February Currently

It's been awhile since I've even done one of these! I'm excited to be back in a semi-groove with blogging.

This little guy is still sleeping away! Don't get me wrong he got up at 4 (usually only once a night) great for a 2 month old! He's growing up so fast! He changes every day!!

He can coo and talk with the best of them and I love recording him!

He has a pesky pretty bad cough, that we've been to the doctor twice for.  Thank goodness not RSV or anything just virus but geez....even with what they suggest...still haven't had any improvement.  He's been sick and so has my husband, One day soon I hope we're all well!

I am excited for our new traditional literature unit we are starting on Monday! We did a round of book clubs in between genres and my students really love what this genre has to offer.  

I created a Traditional Literature Tab Book  to help my students keep the different types of folktales straight.  They were so excited about this!

       

There are even QR codes on each page linked to video examples for students to watch and fill out.  There are definitions, examples, characteristics, and practice on each page. 

Also, if you have not tried this in your classroom - it is a great FREE management tool and privilege for a class.  Check out my post to see more details!

I chose that title because as you can see in this post, motherhood has slightly consumed my life.  One day it would be a dream to be a Balanced Betty but right now the scales have definitely tipped and I'm ok with that. 

6

November Currently

I'm linking up to let you know what I've been up to lately:

Last night we through a Couples Halloween Minute to Win It party - SO FUN! Now that all the chaos has left....it is calm...back to some cleaning!    We had some really creative games and I know the couples had fun.      Here was our team name:  (only a couple weeks till we meet our little one!)

I'm loving that Halloween week is over - granted it was a great time in our class.  We had so much going on this week between Red Ribbon Events, end of quarter, etc....   We enjoyed our Biome projects and presented them to a younger class, we read our Descriptive Writing Haunted Houses by flashlight for a spooky effect, did some fun dialogue activities (with pasta! -see below), did some animal adaptation projects as well - WHEW!! 

   

   

I'm definitely relaxing after all the busy-iness that was this weekend so far, besides the grading papers ...has to be done sometime.

I'm in a dinner slump and have been looking for super easy ideas to eat throughout the week since I'm usually pretty exhausted.  

I'm reading:  

He is one of my favorite comedians - because he is CLEAN! Well about 99% of the time and just absolutely hilarious.  His first book (this one) is all about his take on parenting, perfect for what will happen in a couple weeks.  I'm so enjoying this fun read.

Our book club just finished: 

Besides not being much for historical fiction, I did read it and I thought it was pretty good.  I may not remember all the historical details but the plot and events were interesting and fun to read about. 

6

Currently...October...can it be?!

This school year is flying by! I'm really excited with how far we have come though.  I'm getting my 4th grade groove on and really feeling better about this grade level - it just takes a little bit.


Loving....it has to be a tie! We just did this Monster Genetics Lab and it was FANTASTIC! My students loved it and I got to see their learning in such a cool way!

          

but celebrating National talk like a Pirate Day, was just plain awesome! You can check out that post and more here.  I love how much the upper grades really get into this!

Thinking: how lucky I am!  So this happened!!! Never in a million years, did I think I would make it there...little old me??  

Be sure to follow on Instagram and FB - had some giveaways yesterday for this milestone. 

I'm completely humbled and blessed by my followers :) 

Wanting: some motivation! This 33 week pregnant lady is tired, and my mind is mush most nights after school.  I have some great projects I want to work on but no energy or time to complete them.  I am enjoying the laziness though and just embracing it.

Needing: to finish up maternity plans and get over this cold! The teacher I took over for, retired, and she is my maternity sub, which really puts my mind at ease but I still want to make it as easy as possible for her and have copies made since the holidays are such a crazy busy time anyway! (Baby E is due 11/17....so it could work out to have Thanksgiving off and come back after Christmas!!)

My Monster Genetics Pack is on sale! TREAT for you wonderful followers! Also check out these goodies I created last year for October in Kindergarten.  One is FREE!

