Let's Get Acquainted Linky Party

Hey Bloggers!

I've been crazy lazy lately.... I think I deserve it though. I went to a 3 day IB 101 course to learn about the program and its components. I learned a lot, but I am still worried about how to implement the program to fidelity while also keeping up with Common Core and state standards.... real world teacher problems right?

Anyways, I am linking up with Mrs. Reed at Flying into First Grade for her Let's Get Acquainted Linky Party. Here's how it works: You choose three topics in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) like a tic-tac-toe board and share about each topic.

 I am going to share about the first vertical row.

I went to _______ college and a favorite memory

I went to Auburn University, otherwise known as the "loveliest village on the Plains".  War Eagle! I had an AMAZING experience at Auburn. I was super involved in everything from college recruitment to admissions office, and from College of Education Student Council to joining a wonderful sorority. My absolute favorite memory, however, was enjoying the wonderful football games and tailgates. Even if I did not go to a game, I was definitely at a tailgate enjoying the atmosphere... and the food.

Share about your first year of teaching

Wow! My first year was truly survival of the fittest. I taught third grade in Opelika, AL (5 minutes from Auburn). I had absolutely no experience teaching that grade level and did not think I would enjoy it at all, but a job was a job. However, after that one year, I realized that this was the PERFECT grade.. seriously!! I loved everything about that year. I cherished the kids and my wonderful coworkers. The kids were my guinea pigs and I loved testing developing my teaching practices with them. It was honestly one of the best first year teaching experiences anyone could ask for.

My favorite grade to teach and why

Well, I pretty much mentioned it above but I will reiterate it again... THIRD GRADE ROCKS! I am kind of bias because it is the only grade I have taught, except Kindergarten for my internship. Does that count? Anyways, the kiddos at this grade are at the perfect age were they admire their teacher, are eager to please, love to learn, and their personalities are beginning to flourish and shine. They understand my sarcasm wit and humor, and  they are independent and creative. If I ever had to move to another grade, which I think is coming next year, I would want to stay as close to third grade as possible, like 2nd or 4th.  If you have never tried teaching this grade, you seriously should consider it! Like call your principal right now and request a grade change... all joking aside :)

Well, that's a little about me. As always visit Mrs. Reed at Flying into First Grade and join the party!

Hopping on the Blog Lovin Train

Since I am fairly new to the blogging world, I have noticed that everyone else has been promoting this Blog Lovin' thingy since Google Reader will soon be gone. So guess what? You can follow me too on BlogLovin.
Click the picture below to follow me. Once you go to my bloglovin page, click the blue button at the top (it will turn gray once you are following me)

I have followed all of my favorite blogs, so I hope you follow me too. Hop on the train too before you lose all of your followers!

Five for Friday- June 21

Hello loves!

It's Friday, so of course I have to link up with Doodle Bugs to share five random things about my week!

1. HOMESICK I went back home last weekend for a much needed break from the busy city life Atlanta offers. I have never been a person that likes to go home and stay at my family house in Alabama. My mother tells everyone that she knew I would "fly away as soon as I figured out how to open the cage". I definitely agree but boy was I missing my family and dogs. I was so glad that I took those four days to recoup. Aren't our family dogs precious? They are one of the biggest highlights to going home (don't tell my mom!)

2. HAIR CUT While I was home, I made a spontaneous decision to karate chop my hair. I have had long hair for almost two years. However, while I was home, I saw some cute hair styles on Pinterest. (Pinterest is dangerous, by the way). So I grabbed the scissors and went at it.  Here are some before and after pics! I still have to get used to it, but I think it came out great.

Before

After the initial cut... but then I cut about another inch off. So it is shorter now.

3. CAR ACCIDENT Earlier this month, I was in a car accident with a close friend. Let me clarify... She was following me to another friend's house and she rear ended me.My car had a small rip in the bumper... her car was totaled. Her insurance settled everything, but being Bria, I procrastinated going to get it fixed. Then, while I was home, my stepdad was changing my oil and rotating my tires (handy huh?) when he realized my muffler was bent in the accident and was burning my rear tired. Luckily, my tire did not blow out on my ride from Atlanta to Alabama. Needless to say, I took my car to get fixed as soon as I got back to Atlanta.

4. CHEVRON Before I came back to Atlanta, I went to my absolute FAVORITE teacher store. It has everything!! I was looking for a new theme for my classroom and look what I found.....

Chevron patterns and cute birds to match! I am in heaven!! I have been addicted to Chevron for quite some time so I had to have these... and who could resist the birds. So excited to get in my classroom and put these in their new home.

5. COMPUTER CLEANING I have been feverishly working on my new TPT product: A Holes Novel Study. However, I kept losing papers, because my computer had files everywhere. So I sat down yesterday and cleaned, deleted, and organized all 8,671 files! Yes 8,671! I also, changed my screen saver to match my new chevron/birds theme. Love it!

Well, that's all for my week! Be back soon! Remember to check out other great bloggers and Doodle Bugs "Five for Friday" Linky Party!

Keeping up with the missing homework

Hey there! Two of my favorite blogs are Fun In Room B and Ladybug Teacher Files! They are both hosting an Optimum Organization Linky Party, so I had to join!

