Mastering Grades AND WINNERS

To grade or not to grade?
That is the question.

How many times do you have  a sweetie practice something before you
"take a grade"

I do.
We do.
You do.

I get that part- but when do you decide-
okay, this one is for realsies...I'm grading this one.

And how do you grade?
Do you even use letter grades or are you checking for mastery?
Are you weighted? Do you do "points"?

Does everyone on your grade level do it the same exact way?

After you see who the winners are from day two-
AND enter everything for Day 4-
Leave me some feedback- PAH-LEESE...?!?!?

I am looking for some direction here-
with CCSS we have sooooo much time now to cover something- how many times do I grade them for the same skill???
Just needing some teacher love


Newest Winners:

I originally planned on only 5 a day- but the bloggy cup of love runneth over- so tomorrow while I am waiting for Chickadee to get home from the Homecoming Game I will post TEN items!!!


So first from Donna at

I have a very special place in my squirrely lil heart for Donna. She was one of the first blogs I followed- and I emailed her a question and she wrote me back- and I remember thinking- BLOGGING is SO Amazing- Thank you, Donna!!

Donna's Description:
This is a comprehensive and FUN 161 page unit that has pieces for small group instruction, whole group instruction and independent literacy centers. There is also a component that can be copied and sent home for parents to help their children with initial sound fluency! The activity boards can be used on a powerpoint or smartboard.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Michelle from  Just Wild About Teaching has created:

Michelle's Description:
Ready for Johnny Appleseed day? This packet has everything you need to introduce Johnny Appleseed to your kiddies... It's def. a packet you will save to reuse.


This packet includes:


Craftivity Stencils/Directions
2 Quizzes (for Social Studies grade or can be used also as just worksheets)
Fun Facts Sheet
Writing/primary/secondary/color and b&w
Letters to Johnny
Fun recipe
Picture Flash Cards
Graphs
Labels
Word Search

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Maggie from

Maggie's Description:

This is the second in a series that supports the CCSS for Kindergarten Math. Numbers in the teens, place value, creating and counting groups, and estimation are featured activities.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Holly from

Holly's Description:
I can't wait to use this product in my own classroom and I just know it will make my kiddos {and yours} feel special! In those early years lots of teeth are lost - help celebrate this important milestone in a youngster's life in a simple yet sweet way.
  a Rafflecopter giveaway



Susan from


is offering any item from her TPT store! TGIS...Thank Goodness It's Susan!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Ashley from

is offering:

Ashley's Description:
Upon request, I've broken up my larger "Literacy Centers For Fall" Packet into smaller ones.

This one is Harvest Themed and can be used throughout fall.


Harvest Theme: (Can use throughout fall)
Noun/ Verb Word Sort
ABC Order
Rhyme Time
Sentence Scramble
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good Luck to everyone-

Check back tomorrow- there will be lots more to giveaway!!!!

Day 3 -Winners and Prizes!!

Happy Wednesday Day!

Today was the best day ever.
(ok that might be an exaggeration- but it was pretty fantastic)

It was so great that I ran out of places on my behavior chart for them to go-
so I had to do a little improv

I told them to move to the top of the top (not the side) and then they would be....
SUPER DUPER STARS!

You know you have hit the big time when you are a SUPER DUPER STAR.

I had lots of testing to do- and my class was so engaged that I was able to
complete  it with most of the class.

What were they do that had them so engaged?

Creating their One of a Kind Elmer!! by Reagan

Elmer holds sentimental value for me- it was our oldest son's favorite book!! So when I start to read it- it always (without
fail) makes me cry.
I REALLY needed to get that testing done- so I pulled every "I can" statement I could think of-
there isn't a subject that Elmer doesn't fit into!

In reading we read the book (I know, genius right)
We used the reading activities that Reagan included into the unit.
In Language, we wrote- capitals, punctuation, conventions.
In Math, they grouped squares in groups of ten and talked about how many made a hundred. (then 120, cause that's what CCSS says to do)
We filled in ten frames- added more- took some away.
and in SS "braided each other's hair and talked about our feelings"
Meanwhile-
only 4 math assessments left!
and our door is Beee-U-TAH- Full!

That was my day- and now on to the Celebration!!!
Yesterdays Winners=

Congratulations! I have already emailed the winners- I am fwding your emails to the creators of these great products!

Today's giveaways come from-
Erin @
 

And her Graphic Organizers Pack
Erin's Description:
This graphic organization packet contains twenty-one different templates that can be used across grade levels and across content areas.

