I have a total of 27 years teaching experience . After I received my M.Ed. from the University of Florida (hence the name "HappyEdugator"), I began teaching in elementary school, where I taught pull-out remedial classes for grades 2-5 and a section of K-1. Then I taught Pre-K for 5 years, before I went up to Middle School, where I have been in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Last year, I went back to 1st grade in a private setting. I have traveled worldwide and am also fluent in Spanish.
I have a total of 27 years teaching experience . After I received my M.Ed. from the University of Florida (hence the name "HappyEdugator"), I began teaching in elementary school, where I taught pull-out remedial classes for grades 2-5 and a section of K-1. Then I taught Pre-K for 5 years, before I went up to Middle School, where I have been in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Last year, I went back to 1st grade in a private setting. I have traveled worldwide and am also fluent in Spanish.
Dolch Sight Words Activities - Week 10. A week of Dolch sight word activities for the tenth set of ten words from the Dolch sight words list. Activities include: flash cards/ memory game, color the words, trace the words, match the words, cut and paste the words in alphabetical order, and write the words in letterboxes. Enjoy! Weeks 1 - 10 will cover the first 100 Dolch Sight Words. - HappyEdugator
Exit Slip - Before You Go - Show What You Know. Exit Ticket Out. Summarize before they leave by using this ticket out the door summarizing activity. Students fill-in the topic, what it deals with, key ideas, why they are important and how they are useful. This exit slip summarizer helps students review the main ideas of the lesson. Updated February 2015 - HappyEdugator
Setting Detail Chart. This graphic organizer can be used with any book to analyze setting. Use with your novel study. Besides direct references to dates and places, setting is also conveyed through details about daily life and culture. Students fill in the chart with details that give clues about the setting of a book, and will gain a better understanding of setting. Starts out with Time and Place. Categories include: Jobs, Shelter, Clothing, Entertainment, Technology, Men's/Women's Roles, Transportation, and Other. Nothing fancy, but gets the job done! Have students practice first by projecting a photograph (one included on the cover) or use a cover from the book they are reading and have them try describing it. - HappyEdugator
Vocabulary Practice Tic-Tac-Think. Having trouble getting your students to practice their vocabulary words? This menu gives students some choice, but also makes them accountable for producing some creative ways to practice their vocabulary! Students choose to do three activities in a row: vertically, horizontally, or diagonally by the end of the week. (You can also assign the activities for differentiation) I have left it in Word format so you can adapt it as necessary for your classroom. I like to change out the squares sometimes and have them make a crossword instead of chaining, or make a word scramble instead of bubble letters.
- HappyEdugator
Halloween Dead Words and Dead Verbs Handout. Great for Halloween writing activities, or even throughout the year. Dead words are overused words that have lost their power. List of dead words, dead verbs, and some more interesting alternatives that should be used instead. There is a place for students to add to the list. A useful tool for students to use for reference when they write and revise. 2 pages.
- HappyEdugator
Pretend to Be an Animal Cards. A fun circle time dramatic play activity. Students come up and draw a card on a stick (or just a card if you do not wish to use sticks) and then act out the animal they selected in the middle of the circle.
They may ask for ideas from other students if they do not know how to act like the animal they chose.
When finished, the student selects another classmate to select a card. Play continues until all the students have had a turn.
There are a total of 32 cards to choose from. Enjoy!
- HappyEdugator
Drama Play Knowledge Extensions Menu. Great for differentiated instruction. Differentiation means no more bored students! Students who have already read a play that you are teaching in class can choose one (or more) activities from the menu and extend their learning, reporting back to the class to enrich everyone's experience. Excellent for gifted learners or students who need independent study or an alternative assignment. . - HappyEdugator
St. Patrick's Day activity sheet. Print and go, On St. Patrick's Day, students can fill in the missing letters, match the words to the pictures, and color. Fun March activity for literacy centers. - HappyEdugator
Becoming Naomi Leon Final Book Project. Students have to write a newspaper article about what happens in the courtroom. Includes a step by step outline handout with student directions, a list of transition words and phrases, and a rubric.
Thanksgiving: A Thanksgiving Day Song. Get musical and teach your students this quick and easy Thanksgiving Day song. A fun song for all ages! Good Thanksgiving singing activity to fill some time around the holiday. You don't need a lot of musical talent for this Thanksgiving song. This fun little song about Thanksgiving is sung to the melody of "Santa Claus is coming to Town." It is easy to learn and to remember, and a great tune for all ages from preschool to adult. Includes score. Happy Thanksgiving!
- HappyEdugator
Transitions Handout. Supports common core! Lists many specific transitions to use in writing to help develop relationships between sentences, paragraphs, and ideas, such as addition, comparison, contrast, cause and effect, etc. Helps students write better persuasive and expository essays. They can also be used for a word wall on transitions and transitional phrases. - HappyEdugator
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.3c Use a variety of transitional words and phrases to manage the sequence of events.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.3c Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to manage the sequence of events.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.3c Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.2c Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.3c Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another, and show the relationships among experiences and events.
Dolch Sight Words Activities - Week 7. A week of Dolch sight word activities for the seventh set of ten words from the Dolch sight words list. Activities include: flash cards/ memory game, color the words, trace the words, match the words, cut and paste the words in alphabetical order, and write the words in letterboxes. Enjoy! Weeks 1 - 10 will cover the first 100 Dolch Sight Words. - HappyEdugator
Poetry Image Map. A graphic organizer for students to use to help them visualize images in the poetry they read. The organizer gives students space to identify the poem, describe 4 images they find in the poem, and a place to draw the images. Students can develop a better understanding of imagery when they have to create images from the words they read.
- HappyEdugator
100 Book Projects and Activities you can have your students do to accompany the books they have read and to foster a love of reading. A list of ideas to get you started on having a fun year sharing about fiction and nonfiction books.
Summer Camp Award Certificates - Three summer camp awards for Participation, Achievement, and Excellence. This is an editable PDF...you can fill in the form fields with your own information before you print. Enjoy!
Useful Bulletin Board Signs. 15 different useful classroom bulletin board signs for you to print and post for a variety of needs that will save you time when you are setting up your room. Intentionally made generic to go with any theme. Just dress them up any way you want. Signs included for: Essential Question, Standards, Word Wall, Happy Birthday, Classroom Helpers, School News, Current Events, Calendar of Events, Star Student, Photo Gallery, Assignments, Student Work, etc. Print, enlarge if you need to, laminate, and hang where you need them. - HappyEdugator
Beginning of the Year - Open House Sign in Sheet for your back to school night or parent night information. A quick sign in sheet for the most important information- student and parent names, phone number and email. Other information is usually available through the office, so this is just a quick contact sheet so you can have a quick reference ready for back to school. Apple and Owl theme. Color and black and white sheet. - HappyEdugator
100 Book Projects and Activities you can have your students do to accompany the books they have read and to foster a love of reading. A list of ideas to get you started on having a fun year sharing about fiction and nonfiction books.
