99¢ Clip Art Sale!!

I have a little secret for ya'll… Did you know that I'm married to Davy Crockett? I know that I go by "Natalie Kay" here on my blog and in my TPT store, but Kay is my middle name and my last name is actually Crockett. Annnnd my husband's name is David, but has always gone by Davy. (Hid dad is also David, so he's always gone by Davy. If you ask him, he'll say he hates it! And please don't ever sing the song to him… haha!)

Anyways, my sweet husband's birthday is coming up and I wanted to celebrate by throwing a little clip art sale for him! He is a pretty talented artist that does graphic design in his spare time. Occasionally he comes out with a pack of clip art for me to put in my TPT store. 

If you're looking for some doodle borders, arrows, thought bubbles,  or some school graphics, pick them up this weekend while they are on sale for 99¢. 

I'd love if you could help me show some love to him and motivate him to make some more clip art packs for me!

Click on the picture links below:

The best part of using these graphics is that the TOU's are super simple! You may use them for personal, classroom, and commercial use! (Giving credit is appreciated, but not necessary.)

Thanks for helping me celebrate!! 

HAPPY WEEKEND!!

Book Study: Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites {Chapter 5}

We're excited to link up with Michelle this week for our our awesome Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites book study! We've loved this book so far and have already found many wonderful ways to enhance our teaching and help all students be more excited about learning. This week we're talking about Chapter 5. 

Chapter 5 is all about Graphic Organizers, Semantic Maps, and Word Webs!  I LOVE using these in my classroom and we use them daily (especially in guided reading).  In the first paragraph of this chapter it explains that graphic organizers address both the right and left hemispheres of the brain and is a great way to help students with comprehension, meaning, and retention. All excellent reasons to use graphic organizers in the classroom!

Here's a peek at how we use graphic organizers in our classrooms. 

We use this word web to fill out what we learned from informational books.

I use these Story Maps when we are are recalling events from a story and we can use a dry-erase marker (it also saved on paper and I never have to copy more) because I stick them in page protectors.

Grab yours for free HERE!

Word Ladders are also a variation of word webs.  We write the rime at the top and my students add an onset on each step of the ladder (ex: ight - light - fight- might)

 My students love when I pull out my posters and KWL charts are simple, but effective.  I've really just taken my graphic organizers and just enhanced the size on the copy machine (11x17 paper) and laminated them.

You can see how I organize these materials {here}!

In my 5th grade classroom, I {Natalie} used graphic organizers all the time and tried to incorporate them in all subjects. My favorite way to use them was during social studies. Just a little background information about me… I've always loved history, but it often confused me as a kid. I figured out it was because the information would go in my head, but I had no way to organize the information in my mind. Graphic organizers work as a sort of filing cabinet for the brain. Seeing the information in a visual and organized way helps the information make sense. 

A few years ago I spent hundreds of hours making a complete set of American History Graphic Organizers. (This resource has 36 pages of graphic organizers and covers each main event in American History starting with early explorers.) I spiral bound them at the beginning of the year and we used it as a learning resource for the entire school year. My students loved them, I loved having them to use as a curriculum guide, and best of all - my students LOVED learning about social studies. It made sense to them and they understood how historical events connected to each other better. At the end of the year, we had a beautiful masterpiece that held all our learning for the year. Overall, using these graphic organizers enhanced our learning and helped my students understand and love history better! 

 This set of American History Graphic Organizers is available to purchase in my TPT store.

Math is another great place to incorporate graphic organizers! I just whipped up this fun and interactive graphic organizer about fractions for you. You can glue this in your math journal or hang them up on a bulletin board.

Download it for FREE {here}

We hope you enjoyed this chapter of the Book Study and hope you'll join us as we continue to read and learn from this wonderful book, Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites.

Please leave us a comment and join the conversation!

How  do you use graphic organizers in your classroom?

Which of our resources did you find helpful?

Any suggestions for future graphic organizers you'd like?

What have you liked about this book study so far?

My Favorite St. Patrick's Day Writing

Every year we write a Leprechaun Application and my students are obsessed!  They all want to be a leprechaun. I love using holiday themes to integrate into our writing because my students become so engaged in it.  

After we fill out our application, it's time for the "essay" portion of the application process.  I have my students write an opinion piece on why they would make a good leprechaun.  They have to have an opening sentences, 2 reasons, and a closing sentence.  They turn out SO cute!

You can grab this writing activity and TONS of other core aligned items in my St. Patrick's Day unit!  I've made it 20% off for the next 2 days!

Kindergarten and 1st Grade Math Games!

I've been really needing some math games for my math tubs lately.  I love to do one tub that is a review of something we've already learned.  And I forgot about my Rockin' Math Review Centers so I'm currently just pulling them out and dusting them off!
I have made a review center game for EVERY STANDARD in the 1st and Kindergarten Common Core Math (some games cover multiple standards).  I know... I  am CRAZY!

1st Grade Version

     

There are 18 centers!

Included in this pack:
I Can Posters for each game
Common Core Alignment pages

Problem Solving Serenade {problem solving}

You’re a Star {missing addend}

Pop Star Properties {add/subtract properties}

Star-Worthy Spinners {add and subtract}

True of False {equal/not equal equations}

Pitch Perfect {missing addend}

Key Me In {counting within 120}

Number Playlists {place value}

Concert Compare {comparing numbers}

Rockin’ Mash Up {double-digit addition}

More and Less Jam Session {10 more/less}

Musical Add Up {double-digit addition with place value}

Play that Funky Music {Measuring}

Measuring Musicians {Measuring}

Time to Rock {Time}

Data, Drums, and More! {Data}

Singing and Spinning {2D and 3D}

Fraction Stage Action {fractions}

Kinder Version

The Rockin' Math Review has a center game for just about every part of the Common Core State Standards in Kindergarten grade Math (some of the standards are to be measured orally and so I couldn't make a center game for them). This is a great way to review everything your students have learned in math all year! With a fun rockstar theme, your students will love review their math concepts! 

Included in this pack:
I Can Posters (kid-friendly directions)
Common Core Alignment
*Key Me In (Counting & Cardinality)
*Counting Jam Session (Counting & Cardinality)
*Pitch Perfect (Counting & Cardinality)
*Concert Compare (Counting & Cardinality)
*Star-Worthy Spinners (Operations & Algebraic Thinking)
*Problem Solving Serenade (Operations & Algebraic Thinking)
*Guitar Star (Operations & Algebraic Thinking)
*Keyboard Count (Numbers & Operations in Base 10)
*Play that Funky Music (Measurement & Data)
*Data, Drums, and More (Measurement & Data)
*Singing and Spinning (Geometry)
*Shape Stage Action (Geometry)
*Shape Playlist (Geometry)

Click {here} to check out the kinder version. 

                                1st grade version                                            Kinder version