Observation Procrastination

What is wrong with me? Am I the only person who procrastinates every time I have an observation? I have a pre-observation phone meeting tonight with my principal and do I have anything set? NOPE!

I know what I am planning on doing with my kiddos and BELIEVE ME I am not resting on my laurels.  I have in my head what I want to do and by tomorrow night everything will be written out nice and pretty-like and all my papers will be copied and what needs to be laminated will be all set and ready to go.  (Thank you personal at home laminator I purchased on Amazon.com using my Ebates)

Then during the observation the small group I am working with will look at me in confusion.  (OMG!) I will think "Why don't they get it? Was I too fast? Are they bored and this is their bored look? Is this too easy?"  Eventually at some point I will end up switching gears and going in a completely different direction from intended lesson- leaving behind those beautifully laminated and hand colored cards.

Why do I leave it behind? Because my students NEED ME.  They need the real me that they know- not this Stepford teacher that doles out stickers like lollipops at the bank.  They need me to laugh, rumple their hair, and make the crazy faces I do when teaching my little cherubs.  This is how they learn.  In my stomach I will feel like I screwed up because I deviated from the lesson.  I'll think "oh Crap! Now i'll have to document WHY I deviated" but in the end my kiddos will win.  They will walk away from the group with a smile on their little faces and a few stickers.  I will have a sweat stain on my blouse and a pit of doom in my stomach.

Why does being observed have to be so gut-wrenching? Why can I create/publish my own blog, create quality teaching materials from scratch, and figure out how Adsense works yet I can't navigate Bloomboard?  I feel like such an idiot!  I know my stuff yet to get me to try and verbalize my thinking and I sound like porky pig on fast forward.

My hopes and prayers are that my boss gets it.  Fingers crossed that she is one of those awesome people that really and truly get how unique our position is and how thinking on our feet is a necessity. Lesson plans are a good guide but real teaching is student driven.  Sometimes that is forgotten.

Heading off to prepare SOMETHING for my phone call.  Wish me luck!

I have a second grader in Connecticut

Good evening.

On this night of 12-14-2014 I am cuddling with my daughter.  We cuddle together most nights but tonight is special.  You see, today was the second year anniversary of the second worst school shooting in America.  The only school shooting ever in Connecticut.  As she snuggles in closer and her kitty creeps onto the bed I am thinking of those children.  Those forever babies that will never be home to cuddle with their moms and kitty's again.

My daughter is in second grade.  Yes- the year of the Sandy Hook school shooting she was in Kindergarten.  Just like those babies.  Although we live 45 minutes away from Sandy Hook there are constant reminders.  The security guard posted in my school foyer, the classroom keys I am given because the doors are always locked and I need to get in somehow, the magnetic strips that cover the locking mechanism on the door.  All of these are small results of that fateful day.  

Someone very close to me was a first responder to Sandy Hook Elementary that day.  He was there before the children were removed from the school and stayed until the investigation was over.  Two years later and he still has a rough time processing what happened.

 It infuriates me whenever a new conspiracy theory is released regarding that day.  Stemming form initial reports made from ill informed news media outlets theorists think they KNOW what happened.  They know nothing.  They don't know what happened because as they publish their work of fiction from the "apartment" over their mamma's garage my friend was there physically on the grounds and in the melee of frantic parents praying for a glimpse of their child.  My friend has seen things that he can NEVER unsee.  Nightmares that are so real and unavoidable.  

No Sandy Hook was not a hoax.  We lost so many beautiful lives that day but thanks to the quick thinking of the principal and office staff so MANY more were saved.  God bless them all.  

Hug your kids a little closer tonight and even though they are giving you a rough time going to bed, (like mine is right now) count your blessings.  At least they are here and able to hug/kiss/snuggle.

Amazing Holiday & DIY classroom ornaments- Just saying!

Hey there! Again it's taking me way too long to post.  It's not because posting has not been on my mind but quite the opposite.  I have been so involved in our school's craft fair and now I'm on to obsessive over my classroom observation.  I have no idea why I thought it would be a great to schedule both within 7 days (actually withing 5 days) but apparently I am a glutton for punishment.  I guess maybe I could go for the sympathy vote??? Who knows.

