Easy teacher colleague gifts!

I honestly can't believe I whipped these tags up after today and the crazy week we've been having. I'm sure you understand with various holiday programs, kids hyped up about the holidays, etc. And every year my school gets blessed with gifts for every student thanks to Silverdale (a church and school). It's amazing but definitely a busy day. Tomorrow is a half day and our grade is doing Polar Express which means PJS :) and then some team planning!

So on to what you really came for hah
I made some gift labels to go with some team teacher gifts. I saw a few online but wanted to make some foldables I could use for gift cards as well. So I created these and posted them in my TPT. Hope you can use them to spread some cheer! Click any pic to head to my store.

For a gift card to a food place

For a general gift card or a place with sweets like Dunkin Donuts

(mmm...donuts...lol)

For relaxing gifts (fuzzy socks, bubble bath, etc)!

Hello September! Bring on Fall, math centers and freebies!

I can't believe it's already September. I can't wait until it actually begins to feel like Fall. I'm trying to refrain from pulling out all the decor and scented candles! I forget how much time really flies when school is back in session. I'm sooo grateful for this 3 day weekend! But I admit it makes me wish every weekend had that extra day! Lol

So I wanted to link up with the Currently linky but its a tad late for that, I'd be number 3295 hah. I love those linkys but that one tends to fill up so quickly. So I wanted to blog but wasn't sure what to write about until an Instagram buddy gave me inspiration.

I posted this photo and @mirandalarayne (who's an awesome TN teacher BTW, follow her on insta and twitter!) Asked about my math centers. I am still working them in with our new curriculum but they have been going well so far so I'll share what works for me!

*Side note*

This summer I went to ITeach1st and was able to see one of my faves Reagan Tunstall present about her math centers and guided math layout. Although I couldn't implement my math centers in the same exact way her presentation did inspire me to use math centers in my classroom. I've used them in previous years but I'm trying to improve that area this year. Below is a link if you would like to see some of her post about guided math.

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Number talks/ Spiral Review

I I begin my math lesson every day with number talks or a problem of the day. This is a countywide initiative where I teach so number talks and spiral review problems are provided by the county. This takes about 5-10 min. 

These half composition notebooks are where we write our problem of the day. I added labels.

Mini Lesson

Next we begin our lesson. As I said earlier we have a new math curriculum, and I'm definitely still getting used to it. Our lessons seem more broken down with this new program. Because of this latley I have strived to have a 20-30 min mini lesson whole group. This is when we review vocabulary, refer to habits of mind and habits of interaction, try out concepts on whiteboards and engage in discussions or partner talk about our math. It may also be a time to show a video that demonstrates the concept.

Centers

If we have a new center I introduce it before I give the rundown for the day. I demonstrate the activity whole group.

Then I let them know their centers for the day. We use the MATH acronym but I've seen others use BUILD or STACK. I prefer 4 rotations for our time frame. Each center has a basket with the corresponding letter and an activity inside.

M- Math Facts

These are centers like flashcards, number order games, number recognition activities, addition & subtraction Facts

They were playing roll and color. Roll the big foam dice, color the number. First to fill their row wins.

A- At my desk

This is where the student is typically working on something independently. It may be a worksheet or some other type of activity. Last week our activity was filling in blank 120 grids.

T- Teacher's Choice

I use this center flexibly. If it is a newer concept and I want to review with all group members I may have them come to my small group area. If I know of some friends that need reteaching I may call them to my table while the rest of the group practice skills on computers or at a center in the T basket.

H- Hands On

This is where the students do something, usually with manipulatives, that tie into the recent lessons. This may be modeling addition or subtraction problems. playing with a large 120 grid, etc. 

Setting up to play "How Many Am I Hiding?" A game to practice finding missing addends.

Other Details

The length of centers can vary depending on the time remaining in my math block but I usually like at least 10-15 minutes for each. If necessary I could also limit the number of rotations. Two long rotations on day 1 ( ex. 20 minutes) and two long rotations on day 2.

I get the games and activities from a variety of places including the materials my school/ county provides, TPT, pintrest ideas, etc. I store games and centers by standard so its easy to know what games apply to what lesson.

