What's in Store for This Week?

I am beginning this week with a heavy heart due to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in CT. What makes it even harder is that as a Gifted Education teacher for my district, I will not have students this week because it is 9 weeks test time. So I can't see my students for an extended period of time and just hug them.

Oh...I will see them. Our school is small so that isn't an issue. I just won't have any extended contact with them in the classroom like normal. However, I will have the Christmas Program and Choir practice time with them....so that is something.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families in CT as they begin the process of laying their loved ones to rest. May they have comfort and peace.


 Dee

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

 

 Dee

Just 24 Hours Ago....

Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT was visited by the most devastating event anyone could imagine. Twenty-six angels entered Heaven's gates yesterday. Twenty of them were just babies.

I am having the hardest time wrapping my head around this tragedy. As I think about those babies and the teachers there trying to protect them, it just breaks my heart. I can't imagine how hard it must be for the families of these victims and the other children and adults that were at the school when all of this happened. Innocence was lost yesterday!

To all of the teachers, parents, and first responders in CT:

YOU are all HEROES!!!

My prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to all of the families of the victims, as well as the other children and adults that were at the school. It will take some time for everyone to heal after such a horrific incident.

Dee

Fellow Teacher Paying It Forward

I know....I don't usually post two days in a row. But, I just couldn't let this go without a post. As I was scanning the TpT forum last night, I came across a post from a fellow TpT seller post. Now all the title said was: "Paying It Forward". Well.....me being me....I just had to open it up and see what it was about.

I was floored......or maybe I should say....I was totally inspired!! This teacher talked about how at this time of year there is always a lot of evaluation and reflection. I think we all do this. However, she has taken it one step further. Because she feels she has been truly blessed, she has made a decision to choose one product in her store each month and give 100% of the earnings to an organization or cause. She is beginning this month. That is right....her first act of "Paying It Forward" will begin with December 2012. She has chosen a product from her store to be the lucky one. The item is called .... Elf Yourself....she says this one was chosen because it already had quite a few sales since December 1. Now I've given you an overview of the "Pay It Forward"....so I will now tell you this teacher is Amy at Teaching in Blue Jeans. Her chosen organization to receive the donated funds for December 2012 is Go! Ministries. Hop on over to Amy's blog - Teaching in Blue Jeans and read the rest of the story.

  Here is a photo of the teaching item from Amy's store that will be generating sales for donation to Go! Ministries thanks to Amy. Click on the photo of the Elf Yourself and it will take you to Amy's store where you can purchase this cute teachable item.

 

 This just touched my heart so much that I felt I should write a post about it and get this out before all my followers.

Please consider purchasing this item. It is only $2.00 and 100% of Amy's earning from the sales will go to Go! Ministries to help feed school children. 

Thanks to all of you!! Have a great week!!!

Dee

I am Contributing to a 100 Follower Giveaway!!

Jodi, over at the Realistic Teacher, is having a 100 follower giveaway. WOW!! There are so many items to give away that she had to bundle them into several different bundles for the giveaway! Hop on over to the Realistic Teacher's blog and make sure you enter for all these wonderful prizes.

This give away starts today, December 2, 2012 and runs through next Sunday, December 9, 2012. Be sure to get all your entries....this is an awesome give away!!

The item that I am have contributed to this give away is my Christmas Writing Prompts cards. All you have to do is print them out, laminate them and use them. There are so many ways to use these prompt cards....as center activities, or even as something for students to work on when they finish their other work. Just use your imagination. My students love getting to choose from the writing prompt cards. I bet yours will, too!! Here is a sample of what is included.

 

 

 Make sure to hop on over and get entered in this fabulous 100 follower giveaway!! You will be so glad you did!!

Dee

Cyber Monday (and Tuesday) Sale on TpT and a Freebie

I know....I know!! I haven't been a good blogger lately. It just seems like everything has gotten so busy around here. I really will try to do better!

Now....Thanksgiving has passed and so has Black Friday....but we still have Cyber Monday coming up and I am linking up with Michelle over at The 3 am Teacher to do the Cyber Monday and Tuesday sale for my store at TpT.

