Made It Monday

For the first time I am linking up with Tara @ 4th Grade Folics for the Monday Made It.

This is one of my two classroom libraries.  This library is organized by levels A-L.  The other is organized by theme & author.  I created new labels to match my Owl Theme.

Above and below, I used another owl clipart to create the numbers on their coat racks and on their book boxes for Daily 5.  

In an earlier post a few weeks ago you may have seen the picture of my word wall pieces.  I finally got it put up in my classroom today when I was at school for tutoring.

I covered 5 pizza pans from the Dollar Tree with scrapbook paper and added my Daily 5 labels.  Each number on the pan represents a round of Daily 5. 

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 I hang them up under my front bulletin board and Smartboard.

Each student will have 5 of these magnets with their student number on them.  Each color represents one of the Daily 5 choices.  If a student wants to go to Read to Self for round one, they would take their orange magnet and place it by the 1 on the Read to Self Pan.

Place Value manipulatives made from POOL NOODLES.  I saw this idea on one of Teacher Tipster's videos.  The kids are going to love using these.

Simple student work holders above and welcome owl banner below.

New Math Station & Advice for New Teachers Linky

Measurement is a Hoot! measurement activity.
12 pages long.
Click the picture above to go to my TPT store to purchase.

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I am linking up with Deb from Fabulously First: A Teacher's Wisdom.  She says, "Come on and join in and share your WIT and WISDOM from all the years you have been a teacher.  We all started at some point and should probably send a "sympathy" card to the very first class we ever had.  So share some of your fabulous wisdom and join the fun!"  


Here are 3 bits of advice I would like to share:

Product Swap Review

Jessica from Mrs. Standford's Class had a wonderful late night idea!   I think for some of us teachers our best ideas come late night or while we are trying to fall asleep.  I know, personally, there are some nights I need a TURN OFF switch!  I have even tried writing it down to take it off my mind, but it doesn't work!

Jessica's idea is to link up grade/subject-like teachers who would swap products for free.  What's the  fine print you may ask?  It's easy.  1) Make the product and 2) write a review (with pics & link) of the product on your blog by August 1st.   What a great way to earn a free product & increase traffic to your blog and TPT store.

GO CHECK IT OUT!

Ding Dong!

Ding Dong!  My doorbell rings a lot around here, especially in the summer.  Usually, it is a 10 - 16 year old wanting to play with one of my boys.  BUT...

Today it was for ME!  I got sooo excited when I saw the little brown box because I knew exactly what it was in the box.... Vista Print creations for my newly themed owl classroom.

Check out the cool stuff I got for like $20.

Love the t-shirt.  It might just have to be my first day of school OWL-tfit!

30 Thank you notes - wish I had gotten more!

500 "owl-tstanding behavior awards"

2 note pads

and 30 conference notes.

I can't wait to share this idea with my team.  This is the first year I have ever ordered from Vista Print & it might just become a yearly tradition!

(And on a side note, I figured out how to cover up text in a picture. One simple step & I got it.  I love it when I learn new technology tricks.)

Currently

     It's so hard to believe it is July already.  Summer is slipping away right before my eyes and before I know it I will be standing in front of a new bunch of firsties.  So, it is time again to link up with Farley @  Oh' Boy 4th Grade.   

Twice as Nice - 2 Awards

I am feeling special!

I have received the Lovely Blog Award from Mrs. Mc @ Buzz, Buzz, Buzz, Aimee @ Pencils, Books, and Dirty Looks and from Leslie @ The Groovy Teacher. Don't forget to check out their wonderful blogs!

So now I get to pass it on to others. Once you receive the award, you must follow 3 rules:

1. Follow the person that gave you the award
2. Link back to the person that gave you the award
3. Pass the award on to 15 new bloggers

Before I could finish up the Lovely Blog Award, Heidi from My (Not so) Elementary Life gave me the Versatile Blogger Award.  The rules for this award are....

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.

2. Include a link to their site.

3. Include the award image in your post.

4. Give 7 random facts about yourself.

5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.

