March Currently

       February went SO fast!  I can't believe that it is already March!  With all the snow falling, you might not realize that spring is just around the corner, but since March is here, I am linking up with Farley over at Oh' Boy oh Third Grade for the March Currently!

Listening:  I am usually in bed by 9 or 9:30 so we DVR just about everything!  The nice thing about that is that at times when there really isn't anything on TV, we can watch what we have DVR'd.  

Loving:  I know, I know...I keep hearing people complain about the snow we keep getting.  But, the bottom line is it is COLD out.  If it is going to be cold, then I LOVE having the snow on the ground. Today it snowed another 5 or 6 inches and it is so pretty outside.  

Thinking:  So, I did not go to Vegas last summer.  I would love to go, but know that it will be a pretty big financial investment.  I am wondering if it is worth it or not.  I would love to hear thoughts from those that went last year!

Wanting:  A delay last week pushed our PARCC testing back.  We had testing on Friday and we have it again tomorrow.  I am hoping that my kiddos are going to bed early tonight so that they are ready to go first thing tomorrow morning. :)

Needing:  On that note, if we had a delay tomorrow, the testing would be pushed to Tuesday, which would be much better for my students.  Not to mention, I could use sleeping in a little bit on a Monday morning.

Spring Break Plans:  We have 4 weeks before spring break, so I really haven't thought about it until now.  I am hoping to relax, get some of my projects done off of my to do list, and who knows, maybe take a little road trip.  Last year, I took a last minute road trip to Charlotte, where I used to live.  Never know, a road trip may be in my future! 

Teachers are HEROES! Time for a TpT SALE!

      Who doesn't love a sale and what can be better than a sale to celebrate amazing teachers!  Teacher's Pay Teachers is having a site wide sale. I will have EVERYTHING in my store 20% off during the sale on Wednesday, February 25th! 

Click on the picture below to head to my store and find lots of goodies on sale!

Five for Friday- February 20th!

      This has been one CRAZY week!  We had a professional development day last Friday, then Monday we had off for President's Day, we went to school Tuesday and Wednesday, and then had yesterday and today off due to below ZERO temps!  Yikes! Not to mention we have PARCC testing next week.  I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching to share a little bit of my last week. 

1. This past weekend we went skiing on Valentine's Day!  We went down to Winterplace, West Virginia!  It was FREEZING, but the snow was beautiful and we had about 5-6 inches of new powder that fell throughout the day. 

2. Google Docs and Chrome Books-  When I moved back to Ohio one of the biggest changes was the lack of technology in my new school compared to my old one.  My old school had iPad carts, 2 computer labs, multiple computers per classroom, etc.  My new school has very minimal technology.  However, our school just got additional Chrome Books and my kiddos have begun publishing their writing on Google Docs.  What a success it has been!  They are loving it!

3. More computer fun- We are learning about Immigrants and how Immigrants have created the diverse community in which we live today.  We have used the Virtual Field Trip on Scholastic.com to go through the different stops for Immigrants as they entered Through Ellis Island.  They had a blast going through each stop and searching for information on their web quest.

4. This was from a few weeks ago, but since I haven't posted in a while, I thought I would share.  Our school had our FIRST Multicultural Night.  It was an amazing hit!  We had over 14 countries represented.  There was a TON of delicious food, fun dancing, games, and more. I was on the committee for developing the night and we weren't sure what the turnout would be. We were thrilled and excited when we realized that about over half of our student population attended the event!

5. I posted about the book Notice and Note in January.  I have continued using these Signposts as a way to help my students gain deeper understandings of the characters and texts which they read.  I just had to share this with you again!  SO, if you haven't read the book or tried the Signposts in your classroom, I STRONGLY encourage you to check it out! 

      Also, I am admitting to be a nerd when I share this part with you, but there is a Facebook page for the book.  It is GREAT.  Here you will find other teacher's ideas, successes, failures, questions, and more.  There have been Google Docs created with books and the signposts within those books.  Click HERE to access one of those Google Docs!  If you aren't sure about the book itself, first go checkout the Facebook page first and see what you think.  Click HERE to head to the Facebook page for Notice and Note.  Click on my picture below to go back to my previous posting about the Signposts!

Happy Friday!  If you are off today like me, enjoy your long weekend!

Thank YOU, Thank YOU, Thank YOU!

TpT Success!  

   This past week or so has been super exciting for me and my TpT store!  I recently hit over 250 TpT followers and over 800 comments!  I really enjoy reading the comments that people write.  I am glad that other teachers are able to use my products in their classrooms!  

     In honor of the recent growth at my TpT store, I am putting everything in my store on sale 20% off today and tomorrow!  Head over there today and tomorrow to grab something for your kiddos at school.  My STORE!  

Five for Friday...First Week Back from Winter Break!

      I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for another Five for Friday!  The best part of this week for me was that I only had to work 2 1/2 days!  Not that I don't love my kiddos, but easing back into work after a two week vacation, was exactly what I needed. :)

1. This past weekend we went skiing!  The ski slopes are really just hills, but it is still fun and we went when there was snow, but before the frigid air came! It was perfect timing!

