Building Character Through Books

Good morning!  I hope you are having a wonderful summer.  I have teamed up with some amazing teachers all over the country to discuss different books we love each week that align to a certain topic or genre.  This week is all about building character through books! 

Believe me, it was very hard to narrow this down to only five books.  I organize my "teacher books" based on genres and holidays, and my building character section is definitely the largest! 

 "Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun" by Maria Dismondy:  "Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun" is a new book that I have bought this past year.  It's an amazing story that discusses how each child is different and how you will be happiest by accepting everyone.  The main character grew so much as a person throughout the story in a wonderful way.  My students absolutely loved the illustrations while learning. I was so happy that I bought this book!

"Chrysanthemum" by Kevin Henkes:  Chrysanthemum is a wonderful story that takes me back to my first year of teaching Kindergarten.  I was extremely nervous about the first few days after teaching fifth grade.  My partner told me to start my days with Chrysanthemum.  We taught a mini unit about names (perfect in early K) and being kind to everyone.  Children can really relate to this book and feel empathetic for Chrysanthemum as the story progresses.  It really is the perfect story to use at the beginning of the year!

 

 "Peanut Butter and Cupcake" by Terry Border: "Peanut Butter and Cupcake" is a new story that I received this year from a student and her family at our Book Fair.  It was so sweet for them to purchase this book for our classroom, and it was a GREAT gift!  This story had the students laughing the entire time, as different type of foods were acting as people.  However, there is an underlying purpose in the story about being kind.  It's a great new story to add to your classroom!

 "The Rainbow Fish" by Marcus Pfister:  Here is a classic story surely makes me feel nostalgic!  It was a favorite book of mine as a little girl and I still use it to teach kindness and sharing in my classroom.  If you haven't read this book before, please, find it at your local bookstore or library!  It's a fantastic story about learning what it means to be kind and sharing.  It's a great story for early in your school year!

"It's Okay to Be Different" by Todd Parr:  I absolutely love all books by Todd Parr.  Students gravitate towards his writing style and illustrations.  As I read this book to my Kindergarten class, you hear them chiming in "Yeah, it's okay to look like that!" or "It's okay to have glasses like I do!" They absolutely love it and truly understand what Todd is describing to them! I'm sure your students will love it, too!

I hope these stories help build character in your classroom.  Check back every Wednesday now through August 3rd to learn about even more fantastic stories in various genres. 

Hop back to Katie at Minute Mommy by clicking her button. Enjoy your Wednesday!

Are you Ready to ROCK?

Today is June 21, 2016 and about a week ago I finished my fourth year of teaching!  For the past three years in a Kindergarten position, I have always had my room decorated in a circus theme because of my love for elephants.  For this upcoming school year I decided to change it to a ROCK STAR theme. I actually noticed that I use the phrase "you're a rock star!" often so it fits!  I'm excited to buy inflatable instruments and hang them around the room to really amplify (no pun intended) the decorations.  It took me a week, but I finally finished my classroom decor pack!  I'll give you a sneak peak, since I am so excited to use it when we get back to school!

Rock Star Decor Pack

Included in the pack are two different bunting signs.  There is a welcome sign as well as a smaller sized Word Wall bunting sign. I just love the combo of black, white and gold! Check the welcome sign out! :)

Included in the Rock Star Classroom Decor product are many things to use for daily calendar/morning meeting.  There are Yesterday was, Today is, and Tomorrow will be signs along with the days of the week and months of the year.  There are also the numbers 1-31 in black, white and gold glitter as well! Practice weather with your students daily with "The weather today is..." and the provided options.

 

 Today's Playlist includes 30 different schedule cards that can be used each day.  Below is a sneak preview of two of the pages :)

 

 

There are very glittery classroom rules signs!  I love all of the glitter frames thanks to Glitter Meets Glue Designs!

 

One of my favorite parts of the rock and roll pack is the classroom jobs.  I coordinated them to match professions within the Rock and Roll industry.  I thought it really tied the whole theme together and the kids would love it!  The regular option is also available for titles such as "line leader" and "caboose."

