Sunday, July 31, 2011

Bee Themed Clip Chart

Beee Themed Clip Chart is now complete.  It will be available soon at the Teaching Oasis.  If you need it before then visit my classroom website for payment information.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

More Clip Chart Themes Being Added

First of all thank you for your patience as I create these.  New themes added our Camping, Frog, Groovy, and Pirate.  I have added a link on my classroom website if you wish to purchase these before they are uploaded to the Teaching Oasis site. Please be sure to include the theme you would like and your email address. Hopefully this will speed up the process up a bit since I will be taking a graduate class next week and working on my own classroom.  I also included full samples of the clip charts.  Again if you are interested in the student sheet check the sample click here. (They are pretty much the same.)



I'm still working on the Bee theme and will do a Star, Apple theme. 



Friday, July 29, 2011

Giveaway Time

First of all thank-you to all of my 137 Followers.

And the two winners are:

Courtney from Swimming into Second
and

Dina

Email me at sandra@teachingoasis.com and I will send you your subsitute activities.

In the next couple of weeks I will have a Back to School Freebie. (Probably in 2 weeks) So check back often. :)

clip chart update

Just saw that the themed clip charts have been uploaded to the Teaching Oasis site.  Thank you Ms. Winston! :)
These are for the themes Seuss, Polka Dots, Hollywood Western, Ocean/Beach, Detective, Sports, Rock Star and Jungle Safari.  These can be found on the classroom themes page.

As word is getting out about the themed clip charts.  My requests list is getting long.  I will do my best to complete as many as I can.  Next week I start I math class and will be getting my own classroom ready.  So please be patient.  It takes time to upcome with sayings for each of the themes.  I work in spurts, and right now I need a little break from the clip charts. 

The pirate theme is almost completed, and then I will be working on frogs bees and many more. 

Just wanted to share my log sheet that I keep to track student behavior. So far I've only kept a log of anyone who has moved their clip down.  I have students fill this out.  I will this way a lot because students take ownership of their behavior by writing down what it was they did.  Plus it always helps to show that to parents when they say my son/daughter said they didn't do anything wrong.  Just show them the records- it's in their child's own handwriting so it's hard to dispute that way. 

I keep this in a binder.  You could also have a sheet for each child.  This past year I started off with using a daily one that all students who moved their clip down would use.  But after the first quarter I only had to use it for one child.  So they had their own personalized sheet.  (Students hate writing in the Behavior Book- whatever works)


I will be back later tonight to select my 2 winners for the latest giveaway.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Polka Dot, Hollywood, and Seuss Clip Charts

Here are the samples.  Like in my post below, if you need these before they are uploaded to the Teaching Oasis site please email me at sandra@teachingoasis.com  Thanks.
$2 for clip chart $1for student behavior sheet (see post below)



Either Friday night I will have Clip Charts for Hollywood, Jungle/Safari, and Pirate theme completed.
Thank you for your patience.

Don't forget my giveaway ends Friday night.  Scroll down for that post. 

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Themed Behavior Clip Charts

Feeling a lot better today. Thanks for all the get well wishes.   I have 4 themed clip charts completed.  I will post samples  here. They will be for sale at the Teaching Oasis, but I'm sure Ms. Winston is busy getting her new classroom ready so please be patient.

 If you would like to make a purchase before they are uploaded please contact me directly at
sandra@teachingoasis.com

Themed Clip Chart Sayings are $2.
I also created student behavior charts.  The format is very similar for all themes so I am going to post one sample only.  These are $1.  (These you can add your own rules and add dates.  These are not editable.)


Tomorrow I will be working on a Dr. Seuss and a polka dot theme charts. Then if I have time I will update my Hollywood, Sports and Jungle/safari theme. What other themes/general clip chart would you like to see?  I rather take some requests instead of guessing what teachers would like to see at the Teaching Oasis. 

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

100 Follower Frebbie and Giveaway

So today I reached 100 Followers.  Enjoy your freebie.  This is great to use as an emergency substitute activity, homework, or as a center. 

