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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Phoneme Segmenting....what a load of @$!#*

OK, so I am "intervening" at small group today. {Makes it sound like they are addicted to something}
"Hi. My name is Sally and I'm a recess-holic.  I haven't used since yesterday"

Anyway- trying to improve those very creative spelling skills, so I busted out the Counting Creatures, set out number cards 2-6 and gave each student 5 or 6 picture cards from my stock FCRR box.

They were going to take turns, place their card under the # of phonemes they hear in the word.
So, "Jack" says, "Miss Squirrels! Miss Squirrels! Miss Squirrels!" {because he always says my name three times} "I'm all done look at my cards!"
I had him tell me what the picture was and then he used the counting creatures to count the sounds.
{We were on our way to extending to writing} but alas, it was not to be....
I picked up a card- to be pictured in a moment- because I was sure it was 6 sounds, but "Jack" had it under 3.

The back of the card had potato written on it- that is not what he saw.
I said, "Well 'Jack', This is a potato.  Watch me count it on the creature. We will place it under the 6 card. Let's count the sounds."
"I did! I did! I did! I did count the sounds and its THREE!"
"Well. Jack, what word do you think this is?"
 "Poop. Watch me count it on creature- p/oo/p. Poop."
 It was at that moment that I knew this lesson had gone to #%@^#!


Heading to my big appointment today! Nervous, excited, scared.....I just can't wait!

And I love the tags- it's the answers to the questions that are the best- teachers are just so darn witty!
If I am not all swollen, I will post a pic-
Have a great Tuesday!

(Tech problem: I downloaded SMiley Monster- but when I try to use it in word or ppt, the dots on the "i" is cut off and the "g" and "y" are cut off- I have changed the size of the font and that didn't work- and I scrapped it and downloaded a new one.....any suggestions??)

Ok, NOW you can have a great Tuesday

{after you solve my problem}.

Just kidding!

Get outta here-

you have work to do.......

go........really:)

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Great Googly Moogly!- I'm am soooo Tagged!

1.       Wow! I got tagged 4xs today! And I feel bad if I don't answer all the questions- because then I feel like I am picking favorites- and we all know that teachers never pick favorites!!!
Here goes:
You must post the rules.
2. Post 12 fun facts about yourself on the blog post.
3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create 12 new questions for the people you tagged.
4. Tag 12 people and link them on your post.
5. Let them know you've tagged them!
 

 My Fun Facts:
1. I am almost 5'10". Always been taller than my friends:(
2. I was in an 80's Cover Band for about a year in 2000. Lead singer.
3. I hate to drive- anywhere!
4. I don't like to sleep at night- that is why I always have to take a nap!
5. My sister is my next door neighbor.
6. I was a bartender at Applebee's while I was in college (made more $ doing that) for reals!
7. The only thing I hate more than "kitchen" is laundry (remember the bathing suit bottoms?)
8. I think only 1 teacher I know at my school knows I have a blog- she hasn't said it- but she made a comment the other day that makes me think she does....hmmm....can you say "start censoring!?!?!"
9. I used to be able to fit my whole fist in my mouth- let me try....nope, scratch that one.
10. I am addicted to reality TV.
11. I am two years older than the Mr. (he doesn't let me forget it)
and
12. I hate to shave my legs (I do it, but I hate it) I would rather "grow socks" in the winter!!

Ok- now for the other questions

Questions from  Tammy @ Klinger Cafe
How long have you been teaching? 6 years
What was your first teaching job? Kindergarten here in the same school
What made you decide to become a teacher? Watching my daughter in her toddler years
Do you have a teaching “idol?” yes, her last name is Skau
What is your favorite thing to do in the summer? swim, then nap, then swim, (and indulge in adult frothy beverages)
Do you get a spring break if so when? Last week of March this year
Do you have extra duties besides teaching that are nonpaid? non that require extra hours at the school- i get in service hours for Leadership and Hospitality
Who is the “go to” person at your school? on grade level- me (I'll take my bow now)
What is your greatest dream in the world of teaching? iPads for everyone!!!!!
What snack gets you through “those days?”Anything with Chocolate
What would you be doing if you didn’t teach? My first major was Acct. but I don't know if I could hang in that business!
Would we be friends if we taught together, why or why not? Of course- I think the teachers who choose to blog and share automatically have something that would spark a friendship....I think we are all the same personality type!

