Back to School Freebies and Ideas!

It's back to school time!  I am so excited to start another school year with so many possibilities!  I am moving back to first after looping up with an awesome group who is now on to 3rd grade!  First grade is an opportunity for sooo much growth.  There is such a huge difference from first to second grade and when you loop back down you have to make so many adjustments.  

I created this FREE coloring page to help ease those first moments as students enter your room.  They color as you deal with the first moment craziness!!! It has Preschool through 6th grade pages available...  just print and done!

These FREE supply labels help get you organized as student supplies come in... They are great for back to school night or the first day of school...

Also I have this back to school packet with tons of activities  to keep students engaged and active!

Grandparent's Literacy Night

Every year our school has a Grandparent's Breakfast. It is organized chaos. Every. Single. Year. We have tried different things each year. Grandparents don't pay, Grandparent's pay, every staff hand on deck, different grade levels coming at different times, on and on. But every year it is chaos.

This year our school is displaced. Our K-1 is in an old school that closed a few years ago. Our 2-3 is at a church about 10 blocks away, and our 4-5 is at another church about a mile away. This displacement had us thinking how would we do Grandparent's Breakfast? Everyone starts their day at the K-1 building then load transfer buses and go to their locations for the day. How were we going to house an extra 200 kids in this building for breakfast? So I suggested we do a Grandparent's Literacy Night. We had different stations for the Grandparent's to do with their Grandkids. Here are the stations we had for Grandparent's Literacy Night:

This idea came from a friend of mine. Grandparents and grandkids fill this out together. Grandparents answer the questions for when they were in elementary school. Then the kids answer the questions for themselves. My mother-in-law loved doing this with her granddaughter! Here are their answers:

At this station grandparents and grandkids see who can make the most words using the word grandparents. I printed and laminated the letters for them to use. 

I thought of this as a quick easy thing for kids to make. This ended up being everyones favorite station! I have to admit...I think I colored about 5 myself. As we were setting up, several teachers also made some bookmarks. 

I had a teacher at this station laminating the bookmarks for the kids as they finished them.

We always happen to have Grandparents Breakfast during Book Fair week. I know...great idea on our part. Grandparents can't say no...especially when its books!!

We also served cookies and punch along with our event. A wonderful time was had by all. Several Grandparents commented that they like this better than the breakfast because they got to spend more time with their grandkids. One even said their was much less waiting! All around we think it was a great night. Here is a link to all of these things for FREE!!!! Grandparents Literacy Night Freebie

CVC Sound Boxes Freebie

Sound boxes are great  activities for beginning readers and writers!  They are pretty simple, to the point sound boxes that:
~help students segment the sounds in a word
~increase phonological awareness
~help students learn to decode words
~reinforce the short vowel sounds

You can make a set for each kid in your class, just a few sets to put out for early finishers, or use them as a station.  I spend time modeling how to use the sound boxes.  Modeling the direction and how to "push" the sounds with a spacer are important so that students get the most out of the activity.

I number each card in each set on the back with a flair pen before I laminate.  This helps keep kids from getting them mixed up when they are working together or when a loose card shows up we know which set it goes with.  

Finally, I just place the cards in a baggie with an eraser and dry erase marker.  My students keep them in their rainbow drawers.  This way they can pull them out when they finish something and need some meaningful independent work.  Each week as we learn new vowels, I add the new vowel but leave a few of the vowels we have worked on in the past in the baggie.

You can grab up the "short a" version of the boxes HERE for free!  

The whole set can be grabbed up by clicking HERE!

Mini Math Booklets!

So many times, I am searching for ways to supplement my math curriculum with extra activities and opportunities for practice!  These booklets are designed to save you time as a teacher and to help you be flexible with your teaching! They have been a life saver some weeks!

~You choose how many pages you complete each day.

~You choose how you complete the activities... whole group, small group, independent work or in stations.

~Save paper by copying these half pages front to back.

~Forget multiple sheets of paper and copying every day... just copy once and you have activities for a week (or more!).

~Quickly check student progress by flipping through the booklet.

~Different types of activities to engage different types of learners!

~When your class has completed the booklet you can send it home to show parents what you have been working on.  Plus, you don’t have to place multiple copies in mailboxes... just one booklet per student!

There are many books to choose from!

Money Math Mini Book

Time Math Mini Book

10 More & 10 Less Mini Book

Decade Numbers Mini Book

Numbers 11-19 Mini Book

Graphing Mini Book

Greater Than & Less Than Mini Book

Fractions Mini Book

Measuring with Units

Understanding the Equal Sign

2D and 3D Shapes

Ordering By Length

Or you can grab up the bundle!

Arrays for Beginners

Arrays are the beginning step to understanding the concept of multiplication.  Most second grade teacher introduce them to the whole class towards the end of the year.   I always want to make sure my students have a firm grip on the concept of arrays before I mix in multiplication!  I have found that kiddos kind of "lock up" when you throw the word multiplication at them.  When they naturally start to see it with arrays, they are more comfortable and excited to start venturing into multiplication!

This is a great You Tube video for showing kids arrays in their environment.  My students always love finding and pointing out arrays around the building after we watch this video!


You can use all kinds of odds and ends from your classroom to create arrays with your students.  Here are a few of the things we use to create arrays.  No need to run out and buy anything, just create with what you already have jammed in your craft closet!

We use bingo daubers to create arrays on scrap pieces on paper.

Small cheap stickers are a great way to motivate kiddos to create arrays.

Pom Poms are a great way to create arrays.  You can even use muffin tins to keep them lined up!  

I always seem to have extra cups from parties.  They are a great tool for making arrays.

I created a packet for students who are beginning to use arrays.  Here are some of the easy to prep activities included in the packet!

Students match the array to the addition sentence and then record the answers on the sheet.

Students match the numbers of rows and columns to the card that shows that array.

Students use dry erase markers on laminated cards to make the addition sentence.

Students sort the arrays onto the column sorting mats.  This includes a recording sheet to check for mastery!

Students sort the arrays onto the row sorting mats.  This includes a recording sheet to check for mastery!

8 array worksheets are included that can be used for assessments, morning work, or homework!

You can grab up this array packet in my TpT store by clicking the image below!

Storing Stations

Teachers are always looking for ways to store things. I have had a few teachers ask how to store their math stations for the year. Here are a few ideas to help you get organized for the new year!

These storage tubs are my favorite! Several teacher in my building have gotten them through Donor's Choose.  After you have prepped and cut all of your stations, you can place them in these tubs.  

 The only drawback to this is they will take up some space.

 I use packing tape to keep the title on the top of the tub.

But when it is time to change out stations, just grab the tub you need and put the other one back on the shelf.  Click here for the boxes on Amazon. But don't forget, try www.donorschoose.org!

I LOVE these envelopes! I use them A LOT :)

I use packing tape and tape the title page on the outside of the envelope. If I don't do this the kids pull it out with the other items, then we don't know what station it is!

I keep the pieces and recording sheets in the envelope along with what is needed for the station. 

Click here to get plastic envelopes on Amazon. 

One of my fellow teachers got these carts on Donor's Choose. They are great for so many things in the classroom. They are great for storing math stations. I put a small label on the front. Then the directions, pieces, and supplies in the drawer. 

Click here for the cart on Amazon.

If you are a teacher, you have binders everywhere! Grab some page protectors and put your stations in these when not in use. 

Here are the math stations:

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

These have 1 math station for every Common Core Math Standard in each grade level. All for less than $1 a station! 

The possibilities are endless!