Currently, Library Helpers, and Thoughts of Snow....

First up - Currently!  I haven't taken the time to do this the last couple of months so while my daughter's at OM (and I have high speed Internet!) I figured it was time for me to get back into the swing of things!

Meet Thor:  we got him as a companion for our beagle.  Seriously.  Our other beagle passed away last winter and poor Molly's been so lonely.  So, we took her to our local animal control after seeing this handsome fella on their Facebook page and they tolerated each other nicely.  Granted, sometimes Thor gets a little too nosy and Molly gives a growl as a warning.  Funny thing - this dog that our beagle can walk UNDER will listen to her and back off good naturedly. :)  He is such a gentle giant and has captured our hearts, especially my son's!

As for the big snow - don't hate me - but we've been losing out here in central VA!  Our ONE snow day this year was for maybe 2 inches that was gone by the next day.  Everywhere north has been getting slammed....please send some our way!  One good snow before the end of winter (preferably before March!).

Ruler of Books - hah hah, so obvious with my position this year!  I've been getting good feedback from teachers and students about library, which makes me happy :)  So far, no one dreads coming!  I started the year with so many ideas in my head that I finally had to tell myself that some would have to wait until the summer or next year to implement!  One that I don't need to wait any longer on is my library helpers.  I've opened it up to 4th and 5th grade (with 3rd coming in as soon as I feel my older kids are comfortable with their role) and it's been a great success!  Granted, they LOVE checking books in and out on the computer, but I have them also helping shelve books, straighten up the library, and do other clerical tasks that take so much time out of our day!  I haven't had a huge gap of time open up, mind you, but it's been nice to have help!  It's just me and a few parent volunteers during the week so it's nice to have the kids help.  Plus, it gives them a sense of pride and responsibility!

So after looking at samples online of what different libraries have used, I finally came up with my own form and, after much thought, a daily checklist.  I have my library helpers from 7:50-8:30 each day (my first group is special needs at 8:45).  The students help one day during the week (although some want to help more!).  The application and checklist is a freebie I've uploaded to my stores.  You can click {here} to take you to TpT or {here} for Teacher's Notebook.  I hope you can find use for it! :)

November Currently

I'm finally catching up with Currently this month!  I've missed doing these this past year, but as things are slowing down (maybe I shouldn't speak too soon), I've told myself I must be better about blogging and sharing ideas!

So, here we go....

 

So, this week we have Election Day off (that's only been happening for the last couple years) AND on Monday, we have a staff development day, which leads to my "Loving"....it's not often that all the elementary librarians get together to talk/meet.  Usually it's just quick notes through email, and usually for an interlibrary loan! :)  We're all bringing things for a potluck lunch between us, which should be a nice change from my usual PB&J.  Towards the end of the week, several of us are heading to our state conference in Roanoke.  It'll be my first "official" conference in this position, and I am excited!!!!  I absolutely LOVE going to conferences (ISTE is one of my faves).  I got to sample it as a student years ago, and really enjoyed the few sessions I attended.  This group of ladies I work with (there are four of us) really made me feel welcome to this position, like we were part of a small club.  I'm hosting in my library, as well, so I hope they like what they see!

Wanting and Needing...when the weather turns cold, it's definitely hot chocolate and firepit weather!  It also makes me think ahead to Christmas shopping for my two kiddos.  I am literally stumped this year!  My son, 13, I could get some new sheets for (I know it sounds lame, but I lucked into a great deal with 1600 thread count sheets thru Zulily, and my son really wants some!)....but anything else???  Then there's my daughter who's 8.  She wants EVERYTHING she sees on commercials, but honestly, what does she really need?  Not a lot of toys, I can tell you that!  Her bookshelf is overflowing, she definitely has enough clothes and shoes....

I know I have a few months, but I like to be done before the big rush starts, or else I shop online.  I worked too long in retail to want to head out in the crowds!

Reading....guilty pleasure - I started the series years ago when I read the first book aloud to my fourth graders.  I have been envious of my students and some of the interesting reads they've been checking out.  I kept telling myself I'd catch up on some of these books this summer (then of course realized how I usually spend my summer and how fast it goes), sooo....even though I've been working on it for two weeks, I am enjoying getting in a little reading, snuggled up under the covers and relaxing!

