New Literacy Unit for Upper Grades

I've just uploaded my first literacy unit for upper grades. Come over to my new 5th grade blog to check it out and enter to win it! :) 

Bird Themed Classroom

Two years ago, I made my door and hallway display bird themed. This has been one of my favorite themes, so I decided to have a "Tweet Tweet" bird themed classroom this year....then I decided to move to 5th grade. I had already created almost all of my bird theme creations, so rather than throw it away, I decided to finish it and upload it to my store in case any of y'all wanted to create a classroom with this adorable theme. Here's my door/hallway display from two years ago.

Here's what's included in the 85 page complete classroom set:

Word Wall Letters

 Classroom Rules

Place Value Cards, Calendar Cards, Name Plates

 Months of the Year

 Number Cards

 Days of the Week

Behavior Management Plan

ABC Cards

Click here to check out the set!!

The Importance of Focus Boards

One of the most important parts of my classroom design is my focus board. I feel like this is one of the most essential boards in my classroom and also one of the most beneficial. I love the fact that students can look and see exactly what they are going to learn about for the week. It also helps me stay on track! I'm currently working on several different Focus Board Headers and I just finished and uploaded the first pack to my store:

I've included 8 different headers in 7 color choices. If you need an additional header title, feel free to email me and I'll add it to the pack.

If you are unfamiliar with focus boards, here are my past focus boards.

I'm still working on different theme for these headers. If you have a special request, feel free to email me! :)

**Remember! I've started a new blog for my new grade: come check it out and follow me!!! 

Life in Fifth Grade

Some Exciting News!!

If you follow me on instagram (msleslieann01) or Facebook, then you already know that I'm moving up to 5th grade next year!

I am so excited and happy! It was a hard decision to leave 1st grade, but I can't wait to get started working with my new 5th graders. :)

After much debate on what to do about my blog (change the name completely, change the name to Life in first and fifth, etc) I've decided to start a new blog completely dedicated to fifth grade. I plan on keeping Life in First Grade around and posting ideas that pertain to lower grades like I've done in the past and I also still plan on creating primary activities that you can use in your classrooms. It probably won't be as often as I usually did, but they will still be there! Once I get the new blog up and running, I'll post the address here so you can follow. :)

***UPDATE: you can now find Life in Fifth Grade here

Right now I'm loving summer, blissfully laying out and enjoying every minute. 

Happy Summer, y'all! 

Favorites in First-Updated!

I've been going through some of the first products I uploaded to TpT lately and updating those that look a bit shabby. I recently finished my Favorites in First: an end of the year activity

Your students will create their own little book to take home that has all their favorite events, memories, subject, and more from first grade. Check it out here. :) It's on sale tonight and tomorrow as part of TpT's Teacher Appreciation Sale!

Who does love teachers and a sale!?!

(Special thanks to Hope King for the adorable graphic!)

Head over to my TpT store and save tomorrow and Wednesday!!! Click here to visit my store :)

New Phonics Packs

I've been behind on updating the blog with my new phonics packs. I've created several new ones, so just click the link to check them out. Want to win a copy? Head over to Facebook to enter!