Literacy Center Cards

How do you organize your centers?  I do a combination of Daily 5 and the requirements of my school district.  Here are some cards that help me communicate with the children.  I mount these on tagboard and put magnets on the back, and I can organize our Literacy time anyway I want.  Come on over to Elementary Matters to see ideas!

How do you organize your centers?  I do a combination of Daily 5 and the requirements of my school district.  Here are some cards that help me communicate with the children.  I mount these on tagboard and put magnets on the back, and I can organize our Literacy time anyway I want.  Come on over to Elementary Matters to see ideas!

How do you organize your centers?  I do a combination of Daily 5 and the requirements of my school district.  Here are some cards that help me communicate with the children.  I mount these on tagboard and put magnets on the back, and I can organize our Literacy time anyway I want.  Come on over to Elementary Matters to see ideas!

Workstation Reflection Tool

You may have seen this assessment tool referred to as an Answer Board. As an accountability tool for workstations or centers, have kiddos respond with something they learned, a reflection, or an Ah Ha moment from their day's work.  Head over to my blog to read more and grab your freebie (some assembly required...LOL)!

Math Coach’s Corner

You may have seen this assessment tool referred to as an Answer Board. As an accountability tool for workstations or centers, have kiddos respond with something they learned, a reflection, or an Ah Ha moment from their day's work.  Head over to my blog to read more and grab your freebie (some assembly required...LOL)!

Math Coach’s Corner

You may have seen this assessment tool referred to as an Answer Board. As an accountability tool for workstations or centers, have kiddos respond with something they learned, a reflection, or an Ah Ha moment from their day's work.  Head over to my blog to read more and grab your freebie (some assembly required...LOL)!

Math Coach’s Corner

Calendar Activities

It's about time, teachers, -- calendar time!  

Recently, I posted about introducing patterning and predicting to your calendar activities. (See blog post here.)  

Calendar icons for Sept. & Oct. are available FREE at Tpt and at TN. The response was enthusiastic and overwhelming.  Naturally, that spurred me to create calendar icons for the entire year.  

Each month's icons increase the complexity of the pattern.  Simple patterns based on color transition into color, shape, and direction properties.  

The simplest pattern begins in July, in deference to those of you who teach in year-round schools.  The calendar icons come in sets of 31, allowing you to use them in any month you choose.  I have also included some icons for special days, such as Father's Day or the first day of spring. 

I like to place the special day icons on the calendar on the first day of the month.  Then as we do our calendar activities, we can count the days until Father's Day, for example. We can also predict what the icon for that day will be, ultimately replacing the special day icon with the patterned one.  The hardest part for me is not affirming my students' predictions until we reach the actual day.  It's just so rewarding to hear the kiddos squeal, "I was right!" when that icon is placed on the calendar.  

My calendar unit includes title strips for each month. The title strips are designed for 8 1/2" x 14" paper.  

All of the traditional calendar activities continue. Naturally, we name the day, tell what day came before, and which day will come next.  We still bundle sticks into groups of 5 to tally our days in school.  Counting the days until the weekend or a special day carries on, and so forth...

As you set up your calendar center, always try to work smarter, not harder.  Laminate the icons before using them.  Attach them to the calendar template with Velcro dots.  Place each month's set in a manila envelope safely stored in that month's file folder.  

By using patterned icons, you can simply add another dimension to your calendar activities.  In naming the pattern and predicting the next icon, you are exercising your students' critical thinking skills, challenging their visual discrimination abilities, addressing the CCSS, maximizing your teaching time, and engaging your students in a fun and valuable activity.  It's about time, teachers!

                                                                                                                     


Follow me on facebook and Pinterest.

It's about time, teachers, -- calendar time!  

Recently, I posted about introducing patterning and predicting to your calendar activities. (See blog post here.)  

Calendar icons for Sept. & Oct. are available FREE at Tpt and at TN. The response was enthusiastic and overwhelming.  Naturally, that spurred me to create calendar icons for the entire year.  

