One of the objectives we’re working on this week {and last week} is alliteration. There are SO many great books to read to introduce and cover this topic. Some of our favorites are… Shel Silverstein poems are great for alliteration, too! My kids loved Picture Puzzle Piece, Noise Day, and Spoiled Brat :) the most!! The beg me to read them on the daily :) We talked a lot about alliteration last week and ended the week with a little alliterative writing after reading If You Were Alliteration. We brainstormed a giant list of animals and then I had each of my firsties choose an animal to write about in an … [Read more...] about A Little Alliteration
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My Current Obsessions {Totally Unrelated to Teaching}
After a week of cramming for that dang ESL certification, I’m back and ready to blogstalk. I missed catching up on everything y’all are doing in your classrooms!! Now I’ve got lots to read while I’m waiting for my test results {gulp}. In the meantime, I needed something totally unrelated to teaching to occupy my time. So I thought I’d share with y’all my current favorite obsessions. 1. My growing collection of M.A.C. eyeshadow. I’m completely obsessed. Mr. Spouse says I’m going through a mid-life crisis. Not sure about that, but I LOVE me some M.A.C!!!! Their eyeshadows are the best…they stay on … [Read more...] about My Current Obsessions {Totally Unrelated to Teaching}
Inferencing with NO David! and a Silent E Freebie
To kick off inferencing, we started out using Abby’s Snow Day Case Files. Do y’all have this yet?? If you’re teaching inferencing, you SERIOUSLY need this!!!! Let me just tell you that my kids were all over it. I set up my case files and the kids went to town being little “inference investigators”. Wow. I mean, they really got it!!!!! To follow up, we pulled out the book, NO David! My kids LOVE this one!!! Our whole team is using this book to reinforce inferencing skills. First up, we made a little “No David!” inferencing brainstorm chart. We talked about using our schema and … [Read more...] about Inferencing with NO David! and a Silent E Freebie
Snowflakes Falling & Contraction Surgery
I love Mr. Spouse. Like, BIG love him. Even when he’s being a turd, I adore the man. However, I think it’s crazy how helpless men are when they’re sick. Completely helpless. I’ve been less than sympathetic toward him and his recent bout of sickness this week. Not sure what’s wrong with him, but I’m sure hoping I don’t get it. I started feeling a little guilty about my lack of nurturing, so I made him some soup tonight. And it was pretty dang good ifidosaysomyself. I’ve been escaping the germs in my house for even better germs at school :) We’ve been incorporating cutesy little snowmen … [Read more...] about Snowflakes Falling & Contraction Surgery
Snowmen at Night and Ryan Gosling :)
Happy full moon Monday!! Did y’all realize that there’s a full moon today and we’re ending the week on Friday the 13th?! Should I just go ahead and call in sick now?! I’m sure y’all are all cozied up on the couch…in your Footed Hoodies…and drinking a few glasses of cabernet if your day was anything like mine :) HA! We’re all ready to learn more about snowmen this week, so we started out by reading the story, “Snowmen at Night”. Now, if you were reading this little ol’ blog last year, you might remember this little writing craftivity we did after reading the story {inspired by Rachelle at What the Teacher … [Read more...] about Snowmen at Night and Ryan Gosling :)
Frosty & Friends and Sunday Randomness
I think I’m coming down with something. Could be a case of the Mondays, the mid-year blues, a little bit of both, or something flu-ish. Ick. I’ve been getting random migraine{ish} headaches this weekend and I’ve been SOOOOOOO unusually tired. Not too tired to stay up ‘til 2am on Friday night/Saturday morning watching “The Help”, though. Ohmiword. Might be the best movie I’ve ever seen {not counting Tommy Boy, of course ;)} I cried like a dang baby. That one chick in the movie was a straight up meanie. She made me so dang mad. Minnie *might* have been my favorite character…the scene … [Read more...] about Frosty & Friends and Sunday Randomness
3 Days{ish}, $3
Since there's 3 days{ish} 'til the new year, I'm having a $3 flash sale in my little TpT shop starting now and ending after date night tonight :) Not sure what time that will be, so get it on the cheap while ya can! … [Read more...] about 3 Days{ish}, $3
A New Year Freebie & Some Resolutions
So…let me just go ahead and say that I LOVE New Year’s :) Not because I’m partyin’ it up on NYE…unless you consider sparkling cider, my sofa, and MTV a party…but I love it because it gives us a chance to start all over. Such a great time to reflect and make resolutions and ohmiword…I’ve got a few! I thought I’d go ahead and share those with y’all and then share a *little* freebie :) This has been one of those years. I’m sure you can tell by the lack of my blogging :) Between my very spirited class, my even more spirited boys, a husband that works nights, and domestic duties, this little blog has been pushed … [Read more...] about A New Year Freebie & Some Resolutions
Merry Christmas From Our Family To Yours!
Wishing you & yours a blessed Christmas! Hope your holiday season is filled with the love of Jesus Christ! … [Read more...] about Merry Christmas From Our Family To Yours!
