KindergartenWorks Update is Coming

KindergartenWorks will be experiencing a cyber-face lift soon! I'm so very excited to share with you that in the upcoming weeks, you'll have an improved experience finding ideas, browsing the topics I've written and more.

That's the short of it, and if that's all you want to know then we're good here for today. If you want the long of it, let's read on.

I started this KindergartenWorks blog back in 2010 after selling my products online for a few months. I had so many pictures and ideas to share that went outside of the scope of what I wanted to offer for sale, so {BAM} here is my little online headspace creation.

Welcome to my “headspace” – I should post a warning to let you know that KindergartenWorks is the place where you enter the mind of one slightly {sometimes-uber} productive, positive thinking and organized kindergarten teacher.

There. Posted. Consider yourself warned...
{and welcomed!}

Since that first blog creation, I have updated this site many times to make it a better, more organized little slice of {fantastic} teacher space. With all that I've learned, it's time to grow and change yet again. I'm excited about a more clean, classic look that fits KindergartenWorks, like you saw recently as we updated our products. I'm excited that you'll have an easier time finding ideas and products.

I've found that I truly give my best when I am attempting something new and uncomfortable, so with this change I plan on bringing you my best. Ready for it?

A new school year is on it's way {although I'm currently in summer denial} and a new look is on it's way too.

Want to touch base with me? I love hearing from you on my facebook page or through comments here on KindergartenWorks.

Thanks for taking the time to come behind the scenes of KindergartenWorks! Stick around, or subscribe and I'll let you know whenever anything new comes out. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.
- Leslie

*Free downloadable Thank You Gift included when you subscribe via email or RSS.

KindergartenWorks Products - A New Look and a Tip!

I created KindergatenWorks in July of 2010, which is almost hard to believe now! I still think of myself as a newbie sometimes when I am learning how to do new things in the online teaching blog world. We've gone under a few facelifts since I launched and the most recent undertaking was the revamping of our product line.

I try to offer you a direct line to how I think here on KindergartenWorks and then offer you products that can help you organize, think or teach in a similar fashion {with your own personal twist, of course!}

After all, KindergartenWorks is "from our classroom to yours." So, with that being said, I wanted to give you  the run down of our new product look. All of our products got a great new look that should also help you with your purchasing decisions at a glance.

You'll find the name of the item BOLD and easily visible when you're scrolling through any of my shops. You should be able to have a clear picture of the type of digital downloads included by the snapshots of select pages on the front cover.

Playdough Word Work - Most Popular Product

You'll also see a large area highlighted in the bottom left corner. At a glance you'll know what you're buying!

Guided Math Pack

If it's a free item, you'll see that labeled right away so there's no second guessing!

Reading and Retelling Bookmarks

Plus, I've also labeled each product so you can see how it benefits you most: is it a teacher time saver? Is it directly aligned to Common Core standards?

Sing to Learn Sight Words and Teacher Planning Pages

No matter what you purchase, I hope you're incredibly happy with it and I hope you like the new design. 

Sharing With Fellow Teachers in Your Building

Here is a tip. I know that once you download or purchase something and someone wants you to share it... you want to be sure to give credit where credit is due. Hit up the copyright (second) page or last page of any KindergartenWorks product and you'll find a link straight back to my blog or the shop where you got it from.

Tip! Use links in the product to give to fellow teachers access to the resource so they can have it too!

You can always send them there and then tell them the product title so they can search and find exactly what they're looking for. Thanks for being first class and sharing the location instead of the product! I tried to make it easy on you - I've got your back, friend!

Here are the four products I recommend getting your hands on over the summer months to be prepared for the new school year.

Teacher Organization Products

Student Information Sheet
2013-2014 Teacher Planning Calendar Template

Kindergarten Common Core Reading and Math: Data Tracking and Assessments

Teacher Planning Pages and Binder Tips

Be on the lookout by subscribing today so you'll be the first to hear of our giveaway that is coming soon. You'll love that it's over $70 worth of great teacher gear and products! Some will be instant and others will get drop shipped to you!
- Leslie

*Free downloadable Thank You Gift included when you subscribe via email or RSS.

free downloadable gift to subscribers

I greatly appreciate your loyalty and readership {wahoo!} so to thank you, I’ve put together a little gift to say thanks! Be sure to check out the bottom of your next email to grab your thank you gift.

Everyone should get a gift for being a new friend, right? Enjoy your free download! I’m so delighted you decided to join in on reading the latest from little ol' me here on KindergartenWorks. If you have any questions or want me to go in search of ideas for you, be sure to let me know on facebook. I love finding great collections of ideas to share.

>> View the Vacation Memory Book

Most Popular Ideas

binder basics
2013-2014 printable calendar for teacher planning
22 famous story retelling ideas {+printables}
guided reading - guided setup

monster numbers {tools to learn 0-10}

More Subscription Options

Follow on Facebook – Gift Included

Not subscribed yet? Here's your chance! I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.
- Leslie

*Free downloadable Thank You Gift included when you subscribe via email or RSS.

introducing teach junkie - my alter ego

Readers, allow me to introduce my alter ego. I am taking a leap to broaden what I do in the teaching sphere online and have created a site where we can all work together to put ideas in one place. I am a Teach Junkie.