Bonnie @ Living a Wonderful Life
  1. What state do you live in? TN
  2. Do you collect anything? weird friends
  3. What is your favorite color? grays and black
  4. Do you do anything work related on the weekend? Every weekend!
  5. What is your favorite food? Chocolate
  6. How long is your commute to work? 7 mins tops
  7. If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? splurge on the family- then work on our school district!
  8. How do you spend your time when you're relaxing? napping
  9. How many weddings have you been in? 3
  10. What is your favorite place you've visited? Fredericksburg, VA
  11. If you weren't a teacher, what would you be? calm....har har....I don't know, really- I haven't thought of it before
  12. Kids...do you have any?  How many do you have/want? I have 3. Daughter is 15, boys are 7 and 10
    Stacy @ 2nd Grade Paradise
    So...onto the 12 questions for my peeps...
    1. How long have you been blogging? October 2011
    2. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? World Class Chocolate from Baskin Robbins
    3. Who is your number one blogging addiction, as in, gotta' read their new post every day?? I am copping out on this one- I read all the ones I follow!
    4. Best find on Pinterest to date? (slightly selfish motivation) My squirrels!!!
    5. Most memorable freebie from the blog world to date? (more selfish...) fresh in my mind- Abby's inferring activity
    6. Worst experience as a teacher? This past Friday- they were C.R.A.Z.Y.! Dropping the hammer tomorrow!
    7. Best? First year- it was stressful- but so fulfilling!
    8. Why did you become a teacher? Watching my daughter grow and learn was an inspiration
    9. What are you obsessed with BESIDES blogging? my displays at school
    10. I feel the best when I am in the room with the sweeties and we are working without worry of assessment and plans and evals- but they are into it and learning!!! (not really a question and yet, it so is!)
    11. What celebrities have you met if any? no actors
    12. What shows can you NOT live without watching? Jersey and Mob Wives

    Rebecca @ Teaching First
    1. What is your favorite t.v. show? Mob Wives the Hoarding shows
    2. What was your favorite food as a child? fish sticks
    3. What is one of your favorite quotes? "A person's a person no matter how small"
    4. What is your favorite season of the year? Fall
    5. If you could have any technology in your classroom, what would you ask for? iPads!
    6. If you could ask a person from history about a past event who would it be and what event would it be? Abraham Lincoln- I gotta know- why the beard and no stache......? It's just odd.
    7. What is your favorite dessert? Chocolate Chess Pie
    8. What is your best quality as a teacher? Patience
    9. If you had one piece of advice you could have give a new blogger what would it be? Set aside a time for blogging!
    10. What time do you usually get up for work? 6am
    11. Where would your dream vacation be? a beach....a private beach- that way no one could see me!
    12. What is the last book you read?
    The Help




    Whew!  With Valentine's Day being so close....
    My questions:
    1. When was the last time you talked to your high school sweetheart?
    2. What is the most important quality in your lovey- dovey?
    3. Do you believe in love at first sight? Has it ever happened to you?
    4. Where is the most romantic place you have gone for a date?
    5. Does your sweetie support you in the blogging world? (The Mr thinks it's silly).
    6. If you could plan a getaway with your honey, where would you go?
    7. What is one word that best describes you both as a couple?
    8. How long have you been with your honey-bunny?
    9. What is the best present you have ever received for Valentine's Day?
    10. What is best present you have given to someone for Valentine's Day?
    11. Where was your first date?
    12. Why don't you show ME some love and add me to your Blog Roll!?!?!?!? <3 Smooches!!


    Now for the hard part.... I am trying to make sure I don't tag someone who has been tagged!












    YOUR NAME










    First Grade Fun


    Whew! 
    That was  A LOT! 
    Several Cups of coffee on this one!
    Keep Tagging!!!!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Inferences and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Thank you, Abby from The Inspired Apple!

