Google Docs

Do you use Google Docs? Does your school/district?

I use it, and my district is using it more and more.  I think I have a love/hate relationship with it, to tell you the truth.  I mean, I think it's a wonderful tool!  I can save something at school and pull it up at home, at my in-laws' house, or at my sister's house.  Fantastic!

However, I am not yet in the habit of actually saving things to it at school! It sounds ridiculous, I know, but I really enjoy making my documents and I get so into it that I just save them on my computer. Then I get busy and forget to upload them. I've been thinking about setting aside time once or twice a week specifically to upload items, but I am not sure if that is ample time for everything, or if it's too much time.

What does everyone else do?

A Year Ago...

Almost a year ago I was writing blog posts, creating things to add to my classroom, and getting ready for school to start.

I am now here, after a crazy busy year full of field trips, performances and getting to know my amazing students, writing another post. I haven't been on here since last summer and I am sad about that. I love reading other teacher posts, learning from you and getting inspired by you!! That is why I started writing here.

I am going to try my best to post something new every week! {I completely wanted to say I'd post something every day, but I thought that was being too optimistic!}

So my new thing this week is that my school year ended yesterday and I am sad. My students were amazing!! They were happy, independent, hilarious, and full of wonder. We learned so much and everyone was sad to go yesterday. I am already planning for next year and getting things on my To-Do List for the summer.

I am so excited!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful year!!

Thirty-One

I am obsessed!!

I love to organize things and have little containers and bins for things so I would, of course, love the company Thirty-One. Have you heard of it? I got their Thermal Tote at the 2011 HPE Silent Auction. I love it so I decided to get a their Soft Wallet about a year ago. I love that too!! I've been toying with the idea of going into the Thirty-One business, but I am not a sales person so I am not sure how it would go!!

Anyway, I have been looking for a great bag for work and have been considering the Organizing Utility Tote.

I have seen MANY posts about this bag, but the three that really sold me on it are from Tiffany at The Nest Effect, Jen at i heart organizing, and Tiffany at Teaching 2 Many Diligently. These ladies, among others, talked of how they fell in love with this bag because of how useful and stylish it is.

I am also getting the All-In-One Organizer, the Mini Zipper Pouch, and the Wristlet Key Fob for school. I am planning on putting things in the Organizer for {parent} volunteers and will keep the Mini in it with pencils, highlighters, etc. I am SUPER excited to see these items in use and think it will help the {parent} volunteers when they come in.

The last item I am getting is the Littles Carry-All Caddy for home. I think we're going to try to hold our crazy amount of remotes in it, but I'm not sure! We'll figure something out!!

One of the best things about getting all of this, two of the items were Customer Specials for the month of July!! The Mini and Little were $5 each! Plus, I got a few of the items personalized for $5 each, another Customer Special! Oh my goodness, I am SO excited!!

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