tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62663246068940024022024-03-05T13:57:50.487-05:00Lipstick, Lattes, and Lesson PlansElizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-62767508703262721312015-10-26T12:32:00.001-04:002015-10-26T14:30:05.881-04:00The Quietest Sharpener on the Hall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg6t1uMSpn1ysBO8dCtx60XbR1cawF52dOCoxkvYuJIkT8WTpjG7uJyurm9QvUotIXFuXq76DhcD0Ry6LuLPoD97eGXMrcxASoJ6LBcv2kq5X0Ayi5MDiHLY9i2KxMjjX_Al9usAXpA2Z/s640/blogger-image--1588750462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg6t1uMSpn1ysBO8dCtx60XbR1cawF52dOCoxkvYuJIkT8WTpjG7uJyurm9QvUotIXFuXq76DhcD0Ry6LuLPoD97eGXMrcxASoJ6LBcv2kq5X0Ayi5MDiHLY9i2KxMjjX_Al9usAXpA2Z/s640/blogger-image--1588750462.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Let me begin by saying I loathe pencil sharpeners. They are a necessary evil for a successful classroom but such a hassle. Sometimes they don't do a good job, other times kids stand in line to sharpen their pencil just to chat with their friends. Still other times they are unreliable. The motors die even though they have a "lifetime guarantee." And the noise! Yes, it's safe to say I <i>loathe</i> them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com/">Classroom Friendly Supplies </a>asked me to review their new <a href="http://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com/collections/frontpage/products/popular-purple">Popular Purple sharpener </a>and I have to say I love this thing. I've been a fan of this company for several years because their sharpeners are such a game changer for pencil sharpening.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSauKKjPRmkQt6aeLGMpLI-SoZH2yWbjlqjnyXVcgjucAa_lZB856CGEoCBm8Ar6Qs1_m3pjvfZpWuq5AQzNVe7IXb-qudxRHkEQPrkl0y5WeK6-wB2Y2EzlKILyhsabjFJSI2ZDlq1cYE/s640/blogger-image--363028343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSauKKjPRmkQt6aeLGMpLI-SoZH2yWbjlqjnyXVcgjucAa_lZB856CGEoCBm8Ar6Qs1_m3pjvfZpWuq5AQzNVe7IXb-qudxRHkEQPrkl0y5WeK6-wB2Y2EzlKILyhsabjFJSI2ZDlq1cYE/s640/blogger-image--363028343.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">First, I love how cute they are. They come in fun colors to match your classroom decor. This is big for me because I like everything to match. What makes these sharpeners so amazing though is that they take it back to the basics. They have no motor to die like an electric sharpener but they are still very effective. In fact, every single pencil comes out perfect. And the sharpener stops sharpening when the pencil is ready to use, which eliminates my pet peeve of "social sharpening." Did I mention they are super quiet? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have actually been using a<a href="http://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com/collections/frontpage/products/popular-purple"> Classroom Friendly sharpener</a> for several years since I first tried one in my classroom in New Jersey. All of my coworkers end up being so jealous of how well they work that they purchase their own as well. At my previous school, we lobbied our PTO to purchase some for the entire upper school and the response was great. The kids love them, too, and they are easy to use.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUGuHGCzWo353AmqYnrjjmIbklDwcBGtm6SKmxOSJb3N0Fp8abKvItwZWDh17MolBBDhs5AtWzXJjGGg0guUNzUbspV3lpjSRy03Q6aHYcW-LnsmRn07b49m5QZBv4-OZxn_3ofxPG1K-/s640/blogger-image-1435038519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUGuHGCzWo353AmqYnrjjmIbklDwcBGtm6SKmxOSJb3N0Fp8abKvItwZWDh17MolBBDhs5AtWzXJjGGg0guUNzUbspV3lpjSRy03Q6aHYcW-LnsmRn07b49m5QZBv4-OZxn_3ofxPG1K-/s640/blogger-image-1435038519.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Your sharpener will come will a hook to attach it to a shelf if you desire but I have found the picture hanging command hooks work better. You just pinch the clamps, pull the silver lever out, insert your pencil, and crank. You will tell when the pencil is ready because it will stop sharpening. In my classroom, I hire pencil technicians to be in charge of sharpening pencils and it is the most coveted job around. When I added the Popular Purple to my collection of sharpeners, they were just thrilled that someone else would get the new position of purple pencil technician. The purple is great, but really one is never enough. Luckily, they are also available in three packs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-33648199776797578402015-08-18T20:31:00.001-04:002015-08-18T20:33:14.846-04:00The night before the first day of school<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41qXpD1ZVoGIzPGqkWns4qLeq0PKHrDvw7a8KpNf3CrElMetKcBbLLHp0fF5zN94j35nK8RS3thZk1dfdrCZWjM1Y8vGYCifs9Ng6XArULgojwpWAy0P32zXND_ApcJKI-p0PukK2fA-h/s640/blogger-image-959669976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41qXpD1ZVoGIzPGqkWns4qLeq0PKHrDvw7a8KpNf3CrElMetKcBbLLHp0fF5zN94j35nK8RS3thZk1dfdrCZWjM1Y8vGYCifs9Ng6XArULgojwpWAy0P32zXND_ApcJKI-p0PukK2fA-h/s640/blogger-image-959669976.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Via The Teaching Blog Addict</div>Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-19753232945485149922015-03-22T10:18:00.001-04:002015-03-22T10:18:59.395-04:00Spring Fever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With Spring Break just around the corner, there is a major case of spring fever in our room. We have just this week left before our break and it is going to be crazy. That should really be Crazy with a capital C. Our grades are due tomorrow and we have spent the last several days giving a practice ACT Aspire test to our students. South Carolina's previous state assessment was not timed. This assessment is and it is a hard transition for us all. My littles are tested out and tired of sitting in rows and my own patience with this is hanging on by a thread. Isn't this time of year exhausting?</div>
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Do your students have a bad case of Spring Fever this year? How do you handle it? We are going to do our best to get through this coming week and then when we return from spring break, we will go back to the basics. We will re-emphasize our expectations for <u style="font-style: italic;">everything</u> from work ethic in centers to homework to behavior. We all need a refresher every now and then, right?</div>
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Our big event of the coming week is our writing workshop publishing celebration. We have invited our administrators and the district superintendent to share our opinion writing pieces with us on Thursday and it is going to be awesome. Our school's reading coach has been team teaching this unit with me, which has been amazing, and we are using it to try to pitch Lucy Calkins' writing workshop to our school. What a great way to end our time together before Spring Break with an author's share!</div>
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Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-23067678204865041522014-08-11T21:14:00.001-04:002014-08-11T21:35:31.551-04:00Meet the Teacher Blogger <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I am joining in with Stephanie of <a href="http://fallingintofirst.blogspot.com/2014/08/meet-teacher-linky.html">Falling into First </a>for the Meet the Teacher Blogger linkup.<br />
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Hi all! My name is Elizabeth and I am a twenty something teacher living in Charlotte, North Carolina and teaching 3rd grade in a Title I South Carolina School. I've pretty much neglected this blog over the past school year but thought this was the perfect opportunity to make a comeback.<br />
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I am entering my 5th year of teaching. I have taught Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th (gifted and talented) grades. 3rd is my absolute favorite and I am so excited to be returning to this age group this year.<br />
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I have an amazing husband, Corey. Today is actually our second anniversary. Don't worry - I am not neglecting him and this special day to pay attention to my blog instead. He works in finance and has to travel often and is out of town today. We don't have any children yet - just one very spoiled dog, Riley.<br />
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I also write a life and style blog, <a href="http://carolinamrsblog.com/">A Carolina Mrs.</a> and create and share resources on <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/elizabeth-walen">Teachers pay Teachers</a>. <br />
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I'm a lover of fashion, fitness, home decor, a hand written note on cute stationary, anything monogrammed, Starbucks lattes, owls, and my sweet students. </div>
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<b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$8:0"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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I would love to be an interior designer. I used to have the most elaborate doll houses as a child. I would ask my mom to lay tile in them and sew curtains. My husband and I bought our first home last December and I am loving designing each room. </div>
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<b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$12:0"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0">Compassionate. Loyal. Creative. <br data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$13:0" /><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$16:0"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________, SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"</span></b></span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0">"No, thank you. I don't need another cup of coffee."</span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$20:0">Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?</span></span></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></div>
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Patrick Dempsey and Ryan Gosling.<br />
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<b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$24:0">Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?</span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$24:0"> Lipstick, Lattes, and Lesson Plans. I mean...there's a reason I chose that name for my blog. ;)</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$24:0"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$28:0"> <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
