It's time...

Things are finally settling down. I'm finished with week 3 of school and we are in the groove. My little third graders are adorable and sweet!

#1: This week was a little funky! We had Monday off for Labor Day. I had jury duty on Wednesday (didn't get picked!). Thursday was another day off for the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah. So basically, I've been in school 2 days this week. Kind of nice, but being out always makes feel like I have to catch up. Lots of papers to grade this weekend, too, on top of planning.

#2: Speaking of planning...here is some of what I'm preparing for next week:

 Generating ideas for writing personal narratives is one of our goals. The kids will be thinking about special people and places in their lives. Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare by Patricia Polacco is one of my mentor text to introduce special people and  A Quiet Place by Douglas Wood is perfect for talking about special places. After I read the books, students will list special people and places in their writer's notebooks. I have a mini unit on writing memoir in my TpT store. You can check it out here.

#3: I have been trying to rework my lesson plan template this year. I purchased a couple of nice sets that teachers have created on TpT and I've downloaded some free ones, too. There just haven't been any that I'm happy with and work for my style. I decided to go back to my old standby, but with revisions:

Not only is it colorful and cute (that makes me happy), but it's exactly how I want it. I know this looks very traditional, but I just wanted to keep it simple. Thankfully, my principal does not require anything specific in our plans. I know many teachers who have to write objectives, essential questions, etc. I can set mine up however it best suits me. I love and appreciate my principal for allowing us to make these kinds of decisions!! I made one long box to include reading, writing, vocabulary, and science/social studies. My goal is have more of an integrated block this year.

#4: I shared my Exit Slip banner with you last week. I had the kids write their first sticky today.

 I told them they could write "I learned..." or "I have a question about..." They did a cute job for the first one ever!

I have two plans for the stickies, so far. One is to respond to each one and return them. The other is to use as an assessment. For example, I might ask them to write about something specific--list 3 facts about Abe Lincoln or write a compound sentence or round a number, etc.  They could respond to reading or just reflect on something we did in class. It all depends on what we have studied that week. I'm really excited to use this and I think it will be a valuable tool in my classroom.

#5 is more of a personal note. At the start of the summer, I reconnected with one of my very best friends from high school (celebrating our 30 year reunion this year...YIKES!). We haven't talked or seen each other in about 8 years. Why we stopped talking I don't even remember!! I'm so happy to be back in touch. I have missed her so much! We are going to her house tomorrow to watch a football game and hang out and I can not wait!! It's funny how you can spend so much time apart, but when you reconnect it's like a day hasn't passed. That's how it is. I'm so fortunate to have her in my life again! ♥


If you haven't entered my giveaway for the Best Sharpener EVER...do so HERE! It ends in 2 days! You could win the new PRECIOUS PINK. If you purchase this pretty pink sharpener, $1 will go to cancer research and awareness. Visit Classroom Friendly Supplies.

Thanks for stopping by!!

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Beach Sand and Lesson Plans

Hi all you Fabulous Followers!!

Today I want to play a little catch up with you, so this post might seem a bit random. Right now I'm in PRE preplanning week mode. My brain is a little scattered!

 Quietest Pencil Sharpener EVER giveaway is here as promised last week....if you want to win...you know what to do...
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Summer is just about over for me. (BOO HOO!) I was able to get away for a little fun with my kids this past weekend. We headed up to Orlando and splashed around at Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.

We enjoyed the Ohana breakfast at the Polynesian. My little nephew met Mickey for the first time! It was love at first sight!!

My Lily performed at Downtown Disney on Sunday and participated in a Disney Performing Arts dance workshop on Saturday. It was magical, of course! (What else would you expect from Disney, right?) Goofy made an appearance at the workshop. So fun!!

My girl's dancing was beyond outstanding! Watching her do what she loves at the place she loves just gets to me every time! Her passion and love for dance SHINES through with every step she takes. I was such a proud dance mom that day!

If you missed my post over at Owl-ways Be Inspired, hop on over and download my freebie. Check out the other awesome authors' posts and their freebies, too. There are several more to come, so keep your eye out. Follow us, too!

Are you new to teaching?  You must check out THIS post from my BFF, Denise, over at Sunny Days in Second Grade. Her advice to new teachers is spot on! Even if you are a seasoned educator it's well worth the read. Her words are thoughtful and true!

While I was up in Orlando, I had the distinct pleasure of meeting up with some fellow bloggers. Not a minute was wasted chatting over lunch at Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney. Blogging, teaching, TpT, kids...all the topics of conversation. It was great to bounce off ideas and discuss our blogging journey. We all brought our kids and they hit if off, too!

Please share some bloggy love with these incredible ladies. Michele from Coffee Cups and Lesson Plans is from Syracuse, New York, the hometown of my family! We have been emailing back and forth for a while and it was so cool to finally meet her! (I'm next in the orange shirt) Natalie from Being the Queen Bee isn't Easy is a hoot! She is a 2nd grade teacher in the Orlando area. Joanne, another Orlando area teacher, is the Post-it queen from Head Over Heels for Teaching. Her daughter (adorable, BTW) and mine share the same name...Lily Rose! This blogger connection just amazes me everyday. Blogging brings people together in ways I never thought possible! I ♥♥ my new friends!!

If you are back at school, I hope you had a successful return. If you are getting ready I'm right there with you! If you still have a few weeks to go...ENJOY!!

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Beach Sand and Lesson Plans

I am SO excited to promote and review the BEST classroom pencil sharpener on the planet!!If you are a regular blog hopper then I am sure you have seen this sharpener around. If not, then where in the world have you been?

I could tell you that I love this sharpener because it's the quietest or it's super durable or that is sharpens pencils to the most amazing no-break point I've ever seen, but there is another reason I love it! The best part of this sharpener and the reason I'm proud to promote it is because it was invented by a TEACHER!  How cool is that?? I just love teacher success stories! Who knows better what works in our classrooms and what we need then a teacher...so HOORAY for Troy! I'm pleased and honored to review and promote your product!

Last summer I purchased a set of three sharpeners after reading all the wonderful reviews. I gave one of the three to my sister, who is also a teacher, and I kept the other two in my classroom. It took some training and a few tries for the kids to finally figure out how this non-electric sharpener worked. (Turning the handle was a novelty for a while.) Once they got the hang of it they were off and running! I find that the kids actually need to sharpen less because the point is so sturdy and strong. I would love to know the secret! Electric sharpeners are noisy and expensive and I have never had one last more than 2 school years. Have you?

If you do not have one or two or three of these little beauties, you must check them out at Classroom Friendly Supplies. Be sure to check back next week because I'll be hosting a sharpener giveaway! Can't wait to give one away!

For now...I'm off to Orlando this weekend. My daughter, Lily, will be dancing at Downtown Disney and she will be attending a dance workshop hosted by the Disney performing arts program. She is over the moon excited!! On our "off" time we will be keeping cool at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon! I'm also meeting up with Michele from Coffee Cups and Lesson Plans. I'm so excited to meet her!
I can't wait to get away for a few days before heading back to school on August 12th. Of course, I'll be doing some PRE preplanning in my classroom when I return next week. There is never enough time during the actual preplanning time to get the room ready and attend a bajillion meetings and, of course, socialize with everyone I haven't seen all summer! Do you go in early too? How long are you given for preplanning? I know some of you are back in the groove already and some of you still have time to play. Whatever you are doing...ENJOY!!

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Beach Sand and Lesson Plans