New Digital Papers, January Currently, and a SALE!!!

I'm having a SALE!! So you can grab these digital papers at 20% off for tonight and tomorrow!

I have created digital papers for personal and commercial use!  I have uploaded my "Lot's of Love" Valentine paper set and you can find it HERE.  This digital paper pack includes 66 jpeg and png files!! I know I went a little overboard with my first set, but as a teacher I want to buy digital background sets that include lots of files! 

I have also created a smaller digital paper set.  My Stripe Paper Pack includes 12 jpeg and png files.  You can find it HERE for only $1.50! 

Stay tuned for my St. Patrick's Day papers, Summer Papers, Spring papers, and a MEGA pack filled with tons of different styles! 

And now for the January Currently...I don't know about you, but I just love these!

Link up with Farley with yours!

I hope you have a wonderful New Year! 

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

The Winner is....

The winner of my 50+ Follower giveaway is....Diane from Fifth in the Middle!  Congrats and check your email!  

Thank you all for following my blog! 

50+ Follower Giveaway & a new blog!!

(Graphics and clipart by: The 3am Teacher, KPM Doodles, Teaching in a Small Town, and Clementine Designs).  

Hi Friends!!! I am a little past 50 followers, but I am so thankful that you want to read this little blog!!! I am so excited for this giveaway...it's a NEW 31 teacher bag!

The winner will receive a NEW teacher bag!!!

The Winner: 

-Will receive a NEW 31 Organizing Utility Tote! 

-Will get to choose between (4) different color options!

*This tote will be shipped directly from the company and is brand new! 

How to Enter: (3 chances to enter)

1. Follow my blog and leave a comment telling me you did (leave your email address). 

2. Follow my TPT store and leave a comment telling me you did (leave your email address). 

3. Pin this giveaway and leave a comment with the pin URL (leave your email address). 

The winner will be chosen on SUNDAY (12-16-2012) at 8:00pm central time.  

I will be using random.org to choose the winner!

I am so thankful for all of my followers and the wonderful ideas I have gained from joining the blogging world!! 

I have also found a great new blog!!! Check out Collaboration Cuties!!

They are giving away an item from their TPT store, so hop on over and follow their blog!! 

Have a great weekend!

December Currently!

I can't believe it's December already!  This year has flown by so fast, but the exciting part about each month is...the Currently!!!

Listening: I LOVE Lifetime movies on Saturdays, but I am usually on the computer and just listen to them!

Loving: I have been waiting forever for a new iMac (or apple computer in general).  I have always had a PC and let me tell you, this new computer is AMAZING!

Thinking: I have not even started my shopping yet.  School and life can be so busy!

Wanting: Please someone come clean my house...for free!  I love to clean my house and keep everything organized, but this year it has looked like a tornado hit it!

Needing: I need to grade papers...it's an endless cycle!

RAK: The 5th grade teachers and students have always donated money and taken the kids to Wal-Mart to shop for the Angel Tree families, but this is the first year that I get to participate!  I have always had my students bring a book to exchange for a gift, but I love this idea and I am so excited for the kids to participate!

Head over to Farley's page Oh, Boy 4th Grade to link up!

Enjoy!

New Unit and a Sale!!!

I needed a mini-unit to review the suffixes -able and 

-ible with my kids this week.  

It includes posters, a matching game, a suffix word list, an assessment, and a teacher key!  

You can find my unit HERE! And it's on SALE!!!

Cyber Monday and Tuesday Sale...and I started my SALE tonight!

I am super excited for the sales and I have been holding a ton of things in my wishlist for weeks!! Here are some items you can find at my TPT store! 

Have a great Monday! Enjoy!

Thank you and a Teaching Blog Nomination!!

I have recently joined the blogging world and I have learned so much already!!! I just wanted to say 

Thank You to my followers and the many other blogs I read daily that have helped me to become a better teacher!  

In other news...I am thrilled to be nominated for the Liebster Award by the following lovely ladies!!  
Thank you, Thank you! 

• Lori from The Reinspired Teacher
• Brianna from The Price of Teaching
• Heather from The Wild Rumpus 
• Michele from Coffee Cups and Lesson Plans
• Diane from Fifth in the Middle
• Kelly from Thirsty Firsties
• Rae from Mindful Rambles 
• Jess from I {heart} Recess

The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming bloggers by established bloggers (less than 200 followers), in order to recognize them, let them know that they are appreciated, and to spread the word about new blogs. The rules are:

• You must post 11 random things about yourself.
• Answer the questions that the nominators set for you.
• Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.
• Choose 11 blogs you love (with less than 200 followers) and link them in your post.
• No tag back, (but please leave me a comment on this post with the URL to your Liebster post so that I can learn more about you!)

