Using Blogs to De-Clutter

Most of what I post is about how to use technology with Early Elementary students, but today I am going to write about a terrific blog that can help other teachers.  
You know that friend/colleague that we all have that has a super organized room and is always on top of everything?  
The Clutterfree Classroom is just like that friend.  She has started a project to help us become more organized, with a task and an assignment each week.  This week I needed to take [and post--eek] pictures of my classroom to show its "before" state.  Did you ever notice how things look worse in pictures than they do in real life?  anyway, here they are.  My room:

Even if I don't tidy up all the spaces that need it, I will (hopefully) become more proficient at posting pictures!  anyone want to come along for the ride?

Second Grade Common Core

I usually talk about using technology with kindergarten students, but I also work a lot with the first-third grade teachers in my building with how to integrate technology into their curriculum.

While on one of my favorite sites (www.havefunteaching.com)  recently I came across a FABULOUS resource for second grade teachers!!!!!!  The Second Grade Common Core Workbook is full of worksheets, activities, posters--all the stuff you need to address the Common Core Standards.  You can download a sample to check the quality--I did that for the kindergarten book--very impressed!  It is a digital download, so you won't have to lug around another big, fat TE!   Check it out :)

Common Core and Math

I know that this year we are going to be focusing more on the common core State Standards in our instruction at my school.  I have put together a chart of the first couple of standards and some websites that the children can use to practice those objectives.  
My plan is to come up with some websites/online activities for the children to use in the computer lab for each of the reading and math objectives.
Hopefully this will be helpful to you :) 


Websites to support K.CC

I long to be "Clutter-free"

The "Clutter-free Classroom" is a fabulous blog!  I started following Jodi last Spring when I stumbled across her blog in an effort to organize my classroom (and my "real life").  She has great organization ideas and tips that are easy to implement NOW.  This summer she has been putting on two series (I am in awe)--one called Classroom 360 which shows how she is decorating/organizing her classroom for the upcoming year (!) and the other is Teacher Tips in which she provides tips and FREE (for a limited time) printables to get organized.  Love it!!  Be sure to visit her blog and be inspired.

New Year's Resolutions

As a teacher, I always think of September as the start of a new year rather than January.  I have been following a lot of blogs this summer and I am resolving to do a better job of keeping my blog updated.  Hopefully I will do better with this resolution than with my exercise and diet resolutions!!

Counting Songs

I am loving the "Have Fun Teaching" website.  I have used the alphabet videos with my class, but I recently discovered their counting songs and videos!  My class has struggled with learning to count by 2s all year--but now they are really getting it!  I guess monkeys make everything easier to learn! :)

Next year I will definitely introduce my students to these songs and videos sooner.  Be sure to visit the website to discover TONS of helpful resources!

Alphabet Songs

A great resource for teaching letter names and sounds are the
Alphabet Songs and videos form Have Fun Teaching.  They are colorful, lively, and fast paced.  My kindergarteners LOVE them!!  Even this late in the year (8 more days), they ask to watch them--and they "sing" along
WARNING-You will find that the tunes get stuck in your head.  Check it out: