Little Minds at Work

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Amazon Shop
  • Freebies
  • SOR Curriculum
  • Facebook Group
  • SOR Padlet
  • Shop

It’s a new year and a sale!


Those are the exact words I must repeatedly remind myself as I think back to 2013 and look forward to the new year.  2013 was filled with such amazing blessings.  However, I struggle with not focusing on the one thing that didn’t happen in the year.  So, I must realize that every day is a new beginning and I MUST stay away from thinking about what might have been and focus on what can still be 🙂

On a teacher note at our last literacy team meeting before break we got to think and answer these insightful questions…

(1) What is something you are excited to share that happened in 2013?
(2)  What in 2013 reminded you of why you became a teacher?
(3) What goal do want to work toward in 2014?


I am SO excited and very proud of the progress I have seen in my students this year!  All, yes A-L-L of them know their capital & lower case letters, they also all know their letter sounds…simply amazing!  I look back to my first year and I can’t believe how much my teaching has changed in just four years.  What I know now…and more over…what I know my students can now do- there is no stopping us!

I am such a baby, but I can’t even answer this question without starting to cry! haha
Anyway, just like most of you…I always wanted to be teacher.  Never did I even think about something else.  I played school and would go outside in my yard for “recess.”  I would blow my whistle and put kids in to timeout…I have no idea what the neighbors thought 😉

I had the opportunity to student teacher with my first grade teacher and in the same elementary school I went to.  I was also lucky to get offered a position in that same school so it’s like I never left!  Now I get to teach and give back to the school that inspired me to become a teacher.  When I think about what part God plays in the way life turns out I can’t help but think maybe my purpose for life was to be a teacher…and maybe even a great one 🙂  Maybe one day I’ll have my own little ones to care for, but for now my life consists of 20 fun loving and sometimes needy little ones!

In 2014 I want to teach my students to PERSEVERE!  We talk about it time to time and it’s really adorable to hear them say it, but we haven’t really been able to “try it out!” Perseverance is something that as adults we’ve done it ourselves and heard numerous stories of others that have had to persevere through life.  However, how do you take those big words and stories and place them into kid friendly terms?  Before Christmas break I started with some problems of the day in math.  They are by no means life altering perseverance tasks, but they do get the kids to think and challenge themselves.

As adults we are guilty of it as well…thinking that everything must be done correctly the FIRST time!  Our kids have this fear of being wrong..so how do we teach them that it’s okay to struggle?  In 2014 I want to help my students set goals for themselves.  In writing, reading, mathematics, etc.  Along with setting the goals I also want to teach them that there will be steps and possible struggles or set backs on the way to reaching those goals.

I want to teach my students that failure is not something bad, yet a learning experience that they can grow upon.  I want my students to know that I believe in them, but even more that they can believe in themselves.  I want them to know that they are stronger than they ever though they could be.  When you persevere you never give up….you keep going and going….trying and trying- never stopping until success has been reached.

Here is a great video I saw last Spring and every since then have been trying to get this into my classroom.  It is a 5th grade classroom…but so doable for Kindergarten too 🙂

Grab the freebie persevere posters below for your classroom! 🙂  Mine will be going above my smartboard so we see it each and everyday.  A reminder to myself and the students!  I post will post a snap shot once mine is up!

Now let’s make it our mission to challenge our kiddos in a healthy and learning way!  I mentioned above that before Christmas break we had started a few challenging problem of the days for math.  Below are some snap shots of their work!

(1) The number on my five frame is less than 4.  Show the possible results.
(2)  The number on my five frame is greater than 2.  Show the possible results.

Choose a object from the classroom and describe its characteristics.  Show your work.

Roll the dot cube.  Build that number cube tower.  Draw each tower you build.  Circle the biggest tower.

I also like to write the problem of the day on the chart paper so we can discuss it before and after they work on it.  This is our problem for after Christmas break 🙂

Below is the packet of 20 challenging problems for young learners.  All of the problems are common core aligned with the standard listed on each sheet!  The packet sells for $3, but will be on sale through the new year.