6. When nominating, include a link to their site.

7. Let other bloggers know they've been nominated.

7 Random Facts About Little Old Me

• I play Bunco once a month.  Love the time with friends.
• I now ride a Harley with my husband.  Scared too death, but love the time alone with my arms around my husband.
• I hate to exercise, but love to dance.  Zumba is my preferred choice for exercise.
• I am scared of water.  I can swim, but there is just something about it.  You would NEVER catch me in a boat without a life jacket on.
• I have gotten Tim McGraw's and Kenny Chesney's autograph. I  had my picture taken with Kenny in the parking lot in Raleigh, NC and met Sugarland backstage.  I am a country girl at heart.
• I have been known to take most dares.  The best one ever was the dare to meet my husband.
• I was voted "Best All Round" in high school

SOOOOO, I'm passing the Versatile Blogger Award on to these amazing blogs...

Summer GiveAways!

Rachel over at The Tattooed Teacher is celebrating a Bloggy Birthday with a GiveAway!  Click on the pic below to join in the fun!

Michelle over at No Monkey Business is also having another GiveAway.  She has reached 300 in a matter of no time.

Stephanie @ Falling into First is also having a GiveAway for reaching 100 followers.  She has joined up with several other wonderful bloggers for this special event.  Click on the pic below to join.

Kaite @ Dirty Hands and Lesson Plans is also having a Giveaway.  Don't you just love the name of her blog?

You must also check out the GiveAway from Kelly over at Beg, Borrow, Steal.  She has reached 1000 followers!

Also, don't forget to check out Mrs. Lirette's GiveAway.  She is giving away 3 programmable Literacy Maps & Posters for Workstation Packets.

"To Do - Ta Done" & More

Click on the link above to join this fun Crafty Linky party!  

I LOVE My Cricut Machine!  I mostly use it for lettering, but not this time!

I took the plunge and decided to have a classroom theme in design and not name only.  I have always called my kiddos - Wilson's Wonder Kids (kinda a take on super heros), but my classroom decor never took on that appearance.  I Love Owls and have seen so many cute things out there that I decided to make my classroom theme owls.  It has become an obsession.  

It has taken me 2 days off and on, but above are the letters for my New Word Wall.  I still need a title, but I ran out of black scrapbook paper.  :(  

Aren't they adorable!

I purchased this book for my summer reading and as a gift for my son's teacher who has truly been a gift!  NOW, all my grade level is reading the book.  Ann writes about how to find joy in the every day of life - not just those big bucket list kind of experiences.  This is an especially good read for teachers who are bogged down in all the details of our everyday lives.  I WANT to learn to look for God's blessings even in the busy, crazy, messy, and sad times of my life.  I want to open my eyes to  gratitude even in the little things.  Here are my first 10:

1.  The gentle breeze on a hot day

2.  Music bringing back memories

3.  Allergies waiting til after church to attack

4.  the Laughter of my children

5.  Rain to water the flowers, so I don't have to

6.  Zucchini and squash from the garden

7.  Arms that fit perfectly around the waist of the one I love so I feel safe on 

his new Harley

8.  Second row parking at Walmart on a Saturday Afternoon

9.  Husband who attends early Saturday morning church meeting for fathers instead of sleeping in

10.  A change in attitude and zest for life of my father

I am also reading Guided Math and have joined in the book study hosted by Primarily Inspired.  Go check it out.  We are only on Chapter 2, so it's not too late to join.  I am hoping to transform my math time to better meet the needs of all my students. 

 Below is my husband's new TOY.  He has ALWAYS wanted a motorcycle!  Recently, his brother got a new one and his sister already had one.  He got the fever BAD.   I was entertaining the idea thinking he would stop looking after awhile and realize it was a bad idea.  I really thought our 3 kids would back me up on it.  I was worried for his safety most of all!

Well, all 3 kids said he works hard, deserved one, was always doing stuff for me and them.

WOW! How could I say no?  He hardly ever asks for anything and he is a wonderful husband....

He cleans bathrooms & toilets.

He cleans up after the kiddos when they upchucked.

On days off, he comes to my classroom to help!!

He goes shopping with me for clothes, groceries, or whatever.

He takes care of my EVERY need without complaining.

He spoils me rotten.

He is wonderful with our children.

And did I mention how handsome he is?

He has soo many more good qualities - but I don't feel I should brag anymore.

He got his wish a few days before Father's Day. 

 I have to say it is beautiful and I do love riding on the back with my arms around him.   

I pray God watches over him as he rides.

My Harley Helmet with pink rhinestones.