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!

Currently December

I deserve a big ol' pat on the back.....because....I am actually linking up with Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade on the correct day for her linky party.

I am So. Proud. Of. Myself!!

Listening--I am currently listening to Monday Night Football......as I have said before....sports are ALWAYS on at my house.  And....I am okay with that!

Loving-- Today the hubs and I made a quick stop at Dollar Tree after school.  He needed to pick up some cheap playing cards for a math game he is going to play with his kiddos tomorrow (more on that later.)  I wanted to find some **cheap** kitchen timers. You see...I use timers A LOT in my classroom--and the ones I have are kinda on their last leg!

I didn't actually think Dollar Tree would have kitchen timers, and I wasn't really looking forward to buying several timers for $8-$10 a pop .  BUT--much to my surprise--Dollar Tree did have timers!!  WOOOOO HOOOOO----and they were only a buck!!  Yessssssss!!

I'll let you know how well they work after I use them!

  

Thinking--Tomorrow Rudy begins her training to become a licensed therapy dog! If you want to know more, read about it here! I have so many emotions going through me---excitement, nervousness, pride.....I just can't wait for her to begin touching the lives of the students at VCIS!  Wish me (and Rudy) luck tomorrow!

Wanting-- To see Mockingjay! Has anyone seen it??  Is it good??

Needing--Time to go Christmas shopping!  I have barely done any shopping for the holidays---and it is beginning to stress me out a wee bit!

Giving--Flarp.

Yes, that's right.....I am giving fart in a can to my secret buddy.

Before you judge---I think he is going to love it, and my goal is to make my secret buddy smile!  Have you heard about the secret buddy program?  If not read about it here!

It's On---Cyber Monday Sale!

Hello everyone!!

I sure do hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving. :)  My family sure did.....we traveled to Hays, Kansas and spent time with my sister-in-law and family.  We all had a great time playing games, eating delicious food, watching football, napping.....and, heck....we even jump roped!  I call Thanksgiving 2014 a success! :)

I found this cute little gem floating around on Facebook.....and I thought it was pretty hilarious.  If you haven't seen it......You're welcome.....if you have.....well....you have to admit its pretty funny!

In other news......TPT is having a site-wide sale from December 1 until December 2nd!  My entire store will be 20% off !  Whoop Whoop!!  ALSO....if you use the promo code "TPTCYBER" you get an additional 10%.  YESSSSSSS!!!

Check out some of my products that will be on sale:

One Breath Boxes---Awesome for fluency!  Regular price: $3.50.....Sale Price $2.45!

Morphology Packs---Awesome for word study and vocabulary development!  Regular price: $5.00.....Sale Price $3.50!

Interactive Notebook Pages---Lots of pages to add to interactive notebooks based on particular skills. Regular price: $2.00.....Sale Price $1.40!

Interactive Notebook Bundle---Everything you need for a reading Interactive Notebook! Regular price: $15.00.....Sale Price $10.50! 

 

 Task Cards---Task cards are a perfect way to practice already taught skills! Regular price: $3.00.....Sale Price $2.10!

Soooooooo......... shop away my friends......shop away!!!

Monday Made It

I am linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It!

I believe this is my first time linking up with Tara for this party, and I am pretty excited!!   Although I must admit I didn't **technically** make the products I am sharing.....the kiddos are doing it.

In fact....they aren't even really done....so I guess I should call my post "Monday MAKING It, " instead of "Monday Made It."    Nonetheless.... I am excited to share what some of the students in my school are working on.

 

The pictures may not look like much....but when the students are finished....they will have a product that means the world!

You see the kiddos pictured in these photos are students that volunteer (on their own time...before school....at like 7:45am own time) to be apart of Kindness Club.  In case you want to know more about KC your can read about it here.   I strongly encourage schools to start a Kindness Club, as my school counselor has, because the program makes a HUGE difference.

Anyway....the students pictured are modge podging jugs to begin collecting pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House!  How sweet, giving and empathetic is that?!?!  I just love the hearts of kids!

Collecting and donating pop tabs to a Ronald McDonald House is a small gesture that schools can easily implement.  This one small gesture has immeasurable impact.....so if you classroom, or school want to do something great for your community (or a nearby community), check out how donating pop tabs may make a difference!

Click here to learn about Ronald McDonald House

Or....watch the video below to learn more about Ronald McDonald House Charities!

Currently November

As in typical fashion.....I am (once again) late to Farley's Currently party.  Better late than never, right?!?!

I am currently listening to  Monday Night Football......We are addicted to sports in our house.  Sports are always on......no joke!  Is anyone else watching football.....just curious if anyone heard Chris Botti perform the Star Spangled Banner?  It was AMAZING!!!

I am loving that tomorrow is our third wedding anniversary!  Happy anniversary to my amazing husband!!

I am thinking I can't wait for Rudy to start her therapy dog classes.  In case you have no idea what I am talking about.....you can read all about it here!  Basically.....I applied for a grant to get my pupper trained to be a therapy dog....and I GOT THE GRANT!!  Woot Woot!!  She starts training December 

2nd!!

I am wanting to figure out Tsu??  Do you guys Tsu??  I just recently joined because so many people were talking about!  I still don't really get it.....hopefully I can figure it out soon!

I am needing a good reading diagnostic!!  Currently our district uses the DRA....but teachers are so not a fan.  Their biggest complaint is that it takes TOO MUCH TIME!!  Does anyone have any suggestions?

I am currently reading What Great Teachers Do Differently by Todd Whitaker. 

My building is doing this as a book study for PD.  It's a book that will make you think and reflect on your current teaching practice......plus its a quick read!!  I highly recommend it!  I plan to blog about the chapters......but I haven't been the best at blogging lately......but it's a good plan!!

Happy November everyone!!