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Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Holiday ClipArt

These are 40 individual color graphics and 40 line art images that can be used for commercial or personal use. They may not be given away as a free item. They may be sold on a product in a secure, flattened form. Credit must be given to Prints of Joy. Click here.












Sunday, November 25, 2018

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Short Vowel Candy Corn

This activity covers the vowels a,e,i,o, and u. Print the candy corn on cardstock and laminate. Cut each piece of candy corn into three pieces. Students can mix and match the pieces to see how many three letter short vowel words they can form. Students can also record their answers on the worksheet under the correct short vowel. Click here.





Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Names on Desks that Last.


I use white Sharpie paint sticks to write the kids names on their desks. The names last all year. To erase use an Expo marker over the name and wipe off.




Sunday, August 5, 2018

FREE Smartboard Cover Three Addition to 18 Center or Group Activity


This game is for 2 players. Great for a math center. I have also included a printable version so it can be played in groups of 2 by the whole class. The problems can be changed to practice facts that give the students trouble.
Roll the dice. 
Count the dots.
Follow the directions.
To win, be the first player who gets squares in 3 connected game spaces. Look for these ways to win.
Click here





Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Desk Nameplates

I have made some simple nameplates for my student's desks.  I tried to limit the amount of ink needed to print them while keeping them fun.  They are available in a set of 26 in my Teacher's Pay Teachers store at 30% off.
These below are available here.



Sunday, July 22, 2018

Storage

Teachers have been asking for ideas to store games.  One of the ways I store games are in school boxes.  I buy them at the beginning of the year when they are  $.10 instead later when they go up to a dollar.  I make labels using Avery labels to put the skill on the side of the box.  I use packing tape to tape the directions on the bottom of the box.  I put all the pieces inside the box and number the boxes on the bottom.  If there are worksheets to go with the game I put them in a file folder that has the game number and name on the label. The kids know to take the worksheet when they use the game. These boxes don't take up much space on the shelves.  These 2 shelves hold 64 games and I have more. I hope this is clear.  If you have any questions, just ask.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Keep desks neat and save time.




I've used these on groups of desks. There was a lot less strolling to the garbage can with a tiny scrap and taking a tour of the room to get there. Cute Polka Dot and beautiful lace, can be used as a trash can or a storage can, even a decoration. Small and exquisite. Convenient to keep your desktop clean and tidy. Removable lid design, easy to clean.

These can be purchased here.

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Adding Your Signature

I love learning new things.  I just learned how to add my signature from  My Live Signature. Take a look it's easy and fun. Makes you feel like you actually know what your doing.

Down on the Farm

This is an activity my students enjoyed.  It is a Smartboard activity , but can be used on a computer by downloading the free Smartboard software at  http://www.smarttech.com/us/Support/Browse+Support/Download+Software  The students arrange the graphics at the bottom of the slide on the farm background.  They then write a story on the lined barn shape provided.  The kids were so proud of their stories.  This activity is available on TPT.










Bookmarks


I have created some free bookmarks for the beginning of the school year. It will be here before you know it. Click here to download them for free from my store.



Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Calendar Number Bundle for the School Year


This calendar number bundle contains 11 sets of calendar numbers to use throughout the year. Here is a list of the themes:

August - September Apples
October Halloween 
November Thanksgiving 
December Christmas 
January Snowmen
February Valentine’s Day 
March Kites
April Showers
May Flowers
June Swimming
July Camping

Click Here


https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Calendar-Number-Bundle-All-Year-Long-Classroom-Decor-3167800

Sunday, July 15, 2018

Reward Coupons for Classroom Management


I like to give my students rewards that aren't always candy. These 18 rewards are free or almost free and the kids seem to like the change of pace. Click here.

Product Rating
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19 Ratings

 


Saturday, July 14, 2018

August- September Calendar Numbers Apple Theme Classroom Decor



Apple theme for your August and September calendars.
Extra squares are added in case you lose some.
.                             FREE.    FREE.     FREE



Product Rating
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2 Ratings

First 100 High Frequency Words Phrases and Sentences in Power Point




These phrases contain the first 100 words from the Fry Instant Word List, which represent 50 percent of all the words children encounter in elementary school reading. Timing for each PowerPoint slide is set at 3 seconds. It can be changed if necessary. This can be used as an end of the year assessment for first graders, or a beginning of the assessment for second graders.

