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!

Happy Easter Peeps! Treat Label FREEBIE

Here is a little Easter treat for my teacher peeps ...

as a thank you for your support in getting The K Files underway ... 

... all the advice and tips, repins, Likes and comments. I appreciate it!

For you and your teacher peeps:

Happy Easter Peeps! Treat Label FREEBIE

The K Files'...FILES!

I don't know about you, but my filing cabinet is a treasure chest of resources and goodies that are dear to my teacher heart. But it wasn't too pretty to look at. So I created some fancy dividers to help me locate just what I need when I need it! Look how pretty my Phonics/Words Their Way files are:

I find using colored Oxford folders work best (you can purchase them in boxes of 25). I’m slowly in the process of switching over. Not only are they more durable and hold up well, but those darn tabbed file folders always gave me nasty paper cuts. Plus the Oxford folders look much nicer. Not to mention that you can color code everything! Be still my teaching heart!

I know that many teachers prefer to use binders to organize their resources, but I don’t like to hole punch my originals; they don’t copy well. Also, I’m not a fan of the sheet protectors either, I find refiling my resources more time consuming if using them.

So I am going to stick to MY K FILES!  Teehee!

My next project is to switch from tabbed manila folders to the colored oxford folders. I got started with my digraphs files:  No more paper cuts!

Such a simple endeavor has brought me such pleasure.

I no longer dread having to do my filing

(one of my least favorite teacher tasks).

I'd love to share these dividers with you.

I've just uploaded them at my TPT store as a FREEBIE:

Reading & Phonics Filing Dividers

Using Anchor Activities--FREEBIE!

I am a huge fan of using Anchor Activities during my routine procedures for Words Their Way.

When I am facilitating my morning tune ups (differentiated mini lessons) with my small Word Study groups, the students who are not working with the teacher are completing independent activities in their Anchor Activities folder or playing games that reinforce their Word Study for the week. I usually have 4 groups running at a time. The students must work independently for a total of 15 minutes when they are not “rehearsing” with the teacher, they will need to remain “anchored” in their learning.

The anchor activities folder contains a multitude of activities that reinforce and review the skills they have learned in previous mini lessons. Those worksheets include activities that will strengthen their decoding skills for the word sort they are currently focusing on or have previously learned. The activities may include a reading comprehension worksheet, a puzzle, word search, and other various resources I have accumulated for each spelling stage. 

It is important to note, that the students should be able to complete the activity independently without teacher support. I also throw in a few Math review worksheets as well.

You may download this freebie (folder cover and basket label) at my TPT store:

Anchor Activities Folder Cover Freebie

Student DRA Reading Level Graph

This is a great resource to help
hold students accountable for their reading achievement.

At the start of the school year, I administer the The Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA2) to my students. After I calculate the results and determine their independent reading level I have a conference with each student and we discuss their level. If you look closely there is a darker line that indicates where their reading level should be at each point of the year.

I meet with the students again after the winter assessment. At that time, we discuss their growth from the beginning of the school year. We have a little heart to heart about their reading habits (reading at home, making good use of their independent reading time in the classroom, etc). Together we set a goal for the end of the year.

This is also a great resource for the Student Data Tracking Notebooks to share with the parents at conference time. I also send a photocopy copy home to their families so they can see the growth in their child.

I can not begin to explain the effect this personal reflection has on the students and their reading achievement!

To download this freebie visit my TpT store at:

Student DRA Reading Level Graph