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I am a first grade teacher who has rediscovered a love for firsties this year. I have taught pre-k, kindergarten, first grade and even second over the past 16 years. I have been married for 17 years to my wonderful husband and have been blessed with 2 very active boys.

Pre-K Back to School

Pre-K Back to School
Pre-K Back to School

Pre-K/Kindergarten Literacy

Pre-K/Kindergarten Literacy
Pre-K/Kindergarten Literacy

Pre-K/Kindergarten Literacy

Pre-K/Kindergarten Literacy
Pre-K/Kindergarten Literacy

Phonics Games

Phonics Games
Phonics Games
Image Map
   
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Graphics by: MareeTrueLove.
Widget by:Gabby Barba

Calendar Math for Primary Grades

Calendar Math for Primary Grades
Primary Calendar for the Year

Wordless Wednesday - {Memory Books}


 
I am linking up with Christina at Sugar and Spice for Wordless Wednesday.

http://secondgradesugarandspice.blogspot.com/2014/05/wordless-wednesday-may-28th-im-excited.html


Question of the week:
Do you make memory books, videos or slide shows/cd's
for the end of the year?
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Bright Ideas: Alternative Seating



I am beyond thrilled to join  Bright Ideas Link Up this month.  It is so refreshing to see what works in other classrooms and you can be sure I will be taking notes on super tips for next year!


Throughout the years, I have taught primary grades and also have been the inclusion class where students with IEP's have been in my room with the support of another teacher.

I have noticed that more and more students have difficulty paying attention.  I have students with sensory integration, ADHD, and ASD.  I have first grade students who just can't sit still.  I have learned that students need different things than they did 18 years ago when I started teaching.


This year I have jumped in with both feet to find alternatives to the traditional desk and chair that most students spend the majority of their school day in.  I have always had my students moving and actively engaged, but they still had a hard time sitting during instruction.


Stuents have the opportunity to sit on the carpet.  This usually occurs at Ipads, Read to Self, Read to Partner and with Math Centers in addition to whole group instruction.



I was introduced to stability balls several years ago by an OT who serviced one of my students with sensory integration.  It was always in the back of my mind, and this year I took the plunge and received a class set of balls through Donors Choose. 


Most students are able to focus more as they are able to get their wiggles out with the movement the balls offer.  I have to say the balls are not a fix all.  At times, I have switched students to a chair and students have the opportunity to in the morning to switch a ball for chair for the day. 

 
 
 
The students also have the opportunity to stand and work.  I have opted out of using my desk this year and students work there standing up during Daily 5 Reading and Math.  I also have  students who have a hard time sitting and at times they stand at their desks. 
 
 
 

These are a few of the ways by students are able to work through out the day.  I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences. If you enjoyed this BRIGHT IDEA, please consider following me on BLOGLOVIN' or FACEBOOK for more tips and ideas. 

For more Bright Ideas from 100 other bloggers, please browse through the link up below and choose a topic or grade level that interests you.  Thanks for visiting!
  

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Five For Friday {5/16}


Can you say 14 days of school left?  YIKES!  I am not sure where this year has gone, never mind the past week!  I am linking up with Kasey at Doodlebugs Teaching with Five for Friday.

http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/
 
 
The final Mother's Day Paintings!
The kids loved the vases cut out of from my huge stash of scrapbook paper. 
I loved their paintings :)
 
 
 
My intern and I at
our PTO Walkathon Fundraiser
This is such a busy time of the year
 with so many planned and spontaneous activities!
Our PTO pays for charter busses for all our field trips.
Such a blessing to the students.
 

 
I loved this science fair project.
My intern did a fantastic job with this project.
 
 
This adorable craft is included.  Check it out :)
 
 
 
Compound word practice.
Kids love anytime they can come up and interact with the lesson.
by Latoya Reed at Flying into First
 
 
 
Our animal projects have come to a close.  The students researched, planned, labeled, wrote, edited and revised their informational books about an animal of their choice. The end results were nothing  short of amazing.  You can find the unit  HERE.  It is a well planned, all inclusive writing plan by Susan Jones from TGIF
 

 And that my friends is a wrap!
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Teacher Appreciation Week {Wednesday}



Day three of pampering continues:) We started our day with a beautiful breakfast from PTO with bagels, casseroles, muffins, coffee cake, coffee and juice.  It was all homemade and fabulous:)

I can't believe we only have 4 weeks of school left!  My firsties are busy this week with Mother's Day projects, opinion writing and double digit subtraction.  My intern has her second informal observation on Thursday after walk-a-thon and it just makes us realize this year is coming to a close!
 
