Answer these questions to see if you need to be using Epic! Books in your classroom. Are you a teacher? Do you have students who need books to read? Do you have a limited classroom library? Do you have students who need to listen to books to hear fluent reading? Do you have students interested in Dinosaurs but you only have fiction books? Do you have students who are reading above the level you have in your classroom? Do you have students who are learning English and need to listen to books in the French, Spanish or Chinese? If you answered YES to any of these questions, then Epic! Books is for you. And the best part, Epic! is FREE for educators. Simply go to ge tepic.com , click EDUCATORS and sign up. Now that you have an account, it is time to create some collections. Collections are groups of books that you have put together. Collections can be assigned to one, two, or all of your students.  Simply find a book you like, click on the heart, Add to, click Colle...
I am ALWAYS looking for easier ways to hang up classroom decorations; posters, alphabet charts, and more. We can use poster putty and Command Strips only. An alphabet chart needs a lot of poster putty, 4 corners X 26 letters = too much time. Plus it has to come off the wall next May.  I was dreading  contemplating this task today, and alphabet and a 0-20 number set needed to go up on the walls. I looked at the mess , supplies I had on the desks and got inspired.  Step 1: Staple/Tape the cards to strips of border, I have plenty of that. Step 2: Continue for the length of the border strip, or cut the border to the desired length.  Step 3: Attach the strips to the wall with Command Strips, Poster Putty, or whatever you are allowed to use.  Time saved now & Time will be saved in May.  ...
Back to School sales have started. Blog posts with all the deals. Instagram pictures of all the cute stuff at Target, Dollar Tree, Wal*Mart, and many other stores. It is easy to get overwhelmed. Easy to think. "I must go buy THAT." Whatever THAT is. The next thing you know your trunk is full and your checking account empty I admit to falling into that pattern many times, and still do on occasion. But after 20+ years of teaching, before I shop I ask myself one question. "What EXACTLY will this be used for?" If I cannot answer with a specific need, i.e containers for glue sponges, or activity, i.e. counting games, I put it back on the shelf. Saving money at the same time. Because I can go shopping here....   This is just two shelves, I am not ready to show you my plastic container collection or my markers, not yet anyway. I did succumb to the Mo Willems stuffed toys at Kohl's. I also ordered some new border for my bulletin boards. Otherwise I have n...
I am a 1:1 classroom with laptops and desktop computers. I currently teach 1st grade. I am always told 'First graders can't..." when it comes to using technology. Well, I am here to tell you THEY CAN! You just have to teach them to use the tools, just like you do with pencils, scissors, and glue.  Using Google Slides in edit mode provides the students with access to text, images, shapes, lines, fill tools, and many other tools. I incorporated learning the shape tool with our Geometry units in math.  I assigned them a three blank slides via out Google Classroom. Then I walked them through using the Shape tool; step by step. First we inserted a variety of basic shapes. I told them the shape name. The students had to find the correct one to add.  Next, I showed them the different types of triangles, you know they are not all equilateral. I showed the students how to change the sides, rotate the shape, and use the fill tool.  Last, I told them to make a...