2. Speaking of snow, we had a SNOW DAY on Tuesday!  It was great! I was able to get some school work finished, work on a TpT product, finally go see The Hunger Games- Mockingjay, and go for a walk in my new snow boots! :)

3. Cold, cold, cold! This is what my weather app said on Thursday, hence another day off school.  Yep, as of Thursday I had only worked Monday and Wednesday!  

4. I am currently participating in a book study in which we are reading and implementing Notice and Note.  I love this book.  It really has helped me to teach my students to read more closely and to pay attention to key details within the text.  If you have not read this book, I would suggest doing so! 

I finished a new product that can support Notice and Note, over winter break.  This week, I have been busy teaching about the sign posts that I had not yet taught.  This week in my reading groups, I was focusing on Words of the Wiser.  This is when usually an older and wiser character, pulls the main character aside to give him/her advice.  The kids are realizing that the advice given is essential to understanding the life lesson and therefore the theme of the text. 

The product below has black and white copies as well as color copies.  My school has a poster maker, so I printed the black and white copies. Then I colored them to make them pop out a bit more.  You can see my posters below. You can check this product out, by clicking on the picture below:

5. On my snow day I finished up my most recent Cam Jansen Novel Study!  I love Cam Jansen mysteries and so do my kiddos!  Click on the picture below to check it out!

Happy Friday!  I hope you enjoy your weekend!

Sad News

    
      As the new year begins and the second half of my tenth year of teaching is just days away, I have some sad news to share.  I usually do not post sad or even personal information on my blog, but felt moved to share this story.  After teaching 9 1/2 years, I have taught somewhere around 250 students.  Each one has come into my classroom and while I have tried to teach each child, they all have things that they have taught me as a person and as a teacher.  
     I feel that as teachers, we know that some students leave a larger imprint on our lives, more so than others.  They are the students that even after 9 years you know their first and last name, you can quote them verbatim, remember their mannerisms, see the faces they would make, and hear their voice.  
     Just before Christmas I heard that one of my former students was in the hospital.  He had been sick at the beginning of December before an unexpected downward spiral.  This past Tuesday, Ryan passed away. 
      Ryan, was an amazing little boy.  I had him for first grade during the 2007-2008 school year.  It was my third year teaching.  He was bright, funny, sweet, and loving.  He LOVED cars and trains.  With a train track near our school, he could hear the train whistle even when no one else could.  I can still hear him singing "We Are the Champions" all the way to our field trip that year.  I can remember the hugs that he gave me in the hall after he moved on to second grade.  I remember his sad voice when he got upset about things that frustrated him.  
       As much as I loved Ryan, working with him wasn't always easy.  But, I realize that so many students who challenge us are the most memorable students.  Those were the ones placed in my classroom for a greater purpose than simply to learn academics.  Those are the kiddos that teach me and his/her classmates about all aspects of life.  Ryan taught me a LOT that year.  I know for sure that he taught me to be a better teacher.   

     I urge you, as you head back to school after hopefully a restful winter break, to look closely at each child in your classroom.  Even on the hard days, remember that each one is in YOUR room for a special reason.  Cherish each little kiddo that steps foot in your room and know that they may just be there for a special purpose. 
    While I can't be in North Carolina today my thoughts are with Ryan's family and the community in which I used to teach. 

January Currently- Happy New Year!

Can you believe another year has ended?  It is hard for me to feel like it is a new year because my internal calendar begins in August and ends in June.  Hmmm...I wonder why?!!  It is not only the new year, but a new month and that means it is time for the January Currently.  I am linking up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade. 

Listening: After taking down most of the Christmas decorations (except the tree of course), we cleaned this morning.  Trying to get some things taken care of before going back to school on Monday.  

Loving: Winter Break!!! Need I say more?! Two full weeks off is amazing and I don't want it to end!

Thinking: I have been thinking about starting my next TpT product over break, but I sort of took a break from everything, so it hasn't happened yet.  Thinking about starting it up today or tomorrow.

Wanting: My Christmas tree to stay up forever.  I don't know about you, but I love sitting on the couch at night, watching tv, and having the tree all lit up!  It is so pretty and peaceful!

Needing: Our report cards are done digitally and they are due online by JAnuary 12th.  They take FOREEEEVER to complete. I would really like to get them finished up tomorrow so that I don't have to worry about them when we go back and start up the third quarter on Monday.

Yes: I will stay active outside this winter.  So often, in the winter I simply go to the gym, but walking/running outside is something I want to do more so this winter, than last.

Maybe: I would like to run a 10k this year.  I have ran many 5k's and one half-marathon.  There probably won't ever be another half for me, but I would like to try and train for a 10k. 

I wish: I just wish that everyone has a happy and healthy year! 

Enjoy the last few days of your winter break! Happy New Year!