New Year's Resolutions

It is almost New Year’s and you know what that means – time for New Year’s Resolutions. I am linking up with Second Grade Nest to give you my resolutions.

First, I want to learn how to create my own clip art. I bought a scanner a few months ago and have started an Adobe account. So the next step is to try it out. I am not an artist but there are a few things I could draw. I want to use the artwork in my classroom and for my TpT products. So, wish me luck!

Next, I want to get my office organized. I have piles of papers that need to be filed or trashed. I have been in an extensive remodel of my house and needless to say, my paperwork has suffered with all the moving around. I just carpeted the rooms, so it is time to organize the office. I am going to purchase a new file cabinet and get started. Yeah!

Surprise, Surprise – I want to eat better and exercise more. Lately, I have been eating more than usual because of all the holiday parties and family visits. Plus, I haven’t been to the gym in the last few weeks. I love how when things get crazy, it is so easy to drop eating well and exercising. Oh well, I am geared up and excited to get back on track!

Next, on the remodeling road is to complete my master bathroom. We just completed our floors with travertine and carpet this fall. Right now, my husband is installing all the baseboard and molding around the doors and windows. But this year’s goal is the master bath. We just need tile everything and install the cabinets. We have the fixtures and tub already. The shower is functioning – it just needs tile too. So as usual, it is time and money. When I get my tax return we will have the money and then by then my husband will be done with the baseboard and stuff – so he will have the time - lucky him!

Finally, I signed up for my new Spanish class. I am super excited – it is with my favorite instructor, Carmen. I learn so much from her. This is a conversation class - something new for me. Two classes to go and I will be ready for the test. I am almost there!

Thanks for stopping by - I hope you have a wonderful year ahead!

Sunday Scoop - 12/7/14

Happy Sunday! Here is my Sunday Scoop!

This week I am linking up with the gals from 

Teaching Trio.

 Three things I have to do:

1.   I have to put my house together. We just got carpet in 6 areas of our house – five bedrooms and the living room. So needless to say, I have a lot of furniture and stuff in the garage and patio that needs to go 

back in its place.

 2.   I have to write a practice test for my students on fractions. I am using NY engage math to do common core math, but I like to have a practice test so the students are prepared for the test. We are still learning how to do math with common core. My students still struggle sometimes with what they are being asked to do.

3.  Laundry – not only my weekly clothes but linens and blankets. I have cleaned out rooms that stored some linens and blankets and I want to clean them before I put them back.

Two things I hope to do:

1.   Finish my TpT product I am working on right now. 

I am making a visual presentation for the book By the Great Horn Spoon. When I have read the book in the past, it helped students to have a slide show of vocabulary of words they didn’t really know. For example, I would put up pictures of paddle boats or pantaloons. Now I am going back and adding questions to the PowerPoint.

2.  I am hoping to have some extra time to read some books I bought. They are in Spanish. I am continuing to improve my Spanish so I become bilingual. The book sitting next to my bed is El Libro de la Vida (The book of Life). It is about a 3^rd grade level – just my speed. I know most of the words, but as I tell my students, reading improves vocabulary. So, that is what I am doing – in Spanish.

One thing I am happy to do:

1.   This Wednesday for our staff’s professional development we are all going bowling. My principal is having us do team building by bowling and having pizza together. I am looking forward to having a good time with my colleagues. We are always talking and working together to help students. This will be a 

fun change.

Thanks for visiting! I hope you have a good week and Happy Holidays!

Currently December!

The holidays are here and I am so excited! I am linking up again with Farley at Oh Boy 4^th Grade for December Currently.

Listening: to “Christmas with the Kranks”. As my family is sitting here watching the movie, I am working on my website and blog. I am actually watching too. I don’t know about you, but I have trouble watching TV without doing something else. It is like, I get bored – go figure. So I am usually doing something while I watch TV – correcting papers, working on the computer, etc.

