Finding a quality free teacher resource these days is hard. Recently, I signed up to three newsletters that were offering free teacher resources and 2 of them stunk! However, one teacher newsletter that never lets me down is the SongsforTeaching newsletter.
I originally signed up because a purchased a CD for my classroom from their website. After purchasing the CD and loving it, I signed up for their newsletter that offers free song downloads every month.
Now, I am not sure about you, but I love having music in my classroom. Music can change a learning environment in a heartbeat, so I am often looking for great songs. Thats exactly what songs for teaching offers. Every month you get an email newsletter. Inside you will find loads of quality resources. In addition to that you get at least one free teacher resource (a music download). Some months you even get a lesson or additional free songs.
This month I received a multiplication song that teaches to skip count by seven. Along with it, i received lyrics, and a lesson plan. Not to bad for a free teacher resource.
You can sign up for this fantastic free teacher resource newsletter at http://www.songsforteaching.http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifcom/registration.html
To continued success in the classroom!
Have a great day :)
Get organized with fantastic teacher resources
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Free Teacher Resource for Open House Night
I know that my Open House Night is coming up next week. So, I figured I would post a Free Teacher Resource. Here are my top five Open House Night Activities.
1. Set up a portfolio for yourself. I created a short PowerPoint of 4-8 slides to introduce myself, my family, my education and honors, and my goals for the school year.
2. Scavenger Hunt: make a list of items that every parent should find in the room. Give them clues. If they can't find one, have their child help them. (Last year, I let my students decide what they wanted the parents to find in our class. Then I printed up the scavenger hunt for the parents to complete with their child.)
3. Set up subject centers.
Computers - our school district uses one program for all students to receive additional help with reading and math. I set up all the computers to the website homepage and let the students show the parent what they do.
Math: this past school year, I put out a big starfish. Then I set out standard and non-standard forms of measurement and challenged the parents and students to find the perimeter with each one.
Estimation: every year I put out an estimation jar. This past year it was M&M's. Parents had to guess how many were in the jar. The parent that guessed the closest won a prize for the student. The following day we graphed the results and the top 5 guesses received "cool" school supplies and the remaining classmates got a pencil (for setup and a successful presentation of the classroom)
Science: I put together a mystery box. Inside was an item, and the parents and students had to use their senses to figure out what the item was inside. They put their guesses in a collection box. The following day we graphed their guesses.
4. One school year, our school held a "Parent Night" the Friday before school started. So, before I had met their children and started teaching anything I wanted to make a good first impression. Around my room I set up subject centers with topics we would learn this school year. The hit of the night was a set of gift bags I gave to my students.
I purchased decorative paper bags (you could also use zip locks). On the outside of the bag I taped this letter. (Use the list of items to fill your gift bag).
Dear Student,
Welcome to third grade with Ms. (your name)! I put together a few souvenirs to help you have a successful school year. As you pull items out of the bag read below to find out why I put them in there for you.
I am so happy to have you in my class this year!
Ms. (your name)
*Toothpick: Pick the good in everyone including yourself.
*Lifesaver: You can come to any adult at our school if you need help.
*Band-aid: To heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else’s.
*Smarties: Everyone in our class will learn lots and is getting smarter every day.
*Eraser: We all makes mistakes. That’s OK, we learn by our mistakes.
*Hugs: Everyone needs a hug from time to time...even your teachers!
*Starburst: All the children in our class are stars.
*Sports sticker: Most important...Stick together and work as a team...Together everyone accomplishes more!!!
5. Have a Wish List Ready!
Have a fun way of requesting help and supplies from parents. An easy way is to make an "apple" wish list. Use the die cut to cut out apple shapes. Then, write on each apple one thing that you need for your classroom. Ask parents to draw one or two apples from either a basket, or a tree. If you don't know everything you'll need, then keep the apple basket/tree in your room for parents to pick from throughout the year! Let parents know when new items have been added to the basket/tree.
This idea was contributed by: a teacher at Proteacher.com
In addition to the tips I have provided here check out my Top Five Tips to Make a Good First Impression at www.doyougeek.com/blog
**I have posted a free teacher resource download there**
I also liked many of the tips provided at the following article. I have implemented a few of these ideas for my open house night this year.
If you want to make a good first impression, get organized with a reliable teacher planning system now! Download it today at www.teachersfirstday.com/specialoffer.html
1. Set up a portfolio for yourself. I created a short PowerPoint of 4-8 slides to introduce myself, my family, my education and honors, and my goals for the school year.
