At our school we can’t say Friday without saying “Holla!” Our principal started it 2 years ago on morning announcements. You know that if you start something with 6 year olds it becomes one of the Ten Commandments you better be prepared to say it for the rest of the year!
Five for Friday #makethat6
#1
Blog Makeover!!! I feel like my blog got her roots touched up, eyebrows waxed, and a cute hairstyle!!! I feel so glamorous! Thank you to Tessa, at Tales from a blog designer for the cute new look!
#2
I have been having fun with everyone on instagram! I even have a cute little instagram button at the top right of my blog! #teachertalktuesdaywasablast! #addictedtohashtags
#3
It’s testing time for first graders. I lugged out my DRA and TPRI kits and currently we are having a stare down contest. I haven’t cracked them open yet. I can’t decide if that means I am winning or losing…
# 4
The Daily 5
The first hour and 15 minutes of my day has become my favorite time. They are so independent now! I walked around yesterday and took pictures of everyone.
Reading Express on computers
Literacy Apps
#5
Reading Table- (Small Group)
I have one group of kids that need remediation daily. We have been working on the basics all year and to make it fun I use different props to help them. My new discovery is gallon milk lids! These are great for sliding sounds together or for jumping from word to word. In the picture below my student is touching one for each word. I have about 30 lids saved up. When I have enough I will write the sounds on them with sharpie for blending. I love that they slide.
You can get the Reading is Fun unit and 5 other reading related units in a big bundle called Riveting Reading.
# 6? (Last one!)
I brought my sight word stick centers back out. The students actually cheered. It’s a little frightening how much power the popsicle stick holds over a first grade mind. What is the deal with that? I mean seriously.
My sight word stick centers are the most requested centers I have had all year. I just replenished these tubs yesterday.
You can find all 10 centers here.
HAPPY FRIDAY! HOLLA!!!!! #holla

Tessa did a great job on your blog. It looks beautiful! I will definitely be picking your brain about Daily 5. I'll be starting it next year.
Ѽ Lori
Teaching With Love and Laughter
[email protected]
Congrats on your waxing-we mean new blog design! Love the colors. AND love how all your kiddos are so engaged and so into their learning. Simply amazing Reagan!
Happy Friday! Holla! (oh that's kinda catchy!)
~Christy & Tammy
Fluttering Through First Grade
Those centers look like so much fun! Definitely hitting the "pin" button a lot on this post 🙂
Natalie
Teachery Tidbits
Holla!!!! I love the fresh new look of your blog! Happy weekend 🙂
Anita
Mrs. Bremer’s Kindergarten
I love the Holla idea! I also really like the popsicle stick site word centre. I'm going to have to check that out.
Love your chevron footstool too!
Your blog looks as fabulous as your classroom:)
Tammy
The Resourceful Apple
Hi Reagan,
Your blog looks great! I was wondering about your opinion on the TPRI. Would you recommend it, or do you prefer the DRA? Thanks! Amy
I love, love, love your new blog design! Simple and clean but the colours are gorgeous.
Lauren
Love, Laughter and Learning in Prep!
Reagan — I'm going to admit something… I'm a bit of a lid hoarder. How many would you want & what sizes? I have hundreds that I've (again, hoarded) collected that I'm not currently using and don't have concrete plans for. I'd be happy to send 'em to you! Just let me know.
Mrs. Plum
There's No Place Like Second Grade
Really pretty design – I <3 Tiffany Blue and I love the stitched look, too.
So funny to hear about Friday, "Holla". At our school, we do Morning Assembly and my Principal opens it up every Friday by saying, "F-R-I" and the audience says, "D-A-Y, Friiiiiday!" So, when we (teachers) see each other in the hallway on Friday instead of saying hi one says F-R-I and the other finishes it.
~Deniece
I like the colors you used for your new blog! Very calming and kindergarten teachers need to find as much calm in their day as possible. I'd love to know more about "Did you Know?" notes…thank you!
Love your mini makeover!! I also love the popsicle center… I could see that working for math fact practice too 🙂
Heather
Kickin' It With Class
I am loving the new look! So simple and you!!! I may have to pick your brain about how you do Daily 5 in your classroom! We are moving to it next year in 1st grade at my new school and cannot wait!
Katie
Love, love, love your new blog makeover. Very sophisticated! Holla!
Bridget x
Top Teacher
Your blog update looks fantastic!!!!
I've been absent from the blog world for too long and have missed reading your blog! Love the popsicle stick activities!
F is For First Grade
Love the new look!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Love stick frames — so fun!
I am so jealous of your computer/literacy app centers. Ridiculously jealous.
Loving the new blog design! So wish I could have an hour and 15 minutes for my morning centers and small group instruction. Your not alone, totally obsessed with Instagram and hashtags too! So fun! Enjoy this beautiful Texas weekend!
Lindsay
For the Love of First Grade
Holla! It's Saturday!
Can you tell us more about the "did you know's" for morning announcements? That sounds interesting!
Your room always looks so happy and full of learning!
Thanks! Happy weekend!
~Heidi V.
Hey Peep! I love the new design! Very fitting for you with the chevron! Looks like you had a fun week! I am right there with you on the testing…we have to dig ours out soon…not looking forward to it.
Megan
Mrs. Wheeler’s First Grade
Mrs. Wheeler TpT
Holla!
SOOOOO wish I had Literacy App Centers!
This month is filled with assessments for our firsties too. #notmyfav
Hey, love the Popsicle center idea. I think I'm going to create that for my kids at home to do over the summer, just to keep this years knowledge fresh.
I wrote on another post, but can you please tell me where to go to find your candy award download?
I ove the popsicle sticks, too! I also like your blog's makeover. She's updated but still recognizable. Wow, one hour and 15 minutes!!! I'm impressed. My daily (4) isn't that long even though I can imagine how much they get done. I think I need to look at my schedule for August.
Thanks for the 6 for Friday 😀
Brenda
You Might Be a First Grader….
Love the Riveting Reading!!! Can't wait to use them next year 🙂
I LOVE the ABC sticks. Perfect for teaching a hard skill 🙂
Thanks for sharing all your amazing ideas!
Feel free to stop by my blog, too!
Mrs. Thompson
Adventures in Teaching (A First Grade Blog)
Thank you for sharing your great ideas! Just as an FYI, Starbucks will save milk lids for you. Just take them an empty bucket and let them know you'll be back in a couple of days to pick them up. You'll probably end up with enough to stock your entire grade!
Great blog and your resources look super polished and engaging! One teeny, tiny question about Friday’s Holla…if that is supposed to be the Spanish word for “hello” then it is spelled “hola” not with two ll s because the double LL sound is a Y sound in Spanish. Everything else looks great!
Thank you so much! 🙂