A Product, Giveaway, and Sale All Wrapped into ONE Brightly Colored Package!

I have so much to share with you all on this lovely Thanksgiving eve!

First, I wanted to let ya'll know that I am participating in a jam-"pack" filled giveaway with Kristen over at Easy Teaching Tools to have a lil fun celebratin' "Christmas (Early) in November".

Seriously friends...Santa stuffed his bag on this one as there are 26 amazing products to be won! Click on the link above or the giveaway image to check them all out! The giveaway begins today and runs through December 1st!

Going along with this giveaway, I thought I'd unveil my latest product to you all! 

This one, I will admit, veers a bit from my "primary" roots, as it is geared for intermediate grades. I had the priviledge of teaching a lesson on place value in one of our 4th grade classrooms this past week and to close we had a blast with this little "I have...Who has...? Review Game. This game focuses on numbers in the ten thousands to the billions place and is available in both English/Spanish for my 4/5 teacher friends! You can check it out at my store by clicking on the image below....OR...feel free to enter yourself in the "Christmas in November" Giveaway as this little diddy was my contribution (and let's be honest there are a ton of other wonderful products you can win from some of your fave. bloggers as well!)

Now...have no fear my dear primary friends...I have an update for you as well!

Last year I had posted my "I have...Who has...? Place Value Game I had used with my second graders that went from the ones to ten thousands place. However, as I used it as a bridge to English for them I only had originally created it in one language. While creating the intermediate grade game, I felt compelled to go back and update the primary to English AND Spanish. Thus, for those who have already purchased it (go back and redownload the update if you would like both versions!)....and those who were holding off before when it only came in English- feel free to click on the image to check out a  preview of what it now looks like in both!

Oh and one more thing!....A little glimpse into the future....

Yes, friends, in honor of CYBER Monday, TpT will be working alongside a variety of sellers, like myself, to host a ginormous SALE. My newest products above, along with all others in my store, will be 28% off when you use the code in this adorable image compliments of Krista Wallden! The sale will run Dec. 2-3, so start loadin' your favorite items in your carts and on your wishlists now! There is no better way to spend Thanksgiving day after the turkey coma has set in and all the family has gone home- veg out and shop away!

Oral Language Groups

Over the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to model an oral language group or two for some of our staff. Oral language groups are a wonderful way to help not only ELLs/SSLs build their second language, but are also a great strategy for any student who needs to develop vocabulary, specific speech and sentence structure patterns, etc.

I thought I would share one of the lessons that I did with you all as it follows a pretty basic format that could be adapted to a variety of students and topics. This lesson is a two day lesson that I did in two 20 minute blocks with a group of four first graders at the beginning stages of their second language development in Spanish. The goal was to build their understanding of how to form simple sentence with a commonly used key phrase. (Please note: A similar lesson could most certainly be done in English as well!)

The Lesson...

Day 1: 

After going over the expectations for an oral language group, I began by placing the following objects on the table in front of the students without the labels. I then asked them to turn and talk to a table partner and share anything they knew about them (names, what they can do with them, etc.)

After the students had a sufficient opportunity to share with one partner, I encouraged them to share their ideas out to the group. (Note: The partner strategy often helps students to get their ideas out in a less intimidating way. It also gives them a chance to hear some ideas of others that they then may be able to share out to the group!) As the students shared what they knew about the objects, we placed labels next to them with the object names and practiced reading/identifying the objects several times.

I then introduced the students to one of my favorite books for building vocabulary - "Veo" aka "I Spy".  We discussed what the term "veo" meant and I asked the students to show me which part of their body they utilize to "see" objects.

I opened the book up to a selected photo and presented the students with this key phrase...

I instructed the students to look at the photo and using the phrase share items that they saw with their table partner. (Some of the students may share the name in the dominant language or may simply provide a description, which is perfectly fine- it can be a teaching point when sharing with the group!).

After the students had sufficient time to talk with their partners, I told them we would be working together as a group to write the text for this page of the book. I strategically covered the author's words with white construction paper ahead of time, as I wanted the students to come up with their own ideas. Thus, as the students shared their key phrases and items spied, I wrote their ideas onto the paper.

