DAWGS on Top!

It's Fall. 

Most educators are thinking about field trips to the pumpkin patch, 1st quarter report cards, students coming off of candy-comas. 

Me?

I'm utterly and completely obsessed with college football. 

Like ESPN's College Game Day broadcast is on the living room TV at promptly 9am each Saturday morning. I love the analytics, the back stories, the predictions, the signs - you name it, I like it. 

But I don't really care about most college teams. I care about SEC teams because I'm a born and raised Southern girl. And I only truly care about one team...the BEST team in my humble opinion. 

The University of GeorgiA!!!

To be honest, I don't think I ever had a choice. My dad loves UGA football. He analyzes every play of every game. He scrutinizes the scouting. He picks a part pretty much every aspect of the team. He knows who's coming and who's going. It's impressive, actually. 

So why does this even matter? Well, now you know my football-loving heart and what I'm about to show you will make sense...especially if you are in the DAWG Nation too. 

My son was a struggling reader. He wasn't making the progress that I always thought he would...he's a reading teacher's kid for goodness sakes. He hated the leveled readers and complained they were "boring". Eventually, I just let him pick out whatever books he wanted. I needed to let go of reading levels and let him find books that spoke to his interests. 

Fast forward and my boy is in 3rd grade now. He's a good reader; he reads without complaining. He reads a pretty good assortment of genres. He still works on improving his accuracy and fluency, but his comprehension is sky high. 

Watching my boy struggle was heart wrenching, but light came when he was able to dive into topics that sparked his interest. One of his favorites is FOOTBALL; my boy has adopted my love of the Bulldogs. He could read about specific quarterbacks, teams, heck even fantasy football. If it involves the pigskin, he's in. 

So HUNKER DOWN is a gift of love to my boy. Created and developed for him and those like him. The kiddos that love football, specifically UGA football. 

Activities center around an included non-fiction reading passage that details the history of UGA football, the uniforms, Uga the bulldog mascot, traditions, and the infamous SEC opponents. 

- click to purchase -

The reading passage is most suited for 1st-3rd grade students who can read or be read to and understand the content of the text. 

HEADed to GEORGIA gives kids the chance to use their art skills to redesign the team's helmet and use their persuasive or descriptive skills to explain their rendering. 

While, DAWG details offers kids the chance to put their gained knowledge to use in an expository writing. 

Fact Check Field is a True/False PPT slide that you can use in a game or as a review for kids after they've completed the cut & paste sheet. SEC Logo Match gives students the chance to use context clues or prior knowledge (PPT slide included too). 

Between the Hedges is a Fact or Opinion game that requires students to back-up their beliefs.

To wrap it all up, OVERTIME Opinion is a brief writing for students to state their thoughts on UGA football...my students know to have positive points for extra credit ; )

I think I covered all my bases (wrong sport) - the skills I wanted to cover with my boy. He thought his opinion was always fact...sometimes he still does. If he can back it up, it must be believed by everyone. Oh to be 8! 

Meanwhile, I'm wrecked from pouring over these activities for hours. 

Back in business

The last several years have been...well, BUSY. 

In a nutshell, I took some serious time away from creating to focus on being a teacher, a grade-level leader, a mother to a struggling reader, a wife to a stressed-out spouse, a pregnant lady moving across the country, and a supportive daughter. Those roles didn't define everything about me, but they took a lot out of me. They didn't leave much room for creativity.

And now? Now, I'm back. I've stepped out of the classroom to focus on being a mom to a baby, a time that I treasure as these little moments are fleeting. I get to be the ever-present being in my 3rd grader's life and pour into the humans that surround me. It's stressful at times, sure, but it's my life at this moment. And it gives me the opportunity to create without feeling bad that someone/something else isn't getting my best. 

I create because I care, and because it fulfills me. It helps me take all those little ideas that have been floating around in my head, you know those ideas that pop up in the middle of a lesson and you think "I should do that. I wish that existed. It would be so awesome if..., etc"; turn them into actual tangible things. They are the resources that would have saved me tons of time or helped my students better understand. They are the activities that would have spoken to my students' interests while giving me the insight to their learning. All the ideas that just sat in my head (and in my journal), waiting for me to turn on the computer and create. 

So here I am. Back at the computer. CREATING! Doing what makes me smile and knowing that one day, I'll put these creations to use when I go back to the classroom. I won't have to wonder...they'll be there, ready.

A+ Images FREE t-shirt

Back in July, I was super fortunate to hear about a fabulous promotion being sponsored by A+ Images. They were giving away free t-shirts to teacher bloggers.  Yep, FREE!  And the best part? I got to design my t-shirt...any color, images, fonts I wanted.  Complete creative freedom! 
And at a price tag of $0, who could pass that up? NOT ME!
I logged on, created, ordered, and had my shirt in less than 2 weeks! Just in time for my BIG trip to Las Vegas for the TPT Conference. 
And several other bloggers took advantage of A+ Images awesome promo.  It was super helpful to see t-shirts with logos rather than squinting at tiny logos on name badges.  You could easily spot my logo from across the room.  (Tara from Tiny Minds at Work, me, Kristen from Teeny Tiny Teacher, and Hadar from Miss Kindergarten) Go follow A+ Images on INSTAGRAM to stay up to date on future promotions.  Trust me, you won't want to miss out!

Haunted Halloween Hop!!!

Fall is in full swing and maybe your planning could use a little perk up!

Well lucky for you, some of your favorite TpT sellers have gotten together to make your Fall a little bit easier to plan with the Haunted Halloween Hop!

You can score ALL of these goodies!

 

Here's what you need to do:

1. Visit each blog on the loop for directions to snag the Secret Word.

Make sure to follow each seller - we'll be checking before we sent out prize packs!

2. Write down each seller's Secret Word on the Cheat Sheet!

3. Submit all of the secret words on the Google Form {and wait for the prize pack to be emailed to you!}

** Please note: because some of the sellers have secret words waiting for you on their TpT banner, you will need to visit their store using a computer, not a mobile device! **

Are you ready to put all that Halloween candy to a good use?
I was, am, and will be.
That's why I created Math M&M Monsters!

With a snack size M&M candy bag (Halloween portion), students sort and graph their individual bags.

Need some more fun with those candy pieces?

Have your kiddos add groups, compare numbers, and/or create patterns!

Head on over and FOLLOW me in my Teachers Pay Teachers store. 

DON'T FORGET to write down my Secret Word. 

Remember to view my store from a computer so you can see my banner!

HOP ENDS ON OCTOBER 25TH!

Now, head on over to visit Melissa over at First Grade Smiles to see the amazing goody she's sharing!

Learn Like A Pirate {Responsibility}

Wow, I certainly fell off the bandwagon with my LLAP posts.  But! I have a REEALLYY good excuse! TPT in VEGAS!!!! I was so focused on getting prepared and ready for my big trip that I ran out of time to write down my thoughts from this awesome chapter on giving classroom responsibilities to your students.  But before I get too far down that rabbit hole, I do need to give Paul Solarz a HUGE shout-out for answering my questions from my chapter 4 post. Thanks so much for adding some thoughts on how I could change from grade focus to improvement focus in a culture that places a large emphasis on the bottom line (alphabetic or numerical grades).  Ok, back to chapter 5...

I think chapter 5 starts off with a great quote "Students must have initiative; they should not be mere imitators. They must learn to think and act for  themselves-and be free." - Cesar Chavez That's a statement I can get behind!  I want my kiddos to be independent-thinkers and problem-solvers, not robots that require direction from me in every situation or scenario. There are times and places where those littles can step up and figure out what needs to be done and how to do it.  Here's the catch: I don't think they need to get a parade every time they take initiative to do something that needs to be done. Put away the ticker-tape and let's teach them that pitching-in is part of being a member of a larger community. A community that needs everyone to participate in order for the classroom to be successful.  And get this! Students WANT to feel like their role is important! They want to feel needed and relied upon...you know it's true!  I love how Paul lays out how he structures his classroom, so that students CAN have responsibility. Everything from cleaning up materials to time-keepers. He details what jobs are assigned and which are left to collaborative responsibilities - everyone has the opportunity to step-up to do what needs to be done and remind others to pitch-in. He helps them to see when those chances for participation are missed, how to share the responsibility (not hogging the duties), and when a better way would be appropriate. Paul doesn't leave his classroom up to chance, he teaches his students how to help ensure that the environment is fully functional, so he can be the best teacher and they can be the best students possible.  What I truly LOVE about this concept is that it transfers far beyond the classroom. Teaching students to be active participants in the daily running of classroom will only help them become better citizens in the greater community. I can't wait to catch up to chapter 6 on Active Learning.  I'll post soon! 

An InLinkz Link-up

TPT Seller Challenge Week 2: Dare to Dream

Do you have hopes and aspirations for your TPT business? I'm sure the answer is YES! Lots of us do. You may have started your TPT shop as a way to share out the awesome resources you've created, thinking you might make a few bucks to pay back that cute clipart you purchased. Or maybe you thought that TPT would be a great at-home venture while you took care of your children. Whatever your reason for starting, I'm sure you've developed some dreams for what could happen if your shop took off. 

That's the focus of TPT Seller Challenge Week 2 - what are your dreams for your shop? 

My classroom library is already substantial. I can't really complain! But, wouldn't it be amazing if my students had access to a plethora of themes, categories, and types of books? Everything from all the titles of Skippy Jon Jones to Skeletons of Mammals. Poetry, fables, and wordless texts. I love the library, but what if the library was literally in my classroom? Or at least a considerable portion of it? My teacher heart would be HAPPY!

One of the greatest gifts we can give others is our time and resources. That's one of the main reasons I choose the teaching profession. However, there are sooo many other areas of my life that I would LOVE to give my time & resources. Ultimately, it's easier for me to give my time than my money. I stand in the grocery checkout line and wish I had the extra funds to buy a groceries for a young mother who is forced to choose between diapers and vegetables. I wish I could send a middle school neighbor to church camp since his parents can't afford it. I hope that one day I can lessen the burdens of others by contributing to their lives both in my time and my finances. 

Let's face it, I won't be in my 30s forever...I need to be prepared for that moment when retirement is right around the corner. I hope my TPT business can help me save a more generous amount towards retirement so my hardworking husband and I can travel and enjoy those later years. 

What are your hopes and dreams for your TPT business?

Go check out what others have to say by visiting the hostesses' blogs. 

RoCk your 1st year - tips for beginning teachers

Being a military spouse can be difficult when it comes to teaching! We move A LOT, so that means teaching at new schools in new states with new curriculums and new faces are just a part of my life. It can be overwhelming, but I love the benefits of it far more than the disadvantages. Pair that with the fact that my son is just now entering Kindergarten (this fall) and I've been in and out of the classroom the last 5 years, bouncing between stay-at-home mom and full-time/part-time teacher, I can honestly relate to the feeling of being the newbie on the block. 

This year, I'm headed back to the classroom (FULL-TIME) with lil' guy in tow as I re-enter the world of KINDERGARTEN! I'm a seasoned teacher, but I'll be working in yet another new state, with new curriculum, and new faces. It's like standing on a weird wall between being a knowledgable veteran and the newest teacher there ever was. My teacher toolbag is full of resources, ideas, and whatnot, but I have to adjust to the school culture and learn the ins and outs. 

When Chandra (Teaching with Crayons & Curls) and Lyssa (My Mommy Reads) announced their link up aimed at new teachers, I was super excited to join up and chime in. I thought it would be awesome to share what I practice each time I join a new staff, but I can't wait to read the terrific tips other seasoned teachers are offering. Whether you're a first year teacher or maybe joining a new staff, these tips can go a long way!

