Some Giveaways

So I'm exhausted after just getting back from my trip (if you were wondering where I was ;)  so I'm just quickly going to post about some giveaways from some awesome bloggers!!!!

First, the Crazy Adventures of a University Graduate - such an awesome blog!!!  Love reading everything she has to say...so helpful!!! She is up to 50 followers...go check her out!!!





Second, Kindergarten Kel is also having a giveaway with some great stuff and I'm one of her new followers but have found some great stuff so far...so show some bloggy love and go check her out as well :)



Kindergarten Kel

I promise to be back and post more soon....now to catch up on all the work I missed last week :(

Thanks for all the tips on flying (much appreciated)  Happy to say I'm back safely on the ground!



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Top 10 Linky Party



Hojo is having a linky party of Top 10 (or whatever really....)

So I'm going to do a Top 10 reasons I want to be a teacher: (In no particular order)

10.  To touch lives and make kids excited about learning
9. to have summers and long breaks
8.  the money (JK....HA ha...I wish!)
7. make a difference and what better way to do that!
6. I love the things they say!!!! I have a whole "kid-isms" page
5. It's a job that is constantly different...I could never be behind a desk  I NEED VARIETY.
4. I learn something everyday  as well!!!! I love learning....so this is awesome!!!
3. The kids really touch me, with their smiles, and lightbulb moments. I could never get enough.
2. I get to teach about so many subjects.  (but I'm keen on science ;)
1. I LOVE WATCHING KIDS LEARN- and knowing I could be a part of that literally blows my mind everyday ;)


I'd love to hear any of yours- link up!





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Survey Says linky!!

I've found a linky I can join...I am jumping on this!!!  Its fun to learn a little more about everyone so it is just some questions head over to 5th grade Rocks, 5th grade Rules to see other responses.


Here we go :)

1.  Are you married, do you have a bf, or are you flying free as a single lady/man?
I have a bf of almost 2 years.  He's truly AWESOME, hilarious, and amazingly supportive through our crazy mostly long distance relationship.  

2.  Where did you grow up?
Central Missouri, is where I call home.  Now that I've traveled some I appreciate it a lot more. 

3.  Do you have any pets?  If so, what kind and what is his/her name?
NO!!! I'm really hoping for a dog for graduation and my roommate has a baby turtle that is the most adorable thing I've ever seen! 

4. What is a favorite tv show you are embarrassed to admit to watching?
The Housewives of _____________ (all of them).  I know, I know...but it makes me feel like my life is sooooo drama free!   (Can I just leave her response here....EXACT same for me!)

5.  Are you a saver or a spender?
both- if that could make any sense.  I spend the money I let myself when I'm not saving it.  
6.  What is your favorite children's book?
I love Ella Enchanted!  by Gail Carson Levine

7.  Were you the class clown, teacher's pet, or neither?
teacher's pet definitely....wow how that has changed though :)


8.  Who is your favorite athletic team?
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS..............ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!
9.  Where did you go on your last REALLY fun vacation?
Hmmm.....I loved South Florida visiting Everglades and beach but Minnesota in the spring surprised me with its appeal. 
10.  Who is your favorite actor?  Actress?
Toughie........I love Katherine Heigl
11.  Tell about the last time you cried because you were happy.
Probably at some cheesy thing my bf did...i'm a softy 



12.  What is your favorite season?
summer....love love LOVE the warm weather!
13.  What is your biggest regret?
I don't like to think about this because I can learn from everything!


14.  What food do you just NOT like at all?
Lettuce, ever since preschool it has made me gag....perhaps them forcing me to eat everything on my plate has something to do with this? 
15. What I love about blogging?
I love the reflective aspect of it, I love seeing new ideas from educators around the world, I love how supportive everyone is :) 


It makes me smile all the time!


Thanks for well wishes during my flight...i'm safe and sound and enjoying it.  Can't wait to present and get some awesome ideas from conference tomorrow!





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Lazy Monday

Well I'm to get some inspiration aka pack because I'm leaving tomorrow for Washington D.C. for presentation- how crazy is that?!

My first conference presentation and its International?!  (that's intimidating) good thing I'll have my professor with me :)

Now if only my fear of flying would go away....things would be much easier.  I would appreciate any tips anyone has about dealing with nerves!!! Either for presenting or my fear of flying...guess I'm overcoming a lot of   fears lately since I never liked public speaking either! (I have to admit I'm getting much better) What is about a group of kids that I can be in front of no problem but a bunch of people my age and i'm tongue-tied and terrified.

