National Day on Writing

Did you know that Monday, October 20th is the National Day on Writing?  I know, what a great idea! The National Day of Writing is a day to celebrate all forms of writing and a time to encourage students to reflect on all the different kinds of writing they do on a daily basis, like making lists, texts, emails, journal/diary entries, and the important role writing has in our society. You can read more about this day at the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE ). 

My class has been busy writing Halloween/Fall/Scary stories this month. So, I know they are already jazzed about writing. One way I help my hesitant writers get ideas flowing is by using our writing "Thought Launchers." Wendie and I created these to help get our students creative juices going. And they have done exactly that! 

We created some specifically for October and would love to share them with you and get your feedback on them. All you have to do is click on the pic and share with your students. Happy Writing!!

Read All About It! Sunday Scoop

Sundays are such a busy day of the week. It's feels good to stop and reflect on the coming week and  focus on what's going well. I want to avoid those Sunday Blues and have be optimistic about the week ahead of me.

The Teaching Trio have come up with a fun way to reflect and share.

 

3. Organizing my school time with blogging, social media, TpT, and life has been difficult. I want to really maximize my use of my Erin Condren calendar. Since I love the look of my calendar and amazing features why not maximize its use?! So, I must get to jotting things down and being more consistent. 

2. I have been such a fan of TJmaxx for years. I love their holiday items- I can always find something to purchase, especially from their holiday decorating items. I haven't been in awhile, so it's about time I have a looksie around. 

School work (maybe)

1. I know, please don't judge. But I love Apple products!! Especially the iPhone and when I heard there was a bigger version available it was a need to have. Yup, these older eyes need a bigger screen. Now, I get to find the most perfect case for my perfect phone (or at least I hope so). 

What's your Sunday Scoop?

Oh Boy... Currently

Love Farley's Currently and the adorable camping theme that Megan from A New Box of Crayons created. Super cute!!

 

Listening My fuzzy baby "Little Guy" is sleeping next to me as I type and has the cutest snore ever. I sure wish my hubby snored that cute. 

Loving After six years, I returned to the school I first taught at. I am so smitten with being back- I work for an amazing principal and with a great group of teachers. A bonus is that my hubby teaches there too!

Thinking Back to School is this Wednesday and I want to make sure I share meaningful information to the parents. Any suggestions? 

Wanting I love and am completely obsessed with booties. I am on the look out for the perfect pair of tan booties. Check these cuties out! Yup, I am obsessed.

Needing My love language is quality time- and I totally need some QT with my hubby. Although we work together and are fortunate to spend tons of professional time together, I still need my one on one quality time. So, my hubby and I are going out for breakfast tomorrow morning. Yum- french toast here we come. 

3 Trips My ideal trip involves a motor home and my three fur babies. I know it sounds crazy, but I cannot imagine going on a trip without them. Therefore, the 3 trips I chose are all places my hubby, three fur babies, and I can reach via road trip.

Welcome 2014-2015

Now that I have a week of school under my belt :) I can now get back my blog.

This school year I am teaching 4th grade and have 29 students. I look forward to a wonderful school year and am reflecting on all my school blessings and challenges.

Positives: my students, close reading, opinion writing, LOVE my school and colleagues, I have an amazingly passionate principal, and I work with my hubby.

Challenges: math. Let me explain, I feel overwhelmed by how to best teach/implement the common core math standards. There is so much information and possibilities that I feel lost at times.

How is/was the start of your new school year? Positives? Challenges?

Did Someone Say Sale?

I have been waiting for TeachersPayTeachers Back to School Sale for weeks. My wish list is bulging at the seams and I am ready to shop and save some money. How about you? So, set your calendar for an amazing sale on August 4th and 5th.

Wendie and I have added new titles to our Reading to Learn booklets this summer and ALL will be under $1.00. If you are looking for some great informational texts for close reading our booklets are the way to go. We welcome you to browse our store and begin adding items to your wishlist. Happy shopping!

What Happens in Vegas...Gets shared!

Wow! I have to say there was so much valuable information shared in one day, my head was spinning. My to do list just kept expanding. I appreciate that other TpT teachers were open and willing to share their tips for success. I know that is the part of teaching, blogging, social media(ing) that I enjoy. Teacher helping, encouraging, motivating other teachers. Now, I have the opportunity to share my AHA moments with you. I'm linking up with A Burst of First to share my experience. There were many sessions, so be sure to visit other bloggers to get their insights. I will be!

Wendie and I attended the Kickoff Keynote session where we heard the founder of TpT, Paul Edelman, speak. I was just amazed how an idea (teachers selling their products) grew into what TpT is today. The growth and continued growth is truly amazing. Deanna Jump shared her story of success and emphasized the importance of quality of products over quantity of products.

Here are my AHA moments.

First Session
 Jen Jones

 Providing Top-Notch Customer Care for Your Buyers

• Covers of product should reflect fun and rigor of that product
• On TpT use Custom Categories to make finding products easier and organized
• Products put on TpT need to have 4 thumbnails, a detailed product description (more is better), and preview 
• When you provide feedback as a buyer make sure it is meaningful and explicit. 
• Provide your followers on TpT with notes once a month. Choose non peak times and make it catchy

Second Session
Laura Candler

Winning at Facebook: How to Connect, Engage, and Inspire!

 She has over 400,000 (yup, really) friends

•  2 to 5 posts a day. You can schedule post just like in blogger.
• Possible posts: links to blog posts, freebies and TpT store, engaging questions, quotes, cartoons, etc.
• Post good content (50% free) find your niche
• Facebook freebies (check out Woobox)

Third Session
Hadar Maor

Beginning Blogging it's Serious Business
Handout has clickable links-

• Widgets to have on your sidebar: follow by email, labels, popular posts, and blog list
• Don't post pictures of your students without parent permission
• Take nice pictures to post
• Have a schedule to follow: posts, giveaways, product reviews, guest bloggers, etc.

 Final Session
Jennifer White

Make Your Product Pop!

• Create great covers- colorful, easy to read, and attractive
• Look for trends in colors and graphics
• Proofread your work and ask other bloggers/teacher friends to help proofread. You can trade product for proofreaders
• Here is a great link for HTML codes for TpT products and blogs http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/bHTML-code-for-your-TPT-products-and-teachers-webb-78137

These were my AHA moments. I hope you find them helpful. 

Instagram Board- BTS

Back to School (BTS) freebie!

As you know I will be teaching 4th grade in August. So, I want to change up a few things in my classroom. One thing I have been wanting to do is create an Instagram bulletin board to showcase class pictures. I am thinking of a small space that we can post pictures of class activities, field trips, assemblies, etc.

On the first day of school I want my students to "post" a selfie onto our Instagram board. I am thinking that I will take a picture of them that they can add to their post or they can create their own self portrait. I made this very simple worksheet to use for that day. Hope you can use it too! Click on the pic to download.