  

At this particular moment I only have one item that is Christmas or Winter related...although I have my entire store on sale for this shindig! However, I am working on finishing up a couple more Christmas/Winter items that I hope to get in the store before the sale starts on Monday.

Check out these Christmas Writing Prompt Cards in my store a TpT.

 

Be sure to hop on over to TpT and get your cart filled in anticipation for the sale. I know my cart is overflowing. I have so many items that I must have....I can't be the only person who feels this way. Just come join me on Monday (and Tuesday) for this fabulous sale.

BTW....don't forget all the other teachers that are participating int his sale, too! Just click on the links and go check them out. I think you will find many items you just can't live without!

Now....I promised a freebie and I am going to deliver. I have created these little Christmas writing prompt pages for you. All you have to do is download them and print them out.

You can download the freebie from my TpT store HERE. I hope you and your students enjoy my little freebie.

Happy Cyber Monday (and Tuesday)!!!!

Dee

Project Based Learning

In my gifted/talented class, we have begun using project based learning. Let me back up a bit...we have mostly been doing units that had some project element to it....but I have been researching Project-Based Learning and decided that this was what my kiddos needed to be doing...at least a part of the day.

So....this week is the first lesson that have been delivered....yes...I know it has only been two days in this week yet....but because I serve a 6th grade class on Monday and 2nd through 6th grade on Tuesday that means I have actually delivered the beginning of both of the lessons that will be taught for my two Project-Based Learning units. My 4th through 6th grade are doing a unit on Heroes (classical & contemporary) and my 2nd and 3rd grade are doing a unit on how we communicate (this is a writing/art unit that requires them learn about vivid language(adjectives, similes, and metaphors). I must say today was an absolute blast. While I worked with the little ones....my older ones read a Greek myth and discussed the character traits of the characters that made them heroes. But that isn't all....I was worried this would be a little boring for them....they were so engaged....I was totally amazed!

So....I figure the rest of the week has to be good. I have only 2nd grade tomorrow....but there are 12 of them...so we will see how that goes. Then I have 3rd grade on Thursday. This one should be a piece of cake. Then Friday I will have 4th and 5th. This should prove to be another day filled with some awesome discussion about Greek myths.

I have to say....I am always amazed when my lessons go over so well....gifted/talented students can be some tough cookies sometimes.

What kind of day/week have you had? I would really like to know!

Dee

What we have been doing the past week.....

Due to our 2 days of fall break on Monday and Tuesday last week, I just finished up with a weeks worth of lessons on the Elements of Art - Lines. We really had so much fun with this lesson.Now...some of you may know that I serve Gifted/Talented students at 3 different schools in my district. I have a total of 58 students that I serve on a weekly basis. Each day I pull a group of students out of the regular education classroom to my classroom to receive services for 6 hours per week.

Here is the anchor chart that I created with the help of the students. Now mine isn't as pretty as a lot of the anchor charts that I see all over Pinterest and blog land....but at least it did the trick for the students.

Once we had the lesson and discussed the different types of lines, the students were instructed to make a name tag and decorate it with lines .... and color of course....everyone knows that Mrs. Bibb....love color!! Take a look.........at them while they were working.   OK...that didn't work. I can't seem to figure out how to keep my "masking" of students' faces on when I paste into my blog...will have to do more research on this. If you know how to do this....please leave me a comment and tell me how!

OK....here are some of the student name tags after they finished. All of these students are at one school....but there are several age groups represented here.



Here are a few close ups.

After doing this lesson with my students this past week, I find out at lunch time today that one of my other principals wanted me to go to a professional development tomorrow (October 17) that is being put on by the MS Arts Council....want to guess what part of the professional development is going to be about......you guessed it....Elements of Art. Well it also will be talking about using core curriculum with integrating art in to lesson plans. This should definitely be an interesting day tomorrow.

I will let you know how the PD goes after I get back.....maybe Thursday (not going to promise I will blog tomorrow night!)

OK...I am really tired...so I'm off to beddy bye now!!!

Dee

Blogging Buddies Giveaways

Hello out there! It has almost been a week since I've blogged. This has been one busy week. I did take some time this morning to go around and visit some of my teacher blogger friends and found several giveaways that I wanted to share with you!

