Sunday, February 27, 2011

Dr. Seuss Word-O

Click here for your copy!!
Have fun playing with your Word Wall Words or even "Seussical Words!!"

Have a great week celebrating a wonderful author!!!!!!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Fashion-A-Fish

I LOVE this activity! The kids get so creative! I decided to put it into centers rotation this week to go along with our Dr. Seuss theme! This activity goes right along with One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish!


Materials:
*Play Dough
*Recording Sheet

Have the kids create their own fish! I do set some guidelines just so the Play Dough doesn't get all mixed up. I am requiring one color for the body and then they can add up to 3 colors for accents! I made an example...the kids come up with way cooler stuff!!! I also created a recording sheet for the kids to fill out after they create their fish!


Click here for the recording sheet!!



Sunday, February 20, 2011

Bossy R & Reader's Theatre/Lunch box anyone???

Meet Bossy R!

The kids LOVED meeting bossy R. [I whipped this beauty up in all about three minutes!] She was definitely a hit and it really seemed to stick with the kids. Bossy R went to the park with her friends E, U, and I and she didn't let them get a word out!!! 

In our Reading Street book this week we read Where Are All Of My Friends? It is written in play form with five different characters. The kids had a BLAST splitting into groups for "play practice!" It was a really fun week. We are "performing" our readers theatre this week for the kindergarten classes. We let the kids make their very own masks. They turned out SOOOOO cute!!!! We let them use anything they wanted. I am so impressed with their creativity and imagination! It was messy, but worth it!
{Bear}

{Goose}

{Hummingbird}

{Squirrel} 

 
{Raccoon}

Everyone should do a Reader's Theatre in their classroom. It is so much fun and the kids eat it up!!!!


P.S. Scholastic has awesome books in their March catalog! A Junie B. book for $1, a Jan Bret book for $5, and many more steals of deal. I might or might not of spent $50 in books! [Plus 5 free books!!]


P.S.S Need a new lunch box or teacher bag????? I sell 31 bags and would love to sell you a new spring print!! Take a look at the awesome new catalog, you won't regret it!! Plus, spend $31 and get 31% off any item! Get to shopping!
View Catalog Here

Fashionably Late???

Well, what a blogger I've been this past week! I guess that's what happens when you actually have to teach a full week! Man, I think I was a little used to the snow breaks! ;0) However, thank you blog friends for looking past my absence and nominating me anyways!!

Seven things about me...

1. I cheered for ten years and even cheered here at Oklahoma State my freshman year of college. 

2. I pray every night I get a teaching job and I don't have to move home with the fam and start my Masters. Although, I do want to get my Masters, I am just ready for a little break and I really want my own classroom? Is that too much to ask for, Texas???

3. I lived with 100 girls in the sorority house for two years. Loved every minute of it! I have met my lifelong best friends.

4. I am the girl that says what everyone else is thinking. ;0)

5. I must watch TLC every night before falling asleep. I am really enjoying the episodes about the Queen and her family. I also love Cake Boss, The Duggers, and my fav Locked Up! And I can't stand What Not To Wear!!!!

6. I am addicted to Coke. But it's okay because I only drink one a day!

7. My Nanny was 96 when she died in December. She was my best friend. She still drove, lived alone, planted flowers, etc... She was amazing and I miss her dearly every day! 

Since everyone seems to already be stylin' - I nominate this award to whoever isn't! 

Post to come later with pics & ideas!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

March is Dr. Seuss' Birthday

In celebration of Dr. Seuss' Birthday next month we are going to incorporate lots of fun activities throughout the month. We will read his books, make awesome painting, play some whimmsical games, and learn to write funny poems just like Dr. Seuss himself!!! 

I have been brainstorming a bullentin board idea for March and what better way to display all of our fun Seuss excitement! This is what I have come up with so far!! I found this AWESOME art project on deepspacesparkle.com [bomb website for art ideas] and I have totally ran with it and making it our own! This is a rough sketch of bullentin board. Promise it will be MUCH cuter!!


Here are some other examples of the fish art work...I think they are so precious!


Since we will talk a lot of Dr. Seuss' famous quotes I thought it would be fun for each child to write and display their favorite quote. Here are a few that  I will have printed out for them to pick from!
*A person's a person, no matter how small.
*And when they played they really played. And when they worked they really worked!
*Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
*Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way!