Here are ll random things about me: 

1. I am only 28 and I have survived Breast Cancer twice!

2. I am a tad OCD about things being clean and organized. 

3. I live in Indiana but drive to Kentucky to teach. 

4. I make at least 3 "To Do" lists a day...crazy I know! 

5. I have recently started my own small business {Purple Sundae Boutique}. 

6. I LOVE reality TV!

7. I drink Dr. Pepper like it's water. 

8. I have a wonderful husband that supports me no matter what crazy idea I come up with! 

9. I have 2 dogs...Peyton and Carlos. 

10. I have always wanted to be a country music singer, but I cannot sing! 

11. I am officially obsessed with the blogging world and I love reading other teacher's ideas! 

Here are 11 questions from Lori at The Reinspired Teacher:
(Since I was nominated more than once, I decided to answer the questions from the first person)!

1. What is something you've always wanted to do but haven't tried yet?

I would love to travel with my husband one day! 

2. If you couldn't be a teacher, what would you choose for your career?

I really don't see myself doing anything else! I love being a teacher!  

3. What was your very first job?

I was a cashier at a grocery store. 

4. What was the last book you read (personally, not for your class or children)?

I can't remember the last time I read a book that wasn't a novel for my kids to read! 

5. What is your favorite animal?

Dog, for sure!

6. How long have you been blogging?

Since October of this year.  I am still trying to figure everything out and find time to write!

  7. What is your favorite TV show?

Parenthood...I cry every week!

8. What is one item you can't live without?

My iPhone...the ONLY place I don't take it is into Church. 

9. What is your favorite food?

Chicken and Dumplings. 

10. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Both!  There are times when I need peace and quiet to think and get organized, but I also love to be with family, friends, and coworkers. 

11. Do you play games on the computer? if so, what is your favorite?

Nope! 

Here are the 11 questions for the blogs I have nominated:

1. Do you have a hobby?  If so, what is it?

2. What is one item that you could not live without?

3. What is your favorite teaching resource or tool?

4. When did you start blogging?

5. What is your favorite TV show?

6. What is your favorite Holiday to celebrate in the classroom? 

7. How long have you been teaching?  What grades have you taught?

8. What is your best teaching memory?

9. What is your favorite holiday dish?

10. What is your favorite thing about being a teacher?

11. What is your favorite sport or team?

Here are the blogs I have nominated:

1. Carrberry Creations 

2. In that Room...Adventures in Second Grade

3. Teacher Gone Digital

4. Learning with Mrs. Leeby

5. Diapers, Dollars, and Diplomas

6. More Time 2 Teach

7. The Reading Buddies

8. Third Grade Doodles

9. The Home School Connection

10. Sommer Pride

11. First Grade with a Twist 

Coming Soon...a 50 follower giveaway!! I know I'm past 50, but I am so excited to have people who want to read and follow my blog and what better way to say thanks!  Stay tuned this week! 

Enjoy every minute with your family and friends! 

Teachers Helping Teachers

Many teachers AND students have been effected by Hurricane Sandy.  If you would like to help by donating  units or resources you have created...click on the link below!  Mrs. J at The ESOL Odyssey has been so kind to sponsor this! 

I have donated these products to teachers in need!  They are just small units (to me), but any little bit will help!  I COULD NOT imagine my whole classroom or resources gone!  But surviving would be thanks enough!! Materials can always be replaced! 

Don't Forget to Donate! 

Have a great day! 

What are you Thankful for?

I have joined the Thankful linky party from Stories By Storie!  Here are the Top Ten things I am Thankful for!

Head on over and Link up too!! I would love to know what you are Thankful for! 

Enjoy! 

FAP IT! Activity and November Currently

This year is flying by!! I can't believe it's already November and only 2 weeks until Thanksgiving!

Before I get to my November Currently...I have posted a new item that I use with my kids to help them identify the form, audience, and purpose of a piece of writing.  It's called FAP IT!  After students identify the form, audience, and purpose for a piece of writing OR for a prompt they are going to respond to (ex. On-Demand prompts) then they can press their "FAP" button and answer aloud or tell a partner! 

My students LOVE this activity!  There are FAP buttons to laminate and 6 different sets of FAP cards for the students to fill out.  I use this as a whole-group activity, partner work, and at my Work on Writing station. 

Check it out HERE!

Now on to the CURRENTLY!  I love the beginning of each month because I think these are so fun!

I am currently listening to the Notre Dame football game...my husband is a HUGE fan and gets way too into the games!! So I just work on school work because it's just a game right?!?

I have sooo many papers to grade!  I can't wait for Tuesday to get here so I can get stuff done! And Vote, of course!

Christmas is my FAVORITE time.  I mean I want to pull my decorations out now and put them up! Don't get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving, but it's so hard fitting in all of my family in two days!

I am wanting a new pair of TOMS, but seriously their are so many colors, I can't just pick one!

I am needing someone to grade all of these writing pieces!!! Any takers out there?

Being that I drive about 30 minutes to school everyday I need a good CD because radio talk shows get real old in the mornings!  So I currently have Kenny Chesney's new CD in my car.  I love it! 

Link up with Oh' Boy 4th Grade!

Have a great Day!







Fun Friday Linky Party

Kelly at Teaching Fourth has created a new Fun Friday linky!! So head on over and link up!  Here's my Fun Friday (on a Saturday)!

Links: Word Walk of Fame, Open "MIC" Friday, Author Study Menu

 

Enjoy! 



