I won the Healthy Helpings Game over are Teaching with Love and Laughter. You can check out the game over at Learning Resources by clicking on the picture or the game name.


 Thanks Lori and Learning Resources!


And last but not least, I took a personal day and spent the day with Zach at his field trip to Medieval Times.  I can't believe how fast they grow.  I need to remember to slow down and enjoy each moment.


Now don't forget to head on over to Kasey at Doodle Bugs Teaching and check out this linky:)

 Today I am linking up with my blogging buddy Tamara over at Mrs. Russell's Room.  If you have not stopped by her blog, you NEED to!  She is a super talented blogger and teacher with many fabulous ideas...and her newest is her Fun in the Sun Linky!


So what do I do to relax and have fun you ask:)  On Sunday, hubby and I took the boys blueberry picking.  We always LOVE this activity.  The weather was warm, but not Florida hot so it was enjoyable.  So what does one one with 5 pounds of blueberries you ask?  Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks I say!  No, I didn't make a cobbler or can any.  Just lots of healthy snacking:)

Where has the time gone?  We are still plugging along here in sunny Florida, but the beach is calling my name:)  7 days of school left!  I know I am not the only one thinking about how I can organize better next year.  Check out this amazing linky to help you get ahead of the game for next year!


I was at a Clinical Ed workshop last week.  Look at the organization tip the teacher next to me got from a Thinking Math workshop... A  composition notebook for workshops! 


The first page of the composition notebook is used for the table of contents.  Every time you attend a new workshop, conference or training you add the date, title and page number.


Then number all the pages in the notebook ahead of time for ease.  The suggestion is to only take notes on the right hand side of the notebook and use the left for reflections.

I have to say I love this idea.  I usually file any notes and handouts after workshops, but now they are all in one spot.  I am thinking of using a binder so any inserts can be hole punched and added to the appropriate spot.  Check back soon for a freebie to help you organize a binder like this!

I love organization and everything about it!  My problem is my mind is always turning and I am always trying to find something better:)

As I continue to make and buy resources off TpT, I found I needed a different way of organizing them .  I tried using ziplock baggies, but that didn't work FOR ME.  So I have moved onto manila folders and love them.  Most of my laminating I do at home (usually on a Sunday night...) for activities and pieces.  However, the larger manila enveloped don't fit through my laminator so I have them done at school.


When all is said and done, they are stored in plastic magazine racks.  I have monthly units as well as skill units that are pulled as needed.  I started to add velcro dots, but it made the envelopes that much thicker.  I am thinking of double stick tape.  Thoughts? 

This was actually my last full week of school!  Don't get me wrong, we still have 17 days of school left, but I am taking a few days for a clinical ed workshop, my future sister-in-law's bridal shower and my son's field trip. 

Today I am linking up with Kacey at Doodlebugs Teaching with Five for Friday.  I love her Mother's Days gifts as well as the the version they made for the specials teachers.  How sweet!


Our week of teacher appreciation started off with a sweet treat on Monday.  We also got new super cute school bags, a yummy luncheon from PTO on Thursday and a little spa treatment today!


We did squeeze in a 3rd quarter honor roll as we had to wait until FCAT was over.  Way to go Zachary:)  I love teaching at the same elementary school with my boys.  I lucked out this week as his honor roll was during my planning time! 


After honor roll, we started out cherry blossom paintings.  We painted the stems on Monday and cherry blossoms on Tuesday.  I found this adorable project on Pinterest last year and am so glad I saved it! Click on the bottom picture to check it out on Pinterest. We added a brown mat and laminated them.  I hope the moms love them!


I added these adorable eyes to Daily 5 to add a little excitement to Read to Self and Read to Partner.  This added a little boost of encouragement to stay focused during this time.  We can use any help we can get at this time of the year!  You can check them out on Amazon.


Yes, in addition to Mother's Day, Honor Roll and  Walk-a-thon this week, we have started our Science Fair project.  We completed our experiment on Static Electricity this week and will begin writing it up on Monday.


So Yah for Friday!  We are off to visit some friends who are visiting at Disney.  Hope you have a relaxing weekend with your families.  Happy Mother's Day to all!

