Markdown Monday! - 6/30/14

Linking up with Kelly and Kim's Kindergarten Kreations for Markdown Monday! Click their button to see the whole link up!

This week I'm putting my BEST SELLER on sale for 50% off!

My Rainforest Layer Close Reading Passages are only $3.00!

They are wonderful for weekly homework or for small group instruction.

Included in the pack: a info page explaining how these are used in my classroom, 4 passages about each layer of the rainforest, 4 vocabulary builder pages, 4 reading response questions, main idea and key detail graphic organizers for each paragraph, informational writing prompts, & opinion writing prompts. 

Each of the four passages has bolded vocabulary, photographs, and captions.

Vocabulary Builder in action with some of my high firsties!

I hope you enjoy! Please link back up to see more goodies on sale!

Monday Made It - 6/30/14

Today I'm linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It! :)

This week I decided to finally make the Pinterest inspired jewelry cork board that I have been wanting for oh so long! You see, this is what just some of my jewelry was looking like...

Like I said, this is just some. And I couldn't stand it looking like this any longer. So I got to work!

I picked out some fun metallic medallion fabric at JoAnn's and measured it to fit my cork board.

If anyone is going to try this...take it from me. Use spray adhesive and only do a little bit at a time. Start in the corners and flatten the fabric out as you go.

When you're done, organize your jewelry into groups and make sure you have your pins ready.

I bought the T-Pin 32350 on Amazon.com (for the necklaces & bracelets) and got the other pins (for the earrings) at JoAnn's. The pins from JoAnn's worked great because they are U shaped and will hold dangling earrings! Just stick the pins in wherever you would like and just like that, you will have organized jewelry at your fingertips!

It's more fun to pick out jewelry each morning when it looks like this!

 My second creation this week was similar to the first, but it serves as an actual cork board. I wanted to add a bit of color to my tiny office area.

 So I found a cute fabric, cut it to size, and glued it on with spray adhesive.

 I painted the outer rim of this board, but I was not patient. I was very anxious to see the completed project. P.S. - Don't try to glue your fabric on the same day that you paint. 

Here is the completed board with a few papers that I need, and some cute cards from my students. I added some yarn around the edge just for fun.

Lastly, I created this pretty teal background for my new MacBook Pro! Oh how I love my new laptop! This little addition helps me organize all my files and reminds me to concentrate on what is MOST important in my life.

This is a freebie at my TpT store. Stop by and check it out! I'd love some feedback! Thanks a bunch! :)

And that's all for now! Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to link up with other teachers to see some more creative ideas!

Five for Friday - 6/27/14

It's FRIDAY, FRIDAY, gotta link up on FRIDAY! 

Thanks Doodle Bugs Teaching for hosting this great linky party.

(Your welcome for getting that song stuck in your head.)

This week I finally hung some of our pictures and decor. This one was made by my mother-in-law. This was just a blank tree at our wedding, but then the guests wrote their names and little notes on sticky leaves. They then added the leaves to the tree. Today, we have a great way to remember that special day!

 

This weekend I'm going to be working on setting up the Florida Teacher Blog Hop. If you work in Florida and want to join, let me know!

 

Here is me being super nervous. More information to come soon!

My littles in camp decided to turn crayons into Wolverine's weapon. How do these kids think of these things?!?  

 

No camp on Fridays means we get to enjoy the South Florida sun! This is the normal set up...I tan, Nick swims (or else he burns!). :)

Hope you are enjoying your last weeks of summer! 

How is it already July????

Be sure to link up with other teachers by clicking here!!

Wordless Wednesday - 6/25/14

Linking up with Christina from Second Grade Sugar and Spice for another Wordless Wednesday!

One of my 4th graders at camp told me today that he just doesn't like capital letters. Ummm...What?!?! 

So naturally, I asked him if he thought I would like that excuse and then made him this sign.

Today's Question: What crazy or random responses have you gotten from your littles?

Be sure to link back up with other teachers here to check out more Wordless Wednesday pictures!

Six Months 'til Christmas Sale!!!

Did you know there are only 6 months left until Christmas!?!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! And my personal favorite. Just the smell of a Christmas tree makes me happy. :)) What's your favorite part of the holidays?

