New Planner, a new Freebie, and a PA Meet-up!

Many teachers have bragged on their Erin Condren planners before, so I finally went and watched the video a while back. 

I typically type basic versions of my lesson plans up in a word document template that I made so that I can e-mail them to the various support staff I work with. I've found that this is super helpful to them and me. I don't have to remember to tell all of the resource teachers about changes in the schedule, and they know what we're learning about! I think it especially helps the resource teachers and paras who come into my room and co-teach with me.

I even bought a new pack of
Flair pens to write in it with!
These are my favorite teacher pens.

But my typed version is a simple one-page "basic gist" kind of schedule. I almost always start with a more detailed handwritten copy, so I figured I'd be able to use the planning pages. But what I need most are the multiple calendars and one place to store all of my scheduling stuff. I end up with it in 18 places and it's a pain. Especially the next school year when I'm trying to remember what exactly it was I taught LAST September! I'm really hoping my new planner will help with that. If nothing else, it's really pretty, right?!

So, I'm linking up with two pretty sweet linkies in one shot today!

So, I saw this cute pin about punctuation marks having a conversation on pinterest, but there was no source for image... If you know the source, let me know in a comment! I decided to make myself a printable version to post in my classroom, and since I'd already done the work I figured someone else might want it too! I added the little quotation guys at the end, but they can be left off easily to make it like the original pin if you prefer. If you follow my TpT store then you may have already gotten your copy! If not...shame on you, but still be sure to check it out in my TpT store as my newest freebie! If you like it, I'd love positive feedback!

Click this image to download my printable version for free!

A date to write in my new planner! YES!

I was so jealous of the GA bloggers who are having a meet up right after I left GA, but then I found out that we're having one here! Hooray! If you're a PA blogger (or nearby!) and can make it for lunch, sign up by clicking the button! 

Killer B is even overcoming her anti-social tendencies and will be coming along with me! Can't wait to meet everyone!

Workshop Wednesday - Prep & Tunes Tuesday Rocked!

So I'm linking up with my favorite linky ever, Workshop Wednesday from Ideas by Jivey! I've got kind of a random posting of thoughts today regarding preparing for a successful reading workshop.

I'm a big believer in student choice, and this comes into play in a few different areas in my class when it comes to reading. First, the students need to be able to choose books that are a "good fit" for them.

Student choosing a book from the hundreds in my room!

The Two Sisters explain in their books all about the IPICK idea of choosing good fit books, but the thing I want to focus on (that I think some teachers forget the importance of) is that second I, interest. So, if a kid is going to choose their own book, and it has to be interesting (and on the right level) then that means one of the biggest things a teacher needs to do to prepare for reading workshop is to build a giant classroom library! And of course, if you have a giant classroom library then you need to organize it somehow! And if you organize it somehow, then the mouse will want another cookie! I mean, the kids will be able to find new books quickly.

So, step 1: Build that library!

I have a HUGE classroom library, and quite frankly am kind of a snob when it comes to classroom libraries. When I walk into a classroom and see that an experienced teacher has one little shelf of books I have to admit that I shake my head a little bit to myself and wag my finger at them (in my mind only, of course.) There are lots of ways to get books for your room if you're willing to a) spend a little money and/or b) put a little work into it. 

I yard sale, go to Goodwill (LOTS of cheap books there!), and bargain bin hunt in other stores of course, but one thing I do to build my library is use Scholastic Book Clubs in my class. It always amazes me when I meet a teacher who doesn't do this. I just can't help but wonder "Why NOT?!" I know some of you are reading this and thinking, "Everyone knows about Scholastic Book Clubs." But they don't. I meet a few teachers every year who don't. And I know a LOT of teachers who know about them, but don't use them...(finger wag) 

Some of those books!

I buy the dollar deal books pretty much every month, along with a few others when I put my students' orders in online. But the best part (besides putting books into my kids' hands) is the points system. Points can be exchanged for free books, and I've gotten literally hundreds of free books over the years. 

More of those books!

The second way that a lot of teachers know about, but don't use for some reason...is through donorschoose.org (or another similar grant program). I've not used it for books, but I did get that big fancy $400 rolling bookcase in that picture up there through them. If you haven't done it yet, you should really think about trying it out. I've had 4 projects funded through them over the last 4 years. It's super easy to do! It amazes me when I do a search on my area for active projects and only find a couple. There are HUNDREDS of teachers in my district, so why aren't there hundreds of projects?

