April Currently

Hello April!!  I am soooooo glad you're here!  :)

We are supposed to be on Spring Break this week, but because of the polar vortex visiting several times along with lots of snow we are making up snow days this week instead!  Boo!!  

Today is the nicest day we have had all year so we went out for an extra recess today.  It wasn't long, but it was much needed.  I'm sure you can understand!  :)

Ohio gives us 5 snow/calamity days and we had 8 this year so we have to make up the extra 3.  Tomorrow will be our last day before our '2 Spring Days' on Thursday and Friday.  I am looking forward to a little break, even though it will be too little.  

We have tried to stay busy this week and honestly, my kiddos have been great.  I think they may have even forgotten they're supposed to be on spring break.  I didn't forget though....  

I'm also excited to be joining Farley's April Currently.  Make sure you go join the party too!  

My Hubby and I love The Big Bang Theory...'nuff said!  

I'm loving that it's April and hopefully the weather will finally get nice...it's been a loooooong winter.

I wish we had our entire Spring Break off.  I guess I should be thankful for our 2 days though.  

I want some Reese Cups...love my chocolate!

I really need to do some spring cleaning.  The nice weather makes me more motivated to do it, but it is definitely not going to happen tonight!!  :)

My school hours are technically from 8:00-3:30.  My kiddos are there from 8:20-3:00 and I am there before 8:00 and after 3:30.  I hardly ever leave by 3:30, but this week has been an exception.  Our last day is May 30 which means less than 2 months.  I know it will fly by and be over before I know it.  I have so much I need to do before the end of the school year to get ready for next year.  

I need to do some spring/end of the year cleaning at school too!!  

Well, I'm off to go check out some other Currently's!  You should too!  :)

March Currently, Pics, and a Freebie

It's finally March!  Woohoo!  

We are in for another major snowstorm this weekend, but I am definitely happy it's March so hopefully this snow won't last long.  I am SOOOOO tired of snow days.  

My hubby told me last night I'm going to have a "Spring Day" instead of a "Spring Break" this year and that just makes me sad...especially if the weather is nice that week.  

To celebrate March, I am joining Farley's March Currently party!  

I have the tv on, but I'm not paying much attention.  I'm more focused on going back and forth between blogging and Pinteresting!  

I love that it's March, but not looking forward to the snow this weekend as I mentioned above.  

I need to get ready for my observation in a couple weeks.  I have a student teacher right now, so I'm not completely sure how this will all work.  But I want to be prepared and ready to go early!

I sooo want a vacation.  I'm going out of town for the weekend in a couple weeks and I'm looking forward to that, but I want a real vacation.  That may have to wait till summer though...

I wear out my shoes so fast at school.  I'm on my feet all day so I feel like I am always in need of a good pair of shoes.  Good thing I'm going shopping this afternoon!  :)

Can you guess my question????  The answer is organize, clean out my closet, and laminate!  

Make sure you grab my *FREE* Night Before Saint Patrick's Day Pack for this month!  

I want to share a couple more pictures with you from our science fun this week!  We ended our learning about the states of matter yesterday and my kiddos had so much fun with it!  

These experiments are found in this wonderful States of Matter Pack.  Just click the picture to go purchase it on TpT!  

This is our liquid rainbow.  We only had 3 colors instead of 4, but my kiddos loved it!  They were so impressed that I could mix up the jar and the colors would still separate.  First graders are so easy to impress!!  :)

Yesterday we made purple fizzy cows which my kids were thrilled about.  They contained all 3 states of matter: ice cream as a solid, grape pop as a liquid, and bubbles as a gas.  Great way to end states of matter!  

Well, I am off of here!  I need to go shopping and get out of the house before another big snow storm comes through and pummels us with snow again!  

Have a great weekend!  

Currently and Updated Math Story Problem Pack

I am linking up with Farley for her February Currently.  I've missed the last couple of months so it's good to be back !  

Listening: My mama had back surgery this past week and can't get around very well so she's making good use of Netflix!  I'm hanging out with her today to help out!

Loving: My mama's surgery is over and she is home!  Woohoo! 

Thinking: I got my first student teacher a couple weeks ago and she is doing great!  We've had 4 snow days since she's been here so she actually hasn't been in my room long, but it's going very well!  

Wanting: I have a 'little sister' in the Big Brother, Big Sister program and I have promised her we would go see Frozen.  I've heard it's really good so I'm looking forward to it!  

Needing: I need something yummy to eat...I am so hungry!  