Each month's icons increase the complexity of the pattern.  Simple patterns based on color transition into color, shape, and direction properties.  

The simplest pattern begins in July, in deference to those of you who teach in year-round schools.  The calendar icons come in sets of 31, allowing you to use them in any month you choose.  I have also included some icons for special days, such as Father's Day or the first day of spring. 

I like to place the special day icons on the calendar on the first day of the month.  Then as we do our calendar activities, we can count the days until Father's Day, for example. We can also predict what the icon for that day will be, ultimately replacing the special day icon with the patterned one.  The hardest part for me is not affirming my students' predictions until we reach the actual day.  It's just so rewarding to hear the kiddos squeal, "I was right!" when that icon is placed on the calendar.  

My calendar unit includes title strips for each month. The title strips are designed for 8 1/2" x 14" paper.  

All of the traditional calendar activities continue. Naturally, we name the day, tell what day came before, and which day will come next.  We still bundle sticks into groups of 5 to tally our days in school.  Counting the days until the weekend or a special day carries on, and so forth...

As you set up your calendar center, always try to work smarter, not harder.  Laminate the icons before using them.  Attach them to the calendar template with Velcro dots.  Place each month's set in a manila envelope safely stored in that month's file folder.  

By using patterned icons, you can simply add another dimension to your calendar activities.  In naming the pattern and predicting the next icon, you are exercising your students' critical thinking skills, challenging their visual discrimination abilities, addressing the CCSS, maximizing your teaching time, and engaging your students in a fun and valuable activity.  It's about time, teachers!

                                                                                                                     


Follow me on facebook and Pinterest.

It's about time, teachers, -- calendar time!  

Recently, I posted about introducing patterning and predicting to your calendar activities. (See blog post here.)  

Calendar icons for Sept. & Oct. are available FREE at Tpt and at TN. The response was enthusiastic and overwhelming.  Naturally, that spurred me to create calendar icons for the entire year.  

Each month's icons increase the complexity of the pattern.  Simple patterns based on color transition into color, shape, and direction properties.  

The simplest pattern begins in July, in deference to those of you who teach in year-round schools.  The calendar icons come in sets of 31, allowing you to use them in any month you choose.  I have also included some icons for special days, such as Father's Day or the first day of spring. 

I like to place the special day icons on the calendar on the first day of the month.  Then as we do our calendar activities, we can count the days until Father's Day, for example. We can also predict what the icon for that day will be, ultimately replacing the special day icon with the patterned one.  The hardest part for me is not affirming my students' predictions until we reach the actual day.  It's just so rewarding to hear the kiddos squeal, "I was right!" when that icon is placed on the calendar.  

My calendar unit includes title strips for each month. The title strips are designed for 8 1/2" x 14" paper.  

All of the traditional calendar activities continue. Naturally, we name the day, tell what day came before, and which day will come next.  We still bundle sticks into groups of 5 to tally our days in school.  Counting the days until the weekend or a special day carries on, and so forth...

As you set up your calendar center, always try to work smarter, not harder.  Laminate the icons before using them.  Attach them to the calendar template with Velcro dots.  Place each month's set in a manila envelope safely stored in that month's file folder.  

By using patterned icons, you can simply add another dimension to your calendar activities.  In naming the pattern and predicting the next icon, you are exercising your students' critical thinking skills, challenging their visual discrimination abilities, addressing the CCSS, maximizing your teaching time, and engaging your students in a fun and valuable activity.  It's about time, teachers!

                                                                                                                     


Follow me on facebook and Pinterest.

Using HotDots in your Reading Centers!

Hot Dots come in MANY different subject areas & age levels!
an easy way to integrate technology 

I  found that they're not expensive at all.  I've always seen the $50+ price tag attached to Hot Dots.  I didn't realize that was if you planned to purchase the pens in bulk, or as a set of six.  I learned you can actually get started with Hot Dots for around $19 ~ yay!  You can purchase a pen for around $9.50 and get a set of cards for around $9.50 as well.