Notice anything about the picture?! Yes, the objects we discussed ahead of time or "realia" as I prefer to call them helped prep the students for success when sharing! Furthermore, as I wrote the students words, I also added a small picture to go along with our sentence to continue to foster comprehension. Many time the students shared new words as well! After we finished our text, we reread it together as a group.

Day 2:

To begin Day 2, we worked together to reread the words we had written describing our photo. I then presented the students with the idea that during this session they would be working to create their own "Veo" books.

I must say...there is nothing fancy to be seen here...but it is very quick and practical to put together! I simply folded a piece of computer paper together with a piece of double sided handwriting paper with space for a picture!

Each student started by copying the title "Veo" onto their cover page along with their name.

After creating the cover, I instructed the students to write 4 "Yo veo _____" statements (one on each page) along with a corresponding picture to represent what they had written. I let the students know that it was okay to select from the items we had investigated and/or to take it a step further if they were comfortable and search for items around their classroom to add. Either way they were working with that key phrase I really wanted them to master!

In this example, the student chose to write phrases using some of the items we explored.

On this page, the student chose to branch out and include an item she saw in her classroom (there were leaves they had created as a class hanging up!)

To finish our lesson, I asked the students to read their story to a partner in the group. They then placed their story in their classroom book boxes as it is now a comprehensible text that they can read (at their level ;)) to practice their Spanish!

As I stated above, this is just one (basic) example of an oral language group... but it is one that could be adapted very easily. I encourage you to include photos, books, etc. that are connected to your content along with sentence patterns and vocabulary that are geared toward what you would like your students to master! You will be amazed how quickly your students not only develop language, but also how comprehension and literacy skills improve as a whole when you work with them to foster their oral skills!

Currently November!

I can't believe it is already November. Time's a flyin'!

Linking up with "Oh' Boy 4th Grade" to share a bit about how I'm ringin in this month...

1.) Anyone else love a good "E! True Hollywood Story"? Something about learning about celebrities lives is just so intriguing. 

2.) I love fall. If I can curl up with a blanket in a big oversized sweatshirt, I am set!

3.) Chores...I think there are some dishes in my sink that I am trying to convince to wash themselves as well.

4.) Some of my colleagues and I are heading to the Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago today to check out their "Dia de los Muertos" exhibit. Then we are heading out for a local restaurant for dinner! It's so nice to spend QT together outside of school!

5.) Alright ya'll...the fiancé and I are seeking out a fab. honeymoon destination! We are trying to find somewhere unique and different to go but that isn't over the top, going to cost as much as our wedding, expensive. Suggestions?

Sidenote: We got our engagement photos back this week and they are just too fun not to share a few....so just for kicks...

A little more serious...

A little more goofy...

My amazing photog. friend Marissa Webb captured these beauties for us.

6.) Finally something yummy to share...

I haven't made these puppies yet...but they look absolutely scrum-diddly-umptious for the season!

What are you all up to this month?

I Spy! Halloween Style!

Looking for a way to keep your kids learning and engaged amongst all of the Halloween insanity! Look no further :)!

I adore "I Spy..." games as they are such a great way to get students up and moving around the room while at the same time reviewing key learning concepts.

I recently created two different "I Spy..." games for reviewing basic math facts to use on this upcoming festive occasion!

For the primary teachers, "I Spy Addition! (Halloween Ed.)" contains 16 game cards to hang/hide around the classroom with basic addition facts up to 10. Also included is a recording sheet for students in English/Spanish to jot down the facts and their responses.

For my intermediate folk...grab a copy of "I Spy Multiplication (Halloween Ed.)". Same stuff included....but multiplication facts instead of addition!

Click on either image to grab a copy for your class to engage your candy-crazed kiddos on Halloween day!

Parent-Teacher Conference Resources

This week our building is hosting parent-teacher conferences. To help prep our new staff members we hosted a professional development session on Monday morning in which resources were shared to help them in planning for this big event!

Planning for conferences, in my opinion is the most time consuming and difficult part! The following few items are a sample of what was given to our new staff to help with this process...hopefully they will be useful for you too!

One of the items shared was this little ditty that can be sent home with students a few days before conferences for parents to fill out and return. This info. sheet is great as it gives you insight as to how the parents are feeling about their child's school year thus far, as well as alerts you to any talking points that they may be interested in touching on ahead of time.

