A Back to School Freebie for YOU!

It's that time of year again!

We're Back to School!

It's bittersweet isn't it?  Everything is fresh and brand new, new faces, new friends, new beginnings...and new school supplies! 

WooHoo!

Yet, no more lazy mornings, late nights, planning your days on a whim.  

BooHoo!

Here is a little freebie to cheer you up, my teeps!

You can find it here at my TpT shop:

I Can Be A Good Listener Poster Set

Enjoy!

Bookshelf Makeover for my Readers Today, Leaders Tomorrow!

A few years back, one of my favorite "teeps" passed down her tiered bookshelves when she retired. They were in good shape but just needed a bit of lovin'. I finally got around to giving them a little TLC. Here they are with a little spray paint and some polka dot decor and voila!

If you would like a copy of the "Reader's Today" and "Leaders Tomorrow" letters, head on over to my TpT shop for this FREEBIE:

Readers Today, Leaders Tomorrow Decor Letters

I also used these same letters to spruce up our classroom door. We are only allowed to cover up 20% of our door due to the Fire Code, so this will have to do. A lil' fringe from the Target Dollar Spot and a few inspirational words:

Classroom Library Labels: Freebie!

It's that time of year again and as teachers we are torn between soaking up the last days of summer vacay and prepping our classrooms and resources for another school year!  Let it be a great one!

To help you get your year off on the right foot, here is a freebie for you!

Classroom library labels by reading level and by author & themes!

These leveled classroom library labels will help you organize your collection of books.

60 labels included:

Leveled labels from A (1) to R (40)
Fiction labels for series and Author Studies
(please see preview to view the complete collection)

Sorting your library by reading level promotes reader's confidence and growth. These labels measure 3x3". I have also included author study bins.

 You can find them at the shop:

Leveled Classroom Library Labels

Enjoy!

The Back to School Listening Center with QR Codes

This Back to School Listening Library includes 24 stories with SafeShare.tv QR codes and one Retelling Story Map. You can use these during your Daily 5 centers: Listen to Reading or as whole group Read Alouds!

All SafeShare.tv QR code links are safe to share with children without being afraid that they can get to potentially inappropriate content. Free of ads and outside links.

If you do not have access to a QR Code Reader, I have also provided a hyperlink to each story. You can simply click on the book cover and it will bring you right to the story. 

Below, I have included a FREE Listening Center task card for you to try out. Simply download a QR Reader app from the app store (most school districts already have them available on your devices). Or simply click on the book cover to follow the SafeShare link:

Once you print these out or project onto your smart board (students can scan the code from your smart board), assign a story for your Listening Center, whole group, small group or guided reading centers. There are enough stories included in this library for the whole month!

After reading, provide the children with a simple story map, sequencing map or related activity to complete after listening to enhance and assess comprehension. In addition to the stories, I have also included a simple Retelling Story Map (Characters, Setting, Problem & Solution).

Here is a list of the titles included in this Listening Center:

Too Cool for School

Rockin’ in My School Shoes

First Day Jitters

David Goes to School

Chrysanthemum

How Do Dinosaurs Go To School

Splat the Cat, Back to School, Splat

You’re Finally Here

Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten

Too Much Glue

Have You Filled A Bucket Today?

Froggy Goes to School

The Recess Queen

Lacy Walker, The Nonstop Talker

Enemy Pie

If You Ever Wanted to Bring An Alligator to School, Don’t!

Each Kindness

The Kissing Hand

If You Take a Mouse to School

The Juice Box Bully

Tacky the Penguin

Don’t Squeal Unless It is a Big Deal

How Full is Your Bucket

To download this listening library with QR codes visit my TpT shop:

The Back to School Listening Center with SafeShare.tv QR Codes and Links

There are several other Read Aloud Libraries and Listening Centers with QR Codes and Links available at my TpT store that your students will also enjoy. You can find them HERE.

Happy Listening!

A New Student!

You know the struggle!

Picture this, on a random day in the school year, your class is running smoothly and the children know your routines and (hopefully) everything is running like clockwork. Then you learn that you are soon to welcome a new student to your home away from home. If you're lucky, you are made aware of this new development days ahead, or possibly minutes before the school day begins...

And so, your whole planning period is spent prepping your classroom to welcome your new addition to your home away from home. If you are like me, you have your Back to School extras ready at hand in a tote...

...somewhere...

...And this is when the LABELING mayhem begins...

You want your new addition to feel at home at soon as possible.  This little kiddo, for whatever reason has been uprooted, and now fortunately placed in YOUR classroom.  As a teacher, you want this transition to be a smooth one for them.  The last thing your student wants is to be known as "the NEW kid".  There must be a great deal of "newness" in their life for whatever reason, so...

Be prepared!

At the beginning of the school year, when I am happily and furiously in labeling MADNESS, I always create FIVE extra of everything I need to label for each of my students.

Deskmates---cubby labels---mailbox labels---Math Journal labels---Word Work Notebook labels---Book Box labels---Parent Letters---Sight Word Ring Labels & letters---Supply labels---Word Wall Names---the numerous work book labels---Take Home Folder labels--Signature Folder labels, Writing Folder Labels---Writing Journal Labels---etc---

LABELS, LABELS, LABELS!!!

My best advice is to take the extra time at the beginning of the school year and create a baggy to house a blank "label" for everything that a new student will require to blend into their new home away from home.  

Voila...you will still have half your planning period left to prep....and BREATHE!