Flash Freebie and Smiles and Sunshine Giveaway!

 

I finished my next set of math task cards. These cover Common Core Standard 4.OA.3-Multistep Multiplication Problems. They will be free for the next hour or so at my TPT store. Click on the picture below to download them. If you download, I would love for you to leave me some feedback :)

 

 

Kaitlyn at Smiles and Sunshine is celebrating her 1 year blogging birthday. You can enter for a chance to win tons of TPT items and a $50 giftcard to either Target, Amazon, or TPT! You don't want to miss out on this one! Click the picture below to head over to her blog!

 

 

Last but not least, if you have some books that you are planning on reading this summer, I would love for you to link up with my Summer Reading List Linky and share them!

 

 



Summer Reading List Linky Party!

I don't know about you but I require my students to read each night, but then I don't even read each night. Don't get me wrong I LOOOOVE to read, but there is never enough time. By the time I get in bed and start reading, I fall asleep!  Now that school is out, I am ready to read all of those books I have been wanting to read all school year! So for my very first linky party, what's on your summer reading list?!

 

Graphics by: I Teach. What's your Superpower?, Mrs. Fun, This Little Piggy Reads

Here are some books that are on my summer reading list.

1. Pretty Little Liars series by Sara Shepard: Don't judge me...I'm obsessed with the tv show, so now I  feel like I need to read the books!

 

 

2. An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski

 



 



3. The Dog Lived (and So Will I) by Teresa J. Rhyne

 

4. I'd Like To Apologize To Every Teacher I Ever Had by Tony Danza

 

 

5. Bossypants by Tina Fey

 



 

Those are the first five books on my summer reading list....I would love to know what you plan on reading this summer! Grab the button and link up!

  



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Next Year I'm Definitely Going To.....

I am already on summer break and am already thinking about things I want to do differently next year. It just so happens that Finding Joy in 6th Grade is having her first linky party and the topic is "next year I'm definitely going to...."so I just had to link up!

 

I have talked a lot about how my school is really pushing differentiating in math next year. One way that I plan to do that is through pre/post testing. I purchased Ashleigh's Common Core Assessments for 4th grade and she has assessments that go along with each standard and she also has charts to keep track of  student scores. I not only want to use these charts for myself, but I also want the students to use them to track their own progress. I think this is a great way to hold students accountable and for them to be able to see their progress throughout the year.

I also want to keep up with tracking student data to use as evidence on my evaluations. Most importantly though, I want to use the data that I collect to help group my students for differentiation.

 

What are some things that you are already planning on doing differently next year? Link up with Finding Joy in 6th Grade!

 

 



Social Studies Mentor Text Linky

It's time again to link up with Collaboration Cuties for their Mentor Text Linky. This week's topic is Social Studies.

 

 

Ok,  I'll be honest I don't actually have a picture book to talk about today, but I do have a really cool social studies resource book to share. Our school is really pushing differentiating in the classroom, which is a little harder to do with social studies and science. My principal bought us teachers a great resource to help out with this. The book is called Differentiating Instruction with Menus by Laurie Westphal.

 

 

This book is FILLED with different tic-tac-toe type menus of activities to use with different social studies topics. Some of the topics included are ancient history, American history, geography, and government. It also gives tons of generic ideas that could be adapted for any social studies topic. The activities also range in difficulty, which is great for differentiating among the students. I just received this book so I haven't used it yet, but I am very excited to start figuring out how I can work it into my social studies instruction next year! These books are also available for math, language arts, and science!

 

 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend :)

 

 

 

Multiplication Comparison Story Problem Task Cards-Flash Freebie

I would like to be outside working in the yard today, but it is rainy out :(. So I am stuck inside on the computer. My goal for the summer is to create a bunch of task cards for math Common Core Standards. I finished my second set today. These are multiplication comparison story problems, which cover the standard 4.OA.2. They will be free at my TPT store for the next hour, so hurry and snag them! I just ask that you leave me some feeback :)

 

 

I am also planning my first linky party! The topic is going to be summer must-reads....let me know if this is something you would be interested in joining! Have a great Saturday!



Summer Bucket List Linky

Today I am linking up with A Modern Teacher, A Cupcake for the Teacher, and Miss Kindergarten for their Summer Bucket List Linky. I have so many things I would like to do and get done this summer. I am hoping that writing them down will help get them accomplished!

 

 

1. Vacation- I have two trips planned this summer, which I am very excited about. The first is a trip out to San Francisco to visit my brother. I have never been there, but I hear it is a great place to visit and lots of things to see.

 

 

 

The second trip is out to Estes Park, Colorado. This trip is with my dad's entire side of the family. Huge family trips are always interesting...let's hope we all get along :)

 

 

 

If anyone has suggestions of things to do or see at either of these places, I would love to hear them!!

