monday made it! busy girl!

it's monday made it time!!

Oh, woe is me!
I wasn't sure I was ever going to finish. I always sometimes seem to let projects get a little carried away. But I finally got Vintage Chalkboard decor bundle uploaded!
And it's half price today!
If you pick it up, I'd love to hear what you think!

another file {and one that I adore!} is my new reading rotation board.

I won't get into this too much because I'll post about it later, but I went with a fun stache theme for the board! It includes rotation choices, numbers, and student name labels for the group signs and even their notebooks! So excited...but the bad news is I ran out of ink last night!
because I was printed these...

these are the whole brain subway art rules that I shared last week. They needed to be framed...So frame I did! I found these wooden frames for $2 each at Michaels. They do not have glass, just plastic inserts so I feel fine about hanging them above my board. I LOVE them! 

I always keep boxes in the garage for just this reason! The spray paint is called ocean breeze and it's also from michaels. It cost more than the frames! 

Another project is super long-awaited. I finally made my R-E-A-D letters to hang in my room! I knew I wanted a mix of patterns because that's just how I am. I finally got a scrapbook pack that suited me just fine! I love them too! The letters were $1.99 each and I used my 40% off for the scrapbook paper. There's a lot left over!

I also made these binder covers for my kiddos' communication binders this year. Our school's theme is a racing theme {not my thing} but Nikki makes it oh so cute! These are listed {as is} free on TpT!

I technically did not make this, but I had to do all the printing and stapling! This was my phonics focus board, but I neglected it and I loved the frame on it too much to take it down. So now it's my strategy focus board! I loved Amy's idea of putting a little something next to our current strategy. I may have a few bird board decorations I could spare! And I need to realign it a little. I printed two to a page so they would all fit. 

Strategy posters from Teri

frame from Hobby Lobby and I used velcro to attach to the paper and I also stuck push pins on the upper corners. 

lime green fadeless paper from Mardel {I've never seen the Lime green in a store so I order it}

Chevron border in teal from Creative Teaching Press

happy crafting!

can I share the most wonderful FREE reading resource ever!?

Not kidding
It rules my lesson plans!
READWORKS.ORG

The following info is my own opinion. As much as I love the site-no one is paying me! But feel free to! haha!

holy moly mother of Jehoshaphat!
This site has it all. Everything is common core correlated. Everything is research based, Everything is sorted by genre, skill, strategy, level, lexile, or grade. And why do I love it even more...All I have to do is print and read it! Seriously!
Today we worked on using explicit info to answer questions. I have used this site for the past 3 weeks at least 3-4 times per week. The lessons are precise and straight to the point. The text is engaging. The text is complex.
so go and register!

and SO here goes my little tour of a selection I am using next week with dental health.

and I'll even prove that I am using it!

So enjoy your journey through the site! I still find goodies each day! 

And Looky Lou!

Only 4 followers to go until that ginormous giveaway!

Just Go With the Flow {Map}

I could not help myself. As I was thinking about Dr. Seuss and this literacy file, I realized some people may need just the sheets, minus the centers…like me! My students and centers are just not conducive this year.

We do much of our learning whole group.

You know some years are just like that…

But oh well.

Soooo, I made a pack of reading response sheets solely centered around Seuss! They are freakin’ precious! I love this clipart!

This file has over 30 Thinking Maps and graphic organizers to use all year long! Not just in March!

I also included ALL the sheets {minus the center directions} from the literacy pack. So if you were holding out-wait no more! Each map has a way to use it in the classroom and a blank version, too-except the ol’ stinkin bridge map! I don’t get a long with that thing!

I told you I had too much time on my hands sitting at home! I am also working on adding all this stuff to my much neglected Teacher’s Notebook store-I just do not like the uploading process as much over there, but I will get it!

Opting out of Reading Logs?

Why do I assign reading logs? Why do I use up my precious copy limit each and every week? Because I am required to! But what is the real impact on my students’ learning or reading skills? Minimal if any at all. I am a closet reading log hater. I just do not have time {or I do not allow for time} to check them each and every day. I do not hand out prizes for reading each night. They way I see it, kids who love to read…will.
Thus, the Reading Log Opt Out Form was born. I am sending this home tomorrow and here’s why.

Editable letter (in ppt)

I began this year with a great idea to keep up with nightly reading in a spiral notebooks. I had the kiddos set it up by writing the title, the date, and a picture of something that happened in the story. I wanted to start simple…it is a complete waste of time…ugghh. Don't get me wrong. I am not anti-homework, anti-establishment or anything. I am a little lazy maybe…I love or Math Expressions homework sheets, etc. But I do not assign spelling homework either. I can’t handle reading those old spelling sentences!
Enough of my tirade. If anyone has any wonderful breakthroughs in reading homework land-lemme know!