If you're reading that title and thinking I'm crazy, let me explain. Both the number line and the 120 chart are important tools for our kids to use. They are equally important and make wonderful resources for our kids to use when problem solving, counting, etc. I think it's extremely important to equip our kids with the tools necessary to be successful. I display the number line (0-120) in my classroom and all of my kids have a personal number line they keep in their desks. Their personal number line contains the numerals 0-20. The reason for this is so that we can practice with the numbers we will more ... Read More
Columbus Day in the Primary Classroom
If y'all are anything like me, you're probably trying to wrap your mind around the fact that it's MID-September (how'd that happen?!?!). You might also be trying to "plan ahead". I say that loosely because planning ahead may look more like planning for tomorrow's activities instead of planning into the next month. This week I received a couple of emails from readers who wanted to know how I incorporate Columbus Day into my plans and if I acknowledge that holiday at all. Since we typically have the day off for Columbus Day, I do acknowledge it. However, instead of focusing on Columbus being the first to discover ... Read More
Apple Fun For EVERYONE!
How many of y'all felt a little shift in the weather this past weekend?! I woke up to a beautifully crisp (what felt like Fall) day and it progressively got hotter as the weekend went on. As they say here in Texas, "if you don't like the weather, just wait 5 minutes." With the change of seasons impending, I couldn't wait to recap some of my favorite apple themed activities for you today and share with you some freebies a new addition to my little shop. One of my favorite things to do with ANY theme is to incorporate it wherever I can in the classroom. The easiest places to incorporate a theme...IMO....are in literacy ... Read More
I Remember
I remember September 11, 2001 like it happened yesterday. I was student teaching in a 4th grade classroom. I wore a lavender quarter length, v-neck sweater from Express to school that day. And a long, black skirt. (That's not important, but don't you think it's crazy how we remember the smallest of details of a traumatic, life altering event?!) Our team sat down to plan after we dropped our kids off at specials. The secretary walked in and told us there was a plane crash at one of the Twin Towers. Someone on that 4th grade team had family in New York or knew someone who worked at the Twin Towers. We shakily rushed ... Read More
Fitting It All In – Names, Week 2 (Part 2)
If you visited the blog on Monday, you might have read my post detailing my lesson plans for week 1 on Names (a thematic unit I like to incorporate at the beginning of every year). I love incorporating name building and identification because these are the most important words our kids will read. I love to see their sense of accomplishment when they correctly identify their friends' names or use them in their daily writing. If you didn't have a chance to read about my first week of name plans, you can check those out HERE or just scroll down to the next post. As I said before, I love incorporating this theme and I usually ... Read More
Slow Cooker Pot Roast Sliders
This recipe is absolutely delish and so incredibly easy! Great for dinner, appetizer, or even a little something to bring to a party. We couldn’t get enough. Truly. The key to these little sliders is the sauce you MUST make to accompany it. Don’t skip it. It’s what makes the slider!! ... Read More
Fitting It All In – Names, Week 1
Happy Labor Day, y'all! I hope you were able to get some much needed rest this extended weekend. We went fishing and crabbing and I taught my oldest to play Monopoly. He's finally starting to take an interest in board games and he is obsessed with this one! OF COURSE...the longest game in the history of ever ;) Haha. I said I'd be back this week to share my plans with you for my name unit. I often get asked how I'm able to fit things into my day and I'm hoping this helps give you an idea of how that looks. Let's go ahead and start with the plans. These are plans for the 3rd week of school and the ... Read More
Teacher Week – My Favorite Subject
Happy FRI-YAY!!!!!!! Friday is always a good day for a selfie and today's is extra special because our little family is wearing blue in support of our law enforcement. My heart is sick for the family of the fallen officer, Deputy Darren Goforth, our city lost last week. So senseless and tragic. My grandpa was a police officer before he retired from the department a few years ago and we have nothing but respect for those who lay their lives on the line to protect & serve ours. And yes. There are bad apples in every bunch, in every profession, but we love and support our #brothersinblue. I ... Read More
Teacher Week – Sanity Savers
Welcome back for day 4 of Teacher Week! Today we're talking all about sanity savers... Let me tell you what works for me when it comes to keeping my sanity both in and out of the classroom. Here are 7 tips I have found invaluable through the years. Let It Go. Let go of the control. If you're anything like me, that's HARD for you to do. Start small. I released some of the control when I let my kids started choosing their own centers. Hard at first, but the payoff was HUGE!!!! And this is how I like to do that.... I keep a laminated class list at each of my ... Read More
Teacher Week – Classroom Tour
Welcome back for another day of Teacher Week!! Today's post is all about the classroom... I thought today would be the perfect day to take a look back at my classrooms through the years. Well, the last 5 years anyway ;) Since my classroom has always been my home away from home, it was important for me to have a space that was comfy, cute, and functional while being suitable for my babies at the same time. I think my past classrooms were all that, but when I return to the classroom I think I'll do everything different. I'm sure my husband will love that ;) Kindergarten 2013-2014. My second ... Read More