I have to admit, I have been shopping, browsing and yes even stalking several TpT stores of my favorite blogger friends.  I have even added two new units to my TpT store over the past two days.  I bundled 4 of my units into  Reading and Spelling Patterns Part 3 at a reduced price.  This includes Over the Moon (Vowel sound/oo/), Jellyfish Fun (Long vowel e spelled y and ie), Aren't We Cute (Long u, Silent e), and Rope It (Long o, Silent e). 


I also finished Nice Robot {Long i-Spelled i and Long o-Spelled o}and listed it tonight!  I am so excited that it is our spelling pattern for next week and I am actually a few days ahead of myself!

I have to give a shout out to Natalie at Teachery Tidbits.  Last night, she had a flash giveaway on Facebook for her newest unit, Life's a Beach and I won!  I already downloaded and printed a few of the games and the kids are going to {love} them!  If you would like to see more, head on over and check it out!


And last but not least, I have purchased a few favorites from Jodi over at Fun in First.  I snagged her April Poems and Songs, April Fluency, May Poems and Songs and May Fluency packets to wrap up our year.  The kids adore her poems and add them to our poetry notebook weekly.  The fluency packets are extra practice for homework and they match their poetry notebook.  That is a win-win because it allows them to share what they are doing with mom and dad at home as well as feel successful at home and school as they build their fluency.  Jodi has just posted a bundled package for A Year of Poetry.

 

So now its off to cut out some laminating, sleep, teach and then shop again.  As always, I am giving away 3 copies of my newest unit, Nice Robot,  to the first 3 people to leave a comment about what they have bought (or added to their wishlist) along with their EMAIL address. 

I am so excited that this week is Teacher Appreciation Week!  It is such a fun week at school with all the sweet gestures from students, parents and administration.  Speaking of...I need to prepare for my boys' teachers.  This year my oldest is in middle school.  I can't imagine him walking in with gifts for his teachers though.  Any thoughts or suggestions for middle school teachers?


Happy Teachers Appreciation to me!  My wish list is a mile long and I can't wait to save a little...ok, really buy some more, but you get the picture:) I am hoping to make a dent in my wish list.  I am also joining in on the sale by putting my TpT store on sale for 20% off. TpT will then take off an additional 10% and that will take you my dear friends up to 28% savings!

I have been busy prepping activities for the end of the school year.  I just posted my Over the Moon Unit- Vowel Variant /oo/ Spelled oo and ew.


I am giving away 3 of these units because I APPRECIATE YOU!  Please leave a comment about your favorite Teacher Appreciation gift/giveaway/memory ALONG with your email address.  I will pick 3 winners tomorrow night.  Good luck:)

And speaking of lucky, Katie Smith, was the winner of my 300 Follower Giveaway.     Congratulations!  

Happy Friday!  I am linking up with Kacey over at Doodlebugs Teaching with Five for Friday again.



Last weekend, I took the boys and headed to the beach with some friends after morning soccer games.  The weather was wonderful and the sun felt so good.  I remembered to lather up the kids all day, but wasn't so diligent with myself and boy was I burnt:(   Here is a super cute picture of Zach and his friends with Cheetos fingers!


We are trying to stay focused in school, but spring fever has hit my room HARD!  We are plugging away in Math on our shape unit.  We have used two and three dimensional shapes in so many lessons.  I had to take a step back and give some exploration time so my firsties were then able to focus on the lesson and not play with the manipulatives. 

I can't believe it is May 2nd already!  Did I totally miss half of April and May 1st?  Anywho, it is time to link up with Farley's Currently.


That's what I love about reading blogs and posting on my own.  It allows us to see what works and what doesn't for us others and ourselves.  It gives a time to reflect on our teaching and to find inspiration for our class.

I am so thankful that I have made connections with bloggers both near and far.  A huge thank you goes out to everyone who contributed  my 300 follower giveaway!  You can check out these fabulous bloggers HERE and see what they are giving away in just over 24 hours to one lucky winner!

Well, if you are still with me head on over to Farley's Currently and link up:)  Talk about inspiration!