Get Ready For Back To School With a Vision Check-up

When we went to Luke's physical for football, he was referred to have his eyes checked, so we quickly made an appointment for him, and I am so thankful that we did!  He has 20/50 vision in one eye and 20/100 in the other eye!  I had no idea his vision was so bad, and I am really glad that we got him glasses before he started first grade.  I am supposed to wear glasses myself, but have been terrible about it.  Seeing Luke wear his all the time has really helped me to wear them as often as I should (which is all the time).

No more squinting across the room with my kiddos telling me, "Mrs. Malloy, you need to wear glasses!" when I can't see the board.

Have you gotten your eyes checked for back to school? 

If not, you might want to check out this deal from Sears that I just got in my email:

SEARS OPTICAL CELEBRATES AUGUST’S NATIONAL EYE EXAM MONTH BY GETTING FAMILIES READY FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL

 

 

WHAT:           Sears Optical founded National Eye Exam Month in 1989 to build awareness about the importance of eye health and annual eye exams. During the month of August, as you are getting your family ready to head back-to-school, Sears Optical reminds you to make an appointment for an annual eye exam.

 

During the back-to-school season, Sears Optical customers can take advantage of special offers for the entire family. Adults and kids are able to receive two complete pairs of eyeglasses made with Ultralight lenses for $99.

 

 

WHEN:           Now – September 11^th

 

 

WHERE:         Sears Optical Stores Nationwide

To find a store near you visit www.searsoptical.com

 

 

DETAILS:       Families across the nation are preparing for back-to-school and annual eye exams should be part of the routine. 80% of what children learn comes through their vision and undetected vision problems can lead to learning difficulties.

 

Eye exams are important for adults as well. Many vision-threatening eye problems such as glaucoma can be treated and prevented if discovered early enough.

 

With over 50 years in the eye care industry, Sears Optical is the expert in family eye care. With experienced opticians and quality brands with a great frame selection, Sears Optical is the one-stop-shop for all your family’s vision care needs. Make an appointment with your eye care provider to schedule an eye exam for your family today.  

Disclosure: I received NO compensation for this post - I just thought I would share the information :)

To Do Before School List (Linky Party)

I was stalking reading a few blogs this morning when I saw Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies' To Do Before School List Linky Party.  She mentioned that there were only four weeks left before she heads back into the classroom to decorate because she officially goes back on August 20th, but never has time to get stuff done in her room because of staff development and meetings.

As I read this I had a mini meltdown of sorts because you see we go back to school on August 20th - as in kids are there, school has begun!  I go back on the 10th!  WHERE*HAS*MY*SUMMER*GONE???? and full panic mode I*HAVE*A*MILLION*THINGS*TO*DO still.

Deep breath - if I just make a check list of things to do I will be fine.  Oh Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies you are brilliant and I definitely need to link up!

So without further ado, my to do list:

1. I need to set up my Word Study spelling notebooks.

2. I need to set up my reading brain books.

3. Rocket Math Folders. -I will post on this when I make them :) 

4. Set up Whole Class Journals like the ones I have been seeing around the internet and pinterest world.

5. Map out basic curriculum for the year.

6.My teacher's binder.

7. Print out labels for notebooks and folders.

8. Organize and label my classroom library.

9.Daily 5 and Cafe - (the posters, the anchor charts, the  pensieve, and I still haven't decided what to do about book boxes!) I either want to do this setup or something more like the ones from Really Good Stuff. I've seen the idea about using ice boxes from Wal-Mart which are $1.88 each but I'm not sure if they are tall enough.


10.Finish multiplication Jenga game I started eons ago.

11. All about me pages for our class book. Including filling my about your teacher page.

12. Class Schedule.

13. Library Check out system.

14. Set up math centers.

15. Birthday Bin with goodies.

16. Clipboards (I need to buy more and want to make a cute basket for them).  I wanted to decorate the boards themselves as well - but looking at this list.... uh... on second thought maybe not.

17. Parent Welcome Letter

This list is definitely going to be a work in progress because I know I am forgetting something! 

Versatile Blogger Award

Thank you to Lori from Homemade First Grade  for my second blog award! I was also nominated by Callen Rhoads from Mrs. Rhoads' classroom!  Thank you ladies!

Here are the requirements for accepting this award:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you. Thank you Lori!
2. Include a link to their site... Check!
 3. Include the award image on your blog...Check!
 4. Include 7 random facts about yourself:

1) I will be a third grade teacher in the fall. I was a 7th grade math teacher prior to getting my new job!

2) I have six boys - yes all boys and yes all six are mine. They range in age from 6 to 19.

3) I am currently serving my second term on the city council where I live.

4) I direct children's theater.

 5) Teaching is actually my second career - I was once a accountant, but wanted to spend more time with my family.