<b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$28:0"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$28:0">To be able to blink and all the paperwork I need to do would magically disappear.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$32:0"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt</span><b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: 'Droid Sans'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$36:0"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$36:0"><span style="color: black;">Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$36:0"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$36:0"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm a terrible singer. I would probably choose something by Carrie Underwood. As if singing one of her songs would magically make my legs look like hers!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$36:0"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$40:0"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"> Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #262626; font-family: 'Droid Sans';">I am kind of a combination of the two. I'm most productive between the hours of 8:00am until about 10 pm. I am usually in the car by 6:30 each morning and this is a daily struggle. </span><br data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$41:0" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span data-reactid=".n.1:3:1:$comment345612555596918_345687722256068:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1:$comment-body.0.3.0.$end:0:$44:0"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPCmRuvj7PRMbpAc9nUxL5ECfjoKNH1w-aLTZyIiy7P4dieOwUiMZ5BorNy_7BdP41Sr9_G8HHaO96m8T2cgFWT_IAxeYdY3geDnyLJyidJDKWtdmLeWZOJb4B_P9MZ14v3nc9LpRO-nj/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-08-11+at+9.05.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPCmRuvj7PRMbpAc9nUxL5ECfjoKNH1w-aLTZyIiy7P4dieOwUiMZ5BorNy_7BdP41Sr9_G8HHaO96m8T2cgFWT_IAxeYdY3geDnyLJyidJDKWtdmLeWZOJb4B_P9MZ14v3nc9LpRO-nj/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-08-11+at+9.05.38+PM.png" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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My <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Watermelon-and-Seed-packet-for-Narrative-Writing-Workshop-857630">Watermelon or Seed packet for Personal Narrative Writing</a>. I'm a huge Lucy Calkins fan and love using this resource to help my littles narrow down a small moment topic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxs9dtbdAjoDUshCkE8a-BxwrgtMY4bgBPAsfeT_qNp6QFjO78etNUWiq8y1ReTWp1SdzN7W1GasA8S0bD-vaEV2UMD6ANQh-vvs1n-lrL6kji7zZNcItDDQeYXUDxofUl4mCNjCD2Sybz/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-08-11+at+9.06.45+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxs9dtbdAjoDUshCkE8a-BxwrgtMY4bgBPAsfeT_qNp6QFjO78etNUWiq8y1ReTWp1SdzN7W1GasA8S0bD-vaEV2UMD6ANQh-vvs1n-lrL6kji7zZNcItDDQeYXUDxofUl4mCNjCD2Sybz/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-08-11+at+9.06.45+PM.png" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
My <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Polka-Dot-Daily-5-Rotation-Cards-649627">Daily 5 rotation cards</a> are also a huge seller. These fit perfectly in a pocket chart to let your class sign up for their Daily 5 activities. They are available in polka dot, chevron, and owl themed.<br />
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<a href="http://fallingintofirst.blogspot.com/2014/08/meet-teacher-linky.html"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qDDstVaMkPXGD5WjEK8fJGrYcr7ROo0DkokwXFqSn6MJt4rGJhVU9AfcFjH0eaplyZwL02XDxiBd-TsbbKEbKXNSOZDYea2-FDXxRm73zKvrhymBrogJydLBt2BoD3fji43wYFY2H0N_/s1600/MTTB.jpg" height="315" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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Visit<a href="http://fallingintofirst.blogspot.com/2014/08/meet-teacher-linky.html"> Falling into First</a> to join in on the fun. </div>
<br />Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-46892401633317551932013-09-02T15:09:00.001-04:002013-09-02T15:09:14.394-04:00Watermelon or Seed? - Writing Personal NarrativesI love how Lucy Calkins explains choosing a small moment idea when writing personal narratives. If you are unfamiliar with her work, she compares a large event to a watermelon (like a weeklong trip to the beach) and smaller moments to the watermelon's seeds (like building a sandcastle with your sister). I think this is so helpful in making students understand the difference so they can hone in on those seed ideas to use in their writing. As we prepare to begin personal narratives, I've been thinking about how can I really cement this idea for them. I came up with a resource pack for personal narrative writing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCD5m5_497355D5_DvWqfsTJWQobfJZ1yu0boTDzVhqkA7D0WXkDgDZFfEeMk1iR5HRYV11lu8nT3QJROc3XoGSrbFwCzaTt-5y_LCiqieFyr3FJdBE57PhVsdpx3Z4WsGJblmLWz621D/s1600/demoWatermelonandSeedpacketforNarrativeWriting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCD5m5_497355D5_DvWqfsTJWQobfJZ1yu0boTDzVhqkA7D0WXkDgDZFfEeMk1iR5HRYV11lu8nT3QJROc3XoGSrbFwCzaTt-5y_LCiqieFyr3FJdBE57PhVsdpx3Z4WsGJblmLWz621D/s640/demoWatermelonandSeedpacketforNarrativeWriting.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
In this pack, I've made posters to help remind them of the difference and give age-appropriate examples of each. I also created a sorting activity to help assess if my students truly understand the difference and a graphic organizer for them to develop their own seed ideas. I think this will really help them gain a good grasp on the concept before I turn them loose to start writing their own small moment stories for our personal narrative study. If you'd like to grab the pack for yourself, you can find it <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Watermelon-and-Seed-packet-for-Narrative-Writing-857630">here</a> in my TpT store.<br />
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<br />Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-32919509842409067102013-08-18T15:45:00.003-04:002013-08-18T15:47:53.338-04:00Welcoming a class of writers (and getting that first writing sample)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9GDJmah-3a5zPsLDukdkk3RHsz3aVtWk3Cuc0gSPY7aCh8b3hvL8GYfhRQ5MWr-H-vD5Fu7_5duz2WGPFYk403AhDbWe7g0Z2AuX0YQeoysroKTEb6IiWz6oU8BQkVS1kFENSA2nLyKp/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-08-18+at+3.24.26+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9GDJmah-3a5zPsLDukdkk3RHsz3aVtWk3Cuc0gSPY7aCh8b3hvL8GYfhRQ5MWr-H-vD5Fu7_5duz2WGPFYk403AhDbWe7g0Z2AuX0YQeoysroKTEb6IiWz6oU8BQkVS1kFENSA2nLyKp/s400/Screen+shot+2013-08-18+at+3.24.26+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Earlier this week, as I began to prep for our first day of school this Wednesday, I couldn't help but think about how I should get that first writing sample of the year. </div>
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I pulled out my "back to school" folder and sifted through all my ideas from years past but couldn't commit to anything. Then, I found myself asking, "how do I want to welcome my kiddos to my class this year?" It is my first year ever team teaching and I will be coming in contact with 55 students every day. While this is exciting, its also a big change from my close-knit classroom of 20 last year. I really want to make a personal connection with each and make them feel welcome on our very first day.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4NJoc91TB4a7joDosayVImisTVx1LctxfpQxyutcIKjjFwLY73EBKG8G4MkWHbbvgQeQYc5OyRt00s_1L0GVnIxwmVNd-puxc8giMPrsTK_MOhXtldJJmYQT0NfO5spbykr99eLZNUdw/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-08-16+at+6.29.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4NJoc91TB4a7joDosayVImisTVx1LctxfpQxyutcIKjjFwLY73EBKG8G4MkWHbbvgQeQYc5OyRt00s_1L0GVnIxwmVNd-puxc8giMPrsTK_MOhXtldJJmYQT0NfO5spbykr99eLZNUdw/s320/Screen+shot+2013-08-16+at+6.29.37+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then, the idea of a postcard hit me. I am planning to write a welcome post card to my students, telling them a little about me and our class and asking lots of questions. Then, to get that first writing sample, I will have my kiddos write a postcard back. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eFHxmhJjyYecwyMiVqx5iPF_0eQVj4lDIeth68sANI-Gxr7HZIC0aE8YRUjCaLYi6ovpuZu8LPH5ipxPnazPryh5psP8CnyANNrkFi7LCeQ3iLZnSlmXIk-9yjKXUMHklpObLPucXOSW/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-08-16+at+6.29.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_eFHxmhJjyYecwyMiVqx5iPF_0eQVj4lDIeth68sANI-Gxr7HZIC0aE8YRUjCaLYi6ovpuZu8LPH5ipxPnazPryh5psP8CnyANNrkFi7LCeQ3iLZnSlmXIk-9yjKXUMHklpObLPucXOSW/s320/Screen+shot+2013-08-16+at+6.29.42+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The front of mine will be a kind of welcome to 5th grade image, but I'm going to ask them to decorate their own front in a way that describes them. I think it will be cute, possibly even a quick hall display, but also provide me the first piece of writing evidence in their portfolio.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRI8tu4mMF37F2zSMTnqksc3LUucRzlHZYzoPGU3rgftZF7dEUyLZGXXOBDkjtCl3ZaTlpF9nmrm97SJ1CqJPSEh4LvEN8KGA5W0gyZex2wqcfrIXiVqWSE3UfN4-FLwrq7z_YkASBFzM/s1600/Recently+Updated1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRI8tu4mMF37F2zSMTnqksc3LUucRzlHZYzoPGU3rgftZF7dEUyLZGXXOBDkjtCl3ZaTlpF9nmrm97SJ1CqJPSEh4LvEN8KGA5W0gyZex2wqcfrIXiVqWSE3UfN4-FLwrq7z_YkASBFzM/s400/Recently+Updated1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was feeling a little ambitious after creating the post cards for my class, so I made a front image for all grades 1-5. If you'd like to do this activity with your own littles, you can find this pack in my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/WelcomeWriting-Sample-Post-Cards-Grades-12345-831516">TpT store</a>.<br />
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How do you plan to sample and assess writing at the start of the school year?</div>
Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-78374078995399162412013-07-31T09:00:00.000-04:002013-07-31T09:00:08.135-04:00I want to write like that!Writer's Workshop is probably my absolute favorite subject to teach. I love how my students truly "become" writers. It never ceases to amaze me when one of my boys who claimed to "hate" writing at the beginning of the year becomes totally lost and absorbed in writing a personal narrative or realistic fiction story. In my previous school, I was so, so blessed to have a huge library of mentor texts perfectly aligned to Lucy Calkins' units of study for Writer's Workshop. I cannot even begin to describe how much of an asset this was when teaching my students about the various elements of writing different genres. I'm sure many of you who are also teachers already know the importance of this.<br />
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This year, I have moved to a new school and am so excited to continue Writer's Workshop. I do not have a vast library of mentor texts at my fingertips and being in a high-poverty, Title 1 school, I feel that my students need them more than ever. They need to see high-quality examples of writing to model their own pieces after. They need to see powerful leads, details, and endings to help them write their own stories. I have put together a grant on<a href="http://donorschoose.org/mrswalen"> Donor's Choose </a>asking for mentor texts aligned to our writing units of study. I chose books that I know will inspire my sweet kiddos and help encourage them in their own journey as writers.<br />
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Unfortunately, despite all my promoting via facebook, twitter, and email my grant is not getting the needed funding. Donating through <a href="http://donorschoose.org/mrswalen">Donor's Choose</a> is a great opportunity for individuals and businesses because the donations are tax deductible (who doesn't love a tax write-off?!) and can be made in any amount - even just two or three dollars. Donations go to a great cause - what better way to invest a couple dollars than in our children? I'm asking all of you to help spread the word to anyone you know who might be willing or able to donate. It will help make the BEST year for our classroom.<br />
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<a href="http://donorschoose.org/mrswalen">Find our project here. </a></div>
