Finding Balance

     

     Finding balance seems like an impossible task in our profession. However, we still strive for it. The key is... to be okay with "your best". We tell our kids every day, "just try your best" or "you best is good enough". Our fault is that we give ourselves unrealistic goals and feel guilty if they are not attained. You're an AMAZING teacher, be thankful for however many years you have been impacting the future leaders of the world. There are not many things in our circle of influence, but something we can control is our opinion of ourselves. 
     I was one of those "young bloods" that came into this profession thinking- I got this! I have everything figured out! Yes, ridiculous I know. As many of you know, or are getting to know... this profession is never "figured out". It is always evolving, always changing in some way and you either have to adapt or fall flat on your face. 
     Change is hard and it takes getting used to. I am now in my sixth year teaching and I've had a REVELATION! I need to be okay with "my best". That doesn't mean I excuse poor planning, or general incompetence.  It means- I will try my best to serve my students to the best of my ability and that I will try my BEST to get all of the lesson planning, incentives, initiatives, and data tracking done in a timely manner. Not to mention committees, evaluations, paperwork, research, and the various other tasks bestowed upon us. If for some reason I feel like a failure for missing a meeting, not sending an email, or forgetting the blackline to a craft- I will STOP, BREATHE, and ACKNOWLEDGE I am doing my BEST and I NEED TO BE OKAY WITH THAT!

Remember, most of your stress comes from YOU. 

     This is the VERY first year I have said "NO" to a few things, and guess what? The earth did not end, mountains didn't tremble, and the sea did not split. No one lost respect for me or was angry with me. But... the reward was and is that I am becoming a less passive person (inside) and that I am less swamped and/or stressed. So, be brazen and say "No" once in a while. Try it... I dare you!

     I hope this reached a few of you. I know that it is hard to say no, and its hard to accept that it (life) is what it is and nothing more. Especially if you crave control in your world (your classroom). Stressing yourself out is not the answer and will only make you miserable in more ways than one. 

Touchy Subject? Comparing Student Data- Help parents understand!

Get your parents out of their bubble! Let them see how their child is comparing to the class. For most parents this is the first question they have at conferences. I am excited that my parents, and the parents of my team members, will know this ALL YEAR LONG. It is a true eyeopener for some parents and students themselves. 

This can be used at any grade level! Not just first grade. It is EDITABLE for that purpose. 

This EDITABLE data tracking sheet is a great tool for homework folders, data binders/notebooks, conferences, report cards/midterms, and goal setting. It tracks your major assessments and compares the students to their class average and end of year targets.

It is also a wonderful sheet to have in the homework folders or binder for parent involvement and motivation. 

APPLE PACK- Perfect for fall!

This 72 page mini unit has every thing you need for a unit on apples. It has all subjects integrated within it! Reading, Math, Science, and Writing! I hope you enjoy this unit and rate it! 

Just in time for Fall!

***$2.50 for 24 hrs*** $3.75 after that!

This would make a great sub tub!!!!

Included:

Fact and Opinion

Foldable Book "The Story of an Apple"

Foldable Book Sight Word Decodable Reader "The Story of an Apple"

Student created books (Basic needs and Life Cycle)

Cause and Effect

My Apple Log (Observation Log)

Vocabulary (Science)

Sight Words

Apple Tree Map

Writing Templates and Thinking Maps

Writing Rubrics

Math (Hundreds chart, addition & subtraction, and graphing)

Life Cycle Sorts (Flower, Trees, and Apple)

Reading Response Sheets

Compare and Contrast

Life Cycle Cut and Paste

Apple Parts Cut and Paste

Thinking Maps

Reading Street Aligned First Grade Literacy Centers and Printables: Unit 2 Week 2

Here is the literacy packet for Unit 2 Week 2! You've waited for it and here it is! I hope you all enjoy this pack!

Themed Data Notebooks

Which will you use in your class?

Here are the additions to my data books! 

We now have more than just the SPACE theme!

I would love to make them for 2nd-5th grade! Just let me know what you'f like in addition to all the current forms of data already found in the packs. Leave your thoughts on the blog or facebook post! Also any other mascots for your school, I'd be happy to oblige. 

             

      

     

Click the picture of the data notebook you'd like to have!

MATH FREEBIES!

JUST POSTED! Check out these AWESOME FREE Fact Family Task Cards! Each set has a cute theme to it! These would be great for whole group, small group, or individual practice!

Posting over the next few days! 

Keep checking back ALL WEEK LONG for FREEBIES!

Become a follower and you'll never miss out on FREEBIES!

Back to School Grump

     Okay... so the time is closing in rapidly. Year-round schools go back to school TOMORROW in my county! Can you believe that? I go back in exactly 4 weeks! Most of us go back in a month or less.

     So, make sure you BEWARE of that "Back to School Grump" feeling. I know we all have truly enjoyed our summer vacation and we are JUST NOW feeling relaxed and getting into a routine. So, BEWARE! I am determined this summer to shake that grump feeling and truly enjoy these last few weeks. 