I just love his quotes!!! 
I'm compiling a list of a bunch of fun stuff to do throughout the month. Nothing big, but something fun that will take ten minutes or less! Our class LOVES reading and I have learned so many valuable things from Mrs. Pratz! She has an amazing reading program that I will share at some point! Let's just say the kids have almost read 6,000 book this year as a class!! Phenomenal, I think so!!!!

What do you do to celebrate Dr. Seuss???
Please share!!!




Wednesday, February 9, 2011

A few more V-Day ideas & an AWESOME new blog

Here are what the kids are doing for their Valentine sacks this year! Sorry, I don't have a sack at home but we are using large white sacks! Ya know, the ones everyone uses! This is not a very good pic but you get the idea, right? Questions, comments, concerns just ask! ;0)

I made four templates of the large hearts (the kids will cut their own) and I made a template for the feetsy hearts and cut them out myself. Yes I know, I'm anal! I also made the name tags and cut each of those out. I also made the eye hearts on Word, though I just cut those into pairs and the kids will trim the edges! I drew on the circle dots and the cute little eye lashes! I accordian folded the red tongue and cut squares for the kids to fold to cut the heart at the tip of the tongue! And dot the nose! There ya have it!


This is an awesome art project that you can use in your classroom to talk about lines, symmetry, color, etc.... It's a great project & the kids LOVED it!!!!!!!
What ya do.... Cut poster board into rectangles (size is up to you!) and take a piece of foil and fold it over (glue the edges)! Next, you will have the kids draw a heart with a permanent maker (it's okay, you can do it!) and then draw lines - we told them to only draw 4-6! (For the kids that would of drawn 100!!) Then you just use different Sharpies to color in the lines! Simple, but cool!! [Notice my design is a heart and star....totally not on purpose! And I actually don't really like it because I would rather just see a heart!] 

Moving on....
Check this NEW blog out! I designed her header tonight & totally love it! Suzanne is a second grade (looping) teacher and is amazing! She is so creative, I mean she has a lime green room! Awesome! Please check out her fabulous Eric Carle idea for when she teaches first! Introduce yourself and become a follower. You won't regret it! She has awesome ideas! Stay tuned!!

Off to plan for next week & *design* a bullentin board for March!!!

And The WINNERS Are.....

Thank you SO much to everyone who participated in the apron giveaway! I am so glad everyone loves them as much as I do!!! They really are great!! I have another announcment but I will announce the WINNERS first! :0)



Congrats Bethany & Suzanne! You have until Friday morning to claim your APRON!!! 

Okay, next on the agenda! Because of the great feedback on the aprons I am going to be making custom aprons just for YOU!!! At a great price of $15 (plus shipping)!!!!! Please email me @ claire.knight@okstate.edu if you want an apron! You will for sure be the stylist teacher in your building!! I will customize colors just for YOU! :0)


Email me. NOW!!! 

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

The Day It Rained Hearts....

All of our centers for next week are Valentine related! Most of the great things we are using came from What The Teacher Wants! Go. Now! You won't regret it! 
Some of the centers include:
*Candy Heart Patterns
*Graphing with Candy Hearts (tally marks & bar graphs)
*Place Value with Candy Hearts

However, I did create this cute little writing activity! Read the book "The Day It Rained Hearts" and have the kids imagine what they would do on the day it "rains" hearts! Watch their imaginations soar!!! 





Book List*
*The Day It Rained Hearts
*Froggy's First Kiss
*The Biggest Valentine Ever
*Roses are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink
*Mouse's First Valentine
*Dinosaur Valentine [I remember this from elem school]
*Sweet Hearts

What kind of love notes are going around your room right now???
Mine go something like this...

Dear *,
You are the apple in my eye!

I love you,
*

Precious.


Monday, February 7, 2011

Under "Contraction" Construction -UPDATED

Here is a fun little activity for your kiddos to work on contractions. It's very simple but helpful!
Pretty self explanatory, too!! Don't you love that?


**Laminate & Cut Out! 

Hope you Enjoy! Let me know what ya think! :0)
Monday is over!!! Were your kids chatty Cathy's today????


P.S. Giveaway ends Wednesday!!!!!
Scroll down for details.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Money & Time

How do you incorporate money & time into calendar or morning meeting??
Also, what other activities do you do with your students to work on these skills?