2. Scavenger Hunt: make a list of items that every parent should find in the room. Give them clues. If they can't find one, have their child help them. (Last year, I let my students decide what they wanted the parents to find in our class. Then I printed up the scavenger hunt for the parents to complete with their child.)
3. Set up subject centers.
Computers - our school district uses one program for all students to receive additional help with reading and math. I set up all the computers to the website homepage and let the students show the parent what they do.
Math: this past school year, I put out a big starfish. Then I set out standard and non-standard forms of measurement and challenged the parents and students to find the perimeter with each one.
Estimation: every year I put out an estimation jar. This past year it was M&M's. Parents had to guess how many were in the jar. The parent that guessed the closest won a prize for the student. The following day we graphed the results and the top 5 guesses received "cool" school supplies and the remaining classmates got a pencil (for setup and a successful presentation of the classroom)
Science: I put together a mystery box. Inside was an item, and the parents and students had to use their senses to figure out what the item was inside. They put their guesses in a collection box. The following day we graphed their guesses.
4. One school year, our school held a "Parent Night" the Friday before school started. So, before I had met their children and started teaching anything I wanted to make a good first impression. Around my room I set up subject centers with topics we would learn this school year. The hit of the night was a set of gift bags I gave to my students.
I purchased decorative paper bags (you could also use zip locks). On the outside of the bag I taped this letter. (Use the list of items to fill your gift bag).
Dear Student,
Welcome to third grade with Ms. (your name)! I put together a few souvenirs to help you have a successful school year. As you pull items out of the bag read below to find out why I put them in there for you.
I am so happy to have you in my class this year!
Ms. (your name)
*Toothpick: Pick the good in everyone including yourself.
*Lifesaver: You can come to any adult at our school if you need help.
*Band-aid: To heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else’s.
*Smarties: Everyone in our class will learn lots and is getting smarter every day.
*Eraser: We all makes mistakes. That’s OK, we learn by our mistakes.
*Hugs: Everyone needs a hug from time to time...even your teachers!
*Starburst: All the children in our class are stars.
*Sports sticker: Most important...Stick together and work as a team...Together everyone accomplishes more!!!
5. Have a Wish List Ready!
Have a fun way of requesting help and supplies from parents. An easy way is to make an "apple" wish list. Use the die cut to cut out apple shapes. Then, write on each apple one thing that you need for your classroom. Ask parents to draw one or two apples from either a basket, or a tree. If you don't know everything you'll need, then keep the apple basket/tree in your room for parents to pick from throughout the year! Let parents know when new items have been added to the basket/tree.
This idea was contributed by: a teacher at Proteacher.com
In addition to the tips I have provided here check out my Top Five Tips to Make a Good First Impression at www.doyougeek.com/blog
**I have posted a free teacher resource download there**
I also liked many of the tips provided at the following article. I have implemented a few of these ideas for my open house night this year.
If you want to make a good first impression, get organized with a reliable teacher planning system now! Download it today at www.teachersfirstday.com/specialoffer.html
Sunday, September 2, 2007
WOW! Another Great Free Teacher Resource
Boy, have I got a fantastic Free Teacher Resource for you!
I was posting in the teacher forums the other day and came across some poems. I copied the poems to a document and there they sat until I could get to them this weekend... well to my surprise this was a key find!
I absolutely love the poems! SO many of them are useful in the classroom setting as well as around school... here's my top 5 favorites!
Following Directions
Simple directions aren’t hard to follow
But most excuses are hard to swallow
Do what you’re told and give it a rest
And trust that your teachers know best
Leaning Back In Your Chair
Please don’t lean back in your chair
Or from me you’ll receive a glare
When you fall, you are defenseless
That hard floor will knock you senseless
No book for class
Libro, Libro, no esta aqui
Trouble, trouble has found me
I cannot read without a book
And my teacher gives me evil looks
Talking to the teacher
Are you talking back to the teacher?
You are a rude little creature
Please learn how to co-exist
Or you’ll end up on the sit at recess list
** This was one of my favorites! If only I had this poem last year... I had the perfect student for it! :) **
Smacking Lips
I don’t like those smacking lips
Or those hands there on your hips
Your behavior is very crude
You’d better find a better mood
This is just a list of some of the others included with this pack of poems.
