16 October 2012

Going Batty

This week we’re goin’ batty in the classroom!  In all fairness, we’re goin’ batty over spiders, too :)  We started out the week reading fiction and non-fiction books about bats.  After seeing a few illustrations and real pictures of bats, I was dying to know what my kids thought…do you think they’re cute??  or creepy??  I’ve seen one up close & in person and ohmiword…I hope I never see one again.  My vote…CREEPY.  Here’s what the kids thought…

3-bats  4-bats

Can y’all believe that?!  Most of my little sweeties thought they were cute!!!!  We took this time to review the differences between picture graphs and bar graphs…first creating our picture graph.  Then we transferred all that data to our graphing sheet and analyzed it a little more.  After completing our graphs and analyzing the data, the kids made their own little {not-so-creepy} bats…and they loved it!

5-bats

If you’re interested in doing this little graphtivity in your classroom, click on the picture below to download a copy for yourself!

Slide1

To carry our learning into literacy, here are a few activities my kids have been working on during their independent work stations.  Listening for beginning and ending sounds and distinguishing between rhyming and non-rhyming words.  Some of my sweeties who love to be challenged are using the beginning and ending sound mats to listen for ALL the sounds.  Some of them are even using the words they make in sentences!!  Makes me smile.  They’re so dang proud of themselves!

1-bats  2-bats

Click on the pic below for your {free} copy!

Slide1

In math tubs this week, we’re working on activities from my Cute or Creepy? {7-Math Tub Activities} packet.  Here’s a peek at what we’re doing…

7-bats  8-bats  9-bats

If you want a more detailed preview at this packet, you can check it out in my little shop.

Slide1

Yes friends…we do HARD stuff in Kindergarten…and we’re having a BATTY good time!

50 comments:

  1. BrandiOctober 16, 2012 at 6:33 PM

    U r so adorable! I wish you were my kids' teacher!!!

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  2. UnknownOctober 16, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    I love your bats-so cute!!!!

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  3. AbbyOctober 16, 2012 at 6:35 PM

    You're so dang cute, Cara! 3 daaaaaaaays!!!!!!

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  4. Sallie NealOctober 16, 2012 at 6:36 PM

    Thanks for the freebies! Between our required 2 hour Literacy First block and our 90 minute Everyday Math block, we hardly have time for fun stuff anymore. One of my students told me today "Mrs. Neal, we never get to color anymore". That broke my heart. Hope I can squeeze these in without breaking the rules! :)

    Teaching With a Passion

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  5. The Wallace FamilyOctober 16, 2012 at 6:44 PM

    Such a cute activity...I wish I could incorporate all of these cute activities into my fourth grade classroom..guess that is the primary teacher coming out in me:)

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  6. ElisabethOctober 16, 2012 at 6:47 PM

    Too darn cute Cara!! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  7. JessOctober 16, 2012 at 6:58 PM

    I love all of your ideas! Thanks for the freebies! I pinned it all to share the love! Thanks for always being an inspiration!

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  8. Elizabeth HowellOctober 16, 2012 at 7:00 PM

    So cute.. not at all creepy. Thanks!

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  9. Amy JohnstonOctober 16, 2012 at 7:02 PM

    Love ALL of it! Thank you for the freebie...awesome way to help my first graders who are still struggling a bit with ending sounds.

    You rock!

    Amy
    What Happens in First Grade

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  10. Taryn RyanOctober 16, 2012 at 7:04 PM

    You are so kind to share! I love your ideas! Thanks so much!

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  11. UnknownOctober 16, 2012 at 7:09 PM

    Thank you! I love it! You are such a giver!

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  12. LisaOctober 16, 2012 at 7:11 PM

    Oh my goodness, these might be the best freebies EVER!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I really want to start beginning and ending sounds, so this is perfect!

    Lisa
    The Lower Elementary Cottage

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  13. KatherynOctober 16, 2012 at 7:12 PM

    Thank you!! I'm doing Kindergarten Practicum this semester and I plan to teach bats in two weeks. These are great resources!