The first giveaway up is from Liliris from Fourth Grade Garden. Be sure to jump over quickly...this ends in soon.

Then we have up next.....Tara at Fourth Grade Frolics. This one ends in 3 days....but don't wait there are some fantastic prizes!

Then we have Rikki over at The Hive. This one ends in 4 days....but I sure wouldn't wait about entering this one either. Fabulous prizes!

And last....but definitely not least...go on over and check out the giveaway that Tessa over at Tales from Outside the Classroom is hosting! This one has 6 days left....but don't wait...something will happen and you will forget! At least that is what would happen to me!

All of these ladies have pulled together quite an array of wonderful prizes....be sure to go by and leave them some comment love and enter their giveaways.

I have my Autumn Math Center packet ready as well as the Multiplication Word Problems packet....I just need to get pictures and post them here.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead!!

Dee

Currently.....I did it!!

Oh Boy!!! I ma actually hooking up with Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade with her monthly Currently! I have been wanting to do this the past couple months and now....here it is!

Wow!! Looks like I'm going to fall right in at number 285...that's right folks....there have been 284 before me hook up with Farley! Come on over and join us....the more the merrier!!

 

We are in the midst of fall break here in our district....which by the way....I don't think we have ever had before. Oh...it is only two days....but I will take them....wouldn't you??

I am working on getting some assignments done so I will be ahead for my graduate classes (yes....I'm still in school....it looks like I am the epitome of a "lifelong learner".) I should have this degree....if everything works out...by spring 2014. I know that is a ways off...but hey...it is just two classes per semester....I still take my summers off.

OK...off to work on some items for my TpT store.....I'm working on a writing unit and a math unit. Hope to have them finished soon!

Dee

Monday Made It - Monthly Edition

OK...I know that Monday has passed....however, I was determined to go ahead and get my Monday Made Its posted and linked over to Tara at 4th Grade Frolics. I just love hopping around looking at all the goodies everyone has made for their classrooms.....don't you?

So snap some photos of your "Made Its" and link up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics. OK...so on to what I've made in the past month. I have to be honest here....I really think I made more things...but I didn't take my photos as I finished them and probably forget some...but oh well....here are the ones I remember. BTW....please forgive the crummy photos...My lights in my classroom are on the blink AGAIN!!!

The first item up for show is my Reading Olympics board...this is where some of  my students projects will be posted. I do have some that were too large for the board and they are also hanging around my room. I got the idea of this project from Stephanie at Teaching in Room 6. I changed up some of the activities that she had for the levels that she had provided and then created activities for the remaining Silver and Gold levels. My students just began doing this in September...so the board has a way to go before it is full. But, here it is......

 

The next item up for show is my calendar. I am so proud of this little critter....ok..it isn't really a critter...nor is it little. But, I am loving it and so are my kiddos!! You see for many years, I have only used a little perpetual calendar....no room for birthdays or anything. So we are just way too excited about this calendar! I purchased the labels from Bridget at Little Lovely Leaders. You can find the calendar set in her TpT store HERE.

 

 I got a wild hair this past month and decided my tables looked crappy and I wasn't going to put up with it anymore. I know you have all seen the "How to make chalkboard paint" floating around Pinterest. Well...there were so many of them....I don't really know who to give credit for this...so I am going to just say....I got the idea from Pinterest!

 

Now my tables don't look crappy any more!! I am so doing the happy dance....as are my kiddos...they are loving being able to write on the tables....and not getting in trouble for it!

This next item...I believe I got the idea from someone who in the past did a Monday Made It....I just can't remember who it was and I can't find my piece of paper that I wrote it on....Oh the horrors of getting old!! Anyway....I digress. You all know all the "READ" letters that are cutified (ok...I know this probably isn't a word...but it is now) up going all around Pinterest and blogs everywhere....well this is sort of that except the person I copied used Glitter foam.....and now so have I. I have 10 inch glitter foam letters that spell "READ" I am so pumped!!! Just take a look!!