 This year I want to improve by incorporating some reflection and metacognition time at the end of the lesson, I just want to look into how to do so effectively. We have a TDG math lab coming up so that will give me some time to consider it. 

I hope that was helpful to someone! And if you have questions feel free to ask. Since you hung in so long, why not snatch a freebie? Here are some labels to use for math centers. I use a set with magnets on my whiteboard for rotations and a set on the corresponding tub or basket. Maybe I can grab a pic with them Tuesday...anyways

(Click the picture to be taken to the freebie in my TPT store)

Enjoy your weekend!

I've already been enjoying mine!

Tuesday Made it! lol & a Freebie :)

Hey guys. I have a Tuesday Made it for ya lol I started it yesterday but needed some extra materials so I had to finish it today. Either way I'm sharing it with you and a little freebie at the end if you'd like :)

So my task was to update this guy here..

As you can see one of my yellow labels went missing and I had to improvise. Also my pan was starting to look dingy after 2 years and  I just felt like it could use some improvements.

So I bought a new pan, slightly smaller maybe 9 x 13, and remade some labels with larger print and borders. I actually just recycled that ribbon because it was cuter than any I currently had. I hot glued the ribbon on and placed magnets on the back of the labels to attach. On the back of the cookie sheet I used 3 command strips.

By the way "Brain Boosters" are any pull outs, it can be Special Ed, ESL, Mentors, Interventionists, etc.

(ignore the magnets that need to be remade! That's the next project!)

Looks better to me though! So if you'd like a set of these labels I attached them below as a freebie. Feel free to snag and share. 

Now back to this TPT cart... we are down to hours ladies & gents make sure you take advantage of the awesome sale!

Thanks for stopping by!

My 1st Sunday Scoop of the year :)

Happy Sunday guys!

 

Linking up with the Teachingtrio for the Sunday scoop :)

 

So here's mine

3.
That laundry has been clean and sitting in the laundry room for at least 3 days, probably longer. It just keeps falling to the bottom of the list. We are usually really good at meal planning but have been slipping lately and it shows every time we have the "What's for dinner?" discussion haha. So I've added my meal planning freebie at the bottom if ya want. I planned out my outfits a few times last semester and it really helped in the morning so I'm gonna try to get back on that!

2.

 I try to assess sight words at least 3 times a year and I'm halfway done with my mid-year testing. I really want to finish by Monday (since we have extended days). And I'm trying to get ahead in my grad school classes by getting at least 2 assignments done this weekend.

1.

It's wayyy more fun to plan for the week in my colorful EC planner. I've really gotten into adding stickers and washi tape and stickers everywhere. I'm all about being organized!

 

Thanks for reading. Now head over to their blog so you can link up too! It's pretty easy!

 

 

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And if you'd like here's a copy of the meal planning chart we use here at the house. I laminated it and you could add a magnet on the back and stick it to the fridge. Then you can use a dry -erase marker or a sharpie (erases with a magic eraser). Enjoy!

Hello October! :)

I went from two posts in a weekend to no posts for a month! Shame on me! lol So sorry but school has been jam packed with Open Houses, Conferences, etc.

(Speaking of conferences, head to my TPT "MsMcGaha" to grab this Conference form freebie!)

Plus I am a grad student and man have they been cranking up the work! But I have been thinking about my blog often, just no time!

So here's a few classroom pics...

Decomposing Game "Shake and Spill"

More "Shake and Spill"

 

Math Anchor Charts

We Lovedddddd "Diary of a Worm" and "Diary of a Fly". We enjoyed gummy worms after answering comprehension questions :)

Plant Foldable

Inside of the plant foldables.

 

Our clover plants in during the first week.

A sight word activity (a freebie in my TPT store)

We began working with owls towards the end of September. We drew and labeled them.

 

Now back to enjoying the beginning of my fall breakkkkk! Happy Sunday yall.

Happy Saturday! Want some freebies? :)

Good morning! Hope your weekend is off to a great start. Mine has been pretty productive so far. I've uploaded 3 new freebies to my store with Back to School time in mind.

