I'm BACK! Candy Themed Labels

This post is long over due! I have soooo many things to blog about: Debbie Diller's Summer Institute, new class layout, all the features of my room, Debbie Diller's Summer Institute (yes it was awesome), my back to school purchases, and a couple other things up my sleeve!


I've had several followers ask about the classroom labels they see in my classroom.  I just uploaded all of them up onto my TPT store! The BEST part is that ALL the labels are also provided blank.


Here is the preview file :)

Check It Out!

Check It Out!

Check It Out!

Check It Out!

Check It Out!

 You can see the labels in use in my classroom in the following pictures:

That's all for now! I'm in Georgia for some vacation so its brief and short tonight :)

Guided Math Chapter 6 Review and Reflect and FREEBIE

1. What are some ways that you can organize your classroom to support Math Workshop?

Well I do feel that I have strived to organize my math manipulatives so they are more accessible to my students. This is what it looks like so far:

In the above pictures the white drawer on the left is where students file math papers etc. I believe I am going to have students keep their math journals in a basket on top of that white drawer. I was very inconsistent with using math journals last year and Really want to improve on that. It also will tie in writing :) The math journals last year also got destroyed in their desks last year. This year I am going to try and eliminate what is in their desks. 

I have an organized meeting area for everyone to have math huddles and discuss math investigations etc. . . 

It takes place here :) If you were sitting in the "Cars" chair you would see my amazing easel. This is the one I have it just isn't mine :) I didn't have an isolated picture of it. 

I would like to come up with a more organized system for my math assessments, student math sheets, and math work-station papers. I would LOVE to read how you all organize/manage that stuff. I have yet to come up with an efficient system. 

2. How can implementing Math Workshop promote the learning goals you have for your class?

SIMPLE ~ it allows you to tailor instruction specifically for your students. All of your instruction centers on the learning goals (i.e. curriculum standards) and you are differentiating your instruction using the different mediums of Math Workshop. 

I loved reading this chapter and realizing that there is nothing set in stone. On page 200 Sammons says, "Although the teacher has allocated a longer time to spend with the group, if needed, the extra time can now be spent with the remaining two groups." Near the end of last year when I had begun to really try and implement small group instruction I had this idea that I had to meet with ALL my students for exactly the same amount of time. This chapter really opened my eyes. One of my college professors would always say "In education fair is not equal." I find that SO true each and every student is unique. I loved how Sammons gave the example of meeting with the high group first and not holding students back but pushing them further. The one thing I wonder is what are the middle and low group doing while you meet with the high group first. I'm in the middle of playing around with a "loose" schedule to implement next year. I'm thinking that those groups would be working on other components of Guided Math working with concepts already taught to them. 

I also created some FREEBIES to go along with the Math Investigations section of the book! Go check them out HERE!

I'm linking up with 

Mechele from Barrow's Hodgepodge is co-hosting this chapter along with Amanda from Reaching for the Top. 

I'm excited to go and read everyone's link ups and thoughts! I canNOT emphasize enough how important a n organized classroom environment can promote learning. 

TPT SALE for My Bday

Well this is a quick post. Today is my birthday and I'm enjoying spending it with family and friends. I put my TPT store on SALE for 20% off till Thursday. I know no cute graphic display (I'm sorry) past couple days have been nuts. I'll be back with some more Guided Math posts! Plus I'm co-hosting chapter 4 on June 24th!!!

A Quickie! Candy/Sweets Theme

I created a short a, short i mini word work packet to use next year. I wanted to post about it so I could offer the first 3 people who follow my blog and leave a comment with their email address will get it for free!

Check it out HERE!

I am also creating a candy/sweet themed classroom packet to use in my classroom next year. I had that theme last year but didn't have everything I would like. I use Poppin' Patterns' accents for bulletin board borders, calendar, etc. There isn't that much quality cute stuff out there for that theme. I simply love the theme and am not willing to change. So I'm pretty focused at the moment on that. I don't want to forget anything (LOL). I like to be prepared! I need to get it done so I can print it off and get it laminated at my school! I would rather it all be done and ready to use before we go back to school for teacher work week/days.

