My First Frenzy!

If you have never participated in a Frenzy, it is never too late to start.  They are tons of fun & you can grab a variety of free products to use with your students.  It is like a weekend of flash freebies!!! The Facebook Frenzies were started by the amazing Heather over at Creation Castle.  Hats off to Heather!!!

You do not want to miss what these talented educators have in store for you!

I get to the the first stop in my rotation & I could not be more thrilled!!!  I hope you give it a try!

Click on the picture above to get to the 2nd grade Math/Science Frenzy or choose a link from below to go to the spot that your would like to start with!  Have a ton of fun traveling around the different frenzies & picking up cool free activities.

The Frenzy officially starts on December 6 at 8:00 am EST and ends on December 9 at 8:00 pm EST

K Math/Science - https://www.facebook.com/mrspspecialties

K ELA/Social Studies - https://www.facebook.com/TheReadingBungalow

1st Math/Science - https://www.facebook.com/FriendlyFroggies

1st ELA/Social Studies - https://www.facebook.com/DynamicDualLanguage

2nd Math/Science - https://www.facebook.com/AllSmilesInSecondGrade

2nd ELA/Social Studies - https://www.facebook.com/StuckeyInSecondGrade

3rd Math/Science - https://www.facebook.com/EvilMathWizard

3rd ELA/Social Studies - https://www.facebook.com/comprehensionconnection

4th - https://www.facebook.com/4thGradeRacers

5th - https://www.facebook.com/theresourecefulroom

6th-12th - https://www.facebook.com/MathScienceSocialStudiesOhmy

Music - https://www.facebook.com/IamBullyproofMusic

Clipart - https://www.facebook.com/CarasClipstpt 

Happy Facebook Page Hopping!

Karen

 

Teachers Pay Teachers Sale!

Head over to our store &

find some great items!!!

We have posted several new products!

Here are just a few:

          

                 

You do not want to miss this sale!

Click on our button below!

Happy Shopping!

Karen & Alison

Building Vocabulary

Building vocabulary relating to science is very important to help children fully understand the concepts being taught in the classroom.

There are a number of ways to build their vocabulary in the classroom.  So many of my readers are pros at it!

One way is to create a word wall by adding the vocabulary words as they are being taught in the classroom.  You could put them under an alphabet strip/letters or in a grid format depending on your wall space.  I used the tri-fold foam boards for easy travel & organization. I placed them on top of my cabinets to get them as low to the children without furniture covering them up. Then we were told to take everything off our cabinets and they had to go.

Now I make them in a different way.  I make smaller anchor charts with the vocabulary word under the given topic & a picture clue to match.  They seem to be effective with my class. These anchor charts are 2 sheets of paper turned long like a hotdog.  You trim them in the middle and presto a compact anchor chart that does not take up too much room!

These match the 2nd Grade Cy-Fair study guide.

If you need some made for your class, feel free to email me @ planethappysmiles@gmail.com

Here are the posters I have made.  You can find them in my TPT store.

Nature of Science

Matter

Forces & Energy

Earth's Resources

Animals

Plants

I am currently working on:

Habitats

Astronomy

Butterflies

Weather

Another way I have tried to increase their vocabulary is by making stations that they use their words often.  I am in the process of putting them together to load online soon!

Once I load my stations there are cards you can use for your word wall & for the small group activity.

Two other anchor charts you may love are ...

Scientific Process (Newest Addition)

Properties of Matter (Best Seller)

I have a few others I am in the process of completing and I will load them soon.

Happy Vocabulary Building!

Karen

My Schedule for Second Grade

I am so excited to be linking up with Susan Jones from: Sometimes I  TGIF!  Thank God It's First Grade!

I love to share and see what everyone is doing around the world.  Click on the picture to go to her site & link up!  I can't wait to see what you are doing!

Schedule Linky:

Here is my schedule for 2nd Grade!  I do not have too many changes or interruptions because I teach Math/Science.  It seems the Reading/L.A./Social Studies teachers have more activities that are extra.

 Here is a look at my day ...

I created schedule cards for my "Target" Pocket chart or for a standard schedule chart.  I use these to show the children what kind of a day we will have.  You can change out the cards easy when using the pocket chart for those special days when you have parties, pictures, author visits, etc.  I find that it helps the kids stay on track & also helps those who need to know what is next but they can't remember day-to-day. I also like that the clock is attached.  No more falling out and getting lost & if you laminate it, you can use them year after year.

I will never have to print extra clocks again.

(Can you tell I did not like remaking :o)

 I made them in more than one design to fit more classrooms.  If you need a different design, feel free to message me!

Here are the designs I have, you can click on the style you like to go to the store:

Zebra

Chevron (rainbow & white)

Chevron (rainbow & black)

Chevron (black & white)

Chevron (aqua)

Polka Dot (black & white)

Here is a picture of my zebra cards that I use:

Hope your schedule is a "Happy" one!

