Next Year...

Since today is my first official day of summer break, I thought it would be a great day to link up with  Kim from Joy in 6th for her next year linky party!

 

Here we go...

I've blogged about my adventures with math rotations at the end of the year.  I am going to start the year full force but also incorporate more of a guided math style.  After some positive feedback, I purchased two guided math books that I hope are going to help!

I feel like I should give myself some credit and say stronger writing teacher.  I think I made great strides in my writing instruction this year.  I have to give a big thanks to Susan Moran and her awesome writing packets.  This is an area I'm going to work on strengthening over the summer.  I also want to make sure I am aligning to the CCSS.

Please tell me I'm not alone here.  No matter how hard I try, I always have a huge stack of papers on the corner of my desk.  Some of it is to throw out and some of it is to refile.  I get so frustrated with myself, I just need to come up with a better system.  I have a lot of binders going on so hopefully that will help me!

What a great linky!  I love it!  What are you definitely going to do next year?  Go link up with

Summer Bucket List!!

I'm linking up with Teri, Hadar, and April for their Summer Bucket List linky party!

Since today was my last official day of school I thought it would be a great day to link up with the Summer Bucket List linky party!

1.  Do some reading for fun! I still have this gem to read!

I also want to read...

For school, I'm going to read...

2.  Work on some things for the classroom.

These ideas all came from pinterest.

Spruce up my clip chart and create a reward bin and binder like Cupcake for the Teacher!

I'm a huge clip chart fan and this is an excellent way to go beyond it!

Create retelling ropes

I couldn't find an original link!

Work on incorporating technology and one iPad into my instruction.

Fun ways to celebrate success like these student shout- outs!

Lucky to Be in First

3.  Get my craft on!

I'm not sure what exactly I'll be making. My mother-in-law wants me to make a scrapbook for her.

Here's my pinterest crafting board...

4.  Just relax and spend time with family and friends!

Happy Memorial Day and a SALE!

Happy Memorial Day!  

I feel so lucky to live in this free country.  Thanks to all the men and women who serve this country, and to those that died in the line of duty.

I hope that you are able to relax today and spend it with family and friends.

Dont' forget- my TpT store is still on sale.  Don't' forget to grab your favorites at 20% off!

Five for Friday!

Well, this was our last full week of school.  Actually, all we have left is an hour on Tuesday due to emergency days we have to make up!  My room is all packed up!!  Tuesday we are going to have popsicles, play some Minute to Win It games, and do some Dollar Store awards!   I'm so grateful to he awesome bloggers out there for these awesome ideas! :)

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs again!  Hopefully since I'll be on summer break, next week I'll actually post on Friday! :)

1.  We did some sharing of our writing.  Students got in small groups and shared their poetry books and writing portfolios.  My students did some awesome writing this year, and they really were so excited to share!  Here are some pics!

2.  I love Charlotte's Web.  Every year I read it aloud to my second graders and even though some have seen the newer movie thats out, they are enthralled.  I love seeing their reactions and hearing their thoughts.  We even watched the cartoon version which none of them had seen. It was precious.  I saw this on pinterest today.  I so have to get this!!!

3.  I got the movie You've Got Mail for my birthday a few weeks ago! I just love it.  I know it's such an old movie, and maybe not the best...but it's one of my favs.  Since I have it on blu-ray I've had time to watch it today!  Great start to a chilly long weekend!

4.  I found a new frozen yogurt place that I LOVE LOVE LOVE just in time for summer!  It's called Skinny Sweet.  You can mix/match whatever flavors you want and then put whatever toppings you want on it!  FAB.U.LOUS! :)

5.  Since I'm just about done with school, I'm throwing a SALE in my TpT store this weekend.  The entire store is 20% off!!!  Go stock up for the end of the year or next school year! :)

Click here to go to my store!

Guided Math/Rotations QUESTION!!

Hello, friends!  I have some questions. As I've mentioned before, I've been slowing trying out math rotations and a guided math feel at the end of the year.  I hope to start it up this way right in the beginning of the year.

I was looking at some books...Do you recommend any of these?  Are they a waste of my time and money?  Are there other books out there that I should check out?

I already have...

I was debating purchasing these...

Thoughts?

Are there any other books I should check out?

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!! :-)

I'm A Budding Blogger!

I'm linking up with Jess at I {Heart} Recess to share a little a bit about me. How fun!!  I'm a budding blogger since I have less that 200 followers.  I'm almost at 200...not a follower?  I'd love for you to help me get there!

1. Why did you start blogging?
I have been following teacher blogs for a while now, and I loved reading them!  I decided that it was time to start blogging.  I was worried that no one would care what I have to say or I would have nothing "blogworthy" to write about.  Heck-I still worry bout that, but I truly believe that blogging has strengthened my teaching.  I've also met some great bloggy friends! :)

2. What is your favorite subject to teach and why?
AHH!!  I seriously can't answer this.  I have my reading specialist certificate so I truly have a passion for teaching reading and writing.  However, I love love love teaching math! Science is also a blast because I can incorporate reading and writing strategies and do some fun experiments!  I was offered a reading specialist job for next year and I just couldn't take it!  I'm just so not ready to leave the self-contained classroom and begin able to teach all subjects!
3. Describe Your Teaching Style
I would say I am student-centered.  I love to have students create projects, be engaged, and be in charge of their own learning.  I want to create life-long learners and build students who are successful and love learning.  In my class we do guided reading, math rotations, and plenty of projects and experiments!  If you come in my classroom, it may look like chaos, but it's organized chaos and everyone will be able to tell you what they are doing and why they are doing it!  LOVE! :)

3. Three Interesting Facts About Me

1.  I love to shop!  I seriously have a shopping problem! I can go into Target for a few things and spend WAY more.  Please tell me I'm not alone!

2. I love the Chicago Cubs and I am a huge sports nut! I love to watch sports and cheer on my teams!

3.  I am a chronic worrier!  I worry about so many things that I don't have control over.  I HATE IT!  I am really trying to work on this and relax more!! 

3. Do I have a TpT store?

Yes!  I opened a store in December.  I love creating units for my classroom, so I figured I'd open a store! :)  Here are some of my favorite and most popular units!!

I hope that you enjoyed learning a little bit about me! 

 I can't wait to go check out all the other budding bloggers!!

5 for Friday ....waaay late! ;) {And an end of the year freebie!}

Last week was a fabulous one!  The weekend was so busy, I'm just having time to link up now! :)   I can't believe how fast the year is winding down...

We had our class play this week.  Each second grade class puts on a play.  My class did And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon. IT.WAS.ADORABLE.  It had a lot of humor in it.  Some of it my kids got, some was for the parents.  I was so happy to see so many parents there to support their kids.  I hadn't found a script I was in love with so I did a different play every year.  I'm definitely sticking with this play next year and well, probably forever.  Check out the script here!

I got to do a little shopping this week.  Check out my new sandals!!

This is what my borders looked like that beginning of this week!  AHHH!!!  Please don't judge!  I don't know how this happened.  I spent all week organizing and tossing.  I am SO VERY PROUD of myself!!  I forgot to take an after picture- but it rocks.  2 border boxes neatly organized by season/type.

Do you use Math Versatlies?  My kids are obsessed.  They have so much fun with them.  It's a great review of skills, so...WIN WIN!  I wish you could see the smiles on this girl's face! :)

How are there only 5 days of school left?  Here's a little freebie that I've created.  My kids have had a blast reminiscing on the fab year that we've had.  I had to get them to think beyond the ABC countdown that we've been doing! HAHA!  Click on the picture for a freebie!  ENJOY!

It has covers for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade!

Have a great week!!!