Loving: new carpet in my house. My husband and I are in an extended remodel. We made our three bedroom, two bathroom house into a six bedroom, 4 bathroom house. We just finished the tile floors and sealed them Thanksgiving morning. So, tomorrow the carpet is coming! I am overjoyed. I feel like I will have a “real house” now. We have been on concrete for two years. It just takes time and money, but at least it will only need minor details after the carpet goes in. Here is a picture of the newly sealed floor.

 Thinking: about the next 3 weeks. So much to do in school and out. At school, we have a Book Fair, toy drive, preparing auction item, and Holiday Party (and that is all on top of teaching). Then of course, there is shopping, decorating, and holiday parties.

Wanting: to start Holiday Cards tomorrow with my students. I am involved in the Holiday Card exchange with Projects by Jen. She does it every year. Each group has 30 teachers. Your class is to create and send out 30 holiday cards to all the people in your group. Then my class receives 30 holiday cards from classrooms around the country (sometimes the world). It is great to be involved in the project. She has other great projects during the year too. Check Jen out at Projects by Jen.

Needing: to figure out what I am teaching tomorrow. I enjoyed my week vacation so much, I am in denial about going back – Ha! Ha! I know I am starting a new module in math and continuing activities for Daily 5. I am going to be doing a writing piece on Native Americans and a Weather Newscast project with my kiddos. But I haven’t ironed out the details. I am going to have to work on that after I do this post.

Giving: hope to family members. Unfortunately, my husband has an uncle who has cancer. We have decided to go visit them this holiday vacation in Albuquerque. Both my husband and I have each lost a parent to cancer. It is always a difficult time, so we want to go visit him and the family.

Happy Holidays to all!

Sunday Spotlight!

Happy Sunday Everyone! 

Thanksgiving is around the corner!

I wanted to highlight some Thanksgiving products that I created for my classroom. In my classroom, the early finishers participate in math centers. My Thanksgiving Math Activities covers Multiplication and Division using Common Core Standards. When students are done, they can work on these task cards. They are mostly word problems, since my students need extra practice with those.

 

 

I have a set for 4^th grade and one for 5^th grade. If you teach a 4/5 combo as I have, you can get both grades as a bundle for a discounted price.

Each has an answer sheet for students to fill out and an answer key.

If any of these products interest you, I will have them on sale for the next 24 hours.

The teacher I would like to highlight is LeAnn. She and her sister, Jody, are the creators of Thank a Teacher. They have many products that are made for 4^th grade. I especially like the Native American units. It is always hard to find well written text for 4^th graders on California Native Americans. 

Check out Thank a Teacher.

Five for Friday!

Happy Friday to Everyone!

       I am linking up with Doodlebugs Teaching for my “Five for Friday”. It has been a busy week and only one more to go until break – yeah!

       I finished my report cards and started conferences with parents. Our report cards are a new version to align with Common Core Standards. I used Google docs this year to have my parents sign-up. It worked great! I sent the link through email and posted it on my website. The parents were able to go to the page and sign-up!

       Working on Native Americans in social studies. We are reading and seeing how each region of Native Americans is effected by their environments. We also have been creating an interactive notebook on the Native Americans.

       My students had a test today on the capitals of the U.S. That is what I will be correcting this weekend. My students are always anxious to find out their scores – so I try to grade them quickly.

       I joined “Project by Jen” for her annual Holiday Card exchange. I have done it before. It is fantastic! You have your class make 30 holiday cards and send them to all the classrooms in your group. You will, in return, receive 30 holiday cards for your class. My students loved receiving holiday cards from classes around the country (and a few from other countries).

       Finally, I am happy the new Student Council members at our school started the recycle program today. They are all trained and the custodian said they did a great job! Yeah!

Currently November!

Happy November Everyone! I got my November Currently up today – yeah!

Listening: to Big Bang Theory in the background. My hubby and I love this show. We have all the DVD’s, so we just rotate through them when we can’t find anything good on TV to watch. I am working on the computer while he watches. I find myself laughing as I listen.

