I’ve created a mirror blog at creativeteacher.minti.com. No related posts.

Welcome to our site! We will be posting creative teaching ideas for reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. We hope you find these useful in both classroom and homeschool environments. No related posts.

When I was a first-grade teacher, I started each day, from Day One, with a song about the letters and the sounds they make. It went like this: I would point (with my handy-dandy long pointer) to the letter A and sing, "The ‘A’ says ā-ā-ā or ă-ă-ă." Then I would point to the letter B and sing, "The ‘B’ says b-b-b." I would continue through the entire alphabet with this little song. The children picked up the little song very quickly and it started out each day in a fun and easy way. Even after my kids knew all of the letters and the sounds they made, they did not want to give up "their" song. It only took a few minutes each day and it really helped the kids who were struggling with phonics. So we kept up our letter song every day while the tardy kids were coming in and the class was settling in for the day. To hear a recording, please go to the Favorite First-Grade Letter Chant page (listed under ABCs). No related posts.

On the first day of school, I would tell each and every one of my first graders that they had to write a story for me. I wish you could have seen the shocked looks on their little faces! They would cry out, "I’m only 6-years old! I can’t write a story!" I explained to them they all had stories inside them. Some of them would tell me their stories with pictures. Others would tell their story with pictures and letters. Some might even tell me their story with words and pictures. It did not matter how they told me the story, they just had to tell me a story. These first stories taught me what each child knew about letters, words, and even their pictures. They taught me about where each child was in their development. I put these first stories in front of each child’s portfolio. For Mother’s Day, I would bundle up each child’s portfolio (no worksheets were in them) and give them to the children to give to their mothers for Mother’s Day. The response was overwhelming. The kids all said their mothers cried after they opened their Mother’s Day Portfolio gifts. No related posts.

This site is great! mastersinspecialeducation No related posts.

September calendars: This site offers many September celebrations with great links for each day posted!   www.surfnetkids A list of books for September events:   childrensbooks Blank calendars: superteacherworksheets Definition: wikipedia Family fun activities never disappoint! familyfun.go.com/magazine No related posts.

I met a new friend this year at school! This is why I like her/him! If I could change anything about my school it would be… My favorite summer memory is… If I were a teacher I would teach __ because… What advise would you give to students that are a grade below you. I love my grandparents. I have fun with them when we… Make a list of all the things you can make with apples. What is fall/autumn? wikipedia Draw a picture of a leaf. Describe your leaf to another student so well that she could draw it herself. Autumn is coming! What are you looking forward to this fall? Web sites you can’t miss: This is a GREAT story starter site for any time of the year! teacher.scholastic Writing ideas for every day in September! theteacherscorner More September writing ideas: uniqueteachingresources Daily writing ideas for every month!tooter4kids.com September writing prompts: creative-writing-ideas-and-activities No related posts.

Leaf-Shaped Book: First, I  cut out a leaf (Designer’s Calendar) using my cricut and gypsy. I used "layer one"on the gypsy to cut out the leaf, and "layer two" to write the word, AUTUMN ( Gypsy Wanderings).  *Be sure to switch your blade to your marker when you go from layer one to layer two. Next, I cut out slightly smaller leaves from white paper for the pages of the book. Use the leaf-shape book for: Writing poems For example: A Fall Song by Ellen Robena Field Golden and red trees Nod to the soft breeze, As it whispers, "Winter is near;" And the brown nuts fall At the wind’s loud call, For this is the Fall of the year. Good-by, sweet flowers! Through bright Summer hours You have filled our hearts with cheer We shall miss you so, And yet you must go, For this is the Fall of the year. Now the days grow cold, As the year grows old, And the meadows are brown and sere; Brave robin redbreast Has gone from his nest, For this is the Fall of the year. I do softly pray At the close of day, That the little children, so dear, May as purely grow As the fleecy snow That follows the Fall of the year. Autumn words: For example: acorn apple autumn chestnuts chilly cider cold cool cornucopia cranberry fall football hay leaf pumpkin scarecrow season Working with Words Write words that have the same"ea" sound as in leaf. eat beat neat seat heat meat Links to great autumn sites: Puzzles, Games, and Crafts: dltk-holidays Awesome Autumn Activities: familyfun Fun Fall Crafts: kaboose More Great Fall Activities: activityvillage Fall Unit of Study: apples4theteacher http://www.storyit.com/Seasonal/autumn.htm No related posts.

Here is how to make an easy present: Click here to view the embedded video. Related posts:Leaf-Shaped Book and Autumn Activites Leaf-Shaped Book: First, I  cut out a leaf (Designer’s Calendar)...

1st through 8th grade writing styles kidskonnect How to write fantastic hooks  atozteacherstuff Creative Writing  kidsonthenet Writing Activities for Kids at Home  about.com Things to Write About   things-to-write-about-for-kids No related posts.