Saturday, April 14, 2012

Tagged and Flying High With Place Value


     I've been tagged by 3 lovely ladies and I will be responding to ALL 30 of their questions! More on that in a bit. I have been gone for almost 2.5 weeks from school from sickness and spring break. It is so great to back to teaching! The first week back was craziness. My sweets needed to be reminded of some of our class rules after a sub and spring break. We started a new math unit Envision Math Topic 14 - four digit numbers. The unit I created "Flying High with Place Value" was excellent to introduce the first lesson and use as reinforcement. I created this mini anchor chart to show different ways to show a number. It's part of the unit Flying High With Place Value ~ the sweets loved it!
      Now I'm playing tag!

Here are the rules:
~Post these rules
~Answer the 10 questions that the tagger posted for you
~Create 10 questions of your own to ask the people that you're about to tag
~Tag 10 people and link them with your post (and let them know they've been tagged)

FIRST, I was tagged by Run! Miss Nelson's Got the Camera

Which do you prefer teaching Reading or Math?
I love both, but teaching math seems to be so much easier to make hands on and I feel like it is much more concrete. It probably helps that I am in LOVE with our curriculum EnVision Math!

Where's your favorite place to find clip art?
ETSY!

Do you count spelling tests as a reading or writing grade?
At my school we count spelling tests as a Spelling grade. There is a spelling grade on every report card. I thought this was normal for every school but maybe we are the exception?

Favorite website for your students?
The EnVision Math website that comes with our curriculum. Every lesson has a step by step animated lesson.

Point and shoot camera or DSLR?
A Canon EOS 60D :) I love it!


Do you arrive to school early or stay late?
It depends on the week and how I'm feeling. I usually have between 40 mins - 60 mins before my sweets need to be picked up.

Coke or Pepsi?
HANDS DOWN Coke!!!!!!!!!!

Michael's or Hobby Lobby?
Michael's. . . I don't have a Hobby Lobby near me.

What is your favorite read aloud?
Can a primary teacher really only have one? I really love to read The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen. It is SUCH a great story. Super interactive!

Winter break or Spring Break?
That's a hard one ~ whichever one is closer! HAH

SECOND, I was tagged by Adventures in Second Grade

What are you most proud of in your classroom?
My sweets! I love the kids in my class!

What is your favorite unit to teach (any subject)?
This is my first year teaching my own class and I'm still discovering this ~ I think it may be penguins :)

What inspired you to begin teacher blogging?
The AMAZING inspiration and encouragement I received from other teacher bloggers!

Teacher's Notebook or Teachers Pay Teachers?
That's a tough one. I started my TPT store first. . . so whatever that tells you . . . lol

What is the best field trip you've ever been on?
It was actually one that I went on during college with my Teaching Science in the Elem class. It was to the Solid Waste Authority Management and it was AWESOME!

What inspired you to become a teacher?
My third grade teacher, who is now the Dean of Students at the school I teach at. Yes I teach t the school I went to before I was home schooled :) And yes I am no coworkers with some of my elementary teachers!

What are you doing/did you do on your Spring Break?
I recovered from an illness. The original plan was to take a mini trip to Tampa ~ Lakeshore Learning anyone?!? It is the closest one to me :-/ It is so much fun to go somewhere new and just explore the place!

What is your favorite book to use in the classroom?
That is impossible for me to answer. I LOVE books ~ I have a bit of an obsession with them ~ all kinds of books kids books ABSOLUTELY included!!

Do you have a classroom pet? If so, what?
No . . .

What frustrates you most about teaching?
This is a little bit difficult ~ The things that have frustrated me or do frustrate me are EXCELLENT "teachable moments" for myself.


THIRD, I was tagged by 2ND Grade Mon-"Stars"



What grade levels/subject areas have you taught?
I currently teach second grade and I love it! I have experience teaching third grade, fourth grade, kindergarten, and fifth grade. I also help homeschool so that is a lovely range of ages!

What is one thing you always have in your "teaching bag"?
The ability to think on my feet and switch up what isn't working / make something happen.

What is the funniest thing a kid has shared with you this year?
One of the students I know has slipped multiple times in one afternoon. I kept asking him if he was alright and I quote "I love sliding. I did it on purpose." I just had to work on having a serious expression.

What is one thing you are already planning for next year?
Integrating all the subject areas and to have learning thematic as possible! I can't wait and the other second grade teacher is RIGHT on board! Yahoo :)

What has been the best moment this school year?
Seeing the classroom community grow and develop in my room. It's like we are our own little family!

What are your summer plans?
Read. Create. School Stuff. Blog. Blog Stalk. Explore New Places.

