I have just, finally, added my Christmas Around the World unit to Teacher's Pay Teachers.

Check it out!

I've been using it for a few years and the kids love it!

Plus they learn a lot about other countries, traditions, and celebrations!

Social Studies and Language Expectations.

Poinsettia from Mexico

Reindeer from North Pole

At the airport - having passports checked, going through security, being welcomed!

My classroom, all ready for the first day.

Pennant from Wal Mart, wrapping paper to cover bulletin boards from Wal Mart.  I made the letters using Astro-Brite paper, from Wal Mart and 'KG Wake Me Up' font.

More wrapping paper from Wal Mart; paper fans from Party City.

I used the Astro Brite card stock for this banner I made myself, and 'MTF Jumpin' Jack' font.  Ribbon from Wal Mart.

View from doorway coming in.

New Super Improver Team poster.  It starts out with the name cards and levels facing the wall, so you can do a big dramatic presentation of it later in the first week.  I brightened it up this year, using Astro-brite paper, lots of different fonts on the levels, and 'KG Defying Gravity' font for the title bar.  Wal Mart wrapping paper.

5 Class Rules are facing backwards, to make more of an impact as the students learn them.

Reading corner, equipped with comfy van seats and bead curtain.

My Back to School theme was 'Happy New Year'.  The decorations were from a New Year's Eve party my daughter had.  She was happy the '2016' paraphernalia could be used again.  All from Party City.   All the children received a string of beads and a horn blower (from the Dollar Store).  As I met them outside, we went and gathered in the picnic shelter, so the 'honking' was not in the school.  :)  It was a great way for them to expel some nervous energy right from the get go.

My desk area.  Note the beautiful lunch bag, from 31, a parent gave me at the end of last year.  And, my New Year headband.  :) 

Classroom ready!

 Flat Stanley is ready for school!

Wrapping Paper and flag banner from Wal-Mart; paper fans from Party City

Astro-brite cardsock from Wal Mart; cut flags myself

More wallpaper cover; Scotch pattern tape for borders; Super Improver Wall ready; 

start of year books

Beads and van seats = 70's style Reading Corner

Happy New Year theme!

Notice Thirty-one lunch bag (gift from student at end of last year); New Year's head band on desk

Happy August All!

Just stopping in to let you know about some of my products on TPT.

Last night I added a Primary Word List of the 100 most frequent words in the English Language.  I use this page to check in on students, 1:1, throughout the year, to see how they are progressing with the words.  You can download this FREEBIE by clicking on the link below:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Grade-1-Word-List-2703292

Last year I was teaching Grade 1, so I made up a super handy assessment package to keep track of all the Ontario Curriculum Overall & Specific Expectations!  All subjects, other than French, are included in this package.  You can take a look here:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Grade-1-Ontario-Curriculum-All-SubjectsTeacking-Grids-2069648

 

This year, I am very excited to be teaching Grade 2 – a straight Grade 2 – I have had Grade 2 in the past, but always a split à 1/2 or 2/3.  Therefore, this summer, I have been working on creating a Grade 2 Assessment Package.  You can find it here:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ontario-Curriculum-Expectation-Tracking-Grids-for-Grade-2-2660733

I a currently working on a different version of the package.  The first option, is individual pages for each student.  The new option I am working on, will be on ledger paper and have 10 students per page, for a quick overview.  I will be adding it to the package above, so you have the choice of which style you like or a combination of both.  The price will go up when I add it in.  [It takes a lot of hours to create these things afterall.]  But if you have bought the original package, you will be able to download the addition at no extra cost.  J

Hope these will help you out with keeping track of what expectations you have covered and how students are progressing.  J

Hello Friends,

It certainly has been a mild winter in Southern Ontario compared to the last few years.We had a green Christmas, which was fine by me.  It was so mild, making driving safe, and getting around much easier.  My 92 year old dad was able to drive himself to my house.  He also helped with the dinner.  :)  It snowed the week after Christmas, covering the backyard with a nice layer of white, icy snow.  My puppies could finally go out and enjoy the backyard.  They loved it!!!  They hadn't been able to because it is a mud bath back there from having a new septic system put in and then an above ground pool.  After the temperature plummeting for a couple of days, it is back to warm again.  This morning, the snow is nearly gone from the yard.  It's been raining for two days.  I had to take the pups out for a leash walk.  Bennett does not like the rain, and just wanted to go home.  But, Lady doesn't seem to even notice it.  

About school:  I added to my Christmas Around the World unit this year.  I made cute little spiral notebooks for each student, with fill-in-the-blanks for each country we visited.  We started off, December 1st, with a trip on the Polar Express to the North Pole.  This gets everyone in the spirit.  I place a bell on each student's chair to put in their 'suitcase'.  We also did directed drawing reindeer.  They always turn out great.  Santa Stars and popsicle stick reindeer were also made. 
For each country we learn a little about Christmas traditions and then make a craft or two that go along with their traditions.  I also show 'Arthur's Perfect Christmas'.  I love this movie as it deals with the many traditions and cultures of Arthur's friends.  
In Germany we learn about the dill pickle tradition and make a pickle ornament to hang on the treeI will be putting this unit on my Tpt store.  
In Mexico we made sun catcher poinsettias.
In Bethlehem, we read about the story of the birth of Jesus.  We made a candy cane craft with Baby Jesus in the crook of the cane.  We also learned a little about Jewish history and Hanukkah.  We made a Star of David with popiscle sticks and lots of glitter.
In Africa, we learned about Kwanzaa and made a candle holder that I put a tealight candle in.
Last year, I found a new idea on a site that I can't remember now.  I send home a template of a Christmas tree, with a note to families.  Each family decorate the tree, using any material they like.  At school, we have a 'contest'.  Every tree wins an award, such as:  most glittery, most glamorous, best use of nature, cheerleader award, etc.  Last year everyone in the class did one; this year I had two families that did not participate.  They make a beautiful display in the hall or classroom and every kiddo is so proud of their award that I attach to their tree.

This week we are going to be finishing up our Kevin Henkes unit.  And each day we will be doing our Genius Ladder Writing.  My little ones this year have been struggling with writing a complete sentence.  The WBT writing method certainly helps.  We start each lesson with oral writing.  I project the template sentence on the Smart Board and then go around our horseshoe, with each child filling in the noun, verb, or adjective.  I have a few that are now doing the extender sentence, but also a couple that are not yet making a three word sentence that makes sense.  Differentiation!  :)

In Science, we are working on our Energy unit.  Students are learning about Source of Energy and Energy Output.  The Ontario Power Generation website has great resources for grades 1, 6, and 9.  There are printable books for teachers and student workbooks.  These are fantastic and match up with the provincial expectations.

Math this week, is all about patterning.  I am actually using the Math Makes Sense workbook for the first time this year.  I am not a big fan of the grade 1 and 2 workbooks.  I love it for Grade 3 and above, to reinforce skills.  I typically make up my own math lessons, getting many ideas from other teacher's blogs.  Smitten With First is one of my fave's for math ideas and engaging centres.

On Friday, we are having a pretend Snow Day, since, at this point, it doesn't look like we will have one this year.  Kids can wear their p.j.s and bring a stuffy.  We will be reading 'Snow Day' and 'Brave Irene'.  I used Amy Lemon's, Step Into Second Grade ideas.  Check it out - this is my FAVOURITE teacher blog.  Her Rooted in Reading packs, that she has developed this year, are jam-packed full of TERRIFIC lessons and craftivities!!!

Still pouring rain out there, but I have to go out in it to do a few Christmas returns, and drop my car at the garage --- gas leak!  eeeek!  Enjoy your Sunday!  xox