Vistaprint Addiction

Hello, my name is Mrs. Kiwi and I am a Vistaprint Addict!  My last order was placed 8 hours ago.  I'm not going to mention how many items I have created, nor how much money I have spent.  As long as the total isn't in print, no one can prove anything!

If you haven't guessed by now, I love vistaprint.  I have created dozens of classroom resources and materials.  I am including a few of my most recent creations, at some point, I may treat you to all of my creations.  But, then again, that would be revealing the depths of my addiction, and I'm not sure I want to do that just yet ;)

These first 3 are all small car door magnets  to label each days topic of our Talk About It posters.

This tote will hang next to my door and contain a first aid kit, flashlight, class list, parent names and numbers, and other emergency information.  

Our school uses CHAMPS and this poster will help me manage the noise level in the classroom.

I saying I like and thought would make a cute poster.

Before I am asked, yes, I did create each of the above images.  I use a combination of mostly photoshop, a little illustrator, and a little MS Word.  I will plan to add some more vistaprint creations in the future, so stay tuned!

Literacy Centers

I've wanted to try literacy centers for a while now, and was having a hard time fitting what I wanted to do in with the expectations at my school.  Luckily, I finally figured out a system that will work, and I am super excited!  I will run centers Tues-Thurs.  Monday will be all of my intro and whole group stuff, and Friday we test and do test prep activities.  Here is a break down of what I will be doing:

Tues-Thurs
15 minute phonics mini lesson- whole group
15 minute phonics/word study center rotation
15 minute Reading Strategies mini lesson- whole group
2- 20 minute vocabulary, comprehension, and reading strategy rotations
5 minute reflection

We have a 90 minute reading block, plus an additional 30 minute self selected reading time later in the day.

My Phonics Stations are:
Fluency Fun
Working with Words- teacher directed
Word Games
I will have 2 of each station with the same activity, but adjusted for reading level.  Groups will do a single station each day.

My Comprehension Stations are:
Guided Reading- teacher directed
Vocabulary
Listening Center
Leveled Readers (twice per week) Para led
Skill Focus

I am scouring teacher blogs, Pinterest, and proteacher for some ideas to put in my centers.  Once I have a list of activities I will try to post them here, as well as how I will manage the materials.  For now, enjoy the literacy center signs I've made.

Literacy Station Signs

Back to School Prep

I went into my room yesterday for the first time to start prepping.  This is the first year I haven't had to move in a long time, so the fact that a lot of things are done was nice!  I didn't get as much done as planned since my kids were with me.  I did get the desks arranged and will be zip tying them together when I go back in today (great idea I found on Pinterest!!)

I seem to have some trouble focusing while there so I made a list of all the things I need to do.  I am not normally a "list" person, but I'm giving it a shot.  I've attached my list, maybe some of you will find it useful.

Back to School Checklist

Heading back in today, hope the air conditioning is on because it is hotter than...hot!

Reading Strategies

We all know how important reading strategies are to becoming successful readers.  My students struggle with many of the strategies.  We would focus on one each week, and by the 3rd week, they couldn't remember the first strategy.

I created this poster to post in the classroom as a reminder of the strategies.  Now, this is not a  "post it and ignore it" type of thing.  I used it as I taught each strategy and I would refer back to it daily, until it became ingrained in their heads!

I printed the poster on a small vistaprint banner.  The printing came out fabulous and the vinyl of the banner means it will last for years to come!  This could very easily be printed onto a bookmark for students to keep at their desks.  Enjoy!