Five for Friday....I'm alive!!!

WOW!!!!  I know it's been SO long since I have blogged.  I am going to try and make it on here more often!!!  Thanks to DoodleBugs Teaching for the linky party!

{ONE}

I signed up for my first Donors Choose project!  I'm trying to get 2 mini ipads for our classroom to make the use of technology easier.  Starting October 1 through October 7 if you use the code SPARK Donors Choose will DOUBLE your donation!  

http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/2439673 

{TWO}

I'm LOVING my grade change!  Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adored and loved my firsties but I was ready for a change and second grade rocks!  I even got to keep some of my little sweeties from last year!

{THREE}

It may not have been in school long but we have been digging right in!!!  We finished our Space unit this week.  During reading we identified text features in nonfiction texts and the main topic and details.  In writing we were researching and choosing projects to present our research.  In science we were studying all about the planets, moon, and solar system!! 

{FOUR}

Our class absolutely LOVES GoNoodle!!!!  We have a huge chunk in the morning and that is wonderful but it is even better with GoNoodle.  

{FIVE}

I'm back at it!!  I almost have another product created!  Just adding some final touches to it but I am pretty proud of it.  My students are using Data Binders daily to track their AR points, Sight Words, Fluency (hot and cold reads), comprehension questions, weekly assessments, and somewhere to put their awards and achievements.  This should be posted to my store soon! 

Thank you again to Doodle Bugs Teaching for letting me link up!!  Check it out to find out what some amazing bloggers are up to! 

Wordless Wednesday.... Lexi steals the show!

June 25

Literally as I was getting ready to post my Wordless Wednesday today....this happened.  This is my dog Lexi and she is in need of constant attention and of course, I give it to her!  She's so darn cute!

I felt like it was then necessary to make this my Wordless Wednesday post!  And my question is.....When do you find time in your busy lives to blog? Please comment below!

"MATH" centers

I really struggled this year with getting my Math Centers organized and in a routine.  Then I went down to the KYSTE conference (yeah, the technology conference) and got a FANTASTIC idea from a teacher in Eminence Independent district.  She was doing a presentation on flipping the classroom but also explained an acronym for her math centers.  I took this idea and plunged forward with it....and LOVE it!!!  Take a look!

Each child goes to 2 centers a day and we do this twice a week so they get to all 4 in the week!  Here's how I grouped and displayed them!

M (Math with the Teacher)

This is where the students meet with me and work on problem solving.  It is all differentiated to their level.  I got a unit from Miss DeCarbo and I love it! 

 
A (Assessment)

I use various resources for this center.  I used my own Common Core Math Assessment for a while.  I made it into a little booklet and the kids split up around the room to work on their own and complete it.  I then took the books and printed my tracking sheet to see if the students mastered, need some help, or are really struggling with the skill.  Other weeks for the assessment center I used interactive notebook pieces, cut and paste activities, and printables.  They are always based on the skills we are working on for that week and something where I can check their mastery of the skill.  Then I always have something fun like a mystery picture for early finishers!

T (Technology)

I love technology!  At this center I used the Computers and the ENO board to work on skills that we are covering for that week.  I used Compass Odyssey, Moby Max, Education City and even www.abcya.com anything you usually use for technology and math!  I really have been loving Moby Max because it is differentiated and the kids really love it.  Education City is something I really like to use for the ENO board.

H (Hands On)

This center focuses on hands on activities for the skill we are working on for the week.  So if we are working on place value, the students would be using Base Ten blocks to solve place value problems.  In this picture they are practicing their math facts with a game and flashcards.

I can't wait to start this off first thing next year!  It's such a wonderful way to differentiate the centers and the kids really respond to it!!  I love it!

 How do you implement Math Centers in your classroom?

Five for Friday....April 11

 

I linked up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for this weeks Five for Friday!!!