Click here.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

First Day Jitters Packet





The first days of school are always scary for the kids and the teachers. These activities may make those first days easier.

Craftivity: Students write about how they feel on the first day of school. They can then choose a face that looks like them and complete the face. The face is cut out and glued to the top of the paper, Hands are included to hold the paper. I have also included faces for children that might wear a kufi, kippah, turban, head scarf, hijab or rasta wrap. 20 different faces included.

Word Search: Vocabulary from First Day Jitters.

Venn Diagram: Compare how the teacher in the story compares to how they felt on the first day of school.

Emojis: Create emojis for different feelings.

Graphing: A graph worksheet to practice graphing, tally marks and word problems.

Jitter Juice: Poem and recipe for Jitter Juice.


Click Here


Product Rating


4.0
2 Ratings

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Classroom Procedures

I hope some of these classroom procedures help you as you plan for the new year.

Welcome to Third Grade!  

I am delighted to be working with you and your child this year.  We will be seeing some new faces in the halls this year. Some will be teachers and some will be students. Please greet everyone with a smile to make them feel welcome.


Our Classroom

Our days will be full of many different areas of study - Reading, Phonics, Math, Language Arts, Spelling, Social Studies, and Science.  Each week the children will also have different Special Classes: Library, Art, Music, Computers and P.E. Our theme this year is Down on the Farm. I have many activities planned to help make Third Grade fun.

Drop-off & Pick-up Procedures

Children will be dismissed at 3:12 pm.  Please, do not take them from the classroom before this time.  We will dismiss walkers and children being picked up through the front doors. The children may be picked up there. Children riding the bus will exit the east doors to the bus pick-up area.


Tardies & Attendance

In order to maximize the educational opportunities, classes need to begin promptly. Students should be in their classrooms when the bell rings (8:15 A.M.) Students not in their classrooms will be marked tardy. Chronic tardiness will be addressed by administration. Students arriving late to school must report to the school office before going to class. The principal will make the determination per the handbook of tardy or not and give the student a pass to enter class. 


Appointments

At times your child may have appointments that require him/her to leave school early.  Please remember that all students must be signed out in the office.  It works best if you stop by the office first, then someone will call the room and I can get your student ready to go.  This way you can be signing out while your child is getting ready to go and possibly save some time.  When possible, please let us know in advance when your child will be leaving early, either through a note or a phone call.  (See school handbook for more information on this matter.)


Birthdays/Invitations

If your child has a birthday during the school year, you are welcome to bring in a treat item for their special day.  We will celebrate in the afternoon. Send all utensils, plates, napkins etc. I do not have these items on hand. Please remember this is not meant to take the place of a birthday party. It is just a special snack. If your child has a party planned during the year, he/she can hand out the invitations to the class.  Please make sure there is an invitation for every child.  If it is a boy party all boys should be invited if the invitations are to be passed out at school. The same holds true if it is a girl party. You are also welcome to mail the invitations if you are limited to the number attending although I am unable to give out student addresses.  Be considerate of each child's feelings. No one would want their child left out.  


Toys

Please leave all toys at home.  If a child does bring something to school and it is out during class time, it will be taken away and kept until the end of the day.  If this happens repeatedly the toy may be taken away for a longer period of time.


Money

Periodically, your child will bring money to school for lunch, field trips, book club orders, etc. When sending money to school, please remember to place all money in an envelope clearly marked with your child's name, what the money is for, and the amount enclosed. Please try to send exact change when sending cash. 


Book Orders

I will send home a Scholastic Book Order form with your child occasionally.  This is a great way to add to your child's library.  Of course, it is completely optional. 


Field Trips

We will take a field trip in the spring.  We sometimes rely on parents to be chaperons.  Unfortunately, we are unable to include younger siblings on these trips. If you wish to chaperon you will need to make arrangements for siblings.