When my package arrived, I received my Hot Dots pen and three card sets.  I was excited to see what these gadgets did and how they could engage my children.  Because I actually took the time to try out each package, I feel like my mind has been changed about this product.

I love trivia ~ and Hot Dots offer me a challenge while giving immediate feedback:

Yes, I'm hooked!  In the video above, you can see the feedback the pen provides for correct and incorrect responses.  Each pen type makes different sounds.  The dog pen barks.  You also get a good glimpse of what the cards actually look like.  For me, this is huge.  I enjoy seeing the materials that will be in the student's hands.  If the the layout is not aesthetically pleasing, the children will not be that engaged and could become distracted.  The Hot Dots cards are great!

I received three sets of Hot Dots cards: Synonyms, Context Clues, and Human Body.  By far, my favorite set is Human Body.  The Human Body cards are larger and include colorful illustrations and pictures.  They are developmentally challenging (which I love!).  They're not too easy, and they encourage critical thinking. 

What I recommend to get as your 'starter kit:'

 1 pen & 1 set of cards = about $19

I love to shop.  I love it even more when the experience is stress free.  Because my time is often limited, I like to get great things without spending a lot of time or a lot of money.  Therefore, because Hot Dots are a bit on the pricy side, I'd like to make a recommendation for what I would purchase.  In fact, I've already ordered another set of cards.  

First, you need a pen.  There are 3 choices:

Please click here to see the pens on the Educational Insights website.

You can also  buy a pack of pens.  They come in sets of six.  

Then you need a set of cards. I'll feature a few of my favorites below.

I'd start with one set, see how you like it and how you'd use it with your students.  Then get more.

*Click here to see all of the Hot Dots Items from Educational Insights*

Here are the Human Body cards I love:

Even if the human body isn't in your standards, I recommend getting these cards.  I find that we are all interested in learning more about ourselves, and these cards are informative while interesting.  They'd be great to place in a discovery center.

If you do word work or vocabulary building, you'll love the context clues set:

Again, there are so many card sets to choose from.  Please click here to see all of the sets available.

What I really Love about Hot Dots:

I go bananas over products that are ready to use upon arrival.  The less I have to learn, the better!  I don't have time to read a big instruction manual or teach myself how to get creative with a tool.  With Hot Dots, I opened the clear wrapping of the card set and placed a battery in the pen.  Bam - ready to go!  

I instantly thought of several ways I could integrate this feature into my existing curriculum and schedule.  In fact, I got really excited because I quickly began to brainstorm how Hot Dots would actually enhance my current schedule.   

They're affordable and portable!  Now that I have one pen, I'd like to purchase another so that I can have another partnership working together during our workshop time.  I especially love the corrective feedback Hot Dots provide.  Now, when I'm working with a small group, I know that my other learners are engaged and receiving appropriate guidance or affirmation for their thinking.

Because the cards are so different for each subject area, the engagement level will stay high since the content is so varried.  There is always sometime new to learn!

My students always gravitate towards the National Geographic books and the 'Did you Know' books when we have book orders.  They love finding out interesting facts.  Hot Dots Science cards are going to be a bit hit in my class this year! 

Hot Dots Jr. - A Fantastic Classroom Tool:

I am a second grade teacher; however, I have a four year old who will enter junior kindergarten this year.  I couldn't close this post without highlighting the Hot Dots Junior program.  Here is a great video that goes in detail to explain what sets are included in the Junior set.

I've ordered the Jr. Problem Solving set for my four year old, Jacob:  
There is also a Hot Dots Jr. app available for $0.99 in iTunes:   {click here to see the video and app in action}  

Hot Dots come in MANY different subject areas & age levels!
an easy way to integrate technology 

I  found that they're not expensive at all.  I've always seen the $50+ price tag attached to Hot Dots.  I didn't realize that was if you planned to purchase the pens in bulk, or as a set of six.  I learned you can actually get started with Hot Dots for around $19 ~ yay!  You can purchase a pen for around $9.50 and get a set of cards for around $9.50 as well.

