It's a Common Core Thing

We always hear about our students and the "Summer Slide".  Well, I'm in what I call a blogging summer slide.  I have all these ideas and all these things going through my mind, but I'm in my own Summer slide.

I don't normally feature paid products here, but my content has unfortunately been lacking so I thought I would share what I HAVE been working on.  That is besides being home with my almost 5-year-old princess!

For awhile I have had 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Math and Language Arts Common Core Posters listed on Teachers Pay Teachers.  I have recently updated them, created options, and added Kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade.  After much research I have tried to make them as kid friendly as possible and broken them down into manageable chunks.

By clicking the pictures, you will be taken to my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  I encourage you to download the preview to see what is included.

I hope you find these useful!  If you are interested in the posters yet want another theme, let me know and I would be happy to help out!

Clipboard Frenzy

I don't know about your students, but my students always love a good clipboard.  I don't have enough clipboards for every student so I usually end up putting them away because everyone wants one.

I came across a solution.  It's easy, cheap, and sure to be a hit!  If you visit Classroom DIY I have a post on how to make these super cute clipboards.

Dots on the Brain - A Freebie

After yesterday's post, I have dots on black on the brain.  The cooperative learning teacher in me needs  signs to place above by teams to identify them and of course they need to match. So here they are, and they are a freebie to you!

I have a bunch of other ideas brewing so check back often.  This is my new theme, and I'm willing to share!

You can download the team signs HERE or by clicking the image.

A New Beginning & Discount

I spend eight hours a day; five days a week, for 180 days in my classroom and the decorating obsession tends to take over.  The way I see it my students and I spend a big chunk of our time together in our classroom and I want to make it as homey as possible.  I do have to admit, there are times in which I think I go overboard.

Here is a picture of my room on a day-to-day basis.

Here is my room now!   

Sad, sad, sad!!!!!!!  I took every bit of it home with me, why you may ask?  Well, I do have a reason.  I will get to that in a moment.  My home away from home is now packed within a closet in our shop building.  I even spent the extra time organizing it so that if I need anything, I know exactly where to find it. 

So, my reason for bringing it home is that I am moving districts.  I am excited about a change, but of course a bit nervous.  It will be all new.  With all the new that is coming my way, I have decided that my home away from home (a.k.a. my classroom) needs a new look!

I just so happened to have the opportunity to shop at MPM School Supplies.  They too are new to me.  I had a fantastic experience!  I already had in mind what I was looking for so I had high expectations when shopping.  Here is what I really liked about shopping with MPM School Supplies:

• Easy to locate products

• Prices were comparable and even a bit lower than other places I had shopped around at

• Check out process was hassle free

• Received my items in a timely manner

I will most definitely shop with MPM School Supplies again and recommend them to you, my readers!  They have passed on an offer that you may want to take advantage of.

For the first 25 orders received through the link below, you will receive 15% off of your order.  If you are looking to buy something don’t wait too long, an extra 15% off is well worth it!

http://www.mpmschoolsupplies.com/redeem/S12062UVJF2WW

Here is a sneak peak of the new décor I will be putting in my new home away from home!

Write 'n' Pass

Write 'n' Pass is a cooperative learning strategy that gets students responding and writing with partners.  There are many, many ways to use Write 'n' Pass.  It can be used as a quick formative assessment or as a filler for that extra five minutes of time.  With this strategy 50% of your students are engaged at once and held accountable.  A great alternative to raise your hand if you can.....  This is one of my favorite strategies and well-known by my students!

Below you will find specific directions for using the strategy and ways to use it in all content areas.

The possibilities are endless!  What are other ways that you could use this in your classroom?

Flag Day Freebie

Is it seriously June already?  In celebration of Flag Day which is only eight short days away, a Think-Tac-Toe was created.  Students are allowed to get creative while being patriotic!  You can download this freebie HERE from my TpT store.