 {ONE}

 

Yes!!!  It is/was my spring break this week and it was SO nice!!!  Even though I didn't go anywhere tropical... :(  I did get to see one of my best friends in Lexington.  We started off our day going to Keeneland which is a very popular horse racing venue.  It is so much fun to dress up, wear fancy hats, and be outside to watch horses race!! You can probably tell that I am from Kentucky!  So after Keeneland we went somewhere to watch the final four games and watch my CATS from UK advance to the championship game...which was crazy 1. because people in Lexington go crazy during those games and 2. I didn't honestly expect them to go that far so I was so proud!!  What a great way to kick off my spring break!!   

And of course I am spending lots of time with my favorite girl in the whole wide world....my dog Lexi!  We've definitely been enjoying the weather! 

{TWO}

Nearing the end of the year I felt like I needed a final assessment "check" so I created something new!

I'm so excited to finish this new product!!!   It is a common core aligned assessment pack that includes 2 assessments for each standard for the first grade Measurement and Data (MD) and Geometry (G), tracking sheets to check mastery, and self assessments!!! It is on SALE for the first 24 hours as HALF OFF!!!!!!  It goes back to regular price at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.  Click HERE to get it!

I am in the process of making the other categories, Number Operations in Base Ten (NBT) and Operations and Algebraic Thinking (OA) so make sure you check back and grab those!

{THREE}

I had to share this one because I am just so proud!!!  I have been having trouble motivating a student in writing and we recently starting working on our writing that will be published into our very own book.  Look how engaged!!  They are all writing their opinions on their favorite book!  I can't wait to submit it and get the book back for our class library.  To learn how to do this absolutely FREE click here. 

{FOUR}

 I came into school over spring break and organized SO much and I feel so good about what I got accomplished!  One of my favorite things that I did was find a place for my vocabulary words for the week.  Every week we introduce and use different vocabulary words and I never had a good spot to put the vocab cards but a couple of Command hooks and ribbon later... TA DA!  I love it.  

{FIVE}

 

This week my husband and I planned a trip to Chicago to see the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs game!  I am so excited to visit Chicago for the first time and go shopping, eat some pizza, and of course experience Wrigley Field...in hopes Cubs fans are nice to us!!  haha 

Thanks to Doodle Bugs Teaching for this amazing linky!!  Have a great weekend!

 

Five for Friday March 21

I've missed a couple Five for Friday's so I am excited to be linking up again with Doodle Bugs Teaching for this week!  

{ONE}

I am "lucky" enough to work with some very talented people and many of these friends are also fellow bloggers!  On Monday we decided to do a giveaway together with some AMAZING teacher must haves.  The giveaway ends tomorrow so hurry up and check it out!  You could win a $40 gift card, Flair pens, Mr. Sketch markers, Washi Clothespins, and cute post-its!!!  

 

 {TWO}

 Recently after looking through our test scores and some data, our team realized that we really needed to work on syllables more so I made sure in my March ELA and Math pack to include some!  The kids had so much fun and I felt like it did help! 

{THREE}

At our school, we implement a program called Junior Achievement which included many different skills. In first grade it covers needs and wants, family, and jobs.  We have a volunteer which is a parent from our class that is trained to come in once a week for five weeks to teach the kids a lesson.  Today was the last Junior Achievement and boy is my class spoiled with goodies from Buskin!  

{FOUR}

In our core extension group this week for reading we have been having so much fun doing printables from First Grade Nest!  They really seemed to enjoy the activities!

{FIVE}  

So excited that March Madness has started even though my bracket is horrible already!!!  So far EKU (where I graduated from) is currently winning against Kansas which is unbelievable and my CATS play tonight!!!  So excited to watch the game! Go EKU and Go Big Blue!

Thanks to Doodle Bugs Teaching for the link up and head on over to check out some other amazing blogs!

Lucky in Love Giveaway

What teacher do you know that doesn't love teacher supplies?

That is why we are having a giveaway! 

The girls of Second Grade Nest, Party in Primary, Darlin' in First, and Webster's Little Dictionary are throwing a giveaway! And we would love for you to win! 

We are all four friends who work in the same building. Two of us are first grade teachers, one is a Kindergarten teacher, and one is a fourth grade teacher! It is so much fun to see each other during the school day and get to have a quick chat! 

www.darlininfirst.blogspot.com Rebecca from Darlin' Little Learners is giving away her favorite teacher must-have:  paperclips covered in chevron Washi Tape! 