2 Truths and a Fib:

1. Truth: I ran a marathon a few years ago.  It was on my bucket list and I'm so happy I have marked it off!  

2. Fib: I only have a brother.  I don't have any sisters unless you count my 'Little Sister' from the Big Brother, Big Sister program!  

3. Truth: I have been to all 48 continental US States!  I only have Hawaii and Alaska left and I will definitely get there someday!  

I also want to share my updated Math Story Problem Pack with you!  It has gone from 20 pages to 53 pages with lots more story problems, anchor charts, and even an ice cream cone activity to help your kiddos remember addition and subtraction key words!  

I have 2 types of anchor charts in this pack.  Each anchor chart has a copy you can just print and use and one your kiddos can make.   Below is a picture of my addition and subtraction sign charts that your kiddos can make!  

We use blue for addition and red for subtraction.  I wrote the key words on each sign first and then colored it to make it a great visual for my struggling kiddos.  

I also included ice cream cones with the update!  The subtraction and addition terms from the anchor charts are on 12 scoops.  There is also a blank copy so you can add your own terms.  Your kiddos can color the addition terms blue and subtraction terms red and then make 2 ice cream cones.  Aren't they cute?!  What kiddo doesn't want to make an ice cream cone!  ;) 

I now have 3 sections of story problems.  I added 10 addition problems which cover single digits, double digits, and adding 3 numbers.  There are also 10 subtraction problems which cover single and double digits.  And the last section is a mixture of both.  There are 20 pages of story problems with 2 on a page for a total of 40 mixed problems. 

The next picture shows how we solve the story problems.  We read the problem and decide if we need to add or subtract to solve it.  We color the addition sign blue or subtraction sign red.  Those are the colors we decided on.  You can choose whatever colors you want!  :)

Then we circle the numbers, underline the label, and highlight the key words that helped us.  I make my kiddos write a math sentence every time so I can see how they solve them.  Then they write their answer and label on the line.  

These pages have helped make story problems a little more exciting in our classroom!  I hope your kiddos enjoy them too!   

You can print these off and staple them into a packet, do one page at a time, or cut them in half and glue them into your math journals!  Use them however they work for you!  

My Math Story Problem Pack is currently on sale at its' original price until Monday.  Then it will go up to $5.00 so for today and tomorrow it's a fabulous deal!!  Over 50 pages for only $2.40! 

If you download the preview you will find a *freebie* to try with your kiddos!  

Don't forget my entire TpT shop is 20% off through tomorrow too!  

Enjoy the Super Bowl and have fun shopping today!  

November Currently

I can't believe it's already November!  Go visit Farley for the November Currently!  

Listening- Trust Me, I'm a Game Show Host is so funny!  I can't believe some of the lies they come up with!  

Loving- We went shopping last night and today and I got some really cute new Christmas decorations. 

Thinking- I can't wait to put all of them out, but Hubby says I have to wait!  :)

Wanting- I saw a new Vera pattern that I LOVE so I think I need a new bag now!  

Needing- I need to start my Christmas shopping.  Technically I've already started because I have bought a couple things, but I still have a lot to buy.  I don't want to let Christmas sneak up on me this year! 

Yummy Pin:

 Here is the link: http://cookiesandcups.com/krispie-treat-christmas-tree/img_5895/ or you can click on the picture.  

I love krispie treats and they're not as loaded with calories as other holiday goodies.  Even as a non-cooking wife I could TOTALLY make this!!  :)

Now go sign up with your own Currently!  You even have an extra hour tonight to do it!  :)

Currently....Late Again!

I am definitely never going to be known for being on time....  :)

We have a movie on Netflix, but obviously I'm not real interested...I don't even know the name of it.  

I have felt awful this week.  The "Back to School Plague" has definitely hit me and my family.  I'm just glad I feel better than I did yesterday and Wednesday.  

I feel like I am never going to get caught up on all I need to at school...2 steps forward and 3 steps backward. 

I would love to have some ice cream...my throat is still sore and I think ice cream is the cure.   

I...need...sleep- no explanation needed.  

1. Go the gym: I really need to go to the gym on a regular basis.  That's my goal for September. 

2. Leave school earlier: I have been staying way too late at school so I'm going to try to leave earlier...really, really try...I can do it....I think.  :) 

3.  Go to a movie: I haven't been to a movie in the theater in sooo long and I would love to go.  Hopefully this month it will happen.  

Well, I am off to see if I can get Hubby to get us some ice cream.  I think I'll be able to.  :)

Now go link up with Farley so I'm not the last one!  

August Currently...Late to the Party!

As usual, I'm late to the party!  I'm linking up with Farley for her August Currently.  If you have never linked up, I suggest you click here and go link up!!  

