Writing Workshop/ Freebie #1

We follow Lucy Calkin's Writing Workshop format for our writing program.

We have been using it now for a long time. Last year it was updated to match the Common Core Standards. It is harder to follow, but I am sure we will get the hang of it.

Here is some writing paper for you.

I like to have as much options as I can for their paper choices.

Cute birthday and barn paper.

Click on the image to go to the link.

We always start off with an introduction to the Writing Workshop routine.

I model a lot in my classroom. I try to incorporate the "First Six Weeks" of Responsive Classroom into these routines:

~~using pens

~~gathering paper

~~where to put our paper

~~what a good writer looks like and sounds like

~~how to write quietly

~~how to clean up after we are through

We have some fun with our modeling. Everyone wants to model what a good writer "doesn't" look like. It's a favorite.

I like to get them ready to go on this as soon as possible. 

They are able to write more throughout the year if we get our routines established early.

Have a wonderful day!

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Going on Vacation!

Woo Hoo!

We are preparing for our vacation. My family is so excited!

I have some exciting things planned for the next couple days.

Stay tuned for the few days!

Have a wonderful day!

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Say No to Stress Linky Party

Haley, over at Following Optimism, is hosting a "Say No to Stress" Linky Party.

How do you de-stress after a hard day at work?

I grab my dog, Rosie, and go for a LONG run. When I am running I am not thinking about school, teachers, students, parents, etc.. I really enjoy my long runs.

Any chance I get I go out and take pictures. I LOVE photography. It is a HUGE de-stresser. You don't think about anything but getting that great shot.

What do you do to take the edge off of those "not-so-great" days?

Have a wonderful day!

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Another Day of Work!

Yesterday we had some great conversations.

We are meeting as K, 1, Reading Specialist, and Speech Therapist to learn more about the ISA approach.

I don't know about you, but I kind of want someone to put a program in my hands and say, "Work with this for awhile.". I would feel much better than having a process hashed out among us. 

What will work with our classes, What won't?

I know that's the easy way out, but there are so many things demanded from us this year. 

APPR, RTI, CCS...any other acronyms I have forgotten?

Don't get me wrong, I think the big picture of ALL of these is to benefit teachers and students. I am not sure the way it is being presented is the best.

I know in the end we will end up doing what is best for our students because that's what teachers do. 

We had some conversations about communication between the support staff and classroom teachers. I know that I need to work on this. We talked about having a binder to show what we are working on during the week. I think I will share my lesson plans with each of the support staff that works in my room. I do them on the computer so it won't be that hard. 

The thing that will be more difficult will be sharing Guided Reading plans.

Sometimes my Guided Reading plans change during the course of the lesson. 

I will have to be more focused with my plans this year. 

This will be beneficial to me. :)

One thing I wanted to ask you all...

What do you use for a Running Record Sheet?

We have been using the same one for years!

I am going to search today, but if you have one you'd like to share, I would appreciate it.

Off to "work"!

Have a wonderful day!

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ISA and Math Curriculum

I am back to work this week to revise the Math Curriculum and learn about ISA.

I think Investigations has done a very good job realigning their program with the Common Core Standards. It is very easy to put into a curriculum document. We want this to be useful for new teachers coming into the district. We have an online document that we work on. 

We are also working on adjusting our Yearlong Maps for our math program.

It is a lot of tedious work, but I think this will be useful

The other thing I am doing this week is learning about ISA. We have had a grant for RTI for the past couple years. I think our school is ahead of the game when it comes to RTI. This part of the grant is for early intervention in reading. Yesterday was pretty bland. It feels like this is a few things, taken from a few people or programs, and put together as a new idea. Yesterday we went over the basics of the process. I am hoping today brings really great ideas and discussions.

On a completely different topic...

My "old lady's" softball team won it's FIRST EVER playoff game on Monday.

We play tonight for our second game. We have never been in the WINNER's bracket!!!

Wish us luck!

Have a wonderful day!!!

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One more thing...
Have you seen Erin's GIVEAWAY????
An entire theme from ...

Head on over to check it out!
You won't believe it!

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Monday Made It!

I am linking up with Tara again from 4th Grade Frolics.

This has been such an inspiration to get into the classroom. I don't think I have ever been THIS ready. YIPPEEEE!!!

My daughter and I were hard at work in school. 