5

5 Back to School MUST HAVES!

Its FINALLY HERE! The B2S Sale that is.  I know for some it might be dreaded or you might not go back for awhile but I have to report by the end of next week so this could not come at a more perfect time! My cart is full and am I'm excited to get a chance to purchase more materials before the start of the school year!

*Stick with this post for a chance to win a product of your choice from my store - B2S doesn't get better than that! *  

I'll leave you with my Top 5 items you should consider for your classroom this year: 

1.  Interactive Notebooks! I'm so excited to start these in my room this year! I think these are so engaging for students and are a great way to introduce the concept of notes while not overwhelming students.  

I'm excited to use my Study Your State Notebooks! 

2. Classroom Jobs - I take help where I can get it.  Moving up to a new grade level I definitely will give my students more responsibility in our room and hope to instill a pride in their work.  I will only change jobs a couple times a year so they will work and perform that same job for a majority giving them a chance to excel!  We are even applying for jobs!

Here's a peek at how they are looking in my classroom: 

Did I mention they are Editable?! Love Love LOVE THESE!

3.  Fun Science Resources! I don't know if this needs explanation but these are great to engage students or families! Here are some tried and true ones to make science extra special: 

            

4. Caring Classroom - I have a post coming up soon about this....but if you want to create an environment of caring in your classroom this year - this is NOT to pass up! Packed with ideas and resources to use all year long!

5. Exit Slips - these are essential as more and more administration are requiring formative assessment in classrooms! These have fun Tech and Social Media themes that students will LOVE!

 Ok now that you have seen my MUST HAVES for my room - let me know what you want! Pin any of these pictures or any product from my store and leave the URL and your email below.  I'll pick *some* winners that will get their chosen product before the sale - saving some moolah! 

PIN AWAY! 

5

Monday Made It - Rolled Paper Table Decor!

I finally have time to show off a little of what I have been working on!  These got so much activity on Instagram  (Even Queen of the First Grade Jungle commented...be still my blogging heart!) that I thought I should show you how to make them.  I was inspired by First Class in 4th Grade after I saw hers on Instagram and then made some of my own signs to go along.  

I know most teachers are perfectionists - NOT ME! If it is pretty good - I go with it.  I'm sure there are ways to get these more precise but for my taste they looked great! 

Without further ado ....  how to make them. 

I realize you could call these flowers...they look like flowers...I didn't want to use that word so they are table decorations! 

Supplies: 

Paper (I got mine at Target)

Table signs - plenty on TPT I haven't posted these yet but could if there is interest)

Scissors

stapler

NO glue or tape - yep crazy easy even I could do it! 

I'm sure you could fasten in a more decorative way but really the staples blend in with the dark chalkboard and is so much easier than gluing anything in there! 

You going to try them out? Really the cost of paper was the whole cost and so EASY! Trust me if I can do it, anyone can do it!

5

Five for Friday

I just whipped up these Open House/ Meet the Teacher Signs if you need a "Welcome" sign then go grab your grade level! I would LOVE feedback if you do download!!

Mine will be on my Smartboard during this time.  I made them pretty generic to work with any decor!



Here's a sneak peek of just one of my displays in my room:

Be sure to follow on Instagram as more sneak peeks are coming until I can get back in my room and do a full reveal.  Next week we can't go in AT ALL for cleaning....so it will be a little while :(




I've been working on some more technology themed room decor.  I don't really have a theme...or didn't want to but after creating a few things it kind of just fell into place.   Here are my iPhone name tags that will make their appearance in a TPT pack soon! They look so awesome on their desks! They display the grade level, their number and name along with some classic icons.

More on these coming VERY soon - stay tuned!

After Vegas I realized I needed to get into organized shape...therefore this binder was born.  I will be more organized....I will be more organized....if I keep repeating it - it has to work right?!  I really love the bright colors and how my dividers and cover accidentally match.  

We moved 600 + miles and 2 states last weekend and my sweet mom left us these goodies on our new kitchen table! It was so fun spending the night in our new home.  I'm already loving being so close to family again and not 8 hours away ...PLUS I get to decorate the nursery in our new house! So excited !!!

3