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You can snag this handout in English/Spanish here.

At the end of our session, staff were given this planning reflection sheet that has a variety of questions to ponder in working to organize oneself for conferences.  It gets you thinking about organizing your student information and space, what you plan to send home with parents as well as how you intend to followup post-conferences!

Grab a copy for yourself or another colleague here!

Here are also some links to other resources I have come across in the past few days that I found helpful for planning created by all of you!

"123 Parent Conference with Me" - A handout for organizing student information including areas of strength/weakness created by Kinder Learning Garden.

"Parent-Teacher Conference Report" - This is another great handout created by Sprinkles to Kindergarten! for organizing student information and also includes checklists for work habits and attitudes. 

"Building Skills at Home - Parent Handouts" - These are an awesome resource to pass out to parents from Primary Junction to give them ideas of how they can be assisting their child at home in the various subject areas! While it is only in English, you could most def. pull a few of the points and translate them as needed as well!

"Student Self-Reflection" - These handouts by Lesson Plan SOS could be used pre-report card or conference time to get students to do some reflecting on their own learning! 

If you have any more bright conference planning ideas, activities, or handouts, feel free to share below so that I can keep adding to my list!

Flash Sale! Catch it before it disappears!

Congrats TpT on reaching such a milestone, and thank you for being such an amazing avenue for us teachers to buy, sell and share our products!

Spanish Apps for the Classroom (that I love!)

Over the past week I have been working with our district technology specialist to test out and review a few apps for our dual language classrooms. I thought I would share some of my favorites I have run across with some of you (and if you have any you love as well...I'd love to hear about them and add them to my list!)

So without further ado here are some...

Fonts/Graphics: Rowdy in Room 300, The Enlightened Elephant, Erin Bradley, Anita Goodwin

1) Spanish Word Wizard

I am seriously in LOVE with this app. 

I have found a variety of apps for English spelling that enable you to put in specific spelling lists for your students, but never anything in Spanish...until now! Not only that but the app already has a variety of themed and high frequency word lists in place for your students to practice from. It also includes the "Moveable Alphabet" component which enables your students to play around with letters to listen to their sounds and form syllables, words, etc. There is also a Spanish speaking voice that reads along with each letter, syllable, or word that they put together to reinforce skills each step of the way!

Here is a short video of the app in action!

The cost is $2.99, but in my opinion it is well worth it! 

2) My First Book of Spanish Alphabets by Ilmasoft

This free app is great for the primary classroom. It includes all of the letters of the Spanish alphabet (upper and lower case) and as the students scroll over them they are read to them. They can also select the "Cante conmigo" button and sing along to the alphabet song.

Furthermore, the students can look at examples of words that begin with each of the letters, these words are read and they even hear a corresponding sound that is affiliated with the word!

3) Word Breaker- Spanish

This app is a good one for intermediate grade students. It gives your students a beginning letter and they they have 7 attempts to determine the 5 letter word that begins with that letter. It will highlight which letters are correctly placed in purple as well as which letters are part of the word but not yet correctly placed in green. Furthermore, it will indicate to the students words that do not actually exist by graying them out. It also gives the students 1 hint letter if needed! It costs $1.99.

4) Paso a Paso

This is another great primary literacy app. It includes a variety of different activities to reinforce letter sounds and syllables.

For instance, in this activity screen, the students must select the picture which begins with the letter U and drag it to the hat.

In this second activity screen, the students must count and select the number of syllables in the word.

There are a variety of other similar activities included as well! You can get the lite version of this app for free, but the full version (which I would recommend) costs $2.99.

5) Kindergarten Addition/Subtraction

These two math apps are great because they enable you to change the language in which the directions are given into Spanish. You also have the ability to set them up by student so that you can create individual settings if desired as well as usernames for each kiddo! 

Here is what the setting screen looks like:

You can also get a lite version of this app for free or the full app (either the addition of subtraction) both cost $0.99 each.

Hope you find this list useful! As I continue to find more (which I hope I do) I will try my best to share them with you all, and as I said if you have some faves, please send them my way! Sharing is caring ;)!