Bad Cafeteria Manners
Library behavior
Noisy class
Tapping On Your Desk
Tuck In That Shirt
Restroom Trouble
Bus Problems
Rolling Eyes
Skipping Class
Stare Down
Legibility
Back Turner
Uncovered Book
Borrowing
Teacher’s Desk
Shuffling feet
Hands on
Whining
Homework not complete
Ok, so I bet right now, you are wondering...How can I get my hands on these?
Well, I did the work for you! I downloaded them, formated them, and put them to PDF. All you need to do is click the link below to download a PDF version. It's a 55 Page PDF! That means 55 poems. Each formatted and ready to print!
Enjoy the Free Teacher Resource - Download the Poems Now
And if you haven't already...check out the free teacher resource I put together for you! www.teachersfirstday.com
Also, I have made the first week back a breeze by packaging all of my awesome teacher resources for lesson planning, grading, and organizing for the school year. Check it out here... The Teachers First Week Back Pack
I was posting in the teacher forums the other day and came across some poems. I copied the poems to a document and there they sat until I could get to them this weekend... well to my surprise this was a key find!
I absolutely love the poems! SO many of them are useful in the classroom setting as well as around school... here's my top 5 favorites!
Following Directions
Simple directions aren’t hard to follow
But most excuses are hard to swallow
Do what you’re told and give it a rest
And trust that your teachers know best
Leaning Back In Your Chair
Please don’t lean back in your chair
Or from me you’ll receive a glare
When you fall, you are defenseless
That hard floor will knock you senseless
No book for class
Libro, Libro, no esta aqui
Trouble, trouble has found me
I cannot read without a book
And my teacher gives me evil looks
Talking to the teacher
Are you talking back to the teacher?
You are a rude little creature
Please learn how to co-exist
Or you’ll end up on the sit at recess list
** This was one of my favorites! If only I had this poem last year... I had the perfect student for it! :) **
Smacking Lips
I don’t like those smacking lips
Or those hands there on your hips
Your behavior is very crude
You’d better find a better mood
This is just a list of some of the others included with this pack of poems.
Bad Cafeteria Manners
Library behavior
Noisy class
Tapping On Your Desk
Tuck In That Shirt
Restroom Trouble
Bus Problems
Rolling Eyes
Skipping Class
Stare Down
Legibility
Back Turner
Uncovered Book
Borrowing
Teacher’s Desk
Shuffling feet
Hands on
Whining
Homework not complete
Ok, so I bet right now, you are wondering...How can I get my hands on these?
Well, I did the work for you! I downloaded them, formated them, and put them to PDF. All you need to do is click the link below to download a PDF version. It's a 55 Page PDF! That means 55 poems. Each formatted and ready to print!
Enjoy the Free Teacher Resource - Download the Poems Now
And if you haven't already...check out the free teacher resource I put together for you! www.teachersfirstday.com
Also, I have made the first week back a breeze by packaging all of my awesome teacher resources for lesson planning, grading, and organizing for the school year. Check it out here... The Teachers First Week Back Pack
Monday, August 27, 2007
Sneak Peak To the Free Teacher Resource
Well...in an effort to share this fantastic free teacher resource.. i created a sneak peak video.
I encourage you to download this free teacher resource now!
With it's dramatic gain in popularity as teachers return to school, i have had an overwhelming amount of visitors...I am not sure how much longer I can keep this incredible resource free!
Wishing you the best this school year!
I encourage you to download this free teacher resource now!
With it's dramatic gain in popularity as teachers return to school, i have had an overwhelming amount of visitors...I am not sure how much longer I can keep this incredible resource free!
Wishing you the best this school year!
More Info About the Free Teacher Resource
From the time I started college, through years of teaching, and until now...I have collecting websites and put them into one toolbar that will take just five minutes to install and start using! This free teacher resource is priceless...literally :)
I have included the major resource websites for lesson planning, but more importantly, hands-on interactive websites that teach how to count money, multiplication tables, even fractions! I found Internet resources for writing, online reading activities, and interactive science lessons. Don’t think I forgot social studies!
If you can teach it… I included it. And the list continues to grow as teachers submit even more valuable teaching resources.
In previous years, you may have purchased teacher resource books for each topic you teach. With the invention of the Internet millions of lesson plans are at your fingertips for free! All you need to do is spend hours searching the billions of Internet pages out there…ugh! What a hassle! Well, not any more...
I did all the Internet research for you. I am sharing all of my favorite teacher resources with you for hundreds of topics. If it’s not there, send an email and I’ll add it to the toolbar. Isn’t technology incredible?!?
