Currently!

I'm linking up with Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade!

 

  

 

 

 

My kids are different this year....They don't like anything that has worked in the past.  I can't figure them out.  Nothing seems to motivate them.  It's really strange.  There are a few that are motivated but as a whole not so much.  They are a very sweet group of kids I just feel like it's taking us a longer time to mesh because I can't figure them out.  Anything I suggest is "baby" or "not fun" I just can't win.  I'm hoping that something at some point will work I've tried just about everything!

 

 

I hope everyone has a happy Sunday!  Enjoy your extra hour!

Election week ideas

So I read the following 2 books to my class this week while talking about the elections

 

 

&

 

 

 

Duck for president was great for an unrealistic presidential story mainly for fun.  Grace did a great job of talking about the whole election process.  My kids really enjoyed both books. 

 

 

We are going to have an election between Grace and Duck.  I have made voter registration cards and ballots I also created posters like this with my kids names on them instead of mine and their faces in them.  I have hung these on my bulletin board.  I plan on decorating my classroom this weekend with red white and blue anything to try to get the kids pumped up about voting!

 

 

 

My kids LOVED these Click the picture to head to the website.  They loved seeing their faces on Uncle Sam.  I plan on letting my Reading group make more campaign posters for my classroom and hallway.  I had this vision this summer I'm just trying to run with it!  I'm sure I will come up with several ideas over the weekend.  How are you teaching the election to your K-2 kids?

 





 

How We Count Money

I struggled with this last year but this year this seems to be a great method and it's working for my kids so I thought I would share.  I'm sure many of you out there do this.  Counting money and time are 2 of the things in Math that make me groan out loud literally!  The kids are so excited about it though so that makes it bearable :)

 

I give the kids some coins to look at.  I tell them that we are going to give them a new hairdo.  The kids look at me like I'm slightly crazy but I tell them that this will help them count their money.  I tell them for every 5 cents in a coin we are going to give that coin a hair on top of its head.  We then go through and count how many hairs each coin has.  Quarter-5 Dime-2 and a Nickel-5.  A Penny does not get any hairs because it doesn't have 5 cents in it.  So the coins should look like the image below

 

 

 

Then all the kids have to do is count the hairs (by 5s) and they should come up with the correct amount.  Of course I have my kids that can actually count the coins and come up with the correct answer I still make them do this I just think it helps them check their answers.  For those who do that hehe!

 

 

We are tackling time this week and I think I am going to have them make paper plate clocks.  I found a new one on pinterest that I want to try with them.  Hopefully I can get them outside and do one with sidewalk chalk or something fun like that :)

Money Freebie

I created this money freebie for my kiddos click here to get it. How do you teach coin value and counting money? I will post this weekend how I do :)

I have also linked up with TBA for Freebie Friday!





Happy Friday!

Happy Owlloween

I normally take pictures of things that I come up with but this just hit me so suddenly I didn't have time to make it myself.

My scanner didn't work very well so you will have to finish some lines on some of the parts.  I wanted to make it to Manic Monday so I was in a bit of a hurry!


My classroom theme is done in owls so I thought I would make some ghost owls for my classroom.  I know it is weird but I thought it might help bring some halloween to my room.  I'm doing the body in white, eyes yellow, and beak and feet orange.  I hope you enjoy my weirdness :)

You can grab your freebie here

Missing in Action

So it's been awhile since I have blogged.  I think I just got burnt out and let down somewhat.  I don't want to go into details but lets just say I lost my faith in some people out there who I thought a lot of. 

I have officially survived my first six weeks in a new school and I've lived back at home with my parents for a few months now as well.  I'm still adjusting to everything and for some reason at the beginning of the year I always forget that they are still basically first graders.  I've been back for a few visits to my old school and I won't be going back again.  It broke my heart to talk to some of my kids and I can't go back so I can't look back anymore. 

Some nice things about being halfway back in civilization is I can now enjoy what I have missed out on for 2 years!  A SONIC DRINK.  You never realize how much you miss things until they are gone so cherish the opportunity to have one of those drinks.  Some afternoons they are the glue that holds me together. 

I've made quite a few things in my classroom but I don't think I will bore you with that right now.  I went to a workshop this summer.  I was introduced to books that help kids with grammar at this workshop.  I was introduced to the book What dogs do and What Dogs do Too?

