Welcome to *~First Grade Lilly Pad*~ A place for elementary ideas for literacy and math centers, activities, crafts, and other primary fun times!
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Happy Fall!
I know it sure is hard to come back from that. I enjoyed the time with my kids and the time to create and get a little ahead in the home department. As a teacher, school stuff tends to overwhelm home responsibilities, like laundry. I would so rather lesson plan that do laundry.
However, being that it is post Thanksgiving and we are quickly approaching the Christmas season I wanted to wish all a very happy season! I love this time of year. I always decorate my classroom and we partake in Holidays Around the World. The kids are always fascinated by all the different countries and customs. Especially the dress and food.
The good news? It's almost December... we're halfway there! Remember to stay focused and enjoy the remaining time with your class. I know in first grade December to January is when that magic light bulb turns on and we really start to grow and gain tremendous amounts of knowledge! So, good luck and may God bless the rest of your year!
Sincerely,
B. Lisson
Monday, July 18, 2016
Teachers are the Best
This last year was very difficult for me. It was one of those years that makes you question your motives for becoming a teacher. We've all had them! I made it through and so will you. As teachers we are pushed to the brink each year and we battle the feelings of inadequacy each week. I mean seriously, thinking logically how is it possible to serve 18-26 students' every single need, every single day? Well, to be honest it takes the kind of individual that deals well in high-stress environments and it truly is an art form. Keeping a class full of judgmental kids engaged is truly a feat worth pursuing. We all have our bag of tricks- games, tone variations, dancing, singing and of course scouring TPT for the cutest and most engaging activities. But, one must wonder, why? Why do we subject ourselves to this constant stressful crazy profession?
That one is easy... if not us, who? These kids need us. Most of them will never tell you that you are the best and most consistent person in their lives. That said, teaching is not for the light hearted. It is a constant internal battle. We push ourselves to the brink in order to promote success in our class and within our school. We are one for all. My best piece of advice is to become close with your team. Share ideas, plans, activities and most of all the occasional chat or dinner. This will make you a team that is, all for one!
Good luck in the coming year and when things get hard, remember that you are needed.
New Additions Kindergarten Friends!
NEW ADDITIONS KINDERGARTEN FRIENDS!
Stop by the shop for the new additions that align with the Kindergarten Reading Street Series!
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Reading Street 1st Grade Centers Unit 2 Week 3
Here is the literacy packet for Unit 2 Week 3! You've waited for it and here it is! I hope you all enjoy this pack!
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
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.
Sunday, October 4, 2015
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!
Monday, July 13, 2015
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.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
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!
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
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?
Sunday, July 5, 2015
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!
Become a follower of this blog for more giveaways!
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
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!
Saturday, June 27, 2015
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!
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!
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!
Thursday, June 25, 2015
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?
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