OUTTA THIS WORLD ABC PRACTICE

Before we get down to business today, I have two sad little words for you . . . I'm sick.  Yup, in 8 short days in the classroom, my sweet crew of kiddos not only shared their cuteness with me, but they also shared their germs.  BOO! Isn't it usually at least week 4 before ya go down for the first time??  Oh well, I have a Z-Pack now and life will be all good in about a day :)

Now that I got my whining out of the way, it's on to a little ABC fun.  At the beginning of first grade, we always spend a little time practicing those ABCs. (Rightfully so this year as I had a little sweetie come up and ask me how to write an "EL-M-EN-O" . . . it was everything I could do not to crack up.)  If you follow me, you know that I am all about creating new "hooks" to teach a concept or standard.  So, we worked on practicing the alphabet . . . alien-style.  

Have you all heard of the song Alien Alphabet by Ron Brown's Intelli-Tunes? Each and every year it becomes a class favorite.  Why, you ask??  Well, the kids get to sing the ABCs in their best alien voices and move around like outta this world creatures.  The giggles take over the room and everyone buys-in immediately! Just take a little listen . . . 

Click PLAY to start and PAUSE to stop!

We then took this a step further and created our own alien alphabet bulletin board.  Everyone was given a letter of the alphabet to turn into a crazy creature - complete with teeth, dozens of eyes, claws, and anything else their little imaginations could come up with.  

This always is a great little afternoon activity these first few weeks.  Those little firsties get oh-so tired after lunch and this keeps 'em working and smiling without overloading them :)  Here's our finished bulletin board (well, make that bulletin door).

My journey into the teacher's room (yes, I am lucky enough to be attached to the copy room and the staff fridge), always makes me smile even more now. The kids got a kick out of this display too.

Interested in trying this out in your class?  Ron has the Alien Alphabet on special this month - only 99 cents in his single song download area.  CLICK HERE to download a copy.  CLICK HERE to get the letters that go with this art project (I had to use a different font as the one I used is for personal use only). Remember, if you want to use a cuter and more cartoony font, it's super easy to make these (I originally used Bite Me from 1001 Free Fonts).

One more thing before I go today.  I have been using The Queen of the First Grade Jungle's Numbers 1-20 Math Packet and I am in love.  The activities are proving to be just perfect for my little firsties.  Her Number Detective sheets are my absolute fave.  These have been the perfect Good Morning Work activity (along with an additional handwriting page) each and every day.  It takes numbers to the next level!  We're talking tens frames, tallying, number word spelling, etc.  Check out the work I am getting with these . . . 

Alright sweet friends, I am out.  Gotta go blow my nose and take a handful of Advil.  Merry Labor Day to all you alls.  I will see you soon.