Reindeer Games
For those of y’all that have 2 days left until Winter Break, can I get at “Woot! Woot!”?!?!? As my dear friend, Abby, would say, “PTL!!!!!!!” This week has been crazy insane…and the scary thing is that I know I’m not alone!!! Between gift making, gift wrapping, station work, and catching up, my classroom looks like a scene straight out of The Wizard of Oz :) Reindeer are one of my favorite things to learn about, so this week has been all about reindeer fun & games!! We’ve started each morning with the AMAZING Word of the Day sheets from Made for 1st Grade. source: Made For 1st Grade I LOVE these!! … [Read more...] about Reindeer Games
You Asked, I Answered :)
A little Q & A... Q: When do you grade? A: Ummmm…grades?! HA!! Just kidding. In our district, we don’t technically do grades in K-1. We do a 1-4 numbered system, each number representing their level of mastery with 4 being the highest {mastered}. We enter our grades at the end of each 9-week grading period and I base their “grades” on classroom performance & informal/formal assessment. Q: How do you stay organized? How do you organize all your units/TpT stuff? A: If anyone who knows me well is reading this, they’re LAUGHING right now because I am SO not organized. Well…it doesn’t look like I am anyway. I like to call … [Read more...] about You Asked, I Answered :)
A Little Q&A, Christmas in My Classroom, & GRINCH DAY!!!
I’ve recently had A LOT of people email me asking a couple of things. Just incase y’all are wondering too, I thought I’d write about it here! Q: “What kind of camera do you use?” A: I shoot with a Nikon D700 {IN.LOVE} and also have a Nikon D90 {also in love}. The D700 is a full frame camera and the D90 is a crop sensor. If you’re just looking for a DSLR to take better pictures than your regular ol’ point & shoot, you’ll want a crop sensor…you won’t need to go full frame. I’m 100% a Nikon girl, but both Canon & Nikon make EXCELLENT cameras. I would HIGHLY suggest you visit your local camera … [Read more...] about A Little Q&A, Christmas in My Classroom, & GRINCH DAY!!!
More Brain Potpourri & An Announcement for Texas Teachers
1. Texas Teachers…are y’all ready for another lunch date?! I AM!!! Time to get this party started…again. We’ll be meeting here in Dallas on December 20th. Location and time TBA. If you’re interested, email me at texasteacherblogmeetup@gmail.com. You can also get updates on my little FB page! Can’t wait to see some of y’all again and finally meet the rest of you! 2. I enjoyed EVERY.SINGLE.MINUTE. of my Thanksgiving break. Why did it feel like I blinked and it was over?! LOTS of QT with the fam…tons of way too good food…and lots of shopping :) Now the countdown to Christmas … [Read more...] about More Brain Potpourri & An Announcement for Texas Teachers
Happy Cyber Monday & 3 New Units!
Okay, so as much as I love shopping in the stores on Black Friday, I *almost* love Cyber Monday even more!!! Shopping from the comfort of my living room…pj’s and junk food A MUST…LOVE it! By now I know you guys are FULLY aware that a whole bunch of fabulous bloggers are throwing big sales in their TpT shops. Today TpT is offering an additional 10% off using the coupon code CMS28. I’ve got several things in my shopping cart and I’m about to stock up! If you’re looking for some fun Christmas related activities to keep your kiddos busy and engaged, I just posted three new units to my little shop! Here’s a little … [Read more...] about Happy Cyber Monday & 3 New Units!
Jingle Jingle & Ho, Ho, Ho!
I’m teaming up with my sweet friends Abby {The Inspired Apple} and Kelly & Diane {Made for 1st Grade} to bring you a fabulous sale to kick start the Christmas season! Starting at midnight tonight, you can grab all of the items in our stores for 20% off the regular price! On Monday, you can combine that discount with the TpT coupon code {CMS28} for even more savings!! Happy cyber shopping :) Quick links to our TpT stores: I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving! I know we certainly did! There’s nothing I love more than spending time with my sweet family :) Hope you were all able to be with the ones … [Read more...] about Jingle Jingle & Ho, Ho, Ho!
Brain Potpourri and Christmas at my House
I’m sure there’s lots of teaching related items I could blog about tonight, but I’m just not feelin’ it. So here’s just a little brain potpourri for the night… 1. I went and had my hair done today. First time in TWO years. For real. Actually, 2 years and 3 weeks, but who’s counting?! It was LONG overdue. I even got some color. First time my hair has ever been colored! I’ve got a nice crop of gray hair that I color in each morning with dark eyeshadow & a brush :) I figured it was time to get something a little more “permanent”…or at least something that doesn’t brush off by noon. … [Read more...] about Brain Potpourri and Christmas at my House
Thankful.
