How Am I Doing?

Have you ever gotten this question? I have! I have created for my first graders a "How Am I Doing?" resource that I send home to my parents 1 time a week. This is an editable resource that is in my TPT store. It has been such a huge help for me to communicate with parents! What I did was I took each Common Core Standard and listed it - with a QUICK grading rubric. I then added a comments section that I could EASILY type up a SHORT narrative for parents who wanted more information on their student's progress.

 I start by choosing the area that we have been working on for the month (usually I have 1 reading and 1 math concept report that I send home each month). To make the process go quickly I just duplicate the page that I need before I start typing for my whole class. This really helps me to focus and get them done quickly!

Finally when I am all done I print each concept on coordinating card stock (this is easier for me to remember which ones are math and which ones are reading). I then cut in half and send home with a parent letter (one is also included in the pack). I have also included 2 styles of grading. One is letter grading as you can see in the example below and one uses the numbers 1-4. These are completely editable for comments and grading for you to send home to your families! Check it out!

I hope you enjoy this resource! I am always looking for new ways to communicate with parents that is helpful!

Erin Condren Saved My Life! And a COUPON!

WOW! It has been MONTHS since my last post :( I am so sorry friends. Life has for the moment slowed down. I am sorry to say that our first round of IVF did NOT work :( But we are half way through round 2 and have 3 beautiful embryos to transfer. So cross your fingers for me!

I wanted to do a whole post on one of my favorite things. The Erin Condren teacher planner. This thing is AMAZING. I know that it is expensive but I finally took the plunge, and omg I will never go without it. I just wanted to show you a picture of how I used it this year.

I went on teachers pay teachers and used this template from First Grade Brain. OMG friends AMAZING! I loved the idea of having the column on the left hand side that had everything important for a sub (pull outs, allergies, students to watch for, spelling words for that week and morning meeting routines).

It was also nice because my handwriting is not fabulous - so typing stuff up and keeping the same format week to week really helped to cut down the time I actually spent "writing" my lesson plans. I had more time to organize my lessons instead. Next year I am going to use Washi Tape and some clipart to plan (like the product covers from TPT - that would look so cute).

Would you like $10 off your planner? I would! Follow this link (or click the picture) to get $10 your planner. They are usually $59 but with this coupon you will get it for 

$49. I know it is on the $$$ side, but I promise you will not regret it! It is such a high quality planner. 

Educents LOVE

 Hello Teaching Friends,

It has been a long time since my last post! I have been so busy, IVF has really taken over my life. We are finally to the stage of the transfer - it has been a long road. Long story short after our stimulation meds, I got very sick. We only ended up with 1 out of 16 embryos to test for Fragile X. It was a long 7 days to get the test results back. Our little BOY (yes they can tell that) is Fragile X free - my heart is very happy. We are scheduled for a transfer on the 27th of Janruary. So far away, yet so close!

Anyway - Educents is have a 2nd/3rd grade bundle sale and OMG so happy about this! Click to check it out - I am so in love with all of these products and the best part is that it is like 75% off! I love all of these authors and they do really great work! Click on the picture to go to it!

Five For Friday!

I am so so happy that it is Friday! I have been waiting all week for today! It has been a very challenging week. Because my school ability groups AND loops (so I have my kiddos for 2 years) it has been a hard week. I have been working I feel like DOUBLE time - so it has been hard concentrating especially knowing that we start our shots for IVF on Wednesday next week :) So here is my 5 for Friday :)

These are one of the most helpful things I have made for my classroom. It is a set of almost 66 different task cards that kids have to use during the day. I made them because I wanted to give directions and have a visual for those directions and stop having the question being asked "Can I use????" They are at my TPT store for only $1 - LOVE THEM! They are a life saver! Click HERE to grab your own!

LOVE LAKESHORE! This is a double post! I have two products that I use in my classroom for intervention tools and I love them! I am using a 3 letter building mat with pictures and then these awesome rubber stamps for phonics. The stamps are by far my favorite. They leave out the beginning, middle OR ending sound for the kids to sound out the letter and put in the right sound. It has been a huge hit in my class.

I love making fun things for my students! I just have started making "Fun Flip Books" This one (on time) was my first one. And let me tell you my kiddos loved doing it! They just loved the idea of cutting, coloring and learning about time at the same time. It was such a fun activity. Here are some pictures :) If you want to grab one click HERE to grab one!

INTERVENTION! LOVE THESE! I am using these Fry passages with my kiddos. They have been a life saver. They read the passage 3 times, each time after they read, they color in one smiley face. This makes sure that they are reading the story 3 times (fluency). I also have some sight words that they have to color in too during the process. This has really helped with my kiddos with their fluency. 

Click Here to grab your own :)

And the Winner Is...

Good Morning Everyone!

I am so excited to announce my winner! Check you email!

There will be another giveaway this week so stay tuned!

2nd Grade Morning Work Giveaway!

Greetings Everyone!

Wow it has been such a long time since I have posted!  I have been so busy with school, our IVF treatments and some blood infusions. I am happy to report that I am finally back on tract with our IVF - we will be starting my stimulation meds in just two weeks! I can't believe it is finally coming! During this time I have started creating so fun fun things for my classroom.

I want to give away one of my 2nd Grade Morning Work Packets for November. These have been such my love bug project and I am so happy that I can share it with you! Click on the picture to go to my TPT store to learn more about it!

I am also involved in a FABULOUS giveaway! Head over to 180 Days and Counting to enter!

Picking Myself UP

Hello All,
I just want to thank everyone for their great support and positive thoughts. We have just found out that I will have to go in for a blood infusion next Friday to see what medications I respond to the best. I have been guaranteed a normal life - but will have to carry with me at all times medication to stop bleeding instantly. Our IVF has been put on hold until September 10th - which I am dying to really go to. Click on the picture and it will take you to my store. Remember add the code BTS13 when you check out!

Alright - onto teaching :) Um whooo is excited for the Teachers Pay Teachers sale!? ME! I have been dumping things into my cart all day from my wishlist. I just can NOT wait! All of my things will be on sale! YAY! That means you will get 28% off everything from my store! Just remember to enter the code BTS13!  

Also I finally got my Erin Condren planner in the mail! AH so happy :) Here are some pictures! I highly recommend getting one - despite the cost It is very worth it! How pretty :)

 The cover is a heavy laminate which is my favorite.

Isn't this just the most wonderful thing ever?! Color coded lesson plans - ah dying. Well I can not say enough fabulous things about this planner! GO GET ONE! Now stock up for the sale on Sunday and Monday. Get ready super stars - its going to be fun :)