Winner of our FIRST Giveaway is.....

Congratulations to Lori Raines!  She has been contacted and she already chose her 3 FREE items from our store.  She chose....

     

      

 

 

 

 

Thanks to everyone who entered our first giveaway. IF you are interested in any of these products ~ you can find them in our TPT store - Kennedy's Korner.

WE will be having another FUN giveaway VERY soon ~  and the prizes will be something you won't want to miss!  Stop back to check it out this weekend! 

 

Saturday Sweets ~ Linky Party!

So it's Saturday and it's time to link up with some great teachers across the country to share some great ideas!  I have been teaching now for 20 years and I just LOVE reading everyone's' blog posts and getting NEW ideas for my 2nd grade classroom.  After teaching Gr. 3 for 19 years... I need new ideas for my new grade level!  :)  SO the linky parties have been a fantastic way to do this ~ Thanks to everyone who participates!    Here we go ~

                                                                         

I have to say that I have been using Scholastic NEWS for many years now - but if you haven't been - YOU should check it out because Scholastic has done such a fabulous job updating what they offer!  I LOVE the articles and everything that include in the subscription.  This really helps to teach non-fiction text to my little learners.   Next week we will be reading the issue on Penguin spy cams - pretty cool I think the kids are going to love it! 
                                                            

 

 

 

 

Get your second graders excited to read while meeting Common Core Standards 

Take a look at all the exceptional learning resources in Scholastic News:

• Exciting weekly nonfiction covers seasonal topics that connect directly to your science and social studies curriculums. 
• A Common Core Tool Kit with every issue helps you teach one "spotlight" Common Core skill with a comprehensive lesson plan, challenging skills pages, and fun online activity. 
• High-quality nonfiction grows in complexity as the year progresses and your students become more proficient readers.
• Scholastic News Online expands and enhances the magazine with digital editions, show-stopping videos, and rigorous skills games. 
• Support materials include 3 BIG Issues at the beginning of the year, seasonal Easy Easel posters, and in-depth Teacher's Guides.

Launching our Informative Writing unit ~ I will model how to research and write a non-fiction piece about Penguins. 

 

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.

 

I am using our TPT unit on Penguins to help but I am also creating MORE for my little learners to use while they write - I am almost finished - so I hope you stop back next week to grab some of it for FREE !  

I am getting observed this week ~ so I created a different template to use for my lesson plan.  Here is a sample.. If you like it you can find it in our store.  I will be posting it sometime this weekend.  :)   The Thoughtful Teacher Rubric is included.  That is what my district uses for our APPR.  :) 

 

 

 

 

 

My 2nd graders just started their unit on Subtraction.  We use the Pearson Success.net program in our district.  I really like the videos that the company includes in the units. 

 

 

 We have also been working daily on our Winter Word Problems. I am sure you all agree that our students can't practice answering word problems enough!  :)

 

 

 

These are FREE in our TPT store ~ stop by today and pick up your set..

 WE also have February Math Word problems posted for FREE!

 

 

Thanks for visiting our blog !   We hope that you are all staying warm ~ we are bracing for another snow storm!  I will be dreaming of February break!  I need to start packing now!

 

 

 

 

 

Five for Friday Link Up with Doodlebugs Teaching

                                                                                    

1.  STREP THROAT ~  This week was eventful to say the least!  My parents who also double as my babysitters left for Florida.  My 3 year old was supposed to begin Daycare for the first time ever and my other 2 children were headed to the before and after school program at their elementary school.  All of these plans were halted on Monday afternoon when the three of them started complaining of a sore throat.  Soon after that my 3 dollies developed a fever and the back up plan had to be instituted.  My husband had to take the day off on Tuesday and I had to call in sick on Wednesday.  My 3 little ones are being treated with antibiotics for strep throat and hopefully are on the mend.  Let's just say that I did not see that coming.  Who would have thought that on my very first day without my parents all of this would develop.  I am very fortunate that I have my parents babysit for my kiddos 8 out of the 10 month school year.  I miss them so much when they are in Florida for those 2 months!

                                                            
                                                   Our Parents ~ SO blessed to have them!

                                                                          

2.  WINTER OLYMPICS ~ Fortunately I was very productive before the strep virus invaded my house on Monday, I hope you enjoy the new FREEBIES that my sister and I created.  Check out our new Winter Olympic Close Read Activity.  It is a great 3 day ELA activity that is completely aligned to the Common Core Standards.  Your students will compare and contrast the 2014 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics in this fun and engaging activity. Then they will design a medal for the 2018 Winter Olympics.  This activity will be sure to get them interested in and excited about the Olympics!  If you want to do an extended unit on the Olympics, we have also posted an Olympic Unit for $3 in our Kennedy's Korner TPT store.
                                                       
                                                             FREEBIE  Winter Olympics

 

 

 

 

 

3.  FREEBIE ~ Chinese New Year will begin on January 31st this year.  It is the year of the horse.  We just posted a FREE Chinese New Year Close Read as well.  This Close Read is similar in format to our Olympic Close Read but it does not have the kids compare and contrast.  Students will use the information from the article to match the Chinese word to the meaning of that word.  They will take notes about the important aspects of the Chinese New Year and write an essay to describe these aspects.  Kids will also have the opportunity to design a Chinese Lantern.  They will really enjoy learning about how New Year is celebrated in China!  We also have a Power Point unit with tons of activities to help your students learn more about China in our store.
                                                                                           
                                                                                     

 