Introducing Teach Junkie

TeachJunkie.com is a place for anyone to share their ideas, whether they have a blog or not, with the rest of the teaching world. Since the soft launch last week, there are 35 articles and links to over 40 free downloads. Since my comfort zone of teaching is in the primary grades - that has been my main set of contributions - so you my KWorks friends should find some great ideas!

It is set up to be able to hold thousands of ideas and the structure is all in place... so your ideas and your tips will be spotlighted in the category that will bring you the most traffic or recognition. All the teaching world needs now is YOU and your fantastic tips and ideas. It is my goal to give you an audience in exchange for sharing your ideas in a central location. (Of course if you have a blog - you'll share your link back to your blog post and we can finish reading there which brings you traffic)

What kinds of stuff can I find there?

• You'll love the variety of types of posts. There are quick tips.
• There are tutorials which will give step by step directions.
• There are activities which can help you find ideas for your lesson plans.
• There are diy-creative photo reels which are picture collections to inspire you.

How can I find ideas?

You can search by using the menus, search bar or click on the bottom of the articles to find more.

Find out where lots of ideas and tips are located by taking the tour.

How can I share my ideas?

Both bloggers and non-bloggers can join the Teach Junkie community and upload their thoughts and ideas. Any of the four types of ideas goes! So, if you enjoy reading KindergartenWorks and have tried some of our ideas or have your own classroom ideas to share - we'd love to feature you!

Stay tuned for one of our first featured series of articles too that was created just for you. Mrs. McKown from Little Literacy Learners is putting together a series of tips on making RTI happen for the everyday teacher!

What else?

You'll find that I love rounding up teacher ideas and featuring them which makes it easier to find collections of ideas in one place on a topic or theme. For example you'll find these great collections have already begun to pile up {wink}. You'll love the ideas from these fantastic teachers.

3 ELA Beginning Sounds and Blends Worksheets

ELA CVC Games {Free Download}

26 Free Fonts for Teachers

I've been keeping this under wraps since work started in early December and I am so glad {phew - and relieved... I'm not good at keeping things quiet} to finally be able to share it with you! I encourage you to become a subscriber via email to get your free thank you gift (and there's one for being a facebook fan too).

If you have any questions, I'd love to answer them for you. I can't wait to be a couple of teach junkies together!

>> Go to TeachJunkie.com

I hope I'll see you there on a regular basis! If you like what I do here on KindergartenWorks, then be sure to subscribe today. I look forward to sharing ideas with you weekly.
- Leslie 

*Free downloadable Thank You Gift included when you subscribe via email or RSS.

free downloadable gift to facebook fans

I greatly appreciate your friendship and conversation on facebook. So to thank you, I’ve put together a little gift to say just that - thanks! Be sure to head over to our facebook page to click like and grab your thank you gift.

Everyone should get a gift for being a new friend, right? I’m so delighted you decided to join in on the conversation.

If you have any questions or there is something you want me to share from our classroom to yours, be sure to let me know on facebook.  - Leslie

Kindergarten Common Core Reading and Math: Data Tracking and Assessments

Kindergarten Common Core Assessments can be made more simple for the teacher and administrator. Tracking data and showing evidence of growth is something we are all being asked to do and tying it into what we assess for report cards using Common Core standards only makes sense! If you're using the Common Core standards and need an assessment tool and make tracking your students' progress all in one place be sure to check into my newest collaborative project.

Kindergarten Common Core Reading and Math Data Tracking & Assessments

It does not assess every standard... noooo. That's not what it is designed to do. 

It is designed for you to track some fundamental Common Core standards by reassessment and to give you both a student packet and Excel file to track your data. 

It is also designed for you to be able to print to show your principal (or whoever) your class' progress at a glance.

It will cover select pieces in reading like rhyming, letters, sounds, sight words and gives you the flexibility of when to assess and how often to reassess (or reassess as needed per student). It's not designed to step on your reading program toes or replace Dibels or to duplicate them.

Showing growth is what teachers in Indiana are being asked to do this year in order to be considered "highly qualified." Not only on state assessments and district assessments, but on classroom work (the Common Core standards) too. 

It is up to each teacher to document and show this growth in a way that is meaningful to them and effective to share with a principal. For us, this solves a potential headache. It's good feedback for instruction for the teacher. An Excel chart that you can print in its entirety or just one page to share with your principal shows growth in a format that works for them. {And makes you look good!}

> Click here for more product details.

> See how our KinderTrio products differ.