The templates include the following strategies: asking questions, making predictions, main idea and detail, making connections, cause and effect, sensory detail, making inferences, fact and opinion, fantasy and reality, fiction and non-fiction, problem and solution, sequence of events, story elements, story mapping, venn diagrams, main and supporting characters, using transitional words, character traits, and vocabulary.

a Rafflecopter giveaway









Hadar from


is offering her

Hadar's Description:
As a teacher, I always find myself singing songs! The students just respond so well to my directions when I add a tune to it! I've compiled a file of songs that I use in my classroom to help with classroom management, calendar time and learning in general.
a Rafflecopter giveaway





Jessica from

Is offering any item from her Tpt store! (She's such a cutie)
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Shuna from


is offering

Shuna's Description

This cute little pack is perfect for practicing long and short vowels. There are 24 picture cards included, 2 headers for sorting and 2 different recording sheets for differentiation!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Good Luck to all and I hope you all have a Thrilling Thursday!

Day 2 of My Celebration!!!

Happy First Day back for so many of you-

I know some of you started with just staff today.
Some with staff and sweeties.
No matter who you spent your day with, I hope it was a great one!

I am glad so many of you stopped by to celebrate with me yesterday!

Tonight there are 5 more "mini" giveaways.
And when I say "mini"- trust me,
I don't mean the prizes
'cause they are BIG!

If you didn't enter any yesterday, skip back a post and see if it's still open-
remember, each giveaway is only 48 hours-
So tomorrow's post with have
winners of prizes
&
prizes to win!!!

Tonight's celebrating friends are:

Tessa from



Tessa has made a terrific unit to use with the hundreds chart.

Tessa's Description:
Navigating the hundreds chart is crucial to a child's early education. It helps build their number sense and helps them begin to add and subtract. This mega-pack includes three different differentiated activities using the hundreds chart. The activities are set up between 0-20, 0-50, and then 0-120. You can choose the activities that best meet your students needs.
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Ashley from

 Has created these Visual Task Cards

Ashley's Description:
This 37 page PDF contains cards so you can 'show' your students what to do during activities. I use this with my ESL/EFL students and it works wonders. I just explain instructions and hang the cards for reinforcement. I rarely have students ask me "What do I do now?".

Ashley's Graphics are just amazing- you will love them!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Jana from


Has created a product that will help our sweeties in making a ten

  Jana's Description:
Early elementary students need to be fluent in adding and subtracting within ten to build a strong foundation for future mathematical thinking. This product includes three activities and three word problems to help students practice making different combinations of ten. The activities can be used whole group, small group, or as workstations/centers.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Christina from


has created a way to help us all with partner reading.

Christina's Description:
This super fun pack of CCSS aligned colorful activities will have your readers begging to show off their comprehension skills!

This pack includes activities for partners to use together during partner reading time... or for you to use whole class!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


And from our friend Jeannie @

Completely Programmable Sub materials-

Jeannie's Description
This set contains everything you need to make a marvelous sub tub. And, it is completely programmable in PowerPoint.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I hope ya'll are having fun trying your luck at winning a great product  from one of our blogging friends

I kinda wish I wasn't me for a few days, so I could enter, too!!!

Have a Wonderful Wednesday tomorrow! And be sure to come back- and check to see if you won!

Shut the Front Door- 500 Followers!

Wow!
Can I get a "what! what!"

500 Followers~
A.Mazing-

I wanted to celebrate- and I wanted you to celebrate with me!
How could we do that?
A Hip Hip Hooray at the count of 3? (someone always messes that up)
A round of "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow"? (I'm not a dude)
A virtual toast (time zones can REALLY trip that one up....ahem...)

So instead I asked a few friends-
LIKE ALL OF THEM-
to come and celebrate with me by participating in a
HUGEMONGOUS
 (it's a word)
GIVEAWAY.

Now you are asking
"What makes it so HUGEMONGOUS?"

Well, the obvious-
that FIVE HUNDRED
people listen to me VOLUNTARILY- I mean,
come on-
I've said it before- I can't get the 4 other people who live here to
listen to me
And ya'll chose to be here-
so sweet!

And the other thing that makes it so awesome is that
there are almost 40 items/units that you can win!!
You heard it right folks- almost 40!
And you might win more than one-
they are each their own giveaway!

AWESOMENESS!

They are all the hard work of our fellow teachers and that makes everything
that much better! It's for us, by us!



There will be 5  giveaways each day!

I hope this all makes sense
(sometimes things make
A WHOLE LOTTA sense in my head- but
when I put the words out there-
well. that's a different story)

Today I will post 5 items from 5 beautiful friends.
Use the Rafflecopter below each item to enter to win.
Each giveaway is only open for 48 hours!
I'm a "instant gratification" kinda gal!

So be sure to enter them all!
Good Luck!

Here we go-
To help me start the celebration:

Mandy from

Check out her blog and Tpt- she is offering any 1 item from her Tpt store.
I was poking around in there and you will fall in love with her Smores and Farm centers!
a Rafflecopter giveaway




Caitlin from
is also offering any 1 item from her Tpt store.
I'm not trying to be sway you one way or the other- but I have recently printed her Hot Seat Math- Fabulouso!
a Rafflecopter giveaway




My friend Lori from
is giving you a chance to win her writing unit:

 Lori's Description:
Help strengthen and develop your students' writing skills. Hang this display at your writing station for students to refer to when they visit. This writing menu allows children to choose a writing activity that interests them. All you have to do is provide the necessary materials for the children to write on (blank books, stationary, index cards, note pads, etc.) Students can also use this menu when they are done with their station work, for extra writing practice. The menu gives the children the following writing options:

Story
Book
Note
List
Recipe
Letter
Card
Poem

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Heidi from

can't wait for you to have

Heidi's Description:
This 100 page telling time pack is full of activities to help your students practice telling time to the hour and half hour. The activities in this pack meet the common core standard 1.MD.3 for Mathematics.

Included you will find:
*Digital, Analog, and Time Words Match and Recording Sheet
*3 sets of I Have, Who Has cards: Hour, Half-Hour, and Hour/Half-hour combined
*Write the Digital Time Cards: Hour, Half-Hour, and Mixed set + 3 recording sheets
*Draw the Clock Hands Cards: Hour, Half-Hour, and Mixed Set + 3 recording sheets
*Make your own Clock: Cut and Paste Numbers Clock
*15 Worksheets for extra practice/morning work

CCSS 1.MD.3: Tell and write time in hours and half-hours using analog and digital clocks







And our last one today is from my buddy Miss T (Tanja):


She also has an incredible Tpt store- her recent Dino Pack is "Dino-Mite"
(I had to do it)



Thank you all for all you have given and shared since this journey began for me.
Blogging has helped me grow-
(and not just my "blogging butt" © hee hee, RT)

as a teacher and a friend!
Come back tomorrow~ for more chances to win more wonderful products!

Common Core Bullies and the Eyesore

Happy Three Day Weekend!!
I don't even really know why Labor Day IS Labor Day, but I am okay with that!

Our Librarian said to us "Labor Day. The one day a year that we celebrate having a job by not going to it".

For me it will probably still be a work day- just I will get to wear pajamas..
I have plans to write and assessments to create. Thanks Common Core.

Common Core is kicking my butt.

If Common Core were a girl- I would call her Nellie.
Remember  Nellie Olson from Little House on the Prairie?
No?
NO?!
Then you  have permission to scroll to the pictures...(babies).

Anyway- when people who were important were around , she was good as gold. She was dressed in
frills and sashes and everyone just went ga ga over her. She was always right and everyone always took her side.
But, boy, when there weren't any grown ups around and it was just her and those other boys and girls- she was a royal
b@#*h! She pulled hair, stole stuff, pushed kids into the mud, and made every child around her miserable!...

Are you getting the analogy?

Nellie= CCSS
important people= govt and admin
frills and sashes= the pretty package that it was originally presented to us in
ga ga= looking at the long term with an idealists attitude
boys and girls= teachers
pulled hair= confused
stole stuff= takes all planning time and THEN some
kids in the mud= our brains
every miserable child= those who went in head first

Some comments were made that it was very similiar to being a first year teacher- I beg to differ.
At least when you are a newbie- there is someone who knows what they are doing.

Some people say if it comes easy, that you aren't doing it right- that you have to put in that first year of reconstructing the curriculum and pacing.

It's going to be okay.
I am going to make it.
I will survive. I will survive. Hey Hey.


On a lighter Non Nellie Note...
I finished my outside display. The little frames for their pictures turned out wonderfully!  I "made" a digital paper on ppt then added their pic and a text box with their name and voila! I only had to have them printed and laminated (and they were only 15 cents each...easy is good for me right now)

The pics are glued to clothes pins and the the clothes pins are glued to the laminated construction paper that is glued to the wall.
I also added my Miss Squirrels~
Ready?

so there is plenty of room to hang portrait or landscape sheets . Love how easy it can be changed out.
Here comes the squirrel...

Yes, we all know I LOVE her- but what's with the big heart?
It's the best part of my whole display.

Can't wait?
One more....

Have I added some kind of talking kiosk? Is it  a flash banner? Is it like those talking coupon tvs at the grocery store....
nope- none of those....

Waaa! I hate it!
No matter what I do, it's always in the way- ALWAYS-
I feel like  I am saying:
Great Work!
DOn't play with matches kids!
Happy Squirrel.

or

Your work is awesome!
Stop! Drop! and Roll!
Happy Squirrel.


I will be stuck with it as long as I am at my school- I am "nested" in on the inside and have no desire to move to a room without fire safety outside the door!!!!

Littlest Little did a great job of videoing the making of chart calendar- guess his mama got a little longwinded- says it's too big to share:( Boo.

Alright well I am off to get the nails done and I am NOT a fortune teller, but I DO see a nap in my future- see ya'll later this weekend:)