Christmas Conversation

Abby over at The Inspired Apple has created a fun conversation! 

I decided to join in (as I am really, really trying to learn how to use a Mac). My Dell laptop went crazy. I lost. everything.  Yes, everything.

You don't know how long it has taken me to do this little bit. And I am not a happy Mac user yet!

Long A Word Work Freebies

Our Benchmark Universe series begins long vowel sounds quickly in first grade. In order to help the little firsties use the words and increase vocabulary at the same time I have tried to develop several activities for practice at home and at school. The Spelling pages work super for homework. The word work becomes a station for Daily 5.

Benchmark Word Work Unit 8

Benchmark Spelling Unit 8

Y'all can leave me a comment letting me know what you think.

Currently

It is October??? Where did September vanish to? Oh, well... I am linking up with  for the October currently.

Isn't Netflix great? It works out so well with the busy days and nights!
Our much cooler weather is actually hitting tomorrow. We have been in the 80's and tomorrow won't make it to 60. BRRR. Does this mean I have to give up my flip flops? UGH.
I am checking the score every few minutes of the football game. Now if only I had a pumpkin spice latte it would make the nail biting a little easier!
I am working on the jeans and jackets in the laundry. Definitely. Maybe. I hope to finish.
And the Trick: Actually it is a trick for teachers. Planbook on the web. It is awesome. Standards are a click away. Bumping ahead for those lessons that I didn't make it to. Extending some skills, Definitely a time saver.

September Currently

I am linking up with Farley's September "Currently". It's been a long while since I did!!!

Is it really September? It is definitely hot. And so the air conditioner is a "nice" sound to listen to.

Yesterday was Labor Day and I did no labor! Enough said.

My last uncle passed away on Saturday. He was getting ready to watch the Tennessee Vols play and suffered a major heart attack. My aunt had passed away ten years ago so he was ready to see her again. 

I am enjoying reading on my Ipad. Can't get enough of reading! But I am always searching for the next book to add.

Tomorrow I will take care of the mani and pedi. It's been four long weeks and my hands and feet are embarrassing!

I am going to Vegas "baby" in a week. I've never been to NYC and am really wanting to make that trip. Anywhere with a beach, blue water, and sand is always great also!

S Blends==at the beginning

Decoding short vowel words is a MUST for successful reading. When kids enter first grade they are expected to know all their consonants and vowels and be ready to move ahead. Well, that is an expectation but not a realization. I've made another set of beginning blends in order to give them practice.

Benchmark Unit 3 Word Work

Benchmark Spelling Unit 3

       We also use this from Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits to practice with different phonetic blends, word families. They are so easy to make as long as I have some sticks and sharpies--my kind of management.