Loving: the mock trial my students participated in today. We went down to the Federal Court and the students did a mock trial in a courtroom with lawyers, a court reporter, and a judge. It was fantastic! My kiddos were so attentive and they did such a great job! This was my first field trip there – definitely going there next year.

Thinking: about grades. Our grading period ended on Halloween. So, now I have to start putting my grades together for report cards. Also, starting next week, I have conferences with parents. I have a few busy weeks ahead. Thirty conferences for thirty children.

Wanting: more time in my day. I am, like most of you, overwhelmed with all I have to do each week. From personal to teaching to needs and responsibilities. I love it, but if I only had an hour or two more in the day. Well, the good news is, it always gets done. Don’t ask me how.

Needing: to go shopping. I need to go to Costco tomorrow. I have several things I am out of in the house. Plus, this time of year, there are some good deals.

Reading: Memoirs. My students wrote memoirs this last month and now I have the fun job of grading them. The good news – this is last assignment for me to grade and then I am completely ready to do report card grades – excellent!

Thanks for stopping by! Visit Farley’s blog at Oh Boy 4^th Grade to read others who have participated in the November Currently!

Learning With Halloween Activities!

Halloween is only a few days away! It is so fun to see all the creative costumes the kids put together. My staff always coordinates our costumes and this year, we are all dressing as Waldo.

I am going to use my Halloween Activities - Across the Curriculum Packet this week and I wanted to share with you what fun things you can do for the holiday.

I always have a reading selection with questions and a vocabulary sheet. The story I am using is “The Headless Horseman” – one of my favorites!

I have a list of books that are related to Halloween and they are all picture books so you have time to share more than one. I included a writing assignment where students write their own narrative. I have a list of writing prompts related to Halloween.

Math is always a subject I like. I wanted my students to review: standard, word, and expanded form, so I made candy corn math activities.

       For social studies, students can create a tombstone of someone famous. Then you can decorate your room with tombstones of famous people for your Halloween party.

       The science activity is done in two parts. The first part is to do a directed drawing of an eye. I dissect a cow’s eye every with the other 5^th grade classes, so I did include the directions for the dissection as the second part. If you are up for that, it is all there for you. I know some of you will be just fine learning about the eye and drawing it.

       Finally, I have several fun activities for students to work on Halloween Day. I personally like the Mad Libs activity – those are always so funny! I also have a word scramble and word search.

       Hopefully, you are inspired to do some fun activities across the curriculum this week for Halloween. I hope you all have a wonderful week and an even better Halloween!

Sharing Our School's Safety Day!

Our school does Safety Day with style! We are extremely fortunate to have arrangements where policeman, fireman, border patrol agents, SWAT, service dogs, and rescue helicopters visit our campus.

We started the morning off with the two helicopters landing on our grass field – one was the fire rescue and the other was a police/Cal Fire helicopter. Once the aircraft were secure, our students rotate through 8 stations: police motorcycles, police dog, border patrol agents who do rescues, fire department, fire rescue helicopter, police and Cal Fire helicopter, SWAT, and police cruisers.

The students listen to presentations by each department and get to ask questions. Each station focuses on safety and rescue. When all grades (K-5) have completed all the stations, we sit down again to watch the helicopters take off.

I am always amazed how exciting it is each year. The helicopters bring back memories for me because my grandfather was a helicopter pilot. I was so fortunate to have flown many times with him.

My students and I return to class where we write thank you notes to all those who volunteered to come and share with us.

Thanks again to all those who participated in Safety Day!

Liebster Award

I am so excited!  Thanks to Kelly from Lattes and Lunchrooms for nominating me! I actually had not heard of this award, but I am thrilled to be a part of it. I am a new blogger and am excited to see something that encourages teachers, like me, to connect in the blogging world.

The Liebster Award is an award for up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.  It feels wonderful to be recognized and it is a great way to meet other bloggers. Thank you for the recognition and I have a few questions below that I answered about myself. 

