Monster Toolbox Labels and a Spelling FREEBIE

I wanted to share a couple of freebies tonight.  Some of you probably already know I'm obsessed with monsters (not the scary kind!).  My classroom is monster themed and I love all things MONSTER!  I've wanted to make a teacher toolbox ever since Create Teach Share first shared this fantastic idea.  I've seen so many gorgeous teacher created toolboxes on Instagram this summer, I just couldn't resist any longer.  I knew that of course, it was going to have to be monster themed.  I searched far and wide for monster labels and couldn't find any anywhere!!!  Lucky for me, I found this super adorable monster paper on Etsy.
I am sooo excited to get this into my classroom.  I have absolutely no idea where I am going to fit it, but it will have to find a home somewhere in my crowded classroom!

If you have a monster classroom and are interested in these labels, you can click the image below to get them for FREE.

I also wanted to share a spelling printable that I am excited to use this year.  Okay, I'm about to jump from monsters to superheroes.  But, this page is perfect for Mondays when you are introducing new spelling and vocabulary words.  Click either image below to check it out or grab this FREEBIE.

Nouns and Me and Spelling Pictures

For this post, I'm combining a few things we did this week.  We have been talking about nouns, and each year I make a Nouns and Me class book.  I simply laminate and combine their pages into a book for my class book nook.  Their pictures are super cute! You can get the FREEBIE here.

 

Each student had to list a person that started with the first letter of their name.

 They also had to list a place that started with the first letter of their name.  I love that this student decided to draw a profile picture.  How original!

 Then, they listed a place that started with the first letter of their name.

 For best of all, they put their first name.

 In the box to the box to the side, they write the first letter of their name and made it fancy.

 I really have some artists in my class this year.  Love the detail in this picture.

 I noticed that many of them were making connections across the curriculum.  For person, Connor used chemist.  We have been talking about types of scientists in science.  In a picture above, Sydney used scientist.  That's so great!

We also tried something new for practicing spelling words before our test on Friday.  I saw a picture done like this on Pinterest, and instantly thought that would be great for practicing spelling words and the picture goes along with the story we are reading for the week. Click  here to see the original idea on Pinterest.  Below are some examples of my students' work.  I'm thinking of doing one each week.  They did so much better on their tests this week- yay!

Last but not least, my students made this adorable sign for my student teacher's birthday.  I had to share, because it's super cute.  I have a fantastic student teacher, so we had to make her something really special for her. The idea of  the having them draw themselves holding a balloon came from Pinterest, but now I can't seen to find it again-sorry.

Word Builder

I had intended to create this earlier in the school year, but didn't get around to it until just now.  I wanted an additional phonemic awareness activity for my station block, something that really encompassed a variety of skills in one.  This is what I came up with.   It reinforces chunking, syllables, word building, and spelling.  I'm hoping it will also help my struggling readers become better at chunking unfamiliar words.

Click the image below to get the FREEBIE.

 

Word Building

This is one of my favorite stations.  It really reinforces spelling, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary.  My students use grid paper to write their spelling words going down.  They use the letters in their spelling words to form new words going across.  This is similar to doing an acrostic, but with spelling words.  When they get stuck on a letter, then they can read around the room for additional words or even use their library book or the story of the week.  They love to use words that connect to whatever we have been learning.  I've really noticed a difference in their spelling since adding this station. 

Spelling Wizards

I send this form halfway through the week with those students that need additional practice with their spelling words.  Anyone that did not pass the prior week's spelling test, is also responsible for completing the form.  They return it to me on Friday, and  I usually give color changing pencils or stickers when it is turned in completed.  I've found that it really helps improve their grades on Spelling Tests and it holds them more accountable.

 Click on the image below for your free copy.