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HELP! They NEVER Stop Talking!
Oh my word, this class! I've been teaching 18 years and this group is NOT SO SILENTLY killing me!They are spirited.They are charismatic.They are individuals.They are lively.Oh yea. They are all those...
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Close Reading, Money, and Needs and Wants
This was the Monday-est Friday ever! No joke! But...it's finally here and it's time for Five for Friday with Doodle Bugs Teaching.Perhaps....the week has been long because it started like this..O.K....
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Pinterest Picks for April
It's the third of April so it's time for my favorite monthly linky for ideas and inspiration. Many thanks to Lisa from Pawsitively Teaching, Marissa from Inspired Owl's Corner, and Ashley from Just...
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Store vs. Stylist
I think there are three types of teachers: 1. The type who love to shop and dress up.2. The type who love teaching, but not so much the dressing up part and aim more for comfort.3. Those "shades of...
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Teacher Books vs. Student Books
My husband and I had a wild Friday night.It started with take out and one thing lead to another.We ended up here....I know right?!!!!What could be better than this!!It's a used book superstore.I was on...
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My Embarrassing Teacher Moment...
Have you ever had one of those embarrassing teacher moments?You know the ones I mean...the kind where your admin sees something that was not so....well...."becoming" and you just want to yell out,...
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Camp Learn Some More
Perhaps I am one of the few teachers who LOVES the last week of school. Assessments are done. The pressure is off...well sorta...I make a commitment to my students that the last week of school we have...
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Summer Reading List 2016
Currently, my fingers are sticky with glue and stained with sharpie marker. I have the PowerSchool window tab open in another window on my laptop waiting for me to stop procrastinating and finish...
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How to make your own Pencil Shoes
You know it's summer when weekly Monday Made It is back! Many thanks to Tara of 4th Grade Frolics for hosting this awesomeness every Monday during the summer. Seriously....this linky is one of my...
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Organizing your Classroom Library with Paint Sticks
I have been waiting since March to do this! I just made this fairy garden this week but I've had the idea since March. I LOVE the summer when I can make all the things I have dreamed up, pinned, and...
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Classroom Decor, T-shirts, and Painting Signs
Happy Fourth of July! Happy Birthday America!Happy Monday!Happy Monday Made It! Many thanks to Tara of 4th Grade Frolics who is the founder of this fantastic linky and to Learning in Wonderland for...
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How to Teach Students to Self-Regulate their Behavior
Sometimes I don't know which is worse....Monday morning or the fifteen minutes after recess."Mrs. Pettersen, Amy said I'm not invited to her birthday party.""No I didn't!""Mrs. Pettersen, Ryan pushed...
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When Students Won't Transition Back With The Class
In last week's post , I asked if the emotional needs of your students are taking away from your instructional time. And WOAH! Sooo many of you reached out to me on social media to share your stories....
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Classroom Reveal 2016-17
I feel like I birthed a child or completed some sort of Olympic sport: "Back to School Back Injury Backflips". I'll save you my medical drama but to make a long story short... apparently we have these...
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How To to Fit in Meaningful Literacy Work with a Limited Time Schedule
I knew I was not going to do worksheets for morning work this year with my first graders. I have done this for many years in the past and I have found that 3 things happen:1. Some kids finish early...
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Morning Messages: What in the World Am I Going To Write Now?
It's Tuesday morning I just got back from the copier, dropped a stack of papers on my desk, and I still have another pile to go. I'll have to run that pile through during my prep. I grabbed the purple...
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Reindeer Theme Day Activities with Lots of Freebies!
Ahh....December. So we are here again. Let's keep it real here, folks- we are in survival mode until holiday break. I'm hoping I can make your life a bit easier with some ideas, freebies, and tips to...
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When You've Lost the Love for Teaching...
I've been encouraged not to talk about it but I also can't keep this quiet any longer. My heart is breaking and I know that other moms, other teachers have this pain in their lives too.It's been a long...
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Book Tasting in First Grade
When I saw Joanne Miller's resource "Book Tasting: Introduce Your Students to New Books" resource I just knew I needed to have this resource.I'm always looking for ways to engage my first graders in...
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How to Use Word Banks During Writer's Workshop
Have you ever taught that great writer's workshop mini-lesson where you can hear a pin drop in the classroom as you are modeling what to write on the easel? You turn around and this is what you...
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What is Close Reading? Should I Be Doing it?
I hear it all the time when they come to the guided reading table to read with me and see the book we read together the last time: "but we already read this," they can't wait to proclaim!"I know. We...
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Over 20 Morning Meeting Ideas for the First Week of School
Well folks, it's about that time. Perhaps for some, you are already back.The first week of school....ahhh....it's exhilarating, it's fun, it's busy....and....it's downright exhausting. What am I going...
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Halloween Projects, Crafts, Activities and More!
Halloween is right around the corner and I have some great ideas for you for crafts, projects, activities, freebies and more!Let's start with some cute crafts. I do a craft project every year on...
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How to Start Your Own Little Free Library
Years ago, I was on vacation in Key West, Florida when I saw a Little Free Library for the first time.I was in love.I didn't have a book on hand to donate but I took one from the library to enjoy on my...
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How to Start a Little Free Library in the Classroom
This past year I put a Little Free Library outside my house. You can learn how to start your own LFL here. It has been one of the best things I have done for myself. For myself, you ask? Yes....
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