<br />Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-26800415153504133542013-06-23T11:07:00.001-04:002013-06-23T11:07:40.775-04:00Fun in Fifth Grade!If you follow my life blog, then you know my husband and I recently said goodbye to Hoboken and I left my amazing school district in New Jersey. As excited as I am to be back South, it was so hard to leave such a wonderful district and an absolutely perfect job. Luckily, on my second day in Charlotte, I was offered a new job for the coming school year. I will be teaching 5th grade gifted and talented and I am beyond excited! I have just loved everything about 3rd grade but am excited to try out a new grade level (I interned in 5th grade a couple years ago and really liked it) and teach some new content. Its a little intimidating to change grade levels but I am really looking forward to the coming year and am so thankful to have found a wonderful job right away. I can't wait to meet my fifth graders in August and am excited for all the fun we'll have.<br />
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I need some fifth grade blogs to follow - throw 'em at me!Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-44991303038512767752013-05-20T09:00:00.000-04:002013-05-20T09:00:06.759-04:00End of the Year BluesAs the end of the school year quickly approaches, I find myself with a bad case of the end of the year blues. Usually at the end of the year, I feel a little heartache that I won't see my sweet kiddos everyday and I get all teary thinking about how far they've come. I really do get so attached to every class. This year I feel an extra little bit of heartache because I love my school and district so much. They are such a wonderful fit for who I am as a teacher and this has been a truly fabulous year. With all that being said, I must also say that I will not be returning next year.<br />
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I really neglected this blog while I was teaching innercity, which is kind of silly since the whole reason I started it was to write down the crazy things that happened in my room. My district really has a phenomenal reputation throughout our state so when I was asked to come on board as an extended leave replacement teacher, I didn't hesitate for a second. My husband may have thought I was a little crazy but I took a leap of faith and accepted my current position even though I would not have a renewing contract. It could have been just a one year job, which was a little scary. I said a prayer, took a leap of faith, and then worked very hard. I was so thrilled when I was offered a permanent position to teach third grade. The position would be tenure track with a renewing contract in what I believe (although I'm a little biased) the best school district ever. I would be changing schools but would remain in the district permanently and be able to stay in 3rd grade. Yay!<br />
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Then, my husband was offered a new job. An absolutely amazing new job. That amazing new job, however, is not in New Jersey. If you read my life blog, then you know I announced last week that he accepted to position and we are moving in June. We are moving to Charlotte, which is the area where I grew up. I am so excited to be closer to my family and closest friends. However, it absolutely broke my heart to turn down the most perfect job offer. I've started applying and interviewing for positions next year and I know I will be very happy with whatever position I am in next school year but I also find myself panicking as I think about leaving my district and never seeing the sweet kids and amazing families again and not working with my amazing colleagues, principal, and supervisors any more. I really feel like I have grown so much this year and I have absolutely loved every minute at my school so I really can't imagine not working there anymore. I am really excited to see what the next year brings, though. I will be in an area where there is a great need and I am really looking forward to the next adventure - even if it is a little heartbreaking at the moment.Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-74486518792472328022013-05-06T11:00:00.001-04:002013-05-06T11:08:51.910-04:00Teacher's Appreciation Day Sale!I am so excited about TpT's Teacher's Appreciation Day Sale tomorrow and Wednesday! I have lots of items from my wish list that I will be moving over to my cart to purchase to get a head start on next year - and take advantage of the discounted price, of course.<br />
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I'm throwing a 10% sale in my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/elizabeth-walen">store</a> tomorrow and Wednesday. Be sure to stop by to check it out! Here are just a *few* of the items you'll find on sale in my store.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsxoXADn5CX-2aSyT_N5J9JY_Sva_6hul5is4XczuIxocpl3xlw_rs_LZbVUzWwo4r9ObiRGPwZblGfAsFMQlAI0KvgBEaPLFbwRxkkotB4RCL-ysJUcoJHOPeGZKaFgYYgLSevy7UNxw/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-05+at+10.13.44+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsxoXADn5CX-2aSyT_N5J9JY_Sva_6hul5is4XczuIxocpl3xlw_rs_LZbVUzWwo4r9ObiRGPwZblGfAsFMQlAI0KvgBEaPLFbwRxkkotB4RCL-ysJUcoJHOPeGZKaFgYYgLSevy7UNxw/s320/Screen+shot+2013-05-05+at+10.13.44+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Pastel-Chevron-Daily-5-Classroom-Posters">Chevron Daily 5 Set</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOgCpjX_dfATPFntR7JoosQIDkBfoGAN3IW-kEtJPbIwrmxKbVCq1Zw391O_bzhJwA7nVmcxffQKMc2_fTmSuZf2xbX3B9eHS01YoedGUtTRj3E4vUGm5CwD9i5i_kycgkLhls0XHZLx2/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.51.58+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOgCpjX_dfATPFntR7JoosQIDkBfoGAN3IW-kEtJPbIwrmxKbVCq1Zw391O_bzhJwA7nVmcxffQKMc2_fTmSuZf2xbX3B9eHS01YoedGUtTRj3E4vUGm5CwD9i5i_kycgkLhls0XHZLx2/s320/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.51.58+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bight-polka-dot-Daily-5-classroom-posters">Polka Dot Daily 5 Set </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzHPcRmrB9Ro69_TpBesh27x4wxR6DwZ_yt8OLrSbMT0AaRzL48WgPcHx23rNYTxLYGKK9r4IShEVtpcV5HnNHMbVvG1ElOTf2Eib-AqfB2DY6tMB30qgOIseIqjADjvR1WE0GPRV5j6E/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.51.54+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzHPcRmrB9Ro69_TpBesh27x4wxR6DwZ_yt8OLrSbMT0AaRzL48WgPcHx23rNYTxLYGKK9r4IShEVtpcV5HnNHMbVvG1ElOTf2Eib-AqfB2DY6tMB30qgOIseIqjADjvR1WE0GPRV5j6E/s320/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.51.54+AM.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Polka-Dot-Daily-5-Rotation-Cards">Matching Polka Dot Rotation Cards for Daily 5</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXV6XGPJckh7mPHEPwlVHjOGoe40oX63ii44U6TV9947n_GfcpyKBcxZJjnURkpb6Y9W4lltiqqmmNBar36VWwF6Mbg2tI3NRdTceTqZmB6v_ni4wWSPSWOFBt-SIdpCTs2ojwbfuES1l4/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.52.14+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXV6XGPJckh7mPHEPwlVHjOGoe40oX63ii44U6TV9947n_GfcpyKBcxZJjnURkpb6Y9W4lltiqqmmNBar36VWwF6Mbg2tI3NRdTceTqZmB6v_ni4wWSPSWOFBt-SIdpCTs2ojwbfuES1l4/s320/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.52.14+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Our-Behavior-is-a-Choice-clip-and-punch-card-system-Classroom-Management">Our Behavior is a Choice complete classroom management pack</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO-OqejaDoRz5zxfLzM06Ir9rSSqwdO6ewZuTLgt0QodgxWESfRa35m6Apr8nwB58Kqaq64x6pJSVsIYSVCE751lHaX77l3qjz1IhDY1KNxdqxgEKinEAjPEp9PochAp04PGw5Bvqnsep/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.52.05+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGO-OqejaDoRz5zxfLzM06Ir9rSSqwdO6ewZuTLgt0QodgxWESfRa35m6Apr8nwB58Kqaq64x6pJSVsIYSVCE751lHaX77l3qjz1IhDY1KNxdqxgEKinEAjPEp9PochAp04PGw5Bvqnsep/s320/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.52.05+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-management-Positive-Rewards-Coupons-Passes-without-graphics">Classroom management rewards passes/coupons</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYN0KOMWBRjcmSq1o1BjYXVKFxClwj2-qr89b5F_rmwz4Ss53kWZeqf38vQAJlwMjPP-bI2BSjrWmOU48O9cgzk6DnuUQniVg79COD8OPbBNlWBZ-5ta7mBKLNmCrKdw5BlCUFVQYEZEwe/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.52.10+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYN0KOMWBRjcmSq1o1BjYXVKFxClwj2-qr89b5F_rmwz4Ss53kWZeqf38vQAJlwMjPP-bI2BSjrWmOU48O9cgzk6DnuUQniVg79COD8OPbBNlWBZ-5ta7mBKLNmCrKdw5BlCUFVQYEZEwe/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.52.10+AM.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Process-Posters-Progress-tracker">Writing process posters/progress tracker</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxPn3cQDn3RgeQPthnVmaWnlu6q5pgWErC2hVVpZplZqCP-POM_7HeGkDPcrv3G_ARHDh5jHFTNTBHvEt55lcSup4OvYf2icJ6FudEeU2mVxKfhQv_rYfMOvI4K8hgeQv8rTqwjUSELUM/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.52.19+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxPn3cQDn3RgeQPthnVmaWnlu6q5pgWErC2hVVpZplZqCP-POM_7HeGkDPcrv3G_ARHDh5jHFTNTBHvEt55lcSup4OvYf2icJ6FudEeU2mVxKfhQv_rYfMOvI4K8hgeQv8rTqwjUSELUM/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.52.19+AM.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/26-Brain-Shake-Breaks-for-the-Elementary-Classroom">Brain Breaks for the Elementary Classroom</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBXYb2L0Uu6eC050aA5E8Vm1b5EhQkDnRMURYGOwWlIatfebi0tWFgwUoe1KHWVFZgzvneRWwh74jpe-sEkbL691NHii-Ab3uAgPJ-59zB1ifrY2SdyrhfAWtRcDAXFWOqD0fOlvwpmP6/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.52.23+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBXYb2L0Uu6eC050aA5E8Vm1b5EhQkDnRMURYGOwWlIatfebi0tWFgwUoe1KHWVFZgzvneRWwh74jpe-sEkbL691NHii-Ab3uAgPJ-59zB1ifrY2SdyrhfAWtRcDAXFWOqD0fOlvwpmP6/s320/Screen+shot+2013-05-06+at+10.52.23+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chevron-Birthday-Bulletin-Board-Set">Birthday Bulletin Board Set</a></div>
<br />Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-68113969188484633492013-05-03T10:00:00.000-04:002013-05-03T10:00:02.505-04:00The Scholastic warehouse sale...Its like Christmas for teachersHappy Friday!<br />
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Yesterday after school, I attended the spring Scholastic warehouse sale in our area. I had been looking forward to it for over a week and was really excited to add more books to my classroom library. The sale was held in a hotel conference center and I found many titles I'd seen and wanted when my school had its Scholastic book fair fundraiser.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqr7zKZRltOpX8Xoz6WLMH3sH8IpBl_6Q8wmPwQGh7rHw1jj4de8_ThL50gDTr1WMWDYBF_Sag7P7v6Xc1ITrsRLTRBNGo39t49qQ-BKtjIaQ39w4tZaWQDoCmCC0SoI9CqJjMEK0qnY/s640/blogger-image-1217418567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqr7zKZRltOpX8Xoz6WLMH3sH8IpBl_6Q8wmPwQGh7rHw1jj4de8_ThL50gDTr1WMWDYBF_Sag7P7v6Xc1ITrsRLTRBNGo39t49qQ-BKtjIaQ39w4tZaWQDoCmCC0SoI9CqJjMEK0qnY/s640/blogger-image-1217418567.jpg" /></a></div>
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I intended to take a few photos to share with you but I got so excited the moment I walked in that I just snapped this one really quickly and then got right to shopping. The majority of the titles were 50% off the cover price, with a few books being only 25% off. There was a build-a-box for $24.95 area as well. I registered online about two weeks ago to get a "fast pass," which included a coupon for either $10 off a $50 purchase or $25 off a $100 purchase. </div>