My store will be having a 20% off sale June 24-25 in celebration of Christmas being only half a year away! Also, be sure to stop by The Learning Highway to link up with other stores that are on sale.

Happy Shopping!

Homework Checklists

This project has been a favorite of mine! Not only is it extremely helpful during the school year for teachers, but it is also a life saver for students. Keep reading to get a little walk through...

 So, this is the sample homework checklist.

Spelling words and homework are listed in a clear format for students. I like this setup because it is thin enough for me to simply staple into student agendas on Monday morning. (Plus, two checklists per page means less copy paper!) Once stapled, they are set for the week!

My editable pack features three options.

1) Labels, titles, and cutesy fonts are NOT editable, but all other information is.

 2) Labels are editable in case you split your spelling words differently or need to add sight words or vocabulary.

 3) Literally everything here is editable. This is a great option for teachers who want to use their own cute fonts and borders.

Homework Policy:

Homework varies drastically depending on your school. I have certain things that I HAVE to give students. Homework is evaluated on our report cards. I am also mandated to give nightly homework instead of a weekly packet. So, how do you keep 6 & 7 year olds on track with nightly homework AND how do you as a teacher know who is completing what? My OCD kicked in this past school year.

 Last Year: I had a homework sheet with spelling words and nightly homework stapled into student agendas. Then, I had this on a clip board and would check off each student's homework each day. This way I have proof for report card time. This year I am definitely going to make this chart more eye appealing. :)

Now, I have taken the old form that was stapled into the student agendas and transformed it. This copy is MUCH more concise. I feel that it is easier for students to follow along. It has the weekly dates at the top (This helps for teacher planning and for parents). Spelling words are then listed by category. I like this system of breaking them up by skill, pattern, and no-excuse words (aka sight words). Under that are the nightly requirements.

Completed checklist (pardon my trash)...

When I check homework first thing in the morning, students open their agendas to this page. I then check off on my teacher checklist (that blah one above) and also on the student checklist that it is complete. If homework is not done or is forgotten, that assignment is highlighted on both my checklist and the student's. This serves as a reminder to parents after school and to me during report card time. And that's that! An easy peasy way to give homework and keep track of it during the busy school year! Check them out here.

Five for Friday - 6/20/14

 Linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for another wonderful Five for FRIDAY! Aren't Fridays wonderful!?!

On Father's Day, I went to mass with my dad, which is a HUGE deal. I go to church every week, but dad doesn't consider it church because it's not Catholic. :) Anyways, I decided to make his day and go with him. He was in heaven. (No pun intended! ha!) After mass, my brother, husband, and I hung out with Dad in the backyard. I made this homemade guac for the first time. YUM-O!

My teacher friend and I have been adamant on working out in the gym at my new community at least a few times per week. Boy oh boy have my arms been sore! I'm not used to lifting weights, but I do love it so far.

Teaching camp has been such wonderful experience! Most of the students are low readers or deaf and/or hard of hearing. This paper titled "My Favorite Part of Summer Camp" was written by one of my favorites. Although it is hard to read, this sweetie does seem to love my husband (He's the PE Coach) and his interesting games like Toilet Tag. Precious.

 

 Does anyone have a clothes and/or shoes addiction?!? Old Navy had 40% off all shoes on Wednesday, so naturally I had to stop in. Fast forward - I now own three more flats and some tortoise flip flops. How can a teacher help it???

 

I don't work camp on Fridays, so Fridays have become my creative day. Here are two things I've been working on...

 

This is the Editable Homework Checklist that I use in my classroom. I made an editable version and finally posted it today (Those editable formats are tricky!). I like having something small and simple to give students each week. I staple this checklist into my students' agendas on Monday morning and they are good to go! I'm going to write a blog post about this procedure soon.

 

I've also been working on this large pack of homework sheets. Each page is aligned to one of the Foundational Skills or Language Common Core Standards. I'm excited to have these to use next year as a way to check student understanding.

So, that's what's been going on. Be sure to link back up with the Five for Friday party and see what other teachers are up to! See ya!