Five for Friday! Holla!

Hey y'all...I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for another edition of...

 

Can I get a Holla!!

 

 

 

Check out some of the great things I bought at the big TpT sale earlier this week.  I got Clutter Free Classroom's Hand Signal Signs.  I've been using hand signals, but these graphics are just too perfect.  I got Jen Jones hello fonts, task cards from Teaching with a Mountain View, and 4mula Fun's Commercial License for the flippable templates.  I can't wait to start creating with those babies!  Also, I am hoping that Schroeder Shenanigans in Second's Blo(r)ganized pack will help me make (and more importantly KEEP) some creating and blogging goals this year.  I MUST do better.  Okay...full confession...this is only a portion of my purchases this week.  I may or may not have filled my cart FOUR times.  Ah, well...it was worth it!  I got several clip art sets, digital papers, Pond Fonts from Graphics from the Pond, and added more licenses for my KG fonts.  Eventually I had to stop because I.  Wanted.  It.  All.  For realz though.

 

So, I am doing a superhero theme in my classroom this year, and I wanted some décor that had more than just red, blue, and yellow so that I could continue to use my current table colors and caddies.  I decided that I would get myself a set of superhero clipart and make some flair pieces to match just what I wanted and needed.  One thing I did was buy several different black-and-white patterned borders, and when I can start setting up my room next week I will start with those and black paper.  Then I will add colorful tissue paper poofs, and I am going to print some of these flags to mix and match and string together for little banners.  I decided it would be a good idea for me to create my Facebook Fan Freebie tab!!!!  (Lord have mercy...that was some work.  I was having technical difficulties.)  Can I get another Holla!!!  Anywho, these cutie patootie banner flags are there for your downloading pleasure.  I would LOVE it if you would like me on Facebook and invite your teacher blogging friends to do the same.  I only have 9 likes, because I have NOT been using it, but that is about to change. 

 

So I made this activity back in ummm February.  I never did get around to adding the cover page and credits so that I could put it in my little shop.  Today, I finished it up and it is for sale right now...just click here or on the pic!  Yay!  I'm putting it on sale for 20% off for the next two days since I missed the sale.  If you teach 5th grade math in Texas this is something you can use...I PROMISE.  Our students have such trouble with the 5.12 B TEKS that says use experimental results to make predictions, and so that is exactly what they practice using this fun, hands-on, activity!  They spin the spinners various amounts of times (on the booklet page directions) and they tally the results.  Then they make a fraction to describe the results. (TEKS 5.12A). After that, they use their fractions to make predictions by setting up equivalent fractions.  My students REALLY enjoyed doing this last year, and I know it helped some of them GET.IT...ya know what I mean?  Now, I'm sorry...I'm not sure about you common core folks, but if it does meet one of the CC standards, I'd love for you to tell me which one in the comments.  It looked like maybe they did this kind of thing in 7th grade, but of course then the numbers were more complicated.  I don't know...I only speak TEKS.

 

I took a road trip to Blue Bell factory with my munchkin, my momma, and her friend from college who was in town for a visit.  It was H.E.C.T.I.C. let me tell you, but that free scoop of Magic Cookie Bar ice cream made the waiting soooo worth it.  Ohmygoodness Yum!!  I really enjoyed the little tour, and now when I see Blue Bell in the freezer case at the store I want it even more.  I might have bought some from HEB the next day.  #igotnosugaraddedchocolate #itsnotasgoodasmagiccookiebar

 

Last, but not least, we got some new little patio furniture on sale.  I love it.  :)  (BTW...ignore the crazy paint job...they are in the process of painting our apartment complex.  They will come back for trim and doors later.)  We sat out there and enjoyed coffee the other morning.  It's the little things y'all.  Well...I'm off to enjoy my last *sniffle* weekend of summer.  Let the work begin full force on MONDAY! 

 

Currently....Testing Season

 

It's time to link up with the super funny Farley from Oh Boy Fourth Grade for another month of Currently!  Are you in test mode like me???

Listening: Y'all...It is 8:00 am on a school day, and I am listening to the glorious sounds of nothing!  Isn't that the best thing you've ever heard?  We had STAAR tests on Tuesday and Wednesday, but today I took a personal day.  WooHoo!!!  I never take true personal days, but today I did.  My daughter and I are going to go out to breakfast, go shopping, go see Divergent, and maybe take some bluebonnet pics on the side of the road.  It is going to be amazing!!!