So, that's me lately in a nutshell!  Now that I've typed that about reading, I think I'll end here and go snuggle up with my book! :)

Currently....I'm Running Out of Time!

This was a looong winter.  I mean, it's rare that we see snow in March - especially late March!

It's nice that Spring has finally arrived and things are getting back to normal here in Central VA, weather-wise.

However, it's put a bit of a rush on our studies as we approach Spring Break next week and *gasp* end of the year tests!  Granted, it doesn't sound like much - finish fractions, time to the nearest 5 minutes, and measurement.  Yes, we do have time to finish - unfortunately, they want us to take an end of the year test May 6 (and our last day has been extended to May 30).  

Is it that way at your school?  It frustrates me since we had to literally bulldoze our way through regrouping and half my kids are still clueless!  I'm trying to use the power of competition (especially with some of my boys).  We have about 10 minutes before my collab teacher joins us for math groups, so we go over the calendar, number of the day, etc.  I've added in "board races."  Such an old tried and true game, but the kids love it!  I have the "champion" from the day before go up and they get to choose their "victim."  

I've noticed some of my kids getting really good with regrouping because they want to be a champion!  We have behavior tickets in my room, and they get a ticket for each student they "beat."  It's surprising to me who some of my champions have been!  Pair that with homework each week on regrouping, and it's slowly coming about.  We keep it fun, and the kids enjoy themselves, even some of mine that have a lot of anxiety about math!

So, on to time....and yes, that's our next unit that I have to teach in, oh, 3 days, and half my kids don't have the hour/half hour they were supposed to master in K and 1st grades!  So, I'm not going to have time assessed before break - sorry admin!  However, I can't stand just plowing over my kids and dragging them behind me.  Maybe I've taught collab for too long, or maybe I see the struggles my own child has had with math, but I just can't do it!  So, we're behind every other class but I just have to shrug my shoulders and keep on truckin'!  

Okay, so looking at time, I have a lot of great centers and activities that I purchased last year, but sometimes, knowing just what your kids need....well, I created a few of my own that I wanted to share!  But first.....Currently.....

 

Yes, my personal hours are a bit much (and that does not include weekends).  However, I like to be at school by 7:30, since it gives me "down time" before the kids come in.  I am NOT a morning person, so it's hard to roll out of bed and get there - especially with a poky 7 year old - but it's my time.  Well, when I don't have an IEP at 7:30 :)  I usually leave around 5, if not before (but there are times I've stayed later), depending on what the family schedule is!  

Well....grand reveal....here are my "time creations" that I'm going to use to try to rush along the process this year and help my kiddos who are struggling with any concept of time!  

The first, I had a brainstorm and connected the clock to fractions (our current unit), so I'm hoping the connection will help some.  I've included posters to share with the students (I'm printing 4 to a page and my kids will put it in their interactive notebook), as well as an activity.

The second....my kids LOVE when I have familiar characters in centers, so that explains this simple match the analog to the digital clock time game (with an activity sheet for each theme, of course!). I may make more, depending on my time, but although each set is similar, it has different times so students can do both!

The last, I had another brainstorm....my kids LOVE  the BUMP games, so I made some for them based on time (hour, half hour, 5 minutes, and a blank one for differentiation).  I had purchased time dice from "Nyla's Crafty Teaching" on Teacher's Notebook last year, and it's another great way to use them!

So that's it for today...whew!  I wish I could create as fast as I think of things :(  Just like I've always dreamed of having that pen from Harry Potter - the one that writes as you talk!  If only I had a magic wand...or a wizard friend.... :)

Oh, and if you're interested in any of the above, you can click on the pictures, or find them at my store on TPT and Teacher's Notebook!

Um....a little less Currently than usual....

I'm a little late to the party, but that's okay.  

Okay, so they're calling for a BIG STORM on Wednesday.  I have to admit, I love snow days like the kids.  However, I like mine spaced out.  We had a whole week out of school back in January!  It was insane!  Now they're calling anything from 4-10 inches of snow!  AUGH!

We're already on extended school day and any other missed days add on to the end of the year.  Also, my kids thrive on consistency.  Once they're in the routine, they do all right.  The day here, day there, delay here - it doesn't help our productivity!  January was the WORST month all year about turning work in!  We had a "put everything on top of your desk" day on Friday - it was not pretty.

