May Pinterest Linky

Can you believe it's May already?  The countdown has begun!  And here's some pins to help you make it though the next few days!  The end of the year is my favorite time of year because all of the stress of testing is gone and we get to have fun while learning!  The worst part is coming up with engaging activities so your students don't go absolutely bonkers.  Here are three ideas to keep your end of the year somewhat sane. :)

I love this first idea!  It's the CUTEST craft, a great bulletin board, and a good self-reflection activity.  I'm loving the idea of a graduation cap, too!  I'll be making this next week with my littles to keep their antsy hands busy. :)

Peanut Butter Bird Feeders are a mess, but the kids will absolutely love them!  Last year I did these at the end of the year.  I made a few to hang outside our windows at school and the kids made some to take home. We really spent way too long watching out our windows.  I'm not joking...I turned out the lights and we got quiet and we counted how many different birds came to our bird feeder...for a lonnnng time.  We honestly might have counted more squirrels than birds, but the kids were still totally engaged!

You just HAVE to click the Pinterest link for this one.  This blogger did her child's birthday party with snacks from various books.  At our school, we are only allowed to watch one movie between now and the end of school...which leaves a lot of activities to be planned between now and then.  This made me think, why not have a book themed snack party?  I am super psyched!  If your students are allowed to bring homemade snacks, you could have them bring in their favorite book with a matching snack.  If they're not allowed to bring homemade snacks, make your own snacks!  Now I am no Betty Crocker, but I can do break and bake cookies and goldfish.  I'd LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to have my kids read the books to their class while they eat their snacks!  Oh, what a nerdy teacher's dream party!

Hoping you have a magical end of the year filled with fun!

An InLinkz Link-up

The Teacher Anchor

I am all about organization and planning.  I may not always be organized or planned, but believe me - I'm all about it.  This year I decided to invest in a Teacher Anchor.  It was definitely one of the best choices I've made all year!  Here is the (beautiful) new and improved Teacher Anchor!

What do I love about this year's Teacher Anchor?  EVERYTHING.  But here's the three things I love the most.

1. The Forms:  I've used these nonstop all year long.  I bought the Complete Teacher Anchor last year (and you should get one this year...).  My favorite part has been the sheets that came with it.  They are so useful and practical.  I use a sheet for each week's small group reading time.  I can easily plan, track, and modify three different reading groups with these amazing sheets!  Now I am able to look back at records through August to see what I have taught each child in my room, what they have mastered, and what I still need to teach them before second grade.

2. The Flexibility:  About halfway through the year, I was asked by my school to use an online planbook through which I was required to submit my plans weekly.  I firmly believe a planbook is like a teacher's diary - you just don't mess with it. :)  But I also try to be flexible.  Even while using the online system to submit my plans, I can easily change the headings of my Teacher Anchor.  Instead of using Math, Reading, Writing, etc., I've been using headings of "To Do at School" and "Activities to Create."  I LOVE that although my situation changed during the year, I can still use my Teacher Anchor for planning what I need to plan - even if it isn't subject areas!

3.  The Little Things: I love the little extras in the Teacher Anchor that you won't always find in other planbooks.  I am crazy about the little stickers that say "Grades Due" and "Early Dismissal."  I love the useful Substitute Sheets that are added in the planner.  The Birthday Calendar has kept me on top of my kids' birthdays throughout the year (because I am really bad about remembering birthdays).  This year...are you ready?...this year you can also get your Teacher Anchor Binder PERSONALIZED!  Is that not the best thing ever?  You can choose between 12 different colors and get your fabulous name printed on the front.  It's these little things that has me DYING for a Teacher Anchor this year!

So please, go quickly to C. Jayne Teach's Shop to view more about this fabulous product for the upcoming school year!

EDIT: So I wrote this blog post, and then I watched this video.  Everything I loved about last year is here AND EVEN MORE!  My absolute favorite thing from last year, the forms, are now in the Teacher Anchor!  I can't hold in my excitement!  Please, please, please watch this video!  It's the best thing you'll do all day!