When my package arrived, I received my Hot Dots pen and three card sets.  I was excited to see what these gadgets did and how they could engage my children.  Because I actually took the time to try out each package, I feel like my mind has been changed about this product.

I love trivia ~ and Hot Dots offer me a challenge while giving immediate feedback:

Yes, I'm hooked!  In the video above, you can see the feedback the pen provides for correct and incorrect responses.  Each pen type makes different sounds.  The dog pen barks.  You also get a good glimpse of what the cards actually look like.  For me, this is huge.  I enjoy seeing the materials that will be in the student's hands.  If the the layout is not aesthetically pleasing, the children will not be that engaged and could become distracted.  The Hot Dots cards are great!

I received three sets of Hot Dots cards: Synonyms, Context Clues, and Human Body.  By far, my favorite set is Human Body.  The Human Body cards are larger and include colorful illustrations and pictures.  They are developmentally challenging (which I love!).  They're not too easy, and they encourage critical thinking. 

What I recommend to get as your 'starter kit:'

 1 pen & 1 set of cards = about $19

I love to shop.  I love it even more when the experience is stress free.  Because my time is often limited, I like to get great things without spending a lot of time or a lot of money.  Therefore, because Hot Dots are a bit on the pricy side, I'd like to make a recommendation for what I would purchase.  In fact, I've already ordered another set of cards.  

First, you need a pen.  There are 3 choices:

Please click here to see the pens on the Educational Insights website.

You can also  buy a pack of pens.  They come in sets of six.  

Then you need a set of cards. I'll feature a few of my favorites below.

I'd start with one set, see how you like it and how you'd use it with your students.  Then get more.

*Click here to see all of the Hot Dots Items from Educational Insights*

Here are the Human Body cards I love:

Even if the human body isn't in your standards, I recommend getting these cards.  I find that we are all interested in learning more about ourselves, and these cards are informative while interesting.  They'd be great to place in a discovery center.

If you do word work or vocabulary building, you'll love the context clues set:

Again, there are so many card sets to choose from.  Please click here to see all of the sets available.

What I really Love about Hot Dots:

I go bananas over products that are ready to use upon arrival.  The less I have to learn, the better!  I don't have time to read a big instruction manual or teach myself how to get creative with a tool.  With Hot Dots, I opened the clear wrapping of the card set and placed a battery in the pen.  Bam - ready to go!  

I instantly thought of several ways I could integrate this feature into my existing curriculum and schedule.  In fact, I got really excited because I quickly began to brainstorm how Hot Dots would actually enhance my current schedule.   

They're affordable and portable!  Now that I have one pen, I'd like to purchase another so that I can have another partnership working together during our workshop time.  I especially love the corrective feedback Hot Dots provide.  Now, when I'm working with a small group, I know that my other learners are engaged and receiving appropriate guidance or affirmation for their thinking.

Because the cards are so different for each subject area, the engagement level will stay high since the content is so varried.  There is always sometime new to learn!

My students always gravitate towards the National Geographic books and the 'Did you Know' books when we have book orders.  They love finding out interesting facts.  Hot Dots Science cards are going to be a bit hit in my class this year! 

Hot Dots Jr. - A Fantastic Classroom Tool:

I am a second grade teacher; however, I have a four year old who will enter junior kindergarten this year.  I couldn't close this post without highlighting the Hot Dots Junior program.  Here is a great video that goes in detail to explain what sets are included in the Junior set.

I've ordered the Jr. Problem Solving set for my four year old, Jacob:  
There is also a Hot Dots Jr. app available for $0.99 in iTunes:   {click here to see the video and app in action}  

Hot Dots come in MANY different subject areas & age levels!
an easy way to integrate technology 

I  found that they're not expensive at all.  I've always seen the $50+ price tag attached to Hot Dots.  I didn't realize that was if you planned to purchase the pens in bulk, or as a set of six.  I learned you can actually get started with Hot Dots for around $19 ~ yay!  You can purchase a pen for around $9.50 and get a set of cards for around $9.50 as well.