We had two big projects to work on.

This was my inspiration. 

Click on the picture to go to the website.

Here is ours. I still have to fix the top. I LOVE the result!

Janie came into and painted with me. 

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!

Katie painted at home.

Nice Huh?!?

And I "made" this for my sister and brother.

It's a picture of us at my sister-in-law's 40th birthday party.

I am going to frame it for each of them for Christmas.

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April's having a FABULOUS giveaway! Head on over to check it out!

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Vacation/ Input

I am planning my posts for my vacation. YIPPEEEEE!!!

I can't wait!

There will be a freebie for everyday I am gone!

Woo Hoo!

Now I have to get to work.

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I wanted to post about Writing Workshop, Words Their Way, and Investigations.

Is there anything you would really like me to cover? 

I will be making some signs, papers, etc. for each of the topics.

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I'll leave you with this beauty. 

Flowers AMAZE me!

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A Little Freebie For YOU

One of the things that drives me crazy makes me a teensy tense is students coming out of the bathroom and you know and I know they haven't:

a. flushed

b. washed their hands

c. turned off the light OR

d. shut the door.

Well, here is a little reminder for them. 

I laminate it and put it on the door so they see it before they walk out and I interrogate ask them politely.

Have a wonderful day!

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Monday Made It and Another Fab Giveaway!!!

Monday Made It!

Thank you to Tara for making me do things for my classroom and home that I wouldn't have gotten to this summer if it weren't for "Monday Made It"!

I Love Mondays!!!

I started with a plain chalkboard.

Painted the frame and added a ribbon.

Attached some twine and voila.

I made two. I think I am going to use one at home and one at school.

This one took a little more time...

We had shoe boxes in our mudroom until Real Simple came and helped us redo our room.

This has been sitting in our garage for the past year.

I spray painted the outside purple.

And the trim a pretty light teal.

I can't wait to put this in my classroom.

I have another one. I am going to paint it opposite colors.

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Check out Marie's Giveaway!

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Giveaway!!!

Go check out Janine's giveaway!

I am so lucky to be part of it. There are so many things you can win!

 

                                      

WOW!!!!

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Just Stalking... and Pinning...

Giveaway...Holy Moly!

Lacey, over at Wild About Teaching, is having an amazing giveaway. 

Go check it out!

Aimee, from Primarily Speaking, is having a fabulous giveaway.

You can choose 2 items from her TpT store... and she has a great freebie until Monday.

I can't wait to use these SMART Board ideas!

Love this idea!

Daily 5.

Must do!

Have a wonderful day!

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Birthday Graph Freebie

Good Morning!!!

Yesterday we spent all day celebrating my daughter's 17th birthday! OH MY!

How does that happen?

My youngest daughter, Janie.

My oldest daughter, Katie.

We went to their swim meet and then had a special dessert at home!

I have your first freebie ready. I am hoping that I can get out one each day.  :)

There are month headers and graph pieces to write the student's names and date of their birthday.

It is such a big file I had to break it up into 5 parts. 

Click on the picture to go to my store. You can find them all there.

Have a wonderful day!

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I Have Missed You All SO Much!

I know I have only been gone a couple days, but I feel like I have been gone for weeks.

My husband and I went on a little camping/concert weekend with some really great friends of ours. 

We had so much fun.

I have been toying around with the owl theme for next year. I have definitely decided to go with it. 

I am LOVING owls. Everywhere I go I look for them.

With that decision out of the way...I am ready to go, go, go!

I am in the process of making things for my classroom.

 I will be sharing them with you. Be on the lookout for some owl freebies. :)

I am also looking to write some posts about Writing Workshop, Words Their Way, and Responsive Classroom. These are things that work really well in my classroom. I would like to share with you and get some more ideas. If anyone would like to guest blog about any of these topics, I would really like that. Please contact me. :)

Have a wonderful day!

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Summer Giveaway Winner

Congratulations Janine!!!

We will be contacting you shortly!

And because I am feeling excited about summer and our upcoming Phish concert this weekend. 

YIPPEEEEEE!!!!

I am choosing three surprise winners to choose one item from my TpT store. 

Congratulations Lori, Beth, and Kim!

I will be contacting you soon!

Have a wonderful day!

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Happy Independence Day

I hope everyone enjoys their day!
Winners announced tomorrow!

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