 

2. Gardening- I love working outside in my yard. There is always so much to do and my yard is far from being "done". I am always planting new things, digging up things I planted the year before and moving them, or getting upset over all the plants that should have come back and didn't. But....maybe, just maybe my yard will look like some of these pictures I pinned by the end of the summer :)

 

 

 

3. Exercise- I am determined to to get back into shape. My plan is to go to the gym and do the weights class that I like three days a week and walk outside the other days. I am hopeful I can stick to this plan....and then maybe I will even be able to put on a swimsuit without wanting to cry! Don't worry I'm not going to put any before pictures up...I would like you all to come back and read this blog again :)

 

4. Clean and organize- I have big plans to do a deep cleaning of my house and get closets organized. I have not been in my house that long and I am shocked at all of the stuff I have accumulated! I am hoping to have a garage sale too and get rid of some stuff! Then maybe my house will look like some of these pictures I pinned!!

 

 

 

What is on your summer bucket list??

 

 



Multiplication Comparison Task Cards Flash Freebie!

Today is my first day of summer break!! I have been very productive today despite the rainy weather. One of the things I accomplished today was making a set of task cards. These task cards cover the CC standard 4.OA.1 of multiplication comparisons. They are free at my TPT store for the next hour! Click on the picture below to snag them. I would love for you to leave me some feedback :)

 

 

Must Have Mondays!

I found a new linky party that sounded like fun, so I am linking up with Teaching with a Touch of Twang for her Must Have Mondays! This week I want to share something new that I used this year that was very useful. My school was lucky enough to have some extra money to purchase math manipulatives so my team decided on fraction sets for each student.

 

 

We purchased these fraction kits from Lakeshore Learning. With the new Common Core standards, fractions are heavy in 4th grade. There is a lot of decomposing of fractions so these fraction kits were awesome. We used them every day for different hands-on activities.

 

What are some things you can't live without in your classroom? Link up with Must Have Mondays!

 



New Year, New Gear Linky Party!

Today I am linking up with Pinkadots Elementary New Year, New Gear Linky Party.



 It's that time of year where we are ready to be done thinking about school, but yet there are those little things that need to be taken care of before leaving for the summer.....one of those being a supply list. Here are a few must haves on my supply list:

1.  5X8 in. notecards- I like the large ones better. We use these for all sorts  of things... vocab, states and capitals, parts of speech, etc..

2. Five Subject Notebook- I think it is easier to have one notebook for all subjects than individual notebooks. I like to have a section for writing, science, social studies, spelling, and reading.

3. Dry Erase markers- I didn't have this on my list the first couple of years and ended up spending way too much of my own money on markers.

4. Clorox wipes- I am a total clean freak so these are a must!

5. Clipboard- A lot of times I let students work with partners or in a different spot in the room so it is nice to have a clipboard to write on.

What is on your school supply list?

Tried It Tuesdays: Brain Breaks

This week for Fourth Grade Flipper's Tried it Tuesday Linky I am going to share some of the brain breaks I have done recently with my students. My students absolutely love brains and it is a nice way to break up the long afternoons with no breaks. 

My first and favorite brain breaks are Third Grade Thought's Brain Breaks for the Classroom. She has a set of 65 different activities you can do in the classroom. Click on the picture below to check them out at her TPT store.

 

 

Now for my favorite Youtube brain break videos!

1. Koo Koo Kanga Roo Dance

 

2.  The Sid Shuffle

 

3. Madagascar I Like to Move It

 



4. Ice Age Walk the Dinosaur

 



5. Thriller Animation

 



What new things have you tried in your classroom? Link up with Tried it Tuesday!

Best Pencil Sharpener Ever....No Seriously!

I absolutely hate sharpening pencils. I don't know about you, but I feel like I sharpen pencils constantly because the kids can't do it, and then I go to sharpen them and eat through the whole pencil and it stilllllll isn't sharpened!

 

I have read a lot of reviews from bloggers on Classroom Friendly Supplies' pencil sharpener. Everyone talks about how great it is and have wanted one so badly! I now have one, and I can honestly say every great thing you have heard about this pencil sharpener is true! It is seriously amazing. It is so easy to use, quiet, AND gets the pencils super sharp with no hassle at all!! A couple of turns and the pencil is sharp...even those crappy plastic pencils!! My new sharpener has been the hit of the 4th grade classes this week. I have had to pass it around to the other 4th grade teachers in the morning so they can all use it! I have easily convinced my team teachers to purchase one!