Homework has always been one of my biggest downfalls. I hate checking it, and I hate grading it. What I hate most, however, is keeping up with the students who haven't turned it in!

This year, I plan on doing much better with managing, organizing, and grading homework. As I went "Googling for different methods, I ran across this awesome article at http://teachers.net/wong/SEP06/. I, then remembered that I pinned a "pink slip" type form on my classroom inspiration Pinterest board. Once I clicked on the pin, I was sent to this same website!


Well, I really liked this idea so I decided to tweak the form a bit to make it my own and to fit the style of my classroom. Below is a picture of the one I created.

  

What do you think? I especially love the line that says "I did not have time to complete my homework because_________" I get this excuse ALL THE TIME, even from the parents! Drives me nuts!

 

Here is how I plan to use this form:

 

I typically check homework for completion, every day in the morning, while students are completing morning work. Before I even call students back to my table to check their homework, I want them to have already checked to make sure their homework is complete and grab/complete an Oh No form, if needed. This way, it will save plenty of time. I will check over the "oh no" form and keep it in a folder at my table.

 

My kiddos have the option of completing the homework at school during their free time or "working lunch", or at home. (A working lunch is when students are able to come into the classroom with me and complete their work, instead of eating lunch with their friends in the lunchroom). Once they have completed their homework, they must bring it to me and I will staple their "Oh No" form to the homework and write the date of completion on top of the homework. This way I will remember that the homework is late and take off the necessary amount of points when I later grade the homework for accuracy.

 

I send home student work weekly and this way, parents can see the reasons that points are being deducted. Also great for using in conferences!

How do you manage missing homework? Remember to link up with either of the hosts to join this great linky party!

the infamous silent "e"

Happy Monday!

I am a little ashamed to say this, but I am already ready to get back to work. This is the first summer that I have not had a summer camp or childcare job in almost 4 years. I thought I would love the break. Wrong! I have only been out for three weeks and don't think I can go much more. Needless to say, blog stalking, Pinterest, and creating TpT products have become my favorite hobbies.

Here is a new product that I have created and its a FREEBIE! It is a short 2 page activity that helps students understand how short vowel CVC words change meaning and pronunciation when the silent "e" is added to the end.

 

Grab your freebie here.

Enjoy and please leave a comment and/or rating on my TpT store.

Do you have First Day Jitters?

It's here! My new product... a First Day Jitters Resource Pack.

I absolutely love this book, as do most teachers, but I have had the hardest time finding supplemental resources for 3rd and 4th grade level students. So I decided... why not make them?

So here you go! This resource contains comprehension questions that align with the Common Core Standards, writing prompts, and two math activities to help with those First Day Jitters.

You can grab this pack at my TpT store or at TN store. Enjoy!

My First TPT Product!

I have started the TPT journey in hopes to share some of my creations with other hardworking teachers. I have purchased MANY products from this site, so I decided that it was time for me to take a shot at selling items.

Well here it is... A Statements and Questions Task Card Activity with Student Response Sheet and its a FREEBIE for ONE WEEK (until 6/10/13)!

 

 

I am so proud of this product since it is my very first one. Head to my TPT store and grab this freebie here before 6/10/13! Even better news, it is part of a larger resource pack that I have created to go along with my district's reading series. We use McGraw Hill Treasures Series, and because of budget constraints it does not look like we will be getting any newer reading books that are better aligned with the Common Core Standards. Therefore, I have started to create weekly resource packs for each reading story in the 3rd grade Treasures Series. Also, even if you don't use the reading series, you can use the resource packs because each activity and printable is aligned to the story and not the series. It has taken a lot of work but I am so excited about the results and learning new technology. Here is a sneak peek of the first week's resource pack for First Day Jitters. What do you think?

Hope you download and stay tuned for the new products!

Currently....

This is my first participation in linky parties. I see them on every blog but never knew how to join. After countless web searches and youtube videos, I think I finally figured it out..... maybe.

So, what better way to really kick off my blogging journey by joining the wonderful Currently linky party hosted by Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade!

 

Listening: I live right off of the apartment pool area. I love my balcony view but these summer pool parties have happened every night. When you live in a big city like Atlanta, I soon realized that people don't value sleep as much as I do.

 

Loving: My sister had a destination wedding to Mexico. I received her wedding pictures today in the mail. GORGEOUS!

 

Thinking: I have spent almost 2 whole days creating my first TPT project. It is a 20 page resource pack on the first week of our Treasures Reading Series. I am already excited to make more so that I can post them.

 

Wanting: My voice is getting very sore. I don't have any lemons right now, so Nyquil will have to do for now.

 

Needing: I am well known for not having a case on my iPhone. Yesterday I finally realized why people bought them. My screen is completely shattered!

 

3 Vacay Essentials: I always need a good book to read over the summer. I am currently reading One Day by David Nicholls. I also need sunscreen. I can walk outside for 10 minutes and turn like 3 shades darker... not kidding. Lastly, I need summer dresses. They are so simple and casual, but you instantly look cute and put together.

 

Thanks for reading and please leave a comment! Don't forget to head to Oh Boy 4th Grade and join the party.