I'd LOVE your ideas!!!! In fact, if you have a blog post about either of the above why don't you leave your link in a comment so others can visit too!!! Thanks! :0)

Have A Heart...

This is a great way for parents to know what the needs are in your classroom. Hang this sign outside your door or visibly in the classroom with hearts posted around labeled with classroom needs!! 

Feel free to print it off, laminate, and enjoy! 




[Also, a big thank you to those who graciously sent me emails about Google Docs!]

Saturday, February 5, 2011

100's Day Activities

Some of you have asked what we are doing for 100's day. Because of the crazy snow flurries our 100th day has moved to this week. This is a very vague line up of our activities; however, if you need more details please just ask me! I would love to share! 

The most fun part about our day is our kids are dressing up as 100 year olds!!! Hilarious? I think so!
I can't wait to see what they come up with!!

[Click to enlarge!]

You can visit my *FREE* TpT store to find some of these fun things!


I also found this great idea at KinderPond! I made my own certificate but I LURV the idea!! 
Feel free to print them off for your smarties! Don't forget to attach a Hershey kiss or a pack of smarties! And print on colored card stock!!! :0)
Find it on TpT!

On the 101st day of school we are watching 101 Dalmatians and eating pizza! It is our celebration for reaching 5,000 books and chapters as a class! I will post about reading program on another post! ;0)

I promise I'll figure out GoogleDocs soon!! ;0)

Friday, February 4, 2011

GE 8 Expectations for Living

Okay, here you are!! These are the Expectations my kiddos are expected to follow. I went to Great Expectations training last summer and am so. glad. I. did!! Seriously, it's phenomenal!! If you ever get a chance you need to go! Wonderful ideas for classroom community, management, etc... I'll be sharing many on this blog!! Here are the 8 Expectations! So sorry I don't know how to use GoogleDocs (I know, I know...I'm sure it's easy!) I need to try to figure it out this weekend! {Help Appreciated}

Go to my TpT store HERE!
However, everything is *FREE* - as always!
Download the 8 Expectations and hang them in your classroom. Introduce/model/repeat/model some more, etc.. you get my point! Watch the moral in your classroom TOTALLY change!!! Any questions, just ask. I'm no pro BY ANY MEANS but I have had wonderful cooperating teachers mentor to me and fill my bucket FULL of awesome management ideas! 

Get excited for more!!! :0)
It's the weekend that means I go CRAZY with classroom ideas! Don't we all!?!?

Take a look at em' here & don't forget to go to TpT to download your own FREE copy of each!





{Only 7 of the 8...Didn't screen shot the last one and I'm too lazy to go back!}

I'd love to know if you will use them in your classroom & how they are working!!! What Expectations or "rules" are your students expected to follow?? 

Doesn't "Expectations" sound so much better than "Rules"??
I agree!!!! :0)

Something to Look Forward To!!!

A MUST I find in the classroom - 8 Expectations for Living!
Be on the look out for these amazing expectations on some cute lil signs to hang in your classroom!

{Only a screenshot~ No worries!}


I will post tonight!!!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Every Teacher Needs An Apron

Well, it's time for my first giveaway!!! I have been making aprons and lately making aprons for my teacher friends. Do any of you use sticks to call on students? Do any of you need your cup of sticks but they are across the room? Well...I have a SOLUTION! 



This cute little apron can be worn all day long and the pockets come in handy for your sticks or whatever else you want to carry around like stickers, markers, pens, etc...


Visit my real life BFF Kylie (above) here!!
I LOVE the idea & hope you do to!
I am giving TWO away to TWO lucky readers! 

All you have to do is....
*Become a follower of Miss Knight's Khronicles (1 entry)
*Tell me what your fav colors are (1 entry)
*Blog about my giveaway (3 entries)
Combine all entries into one comment, please! 

The winner will be announced February 10th! :0)
Please leave your email address for contacting purposes!

"Brain Feelers"

I found a similar idea on  Patton's Patch; however, I ran with her idea and made it my own!!! 
I LOVE how my "Brain Feelers" turned out!!! You know after you read a story and you want to ask your chillins all of these wonderful [comprehensional] questions....well now you have em' ready made for you in a jar!! Wha-hoo!! Pull a stick one at a time and ask random kiddos in your class! The mystery of which question and who you will call on will keep them engaged to the fullest! 







