Smitten with First

Search Results for: end of year

April Spring STEM activities

I never really did much STEM in my classroom because all the materials and upfront work just overwhelmed me. Teaching and managing a classroom and all the other things that go along with the profession is already overwhelming enough...can I get an amen? So STEM was something that happened few and far between. I created my monthly STEM activities with the hope that they will help teachers that want to start integrating some STEM into their … [Read more...]

Fraction activities and games

Happy Tuesday! I know many of you are on Spring Break this week but I wanted to share several fraction activities and games that are great for 1st grade and 2nd grade.  There are lots of fun ones that will help amp up the engagement during your fraction unit. Our state standard focuses on fractions of a whole - not of a set. Alrighty, let's start planning! FRACTION ACTIVITIES AND GAMES For years now I've used sticky notes to introduce … [Read more...]

Weekly Recap 5

Happy weekend, y'all! I'm back today with another round of Instagram Weekly Recap! As usual, I've got a freebie for you. Whoohoo! 1. Phonics STEM! Last year I shared a blog post all about these Sound Kits and how they can make Word Work more engaging. You can read that post here and see all the Sound Kits here. The app used in the bottom right picture is Building Blocks by Bricasso. It is available in the Apples app store. 2. This … [Read more...]

Weekly Recap 4!

Ain't no tired like Valentine's Day party tired... annnd all the teachers said AMEN! I'm sharing my Weekly Instagram Recap today. As usual, there's a freebie (or two) included! 1. Valentine's Day writing! Whether your teaching poetry, narrative, descriptive, or just about any type of writing...Write-tivities have options for all. These are from the February Write-tivities pack here. 2. This book right here, y'all. It immediately … [Read more...]

Weekly Recap 3!

Happy Friday! It's time for another Weekly Instagram Recap! Oh, and I've got a FREEBIE for ya' at the end! 1.     Phonics Friends! They are my very favorite way to teach phonics and I used them for years when I taught first grade! If you've followed my blog for years, then you might already know what Phonics Friends are. If you're new here, you can read about Phonics Friends here and see all of them here. Not kidding; these amp up the fun … [Read more...]

The Snowy Day activities

post contains Amazon affiliate link I love . I used it every year in first grade to teach cause and effect.  I've got a fun follow up activity that I want to share with y'all... THE SNOWY DAY ACTIVITIES If you do not have the book, you can find the read aloud online here or on Amazon Prime Video. I always liked having my students listen to the story twice. The first time, we just listened to the story all the way through. The second … [Read more...]

Amazon Teacher Must Haves

Disclaimer: Post contains Amazon affiliate links.  These top picks are based on my personal opinion.   I am so excited to share some teacher must haves from Amazon with you all!  I have rounded up my top picks for teachers, games, phonics, reading, math, and classroom management.  Whether this is your first year teaching, moving grade levels, or you're just wanting to add some new ideas to your classroom - I hope that you will find this post … [Read more...]

DIY Dollar Tree Metal Locker Bins

Raise your hand if you love the farmhouse style! In 2015 I decided to completely redo my classroom and change everything to the farmhouse style...but I had a tight budget! You can see a complete classroom tour here. Since then, I have had several messages asking how I painted these plastic bins. So, I am here today to share how to DIY Dollar Tree metal locker bins! DIY Dollar Tree Metal Locker Bins I purchased these plastic locker bins from … [Read more...]

Short vowel a phonics activities and games

I have several different short a phonics activities and games to share with you. These short vowel a activities and games engage your students through interactive, hands on, and fun ways to practice the short a sound! I hope that you will find this helpful when you sit down to plan out your short a learning! Alright, let's start planning! Over the past several years I incorporated Phonics Friends into my phonics instruction.  Phonics … [Read more...]

Digraph ck phonics activities and games

  I have several different digraph ck phonics activities and games to share with you. These ck games and activities engage your students through interactive, hands on, and fun ways to practice -ck words and spelling rule.  Let's get started! Over the past several years I incorporated Phonics Friends into my phonics instruction.  Phonics Friends are "friends" that help students remember phonics sounds and spelling rules.  You can read … [Read more...]

Phonics STEM Sound Kits

Are you looking for a resource to bring STEM into your phonics skills or word work stations? Or maybe you are just tired of using the same 'ole word work stations year after year..?? Maybe you are wanting to give STEM a try but nervous on how to get started...?? I get it! That's why I created Phonics STEM Sound Kits! PHONICS STEM SOUND KITS Phonics STEM Sound Kits are phonics task activities that incorporate STEM and provide students an … [Read more...]

H Digraph Brothers phonics activities and games

Have you used Phonics Friends in your classroom yet?  Over the past few years I used them in my classroom to bring engagement and enrichment to our phonics learning annnd lemme just tell ya' ... G A M E   C H A N G E R! My students were so anxious to meet our new Phonics Friend each week...asking on Fridays who we would meet on Monday....having fun during their learning....eager to start working....and were starting to recall sounds quicker. … [Read more...]

Latest on Instagram