Check out an awesome Free teacher Resouce at www.teachersfirstday.com
I have included the major resource websites for lesson planning, but more importantly, hands-on interactive websites that teach how to count money, multiplication tables, even fractions! I found Internet resources for writing, online reading activities, and interactive science lessons. Don’t think I forgot social studies!
If you can teach it… I included it. And the list continues to grow as teachers submit even more valuable teaching resources.
In previous years, you may have purchased teacher resource books for each topic you teach. With the invention of the Internet millions of lesson plans are at your fingertips for free! All you need to do is spend hours searching the billions of Internet pages out there…ugh! What a hassle! Well, not any more...
I did all the Internet research for you. I am sharing all of my favorite teacher resources with you for hundreds of topics. If it’s not there, send an email and I’ll add it to the toolbar. Isn’t technology incredible?!?
Check out an awesome Free teacher Resouce at www.teachersfirstday.com
Friday, August 24, 2007
Free Teacher Resource For YOU!
After a few years of teaching I realized that the most valuable resource to other teachers is my knowledge of the web. I have put together a Teacher Toolbar so that I can share my personal favorites and some fantastic free teacher resource websites. Below is a short list of some of the weblinks you can find in the Teacher Toolbar.
- 10-20 Web-links for Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies. That is 100 Websites just for teaching those content areas! Some of the links include interactive lessons and activities for teaching time, money, good writing habits, the weather process... the list goes on. I included my most preferred links in this toolbar!
- Resource Links for Integrating Technology - and for all the lucky teachers out there with access to a smart board you can check out the terrific links with over a 100 interactive activities for the smart board.
- Build your own website for FREE..using one of the six providers that i included in the Teacher toolbar.
- Find great activities to pump up your word wall.
- STOP searching the internet for First Week lesson ideas... I searched them for you and included some of the best links for you!
- Most Importantly...this toolbar is constantly updated, so if you come across a resource that you would like access to often send it to me in an email and I will personally update the toolbar.
Or read more about the Teacher Toolbar at www.squidoo.com/freeteacherresource
Thursday, August 23, 2007
What To Do With Free Teacher Resource
As a teacher, I love searching the internet for free teacher resources!
It has become an addiction! Over the past few years I have signed up for and received hundreds of teacher freebies. I dont always use them, but you just never know when you might need a poster about "How Plastic Is Made" - sounds cool right?!
..I'm just not sure my third grade students will fully understand the jargon plastered on the poster.. at least it looks cool. Sorry... I got a little side tracked.
Recently, my husband came to me with one demand...it was that I stop having all of these free things sent to our house so that they will pile high in our garage with a promise that I will one day find a use for it in my classroom. I know...how mean could he be...stop signing up for free stuff?!? Well, I can understand, just this past year I gave 15 boxes of free teacher resources that i had collected over the years to a good teacher friend that was just starting her career. She was so appreciative and wondered how I got all this incredible stuff... I think my husband was just as appreciative - if not more...
Well since I can no longer bring home free stuff for teachers I thought I would share all of the free teacher resources that I find online. I even made a teacher resource over the summer in hopes of making all teachers lives easier... you can check it out at www.teachersfirstday.com
Oh, and you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed... because I'll be posting tons of free teacher resource here all school year and throughout the summer!
It has become an addiction! Over the past few years I have signed up for and received hundreds of teacher freebies. I dont always use them, but you just never know when you might need a poster about "How Plastic Is Made" - sounds cool right?!
..I'm just not sure my third grade students will fully understand the jargon plastered on the poster.. at least it looks cool. Sorry... I got a little side tracked.
Recently, my husband came to me with one demand...it was that I stop having all of these free things sent to our house so that they will pile high in our garage with a promise that I will one day find a use for it in my classroom. I know...how mean could he be...stop signing up for free stuff?!? Well, I can understand, just this past year I gave 15 boxes of free teacher resources that i had collected over the years to a good teacher friend that was just starting her career. She was so appreciative and wondered how I got all this incredible stuff... I think my husband was just as appreciative - if not more...
Well since I can no longer bring home free stuff for teachers I thought I would share all of the free teacher resources that I find online. I even made a teacher resource over the summer in hopes of making all teachers lives easier... you can check it out at www.teachersfirstday.com
Oh, and you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed... because I'll be posting tons of free teacher resource here all school year and throughout the summer!
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