More F words...

Nope, still not THAT F word. One of the same F words as last week...
And another that you will have to read through to see what it is all about.

My freebie for this week (seriously how does Friday get here so stinkin fast in the summer?!) is something simple, but something I needed for my class.

In third grade we work on mastering multiplication facts. And I expect my students to master one set before moving on to the next set. Meaning a student could potentially take the 2s tests 10 times before finally getting the 100 on the test. In fact, I had a student that was working on the 0s and 1s for over a month. And that, my friends, leads to a LOT of paper. I needed a way to reduce the copies. And I finally figured out a way! Enter my freebie...

You may have seen my post about the dry erase pockets from My Binding... Well I have decided to make sure I have a class set and utilize these for multiplication tests.  In this freebie there are three templates for students to use. They say ___ x 4, ___ x 7, etc. In random order. I did this so that 1. students can't cheat and 2. students won't always get the same test so they can't just memorize the order of the numbers and answers. Each student will get a dry erase pocket and when I say go they will have a minute to write down whatever facts they are working on in the blanks and solve all the problems (only 11). So a student working on the 3s would put 3 in all the blanks then solve the problems.

When time is up I can quickly check to see who got a 100 and put a sticker on the class chart for that test. If they didn't get a 100, they will take the same facts test next week. This last year I used the bubblegum machines for students to keep track of their own progress (read about that here), and I may use that one again next year, or use another that goes with my classroom theme. I am undecided because the gum really was a good motivator.

The file has pictures and more explanation than up above, but that is the general idea. Clicking the picture will take you to the freebie! Enjoy!

Now the other F word... Halle at Across the Hall in 2nd Grade has come up with this cute linky party and I just can't resist a good linky!

Favorite Things! And this week's topic is Morning Must Haves...
I am not your typical person I guess, because aside from the necessities (toothbrush, soap, etc), I don't have many must haves... but I do have two...

This is my makeshift vanity. I think it is a writing desk. I don't even remember. But I love it. It is the perfect size for all my makeup. You don't see all the mess of makeup. And I can sit comfortably while getting ready in the morning.  (My straightener is also a must have, but I didn't take a pic of it. You do NOT want to see this 'do without that thing.)

(Please don't mind the blurry picture- Payton was in my arms and we were busy laughing hysterically over nonsense... picture had no chance of being clear.)

And this little girl. It is a sad day when she isn't up when I leave for work. She wakes up in the morning usually right before I leave and comes outside to say bye to me. Every morning. She gives me kisses and as soon as I am in the car she is demanding her daddy come to the door with her so she can give me a high five, hug, and another kiss. Then they go back in the garage and she waves frantically bye bye.

What are your morning must haves? Link up by clicking Halle's image!

Testing a post from my ipad

I downloaded a new app to my ipad so I am just testing out some features to see if it works. Don't mind this nonsense post. 

My TpT Store link  (this is just to see how I can do hyperlink)

Don't forget about our book study coming up. Posts will start on Tuesday! 

Google Reader is going away...

Do you use google reader to read all the blogs you follow? I will admit, I didn't even know this was an option until news broke that it was going away for good. And then I went and checked it out. And I shouldn't have. Because I loved it. Since it is going away I had to find a different way to read all my blogs. And here are the solutions I have found.

First- before finding out that google reader existed, I would simply go to my blogger dashboard and just read the posts at the bottom where it lists all the blogs I follow and all their posts.

This is a simple option if you use a blogger account.

Then someone mentioned feedly. I downloaded this app on my ipad and enjoyed it. Once you create an account, you can import all your blogs you follow from your google reader account with the click of a button. Simple.

And then I heard about bloglovin. It seems this was everyone's favorite. So I went and checked it out. Same idea as feedly. Create an account and it will transfer all your blogs you follow with the click of a button.

Now, I want you to look carefully at the titles of the posts that show up in each picture. You will notice that feedly directly matches what I would see on my blogger dashboard. But bloglovin is missing a couple posts and I also found out today that while my settings SHOW I am following someone's blog, their posts don't show up in my feed.

ETA... when I just went to bloglovin to look something up, my feed changed. I now see this...

