Primary Chalkboard

Clip Art Addicts Unite...

Hola, peeps!  Stacy here from Funky Fresh Firsties.  I hope your weekend is off to a FAB start!  Stopping in to do a short post today and I wanted to share something that I do that makes hallway displays pop!  I have a crazy collection of clip art {we're teetering on a full blown addiction....shhhhh}.  I use my clip art to make classroom products obviously and I even use it to cute-sy up my newsletters, etc, but making my clip art into posters is one of my favorite things to do!  It is easy, fairly quick, I can get others to help, and I can use them over and over again! Here's my latest project with clip art posters:
We've been reading Lulu Walks the Dogs in class the last week or so and also working through my book companion.  The students complete character webs for each dog and I wanted to display those in a cute way.  I opened the PDF file on my laptop and projected it onto the SMART Board.  I used the zoom (+) button until the dog filled up the poster and taped the poster to the SMART board!
Then I traced the dog with a ball point pen fairly lightly.  It didn't need to be perfect because I would be outlining it more precisely later

Once I have the image (Cordelia the Dachshund in this case) traced... I go back with a FAB marker and outline carefully.  I love, love, really love the flip chart Sharpies!  I normally buy a few packs at the beginning of the school year at Really Good Stuff.
Yep, all outlined is so much better!  Now you can color it in or get the kids involved and let them help (if your OCD is minimal)... or enlist the help of parents, or husbands, or aides!  One of my favorite things to do is color the posters in with chalk.  I got some cheap chalk at IKEA on my last visit {swoon}.

A video of me coloring?  That's right... you're welcome! :)  In case you needed a tutorial!  Side note: it's hard to video yourself coloring with one hand...  this took some serious skill peeps!
Once you have your posters all finished... be sure to laminate for durability.  They look so amazing in the hallway with student work!  I like to try to add a 3-D type element to mine.... so this time I added yard between Lulu and all 3 dogs to look like a leash!

I made these to go along with the hallway display.  If you read Lulu Walks the Dogs and would like them... you can download them HERE!!!
Also, if you are in need of a book companion, you can find mine HERE!  I would HIGHLY recommend the Lulu books for 1st and 2nd graders!  Lulu and the Brontosaurus is amazing... and Lulu Walks the Dogs is also equally entertaining.  Grab both and watch your kiddos sit and listen in AMAZEMENT!
I hope that y'all will have a great weekend and that it will go by super SLOWLY!  You can keep up with my on FB over at Funky Fresh Firsties... let me know if you try the poster trick!!!  Talk to y'all soon!

Meet the New Chalkies! FREEBIES

Hello Primary Chalkboard Friends,

We are so excited over here because we have just welcomed 9 fantastic bloggers/friends into the Primary Chalkboard family!

Get ready, because they are so excited to share their experience, tips, and ideas with you!  Let's start right now.  Below you will find out a little about each new Chalkie, a link to one of their favorite products, AND a link to one of their spectacular FREEBIES! 

Greg's Favorites
Freebie
Karen's Favorites
Freebie
Shuna's Favorites
Freebie 
Heather's Favorites
Freebie

2nd Grade Common Core Daily Math Review/Morning Work- April, May, & June Bundle $

Vicky's Favorites
Freebie
Monica's Favorites
Freebie
Casey's Favorites
Freebie
Randi's Favorites
Freebie
Naomi's Favorites
Freebie

We would love for you to leave our new friends some love in the comments below!

National Poetry Month

Aloha friends! It's Corinna from Surfin' Through Second.  Did you know April is National Poetry Month?  This is a great time to pull out your favorite poems and get your students reading and writing poetry.



In my class I have a few book boxes full of poetry and of course lots of shelf space for our favorite authors.
It's wonderful to smother your class in poetry and colorful words.  Once they have heard and read a variety of poems it's time to start writing their own.

I usually start with simple shape poems.  You can brainstorm ideas and write a class shape poem and then let them write their own.
Name poems are fun and kids love writing about themselves.


Click {HERE} for this acrostic name post and freebie.

This is a fun bulletin board idea using cinquains about weather.


Click {HERE} for this post on writing Cinquains 


Spring is the perfect theme for poetry.  Flowers, rainbows, animals and weather are all great topics to get your kids writing.








Here is a great idea from Mrs. Jone's Kindergarten for younger students incorporating poetry and literacy.


Another great pack from Vicky Moore to get your students loving poetry.

Finally a few freebies for you. This one is from Mrs. Rios Teaches.  Click on the picture to grab this in Google Docs.


I have a bit of an obsession with rainbows.  I see them almost everyday and I still love them!


Click {HERE} to scoop up this freebie.

Hopefully this post has given you some great ideas to get you ready for a fun month!!  I am looking forward it.