So....the "wanting" - I am undecided.  I mean, I can't stop the weather, but I can hope it changes to rain?  Then again, that could be a flood day in my county!  *rolls eyes*

I am soooo loving the Olympics.  Can you tell which one is a fib?  If you looked at it and said "HOW can she NOT like the opening ceremonies?"  You're right - I didn't.  I LOVED IT!  Soooo cool!  I keep trying to find video to show my kiddos who missed it and I'm about at the point of recording it from my DVR using a video camera!

So, that's me in a nut shell right now.  Loving the Olympics, doing several themed activities in class (including a medal count by continent - geography and math together, gotta love it!).  Getting ready to start my Polar Unit (my fave!).

So, sitting in grade level meeting today and looking over our resources for abbreviations....threw out some nasty looking worksheets, you know the ones - you kept them because it's what you had, but they look so dry and boring!  Last year, I made 3 different activities for abbreviations.  Recently, I've been into the "write the room" activities (I had always thought they were too low for my 2nd graders - duh!).  Looked for one in abbreviations.  Couldn't find one.  So, I made one!

Thought it was cute and I'd tie in with the kids that abbreviations are like the Transformers - they can "change" they way they look.  Or, like a super hero, it's like a "secret identity."  You get the picture!

So, please check it out!  I hope you enjoy it!  I added some female super heroes in for my girls, although they'll just enjoy getting up and moving around like my boys!


Thanks for checking out my blog and following me - I have added another "freebie" if you'd like to check it out! :)  Click on the pic below!

 

Happy New Year and Currently!

Oh my - I have neglected my blog this month!  

In my defense, though, it was a crazy December AND we had a family trip planned with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law's families to Florida!  We flew out Christmas day and came back very very late on Friday the 3rd (which also happens to be my son's birthday - yikes!  I'm a mother of a teenager - 13 years!).

Soooo....I hope that's excuse enough!  It was fun, although the workaholic in me misses the time I could've spent in my room cleaning, organizing, etc.  I'm here today (Sunday) and even though I worked my tail off in December so the first week, at least, would be planned for January, I am still simply overloaded as I came in today!  

So, first things first....Currently January thanks to Farley!  Be sure to link up!

 

I think most of it is self-explanatory, especially the "wanting."  As teachers you know how it is - you have NO CLUE how those kids will walk in after 2 weeks of break!  Will they remember anything???

As for New Year's Eve - we didn't quite celebrate it in the same way this year, but we always do an "at home" celebration complete with finger foods and watching all the specials on TV.  Sounds boring, but we manage to make it fun, dancing, yelling, singing, etc.  Last year, a friend shared this great idea about balloons and popping one each hour and doing the activity inside.  I blogged about it last January in 2012. :)

Now, so what have I been up to?  Well, ever since I saw Educasong's Winter Olympics clipart, I knew I wanted to do some sort of packet for February.  I LOVE the Winter Olympics (more than summer).  Just fascinated, sitting there watching the events!  I also love her clipart - be sure to check it out and follow her shop - she discounts the first 24 hours that she puts anything up!

So, thinking about what we'll be studying in January, this is what I came up with:

I'm pretty proud of this packet - it comes with 2 Geography, 5 Math, and 6 Literacy activities!  It took me almost a month to complete, and I am sooo excited to use it with my kids come February!

 

Here's a sneak preview of some of the activities inside!

I hope you'll check it out!  It's available on TPT {here} and Teacher's Notebook {here} and Resources4Teaching {here}.

 

Currently - Ice and Polar Animals!

Hooking up with Farley (I think I'm #322??) for December's Currently on a snow ice day where schools are closed.  I'm not thinking this is going to be a good winter - normally, our ice/snow days come in late January, early February.  December is almost unheard of!  Hopefully, we'll not miss so much we're extending the year!

So, first.....

 

Hah hah - I think all that above is pretty self-explanatory.  Our ice storm came on Sunday to central VA, which closed churches all over and set schools 2 hour delay.  In our rural county, though, with as many backroads as our buses go on, PLUS we have 2 campus-type schools while they are rebuilding from the earthquake, it closed us today.  Not that some of us aren't sneaking in to get some work done :)

I'm trying to get those little things done that didn't quite get done this weekend/Friday afternoon before I left school, like helping my team with simple directions to use StoryJumper (love that site) and getting my units ready for January.  Please don't groan - I normally don't work quite that far ahead, but this year, we are joining my in-laws in Florida so no "working break" for me this year, so I have to have everything ready for January when I leave December 20 for break!