What you need:
*Cup
*Sticks
*Pom Pom (for the feelers)
*Labels or just a pen will do
*List of questions
*Hot glue

Enjoy!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Handwriting Fairy

Yes, I am stir crazy & completely 100% sold out on things to do. We were just informed that we will not have school tomorrow either! WHAT?! Well, I will continue to craft and create!

Tired of sloppy handwriting and no name papers?!?!?

This little magic works. like. a. charm!! Introduce it as a very special treat! I use it very sparingly but when I do deliver the little goodies it's like Christmas morning. The kids LOVE it!!!! I try to leave it on a few desks in the morning maybe once or twice a week. I don't want to over kill the fairy!! I leave this little note with a sharpened pencil from the dollar store. Cheap gesture but works like a million bucks! Try it!


I still need help with Google Docs... until then I'll keep putting FREE items on TpT!
Snag your NEAT TREAT here!

Money Games & President's Day

Welp!! Another good ol' snow day in Oklahoma! I'm sure people up north think we are so ridiculous; however, we are in a STATE of EMERGENCY, people!!! I have to say I would much rathe be at school, but while I'm home I guess I should get some stuff done!! I will be uploading the activities & games as I finish them on to my TpT but they are FREE! I just can't figure out how to work Google Docs, help would be appreciated!!!!

First activity is Race to $1.00 (variation of Race to 100, anyone) This is a simple activity for the kids to work on coin recognition, as well as, counting to 100 or $1.00. Enjoy!

**FREE**




Creative Writing Activity
"If I were President, I would...."
Get it here!


Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Meet the Teachers

My favorite blogger ever, Cara Carroll, is brilliantly hosting a link party for all of us teachers to meet one another. I LOVE reading teacher blogs everyday. My blog addiction started with my personal blog, Completely Claire, and now I try to manage both. Whew!! I love finding new blogs & new ideas. Some of my favorites are school blogs, DIY craft blogs, sewing blogs, and of course any blog with a cute little baby on it! Head on over to The First Grade Parade to play along!
Now a little about myself...





That's me and Caleb, high school sweetheart of over five years. Whew! I graduate in May from Oklahoma State. I have loved every minute of college but am looking forward to having my very. own. classroom! I am student teaching in 1st grade & love it so much! I am the oldest of five kids. Yes, five! Caleb is the middle of five, crazy huh! I am from Texas, yehaw! Grew up cheering and actually cheered at OSU for one year. I love to do crafts, teach, love, sew, organize, and cook! Blogging is one of my favorite past times. And man, does it sure make the time pass!!! Ha!



Now for the Q & A
Q: What would you be doing if you weren’t a teacher?                                              
A:  A nurse!! I fell in love with each of my Nanny and Grandpa's nurses this past fall. They are angels in this world! 


Q: What are your hobbies?                                                                                    
A:  Friends & Family. OSU Cowboy Sporting Events. Blogging. Teaching. Sewing. Crafting. Planning.                                                                 


Q: When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?                     
A:  A teacher. 100%. I could of told ya that at like four years old!
   
Q: What are your guilty pleasures?                                                                   
A: Coke. Ice Cream. Wal-Mart brand Sherbert. Blogging. TLC. Forever 21. Nordstroms. Shoes. Crafts. Fabric.


Q: What is your biggest fear?!                                                                        
A: Visit Completely Claire to find out! I just wrote a blog post about fear!


Q: When you’re on vacation, where do you like to go?                                    
A: The beach! I love to relax, swim, and sleep in all while hearing the waves roar!
                                                          
Q: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?                                                  
A:  Who you are is God's gift to you. Who you become is your gift to God.


Q: What do you value most in others?                                                                   
A:  Loyalty. A friend is someone who will stand by your side through anything and everything.


Q: If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass down to your kids, what would it be?                                                                                                        
A: My ability to stay organized!     


Q: If you could have lunch with anyone in the world….living or dead…who would it be?                                                                                                                
A:  My Nanny! I would give anything to have ONE more lunch or dinner with her! Miss her dearly~


Now tell us one random thing about yourself:
I have never, ever eaten a banana. True story!


I'd love to "meet" you!! Become a follower of Miss Knight's Khronicles & Completely Claire!
 
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