And better late than never….the kiddos parent gifts for Christmas! They made Christmas tree ornaments and I placed them in a cute little bag with this adorable poem 🙂

And the best for last….it’s a sale!  My entire store will be on sale 20% off through Wednesday, January 1st! Head over now to start grabbing some great deals for the new year.  I will be back each day giving you some great ideas on how to kick of the new year in your classroom!  Have a great end to your weekend!

Related Posts

  • Springing into Subtraction {freebies included}Springing into Subtraction {freebies included}
  • Ways to Make Ten!  {freebie PACKED}Ways to Make Ten! {freebie PACKED}
  • Getting Kids to Talk MathGetting Kids to Talk Math
«
»

Filed Under: Math Tagged With: Math, perseverence

Comments

  1. Miss Kindergarten says

    December 29, 2013 at 12:47 am

    I truly love you!! This is such an inspiring post! Watch out 2014…Tara is taking over the teaching world!!

    Reply
  2. Karen Day says

    December 29, 2013 at 10:37 pm

    Such a great post!! very inspiring. What font did you use in the so long 2013 graphic??

    Reply
  3. Angie Rollins says

    January 10, 2014 at 9:37 am

    Wow! Just wow!q don't quit your day job lol but u should be an motivational speaker. that is so inspiring to get us back to the reason we started this adventure !

    Reply
  4. Angie Rollins says

    January 10, 2014 at 9:44 am

    Wow! Just wow!q don't quit your day job lol but u should be an motivational speaker. that is so inspiring to get us back to the reason we started this adventure !

    Reply
  5. 에볼루션 카지노 says

    July 25, 2022 at 1:37 am

    all the technical KINGDOM777 solutions and staff we need for 에볼루션 카지노 operators who provide world

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Find it Fast!

Follow on Instagram

NEW + FREE! 300 INSTANT Digital Math Fluency Drill NEW + FREE! 300 INSTANT Digital Math Fluency Drill slides! These are offered in PDF and Google Slides! 10 decks offered- numbers, subitizing, shapes, addition, subtraction, and more! Snag them linked in my Instagram profile! #iteachk #tpt #tptfreebie #iteach
KinderMath Digital Teaching Slides! These slides m KinderMath Digital Teaching Slides! These slides make teaching math so easy! Each lesson provides you with 5 slides. That gives you a slide for number sense, fluency, math talk, core lesson, and a collaborative partner game! The slides are offered in PDF and Google Slides! Snag them ON SALE linked in my Instagram profile! #iteachk #tarawest #tpt #iteachtoo
❤️🧡💛💚💻 2,500 FREE DIGITAL SLIDES D ❤️🧡💛💚💻 2,500 FREE DIGITAL SLIDES DOWNLOAD! These digital slides are hosted on Google and also come in a PDF format. You can download a PPT version from the Google version as well! Encoding, decoding, high frequency words, nonsense words, backwards blending, and so much MORE! Download them linked in my Instagram profile/bio! #tpt #guidedphonics #sor #tptfreeebie #scienceofreading #tarawest #iteachk #iteach
❤️🧡💛 Guided Phonics + Beyond FREE Additi ❤️🧡💛 Guided Phonics + Beyond FREE Additions! 💚💙💜 So many amazing free additions to the Guided Phonics + Beyond curriculum! View the video linked in my Instagram bio to see the updates in detail and hear where to find these additions. Quick lesson checks, book trackers, 260 HFW orthographic mapping scripts, character cards, posters/cards and more! #guidedphonics #tpt #iteachk #sor #tarawest #iteachtoo
🌈 6 NEW #guidedphonics DOLLAR DEALS! The great 🌈 6 NEW #guidedphonics DOLLAR DEALS! The great thing about these dollar deals is that they are part of my #guidedphonics mega bundle!!! If you have that bundle simply redownload! View these 6 dollar deals linked in my Instagram profile! #iteachk #tpt #sor #guidedphonics #iteach #prek
FREEBIE REWIND! Did you snag these freebie abc mag FREEBIE REWIND! Did you snag these freebie abc magnets last year? If not, you can snag them NOW! These INSTANT Alphabet Magnet Mats are perfect for a small-group warm up activities or literacy centers! Snag these free mats linked in my Instagram profile! #iteachk #kindergarten #tpt #tptfreebie #freebie #iteachk #prek
❤️🧡✏️ PHONICS-BASED WRITING CENTERS! SO ❤️🧡✏️ PHONICS-BASED WRITING CENTERS! SOR-aligned and phonics-based writing centers. Unit 1 works with beginning sounds/alphabet. Unit 2 is 100% decodable using CVC words! 10 activities included in each packet along with 100 picture cards in each unit. View the writing centers linked in my Instagram profile! #sor #guidedphonics #iteachk #iteachtoo #iteachfirst
🌈💻 Guided Phonics + Beyond DIGITAL Drag and 🌈💻 Guided Phonics + Beyond DIGITAL Drag and Drop Games! These games are pre-loaded for you in both Google Slides and Seesaw! Aligned 💯 to the Guided Phonics + Beyond SOR curriculum! Units 1-3 currently available with additional sets coming soon. These are part of my Guided Phonics + Beyond digital growing bundle or you can snag each unit separately! Linked in my Instagram profile! #sor #guidedphonics #iteachk #kindergarten #tpt #iteachfirst
💚💛❤️🔢 10 FREE numbers handwriting fre 💚💛❤️🔢 10 FREE numbers handwriting free downloads! Snag 10 awesome and engaging handwriting freebies for practicing numbers! Linked in my Instagram profile! #iteachk #kindergarten #tpt #tptfreebie #iteack #prek
Follow on Instagram

