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Happy Summer Everyone!
It has been FOREVER since I have blogged...I'm not even sure I remember how! 😆 I was just sitting here on this summer morning and decided to refresh my memory on blogging and share what is on my mind.

I'm still teaching 3rd grade. I think I'm going into year 30...WHAT??😮 I'm not even believing that. No, I'm not retiring any time soon. Like most teachers I just can't afford to stay home. My husband is a teacher, too. We have two kids in high school...one will be in college next year. I'm not able to live a life of leisure just yet. Honestly, I think I would be bored especially when my kids are off to college. If I sit home I'll be crying all day missing them. I really do love the job of teaching...I'm not loving all the BS that goes along with it recently. It seems to get harder and harder each year. We get so much dumped on us and are expected to do more and more each year within the same amount of hours. I try to sift out what I think is unnecessary. I've seen a lot of this over the past 30 years. Same cycles. The district comes up with some great plan we are all required to follow. No real directions given. Everyone panics. By mid year it's all but forgotten and by the end of the year it's like it never existed. Better yet the district decides to change the plan that was so frantically rolled out. 😕 It just keeps happening over and over. I am trying hard not to get wrapped up in this "nonsense". I try to just use my common sense and do what I know is right by my students.

Some of the teaching practices I feel are best for students include a strong readers' workshop and a good guided math system. Giving students meaningful practice with time to practice new skills is key. I am a strong believer in the CAFE and DAILY 5 routine for reading and math...it works! Check it out if you are not familiar. I love it!

Here are a few of my favorite TpT products that I have made my main curriculum in reading and math:
Rooted in Reading by Amy Lemons
Math Curriculum by Amy Lemons
Guide Math by Simply Skilled in Second

These products are high quality, meet the standards, and give my a guide to teaching reading and math. They also fit in perfectly with Daily 5/CAFE. Check them out.

So that's it in a nutshell. I just wanted to give blogging a try again! Hope you are enjoying your summer!







Today I'm reaching out to teachers of our youngest readers. I think you all are going to want to check out this giveaway by Joy Cowley, the author of the beloved Mrs. Wishy-Washy. You could win a TON of resources for your classroom!

Be sure to check out some of her other characters like Smartypants and Mr. Tang. They are adorable! Your kiddos will love practicing their reading with these fun stories!


Click the picture below and be sure to enter by APRIL 13! 



Happy Sunday Friends!! 
Hope your weekend has been productive/fun/relaxing! I'm happy to link up with Teaching Trio for...



Here's what I'm up to today...I'm actually looking forward to this Sunday...except laundry!

Currently, I'm hanging out in Starbucks in Miami while my daughter participates in a Masters Class presented by a group called The Broadway Dance Collective. The founder and teachers are all currently touring with Motown the Musical. She'll be taking a 4-hour class that includes dancing and singing. Her dream is to dance on Broadway. We will do whatever it takes to help her realize her dream. It's a pretty competitive business! Dance is definitely her passion!

After the class, I'll stop by Mom's for a visit and lunch. Then home for Super Bowl Sunday. I'm not that interested in the game...just the halftime show and the commercials! Heehee! I do like to make fun foods for my hubby and son while they watch. Are you cheering on your favorite team or just hanging out on the sidelines?

It's a chilly day here today (in the 50s this morning). I know many of you have lots of snow, but for this South Florida gal, it's COLD! The sun is out and the sky is blue, so I'm happy about that.  We like to open the windows on days like today and enjoy the cool air. How is your weather today?

Have you celebrated the 100th day of school yet? If you're looking for an activity, especially for bigger kids, check out my All About the 100th Day poster. We celebrated on Friday and the kids had a blast thinking about 100!

Happy Sunday and have a fantastic week!!
Tomorrow is February 1st! Looking for some activities for the month? I have just what you need!

For me, I need activities that cover our standards and are not just "for fun". We have so much going on in 3rd grade this year that every minute has to be spent working on our Florida standards. So when I create a product, I have just that in mind. I want it to be fun for the kids and I always try to bring an element of creative and critical thinking.

For Groundhog Day, I created this Reasearch in the Round project. (I call it that because it's a round booklet. Clever right? Heehee!) My students will use their own devices or a classroom laptop or iPad to research facts about the groundhog and his special day. They can take their research to writing with one of the 3 prompts I've included. Check out the preview below. I think this project is appropriate for high second graders and 3rd and 4th graders.





If you are doing some preplanning for Valentine's Day, check out this product. Conversation Hearts Activity Cards will give your students a variety of challenging tasks to complete using a bag or box or candy hearts.



My newest products are these monthly ELA Skill Cards. I love using these cards in my classroom for a game of scoot or for practice in our word work center. I have created these with 3rd grade ELA standards in mind, but they would be useful in 2nd grade for a challenge or in 4th grade as a monthly review. If you like these be on the lookout for March cards coming soon!


I hope that you can find the "fun" in February with these products. Enjoy your week!!
Empty your wishlist! Ready those carts! It's a TpT SALE!

January 20 & 21 my store will be 20% off. Use the TpT code, START16, for a total of 28% off! 

Don't forget to leave feedback on your paid products to earn FREE money to spend on TpT. Check out my MOST RECENT products and activities you will love for the WINTER.


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