My Favorite Things Blog Hop & Giveaway

Today we are throwing  a big, humongous bash to celebrate YOU!

Last year we blogged about our favorite non-school related things, this year we have decided that we will share with you our favorite school things! So here we go:

My new favorite find is there great website www.readingbear.org. It is a phonics and vocabulary plethora! There are so many phonic rules which are introduced to students in a very effective way. The word that the child reads, is then presented to the child with a real image for them to see and process. It is a great tool for allowing children a real world connection. An amazing resource for children learning English. There are no games, or badges, or stickers to earn. Just a wonderful approach to learning.

This organizational tip goes hand in hand with guided reading or word work. I love to store my magnetic letters on a cookie sheet. I used a sharpie (a paint pen works better) to mark where each letter goes. Super quick and easy and they stack right up. My kiddos LOVE these! Do you see the way that I have the alphabet in each row? The f, l, s, z are the double letters, or bonus letters and that is why we should divide up the alphabet this way! I just found this out  awhile ago and had an aha moment!

Look what I am making as a parent gift with my kiddos this year! I love this little guy! So easy and fun! You can check out the 5 simple steps to assemble him along with the materials you will need by reading my blog post found here http://bit.ly/1IDTGlK.

Once again we want to treat you all to our favorite things!!! Check out these great prizes!
















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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Come and visit my other teacher friends' blogs for their favorite websites, organization tips and much more!

An InLinkz Link-up

Link to link up http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=585883

Pinterest Pick 3 December

How cute are these melting snowman cookies? The recipe from somewhatsimple.com calls for cookie icing for the melting snow that is spread onto of the cookie. I had to look up how to make cookie icing - I had no idea even it you buy it or make it! You make it and it seems simple enough. The recipe calls for 1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 teaspoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla. I can do that. I would also just use the place and back sugar cookies to make things easier of me!

I want to make these so bad! I think they are so cool! I found this pin from hello homebody.com and the directions seem easy enough. Just have to use metal cookie cutters for the shape and watch them in a 350 degree oven for 3-6 minutes. Reminds me of shrinky dinks! Love!

I found these sweet ornaments on somewhatsimple.com. I feel like I have TONS of pretty ribbon hanging around and now I have a use for it!

Click on the pictures open to head to the website for more information on these great December Pinterest finds! 

Check out other great blogs for more great links!

An InLinkz Link-up

I Teach First Linky Party

Welcome! I have teamed up with a great group of first grade teachers to bring you the first I TEACH FIRST link party! Each month, we will bring you super ideas, tips, and resources for your classroom! 

I made a sock snowman with my sweet little girl in first grade. I took a half day and rushed to her school to be a part of this great craft that teacher had the class do together with a special person. That was 2 years ago and I always told myself that I would make it with my class “ one day”. We still have the sock snowman we made and he is part of our holiday decorations each year. I FINALLY found the time and the resources to do! I have seen them before online but haven’t seen directions or a “how to”. I hope the 5 steps below are easy enough to inspire you to make this sock snowman with your class. It is a great parent/child activity for the holiday season :) 

Do you see the spider web bag of white stuff? I grabbed a ton of them after Halloween for just 19 cents. They work just as well as the poly-fil so if you have bags hanging around...

Here is breakdown of the cost for the project:

Socks - Walmart - Pack of 10 = $7.97

Rice - 5 lb bag - Walmart - $1.97 x 2 = $3.94

Poly-Fil 1lb Bag - Walmart = $8.97

COST PER STUDENT = $1

I did not add in the price of the felt because you may already have some. You can use an old shirt or other material for the scarf. I’m also sure you have goggly eyes, buttons, pompoms and other cute stuff in a plastic bin in your classroom. Use what you have. I’m sure you have it!
Oh, and Elmer’s glue in the bottle works just fine to get everything to stick!

Be sure to check out other great ideas and tips from the great first grade I Teach bloggers below!

An InLinkz Link-up