One Sharp Bunch

Teaching classroom expectations at the beginning of the year is not for the faint of heart, especially if you are an early primary teacher!

Soooooo many new routines and procedures!

One of my favorite stories to read to help set positive expectations is “David Goes to School!”

As you might know, this story focuses on negative behavior… but I like to spin those negatives into a positive!

As we are reading, we turn those “No, David!” choices into “Yes, David!” choices!

Drop a 🖍️ if you’d like the direct link!

P.S. This little cutie got a huge glow up! Plus, I added 146 behavior choice cards for the behavior sort, as well as 8 math and literacy centers!

One thing we practice a ton in the beginning of the year is correctly forming the letters in our name! These trace and build mats are easy prep for morning work or centers. I just slide them into a sheet protector or dry erase pocket, so the kiddos can use them again and again!

Plus, they are a great early finisher activity!

Head to my stories for a peek at our name puzzles!

Tell me 👇 your favorite read aloud to use during your name unit!

Launching center time at the beginning of the year can be a little overwhelming in kindergarten, but this check in system has been a lifesaver! At the end of each rotation, I project this onto the board and I have the students rate themselves on each of our center jobs.

1. I can start right away.
2. I can work the whole time.
3. I can stay in one spot.
4. I can work quietly.
5. I can put my tools away.

Head to yesterday’s post to see the little jingle we sing for these “I Can” statements!

Let me know in the comments if you could use this “3, 2, 1 Center Check In” visual!👏👏👏

These 5 little “I can” statements are basically my go-to’s all day long! We even sing a little jingle for each one to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb....

I can start right away, right away, right away. I can start right away during (insert activity here).

We also do hand motions for each statement.

Let me know in the comments 👇 if you’d like me to share the check in system I have my students use during center time!

Would you like me to share more about our center routine in stories or in a blog post?

On the first day of school, I always have the students draw a self-portrait. I put a sticky note on the right side to block it off, so the students don’t draw on that side. I simply ask them to draw a picture of themselves…. No prompting or modeling. They also write their name along the bottom.

Then, on the last day of school… okay, sometime during the last week, because we all know the last day is already too crazy 🤪… I ask them to draw another self-portrait.

The growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year always amazes me! Just look at the detail in this end of the year picture and that basketball on his shirt! I also have the kiddos write their name at the bottom. Huge growth there too!

I send these home on the last day as a keepsake for the parents.

Show of hands ✋… whose last day was last week or the week before? If not, how many more days do you have left?

Head to my stories, or leave ☀️, for the link to this printable!

Here’s an easy peasy end of the year gift idea for a classroom volunteer or school secretary! We all know that they are the glue that holds a school together!

Just toss some straws and packets of lemonade into a pitcher, and tie a wooden spoon to the handle with a towel. You could also put individual lemonade packets into a tumbler with lid, or you could even use a small bottle of lemonade.

I’ll link the free tag in my stories, or drop a 🍋 in the comments for the direct link!

Let me know if you would like to see more volunteer gift ideas! What other gifts do you need? 😎

It’s almost summer SLIME! You know I love me a good pun! Plus, these slime kits make the perfect end of the year student gifts! They are the prefect summer boredom buster!

To make the kits… I placed a bottle of glue, plastic spoon, small baggie of baking soda and foam beads, as well as a tiny bottle of contact solution, inside a plastic cup. The kiddos could mix up a batch of ooey gooey slime right inside the cup!

http://bit.ly/summerslimekits

Drop a 🕶️ for the FREE gift tags and labels!

I just wanted to pop on to say THANK YOU!

Thank you for all that you do to support your students!

As teachers, we don't hear this simple yet powerful phrase enough!

With Teacher Appreciation Week kicking off on Monday, I wanted to share all of the exciting ways I plan to celebrate YOU!

From May 5th through May 11th, I will be celebrating our One Sharp Bunch teacher community with free coffee, gift cards, giveaways, sales, freebies, and more! 👀

Check back today at noon EST for hourly resource giveaways!

Here is a quick peek at everything I have planned for you:

This preschool and kindergarten graduation craft is a twist on the traditional memory book, as it includes just the right amount of writing and drawing for our little ones!

Plus, you can personalize it with your school colors!

Drop a 🎓 for the direct link to the craft!

Let me know in the comments… Do you have a preschool or kindergarten graduation?

Every single year I forget to start our end of the year memory books early, and then kill myself trying to squeeze them at the last minute! Don’t be like me!

Start to work on your memory books at the beginning of May, so that you can complete 3-4 pages each week. Read... So you can prevent yourself from stressing and trying to squeeze it in at the end!

I also have a version that fits on standard paper and can be placed inside a folder or binder, or even binded along the edge.

Drop a 😎 for the direct link to these memory books!

Also, inquiring minds want to know… when is your last day of school?

One of my favorite books for the end of the year is “The Invisible String!”

It tells how we all have an invisible string, and even when we are apart, we are still connected by our invisible string.

What’s your favorite book for the end of the year? Drop the title in the comments, so I can fill my Amazon cart!

Head to my stories to see more end of the year books!

These hand drawn DIY tile coasters are by far my most favorite student-created Mother’s Day gift!

They are super affordable to make! Just grab some square, white tiles from Home Depot or Menards. My team always purchases them by the case and splits the cost.