What is the best workshop/conference you have been to?
I'm honestly not sure. . . I went to a workshop on assessment. The speaker was one of my old FAVORITE college professors.

What is your top go to website for free Lesson ideas?
Teachers Pay Teachers!

What is one thing non-educational you hope kids leave your classroom with?
A love for the Lord . . . I teach in a Christian school and it is a wonderful privilege.

What is your best time-management tip?
The way I handle my grading system. You can read it HERE.


FOURTH, I was tagged by Luckeyfrog's Lilypad


Did you take lessons in anything as a kid?
YES. . . Piano, Voice, Drawing, Tennis, Soccer. . . I believe that is all :)


What is the one book you recommend to a new teacher?
The First Days of School by Harry & Rosemary Wong


Who is your favorite children's book author or illustrator?
I honestly don't have a favorite a LOVE a lot. 


If you could only listen to one musical artist/group for the rest of your life, who would it be?
I would probably listen to a non-lyric musical artist such as Escala.


What is your favorite dessert?
Anything Gluten Free ~ I have Celiac's Disease and LOVE sweets!


What is your biggest strength as a teacher?
I truly believe it is my desire to honor and glorify God with my life. It makes it really hard to do anything than the best you can for Him. Nothing more, nothing less, all by His grace for His glory!


What is your favorite piece of clothing?
Sweaters! I am always cold. I truly believe you can never have enough sweaters! Yes I know I live in South Florida :)


What is the last thing you bought?
A jewelry set from one of my favorite jewelry makers. He does art shows around South Florida and I love his stuff. 


If someone gave you $500 for your classroom right now, what would you buy?
Books! Particularly Guided Readign book sets to use in small group. I don't really have that many and would like to really implement Guided Reading but need some more book sets. I'm working on it!


What is your favorite vacation spot?
Our family home in Arizona. I absolutely love the town of Cave Creek/Scottsdale :) They also have a Hobby Lobby and some awesome teaching stores!


Since I just answered FORTY questions I will be back to tag some fellow bloggers with my list of questions! I have some questions I can't wait to read the answers to! If you have read this whole post I applaud your patience!!!! ^insert clapping^


I also am working on some book units. I love reading a book to my kids and having math and literacy etc. components to go along with the book. Here are some of the books that are creating ideas I'm my head. . . 





PLEASE let me know your thoughts! Any preferences or suggestions? I'm all ears!





Saturday, April 7, 2012

New Blog Design, The Lovely Blog Award, and a Freebie!

     I'm the girl who likes to be original. When I first started my blog I wasn't sure what type of response I would receive. Well, after some time I'm pretty thrilled to have 50+ followers! (P.S. when I reach 100 followers there will be a sweet giveaway for all of you lovely readers to enter!) I originally used a blog template that anyone else could use and when I would see another blogger with it I would think two things. First, you have great taste ha! Second, if it confuses me to see the image associated with my blog on another blog it probably confuses some readers. This put me on the hunt for custom blog designs. OH MY Alicia from Dream Like Magic is AMAZING. I explained to her exactly what I wanted and she did EXACTLY what I wanted. She did it so well. I'm in love with it! I hope you all enjoy it to.
      Now as for my sporadic posting, I have been sick and the on Spring Break. My goal is to post at least 4 times a week. Lord willing more as I get more experienced at this.
      Pamela from First Class Teacher awarded me The One Lovely Blog Award! That was super duper sweet of her. I was awarded this award awhile back and my response to it is HERE. Please go check out the other teacher blogs I awarded. They have some GREAT stuff. Also be sure to check out Pamela's adorable blog I'm a fan of it and I think you should be to ;-)
      I have also been creating some things. I would love to offer the first three commenters who follow my blog, follow my TPT store, and leave me there email address to get a free copy of the three units I've been working on. The only thing I ask is for some feedback on TPT. I truly want to do the best I can with what I make. Now for those of you who are not the first three (I can relate because I seem to enjoy being fifth or sixth. . . oh well) there is a freebie for you!
Pond Hopping Inflectional Endings -s & -es
Leaping Syllables
Nouns & Adjective: There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell
FREEBIE
This freebie is a reading response/writing activity for students to complete after reading There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell!

Have a great Easter Weekend! I'm looking forward to tomorrow as a time to ponder and celebrate the fact that He, Jesus Christ, has RISEN!



Sunday, April 1, 2012

April's Currently :)

Well this month's "Currently" from Farley will expose my nerdy side intelligent side :)


I have SOOOOO many books I want to read and just don't have the time. I would love to be able to read them all at once and comprehend them! Well. . .  I can dream about that.