     I always dread the new year, because of what comes with it. The routine and procedure teaching, discipline (I feel like a drill sergeant), and the kids getting back into the swing of things when it comes to independence.  However, once in the trenches I get out of the funk and feel truly blessed. I LOVE MY JOB!  

   When I say "dread", what I mean is I long for more time off. I enjoy being a "stay at home mom" and I hate the idea of putting my babies back into daycare (I'm sure many of you can relate). On the other hand, once back into the swing of things myself I truly enjoy building future leaders and excellent readers! 

    I hope that this year will start off right and we all can enjoy the first few days of school. All the decorating, planning, professional development, organizing, and of course camaraderie with your team and colleagues. When you're feeling the "grump" starting to set in, make sure to remember why we do this job; it's not for the millions of dollars we make, or the summers off. It's for the future of our children, ALL OF OUR CHILDREN. Good luck and God bless you this upcoming school year!

Comment: When do you go back and are you excited or dreading it?

Milestone: 100 Likes on my Facebook Page!

    

 

     I would like to thank everyone for "liking" my page on Facebook and visiting my blog! I would like to give away some product for this milestone. I will choose a winner on July 7th, 2015. You will be able to choose one product from my store on TPT (valued at 4 dollars or less) and if chosen it will be emailed to you for FREE. Please VISIT THE PAGE and LIKE, SHARE, and COMMENT (what you'd like to have) on this post and your name will go into the drawing! Good luck and THANK YOU!

 

When I hit 200, I'll choose ...2 winners!!

 

VISIT THE STORE FOR WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO WIN!

CLICK HERE!

 

 

Become a follower of this blog for more giveaways!

 

VISIT MY FACEOOK PAGE!

 

 

 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/First-Grade-Lilly-Pad

Forest Animal Clip Art

Check out these hand painted forest animals! These beautiful full color images of forest animals & plants are perfect for any resource or project that is forest themed!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/…/Fir…/Category/Clip-Art

Upgrade to Data Notebooks!

I have made upgrades to this pack per feedback from my team members whom all utilize this pack! I hope you like the new additions! I have kept all original pieces and added quite a few pages. The goal is to make it easy to use and easy for students and parents to understand. Enjoy! If you would like one made for any other grade level let me know at barbielisson@gmail.com

CLICK HERE TO GET IT!

Additions to my clip art!

This 26 image set is perfect for you printable resources! There is an image for each letter of the alphabet. These are hand drawn and only the black and white images are included in this set. 

I hope you enjoy using this clip art!

This 19 piece full color and black and white set of hand drawn clip art is perfect for your resource! 

Please see TOU for commercial and private use instructions. 

 Thank you for shopping @ First Grade Lilly Pad!

Happy creating!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP!

Don't miss the great deals!

SUMMER TIME POWER HOUSE!

Hello Fellow Education Lovers!

This summer started off like any other... LAZY! The whole first week I did absolutely NOTHING! It was a well deserved and needed break. I know that you know the feeling. Someone asked me (a fellow teacher), how do we do it? Why do we need naps in the summer to survive and we don't FALL OVER throughout the other 9 months of the year? 

Well my answer to this is simple... WE IGNORE OUR BODIES! We are power houses! We shove those tired feelings into the deep dark pits of our subconscious. To be honest, WE HAVE TO! In order to get the job done we have to power through and be the best teachers we can be (even if that means PURE & UTTER EXHAUSTION). 

The downside of that is... we become ZOMBIES in the summer (at least for a couple weeks). I was in that mode, UNTIL... a fellow teacher (a very close friend) called and said "I have an idea!". She asked me to make her some things and I've been plugging away ever since. She was my inspiration to get a move on and out of my slump. Have you had that inspiration yet this summer?

Kindergarten Reading Street Packs: DOLLAR DEALS!

DOLLAR DEAL!
This pack will be $1.00 through the summer! Run and get it!

This 17 page pack was developed as a SPECIAL ORDER for a Kindergarten teacher! It has everything you and your students will need to engage your students in the Flowers Unit of Reading Street. It provides activities for whole group and small group differentiated instruction. 

It is aligned with the Thinking Maps Program and provides wonderful science printables as well!

Included:
- 1 Flowers Bubble Map
- 1 Flowers Circle Map
- 1 Parts of a Flower Bubble Map
- 1 Parts of a Flower Circle Map
- 1 Flowers Need Bubble Map
- 1 Flowers Need Bubble Map Cut & Paste
- 1 Flowers Need Circle Map Cut & Paste
- 1 A Flower... Tree Map
- 1 Parts of a Flower Matching
- 3x Parts of a Flower Tree Map
- 1 Flower Life Cycle Flow Map
- 1 Flower Life Cycle Flow Map Cut & Paste


Some of these pages can also be used as a center if put into a plastic sleeve. I hope you enjoy using this pack with your emerging readers!

DOLLAR DEAL!
This pack will be $1.00 through the summer! Run and get it!

This 19 page pack was developed as a SPECIAL ORDER for a Kindergarten teacher! It has everything you and your students will need to engage your students in the Nature Spy Unit of Reading Street. It provides activities for whole group and small group differentiated instruction. 