We LOVE our new 3-D TV!  It is soooo cool!  I also love our new furniture!  We have done some remodeling on our new house this summer.  We still have lots to do, but I need a break!!  I love what we have done so far including a cute and fun chalkboard wall.  :)

With school starting in just a couple weeks, I really NEED/WANT/HAVE to get my classroom ready!  I'm totally starting to stress about it!  

I do have to get my annual back to school pedicure though!  

I need to get some new ink cartridges too.  I have soooo many things to print, laminate, and cut out!  

My Back to School must haves are highlighters, postcards, and treats: 

Highlighters- I use them for just about everything.  I grade with them, help kiddos with writing and math, and I use them to write on papers that I put under my document camera.  It shows up so much better than pencil for my kiddos in the back of the room.  

Postcards- I always send postcards to my kiddos the weekend before school starts.  I like saying hello to my kiddos and their families so it's become a tradition!

Treats- I also put out treats for my kiddos on the first day of school.  It's just a few back to school things they might need.  I give them a treat on the first day and the last day.  That has also become a tradition.  :)

Well, I'm off to finish laminating and then getting to bed.  I have some errands to run tomorrow and then I'm going to be spending the next two weeks living in my classroom!!  :)

July Currently....a Little Late! :)

Better late than never!  It's only July 3d and over 500 people have already linked up with Farley!  Go link up with your July Currently if you haven't yet!  

Here's mine:

I *HEART* my nephews sooo much!  They are almost 3 and 1...we're having a first birthday party on Friday!  They are adorable and so much fun!  

I love the fact that we are going to be at the beach next week.  Yay!  

I definitely need to get off the computer and get busy packing and finishing up laundry.  Fun stuff, I know!  

I have been working on a couple new TpT packs for too long and I need to get them finished...maybe after vacation....hopefully! 

Do it all with love!  If you don't love teaching, creating things, or blogging then don't do it.  It has to be something you love and enjoy or it's not worth it.  While I love blogging and reading other blogs I definitely need a break in the summer.  

I'm off to read just a few more blogs and then I need to get to packing!  :)

June Currently Fun!

Woohoo!  Summer is here!  :)

I was so sad to see my kiddos leave last Thursday.  I had such a great group of kiddos this year.  

But today was my first day of summer break and I have to say...it was fabulous!!  The sleeping in was my favorite part!  :)

There's no better way to bring in the summer than by the latest Currently from Farley so here it is!  

Hubby is a BIG Spurs fan so he's all sorts of into basketball right now!  

I am loving that summer vacation has started!  I definitely need this time to recharge my batteries.  

I need to go get things ready for tutoring tomorrow.  I am tutoring an almost third grader this summer so we will be reading....a lot!  

I am always wanting a new pedicure.  I mean who doesn't?!?!  

I have so much to do in my new house!  I have LOTS of organizing to do....as well as getting the remodeling started.  I want it done soon!  :)

3 Vacay Essentials: 

Phone- can't leave home without it! 

Laptop- can't go far from home without my laptop either!  

Lots of Books- I never go on vacation without lots of books to read!  That is my favorite summer thing to do!  :)

I'm off to get ready for tutoring tomorrow!  Hope you're enjoying your summer vacation or last few days of school!  :)  

April Fool's Joke and April Currently

Happy April Fool's Day!

I'm not an 'April Fool's Day' kinda gal, but today we had so much fun!  I got my kids soooo good!  

We have special right away in the morning and we always use the restroom on our way back to the classroom.  Well today after gym, I told them we weren't stopping to use the restroom.  Instead we went straight back to our classroom and I told them to put their heads down. 

I have never told them to do that so they were totally in shock!  I then 'reprimanded' them for not behaving this morning while waiting to come in the building.  We did a quick review of school rules and I gave them the "Did we forget how to behave over Spring Break?!?!" speech until I couldn't keep a straight face anymore.  

Then, I shouted April Fool's!!  

They started to get up so I had to say put your heads back down.  I told them the real reason they had to keep their heads down was because I had hidden Easter eggs in the room and I didn't want any peeking.  They were so excited!!  

They had to answer a first grade review question in order to find an egg.  It was a huge success...especially after the April Fool's joke!  

Now, on to Farley's April Currently!  

I loved hearing the birds this morning!  Spring is here!!  

We are the last nine weeks of school.  Woohoo!  :)

See joke above!  

I really need to get my report cards done...they're due Wednesday.  

I soooo need a pedicure so my toes look cute for my summer flip flops.  

Advice: Let the little things go...I need to work on this.  Some days are better than others.  I worry about too many things so I'm trying to let the little things go!