Even more books!

Of course, the problem posed by having a thousand books is that you need to organize them or else the kids will be overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. I arrange my books in multiple ways, and the kids are trained to go through steps to find new books. In fifth, I always wanted the kids to have 2 books in their queue. Now that I'm moving to 3rd/4th I will have "book boxes" for the kids to queue up around 4 books at a time.

New readers might not have seen my
"read bead" post about reading through
the genres. Go check it out!

I organize my library by genre, media type, and lexile level. The kids in my class are expected to read across the genres throughout the year, so their first step is to decide which of the genres they would like to tackle. 

We use MAP testing in my district, which provides me with the students' lexile level. The kids know their own Zones of Proximal Development, so they begin their search in that range of books. Once a kid has narrowed their search to "Mystery Books in a 600-700 lexile range" or "Sci-fi Graphic Novels around 500" it's easy for them to make a choice. Kids make these choices in their spare time, not during reading time. This is why I insist they have that queue of books I mentioned. Read to Self is NOT choose-a-book time.

My big challenge to tackle this summer involves all those books pictured above. Those are just the books I have taking up space in the closets of the spare bedrooms at my house. I taught Kindergarten through 2nd grade for 10 years before I moved to 5th 2 years ago. Most of my picture books and low level chapter books didn't translate to 5th, but now that I am moving to 3rd/4th (!!!) I need to go through all of them (and the ones in my classroom) and create my new classroom library and reorganize it all! Waaaaaah!

Alright, random tip of the day. We keep a little magnetic spice jar on our kitchen magnet board to save boxtops in. When I accrue a decent amount, I take them in to school!

If you stuck around to the end of this long-winded post, you're a saint! Now if you have the stamina go and read some of the other great posts in the linky!

Tunes Tuesday rocked by the way! Check out all the links in my previous post if you haven't already! It was such a success, and due to a few people requesting it, I'll be doing it again one day! Be on the look out!

Tunes Tuesday Linky Time!

It's finally time for everyone to cash in on the hard work of all those bloggers out there who are contributing to my first ever linky party, Tunes Tuesday!

For newcomers, Tunes Tuesday is basically a way of practicing boring grammar skills by highlighting examples in song lyrics while listening to the song/watching the music video! It just takes a few minutes, and the kids love it!

If you are new here, I'd love for you to stick around by becoming a follower on bloglovin'! Just click my little button here!

I was really happy to see the google doc filling up this past week with some great song titles and grammar/writing skills. 

I have contributed a few songs already in this post right here. Be sure to go and find the link to those lyric sheets!

Click this image to get my lyrics sheet!

I've also prepared one for this linky party of course! I chose "Pork and Beans" by Weezer. There are lots of great examples of prepositions in the lyrics! And the video is chock full of references to weird internet memes, which kids love. 

In other news, I've been hard at work on some great products! If you've missed them, here's a glimpse! Check out my TpT Store to grab them up!

Be sure to come back and check the link up after everyone has a chance to make their posts, because you're going to want to grab up all the freebie lyric sheets these wonderful bloggers have prepared! And please leave them a little love in their comment boxes!

(And all of you wonderful contributing bloggers, be sure to watch your inbox this week for a surprise thank you gift from me!)

New classroom theme and other goodies for me...

Because you can never have
enough border...

So, as everyone who reads this humble blog of mine knows, my basement flooded recently and was being a real downer on my summer vacation. So I took some measures to make myself feel better and they worked pretty well! I'm not sure if "retail therapy" is the best way to deal with things...but I needed these things, right?!

I decided that I am going to take the fact that I am moving grade levels and classrooms as an opportunity to change up my classroom theme and colors for the first time in years and years. I've had an insect theme for sooo long and to be honest I tired of it two years ago. My colors have been primary green, yellow, red and blue (solids, no patterns) for as long as I can remember too...and I'm just over it now.

80% off at the Hob Lob made all this under $80.

Of course, a new theme means shopping! So, after some virtual and in-person trips, I found some great things to go in my room!

