Teacher Appreciation Freebies Roundup

Teacher Appreciation Week may be coming to an end, but the celebration isn't over yet!  Teaching Blog Roundup is teaming up with 20 of the best blogs to host this Teacher Appreciation FREEBIES Roundup blog hop.

Thanks for stopping by my blog!  I would like to show my appreciation with some end of the year tips and a couple freebies for you.

It is so CRAZY the it is nearing the end of the school year- (not that the kids are crazy or anything...) it just doesn't seem like it can be...  we have only 12 more student days.

As we wind down, I thought I would share some tips that may (or may not) be useful to you!

TIPS

1.  Go outside and let them play all day.  (OK- don't do that, you may lose your job!)  But, you could give extra incentives for some extra recess time to help keep them from running all around the room calm for the remainder of the school year.  Don't ever under estimate bribery!

2.  When I was teaching in the "regular classroom," I would always have the students write a letter to their next year's teacher.  Even though they didn't know who their teacher was going to be, they could tell a little about themselves.  I would have them write about their families, what they like/dislike about school, and something that they wanted their teacher to know about them (interests etc.).  This is a great way for the teachers to learn a little about the students before meeting them AND it provides a writing sample:)  Here are some writing papers for you to use if you want:)

3.  ALL KIDS ARE JUST AS EXCITED FOR SCHOOL TO END (as we are).  Truth is, this is NOT true.  Many kids are ready to be done with school and enjoy the summer.  But, there are also many that really love school and don't want it end.  Have a talk with your kids about what to expect for the summer months.  Let them know that it is okay to be excited about summer and it is also okay to feel a little sad that school is going to be out.  Some kids also get nervous about change (don't we all) and aren't sure what to expect at the next grade level.  Talk a little bit about the teachers that they will have next year.  Maybe you can even take a little "tour" to their classrooms and introduce them to the teachers.  This may help with some anxiety issues.

4.  Lastly, we want them to have some memories from the year.  I don't know about you, but I pretty much remember NOTHING about Kindergarten, First, or Second Grade.  I know, as a teacher, we think they will remember us forever.  I'm sure most won't, but if we can provide them with some proof that we were with them for 180 days of their lives- lets do it!  I whipped up a little memory book.  It isn't anything too fancy. It is simple and will provide them with some memories.  The book has covers for Kindergarten, First, and Second.  Click on the picture to download it!

I'm glad you hopped by!  If you are new to my blog and liked what you see, don't forget to follow me!  Now head over to Fun in K/1 to roundup the next FREEBIE!







We Appreciate You!

While you are here, you can stop by my May-ga Giveaway.  

I'm linking up with TBA!

I am also linking up with Manic Monday!

Blog Hop Coming FRIDAY!!

COMING SOON!

Teresa from Fun in K/1 is hosting a Teacher Appreciation Blog Hop.  I will be showcasing some end of the year tips as well as a freebie!  Make sure you stop back!

My May-ga Giveaway is still live through May 14th!  Check out the last three blog posts!

May-ga Giveaway Day 3

Here it is- the last and final day of my May-ga Giveaway!  You definitely do not want to miss out on this one!

The first prize for Day 3 is a $25 Gift Certificate to TPT!  This can be used on ANYTHING on the site!!
You can also pick any item from my store.

Mel, has graciously donated $15 of products to her either of her stores!  Her blogs are Frog Spot and Graphics from the Pond.  She is truly talented!

Tamera over at My Heart Belongs in First is donating any item from her TPT Store.



Teresa from Fun in K/1 is donating any item from her TPT Store also.

And Angie from First Grade Scoop is donating any item from her TPT Store.


And now for your FREEBIE!  I made some Reading Response sheets that can be used either at a listening center or used with any book!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you haven't checked out Day 1 and 2- you can still enter!!

May-ga Giveaway Day 2

Welcome Back!  It is Day 2 of my May-ga Giveaway!  I have more great blogger/teacher friends who have donated their awesome products for this giveaway.  Check it out below!

First up- Christy and Tammy from Fluttering Through First Grade.  If you want a good laugh, you have to check out their blog!  The humor is awesome!  They are donating any product from their TPT Store!

Rich from Mr. Giso's Room to Read is also joining me and donating any item from his TPT Store.



Julie from Math is Elementary is donating any item from her TPT Store.