I'll leave everyone with another one of my "Kid-isms" from today: (these never fail to make me smile):

Reading from a poem in the hall, it was about the student's sister-

              The line read, "She is as beautiful as a puddle."  ???????



Also, anything I HAVE TO SEE in D.C??????????  Thanks in advance!





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estimation FREEBIE

So I posted awhile ago about this book Lucky Beans. You can view it here!

Well this book would make a great tie-in with math and especially estimation, because this is exactly what happens in the book.  This book would also be a great tie-in with social studies because of the time period the story is written in...don't you love books like that!

I created this FREEBIE to go with the book regarding estimation.  There are different ways to estimate and after exploring the different ways and discussing the book as a class, this would give the students a way to think about what they just read and relate math concepts.

Check it out and let me know what you think!


Big week coming up for me!!! Hope everyone had a good weekend!






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Pin-spiration!

So I have a slight obsession with Pinterest (and I'm sure I'm not the only one)!  Check out my button on the side or click here to follow my boards!


One of the first awesome ideas I pinned for teaching was the hardware organizer turned supply "keeper."  I loved it from the start.  First it has everything all in one place!  Second, it is all organized (a pet peeve of mine)!
You can personalize it too!  Colors, sparkles, patterns...ANYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE!

Well I'd been eyeing one for awhile and low and behold, my mom made one for me for Christmas!  I LOVE IT! Mine has a couple wider drawers on the sides which are perfect for bigger items and all the small items fit in the middle.






I put labels on the tips using my label maker!  Mine is pretty colorful and I think I can make it work in any room !  This is one of the most helpful tools I've seen for teachers.

What is your favorite Pinterest thing you've made?  or really want to for your classroom?

So much inspiration!!!! Leave me some links and I'll go take a look- are some of the best Pin-spirations!




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Community Building and Publication (!)

First I wanted to share an community building activity we did for a large presentation I had today.  We blindfolded two people first had them draw and then later after going over the whole theory we had the teams coach the same two people to draw elephants.

Sorry about my horrible pictures!  We didn't say which was they had to view it (perspective) so I found it very interesting.  They learned about working with a team and how they can build community in their future classrooms!  We got some good feedback about the activity and at least they were engaged in what they were learning :)


My classmates enjoyed it but this really could be adapted for many age groups and could work on teamwork within a classroom + its FUN!

Even our professor joined in!


Ok so onto other news: WE GOT COPIES OF OUR PUBLICATION  (me and my professors) Check it out here

It is crazy to think about me...a published author..........that's insane!!! Like literally blows my mind!!!

I'm proud, but think of this more as just a starting point and hopefully can do more in the future.  So if any of you get Science Scope ~ check me out!!!  It is more for middle school students but some of the concepts can be connected to elementary (especially the experiments).

I just had to share some of my excitement.  Check out some of the pics below!!!






That last one...there at the top....see it...that quite possibly could be...MY NAME!!! BAAAA MIND BLOWN!

Have a great weekend everyone!







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Writer's Workshop

First, Grade One Doodle Bugs is having a Giveaway and she has some awesome stuff!! So go check her out and enter!



Observing today, the class was working on All About Books.  They were writing about topics they were experts in!  Some of their topics and sentences were absolutely hilarious.  :)

One student wrote her all about book on "being a sister."  (She's a twin....so I find this funny/ironic)

Many of the books were about pets or sports but another was all about myself (I found it cute) 

The students had to create a cover page, table of contents, and 5 "chapters/pages" and illustrate those pages.  They worked so hard, I know they are proud of what they accomplish and I just love that they get the opportunity to have a writer's workshop everyday!!!  

The teacher gives them awhile to work and usually conferences with a group of students everyday about their writing. 
They will get an opportunity to share their completed work when it is finished, and I know they are dying too. :)


I have some more freebies (!) I'm working on keep a look out soon!





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Job Fair

So today was my very first job fair.....it did not go so well :(

There was over 95 school districts represented and probably 100s of people there, I didn't feel like I stood out at all. Only talking to principals for a few minutes basically trying to sell yourself was definitely not me!  I feel like one-on-one interviews would be much more my style.  If anyone has job fair tips, I NEED THEM!!!   I'm thinking just because this is the biggest one I'll attend maybe that's why I feel a little defeated (well that's what I tell myself anyway ;)

Silver Lining: The one good thing about the fair was definitely meeting people.  I can at least say that I have met many of the principals if I do end up getting an interview later. This have prepared me for what I need to do next time as well, goodness I have a lot to work on!

I've been working on improving my resume (!!) and Andrea over at Cheers to School had some tips today even that I can put into use very soon on professional development.