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I found so many great books and added several biographies, nonfiction books, Newberry medal and honor books, and the Judy Moody pack I'd been eyeing all year to my library. Of course, I also purchased some fun chapter books in a variety of reading levels that I think my kiddos will love. When I averaged out the dollar amount I paid divided by the number of books, the books ended up costing about $2 each, which I think is a killer deal. I often purchase second hand books for my classroom but these babies were brand new and I can't wait to share them. This was my first Scholastic warehouse sale and if you have never been to one before, get online right now and register for the next one. You can thank me later.</div>
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Happy reading!</div>
Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-86446086311059400952013-05-02T21:09:00.001-04:002013-05-02T21:09:11.112-04:00CurrentlyHappy May! I'm linking up with <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2013/05/may-currently.html">Oh' Boy 4th Grade</a> for the May Currently.<br />
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What are you up to....currently?Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-92010102230958972722013-04-22T09:39:00.001-04:002013-04-22T09:39:36.771-04:00Thinking ahead to year 2 with Guided Math/Math Workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Monday! I can't believe it is almost the end of April. The end of the year is rapidly approaching, which has me thinking ahead to little tweaks I'd like to make next year. Of course, there is a pretty high chance that I'll be making a change of grade level for next year, which could be fun and exciting, but, at least for the time being I'm going to ignore that possibility and pretend I'll be teaching 3rd grade forever.<br />
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I have been so happy using Guided Math in my classroom this year. I think it has been really beneficial to my littles and I have been really pleased with the amount of time I've been able to spend working with small groups and differentiating. When I think ahead to next year, I know there are a few minor adjustments I want to make, though.<br />
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Currently, these are my stations:<br />
M - Math fact practice<br />
A - At your seat journals<br />
T - Teacher Group<br />
H - Hands-on learning<br />
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Here is what I'm proposing for next year (and a preview of the posters from the Guided Math pack that will be making its way to my TpT shop very soon):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1z9GaDboxrQ4_AgA5-_KDjiX-QcxYYBy2w9lTHW8pPj5fB1zcOG-Ua44-tsgwmGH18DDTEyvZWRkXECAQyvzkkUmbU7oOlW9nD7Dy-nNlULGwKbLHvp49-FY81Pyk_izlpuIi-fhAo5U/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-22+at+9.27.28+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1z9GaDboxrQ4_AgA5-_KDjiX-QcxYYBy2w9lTHW8pPj5fB1zcOG-Ua44-tsgwmGH18DDTEyvZWRkXECAQyvzkkUmbU7oOlW9nD7Dy-nNlULGwKbLHvp49-FY81Pyk_izlpuIi-fhAo5U/s200/Screen+shot+2013-04-22+at+9.27.28+AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Math facts and problem solving. These will be my math journals. This past year, I gave my students a weekly prompt and I feel that it really helped their problem solving skills. I plan to continue that this year, but will add fact practice as an early finisher activity.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCi4Bd3XnhGHYNfPLuIRj3xCDFwTUO-S4P6UMp9NKjBQcNyfXN7Wmfeng88KUI2xM1k93HJDIenLjiwBNVezmbYDHpEkDV_tD3u3LbNUnih17aZP6Q_miA9nk9ZWFfe9nlZarV0KnVs3R/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-22+at+9.27.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGCi4Bd3XnhGHYNfPLuIRj3xCDFwTUO-S4P6UMp9NKjBQcNyfXN7Wmfeng88KUI2xM1k93HJDIenLjiwBNVezmbYDHpEkDV_tD3u3LbNUnih17aZP6Q_miA9nk9ZWFfe9nlZarV0KnVs3R/s200/Screen+shot+2013-04-22+at+9.27.32+AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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I'd really like to do differentiated math folders next year, where I can give each student worksheets or activities to do that are more tailored to their individual needs. I have some students who really, really need extra practice with their multiplication facts because they have not been practicing outside of class. I have other students who need to be challenged with some enrichment activities. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oTkYjPmYZGo1UNddf59dNRBJIqjq3nS4d-mEFlK6rjg-zz0H1hmgAMH2wsmOtM474yDQj2wzxMGTPO3Eh1XrblSMZInaPXZ2cwSEti5qe0999NShnZVrAPivDnIhZF5psZP8Zf_RoT4_/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-22+at+9.27.35+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oTkYjPmYZGo1UNddf59dNRBJIqjq3nS4d-mEFlK6rjg-zz0H1hmgAMH2wsmOtM474yDQj2wzxMGTPO3Eh1XrblSMZInaPXZ2cwSEti5qe0999NShnZVrAPivDnIhZF5psZP8Zf_RoT4_/s200/Screen+shot+2013-04-22+at+9.27.35+AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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Of course, I will be keeping my Teacher Time center. This is my favorite aspect of Guided Math. I love working with small groups and this is a great time for me to reinforce or reteach skills when needed, elaborate, and challenge students depending on what they individually need. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJRNZzN5aEAg4RzdKsX5gVbO2YUMqr44dd5rWqhUvQF8r_okdzT5O_OBUy7CbrG2_Oflp2XJQv0Sb7sK_ZtEWMfSrNLkpmlhI8lmAidja8Yjjb_7iulC5IkmeExFK2WbjXoSE0NzHL2aC/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-22+at+9.27.36+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJRNZzN5aEAg4RzdKsX5gVbO2YUMqr44dd5rWqhUvQF8r_okdzT5O_OBUy7CbrG2_Oflp2XJQv0Sb7sK_ZtEWMfSrNLkpmlhI8lmAidja8Yjjb_7iulC5IkmeExFK2WbjXoSE0NzHL2aC/s200/Screen+shot+2013-04-22+at+9.27.36+AM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
I will be keeping my Hands-on center. This is where my students play math practice games. I'll also be adding some of the fact practice games, such as beat the clock multiplication, here.<br />
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This is very similar to what I did this year except that I am wanting to eliminate the computer fact practice center and replace it with the differentiated folders. I love incorporating technology, and I think that sometimes I'd like to put a computer pass or task card in the folders but I also don't think that this center fully maximized learning this year. It was fun and certainly good practice but not always what my students needed most.<br />
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What do your Guided Math/Math Workshop centers look like?Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-87260424426873102372013-04-08T11:40:00.000-04:002013-04-08T11:40:00.560-04:00Managing Guided Math (Math Workshop) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaLn5O3gM3Q3W63bNl7EKpp-WZUDCs2OOMPNuoKB05ou3C4qhOkn-3txtCimmFvaxDKb1uE0imS-_IobrMbZ-RfsD5vUf-7BDv6e5Y7bKVAAl__8o1_-kvAd80xBZ2PhEOwsQj8_5Y_hm/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-04+at+10.43.25+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaLn5O3gM3Q3W63bNl7EKpp-WZUDCs2OOMPNuoKB05ou3C4qhOkn-3txtCimmFvaxDKb1uE0imS-_IobrMbZ-RfsD5vUf-7BDv6e5Y7bKVAAl__8o1_-kvAd80xBZ2PhEOwsQj8_5Y_hm/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-04+at+10.43.25+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you've ever done any kind of guided reading/math, or tried out any of the workshop models, or done any work with centers then you already know that management is everything in making these types of activities successful. I already gave an overview of how I set up guided math in my classroom for the first time but today I want to share specifically how I go about managing it. </div>
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This is what my original guided math poster looked like. I have very limited wall space so I made a long and tall poster to hang in a gap between two of my windows. I've made a much cuter, polka dot version for next year. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCxII-di1t-gkLv43NncF-hxCLP5AsRppchqKSaqq8LXywlhzzIkChVhkUAW3LI2KdhsLxwjv6WC-SHIZJqjY-lzbPQDcobNtUeyOsXSvPrpWHv2TlPfWQI4K2ZHi3fgopoNFT67rPhyphenhyphenj/s1600/photo-148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCxII-di1t-gkLv43NncF-hxCLP5AsRppchqKSaqq8LXywlhzzIkChVhkUAW3LI2KdhsLxwjv6WC-SHIZJqjY-lzbPQDcobNtUeyOsXSvPrpWHv2TlPfWQI4K2ZHi3fgopoNFT67rPhyphenhyphenj/s320/photo-148.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>
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(I can't believe I'm even sharing this poster as my new polka dot version totally kicks its butt. This was before I put in any effort for graphic designing things for my classroom.)</div>
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The four colored strips of paper have velcro attached on them for my students' names. The groups change with each unit. I rotate the corresponding dots (also attached with velcro) so students know what center they go to. This is our visual management for guided math.<br />
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Now, let's get into some specifics.<br />
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<b>Week 1</b><br />
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I strongly believe in gradual release of responsibility when it comes to being successful with any center activity. When I first announced that we would be starting a new way of doing math (Monday of week 1), I described it to the class and showed them some of the fun and exciting materials we would be using. Then, we came up with a list of expectations together.<br />
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<li>Get started with your activity right away and try your hardest.</li>
<li>Be respectful and responsible with materials and put them away in the proper place.</li>
<li>Work cooperatively with your partner and ask "3 before me" if you have a question about your activity.</li>
<li>Work the whole time. If you finish early, start a early finisher activity from the folder.</li>
<li>When you hear the timer, stop working and clean up your materials. Return, quietly to your desk.</li>
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The following two days (Tuesday and Wednesday of week 1) after the whole group lesson, everyone chose a partner and partners played math games from the hands-on learning center. I monitored the groups, answered questions, and redirected as needed. Thursday is my class's Tech lab time so we spent the period exploring and learning about the Math Fact Practice sites. My favorites are arcademics.com and scootpad.com. During our math center time on Thursday and Friday my kids chose a partner and worked briefly in their problem solving journals (my at your seat center). Then, the following Monday (week 2) I felt confident that my students were ready to work independently and I started pulling groups. </div>
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<b>Groups</b><br />
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My students change math groups after every topic. On the night of the topic test, I send a short pre-assessment home with students for the next unit. I have emphasized with my parents how important it is that they don't help their child with this as it will hurt them in the long run. I then check the pre-assessment and consider how the students did on it as well as how they did on their previous topic assessment to modify the groups for the next unit. I try to group students based on what they need. I have a lot of kids this year who are really advanced so they need enrichment and some extra challenges. I also have some kids who need extra help with the basics. Grouping the kids likes this makes our time in groups more valuable. </div>
