FIVE FOR FRIDAY - APPLES, PHONICS, AND MORE

Holy End of September my friends.  Um, where in the WORLD did this week go? Things are still as busy as ever in the school department, but it's getting a bit easier.  My crew and I have found that sweet "rhythm" and we are officially on a roll.  Sure, we have a few hiccups along the way.  However, I must say that this is shaping up to be a stellar year :)  How are things going for all you alls these days?

I am coming at you with a "fashionably late" Five for Friday.  (Okay . . . so I am really pushing the limits on the "fashionable" thing as it's Sunday . . . but, I am going with it just the same).  Here's a quick rewind through our week.  

APPLE FEVER
As many of you in primary experienced this week . . . Room 18 had apples on the brain. I was lucky this year as most of my kids didn't do the whole apple thing in Kinder.  That's all I needed to hear.  We pulled out all the stops.  From taste tests, graphing, and crafts to apple-themed science, math, and writing, we covered it all.  

We completed Apple Addition Stories
Their quality work blew my socks off :)

Linda Kamp outdid herself on this craft/write.
These look so good on our classroom sky wire.
Check this resource out HERE.

Apple Smiles were a must since I don't have any nut allergies this year.
She left one marshmallow out . . .
"Cuz I'm missing a tooth on this side, Mrs. Dolling."

Had to call in the troops for this one.
Thanks, mom . . . you're one in a million :)

We had to end it with a "show me what you learned" write.
Give a prompt and we're tappin' and spellin' like nobody's business these days!!!

If you are rolling into apples this week (a few of you might be hitting it after Mr. Appleseed's birthday), be sure you check out these awesome apple resources for 1st and 2nd grade.  

SHORT A STUDY
Now that we finished up our handwriting and alphabet review, we jumped into short vowel studies this week.  This 5 day run was all about that wonderful SHORT A sound.  We completed some levelized word work, had some fun with a no-brainer activity, and brainstormed some word families.

Brainstorm Follow Up - Point, Read, Act
The kids always pay close attention, because they want to be on "stage"

The AC in my classroom is not working properly.
It can get up to 85 degrees in our room in the afternoon as it's still hot here.
We beat the heat by making SHORT A FANS this week.
(Complete with oodles of short a words and pictures.)

Levelized Word Work
While some kids just sorted short a words,
my hot shots dissected a story and composed sentences.

If you are looking for more short vowel goodies to run with this month, check out my fun packets and my $$$ savin' bundle.  All of them have a unique "flavor" and come with a song from Ron Brown's Intelli-Tunes :)

HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
I had oodles of help from my bloggin' pals this week.  In addition to all that apple themed help, a few other sweet as all get out ladies showed up into our classroom this week.

The one and only Babbling Abby popped up in groups this week :)
I trained my babes how to use her work work pages.
They were a HUGE hit.

Thank you, Anna Brantley.
Your Spelling in a Snap Pack is outstanding.
They loved this Colorful Spelling activity.

Let's be honest . . .
The Moffatt Girls show up in Room 18 EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I think I have 80% of her resources.
These September Journal pages make my heart happy.
They are the perfect independent station.

WORKING MID-WEEK
I actually managed to work on my "second job" after school this week. Alright, so I had to come home every day and take a power nap first, but I actually worked on blog stuff until I went to bed most nights. It's a miracle . . . I found the strength hiding in my little toe.    

Just in case you were in the trenches this week and missed my writing 
instruction post.  It's a good one . . . I poured my heart and soul into this write up as writing is my absolute favorite subject to teach. This post is filled with lots of ideas and tips outlining quality writing instruction practices that have worked oh so well for over the years.  It even has a scope and sequence for the fall trimester.  Click on the image below to read all about it.  

I also managed to pump out my Sentence Writing Warm-Ups for October. Sorry for the delay on this set . . . I had quite a few emails asking when they would be posted.  Well, they are finally up - under the wire :)  This set was also added to the Growing Bundle.

This packet contains 75 LEVELIZED pages :)
It's quick and easy writing instruction for your WHOLE class.  

OCTOBER FREEBIES
I was digging through my files yesterday and started pulling out stuff for the new month.  Well, I came across two fun freebies that I will be using within the next couple of weeks and figured I would share.  (You deserve a little something for your visit today . . . hehehehehe!)

Noun Read the Room FREEBIE
Don't care for my words . . . no prob . . . it's EDITABLE :)

Flip Flop Facts with oodles of Halloween Flavor.
Math.1.OA.3 will never be the same :)

Alright, this girl is out.  I have to get back to that "real job" right about now. My plan book has some HUGE holes.  Enjoy the rest of your Sunday my friends. Thanks for visiting :)