What is your number 1 tip for being interviewed or job fairs?







Sorry for the short post, I'm wiped out mentally from this fair and need to catch some sleep before school tomorrow!
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Author Study

Today in my observation class, they started an author study on................guess who............................................................ KEVIN HENKES!!! How cool is that?! He has some awesome books!!  We even learned things I didn't know about him, ok, I really didn't know much because I've only read  his books but needless to say,...I was enlightened.

First, we watched a video about how Henkes creates his books- AWESOME! He goes into detail but still keeps it interesting and I've honestly never really thought about the illustrating process before.  You can find it ~ here. 

Next we read:

Which is just the most amazing book...and can teach a great lesson to students as well!!!

He has some other great books (see below) that we will get into soon!




I just found Chrysanthemum at a garage sale and am so excited to add it to my future classroom library. Kitten's First Full Moon is the book Henkes talks about in his video, it makes me really want to get the book after learning about all the illustrations!!

What other author studies do you do in your classroom?  or ones you have seen for the K-2 age range? I'd love to get more ideas!!!!



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Kid-ism and a Great Blog

Clothes packed, nails painted...feeling productive! Now only if my headache would go away :(

Not ready for Spring Break to end!  Thought I'd share this amazing website I found! Well its a blog really....BUT ITS AMAZING! Basically my whole Kid's Crafts (ideas for camp) is devoted to it!  By the way..if you aren't following me on Pinterest you should!

So onto this amazing website....E IS FOR EXPLORE!
E is for Explore!
I have found a TON of science ideas!!!! But they have ideas for other subjects as well, all in one place!!! It is worth checking out for sure!   Whether you are looking for activities for kids or new exciting ways to introduce material in your classroom, I'm telling ya there is something for everyone!

By the way: I'm in no way compensated or anything like that for this....I JUST LOVE IT THAT MUCH!!!!


So I thought I'd end the weekend with a "kid-ism" one of my kids said the other day (just in case you might need a laugh)

(talking about glasses)...."Ya, I think I might need glasses too,  when I close my eyes....my vision goes black."   In that case, I think everyone might need glasses.  Tee-hee :)

I Love "kid-isms" they crack me up!!! Hope your weekend ends well! I'm off to do more planning.



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Shaving Cream Paintings

Whew...Spring Break is coming to an end....why do I feel like I have so much left to do?!

So Friday, I only had a few kids at camp which was great because I got up so early.  We flew through the activities that were lined up for us with still a few hours left.  What to do, what to do?

I remember one of the activities I was planning on doing for camp this summer and luckily we still had all the supplies.  Our shaving cream paintings were so much FUN! They were messy and each one turned out unique. I think when doing art, each child should have a say in how they project goes, if they want to change something or modify it...go for it!!! What a great way to learn!  Each kid got to put their own colors and mix it before we put it on paper.  The kids had so much fun making these, and seeing how they turned out I can't wait to try them with even more kids this summer.


They may not be the most beautiful things..but watching all the colors swirl together was  A BLAST!!

First: Put shaving cream in a big tub
Then: add water colors and take a toothpick and swirl them around anyway you want
Last: Press paper (we used heavy white construction paper) on top of shaving cream and wipe off excess.




After wiping away excess, you magically see how the watercolors stick to paper but shaving cream doesn't! It was so fun revealing what was underneath.

I apologize for not getting pics of the process but only one of me and all the kiddos, that was a little difficult.

This would go great with a lesson on color mixing as well! or just plain fun!!  So easy and cheap!!

Note: We used washable water-based watercolors (just in case they get on hands) but I know that there are more vibrant colors available.  I got this idea from http://totschool.shannons.org/?p=3917


HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY EVERYONE!



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Two Awards...Me-Oh-My!



I feel like getting two awards today is awesome...especially after the day I had.  Car doesn't start, never enough sleep...but oh well.

I forgot to mention I also forgot the wax paper when ironing those weird plastic bead things and...



this is what happens....sadly.  So I got to spend my recess peeling off the beads :(

But, alas, there was some good in today as well: 

1) I got 11 hard back awesome kids books for $9 at the awesome annual used book sale!  Always makes my day and the kids even previewed them today.  The book on snakes was a huge hit since we talked about spitting cobras yesterday!+ garage sales start tomorrow (so many books!!!! and so cheap!!! LOVE!!!!)
2) March Madness starts today-YAY! We have a family pool every year.  I love picking teams, it's always fun to watch and see who wins :)


Onto awards:

1) the Giver Award from the 3am teacher

She gave it to all her follower-- AWESOME!  It even features some of her new ABSOLUTELY FREAKING ADORABLE PUDGIES CLIPART ANIMALS - Are they not adorable? Honestly, that's why I typed it in all caps!  

