Five For Friday

I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday!

I am loving summer vacation, but man it has been soooo busy!  We just got back from vacation in Spokane, Washington.  We went to visit family, but we also had a great time being tourists!  A few of the highlights of the trip:

• We went to see the new Superman movie, our first time at an IMAX theater!

Before the movie we played at the park.

 

 

 

• We visited Coeur D'Alene Lake in Idaho.

 

• We went to Silverwood (a fun amusement park with a water park)

 

• We watched the opening game for the Spokane Indians

 

Can you say baseball, baseball, and more baseball? We are a baseball family to begin with because of my son playing travel ball, but this summer has been baseball to the maximum!

• Aces' Games (the Aces are a nearby Minor League Baseball team)

 

• Spokane Indians' Game
• End of year Little League Baseball Parties (Cody earned Most Improved Player this year!)

 

• All Stars Practice (Tyler earned a spot on the All Stars team, so we have been at daily practices.  His first All Star Game is on August 30th!)

Due to all of the craziness I forgot to post a few important updates - like the fact that my 2nd son graduated high school!  Now that is seriously crazy!  How did he grow up so fast????  I am super proud of this kiddo because despite several issues - fragile- x syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy - he graduated with a standard diploma!  We had been told years ago that he might not ever walk or talk and look at him now!

 

I also forgot to post this school related project.  It was our last writing assignment of the year - Third Grade Was A Hoot!  I had the kiddos write about the things they remembered from this year.  The art project was inspired by Mexican folk art.

 

Summer has been bad for my credit cards but amazing for my teaching resources.  I have purchased a few must haves from TpT including the adorable numbers I used in this post that I can't wait to use for my place value unit!



An App A Day Linky Party

Kelly over at Thirsty Firsties is hosting an App party because her school just purchased an ipad lab and she is looking for some great apps to download.  Her linky party works like this:

1. Share your favorite FREE app that you use in the classroom.

My favorite FREE app that I use in the classroom is: Flash to Pass .

It is basically an electronic set of flashcards, but my kiddos love it!  I have used it in small group instruction as well as during those extra sets of minutes you find such as waiting in line, or the end of the day.

 

2. Share your favorite app that costs that you use in the classroom. (If you don't have one, share another FREE one).

 

My favorite paid App is probably still Confer. 

Confer is the main reason why I wanted to get my ipad.  I use it as a digital pensive for Daily 5 and Café and I would honestly be lost without it!  You can view a how to video here: 

3. Share your favorite app for personal use (Instagram, Candy Crush, etc.)

 

My favorite app for personal use is LoseIt. 

After 6 kiddos I definitely have some poundage that needs to hit the curb!  I find if I keep track of what I eat and when I work out I tend to be more accountable. 

Then grab this button and link-up. 

 

She's also giving away an iTunes gift card as part of the linky, so be sure to check out her blog and join in the fun!

 

Teacher Toolbox Trio Linky Celebration

 

I am linking up with Eberopolis for her Teacher Toolbox Trio Celebration! It is basically a celebration of all things Teachers Pay Teachers!  I know that my teaching has been greatly improved because of it, and I am sure most teachers would agree!  Here are the basic rules of the link up:

 

1. Share a product that you've made that you couldn't live without.
2. Share a product that you've purchased that you love.
3. Share something from your wish list that you're hoping to get for next year.

If you're not a seller on TpT, no worries -- just share two products you've purchased that you love!

1. Something I've Made

 My Third Grade Math Journal Prompts - I love my kiddos writing about math - it really helps increase their understanding when they explain why they know what they know. I have four prompts for every standard along with answer keys.

 

And... because I will most likely be rolling up with my kiddos next year, I just finished the Math Journal Prompts for 4th grade!

 

2. Something I Purchased

 I don't know about your kiddos, but mine certainly had a difficult time with fractions this year.  That is why I couldn't wait to get my hands on this Hands on Common Core Fractions Unit.  The unit includes lessons, exit tickets, word problems, and more!  I can't wait to use this more fully next year!


You can follow Meg's blog: Fourth Grade Studio here. (She is amazing!!)

3. Something on My Wish List

Now this is where it gets a little dicey for me - I have 211 items on my Wishlist (Don't judge!)! How can I narrow it down to one?  I guess I will put the item that is most recent on the list...

 We give out common assessments at our school, but I like knowing ahead of time where my kiddos are at and what I need to work on with them.  I have a similar set for third grade which I LOVE - so this one is definitely on my list! Common Core Math Assessments Test Prep Fourth Grade.