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  14. JodiOctober 16, 2012 at 7:19 PM

    Too cute!!!
    ❀Jodi
    Fun In First

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  15. rooneyhuntOctober 16, 2012 at 7:20 PM

    Thank you so much! These will be fabulous for my kinders! Love them all....

    ~ Amy

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  16. AliciaOctober 16, 2012 at 7:26 PM

    Oh, so cute! I just found out that I'll be going to Kindergarten mid-year. I'm super excited, and I'm getting lots of inspiration from your posts.

    Alicia @ Today's Objective

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  17. Stephanie LunaOctober 16, 2012 at 7:34 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  18. Stephanie LunaOctober 16, 2012 at 7:36 PM

    Doing my student teaching this semester and wouldn't cha know... My Unit is due next week and it's on BATS!!! I thought I had some great ideas! This is an added bonus! Thank you!!

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  19. Susan HoganOctober 16, 2012 at 8:02 PM

    Cara,
    I just LOVE all of your stuff. Thanks so much for all of the freebies. I can definitely adapt these for my first graders.

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  20. Sarah PaulOctober 16, 2012 at 8:35 PM

    FUN! THanks for all your freebies!
    Sarah
    Sarah's First Grade Snippets

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  21. JenniferOctober 16, 2012 at 9:02 PM

    How very cute! Thanks for the freebies!
    Rowdy in First Grade

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  22. sarahOctober 16, 2012 at 9:16 PM

    I love teaching bats! Thanks for the great freebies!

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  23. RikkiOctober 16, 2012 at 9:22 PM

    Thanks for all the great freebies. I love your bat art work. I will be using your rhyming and beginning and ending sound mats. They will be perfect for my little firsties in interventions! Great ideas!
    ஐRikki
    The Hive

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  24. JanOctober 17, 2012 at 2:38 AM

    Great ideas- thanks for sharing!

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  25. robynOctober 17, 2012 at 3:11 AM

    Thank you so much for sharing the bat activities! Theya are adorable! We start them next week!

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  26. Mrs. McHaffieOctober 17, 2012 at 3:23 AM

    Those are the cutest dang bats I have ever seen!

    Kelly
    Beg, Borrow, Steal

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  27. sspellerOctober 17, 2012 at 5:28 AM

    So adorable as usual! I can tell you are LOVING teaching Kg again. It is the best, although it is SOOOOOO much work!!! Thanks for sharing!

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  28. ~DeAnne~October 17, 2012 at 10:20 AM

    I love this!! Thanks so much for sharing! :)

    ღDeAnne
    First Grade and Fabulous

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  29. Tanya SolanoOctober 17, 2012 at 12:07 PM

    OOOOOOOO la la - lovin' the bat literacy freebie! I have several littles that are really struggling with ending sounds, so this will be a fun activity for us to work on. You are too kind my friend!
    ❤Tanya
    Ms. Solano's Kindergarten

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  30. Kathy D.October 17, 2012 at 5:59 PM

    This is JUST what I need for next week!!! You are a mind reader and a life saver! I'm neck deep in conferences and fighting a cold and sore throat so this is a much-needed pick me up! :0)

    Thank you!!
    ~Kathy

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  31. HaleyOctober 18, 2012 at 2:43 AM

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are just amazing!

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  32. Mrs. WheelerOctober 18, 2012 at 5:35 PM

    Great freebie! Thanks, buddy!

    Megan
    Mrs. Wheeler’s First Grade
    Mrs. Wheeler TpT

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  33. JessOctober 18, 2012 at 7:14 PM

    Wow, what great freebies! Thankyou so much, you are very generous. I am over to your TPT store now to purchase your maths unit. (I love all of your products!)

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  34. UnknownOctober 18, 2012 at 7:15 PM

    Wonderful blog! Enjoyed very much! I am smack the baby on the butt brand new at bloggy world and just created my very first! Granted I'm still working out the kinks, it's been a lot of fun! Thank you for the inspiration!
    Andrea @ forehandsphenomenalfirsties.blogspot.com

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  35. SarahOctober 18, 2012 at 8:55 PM

    Most Fantastic!!