It is aligned with the Thinking Maps Program and provides wonderful science printables as well!

Included:
- 1 Nature Bubble Map
- 1 NatureCircle Map
- 1 What did I discover Bubble Map
- 1 What did I discover Circle Map
- 1 How can I use a magnifying Bubble Map
- 1 Flowers Close Up Bubble Map 
- 1 Trees Close Up Bubble Map
- 1 Animals Close Up Bubble Map
- 1 Colors in Nature Bubble Map
- 1 Things I can see Close Up Circle Map
- 1 Nature... Tree Map
- 1 Parts of a Flower Matching
- 2x Nature Tree Map
- 1 How to Observe Flow Map
- 1 How to Observe Flow Map Cut & Paste

This 15 page pack was developed as a SPECIAL ORDER for a Kindergarten teacher! It has everything you and your students will need to engage your students in the Animal Babies Unit of Reading Street. It provides activities for whole group and small group differentiated instruction. 

It is aligned with the Thinking Maps Program and also gives coloring pages that your students will LOVE! 

Included:
- 2x Baby Animal parent Bridge Maps
- 1x Animal Baby Bubble Map
- 1x Animal Baby Circle Map
- 1x Grassland Animal Cut & Paste
- 1x Grassland Animal Baby/Parent Cut & Paste
- 6x Grassland Animal Coloring Pages (elephant, kangaroo, meerkat, lion, giraffe, prairie dog) 

Black Lagoon Novel Studies

 

These novel studies are a great way to keep your students' accountable for their reading of these chapter books. Whether you are completing this study as a whole group or on an individual basis these activities are sure to please!

Within this pack you will find Thinking Maps, Vocabulary Studies, Writing, Quizzes/Assessments, Story Maps, Graphic Organizers, and a couple Sequencing cut and pastes. These activities focus on skills like...

-Sequencing
-Main Idea
-Theme
-Plot
-Character Analysis
-Compare and Contrast
-Cause and Effect
-Comprehension
-Background Knowledge
-Setting
-Vocabulary

I hope you enjoy these studies as much as I do! Happy Reading!

Coming SOON!

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT MY STORE!

Writing Boot Camp

     This 98 page pack is a style of teaching writing I have implemented successfully for 3 years. I hope this method is as successful for you as it is for me. It is aligned with Write from the Beginning (WFTB), Thinking Maps, and the Pearson Reading Street Series. 
Before you get started you will want to Formally assess your students ability to write the FIRST week of school. This way you have a base for comparison in the coming months. 
Within this pack you will begin teaching your students to write using MODELING, PLANNING, EDITING & REVISING, and ILLUSTRATION. 
We begin by giving students images and Thinking Maps so that they learn how to describe, sequence, and plan their writing appropriately. Then the structure changes. End Goal: You will begin to incorporate a 5 Day writing program that begins with a teacher model, student planning, student writing, student editing & revising, and finally student illustration. 

Everything you need is in this pack! Observational Comment, Expository, Narrative writing prompts, rubrics, thinking maps, and a foundation built in that will support your students; growth in writing!

Happy Writing!

                                                                       CLICK HERE

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Mastering Beginning Sounds

This 65 page unit has everything you and your students will need to master beginning sounds and become better readers. It provides activities for whole group and small group differentiated instruction. 

It includes assessments for progress monitoring, skill accountability, and/or extra practice for struggling students. These assessments can also be used as a record in their leadership or data notebook. These were developed to align with Thinking Maps. Each activity has a Thinking Map to trace and use. There are even cut and paste activities!

You will refer to this pack throughout the year while the students are mastering the beginning sounds and introducing decoding and blending skills.

These pages can also be used as a center if put into a plastic sleeve. I hope you enjoy using this pack with your emerging readers!

CLICK HERE     

DOLLAR DEAL!

Enjoy creating this wonderful craft the last week of school!

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The week before school is out...

     A crazy time for any teacher... with end of year checklists, meetings, conferences, testing, packing, and lets not forget the biggy- TEACHING! How do we manage? I'm not sure I can answer that question, somehow we always seem to get it done, whether you're an early riser or a stay late kind of teacher. Personally, with two wee ones at home getting out of here in the morning is nothing short of a miracle! So, I am that stay late sort of teacher, while the kids play at daycare I'm frantically trying to get everything settled and ready for the end of school. My students have been amazing and I am so proud to send them on to second grade! They ask me daily, "Can't we just stay here with you?", or "Do I really have to leave you?". There's that old saying, about baby birds leaving the nest. I feel like the mama bird... their wings are perfect for flying! I hope that all of you enjoy the last week of school and remember that, although bittersweet, you have made a difference in each and every one of your students' lives. Now is is time for a well deserved celebration and rest! Have a wonderful night! Happy inspiring!

Novel Studies

 

COMING SOON!! 

Novel Studies for grades 1 and 2! This is the very first one I have ever developed and I like to always try out my goods (for quality, efficiency, and effective purposes) prior to selling them. My students are loving this book and I am finding the activities easy to prep for and easy to use. I will be posting this novel study soon and I hope you and your future classes can enjoy it as well! 


Check out the store for other goodies!