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<b>High Expectations</b><br />
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I have really high expectations for behavior during our guided math stations. I expect the voices to be at a whisper and I expect everyone to be on task. My fact practice center works independently and they are expected to be silent and working the whole time. Because my other two centers require partner work, I always require that a finished product be turned in. I expect my students to be kind and cooperative and consider guided math a privilege. I haven't had to "take it away" from a student but I think it would be acceptable to give an alternate activity to a student who was not being cooperative on a given day. I also expect my materials to be treated with respect. My sweet husband and afternoon parapro helped me put together so many file folder games. I made and laminated them and we spend hours cutting them out. I told my kids about this. Then, one week I found some of my game pieces scattered on the floor. I took the games away for the following week and replaced them with another activity. We haven't had a problem with this since.<br />
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These are just a few considerations for managing guided math or math workshop in your classroom, but I think they are good to keep in mind when getting started. What management suggestions do you have for math workshop? </div>
Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-85302823209714614122013-04-07T14:00:00.000-04:002015-08-27T20:16:51.477-04:00I Pick poster for Daily 5 <div style="text-align: left;">
Do you use the Daily 5 in your classroom? I've just uploaded a cute, brightly colored (perfect for spring) I Pick Good Fit Books poster to my TpT store and it needs some ratings. Download it for *free* <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bright-I-Pick-poster">here</a>. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9Ma06ij6RIoyPiidwTWcoX6R_YsB2z3lpga2N36qt7pR90UQfafnbUOxoWw-9mLS-zc7_CB2RuhzTFh5TcT5-Ou-60x3kjabJWYpE7U5fwois-uOOenoNqyiNAUj_nOUP3ERR0yr9kkE/s1600/i+pick+poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9Ma06ij6RIoyPiidwTWcoX6R_YsB2z3lpga2N36qt7pR90UQfafnbUOxoWw-9mLS-zc7_CB2RuhzTFh5TcT5-Ou-60x3kjabJWYpE7U5fwois-uOOenoNqyiNAUj_nOUP3ERR0yr9kkE/s320/i+pick+poster.png" width="248" /></a></div>
Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-56908823943389054932013-04-06T13:10:00.000-04:002013-04-06T13:10:00.761-04:00Classroom Friendly Pencil Sharpener<div style="text-align: center;">
<a border="0" href="http://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com/buy-a-sharpener.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j470/tdecoff/Classroom%20Friendly%20Supplies/FinalButtonQuietSharpener2.png" /></a> </div>
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If you follow my lifestyle blog then you have already seen this post, but I wanted to repost anyway for my teacher friends because if you are a teacher and haven't heard about this yet - you are just going to love this product. I was gifted a new pencil sharpener from Troy at <a href="http://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com/">Classroom Friendly Supplies</a> to review. I was beyond excited to review this sharpener because pencil sharpening in my classroom was about to drive me completely crazy.</div>
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A pencil sharpener may not seem like a big deal to those of you who don't teach, but if you are a classroom teacher then I just know you understand where I'm coming from. Pencil sharpeners are loud and the sound resembles a dentist's drill so every morning as we start our morning routine, I hear fifteen minutes of grinding as everyone prepares their pencils for the day. Then, despite having a set time/routine for sharpening pencils, there will undoubtedly be a "pencil emergency" in the middle of a whole group time, which will distract everyone. Not to mention social sharpening - I have girls who will chit chat as they're sharpening their pencils until only a teeny tiny nub of a pencil remains. And to put the cherry on top the electric sharpeners that cause all these problems range from $40 - $60 and I'm lucky if they last more than a year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWRGVYbRNkMNAFlPRsPwcgLCyz-YyHptGDMfZQ5KZAk6rAld2ZRZELLq2xg9N_pbRmEyC1q4ny5twlG_Fa4zlCbsK_8xhYQ4XsmEL2ewkNTaEKWsFhorVQK9jFsds8jWEbay2ip0CbII/s1600/Classroom+friendly+sharpener.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWRGVYbRNkMNAFlPRsPwcgLCyz-YyHptGDMfZQ5KZAk6rAld2ZRZELLq2xg9N_pbRmEyC1q4ny5twlG_Fa4zlCbsK_8xhYQ4XsmEL2ewkNTaEKWsFhorVQK9jFsds8jWEbay2ip0CbII/s400/Classroom+friendly+sharpener.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Enter the <a href="http://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com/">Classroom Pencil Sharpener</a>. You guys - this thing is awesome! It is cute with a fun, retro look and I chose blue to match my classroom. This sharpener is manual, not electric like what I've always had, which had me skeptical at first. It was really easy to use, though. You just pinch the black clamps together and pull out the metal plate in the front. Then, insert your pencil and wind the arm. When the pencils are perfectly sharp, the pencil sharpener stops working. Goodbye social sharpening!<br />
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Another thing I love about this sharpener is that it is really quiet. Its not silent but it is much, much less disruptive than other sharpeners I've used. This is music to my ears - I am over the dentist drill like sound of most sharpeners.<br />
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My sharpener arrived over spring break so I sharpened every single pencil in my entire apartment. They all came out perfectly. When I got back to school, I introduced it to my kids, who all thought it was cute and were dying to try it out. I showed them how to use it and we watched this video together. It took a day or two for them to get the hang of it but so far so good!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jIjoe4Z3GzI" width="420"></iframe>
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The only thing I didn't like was the clamp that comes with the sharpener. It slides into a hole on the bottom and is intended to anchor the sharpener to a bookshelf or table and hold it in place. While it does keep it sort of steady, you still need to hold the top while you crank. I'm going to use sticky command tape (like what goes on the back of a command hook) to attach it to the bookshelf in my room and we'll be all set.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrdS8P-H3xAtl32J1jCrGuGnD4JpL-8l1CDfr_-x6ayeQh8HP6FvP4egYtznb1mmX_LX4L31Dn7OGb2glkcB33Em6-EXIq8u4zZ8C0xBuIg2r3UHxzvnmZZmf_S-TrTaOEU8swSrFryI/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-06+at+9.56.48+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrdS8P-H3xAtl32J1jCrGuGnD4JpL-8l1CDfr_-x6ayeQh8HP6FvP4egYtznb1mmX_LX4L31Dn7OGb2glkcB33Em6-EXIq8u4zZ8C0xBuIg2r3UHxzvnmZZmf_S-TrTaOEU8swSrFryI/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-06+at+9.56.48+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com/">via</a></div>
I definitely recommend this sharpener to other teachers, moms, students, or really anyone who writes. It comes in four cute colors (blue, green, red, and black) to match any room.<br />
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The very best thing about this sharpener is the price tag. It is only $24.99, making it half as expensive as most classroom sharpeners! Hurry on over to <a href="http://www.classroomfriendlysupplies.com/">Classroom Friendly Supplies </a>and get one for yourself. <br />
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Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-56939672457604844002013-04-04T10:30:00.000-04:002013-04-04T10:40:57.477-04:00Getting started with Guided Math (Math Workshop)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in October, our district math supervisor held a workshop introducing guided math (also called math workshop). From about 3 minutes in, I knew I wanted to start this in my classroom right away. My district uses EnVision by Pearson as our math program resource, which I do think is a great program and very aligned to Common Core. Since I am new to my district this year, I had been really careful to make sure I was teaching math in the same way the other 3rd grade teachers were, but once our supervisor recommended guided math - I knew it was perfect for me and my class. I later attended a 2 day workshop to learn more about guided math and have been using it in my classroom ever since. Today, I thought I'd share how I went about organizing my stations and the flow of our math block and then another day I'll write about managing guided math.<br />
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Our Math block is a full hour long and I've divided it into four parts.<br />
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<b>15 minutes</b></div>
Whole group lesson. This is our time for introducing a new skill and practicing it together.<br />
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<b>20 minutes</b></div>
Guided Math stations. I have four stations, one of which is a station that meets with me. I only meet with one group a day but we get very in-depth into the topics we are discussing throughout the week. I am able to add some enrichment activities for the students who are more advanced and target the needs of those students who are struggling.<br />
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<b>15 minutes</b></div>
Independent Practice. This is an on-your-own time where my students work independently to practice the skill of the day. Sometimes I take this time to circulate the room and work one-on-one with students. If (from my observations during whole group or the first few minutes of independent practice) I think a group of students is having trouble with the skill, I will pull a second group to the back table in my classroom to get some extra practice while working with me.<br />
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<b>5 minutes</b> </div>
Closure and discussion. Sometimes I will do a ticket out the door or a brief game like multiplication around the world.<br />
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*Note that these times only add up to 55 minutes. No one is perfect and undoubtedly 1 section will run over every day.<br />
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Now let's talk about those math stations. This year I am using the four that were recommended to me during my workshop but I've already decided to make a few tweaks for next year. I have 4 stations and the students just go to one station each day. By the end of the week they have been to all 4. This works really nicely if there is a test or assembly because we can still make it to all four. On a typical 5 day week, the students will go to one of the centers twice. I try to organize this so one of my groups that really needs extra help will end up meeting with me twice. I've seen guided math done where the kids rotate through several centers a day but I find when I've done this in the past I felt like my rotations were too short to delve deeply into the topic and my last group was inevitably rushed for time constraints.<br />