Now go link up with Farley and don't forget the rule of 3!!  

February Currently and TpT Sale!

The beginning of February means another Currently from Farley!  Go to her blog to get more details and write your own Currently.

Here is mine:

We got several inches of snow last night/this morning.  I love how we always get snow on the weekends, but never get enough during the week for a snow day!  I REALLY enjoy those snow days!  :)

That's why it's one of my pet peeves not getting a snow day.  I also included lying....from students or anyone.  It drives me crazy!  

I also get really annoyed when I'm stuck behind a slow driver in the left lane.  I don't mind if you want to drive slow, but don't do it in the left lane and make me drive slow too!!  :)

One more thing before I'm off to go shopping with my hubby....there is a big TpT sale tomorrow!  I'm having a 20% off sale at my store and TpT is giving another 10% off if you use the code Super when you check out.  

I will definitely be doing some shopping during the Big Game tomorrow!!  :)  Enjoy the big sale!  

January Currently

We had some friends over for New Year's and had a pajama party!  It's become a tradition over the last several years and I love it!  We played euchre (my Midwest friends know what that is), games, and our Wii.  

I found out that I can't stay on the track in Mario Kart Wii...guess I need more practice!  :)

Now it's time to get back to working on school things and I'm starting with Farley's Currently so here it is!

I love Netflix so there is always something on the TV.   

I love that we have off this week.  We don't go back till Monday.  

I have soooooo many things I want to get done before Monday!  I'm going to go in to school tomorrow. I am.  I am going.  I am really going to go.  :)

We travel every year between Christmas and New Year's so I have laundry and unpacking to do along with putting Christmas presents away.  

I 'need' to watch a few more movies on Netflix before Monday...not at all true (especially after reading my one little word), but I would love to curl up on the couch with my cozy blanket and watch some movies.  

My one little word is time.  I need to get better at managing my time.  Time for school.  Time for blogging.  Time for TpT.  Time for my hubby and family.  Time for my friends.  Time for exercising....especially this one!!  

I definitely need to get better at managing my time. That's my biggest goal/resolution for this year.  

I guess that means my Netflix movie watching time is going to have to wait!  :)

Go visit Farley and link up with your own Currently!  And don't forget the rule of 3!!  

A Late December Currently

How late is too late to do a Currently from Oh' Boy Fourth Grade?

I have been meaning to do this all week, but then this happened and that happened and I had this meeting and then I had to go here and then do this....you get the picture.  I'm sure your life is just as busy!  

Here's my December Currently!

Hubby and I found Prison Break on Netflix and we are so hooked!  It's so good!  

I'm so excited that there are only 2 more weeks until Christmas break.  I need a break!  I do need to get all of my kiddos' gifts ready though and all of my presents under my tree need wrapped!  Lots to do!  

This weekend I'll be finishing up my final Master's project and then I'll be all done!  SOOO excited about this one!  

My RAK will be coming up soon.  I have a full time aide in my classroom for one of my students and she has been an amazing helper this year so my kiddos have a surprise planned for her!  

Click here to go link up for your December Currently.  

I don't want to be the last one!  :)

Late Currently and Turkey Freebie!

I'm a little late to the Currently party, but here I am making my grand entrance!  :)

Visit Farley to make your own Currently!

I love the colorful leaves, but I'm ready for them to be out of my yard!  

Class Dojo is an *amazing* classroom management tool.  If you're having trouble and need something quick and easy, I highly recommend you use it!  You can read how easy it is to use in this post!  I also use my Rockin' Behavior Rewards and my kiddos LOVE them!  My kiddos are so well behaved...most of the time!  :)

I am trying really hard to have my Christmas shopping done by early December.  I'm not really a last minute shopper, but I want to be done in plenty of time this year so I can relax and bake cookies.  Yum! 

I want to have a magic house fairy clean my house.  I need her right away!  I also need some sleep so I can feel rested enough to drag myself off the couch to be that fairy!  :)

I love Pandora's Children's Christmas songs.  My kiddos love it too.  We listen a lot during writing and other quiet activities or when they're supposed to be quiet.  Packing up is a great time to listen!  

One quick funny story before I go work my magic on this house!  We're writing persuasive sentences this week so my kiddos are trying to persuade me to give them a cookie.  We had a cookie election today (chocolate chip won!) but now I have these leftover cookies (the losers).  I told them if they could persuade me, I would share the leftovers with them at the end of the week.  

We made a bubble map and wrote down some ways they could persuade me such as being a hard worker, a good listener, not being a bully, etc.  Well, one little cutie wrote "I think you should give me a cookie today because you look lovely".  While that wasn't exactly what I was wanting, I thought it was adorable.  