2015-16 Teacher Anchor™ from Chandra Verbic on Vimeo.

April Pinterest Linky

I can't tell you how much I love this linky.  Really.

So here's my 3 Pinterest Picks for April!

Isn't this just adorable?  I mean, I'm all about teaching - really.  But if there's anything I love more in life, I promise it's food.  With our Scholastic Bonus Points, I bought this see-through veggie grower.

  When we get to studying plants this month, it would be awesome to incorporate the vegetables we're growing in class with this activity!

I might be obsessed with rainbows.  Roy G. Biv is my BFF - for realz.  So do you think I will be decorating my room with these?  YES, MA'AM.

You could use this for everything!  Cloud as main idea, rainbow as details.  Cloud as sum, rainbow as different ways to make that sum.  Personally, I think I'll use the cloud as a topic sentence and the rainbow as details in a paragraph.  I love this pin because it's just so flexible!

Back to the planting, aren't these cute?  They look like regular ole classroom plants...but they aren't entirely!  See those cute white cups?  I use one just about every morning.  They're K-Cups! What a genius idea!  The worst thing about plants in the classroom is that they're a mess.  But with this, you can put a K-Cup in a pan and viola!  No mess - and hopefully not as many tip-overs.  Plus, you're recycling which equal bonus points for Earth Day.  Go you, Teach, go you!

Have a Happy April, everyone!  

P.S. I know you love your job so much you would never count down to summer...but in case you wanted to know, we have 34 days left.  Hoping you are almost ready for vacation, warm days, and having time for yourself!

An InLinkz Link-up

March's Pinterest Picks

 I am so excited to be linking up with Pawsitively Teaching and Inspired Owl's Corner for my top 3 Pinterest Picks!

 

I'm all about Pinterest.  It's by far my favorite teaching and decorating resource, so let's get started!

 

 

I know Read Across America Day was yesterday, but for me March is Read Across America Month.  We just don't stop.  This is a super cute and EASY way to get your kids motivated about reading!

You must also know that I'm a strong advocate of door decorations.  It's tough work and my doors are always full of mistakes, but the kids get SO excited when there is anything on their door.  So this pin, although simple, is everything I'm about.  And you should try it too!

Here's my finished product!  Definitely not as cute as the Pinterest one, but hey, it's there.

 

 

To go along with Read Across America Day (or Week...or Month), I did this bulletin board last year and I'm doing it again this year.  I take a lined sheet of paper and a blank sheet and staple them together.  The kids draw their favorite book on one side and write what they love about the book on the lined side.  I take pictures of kids looking at a book and print them off of my home computer. The kid's pictures will take a TON of ink when you print them off, but it's so worth it.

Just some tips if you'd like to make this bulletin board, put each picture as a slide in a powerpoint presentation.  Then cover all of the background you can with white shapes to save on ink.  If you've taken pictures at a close enough depth, they should turn out perfect!

Last, OH MY GOODNESS.  This is so cute!  I found this leprechaun trap on Pinterest and the link was dead, but it was enough to spark my interest.  I can honestly say I've never done a send home project with my kids.  The school I am at has little family participation, so I always assumed it wouldn't work.  After seeing this, though, all I can ask is why not?  If parents help, they help.  If not, at least I tried!  If you search "Leprechaun Trap" on Pinterest, there's so much more.  Like this letter, for example:

There are so many writing templates to go along with it as well.  I plan on asking my kids to make the Leprechaun Trap and then have them write about it the next week after they turn in their traps.  Crossing my fingers that it will work out, but it sure looks like fun!

An InLinkz Link-up

You Oughta Know About...

I'm super dooper excited to be linking up for my first blog hop with Jasmine from Buzzing with Mrs. McClain!