I have this wonderful parent this year who LOVES to book bind.  I don't mind doing it, but it's so time consuming!  She is able to do it at work, and has been creating my Number of the Day booklets, binding together author studies, and I hoped to get her my Polar Unit together. 

Last year, I created this fun unit to study animal life cycles and adaptations, as well as some geography, and focused on Polar Animals.  At the end, it was an absolute mess to bind together!  So, this wonderful parent has offered to do it ahead of time for me, so the students work out of the booklets.  I am so into that!  However, as you know, it's getting everything together that can sometimes be overwhelming as well!

But, it did let me get it organized enough to put it on TpT!  I hope you'll check it out.  It's 24 days of lessons about the northern lights, geography of Antarctica and the Arctic Circle, animal adaptations and life cycles, migration of whales - you name it!  

I love when you can get into a unit and the kids are equally enthusiastic!  Some of my kids from last year still talk about it!  :)

So, here are a few pics of what I'm talking about.  It's a 100+ page unit containing links, virtual field trip via Google Earth, nonfiction passages, animal diagram pages, life cycle pages, etc.  Throw in some science experiments and scientific method to round it out!  Click on the pics to take you to see more (the free preview includes the 24-day unit plan!).

 

Currently November and MONSTERS!

To start off with.....linking up with Farley for the November Currently!

 

Most of it is self-explanatory :)  I'm also sure you can relate to needing that maid (my house is so embarrassing, especially since not only have I been busy, but I've been a "drummer's widow" with my husband doing a show lately!).  As for the miracle, well....unfortunately we have several co-workers at my school who are not doing well, and they are SUCH good people!  One was diagnosed with Leukemia last year and isn't expected to make it much longer. :( Another is having seizures and is on medical leave.  I also found out a family member has cancer, and sometimes, ya know, it's just too much!!!!!!

Anyway, enough of that!  Thank goodness for the days so full of teaching and being a mom, I don't stop to think about it (because there IS no time!).

Now, on to happier, if not droolier times....here is my "yummy pin".....

Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup!  This is the time of year we always bring out the crockpot, and this looks soooo good!  This is on my "Recipes I'd Like to Attempt" page - since I created that a year ago, I've attempted ONE (sad, I know).  There were lots of gooey, yummy ones (many featuring s'mores, not surprisingly, or some sort of chocolate)...but since we start planning our grocery list/dinners for the week on Saturday and Sunday, this one caught my eye.  PLUS - it's supposed to be healthy.  So, I'm going to try to attempt it this week and I'll let you know how it turns out!

  I also FINALLY was able to cross off my "to do" list my "MonsterMash" sight words game.  I created this for a student who, mom warned me, got extremely nervous and shut down with anything he considered an assessment.  What child doesn't like cute monsters?  Hence, "Monster Mash" was born!  My first version was handwritten, but after messing up several cards, I decided it would be better if I typed it up!  It also comes with a "scoresheet" that is actually my record of the sight words they knew and didn't know.

Well, it's become a bit of a monster itself, with my kids begging to play (don't you love when you can do things like that???) to try to beat their score!

I started it with my PrePrimer group, and it's expanded to my Primer group.  So, I created the 'Mash up to third grade sight words (high hopes here, people!).  Several of my Primers are already ready for their first grade words!  Woo hoo! :) 

To start, everyone gets 3 cards, face down.  They flip and read the cards to themselves, then I go around the group and if they say all 3 words correctly, I collect them and give 3 more cards (if they get any wrong, they keep that, and I hand out new cards to replace the ones they get right).  This continues until the cards are gone.

I then pick a student who is doing a good job to do the "speed round."  They are then flashed the whole deck!  What they read immediately, they keep.  If they misread or don't know, it goes in the "monster pile."  

After the game, while they are counting up the cards they got right, I mark on the scoresheet which ones they missed (I usually circle them), then make a big deal of all the checks by the ones they got right and count a total score.  The goal is to beat the score each time and if they get them all right, I move up to the "next round."  

