Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits

Teaching with Heart and Creativity

Five for Friday! Holla!!!

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.

Making “Did You Knows” for the morning announcements
Farm Literacy Spin-A-Bingo
Writing a Book Review

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.

The lesson pictured above is from my Reading Is Fun Lessons

 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

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    Comments

    7. 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

      Reply

    9. 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

      Reply

    10. 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

      Reply

    11. 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!

      Reply

    13. 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

      Reply

    17. Love the new look!!!!!!!!! 🙂
      Love stick frames — so fun!
      I am so jealous of your computer/literacy app centers. Ridiculously jealous.

      Reply

    19. 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.

      Reply

    22. 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?

      Reply

    23. 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….

      Reply

    26. 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!

      Reply

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