This one directly matches my blogger feed without things missing. About 20 minutes ago when I looked the Book Study post was missing (as well as the one on top but I have been told it takes a little time delay to get the posts published).  I think I will continue to play around with both to see what works best for me...

I just found something else I like about bloglovin. When you click on one of the blogs (say I clicked on the top post up there), it will open in a new tab and you will find this at the top...

I can click the "older" button and it will take me right to the next post on my list (in this case it would be the True Story post).

What I don't love... when I try to leave a comment, it leaves that bloglovin page and I have to either go back or head back to the bloglovin main page and start again. But I think that is something I can get over because I wasn't having good luck posting comments from feedly on my ipad (I haven't tried from the computer yet).

I think this one just comes down to personal preference. They both have their perks, I suggest just trying them out and seeing which one you like best. If you already use one, which one do you use?
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Aaargh You a Pirate?

I am so excited to announce this amazing book study with you. My friend Jenn from Rowdy in First Grade and I are cohosting the book study on Teach Like a Pirate. Have you heard of this book before? Read it? It is a really good book. And we have gathered some FANTABULOUS bloggers to join us and lead discussions on each chapter. Each chapter (or set of 2 chapters for some) will have a host (or two) that will post their in depth thoughts about their chapter. Jenn and I will post little blurbs about each chapter, but to get to the really good stuff and the discussion, you will want to head to the blog host for that chapter. Since there are a lot of amazing book studies going on this summer, we tried to make ours last only a month, so there will be posts on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Here are the blogs you will want to follow.

Chapter 1- (June 11)

Chapter 2- (June 13)

Chapter 3- (June 16)

Chapter 4- (June 18)

Chapter 5- (June 20)

Chapter 6- (June 23)

Chapter 7- (June 25)

Chapter 8&9- (June 27)

Chapter 10&11- (July 2)

 

Chapter 12- (July 4)

Chapter 13- (July 7)

and

Chapter 14- (July 9)

Chapter 15- (July 11)

Chapter 16- (July 14)

 

Chapter 17- (July 16)

Chapter 18&19-(July 18)

and

If you have read the book or are planning to read the book and want to join in the discussion and posts, we would LOVE to read your thoughts. We are going to have a link up where you can add a link to your posts for each chapter. If you link up, make sure you put your blog name AND which chapter the link will take readers to. This way you can link up multiple times. Make sense?  

So what do you say? Aaargh you a pirate? 

Monday Made It

It is the first weekly Monday Made It of the summer and I am so excited. Last year I participated in a couple of these and just loved them. I think what I love more is looking at everyone else's posts and getting ideas for what I want to do. I have a lot of ideas,  but sadly I am not sure how many I will get done due to extreme exhaustion. (That is a story for another day.) Onto my Monday Made It...

One thing that I recently made is an activity for the classroom. I like to call it "30 minutes of teacher sanity right before a long weekend, vacation, etc." You know, when the kids just need something fun but still semi educational? Or you are in a pinch because you are so drained you didn't plan enough.

My students LOVE these activities. To make it more fun, we turn it into a competition. Each group works together to see who can come up with the most words. Typically I set the timer for about 20 minutes and they just work together to come up with words. First of all, they are working together. Second, they are working on spelling and vocabulary. and Third, they aren't being crazy about the upcoming long weekend or whatever it may be.

 I included 12 different phrases for students to use. They are:
Back to School
Happy Halloween
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Holidays
Merry Christmas
Happy New Year
Valentines Day
Groundhog Day
St Patricks Day
Hoppy Easter
Honor the Veterans
Summer Vacation

If you click the cover page, it will take you to the listing on TpT where you can download the preview to get the Groundhog Day one for free.

My next Monday Made It is for my daughter. Her birthday is coming up (seriously 2 years already?! I have no idea where the time went!) Her party is next Friday and I kinda haven't sent out invitations. Ooops. Good thing I have already verbally invited everyone that will be coming. I have seen tons of cute "ticket" style invitations floating around etsy, ebay, pinterest, etc. So I decided to give it a try to make it myself.