I don't think I have EVER used the word infer or inference and had so many light bulbs go off!
I am SEEEER-E-US!
Brilliant Lesson {thank you, Abby, for your post}! And I totally traced the clipart from a google search (the keys and the camera).
The rest was Abby's!
I also used My Granny's Purse- a book that my mother in law gave to my daughter like 10 years ago!



It was a magical moment for them. And me! Some of their work on display:




I had Bath and Body works spray- he infers that I like other people to smell good and I spray them in they are stinky. 
And the "shrpie" cracks me up.....he sort of lost direction before he finished that one- but he was right, "It never erasis" :)




Ok, now for the WMD-

I know they were never found over there in Iraq- that is because they are living in my closet!

They are my favorite black shoes. And they make my feet SMELL HORRIBLE! 
I am talking about smells so bad, you can get a whiff IMMEDIATELY after the shoe is removed.
Sometimes when the MR isn't in the car yet, we play a game. It is called "Lets- see-how-long-it-takes-Daddy-to-realize-Mommy's-shoes-are-0ff"! {His record is under a minute}!

I don't know why. It is just those shoes. And I wear trouser socks! They are wearing out though- and I don't remember where I got them!  This makes me sad...:(

I am now using them as "Chemical Warfare". I have told my neighbor teacher that if any meeting seems like it is taking too long- give me the signal {holding your nose} and I will remove a shoe.....

We have an Academic Coach meeting tomorrow during planning- LET THE GAMES BEGIN......!



Sunday, January 22, 2012

It's Been That Kind of Sunday!

If I were any lazier than I was today....I would be dead!
Here is a list of things I have done today: In order

1. Woke up.
2. Took a nap.
3. Woke up again.
4. Tried to take a second nap (thanks kids)!
5. Had the Mr drive me to 6 stores looking for  a new pen (really)
6. ....there isn't a #6 yet. I will have to get back to you!

I did read lots of blogs. Found lots of Giveaways!



A Cupcake for the Teacher
She is celebrating 400 followers! Congratulations- I am thinking positively- I will win the gift card....I will win the gift card..... {we'll see how that works}



This is a "joint" giveaway- so lots and lots of goodies to win!



Thinking Out Loud

Jana has posted her first product on Tpt. It is very cute! That is a huge step- I haven't taken it yet- but I will soon, very soon...ok, not too soon because I lacking in motivation on the weekends....but hopefully soon! {It looks great, Jana!)

And last but not least- Melissa at DillyDabbles is having a PHENOM Common Core pack giveaway....she's not choosing until she gets to 50 followers....so send everyone over there! It is AH-Mazing!




Our 100th day is this Thursday- we really don't do a whole lot with it. Kindergarten does {I used to}...but it is hard to forfeit a day.
I saw someone comment early this weekend that she really liked so many of the Craftivities, but because of scope and sequence and pacing guide and curriculum constraints- she wasn't able to do as many of those as she liked....I am in the same boat!
We are a Scott Foresman district....it's on our report cards and everything- so I HAVE to do that.  I have to make our activities during our center time or small group.

I already push the envelope by making the things we do- only one other firstie teacher {out of nine} does them- and it is like a "covert" operation bc we are afraid others wont see it the way we do, as far as covering standards....

Do you follow a  reading series? is it optional? Do you have "freedoms"?

(I think this post now counts as #6)...hee hee

Friday, January 20, 2012

Hugs and Kissess

Happy Friday!
I am exhausted!

Whatever is going around {tummy bug}, has landed in my room, again!
This time there was no poop in the socks~ but it was a close one... and I am totally not talking about one of them!
I made three trips to the nurse's office this morning....and after three doses of medicine, I was okay~ until the heartburn kicked in around 1pm. And I ate a half a bottle of tums....

And you're thinking, why would she stay?!?!? Get a sub for goodness sakes!
Well I am going to be out with my daughter's appts, and with my dental appts, and, honestly-
it is harder to not be there than it is to be there sometimes!
Teaching- The only job in the world where we come to work sick so that we can relax on our sick days!


