Sunday Scoop, Science and a Surprise !

Well if you follow me on any other social media you already know my surprise but....

 I'm Engaged!

My amazing boyfriend is now my fiance!! I'm so excited to be his Mrs. and to plan a wedding but man I am already beginning to see what a task that can be! Any advice appreciated lol

In other news I wanted to do the Sunday Scoop Linky since its been a while.

I promise it seems like I just did laundry and already the basket is filling again. To be honest I don't think we've put all the clean clothes up from a week or two ago...don't judge lol

I'm currently on fall break but it doesn't mean a break from everything. I plan to try and get ahead with that hw so it doesn't sneak up on me. And speaking of school its time to apply for my Spring graduation! :)

So since I'm engaged we’ve been looking at venues in our area. Since I'm off this week I plan to do some calling and researching. Its exciting! And of course I'm trying to sleep in. Even trying to convince the fiance to take a day off with me lol

And I surely don't mind staring at my new accessory all day! I'm still addicted to having such a beauty on my hand each day. And I feel so blessed to have found my person!

And just a little #sciencefun before I sign off 

This week we reviewed matter and did a few more hands on experiments thanks to the influence of my latest TDG Science PD day.

 

We started the week by exploring different materials to determine the properties of solids and liquids.

Later in the week we added solid skittles to liquids like hand sanitizer, mouthwash and water. We predicted what would happen then recorded our results.

Last we explored various solids and changed their shape (broke crayons, popsicle sticks, and Styrofoam cups) to determine if they would remain a solid. Most of them predicted no! Lol good ol first graders

But that's a bit of a catch up for now. Have a great week!

Hello September! Bring on Fall, math centers and freebies!

I can't believe it's already September. I can't wait until it actually begins to feel like Fall. I'm trying to refrain from pulling out all the decor and scented candles! I forget how much time really flies when school is back in session. I'm sooo grateful for this 3 day weekend! But I admit it makes me wish every weekend had that extra day! Lol

So I wanted to link up with the Currently linky but its a tad late for that, I'd be number 3295 hah. I love those linkys but that one tends to fill up so quickly. So I wanted to blog but wasn't sure what to write about until an Instagram buddy gave me inspiration.

I posted this photo and @mirandalarayne (who's an awesome TN teacher BTW, follow her on insta and twitter!) Asked about my math centers. I am still working them in with our new curriculum but they have been going well so far so I'll share what works for me!

*Side note*

This summer I went to ITeach1st and was able to see one of my faves Reagan Tunstall present about her math centers and guided math layout. Although I couldn't implement my math centers in the same exact way her presentation did inspire me to use math centers in my classroom. I've used them in previous years but I'm trying to improve that area this year. Below is a link if you would like to see some of her post about guided math.

**

Number talks/ Spiral Review

I I begin my math lesson every day with number talks or a problem of the day. This is a countywide initiative where I teach so number talks and spiral review problems are provided by the county. This takes about 5-10 min. 

These half composition notebooks are where we write our problem of the day. I added labels.

Mini Lesson

Next we begin our lesson. As I said earlier we have a new math curriculum, and I'm definitely still getting used to it. Our lessons seem more broken down with this new program. Because of this latley I have strived to have a 20-30 min mini lesson whole group. This is when we review vocabulary, refer to habits of mind and habits of interaction, try out concepts on whiteboards and engage in discussions or partner talk about our math. It may also be a time to show a video that demonstrates the concept.

Centers

If we have a new center I introduce it before I give the rundown for the day. I demonstrate the activity whole group.

Then I let them know their centers for the day. We use the MATH acronym but I've seen others use BUILD or STACK. I prefer 4 rotations for our time frame. Each center has a basket with the corresponding letter and an activity inside.

M- Math Facts

These are centers like flashcards, number order games, number recognition activities, addition & subtraction Facts

They were playing roll and color. Roll the big foam dice, color the number. First to fill their row wins.

A- At my desk

This is where the student is typically working on something independently. It may be a worksheet or some other type of activity. Last week our activity was filling in blank 120 grids.

T- Teacher's Choice

I use this center flexibly. If it is a newer concept and I want to review with all group members I may have them come to my small group area. If I know of some friends that need reteaching I may call them to my table while the rest of the group practice skills on computers or at a center in the T basket.

H- Hands On

This is where the students do something, usually with manipulatives, that tie into the recent lessons. This may be modeling addition or subtraction problems. playing with a large 120 grid, etc. 