There is a rock and roll behavior clip chart with editable behavior calendars to promote parent-teacher daily communication.  Students will come in on "Ready to Rock" and move up for good choices and down for poor choices.  The behavior calendar comes in all 12 months that can be edited year after year because you get to put in the days of each month.  There is also a space for a teacher personal note!  The rock star behavior chart and editable calendar can be sold separately here.

There are also editable name tags and two variations of tags that can be used at cubbies, supply bins, name tags for trips, etc.  They are shown below!

 

**Glitter alphabet charts and number posters 1-10 are included as well.  The alphabet chart has two pictures for the vowels and the number posters are special because they include numbers, number words, pictures to demonstrate numbers, tally marks, ten frames and dominoes!

Finally, there are other odds and ends like shape posters, punch cards to promote positive behavior, bulletin board signs, cards for table names and certificates that can be used year round!
  Find all of these and more at my TpT store Lovin' Little Learners!

  Enjoy!! I hope every one is having a ROCKIN' summer!!!

Father's Day Fun!

Mother's Day has come and gone!  As the end of the school year approaches, many of us will be enjoying our Summers as Father's Day passes.  So lets plan to show our student's Dads as much love before our kiddos are sent home for summer?!  I have a Father's Day Math and Literacy Pack that will have you covered for the holiday!  Enjoy!

Father's Day Math and Literacy Activities

This Math and Literacy Father's Day Pack includes many different things such centers, Father's Day cards, story extension activities, interviews between the teacher and student, coloring pages, writing prompts etc!  All of the products that have students make projects for their Fathers, an adaptation for Uncles and Grandfathers are included.  

The first center included is a Math center where students are instructed to graph their Daddy's favorite ties.  The center comes with four variations (only two are pictured below), so groups can work on an individual basis, then compare and switch! The two mats that are not pictured are different fathers and different colors!  The mat and tie cards that are a pair match based on corresponding colors so it is easier to store and keep year after year. There is also a follow up worksheet that all students can use to practice graphing Father's Day ties. The worksheet is different than any of the individual center mats so it can be used for all four versions!This math center is sold separately from the Math and Literacy bundle through the link below.

Father's Day Graphing Ties Center

 

The second second included in the Father's Day pack "My Dad Loves Sports and Vowel Sorts!"  In this center, students will look at the CVC word picture cards, segment the sounds and sort it between the five vowels on different sports balls! There are up to 66 CVC vowel cards that can be used! Included is also a follow up worksheet where students can draw CVC words in each vowel's boxes. 

Father's Day Vowel Sort Center

The next product within the Father's Day Math and Literacy Pack is the extension activities for the story "Just Me and My Dad."  The graphic organizers focus on the skills text connections, problem and solution and cause and effect.  There is also a craftivity where students will draw a picture of themselves and their father fishing with the phrase "Of all the fish in the sea, you're the perfect Daddy for me!"  There are fish and fishing rods given with the craftivity to add more dimension to their pictures!  Options for Uncle and Grandpa are also included!   These can be sold separately through the link below.

Just Me and My Dad Story Extension Activities

The Father's Day card included is a Superhero theme.  I did a similar card with my students last year and everyone loved it!  This year I used the wonderful clip art from Educlips! On the front of the card,  you will need to take a photo of your students acting like a Superhero flying through a city. Provided in this pack for the Superhero scene is the buildings, clouds, sun, trees, cars and the Superhero mask (Super Dad, Super Uncle and Super Grandpa). However, the cape and the blue backdrop are not provided. The backdrop I used was a large sheet of bulletin board paper that was in the supply closet of my school and the cape that I used was a big piece of black fabric that I tied around them!  On the inside they can draw a picture of them with their Father/Uncle/Grandfather and write them a note. There are options for students to write their own message to their loved once or to trace a given note for lower level students.  The Superhero Father's Day card is sold separately through the link below.

Superhero Father's Day Card

 Other activities included are handwriting pages, interviews, coloring pages and writing prompts.  All things include options for Dad, Uncle and Grandpa.  Enjoy and have a very Happy Father's Day!!!