Is there anything particular that you look for when using a classroom theme packet? I'm trying to make sure I have EVERYTHING I need. I got the basics down: job lists, labels, binder covers/spines, table numbers, cubby numbers, class schedule, library bin labels, to do list for students, student binder/folder home communication tool, . . . At the moment that is all I can think of. If you can think of anything else let me know!

Psss! I would love to hear what theme you have in your won classroom.

I'm off to be creative! I love it :) Enjoy your day!

FREEBIE, Blogger Meet Up, & Debbie Diller Summer Institute

Ok first off I have a FREEBIE for you. It is binder covers and how I manage guided reading and guided math so far in my teaching career :) You can read more about it HERE. You can go check it out HERE and download it for free. You could always eave so feedback loving :) I read every SINGLE comment on my blog and all the feedback I get at TPT. I don't think it is nerdy nearly humbling and exciting that people find what I write beneficial. 


Second . . . TODAY . . . is this day! YAY I can't wait to meet these ladies in person. I feel like I already know some of them. It is going to be a great afternoon. 





Third, I have booked my flight and I am attending Debbie Diller's Summer Institute in Houston, TX! I'm super duper excited about this. I love her books! They have helped my teaching so much. 



Well I'm off to Cocoa Beach for some exploring, antiques, and teacher blogger friends! :)
Enjoy your Sunday!

A Soon to Be FIRST Giveaway and a Link Up!

I am loving reading everyone's posts linking up to "Another One Bites the Dust. . ." I decided to link up and be honest :) 
The rules are simple: 
1. Grab the linky graphic
2. Link back to this post
3. List three things that were great about this school year
4. List three things that were not so great about this school year


The Great 3

1. My getting completely rid of my teach desk and my desk supply organization. It took me awhile to realize the SUPER DUPER UTTER IMPORTANCE of being organized as a teacher. Not just in the little things or visible things but in everything! 

I use my small group table as my desk when I need to grade or work on something. Otherwise it is used for small groups and conferring with students. Below are some more close up pictures of my desk organization. You can read about it HERE.

2. My labeling system. That may seem really simple to all of you but it has changed the atmosphere of my classroom. Everything is labeled using the same label I just change the size and text. It lets my students know where things are and what is accessible to them. I have discovered it gives my students more ownership of our classroom. If you look at the pictures above you can see all my labeling . . . you can see more in this post and this one or this one. 

3. Getting down to my kids level. As a first year teacher I wasn't quite sure what my second grade sweets would be like. I wasn't sure exactly where they would be developmentally (certainly not from experience ~ a little bit from books). I wasn't certain entirely what I should be. Did I need to be more formal or less formal, more struct or less strict, workbook driven or content objectives driven, etc. . . The list could go on. The best thing that happened to me was talking to one of the administrators and having her tell me to let loose and have fun learning. She told me if I made a mistake a could simply say "Ooops" and change. It changed my teaching style. I was having tons of fun teaching my sweets. We were learning content in creative ways. If you walked in my room (still now) you are almost sure to hear talking in inside, six inch, voices. I hope that made sense to you all!

The Not-So-Great 3

1. Guided Reading . . . I have to chuckle because it seems to be a hot topic on everyone's Not-So-Great list. I also chuckle because my school doesn't require it. I truly do believe in it. Ultimately, I believe in small group instruction. I plan on finishing up Debbie Diller's Making the MOst of Small Group Differentiated Instruction for All. I also need to get my hands on a bit more diverse selection of leveled readers. The only set I have is the Above Level Readers from my Harcourt Trophies basal reader. 

2. Routines. . . If you are about to be a first year teacher and everyone is telling you to take the time during the first several weeks to focus on routines and procedures and less on curriculum you MUST listen. Trust me you can catch up on the curriculum. I am working on making a Classroom Procedures/Routines Binder. At the beginning of the school year we shall be going through them, one by one, over and over and over again. It will also be a wonderful tool for a sub.

