Plan Books

I know this is silly, but I really enjoy planning and using my plan book. I've had a few during my career that I just can't get into and few I don't like because they're boring.

I really love my Erin Condren Life Planner and know she makes a teacher plan book, but it's expensive ($50) and I am hesitant to fork over that amount of money for something my school will give me for free (though the one they provide is really boring).

Seriously, how adorable is this?!

So, while reading other blogs, and searching for things on Pinterest and Etsy, I've been toying with the idea of making my own. I don't know if I should use a binder (I am in love with them) or if I should make my own and bind it. I already use binders for so much at school it seems like a no-brainer, but I also like the portability of a simple spiral bound planner.

What do you use? Did you make your own? What program(s) did you use? Do you have coupons for Erin Condren's stuff?!  :)

Summer Reading

I am taking a cue from Audrey, The Sweet Life of Third Grade, and compiling a summer reading list. I might have to join some of the book studies online, but I am excited to start reading!

The Book Whisperer

I have heard wonderful things about this book! I picked it up last year but it was at the end of the sumer and I get super busy with the beginning of the year errands and tasks.

The Daily 5 and Cafe Book

I read the Daily 5 last summer and fell in love! I want to do a quick read of that then pick up Cafe. I have already used parts of the Daily 5 in my class this year, but would really like to use more of it in the coming year.

Words Their Way
My district wants us to use WTW so I think it would be a great idea to read up on it!! I went to a workshop last fall, but I'll do a quick read as a refresher. I have also Pinned a bunch of WTW ideas, so I am super excited for word work this year!!

Math Work Stations
When I first started teaching 3rd grade, almost 8 years ago, my mentor gave me Literacy Work Stations and I found it really helpful and full of great ideas. Ideas I thought I could actually do and use!! Now that Debbie Diller wrote Math Work Stations, I am really excited to start creating and organizing.

Guided Math
Audrey is going to read this book. I hadn't heard of it but all of the reviews I've read say it's excellent. I am going to a couple of math workshops at the the end of the summer so I think I will save these last two until August.

I am also looking for a good book on morning meetings. Does anyone have one they love? A few of my friends have recommended these books...

P.S. Images are from Amazon.com

The End

The end of another school year is upon us. There is so much to do and so little time!!

I have to gather things for summer session (at another school), pack up my room for the summer, finish report cards, finish end of the year testing (really?!), and send notes to my kids. WHEN will I be able to do all of this by June 8th?! Arrgh!

Oh wait, I have amazing cabinets in my classroom that hold a bunch of my stuff. Packing shouldn't be too difficult and my parents have agreed to store my items for summer session until I need it (June 15th). The testing, report cards and notes for my kids can be finished during the next week, prep times and at night while watching reruns of Friends or How I Met Your Mother.

Come to think of it, the end of the year isn't looking too horrendous after all.  Now I just need to remember to take pictures of everything before I pack it away!!

Is there anything you do at the end of the year for your kids?

Pinterest and Teaching

Holy cats!  I haven't updated anything is ages and you are partly to blame!!  :)  You, my readers and the people I blog-stalk! You introduced me to Pinterest and I haven't been the same since. I am completely addicted and I have gotten some friends/coworkers addicted too! I just keep searching for things and get a gazillion pins to look through... it's awesome.

I really think Pinterest has changed my teaching habits, and for the better. I truly believe I am a good teacher. I believe my students understand the things I teach and enjoy learning about them too. However, there are posters/charts I have not thought of making even though I teach it! I mean, I print out the flipcharts I make for the Promethean and put it all in a binder (which I am currently updating/making adorable) for the kids to look through, but they aren't the same as a chart in the room. The only drawback is my limited space.

I've also gotten more ideas for manipulatives from the site too!

Every Friday after my teaching partner and I plan for the next week, I go into my room and look things up on Pinterest. I look to see if there is a neat/new take on a strategy we are teaching and I make it my own. I tweak ideas to the way I teach and I have never been happier.

When I started teaching people always said, "Why reinvent the wheel?" and Pinterest is the perfect resource for proving that I don't need to.

So thank you for introducing me to Pinterest!

Where It All Goes Down Wednesday... Kinda

Today is 'Where It All Goes Down Wednesday' at Blog Hoppin. Well, I don't have pictures of my finished room. I will post those at a later date. What I do have are pictures of things I've Pinned and my own projects. They will help set the tone for Where It All Goes Down!

Check for Understanding: Pinned Image from 4th Grade Frolics


Check for Understanding: My Project
I made mine in MS Excel and I love how they turned out! I printed them out onto colored cardstock, then laminated them. I am going to put one in each book container and then I'll have the students use another one as their bookmark in their 'Just for Fun' book.



Book Luggage Tag: Pinned Image from Beg, Borrow, Steal and 4th Grade Frolics has some too!


Book Luggage Tag: My Project
Again, I took the idea and made it my own. I knew Archiver's had a die cut of a tag. I took some paper I had laying around and punched a bunch out! Then I had the laminated so I could - hopefully - reuse them next year. Now, I haven't finished them completely yet. I am going to put a number on the back along with a label on the front with the corresponding name. I think it will look delightful!


That's all for now!