Sunday, October 5, 2014

New items on TpT!

Hi All! 
I just wanted to let everyone know I have been busy creating some new items for my TpT store. Check out the three newest resources that I just uploaded this weekend:
A Fall-Themed Mini Math and Sight Word Game Pack is filled with more than 10 activities and games to reinforce Phonics Sight Words, Color Words and Numbers 0-10!

For my line of "All Things Koalas" I added a resource pack to go along with our Saxon Phonics Decodable Readers and Sight Words.


If you liked the Saxon Phonics Decodable Readers Resource Pack but want cute "Little Learners" graphics then check out this pack:


We are winding down our first quarter this week and I will be gearing up for Parent-Teacher Conferences on the 23rd.

Do you give your parents a pre-conference form? I use a "Two Stars and a Wish" form. The parents list two areas that they have noticed academic/social growth and one area for what they wish for their child to accomplish or improve in. 







Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Easy-Peasy Up-cycled Mystery Boxes

This past weekend I made four mystery boxes 
from empty Oxyclean tubs.

 I started out with clean Oxyclean tubs with the top edge taped off. I used clear contact paper because that was what I had on hand.


Spray paint the tubs with Krylon spray paint. It sticks to plastic and dries in about 12 minutes.


I made a paper template of the two sizes I needed and then I cut the fabric for the lids and the insides of the tubs. I used flannel-backed table cloth that I purchased at Walmart last year to use as seat covers and shelf curtains.
 To soften the sound of objects inside the bucket I chose to use sticky-back felt.  


I used a clean empty can to cut the circles in the top of the lids. First, I set the can directly on my flat-top stove burner (which was on HI) until it was extremely hot. I pressed it into the lid that was resting on a cutting board. I would reheat the can each time.


I hot glued the fabric to the lids and cut X's in the center of each opening.

I peeled the tape off of the tubs to reveal the white edge. I felt that was a nice contrast to the black bottom of the tubs. I used my Cricut to cut abc's and 123's for the outsides of the tubs. Now they are ready to be filled with magnetic letters and numbers or cards for centers.








Monday, September 1, 2014

"I can" Task Cards for Name Recognition

I have been in school for 11 days and after all of the pre-assessments I realize many of my 22 koala kinders need some help with name recognition. I spent my Labor Day creating a labor of love that I just uploaded to my store. I already have fallen in love with my little koalas and I want them to succeed! Here's a look at the newest FREEBIE you will find when you click on the link to my store. 

"I can" Task Cards 




I will be posting some pictures this week of the koalas using these task cards in the word work center. 
Enjoy the FREEBIE and have a great week!
 Janet


Saturday, August 9, 2014

Making My Space a Little More Homey

The staff at my school read Sean Covey's "Seven Habit of Healthy Kids" last summer and started implementing the Habits over the 2013-2014 year. This summer I wanted to Koalaify those Habits so I created "7 Koality Quotes" posters for my classroom. I found some black frames on sale at Michael's and added ribbon for hangers. BTW-even if you cut the ribbon all the same length you HAVE to hot glue the ribbon in the exact same place on each frame! My hubby was sweet enough to come in and hang them above my desk along with a cute shelf that I re-purposed from my daughter's room. It feels like home.

Thursday, July 31, 2014

A Winning Week! TpT, Weather and Newsletters!

Wow! This week has been fabulous! I want to share my three favorite things to be thankful for on this beautiful Thursday are:

1) My TpT store is up and running. Items are being purchased! I am so excited every time I get a notification from TpT that a product sold! Check out my store for some nifty kindergarten teacher resources. www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/Koalakdgteacher

2) The weather in St. Louis all week has been so pleasant! The mid 80's with a breeze!

3) And finally, the icing on the cake was getting an email from Ms. M at www.ateachersplan.blogspot.com letting me know that I won her Nicky Newsletter template! It is so bright, cheery and easy to use! I took a picture of my "first week of school" sample.  Be sure to check out Ms. M's blog and store at: www.ateachersplan.blogspot.com - You'll be glad you did!

 What are you thankful for?

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

7 "Koality" Quotes for Young Leaders

Giving our young learners the skills to become great leaders begins early in life. Many schools are choosing to implement Leadership habits school-wide.  Here are 7 posters designed for the young learner.

This set contains 7 anchor posters with adorable Scrappin Doodles koalas to foster those leadership “koalities” in your students.

Adapted from the 7 Habits but written in easy to learn quotes makes this a "Koality" product. 
Just print, laminate, and display these anchor posters to help your students focus on what it takes to become a great leader!

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Argh! It's almost time to go back to school!

Our school theme this 2014-2015 school year is centered around Pirates.  In honor of our new theme this Fall I have created a set of Daily 5 Code Anchor posters. The Class Code helps the students focus on the expectations of our Daily 5 time. It can also be used for Center time. I have even included a poster for Center Time. 

In my class I plan to have Peaceful and Polite Pirates - however, we will always be Mrs. Black's Koala Class because I love Koalas and I just love the way our class name rolls off the tongue!


Click on the picture to see it in my store and while you are there check out my newest FREEBIE It's a set of colorful motivational certificates for your early learners who learn to recognize all of their color words.