Anyway- during this whole craft fair process I have become acquainted with so many cute ideas to do in the classroom.  I would LOVE to do all of these but being a travelling teacher I rarely have time for one craft a year.

The first little nugget I found is something that I am actually doing in my daughters classroom on Friday (yes can I squeeze one more thing in??)

Hand print snowman   

In an ideal world I would LOVE to do this! A variation would be to use magnets- Just something a little different.  

Bottlecap snowman

This cutie pie is made with dried glue! 

Glue snowman

Keeping this one a large photo because shortening it would not do it justice! 

snowman keys

All of these are so adorable and fairly easy to make.  I love being able to have students bring in items from home to make their craft.  It just shows them that a craft can be made from anything.  They don't have to make a special trip to the local big box store to make something cool.  

PS- As far as my awesome holiday- I HAVE to share that I have been starting to use Ebates and have been getting back $ hand over fist! Seriously.  Just got back $20. on my last shopping order.   Here is my referral link if you are interested.  Takes 10 seconds to sign up and you can shop at all your normal stores.  

Sign up for Ebates here!

CYBER MONDAY!

Krafty teacherz @ TPT

Tomorrow is Cyber Monday at Teachers Pay Teachers and the deals are going to be awesome!  You get 28% off when you use code TPTCYBER!  Empty out that wish list...treat yourself to all those awesome products you know you are going to need and use after the holidays!


Here are some of my newest products that you can use in your classroom year round! Get it now while it's on sale! Be sure to click on the photo to bring you to my page! 

Very cute activity where students read sight words (pre-printed) write them, then either build them with tiles or stamps.  I've used this with my students and they LOVE it! Click on the photo to take you to the page. 

This is my most popular game! I have sold about 20 of these in the past 3 months! This is geared towards Kindergarten but can be used in first grade as a review! 

An awesome incentive program to get students to keep track of their reading.  Can be used as a reading log at home as well.  

Another crowd favorite! Use this in small groups or as a whole class literacy center.  Enough activities to keep several groups of students occupied! 

This activity has 20 days worth of sentences in a booklet form.  The sentences are basic and it is up to the student to add details to stretch them out.  You may have to do a few with them in the beginning but the students are able to handle the concept.  Great for 1st and 2nd grades.  

 

Two of my favorite games that are geared for the upper grades.   I have shared these with my daughter's teachers and they LOVE it! Click on the photo of each grade to check it all out! 

I try to do my best in pricing and I think I do price fairly.  I keep additional licences really low in the hopes that people will not just randomly share and not pay for the licence.  Please be sure to rate my product and like my store to find out the details on upcoming sales and new products! 

Krafty Teacherz

My new favorite books!

Hello! Today I want to share with you my three favorite books! All three are relatively newly published and all are about one of my favorite subjects....Dogs! The coolest thing is that the authors from each of these books are from northwest Connecticut!

Here's #1! Macy's ABC Cross- Country Adventure by Susan M. Goodenough.  I love this book because I followed the authors Facebook posts as she and her husband were travelling across America with their camper.   Macy is the adorable pup of Susan and Paul Goodenough.

Click on book in Amazon sidebar to purchase.

Amazon description: 

What better way to see and learn new things than by having fun while gaining new knowledge with a new friend?In this book, follow the adventures of a dog named Macy as she introduces you to the alphabet and the wonderful things to learn about the United States. Accompany Macy as she travels from state to state all the way from Connecticut to Ida-ho and learn about the alphabet along the way.

My second favorite book is Roxy's Forever Home by Teresa Pelham.  I met Mrs. Pelham and Roxy during a school tour in Plainville, CT.  Two of the main characters in the book is a mom named Melissa and her daughter named Emily.  Consequentially we ended up adopting our own Roxy shortly afterward (Although she is of the feline persuasion).  You can go to www.roxysforeverhome.com for information on rescue heroes who save thousands of dogs every year.  

