Motivate students to read with QR Listening Centers

My students love hearing their favorite books being read. They love to hear them over and over. This is also a great way to get reluctant readers to read by listening to familiar text. So familiar that they begin to know how the story goes. Last year I begin making QR codes for their favorite books in the reading center. This was so popular that students were racing to the reading center so they could grab their favorite book and listen. So I decided to create a whole listening center dedicated to favorite monthly read alouds.
I am amazed how they listen to the same stories over and over, but this also makes my teacher heart so happy because I know I am instilling in them the love of a good book. Now that's exciting.
I also wanted to check on their understanding as they were reading. At the end of each week for their Friday reading check up, they choose one book to retell, character analysis or BME. This listening center has been a game changer for checking their comprehension. Sometimes those struggling readers are not reading up to grade level standards so they can struggle with retell. However since using these QR listening centers, students are able to listen many time during the week and month so they are able to concentrate more on their understanding.

Grab this freebie from our December QR pack! Happy Scanning!
December Freebie

Click here to purchase the December Listening Center for 26 of your favorite Holiday Read alouds
December QR Listening Center

What are your top 3 things to get during the TPT sale?

It's that dreaded time of year....back to school sales. We don't want to acknowledge the school supply aisles in Walmart and Target but it is unavoidable. Well the TPT sale is one sale you can get excited about (8/1-8/2) Whether you are a TPT'er and you have clipart and fonts in your cart or you are a classroom teacher your eye on those math centers or cute classroom decorations. Well I want to give you the top 3 favorite things from our store that will help you start the year off right.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Mystery-Picture-Color-the-100-chart-Year-Long-Bundle-3268177

We are so excited about our first bundle! This is a year long growing bundle that will be finished in a few weeks. Bundles are expensive so during a sale these are a must have. The awesome thing about these mystery pictures are there are two ways to make them.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-school-Mystery-Picture-Freebie-3303360

Just for stopping by....Grab this freebie and let us know how your kiddos like them!


Are you a techie teacher? Well if you aren't using these QR codes listening centers will make you look like one. The thing I love about these is that they are created in safeshare. That means no ads or pop ups. Students scan and it takes them directly to their video. This August pack has some great back to school titles. This pack includes activity sheets to check for understanding and keeps students on task while staying focused on reading skills.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/August-Back-to-School-Listening-Center-with-QR-codes-3261061

Last I am so excited to use this with my students our first week back. Kids love sticky notes and tic tac toe...so why not combine the two!! WE did for our newest product Sticky Note Tic Tac Toe. Students will work with a partner to play tic tac toe using addition and subtraction facts. Instead of X's and O's, they will record their answer on a sticky note and place it on the board. You need 3 right answers in a row to win.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sticky-Note-Tic-Tac-Toe-Addition-and-Subtraction-3302765

Happy Shopping!! Please share your go to resources for back to school. Would love to hear from you!

Didn't get to Cali for the TPT conference? Well we didn't either....but we have teamed with a great group of TPT authors for some hot July deals. Today we have $1.00 Monday deals

Check out the bitly below for all the great deals. http://bit.ly/2tBddpu

IF you like to plan ahead then grab these Fall and Winter crafts today for $1 dollar each. Your kiddos will love them!

http://bit.ly/2tZcGO3  Turkey Craftivity

http://bit.ly/2tZxAux   Valentine Craftivity

Check back tomorrow for more deals

Teacher Appreciation

We are so excited to join with an awesome group of TPT authors to show some love this week! Just in time for the TPT site wide sale that starts tomorrow!! Enter now and stock up for next year!

Click the link to start the rafflecopter and good luck a Rafflecopter giveaway

QR codes in the classroom

You have QR codes, now what? How can you use them in the classroom....
QR codes are simple to make and easy for students to use in the classroom. They are great for listening centers, write the room,  read alouds or research projects. QR codes help students stay on track and focused during assignments, plus they are just so much fun to use!!!

If you work with young students you know the hassle of  them constantly clicking on something they shouldn't. Or clicking the red X and getting out of the app completely! Ahhh you gotta love the joys of working with techology. QR codes help students stay on task and stay focused. QR codes make great listening centers and are even great for sending home information to parents. 

If you have technology in your classroom, iPad, iPod or chromebooks using QR codes is a great way to use it!

Check out these step by step instructions and I've included a freebie to get you started.

PLANT QR FREEBIE

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Plants-Non-Fiction-Research-Project-with-QR-codes-3121652

IF you have a Zoo trip planned or have an animal unit that you teach, try this awesome new resource. 

ZOO Animal QR Research Project. 10 ZOO animals for students to study and learn about. Included are several ways to report what your learn. 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/All-About-Zoo-Animals-Research-Project-3120436

Would love to hear how your use QR codes in your classroom!!! 

Plants

4 Days till Spring Break!! I can't even tell you how ready we are! This week is packed with Fun Spring Activities. We have our egg hunt (I love doing this with my firsties), field day (UGH!!) and getting my firsties ready for our testing when we return. I love this time of year except for the testing. Spring is exciting because we get to see the fruits of our labor when we see how much our little ones have grown this year.

My students love learning about Plants and Animal Life Cycles. Check out our plant unit and grab this freebie too!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Plant-Needs-2480681

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Label-The-Plant-2471225

FLASH FREEBIE

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spring-Mystery-Picture-Color-a-100-chart-3080357

Ready for Spring?

Did anyone else raise their hand? I raised both of mine! Of course being from the south I know that March can be bi polar. One day it is 75 degrees and the next they are calling for a freeze warning. So to make myself feel better, I have my St. Patrick's Day themed math centers up and going. I love March because it means that Spring is truly just around the corner. If you need something for your earlier finishers, check out our March Mystery Picture pack. When my little smarties finish early, I like to challenge them by having them use cubes to cover the picture. It's great for those fine motor skills and gives them more practice with the 100 chart.

Get these in our TPT Store

How To Organize your Word Work for student success

Words Their Way

Since it's almost time for the kids to go back to school. I wanted to update some of our most popular post about teaching Words Their Way.