2) A top 10 blog award from Luckeyfrog's Lilypad!
Top 10 TBA 


This is a new blog and let me tell you - I've already found some great freebies and awesome advice- so go check her out....as in like right now!!! 

Here's some awesome people I'm passing the award onto! 

1. Cheers to school 







A great blog from an awesome recent graduate!

2. Primary Princesses 





Primary Princesses
Fantastic and super cute blog written by 2 amazing teacher!  TONS of great ideas! 




3. Mrs. McCumbee's Class




Super fun blog with really applicable advice! Check her out!





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Busy, busy, busy

Busy....will be the description of my life from now until the end of school it feels like :(

So on the plane coming back today I read the SkyMall magazine to alleviate some of my fear of flying (like this helped).  I found it quite comical thinking, "Who would really buy this overpriced stuff?" I mean nothing comes in under 40 dollars!! All of it is particularly useless as well.....its just a hodgepodge of the weirdest things I've ever seen but I've got to admit it was entertaining to the say the least...in a bad infomercial you-cannot-stray-away-from-kind of-way.

Well low and behold, after work (yes I worked after getting up at 5 this morning to board a plane!) what do I see?  Would you believe.....a tricycle stroller from SKYMALL...I SWEAR!!! I did a double take!!!!  I wasn't sure what to think. First, I've never see these things in real life and second, really? today? and in a relatively small town?  I couldn't decide if it made my day in a good way or not? It was....well entertaining at least :)

So...working at camp.  We were building with Magna Blocks (LOVE THESE THINGS- so fun...even for me...I did not admit that....ok I did) .  This got me thinking about my math classes and talking about 2-D vs. 3-D shapes with kids.  I asked some of the kids what this shape was? Triangle, was correct as I suspected.  But when I built a triangular prism or pyramid...that was a triangle too (when I asked--even with the 2 shapes side by side)

This got me thinking how if you point to a Unifix cube or eraser calling them by their correct name (either rectangular prism or cube) can be very important at a young age.

I love to just build with the kids...its so fun to see what they come up with.  I'm sure I'll post more about this soon.....Happy Wednesday Everyone!

 
How do you address 2-D vs. 3-D shapes in your classroom? Do you ever use manipulatives to help with this and if so which ones?



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Planning.....

So at least I'm on Spring Break now, which is awesome, but all this free time makes me feel like I have so much to catch up on and do!!!!  (I know I'm crazy- I've already made a to-do list for the rest of the semester- YIKES!)

Spring Break and in the 70s apparently got me thinking about...summer....and summer means.....CAMP!!! I love me some camp!!! I have the BEST CO-WORKERS in the entire world which make it a great place to work.  I used to just be a counselor at camp but last year I got my own "Discovery Room." Basically I do  science/cooking/arts or exploring whatever the kids find cool!!  This was one of the best learning experiences of my life! I get my own room to plan for 10 weeks for a variety of grade levels- there could not be any better practice for teaching.  I truly loved every minute of it!!  That's where some of my activities come from...ideas I used last year that my kids really enjoyed, granted it is not school but we do so much fun stuff and they still learn- so it works out well!!

Back to the planning part....not so much fun.  We already have our themes for summer but coming up with lessons for K-5, 5 days a week for 10 weeks is intense!  I could just plan them the week before, but I love having my summer basically off- so I plan now and just execute later!  (Well besides minor modifications anyway)

Last year I used a template for the week and wrote my lesson plans on it.  This year I think I'm going to do something a little different since we are having more groups and use one paper for each day and just keep them clipped together by weeks!  See the pic below for the one I just created!

Email me if you want a copy...I just didn't think this would apply to as many people so I didn't upload to Google Docs.  The Graphics are from Melonheadz and Graphics from the Pond!  

I think I'm going to print them out and then color code them with my cool pens when I start planning.  I have found some awesome websites and ideas....more on that coming soon!




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My Go-To game

Imagine walking into a primary classroom, without knowing a single student, and trying to run their classroom for a day.  Sounds ominous...but I have to admit I do love subbing, hey, I get to give the students back at the end of the day!!!

So there is always inevitably a few spare minutes between one activity or the next and I quickly realized this leads to CHAOS if you have nothing planned.