3. My Classroom Library was semi-organized during the summer before my first year. I actually put in a TON of time organizing my classroom library. My biggest problem was that I simply didn't know the best way to organize my classroom library because I had never used it as a teaching tool in my own classroom. I'm in the middle of creating library bin labels. I've begun labeling and grouping my books by favorite series (My Weird School House, Junie B. Jones, etc.), favorite authors (Chris Van Dusen, Dr. Seuss, etc.) and the rest will be grouped by groups such as "Books About Marine Life."


Well if you've stuck with me this long you will also know. . . 
that I am OH SO CLOSE to 100 followers. When I get there I shall be doing a giveaway! A $25 gift certificate from Teachers Pay Teachers and a $20 gift card from Amazon. Those are my two FAVORITE places to get "teachery" things!Another One Bites the Dust

Mother's Day and Guided Reading

Good Morning! I'm a bit bummed that I am out sick and only have 14 and a half days left with my sweet students! I'm going to cry and I've already accepted it. The bright side is I will see them next year when they are off in third grade.

On Mother's Day I went into school and made sub plans. Ladies and the occasional gentleman I am on a zpack (you know the medicine that wipes out your cold) well apparently my body doesn't like to respond :( The funny thing is I'm wide awake and as I'm typing this my sub is just NOW getting my kids from the pick up spot. I'm going to go stir crazy sick in bed. I also know I have several autoimmune disease and if I don't rest now I'll be sick for the last three weeks of school. Being responsible can be a bit frustrating at times. 

About Mother's Day . . . Yes I know I am super behind the ball at posting this. Simply remember I am a first year teacher and think back on your first year of teaching. It is a lot of FIRSTS. I decided to have my students complete Deanna Jump's Happy Mother's Day Gift book. My sweets loved it and it was pretty low maintenance to facilitate. Then I started thinking I needed to do more. I went online and googled some homemade scrub recipes. I found one that I tweaked a bit. Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub ~ it almost sounds like dessert! Some of my boys aced if they could eat it! I kept explaining it was for mom's hands and feet. Anyway, then I bought 1/2 pint Ball mason jars at Publix. I created some cute labels to print out, place on colored card stock, have students write a simple message, sign their name, and then I laminated them. Click on the picture of the jar to go to my TPT store and download the labels for FREE for next year. I printed my labels on sticker paper because the round circles the kids stuck on the lid of their jars. 

Now onto guided reading. Our school does not require guided reading or small groups. I understand why guided reading is the way to go. I completely believe in small group instruction. This year I was not diligent with guided reading. Partly because it is my first year and I'm trying to get an understanding of my curriculum. Partly because my school doesn't require it. Well I started amping it up a bit for the last couple months of school. It is awesome! My sweets love it. I needed a system to stay organized. I really am in "next-year" mode. I created binder covers for almost ALL my binders ~ candy themed of course :)

I purchased this container (19L) from Office Depot. Inside of it I keep a blue, green, red, and yellow file folder. Everything I need for each group is in there color coded file.  So if I'm meeting with my blue group I would get my leveled readers from my blue hanging file folder, I would get out any copies or charts I placed in their and I would be all set.

This is my binder cover. All my binders have this design so they match.

If the spines of my binders are not labels it drives me CRAZY!

I use numbered tab dividers in almost all my binders. I find it simpler that way.  Tab 1 is my Guided Reading Schedule. After the first couple weeks of school I create a "set in stone" schedule to use throughout the year. This allows me to get to know my students and appropriate time frames for them. Tab 2 is my Guided Reading General Info. The reading level correlations, the tips and pointers I find on blogs, some stuff from the Lesson Plan SOS' Reading Binder. Tab 3 is Blue Group. Tab 4 is Green Group. Tab 5 is Red group. Tab 6 is Yellow Group. Each group tab keeps the current lesson plans, running records, informal assessments, and notes. Tab 7 is Guided Reading Lesson Plans. There are several books I'm reading or read and they have lesson plan templates for different reading skills and I'm place them under tab 7. Tab 8 is Helpful Resources aka miscellaneous misfits.