                                                        FREEBIE Chinese New Year Close Read     
                                                                                 

                                                      
4.  WINTER STORM WARNING ~  This winter in Buffalo, NY has been the worst one that I can recall.  It is starting to get a little disheartening. Usually I can plow right through but this year the snow storms seem to be occurring at the exact same time I have to be someplace important.  The last storm came when I had a wedding to attend for my cousin  in NYC.  I made it but barely.  It was a nail biter for sure trying to land at JFK in that storm.  This weekend I am supposed to be driving to Syracuse for my annual college roommate reunion.  There are 8 of us that get together once a year to reminisce about our good old college days!  The weather forecasters are already saying no unnecessary travel on Saturday morning. I really don't want to miss this great weekend with my friends.  Maybe I can talk my husband into letting me leave on Friday night.  Two nights with the kids for him may be a little much but I need this girls night:)  I am hoping the meteorologist is wrong... but here are some pictures below you might enjoy!  The Church near us actually put this up a few weeks ago and it made National News. :)

                                                      Some pictures of our life here in Buffalo, NY    

 

 

                                                                            

5.  JOB SHARING  ~  I just wanted to share a little known practice that my school district supports and I think is great for all teacher moms out there.  My district allows me to teach in a job share situation.  I share my 1st grade classroom with another teacher and work part time.  I receive half of my salary and no health care benefits but I am able to stay at home with my kids more than I ever thought possible.  I teach every Monday, every Tuesday and every other Wednesday.  My partner teaches the alternate Wednesday, every Thursday and every Friday.  We have 8 classrooms like this in my district.  I have been job sharing for 8 years.  It is an amazing opportunity for new moms!  A teacher in our district proposed this type of shared teaching situation after she had triplets 10 years ago.  The district agreed to it and have allowed more and more teachers to take advantage of this job share situation ever since.  If you would like more information about the job share or are thinking about starting it in your district please feel free to email me at JOB SHARE.
I am more than happy to help!                                 
                                                                     My girls
                                                                         

 

 

 

Hope you enjoy our first Five for Friday link up!  
Thanks to Doodlebugs Teaching!

Are you teaching the 7 Habits in your school?

We are so excited to post our brand new Mini booklets that can be used to teach or review the 7 Habits in your classroom.  My school just started teaching the Habits last year, it is a process to implement but  I really love it!   IF you haven't heard about the 7 Habits ~ I highly recommend you read these books first! 

 

I have been truly amazed at what little leaders my students have become.  I have to say that the 7 Habits will change the way you teach AND more importantly, the way that children learn. 

 

If you have visited our TPT store than you may already have seen our Introduction to the 7 Habits that we created. 

 

  These are two of our BIGGEST sellers ~ and we have received some great feedback too!  They are both Power Points that you can use to either introduce or dig deeper into the 7 Habits way of life. 

Recently I was thinking that MINI BOOKLETS might be a great idea to help my Gr. 2 students! 

Well I just completed them and you can find them in our store ~ by just clicking HERE.  I think your students will really enjoy the GOAL setting section.  I can't wait to use them in my classroom this week.    I know parents will like the HOME connection piece by using the calendars that are included. 

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit Kennedy's Korner.  We would love to hear from you ~ if you have any ideas, something to share or comments.  :)   

 

Linky Party ~ Saturday Sweets ~ with A Classroom Full of Smiles

We are new to linky parties... so here it is.. I hope I do it correctly.. :)

 

This week was our first FULL week back after the Polar Vortex that gave us 3 snow days tacked onto our already generous HOLIDAY recess.  I am not complaining - I was fortunate enough to have been out of town for the BLIZZARD of 2014. 

 

In my 2nd grade class this week the kids were really enjoying reading the Bailey School kids book

Snow Monsters DO Drink Hot Chocolate. 

 

 

They were busy partner reading and working together to fill in their Reading packets - focusing on

Questions - Before, During and After they read each chapter. 

 

They love making predictions and drawing their MENTAL IMAGES too.  On Thursday we worked on Character Traits.. Most of the kids chose EDDIE as the character they wanted to write about. 

Here is an example of what we did together ~ when I was modeling it on the Promethean.. The kids had to re-read the chapter to find evidence.  They worked in partners and were able to come up with some great answers! 

 

Students in my class love this website ~ and I love it because they are practicing their BASIC math facts.  I can see how they are doing by looking at the reports generated so I have data on my kids progress.  I like that I can also see who is working on their facts at home too!  We just started a NEW math FACTS challenge too.  They love the competition!
                                                                    Xtra Math
                                                                    click here
                                                                         

 

We are learning about Martin Luther King Jr. in our Gr. 2 class.  The kids are really interested in his life.  We watched the movie and read a few books about MLK Jr.  The kids worked on activities to help them understand what Dr. King did for our country.  The movie is FREE online.. it's called :

We also went on Brain Pop Jr. for the FREE video they have about Martin Luther King, Jr. Click on the word MARTIN to go to the website to watch.  MARTIN

I created a Power Point with Common Core activities to go along with it.. you can find it in my TPT store and it's on SALE this until Tuesday!  The NEW Mini booklets were a big hit with my class.

 

There are two different versions - depending on what grade you teach!

Looking forward to linking up again for Saturday Sweets.. even though I am posting this on Sunday.

Be sure to ENTER our giveaway - it ends on Monday at midnight ~ we hope you had  a great weekend.. ENJOY your day off on Monday and let's all take time to think about the amazing leader Martin Luther King, Jr. was and what he did for our country!
                                                                            

 

Thanks for visiting Kennedy's Korner ~