Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Tiny Topics *Freebie*

You know what sorta stinks?  You southern state gals do everything first.  Yup, you get to do all the fun stuff before me - and by the time I get to it, you're all like "Hello, been there done that".  Tomorrow is our 100th Day of School!!!!!  Can I hear a "YEEHAW" and a "WHOO HOOO"?  Probably not, because most of you are still recovering from yours and you're probably all thinkin' "Thank goodness THAT'S done!"

So, instead of chatting up the 100th Day I'll talk about Tiny Topics.  You know me, I'm an on a whim kinda girl, don't get me wrong, I plan my whole week ahead {Those of you who go out two weeks, or even a month...say whu?}usually on Friday.  I even try to pull everything I'll need and put it  in the appropriate bins.  But sometimes, an idea pops in the 'ol noggin, and I can't stop myself.

Today was one of those days.  I planned on talking to the kids about our mentor author, Angela Johnson {Lucy Calkins, Author's as Mentors}.  I thought I'd have them write any "little seed ideas" that they might think of on a piece of paper and store it safely in their writing folder but then I remembered the little teeny tiny notebooks from Oriental Trading I found in my classroom a couple of months ago.


I quick hopped on the computer {just seconds before picking my wild ones up from lunch} and created these.


Actually, mine weren't this cute - I made these once I got home. Print on 1" x 2 5/8" address labels.


The notebooks are plain white so the kids decorated them.


Little seed ideas are kept in here - rather than BIG watermelon topics.

We practiced writing simple words or phrases to help us remember our tiny topics.


Keeping it handy - never know when a tiny topic might pop in your mind! Look how organized this little guy's desk is!!!

This little guy wanted to keep his in his pencil box...

I was just kidding before, I actually LIKE that you girlies do everything first...then I get to do all your super cool stuff!!!!  Like my sweet 100th day door sign that I made today with butcher paper.  {Wish I could remember who I stole that idea from!} 

Sweet dreams!

Holly

22 comments:

  1. Love this idea! I've tried keeping lists but they always get lost! Great way to keep them all together and know just where to get them :)
    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am stealing this adorable idea... so there....we're even!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tomorrow is our 100th day too! And I use the watermelon seed idea with my students, it really helps!
    Sara :)

    Smiling In Second Grade

    ReplyDelete
  4. Don't worry about 100th day. Ours is in 9 more days!
    I love your teeny tiny books. I think I just might try that.
    Thanks!

    ❀Barbara❀
    Grade ONEderful

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love it Holly!! I made a really cute poster for our small moments unit that we start next week. I will have to send you a picture! I need to find some small notebooks. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Holly, since you and I are here in Michigan, I will sympathize with you. Our 100th day is on Feb. 16th. Love your cute little notebooks.
    Patty

    2ndinline.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I use tiny topics notebooks too. Office Max helps me make mine. I recently posted about them if you're interested.
    http://foreverin1st.blogspot.com/2012/01/living-writerly-life.html

    Tammy
    Forever in First

    ReplyDelete
  8. ove the TINY NOTEBOOKS!!! :) So cute - love the whole idea behind it. You are fun!!!
    My 100th day is long past. Well, it will be about 2 weeks ago this Friday but I also fudged to make it land on a Friday. :)
    A Teeny Tiny Teacher

    ReplyDelete
  9. Cute idea! I had my 100th day last Friday, but it's still fun to see what others are up to. Have fun!
    --Chrissy
    http:/firstgradefoundme.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great idea, Thanks for sharing!! BTW- I am your newest follower!!
    Barbara
    happyteachingfirst.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. The little notebooks are too cute!!

    Jodi
    Fun In First

    ReplyDelete
  12. My 100th day isnt until next week!!!!!

    Rachel
    Ms. Rachel’s Room

    ReplyDelete
  13. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The notebooks are awesome!!! My 100th day is Valentine's Day, so it will be pushed back just a lil bit. I don't think I can take both of them in the same day...hehe :) P.S. I have the same way of planning! I can't wait to meet you soon! :) Have a great night!

    Lisa :)
    Sorry I had to delete the 1st one, apparently I can't spell today...hehe :)

    Made In The Shade In Second Grade

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love this idea! Thanks!
    Lory
    funforfirst.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'm in MI too and our 100th day falls on the day after Valentine's Day, but 2 days of celebrating in a row is a little too much for us, so we're not celebrating until the 16th!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love your Tiny Topic idea!! Thanks for sharing it! Happy 100th day!

    Jennifer
    The First Grade Dream

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love this! I just started going through the Lucy Calkins units. I can zip through some of them because it's later in the year and I did a lot of this work without using these units. But, I love them! I can't wait to start at the beginning next year. I learn so much from you.


    First in Maine

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a great idea! I have "brain pops" that leave me scrambling at lunchtime to get together! =)

    Look at all of your comments! Way to go sweet friend! =)

    Heather
    Heather's Heart

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great Idea!! I have little notebooks I found at the end of the year and we are implementing Lucy Calkins next year!
    Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.