Happy Teaching,

Karen

Organization

Organization is key in very classroom to have your year run smoothly.  I have been working really hard on my organization this year since I am new to 2nd grade.  I created these binders to help tame the copies.  Our district has a HUGE amount of copies for the children to practice math skills in 2nd grade.  So ... I had to tackle that pile of copies that I kept sticking in my "To File" drawer & organize myself for the years to come.  Here is how I did it!

I created a binder for every skill in our curriculum and added clear sleeves inside for all of the copies.  You could even make one HUGE binder and use the covers as dividers.  (I will custom create any that you need if you love my design!)

Here is a picture of the Polka Dot Cover for Math.  It comes in zebra (of course), too:

Here is a picture of the matching spines:

I love them!!!  Each different subject is a different color so I can find them with ease in my cabinet.  Yes ... I guess I am kinda a dork!  I just love organization!

If you love organization as much as I do, I put these in my store in 2 different designs:
Zebra
Black & White Polka Dot

Last tip:  To help keep the ink from the printers from attaching to my clear binder fronts, I always put them in clear sleeves 1st.  Now they do not transfer & I can reuse the binder later in life if I ever need to!

I hope this helps you organize your math files.  Soon to come my science set, it is looking good so far!!!
Happy Organizing,
Karen

I am so thrilled to be linking up with Tori again for
Monday Made It!

Project One:

These are recycling bins I made for the classroom this week!  I am using them at home, too!

I did not include a “Glass” sign due to safety reasons.  The kids love bringing their recycling to school. 

You can find them in our store @ Planet Happy Smiles

Happy Recycling

Project Two:

This was a project I made for another classroom & I love the way it turned out!  There are pages that include all of the alphabet letters 3 to a page for making copies (black & white).  You can also have them printed on colored tag for station activities or morning activities.  I made cover pages so you can make the set into a book format.  I also bundled our letter mats & certificates into this pack.

click on the picture to get to our store.

I hope you love this pack!  It was a ton of fun to make for a wonderful person!  I love making products for others & I miss the kinder kids!

Happy Teaching!

Karen

Popcorn Alphabet, Word Wall, Words & Number Stations

Check out our newest addition to our store!  This pack has both math & language stations. 

It is based on the Cypress Fairbanks List of 35 Kindergarten Words.

A fantastic set for parents & teachers!

1st & 2nd Grade To Be In The Store Soon!

If you would like us to add to the pack,

please message us!

Click the picture to go to our store!

Happy Teaching!
Karen & Alison

Properties of Matter Anchor Chart

New Product:

Click the picture to go to our store!

Properties of Matter Anchor Chart

These pieces will help you create a fun anchor chart for your students.

What’s included:

Title for anchor chart

14 different “properties “ cards with corresponding pictures

Lines to make your web
Directions to help you create your chart

Here is my chart already made with the velcrow!  Yahoo ... easy to prepare year-to-year

Happy Teaching!

Karen

Monday Made It

I am so thrilled to be linking up with Tori again for Monday Made It!

1st: I love building up a positive classroom environment!  This is our newest addition to our store & the kids are loving it. There is more to it than the picture reflects & I am going to jazz it up in the next week & will repost the new picks ... can't wait!

Click the picture to see it in our store.

This product contains a fantastic system of rewards & incentives. Many of them are little or no cost to the teacher. Some of the ideas could be supplied by donations.

Have fun setting up your own system.

We put a ton of thought into a variety of ideas to add to this product & know there are many more great ideas out there. We would love to hear from you!

We hope this product helps support your positive classroom climate!

Included:
Signs for the header of the rewards for display

Punch cards in 4 different styles

Play money in a variety of increments for store set ups
(Can be used in dramatic play)

65 different coupons/cards with pictures & words that are easy for the children to understand
(The cards can be printed as a set or individually as coupons)

1 set of blank cards to create your own reward cards.

If there is something you would like us to add, please contact us @ planethappysmiles@gmail.com

2nd:  The second item I have been working on is a Color By Code set

It contains a variety of crayon colors and numbers 1-20. Perfect for giving directions on color-by-number activities.  The crayons are my own personal clipart ... getting crafty! LOL

Click the picture to see it in our store.

3rd:  For all of my zebra friends out there & black & white//rainbow chevron ...

Yahoo ... 

These are schedule cards to display in the classroom throughout the year. They were made to fit the $1.00 pocket charts you can find at Target, but a standard schedule pocket chart will work as well. You can also staple them on a bulletin board.

There are 78 schedule cards in this file.  We made these to fit our needs & we know there are many more ideas out there for schedules. We will be more than happy to add to our file upon request. You can email us @ planethappysmiles@gmail.com

I love that they have the clock attached ... no more reprinting clocks when I have misplaced them ... Oops I guess I just let you know I am not the most organized teacher ... but I am trying :o)

Religion was not included in this file because we are a public school. We might be able to add them upon request.

OK ... there are tons of others we have added & most are under 3 dollars with several free items ... please go check them out.  Before you rate, if you are unhappy, email us & we will help solve the problem.  We want you to love our stuff!

While you're here, join our contest.  If this 1st one is a success, we will offer many more!

