Friday already??  Where did my spring break go?  I keep procrastinating and have decided I am going to do lesson plans tonight.  A bit ahead of schedule as it is not even Sunday night yet!

I am linking up with Kasey at Doodle Bugs Teaching with Five for Friday tonight with a little of this and a little of that:)


One- On Tuesday, I had a girls day out with my cousins and aunt visiting from Rhode Island.  We had lunch at the Tea Room in town which was fabulous.  It was such a nice treat for me being that I have 2 boys, it is not a restaurant we frequent!











Two- On Wednesday, we took a road trip to St. Augustine for the day.  At lunch, the boys were being sweet with each other, so I had to snap a QUICK picture as the moment wasn't sure to last too long!  I also found an adorable sign:)











Three-I FINALLY pulled out Easter decorations. This move has really thrown me for a loop!


4- I made a little game to for the word work center called Aren't We Cute? Long u Silent e.  You can check it out HERE.  I will be giving 3 away to the first 3 to leave a comment with their email address!



5. I am having a little sale in my TpT store  including my new unit, Aren't We Cute? A big thanks to  The Creative Chalkboard  for the adorable graphic.  Now its time to help everyone do some spring cleaning to clear out our carts:) 

I LOVE PROJECT LIFE!  (Sorry, just had to shout it out!)  If you love pictures and/or scrap booking and have not heard of Project Life, STOP right now:)

Project Life was developed by Becky Higgins after she left Creating Keepsakes magazine to say at home with her children.  As her family grew, Becky quickly realized that there was not enough time in her day to keep up with her photos and traditional scrap booking.  Becky soon developed Project Life with the support of her husband, David.

Project Life is a photo system that allows you to  keep up with your family pictures without all the hoopla!  You can read all about it at Becky's Website. She also has a blog linked to her website with lots of inspiration.

The BEST news is, Project Life is featured on HSN today at a fabulous price.  I have been using Project Life for 4 years and adore it.  My kids love it because if it wasn't for Project Life, my pictures would still be on my computer. 


     


There are 2 versions of Project Life and a few different ones over at Becky's Website.  It is the BEST thing I have done.  My class even uses her personal yearbook version of this that she offers for FREE on her website. 



All that you need to do is slip in title cards, photos and journal a bit.  THAT'S IT!! I would love to hear what you do with your pictures at home and in the classroom:)

This year, I have been focusing on building my selection of word work activities.  At the beginning of this year, I noticed my kids could SPELL the words correctly on tests, but struggled to READ the words in isolation and in context.  The connection just wasn't there.

I searched for games on TpT and had luck with some spelling patterns and not so much with others.  I found many were included in seasonal packets (and who doesn't love a theme?) but our reading series' timing was often off from the seasonal activities.  (Insert SIGH!)

So I have been working on games that, for the most part, are not connected with seasonal graphics.  Do you like this?  Don't get me wrong, I love thematic units and seasonal units and I do make and purchase LOTS!  Just wondering if you have bumped into the same obstacles as me...

So, I have completed a new game for Long o, Silent e called Rope It!  I will be giving away 3 copies to the first 3 comments that include an EMAIL address:)



Finally, head on over to Teaching First for the BEST Science Giveaway!  Science integrated into reading and writing with the Common Core is my focus for next year! (Always thinking ahead:) You have 3 more days to get in on the fun.


The spring break clock is ticking as we have 3 more teaching days!  I hear the beach calling my name:)

I am linking up again with Kasey at Doodle Bugs Teaching with Five for Friday.  It is always such fun to see what everyone is up to.  I am sad to say, that I lack pictures of Saint Patrick's Day Activities, but will share some of our busy week.


1.  Our first grade team participated in a Lesson Study on the book Fishing in the Air.  We met a few times to find our Common Core Standard to focus on, find a matching book, activities and lesson plans for 3 days.  We were then able to observe each other to focus on student engagement and evidence of higher order questions.  It was a great experience.

2. On day 2 of our lesson study, we chose an excerpt from the story to chart and let the children identify key words that appealed to our senses and created a feeling (RL1.4).  We worked on coding the text with sensory icons whole group and then with individual samples that were typed up from the story.  It was a challenging activity for some, but the discussion came together on day 3 and it was great to get input from others.