YES....they are on top of one of my chalkboard tables at the present...because my short self can't reach where I want them. I will be getting the ladder from the custodian next week.

My last item....I basically only printed and laminated....but I still consider that making it....I had to cut them out and everything.....Right? I got these from Rachel Lynette....and they were FREE!! Now who doesn't like FREE?? You can get them in her TpT store HERE. 

 

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my Monday Made It - monthly edition. Come on over to Tara's blog at 4th Grade Frolics and link up with your Monday Made It.

Dee

MAGC Conference & a Fall Giveaway!

On September 26-28 of this past week, I attended the Mississippi Association of Gifted Children (MAGC) conference that was held this year at the Mississippi State University (MSU) Riley Center in downtown Meridian, MS . First of all, this facility is so beautiful. Everything was so nice and comfortable. All of the staff were friendly and so helpful.I truly had a terrific time while in Meridian.

In Mississippi, it is mandated by state law that services will be provided to students in grades 2 - 6 that are identified as intellectually gifted. The education provided by the gifted/talented program must be in addition to and different from what the child receives in the regular classroom. With the institution of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in our district, I was a little afraid that what I do in the gifted classroom might seem to be unnecessary. However, after talking with many teachers of the gifted, Carol Paola the Executive Director of MAGC, and Chauncey Spears, Director of Advanced Learning and Gifted Program at the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) the past few days, I realize that what we do will always be more and different from what the children get in the regular classroom. While the CCSS will boost the level of education for them on a regular basis, I will still be needed. That is really a HUGE relief for me.

OK...I said there was a giveaway, too! There is.....over at Tanya Rae Designs. She has corralled several of us and we are all giving away some of our products that can be found on Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT). Jump on over to Tanya Rae's blog and check out all of the great items that you could win....then be sure to register for the giveaway!

I hope everyone has a fabulous rest of the weekend!!

 Dee

Fall is in the Air - Happy Fall Ya'll Linky Party

I just felt the need to post about how much I am loving this cooler fall air. The leaves haven't started to turn yet. But, I sure can't wait to see all of those red, yellow, and gold leaves floating around. I don't even mind seeing them piling up in yard. To me, it just means time is getting nearer for hot chocolate, sweaters, and a warm, glowing fire in my fireplace.

Cynthia over at 2nd Grade Pad has a Happy Fall Ya'll Linky Party going on and I thought since I was in a FALL kind of mood....that I would link up with her! Come on over and check out all the fall items!

 

Because I have caught the fall "bug"....I made a small 20-card set of Autumn Writing Task Cards for you to use in your classroom writing center...or any other way you can imagine to use them. My students love to do creative writing and I can get some of the best stories when I turn them loose with a creative prompt. I bet you can, too!

Just click on the picture...it will take you to my store!

I have been purchasing items through Teachers Pay Teachers for quite some time. I only recently...actually very recently...this school year to be exact..set up a seller account.

From now through September 30....you can purchase the Autumn Creative Writing Task cards for $1.00 from my TpT store. Hop on over there and grab you a set. Just laminate and go! I am sure your kiddos will love using them...just like mine do!

Now...as a little added bonus....I have made a cute little writing paper that coordinates with my autumn task cards....It is yours for FREE...now who doesn't like free?

I hope that you and your kiddos enjoy this!

Thanks so much for stopping by....I hope you have a fabulous week!

 Dee

Writing the Classroom -& - A Giveaway!!

I was out browsing some of the blogs of teacher friends this morning while thinking I need to go look for some more things to help my kiddos with writing. Writing is a very important part of the learning process to me. So off I went searching.

I ran across this wonderful give away posted by  Kelley at The Teacher Idea Factory. You know I entered....but I also wanted to give a heads-up to all my blog followers and teacher friends out there who may not follow Kelley's blog! Hop on over and enter for these wonderful prizes!

Now off I go to find some other noteworthy writing ideas and activities!

Happy Blogging and TEACHING!!!!