These are my group identifiers. I printed and laminated them. This allows me to have my groups  on display and easily changeable. I only have four students per group. I was thinking of creating some more that had five kids per group and six kids per group. I've read six is really the biggest small group you should have and it can be pushing it. That said I know lots of teachers have large class sizes. 

Green Group

Red Group ~ I also have a yellow group one. I just have three groups this year because I only have 12 students! Yes I know I am SUPER SPOILED.

Well that's all I got for now. I'm thinking of putting all the guided reading stuff up in my TPT store for free. If anyone is interested let me know and I'll put it up. 

M&M Math and Teacher Appreciation

First ~ I decided to show you how I organize math in my classroom. 

At the end you will read about the 

fabulous teacher appreciation going on!



The math area of my classroom is near my small group table/desk.
All the drawers are clearly labeled with the plethora of math manipulatives
 my sweets and I need access to! For a while I was storing them in the blue
and red wall cabinet and that was just NOT working. If you are going to teach math
hands-on with manipulatives they MUST be accessible to you
 and your students. On a side-note, if you have a sub no where will
 wonder where anything is because it all clearly labeled. 



All the drawers are from Office Depot. There are 2 small drawers and one big drawer
and they are awesome because they don't just slide right out.
 On the other hand, you can simply put pressure on both sides
of the drawer and pot it out. Under the drawers are my math stations.
 I keep my stations numbered. I attach a piece of velcro to each station box
and each M&M number card. It makes stations pretty easy! The white drawer
on the left is our Math File! We use EnVision math. Everyday my sweets get a new math
sheet to work on. When they are done they open this drawer and place
it the labeled file that says "today's completed math sheet." There is also a file
for "corrected math sheets." If a student had errors that needed to be corrected
on their math sheet they correct it and return it into the corrected file.
I also have files that are labeled for the current math stations.
This makes identifying and assessing completed math station work very simple.
I put a class list in every file. Once a student has complete and turned in a
particular math station recording sheet they place it in the labeled folder and
highlight there name. Second graders LOVE to highlight! The white drawer on
the right is for our connecting cubes. I have a lot and use them all the time.
My one stipulation is put all colors back in the appropriate
 collared bag.  The red bin from IKEA (which I love) is for our math books. I love
children's literature! I think it is so important to integrate literature in math.
Over the summer I plan on creating math literature units to
 go along with every topic I teach in enVision math!  





This picture is a little blurry. The drawers closest to the right are awesome!
They are for lost and found game pieces,  skinny expo markers and small dry
erasers, erasers (any and all), dice (all kinds, if they are not your
 average number dice they have their own labeled ziploc inside
 the drawer), spinners and timers (for stations), and counters and game
 pieces (just like the dice, they all have their own little baggy to keep
them in order). Now how do my sweets keep up an organized classroom?
Explicit modeling and PRACTICE.  So that is what math looks like
in my room. Next week I will post on how I organize my "guided" math groups!

How do you organize math in your room?

Second ~ I'm already setting aside time tomorrow to do some
SERIOUS TPT shopping. They are offering 10% off and just
about every other TPT seller is offering an additional 20% off.
I will also be putting my TPT store on sale! 

Check It Out HERE!

For the record I have added several new products to my store.
 My class will be doing a bee week starting next week
 and I created a unit for us to use!

The Buzz On Bees ~ Check it out HERE!

I also uploaded to my TPT store *some* of the candy themed labels 
I have created to organize my classroom after several people suggested it. 
I had toyed around with the idea and there suggestions encouraged me to do it.
 Quite honestly I looked around for such things on TPT and couldn't find anything.  

By the way I'm trying to figure out how to add the reply to

 comment function on my blog. If anyone knows how to 

please let me know!  All that is to say I love reading 

your comments ~ it makes me do a happy dance. 

I also like responding but want he reply thingy to make it more personal!