I had my Pre conference on Tuesday and my Eval on Wed. I think it went okay. It was a planning eval. So she more or less was looking at my plans the whole time. We dont have our post conference til the end of next week- I won't remember anything by then!
I did get a new student on the day of the eval. She came from a school where they don't take grades and there isn't a lot of pressure on them.....one day in and she is already making excuses.....Aye ye ye!

I did have time to redo the door. Not anywhere as ambitious as Little Red was, but still cute.
We use poetry often- but we are also required to have a showcase piece for their portfolio. So I used the adorable hot cocoa mugs I have seen on Pinterest

We wrote the alphabet vertically and then brainstormed in groups to fill each line with a word or phrase that has to with winter.
These words were going to then help them to create their Acrostic POems.
They were sweet- and some of them are going to grow up to be teachers. Here are a few of their choices when told to think of snow and winter weather:
a-absent
d- day off
n- no school
o-out of school
s- snow day


and one of my sweetie girls made XOXOXOXOX for x. I asked her why and she said because mommies love to snuggle and hug with their kids when they are home from school...sweet.....delusional....but sweet!

The poems are on the mugs...kind of hard to see the poems.


We are going to get lots and lots of rain over the next few days.
These things you can be assured will be happening: There will be naps. There will be comfort food. There will be blogging!

I have to get on and see how my luck is with all these giveaways I have entered!!!!! Sleep in if you can!!!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Around the Room

Alrighta-Rootie!
Thanks for sharing your ideas about type vs write!

1. So tonight, I WROTE my plans into the template- felt a little more connected- we'll see how that pans out. (I will scan them at school tomorrow)

2. I have decided that I am going to pawn off, unload, share the Decode If I Can (Dykodiphukan) with another teacher (hee hee...) I just can't keep all that stuff when I am trying so hard to condense what I have.

3. I was off today too! And I went to Appt Step # 1 for the veneers!!! whoo-hoo! With all the stuff that has gone on with the girl, I had to reschedule  a few times. :( She is doing really well BTW. Queasy in the a.m though.

Now for a quick look at a few things in my room:


This is the Center Center. Math centers are numbered. Reading Centers are lettered. 1 and A are technology and then B is listening and C is Word Work. (I am toying with converting to Red, Black and White. Dandelions and Dragonflies has a gorgeous room! And everything matches!!) We'll see....
This is our "Tired Word Wall". There are some words in each- and when we think of more synonyms, we add them! When they are writing, if they find a tired word in their writing- they have to substitute it. (Reverse Psychology- everyone wants to "get a new word", which in turn- makes them have to look at them and read  all of them......me so sneaky!)
All of my books are in LibraryThing.com and in these banker boxes. Did this three years ago- makes it very easy to find what I am looking for!
Bought the box at Really Good Stuff- made the labels on PPT.
After I taped up their desks (ha ha) I hot glued these red cups to desks. Cups are only for scissors, yellow pencils, response cards, and dry erase markers. Crayons, glue, and markers are in these caddies. 1 caddy per 2 firsties.
This is where the caddies live when they are not using them. I had my doubts about community crayons but this IS working!!!!!! (bleck! someone needs to dust that thing)
And these are our 'I CAN" statements. Saw a picture of a sign like this on Pinterest....fell in love. The font for the days of the week is Peeps- FUNNY! Green is Reading. Yellow is Math and Red is Unit.
Whew- that was like a set of vacation pictures at the neighbor's house, eh?
But they are not all "separate post" worthy.

Tomorrow is my pre conference, Wednesday is the Eval, Friday sister in law will be in town- she's a hoot! Sure there will be a story there after she leaves!!!!
Have a great week!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Evaluations and Advice

OK, first a "Self-Evaluation"
I am so tired of looking like the "Before" picture in the magazines! (that was me yelling)!
Seriously though, some of those "befores" look way better than my "after".
I know, "After what?"
Ok, Ok, I haven't gotten anywhere close to starting around to actually trying to solve this problem, but admitting I have the problem is the first step! How long am I allowed to stay on the first step???