Loving: I am loving my math center activities that I made for my 5th graders.  They did them on Monday as a review before the big day of some basic skills, and let me tell you it was good.  They enjoyed them, but even better than that I got information.  I saw some things we still need to work on for division and some things they've forgotten about decimals.  Let me just say, I will be spiraling those things in over the next few weeks.  There are six, super easy-prep centers to do with dice and cards.  Usually I glue my centers to file folders and laminate, but this time I was in a rush so I just slipped them into page protectors.  That made it even easier.  You can click here or the pic below to check them out in my store.  There are several pics of them in action below. (Ignore that 10 card in the thousandths place decimal picture...I forgot to take them out at first.  We fixed it.  Whoops! LOL)

 

Thinking: I am thinking that there are only a couple of weeks left before the science STAAR test.  We need to finish up life science and review, review, review!  I will be using my Electric Circuit Task Cards, and I'm hoping to make some other things as well to practice the things they are really struggling with.

Wanting: I am wanting some more cutie patootie antique toolboxes or other antique boxes to put stuff in like this one that my mom gave me.  I put some games in it that we play regularly, and I love it!!!  We used to keep the games in the closet.  Now they are close at hand, but don't make it look messy.  Maybe we'll hit up an antique store today while we're out.  :)

Needing: I am needing my math STAAR test results.  I was anxious the last few weeks for how my kids would do, but know I just need to know.  I.Can't.Stand.The.Waiting.  #idontdodelayedgratification

Hours and Last Day: My contract hours are from 7:10-3:40, and my students hours are 7:40-2:40.  Can I just say reading everyone's currently this month has made me really jealous of some of your schedules.  Why is my required day so long?  Of course, I also work later than that most of the time, but I am getting better about letting things go until the next day so I can go home!  Our last day of school is June 6th now because of weather make-up days.  And then we have a teacher workday the following Monday.  I'm still debating about whether to apply for summer school.  I have done it for two years, and I could use the money, but I want a nice long summer.  We'll see....

That's all for this month's currently...now I must get out and enjoy this day.  :)

 

Monday Made...zzzzzzzzzzzz...It..zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Oh. My. Goodness. Y'all.  I am soooo tired.  The time change is still taking its toll on me, and then today was the first day after spring break.  It was rough.  To top it all off, I could not go to sleep last night for the life of me.  I'm pretty sure that it was anxiety about going back to school when I didn't feel ready.  I was awake until 3:30, and I was up and out the door by 6:30.  All I can say is TGFS aka Thank God For Starbucks!!!!   Who's with me?!?!

I'm going to make this a quick post to share the things I made that I want to share with you all.  First, I needed some examples of various electric circuit setups to test my kids on their ability to decide whether light bulbs would light or not in each one.  I just could not find what I was looking for.  I decided to make my own.  I'm so glad I got them done just in time to review the last month before STAAR happens in April.  (That is our state testing here in Texas.)  There are 40 different black-and-white circuit task cards included in the set, four sorting mats, a recording sheet, and an answer document.  There is a directions page with a four different ways of using the cards that I thought of, although I'm sure there are plenty more.  I have put the preview picture below.  I will give one set away for free from my blog, one on Instagram, and one from my Facebook.  Leave a comment below including your email address to enter the giveaway here.  To enter your chance to win on Facebook, click here to head over to my Facebook page.  Become a follower and leave a comment with your Facebook username under the giveaway post.  To enter on Instagram, click here.  Follow me on Instagram and comment on the giveaway post for your chance to win.  I will choose a winner from each place Wednesday night!  (We have a softball game tomorrow.)  If you are interested in buying these circuit task cards after the giveaway ends, click here!
 

Secondly, I said I would share this little Valentine freebie.  I know it's too late for this year, but you can always download and save it for next year.  There is four quick pages of practice turning improper fractions into mixed numbers.  I made it really quick to leave for a sub. Just click on the picture to download the file.  :)

 

This is how my sweet little Valentines turned out, and I have to say I think my students really liked them.  We watch CNN student news most days, and each episode ends with Carl Azuz telling puns related to the final story.  I think some of them really liked these punny Valentines even more because of that! :) 

To see other awesome things made by fabulous teacher bloggers, head over to 4th Grade Frolics for another link-up of Monday Made It! :)

 

Really?!!?? It's currently August? Eeek!

Ohmygosh....It's August y'all.  I keep checking the date on my phone, because I'm in denial.  I can't believe how fast the summer has gone by!  I'm not ready for the back to school crazies; I'm still soaking in the summer funsies.  Today I am linking up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for this month's currently and with Jess from I {heart} Recess for my B2S goals.  So many of you are ready for school, but I haven't even started.  Eeek!  Hopefully these two linkies will help get my ideas flowing and get my tookis in gear! 