I color coded my first hand-written sets, so I kept that theme when I typed them, so it's the "brown cards" or "blue cards."  I don't like to assign levels to students like "these are the first grade cards" since some are sensitive about their reading.  I figure, if we can keep their confidence up about reading and keep things positive, it works wonders! :)

To check out more about Monster Mash, click on the picture below. Until Monday morning, it's on sale for $1 in my store, plus the preview includes the PrePrimer version!!

 

Currently in September

A little late, but I'm linking up with the September Currently from Oh Boy 4th Grade and Farley! 

 Gosh, things I need to get into routine in September to last me throughout the year - exercise, leaving school earlier (especially if I'm spending at least one day at school on the weekends!), which then translates into spending more time with my family!  Hopefully, we'll be able to take that beach day we told the kids we'd try in September! :)

It's been a little crazy (and time consuming) since school has started.  I am still trying to blog once a week, but even my Instagram has slowed down a bit!  That, and my class has simply worn me out each night!  Once again, I am boy heavy :) but I also have a child who does not read English, and another who is at a readiness level for reading.  Pair that with 5 other PrePrimers....along with other levels up to 6th grade - yeah, it's been a little time consuming. :)  It's one of the reasons I'm up late tonight, because I was determined to finish a word family packet to use with my struggling readers.

I've uploaded it to {TpT }with a free sample on the preview of the "ink" family.  I called it "Packet 1" since I'm determined to do more! :)  I'm going to try to incorporate different activities for each packet, so that it doesn't become "stale" with my students (although they could do word searches all day long if I'd let them!).

Bloglovin', Instagram, and Currently July

So, I'm jumping on the bandwagon and saying goodbye to Google Reader and hello to bloglovin'!

 

(photo courtesy of Oliver + S)

I have to admit, I didn't use Google Reader all that much...but after checking out bloglovin' and seeing that they have an app for my smartphone - sounds like something to keep me occupied once my turns run out on Candy Crush when I'm waiting at the doctor's office, procrastinating, etc.! :)  Not sure if Google Reader had an app....I normally go thru my blog scroll and enjoy reading the posts on my computer. :)  

Anywho, looking for a cute button to post on the side for bloglovin'.
  
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I just need to remember to post more on my blog and maybe a little less on Instagram.  I have fallen in LOVE with Instagram.  I mean, to the point that I'm looking at "Minecraft" things for my son and showing him!  Hah!  I mean, the child already has a page I dedicated to him on Pinterest. :)  If I keep showing him things like this, I'm going to have to change his regular cell phone into a smartphone!!!! Yikes!

So, on to Currently.  A little early, a LOT scary when I look at my "to do" list (including Zumba - I REALLY need to blow the dust off the DVD and just DO IT!), and making me super anxious to get in my classroom and start setting it up!

Thanks Farley for doing this each month! :)  I find so many new blogs out there thanks to this!!!  Be sure to check out her newest link "Teacher Block Partay!" to find your grade level blogs!

*Don't ask me why it's so hard to pick a time during the day - when other than doctor appointments and IEP meetings - I have the whole day to choose from to stick in that DVD and do Zumba!  I have a hard time losing weight and this is the one guaranteed thing that does it for me.  Sad, huh?  Maybe now that I've put it in writing for the world to see, it'll shame me into doing it! LOL

*I'm trying to be "pinspired" to organize my house.  I would be ashamed to show you a pic of how my house looks.  I keep trying that "room by room" routine, but I can't seem to get a room done in one day and finished!  Speaking of which, after I finish this post, I'll be finishing up my daughter's room and hopefully posting "before/after" pics on Instagram (to inspire me to do more!).

*Tip/Trick: I have been guilty of doing that - creating something cute and posting it on TPT or TN and then not using it in my class.  I find that if I do it for myself and my kids, then those are the items that sell!  Plus, I can always give a "kids approved" endorsement :)

Make sure to hop on over and link up with Farley! :)

Currently, Sales, Sales Everywhere!

Do you feel appreciated?

Both TpT and Teacher's Notebook are throwing Teacher Appreciation Sales!

Teacher's Notebook has a sale,drawing, and information about a grant on their site.  You can save up to 55%!

Teachers Pay Teachers also has a sale that goes from May 7-8 (although a lot of sales, like mine, start today) where stores give you up to 20% off, then TpT on the 7th and 8th gives you an EXTRA 10% off (making 28%).  