Happy Teaching!
Karen

After you enter on this blog, head on over to Planet Happy Smiles and enter again for more chances to win!

Helicopter graphic from:  sweetclipart.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guided Reading Strategy Cards

Our Newest Product:  Guided Reading Strategy Cards

This Guided Reading Strategy Cards set includes 29 different strategy cards and an editable checklist as the student’s master each strategy. Each slide has 12 bookmark size cards on it of the same strategy. The cards are color coded to match the 4 different CAFÉ skill headings: Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, and Expand Vocabulary. 
This product is designed to be used in a Guided Reading group. After working on a specific skill with the kids in your small group, take the bookmark strategy card that you worked on and slide it into each child’s Guided Reading book. When the kids take their book home, this lets the parents know what you were working on with them and what they can continue with at home. It is a great tool for the school/home connection!

The picture ( with the word: example)  shows you all the strategies that are included in the set. There is an editable checklist included, too. The rest of the slides have a different strategy on each slide for easy printing on a specific strategy.
These are the same strategy cards that we have in our CAFÉ products. Below is a link to 1 of the CAFÉ products that we offer.

CAFE Strategy Cards:  click here
We use the CAFÉ when introducing the strategies in our whole group lessons. These bookmarks are to be used for small group instruction as another way to reinforce the strategies. 

We hope you find this helpful!
Enjoy!

Comparing Numbers & Place Value:Alligator Chomp

Alligator Chomp! Comparing & Ordering Numbers 1-999

I am currently using this with my second graders & they are loving it!  Can't wait to add their pics. once I get permission from their parents.

Here is a new product online in our TPT store.

Comparing Numbers & Place Value:Alligator Chomp
This is a great set for K-3.
The number cards alone can be used in many ways!
Great for whole & small group work!

There are 106 pages in the package!  

It Includes:
2 different poems
Posters: Greater than, less than, equal to 
1-999 Number Cards 
Work Mats for station work/small groups 
(laminate & use dry erase markers)
Large Greater than/Less than Alligator & Equal Sign 
Pocket chart cards for practice 
Master Copy for math journal practice in black & white.

You can click here or on the pic. to see it in our store.

Happy Shopping!

I hope you like this product.  If you purchase, please rate it on the TeachersPayTeachers page.

Happy Teaching!

Karen

Scientist Exploration

I put these tubs together from a variety of materials I have collected.  We used these tubs in our science lab to help discover some of the different jobs in science.  It was so interesting to see how the children investigated the materials in each tub.  As soon as I get permission to post pictures, I will.

Materials in the tubs: 

Vet: Melissa & Doug vet costume, ace bandage, stuffed animals, pet carrier, books about animals

Doctor: blood pressure machine, stethoscope, magnets to represent DNA strands, books about our 5 senses 

Geologist: a variety of rocks, eye protection, hand lenses

Physics: variety of magnets, magnetic gears, book about magnets 

Biologist: leaves, nests, dirt dabbers nest, hand lenses, turtle shell, books, file folder games

Paleontologist: dinosaurs, hand lenses, fossil, books

You can pick up the tub labels for free, please leave feedback it you do.  I know not all of the professions are provided, but those were the ones that I used. 

I hope this helps someone out there.

Happy Investigating!

Karen

NOISE! Cards

I made these for the zebra & polka dot lovers out there.  You can find them in my store for free.  Both patterns are in the same download.

Just print the set you want.

If you download, please leave feedback.

Just click: here or on the picture.

After you download & print, just add magnets to the back and slap on your dry erase/mag. board.

I added and ! for the kinder level ... at the beginning of the year, they may need another chance.
Happy Teaching!
Karen

Warm-ups~ Organization

I can’t wait to use my new folders on Tuesday!

In 2nd Grade at my school we have "Warm-ups" for the children to do at the beginning of class.  I put these folders together to organize them.

Each folder is going to hold am & pm "Warm-ups" for the week.

I would love to hear how you organize your table copies for the week.

Happy Teaching!

Karen

Writing Word Wall (Editable)

Newest Product Alert:

We are so excited about this item ...

This is a Word Wall set for individual writing folders/binders that is editable. It has 1st grade words in it, but any grade level can change the words to fit your grade level HFW.
Set includes:
-word wall page with alphabet and words
-page with other important vocabulary
-alphabet chart that matches our big Word Wall cards 
-vowel sounds page
-consonant blend page
-vowel combinations page
-cover pages for folder or binder 

Click: Here to check it out in our store!

If you have any suggestions or comments, you may write us at planethappysmiles@gmail.com.

Remember when you rate a product on TPT, you earn points to buy more products!

Happy Teaching,

Karen & Alison

Helpers ~ Jobs In the Classroom

If you are looking for classroom helper/job cards ... look no further.  We have designed several sets and are adding new themes all the time.  If there is a theme we do not have, please let us know & we will get right to work on it.

Here are the ones for sale at this time & more being added soon:

 Click here to go to our store:  Here

We hope you find something that fits your needs.

Have a Happy School Year!

Karen & Alison