Letters and Sounds Assessments

Do you hate doing one-on-one assessments like I do?  I mean, I love being with just that one kid and seeing EXACTLY what he or she can do, but let's be honest--the other 25 kids running around make it a headache.  I made this kit, because I wanted the testing process to be simple, effective and quick.  I wanted to look at a piece of paper and be able to see very clearly which students did and did not understand a concept.  I started with letters and sounds.  This seems to be the very first concept that we teach and test in Kindergarten.  I included flash cards, Class Tracking Sheet, Student Tracking Sheet, and awards for each concept.  All you need to do is make copies, and start assessing!

I tried my best to make the Student Tracking Sheet simple, but comprehensive at the same time.  I like stickers, so I will use stickers on my sheet.  However, you could totally put x's or checkmarks in the boxes too.  What might be even more fun is to have the students color in the box next to the letter that has been passed off.  There are a few possibilities here that will fit any teaching style.

One thing I love to do is recognize hard work.  Two years ago I started giving my students awards when they passed off their letters and sounds.  The awards were small, simple and cute.  The students LOVED them.  Every Friday I would call out some names, pass out some awards, and we would cheer those kids on with all we had.  It didn't hurt that a free pick from the treasure box accompanied those awards!  I found that my students wanted that little slip of paper that deemed them a master of sounds, and they were willing to work for it.  I am not a fan of giving kids an award "just because" or so they don't feel "left out".  I believe we need to do a better job of teaching work ethic.  Life isn't fair, and it never will be, but you can always work your way to where you want to be.  I think this is a great starting point for teaching that concept.  My students loved cheering each other on, and they loved being the center of attention for a minute or two when they were being acknowledged.

You can find the Letter and Sound Assessment Kit HERE.

Teach a kid, give someone a hug, and have a wonderful day!
~Leslee

There, Their, They're Anchor Posters

I have a confession.  I can't stand when people misuse there, their, and they're.  Your and you're give me the same row of goosebumps down my arm when they are not used correctly.  When grown adults misuse those words, I seriously wonder if they missed that day in class.  How could you NOT know the difference?  But you know what?  A lot of people don't know the difference.  It is a common enough thing that I find myself cringing a few times a week it seems.

I remember when I was young, I struggled with the < and > symbols.  Which one meant greater than?  I hated those stupid little marks.  It wasn't until a teacher pointed out that the one that looks like a capital L would always mean less than.  DING!  The lightbulb clicked on, and I haven't looked back since.  This made me think about those kids that struggle with which word to use.  Then it came to me--anchor charts!  Not just anchor charts, but anchor charts that would help them make a permanent connection in their brain so they would remember which word to use in each situation.

Do you want these for yourself?  I hope that they will help some students out there understand that they're capable of using the right words in their writing.  See what I did there?  You can go HERE to get your cards.

Teach a kid, give someone hug, and have a wonderful day!

~Leslee

Christmas Clipart

Are you ready for more clipart?  I just released a new pack of holiday clipart, and this time I am featuring Christmas!  I love all things Christmas.  Who doesn't?  I am the type who can't give my kids a worksheet without adding something festive.  I just want to spread the love, and give them a little more fun in class.

You could use these on worksheets, hand outs, calendars, bulletin boards, smart board lessons, etc.  I feel like there are just so many possibilities!  Here is a sneak peek of the images.

You can go HERE to check out this pack of clipart.

Teach a kid, give someone a hug, and have a wonderful day!
~Leslee

Cutest Pack of Fonts

I am done with Volume #3 and #4.  Want to see them?  I especially love "HotChocolate" and "Wide Waters".  They are my new favorites.  I have tried to give you a wide variety of fonts to choose from. I hope you like them as much as I do.

These fonts have been named after a few of my favorite things, my favorite people, and other names were recommended by my 8-year-old daughter.  (How could I say no to that cute face?)

You can download Volume #3 from my store HERE.

You can download Volume #4 from my store HERE.

Thank you for the kind words, encouragement, and support.  It is easy to keep creating when I have so many awesome people on my side!

Teach a kid, give someone a hug, and have a wonderful day!
~Leslee

More Fonts

Are you ready for Fun and Original Fonts Volume #2?  I know I am!  I love some of these fonts.  I feel like they are my babies.  I have been using them non-stop in my creations, and it is so much freakin' fun!  This new volume is another pack of 10 fonts.  Check them out below.

You can get Fun and Original Fonts Volume #2 HERE.

Teach a kid, give someone a hug, and have a wonderful day!
~Leslee

Fonts Volume # 1

I just can't stop creating.  I feel like between making Halloween costumes and feeding the family, I spend most of my time on iPads and computers making things.  I started a new adventure this week.  Drumroll please.....fonts.  That's right, I starting making my very own fonts.  This process definitely has a learning curve to it.  Each font is hand-drawn and made from scratch using the ideas swirling around in my head.  I can't sleep at night, because my brain is creating fonts and thinking about brush strokes.  It is becoming a problem!

I started with ten fonts that I put up on my store.  I've had some good feedback so far, and I am so grateful for the encouragement of friends.  It is not easy stepping into a new level of creativity, but it is an adventure non the less!  Now if I can just figure out how to use some of these fonts on this blog!

You can check out my Fun and Original Fonts Volume #1 HERE.

Teach a kid, give someone a hug, and have a wonderful day!
~Leslee

Thanksgiving Clipart

I'm at it again.  I am making clipart ALL DAY LONG!  It's okay--I love it.  I have had a lot of great positive feedback on the Halloween Clipart set, so I wanted to keep rolling with the holidays.  This new pack features Thanksgiving pictures.  The set includes 40 images, and comes with both color and black and white.  Are you as excited as I am?  Here is a little sneak peek of what some of the images look like.

You can go HERE to get this clipart set.

Thanks for reading!  Teach a kid, give someone a hug, and have a wonderful day!
~Leslee