The first is a set of 8 editable binder covers! You can change the text and font on each cover. Here's a little preview..

 

Since I am also in the midst of organizing my binders I thought it might be helpful to share the form I use to keep student info. They have a more in depth form in their records in my classroom. This shortened version is for me to have in my general teacher binder that I always have nearby.

 

Kinda hard to see but there is a better preview on TPT. And its a freebie, so you can just delete if it doesn't fit your needs.

 

The last is an activity I do with my students at the beginning of the year. Students love making these bracelets to describe themselves. Even if they don't actually "love" math or reading, they typically say they do so they can add more beads haha. Either way, a fun hands on activity to start the year! :)

 

P.S. Not my original activity, just tweaked it to fit my classroom :)

 

So click any of the pictures or the add on the right to head over to my store and check it out! And once again have a great weekend!

I wonder what's the opposite of a 'Manic Monday'... (& a Freebie!)

Because whatever it is...that's the Monday I'm having and loving it :). Other than the dentist, I've had absolutely nothing on my agenda today and its been nice. It's the first Monday that I don't have to work our summer reading camp so I have thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in and VIP couch potato status. Luckily, I can blog and create from the couch!

Speaking of blogging, I have finally joined bloglovin and now I could totally use some followers! I've added a widget over there to the right ------>. Please click it and follow my blog! I'd greatly appreciate it! Now on to this linky..

 

It's my first time posting a Monday Made it. I really need to get productive on making a few real items for my class but lately its the computer or nada. Today I decided to make a few different versions of a Teacher To Do list. There are plenty floating around online already but I thought I'd these might still be useful to others. Especially since mine has a front and back option.  Check em out..  

Click on either picture to be taken to the google doc and download this freebie!

Shoutout to:
- "Mad Clips Factory" for the Frames
- http://frompond.blogspot.com for the amazing Chevron Papers
- Digital Classroom Clipart for Clipart of crayons


Later Taters!

Tips to Tame em! and a new product :)

Hello out there in blog-land!

 

I found a linky to join in on! And after stuffing my face and finishing season 1 of Orange is the New Black I pulled out the laptop. That show is so addicting by the way. Never even thought I'd like it! lol but about this linky..

 

 

 

 

Kelli over at "Tales of a Teacher" is doing  a back to school link up on Tuesdays and this week's focus was Modeling Routines and Behaviors. The full schedule is below..

 

 

 

and the question of the week is

 

 

When it comes to showing my routine expectations to students I'm all about some modeling just like Kelli mentioned in her post. I truly believe that even if practice doesn't make perfect, it surely makes it better! I chose to make a little Top 3 list of the most vital procedures in Ms. McGaha's room.

 

 

 

1. How to enter the classroom

- I have a sign outside my door that says we start the day with a "hug, high five or handshake" every morning. It's a nice way to start things off and get a read on how my kiddos are feeling each day. They love to practice this one!

 

(Decided to come back and make an accompanying freebie! Click to download from my TPT store!)

 

 

 

 

2. How to raise their hand

- Sounds silly at first but we have different symbols in the room for different needs. For example we show 1 finger for a pencil, 2 fingers for tissue, 2 crossed fingers for restroom, 3 for water and a normal hand raise for help. I use posters that I downloaded for free from stickersandstamps.blogspot.com :)

 

3. How to come to the carpet

In first grade this is essential to classroom management. It seems trivial until you have 18 little people running and diving onto the carpet! We practice what it does and doesn't look like. They love demonstrating how NOT to come to the carpet lol.

 

 

Nothing too profound there but I wanted to share what's important around my way. Can't wait to participate again next Tuesday! :)

 

Now about my new product...

 

 

It's a math game for first or second graders. Students match the shades with equations to the sunscreen bottles with different SPF numbers. It comes with a recording sheet as well as a matching activity. It addresses 1.OA.6 and 2.OA.2

 

Click the image above to be taken to my TPT store. A preview is available before you buy!

Only $1.50! 11 pages of game pieces and 2 activities! :)

 

Have a great night!