Use a Smartboard Activity on a Computer

With SMART Notebook Express, you can share digital content and lesson activities created with SMART Notebook™ collaborative learning software with anyone, anywhere. This web application is available at no charge. Watch our video animation to see how SMART Notebook Express simplifies content sharing for teachers around the world. Send home links to Smartboard Activities.

Solar Eclipse

As an Optometrist , I want to express concern that I have about the solar eclipse on Monday, Aug 21. There are serious risks associated with viewing a solar eclipse directly, even with the use of solar filter glasses. Everyone should keep in mind if they or their children are considering this.

We have to keep in mind that some people will encounter the inability to control every aspect of this exercise. For instance, true solar eclipse glasses are made for adults, do not fit children well and should not be used without direct parental supervision. If the solar glasses do not filter out 100% of the harmful UV rays, if they are not used absolutely perfectly, or should there be a manufacturing defect in any of them, this will result in permanent and irreversible vision loss for any eye exposed. Just like sunburn to the skin, the effects are not felt or noticed immediately. I have a great fear that I will have patients in my office on Tuesday, Aug 22 who woke up with hazy, blurry vision that I cannot fix. It is a huge risk to watch the eclipse even with the use of solar glasses. There is no absolutely safe way to do so other than on TV.

The biggest danger with children is ensuring proper use without direct parental supervision. As the eclipse passes over many places, including Columbus, the moon will not block 100% of the sun. Because so much of its light is blocked by the moon, if one looks at it without full protection, it does not cause pain as looking at the sun does on a regular day. Normally if you try to look at the sun, it physically hurts and you can't see anything. During an eclipse, however, it is easier to stare for a bit....and even less than 30 seconds of exposure to a partially eclipsed sun, you can burn a blind spot right to your most precious central vision. With solar glasses you can't see ANYTHING except the crescent of light of the sun. Kids could have a tendency to want to peak around the filter to see what is actually going on up there. One failure, just one, where education and supervision fail, will have such a devastating consequence.

Please, please be safe. Watch it on television.

Michael Schecter

Letter/Sound Recognition For Younger Kids

This Dab-A-Dot set contains two reproducible worksheet pages for each letter of the alphabet. One worksheet is in color and the matching worksheet is in black and white to save ink. Students use the "Dab-a-Dot" paint markers or crayons to mark all the circles containing the uppercase and lowercase letters for the letter featured on the page. The next worksheet contains pictures and students circle the pictures that start with the specified letter. There are also two coloring pages for each letter sound. An answer key is provided for each worksheet. Great for Pre-school review or the beginning of Kindergarten letter and sound review. Please let me know if you find any errors so I can correct them quickly. Click Here.

Math Fact Reward Punch Cards

These Math Fact Reward Punch Cards are great for monitoring the progress and success of your students. Each time a student passes a set of math facts their card is punched. The cards can be put on a ring to hang in a handy spot. If you don't assess 11s and 12s a small sticker can be put over those numbers. When full your students can get a small reward. (sit by a friend, no homework pass, first in line etc.) Click Here.

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A Little Spring Craft.

I'm Done. Now What? Math Task Cards

Click here.

I've just added a set of 40 math task cards to my store. These math task cards contain many of the skills covered in third grade.  Use the cards at the end of third grade or the beginning of fourth grade to review math skills. They can be used in centers or in small groups for interventions. A recording sheet and an answer key are provided so the students can check their own answers or make checking for you easier. I make several copies of the cards, laminate and cut them out.  I put them on rings and hang them on hooks to make them accessible for the kids. They’ll last several years.

Includes:
40 task cards
Recording Sheet
Answer Key

Animal Habitats

This activity contains 8 different categories for 
animal habitats: 
Farm
Forest  
Pond 
Swamp 
Ocean 
Jungle 
Desert 
Polar 
It also contains 8 labeled pictures of animals for each habitat. All 8 habitats can be used together or as few as 2 can be used to differentiate instruction. It also contains 2 pages to list the animals for each habitat. The pictures are clear and vibrant to catch a child's attention. Print on card stock and laminate for longer lasting use.Click here to purchase. $5 

Roll a Snowman Smartboard Game

This is a smartboard activity that can be played by teams or individuals. The class can also play against the teacher. Kids love this. Players take turns rolling the die and put the corresponding number of counters on the Snowman (1 per circle). When the Snowman is filled up, you win! To extend the game you can roll to take them off. Play as many times as you can in the time allotted. This is such a great game for number identification and counting!