    I have also seen bats up close!! Totally CREEPY!! EWE!

    Thanks for all the great stuff!! OFf to buy your math packet!! Can I just say that I LOVE that you are in K now!! Eeek! Happy Dance!!
    Sarah
    shetrick@gmail.com

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  36. Mrs. SOctober 19, 2012 at 6:37 PM

    Wow!!! Love the freebies! Perfect timing, too. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  37. hsamuelsonOctober 20, 2012 at 6:05 AM

    Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas with us!
    Heidi,
    I always love your blog posts and your suggestions! Thanks for taking the time out to share with others!
    You've been Booed...
    Come check out your freebies and how to participate in the fun!
    ♬Swamp Frog First Graders ♬

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  38. Heather's HeartOctober 20, 2012 at 4:02 PM

    I am adoring all of your cute bat creations...thank you for sharing such awesome *freebies*!

    I shared a pumpkin poem on my blog today and a Christ centered jack-o-lantern that made me think of you and all you do with your sweet family. I would love for you to check it out. =)

    Blessings to you sweet friend!

    Heather
    Heather's Heart

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  39. Kate DanielOctober 21, 2012 at 4:35 PM

    What a great post! Thanks for sharing those freebies!! Hope you're having fun getting your sweet boys ready to celebrate Halloween! :)


    Kate
    Second Grade Sparkle

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  40. Joanne L PigottOctober 21, 2012 at 6:05 PM

    Thank you for the freebies, they are so cute even though I'm with you and think they are creepy. I am beginning Stellaluna this week so this will all fit in nicely. :-)

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  41. Cheli_loboOctober 21, 2012 at 11:37 PM

    How do u create these units? Do you use a certain program? Love your work!! Big fan here haha :)

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    Replies
    1. Cheli_loboOctober 21, 2012 at 11:40 PM

      Please help :) I'm new at all this blog n TPT stuff :) thank u!

      Delete
  42. Miss LorentzOctober 22, 2012 at 5:39 PM

    My Christmas wish this year is for you to go back to first grade. Seriously?? My favorite blogger left my grade??? I spent all summer mourning it, and now I try not to stop by here and see all the things I can't do with my own class, but sometimes curiosity gets the best of me.

    This activity is ADORABLE and although I find bats creepy, your picture of them definitely makes them cute!

    I'm having a Halloween Linky Party and would for you to add your blog!

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  43. DebbieDOctober 23, 2012 at 8:05 PM

    Thank you for the bat freebies! You have so many creative, common core ideas. I'd love to know how you schedule your day. I try to get these group activities in, but I don't have much time.

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  44. UnknownOctober 24, 2012 at 2:32 PM

    Thanks so much for all te fun activities you create. I always try to incorporate some of your lessons into my days - however it looks like you have your kiddos for at least an hour longer than I do. Also do you ever incorprate large play time activities? eg: House centre, building blocks, trains, etc.

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  45. Heather's HeartOctober 27, 2012 at 4:53 AM

    I know you have probably finished all of your bat activities but if your sweet Kinders need a tally mark activity I just shared one using bat bones...my kiddos are crazy about it. There is a cute poem too! And the best part is eating the bat bones when they finish! =)

    Heather
    Heather's Heart

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  46. Mrs. RacineOctober 27, 2012 at 1:39 PM

    Adorable!! What font did you use??

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  47. AnonymousNovember 9, 2012 at 6:58 PM

    I love all of your cute ideas! I'm a Speech Pathologist and this year my room is on the first grade hall! While I see what's going on at school walking down the hall each day, I feel like I get to peek into first grade each night looking at your blog!

    Thanks!

    Willow
    www.appalong.blogspot.com

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  48. UnknownOctober 12, 2014 at 6:27 AM

    Cute Bat activities! Thank you for sharing!!

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