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<b>My four math stations are:</b></div>
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<b>M - Math fact practice</b>. Here the students use flash cards, beat the clock games, matching, or go to websites such as arcademics.com or scootpad.com to practice their basic math facts.<br />
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<b>A - At your seat math journals</b>. In this station, the students glue the weekly problem solving prompt into their math journals and then work to solve it with a partner. They turn their problem solving journal into me to check and I will journal back to them, noting things they did very well and things they maybe overlooked and can try next time to successfully solve the problem.<br />
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<b>T - Teacher's Group</b>. This group meets with me to work on the topics we'll be discussing throughout the week.<br />
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<b>H - Hands-on Learning.</b> In this center, students play math practice games with a partner. There are some cute games that came with our math program and I've made dozens and dozens of file folder games that I found on Teachers Pay Teachers.<br />
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My kids just love that the stations spell out math! I have loved using this model - especially having that designated time to devote to each small group. I also have noticed my students' thinking evolve through their problem solving journals. There really is never enough time to devote to problem solving - especially in my current math program - so this model is so helpful with that.<br />
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This is just an overview of getting started for those of you who may not know much about guided math. I'll post more about managing on another day as well as changes I plan to make going forward.<br />
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Have you tried guided math / math workshop in your room? What do you do that is the same or different than me?<br />
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<br />Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-27307362714801927002013-04-03T09:00:00.000-04:002013-04-03T09:00:03.756-04:00Somebody got a makeover...Well, my blog did! I have been toying with the "theme" for a while. I knew I didn't want to invest in a custom layout seeing as how I'm not consistent with posting here (bad, bad blogger.) I switched up my original layout to a cute owl theme, which I liked because owls are all over my classroom - this is a throwback to my Kappa Kappa Gamma days. As cute as it was, it wasn't really me. I came across this cute, free background on shabbyblogs.com and then designed a new header and sidebars using a combo of MyMemories Suite (love this!) and....Microsoft Word. I used the same cartoon-y girl I purchased for my lifestyle blog design and even incorporated lipstick and a Starbucks latte. Maybe the cute, new design will get me motivated to post more regularly?<br />
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One can hope. :)<br />
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Take 2</div>
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That's more like it. :)</div>
<br />Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-7679805759212352272013-04-02T12:11:00.002-04:002013-04-02T12:11:33.232-04:00A little shameless self promotion ;)Hi all! If you follow my life blog, then you know I have recently started my own <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Elizabeth-Walen">store </a>on Teachers Pay Teachers. With only a few months left of school, now seemed like the perfect time for a little shameless self-promotion. I really love creating digital posters and worksheets for the littles in my class and was thinking I should pay it forward and share these with other teachers - while earning a few dollars for our little family. If you use Teachers Pay Teachers, I would just *love* if you could take a second to follow my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Elizabeth-Walen">store</a>. Maybe I'll post something that would be perfect for your classroom?<br />
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If you're not already using Teachers Pay Teachers, you MUST sign up right now. It is just the most amazing resource for teachers. Period. Plus the money goes to other underpaid teachers just like you - not some big company that mass produces materials. Win-win.<br />
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Here are a few items from <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Elizabeth-Walen">my store</a>. Its just a baby right now but I'll be growing it throughout the spring and summer.<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Spelling-or-Word-Study-Homework-menu">Word/Study Spelling Menu</a></div>
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This is such a fun alternative to boring, monotonous spelling homework. The littles choose an activity from each course to complete during the week - the possibilities are endless. Both spelling and word study titles included. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-A0q9xu16QFOdr4QvhkyoxQ-rPfM1vq_SyWr-7VRfNSkAZnmmocF3B2Y6TsfcNjUWHduAhAkQwqRr4gTD-Mnv2zJqNgYQ8bsMQFP-o4aGSbvzMu1kJ_shdRDdHwGXgW4xuDC-d7C6rfQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-01+at+4.41.16+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-A0q9xu16QFOdr4QvhkyoxQ-rPfM1vq_SyWr-7VRfNSkAZnmmocF3B2Y6TsfcNjUWHduAhAkQwqRr4gTD-Mnv2zJqNgYQ8bsMQFP-o4aGSbvzMu1kJ_shdRDdHwGXgW4xuDC-d7C6rfQ/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-01+at+4.41.16+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Bight-polka-dot-Daily-5-classroom-posters">Polka dot Daily 5 Posters</a></div>
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Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading, Word Work, Work on Writing, and Work with the Teacher included. Each activity has a different color polka dot background, child-friendly explanation of the activity and a cute graphic. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIThnBqUdLzAYa3I-h9rHlqm9aNrHULUjLqGx9ZN54C2tNr_Oj0esx-l_FSpxXfKBs5HtgOsTf42qWjmiPraarCECkdhyphenhyphenNOn2WBdikMET3AF9OwK6DODZdE8o959uQheOF3rl3sa_88g/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-04-01+at+4.43.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIThnBqUdLzAYa3I-h9rHlqm9aNrHULUjLqGx9ZN54C2tNr_Oj0esx-l_FSpxXfKBs5HtgOsTf42qWjmiPraarCECkdhyphenhyphenNOn2WBdikMET3AF9OwK6DODZdE8o959uQheOF3rl3sa_88g/s400/Screen+shot+2013-04-01+at+4.43.33+PM.png" width="312" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/OWL-Binder-Cover-Rules-and-Table-of-Contents">Owl Binder Packet</a></div>
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Cute cover, OWL binder "Do's" rules list, and table of contents included. This is such a cute way to get your kiddos organized. </div>
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The spelling/word work menu is my current freebie. If you're a teacher, I would just LOVE if you could check it out and rate me since I am just getting started. If you have a TPT store, leave the link in the comments so I can follow you too. I just love getting resources from other teachers and supporting them! </div>
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Thanks a million!</div>
<br />Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-33616773927753351632013-03-20T14:30:00.000-04:002013-03-21T10:52:02.921-04:00When a Class Pet DiesThis post has been sitting half-finished in my drafts for over a year {oops!} and hails from my days teaching Kindergarten innercity. If you've spent any amount of time here at Lipstick, Lattes, and Lesson Plans then you know my time there was challenging to say the least, especially at the beginning of the school year when I was still working on routines and behavior.<br />
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I don't know how many of you know anything about African dwarf frogs but my kindergarteners would be happy to share a thing or two.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">via google images</span></div>
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I was hired about a month after the start of the school year last year after the original Kindergarten teacher left unexpectedly. The African dwarf frogs (2 of them) were already a part of my classroom and my students had done some pretty extensive research on them. Did you know that African dwarf frogs live their entire lives underwater but have lungs so they must always come up to the surface to breathe? Or that they cannot be out of water for more than 20 minutes or they will dry out?</div>
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African dwarf frogs need exactly two pieces of frog food every other day. I read that in the wild they are actually scavengers and eat all sorts of things so this never really made sense to me. However, I was told to be very careful and make sure they were fed this specific amount of food. We picked jobs in my classroom every week so each week a different student had the opportunity to be the "veterinarian" and was responsible for the frogs.</div>
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It was my second month of school and we were working a lot on behavior. When I started in the classroom, it was common for the kids to bite each other (and me), throw chairs, and curse at each other. A day where these things didn't happen was considered a success. The African dwarf frogs were the last thing on my mind.<br />
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Then one morning my co-teacher was absent, making our morning routine a little more hectic than usual. We had a school wide assembly and I was getting my kids unpacked and lined up so that they could go to the gym. Then, one of my little girls yells out, "Look! The frog is dead!"<br />
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This caused a lot of excitement for my kiddos but seeing as how we were in a time crunch, I did the only logical thing I could think of at the time and positioned myself between their eyesight and the frogs. "Oh no, " I said, calmly, "I think he's just sleeping. I was working so late last night he is probably very tired. Let's go to the assembly and let him take a nap."<br />
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So off we went to the gym for our assembly. What I didn't mention was that there had been a little mishap with the frogs earlier in the week. My veterinarian was a real profession, feeding the frogs the exact right amount of food on the days they were supposed to be fed. Unfortunately, one of my little boys decided to dump some extra food in the tank to "help." I don't really know if he was trying to help the veterinarian or if he just wanted to see what would happen. He was not my top direction follower and was one of those students who liked to test the limits.<br />
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When we returned from the assembly, we only had a few minutes before our special, so I ushered my kiddos to the carpet for our whole group literacy lesson. Luckily, the frog tank was out of view. When I dropped them off for their special, I went back to the classroom to investigate. And sure enough the frog was still there in the tank and was now floating at the surface of the water, belly up.<br />