6) I am really short - 4'11".  My 7th graders' favorite assignment was - "Is the average 7th grader taller than Mrs. Malloy?"  Sadly that answer is - yes.  I am looking forward to working with 3rd graders - I may have a height advantage. :)

7) I might be extremely slightly addicted  to blogs!

Back to the Rules of the award:

5. Nominate 15 other blogs for this award ( I am working on this and will include more shortly.) There are a lot of bloggers who have already gotten this award!



My nominees are:

1. Fierce in Fourth
2. 3rd Grade Troops
3. Moore News - Hoppin' Into Second Grade
4. Heads Carolina, Tails Alabama (Love that song!)
5. Bee Teaches
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

6. When nominating, be sure to include a link to their site...see above.
7. Let bloggers know they have been nominated.

Newbie Blog Hop

One of the things that I love about blogging is not only writing my own blogs but reading all of the blog posts from all of the amazing bloggers out there!  So, was excited to join this newbie blog hop from Grade Three is the Place for me.  She has an amazing blog and you will definitely want to check out her posts, especially this one about teaching grammar mechanics - love it!


So the rules of the hop are, answer the following questions, then link up!


    1.  what state you are in Nevada

    2.  your current teaching position I will be teaching 3rd grade in the fall.

    3.  your teaching experience I taught 7th grade math prior to this.  I did my student teaching in 4th grade.

    4.  when you started blogging I started THIS blog in June, but I have been officially blogging since 2006.

    5.  share a blogging tip / blogging resource My blogging tip would be to write about the things that you love or that interest you.  I've noticed that the best blog posts are the ones that show the writer's passion.  Write about your favorite book, your best lesson, or even your pet  cat - if your passion shows through, the readers will love it!

Can't wait to read everyone's intros!

A few giveaways!

I really want one of these.  I mean really, really, really want!

I could use it to help my kiddos practice their fluency, to assess their thinking, and to use for parent teacher conferences so that the parents can hear their child in action during school.  The best part is that it is wireless, requires no batteries, and can be downloaded to your computer!

Luckily Teaching With Love and Laughter is hosting a giveaway!

There are several ways to enter, but the giveaway is over in 6 days - so head over and enter!

AND...


Ms. Lindsey from Lovin' Kindergarten is celebrating 100 followers with a great giveaway!  I am offering up a winner's choice from my own TPT store, and several other bloggers are offering prizes as well.

#1 Winner's choice of 1 item from my TPT Store!

The Daily 5 Book Study Chapter 6 -My Notes

I am participating in the book study at  We Read, We Blog, We Teach.

Chapter 6 Work on Writing and Word Work

During the Work on Writing session, students work individually or with a partner on the writing of their choice.

When introducing the Work on Writing component, the Sisters suggest teaching a mini-lesson in which you model what the students should do when they get to a word that they do not know how to spell.  This is so important so that you are able to meet with small groups or conference with students without a line of students interrupting to ask how to spell a word. I also plan on having a frequently asked word box for the students to refer to as well, and I will introduce this box during this first lesson as well.

Word Work is an area that I would like to get better at.  When I did the Daily 5 as a student teacher, my lead teacher was using Words Their Way to teach spelling.  When we tested the students they ended up being divided into four different spelling groups which was quite difficult to keep up with.  I am thinking about using the approach suggested by Beth Newingham instead.  I will post later to show you what that will look like in my classroom as I finish it up!

Must Have Picture Books

When I first saw the Teacher Wife's Must Have Picture Books post and linky I knew that my Amazon wish list was going to explode because I LOVE pictures books! I also love giving people picture book reading ideas - I am usually the person that my teacher friends ask when they want a good book recommendation for teaching a certain skill or just for finding a book that their kids will love.  Here are a few of my faves:

Pete the Cat is one of my all time favorites!  I just love the beat of the song that goes with it along with the idea that Pete the Cat never gets upset when his beautiful new shoes get dirty - he just keeps going along singing his song.  I think it really teaches a great lesson about resilience. If you want to hear the book and the song - you have to check out the video below - its how I first learned about this book!

The second book on my list would be Knuffle Bunny.  After you debate how to read the first word (is it "nuffle" or "ka-nuffle"? LOL) you will just love this cautionary tale by Mo Willems about a little girl who loses her beloved stuffed friend.  The illustrations (real pictures mixed with drawings) are amazing, and both kids and adults can relate to the fear (for both the child and the parents) when a beloved friend is lost.

And my list just would not be complete without EVERY Skippyjon Jones book.  Thank you Kohls for choosing these books this year!  I love the vocabulary, the play on words, and the inference practice to be had with the Spanish words used in the series.  And as a mother of boys, I can totally relate to this naughty boy cat with a wild imagination!

If your own Amazon Wish list needs a bit more added to it - be sure to check out the other posts at the linky!