Dee

Recent Revelation & Self Recrimination

Let me explain about this title......Recently, I discovered that one of my gifted students was having a very difficult time reading on grade-level. It truly came as a shock to me because this child didn't seem to have a lot of trouble comprehending things in my classroom. However, I must add that we don't do a lot of read-alouds in my classroom.....at least we didn't. We WILL now. I do not ever want to have something like this pop up in front of me and catch me unaware. I feel so guilty that this child has gone all through last year and already has 5 weeks of school behind her before someone noticed her problem. I spoke with her grade level reading teacher and was told that some of the other students would laugh at her when she read aloud in class. I felt so badly for this child. It isn't her fault and we have let her fall through the crack....but she isn't going to fall any further, if I can help it!

I administered an ARI and took my results to begin a tutoring regimen to help her become a successful reader. I know deep down that it isn't just my fault for missing the fact that she only reads two grade levels below her current grade. I only have her once a week for gifted classes. However, I still feel badly for her and it really irks me that I could have been having read-alouds in my class and would have noticed this much earlier and she wouldn't have been so far behind.

The great thing is that she wants to improve and be a successful reader so she is working hard to make it happen. I am so proud of her. I know with her attitude she will beat this problem and come out on top!

Am I the only person that has had this happen? What do other teachers do to try to prevent events like this from occurring? Does anyone have any other suggestions for preventing problems like this?

I am really looking for answers to my questions as I don't want others like her to have the same issue with allowed to fall through the cracks because they are quiet and don't make a fuss.

Hope everyone has a terrific week!!!!

Happy Blogging & TEACHING!!!!

Dee

Monday Made It - September 2012

Happy Labor Day!!!!

I am so happy that Tara over at 4th Grade Frolics has decided to continue the Monday Made It as a monthly event. I just love roaming around blogland and seeing what all the other teachers out there are making and doing in their classrooms. Don't you?

Because I love this so much, I am linking up this month for the Monday Made It.  My first item for this week is something that I have been seeing all over teacher blogs and Pinterest for weeks...but for some reason, this week when Nicole over at Rowdy in Room 300 posted her Monday Made It and I saw hers....well I just had to have some for myself! You can find Nicole's post HERE. Here is the inspiration photo from Nicole.

 

Here is my own READ letters for my classroom (well at least one of the classrooms that I have).

 

They are not as large as I would have liked....but I don't have a Michael's or a Hobby Lobby within 100 miles of me....so I had to depend on Wal Mart and I was a very LUCKY girl to have gotten all of the letters needed. Don't laugh...all of you know what I'm talking about. You just can't depend on old Mr. Wal Mart and Dollar Tree doesn't have them!

Now on to my next creation....which obviously I didn't come up with. I saw these Jumbo Paperclip Bookmarks last week when MissT from Journey of a Substitute Teacher posted her Monday Made It. I knew when I saw them, I had to make some! They are just too adorable. Here is the original photo from Miss T.

 

I have only made three so far, because I can find my ribbon stash...so when I find the ribbon, I will finish off the other 5 jumbo paperclips that came in the package! Here are mine.

 

I feel the need to add, that after looking at Miss T's photo again, I will be going back and redoing the ribbon and using longer pieces....I just think it looks better!

Now for my third and final (finished) item for this Monday Made It.  First let me say this....as you can all attest, this is not my idea. I know I've seen this all over Pinterest and on other teacher blogs. I even downloaded the a freebie off someone's blog to do this. But for the life of me, I cannot find any indication as to who the download came from nor can I find where I first saw the idea. So....if it is yours or you know whose it is....please let me know so I can amend this post and give them credit.

My Whole Class Journals (thanks to someone's hard work for the topic sheets.).

 

That does it for my Monday Made It. Now I can start hopping around and seeing what else I NEED to add to my crafty list for my classroom. I hope everyone has a fabulous week!

Happy Blogging & TEACHING!!!

Dee

My Top 10 Teacher Survival Kit Items

I am taking a leap and linking up with Corrina at Mrs. Allen's 5th Grade Files for her Teacher's Survival Kit Linky Party.


So here are my Top 10 items that I just can't live without! This list is no particular order....I really NEED them all!