More on Common Core Assessments

4 Ways to Assess in Kindergarten {When You're the ONLY One}

Assessments for Every Common Core Standard

Tips for Assessing During Guided Reading

Tips for Using Math Journals to Assess

I hope you find this new tool of value to you! And if you're entering the Win It - Pin It, I wish you good luck.
- Leslie

If you want to stay updated with the latest from KindergartenWorks, subscribe via email or RSS.

Feedback

Friends,

Your positive feedback (and earnest comments) are what sometimes helps keep a teacher creating and posting. Be sure to leave a comment the next time you blog hop or purchase from a teacher. Just as we are models of giving positive praise to our kinders, do the same for a fellow teacher today! Thanks for leaving me your thoughts - I love hearing from you!

See Feedback on Teachers Notebook, Teachers Pay Teachers and select items below:

Here are some of KindergartenWorks' favorite pieces of feedback on products and our blog that we've received:

Leslie, I love this purchase! SERIOUSLY! I can see this as a center from day one of kindergarten and with the resources you created, I can use it long into the spring! Excellent quality with clear graphics that will allow my kiddos to be independent. Thank you for a great product! - Deedee Wills

This packet seems to have everything I will need to help my young learners develop their writing skills. I love the posters that help remind the students of the strategies they can use when writing. - Cindylb

Thank you for a great teaching resource. I appreciate all your hard work! I think this will be a wonderful way to help my students with nursery rhymes, letters, sight words, tracking print and so much more! You have done an awesome job and I appreciate you sharing your talents with others. - ASausen

Hey Leslie, I know I have said this before, but I think your work is incredible! I know we teach different grade levels, but I find such inspiration in the way you organize your lessons and provide meaningful instruction for your students. I just wanted to say thanks and I so enjoy reading what goes on in your classroom. Best wishes for a happy new year! - Kristen

Thanks for the freebies! I always learn so much from you! You are such an amazing teacher! :) Love all your centers! :) Just got a Lakeshore coupon and bought me some stampers for my Playdough center! Yay! :)
Thanks again!- Cheryl

I'd really like to learn more about your block center and abc center. You have great ideas. I love how you have found a balance between play, which we all know is so important in kindergarten, and common core content. It gives me hope that the two can coexist.  -Ellen P.

Hey there! I just spent some time on your Behind the Scenes page & on your homepage and all I can say is WOW! Where were teachers like you when my kids were in school? I am floored, sincerely.
Anyway, I am super happy to have landed here tonight! I can not wait to spend some quality time in this space of yours... - Sofia's Ideas

I love the monster numbers especially the way that one to one correspondence is addressed. I know my kinders will love it. - 30kinders

This is truly a godsend. Thank you! - Mrs.Thompson

All I can say is, WOW! This really worked for my class. I began using it right after Christmas and all of my students scored on or above grade level on our School Computer Assessment at the end of school. :0) Thanks! -Thelearningspot




Hi Leslie, I just posted a comment to Learning with Mrs. Parker (http://learningwithmrsparker.blogspot.com/) about your Sing and Spell Sight Word pack. She was asking how people teach sight words and I thought I would
share how much I love your packet!! I think (hope!) I emailed you in the spring after I purchased it to thank you and tell you how great I thought it was, but I just realized I never told you how much my students and I have been loving it this year when I started using the songs and chant from the beginning of the year.

I have never had so many students raising their hand to say they found a sight word when we read in school. I have also heard parents say they can't get through a book at bedtime without their child finding the sight words. The students ask to sing the songs and do the word chant and oh boy am I in trouble if I say we will do it in a few minutes and then forget! Parents have commented on how excited they are that their child can read so many sight words and I truly believe that would not have happened without this product! Thank you for everything you share on your blog and for creating such a great product!! - Kari

Even though it's different wording here in australia I can still use it - loved the layout of it all. thanks - Mazzy56

This deserves 10 apples! I love the assessments. It helps me maintain consistency and keeps it simple. It made my life easier! -bakerj

I was worried that this might not translate well to my classroom computers, but it worked perfectly. I showed my kids how to do this once and they had it mastered! Thank you for this wonderful tool, I plan on purchasing the other 3 as well. - Corirussell

WOW!!! I absolutely love this!!! I bought it last night and used it today! What great resources! Love these websites--I'd never seen some of them before and I don't have to go searching for them! I love that the students can navigate them by themselves and keeps them focused and engaged! - Jazzyann

This is great for those kids who are going away and the parent tells you the day before! Much better than sending some "dittos." Thanks! - Proud to teach

OMG! I used this packet in December and my students LOVED it! It was hard for me to keep a straight face as we traveled around the school looking for our gingerbread friends that had run away. Later I had our school nurse (known for her gruff manner) call the classroom over the intercom and complain that there were children in the office running around, screaming and being VERY naughty. After my students stopped screaming that it must be our gingerbread friends, we collected them from the office only to find that they had written a very sweet apology note to us and brought us real gingerbread cookies to eat. I had my students make their gingerbread friends from foam, rather than actual cookies because I was feeling lazy. Can you tell I LOVED this unit? Great job Leslie!!!!

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