When my package arrived, I received my Hot Dots pen and three card sets.  I was excited to see what these gadgets did and how they could engage my children.  Because I actually took the time to try out each package, I feel like my mind has been changed about this product.

I love trivia ~ and Hot Dots offer me a challenge while giving immediate feedback:

Yes, I'm hooked!  In the video above, you can see the feedback the pen provides for correct and incorrect responses.  Each pen type makes different sounds.  The dog pen barks.  You also get a good glimpse of what the cards actually look like.  For me, this is huge.  I enjoy seeing the materials that will be in the student's hands.  If the the layout is not aesthetically pleasing, the children will not be that engaged and could become distracted.  The Hot Dots cards are great!

I received three sets of Hot Dots cards: Synonyms, Context Clues, and Human Body.  By far, my favorite set is Human Body.  The Human Body cards are larger and include colorful illustrations and pictures.  They are developmentally challenging (which I love!).  They're not too easy, and they encourage critical thinking. 

What I recommend to get as your 'starter kit:'

 1 pen & 1 set of cards = about $19

I love to shop.  I love it even more when the experience is stress free.  Because my time is often limited, I like to get great things without spending a lot of time or a lot of money.  Therefore, because Hot Dots are a bit on the pricy side, I'd like to make a recommendation for what I would purchase.  In fact, I've already ordered another set of cards.  

First, you need a pen.  There are 3 choices:

Please click here to see the pens on the Educational Insights website.

You can also  buy a pack of pens.  They come in sets of six.  

Then you need a set of cards. I'll feature a few of my favorites below.

I'd start with one set, see how you like it and how you'd use it with your students.  Then get more.

*Click here to see all of the Hot Dots Items from Educational Insights*

Here are the Human Body cards I love:

Even if the human body isn't in your standards, I recommend getting these cards.  I find that we are all interested in learning more about ourselves, and these cards are informative while interesting.  They'd be great to place in a discovery center.

If you do word work or vocabulary building, you'll love the context clues set:

Again, there are so many card sets to choose from.  Please click here to see all of the sets available.

What I really Love about Hot Dots:

I go bananas over products that are ready to use upon arrival.  The less I have to learn, the better!  I don't have time to read a big instruction manual or teach myself how to get creative with a tool.  With Hot Dots, I opened the clear wrapping of the card set and placed a battery in the pen.  Bam - ready to go!  

I instantly thought of several ways I could integrate this feature into my existing curriculum and schedule.  In fact, I got really excited because I quickly began to brainstorm how Hot Dots would actually enhance my current schedule.   

They're affordable and portable!  Now that I have one pen, I'd like to purchase another so that I can have another partnership working together during our workshop time.  I especially love the corrective feedback Hot Dots provide.  Now, when I'm working with a small group, I know that my other learners are engaged and receiving appropriate guidance or affirmation for their thinking.

Because the cards are so different for each subject area, the engagement level will stay high since the content is so varried.  There is always sometime new to learn!

My students always gravitate towards the National Geographic books and the 'Did you Know' books when we have book orders.  They love finding out interesting facts.  Hot Dots Science cards are going to be a bit hit in my class this year! 

Hot Dots Jr. - A Fantastic Classroom Tool:

I am a second grade teacher; however, I have a four year old who will enter junior kindergarten this year.  I couldn't close this post without highlighting the Hot Dots Junior program.  Here is a great video that goes in detail to explain what sets are included in the Junior set.

I've ordered the Jr. Problem Solving set for my four year old, Jacob:  
There is also a Hot Dots Jr. app available for $0.99 in iTunes:   {click here to see the video and app in action}  

Calendar Patterns

Young students love the comfort of a daily routine in their classroom.  One of the most universal routines is a morning meeting with calendar activities.  Lots of math concepts are inherent with calendar activities. But, have you ever incorporated patterning?  

Once September rolls around, I like to subtly introduce patterns on the calendar.  To do this, I provide apple cards for the calendar -- 

As the calendar starts to fill with apple cards, someone always notices that they make a color pattern.  Gotta love those "Aha!" moments!  Once that realization has been achieved, my students have a new challenge at calendar time:  predict what color the apple will be today.  