In my new division we study Africa, Japan, Air & Aviation, Ecosystems, and Pennsylvania History, among other things. This, plus a few other factors (like my rockin' new blog design) led me to decide to go with "180 days around the world" or basically a world travel theme as my new focus and a color switch to more subdued earthy/jewel tones. I haven't even started fixing up my new room yet and I'm super excited.

Because I really needed more scrapbook
paper, right?! Killer B says no.

I've redone most of my old classroom posters already, made new CAFE headers, made all new CAFE strategy cards for my board, made some new library labels, made a custom writing process progress clip chart, pinned like crazy on pinterest, and busted out my washi tape and mod podge. (That's another post!)

I do have some challenges to overcome though... This is my new classroom. See the giant primary yellow wall?! Aaargh. Also, notice anything missing on the floor? It's not just because they're cleaning the floors...this room doesn't come with a carpet! Apparently it kept getting cut smaller and smaller because of stains until it didn't really exist anymore. Double Aaargh! I call the kids to "the carpet" like a hundred times a day! But I've been doing some research and just might invest in a cool carpet of my own. (Shhh! Don't tell Killer B! They're crazy expensive!)

And, Killer B was already nice enough to not say a word when I insisted that we really, really needed a new high-quality (for a change!) color printer. This is the one we got, and I must say it r.o.c.k.s. The print and scan quality is ridiculous. 

All those fancy new posters, student numbers, CAFE headers, etc that I've been working on look great. 

But what good would printing high quality images be if they just got torn to shreds on the first day of school?! Well, that was all the justification I needed to finally take the plunge and get myself one of these bad boys. And I have to say, if you have been hesitant about getting your own personal laminator...jump in. 

This is my current "to cut" pile. Getting bigger every day.

I love it. It laminates at a MUCH higher quality than when my school laminates stuff. And in my district teachers can't laminate for themselves. We have to/get to send it (and all of our copies) off to the "print shop" where they are printed or laminated and then sent back to us about a week later. Obviously this has its ups and downs. It's really nice to not have to do most of my own copying, but every once in awhile it's a pain to have to get everything approved and sent in a week in advance. But, no more downs for me when it comes to laminating!

I was reminded of this some ecard!

Anyone else changing themes this year? I feel like I'm so obsessed with getting my room organized and decorated that I can't focus on making myself get down and dirty with the actual standards, objectives, and how I want to do my workshops, etc. But I'm justifying it because it's early in my summer! I'll worry about that in August!

Fabulous Feedback and Favorite Pins Friday!

Wait, it's Friday?! It's funny how I lose all sense of time over the summer. The days of the week really don't affect me at all!

I'm linking up for the first time with Bunting, Books, and Bainbridge for her Fabulous Feedback linky!

I've received a lot of feedback over time (much more than on any other product in my store in fact) on one of my favorite products ever, which is my 170-page Wonder by RJ Palacio Novel Unit. This book is amazing, and I loved reading it over and over again while writing this unit.

I really appreciated that this buyer took the time to write a thoughtful comment, so if you're reading this aplowe, please feel free to e-mail me your choice of any other product from my store to receive for free! 

 Another first for me, is this Favorite Pins Friday linky from The First Grade Parade! I always love reading people's posts for this linky, and usually find a few pins to add. It was hard finding pins for this one that I haven't seen others pin recently! But I think I might have found a couple. Click the images to be taken to the pin.

 

First, I really like the idea of this "Speeding ticket" to hand to students when they try to hand in work way too fast. I could of used this this past year for sure!

I might change the Fine to say something like "Do over!" or something though.

I love these DIY pennants made from old maps, but I love the idea they gave me even more, which is to die cut bulletin board letters and borders from old maps. I just happen to have a ton of those saved up, and they go perfect with my new theme! (More on that later!)

Don't forget to sign up for Tunes Tuesday! It's coming!

Throwback Thursday!

I figured I'd join in on the fun for a Throwback Thursday. Even though I haven't been blogging for very long, I DO have literally ten times as many followers now as when I first posted this post!  ;) I picked this one because of all the activities I did with my kids this year, this is the one that I think my kids' parents appreciated the most.


Originally posted March 22nd, 2013:

As part of our class reading of Wonder, we have been really thinking about character traits and how we should think about and treat others.

