesday's and Friday's are already mapped out.  I hope your summer is off to a great start!

-Brooke