My first graders really get into this.  So naturally, I have to up the ante with the next month.  October brings autumn leaves --

The first few days of October are such fun as the children try to predict what the pattern will be.  By the 5th of October, the pattern becomes clear.  However, I'm not finished with the predictions...  Now my students have to predict such details as what kind of leaf it is, which direction the stem will point, is the leaf right side up or upside down...  

Common Core Standards are being addressed.  Visual discrimination is enhanced. Teaching time is being maximized.  Students are engaged and having fun.  Try it; you'll like it!

You can get both of these sets of calendar cards for FREE in my TpT store or TN shop.  

Young students love the comfort of a daily routine in their classroom.  One of the most universal routines is a morning meeting with calendar activities.  Lots of math concepts are inherent with calendar activities. But, have you ever incorporated patterning?  

Once September rolls around, I like to subtly introduce patterns on the calendar.  To do this, I provide apple cards for the calendar -- 

As the calendar starts to fill with apple cards, someone always notices that they make a color pattern.  Gotta love those "Aha!" moments!  Once that realization has been achieved, my students have a new challenge at calendar time:  predict what color the apple will be today.  

My first graders really get into this.  So naturally, I have to up the ante with the next month.  October brings autumn leaves --

The first few days of October are such fun as the children try to predict what the pattern will be.  By the 5th of October, the pattern becomes clear.  However, I'm not finished with the predictions...  Now my students have to predict such details as what kind of leaf it is, which direction the stem will point, is the leaf right side up or upside down...  

Common Core Standards are being addressed.  Visual discrimination is enhanced. Teaching time is being maximized.  Students are engaged and having fun.  Try it; you'll like it!

You can get both of these sets of calendar cards for FREE in my TpT store or TN shop.  

Young students love the comfort of a daily routine in their classroom.  One of the most universal routines is a morning meeting with calendar activities.  Lots of math concepts are inherent with calendar activities. But, have you ever incorporated patterning?  

Once September rolls around, I like to subtly introduce patterns on the calendar.  To do this, I provide apple cards for the calendar -- 

As the calendar starts to fill with apple cards, someone always notices that they make a color pattern.  Gotta love those "Aha!" moments!  Once that realization has been achieved, my students have a new challenge at calendar time:  predict what color the apple will be today.  

My first graders really get into this.  So naturally, I have to up the ante with the next month.  October brings autumn leaves --

The first few days of October are such fun as the children try to predict what the pattern will be.  By the 5th of October, the pattern becomes clear.  However, I'm not finished with the predictions...  Now my students have to predict such details as what kind of leaf it is, which direction the stem will point, is the leaf right side up or upside down...  

Common Core Standards are being addressed.  Visual discrimination is enhanced. Teaching time is being maximized.  Students are engaged and having fun.  Try it; you'll like it!

You can get both of these sets of calendar cards for FREE in my TpT store or TN shop.  

The Return of Center Saturday!

Check out my kindergarten work centers from this week!

Head {here} to read my quick discription of each activity.

I hope this helps you plan some great, engaging centers in your classrooms this week.

Mary Amoson, Sharing Kindergarten http://sharingkindergarten.com/ http://www.facebook.com/SharingKindergarten

Check out my kindergarten work centers from this week!

Head {here} to read my quick discription of each activity.

I hope this helps you plan some great, engaging centers in your classrooms this week.

Mary Amoson, Sharing Kindergarten http://sharingkindergarten.com/ http://www.facebook.com/SharingKindergarten

Check out my kindergarten work centers from this week!

Head {here} to read my quick discription of each activity.

I hope this helps you plan some great, engaging centers in your classrooms this week.