You Oughta Know About Think Sheets!  This isn't a new idea by any means, but I can honestly say I have never been in a classroom and seen these used once.  They sounded a little ridiculous to me when I first thought about using them.  I was quite certain no six year old child would sit and fill these out responsibly.  Plus, every Think Sheet I found was full of large words and extensive writing lines.  When I'm mad or sad, I don't feel like writing an essay, so I'm pretty sure six year olds don't either.

But, I was out of options.  I was at my wit's end.  I had tried every single behavior management idea from the clip chart to a time out chair to a Kindness Cat that brought around suckers.  I've tried behavior meters, individual behavior plans, and a stinking awesome treasure box that I sometimes steal chocolate out of.  Yeah.  I've been through all of the options.  So I tried the Think Sheets.  And believe it or not, they actually worked!

So here's the process in my classroom:

1.  A child may or may not be given a warning (depending on the action).  Once they've passed "the point of no return," I send them to the "thinking" chair with a lovely paper in hand.

2. They fill it out.  Most kids can read the words themselves, some need help with just a couple words.  By about Number 3, the child's behavior has already turned calmer and more reflective.

3.  They hit the dreaded "Do I need to apologize?" question and realize the choices they made might have hurt someone.  They sign the paper, apologize to the other student(s), and return the paper to me...completely transformed.

4.  If it needs to be sent home, I add teacher notes for parents to see.  If not, I just keep the paper for myself.

It's not foolproof by any means, but so far it has revolutionized the behavior in my classroom.  I deal with less conflicts and the students actively make better choices.  Magnifico!

Want one for yourself?  Click the picture below to get the freebie on TPT.  If your kiddos are further along, I encourage you to find or make your own Think Sheet!  You Oughta Know that if you implement them right, they can really be a lifesaver!

An InLinkz Link-up

Fast Track to Fast Facts

So I'm not really sure how to say this, but my kids love math.  Really.  They love it.

Want to know a secret?  Before Christmas break, they didn't.  I didn't hear one kid talk about how they loved math or how it was fun.  Nope, not even one.

We started this:

My kids are super pumped, super motivated, and they're even STUDYING ON THEIR OWN TIME!  Crazy, I know.

Here's how it all works:

1. I printed out all the pieces included and laminated flags, banners, and racecars.  Instead of laminating the track included, my first grade partner and I used construction paper for a bigger track so both classes could fit.

2. I stuck it all up on a wall so it looked like this:

3. I printed off multiple copies of the facts timed tests and organized them as shown:

Copying the tests on colored paper helps me keep them separate...and it looks like a rainbow.

4. Daily, I grab the tests needed for each student.  They all start at Test 1 and when they answer 10 questions correctly in one minute, they move on to the following test.  I use the handy table included in the file to help me remember how many kids need Test 1 and Test 2 and so on.  I give them one minute, and they put their math facts to the test!

5. If students meet their goal, I move them up!  If not, I keep them in the same place and let them know their progress (and how close they were).

It seems simple, but my students have completely turned around.  When their mental math skills increase, their overall math skills increase.  My high kids are obviously loving to be in front, but my low kids are SO happy when they get to move past another flag.  It's awesome to see each kid progressing at their own rate and being proud of themselves.

If you want to try this in your own room, you can get the Addition Facts listed above, or grab the Addition & Subtraction Bundle here for just $1.50 more!

One Word Resolution

I'm big on New Year's Resolutions.  Super big.  I start thinking about my resolutions before Christmas even starts.  So I'm linking up with Primary Powers to give you my one word resolution!

I seriously have like 15 resolutions, but they all revolve around time.  I think time is my most important resource, and many days I spend that time reading about other people's lives on facebook or looking at their lives on instagram.  Don't get me wrong, both of these can be awesome ways to connect with others, but is that really the best way I can use my time?  Shoot no.

So I'm spending my time doing more this year for me...to improve my life and stop reading about the lives of other people.

More time with the people that matter

More time reading my Bible

More time forming relationships with my kids

More time blogging

More time exercising

More time doing things I love

What's your one word resolution?  Feel free to link up or comment below!  Have a magical start to 2015!