1. Water - and plenty of it. I drink so much water throughout the day it amazes me and my students.
2. Coffee or Tea - for that relaxing afternoon pick me up while I'm scoring work or writing more units.
3. Nail clipper & nail file - I absolutely cannot stand to have a rough nail...I will chew on it until I don't have one left. Much nicer to take care of it before the inevitable takes place.
4. Dark Chocolate - a definite must to have on the ready one of my favorite "food group items". Besides...dark chocolate is supposed to be better for your health!
5. Nutella & Graham Crackers - a real necessity for those afternoon droopy feelings.
6. Gum & Altoids - I can always find a reason to need a fresher mouth!
7. Wisp Mini Disposable tooth brushes - these are perfect to freshen your breath before those afternoon meetings.
8. Ibuprofen - for those possible headaches or other aches and pains.
9. Deodorant - Who doesn't need a little spruce up on most days?
10. Lotion - I just can't do without it with all the washing hands. I would feel like my skin was cracking off if I didn't have it!

So this is what you would find in my Survival Kit....what would we find in yours? Go on over to Mrs. Allen's 5th Grade Files and link up and tell yours!

Happy Blogging!
Dee

Blog Hopping Day Oh Yeah...and a Give Away!!

I have been so busy trying to get back into the swing of the new school year, I haven't made a post since August 20....that is crazy...but true!

So this morning, I decided it was "Blog Hopping Day" and I have been hopping around to many of my teacher friend blogs and oh what a terrific time I have had!

I have found so many new crafty items that I need to make for my classroom that surely I will have something to post tomorrow for Tara's "Monday Made It" at Fourth Grade Frolics. So be sure to check back tomorrow to see what I made.

I also would like to announce that I am in the process of writing units for Writer's Workshop for different grade levels that all are aligned to the common core. Within these units will also be anchor charts that can be printed and used along with the unit. Stay tuned....the first ones will be posted soon!

Oh Yeah!! Crystal over at Ms. Jones Junction is having a 100 Follower Giveaway and you don't want to be left out because there are some really AWESOME prizes. Hop on over there and get your entries in.

Okay...it is time for me to go back to my blog hopping. I am not quite finished!

See all of you tomorrow with my Monday Made It!

Happy Blogging!!!

Dee

First Day in the Classroom with the Kiddos Today

I know I have been MIA...but in my defense, I have been busily getting ready for the first day with my Gifted Education students. Well, at the least the first group anyway!

I had my 6th grade Gifted students today and we really got a ton of things done. Now...today wasn't their first day of school, it was just the first day that I could pull them out. We have a pull-out program in my district so I have my students from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm (well that is officially....most of the time I get them shortly after 7:30 and keep them until about 2:30). We just have so much to do and the time flies when you are having fun!

I'm sorry I don't have any photos today....I went off and forgot my camera.....it was left sitting on my computer desk at home. I know....a whole lot of good that did me!!

Anyway....I just wanted to jump on here and let everyone know that I had a BLAST with my first group of students this week.....now I get a whole new group tomorrow....and they are 2nd grade....Oh What FUN!!!

Until next time!!

Monday Made It # 3

Well.....the last few days have gone by in a blur for me. Teachers in our district went back to work on August 1 and I spent all day on August 1 in meetings. August 2-4, I spent many hours getting my room ready for students......and it is still not finished. While the students came to school today for the first day.....it isn't really a problem that my room wasn't really ready. Because I teach Gifted/Talented, the first two weeks of school are spent in the Central Office working on schedules, testing and other paper work. But....we have to hit the ground running after that two weeks....so I still have to put some hours in to have a ready-to-go classroom come August 20.

A few weeks ago.....to my great joy....I found quite a few teacher blogs. One of these teacher blogs...Fourth Grade Frolics....has had this little linky party going on the entire summer...which I wish I had known about. However...I have now found it....so for the third week in a row....I am linking up.

 

Because I spent so much time moving furniture and boxes...as well as emptying the boxes (we have to pack EVERYTHING)...I didn't make a lot this week....but here is what I made.

Now before I get started....I will tell you the door came from.....where????  Pinterest of course!! I just used Photoshop and made my little signs. However....I didn't pin the photo...so I don't really know who to give credit to...so if you know where I might have gotten this inspiration....please let me know...so I can credit them.