My books is a combined edition of the two and has a Boston Terrier on the cover (go figure!)

This book is one word action verbs followed by a picture of the dog.  So I then got the brilliant idea to make my own video of basically the same thing only involving my students.  Clip Art Came from KPM Doodles, The Pond, The 3am Teacher and Dream Like Magic.  I also published it into a photo book from shutterfly.  The kids are so excited about it being an actual video more so than the video.  They told me they did all the work and I didn't really do anything HA!

I had never used Microsoft Movie Maker and let me tell you it is so easy!  It is like using power point!  I can do these fairly quick and hopefully I can do some more in the future!  So check out our video What Ms. Harris's class does.

 

I hope everyone is enjoying their school year and hopefully beginning to find their groove :)

 

Currently and Ginormous Bulletin Board!

So I have been in a blogging funk lately I have no idea why.  Soon I will be posting my complete classroom pics.  I am still waiting on some clip art for a few key items and then I promise I will post pics!  I did however complete the GINORMOUS hallway bulletin board.  This board is huge!  I had no idea what to put out there that had to do with fireworks.  I wanted a cute saying etc.  Well since our theme is surrounded by the whole Katy Perry song where did I turn...those lyrics!  I chose "Ignite the light and let it shine"  I changed the to your.  I think it turned out really cute!

We hung up Christmas lights on the board (when I say we it is my mom and me.  I am way too short even on a ladder to reach ha ha).  We bought 3 black tablecloths from the dollar tree and covered it with that.  We made the firecracker out of wrapping paper and stuffed it with shredded paper.  We used dollar spot sparkly stars and Dollar tree bows (they look like fireworks).  I also used the idea of the clothespins with the thumb tack on the back.  I tried those 3M strips last year but those didn't work.  I think it turned out really cute if I do say so myself! 



I hope your back to school transition is going smoothly.  If you are in a new school/classroom I hope your transition is going well and that you are coming to love your school as much as I love mine!



Perfect Pen Pal Pairing

Head on over to the Teacher Idea Factory to get paired up with your perfect class pen pal!  I signed up so should you!

She's also having a giveaway of her pen pal packet!  What better way to get started then that!?

Who knows maybe our classes could be pen pals!



Schedules

Vista Print was having a very great deal this past week.  So I had business cards with all of my information printed on them.  Once they come in I will be sure and share a pic.  I'm going to put a magnet on the back of them for all of my parents.

I also made these:  Graphics from The 3am Teacher

I am going to put a magnet on each of these and give these to my parents as well.  I think they turned out very cute :)

I'm also working on my word wall and mason jar.  Hopefully I will have pictures of that to share soon. 

Sorry I don't have more to share it has been a bizarre week for me.

Tell me More....

I'm linking up with Amy at Step into Second Grade for a Tell me More Linky!

1.  I've never really liked my hair color until recently.  I've alway been envious of brunettes and blondes because they could dye their hair.  I've debating on coloring mine brown.  However I think I would look too funny with brown eyebrows :\

2.  I moved to the town where I teach when I was in 2nd grade.  Little did I know all these years later I would be moving back and starting exactly where I started 19 years ago.  I actually work with people who taught me/saw me grow up. :)

3.  I attended Texas A&M University-Commerce I LOVED MY SCHOOL!  I had a wonderful college experience!

4.  I am a Gamma Phi Beta Alumna.  Yes I did the whole sorority thing in college but it was quite possibly the greatest thing that could have happened at that time in my life.

5.  I am actually an Agricultural Sciences and Technology Major.  I was very involved in FFA in High School my family still raise Angus cattle, from the original ones I started with.

6.  I am a reality tv show junkie!  The only one I'm really not into anymore is the Bachelor/Bachelorette.  I quit watching around Julian's season. 

7.  I was a cheerleader all during school which led to me becoming a cheerleading sponsor at my previous school.  I will miss each of those girls everyday!  I took them from thigh-stands to basket tosses.  It was an experience I will never forget. 

8.  I am left handed but I don't feel like I am artsy.  Once people realize I'm left handed that is the first question they ask. 

9.  I love animals.  If I ever win the lottery I plan to open a no kill animal shelter.  I know it sounds good in theory but it will be a lot of hard work. 

