Freebie Fridays - November 18th, 2016

I hope the United States teachers, parents, and children had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Only a few more weeks and everyone will get Christmas break off!

Last year I created a line of products called Word Boxes where students can write on the word boxes when the activity is laminated or in plastic sleeves. It helps children learn how to spell words in a hands on way and also helps them learn which numbers touch the top, middle, or below line. Here is a Freebie your students will be sure to enjoy "Christmas Word Boxes". Unlike my phonics word boxes this one has a word bank since the words are much harder for younger students. It also makes it easy to differentiate as some children can have the word bank and others don't for more of a challenge. Click the picture to grab them for free and be sure to leave positive feedback!

An InLinkz Link-up

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings! Keep on smiling!

Spelling Fun!

I was asked by Jake at Educational Resources and Beyond to write a review for one of his spelling packets. Opinions are of my own and I received the packet and no money to write the review.

The packet I am reviewing is Spelling Early Years Package 3.  This packet includes phonics sounds that work well for 1st-4th grade: ir and ur; ng and er; nk and ar; and oi and oy.  The highly engaging looking worksheets have the students filling in the missing spelling pattern, tracing the words, writing and drawing words in pictures with the sounds like shirt for ir, and correcting the spelling words along with capitalization and punctuation in sentences.

The packet also includes a page where the students can make their own word searching using their spelling words.  He made is there are two on each page so you could cut it in half and save paper, which I love as many of us have copy restrictions.  Look, Copy, Cover, Check is excellent for students to practice learning their spelling words.

Finally it includes some full page posters that are task cards: writing words in rainbow colors, making it out of play dough, finding words in words, etc.

I love the worksheets and task cards.  They are highly engaging for students.  If you like this there are 5 Spelling packages available individually or as a set.  Click on the picture if you would like to check it out in his store.

Let us know in the comments what you do to make spelling fun for your students?

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Brag Tags Review

I am so thrilled to get the opportunity to review some Brag Tags from imagestuff.com.  I was given the opportunity to pick Brag Tags from their website or create my own.  I decided to create my own. Click the picture to follow imaginestuff.com on their blog for for free downloads and tips.  You can also find them on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/imagestuff/pins/ and https://www.facebook.com/imagestuff

The first one says Kindness Counts and has my name at the bottom of it.  I wanted this one because as a substitute teacher and even when I was a teacher (hope to be again soon), I try so hard to get children to be kind to everyone.  There are many children who have gone over and beyond to be kind to me.  I also see children help others who are crying, go play with children who says they have no one to play with, sweep up the room without me asking, be the only one to clean up a mess, etc.  I wanted to find something that I could hand to these children for being so kind and I thought a Brag Tag would work in any grade level.

The 2nd one I had imagestuff.com make was Best Effort.  As a sub there are times when I get children who just won't try to do their work.  They whine or say "I can't."  I wanted something to be able to give a student who shows that they are going to try no matter how hard the work is.  The brag tags seemed to be the best bet so I had them design me for Best Effort.

I have so far subbed in classes with Kindergarten through 2nd graders and their eyes lit up each time I handed a child one.  They thank me so much and say that they love it.  They love that I included my name.  I was told by one teacher the child wore is Best Effort one to school the next day.  This was a child who typically whines at me because I won't spell a word for him.  He didn't whine once the whole day so I surprised him with the Brag Tag!

You can get brag tags for attendance, character, academics, awards for field trips, etc.  They come in a variety of different shapes: hearts, shamrocks, dog tags, skateboards, circles, etc.  You can pick from ones that are already designed or personalize your own!  The delivery was quick.  They hold up well with the chains that you can purchase for an additional cost.  Children can wear them or put them on their backpack.  They are a hit for me as a sub and I have no doubt they will be for you.  I plan to use them with all grade levels through 6th grade!

Have you ever used Brag Tags?  If so how did it go?  If not, how could you use the Brag Tags in your classroom?

