Hot Off the Presses Vol. 1

"Hot Off the Presses" is my monthly post that lists all of new products I've posted to TPT within the past month.

I wanted to add more thematic activities this year, so I made this October Math Packet to start.  I haven't decided whether I'm going to use the files individually, or make a packet for early finishers.  Decisions!  Here are more October products, if you're interested.

October Math Packet

"The more things change, the more things stay the same."  Have you ever heard that phrase?  That's how I feel about my sight words.  I've been using fluency charts and sight words in context for years, but I keep changing my word lists.  I used to use the Dolch Words, which I loved, but this year I decided to give Fry Words a try.  SO... new fluency charts and sight words in context it is!  I'll be adding to this as the year goes on.

Fry Word Fluency Charts (First 100 Words)
Fry Word Fluency Charts (Second 100 Words)
Fry Words in Context (First 100 Words)

These Phonics Activity Packs are SO useful.  They're great for centers, homework, classwork, or early finishers.  I've been working on getting the year's worth complete, and I'm almost there!  This month I added R-Controlled Vowels.

Phonics Activity Pack - R-Controlled Vowels

I've been making these Phonics Picture Sorts since my very first year teaching... and it shows! Uploading them to TPT has been a great incentive to upgrade things and get the files organized. Some of them were a mess, with terrible clip-art to boot.  I'm quite happy with the new clipart.

The kids *love* these.  We do them on Thursdays usually, but sometimes I make it a center activity that they visit after seeing me in small groups.  I quickly review the page with them before assigning it, so that they know, for example, whether a picture is a "smile" or a "grin."  Look for more of these soon!

Phonics Picture Sorts - Short Vowels vs. CVCe
Phonics Picture Sorts - Digraphs

These cut and paste files are a new things I'm doing this year.  I like them anytime I need something quick -- a review activity, for early finishers, homework, a sub plan, etc.  They are also good to laminate and put in centers.

Cut and Paste Activities - 10 More & 10 Less

Thanks for staying with me through that long post!

xo, Ally

Product Spotlight: October Prep

My calendar tells me that today is the first day of October, and I am SO excited.  October is one of my favorite months.  I dig the cooler weather, pumpkins, and promise of Halloween candy!

Here are a couple October products that might help you out in the coming weeks!

First up, my October Math Mats.  I use these at least a couple times a week.  Basically, the students fill in the blanks to create their own word problems, then use the provided clip-art to illustrate their work.

There are four different themes for the month -- pumpkins, bats, candy corn, and ghosts.  I use one theme each week, but you could certainly mix them up.  Each theme has seven word problems that address the adding/subtracting situations addressed in Common Core Standards 1.OA.1 and 1.OA.2.  That would be... adding to, adding to with three numbers, putting together, putting together with three numbers, taking from, taking part, and comparing.  (I feel like I need to take a deep breath after typing that.. what a mouthful!)

Here's a little more info:

I also have the Halloween-themed Trick or Treat, which is a game for nonsense word practice.  This goes into my Word Work station for the month.

This game works like "BAM!" or "Kaboom!" if you have ever used those.  The students pick a nonsense word card, read it, and keep it.  If a Trick or Treat card is pulled, then all the cards go back into the bag. It's easy for the kids to play, but they never seem to get tired of it!

BTW, I picked up the cute Frankenstein bag in the Target dollar section.

I hope these might make your October a little bit brighter!  I'm just hoping that we get out of the 80 degree temps down here the tropics of the South.  I want to wear my boots!