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The problem with this was that I am not really a frog person. If I had been able to choose my own class pet it would have been a singular beta fish. Or perhaps a floppy bunny because I prefer mammals. It would not have been an African dwarf frog. And it most certainly would not have been TWO African dwarf frogs.<br />
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My co-teacher liked the frogs a lot more than I did so I considered just moving the tank out of the kids view and letting her deal with the situation when she returned in the afternoon. This is a major benefit of team teaching. I sent her a quick text message to ask her expert frog opinion. She texted back asking me if I was sure he was dead. I said I thought so and she suggested waiting a little bit longer. This sounded good to me because I had no idea how I was going to remove him from the tank.<br />
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But I couldn't stop thinking about the <i>second </i>frog. So down the hall I went to one of the other Kindergarten teacher's rooms. I asked her if she knew anything about African dwarf frogs, which she didn't. Then, I told her I was pretty sure one of ours was dead. "Just dump the whole tank," she suggested, "Like you would a fish."<br />
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"But what about the other frog?" I asked.<br />
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She asked me if the poor second frog was still in the tank with the floating dead one. I embarrassedly admitted that I was. We decided I would somehow have to remedy this because this was probably contaminating the water and my class really didn't need to deal with the loss of two pets. She and I went back to my room and peered into the tank, trying to think of how we could get the frog out. Then, my principal peeked in and I told him about the situation, hoping he would offer to remove the frog, which he did not. He did tell me what an important teachable moment this was for my kids.<br />
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Thank heavens that another teacher came into my room right at that moment who had more experience with amphibians than I did. She used a net to remove the frog for me and we carried him downstairs to the faculty restroom for a proper burial.<br />
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After lunch, I broke the news to my kids. We talked about how he had been a special part of our class but that this was a natural part of the life cycle. Those who had lost grandparents or other family members shared their stories and they made cards for the frog during snack.<br />
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Had our school been located in a more suburban area, we probably would have taken a field trip outside and buried him together. However, being innercity, even our playground didn't have actual grass.<br />
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When my co-teacher returned in the afternoon, I recounted the day's events to her. By this point, at least since the frog had now been buried, I thought it was all pretty hilarious. I don't have a class pet this year, though, although I am tentatively considering a gold fish for next year. For the time being, I'm just sticking with plants.<br />
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Have any of you experienced the death of a class pet? How did you handle it? </div>
Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-64872465268227878962012-12-26T13:21:00.004-05:002012-12-26T13:21:54.853-05:00The Elf on the Shelf in the classroom pt. 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As the holidays approached in room 211, Jingles' mischeif continued. The first week was of course a little rough, being that Jingles lost his magic when one of my little boys touched him. Following directions is an important life skill, friends. We got back on track after using the Elf Magic Recovery Dust that Santa sent through overnight express mail to our classroom. </div>
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My kiddos came in to find Jingles peering over the role sheet with his own little pencil and paper, crafting out a naughty and nice list. </div>
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The next day my kiddos searched long and hard for him before they finally found Jingles hiding in a pocket chart. </div>
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I was in a little bit of a hurry trying to snap a photo the following day but sneaky Jingles changed the date one our schedule to December 25. </div>
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On Thursday he was front and center on our easel, holding hands with a stuffed animal from our classroom. </div>
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On Friday of week 2, my kids came in and couldn't find him anywhere! There were some clues, though. Sparkly footprints all over the room...</div>
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So my kids searched and searched...</div>
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..until they finally found Jingles hiding back in the listening center eating a pancake one of my kids made for him the day before. And yes, this is a real, elf-sized pancake.</div>
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On Monday of the week of holiday vacation, my kids came in to find that Jingles had built his own little house in the classroom library. </div>
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My kiddos are too sweet. They thought this must mean that he was cold. The next day, they found him watching over them from the mail center. They fed him a snack and built him a house. </div>
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Since Jingles now had a nice warm house, he climbed into bed for the next day.</div>
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By the Thursday before the Holiday break, it appeared that Jingles was getting a little homesick. He was sitting on the North Pole on the globe.</div>
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On Friday, the last day before break, my kids came in to find that Jingles had die-cut snowflakes and spread them out ALL over the room to make a white Christmas-party for them. He sat on the bookshelf, holding one of his creations. </div>
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Jingles has gone back to the North Pole, at least until next year. One of my girls drew his portrait, though, so we'll always remember him.</div>
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Fellow teachers (and parents), what are your Elf on the Shelf ideas for next year?</div>
Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-81423663778103603932012-12-09T20:07:00.001-05:002012-12-09T20:07:53.065-05:00The Elf on the Shelf in the classroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I just love the holidays. This is absolutely my favorite time of the year. Teaching third grade, there is something magical about my students at this time of year, too. Maybe its because this is one of the last years where they whole-heartedly believe in Santa. </div>
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I've been laughing over some of the cute pins I've seen of Elf on the Shelf ideas and since the W household won't be having any kiddos for many Christmases to come, I decided to get an Elf for my class. He arrived last Monday in a freezing cold box straight from the North Pole. I wish I had taken a picture of it in the morning when I prepared it, but I totally forgot in the hurry to get everything for the day ahead ready. I wrapped the elf up with a letter from Santa in red bulletin board paper, addressed it to our class, and put a pretend stamp on. Then, I put the box in the freezer for a half an hour while I got everything else ready for the day and started morning meeting. I asked my morning parapro to take a form down to the office for me and she returned carrying the package, saying it had just been delivered. The kids were ecstatic when we opened the package and they named our elf Jingles. We sat Jingles on top of our bookshelf then went about our morning routine. </div>
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The kids had gym in the classroom because there was a holiday concert rehearsal in the gym. Luckily, while I was making copies, we had a fire drill. I came outside and met up with my class, who were in gym. They finished up gym outside (where the game was going to happen anyway) and when everyone got back inside, our sneaky little elf had changed the date on the white board to December 25.</div>
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I found some cute freebies on teachers pay teachers and made my kids an elf journal to record Jingles' mischief. They have to complete it in their own time (snack, after morning work, etc.) and it isn't required but they all seem to be interested in doing it. </div>
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Some of my kiddos took it upon themselves to write letters to Jingles in their spare time. </div>
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And not wanting to open a can of worms for the next fourteen days, Jingles wrote one form letter back.</div>
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On Tuesday, sneaky Jingles was hiding on top of the projector for the smart board. At some point during the day, he fell off, which the kids loved because they though he was so intently listening to our discussion that he slipped off. Luckily Jingles was unharmed so I sat him back on the shelf. Only adults are allowed to touch Santa's scout elves, as you may remember from the book. We went about our business and then as we were cleaning up our Daily 5 centers, the unthinkable happened. Someone touched the elf. </div>
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Most of my kiddos thought this wouldn't be a big deal but a couple of them were really stressing over it. And sure enough, when they came in in the morning, Jingles still sat right where we left him and all their letters were left unanswered. The only thing that was different, was that there was a letter from Santa. I wrote a pretty cute little poem about the situation but I'll keep in private in case I ever want to do an elf on the shelf unit on teachers pay teachers. Some of my students were really upset but I thought this was a good teachable moment about following directions. They wrote apology letters to Santa and I hurried out at lunch to mail them to the North Pole. </div>
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Even after apologizing, nothing changed. Jingles sat still all day. He was even still sitting in the same place the next morning. But there was another letter waiting from Santa. Inside was a second letter and a package of elf magic recover dust, which I sprinkled on Jingles.</div>
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Jingles probably would have stayed still for one more day to finish teaching a lesson about following directions, but one of my students' elves was hiding in her bookbag that morning so I felt like they needed to get into some mischief together. At lunch, they made a snowflake chain but left all the scrap pieces of paper on the carpet for us to clean up. Naughty, naughty elves but boy were my third graders happy that Jingles had his magic back.</div>