The Linky Celebration

Now, I bet you are wondering why it's called a celebration - well Eberopolis -- is celebrating nearing 150 followers ,so if link up , you'll be eligible to win a $25 gift certificate from Teachers Pay Teachers -- enough to possibly clear off some items from your own wish list! And I am not judging you if your list is as long as mine :)

clip art from KPM Doodles

 

Can't wait to discover some new products and see some of your favorites! Be sure to link up !



I've Been Boo-ed!

I have been Boo-ed by the fabulous Mrs. Poultney!

If you've been booed, copy and paste the above pic and these "rules" into your post.
1. Give a shout out to the blogger who booed you and link back to their site!
2. Share 3-5 October activities, books, products (yours or someone else),or freebie(s) that you love!
3. Share the Boo love with 5 bloggers- make sure you check this link to make sure you don't boo someone again:
http://toristeachertips.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/ive-been-booed-fun-october-linky.html

Here are a few of my favorite Halloween Activities:

I love this Multiplication Monster from Yay Third Grade.  I will be doing this activity with my kiddos this week and will post pictures when I have them.

We have been reading the Best Worst Hallowen Ever and I have made a packet on TPT to go along with it.

Another Halloween favorite easy read is
 I have this one for some of my struggling readers and they love it!

A few of my favorite blogs right now are:

Peacocks and Penguins

Sent From My IPad

Technology Tailgate

The Teaching Thief

Cooperative Learning 365

Teaching Blog Addict's Open House Week

I am linking up with Teaching Blog Addict's Open House Week!

The Schedule for the Week is:
 Monday: Meet the Teacher- tell us all about you and your teaching style!
 Tuesday: Classroom Photos
Wednesday: Handouts for Parents
Thursday: Bulletin Board Photos
Friday: FREEBIES!

So... Without further ado: 

A little bit about me:

I teach 3rd grade in a rural town in Northern Nevada.  This is my first year teaching third grade after making the jump down from 7th grade math.  It has been quite the adjustment, but I am loving it so far! In addition to teaching my 20 classroom kiddos, I am also a mom to 6 boys ranging in ages from 6 to 19.

My teaching style is very eclectic (for lack of a better word)! I love the individualized attention of Daily 5 and Cafe, but I also love the whole class methods of Whole Brain Teaching.  I am not overly strict, and my students know that I love them to pieces. I prefer Love and Logic Methods to threats.

Me in a nutshell... or two.. :)

My Top 5 Teacher Must Haves - Linky Party

I'm linking up with Kelley, from Teacher Idea Factory and Rachelle, from Life is Sweet...In Kindergarten. They are both having linky parties, where everyone can showcase some of the resources we have that we simply cannot do without.


Here are my current Top 5 School Resources
 I Can't Live Without...

My Staples Desk Apprentice - my hubby bought me for Valentine's Day because he knows that I am an office supply addict!  You can fit so much into this baby!

I love my Mr. Sketch markers. Here's why: They are great for making anchor charts and even the most reluctant of students is willing to add a comment or an answer when you bribe them with the smelly markers.  Even my 7th graders would jump at the chance to solve a problem if I let them use these markers!


These bulldog clips are an absolute must for keeping current anchor charts on the board!  I think I have a zillion of these because I was always losing them around my classroom.  A few of my students bought me some for Christmas because they could feel my pain :) Love these!

My Scotch laminator and I have become best friends this summer as I am laminating mad with all of the decorations and games I am making from my blog stalking and Pinterest addictions.  My only peeve - my Wal-Mart in town has been sold out of the sleeves for the past two weeks and I am seriously worried that I might run out before my laminating spree is over :(  And even though I have promised hubby that I am done with most of my back to school shopping, I may have to sneak a few boxes in tomorrow when we go into town.

My pencil sharpener!  I think I've mentioned before that I HATE the sound of the pencil sharpener - so this was a life saver!  It is so quiet I think I might let them sharpen all day long (well, not really).  I was given a free one to review - (GIVEAWAY coming up - hint, hint) and I LOVE it!  I am thinking about buying a few for my teacher friends for Christmas (shhh!) - so worth it though!

What products and resources can you not live without? 

Come and link up, too!  I can't wait to see your ideas!

July Currently Linky

Although I have been a long time stalker reader of Farley over at Oh' Boy 4th Grade, this is the first time for me to participate in the Currently - which is super fun and I learned how to do something new with PowerPoint - woo hoo!  Thank you to The Teacher's Cauldron for the quick tutorial.  (If you don't know how to fill out the Currently, be sure to check it out).

If you want to play along, click on her button below and go link up!