 

 

So all in all if you have been debating getting this pencil sharpener! Do it!! It will totally be worth it! Head on over to Classroom Friendly Supplies to purchase one :)

8 Days! Not That I'm Counting.... a Flash Freebie and Giveaway Winner!

One more full week of school! The last couple days were very rough! We are all ready to be done, so I'm trying to come up with some fun review games to finish up the last week. One of the games that we are going to play is a weather memory game. It is very simple, nothing fancy, but it will be a good review of weather vocab! I will give a free copy to the first 3 followers to comment :) Or you can click on the picture below to check it out at my TPT store.

 

Thanks to all of you who helped make my 100 follower giveaway a success! The winner of the giveaway was Tina from Croft's Classroom. Congratulations!





Happy Teacher Appreciation Week Flash Freebie!

 

I hope everyone is having a great Teacher Appreciation Week! Our PTA gave all of us teachers the cutest Thirty-One lanyard today! Here is a pic below :)

 

 

 

To show all of you some appreciation, I am offering a flash freebie! My Capacity Task Cards will be free for the next hour. Just click on the pic below to download them from my TPT store. I would love for you to leave me some feedback too!

 

If you haven't already entered my giveaway yet, you still have time!

 



Teacher Appreciation Sale!

It's that time of year again! Hopefully your students are showering you with appreciation this week! If not, reward yourself with the TPT  sale :) Now is the time to buy all those goodies on your wishlist. Everything at my shop is 20% and then an additional TPT 10% off. It's too good to pass up!



Great Giveaways!

There are three great giveaways going on right now......and I'm a part of them! First up is Mandy's at Caffeine and Lesson Plans. You can win some great TPT items AND a $30 TPT giftcard!

The second giveaway is Holly's at Fourth Grade Flipper! She has four opportunities to win tons of awesome TPT items and a $15 Amazon giftcard!

 

 

And.....the third one is my giveaway that is still going on for a couple more days!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spark Student Motivation: Hallway Behavior

I don't know about any of you, but this past week was rough! My students and I both are ready for summer! Unfotunately, some of my students seem to think all of the rules we have had in place all year, don't apply the last month of school! So we are back to square one with hallway behavior. Starting Monday I am going to start my students with 30 minutes towards an afternoon recess on Friday. Anytime we are in the hallway and someone is talking, I am taking a minute off. I am hoping and praying that this will motivate the students to stay quiet in the hallway...so I don't have to get all grouchy again :) How are you surviving the last few weeks of school?

 

 

 

 

Don't forget to check out my 100 follower giveaway!

100 Follower Giveaway!!

Woo hoo! It's finally time for my 100 follower giveaway! This is all new to me, so I hope I set it up right! There is a great prize pack for grades 3-5. Look below for a list of the prizes from some great bloggers!

 

 

 

One lucky follower will win:

*4 Items from my TPT store

*Winner's choice from Croft's Classroom

*Winner's choice from Teaching Tales Along the Yellow Brick Road

*Winner's choice from Fearless in 5th

*Winner's choice from Fifth in the Middle

*Winner's choice from Hunter's Tales from Teaching

*Winner's choice from I'm Lovin Lit

*Winner's choice from First Grade Buddies

*Winner's choice from Teach n' Tex

* 2 Winner's choice items from Looking from Third to Fourth

*Winner's choice from Teaching, Life, and Everything in Between

*Winner's choice from Collaboration Cuties

*Winner's choice from Foreman Teaches

*2 Winner's choice items from I Love My Classroom

*Winner's choice from Where the Wild Things Learn

*Winner's choice from Fourth Grade Flipper

*Rainbow Math from First Grade Buddies

 

 

 



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Currently May!

Yessss it is May! Time to link up with Farley for her Currently Linky!

 

Listening: I love the sound of people out working in their yards and the smell of fresh cut grass :) Rain is forecasted for about the next 5 days so I think the whole neighborhood is out mowing right now!

Loving: I had serious doubts that Spring would ever come, but I think I can officially say it is here!  I love being able to go on walks every night and sit outside in the evening, get the grill going, ohhhh I just love it!

Thinking: My kids were absolutely terrible today...I mean TERRIBLE!  I am still trying to forget about the day and praying tomorrow will be better...it has to be!

Wanting: I knew being in a profession of mostly women would mean there would be drama...but seriously??? Sometimes I feel like I am back in high school. So I really, really, really want the last three weeks of school to be drama free!!

Needing: I really need a summer job. Not only would the extra money be nice, but I am the type of person that has to be busy. So now I debate going back to the country club that I have worked at the past five summers, tutoring, babysitting....I really need to get this figured out!

Summer Bucket List: I plan on spending A LOT of time by the pool, hanging out with friends, and hopefully taking a trip out to California to see my brother! Only 14 more wake-up days til SUMMER!

P.S. Stop back by tomorrow to enter my 100 follower giveaway :)