Sunday, May 1, 2011

Goin' Buggy!

The last week has been terribly hard for me. It was the week my life was suppose to change, the week I've been dreaming about for years...the week our first born was due. I can't quite explain how difficult it has been. It took us soooo long to get there and then, without warning...it was gone. I haven't wanted to blog, I haven't wanted to do anything but run from May 2nd. 


And, yet, here I am. I am forcing myself to do the things that give me comfort and that keep me busy because if I let myself sink into the thoughts, I find it difficult to pull myself back up. There are many things in my life that I am ever so grateful for, my family, my friends, my home, my wonderful job, and those smiling faces that love me. 


I haven't done a bug unit in many years, so I didn't have very many things that didn't come from old Mailbox or Teacher's Helpers. The materials have been created because I needed a distraction and because I love to create new things to share. For me, there is no need to discount for Teacher Appreciation, it is all free for you to use. I hope that perhaps I may inspire you to do the same...share, for we are all better because of it.

“WHY GOD MADE TEACHERS” 
When God created teachers, 
He gave us special friends 
To help us understand His world 
And truly comprehend 
The beauty and the wonder 
Of everything we see, 
And become a better person 
With each discovery. 
When God created teachers, 
He gave us special guides 
To show us ways in which to grow 
So we can all decide 
How to live and how to do 
What's right instead of wrong, 
To lead us so that we can lead 
And learn how to be strong. 
Why God created teachers, 
In His wisdom and His grace, 
Was to help us learn to make our world 
A better, wiser place. 


I hope you find things that you can use! As always, thank you so much for reading. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!


Shannon


All documents contain fonts that are copyright DJ Inkers. Virtually all documents contain graphics that are copyright DJ Inkers. They are used with permission. Please visit http://www.djinkers.com/, for wonderful clipart and fonts.


Books to support learning
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Literacy Goods
These cards can be used for memory or Go Fish.
Ladybug Sight Word Memory


Ladybug Journal Page

My kids now LOVE sorting Earth Words and Alien Words. They have gotten really good at it, so I decided not to create the traditional CVC words.
Earth Words vs Alien Words Bug Sort

The Little Grasshopper Hops is a book for positional words. To create: Make a copy of the book for each student. Give each student one strip of grasshoppers (at the end of the document). Students color, cut, and glue a grasshopper to each page.
Little Grasshopper Hops

The Going Buggy is another Real/Nonsense Word Activity to be completed after the Earth Words and Alien Word sort activity.
Going Buggy Worksheet

Insect Jounal

I plan on using the Word Family Sort during small group instruction, as well as, during center time.
Bee Word Family Sort

My kids love the games that I've made from kellyskindergarten.com! I had a spring version of it called Crazy Carrots and it was quite a hit!
Beautiful Butterflies Game


Math Goods
The Ant Cards will be used as a whole group activity and then added to a thematic bin that is used during center time for additional practice.
Ants 2x2 Practice Cards

The Ants Worksheet corresponds to the center cards. It can be used as an activity after they practice or as a way to evaluate instruction.
Ants 2x2 Worksheet

I made two copies of these cards so students can practice making patterns.
Insect Pattern Cards

The plan on enlarging the recording sheet onto 11x17 paper and having students glue it to 12x18. Then students will record the patterns that they created using the cards above during center time.
Insect Patterns Recording Sheet

The spinner for this game is the second document. The goal is for students to collect a specified number of bugs in their jar (you can decide how many). You will need to copy a jar for each student OR you can use little plastic bug jars. I plan on using the jar mat with small bug erasers for the actual game pieces.
Catching Bugs Game

Counting by 5's Center Cards. I usually velcro the back and add them to the flannel board center.
Counting by 5's to 100 Center Cards (Caterpillars and Butterflies)

I've included both sets of cards...to 50 and to 100. Students color, cut, and glue them in order to a sentence strip or a long strip of construction paper.
Counting by 5's to 50 (Caterpillars and Butterfly)

Counting by 5's to 100 (Caterpillars and Butterfly)

Insect Spinner

Spin, Graph, And Tally Insects

Here is a Number Bingo game. I like to give students a copy of the numbers so they can cross them off as they write them on their mat. In previous years, I used junior mints as markers to resemble ladybug spots.
Ladybug Bingo Mat


Science Goods
We are going to use these cards as a whole group on the flannel board. I will then add them to a center bin for students to practice with.
Insect Sort Color Cards

Students use these cards along with a piece of 12x18 construction paper. I have them fold the construction paper in half and draw a dark line on the crease. Then they color, cut, sort, and glue the pictures.
Insect Sort Student Copy

29 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for ALL the wonderful things you create and share. God is watching over you and your Angels are surrounding you. God's got tremendous blessings ALL with your name on them. Be strong and know that you are appreciated.
    Ms. A

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  2. So sorry for your loss. Hope your kiddos show you lots of love this week!

    I appreciate all the great things you create and share!