10.  Somedays I miss teaching JH and then some days I'm thankful for the innocence of my 2nd graders!

I know there aren't any pictures :(  most of my pictures are on another computer.  I hope you enjoyed a little bit of the randomness that is ME!

Just Another Manic Monday

As you know it's Manic Monday at Classroom Freebies :) I do have to say this is quickly becoming my favorite day of the week!

I was looking for something on sentences and I saw something on pinterest and I can't find it.  Do ya'll have a problem with things you've been from awhile ago disappearing?  I seem to have this problem quite often!  I typed in the 4 sentences put their proper name and then put what they are commonly called.  I also put an example sentence and the punctuation that you would use.

I am going to cut them out using my fancy crazy cut scissors and glue them to a sheet of card stock, laminate, and then glue them to ribbon to hang up.  I'm probably not saving much space but I think this is something I definitely need in my classroom.  Hopefully it will improve my writing!


 

You can grab your freebie HERE!

 

I hope you enjoy your Manic Monday!

Newbie Blog Hop

I'm not all that new but  I think I'm new enough :) Click the picture to head on over to Grade 3 is for me to check it out!

The rules are simple answer these questions and then link up!

  1.  what state you are in

 2.  your current teaching position

    3.  your teaching experience

    4.  when you started blogging

    5.  share a blogging tip / blogging resource

1. I am in Texas.

2. I am currently a second grade teacher.

3. This will be my 4th year teaching.  I've taught technology applications, 4-8 Science Technology and Social Studies, and I'm entering my second year of teaching 2nd grade.

4. I think I started blogging again in February.

5. I like it when blogs put a link back to their blog in a comment. (it's easier to check your blog out!)



Manic Monday #3

I made these before but as monsters and I made a new one to go with my new theme.  I made an owl substitute binder.

I use this on days that I am out.  I put lesson plans, important notes, and worksheets for the time period that I will be gone.  Hopefully you will find this to be very useful!





You can grab your freebie by clicking here


Also you need to go check out a 100 follower giveaway from Calling Plays in 2nd Grade!  Help her celebrate 100 followers and earn your chance for a $50 Target gift Card...Oh the damage I could do :)


Happy Manic Monday!

Awards

I am just now getting into labeling posts and I know all of you people who are OCD just let out a large gasp.  I feel so much more organized!  That's my goal this year is to stay that way!  We will see how it goes.

In the midst of a busy weekend I was lucky enough to be awarded 2 awards :)  I love getting these awards it always makes me feel like I'm doing something right.  Gotta love that positive reinforcement!

Christa at Sweet Life of 2nd Grade Awarded me:

If you haven't checked out her blog you definitely should!  Love it!






This award highlights blogs that have under 200 followers (small blogs need lovin' too!). Here are the rules for it:

1. Copy and paste this award on your blog.

2. Thank the giver and link back to them.

3. Reveal 5 other bloggers and let them know by commenting on their blog

I'm going to nominate An Apple For the Teacher

What Happens in 2nd Grade

Sara at Miss Elementary

Wild about 1st Grade

Mrs. Rhodes Scholars

Jayne at Mrs. Rhodes Scholars also awarded me an award.  I received this one a week ago.  Thank you so much for giving me this award!

Head on over to her blog to check it out too!

I was going to blog about my new classroom decor, but it is my nanny's last night in town so I will blog about it tomorrow I can't wait to share it with you!

Fireflies in a Jar

I blogged awhile ago about these animated fireflies I found in a mason jar that I was going to use in my classroom.  I think that these are way cool!

This is what they look like from far away:

Close up and all you have to do to get it to light up is to tap the lid.

A little video to show you what it looks like....I LOVE IT!

I've only got 2 of these but I plan on going back and getting a few more!  I think they will be the perfect addition to my firefly themed classroom. 

I got these at Big Lots and they even have butterflies that do the same thing.  I'm in love with these!

My grandmother is coming for a few days to visit and I am sooo EXCITED!  She's going to make my curtains for my classroom so I will have more decorations to post soon!  Just waiting on some custom clip art to get finished up so I can finish a few key things. 

I hope everyone has a happy Wednesday!

Manic Monday #2

I'm linking up with Classroom Freebies for Manic Monday!