So to help take advantage of the wonderful community building opportunities presented by this novel, we begin each reading by having one of the kids in the class sit in a chair in front of our marker board. The rest of the kids think about this person's positive character traits and write them around the head of the featured kiddo. You should see the smiles on the students' faces when they get to turn around and read what their classmates think about them. I make sure to e-mail the picture to the kiddo's parents that evening too. I pinned this idea on pinterest a long time ago and have been waiting for a reason to use it. 

Here's an example:

This is just one of the extension ideas I included in the novel unit I wrote for this awesome book. If you're planning to read this book with your kids, I hope you'll check out my 170 page unit on my TpT Store! Just 9 smackeroos for the rest of March!

So, earlier this week I played 2 Truths and a Lie as part of Flying into First Grade's "Let's get Acquainted" Linky party. Lots of people guessed my lie, so maybe I made it too easy!

1) I really did give up a full ride to West Point, as well as a few other colleges in order to become a teacher. 

2) I really am a double gold medalist in the Jr. Olympics. This ties directly into #1! My gold medals are in marksmanship, one team medal and one individual medal. My shooting ability is what almost determined my future. Luckily I received a number of academic scholarships to non-military colleges that allowed me to go that route, which is why I'm a teacher today and not a professional marksman! Whew! I really dodged a bullet there! :groan:  ;)

3) So that makes my lie that I've taught every elementary grade level. I have taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 1st/2nd multi-age, and 5th grade. I've never taught 3rd or 4th grade, though I would be interested in doing that one day!

Finally, I figured I'd share a "fun" event from today. We were in the middle of taking our spelling test when suddenly one of my kid's desks is soaking wet. Turns out there was a crack in the water pipes running through the ceiling above his desk. I love how my kids completely ignored the repairmen and just kept taking their test!

The funny thing is that my lie #3 isn't a lie anymore! I was granted my request and will in fact be teaching 3rd and 4th grade next year! Awesome!

Check out all of the other great Throwback Thursday links too!

Flooding, internet problems, and a Liebster Award!

I have so much going on right now, it's a little crazy. I suppose I'll need to spread it out over a few posts!

First, I finally made it home from my vacation at 4:45 AM on Monday and the first thing I noticed was that there seemed to be about a hundred bees or hornets flying all around my front porch light. Upon inspection, there was in fact a brand new, huge hornets' nest right there near the doorway.

My house right now.

So after dealing with that inconvenience, I finally got into the house around 5:30 and discovered that my basement DID in fact flood pretty badly. My house smelled like Satan's dirty socks, and the furniture, walls, etc. in the basement are all pretty much ruined. It's a finished basement, and we use it as our main living room. After about 12 consecutive hours of pumping, sucking up water with the steam cleaner, washing the walls with bleach, and running 3 dehumidifiers...I got it to the point where it was just a an extremely damp, humid swamp of a room instead of the GA Aquarium. 2 days later and it is not damp anymore, it just still has a moldy odor to it. I tested behind the drywall of one wall and discovered that it was soaked through the insulation, but the wood framing was fine. Either way, all the walls are ruined.

Killer B and I decided the next step is to just Lysol the heck out of everything, including the furniture, and keep dehumidifying until we figure out what we want to do about the walls. SIGH!

After all that, what do you think I want to do? I mean after I slept for 13 hours straight that is...you got it! Curl up on my couch and just relax by reading some e-mail and blogs. BUT the fates aligned against me again because that's when I discovered that my internet was out and wouldn't come back on despite all the normal tricks. Sigh again.

But, there is some good with the bad! I still had my iphone, and through it I discovered that I'd been nominated for a Liebster Award by 3 other bloggers! So I'm going to type up a blog post and hope for a window of internet to post it! I keep telling Killer B that I'm going to have to go and sit in a Starbucks and read the 200 blog posts on bloglovin' that I haven't been able to read! Aargh!

Thanks so much to Deirdre from A Burst of First, Courtney from Polka Dot Lesson Plans, and Danielle from Live. Love. Math! I'm so excited that others thought of me!

So, here's how it works, now I get to nominate some blogs with fewer than 200 followers, and then answer some questions, share 11 random facts, then ask 11 questions for my nominees!