Now for the "School Evalutation"-
I have my Planning Eval on the 18th. One of the asst pals will be in my room for  total of 15 mins- that's it- 15 mins.
The last one (the Instruction Eval) went very well-
and now I have anxiety (did I take my meds)....I'm am stressed because I'm know I will over plan and over analyze and on the other hand, what if I am too laid back about it???? ARGHHH!!!
The eval will be during Math, during our circus show centers and small group part of math. Ugh! And THEN when January ends- my 45 min UNANNOUNCED EVAL is coming.....can you say "ULCER!?!?!?!"


Ok, now for advice-
No, I am not dispensing it. Unfortunately there is not a Dear Squirrely section of the blog. (Who would ask a squirrel for advice anyway!?!?!? They're NUTS!)

I am considering going back to handwriting my plans. I found a template that I really liked on Teacher LadyBug Files. It is one day per page with large blocks to write in for main subjects and a space for the rest of the schedule. I downloaded it and tweaked it for my times.
I use my previous plans as a "springboard" each week- but I feel like I have been doing an awful lot of copying and pasting lately. It is making me feel a little disconnected. Does that make sense? We don't have a "set" format, but we are expected to include certain things. With all of our PLC and PDs and modules- I feel like I am on the pc too much (for school).  Am I crazy? Do you type or write?

One more question....a neighboring teacher gave me Decode If You Can. The whole kit and kaboodle. I have a few low ones every year and I thought- this could be helpful to use with them- and then..... GREAT BUCKETS OF WILD GEESE!!!!!!! There is SO MUCH crap that comes with it! Should I learn how to use it and incorporate it (next year) or should I just pass it on? Keeping it doesn't seem to follow along with the de-cluttering theme. What would you do? (And give it back isn't an option- she is already gone) :(

And last but not least, a shameless plug for someone else's giveaway- because I want to win, of course- My Grafico has a giveaway every month. Check out this month's here . :)



So-
Type or Write?
Keep or Pass On?
Working or Off for MLK day?

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Hurry! It's not too late to send some love

"We have an opportunity to help out some fellow teachers! Here is an email that Mrs. Wills got from a teacher in Joplin, MO:

I teach in Joplin, which made worldwide news last May when our town was cut in half by an F5 tornado.  Many of our elementary schools were destroyed or damaged, and as teachers, we have had a roller coaster year.  I came from a meeting yesterday where many are struggling with the weight of all we are dealing with.  My request is this:  would you be willing to donate a created pack of your choosing to give away at a drawing at our upcoming district Kindergarten grade level meeting?  The meeting is Monday and I am sorry for the short notice but I did not realize until the meeting how down everyone is feeling. "
  
Mrs. Wills decided to take this one step further and make this into a linky party of love!
1.  Send your TpT product or Teacher's Notebook to Erica
edoennig@joplin.k12.mo.us
2. Then link up over at Mrs. Wills' Kindergarten

I just linked up a few minutes ago-

It puts things in perspective for me- my complaints seem trivial when you compare them to what these teachers must be feeling!
Send 'em your love!

Friday, January 13, 2012

Winners of My First Giveaway!



Congratulations  to Jeannie from Booky4First, Staci from Let's Teach Something, and Holly from Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade!
Shoot me an email and I will send you your "winnings"!
Thank you to everyone for entering~ it was fun!

Tell more people about your " Secret-Squirrel-Friend", and I will have another one as my numbers rise:)

We were out today- because of SNOW!
I would have totally been jealous (and kind of still am) about Jen R.'s trip to the beach if I had been at work today..but I wasn't there- I would still love to have been warm at the beach though:)
Instead,I was in my squirrely kajamas (the "k" was on purpose) and I got to take nap!

Then I got to babysit a 4 week old baby girl! OMG! We were enamored the whole time! She was here for around 4.5 hours and I think I held her for 4! I miss those days....sometimes. There were a  few shakey moments when we weren't sure why she was crying....but we figured it out:) By the time her mommy got here to get her, I was exhausted!!

