Fun Markers!

I don't know about your kiddos but mine L.O.V.E. markers!

I don't let them use them all the time which probably helps make them "special". There are certain projects I let them use markers on. But I found some cool markers for this next year that I know my firsties will go crazy for. I know I blogged about some of these before but here is an update. You can click on each picture for more information from Amazon.com.

These are cool. You write with one end then trace over it with the other end and it changes colors.

These are the BEST smelly markers! There are other brands out there too.

My team mate Amanda showed these to me. We will have fun stamping our spelling words in Daily 5 with these.

I bought all mine at Wal-Mart but I found the Mr. Sketch were cheaper on Amazon.com.
I let my kiddos use the 'special' markers for spelling and sight word practice. I made a little sheet to go with it. I made it blank so you can write in your own words before you print it for the kids. Here's a picture.

And here's a free download. Just click on the picture for a PDF.

I just looked at the calendar. I really shouldn't have. I only have 3 1/2 weeks of summer left. AHHHH! Mixed feeling about that. I love teaching and miss my students but I really LOVE my summers. Some of my 3 1/2 weeks will be spent re-organizing my files and getting my room ready. And of course, SHOPPING which I've been doing ALL summer. Hubby, I think likes it better when I'm in school. I don't swipe my cards as much.
Have a great day!

Blends and more blends

I've been tending my grandchildren for the weekend. They are 9, 7, 4, and 18 months old. And can I just say "I'm exhausted!!!" I don't know how their mother keeps up with them. I need a little down time tonight so it's 'blogging time!.
BLENDS
We've been working on blends this week and the next. Here is a little activity for the kiddos to do. Some of my lower ones had a hard time doing this alone but the higher kids loved it. It's called blenders. There is one for l-blends, r-blends and s-blends. The recording sheet goes to all three. Click on the picture for a PDF.

GRAPH
Here is my graph for this week. It's about colors.

DAILY 5
I'm getting ready to launch Daily 5 on Monday. It's been hard to plan because we have a staggered starting schedule. I only have 70 minutes in the morning and again in the afternoon with just half my class that I HAVE to teach literacy. So I'm going to try and do 3 rounds with 2 short teaching times in between. I hope I can make it work. I really need to do something. I have a pretty low group this year and I need to work with my guided reading groups more often and for longer periods of time. I think this will be my answer. Keep your fingers crossed. I found a great blog that has helped me a lot. You might want to check it out if you haven't already. It's by Christina Bainbridge. You'll want to read everything she's shared on Daily 5. You can go HERE to find it.
I hope you have a great weekend. This grandma is going to bed NOW!