I've Been BOO'd!!

Julia from Lattes and Laughter and Heather from The Wild Rumpus have stopped by to BOO me!! Yay! This is such a fun linky party sponsored by Cynthia from the 2nd Grade Pad!

 

These three lovely ladies have wonderful blogs and have just been BOO'd!!

Jennifer from Teaching to Inspire in 5th has WONDERFUL resources for 4th and 5th grade! Check out her blog and store!

Dana from the 3rd Grade Gridiron also has a "sports theme" and LOTS of ELA resources! Check her out!

Stephanie from Crazy about First Grade has a great new blog and I'm so happy to have her as a new blogger friend! Check it out!

Have a great day!

 

Friday Freebie!!

Author Study Tic-Tac-Toe

 

Follow my TPT store and get yours today! For FREE!

Click HERE for your copy!

 

I created this for students to research different authors and read their books.  I have a special spot in my classroom for a NEW author every month.  My students complete the Author Study Tic-Tac-Toe once a month (so three activites in a month).  Here is my special "Author Study" spot!

 

 

Enjoy!





Currently for October

This is my first currently and I'm so excited!  I love Fall and all the wonderful times it brings with family!

 

What are you currently doing for October? Link up with Oh' Boy 4th Grade and tell us all about it!

 

 

Have a great day!

Welcome to our Room!

Welcome to my classroom! I'm so glad you decided to stop by!  This year my grade level decided to have a "sports theme" for our classrooms.  Although I LOVE polka dots! I found a way to keep it neutral for both boys and girls.  I hope you enjoy your tour!

I found this football idea on Pinterest this summer and I HAD to make it!  It was super easy!

Here are some large view pictures of my classroom.  It is nice and spacious!  We have lots of room to have desks AND be able to move around for literacy activities!

 

Our Daily 5 Board

 

 

I use the Daily 5 in my classroom everyday.  I have a 90 minute reading block, so I try to fit in two Daily 5 rotations a day.  I have three 5th grade classes and I teach reading, writing, and language arts, so instead of putting each student name on clip, I use numbers.  I bought the number cut outs from Math Mojo and the super cute Daily 5 signs came from The Teaching Reef and they are FREE!

 

 

I have three classes, so I keep the students' notebooks and journals in these crates.

 

 

 The students keep their reading books and other Daily 5 materials in these numbered baskets.

 

 

 

 

Here is our CAFE menu (I have added more strategy cards since then).  If you have not yet read The Daily 5 book or CAFE book, check it out HERE.

 

Author Study Board

 

Author Study Reading Area

 

 

I had a HUGE collection of Patricia Polacco books for my students to read during September.  I will be adding another author during fall break.  I wanted to start the "Author Study" area because I want kids to have an opportunity to read and compare books by the same author.  I will also be adding an "Author Study Menu" to the area for students to research different authors each month.  I am working on a HUGE Author Study Unit for grades 3rd-6th! It will be coming soon!

 

Books We Recommend

 

After students read their books (any teacher OR student selected book), they fill out a book recommendation form.  This is a book review in shorter form! I do not require my students to fill out a book recommendation for every book they read, but at least one per month. Sorry the picture was taken before school started, but I got the idea from http://tupelohoneycaro.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-classroom.html.

 

Reading Area

I need to Lexile my books and book bins.  If you would like to sort your classroom library books by Lexile, I have created labels.  Pick them up from my TPT store.  I have created several different colors.  

 

My Desk Area

 

I organize my copies by day and I pull everything I need for the day and place it in my "Today" bin.  I know silly right!? But it's the only way I can keep everything organized!

 

Small Group Area

 

 

Clear Learning Goals and Focus Wall

I love my Focus Wall!  It keeps the students (and myself) organized.  If you would like to purchase focus wall labels, you can find them here!

 

AR Star Board

 "Reading Gets My Vote" is a school-wide reading theme we are implementing to encourage reading and the election!

 Each student has a star with their name on it and the board is divided into 4 percentages
(25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%).  Students set a new AR goal each nine weeks and they can place their star onto the board when they meet each percentage of their goal.  They LOVE this!  I even ran out of Velcro around the middle of the nine weeks and a student offered to go to Wal-Mart and get me some because they wanted their star up sooo bad!

These are the AR "Must Do's" for our 4th and 5th graders each nine weeks. 

They know these, but I needed a visual!

 

 

Here are some other pictures of my classroom.  Enjoy!

 A SUPER cute banner from http://shindigz.com/.  One of my team teachers came up with our slogan (my school name starts with an "N" hence the NFL connection)!

 Each student decorated their own pennant the first week of school.

 Hallway student work displays.

 Author of the Week board (like student of the week).  This picture was taken before school started, but they fill out an information page about themselves and they also have to select a writing piece to display on the board.  Visit my TPT store to get your copy!

 Instead of boarder for my outside work wall, I used cheap football and baseball cards.  It took FOREVER, but my students liked them!

Goal Setting at the beginning of the year!

 

 

 A gift from one of my students.  It is ADORABLE!

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!