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers for our Dr appt yesterday. Her numbers were "up" but with the "medicine" not doing what it was initally set up to do- they changed it. Now it is 3xs as potent and she has to take it in the morning AND at night- thank goodness they gave her anti-nausea meds. They also put her on a different iron supplement.

Did you know that if you take vitamins and drink/eat dairy within two hours of each other that your vitamin isn't "working"? I had no idea! The dairy does something to keep the "blah blah blah" from "blah blah blah blahing"....She is a BIG milk drinker...so the last month while she has been doing grown up multi vitamins and iron- all the milk she is drinking (all day) is keeping them from helping her. The solution was to take the vits and iron right before bed...as far as we know, she does not drink milk in her sleep. :)

It is now time for me to engage in some provocative, risque, sexy mama, Friday night, night life action....

....who am I kidding? I am going to laminate some cards for a center, drink some coffee, do a night mask, blog stalk, and watch ID Discovery.... I know, the most exciting woman you know, right? The MR has to work tomorrow- so I get to sleep in- so I can stay up as late as I like:)

I took lots of pictures Wednesday of some things going on in my room- I will post them tomorrow!


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

"I Can't Think of a Title"-Title

#1. getting lots of response to my giveaway......yippee!

#2. Good Job, Kristin- now I have to DVR TWO MORE SHOWS!!! :)  I already have my guilty pleasures (Mob Wives is one- Go Drita!) Uh-ho. looks like there's more time with the puppy and the snuggie on the couch!- Darn it!

#3 Up until this past December, I had never heard of OLW. It is a blessing! This is how our OLW project is going.

So we have really talked about this. I am loving my OLW and I have gotten my family involved.

Our class had a big discussion about choosing your OLW..blah, blah, blah- you know how this part works.
Our words our on our desks. They are under their seating chart on the board.
We made the hats for outside of our room (like the wonderful ones I have seen online). Here are a few of my favorites:
Confidence


Practice



AND I used the 7mil ID laminating pouches to make them "official-card-carrying-owners of OLW":

I just love my girls! I told them to cover their eyes so I didn't have to change the picture online! There is another picture where the card is under their chins, but it is on the "password-protected-class site".

Today we wrote about our OLW- and they shared out- and I cried. They really are a great group of genuinely kind and compassionate children- (when they aren't pinching someone or pulling their hair  or pushing in line or....)

Going with MY OLW : PRIORITY...., I must log off~ We are going in for bloodwork tomorrow (daughter)- the "medicine" isn't working like it should and her levels are low- the MR took her today and she has to go back tomorrow- we may be looking at another stay in Vanderbilt!

Don't forget to enter if you haven't- Entries are due by midnight Thursday! Enter Here!


Monday, January 9, 2012

Currently- January- Giveaway Reminder!

Farley's Currently is making the rounds!
Here is mine:

FYI- I just located a plastic candy cane full of Candy Cane Mint Kisses....never had one before and I thought I broke my freakin' tooth!!! There should be  a warning that the bits of candy cane are so hard!!!! call it Karma- 'cause I totally "stole" it out of a child's room....my mom always said it "wasn't stealing bc it was her house"...whatever  makes me sleep better, right??

Speaking of sleeping better-  I was totally obsessed with peeked at my comments on my giveaway today-
It ends at midnight on the 12th- really, it will be over, and your chances will be gone- you don't want to be upset with yourself bc you didn't try....so I will wait while you comment and enter!! HERE!

Have a terrific Tuesday!
(Who was the Lucky Duck who won the 40 and Fabulous giveaway?)

Sunday, January 8, 2012

It's My First Giveaway!

Yeah!
I am so excited!
My Giveaway is overdue- I wanted to have one when I hit 100. I had so much support with the stand against the MR and the non kitchen thing- so you all deserve a chance to win something great! (I had "kitchen" today.....bleck!)

So here it is.


(Fonts are from Kevin and Amanda and Font Garden)
But it isn't JUST The First 100- It's the also the Second 100 AND the Third 100!!!
Yep, that' right- 300 Fry Phrases in this format!