Disclaimer: I was given some Brag Tags to use for this review.  I was not paid any money and I gave my own honest opinion. 

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Spelling and Sight Word Cheers and Chants

Why not make sight word learning fun for your students?  I have created some wonderful cards that will help get your students moving!  Some of the cards are for sitting and others are for standing up.  Some can be used for either.  There are even a few cards that students will need a partner!  These can also be used to learn spelling words so the cards will work for all Elementary grade levels!

How about some fun examples:

- My second graders I previously taught absolutely loved Movie Star Kisses.  The students start with their hand at their mouth and blow kisses for each letter like a movie star winning an award!

- Volcano: Students start out at a whisper and get louder with each letter.  Then explode when you say the word at the end.

- Hand Jive: Pair your students up.  Children clap hands together for consonants and lap clap for vowels.  They put their hands in the air at the end as you say the word.

- Motorcycle: Hang on to the pretend handle bars and do wheelies for each letter.

- Back Tracer - Students stand up and form a circle.  Trace the letter of the back of the person in front of you.

You can find many more fun chants and cheers including Batter Up, Hula, Surfin' and Spellin', Frog Jumps, Yo-Yo, Chicken, and Ketchup.

Click on the pictures to check them out in my store.  Download the preview for some free cards!

I would love to hear any ideas that you have for using sight words and spelling words that allow your students to move!  Share below in the comments!

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Positive Fridays - Week of April 30th

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you had a great week. How many days of school do you have left? We have 15 for the children after today and 1 more for us teachers!

- In blog news I am over 49,000 views, you all are simply amazing for viewing my blog over and over again. Don't forget to hop on over on the 6th to get a freebie that is in the $3 to $8 range from me! It will only be free Sunday.

- In 5th grade news, the children continue to use manners when they get a treat or a snack, which is nice to see! There have been times when they have been really really quiet doing their work. I am also pleased that almost every student scored a 100% on the last Vocabulary test last Friday! Spelling test scores also went up considerably with nearly everyone passing! Whohohoooooooo! One of my students also made me a drawing that I proudly hung in the classroom!

- A very sweet Kindergarten child saw me over looking her balcony earlier this week and yelled my name and waved as I walked into the school. She put a huge smile on my face. What a bucket filler she is! - Some of the 3rd/4th graders were sweet enough to sign my yearbook that I just had to buy since I know so many of the children in that school. One even wrote that he will miss me and another wrote to have a Happy Summer! I'll be letting the 5th graders that want to sign it and sign each others the last few days of school for something fun to do.

- I continue to get hugs, smiles, and hellos from the Kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grade children. Even some other 5th grade children, 1st graders, 2nd graders, and a couple of 6th grades have been saying good morning or hi to me lately. One gave me a candy bar, which was super sweet! It is a great feeling to feel loved by most of the children. These kids are bucket fillers.

- I also filled the bucket of a sweet 3rd grader who really loves horses.  I told her about the new Flicka movie that is on DVD and she just got so excited and full of smiles.  She said she is going to have to watch that!  I know I made her day!

 - Administration continues to be such a big help. They always have something so nice to say to me and have told me that I am doing a great job and they know how hard it is to take over for a class at the end of the year. These two are bucket fillers and I hope to get to work for them next year!

- The teachers in this school continue to amaze me. The wonderful 3rd/4th grade teacher gave me a great idea for lessons, which I have been using daily this week and it's working really well! I have a wonderful teacher who has been assisting me with helping children in the class who need extra help. A few other teachers are coming in to help offer suggestions and help out with children too. I have never seen such teamwork before. These teachers are bucket fillers and the children are benefiting because of it! If any of you are reading this, thank you so much!

- In non-school related news I am headed to a 3 day country music concert called Runaway Country this weekend! It's going to be a whole lot of fun! I get to meet Steve Holy and for the 3rd time Chris Young! I can't wait!

Brian :-)