So, I'd like to nominate:

Teaching 3rd with Mr. G
Digital: Divide and Conquer
Scrappy Guy Designs

I didn't JUST nominate them because they're the only other men teachers I know who blog...there's also a lot of good stuff to be found on their blogs! Since finding their blogs, I always make sure to read their posts (when my internet works...grumble.)

Here are the questions I was asked: (sorry about the weird formatting, not sure what that's about!)

What's your favorite candy? Haribo Gummy Bears
What's someplace you've always wanted to visit? Japan
Most risky/dangerous thing you've ever done. I rappelled out of a helicopter once!
Top three tv shows of all time? The Walking Dead, Monk, Frasier
If you could live somewhere else where would it be? Portland, OR
Mac or pc? Mac!
Who's your favorite clip artist? My bro, Peter!
Favorite non-alcoholic beverage? Coffee!
Do you like going to the dentist? Absolutely not. 
Early bird or night owl? Night Owl for sure!
Neat Nick or Messy Marvin? Hmm...depends on where I am! Probably more of a Messy Marvin though.
What is your favorite grade/subject to teach? I really loved teaching 2nd grade. I taught it for 9 years!
What types of books do you like to read in your spare (ha!) time? I read mostly kids books, teaching books and comic books to be honest!
What is your favorite thing to shop for? Unique T-shirts
What was your most memorable teaching moment? Five minutes into my first day of teaching ever, I taught Kindergarten back then...cutest little kid ever walks into my room...my para says to him, "Oh you must D*****, follow me to your seat!" He looks at her and says, "You can't tell me what to do you F&$%#@ B#$%@!" It was one of those years too...
What was the best vacation you ever went on? Hmm...the one were I didn't come home to a flooded house?!

What is your favorite meal? Probably Bulgoki and Kim Bahp. I was raised on Korean food!

If you won a million dollars to spend on anything, what would you buy? I'd pay off my mortgage, car, loans, etc. then probably go to Europe!

What was the last movie you saw? Did you like it? We just watched Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close again, and it is really good!

What is your favorite thing about the school at which you currently teach? I really love the fact that my school is so environmentally conscious and that we instill that into our students.
If you could choose any 2 consecutive months of the year to have your "summer" break which months would you choose? I'd probably go for having June and July off.
If you could take your class on a field trip to anywhere in the world where would you go? Probably Washington D.C.
If you weren't a teacher what would you be? I really can't imagine, but maybe something to do with art, like graphic design?
If you have a day all to yourself what is your favorite way to spend it? Playing video games or watching a marathon of tv while reading.
If you were stuck on an island and could only have 3 items with you what would they be? If I can't bring a satellite phone to call for rescue, then I guess I'd bring...a multi-tool, a rifle, and ammo. I know...too practical, right?
What is your favorite vacation spot? Savannah, GA.
Do you have any pets? I have a ton of pets! Two German Shepherds, three corn snakes, a crested gecko, 2 bettas, an emperor scorpion, and two tarantulas.
Do you prefer the mountains or the beach? The mountains!
What book have you read recently that you would recommend? Teach Like a Pirate!

Here are my 11 random facts:

I've been married to Killer B for 5 years.

I've read every Spider-Man comic ever.

I went to an elementary, middle, and high school where I was a minority.

As of the first day of school this year I will have taught grades K-5th.

In my youth I was a prolific guerilla artist.

I enjoy crafting of all types (though I hardly have time for it.)

I still enjoy leaving crafted goodies in public places for strangers to find.

I collect four leaf clovers and laminate them to preserve them.

I passed up a potential career/spot in the 2000 Olympics for marksmanship to be a teacher.

I drink about 8 cups of coffee a day.

I've lost 26 pounds since May!

Here are the questions I'd like to pose to my nominees:

Why do you blog?

What's your favorite linky?

What's your favorite grade to teach?

How many schools have you taught in?

Who would you most like to meet?

What's your favorite teaching memory?

What is our favorite hobby?

What is your favorite restaurant?

What is your favorite movie?

What piece of advice do you give out the most?

What's your favorite teaching tip/trick?

That was the longest post known to man, but hopefully you got to know me a little better!

I have a BUNCH of other stuff to talk about too, so I'll be back soon with all of that! Thanks so much to everyone who has already signed up to participate in Tunes Tuesday! If you haven't yet, then please do!