 

Now....I also created the 'WELCOME' sign using my Photoshop program, too!

My second thing that I made is my JOB CHART. Every year I have had to write the jobs on the board for this and I decided this year there would be a permanent chart for all the jobs. This is not totally finished....so when it is completely done....I will post a photo.

OK...folks...the weather is getting a little dicey here right now....so I will end this post. I will come back later and check out everyone else's posts that have linked up.

Until Next Time.....Happy Blogging!!

Monday Made It #2 & a FREEBIE

I am so pumped to be a part of this Monday Made It Blog link. It is so much fun showing off what I made for my classroom and then going to all the other blogs to see what everyone else is making for theirs!  

The first thing I made to present this week is a door sign for my classroom. When you see this sign...you will immediately know that I got the idea from our favorite place to stalk.....Pinterest. The photo I pinned was from Nicole's blog Rowdy in Room 300. 

Here is mine.

I even used Nicole's idea about stuffing it with the plastic grocery bags. It works wonders. I never would have thought of that. Sometimes things just go....'swoosh'....right over my head.

I said in the title of my blog that I have a freebie...and I do.....if you want it. I'm pretty sure all of you are aware that Stephanie over at Teaching in Room 6 has posted the basics about her Reading Olympics. Well, I thought that sounded like something that I could do with my gifted/Talented students....since we do book studies...I thought this would be a little more fun! So I downloaded the brochures of Stephanie's and re-created them to work in my classroom. As I was writing the lesson plan, I had an idea about how I could have easy....instant verification as to where each student was in regards to the levels of the Reading Olympics. Yes...I know Stephanie provided us with a tracking sheet....and I will most likely use it....But, I need instant visualization. So....I created a wall hanging that I intend to have students put their clip on the level...this way...I can see where they are at an instant.

You can download this tracker for FREE here.

I made a couple other things...but haven't taken the photos...so I will post them next Monday!

Thanks for stopping by.

Until Next Time....Happy Blogging!!

I Went Shopping!!

Remember how I told you that I thought Dollar Tree is "da' bomb"? Well....I went shopping at my very small local Dollar Tree yesterday afternoon and made a haul. I could have spent much more money in there...but thought I would save a little to go to one of the larger Dollar Tree stores in one of our adjoining larger towns.

Here is just a sampling of what I purchased. Can you tell that I love yellow and green?

I know it may be hard to see...but my duct tape looks like paint splatters! I am really loving it! You can see the four bins that I captured in the photo....what you can't see are the numerous other ones that are sitting on my desk on the other side of the room.

I got a total of 10 of the bins....2 packages of the cubes (that means I have 100 of these puppies!). I am so sure they will come in very handy. I also decided to go on and get me a couple of those nice microfiber gloves to clean my boards....of course I got green! I also got 5 packages of the stencils so my students won't have to wait when needing them for their projects.

Now...we go back to school on August 1..and students come back on August 6...and I haven't even been in my room since I left it at the end of May. As a matter of fact, my principal sent an email and said we couldn't get into our rooms until July 30....yes...people, that is 2 days before we go back....and you know those 3 days before the students, are all professional development. I see some long days ahead of me to get my room ready.

I know I will get my room ready because it always happens this way....and I always finish at the last minute....just in time! I'm sure this year will be no different.

Until Next Time.....Happy Blogging!

Thank You!!!!

This morning I opened up my email and was so surprised to find that I had been given an award!  Many thanks to Ms. Burton at K is for Kinderrific as this is my very first blog award.   

For receiving this award I have to....

1.  Follow the person who gave me the award.  Check!

2.  Link back to the person that gave me the award.  Check!

3.  Pass to 15 new bloggers and let them know they have received the award. Check!

Now...I know that Ms. Burton has difficulty passing this award out to deserving blogs that haven't already received it....so let me see what I can do about passing this honor on to someone else.