Click on book in amazon sidebar to purchase

Amazon Description:

 "Roxy's Forever Home" is a children's book based on a rescue dog's journey from the streets of Tennessee to her forever home in Connecticut. A portion of proceeds from the sale of this beautiful hardcover book will go directly to dog rescuers. The main character of the book is a little brown dog, who is now a certified therapy dog. Each copy is signed by both the author and Roxy herself.

My third favorite today is another rescue story and it is called: Neville: A Dog With A Secret. by Stephanie Ferguson.  Animal lover Stephanie Ferguson was drawn to the plight of shelter dogs when she and her husband adopted Neville.  Upon learning that up to twenty percent of adopted dogs are returned to the shelter, she was inspired to write this informative and eye-opening children's book.  When you buy this book, not only will Neville donate 100% of the proceeds to Passion 4 Paws, he will autograph the book for you. Just note the name of the recipient in the box at check-out.

Click here to purchase Neville's story

Neville is being adopted.  But his secret could destroy his chance at a "forever" home. Humorous and playful, but delivering an important message on the responsibilities of pet adoption, this is the sort of book children of all ages will enjoy over and over.  Join Neville as he discovers no one is perfect, but with a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work, dreams really can come true.

All of these books would make an amazing addition for your classroom! I know I will be sharing these books with my students this year.  If you are interested I believe all of these authors are available for your school or daycare programs.  I assume they charge a fee but you never know unless you call.     

Book Sale! A great opportunity to increase your classroom library! FREE SHIPPING!

Hello! I am so excited that I found this deal! Thrift Books is offering a buy 3 get one free Back to School sale. So you buy 3 books.  If the three books are from the same seller (very easy to do- you'll see once you check it out) then you get .50 off each additional book.

1st book= full price (I say full price but it is really inexpensive)
2nd book- Same seller- .50 off
3rd book- same seller- .50 off
4th book- FREE!

That is an awesome deal- Just saying!

This is not a book club or anything like that.  Just a really decent site that gets you great books at a low price.   I have been using them for two years now to purchase books for my Kindergarten students I work with and they are always prompt with delivery.

click here to go to site

Shhhh! Another Teacher's Pay Teacher's Sale!

WOW! Can you believe it? For the first time EVER Teacher's Pay Teacher's is offering a second opportunity to get quality merchandise at a discount price.  

My store will be on sale for 20% plus the additional 10% TPT is offering!!! Not a bad deal if I do say so myself! 

I have many literacy items available in my store.  Here are a few of my favorites! 

click here

Very cool journal pages with pre-made prompts for the first month of school. A great way to get to know your students as well as assess their writing capabilities.    

click here

I need to work on this cover- haven't fallen in love with it yet but the inside is amazing! Teach your students how to expand their writing one sentence at a time.  Work with them to add information now will result in less time consuming conferences later.   

click here

My most pinned item! Love this as a center activity. 

  Keep posted I will be creating more of these during the school year! 

~~~~~Here are a few hidden gems~~~~

click here

Who doesn't love Edward??

click here

Perfect for Spring- Get a jump start NOW while it's on SALE! 

click here
Leo Lionni's Birthday is in May! Get it now at a discount! 

click here
Another awesome treasure.  Comes complete with book suggestions and a discount place to buy them!

Check out all these and more at my Teacher's Pay Teacher's store! 

Please remember that for everything you purchase you can get TPT points.  Just click on MY TPT then MY PURCHASES.  There will be a list of every item you have downloaded.  Next to each item will say provide feedback.  Give positive feedback for that item and you will get points that you can use towards future purchases.  I save my points for the sales because you get more bang for the buck! 

Cute Back to school crafts

Good Afternoon!

Just going through my stash of crafty ideas for the first month of school so I thought I would show some of them to you! Click on link for directions if available!

Cute bookmarks

What a cute idea to open up the idea of a nice quiet homework area! 

pencil door hanger

Peekaboo Apple plate

Coffee filter apple craft

Stay tuned for a bit more!I have found so many cool crafts that I would LOVE to share!