Click here.

Freebie for my Followers

Math Foldables

These are some math foldables I am selling on TPT.  This file will be free to my followers for just a few days. A sample of the file is below. Click here for your free copy of the full file.

Non-Fiction Anchor Charts for Text Features

This packet contains a set of 12 anchor charts for the text features of non-fiction. The anchor charts are included in 3 formats,Large 8 1/2 X 11 charts, small copies of the same charts with 6 to a page for small group and in Smart notebook format for whole group. 28 pages, Click here to purchase.

Dr. Seuss Reward Punch Cards

These cards feature 10 spaces you can punch out when students accomplish a preset goal. When all 10 have been punched out, students can return the card to you for a reward. Use an unusual punch so they can not punch their own circle. (not that they would) These can be used for behavior, homework, working hard etc. They can be printed on card stock and cut out. There are 6cards to a page. If you do not see a theme that works for you, email me and I will create a custom design for your theme at the same price. kestnerg@gmail.com  Click Here

Common Core Tracking Punch Cards

Keep track of which common core standards your students have mastered with these handy punch card rings.  Keep track of which common core standards your students have mastered with these handy punch card rings.  Each card features a different Common Core strand/domain, with the standards listed by number around the card. The cards are each a different theme to help students easily find the card they need to be marked.
To use, print the cards on cardstock, laminate and cut the cards apart, Punch holes in the upper left corner and put the cards on a ring so that each student has a complete set of cards. There is a line for the student to write his or her name on the cover card. You could put all of the standards onto one ring or use two – one for ELA and one for math.
Students can store their own cards or the can be hung on hooks to prevent wear. When a student meets a standard, place a small sticker, punch, highlight or stamp the appropriate box. By the end of the year, your students should have every box stamped or punched! It is easy to flip through the cards and see who needs to be retaught skills.

Cards are all the same size.

These can be purchased in my TPT or TN stores.

Common Core Math Documentation Freebie

With the coming of the Common Core we will be required to document when the standards are taugt and if they are mastered. I created a form to record the dates you teach each of the CCSS for Second Grade Math and the percentage of the class that masters the standard.Click on the link here to download your copy.

Become a TPT Seller

I talk to so many teachers that want to begin selling on TPT. I was so afraid of failing when I got started.  I didn't know how I would take it if no one thought my materials were worthwhile.  I was pleasantly surprised how many people like what I have to offer.  Give it a try and surprise yourself.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Signup/referral:Georgeanne

Huge Deal!

Click Here

Over $180 worth of original Language Arts Smartboard Activities for $16.95  

This file contains 61 Smartboard Activities to review and improve primary language arts skills. It would take you hours to create these activities. I have done all the work for you.
These files can be easily adjusted to fit your needs. You may also use the free Smartboard software to view these files on any computer as a work station.
http://express.smarttech.com/#
All clip art is copyrighted and may not be resold.

