Wow!  Has it really been that long since I last blogged?!  Where has the time gone?  As you can probably guess or maybe experience for yourself, life gets a little hectic with 2 toddlers, teaching first grade and the many other "hats" we wear!

If your students are like mine, this time of year begins the tattling.  Ugh!  I found a book I am going to read to my class this week and thought I would share it with you.  It is called, "A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue" by Julia Cook.

This wonderful book is about a boy who tattles all the time.  Other students begin to not want to sit with him in the cafeteria, play with him on the playground, or be his friend.  One night he has a dream that he really did come down with a disease called "tattle tongue" which turned his tongue yellow with purple spots.  The tattle fairy taught him the difference between a tattle and warning someone of danger.  The tattle fairy teaches him some rules about tattling to use the next time he wants to tattle.

This book is very well written and gives some good guidelines for kids to follow when it comes to warning vs. tattling.

I also want to share the exciting news that I have finished my Morning Work packet for the second nine weeks.  It is Common Core aligned.  You can find it at my TpT store.  This packet picks up right where the first nine weeks leaves off.  I am very excited about how it turned out.  In the coming weeks, I will be working on the 3rd nine weeks packet.  My students have done well with the first packet and have really learned from the content and practice.

Click here to check out this packet.

I will try to blog more often and get you some pictures of things my kiddos are doing.  Have a super week!

Lunch Count and Attendance

Before we get to the great idea for today's post, I want to share some TpT news!  I am thrilled with one of my newest items for sale on Teachers Pay Teachers!  It is a set of morning work activities for the first 9 weeks grading period.  Our school uses a four 9 weeks grading period.  Included in the packet is a practice page that can be completed as a whole class so the kiddos learn how to complete the activities.  There is also a separate page that can be included in a "sub tub" or folder!  I am working on the second 9 weeks and hope to have it ready before school starts.

                                                          Click here to go to my TpT store.

I also have posted on TpT a "No Germs" mini lesson/activity that is good for back to school or when flu season hits.  This packet includes a lap book.  These little books are GREAT for Daily 5 book boxes!

The latest item was a Fire Safety packet which also includes a lap book.  As you can see, I've been busy this week!  I love creating and making things for my classroom and am excited to share them with you!

                                                   Click here to go to my TpT store.

Okay, now for my Lunch Count/Attendance idea I promised to share.  Some of you may already do this and can maybe share some ideas as well.  Last year, I wanted a more organized and easier way to take lunch count and attendance.  I found a portable bulletin board at Walmart, covered it with paper and attached Velcro pieces to it dividing it into 4 sections with yarn.  This year, I wised up a little.  I used contact paper instead of bulletin board paper and ribbon to divide the sections.  At the start of the school year, I took my camera with us to lunch and took a picture of the main dish on the trays (spaghetti, grilled cheese, hamburger, etc.).  I would print out the pictures on 4 X 6 paper or at Walmart instant prints.

Place the picture of the lunch choice at the top of the board.  Each student has their name on a laminated card.  When they enter in the morning, the student moves his/her card to their lunch choice.  (I have a section for packers on the board but forgot to show this on the picture below.)  The names remaining in the far right section are the ones who are absent for the day!  I usually ask the class if anyone has seen those students in the building or on the bus before marking them absent.  This was such a quick and easy way to take attendance and got my lunch count done at the same time!  Hope this idea is one you can use as well.