Ms. Mindy's Kindergarten Kidlets 

Teach-Bake-Love

to the Square Inch

Kindergarten Smiles

Pocketful of Kinders

Ms. Shope's Class 

Herding Kats in Kindergarten  

Smedley's Smorgasbord of Kindergarten

Spotted in First Grade 

An Apple for the Teacher

The Wonderful World of Kindergarten

Fancy Free in Fourth

Coffee for the Teacher 

First Grade Fairytales

The Madness that is Kindergarten 

Until Next Time.....Happy Blogging!

Rockin' Resources & 5 Teacher Must Haves

I am so new to the teacher blog scene, that it is almost overwhelming the number of blogs that have so much information and ideas!

As a teacher, it really warms my heart to see all of the other teachers blogging and freely giving out their ideas for many items that can be used in the classroom. Some of the items may be obvious...and then some are so out there and it is amazing how anyone thought of the uses that can created.






 I decided that I needed to link up with some of these teacher blogs that I have been stalking following for a little while and give back to some of the newer teachers that are coming into the field. So...I am linking up with Teacher Idea Factory for the Rockin' Resources and also Life is Sweet in Kindergarten for her Top 5 Teacher Must Haves...since they are so similar...ok they are basically the same thing. Anyway....here are my 5 things:

1. My Hot Green Tea....some people have their coffee...mine happens to be green tea...ok...technically this isn't a classroom item....but I am not functional without my hot green tea in the morning. Whether I use my lovely Keurig or my cute little kettle....I use Bigelow Green tea to brew my life sustaining beverage every morning.
2. Expo Markers.....they are another of my "must haves" for my classroom. It is just so much fun to have the different colors....especially when trying to make a point.
3. My laptop....probably not int he way you think....I only have 3 computers in my classroom...and...well...with 10 - 12 Gifted/Talented students on any given day....that is not nearly enough! So...they also use my laptop.
4. The SmartBoard.....Oh the wonders of that thing....I don't think I could make it without one.
5. My trusty little CD player and classical music CDs. Got to have all that soul calming music when we are doing certain things...and then when it is time for the artists to come out....we put on some music that is a little more..shall we say....active.

Actually there are several more things that I can't live without....But one of the biggest is....and all of you teachers know exactly what I mean when I say.......Dollar Tree is da' bomb!!!!

Until Next Time......Happy Blogging!

Monday Made It! #1

OK...I know I'm jumping into this party way after it began...after all school will be starting back for me next week. However, I saw this little party over at 4th Grade Frolics and thought I just had to jump on the wagon!

What I made for this is something that I have been seeing all over Pinterest and just had to have a set for my classroom. Having Gifted/Talented students all day...everyday...I believe I can really get some fascinating end products with these....OH wait....I haven't told you what it is yet!

Of course it is the Story Sticks that are all over Pinterest. I got the idea from Life in the Green House...but hadn't quite figured out just exactly how I would be using them...since she was using them as "date night" sticks. Then I saw the post at Sarcasm 101 and I knew this was the perfect use for this little idea.

So here are my Story Sticks.....................................

I have 20 sticks of each color. Yellow is the main character, red is the conflict, green is for the setting, and blue signifies another object that is in the story.

Newbie Bloggers Blog Hop

Janis over at Grade Three is the Place for Me!  is holding a newbie bloggers blog hop.  Since I am new to having an education blog...I thought I would join in on the fun. I hope that you will go and check out some of the other newbie bloggers!  If you are a newbie blogger, link up and tell everyone:

    1.  what state you are in

    2.  your current teaching position

    3.  your teaching experience

    4.  when you started blogging

    5.  share a blogging tip / blogging resource

Here is my list:

    1.  I am in Mississippi..where I have lived most of my life.

    2.  I currently teach 2nd - 6th Gifted/Talented

    3.  I am beginning my 8th year of teaching this school term. I taught 3rd grade for 3 

         years and will begin my 5th year of teaching Gifted/Talented in August.

    4.  I have been blogging for several years....but I just started my education blog 

         yesterday.

    5.  Anything you want to know about blogging...really can be found by using Google...

         Google really is your friend!!

My New Little Education Blog

I have been thinking about starting an education blog for some time now. Today seemed like a great day to go ahead and just do it!

I will be posting activities, tips, etc on this blog that I use in my own classroom for others to use as well.