Personally I think they turned out really cute! And she loves them! Or just loves that Sofia is on them. I also made her a Happy Birthday Banner and Thank You cards but I will share those once they are printed out.

I am off to look at everyone else's posts to get ideas for what to make for next week!

It's JUUUUUUNE

And that means a lot of things... summer vacation, Payton's birthday, Tim's birthday, Vacations... but it also means...

I know everyone loves this as much as I do! And I am actually doing it on the first day it was posted for once!

 

Listening- Tim tell Payton that she can NOT watch Henry Hugglemonster right now. Cute Disney Jr show... not so cute when it is constantly on!

Loving- self explanatory. I am having a somewhat mostly all stress free summer vacation so far.

Thinking- I just got a realllllly good pin code from Disney (if you don't know what a Disney pin code is then you have NOT visited Disney enough) but the dates are not what I want. But I am going to see if it is a possibility at all. It isn't looking like it though.

Wanting- Well, we are still waiting to see if my dad is going to get off work for our vacation. If he is then we are heading to Disney (pin code out the window) and if not, then just us 3 are heading to Atlanta. But I hate waiting until the last minute to plan!

Needing- nothing. I am good to go right now.

Vacay essentials- well this is the most time I get to spend with my husband and daughter at the same time. Sun- girl needs to get some color back and Relax- with a good book.  Or just relax in general.

Hurry and click the first pic to head to Farley's blog and get your link on!

The F word

No no, not THAT F word... Freebie!!! What?! I have a freebie for you! Yes I do! Being on summer vacation has done me some good already! And, it will do you some good because I have freebies! Are you excited?!
I have started planning for next year already. I know, summer break just started, but we all know teachers work on summer break. And I have had ideas in my head for so long that I had to get started. Every year I have at least a handful of kids that really need phonics help, but there is no time for that during regular instruction time. So, I am going to work with those children during morning work time. I bought a third grade phonics workbook but I needed more. So the first thing I made (for the first week of phonics fun- that is what I am going to call it) is a making words activity.

 

I will be doing this with my group, but it can be done as a center activity. (I realize this is definitely NOT something most third grade teachers need, but my tier 3 kids do. Feel free to pass it on to your friends that teach younger grades.) Each student will get a 3 letter word mat, 4 letter word mat, and a set of alphabet cards.  All of the image cards will be flipped upside down. One student will pick a card, say the word, and then we will discuss the sounds they hear and how to spell it. So if they picked the star (it says color on it, so the answer is pink), they would say pink and identify which letters make that sound. They would find the letters in their pile and put them on the mat. Then they will record the answer on their recording sheet.

 

There are a total of 11 cards for students to work through. To make it more "fun" looking, I am going to print the word mats and alphabet cards on bright colored paper. Or if I am feeling extra ambitious, I may print the word mats on white and color the beach balls in. 

I really think my kids will love this. Once we do a few together, I may turn it into a friendly competition. We will pick a card and then see who can come up with the correct spelling of the word first. The winner will get smart beads and a note sent home. (If you haven't seen my post on how I use smart beads in my room, you can click here.) 

I hope you enjoy this freebie! (click on the cover page picture to take you to the posting).

Ready for another F word. Two of them actually. Fabulous Finds (from Target of course)

A couple teacher friends posted pics of this AMAZING find in the dollar spot... and so I hunted them down and finally found them in my third target. I bought every single one they had (23). 

Book boxes! For $1! Now, I know they don't match. And well, they certainly don't go with my plans of doing a pirate theme, but I needed them, and for $1, I don't care if they match. Plus I am thinking of doing bright colors with a touch of pirate anyways. I am thinking of putting these on a shelf where you wouldn't be able to tell that they didn't match anyways.

My next target dollar spot find...

Happiness! All kinds of sticky notes and tabs. There were all different sized flags and even regular post its. But I didn't get those (yet). The 2 packs of dry erase markers were perfect because my students are going to need them for our multiplication tests next year (post coming next week). And the other thing you see is a 2 pack of mini erasers. Yes I know my kids could use socks or fabric scraps, but these were cute. For now, I only have 8 of each, but I will be going back to get a class set.

I am linking up with