Saturday, January 10, 2015

Another FREEBIE! Polka Dotted Small Labels

I had a request for a smaller polka dotted label so here it is a FREE download. I am offering a set of (11) editable different colored polka dotted frames for you to use in your classroom. Keep reading for more information.


Polka Dotted Classroom Labels are a set of brightly colored polka dotted frames to use in your classroom for personal use only!

You could also use the labels for the following:

  • Classroom labels
  • Environmental print
  • Small individual picture frames.

The packet contains the following:

  • (11) Different colored polka dotted frames. There are nine to a page.
  • Finished size is 3.5" x 2.25"
  • Each label is editable using Adobe Acrobat. The text is set to auto so it will shrink as you type. 

    Tuesday, January 6, 2015

    Winter is Here... In Ms. Hampton's Room

    Winter wonderland has come to Ms. Hampton's Room
    Well, Christmas break came to an end yesterday. Back to the classroom for two days of in-service and preparing for the new theme. I was fortunate to have almost the entire two days free to re-arrange and transform my dramatic play center into a winter wonderland. I really wanted to make a milk jug igloo but didn't have enough milk jugs. I backed up and "punted!" I went to Pinterest.com for some ideas. I found a PVC fort that didn't look too difficult to make. I also added milk jug penguins, a "cradle" sled, a snowman for the students to make, ice fishing for letters, shapes, numbers, and colors; ice blocks to sit on, and a fire to roast marshmallows. Inside the "ice" fort the students can make alphabet soup and words using the magnetic letters. There is also a life size Emperor penguin for the students to measure themselves against. I can't wait for the kids to see it and explore the different areas.

    Snowman, penguins, campfire oh my! So many choices.


    Thursday, January 1, 2015

    All About the Letter I - Letter of the Week Activities



     Letter Hunt: Go on a Letter Ii hunt around your home. Encourage your child to see how many objects he can find with names beginning with the /i/ sound like in ice cream and itch. Support your child’s writing process by encouraging him/her to write the word on an index card. Then have him/her tape it to the object.




    Odd Sound Out: Say three words, two beginning with the /i/ like in itch sound and one sound that is different. Have the student repeat which sound does not belong.
    • in, itch, hat
    • iguana, hot, igloo
    • goat, ill, if
    • it, is, food
    • inch, ink, hotdog


    I Listening Game: Read the following sentences. Have the students repeat the words that begin with the /i/ sound like in ice cream.
    • Irene likes to eat ice cream.
    •  I like to plant ivy.
    • Watch out for the iceberg.
    • McGee is an Irish name.
    • An island has water on all sides.

    Fill in the Missing Word:  All of your guesses should begin with the /i/ sound like in igloo.
    • You can build this out of blocks of ice. It is round. You can sleep in it. It is an ________. (igloo)
    • I can be a pet. I am cold blooded. I am usually green, and I like to eat insects.  I am an  ________. (iguana)
    • It is sweet and made out of milk and cold. You can make a banana-split with it. If you leave it out of the freezer it will melt. It is   _______. (ice cream)
    • When I sneeze and run a fever I am sick. Another word for sick has just three letters it is _____. (ill)


    Circle and Find: Have students practice reading environmental print. Use newspapers, junk mail, and/or sales flyers and have them highlight all of the letter Ii’s using a highlighter.

    Songs

    Ii
    (to the tune Clementine)
    In an igloo on an island
    in a sea of icey water
    lived an inchworm named Ignatius
    and his itsy bitsy daughter.
    She was smaller than an inkblot
    and her name was Isabelle.
    She didn't need a cradle
    cause she slept in a seashell.

    If You're Happy and You Know It
    If you're happy and you know it,
    Scratch an itch “i” “i”
    If you're happy and you know it,
    Scratch an itch “i” “i”
    If you're happy and you know it,
    Then your face will surely show it
    If you're happy and you know it,
    Scratch an itch “i” “i”.

    Where is the Alphabet?
    (Tune: "Where Is Thumbkin?")
    Where is I? Where is I? (Children repeat.)
    Here I am! (Hold up the manual sign for I.)
    Here I am! (Children repeat and copy sign.)
    What do you say I? What do you say I?
    /ĭ/ /ĭ//ĭ//ĭ//ĭ/

    Literacy Activities 

    Body Letters - Challenge children to make different letters with their bodies. Can you make an "I"? Can you make the letter that you hear at the beginning of "ice cream”?
    Air Writing - Write letters in the air using the index finger and middle finger. Keep your elbow stiff. Note! The teacher will need to reverse the movements or turn around while demonstrating in front of the class.

    Things to glue on the Alphabet
    • plastic insects
    • pictures of insects
    • insect stickers
    • draw ice cream cones, or icicles
    • ink
    • Make I's out of fingerprints and add legs and eyes for insects



    Snacks
    • ice cream
    • ice
    • icing
    • ice pops
    • Italian food
    • Indian food
    Credits: