Back to School Goals #b2s13

Well, it is always good to set some reasonable goals. I am not sure if these are SMART goals, but I have a few more weeks to think it over!! I am linking up with I {heart} Recess for our B2S Goals!!

I have been teaching for 10 years, but there is ALWAYS room to grow, improve, and learn! This is one of the reasons I enjoy teaching :)

Here are some of MY goals for this year (as I embark on a NEW adventure going from Kindergarten to 5th grade... yikes..LOL - this was MY decision after all *what was I thinking*...haha)

Personal - It is always my goal to walk more closely to Christ. Through reading God's word, I am who I am and am very grateful that He saved me!!! I want to read more of the Bible, pray more deeply and walk more closely to my Heavenly Father:)

Organization - Folks tell me I am pretty organized... I am not always so sure..LOL!! Last year, I went through all my Kindergarten files and aligned them to the CCGPS. I now have the lovely job of creating the same thing for 5th grade! It makes sense for me to file things this way!!!

Planning - A colleague and I have met twice and mapped out a good bit of our first unit. My goal is to take "One day at a time"... sweet Jesus (have you ever heard that song?...LOL)!! I am learning a new grade level, so I am not going to stress.. I am simply going to take it slow and learn more and more each day!

Professional - There are a lot of things I would like to do (one of them is going through the Lucy Calkins books - which will be part of my professional learning this year). I want to hold off on going into a lot of detail with that just yet, as I am getting my feet wet this year. I will love to incorporate what I learn this year through the PL into next year's units. For this reason.... I would like to get more familiar with the 5th grade standards, so I plan to use lots of LOTS - Language of the Standards. :)

Students - I pray that I can be a role model for these children. I want to build positive relationships through trust and also make learning as fun as possible!! I want them to know that learning can be a life-long tool!

Motto - I always tell me students that they need to "Be the best YOU, YOU can be!" If nothing else, you need to give something your all, your best... That is all that I can ask of them!!

Something a little different... Prayer Journal

Do you want to pray for everything and everyone, but you seem to forget someone or something from time to time? We are human after all.. right?...LOL. Anyway, I wanted to do a little more focused prayer and more detailed prayer, so I wanted a calendar to keep me in line! Here is a copy in case you would like to do the same:

(FREEBIE)

#teachertourtuesday

Don't forget to take a short clip of one part of your classroom to share. Link up below:)

Here's what to do...

1- create an Instagram Video clip of a section of your classroom
2- post your video on Instagram with hashtag #teachertourtuesday
3- write up a post on your blog about your video (direct them to join your Instagram)
4- in your post, link back to this page with the Teacher Tour Tuesday sign
5- link up your site below ONLY your post link (not your whole blog:)  - this is how others can view your post:)

Sadly, I cannot get into my classroom until next week *panicking* I will join in next week!! If you already have some done, please share a little portion each week by linking up:)

Remind 101 - Student/Parent/Teacher Communication

Need to send a quick message about a homework assignment? or maybe need to remind about an upcoming event...? Remind 101 is a wonderful app/online tool that teachers can use to text their students/parents (without the hassle of giving out your personal contact information). It is also very easy to use.

@Remind101 #R101LOVE 

Back in the Spring, I conducted a Professional Learning session trying to introduce Remind 101 and Class Dojo to our staff. Here is a link to the presentation - PLEASE view the PowerPoint. 

You can use this resource online: https://www.remind101.com/

or through their app: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/remind101/id522826277?mt=8

I set my account up online, but truly love using the app to send the quick texts to parents/students. 

What is the BEST feature??? I love how you can set the date/time for the message to send out. I always forget unless I type it right away and set the date/time for it to send out!!!

Please consider trying this teacher tool! 

Businesses Helping Teachers...

Many businesses are trying to give teacher discounts as a way to help out their classrooms. Here is another one of those great opportunities. Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts is providing a Teacher Rewards program to help educators out with creative items to spice up your classroom.