Mary Amoson, Sharing Kindergarten http://sharingkindergarten.com/ http://www.facebook.com/SharingKindergarten

Back to School Freebies

Hiya Peeps

Its Shuna P from

Pocket Full of Kinders

I did an amazing guest post over at Kindergarten Lifestyle 

and have some amazing freebies posted if I do say so myself

Check out this post and make sure you bring a boat to store all of your freebies in 

Here is just one of the amazing freebies that you will find over there

Hiya Peeps

Its Shuna P from

Pocket Full of Kinders

I did an amazing guest post over at Kindergarten Lifestyle 

and have some amazing freebies posted if I do say so myself

Check out this post and make sure you bring a boat to store all of your freebies in 

Here is just one of the amazing freebies that you will find over there

Hiya Peeps

Its Shuna P from

Pocket Full of Kinders

I did an amazing guest post over at Kindergarten Lifestyle 

and have some amazing freebies posted if I do say so myself

Check out this post and make sure you bring a boat to store all of your freebies in 

Here is just one of the amazing freebies that you will find over there

Make your own Center Chart!

 Every single teacher make their center time unique... 

and now you can create your perfect center chart!

 I created a digital poster size board and over 40 individual center location cards so you can customize your center time to your needs. This chart will work vertically or horizontally.

I included play centers and work centers.

See more here.

The best part is... almost all the work is done for you. You can print and create exactly what you need!

How much times do your little ones have for centers each day?

Mary Amoson, Sharing Kindergarten http://sharingkindergarten.com/ http://www.facebook.com/SharingKindergarten

 Every single teacher make their center time unique... 

and now you can create your perfect center chart!

 I created a digital poster size board and over 40 individual center location cards so you can customize your center time to your needs. This chart will work vertically or horizontally.

I included play centers and work centers.

See more here.

The best part is... almost all the work is done for you. You can print and create exactly what you need!

How much times do your little ones have for centers each day?

Mary Amoson, Sharing Kindergarten http://sharingkindergarten.com/ http://www.facebook.com/SharingKindergarten

 Every single teacher make their center time unique... 

and now you can create your perfect center chart!

 I created a digital poster size board and over 40 individual center location cards so you can customize your center time to your needs. This chart will work vertically or horizontally.

I included play centers and work centers.

See more here.

The best part is... almost all the work is done for you. You can print and create exactly what you need!

How much times do your little ones have for centers each day?

Mary Amoson, Sharing Kindergarten http://sharingkindergarten.com/ http://www.facebook.com/SharingKindergarten

Milk Lid Math

Milk Lid Math

Tired of those expensive manipulatives that you are constantly replacing because they are lost, misplaced, or damaged?  Have your class start saving milk jug lids because this four page handout contains numerous math activities that utilize this free manipulative.  Milk Lid Math includes 15 different activities which are appropriate for a whole class, small groups, or as a center.  Math topics include graphing, probability, sorting by attribute, patterning, identifying and writing numbers, greater than, less than, writing equations as well as many additional ones.  These activities are appropriate for grades K-5 and take into account the multiple intelligences of visual, logical, and kinesthetic. This is resource is free for the next week.  Just click under the butterfly lid to download it.

I also am featuring another Trash to Treasure idea on my math blog called Put a LID on It!  The posting is about taking plastic lids that you find on coffee, Pringle cans, or margarine tubs and turning them into stencils for a picture graph. 

Milk Lid Math

Tired of those expensive manipulatives that you are constantly replacing because they are lost, misplaced, or damaged?  Have your class start saving milk jug lids because this four page handout contains numerous math activities that utilize this free manipulative.  Milk Lid Math includes 15 different activities which are appropriate for a whole class, small groups, or as a center.  Math topics include graphing, probability, sorting by attribute, patterning, identifying and writing numbers, greater than, less than, writing equations as well as many additional ones.  These activities are appropriate for grades K-5 and take into account the multiple intelligences of visual, logical, and kinesthetic. This is resource is free for the next week.  Just click under the butterfly lid to download it.

I also am featuring another Trash to Treasure idea on my math blog called Put a LID on It!  The posting is about taking plastic lids that you find on coffee, Pringle cans, or margarine tubs and turning them into stencils for a picture graph. 

