This was a real week in first grade. You know what I mean? Everything isn’t so new anymore. I am not calling Johnny, Ronny or Jenny, Penny. I have it. No matter how many ways they change their hair and clothes…I got this. I know them. They know me. It’s ON!
We’ve had some fun while learning this week. One of the things we did was solve ladybug picture problems. Then we made our own ladybug picture problems for our friends to solve.
I typed as they told me their ladybug story. Then I printed and they put the story problems right on their pictures. Some had subtraction stories and some had addition stories. The great thing is that when we solved each others stories they knew that if some flew away or were eaten by birds then the number was going to be less!
We finally got our self portraits done too. It was the perfect way to wrap up our week!
First we drew ourselves with pencil. I modeled by drawing myself first and did A LOT of self- talk. I also experimented with different shapes for my facial features so the students would see a variety of ideas. Then I put a mirror at each table! They LOVED that!
Once the sharpie was done, it was on to coloring.
On a different day, we did the writing activity. My class was best suited for the fill in the blank version of this activity. Really it was pretty open ended on three of the blanks so they were stretched to write out of their comfort zone. The writing template is in my Fall Art and Writing Pack.
Then I allowed them to mount and glue all the pieces together to create one magnificent display!
We didn’t quite fit all on one board…don’t ya hate that!! Plus I had 2 absent…sigh…
Finally, I have an apple skip counting freebie to share. Just click the picture to download all 4.

Love the self portraits! They came out great! You have some wonderful artists!
Pixy Stix and Teacher Tricks
The self-portraits are adorable! Thanks for the freebie! 🙂
What engaging, meaningful and FUN activities! Thanks for sharing!
This post makes me miss Bridges SO much. I loved ladybug story problems.
Laurie
Chickadee Jubilee
We are doing addition stories this week and that is the perfect craftivity!
Brenda
You Might Be a First Grader…
I love your pictures. The self portraits and writing activity are way too cute!
Ѽ Lori
Teaching With Love and Laughter
[email protected]
Reagan,
What an inspiration! Your explanation of this activity was well written and well "illustrated." Thank you for sharing such a great idea.
Your portraits are great! Thanks for the freebie.
Mirrors! Awesome idea.
Love the portraits!
I do those math problems in classes too, with bugs and ocean critters!
Journey of a Substitute Teacher
and
Endless Pinabilities!
I love the idea of giving them mirrors for the self portraits! Can't wait to try this with my kinders! 🙂
Your self portraits turned out great. I grabbed a copy of the freebie. Thank you for sharing this!! I noticed that every page's directions says count by 2 even though some count by 1s, 5s, and 10s. Just thought you might want to know 🙂
Storie
Stories by Storie
Ok I couldn't stand it! I fixed it. 🙂 Please grab it again! Thanks for letting me know!
I'm your newest follower! I've heard so many good things about you! These self-portraits are absolutely darling!! Love them!! You are creative & fun, please come visit me!
Amy Howbert
Little Miss Organized
[email protected]
The lil ladybugs are adorable and love the idea of giving them mirrors for their self portraits. There is nothng more precious than seeing their drawings of themselves. Perfect keepsake. Looks fabulous Reagan!
~Christy & Tammy
I can't pick a favorite part of this post. At first I thought it was the ladybug word problems {adorable}, the I got to the self portraits {so cute}, and then, the freebie, which is cute and totally what my kiddos need right now!
Thank you!
Halle
Across the Hall in 2nd Grade
Love the self portraits and the use of mirrors.
Tania
My Second Sense
Thanks for the great freebie- I look forward to using it. Right now we're working on counting to 120 and place value- because that's what some… well somebody at the district level thought it would be the appropriate place for it in the pacing guide…sigh…
I have the Fall pack and love it! We made the self-portrait pictures for our hall bulletin boards. I wish I could have used your templates, but again, the DO wants to see original writing… But they can't stop me from using the template as a guide:-)
Thanks again for sharing more wonderful ideas!
Love the skip counting freebies! Thanks so much! We're doing skip counting next week so these are perfect!!!
Katie 🙂
Good stuff, Reagan! I'm pinning it all. Thanks for sharing.
❀Barbara❀
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers Blog Designs
Absolutely love the self portraits!
[email protected]