I'm officially allowed to get in my room on Monday.  I am gonna swim, shop, and sleep late for three more days...then I'm totally gettin' to work!  Promise! ;)

Let's Get Acquainted Linky: Advice for New Teachers Edition

Hey y'all...today I'm linking up for the Let's Get Acquainted party hosted by Latoya from Flying into First Grade.  It's my first time joining this linky, and I am  excited but waaaay tardy to the party.  Whoops!  But, here we go anyway with my advice for new teachers.  :)  I thought hard about things I have learned these last seven years.  Some of them may seem like common sense, but I know that these lessons are things that I still think about...still remind myself of.  I hope they help you too!

 

#1 Buy

Buy chocolate! Or nuts, or gum, or beef jerky...what I mean is buy yourself a snack that is your go to pick-me-up.  For me it's Russell Stover sugar-free chocolates.  Teaching is hard, and draining in every possible way...especially if it is your first year.  You will have moments where you think you can't keep the pace up.  When that happens...sit down, close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and then eat your snack of choice.  This will give your brain the oxygen and glucose it needs to keep going.  :)

#2 Always

Always start fresh!  What I mean by that comes from my favorite quote.  It's from Anne of Green Gables.  It says, "Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it."  I'd like to say everyday will be sunshine and roses, but that is simply not the case.  You are going to mess up.  Sometimes a lesson bombs.  Sometimes that student gets the better of you.  Sometimes you will forget to make the copies you need.  It WILL happen.  It happens to everyone.  Forgive yourself, and start fresh the following day.  Kids are remarkably resilient and forgiving.  It's easier the younger they are, but all kids I know want to enjoy you and your classroom.  So, start fresh and do better.  Sometimes that is what gets me through an afternoon or evening after a rough day.  Tomorrow is going to be a brand new chance to do a better job.

#3 Never

Never assume!  I know it sounds cliché, but when you are new to teaching or new to a grade level you just don't always know what kids come to school with.  Don't assume they know what a word means, that they've had an experience, that they've slept well the night before, or that they had dinner or breakfast at home.  Some families are beyond blessed to give their children more than they need.  They read tons of books, they hear lots of language, they go on vacations, have conversations, spend time with different cultures...and on and on.  Then there are other children who are not as blessed.  Enter the 10-year-old whose never tasted an ice cream sundae, or a 6-year-old who doesn't know the word sandwich and calls grapes purple berries.  (Seriously, they were both my students.)  I have had a few student teachers, and all of them have been surprised at what the kids were/were not familiar with.  Even though I try hard not to be, even I am caught off guard from time-to-time.  Also, don't assume that those kids with limited experiences are to be pitied.  Sometimes they have other blessings.  They might have extended families living with them showering them with love.  They might have more responsibilities at home which is preparing them to be awesome grown ups.  You just never know.   

#4 Find

Find a stopping point!  There is ALWAYS more to be done.  And if you are the kind of teacher who is here reading these blogs, you will probably also be the kind of teacher adding tons of ideas to your to-do list.  :)  I used to work, and work, and work.  I NEVER, I repeat, NEVER finished.  hahaha...kinda of funny actually...now, I know.  You must stop at some point and go home, go to happy hour, go exercise, go to the movies, whatever.  Just go...it will be waiting for you when you come back.   

#5 Make

Make emergency plans!  I know you think you will always have time to make those perfect sub plans if you are going to be out.  And...you might.  I can tell you that I have taught for seven years, and I have never needed my emergency plans.  That's okay.  I still have them, because in those seven years, I have had A LOT of coworkers who were not prepared.  That leaves your team in rough place.  They have to figure out how to get plans and copies ready for your sub while managing their own class duties.  It is NOT fun for them.  Soooooo...make emergency plans.  Please.  Your team will be ever grateful.  It's okay if it's just busy work.  It is only for a day.  Your class will be OK!

#6 Be

Be prepared!  Your teaching will be different on the days you prepare thoroughly.  Winging it is not a good option.  I'm not saying you'll never do it, but it should not be your go to model.  If you are prepared everything about your day is better...including your students behavior and your mood.  I promise!  But if you aren't prepared one day, don't forget #2.  :)  Tomorrow is a new day!

 



What I'm Loving Wednesday

Today I am so excited to be linking up with Covered in Glitter and Glue for the What I'm Loving Wednesday Linky.  When I went to the Eric Jensen conference a few years ago, he talked about how he thinks optimism is learned.  This was a revelation for me, because I tend to worry about everything and lean on the negative side.  One of the best ways we can become more positive and optimistic people is to reflect on the things that we are thankful for, things we are looking forward to, basically things we love.  This linky is perfect for that!

1. Today, I am loving my new computer.  I posted about it the other night, but I am just so happy that I can blog, create, plan, etc. at home!  It is making such a difference, and it is still summer.  I can only imagine how I'll feel about it once school has started and I'm planning lessons, entering grades, and creating new products all at once. 