 

Consult your principal - did you know that the term principal (in education) comes from the original job description of the position, principal (or lead) teacher? That's right, principals were considered the lead educator of their schools, the most veteran, the most knowledgable, the most everything. Everyone knows that you should consult your colleagues, especially your grade-level teammates, on ideas, resources, and curriculum implementation, but as new teachers, we often steer clear of the principal's office. We don't want to bug them, appear incompetent, or draw attention to our classrooms for fear that they'll realize that we're...NEW and still figuring things out! I struggle with this, but I remind myself that each principal that has hired me was confident in my ability to make it happen and doesn't want to see me fail! Principals don't want to see you struggle or flounder about when they can help. Seek out their advice, consult their opinion, be comfortable with their feedback. They want you to succeed, because when you're successful, your students are successful!

Speak Up! - being a new teacher can be overwhelming, there is a ton of information thrown in your face and sometimes you feel like you're barely treading water. It's OK! If you feel like you're drowning, you don't know why a certain technique isn't working, you don't know where to look for resources, your management style isn't clicking with certain students, don't be afraid to admit you're struggling. We've all been there, even those teachers that seem to have it ALL TOGETHER, were first year teachers or have had those times where nothing seemed to be going their way. Chat with other teachers, be honest with them about your struggles/concerns. Even teachers in other grades can offer you sound advice. Heck, they might even come to your classroom to observe and help implement more effective practices, walk you through a computer program, or give you resources. 

Get Involved! - one of the easiest ways to join your school's team is to get involved in extracurricular teams/committees. I've been on social committees, school improvement teams, student support groups, and Art Show committees. Joining these groups often builds relationships with teachers/support staff/school personnel that you don't get a chance to interact with often. For example, one of my very BEST friends was introduced to me, 10 years ago, in a New Teacher meeting in my principal's office. She was teaching 4th grade and I was teaching Pre-K. We taught in totally opposite ends of the school, but we shared a commonality of being first year teachers and joining our school's Social committee, which gave us the opportunity to connect outside of the instructional day. Another advantage joining extracurricular teams/committees is that you often get the chance to interact with students in different classes or grade-levels. This really pays big dividends when you see them during the school day or in the chance that you become their teacher...you have an established relationship. 

Recreate the wheel - I have to admit, I am so guilty of this. I need an idea or resource; rather than asking others if they have something I can use, I create something (often spending loads of time and money). Now, don't get me wrong, creating is amazing, I love it. However, before you start, ask around, see if someone has something you can use. You could save yourself time and money, which are precious commodities as a first year teacher!

Close your door - sometimes we get intimidated by other teachers' classrooms. Ms. Veteran's class is soooo quiet and all on task. Mr. Fun's class is so creative and they always have the best projects. Mrs. Master Teacher does everything right and her class is consistently exceeding expectations. First off, let me start by saying that we all started somewhere, all teachers were once 1st year educators and had to learn through trial & error. Nobody just magically became this amazing teacher that you see today! Secondly, when we become intimated by what we perceive as other teacher's perfection, we can draw in on ourselves as a way to hide or protect our perceived weaknesses. DON'T! Keep that classroom door open, let other teachers observe your teaching style, your procedures, your students. You might be surprised by what those teachers have to say!!! I, once, thought that my classroom was too loud and I'd constantly remind them to lower their voices, even though they were working in collaborative groups. I thought other teachers would think my kiddos were off task and not learning. Shockingly, during a staff meeting, another teacher (not one I interacted with often) praised my classroom management style and instructional methods, saying that she was encouraged by seeing a new teacher (it wasn't my first year, but I WAS young and new to the school) using collaborative groups in math and that she was going to try to do that same. That floored me!!! She was a veteran educator who I thought would be very critical of my attempts (insert eye-roll and a snide remark "she'll learn"), but I was absolutely WRONG! Keep that door open, you could be inadvertenly teaching others. 

Cut yourself some slack - it's your first year! Perfection is rarely obtainable! Just try your best, utilize your resources, be open to feedback, and maybe have an adult beverage every once in awhile. 

Head on over to Teaching with Crayons and Curls and My Mommy Reads for more tips for beginning teachers from some amazing bloggers.