I am at a school where we do not have access to color printers (and I use my color printer for centers and posters) and I am too scared to use clip art (and post it) until I am Uber-sure I am doing that the right way- I don't want the Clip Art Police at my door! So B&W for things that I make multiple copies of is the key!

Ways I use them (and the possibilities are E.N.D.L.E.S.S)!

Print one class copy on cardstock and laminate- this copy gets used when we are waiting in line some where...(Flashcards), my moms have them in their caddies at times, I use the ppt and  an hour glass timer- they try to read as many slides as they can, sentence enhancers and my fav- They are on my class website for those parents who want to have a copy at home (and will use them)- and they don't have to print them if they choose not to!

What- not enough to make a "non-follower" become a "squirrel-a-holic"?

Ok, how about three winners?

Still not biting???

Ok, you twisted my tail... I'm throwing in  (and I feel a little like Oprah)....

....three $10 Target Gift Cards!!!!!! I know, right?!?!?! How Awesome AM I???

So how do I get my hands on these prizes ???(that's what your thinking).

1. Follow me!  Leave a comment that you are a follower!
2. Leave a comment about how you use Fry Phrases (or how you will)
3.  Follow me on Pinterest and leave a comment that you do!

So, let's recap- 
3  sets of 300 Fry Phrases
3 $10 Target Gift Cards
3 Ways to Win
and 3 winners!!!!

Giveaway ends Thursday, Jan the 12th @ midnight! I'll post on the 13th! Don't forget to leave your email or a link back to you in your comment
Good Luck and thank you for bloggy love!

TOTALLY NON-RELATED:
Earlier, Kerrie at Teacher Bits and Bobs posted about her Target find and as soon as I saw it, I squealed! She found the cutest little take-out box -treat-holder-thingys so I yelled to the Mr, 
"MR!- WE HAVE TO GO TO TARGET- STAT!"
and so we did and I bought all of them!!! Plus the ice cube tray for "making" crayons.
I LOVE THEM! I will fill them with Candy and write something like "I'm Nuts about you!"
Have a great week this week!

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Gratitude, Shout-Outs and A FREEBIE!

Thank you for all the comments~ I appreciate the support!

I couldn't fall asleep last night. Last time I looked at the clock it was 2:30am and I got up at 6am- so that made for  a lovely first full day with me sweeties!

I just feel a little "sold-out".  I was never given a chance to talk to the parents and admin never said 'ok, let's schedule a meeting and see what we can do."
With the move being made at the parent's request, I feel like they were agreeing with the parents!
I went into the new teacher's room during planning so that she could send home the medical survey I had to fill out on the child. While we were in the there, the child was called up to be dismissed. So she came back from music to get her bag- and when she saw me, she looked terrified! What did they tell her?!? Do you know that mom or dad didn't even come to my room this morning for her to get her things??

ok- pity party is officially over. I have to move on.

I have a few things to share- non of them related to each other- just a few things to share.
1.
These are the "Squirrels in Love" Salt and Pepper Shakers I recd from my Mother in-law  for Christmas.! The oldest son said he is just happy that the holes for the S and P are in their heads and not under their tails!




2. From my Versatile Blogger Award Picks! I have gotten so many great ideas that I have already used, printed, purchased, or have in my cart! My budget for colored ink, laminating pouches, and cardstock had to be increased!!!

 An Open Door
 Buggy for Second
 Buzzing with Ms. B
 First Grade Delight
 Heather's Heart
Hopelessly Devoted to Teaching
Klinger Cafe
 Marvelous Multiagers

 Sub Hub
 Sweet Times in First

3. Laminating-
Rachel from Sub Hub posted about her laminator this week and it made me think of a laminating trick that I have. It spawned from my thriftiness and also because we used to only get 15 ft. of lamination a month. And when I was new, I didn't think about that "empty space" that comes out of the machine when you are laminating odd shaped items. I just ran my stuff through and hoped no one (admin) saw what I was wasting as I walked back to my room with it.