I have to admit, I didn't hear about this sale until the weekly Sunday email....not sure if I missed something, but a couple of my fellow sellers said they never received an email beforehand either.  Not sure if it's a communication snafu on their part, or something on mine.....nor did I hear about being paid monthly?  Anywho, the email's still up because I went directly to TpT and signed up for a sale!  Who doesn't love a sale???

 

 And now, hooking up with Farley for the May Currently!

 Kind of self-explanatory.  Not sure if I should switch that "wanting" and "needing"!

I'll focus on my "bucket list."  During the year, I started out well with a friend of mine doing Zumba right after school in the classroom.  We'd cover the windows and door and get moving!  It was great - no need to worry about fitting it in between schoolwork and dinner, etc.  Then, her schedule changed and she couldn't stay anymore. And you know how that goes - I lost my motivation, told myself I'd do it "later" because I had to get things done before going home, etc.

So, I gave myself a "break" and promised myself that YES, I WILL do it this summer!  I tried to do this last summer and got oh-so-lazy.  This year, though, I am thoroughly disgusted with my body so that will be motivation enough! :)

BG/WC - we have season passes, live hour and a half from Williamsburg VA so it's usually a weekly thing and it's part of the loads of fun I have with my kids during the summer being a "stay at home" mom!  

Cleaning up my digital files - yeah, I have things in there I have not used since creating them in 2009 or before! Yikes!  I'm going to copy my network folder onto my external hard drive and work on at least a folder a day.  It's also a great time to clean up those flash drives!

Then, when I can, I'll upload it back onto the school's network folder later in the summer.  Plus, I have some great ideas that I made in the past, but the end result didn't exactly meet what was in my head, so having a little "redo" party and revisiting those ideas!  Thanks Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers/Notebook for putting this pressure on me!!! Just kidding. :)

Sooo...that's it for now.  Going to head out and do the rule of 3 for Farley (I find so many interesting blogs that way!).  Then getting ready for Monday - yikes!  Excited yet nervous - will I get it all in before May 28????

Currently and a Meerkat

First up, March Currently with Farley

Everything is self explanatory....Busch Gardens Williamsburg is about an hour and half drive for us and every year, we have season tickets.  Soooo worth the money!  I love going opening day since they always theme something around St. Patrick's Day in Ireland.  My kids (12 and 6) are also huge fans.  It just makes a great afmily outing!

The three "c's".......
I really enjoy creating things for my class.  I love to see their faces light up when they see familiar characters or just have fun with something I made! ;)  Gives you a big ego boost!  

Casino....bad word, I know.  Especially since we're doing "Dave Ramsey" system and trying to pay off debt.  I almost put that under "wanting," but refrained.  Joked (sort of) with my husband about going with the emergency fund and doubling it - hah!  I can't help it - I was raised on the horse track by my grandad!  They just make slots waaay too much fun! :) 

Crappy attitudes - 'nuff said.  I don't mind listening to people vent - I've done my fair share as well.  But sometimes, though, just DO something about it!  Don't be so negative about everything or eventually, there will be no one to vent to! :(

So...past the negative....on to meerkats! :)

I LOVE this book.  Well, honestly, I love ANYTHING about meerkats! (Oh how I miss you Meerkat Manor and the Whiskers clan!).  This was a Virgina Choice Reader's Selection several years ago.  I'm using it, along with the Ike LaRue series, to teach friendly letters.

My students will be creating postcards (shortened friendly letters - we'll discuss the differences) after reading the book from Sunny to her family if she decides to go on another trip, or from one of the places she went to during the book.  I decided to just be lazy go cheap and use 4x6 index cards with lines on one side and blank side for the picture.  This is such a FANTASTIC book because it actually has postcards in there for you to flip and read.  Too cute! ;)

My other favorite books to use with friendly letters are Ike LaRue by Mark Teague.  These are funny, but also teach friendly letter format.  I love using books to teach concepts, so when I can, I'll fit them in! :) 

One last thought - if you haven't linked up to Fifth in the Middle's "Where Ya'll From?" linky, do so!  It's great to find neighboring bloggers!  I know here in VA, we aren't Common Core, but we do have the SOLs to lament over! :)