Over the past 17 years, I have struggled to embrace a classroom management system.  I have used clips and colored cards, but always struggled with the "negative" consequences.  I know so many of you use clips that move up for good behavior, but I felt like I wasn't consistent with that. 

This summer I read a post by A Teeny Tiny Teacher.  The title of the post was I Don't Use a Clip Chart, Please Don't Throw Rotten Tomatoes!  Kristin is HYSTERICAL as she explains her system and how it works for her.  I am more of a lay it on the line type of gal, so here it is in a black and white sort of way.

My kids get 2 golden tickets for coming to school on Monday.  They can earn extra tickets by making good choices as an individual, as a group and as a class.  They earn golden tickets for bringing back homework on time, for getting compliments in the hallway or from specials teachers and for  a million other things.  HOWEVER, tickets can be and are taken away for inappropriate choices.  If you lie to me, you loose 3 golden tickets (GASP!).  Only once, someone took another child's golden tickets and they lost ALL their golden tickets for the WEEK! 


On Fridays, the kids get to turn in their golden tickets for fun Friday activities.  I totally copied Kristin and have the kids tally their tickets. {LOVE THIS}.  Kids that have earned at least 5 golden tickets are invited to Movie Monday where they get to eat lunch in the classroom with the teacher watching a movie of choice:)  It makes coming to school on a Monday just a little more enticing!


So head on over to A Teeny Tiny Teacher and check out the low-down on this awesome management system.  It has changed my classroom community and the parents love it too:)

Diane over at Fifth in the Middle has created a Blog by State Link Up where you can grab your state (adorable graphics by Melonheadz) and link up with others from your state.  What a great resource for everyone.  Maybe there will be a Florida blogger meet up soon.  A girl can wish:)


Speaking of Florida, I am anxious to see that the publishers roll out for Reading with Common Core Standards.  We have been told by our district that we will not even see the choices until April and I am betting that it will not be until after FCAT (our state test).  Have you heard anything from your county about reading adoption for next year? Please do share:)

What a crazy weekend!  I was so excited to see the Currently for the month, but didn't have a spare moment to post.  So here I am on the 4th joining in:)  Head on over to Farley's Oh' Boy 4th Grade to link up. I totally didn't know her name was Meghan.  Am I alone there?


OK- if you have been around my blog for a while, you know I LOVE General Hospital:)  Enough said there!

I bought myself a Nook the day after Thanksgiving for $50.00 from Target.  I didn't upgrade because I didn't think I would like it and I didn't want to waste my money. But boy was I WRONG!  I love my Nook.  The only thing that bothers me is that all books are not lendable.  I do not miss actually holding a book like I thought I would. 

My 2nd formal observation is Thursday and I am dragging my feet.  I need to plan a reading lesson and write it up.  I am such a procrastinator!!

13 school days left until Spring Break.  Thirteen is also my favorite number in case you were wondering.  Heehee!

Our team created a rubric last year integrating Common Core Writing  and Grammar Standards.  At first we though it may have been a bit much, but it seems to be right on when grading a piece of writing.  Our literacy coach is fabulous and put all four quarters together on one sheet.  I can't seem to upload the rubric from Microsoft Word as a jpeg so if you would like a copy, please leave a message with your email and I would be happy to send it to you!

Finally, I like anything Mexican, but tacos are a sure go-to:)  I am obsessed with Panera Bread's Green Tea and am in BIG trouble because there is a drive through Panera across the street from our new development. 


Thinking I might need a Large Ice Green Tea soon:)

I love poking around everyone's blogs and rooms to see what's happening!  I am linking up again with Kacey at Doodlebugs Teaching for Five for Friday.

So here are 5 random things about my week:)

1- Zach came down with a fever on Sunday,  hubby took off Monday and I took off Tuesday.  There is nothing worse that watching your sick child.  However, I am to thankful it was just a low grade fever and not the flu!


2-  I used the cards from my Three Blink Mice game (Long i-silent e) to play Quiz-Quiz-Trade (Kagan Strategy).  Each child reads a word to their partner, compliment or coach their partner and then trade cards and go find another partner.  Great reading practice:)

4- A Dr. Seuss step by step drawing was the perfect way to end our week.  The kids loved all the stories, but this activity was a favorite!  I found it on Pinterest and traced it back to Forever in First.