2. I am loving this scarf that my daughter is knitting.  She is taking a knitting class every afternoon this week.  (I might be loving that 2 1/2 hours of uninterrupted shopping/reading/web-browsing time too.)  She is picking it up pretty quickly, and learning her knit and purl stitches.  Now,  I just gotta get her to teach me how to switch back and forth.  :)

 3. I am loving that I FINALLY got a handle on this disaster:

I know, I know...what the heck is all that?  This was all my wrapping paper, tissue paper, bows, ribbons, boxes, gift bags, etc.  It used to live in that giant plastic Dillards bag in the background.  Sad, I know, but true.  Now I bought a cutie patootie container from Marshall's, and it looks like this:

A.Ma.Zing.  Am I right?  I'm totally getting another one of those containers to tame the trunk of my car of all its travel games, reusable shopping bags, flashlight, etc.  :)

4. I am loving my old letter press block letters that spell TEACH.  Aren't they precious?  It's my new Facebook cover photo.  Swoon...

5. Last I am loving this set of digital papers that I created yesterday.  They contain several of my favorite elements in one: monochromatic, textured, and polka dotted.  I'm in love.  Now, it is my first attempt at making digital papers, so I am offering them for free in my TpT store.  You heard me...they are FREE!  10 12x12 digital backgrounds for personal or commercial use.  I am just asking for you to try them out and please, please, please provide me with feedback, so I can see if I need to tweak my process at all before I put up more sets of papers.  I hope you love them as much as I do.  Just click on the picture below to download. 

 



I can't wait to read all about the things people are loving this week.  You can read more What I'm Loving Wednesday posts too...just click on the icon at the top of this post!

My *I-wish-it-were-Budding* Blog :)

I love this linky idea.  I follow a lot of blogs, but I know there are sooo many more.  Great way to see new blogs that are just starting out that we might not have run across yet. I'm not sure my blog could be classified as budding, because I have no followers yet.  So, I'm calling it my I-wish-it-were-budding blog.  :)  Maybe one of you will be inspired to become my first follower...who knows?  Then click on the picture below to find other budding bloggers. 

1. Why did you start blogging?
I read a lot of blogs for a lot of years, and I loved all the collaboration and ideas that they provided.  So many times over the years that I have been teaching I have made something, and people have said that it is great and that I should share it.  I just never had faith that it was something worth sharing...it was just something I whipped up for my fifths or my firsties.  But as I was reading all of the other blogs I realized that is what these people are doing.  They are just sharing what they are already creating for their classrooms, and it has been so helpful for me.  I decided that maybe I could offer up my own experiences as well, and that someone else might find it helpful too.

2. What is your favorite subject to teach and why?
My favorite subject to teach is definitely science.  There is so much interesting content there, and it is ALWAYS engaging for kids.  It's never hard to convince them that science is fun to learn.  I love all that information and all of that enthusiasm.  Some of my science favorites for firsties are plants and life cycles.  Some of my science favorites in fifth grade were energy and earth science.  I <3 SCIENCE!  Reading is for sure a close second, because I have always love to read.  It's easy to teach something you naturally love, because the kids feel your excitement and it spreads to them. 

3. Describe your teaching style.
I am VERY structured with super high expectations.  I feel like it is my job to push all kids to their highest potential intellectually and behaviorally.  I also try hard to give them experiences that they have never had.  For example when I used to teach 5th graders, we would carve pumpkins in October.  It's such a little thing, but I can not tell you how many of my students told me that it was so fun and that they had never done it before.  I play all kinds of music from around the world, and I try to read books they might not choose for themselves.  I want them to leave my class smarter, more autonomous, and better behaved.  I hope they remember that I loved them fiercely, and that I always, always, always pushed them to do their best.   

4. Give three interesting facts about you.
1~ I have a daughter. She is the love of my life. *BUT*...she is in middle school. I will happily accept all prayers you have for these next few years.  I know you feel me on this one.
Here is a picture of us before and after the color run earlier this month.

2~ I love to cook and bake. I'm trying to lose weight, so I have been holding off on the baking this past year. I made the mistake of buying s'mores fixins though, and I keep making them in my toaster oven. BAD idea!! 

3~ My favorite quote is "Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it."  It is a line from Anne of Green Gables.  It has gotten me through some very bad days.  I have to remind myself that no matter what, I can always try better and harder tomorrow.  Tomorrow is ALWAYS a new opportunity to be a better human being, and that I should treat it with forgiveness for others AND for myself.

5. Do you have a TpT store? If yes, post the link :)
I do.  It is small aka budding.  :)  I'd love for you to visit it and follow it, as it is sure to grow!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Wallis-Wilson

Thanks for reading about my little 'ol blog.  I'd love to hear from you anytime!