 

My freebie for the linky is geared toward my Texas Teachers.  When I got into my new classroom I didn't have any pledge posters.  I looked at stores but I just didn't want to spend the money when I could make one on my own.  So click the picture below to go to my google docs to get your own copy of  The Texas Pledge.  I hope you enjoy it! 

 

 

Happy Manic Monday :)

 

 

 

Classroom Pics.

I'm linking up with Corinna at Surfing through 2nd to share some of my classroom decorations/themes. 

I know I've mentioned this in blogs before.  My new school does a different school wide theme every year.  This year my principal had heard the Katy Perry firework song in passing and decided that that would be our theme, on fire.  The faculty wears t-shirts themed around the theme etc.  to get the kids pumped up.  She gaves us a whole list of ideas to choose from.  Of course fireworks were on the list and my team chose that.  So we are decorating our hallway to be fireworks and we're turning our doors into fireworks etc.  I will post pics once that process is complete.  You then can do your own theme in your classroom.  I decided to choose one off the list that I knew no one else would choose.  I chose fireflies.  My students are going to "let their light shine."

Do you know how hard it is to decorate with fireflies!  I was browsing at Mardel and I found the Trend Owl-Stars and they actually have fireflies in them so that helps out a lot!  I'm planning on making a mason jar for the back wall of my room but we will have to wait and see how that turns out.

I have just now gotten to the decorating part and I'm still trying to organize everything Owls have taken over but hopefully I can find some more little firefly things to incorporate later on. 

I revamped my clock a bit.  I added a quarter after, half past, and quarter till.  I also added those mini clocks from something I saw on Pinterest.

Like I said it's a work in progress but hopefully in a few more weeks I'll have some more pictures to share.  Hopefully everything will come together! 

Have a Wonderful Week.





Advice for 1st Year Teachers

I'm linking up with Deb at Fabulously First for her Teacher's Wisdom Linky Party.  What's crazy to me is that I am offering advice.  I've been doing this for 4 years now and I think one of my greatest strengths in teaching is that I listen to my students.  I mean REALLY listen.  I also find great value in having a mentor teacher.  I had one my first year and it is a friendship that I have continued over the years.  Go ahead and share your wisdom and link up with Deb too!  Maybe share this linky with some newbies in your district :)

Quick Post

I made an additon to my TPT store.  I already have a monster set of these but they needed to be changed to go with my new theme.  These are an Owl Themed Set.  With Owls from the 3am teacher and From the Pond.   The pack includes supply refill notes, 15 minute computer passes, a night of no homework pass, and an I was caught being good note to send home with parents. 


Click the Frame to head on over to my TPT Store to grab yours!

Linky

Happy 4th of July Everyone!!!

April over at Wolfelicious is participating in a QR Code Mystery Blog hop


Check it out!

Manic Monday & Currently (Resized)

This is my first Manic Monday to join in on!



     I am going to include my birthday certificates and my how am I going home plates.  I'm going to put clothespins with the kids name on them.  On the bus plate I am going to put the bus number on the pin as well.  I hope that you find some sort of use for these! Click on the owl below to grab these freebies!

I'm also throwing in Farley's Currently!  I haven't done one of these in months I tell you!  I'm excited to be getting back into the swing of things! 

Well that is enough out of me!  I hope everyone has a fabulous Monday!

Award and Freebie

Miss Sara at Miss Elementary awarded me The Versatile Blogger Award!

Thank you so much for the award!

Here are the seven rules to follow when receiving this award:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.
2. Include a link to their blog.
3. Include the award image in your post.
4. Give 7 random facts about yourself.
5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award. for the sake of time I'm probably going to do less!
6. When nominating, include a link to their blog.
7. Let other bloggers know they've been nominated.


My 7 Random Facts

1.  My dog is named Bernice after the Miranda Lambert Song White Liar

2.  I raise angus cattle and all of mine are named after I love Lucy characters.  I even had one named Bobalou!

3.  I absolutely do not like cooking! I will do the dishes I just hate to cook!

4.  I LOVE HELLO KITTY.  Yes I am 26 years old but something about her just makes me happy.

5. I am left handed and I am not crafty by any means. 

6.  I love ice cream I could eat it for every meal!

7.  I LOVE HARRY POTTER AND TWILIGHT I went to HP World last summer :) I even have hand drawn shoes!


I'm going to nominate Haley @ Following Optimism


 

Miss T At Journey of a Substitute Teacher

  

Kelley at Buggy for 2nd grade

  

Ladies your blogs are fabulous!  That is all I'm going to pick due to lack of time!