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  3. Thank you for sharing all of these wonderful documents. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers and hope this experience somehow makes you stronger.
    ~ Mrs. Mc
    Little Literacy Learners

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  4. I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers will be with you and your family. I admire your strength and thank you very much for your generosity in sharing your hard work. ((hugs))

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  5. Shannon,
    Thank you so much for being so generous with your materials. I am a first year teacher and you have no idea how much your blog has helped me survive this crazy first year! My students even notice when I get things from your blog when they see the Kindergarten Hoppenings mark on their papers. It's no secret, you are a lifesaver!
    My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
    Thanks for everything!
    Jenna

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  6. Oh Shannon,
    I am so sorry to hear about what you are going through! I can't imagine how hard that must be. I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers as well this week. But I am the same way, when I get to feeling down, I always dive into work and making stuff for school b/c that's where I find comfort as well. Definitely gives us reasons to count our blessings. I really hope that things look up for you soon b/c you definitely deserve it! I appreciate all the work you put into these materials and the fact that you share them for free! I'm a 2nd year teacher and these materials have been wonderful for me as well! You definitely are a life saver! I don't want to sound preachy- but God obviously has a purpose for you, and I really hope that He heals your broken heart blesses you with what your heart desires! Thanks again for all that you do!
    Jessica
    http://underthealphabettree.blogspot.com/

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  7. Hi! I just found your blog and let me say I am your newest follower. You have a wonderful blog and I really appreciate you sharing these great ideas so that others can use them for our classrooms.

    I also want to let you know that I am so sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers.

    Penny

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  8. Thank you for all of your wonderful ideas! We appreciate you. Lifting you up in my prayers!

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  9. I will be sending up prayers for you and your sweet family during this difficult time.

    Brandi

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  10. Shannon, sending love your way. I hope your kids are full of extra hugs and that they stay home if they're feeling "behaviory." ;) Thanks for sharing as always. I have some bug stuff that I can add to your collection soon!

    Little Miss Glamour Goes to Kindergarten

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  11. You and your family are in my prayers! Thank you for sharing you ideas. You have an wonderful blog!
    Mrs. Estes

    http://estes-extras.blogspot.com

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  12. Thank you for sharing your insect unit!
    You and your family are in my prayers---it has been 32 years but I lost a full term baby--very difficult to understand even today!
    Prayers for you!

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  13. Thank you for sharing your awesome. creative work; I'm teaching bees and butterflies this week. Perfect timing!

    Shannon, I am so sorry for your loss. {{}} I lost my first baby at 12 weeks and my next, Sara, at term. I think of their presence in my life as "thread through a needle, adding their colors to the fabric that is 'me'". Sara would have been 19 this year, but she is still my baby girl. God graciously gave us three boys and a girl to raise here on Earth and I am forever grateful for them. My heart is hurting for you....please know that I will be praying for you tomorrow.

    ReadWriteSing

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  14. Know that you are appreciated and loved by me and my 52 kindergarten students! We love your work and I always look forward to seeing your new posts. Your creativity and talent amaze me. Thank you so much for your willingness to share your many gifts. May your heart be lifted and filled with happiness.
    {hugs}

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  15. Thanks so much for sharing! You are amazing! Hang in there!
    XOXOXOX0!
    LeAnn

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  16. I know EXACTLY what you are feeling, my first-born was due on April 19th, so last month I was right there with you! I am so sorry for your loss, and hope that you will take time for you to heal. Let me know if I can do anything for you, and know that I will be saying a prayer for you and your husband! Hugs and love!
    Rachel

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  17. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I am glad you have something to keep you busy and hope you know how much your class needs and love you. While the love is not the same as a child of your own you do make a huge difference in many lives each day. Thinking of you...

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  18. I'm sending my positive thoughts your way at this difficult time for you. Please know that you are sooooo appreciated. Your creativity and generosity has truly been a gift to me and to my students this year.

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  19. Hello!
    I just want to thank you for your wonderful resources! I am in awe of your creativity! You have been a blessing to me this year!
    I am sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in my prayers. Blessings to you!

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  20. Thank you for another wonderful post filled with fantastic resources! You are so generous and have been a great gift to my teaching. :)

    Wishing you peace and strength during this difficult time.

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  21. Shannon,

    Many people are praying for you, and know that you are surrounded by God's love. Take some time for yourself and your husband, and know that you are taken care of.

    Thinking of you.

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  22. You are the best--- my students and I LOVE your ideas. So sorry for how you are feeling-- hope things start to look up soon! Know that you and your work are both truly appreciated!!

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  23. Shannon, I am so sorry for your loss. You have blessed so many people with your work. Thank you so much.

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  24. i am praying for you and your husband too. so sorry to hear of your loss.

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  25. Thinking about you and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Thank you for all of your inspiration and creativity. I hope that you will find comfort and strength.

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  26. Having the same problem with the counting by 5's to 100 colored center cards. :( Anyone know what to do if it doesn't have the DL option? Thanks for any help you can offer!!!

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  27. Thank you for all of the Insect goods!!
    I just read the top of this post, and I can't say that I've been in your shoes, so I'm sure it's still painful, but what a blessing you have in your life now - with your new baby boy!! Congratulations, again!

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  28. Thank you for sharing all your wonderful ideas and activities!! I can't wait to use these in my classroom next week.

    heathernnance@yahoo.com

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  29. Thanks so much for all the hard work that you do! I have really been inspired by you. I have started making my own activities too! Thanks!

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