ABC Order Sight Words
ai ay Gingerbread                        
Analogies                            
Antonym Penguins                    
Bat positional words                  
Beginning-Sounds                        
Blends Game                                  
Building a Story Graphic Organizer      
Castle Story Activity                                    
Cinquain                                          
Comparing Characters Graphic Organizer          
Compound Words                                      
Consonants and Vowels
Christmas Writing Activity
CVCE                                                
Dolch-Word-Game-Primer                      
Down By the Bay                          
Farm Story                                      
Going From Good to Great Sentences                                
Guess the Covered Letter                        
Guess the Word Game                                              
Hard C Soft C                                  
HFW-Koosh-Ball-Game                                              
Homophones                                                
Introductory Tree Map                              
Irregular double vowels                            
KWL Graphic Organizer                              
Less-Ness Vortex Game                            
Magic Spy Glass                            
Main Idea Graphic Organizer                  
Making Words 4 blocks model                
Nonsense Word Generator                      
Nonsense Words You’re Out                  
Nouns Verbs  Sort                        
Penguin Vocabulary                  
Picnic Writing Activity                
Pilgrims Pilgrims What Do You See    
Pirate Life in a Fishbowl            
Prefix Center                                  
Prefixes                                            
Sentence Builder                          
Sentence editing                          
Short Vowel Chill                        
Sightword dice                              
Snowman positional words                    
Sort Long and short a                  
Sort nouns                                      
Sorts nouns vowels                  
Sorts Syllables/ Nouns              
Story Board Graphic Organizer                
Summarizing                                                  
Thanksgiving  Positional  Words            
Word Wizards Prefix Suffix                      
Wrap It Up                      
Writing-A ctivity-Halloween                  
Writing Super Sentences

Just in time for Fall

Candy Corn Short Vowel Activity Center CVC

This activity covers the vowels a,e,i,o, and u. Print the candy corn on card stock 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. Blank candy corn is included to make more words. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Candy-Corn-Short-Vowel-Activity-Center-CVC-913407

Special price for bloggers.

Free Smartboard Activity Nonsense Words

Click here for free activity.

I play this game as a class. The students click on select and read the nonsense word. If they have trouble with it I help them because they need the practice. If they land on an out space they are out of the game. Last person left is the winner. There are also a spaces for candy, hop away, everyone applaud.

Guided Math

I have heard that many teachers do not like to use manipulatives because they take so much time to set up.  I have used an idea I had published in Mailbox Magazine a few years ago.
At the beginning of the year I give each student a GLAD food container. I use the one that is about 3 X 5 inches.  In each tub are 2 number dice and one die with + and - signs on the sides, 20 two sided counters in a labeled film container, 10 snap together cubes, 20 pennies in a labeled film container. Later in the year I replace the counters and pennies with tangrams and geometric shapes. This has saved so much time and the kids have been pretty good about not losing  or playing with any of the items.
I don't have a picture handy because I'm on vacation. I'll try to add one when I get home. You can get empty film containers on ebay.  I have about 100 extra containers at home if anyone needs some.  I can send them to you for a small price + the price of shipping.
Email me at kestnerg@gmail.com

What Does the Shape Say?

This Smartboard activity can be used as a group activity or a workstation. The student clicks on the name of the shape. If he is correct he will hear a cheer. If he is wrong he will hear another sound.An activity sheet is included. It can be used by an individual student to prove his work or as a worksheet for use in a group to keep everyone engaged in the activity.Click here to purchase before the price goes up.

A Year of Word Wall Words for Pocket Charts

These are word wall words students might use with themes throughout the year. These can be used with a pocket chart activity or in a writing center. 
Themes
Apples
September
October
Thanksgiving
November
Winter 
February
March
Spring
This is a bundle of the 9 word walls I have at a bundle saving price. Buying the bundle you save $12.00.  Check it out on TPT.

Addition Foldables

The purpose of the interactive notebook is to enable students to be creative, independent thinkers and writers. Interactive notebooks are used for class notes as well as for other activities where the student will be asked to express his/her own ideas and process the information presented in class. Requirements vary from teacher to teacher and the notebook can be set up according to the directions of the teacherThe purpose of this is file to give teachers a starting point for setting up their own math notebooks with their classes with beginning addition. The file includes 9 templates and ideas to implement them in your class. I have also included pictures of completed pages to give you some ideas for using the templates. I am working on a beginning subtraction notebook and will be uploading it in a few days. 

Free Sample here

Purchase here

Free Smartboard Graphic Organizer

I use this to assess the addition facts that  we have learned to 10.
Students write all the addition facts that equal the number in the middle of the graphic organizer. Numbers 1-10 .  Click here to down load the Smartboard Activity. More Smartboard activities can be found at TPT