Follow on Facebook

This message is only visible to admins.
Problem displaying Facebook posts. Backup cache in use.
Click to show error
Error: Error validating access token: The session has been invalidated because the user changed their password or Facebook has changed the session for security reasons. Type: OAuthException
Little Minds at Work

3 months ago

Little Minds at Work
FREE DOWNLOAD! CVC Themed Spin, Tap, Map, Write sheets! Snag them here: bit.ly/3zTashX ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Little Minds at Work

3 months ago

Little Minds at Work
FREE DOWNLOAD! Sound sort/assessment sheets! Grab there HERE: bit.ly/3zTashX ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Little Minds at Work

3 months ago

Little Minds at Work
🌈 NEW + FREE "Spy It" phonics-based science of reading sheets! Snag them here: bit.ly/3zTashX ABC, cvc words, digraphs, blends, and CVCE words included! ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Little Minds at Work

3 months ago

Little Minds at Work
FREE DOWNLOADS! Take my free fluency sheets and cut them into fluency STRIPS! Phonics HERE: bit.ly/3ojFL3h Math HERE: bit.ly/35w1ihX ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Little Minds at Work

3 months ago

Little Minds at Work
👀 Nothing to see here.... just 120 FREE SOR DOWNLOADS! Snag them all compiled and linked in ONE single doc HERE: bit.ly/3sspPMw ... See MoreSee Less

