My 2015-16 Jungle Classroom

I apologize for being an absentee blogger!  I just haven't been able to take the time to share.  I am taking a few minutes to share my gorgeous classroom with you.  My husband is so talented and helped me design an amazing room this year!  We spent countless hours (literally stayed til 1 in the morning some nights) to get this done.  I am very proud of how good my room looks and my students enjoy being in Mrs. Jordan's Jungle Room!  The best part is how my AWESOME husband made a couch out of school desks for me!  My students love sitting their and reading!  The only way they are allowed on the couch is if they can tie their own shoes.  They must take their shoes off to keep the couch clean.  I only have a few students left that are real close to learning how to tie their shoes!

Have a great Friday all!

Amy Jordan

@fantastic1stgr

Let's do the PHONICS DANCE

Research has demonstrated that a strong understanding of the relationship between letters and sounds is fundamental in learning to read.

The Phonics Dance is a research and brain based literacy program.

 Virginia Dowd is the author/creator of this great program.  You can visit the sight to find more information.  

We use the Phonics Dance videos everyday and it really gets the students excited and they are also able to move around!

Ginny Dowd Phonics Dance Video

Phonics Dance Alphabet

Hunks and Chunks

Here are some pictures of how you could set up your own Phonics Dance bulletin boards check it out on my pinterest board!

Phonics Pinterest Board

I think I am going to have my students illustrate the picture for us instead of using these.  That way it gives them more ownership!  I can't wait for school to start! #BTS15

Have a FANTASTIC day!!

Amy Jordan

@fantastic1stgr

@fantasticfirstgrade on Instagram

#BACK TO SCHOOL SALE @TPT!

Now throw your hands up in the air!

Wave them around like you just don't care! BACK to SCHOOL TPT is BACK!

As I am sure you have seen around all the social media platforms, it's that time again to fill your carts and get those great deals! My store will be 28% off!!!  Check it out and see what good deals there are.

This is my newest product that I have made and will use everyday in my classroom.  I have made differentiated task cards that my students will use during math stations.  These cards will review those important common core standards that all students need to know.  I also added 120s hundred chart task cards for my students to use for partner work.   

I hope everyone finds what they need to make this #2015BTS a great one!!! Happy shopping and have a FANTASTIC year!

Amy Jordan

Fantastic First Grade

My RANDOMNESS! #Tryingtochillax

My RANDOMNESS

We have about 2 weeks before school starts!!!!  I have just heard that my room will be the last to be cleaned.  I totally want to change my room but may have to do it in baby steps throughout school.  I'm just going to have to be openminded and understand that things happen.  Hoping that this never happens again.  I have been in my room deciding to do what I can and try to help the process out somewhat. (Without getting into trouble)

 

We have about only one more week of camping! :(  This is one thing that we absolutely love to do.  Enjoying roasting hot dogs tonight over a campfire.  Roasting marshmallows in a little while.  Yummy!

I received an email from Class Dojo! So excited to be a mentor this year and learn how to incorporate Class Dojo using the new groups!  Have you tried Class Dojo?  I promise you, you will love it.  I may not use every aspect of it, I find that I use whatever works best for my students and parents.  Remember you don't have to incorporate everything that Class Dojo has to offer.  Pick and choose.

I have found a way to go #paperless and can't wait to share with all you FANTASTIC primary teachers.  

Lastly, I think I may have finally found the colors for my bedroom.  It takes me F-O-R-E-V-E-R to pick and choose.  It took me 3 years to find the perfect couches.  We have been remodeling our bedroom for over a year and my hubby is just patiently waiting for me to decide on exactly what colors I want to use.  I don't want to make a mistake because this costs us money and I really don't want to choose colors that I may eventually not like.  That's just how I am.  I hope I am not the only one like this.

Have a FANTASTIC Weekend!

Amy Jordan

Twitter/Periscope @fantastic1sgr

Instagram @fantasticfirstgrade

Technology Overload, almost #paperlessclassroom, My room is a WRECK!!!

I’ve been a tech addict for the past several weeks.  I seriously feel that I am on INFORMATION OVERLOAD.  I have definitely found a new love for PERISCOPING and can’t seem to stop watching for way too long. 

I have also joined the twitter world and have also become addicted to checking it ALL the time.  I mean what was my life before all this.  I was enjoying reading my books and working on my garden.

I would post a picture of my garden, but I am ashamed to admit that it’s hard to see it amongst the weeds. 

I know you can't see what I'm doing on the Ipads.  I am researching a way to go almost #paperless this year.  My husband has been working really hard on helping me.  I have been looking at Splashtop Classroom and Explain Everything Interactive Whiteboard.  These both are good apps but I believe Explain Everything may be just about what I need for my firsties.

Last but not least, I'm trying to stay calm.........(insert big sigh) MY classroom has yet to be touched.  SERIOUSLY NOT ONE INCH!!!!!! We start school in three weeks!!!! THREE WEEKS!!!!!!  I have so much to get organized and I can't do a dang thing!!!! (BOO!!!)  

You can follow me on twitter and periscope @fantastic1stgr

I am also on Instagram @fantastic1stgr

I also have a Facebook Page Fantastic First Grade 

One last note, I have been working on Calendar Questions to use during Math Stations.  I'm hoping to have them completed this week.  My goal is for students to be able to use these cards daily.  I also differentiated them.  Real excited and know that this is just another step in going almost #paperlessclassroom.

Have a Fantastic Day!!!