Conferences
I have many things that must be done in the morning to get ready for the day.   As such, if there is an issue you wish to discuss, please set up an appointment for after school or another day.We are going to have a wonderful year.  I so look forward to getting to know you and your child! 
Mrs. Kestner

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Tips for New Teachers


I asked teachers to give one tip they wish they knew when they first started teaching. This is a list of what they wrote. Share this with a new teacher you know.

1.         Don’t try and do it all your first year! Set small goals to work toward! You have a whole career to meet all your expectations!                                                 
2.         If you get an email from an irate parent, have a veteran teacher read your response before you send it. Sometimes you over react in the heat of the moment. Save all correspondence with parents in an email file. You may have to go back and remind parents what was said.
3.         Along with this, teaching is really a customer service job. Keeping parents informed and having open communication can go a LONG way to preventing issues in the first place. Respecting parents as partners instead of seeing them as obstacles is very important.
4.         Put your name on your stuff.
5.         Take care of yourself! Figure out what that looks like to you and make it happen. Leave the work at work at least once a week. Unless there's an absolute deadline (report cards) it will all be there tomorrow and it'll be easier to manage if your head is clear.
6.         It’s ok to ask another teacher for help on something you’re unsure of.
7.         Don’t be afraid to do it your own way!
8.         Run before you’re trapped. Lol
9.         Pick your battles
10.     Be organized!
11.     Invest in good shoes and a wheeled bag. Your feet, legs, neck, shoulders, and back will thank you in the future.
12.     You are teaching students, not the curriculum. Make connections with them 1st, then you will have them in the palm of your hand with less behavioral problems.
13.     Don't be afraid of veteran teachers. Find one you like and can trust and listen to their advice.
14.     I teach kindergarten and I always say that I should have written down every funny or special thing that the kids say each day. It would just go to show how they have enriched our lives.
15.     Think about if it was your kid how would you want things handled, communicated, spoken to. Becoming a parent changed my perspective as a teacher...
16.     Do your best, but don't forget about yourself!!
17.     If a parent is upset, it is ok to get the information you need and get back to them. Don't take their upset personally, they are only concerned for their kid. But, if you say you will get back to them, then get back to them, even if you don't have the answer... yet.
18.     Teaching is like housework, it’s never done! Don’t feel bad about leaving some for the next day.
19.     When planning to assess, try to get more than one mark out of each assignment (a math activity could give you math strand (s), writing and learning skills - for example
20.     Also limit how much paper you keep. Have a USB on your key ring to save files. You'll try to keep paper, but just end up a hoarder who never checks their paper files anyway...
21.     You cannot evaluate everything your students do. Pick a few key pieces in each concept....and remember, children need time to apply descriptive feedback in order to improve.
22.     Keep as much out of their desks as possible with different table storage options. The less they have in their desks the less they will have to play with during instruction
23.     Take everything admin says with a grain of salt
24.     Have a laugh as often as you can. You are going to need that sense of humor!
25.     Pick your battles and do not argue with a student.
26.     Be flexible!
27.     Write down everything students say that make you laugh or you're never going to hear again.... you'll have quite a book and those are fun to look back on!
28.     Please learn exactly what differentiation is and be sure it is used daily in your instruction. Every child will succeed.
29.     Be empathetic, take into account your students' needs all the time.
30.     It’s not your fault if you don’t know - especially because you don’t know what to ask. Take what ppl say (and how they say it) with a grain of salt.
31.     Start tough, it’s easier to become softer but harder to gain control once you have lost them. You’re their teacher not they’re bestie!
32.     If you teach more than one subject learn how to Integrate the subjects. If it's languages, integrate Reading, writing, speaking and listening then you can cross assess.
33. Work as a TEAM in grade levels. Be open to your TEAM. Stand tall and firm.
34. The work NEVER done. Be ok with that.
35. Say what you mean, mean what you say.
36. Start saving for retirement your first year. Ask for help if you need it. Find an outlet for your frustration
37.  Be teachable! Listen to people who are seasoned
38.  Save up your coins! You will want to retire by the age of 50. I was told this by veteran teachers.  I wish I had listened.