On Friday evening I will select 2 winners for a set of emergency substitute activities. This is what is included in the set.
All you have to do is be a follower to this blog and leave a comment below on this thread.  Good luck I will pick a winner on Thursday night. 

Update on Themed Behavior Clip Charts:  The last day and half I had the stomach flu. So I'm a little behind in my plans, but plan to have some samples in the next day or two.


100 Followers

Yeah!!!  I see that I have reached 100 followers.  Thank-you.
Later today I will post a freebie for everyone, and give some information on another giveaway. 
So check back later.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Behavior Clip Chart Fans

After many requests for more behavior clip charts.  I've decided to work more themed sets.  These will be sold at the Teaching Oasis.  These will be more "cutesy" than the plain ones I have posted here.  (I will be redoing the sports, hollywood, and safari/jungle from plain to fancy)

Right now I'm thinking of starting with Ocean/Beach, western, pirate, detective, space, rockstar, and Dr. Seuss.

Don't have a theme.  I will creating some general ones as well. 

I will be starting to work on these this week.  Please be patient the next 2 weeks are very busy for me, and then I have to work on my own classroom.  I will do my best to get as many as I can done before I start school again.

I will keep everyone updated on behavior clip charts.

I see that I am 26 followers away from 100.  So if you are not a follower yet do so.  When I reach 100 I will have a freebie.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Fun in First Grade Linky Party

Fun in First Grade is have a having party about teacher's favorite Back to School Ideas.  It's always great to get new ideas for Back to School.  So head over to Fun in First Grade for some inspiration.

Fun in First
I got this book last summer and my class loved it!  They really did believe teacher's do what the story says.  Gotta love 2nd graders.  Can't wait to read this again to my new class. 
What Do Teachers Do (After You Leave School)? (Carolrhoda Picture Books)

Here's another idea.  Every year my class always requests that we chant this poem. 
2nd Grade Army Song

Second Grade, second grade, what do you say? (repeat)
We're gonna have some fun today!
(repeat)
We're gonna read and write and spell!
(repeat)
We do these things very well!
(repeat)
Sound off
1-2
Sound off
3-4
Bring it on down now (at this point my kids stand up and boogie down)
1-2-3-4
1-2
3-4!!!!

Emergency Substitute Activities

This summer I wanted to set up Emergency Substiute Plans.  I usually do have lesson plans available, but sometimes there are activities I'd prefer to do with my class rather than having somebody else do it.  So I have been going through my files for activities that would great for substitutes.  (Many of these ideas I did use while I was a sub. teacher before getting my 1st teaching job.)

Many of these activities need little or no preparation.  (dice and deck of cards for math activities)

If you want more Substitute Activities check out these links at the Teaching Oasis.


Also check out Ms. Winston's book units under monthly resources.  They make more great emergency sub. plans in a pinch. 


One more thing we need 49 more followers to reach 100.  When I reach 100 followers I will post a freebie on this blog. 

Sunday, July 17, 2011

New Blog Design

Well I have a new blog design, and I love it!  Finally found something that was just right for me.
If your interested in a blog design check this site out.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/dreamlikemagic

I finally have a Button. So go ahead and Grab that and post that on your blog if you have one.  My blog is still new so many teachers don't know about my blog.  I hope to have 100 followers soon so I can post a freebie for everyone. 

Friday, July 15, 2011

Mrs. Bee's Linky Party


Mrs. Bee is having a Parent Involvement Linky Party.  Hop on over there and check it out.

Here are the things that I do in my 2nd grade classroom.

Weekly Newsletter
Website
STAR Binder
ABC brochure
First Day Guidebooks

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Stamina Graphs

When I first started teaching centers and even when I moved to a guided reading approach my biggest issue was student stamina.  Starting off the first day of school building reading stamina and charting our progress was a huge success. 

My 2nd graders were very eager to see the bars on the graph increase.  When student stamina increased significantly I start bragging to other teachers, the principal etc.  Students love it when you brag about them about their progress.  Students even love to use the word "stamina". 