Setting up to play "How Many Am I Hiding?" A game to practice finding missing addends.

Other Details

The length of centers can vary depending on the time remaining in my math block but I usually like at least 10-15 minutes for each. If necessary I could also limit the number of rotations. Two long rotations on day 1 ( ex. 20 minutes) and two long rotations on day 2.

I get the games and activities from a variety of places including the materials my school/ county provides, TPT, pintrest ideas, etc. I store games and centers by standard so its easy to know what games apply to what lesson.

 This year I want to improve by incorporating some reflection and metacognition time at the end of the lesson, I just want to look into how to do so effectively. We have a TDG math lab coming up so that will give me some time to consider it. 

I hope that was helpful to someone! And if you have questions feel free to ask. Since you hung in so long, why not snatch a freebie? Here are some labels to use for math centers. I use a set with magnets on my whiteboard for rotations and a set on the corresponding tub or basket. Maybe I can grab a pic with them Tuesday...anyways

(Click the picture to be taken to the freebie in my TPT store)

Enjoy your weekend!

I've already been enjoying mine!

Back to School!

Well I am pooped!! The beginning of the year always wipes me out but it was definitely worth it. 

Here's a little First Day pic from my 4th year :)

We had a great first few days and I already see a ton of potential with my little learners. 

We played a simple math game where students had to work with a partner to order numbers from 1-20. When they completed the task they had to stand quietly to signal that they were finished. They thought it was a race but in reality it was a perseverance exercise. Every student got a prize for completing the task. We will rely on this perseverance as we work through fun and challenging math problems this year.

Here are a few more pics of us working together in math and students reading around the room during Read to Self. We have been building stamina all week and reached 11 minutes by the end of the week. 

(Stamina chart from Amanda Myers, click for TPT store!)

We also made time Friday afternoon to complete our Back to School bead glyph activity. 

(Freebie in my store, click to check it out)

They loved learning about each other and apparently everyone LOVES math and literacy (either that or students just wanted extra beads, lol hmm...)

Last but not least, this weekend I finally had some time to grab a few items from Dollar tree, Target and Office Depot.

Also, Office Depot cut my composition notebooks in half ( I think it was .75 c for every 2 notebooks)

Now of course mine looked completely different! So I resorted to last year's technique of covering them with duct tape!

This will be our math journals to record our problem of the day. Just gotta print some labels and stick em on! 

Well back to relaxing on the blow up mattress my boyfriend and I pulled out to be lazy in the living room :) haha #backtoschoolmadness

Hope you have a great week!

Five for Friday and classroom pics!

Happy Friday y'all. Hope your week went well. Especially if you've already headed back to school. I've had some PD days but no kiddos yet! Next week we will be back at it!

Anyway linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for the 5 for Friday linky :)

So here's a recap of my week

This week began with the TPT sale which was exciting. I grabbed some goodies of course! But the highlight was waking up one morning not by my alarm but by the little "cha-ching" sound! My sales are always random but that was such a nicely timed coincidence :)

This one is silly but I got pretty decent atntwisting my air and when I took it down it was really pretty! 

My grades came in for the summer term and I got 3 A's!! Woohooooo! These classes kicked my butt, especially school law. And yet everthing turned out well and I'm one step closer to graduation!

I blogged about this earlier this week but I updated a little diy project and the classroom and I was pretty pleased with how it came out. I realize the time for these lil projects is slowly diminishing....sigh

 And last but not least I'm pretty much finished with my classroom! I included some pics below. Its pretty similar to last year but hey if it ain't broke, don't fix it! Lol I like using a theme of stars and not limiting myself to certain colors as you can  probably see. 

These letters are from the pack they gave everyone at the TPT blogger meet up!

(Click for panoramic)

Well that's all for me this week. By next week I'll have met my new kiddos! 

 Hope you have a great weekend! 

Tuesday Made it! lol & a Freebie :)

Hey guys. I have a Tuesday Made it for ya lol I started it yesterday but needed some extra materials so I had to finish it today. Either way I'm sharing it with you and a little freebie at the end if you'd like :)

So my task was to update this guy here..

As you can see one of my yellow labels went missing and I had to improvise. Also my pan was starting to look dingy after 2 years and  I just felt like it could use some improvements.