I could go on for days and days all about the things for which I’m thankful, but for your sake, I’ll keep it simple. Sweet Rachelle & Natalie over at What the Teacher Wants are having a little “I’m Thankful” linky party so I thought I’d link up and say my thanks :) 1. What are you most thankful for in your classroom? My student teacher!!! She’s AMAZING. If something happened to me and I wasn’t able to make it in, I’d have NO doubt in my mind that she’d know just what to do and my kids would be in great hands. She’s helped me SO much these last 6 weeks and I swear I don’t know what I’ll do when she leaves … [Read more...] about Thankful.
Thanksgiving Threw Up in My Classroom
OH.MY. Pretty much sums up how I feel when I walk into my classroom. I’m greeted by dangling turkeys, pilgrims galore, and kid work all over the place…and I LOVE IT. Y’all…this last month…3 weeks, I guess…have been a total whirlwind. I didn’t get a chance to do half the things I wanted to, but I’m okay with it because the kids got JUST what they needed! We’ve been furiously preparing ourselves for our annual Grandparent’s/VIP day tomorrow. It’s our biggest event of the year! The kids get to invite the special people in their lives to come watch them perform the most darling little musical … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving Threw Up in My Classroom
Let’s Go RACK’ing!
I have been SO inspired by all the Random Acts of Kindness ideas I’ve been seeing {& pinning!} on Pinterest. The boys and I had our very own RAOK day a few weeks ago and we delivered homemade cookies & muffins to the fire station, friends, and neighbors and did a whole lot of other kind things that day, too. Hands down, one of my favorite days ever. I was especially inspired when I found the idea to start a Christmas advent calendar counting down the 25 days of Christmas by performing a different random act of kindness each day. I know Christmas is still over a month away, but the holiday season is quickly … [Read more...] about Let’s Go RACK’ing!
Let’s Give Thanks!
I'm CLEARLY technically challenged. After about 3-4 days of unsuccessfully trying to upload my latest unit to TpT, it's FINALLY added. Praise the Lord. My word. It was TOTALLY user error and I won't bother to mention what I was doing wrong because it was pretty lame....and *maybe* a little embarassing :) HA! I know we only have a few days left before the break, but if you're interested, here's the latest...Clipart courtesy of Scrappin Doodles and Jessica Weible Illustrations This 120 page unit is filled with 10 activities {and recording sheets} for math tubs...plus 10 word problems...and 10 literacy … [Read more...] about Let’s Give Thanks!
The Littlest Pilgrim, Symmetrical Turkeys, and Scarecrows…OH MY!
You guys *might* remember these little guys from last year… We made a whole new set of symmetrical turkeys today and the kids were SO intense! We talked a TON about the concept of symmetry and then I sent the kids off to make their own symmetrical patterns {for turkey feathers}. LOVE how different each one turned out! I forgot to mention that we did our fun little pumpkin adjective/simile activity last week. It went along perfectly with Abby’s recent pumpkin activities! {The purple words describe the OUTSIDE of the pumpkin and the green words describe the INSIDE.} There’s nothin’ cuter than scarecrows this time of … [Read more...] about The Littlest Pilgrim, Symmetrical Turkeys, and Scarecrows…OH MY!
A Classroom Update {iPhone Style}
I’ve been TERRIBLE about remembering to take my camera up to school. Terrible. I think I’m sleepwalking in the mornings before I get to the gym because I rarely remember to bring what I need. If it’s not packed in the car and ready to go the night before, then I will…inevitably…leave it at home. Lunches included :/ The one thing I never forget…because we’re super attached at the hip…is my trusty little iphone. So here’s a little classroom update iphone style. Halloween was SO much fun! My cute student teacher read this story to the kids… Talk about old school ;) Ha! Seriously … [Read more...] about A Classroom Update {iPhone Style}
Wandering Wednesday…on a Thursday :)
Alright, so last week I was immersed in “World Series Wednesday”. Mr. Spouse threw a little Texas Rangers watching party, so I was otherwise occupied. Last night, I decided to fall asleep…fully clothed {shoes & all}…on the couch at 9:00. Did I mention the laptop was in my lap and my fingers were on the keys when I passed out?! WORN right the heck out! So, I’m here tonight to bring you a little Wandering Wednesday action on a Thursday night. First up, I had a lot of sweet friends recently email me to ask about our little Pumpkin Journal we used for our Pumpkin Day last year, so I posted it to … [Read more...] about Wandering Wednesday…on a Thursday :)
Cloudy and the 50th Day
So, my plans to post last week were thwarted when I was thrust into becoming a CSI detective. Let me just tell y’all that I would make an EXCELLENT investigator should anyone ever need a private eye. For real. I successfully caught someone impersonating someone else & TOTALLY trying to scam one of my friends on Facebook! I SO felt like I was living in a Lifetime movie last week!! I had NO time for anything other than sleuthing. Now that that whole saga is over…*I think for now anyway*…I’m ready to play catch-up. We learned all about clouds and the kids had a BLAST!!! Actually, I think I might’ve … [Read more...] about Cloudy and the 50th Day