And, DeAnne from First Grade and Fabulous is also offering any item from her TPT Store! 

As promised, here is a FREEBIE for you today!

You can enter through Rafflecopter below
a Rafflecopter giveaway

May-ga Giveaway! Day 1

It's here- MAY!  I can't believe it is May... can you?  Soon, I will be able to sleep in- I can't wait to be able to sleep in.  Then get up and enjoy the sunshine while sitting on the back deck.  Which happens to be exactly what I am doing at this moment.
Here's my view in the backyard:)

Okay- back to reality.  The reality that there is still another month of school left.  I can't believe how wound up the kids are already!  I'm not sure that I will survive!  I'm sure it will fly by.
Before the end of the year,  I wanted to have a giveaway- so here it is!

My May-ga Giveaway!   I have had some awesome teachers join me with the giveaway!  I am going to spread it out over three days- AND each day there will also be a freebie for you!  So, you are definitely going to want to stop back.

Here is Day 1!  This package has products from 5 awesome teachers.  I will be giving away any item from my TPT Store also!  Check them out below:)

Samantha over at Ms. Smarty Pants is offering any item from her store!


Erin Murphy is offering any item from her TPT Store.

Andrea from Reading Toward the Stars is offering her newest Comprehension Bundle Pack.

Sara, over at Miss V's Busy Bees is offering any item from her TpT Store!

And, last but not least- Brian from Hopkin's Hoppin' Happenings if offering his newest Cell Phone products.  

You can enter to win these awesome prizes below using Rafflecopter!

On top of all of this fun Giveaway stuff- I have a FREEBIE for you today!  I created these Teacher Appreciation pages for you to use.  You can let other teachers know how much they are appreciated.  Have your students write a letter to a past (or current) teacher, or have the students sign a "chart" of appreciation, or tell a teacher their top 5 reasons why they are the BEST!

Come back tomorrow for Day 2 of my Giveaway!  More great products to come!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FREE Summer Books for kids going into First Grade

Heard of Reading Reading Books?  No, that's not a typo....  There is a publishing company that has leveled readers and they are located in Reading (pronounced "Redding") PA.  I was sent an e-mail that offers FREE books and worksheets to accompany each book for students going into first grade.  These books are leveled A-D.  

I am planning on sending some home with the students that I will have next year in First Grade with a little "goodie bag" for them.  Here is a direct link:)  There are 10 book in all.  What a GREAT freebie and I really like their books!

Enjoy!

Don't forget to check out my May-ga Giveaway going on right now!

Mother's Day Special

You know how kids say the FUNNIEST things??   Kind of like the AT&T commercials "Is it better to have more or less?"- Every time I see one of those commercials, I just have to laugh!  That is my day- all day-everyday working with my small groups. (If you have no idea what I am talking about- you NEED to Google it).

Want Mom to laugh too on Mother's Day?  I have a Mother's Day Book called: The World Needs Moms.

The students get to answer questions about their moms- for example:

What kind of little girl was your mom?
Who's the boss at your house?
Why did your mom marry your dad?
What does your mom do in her spare time?

These are just a few... there are many more.  With this book, you can pick and choose which questions to use (I would suggest 5-7) OR you can even let the little ones choose which ones they want to put into their book. (Included is a set for Grandma as well).

To make it even sweeter- the students can bring in a photo of themselves with their mom (or they can draw a picture of mom) on the last page!

One thing is for sure, you will get LOTS of laughs at what the little ones come up with for answers!

So, I decided to do a little Mother's Day Special!  Go ahead, shout it out!  WOO HOO!

If you purchase ANY item from my store, you can get this book for FREE!  All you have to do is send me an e-mail (jjohnson9774@gmail.com) and tell me your TpT username and what product you purchased!  I will e-mail it to you within 24 hours.  Click on any of the pictures to get to the full description of the Mother's Day Book.  REMEMBER:  Do not purchase it from Teachers Pay Teachers.  If you purchase any other item- send me an e-mail and I will send you the Mother's Day Book.

This offer is only valid through Mother's Day 2013!

While you are here... I made a graphic organizer for my Retelling Unit and then decided not to add it in the product.  So, I am offering it here as a freebie!  This can be used to help students plan for writing OR students can retell stories that they have read using ordinal words.