Wednesday's Featured Teacher and Freebie.... Meet Brian Hopkins

I would like you to meet Brian Hopkins.

Check out his blog: Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings
Check out his TpT Store: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Brian-Hopkins

What do you teach? And where? 

I am currently a substitute teacher for grades Pre-K through 6th grade in Florida. I am looking for a teaching position. I taught for 8 years in Kindergarten, 2nd grade, and a short term in 5th.

What is one of your favorite memories in the classroom?

One of my favorites that stands out the most happened while subbing for a 3rd/4th grade combo class. One of the 3rd grade girls came up to me the 3rd to last day I was in the class and said I have something private to tell you. She said she didn't want me to go, wrapped her arms around me and cried and cried. She missed her teacher, but didn't want me to go either. Then the last day I was at the school subbing for another class she ran to find me as the bus bell rang and said one more hug and last goodbye. Knowing that I touched a child's life in just a month is a really good feeling.

What was your hardest experience while teaching? How did you overcome it.

It was right before I started with my first class. I had the chance to observe the teacher I was taking over for, for 3 days. On the 3rd day, the principal called me into the office and told me a parent in the class started a rumor that I was gay because I did not give his wife a strong handshake (use to shaking kids hands). The principal told me to let her know if anyone said that to me, wouldn't leave when class began, or gave me a hard time and she would be there immediately. She then said you must have a perfect day and win those kids over. I was told that I won over all the parents (other than the 1) the very first day and they received a ton of compliments about me in the front office. This was Kindergarten.

What advice would you give a new teacher or someone switching grade levels?

Know that if a lesson doesn't go perfectly or if children understand it one day and forget it the next it is not you, it is not the end of the world. Do the lesson a different way the next day and keep at it, children will get it!

Brian would like to offer all followers a 

Freebie!!

Cell Phone/Smart Phone Vowel Pair Ai and Ay Centers

Freebie and New Stuff

Here is some new things that are now available in my store :)

Bird Theme Word Wall Alphabet Cards

Bird Theme Teacher Binder Covers/Dividers and Beginning Year Forms

 

 I LOVE the Birds!

St.Patrick's Day Clip Art

St. Patrick's Day Math, Reading, and Writing Packet

 
Here is the Freebie!!!

Beginnings Sounds Sort C or P

This is beginning sound activity that students can do in a literacy center.

There is a P mat and C mat. Students will take a picture card and figure out the beginning letter sound and place it on the correct mat. After students have finished sorting the cards there is a response sheet. Students cut out the pictures and paste them under the correct beginning letter sound.

You can download it from Here

Have a GREAT day!

Freebie: 100th Day Chevron Pennant Banner

How many of you LOVE celebrating the 100th day of school? 

I DO!

The kids enjoy it so much.  The get very excited to be able to wear something with 100 things on it. 

I made this "Happy 100th Day" Pennant Banner for my classroom. I thought that maybe you would enjoy having one for your classroom too.  Here a picture of the banner at my house after I just made it and a link so that you can download this freebie! I hope that you enjoy. Let me know how you like it. 

Celebrate the 100th day with this colorful chevron pennant banner!
The download includes:
- cover page
- "HAPPY 100th DAY" banner

Click HERE to download the freebie 

 

 

 

Tangram Sight Word Bingo Freebie

I found the template to a tangram puzzle from Kellys Kindergarten.  I love all of her mats. Go check them out! Here is the link. You can also find some amazing trangram puzzles at Pre-Kinders.

I took her puzzle and added sight words to each block.  I made several different mats with different sight words.  I am going to have them play bingo!!

Here is how you play:

*Draw a card
*If the students have the word on their mat they fill it in with the shape
*The first student that fills in the picture says BINGO and wins

Here is what it looks like:

If you would like to download this tangram sight word bingo game click the link.

Tangram Sight Word Bingo

Freebie!!

The school year is ALMOST here!!! Every year I always try and make all the birthday bags for the students ahead of time so when a birthday comes up... I am ready!! Here are some the gifts that I have been working on and putting together.  I made the labels that I used for the silly straws.  The Happy Birthday Labels will be the Freebie plus the School Notes shown Below the birthday day bags.

I am giving this away as a FREEBIE... Note for school, Zebra birthday labels, polka dot/plaid birthday labels.

Click (Here) to download

Freebie!!!!

Ok, now that I have your attention :-) I know that a lot of the blogs that I follow have used Dreamlike Magic Designs for their blog design. You should head over to her blog. She gives away the cutest paper packs and even some clip art. She added a cute Christmas paper pack to her FREEBIES!! Make sure you follow her...you don't want to miss any of her FREEBIES!!