Sign Up

Little Minds at Work

littlemindsatwork.org

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Follow on Pinterest

  • Completely transform your teaching with these FUN & engaging, yet still rigorous, lessons and activities! These INSTANT Theme packets are perfect preschool and kindergarten offer engaging, hands-on material for each themed set. The INSTANT Themes packets are completely comprehensive...toss in a few hands-on manipulatives and let the learning begin. Click the pin to see all the themes included in the money-saving bundle!
    Completely transform your teaching with these FUN & engaging, yet still rigorous, lessons and activities! These INSTANT Theme packets are perfect preschool and kindergarten offer engaging, hands-on material for each themed set. The INSTANT Themes packets are completely comprehensive...toss in a few hands-on manipulatives and let the learning begin. Click the pin to see all the themes included in the money-saving bundle!
  • Completely transform your teaching with these FUN & engaging, yet still rigorous, lessons and activities! These INSTANT Theme packets are perfect preschool and kindergarten offer engaging, hands-on material for each themed set. The INSTANT Themes packets are completely comprehensive...toss in a few hands-on manipulatives and let the learning begin. Click the pin to see all the themes included in the money-saving bundle!
    Completely transform your teaching with these FUN & engaging, yet still rigorous, lessons and activities! These INSTANT Theme packets are perfect preschool and kindergarten offer engaging, hands-on material for each themed set. The INSTANT Themes packets are completely comprehensive...toss in a few hands-on manipulatives and let the learning begin. Click the pin to see all the themes included in the money-saving bundle!
  • Searching for CVC word activities for kindergarten? These hands on activities are highly engaging and simple to prepare. Click the pin to check out a huge variety of CVC word activities, including some freebies too!
    Searching for CVC word activities for kindergarten? These hands on activities are highly engaging and simple to prepare. Click the pin to check out a huge variety of CVC word activities, including some freebies too!
  • Searching for CVC word activities for kindergarten? These hands on activities are highly engaging and simple to prepare. Click the pin to check out a huge variety of CVC word activities, including some freebies too!
    Searching for CVC word activities for kindergarten? These hands on activities are highly engaging and simple to prepare. Click the pin to check out a huge variety of CVC word activities, including some freebies too!
  • Searching for CVCE word activities for kindergarten? These hands on activities are highly engaging and simple to prepare. Click the pin to check out a huge variety of CVCE word activities, including some freebies too!
    Searching for CVCE word activities for kindergarten? These hands on activities are highly engaging and simple to prepare. Click the pin to check out a huge variety of CVCE word activities, including some freebies too!
  • Completely transform your teaching with these FUN & engaging, yet still rigorous, lessons and activities! These INSTANT Theme packets are perfect preschool and kindergarten offer engaging, hands-on material for each themed set. The INSTANT Themes packets are completely comprehensive...toss in a few hands-on manipulatives and let the learning begin. Click the pin to see all the themes included in the money-saving bundle!
    Completely transform your teaching with these FUN & engaging, yet still rigorous, lessons and activities! These INSTANT Theme packets are perfect preschool and kindergarten offer engaging, hands-on material for each themed set. The INSTANT Themes packets are completely comprehensive...toss in a few hands-on manipulatives and let the learning begin. Click the pin to see all the themes included in the money-saving bundle!
  • Completely transform your teaching with these FUN & engaging, yet still rigorous, lessons and activities! These INSTANT Theme packets are perfect preschool and kindergarten offer engaging, hands-on material for each themed set. The INSTANT Themes packets are completely comprehensive...toss in a few hands-on manipulatives and let the learning begin. Click the pin to see all the themes included in the money-saving bundle!
    Completely transform your teaching with these FUN & engaging, yet still rigorous, lessons and activities! These INSTANT Theme packets are perfect preschool and kindergarten offer engaging, hands-on material for each themed set. The INSTANT Themes packets are completely comprehensive...toss in a few hands-on manipulatives and let the learning begin. Click the pin to see all the themes included in the money-saving bundle!
  • Completely transform your teaching with these FUN & engaging, yet still rigorous, lessons and activities! These INSTANT Theme packets are perfect preschool and kindergarten offer engaging, hands-on material for each themed set. The INSTANT Themes packets are completely comprehensive...toss in a few hands-on manipulatives and let the learning begin. Click the pin to see all the themes included in the money-saving bundle!
    Completely transform your teaching with these FUN & engaging, yet still rigorous, lessons and activities! These INSTANT Theme packets are perfect preschool and kindergarten offer engaging, hands-on material for each themed set. The INSTANT Themes packets are completely comprehensive...toss in a few hands-on manipulatives and let the learning begin. Click the pin to see all the themes included in the money-saving bundle!
Follow Me on Pinterest

 Tara West © 2017 - Privacy Policy

Cleantalk Pixel