So I bought a new pan, slightly smaller maybe 9 x 13, and remade some labels with larger print and borders. I actually just recycled that ribbon because it was cuter than any I currently had. I hot glued the ribbon on and placed magnets on the back of the labels to attach. On the back of the cookie sheet I used 3 command strips.

By the way "Brain Boosters" are any pull outs, it can be Special Ed, ESL, Mentors, Interventionists, etc.

(ignore the magnets that need to be remade! That's the next project!)

Looks better to me though! So if you'd like a set of these labels I attached them below as a freebie. Feel free to snag and share. 

Now back to this TPT cart... we are down to hours ladies & gents make sure you take advantage of the awesome sale!

Thanks for stopping by!

Currently - August!

One of my latest hashtags on my Instagram has been #slowdownsummer but at this point it feels almost futile! Students report August 13th so ready or not, here they come, you can't hide.. (Sung to the Fugees melody if you know it lol)

So I'm linking up with Farley  for the oh so cute Currently linky. Did you know she also makes classroom versions? Sweet!

Listening

Last week Mr.Handsome and I did our detox week. Its just something we do from time to time to reboot. We make our own rules which include no red meat, eating out and worst of all NO COFFEE! Omg I made it but this coffee this morning is going to hit the spot.

Loving

Our weather! The temperature has finally dropped a little making it amazing. Yesterday we went on a little hike and I'm actually writing this post this morning from my porch :). I should be listening to Summer Breeze 

Thinking

In service days are slowly creeping up. The school year is approaching! I'm excited to begin a new year but I always get a case of the nerves too! I'm looking forward to continuing to grow as a teacher. Its one of my current goals. Have you set any for your year yet? Post them on Instagram!

Wanting

I wish I could rewind last week but with my homework already finished! Lol my work consumed me for the last week and it just felt like the most. I'm sending love to anyone else in grad school right about now. I just have to remember I'm almost finished! And it's for the kids! But man, no more budgets, essays, or audits please!

Needing

Even with all that complaining above, hey I had to vent just a little, I need to go ahead and sign up for fall classes. I will graduate in Spring so 2 semesters to go! I can do this! And if you're in school, so can you!

B2S RAK

I love this idea! And I love the plan Farley has to drop things in the teacher mailboxes. I'd like to try that. I also wanted to send a teacher one of my products and all the necessary craft materials to complete wit their class. But I don't know how I could collect addresses and randomly send it to someone. Any ideas? If so please share! 

Well thanks for reading. Hope you've linked up as well :) Have a great week!

Oh an don't forget the TPT Back to School Sale Aug 3-4th!
My store will have some items on sale  :)

5 Tips for heading back into the classroom

So I know some of you have already went back to work in your classrooms already, and a few of you have already begun your new school year (omg!). I also know a few lucky teachers still have 40 something days of summer break ahead of them. 

Regardless, I've had this post on my mind for a while so I wanted to share. Here are a few tips for heading back into the classroom after summer break!  

Tip # 1: Just Don't!

Seriously. Just don't go. That's the most important tip. Lol okay, I'm kidding but the point is don't go back too soon. We ended late May and I overheard some colleagues already making plans to be back in June! Ahhck! I can't imagine. I want to enjoy at least some of my summer break feeling like an actual break. I waited until we had about a month until school before re-entering my classroom. Everyone is different, but please give yourself a break. You've earned it! :)

Tip # 2: Have a plan

I tend to sketch out a floor plan for my classroom if I can. I am in no way an artist but it helps me to think about where things are going to, especially my big furniture. It's easier to erase a bookshelf than move it over and over. 

Tip # 3: Chunk it up

A super cute postcard that came with my EC Teacher planner

Yes we know teachers are superheroes but greatness takes time! Don't try to tackle every project as soon as you get there. Realize that some things can wait, especially if you have given yourself about a month before things get started. Now some people prefer to spend a week and knock everything out. If that's you have at it. Otherwise realize sometimes its okay to hit the lights and just come back to it later. Soon you won't have that option!

Tip # 4: Get help

Mental help. Cuz you're a teacher. What were you thinking? Just kidding! Once again sometimes we need to take off the cape and ask for a helping hand. See if you can bribe a girlfriend or your significant other to come spend an hour or two. It makes it more fun and efficient.

Tip # 5: Make it your home away from home

Me and my best buddy Mickey

You will be spending a LOT of time in your classroom. Make sure you add some personal touches like photos, plug ins with your favorite scents, etc. The little things really make a difference in the long run.