So I started taking sentence strips and index cards with me to the workroom.  If I am laminating poster board or regular shaped stuff, I can usually fit a sentence strip along the side where there is usually empty space. When I have the really odd shaped stuff, I whip out my index cards and start feeding them in there to be rolled in and take up the space!!!

I use the strips with dry erase markers in small group, whole group, and centers. And the index cards  (white and colored) are great for all of those things too! The uses are unlimited. Now that I have a growing stash of them- I am always thinking of  a way to use them.

4. And last but not least-
I used ideas that I have gotten from many teachers and places and border that I got from Tpt (Karen Cox) to make these spelling task cards. I did have some in a spelling center- but they are also great for my volunteers to take out with my sweeties. The little guys like them, because she lets them pick (like "pick a card, any card") and they do the activities together with the word list for the week! Some of them have to be done in the room- but she has a caddy with markers, paper, pencils etc that she takes out with her (See Volunteers without tears post)
I hope you find #3 and/or #4 useful. Would love some nutty chatter if you do- or if you have other ideas about either one of them to add to!

I am working on a giveaway right now- so be sure to check back tomorrow!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Sad Squirrels, Rabid Rodents, and Super Storytellers!

Today was "meeting" day. I DID get a lot done.  I also DID get my bleu cheese topped steak. But at the end of my day, I was told that one of my student's was leaving my room. 

That happens all the time and I know we get sad (sometimes), but this child is not moving away, she is moving to another teacher's room at the parent's request! 

This is the first time that a parent has ever had an issue with me. EVER! Mom emailed me over the break and asked me to fill out "the paperwork"....checklist for Dr. And when Dad came in to the school today to bring it in, he asked for her to be moved.
He has never even talked to me. He told the asst pal that my "class was not structured" and he was afraid "-----wasn't reaching her potiential" in my room!!! What? She has  As and Bs.

I can't even tell all the details because I can't wrap my brain around the fact that he never came to me. He went straight to the office (his daughter also had an office referral the day before break because she can't keep her hands to herself and the Pal said one more time and she is suspended). But that is like your steak not being prepared correctly at a restaurant and instead of calling the server over, you get out your phone and call corporate office!!

It angered me, then I was sad, then I was mad again, and now I am just sick at my stomach over it.

Ok, this is sad and mopey- so I will lighten it up a bit. (even though my heart really is heavy over this).

When I opened the curtain to get her textbooks out for her new teacher,  I had to move a little bin out of the way. As it tilted toward me, it felt like it was teetering....it was because "GI-GAN-TOR the mouse" was on his way out of the bin! He jumped and ran away and I SCREAMED like someone was beating me! (I was embarrassed afterwards at how loud I really did scream!). (Oh, Caitlin, I so feel your pain from "the incident" that may or may not have happened)!!

I felt like Sylvester the cat because this is what was there:
This is what he looked like after I finished telling the stories about him:


 


It was just icky.....I can hold a hamster and love on a guinea pig- but BLECK- I can't do mice! (I think it's the tail).

OK, now the storytelling....looking over past posts- not so much with the teachery stuff while we have been on break. So I am going to share what I call  My First Grade Story. This is my first year to do it.

I bought the expensive, pretty story writing books (Frog Street) last year. And I wasn't sure what I was going to do with it. I decided having a weekly sample of their writing in one place would make for a great treat for them at the end of the year. They are writing in third person and we are writing past tense so when they look back on it, it will make more sense.
It is amazing.
I pass it out after reading comp test every Friday. So far it is scripted. They are filling in blanks and illustrating. We are going to do scripted for two more weeks and then I think I am going to let them go!
Example
 pg 1- Once upon a time, there was a ----------named --------------.
pg2 --------------was in the first grade at -------------.
pg3 -----------------teacher was ------------------.

I use my dat-o-matic stamp to stamp the date on each Friday and their handwriting and spelling and choice of words has changed so much. They have written about best friends, fav subjects, fav lunches,etc. It really is cute and will be a great keepsake when they are out of first grade.

Well time to drown my sorrow in some peppermint mocha decaf and watch  a little reality TV- their crazy lives always make me feel better!



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