 
Here is the start to our project.  I can't wait to share the final project.  The kids are LOVING the paint and creativity. 

Today is also We {HEART} Teachers Day 3 sponsored by Leigh at The Applicious Teacher. Today's giveaway are amazing products that will get you ready to start a new school year (Don't blink!).



Don't forget to head on over to enter!

 
And last but not least, I am offering All About Nouns at 40% off until FRIDAY!  If you purchase it today, you get an extra 10% off with the code TPTXO. 
 
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-About-Nouns-1006535
 
 
 
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Teacher Appreciation Week {Tuesday}



I feel so loved today.  Our PTO delivered vases with beautiful greens to get us started and asked the students to bring in a flower for their teacher.  They even encouraged them to bring a flower from their yard.  So sweet:)  My intern and I shared the flowers and we both ended up with a beautiful arrangement!


Today is Day 2 with Leigh over at The Applicious Teacher.


Today is all about Teacher Glamour!  I wish I was able to enter in win because this giveaway is fabulous! You can win actual products! That's super exciting:)


Yes, and then you can also win gift cards:)  Remember to head over to The Applicious Teacher to enter.

And last but not least, don't forget to head on over to Teachers Pay Teachers to redeem the sale code:)


I have bundled my Fry Words Units into the Fry Words MEGA Bundle {Fry Words 1-500} and it is 20% off today and tomorrow along with the rest of my store plus the extra 10% from TpT!


Hope your day was as sweet as mine!

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Teacher Appreciation Week {Monday}



I hope your teacher appreciation week started out on the right foot!  Our school PTO sponsored a Cinco de Mayo luncheon for teacher appreciation!  It was delicious:)

We all love to be pampered and now it is your turn!


Thanks again to Leigh over at The Applicious Apple for organizing these amazing giveaways.  You can click on her blog button to head on over and enter The Pampered Teacher Giveaway and The Primary and Perfect Giveaway.

I have donated my All About Adjectives
to the Primary and Perfect Giveaway! 
Click on the picture below to see All About Adjectives.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-About-Adjectives-1180682
Did you hear the SALE news? TpT is offering 10% off all products on Tuesday and Wednesday with the code TPTXO for Teacher Appreciation Week.  I am offering an additional 20% off in my store.
You can click in the button below to head on over to my store.  Today is a great time to start filling your cart.  I know mine is overflowing:)

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Tammy-Wathen

Remember to head on over to The Applicious Teacher to enter the rafflecoptor for Primary and Perfect as well as The Pampered Teacher by clicking on her button below.

http://theappliciousteacher.blogspot.com/2014/05/we-heart-teachers-day-1.html

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We {Heart} Teachers and TpT's HUGE Sale


 
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week Eve! 
 
I have been working on a little something to share with all my followers to show you how awesome and dedicated you truly are!  I have joined up with Leigh from The Applicious Teacher and several other bloggers for a GIGANTIC week long event!
 
 
Let's face it, teachers word HARD!  We love what we do and we love our students.  So this is your week:)  This event will run from Monday, May 5th through Friday, May 9th.  There will be giveaways, freebies and SUPER fabulous deals.  I encourage you to stop by daily to feel the LOVE!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Ashley-Reed-5447
 
In addition, TpT is having their Teacher Appreciation Sale on Tuesday and Wednesday this week.  When you use the code TPTXO at checkout, TpT will give you an extra 10% off!
 
But wait, there's MORE!  I will have my entire store on sale on Tuesday and Wednesday for 20% off so that's a combined savings of 28% off! Pssss- don't forget the code!
 
 
Oh, did I mention we are giving away TWO -$35.00 gift cards to use on TpT during the sale!  Yes, enter the rafflecoptor below for a chance to win!
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you would like to see more sneak peeks for the upcoming week, head on over to The Applicious Teacher by clicking on the button below to see what Leigh has organized for everyone!

http://theappliciousteacher.blogspot.com/2014/05/we-heart-teachers-saluting-those-who.html


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