Teaching Grammar in the Classroom - and a Freebie for you to Try :)

I'll admit it, teaching grammar has always been something that I put on the back burner.  Anyone else???  I know I'm not the only one...

It's just SO HARD and I'm trying to fit in reading strategies, phonics lessons, comprehension and the list goes on and on.  But it HAS to be done.  Grammar is SO important and it helps students grow as readers and writers.  So, how do I get it in?

MINILESSONS.

I always like to start with a great big anchor chart loaded with pictures and information.  I'm not a very good drawer.  And as of late I've created "printable" anchor charts.
  These are some of the anchor charts I've created to teach grammar so far this year.  They are in no particular order...

Sometimes I'll take a day and explain the concept through the anchor chart and then guide them with a whole group pocket chart sort.  As we sort, we discuss the concept and what it means, etc.

Some of the pocket chart sorts I've made "interactive," like the one below.  This one the students had to actually write the correct punctuation after reading the sentence.

Lastly, I like to follow up with an interactive notebook activity.  Sometimes I'll use it as an assessment.  Sometimes it will be a review of the concept the next day.  It all depends on wether or not my friends are understanding the skill being taught.  And of course, running the activities on Astrobrights paper makes it way more funerer!

All these activities I've compiled into little packs called "Make it Quick!"  They each contain an anchor chart, pocket chart activity, and an interactive notebook.

You can try my adjectives pack for FREE!

Hopefully this will give you some easy ideas on incorporating grammar into your lessons!

Valentine Treats without Sweets - Round 2!

So my husband has told me I have officially gotten out of control.  But I can't stop with the cuteness!

I found a bag of tattoo boxes at Target and "needed" these to go along with the Valentine cards I had made the other day.  You can read about those HERE.

Print them out, cut and add a box of tattoos.  Super cute and super easy.  

You can get these HERE for Free!

Quick and Easy Valentine Gifts - From Target!!!

How stankin cute are these Valentine's Day cards??? 

I found these bags of lips full of putty and knew I *needed* to buy them.

And the putty is the good kind, not the oozy kind that doesn't mold.  

(I took one for a road test.)

Just print on card stock, slap some tape and a lip, sign and done!

You can get these cards HERE for FREE!

Enjoy!

Tips to make your Teaching Portfolio POP!

 Since moving to Annapolis I have been on the job hunt.  Okay so it's only been like, 2 weeks, but you can never start soon enough, right?  I had a job interview this morning and I got some really good feedback about my portfolio.  Some of you were asking what was included so I figured I'd do a blog post about it!

So here goes...

The first thing I did was list some of my positive attributes on a random piece of paper.  I thought about some things I knew I was good at and some things I knew that Principals would want to know about.  I also scrolled through my computer and picked about some good photos that I knew I would be able to use. 

The "about me" page is simple and quick.  Just a little bit about me and how long I've been teaching.  I don't have any kids so I mention my dog and I also threw in a little something about my blog.

Next, I decided to dive into the organization of my room.  I'm pretty organized so just a few pictures helped to capture that.  Along with my classroom organization I talk just a tad about what I do for behavior management.  This section could go on and on because of the array of things I have going on in my room but I chose just a few points and narrowed my focus on those.

Communication is always a big thing.  

I devoted one whole section to a few things I do to keep communication in check.

I also scanned a few products I created and uploaded them to my pages.  

I come from years of Title I experience and have created many products to help with at risk students.  I thought this would be a good section to add to show some of the activities I do daily in guided reading/math, etc.

My first grade team also worked hard to create opportunities for our higher students.  I used this section to highlight what I do for my students working beyond grade level.

I've gotten some really sweet notes over the years and I've saved them.  I took a few and scanned them into my file.  I feel like this adds a good closing.

Add a cute little cover and you're done! 

Usually, I just print the pages and slide them in page protectors and stick them in a three ring binder.  That way, when I go school to school and I leave it, I'm fine with it being thrown away.  This time, my husband insisted we take the portfolio to staples and have it professionally bound.

This IS a more costly option, but I have to say it looks very professional.

Hope this helps you in your pursuit of finding the teaching job of your dreams!