Collaboration is key for my teaching practice!  I love sharing and listening to others at school, across my county, in Florida and across the US.  Teachers have so much to share and so little time to share it.  Sometimes we just have to set time aside and take the time. Yes, the papers to grade will still be there and may be dust in my house, but I feel refreshed!

 

 

 

Our school and county are supporting teachers and not only encouraging collaboration, but finding creative ways to plan for additional time for collaboration.  It does call for a little extra planning for the teachers, but it is nice to have extra time to plan and collaborate on instruction as well as assessment. 

 

I have been blessed to live in sunny Florida as there is an abundance of bloggers here!  It is encouraging and comforting to see what others are doing across the state.  We can relate to each other, share stories, experiences, frustrations and accomplishments.  It has become such a support system!

 

 

What is more fun sharing with these fabulous bloggers and teachers? A meet up at Sea World where Florida teachers get in FREE!  Yes, you heard me right! A school id, pay stub and your teaching certificate is what you need for your FREE annual pass! #

 

Teacher bloggers and Teachers Pay Teachers has encouraged collaboration with so many.  That's why we all get read blogs, isn't it?  A new idea, connections and a quest for innovative approaches is what brings us all together. 

 

Last weekend I went to New York to meet other teachers from across the country.  We had time to sight see, enjoy dinners together, attend a Brain Pop training, and visit the TpT offices to meet the faces behind the scene!  We even had time for a show on Broadway.  #tpttakesnyc

There were definitely lots of teacher superstars there!  Do you see any faces you recognize?  All I can say is I am re-energized, inspired and ready to take on my firsties! It was an amazing weekend.

 

So tell me,  do you take the time to collaborate?  I do hope you can find the time.  I know it makes me a better teacher as my teaching practice evolves.

 

Where did this week go?  It totally flew by so quickly.   I am linking up with Kasey from Doodlebugs Teaching with Five for Friday!

 

HELLO October!!

 

Florida Octobers are a little different as they mean temperatures drop from the 90's!  This weekend central Florida is getting a "cool" front and night temperatures drop down to 60 with daytime highs at 82!  I am so excited:)  YES, REALLY!!

 

I celebrated fall last Sunday with my sweet friend Tamara Russell from Mrs. Russell's Room and my favorite fall dessert (and now hers)! Stay tuned for the recipe and a FREEBIE at the end of the post!

 

 

I am also linking up tonight with that very same friend for "What's Cookin' in Your Class?".  You can check out Tamara's post along with her fabulous fall resources by clicking on the picture below:)

For those of you who follow me, you know our district's adopted reading series is Wonders by McGraw Hill.  I have organized my units and classroom with this Wonders Supplemental Unit.  It includes flashcards, phonics games, vocabulary activities, study guides for a home connection and word work spelling lists.  Here is a sample of what's included.

I then added my Phonics Interactive Notebook {Wonders Supplemental-Grade 1} to my word work center. It is available for Units 1 and 2 with additional units coming shortly.  My kids love the twist added so they are not doing traditional style worksheets. 

Next week is a review week so we will be working on reviewing  using Sight Word Bingo, Quiz, Quiz, Trade and Mixed up Sentences!  The topics are open ended and include Columbus, How to Carve a Pumpkin, Going Batty, my Halloween Costume, My Favorite Halloween Candy and Spider Facts. 

As promised, Pumpkin Crunch will be sure to WOW your family and friends! It is a Pinterest favorite at my home and I am sure you will LOVE it if you are a pumpkin fan:) Click on the picture to see the recipe under my Yummy Foods board and be sure to follow me on Pinterest while you are there!