 Amber's favorite thing is Flair Pens! She has donated that to our wonderful teacher giveaway! 

Jessica is giving away her absolute favorite teacher must-have: colorful Post-It notes! 

 And Mackenzie is giving away a pack of amazing Mr. Sketch markers. Who doesn't love those?!

And we all pitched in for a $40 gift card to Teachers Pay Teachers.

To win...

Complete the tasks given in this Rafflecopter.

The more entries you put in, the more likely you are to win! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Liebster Award!

I am so thankful and flattered that Kristin from My Carolina Classroom nominated me for the Liebster Award!!!  I am so new to this and can't believe that I am already finding fellow teacher bloggers out there!  Thank you!!! 

 

liebster (German): valued, kindest, sweetheart, dearest, beloved, darling

The guidelines are as follows:

#1- Link back to the blog that nominated me.

#2- Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers.

#3- Answer the questions posted to me by my nominator.

#4- Share 11 random facts about me

My 11 questions from Kristin 

1 - Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging because many of the friends at my school were starting to get into it and it looked fun and a great way to meet people! I also started to read others blogs more and more often and thought, "hm I could do this!"   I love sharing ideas and seeing others ideas!

2 - What is your favorite thing about blogging?

I love being able to share my ideas with whoever!  I also love the designing part of the blog...they are so cute!!!

 

3 - Which Linky is your favorite so far?

I love the Five for Friday from Doodlebugs because it is a quick snapshot of five things and I really enjoy it! 

 

4 - What advice do you have for beginning teachers?

COMMUNICATE with your parents and COLLABORATE with your team!  Life will be a lot easier if you do those two things! :)

 

5 - What is your favorite part about teaching?

I love when the kids get excited about learning and seem like they are having fun learning. 

 

6 - What is your ultimate career goal?

This changes pretty often.  I absolutely LOVE technology and the idea of "flipping" the classroom and doing BYOD with students so I think that eventually I would like to somehow be the "technology coach" on how to do this and give guidance to teachers in it. 

 

7 - What hobbies do you have outside of teaching?

I love shopping and hanging out with my friends! 

 

8 - If you could travel anywhere, right now, where would you go?

Somewhere...ANYWHERE with a beach!  I am craving the sunlight and warm temps!

 

9 - What is your favorite restaurant?

Rio Grande..a Mexican restaurant!

 

10 - If your life could be a TV show, which show would you choose?

New Girl....it cracks me up!

 

11 - What is your all-time favorite book?

Okay so I am totally a "teen" reader....I loved the Hunger Games series.... 

11 Random Facts about me:

1 - I am obsessed with my dog Lexi. 

2 - I cry like a baby if an animal gets hurt or mistreated in real life or on tv....

3 - I change my hair color all of the time

4 - I have a classroom pet bunny, Lucy and the kids think we are the coolest class because of her

5 - I have a sweet tooth....Reese cups are my fav!

6 - I am pretty OCD about my classroom organization and neatness but my house seems to always be a mess

7 - I host Trivia with my husband on Wednesday nights

8 - I love technology

9 - My husband claims I buy more decorations and things for my classroom than I do our house

10 - I still cheer at my high school alumni games....sad because I graduated in 2005

11 - I am addicted to Diet Coke...it's a problem

And now for the nominations!!!!!

Mackenzie from Webster's Little Dictionary

Deshae from Primary Talk

Sara from Miss B's Special Education Classroom

Nicole from Firstie Favorites

Pauline from First Grade by the Sea

I love your blogs!

And my Questions for you are.....

1. When did you know that you wanted to be a teacher? 

2. What is your favorite band? 

3.  What is your favorite educational book? 

4. What do you enjoy doing in the summer? 

5. Do you collaborate with your team?

6. Do you have any pets?

7. What is your favorite hobby?

8. What do you hope to improve on this year?

9. How do you use technology in your classroom? 

10. What would/is your favorite grade to teach? 

11. What was your favorite moment so far as a teacher?

Have fun!