Flash Card Label Freebie

The Common Core requires kindergarten students to fluently add and subtract within 5. I created a flashcard set to help students master those early math facts. I have a minor obsession with Avery labels, so these have been formatted to print on Avery 5163 shipping labels. Each label is 2x4" in size and fits great on 3x5" index cards.

Use two different colors of index cards for an easy visual way to discern and separate addition and subtraction facts. 

For a more cost-effective alternative, simply print on plain cardstock and cut apart to create smaller flashcards. 

These addition and subtraction flashcards are FREE! Click the cover image below to download your freebie!

Don't you just love a good freebie?

A Little Ditty About My Dad

I don't often feel compelled to share many personal details on the blog. It's not that I am especially private or secretive about my life. Mostly, I just think you have better things to do than read the boring particulars of my day-to-day life. In the spirit of Father's Day, I'm happy to share a little bit about my dad: a man who has had a huge influence on my success today.

My Dad and Hope (my replacement as the baby of the family)

Everyone calls him Jim. I jokingly refer to him as "Big Jim" when I talk about him to my friends and he is one of the hardest working men I know. My dad never went to college, and he freely admits that school was HARD for him. Throughout my entire life, my Dad worked two jobs. He worked at a bank by day (not as an executive, but he somehow became an integral part of the bank's daily routine). At night he cleaned office buildings. Every single night. I helped him sometimes and I hated it. The job was gross and dirty, but my Dad has always taken pride in his work and kept those offices looking top-notch.

Growing up, my Dad was tough on my brother and I. I wasn't always a fan of that either. I now understand that he was shaping us into the independent, professional, respected individuals that we are today. (Plus the man worked 60 hours or more every week. Hard work at that. I think I can cut him a little slack for being so tough on us.)

Even in retirement, my Dad still works every day. He retired from the bank two years ago and became the head of the cleaning crew at the school where I teach. How many girls can say that they get to see their Dad every day?

It's funny that a man who was so tough and intimidating 25 years ago is now one of the sweetest and most sentimental men I know. He takes great pride in his family. Anyone who meets Big Jim has the great misfortune of hearing all about my brother and I. Yup, he's that dad that always brags about his kids. His eyes also well up with tears any time one of us gets even a little sentimental.

(I know you're crying now, Dad. Grab a tissue and take a deep breath.)

Big Jim is also infuriating when it comes to money. After working hard for his entire life to provide for his family, he still tries to share money with my brother and I every chance he gets. I refuse each time he offers to pay for something, only to hear his favorite expression in response: "You can have it now, or you can have it when I'm dead." Those words are always the trump card. How can you argue with your Dad when he mentions his mortality?

The past year has been simply amazing. The blog has gained some footing, my products have become popular resources in many classrooms, and the fans have been oh-so-sweet. Throughout all of it, I have remained keenly aware that success is only born from hard work. Lots of long hours and late nights creating, sharing, and solving problems. Without the example set by my father, I would not know the value of hard work and the pride that comes from doing my best in all of my endeavors. I have him to thank for so many of the blessings I enjoy each day.

I can either say it now, or I can say it when you're dead:
Dad, thank you so much for all you have done. For the many tireless days and long nights, for keeping me on the straight and narrow growing up, and most of all for sharing your love. I love you so much and Happy Father's Day.

I'm glad I said it now.

Graduation Fun for the End of Kindergarten

Since I teach Kindergarten, the last few weeks of school are all about one thing: GRADUATION. My students can't wait to graduate and the teachers work hard to make graduation a truly special event.

My students made these adorable portraits of themselves as graduates!

Everyone created one last Interactive Sight Word Reader before graduation: I Learned How to be a Kindergartener. I wanted to cry as I watched all of my students independently create and read their own books. It's amazing how far they have come this past year!

 You can purchase I Learned How to be a Kindergartener on TpT for only $1. It includes printables to create a six-page emergent reader for students, letters for students to cut and paste into the book, and instructions for the teacher!

Or, save big and buy the Bundle of Books! This mega download is over 500 pages long and includes more than 70 emergent readers for sight word practice. Save over 40% when you buy the Bundle!

The big day finally arrived! We ordered custom sashes through Andersons.com so the kindergarteners would have a lasting keepsake of their special day. Priced at about $5 each, I think the sashes are a nice alternative to the cap and gown. They added a touch of formality to the student's "Sunday Best" attire, but were far less of a temptation to play with than a big cap or gown. 

 

Finally, my students were ready to graduate! 

This is one of my favorite photos from the event. The students had a chance to chat and share their excitement before the ceremony began!

Find lots of great end-of-year ideas and activities!

Summer, Summer, Summertime {Book Study}

My summer vacation is just a few days away and my summertime to-do list is already a mile long. At the top of the list is a little summer reading! The Freebielicious gals invite you to join our Summer Book Study of "The Next Step in Guided Reading" by Jan Richardson. We will dig into the book together, discuss, and reflect on how we can apply Jan's strategies in our own classrooms.

This is one professional development opportunity that you do not want to miss: A book study FOR primary teachers LED BY primary teachers! I will fill you in on all of the details soon. For now, you can order a copy of the book and look forward to the fun!

Let's read and learn together!