I'm seeing a future politician there!  :)

For reading all of my rambling, here's a freebie from my new November Activity Pack.  Enjoy!  

Click the picture to download!

October Currently and Friend's Giveaway

Happy October!  It's time for another Currently from Oh' Boy Fourth Grade!  Go link up with your own Currently!  :)

I went to a Language Arts Common Core workshop today and I really enjoyed it.  The speaker was great.  I left with a lot of information and one thing I know for sure is that I need more time in the day to create new Common Core assessments ready to use with my kiddos!!  

I love The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything.  I always use it as a Reader's Theater with my kiddos.  They love doing the motions with me as we read the book and then performing for other classes.  

My hubby wears *size 15* shoes so I always bring in a pair for the kiddo who plays the shoes to wear.  They love it!!  It's so funny to see my first graders wearing size 15 shoes!  :)

Make sure you stop by my friend Brandi's blog and enter her giveaway!  I'm donating my October/Halloween Activity Pack and there's lots of other goodies plus a TpT gift card to win!!

 

I'm off to go work on this Common Core stuff.  Going to be a crazy busy (but hopefully full of growth and 'stretching') year!  :)

September Currently and Sweet Treat Tags

I have joined up with Farley's September Currently!  Click here to visit her blog and create your own Currently!  :)

1. My kiddos and I are loving our Rock Star theme!  I have a disco ball hanging up in the middle of our room and I was able to find some guitar necklaces and disco ball necklaces for their beginning of the year treat bags.  They loved them!  

2. Class Dojo is a very cool classroom management website that our assistant principal introduced to us.  I'll share more about it later, but the kids get to choose their own avatars (monsters) and you can give or take away points throughout the day based on their behavior.  You can also email a report to parents so they can see how their child is doing.  We had a lot of fun with this on Friday!  

3. I *heart* my laptop.  I'm going to get a new one because this one is OLD in computer world, but I really love it!  I do everything for school on this thing and I take it everywhere with me.  I'll be sad to give it to my hubby when I get a new one....but I really do need a new one!  :)

Before I go, I promised to write a review for a friend about her new Sweet Treat Tags and Bag Toppers!  Here is a preview:

Jaime, from What's the Buzz in First, has created these adorable treat tags.  There are 32 cute labels that will last through the entire year.  

Here are treat toppers you will get:

Back to School

Thank-You (for parents, volunteers, or staff)

Halloween (several to choose from)

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Winter

Valentine's Day (several to choose from)

St. Patrick's Day (a couple to choose from)

March is Reading Month

End of the Year/Summer

Birthday

Open House/Curriculum Night

Chinese New Year

Easter

Book Fairy Notes

Good Readers

I have to share that my favorites are the Reindeer Noses and Snowman Soup.  Although, I think the Halloween ones are so cute I'll be using those too!  This makes my gift giving for holidays so much easier and cuter too!  

Thanks Jaime for letting me review this product.  It's only $5.00 for a year's worth of treat toppers. I highly recommend going and purchasing them now.  You won't regret it!  :)

I'm getting closer to *300 followers* so that means there will be a big giveaway soon!  Enjoy the rest of your Labor Day Weekend!  Check out my last post for my Labor Day Freebie!

My First Currently and HoF Game Pics

I linked up with Oh' Boy Fourth Grade for my first Currently!

*postcards to mail my kiddos- I always mail postcards to my kiddos a few days before school starts.  In an effort to help them not be nervous or scared, I send them a postcard promising a gift on their desk on the first day of school!  

*ink cartridges- I ALWAYS need ink at the beginning of the school year.  I go through so much of it at home!!  

*Velcro for name tags- I decided a few years ago to try this and I LOVE it!  I switch my kiddos' seats quite often so it's easy for me to just grab a name tag and place it on a new desk.  Then, I tell the kids to take everything out of their desks and move.  I get tired of moving desks, so this works very well for me.  I rearrange my room every few weeks, but sometimes first graders become too friendly with their neighbors and need to  move more often than that!  :)

This is not school related at all, but I went to the Hall of Fame football game on Sunday between the Saints and Cardinals!  My parents have had tickets since before I was born.  I haven't gone in a few years, but I went this year because my high school Alma Mater played during the half time show.  I know...I'm a dork, but I was still kinda excited!  :)

Here's a couple pics:

Kickoff

Half-Time Show with Fireworks

Sorry they're blurry.  They're from my iPhone.  That's another thing I am completely in love with.  I really LOVE my iPhone!!  :)

I'm off to read more Currentlys!!