Goals

This year I set a goal for myself. (Well, I really set a few goals, but I am only going to write about one today) 

My goal was to work on a teacherspayteachers product every month and publish it. So it is almost the end of March. I can happily say that I made three products and put them up, The nice part is I have had some sales. I will say that I wish I was artistic and could make my own clip art and logos. 

Here's to me for spending some time making products! 

As always, here are some pics: 

 

Valentine's Day Mad Libs 

 

Phonics - Digraphs Word Sorts 

 

March Mad Libs 

 

Syllable Sorts 

(This one was from December, but I put it on TPT in February)  

It has been a busy two months. I have been spending more time on Instagram than on my blog. 

Maybe I need a new goal of blogging more. LOL 

Happy Reading! 

Where has the time gone?

I use to be so good at posting on my blog. I have been on an Instagram and Twitter kick. I have had a busy few months. Once again, I am looking for a job and teaching summer school. With the arrival of August, I will have a month to unwind. I sure hope I have a position in September. I feel like I am getting too old for this yearly summer job search.  

Here are two pictures of what I have been doing: 

 Vacation by the Beach. . I WANT TO GO BACK!

 First day of teaching summer school

Reading on my backyard patio as much as possible this summer! 

Well, blog friends... until next time! 

Happy Reading!

Happy August & Lots of Pics

Wait... What happened to July? The summer school program was great and the kids seemed to enjoy it. We did a marine study during the 4 week program. 

Here are a ton of photos from the class:

                                            

 

We invited another class for a book sharing: 

Last day reflections from the kiddos:

 

Summer reading has ended for the kiddos. I continue to job hunt and enjoy the sun! 

Happy Reading! 

Weekly Photos for May

I am still teaching! We are plugging along in New York. On a personal note I have had an uneventful week. When school ends I will have a much needed two weeks to relax before I work the summer school program for reading.

I have been reading the debates from Scholastic's Storyworks Magazine. The kids love talking about both opinions. It's a great way to end teaching reading with the 5th graders! 

We also have done some vocabulary work with the most common words that kids screw up in their writing. They always mess up their,they're and there. 

Here are a few pics from those lessons:

 On the back of the paper, the students had to write their own sentences.

 

I had students write their favorites on the white board. 

I had to substitute teach in the 5th grade classroom I push into for reading. It was fun. Every time I teach the class, I miss having my own room and kids. I did a fun lesson where the kids had to answer a question on a post it note: 

I went to a local book sale. The books were 1.00. I also stopped at Barnes and Nobles with a gift card. I am getting my summer reading pile ready:

The students choose a book that was not a movie a few weeks ago. I talked about the antagonist during a reading lesson so they could make Most Wanted Villain posters: 

  

I am so impressed with their creative results. 

I made a PowerPoint of six of the best posters for the other 5th grade class I work with when I push in for reading. The current class will bring in their posters this coming week because it was an at home assignment. It is interesting to see how two different classrooms do lessons and reading in different ways. I can't wait to see how they do with this project. 

I have 18 days of teaching left. I have mixed feelings about it. This happens every year because I do not have my forever school job. I have been a year long temporary teacher for the last 3 years. I love being in middle school. I hope I get to go back next year! 

I hope everyone enjoys their three day weekend! 

Happy Reading! 

Happy Spring Break & Weekly Photos

YAY! I am on spring break for the next week. I am going to enjoy my stay-cation! I plan to read, nap, and read some more. I will throw some spring cleaning in there too!

It was been a busy few weeks. I was sick for the second time which was a bummer. NY had the state test in ELA. Glad that is DONE!

Here are some photos from my lessons:

I asked the library media specialist to help with a book tasting for one of the 5th grade classes I push into. It was a hit. The best part was students saying the found a book they would have never considered reading! 

The students wrote summaries using the academic vocabulary words from different articles. I modeled an example first so we could talk about how to find the best academic vocabulary words. 

I began a poetry unit with my 7th graders. I always begin with song lyrics. It hooks the kids. The students got a kick out of this song. 

The students chose their own word to "kill." It was powerful reading their thoughts. Here is just one example: 

As a way celebrate the beginning of spring break, the students has rotations for the afternoon. This was planned by the PBIS committee which I serve on this year. I was in charge of the reading room. I had some kids partner reading. It was a nice quiet way to begin spring break!

 

Happy Reading!

Weekly Photos

I have been enjoying school, but this week was rough. I am not sure if it was the full moon, the winter grumps, or the need for a vacation, but boy oh boy were the kids tough this week!

I We have one week and then we have a week off. It will be nice just to take a week to read for pleasure and watch The Today Show.

Here are some photos from my lessons:

 If you have not tried Story Works by Scholastic - you are missing out on some great literature and nonfiction lessons.

The students have been working on finding the most important detail from a text. I write it and put it in a secret envelope and the kids have to guess. They love it when they match mine.

 I found this on TPT and used it with my word study group. 

The sort 

I began a unit on working on determining character traits in stories and poetry. I used the acronym FAST. I have used this strategy in the past.

 The boys are minimalists. LOL. 

 Applying it to a poem:

 The poem was from Super Teacher Worksheets. Another great website, I recommend. 

We then began writing the response to the prompt about the character traits from the story: 

 

We need to work on the rest of the essay next week. 

Earlier this week I went to a workshop about student engagement and  then the next morning this popped up on my twitter feed: 

Student engagement is hard to find for struggling readers. I often wonder how to motivate those students who have no interest, no motivations, no commitment. 

Here's to a great week!

Happy Reading!