Some tips: I usually start at 3 min. but this will vary depending on your class and grade.  If I see that students might be able to go another minute or two on the first day I let them read longer.  The goal is to have students feel success right from the very beginning, especially those students who haven't had tons of success in the past.  This gives students motivation to go even further on the next attempt. 

For the most part I do take things slowly. If I have students getting up or start talking I stop.  I am very strict at the beginning of the year with this because I want students to reap the rewards later.

Here are the stamina graphs that I use.

Reading Workshop

Looking for ideas to start your reading workshop?  Here are some mini-lessons to get you started.

Looking for more Reading Workshop Ideas check out The Teaching Oasis.  We have great resources for author and genre studies, reading skills/strategies, reading logs, and much more.  So be sure to check us out!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Beginning of the Year Writing Mini Lessons

Yesterday I saw Mrs. Bainbridge's organization of her reading and writing.  So today I started organizing my own binder of writing workshop ideas. 

Here are mini-lesson ideas for w.w.  They are just ideas not necessary in any specific order. 

Hope you find them useful. 


Be on the lookout for more writing ideas soon.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Giveaway Time Congratulations Dmelo34

And the winner is Dmelo34 you win your sports theme First Day Guide Book, end of year memory book and reading log.  Please email me with your contact information so I can send your freebies. (just click on the football player)  Congratulations


Thank you for all your suggestions on science and social studies activities.  This weekend I worked on activities for the moon and the scientific method.  So look for that soon at the Teaching Oasis. 
This week I'm working on weather activities.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Friday, July 8, 2011

Another Giveaway



So here's my giveaway for having 400 + fans of the Teaching Oasis.

I will be giving away Themed First Day Guidebooks, Fillable ABC brochure, End of Year Memory Book (I know I don't have all the themes finished yet- I'm working on that this summer.), and a reading log.  This is a $9 Value.

Here's what you have to do:
1.) Become a follower of the blog if you haven't already.
2.)  Comment on this post and tell me what theme you would want to have.
3.) What science or social studies topics would you like to see added to the Teaching Oasis website.
4.) If you have a blog, spread the word about my giveaway.

A winner will be picked from a random number generator on Monday night.  (July 11th)
Good Luck! :)

Mrs. Bainbridge is also doing a Classroom theme giveaway.  So you may win both; you never know.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Giveaway Time



The Teaching Oasis has reached 400 Facebook fans.  YES!!!
(Thank you) so we are having a giveaway; so check out the link below.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Teaching-Oasis-LLC/140757939283256

1.  If you haven't already "Liked" us yet do so.
2. ) Then write a comment under the post telling us what you would like from the site now.
3.) Then tell us what would you like to see added to the Teaching Oasis site in the future.

On Fri. night Ms. Winston will choose a winner who will receive $10 worth of free materials of their choice from our site.
Good Luck!

I'm also celebrating our 400 + Facebook fans so I am giving away a freebie, (Coming Soon- by Friday) and I after I reach 100 follower on this blog I will post another freebie.  So pass the word along about my new blog. 

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Survival Kit

Greet your new students with this Back to School Survival Kit.  I attach the sheet to a white paper bag and all the items are inside the bag.  It makes a for a great surprise on the first day of school when the students see this on their desks.

Back to School Survival Kit

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Facebook

The Teaching Oasis has 344 fans on our Facebook  page.  The 3 of us have decided to do a give a way when we reach 400 fans.

So come Like us on Facebook.


Back to School Ideas

On my website I have several activities for Back to School.  Be sure to check it out.!

Back to School Activities

Teaching Oasis

Mrs. Winston has been working hard on updating The Teaching Oasis site for us this summer. (Thank you! :)
 If you haven't already checked it out be sure to do that.  More updates will come this summer.  So check back often. 

Be sure to follow us on Facebook also for updates.

  http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Teaching-Oasis-LLC/140757939283256