Here are the program details:

Jo-Ann Teacher Rewards � Registration & Benefits

Teachers and educators can register at http://www.joann.com/teach2014 or in-store to receive discounts on classroom craft and sewing projects, classroom d�cor and organization products. Benefits include:

• Free discount card for 15% off every purchase.
• Bonus coupon for 20% off any one total purchase when you enroll or re-enroll in the program.
• More money-saving coupons as a Jo-Ann Preferred Customer.
• Personal notice of the latest sales offers, crafting trends and inspiration.

Please head on over to Jo-Ann's to find some lovely items to make your classroom super organized and ready for back2school! 

SMART Goals for Data Folders

I want to post a lot more about this during the school year, but I wanted students to have something to place in their Data Folder (click here for the Data Folder sheets) about how to set SMART Goals.

 S
You can get these here!

Figurative Language Posters

I have so many things, but I have yet to get or make some items for figurative language. I didn't want to do chevron on these, as I don't want EVERYTHING chevron...LOL. I pulled in some of the colors from my other items in hopes it will all blend nicely.

You can get these here!

Oh... and I forgot to post a pic of my new curtains...

I got these (this is a stock photo) at Walmart about a month ago discounted. They are microfiber. They are regularly online for $16.00 -- I got them on clearance for $7.00 :) Yay!

Limited time only... 50% OFF!!!

50% off of a custom blog design...

This is a great deal, considering how much time goes into designing the overall look of a blog. I offer tons of items for FREE on my blog. I hope you will help me out by ordering a custom blog HALF off the original price. This is for a limited time only. Don't miss out on a chance for a CUSTOM designed blog.

Please email me if you are interested... (click my email @ link in my pennant above) :) Thanks!

Shopping, shopping, shopping... and fundraisers to get $$

Okay... When I taught Kindergarten last year, we had 2 fundraisers to help teachers earn $ for our classrooms. The first was our freezer pop fundraiser. Students could purchase freezer pops for a quarter each day (if they so choose to). After the year is over, we combined all the sales and split it 4 ways between the teachers. In addition to this, we always had a 50s day on the 50th day of school. On that day, we sold Coke floats for $1.00. Parents donated the items (cokes & ice cream) and McDonald's donated the cups and straws. After all of this, we again split the funds. I ended up with over $400 to spend on classroom supplies, which is nice so I do not have to ask for as many supplies from the children.


What did I spend my $ on this year? I did spend a little of this on painting my room this year, but I bought new 5th grade items/charts/etc. (see pic) there are tons more items that I was unable to show on here like folders, paper, tape, etc. :) Perhaps this kind of fundraiser can work for you. If you have another idea, please share in the comments below!! :) Thanks!


Some of my online/catalog buys:

Bought this with my own $ (so far... still have more to get):

 

WALMART

WALMART

http://www.christianbook.com/

6 + 1 Traits of Writing Posters

I am trying to get my themed items ready so I can begin designing once my room is ready!! Here are some 6 Traits posters I made to match my theme. Click the image for a free copy:

You can get these here!

Writing Process & Management Cards

I have been brainstorming about how to best manage my writing time... to show where students are at in the writing process & to know when they are ready to meet with me. In addition, I wanted a way for students to self-assess and show me how confident they are feeling about a skill we are working on AND a way for me to see if they need help, if I need to slow down and reteach, or if students are good to go... Thus, came these cards. I plan on printing a set for each child, laminating them, and placing them on a key ring. This way, it is easily accessible for each child. Maybe someone out there can use them. The Star Wars idea came from the following site: http://chartchums.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/whats-play-got-to-do-got-to-do-with-it-answer-everything/

You can get these here!

#teachertourtuesday

I was not clear last time, so I want to be more thorough today...LOL.

What do you need to do:


1- create your Instagram Video
2- post your video on Instagram with hashtag #teachertourtuesday
3- write up a post on your blog about your video (direct them to join your Instagram)
4- in your post, link back to this page with the Teacher Tour Tuesday sign
5- link up your site below ONLY your post link (not your whole blog - see example:) - this is how others can view your post:)


NO - http://teachertakers.blogspot.com/    


YES - http://teachertakers.blogspot.com/2013/07/teachertourtuesday-and-how-to-embed.html


I look forward to seeing your little clip each week!!

