What's New Wednesday

Hi Friends!

It's Wednesday.....the week is more than half over!  Yay!

Today I am linking up with The Hickman Five for What's New Wednesday.

Sara hosts a lovely little linky each week where some fabulous TPTers link up a FREE and paid product. So check out the linky...and nab up some free products!!

The freebie I am featuring is my Text Feature Scavenger Hunt.  It's a super engaging activity for students to identify text features.....which is a great way to preview text!

The paid product I am featuring are task cards to practice converting mixed numbers to improper fractions.  My husband really needed his kiddos to get some extra practice at this skill---so he helped me whip up these cards!  The kids loved it, and got lots of practice!

Make sure you hop on over and visit The Hickman Five to pick up more freebies!

Have a great night everyone!

Katie

Freebie Linky Party

Well, in case you were worried,  I survived my inservice......

Scratch that.

I BARELY survived today's inservice.

It's not that teacher inservice is terrible---I mean I actually learn quite a bit.  The part that is terrible is the feeling you have after the training day is over.

I literally cannot shut down my  brain. I just keep thinking, reflecting, thinking, reflecting and thinking!  There are so many ideas I want to try.  I have so much to share with colleagues.  I have so much to teach my students.....

So I choose to binge eat chocolate and Twizzlers.  That's how I am dealing. Ha!

Anywhoo......today I am linking up with StudentSavy for her linky party!  StudentSavy's party is all about freebies---so visit her blog and snatch up lots of great resources!

The freebie I am providing is my Vocabulary Rock & Roll page!  It is perfect way for students to review previously taught academic terms!  This resource can be used as an individual, collaborative or whole class assignment--all you need is paper, dice and academic language!

Enjoy!

Sunday Scoop

I am assuming most teachers are loving this Sunday because they have tomorrow off!

Well.....not this lady!

Although we don't have students tomorrow---we have a day of inservice. :)  And we all know how teachers feel about inservice.........

Anywhoo...today I am linking up with Teaching Trio for her Sunday Scoop!

I have been pretty productive today (I mean its 60 degrees in January in Kansas!!!)  ....yet I still need to get several things accomplished.  I suppose I should finish the laundry---my coworkers probably want me showing up in clothes tomorrow.  I also need to practice Rudy's tricks!!  If you didn't know...my precious pup is going to be a therapy dog at my school.  Read about that here.  Lastly....I need to get myself motivated to work on extended frames for text structure.   I already have extended frames made for summarizing....now to get the text structure one done!

I hope to get the newspaper read.  I am a sucker for the Dear Abby column!  Come on guys......you know she gives legit advice.  

I am happy to purchase some Toms via the Ibotta app!  If you haven't heard of Ibotta...you must check it out!  Ibotta basically pays you to shop!  

Monday Made It -- Easy Display Wall!

I had a problem the other day.......

You see..... I had an entire wall in my classroom that was completely blank! An empty, cream painted sheet rock wall.....void of color, encouraging words, posters, pictures and basically anything education related.  GASP!

Then I stumbled upon this image on Pinterest.......

And I was inspired....

And I thought....that looks easy....I can do that!

So I created this.........

Thank you Creative Art Teacher for the adorable doodle arrows!

Excuse my poor photography skills....in fact I had an up close picture of the wall....but it was REALLY terrible, so I will spare the damage to your eyes. Take my word for it!

Anyway, moving on.....

The wall was super simple to do!  All you need is:

• construction paper
• hot glue
• hot glue gun
• clothespins
• lamination machine 

First, I laminated construction paper, and  then laid the paper out in the pattern I wanted on the wall.  Next, I hot glued the papers up in the pattern I laid out.  Then.....for my last step, I hot glued clothespins above the construction paper.

See....Easy Peasy!

Now my problem is solved (goodbye blank wall)......AND... I have a great way to display student work!

Check out other Monday Made It's over at 4th Grade Frolic's blog! :)

Paragraph Frames--Extended Version! (and a freebie)

I so excited to share my newest TPT product! 

This little gem is called Extended Paragraph Frames.....and here it is in all it's glory! ha!