39.   All behavior serves a function. Figure out the function.
40.  Don't sweat the small stuff! And pick and choose your battles. 
41.  Follow your instincts
42. Listen to all the advices and tips. Use the ones you think will suit your audiences well
43. Don’t let the kids sit the entire lesson. Have them move around, work collaboratively, and be engaged with them.
44.  Don't take it personal
45. Don't take someone's burden be confident to say no
46. Don’t be arrogant, over confident and listen to advice.
47. Close the classroom door and teach from the heart.
48. Positive praise for behavior management.
49. Work on developing positive relationships with every member of the school community.
50. Listen to the children and observe behavior patterns - some have things going on outside of school that they are dealing with on a daily basis. Nurture them and they will thrive.
51.  Never expect to do everything on your ‘to do’ list. It’s impossible. Be kind to yourself and prioritize.
52.  Take the words from the mouths of your students. Trust them they will only tell you truth. Every student has a key. Get to know them more it helps. Love is the magical key to a wonderful class. This is based on my experience with students who were labeled by other teachers as bad (sadly). These students were awarded best students by the end of the year.
53. Listen to your children
54. People will be quick to throw you under the bus make sure you document not only students and parents but also certain interactions with administration/ staff
55. They are all YOUR children. Build understanding and relationships, a positive, encouraging class culture and foster thinkers and risk-takers. Then relax (despite the hard work), enjoy and foster a love of learning - yours and your students’!
56. Start out strong or tight. You can always loosen up but never tighten up.
57.  I'm still new, but all I want to know are tips and tricks for being in this work environment, building community with my peers... stuff like that. They teach you SO much about the classroom in college, but hardly anything about the SCHOOL.
58. Be willing to share. Try to be a team player with teaching partner even if a bit out of your comfort zone. My teaching   partner and I duplicate a lot of things for each other and we keep a file of stuff we can pull from for emergencies. We both fill it and be sure there are class sets for both of us if one of us is ever away.
59.  Some boards offer a mentoring program that pairs you with a more experienced teacher as your mentor. Check your board or see if someone on staff would be willing to sit down with you a couple of times a year to plan, answer questions and help you. It's nice to have a go-to person on staff that you can ask for help...
60. Never promise something (positive or negative) that you can't, or don't intend to, follow through on. Your credibility will be ruined, and they will walk all over you.
61. Try to get all your plans done for the next week before you leave on Friday. You need a weekend too!
62.  Be emphatic with both teachers and student. Everyone's trying to be their best. Help where you feel you can and think and save for retirement as soon you start.
63. Be careful who you choose to trust. It can get very political so say nothing to anyone that you don't want to come back to bite you.
64. Document everything!  And travel lightly, don't hoard materials
65.  Start with files right away. Keep 2 copies of items. With 1 it may get lost
66.  Stop what you are doing and look the student in the eyes as they speak to you. Hear what they are trying to communicate to you. Then say, I heard you say...what would you like me to do? Sometimes they just want to be heard or they want you to know.
67. Don’t be hard on yourself -mistakes will happen
68.  Trust your gut feeling
69.  Never use your cell phone or home phone to return calls. Return calls from work!
70.  Don't get too friendly with parents or care takers.
71. YES! And don't friend parents or any students on Facebook.
72. Never get in the middle of parents going through a divorce.
73.  Keep where you live a secret.
74.  Do not tutor after school. It's just a free babysitting service.
75.  Don't trust everyone in the PTO!
76.  Work your contracted hours only.
77. Always go home early one day a week. Decide which day at the beginning of the year and then         stick to it!
78. Foster friendship with families, while remaining in charge of your classroom. Teamwork makes the dream work!
79. Ask for help don’t try to be a hot shot.
80.  Have a procedure for EVERYTHING. If the kids don't follow the procedure, have them do it over and over again until it's to your liking. If they are doing the wrong thing, it's because they don't know how you want them to do it. Take plenty of time to go over your procedures at the beginning of the year. You'll think yourself mid-year and end of year.
81. Exactly...teach procedures first and then curriculum.
82. Incorporate "brain matching" into your lessons. Really gets kids engaged.
83. Whole brain thinking
84. I have been teaching for 30 + years and just got into trying more student engagement techniques. It really pays off!
85. Take the time to organize your classroom library!
86. Plan for the unexpected!