 

 

I wanted to quickly share a freebie I made that I'm going to use to post how my kids are going home.  I'm going to attach a clothespin with the childs name and the bus number they ride written on it to make it easier for subs.

 

You can grab it by clicking on the picture below!

 

 

 

I hope everyone had a restful weekend!

 

 

June...where did you go? and a FREEBIE

The month of June has disappeared way too quickly!  I have no idea where it went. I received school board approval last Thursday so I am officially employed by my newish school :)  I've been trying to work in my new classroom.  I am not a very good organizer and I have lots of what Farley calls *squirrel* moments and I leave in the middle of something to start something totally new and that has nothing to do with what I was currently doing.  I need someone to keep me on track! 

I was in the great city of Amarillo for a few days and my mom and I did tons I mean TONS of shopping.  I found lots of new items for my classroom of course I found jars at Big Lot that have fake fireflies in them but they light up and fly around!  I need to video them and show them to you because they are AWESOME.  They also have butterflies if your classroom has any of that. 

My mom and I hit up Goodwill and The Thrift Shop that benefits the blind look at these goodies:

I found 30 books!  The most I paid for a book out of this stack was 50 cents for a hardback all of the paperbacks were 30 cents!  I found 10 Junie B. Jones Books!  I would say I had a very successful Goodwill/Thrift Store experience.  I was amazed at all of the goodies I found.  I'm sure all of you experienced teachers have been there before and know about this little gem but for those of us newbies its definitely something to regularly look into :)

I was shopping at Kohls and I heard on the loud speaker that their Kohls Cares book was SKIPPYJON JONES!  I was so excited and then found out that each of these hardback books were five dollars (I was really excited since I bought a paperback one for 6.99 earlier that day needless to say that went back to the store).  You could also take home your very own SkippyJon for five bucks too how could I pass that up!?

 

I also went to a few used book stores and a Hastings where I found a few items but to me these were my best deals!  I think I consider the Kohl's one a good deal just because I LOVE SkippyJon Jones!!

On my LONG car ride home today I made some birthday certificates.  I am going to put them up on my birthday board by my desk so hopefully I will be better about remembering birthdays!  I was horrible about them last year...I think  I just had a lot on my plate!  I am putting a copy for you in my TPT Store just click the pic. below to grab yours!

I would like to end with a question this week.  Where do you find your "bargain books" for your class library?

So busy!

I apologize I have been MIA yet again and I haven't been making worksheets or anything either!  I have been so wrapped up in the moving, and workshops that I have neglected the fun stuff of the summer!

I have been brainstorming which I'm sure is a good thing.  I'm adjusting my clothespin system from a form of losing recess to being a positive thing to where they can move to a positive level if they go above and beyond that day.  I'm going to try to celebrate the positive a little more :)

I finally made a decision about classroom decorations and I decided on these cute little owls from Trend Enterprises.  I LOVE THEM!  I knew that I was meant to have them when I looked in the packs and decorations and there were FIREFLIES!  I was sold and I knew that it was meant to be :)



I'm thinking about hanging twinkle lights from my ceiling to maybe give the illusion of fireflies on the ceiling or even stars...I've also seen something on pinterest to put tissue paper in mason jars and use the battery powered tea lights maybe that will give the illusion as well.  We've also found baby food jars and are looking into glow in the dark paint so each kid could have their own "firefly jar."  I'm also looking into bright colored lanterns to hang from the ceiling I just can't decide about those. 

I received the keys to my new classroom yesterday and I am just waiting for the wax to dry so I can move in and get started!  I want to have my room decorated before I even start teacher inservice week in August.  I feel better whenever I have everything taken care of before then.

I attended a workshop over Writer's workshop and I enjoyed it!  I know if I enjoyed making all of the little things for my notebook my kids will too.  I'm looking forward to incorporating my multi-sensory grammar with it.  Are any of you using writer's workshop in your classroom?  Do you have any successful experiences to share? 

I know I probably keep on promising this but I nearly know I will have stuff to share once  I get a little more settled in and my life slows down a bit.  I haven't really even had time to stalk anyone in awhile :(

Have a wonderful week!