XOXOXO

Amy Jordan

Tell us about you Tuesday

I am thrilled to death to link up with these two!  First let me tell you that I started blogging in 2011 and then was unable to keep up!!! I feel like I missed out on becoming really well known because of that.  I just started really blogging again this past winter.   I am from o-H-I-O!!! If you live here, you all know that this was a horrible winter.  So I got bored and started typing and figuring things out!

I love OHIO STATE Football!!!!! Who doesn’t? 

That's my beautiful sister-in-law and I with heisman winner TRoy Smith!!!

I have been happily married for 21 years!!! I got married right out of high school.  I was also pregnant my senior year and had my first child that fall.  i had all three kids while going to college.  Seriously, that is crazy! 

We were super poor. during those times but that doesn't matter.

That is my husband (Jon, who is also a teacher, a fantastic one, teacher of the year twice in his school). The other goofy one is my oldest, Anthony.

This is my daughter, Katelyn jane, i absolutely love this picture!  This is when she won a big meet!  she even made it to states this year in her event! she will be attending college and doing what she loves!

And last, my baby boy!! he is the most easy-going kid you'd ever meet! You can't really tell in this picture, but he's superduper tall! 6'6!!  i still make him go to his pediatrician.  he hates it!!! i love it because they just ooh and aah over him.  it's so cute.  if you think he's probably good at basketball, nope! This white kid can't jump! haha.  he is pretty good at football and we are hoping this inspires him to want to go to college.  he will be a junior.

ok, as you can tell, i love my family and could talk for hours about them!!!

one last thing about me is that I am not organized (GASP!!!).  I know there are so many teachers that i have been watching on periscope and everyone is always talking about organization.  i just can't seem to do it.  i am hoping to improve upon those skills this year and will let you know about my progress. :) 

I almost forgot to mention that Jennifer was my first follower on Instagram!!!! Thanks Jennifer!!!!

Have a Fantastic Tuesday,

Amy

It's a MAGNIFICENT Monday!! New TPT Product and #PERISCOPE

HELLO EVERYONE!!!! I AM SUPEREXCITED ABOUT WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING IN #PERISCOPETEACHING.  I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH AND EVEN HAVE A HARD TIME SLEEPING WITH ALL THE NEW KNOWLEDGE I HAVE BEEN LEARNING.  I AM SO HAPPY THAT I WAS ABLE TO CATCH HOPE KING SCOPING!  SHE SHOWED US HER ROOM AND IT WAS VERY INSPIRING!  MY TEACHER HUSBAND EVEN WATCHED AND WAS IN AWE!!!!  IF YOU HAVEN’T FOLLOWED HER, DO SO QUICK.  I ALSO LOVE LISTENING TO @SHEILJTEACHING, @SCHROEDERSHENAN, @MRSAOLSON!!!

NOW ONTO MY NEWEST PRODUCT!!! I AM SO PROUD OF IT AND KNOW IT’S GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL THIS YEAR! 

ISN'T THIS SO ADORABLE!!! THIS PRODUCT HAS A FEW ELEPHANTS STOMPING AROUND! :) IF YOU DOWNLOAD THE PREVIEW, THERE'S A FREEBIE!

 MY CLASS LOVED BOGGLE LAST YEAR!  I HOPE THIS YEAR'S CLASS WILL ENJOY IT JUST AS WELL.

HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY!!

AMY JORDAN

Five for Friday Linky Party July 17th!

Listen up, if you haven’t yet, checkout #periscope, you are so missing out on an amazing way to connect with teachers!!!

Find me on periscope @fantastic1stgr!  Trust me, you will be glad once you download the app.  I’ve already learned soooo much!!!  I’m telling you CHECK IT OUT!!! #periscopeteachers  I've only done a few scopes myself because it is hard looking at yourself and hearing your voice!  I'm sure that it will just take some time to get used to!

We are CAMPING at the lake!  We have been cAMPING FOR YEARS!  THIS YEAR WE WILL BE AT THE LAKE FOR ONE WHOLE MONTH!  WE HAVE EVEN CAMPED FOR THREE MONTHS!  I STARTED SCHOOL WHILE WE WERE STILL CAMPING!  IT WAS SOMEWHAT ROUGH.  BUT MY KIDS JUST LOVE CAMPING!

THE #DEALS THAT I FOUND WHILE OUT AND ABOUT.

I WENT TO OFFICE DEPOT AND FOUND TONS OF TEACHER SUPPLIES IN THE CLEARANCE CARTS!!! I MOSTLY PAID 50 CENTS FOR EACH ITEM!!! WHAT A STEAL!

I had a friend contact me about a yard sale.  She found all of these BIG BOOKS for me!  I only paid $20!!!!!!  Be jelly!!!!  There were around 30 of them!!!  Those books are sooo expensive!! I am over the moon that I was able to snag these.  Have you ever seen a deal like this?

Yesterday was my anniversary!!!!

 ThAT'S RIGHT!!! I HAVE been married for 21 years!!!! My husband is AWESOME and I love him more and more everyday!  Now the sad part about are anniversary is that we had to spend half the day in college orientation for our daughter!  The first speaker was good but the second speaker gave us the same information!  I was not HAPPY about that!  Then we find out they charge us for orientation!!!!!  Are you serious!!!! COLLEGE expenses are unreal!!!!

I just watched a scope about #WBT and now I'm going to explore what in the world POWER PIX is and if it would be a great tool for me to use this year!  I heard that our superintendent wants us to go 

PAPERLESS!!! I am a little concerned that this is going to cause even more distress for us!  I am hoping POWER PIX may just be one of the tools I could use to help with going paperless. If anyone out here has any tips or ideas that I could use!   Please help this girlie out!  Yes, I do use Daily 5 but I know that this will not be enough!!!