Reminder for tomorrow... #teachertourtuesday

#teachertourtuesday

I am still unable to begin setting up my classroom, but many out there have already begun. If so, I want to remind you of my Tuesday linky... Create your mini-Instagram Video today and post the link tomorrow!! When you post on Instagram use hashtag: #teachertourtuesday

This is a great way to showcase your classroom a little bit at a time and provide narration at the same time!! In addition to posting on Instagram, please link up tomorrow with a quick post directing us to your video.

Don't know how to make an Instagram Video?
Click here for my tutorial: How-To Tutorial

Not sure how to embed your video into your post?
Click here for my tutorial: How-To-Embed Video

Please come back tomorrow to link up!!!!! I cannot wait to see a little snippet of your classroom! :)

Writing Process Sheets

Okay, I promised these after my vacation, but I had a little time before packing...


You might want to use some of these in a writer's notebook and some as needed. There are 10 sheets:

• 2 Brainstorming sheets (one for boys, one for girls)
• 1 Graphic Organizer for writing ideas for a topic
• 1 Planning sheet for ideas
• 1 Revising Checklist
• 1 Self-Editing Checklist
• 1 Peer-Editing Checklist
• 1 Teacher Conference sheet (can use Post-Its with it)
• 1 Writing Reflections sheet
• 1 Publishing Plan sheet

You can get these here!

Writing Process Posters Colorful Chevron

My new rug inspired the design of these Writing Process Sheets. Will be making some checklists and graphic organizers to accompany this after my vacation... For now, enjoy these colorful chevron-inspired writing process posters.

You can get these here!

Reading/ELA Detailed Vocabulary Mini-Posters 5th Grade

I have been working on these for quite a while and have FINALLY finished! I would work on them here and there, but they are a great resource, so I wanted to finished them before school begins!!


With being new to the 5th grade standards, I wanted to dig deeper into the Georgia Teacher's guide for 5th grade Reading/ELA to get acquainted with the standards and learn the new vocabulary. These are a tool for me, as well as for the students. I will have these somewhere (not sure just yet) to where the students can reference them during lessons (and so I can refer to them). I wanted to provide some type of visual or example, to help trigger my memory of the word's meaning (and it will hopefully help the students to picture what the words mean).

These are words from the 5th grade standards for Reading/ELA from the Georgia Teacher Guidance document.

You can get these here!

On another note: Please join my Teacher Tour Tuesday Linky #teachertourtuesday if you are able. Will have it going on each Tuesday... :)

#teachertourtuesday and how to embed Instagram Video in blog posts

I am linking up with (myself) to show others how to (hopefully) embed an Instagram Video into their blog post for my new linky:

 

Please click the picture to join along:

Click the code below to link back!!! :) Thanks!

<a href="http://teachertakers.blogspot.com/2013/07/teacher-tour-tuesday-has-begun.html" target="_blank"><img alt="iTeach 5th" src="http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q479/kimberlee_fulbright/Image6_zps5bc6172e.png~original"/></a>

Here is my first #teachertourtuesday. Of course, with the help of my lovely little assistant
This is all I can show at this point, since I cannot decorate until they finish the floors:

*if you cannot see the video, please visit my instagram page to view: http://instagram.com/iteach5thgrade

Want to know how to embed your video?

((Works in Safari, Google Chrome, and Firefox - does not work in Internet Explorer))

Sign into Instagram (it is easier to embed if you copy the link from the Instagram on your computer, rather than from the link through the app). Sign in here & log in: http://instagram.com 

 

Find the video you want to embed & click on the video (see my example below):

 

 

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Once you click on the video, you will see a screen like the one below. Click on the arrow-type icon.

 

 

 

Once you click the arrow-type icon, a box will pop up with the embedded code. Copy the code.

 

 

?

?

Head on over to your blogger post and embed it in the HTML in the place you want it.

***NOTE: You must have your Instagram settings OFF on Posts are Private (under Edit Your Profile: Posts Are Private: OFF -- see below) for your video to be viewable through your blogger post.