Why and how long ago did you start blogging?

I recently started blogging this summer. I have been looking at other blogs and have enjoyed the ideas and wisdom that other teachers have shared. I thought it was my turn to get into the action.

What one word sums up the heart of your blog and why?

Sharing: I use my blog to share ideas with others. Teaching in general, is an isolated profession. I don’t know about you, but when I get together with other educators, we start talking about things that go on in our own classes. I enjoy those talks because I get great ideas and inspiration to create things in my own room. Well, that is what blogging has done for me. I don’t have to meet up with someone, I can read blogs at my own leisure and do the same thing.

 Is there something you learned late in your blog journey you wished you knew before?

I am still pretty new to blogging, so there are things I still haven’t learned. I just participated in my first “Currently” linking party. That was a lot of fun to hear from others, while seeing what other teachers are up to at the beginning of the year. I look forward to doing it again.

What is your favorite past time other than blogging?

I like scrapbooking. Surprise, surprise! But it is a great outlet for my creative side. I just remodeled my house and now I have a craft room. I am over the moon about it. I also like sewing too. So I plan on spending a lot of time in my new craft room.

How many hours per week do you dedicate to your blog?

Right now, I spend about 2-3 hours a week. With three kids, a husband, and two dogs, I don’t have much time at night and weekends. But I do try to post at least one day a week. I think it will get better as the year goes – the first few months of teaching always require so much out me.

 What category of blog posts do you enjoy the most?

I like blogs that have a variety of ideas: teaching tips, practical products, useful ideas, etc. Of course, it is always great when you find a blogger who teaches the same grade and subject areas because you find most of the stuff shared on his/her blog is relevant to what you do.

Where does your blog inspiration come from?

Mostly, it comes from my day in the classroom. I am trying to carry my camera with me more because several times a day, I think, I should share that on my blog.

Which post that you've written are you most proud of?

That is hard to say. I guess I liked the “October Currently” because readers got to not only learn about me as a teacher, but I had included some personal things in it as well.

Is there any post you have been planning to do, 

but have postponing it for a while now?

I do want to share more of my teaching ideas for discipline and simple strategies I do to motivate students. They are in my head and I use them daily, but I just haven’t had the time. Too much to do and not enough time – and that is the truth!

What is your favorite aspect of blogging?

I like connecting with other educators! We have so much to share – it is great to give and receive!

Which recipe, project, or idea on my blog would 

you be most likely to try yourself?

On Kelly’s blog – I checked out her store and thought her Morning Message Sticks were a really cute idea!

Here are my 11 nominations. Hope all of you enjoyed what I had to say and I look forward to reading your blogs.

My nominations are:

1. Victoria and Trisha from 2 Super Teachers

2.  Brynn from Brynn Allison’s Blog

3.  Carol from Carol’s Teaching Garden

            4.  Brooke from Countless Smart Cookies

            5. Martha from Two Smart Wenches

            6.  Lisa from Lisa TeachR’s Classroom Blog

 7. Angie from Fun, Food, and Figurative Language

8.  Valerie from Georgia Grown Kiddos

9. Jean from JWDesigns and Teaching Tidbits and Treats

10. Darci from Kinder Cutie

11. Kristin from Kinderdoodlez

(Hopefully, I have only nominated those who qualify!) 

To those who have been nominated, here are the "official" rules for accepting:

1. In your post, link back to the blogger who nominated you as a thank you and "shout out." (Follow their blog if you haven't already!)  

2. Answer the 11 questions given to you (the ones I answered above).

3. Nominate 11 blogs of your choice that each have less than 200 followers. Provide them with 11 questions to answer or have them answer the questions above.

4. Let your nominees know that they've been nominated and provide them with a link to your post so that they can accept.

5. Send your nominator a link to your post so that s/he can learn more about you as well! (You can just put your post link in the comments below!)

Have Fun!

Karen