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My kids made paper ornaments for our little desktop tree throughout the week. Then, on Friday, Jingles hung a gold garland to help decorate the tree. Ten more days until break - I wonder what mischief he'll get into between now and then. ;)</div>
Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-48256434138669124082012-09-21T13:00:00.000-04:002012-09-21T13:00:04.044-04:00The Emergency RoomWell it seems I've kind of abandoned my teaching blog. I apologize - it seems keeping up with it is the last thing on my mind after work sometimes. I have started working at my new job and am so excited about the year ahead of us in 3rd grade.<br />
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Moving schools was such a great move for me professionally. I'm able to teach in a style that I feel is best practice. My school day is shorter so I have more time to plan my lessons after school and it doesn't cut into my personal life as much. I can wear nice clothes to work without them being ruined and I'm generally just in a better mood. With all of this being said, there are moments where I feel a little guilty.<br />
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On the last day of school last year, we had a staff meeting after the kids went home as kind of a "summer send-off." All of the administration spoke and our curriculum supervisor said something along the lines of...<br />
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If you were a doctor you could choose to work in a private practice where you could go home early and have a flexible schedule. Where you didn't have to handle life or death situations every single day and where you could have dinner with your family. Or you could work in the emergency room. The emergency room where you're always on call, where you never get a moment to sit down, where the stress level is high, and where you have to make life or death decisions every day. But you would be making the biggest difference and helping the people who need it most. By working here, you <i>are</i> working in the emergency room.<br />
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Which is true. In my school last year, I was working in a school where I was really needed. The kids needed good role models and dedicated teachers. Which felt good, but also took a lot out of me.<br />
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So at moments, I feel guilty for where I am right now. But at the same time, I feel like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. My school now reminds me so much of the school where I worked immediately after I graduated in South Carolina and was so happy. Its a good fit and the kids still need me. They need me to be a good example too and they need my passion for teaching and my love for trying new, best practice approaches. And I feel pretty fortunate to have a job that several hundred other teachers applied for. It is going to be <i>the best</i> year this year at my new school but I can't help saying a prayer for the kids and my former coworkers in "the emergency room" that they have the best year, too.Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-42018281002862692572012-08-02T11:01:00.001-04:002012-08-02T11:01:22.766-04:00Big changes for Lipstick, Lattes, and Lesson Plans!Over the next month, I hope to add a couple reflection posts about my school year last year. There are a couple funny stories and cute pictures that I want to share. I'm super motivated to get these posted because there are some big changes coming for Lipstick, Lattes, and Lesson Plans next school year!<br />
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Get ready for...<br />
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Lipstick, Lattes, and Lesson Plans, Adventures in a 3rd Grade Classroom!Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6266324606894002402.post-59429679631509798352012-05-25T10:07:00.000-04:002012-05-25T10:07:41.432-04:00Consistency: the key to classroom managementWhere I have been??<br />
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I have so many pictures on my iPhone that I took for the purpose of sharing with you all. But the process of editing them all to stick a smiley face sticker over my kids' faces (for privacy purposes) has just seemed too time consuming. Maybe that will be a project over the next couple weeks.<br />
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It took most of the year but I recently realized that my class has finally settled into a good routine. Desks are not being thrown. People are not getting bitten. Braids are not being cut off. We've moved past all that. Yesterday, one of my students (she is being evaluated for Oppositional Defiance Disorder) was throwing a temper tantrum. She was knocking chairs over and hiding in the closet. It was then I realized that wow, this hasn't happened in <i>ages.</i><br />
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She is not my only difficult student. Last year I had two. This year I have 10. And by difficult, I mean students that need constant attention regarding their behavior and constant redirection every single day.<br />
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Last year in South Carolina I worked in a Title 1 school in my hometown, a suburb of Charlotte. I had few behavior problems and was able to handle the ones that did occur in my classroom with no anxiety or stress. I knew a lot about classroom management from learning about best practices, studying Love and Logic, and hours spent reading <i>The First Days of School</i> by Harry Wong.<br />
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This year I've learned you never really <i>know</i> classroom management until you work in an innercity Newark school. A little background - my students are familiar with violence, gangs, and every one of them knows a family member or family friend who has been to prison or at least to jail. The attitudes and disrespect is something I never imagined but it is cultural - a method of survival within a difficult community.<br />
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When people ask what I do, I tell them I teach Kindergarten. Their usual response, "Awww." When they ask where and I tell them, they say, "Ooooh." To be honest, when I started my current job I was a little terrified. Especially since I was coming into a classroom where the previous teacher had quit after only a week. At the beginning of the year, we had two students (one with special needs) who would literally walk out of our classroom whenever they felt like it. Our class has three doors so their are more doors than there are teachers to guard them. We have at least four students who didn't think twice about throwing furniture. Biting or hitting myself or my coteacher was not uncommon. Teeth sucking, eye rolling, and shoulder shrugging was the norm when we would give directions.<br />
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We've come a long way. I'm really proud of my students. They've shown SO much growth academically as they prepare to go to first grade. But what is really spectacular is the growth they've shown in behavior.<br />
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My co-teacher is awesome and she has a couple years experience working in Urban schools and has really been a role model for me in classroom management. When working with a difficult population you should think long and hard about your procedures at the beginning of the year and make a decision for what your consequences will be when they are not followed. This is important because your procedures need to become the "Bible" of your classroom. They are the law. And there are no exceptions.<br />
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This was difficult for me at first because I always believe in giving my students the benefit of the doubt. My class last year and I sat in a community circle and came up with our "class contract" together. And that was that. The consequences were consistent when the rules were broken but that rarely happened. This year, it happens every day.<br />
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We use a lot of songs as rituals in our class. We have a song we sing when we're lining up. When its over, the students are expected to be quiet in line. We have a song we sing when we move to circle on the carpet. When its over, the students are expected to be sitting quietly "criss-cross applesauce." These rituals are consistent and the students know the expectations when the song is over.<br />
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Whatever you decide what the consequences for poor behavior choices will be, you have to be consistent. If you expect your kids to keep their hands to themselves, there has to be a consequence for every child every single time they refuse to do this. If you expect students to be respectful, there has to be a consequence every single time this doesn't happen. Over the year, I've learned how important this is.<br />
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Building relationships with parents and families is key for consistency. If you tell a student you're going to call a parent and their behavior doesn't improve, you have to follow through. Part of consistency means never making a threat you can't keep. This goes hand-in-hand with having a relationship with parents so you have their support. I have a handful of parents that I can send a text to during the day if their child is not following directions or is being disrespectful and within a few minutes they will have taken a break from work so they can call and talk to their child. I've found that telling the parent you will call back at the end of the day to let them know if the behavior has improved is very motivating for the child. They're already in trouble but they know Mom or Dad will be much happier to hear they turned their day around. On more than one occasion, I've videotaped a student throwing a temper tantrum (hiding under tables, kicking chairs, etc.) and texted the videotape to their parents. While this may be extreme, I have learned that extreme time call for extreme measures.<br />
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While I'm so proud of how much my students have grown, I'm even more proud of how much I have grown this year. I feel like I can handle any kind of classroom management issues now. Its hard for me to even believe at the beginning of the year I felt a little intimidated by a group of five year olds. Children are strong willed and they can be stubborn. Part of being a consistent teacher is being even more strong-willed. The rules are the rules and everyone is expected to follow them. I'm proud of having these high expectations for behavior and I'm proud for following through on them. Teaching isn't just about academics. Part of teaching, arguably the most important part, is character development. This is especially true for the younger grades. Being consistent in behavior management is teaching skills that will make your children better students later on in school and more successful members of society, no matter how difficult it may be at the time.<br />
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What are your thoughts on classroom management?Elizabeth | The Blush Magnoliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01228736054206537138noreply@blogger.com2