Milk Lid Math

Tired of those expensive manipulatives that you are constantly replacing because they are lost, misplaced, or damaged?  Have your class start saving milk jug lids because this four page handout contains numerous math activities that utilize this free manipulative.  Milk Lid Math includes 15 different activities which are appropriate for a whole class, small groups, or as a center.  Math topics include graphing, probability, sorting by attribute, patterning, identifying and writing numbers, greater than, less than, writing equations as well as many additional ones.  These activities are appropriate for grades K-5 and take into account the multiple intelligences of visual, logical, and kinesthetic. This is resource is free for the next week.  Just click under the butterfly lid to download it.

I also am featuring another Trash to Treasure idea on my math blog called Put a LID on It!  The posting is about taking plastic lids that you find on coffee, Pringle cans, or margarine tubs and turning them into stencils for a picture graph. 

Using Journals to Manage Centers

One of my biggest pet peeves about centers is managing the papers that tend to come with them!  Loose papers always seem to get lost in my classroom (anyone else have this problem?), so I have found that journals work better.  My students use a variety of journals during centers.  During reading centers, they have their Read the Room Journal and their Reading Response Journal.  During writing centers, they have their Writing Journal and their Science Discovery Journal.  During math centers, they have their Problem Solving Journal. 
In the beginning of the year, I took the time to print and bind each of these journals for my kids.  It took a bunch of time then, but it makes life so much easier now!  (I also bound 5 extra of each journal at the beginning of the year, so that when I get a new student, I have everything that student needs right on the shelf!)  Each set of journals has it’s own bucket and during centers, students pull out their journal and get to work.  The best part is that they leave their journals there and I only have to see their papers when I want to see them, and not when we are cleaning up!  Here is a quick look at what some of the journals look like.  They are all available for you on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Read the Room Journal

Reading Strategies Journal
   
Narrative Writing Journal

Science Discovery Journal
 
Problem Solving Journal
   

One of my biggest pet peeves about centers is managing the papers that tend to come with them!  Loose papers always seem to get lost in my classroom (anyone else have this problem?), so I have found that journals work better.  My students use a variety of journals during centers.  During reading centers, they have their Read the Room Journal and their Reading Response Journal.  During writing centers, they have their Writing Journal and their Science Discovery Journal.  During math centers, they have their Problem Solving Journal. 
In the beginning of the year, I took the time to print and bind each of these journals for my kids.  It took a bunch of time then, but it makes life so much easier now!  (I also bound 5 extra of each journal at the beginning of the year, so that when I get a new student, I have everything that student needs right on the shelf!)  Each set of journals has it’s own bucket and during centers, students pull out their journal and get to work.  The best part is that they leave their journals there and I only have to see their papers when I want to see them, and not when we are cleaning up!  Here is a quick look at what some of the journals look like.  They are all available for you on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Read the Room Journal

Reading Strategies Journal
   
Narrative Writing Journal

Science Discovery Journal
 
Problem Solving Journal
   

One of my biggest pet peeves about centers is managing the papers that tend to come with them!  Loose papers always seem to get lost in my classroom (anyone else have this problem?), so I have found that journals work better.  My students use a variety of journals during centers.  During reading centers, they have their Read the Room Journal and their Reading Response Journal.  During writing centers, they have their Writing Journal and their Science Discovery Journal.  During math centers, they have their Problem Solving Journal. 
In the beginning of the year, I took the time to print and bind each of these journals for my kids.  It took a bunch of time then, but it makes life so much easier now!  (I also bound 5 extra of each journal at the beginning of the year, so that when I get a new student, I have everything that student needs right on the shelf!)  Each set of journals has it’s own bucket and during centers, students pull out their journal and get to work.  The best part is that they leave their journals there and I only have to see their papers when I want to see them, and not when we are cleaning up!  Here is a quick look at what some of the journals look like.  They are all available for you on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Read the Room Journal

Reading Strategies Journal
   
Narrative Writing Journal

Science Discovery Journal
 
Problem Solving Journal