Let me know if you’d like to see a reel with the how-to!

I’ve included templates for mom, dad, and I LOVE YOU!

https://bit.ly/mothersdaytilecoasters

Leave me a ❤️ if you’d like the link to the template!

Before making the butterfly craft I shared yesterday, the students learn a poem all about the life cycle. This little jingle (sung to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”) helps them better remember each stage!

Flutter, flutter, butterfly.
Use your wings and go so high.

Lay your eggs upon a leaf.
Caterpillar, munch and eat.

Spin a silky chrysalis.
Rest and rest, metamorphosis!

Let me know in the comments if you’d like me to share a butterfly life cycle freebie, complete with sequence strips and mix and fix pocket chart sentences!

“Flutter, flutter butterfly.
Use your wings and go so high.
Lay your eggs upon a leaf.
Caterpillar munch and eat...” One of my favorite poems and butterfly crafts for spring!

Let me know if you’d like me to share the rest of the butterfly life cycle poem!

What’s you favorite theme for spring? Mine might be 🌈 and 🦋!

https://bit.ly/MayPoetryBinder

Head to my stories or leave a comment for the link to the craft!

Highly effective will now be referred to as greatly amazing!

Amazing!!! 👏🤩🥳

Bored Teachers

How did it go?

🤪🌑☀️

Do you have spring conferences? If so, when are they?

Yes, but with little bitty wobble seats.

Perfect video for Monday!

The 2024 Solar Eclipse is almost here!

Prepare with Tim and Moby as they explain the difference between partial and total eclipses, why the path of totality is the place to be, and how to observe a solar eclipse safely (and more!).

Watch for FREE: https://brnpop.co/3TFGARU

What do your school mornings 🌤️ look like? I’ll be honest and say that I wasn’t always a fan of our morning routine. Read more about how I made the most of our mornings! ⤵️

For years, I used daily worksheets as morning work. And, I constantly found myself running from student to student to provide extra support… all while trying to finish the typical morning duties.

It was not fun!

In fact, it was exhausting!

I couldn’t keep up with the students who needed help, which as you can imagine, left many disengaged students sitting idle.

After much brainstorming on how I could make my mornings easier and our morning work more meaningful, I decided to implement Fine Motor Morning Tubs.

Talk about an instant gamechanger!

My kiddos were engaged… learning… and building fine motor skills!

Swipe 👉 to see more of our April fine motor activities!

Head to my stories to save 20% off!

Such an incredible value for a great cause!

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We’ve all heard it... probably at least a million times!

“I’m done!” 🤪

Sometimes, our little learners finish a bit faster than we had anticipated.

Now what?!

Fast Finisher File Folders!

Each game has everything your students need to complete the task... no extra manipulatives required!

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

You can grab the March Fast Finisher File Folders… say that three times fast 🤣… here:

https://bit.ly/marchfastfinisherfilefolders

Let me know in the comments if you’d like the direct link!

Does anyone have spring conferences? During our parent teacher conferences, I like to have the parents fill out a little “parent pride” note while they are waiting.

I’ll read these to the kiddos at the end of the week. Their faces are priceless! Be proud! Shout it loud!

If for some reason one of the kiddos doesn’t have one, I go ahead a jot them a note of why I am so proud!

Let me know in the comments if you can use this printable, and I’ll send you the direct link to the freebie!

https://bit.ly/parentpridestudentshoutout

In my opinion, teaching opinion writing is the most difficult genre of writing for our little learners to grasp... see what I did there 🤣?!

But, with the right mentor texts it doesn’t have to be.

“Red Is Best” and “The Day the Crayons Quit” are two of my favorite opinion writing mentor texts! I use both of these mentor texts over the course of two weeks, as we dive deep into opinion writing.

Head to my stories to take a peek at how I use each of these mentor texts to launch opinion writing. Plus, I’m sharing a list of my other favorite opinion writing mentor texts!

Also, what’s your least favorite genre of writing to teach? Answer the poll below!

Since creating this Valentine’s mosaic heart craft is easy for students, it has quickly become one of my go-to activities for our classroom Valentine’s Day party!

This Valentine’s craft not only makes the perfect party station, it also makes a great keepsake for your students’ loved ones!

https://onesharpbunch.com/2023/12/valentines-mosaic-heart-craft-for-kids.html

Head to my stories for a peek at my favorite DIY Valentine’s party ideas!

Always! Do you do this too?

Freebie Alert!! 🚨Several friends and I are teaming up for the most EPIC FREE bundle!

Right now, you can grab all of these resources and MANY MORE with the link in my profile! You will receive all of these resources directly in your inbox! 💌

This bundle is loaded with K-2 resources that include writing and math activities, crafts, Valentine’s goodies, and so many more amazing things you can use with your class!

This bundle is only available for a limited time so don’t miss out! Tag your teacher friends so they can grab it too!

https://one-sharp-bunch.ck.page/a50f9339e6

Has January felt like 798 days?! Spring cannot get here soon enough! Here’s to hoping good ol’ Punxsutawney Phil does not see his shadow!

One of my favorite ways to keep student engagement high during the doldrums of winter is with these interactive all about groundhog activities and craft… perfect for this week and next!

Head to my stories for a closer look… and for a groundhog freebie!