These Extended Paragraph Frames are actually a jazzed up version of one of my more popular products-- Paragraph Writing Frames (text structure edition) and Paragraph Writing Frames (summarizing edition),

If you haven't heard about paragraph frames (sometimes they are also referred to as framed paragraphs)...you are missing out! Allow me to explain......

Paragraph Frames are perfect to support students who have difficulty writing strong paragraphs.  Framed paragraphs guide students (in any subject) by providing them with a sentence outline and transitional phrases.  Students simply have to fill in the blanks with their own thoughts!!  There is a great little article on paragraph frames on Reading Rockets....check it out by clicking here.   Below is an example of what a writing frame would look like...

I highly recommend using paragraph frames for the struggling or beginning writer!  They are super simple to use and can go with any text in any subject area--simply print off a frame and have a student fill in the blanks.  Once the student has completed the frame, he or she can transfer the frame to a piece of notebook paper---and voila....a strong paragraph!!  I have my paragraph frames laminated and hanging in my room.....and kids just grab them when they are ready to write!

Recently I have started pushing my students to further develop their writing.  They have the basics down, but I wanted them to cite textual evidence, offer insight and provide details.  I knew what I wanted---yet my struggling babies still needed some support.  Then one day I had a buyer request for me to  make a "more advanced version" of my frameser!!

And that little suggestion solved all my problems......I an push my students and make a happy buyer! GENIUS!  I have experienced so much success with basic paragraph frames---so I knew this would work!  Thus the Extended Paragraph Frames were born!

Click here to download an extended paragraph frame freebie! (or click picture!)

Just in case you were wondering how extended paragraph frames are different than regular paragraph frames......well....here ya go!

Extended paragraph frames will:

• lengthen students sentences
• demonstrate how to cite textual evidence
• provide students with a way to be more descriptive
• encourage students to ad their own insight, understanding and opinions

I hope you all enjoy the freebie....and happy writing!

Currently---Welcome to 2015!

I hope all of my readers had an amazing end to 2014!

I was pretty lame---stayed home and watched the ball drop while sitting on the couch in my sweatpants.  I watched NBC's coverage of New Year's Eve with Carson Daly....and...I gotta say....I felt bad for Carson.  Could his co-hosts be any more out of control?  Yeesh.......did anyone watch it?  Does anyone share my opinion???



Today I am joining Farley's party!  Below is my currently for January 2015! :)

Listening---Much like Farley I am addicted to the Today Show!  We record it while we are at school---and watch it when we get home.  Break has been nice because I get to watch it live! :)

Loving--I am so enjoying Christmas Break! Most of the break has consisted of lazy days (aka laying on the couch and watching TV) and reconnecting with friends.  It is difficult when you get in the routine of working to make time for friends.....so this week I have caught up with some long lost pals---and it has been great!

Thinking--What's for dinner?  My husband has been in Tulsa, OK this week.....so I have been cooking for one---just me!  Cooking for one, typically means I am "winging it."  I have had cereal, popcorn and forgotten to eat many times this week.  Ha!

Wanting--as mentioned above, I have had many lazy days!  I need to get my rear in gear and work on school/home/TPT stuff!  I am taking a great first step by doing a blog post......

Needing--FAMILY TIME!  I am desperate need of family time!  My husband is away---and its killing me!  I miss him so much!  I also really miss my sister in PA!!  My sis, Joanna, usually comes back to Kansas for break, but this year she was too busy.  I won't get to see her until June.....waaaaahhhh!!

Yes, Maybe, I Wish-  Yes to using 2015 to create a "better me."  Dang it I am going to actually do some of the things I pinned!!  I want to cook better, exercise more, develop a craft/skill, read, grow relationships.....I just want to be a better me!!

Maybe to achieving my dreams.  I would elaborate what my dreams are......but I kinda want to keep them to myself and then reveal them when I reach them!

I wish for an amazing 2015.  I am not going to lie--2014 was a difficult year for my family!  We had some personal and financial issues that we dealt with---so here's to hoping 2015 is a GREAT year!