Well...one teacher left me a note in her sub plans about a game that her students play when they have some spare time.  Let me say for some odd reason this game stuck and I find myself playing it in a variety of classrooms I sub in!  The game is called "What's My Rule?" and it is SO SIMPLE! Plus, you can control how long it takes and for a sub this is perfection!!!

"What's My Rule?"

I usually start (but if the students know how to play, a student can start) and find a characteristic that some students have in common (hair color, type of shoe, wearing a certain color...anything really) 

then I say "Julie fits my rule." (Julie would come stand in front of class) then I would pick around 4 other students for 5 in total.   Then I pick students who are sitting quietly to guess the answer or what they have in common.  

The person that guesses correctly gets to make the new rule! 

For younger students, they need help making rules and older students can make more complicated rules, but overall this game is adaptable and has been a LIFESAVER for me.

What games do you use during transition time?  I would love to have more to keep in my repertoire!! 












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My Sub List FREEBIE

Welp,  I'm trying to work on my Google Docs again.....it is a battle let me tell you.  I'm just experimenting with creating things and linking them to the blog has been a CHALLENGE!!

If you have any tips/tutorials I would love to hear them!!!  I was keeping them on Google Docs since they are free but right now I'm screen capturing the picture and linking it but I have a sneaky feeling that there is a much better way to do this...........hmmmmm.....

Well onto what is free..............TA DA!!!! Click on it to dowload


This is what I use to keep track of my sub jobs for a certain month.  It includes date, school, job number (which is used in some districts!), half or full day, teacher, and a section for notes.  I need this to stay organized and to make sure I get paid of course.....which subbing in different districts with different pay periods can be quite troublesome :(

Hopefully, you can use this for yourself!!! I'm open to other ways to keep track of sub jobs as well if you have any.

One of the districts I sub in, has an online system which is nice but when subbing in multiple schools/districts I really need all my info in one location for my sanity's sake :)


I think I hear my homemade cheese tortellini in a garlic cream sauce with crab and shrimp calling my name.  (Yes- I did make this!  and the sauce I just dreamed up with no recipe- I'm pretty proud of it!) If you haven't noticed yet, food always sneakily makes it in my blog posts...I blame Food Network for my love of cooking and baking.

Hope your weekend is going great everyone!~


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My first award and management idea

First, I GOT AN AWARD!  This is great and I owe a BIG thanks to Emmy at Daydreams of a Student Teacher!  Go check her out, if you haven't already.



Rule 1: Link back to the blogger, who gave it to you (check)

Rule 2: I'm suppose to give this award to 15 bloggers, I'll try my best but I'm pretty sure quite a few of you have this already:
1. Sally from Fairy Dust Teaching




2. Keri At Teach, Play, Smile

3. Ok...so I'm having lots of trouble finding blogs that have not received this award but if you want it....it is yours!  (I'm blaming this on me being new....I really did look at quite a few blogs!!)

Rule 3: follow the person that gave this to you (check :)



So onto the management part of this post, my practicum teacher uses some sign language in her room to cut down on interruptions- how brilliant is that?

When the students are in centers or times they are working independently they use this sign if they want to use the bathroom: 
and VOLIA!! no interruptions and she has to do is acknowledge them with a nod and they grab a pass and off they go!  The way she uses it in the classroom is brilliant, plus no one comes to bother her during center time-which as you know can be quite an issue!

Do you have an sign language you use in your room?  Does it help cut down on interruptions or distractions especially during centers? 

Spring Break for me =)  While I'm not doing anything super exciting, at least I'll be working on homework at home instead of at school (sadly- I have too many projects due when I return to just RELAX) 




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Currently, Learning, crazy blog life

First, I am linking up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for Currently....my first one! How fun- I loved creating it. 


Second, my presentation is over- and it went well! Thank goodness- thanks for all the good vibes guys, they definitely helped!

Third- being a new blogger and all, I've been just roaming around trying to find tutorials to make my blog cool and awesome so I thought I would share some with you.

Check out this website to get cool multi-colored font if you hover over my blog titles or titles of blog on the side!  If you didn't know I love rainbows so this is perfect if you ask me!!!!

Also, Ladybug Teacher Files has some amazing tutorials for anything from threaded comments....to so much else.  Click her button below to check it out for yourself.



Finally, The 3am Teacher just posted about the cool heart sharing thingie (for lack of better words)
CHECK THE LEFT BOTTOM CORNER OF MY BLOG!

I would love for you to test it out by sharing something of mine :)  

I'll keep you updated on any awesome tutorials I find, peek around my blog and ask any questions as well.  As a newbie blogger, I'm just trying to figure it all out myself :)





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