Five for Friday!

Well this week flew by!  That seems to happen in Summer, doesn't it?  Well, let's get right to my Five for Friday hosted by Kacey at Doodle Bugs.

I have some exciting news to share!  If you read my last post, you know that I was interviewing for a new position and…….

I accepted a 4th grade position at a new campus in my district on Tuesday.  I am SO ready for a change, and I am getting a big one!  I will also be getting GT certified over the summer because my group of kids will be GT and ESL.  I am moving from a non-testing grade level to a grade with 3 tests!  I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew!  Strangely, I am not nervous about it at all.  I'm excited and already looking over 4th grade standards and our district's scope & sequence.

I do plan to take something with me to my new 4th grade position that I used with my 2nd graders.  It's my class wide reward system inspired by the game called "Words with Friends."  At the beginning of the year I hang up the game board on the wall with several words written on it that spells out different rewards the whole class can earn.

I chose to use mine for behavior, so they could earn letters by getting a compliment in the hallway, no one earning a color change all day, getting a good report from the enrichment teacher, lining up correctly the first time asked, everyone bringing back signed notes on time, etc. (You can allow them earn letters for whatever you like!)

I would draw a letter from the little bag to the left and then tell them the possible words the letter can go on.  Then, the class would vote and I would place the letter on the board!  It is super fun, motivating, and builds community among the students.  They have to work together instead of it being every man for himself!

If you want to check it out, click here or on either of the pictures to be taken to my TPT store.  

The kids love it.  I always let them know, this is an opportunity for us to earn a letter!  It helps for them to remember they are working together for the reward.

We enjoyed a warm afternoon in the backyard playing in the sprinkler.  I couldn't convince the kids to run through it until I showed them how.  They aren't crazy about water getting in their faces, so I showed them how fun it was!

In true Mindy-fashion, something crazy had to happen.  When I tried turning the water down so the sprinkler wouldn't be QUITE so wild, the whole faucet came OUT of the wall and water was spewing out of the side of the house like a fire hydrant!  I DIED laughing.  My husband?  Not so much.  He had to go turn the water to the house off and fix it.

 Ben and Emily tried helping, too.  LOL.

We are enjoying our new puppy, Ellie!  She is pretty good, as far as puppies go!  She is learning to ring the bells on the back door when she needs to go potty, and learning what she can and can not chew!  She also sleeps a LOT- sometimes on my shoulder, y'all!  SO cute.

My last point for Five for Friday is actually a favor!  What are your favorite 4th grade teacher blogs?  Do you have a "go-to" that you love?  What about your favorite products from TPT for 4th graders?  I need all of the advice, tips, and help I can get!  I appreciate any feedback you can give me!

Well that takes care of me for the week!  What spectacular-ness have you been up to so far this summer?  I'd love to hear from ya!

June Currently

So, a fellow blogger-friend of mine told me about a monthly link-up party that Farley from Oh Boy Fourth Grade host each month called "Currently."  I am brand new to this link up and excited to be a part of it for June!

So without further ado, here is my inaugural Currently post!

Yes, my friends, summer has begun for me and I have quickly slipped into summer-teacher-mode.  You know, that one where you lay in bed a little longer, where shoes for only 20% of your day, go to the bathroom anytime you feel like it, and begin to slow down and enjoy your lunch again!  Anyone else right there with me?

Even though I am in summer mode, I am still thinking of school! (Don't judge me!  LOL)  Mainly because I am interviewing for a 4th grade teaching position this coming Monday!  I am really excited because it sounds like a wonderful opportunity for growth as a teacher, it will be on a new campus which means a whole new adventure, and it will be a challenge as well! (Bring it on!)  

I am also getting excited for July.  I am going to the Las Vegas TPT Summer Conference this year!  I've never been and am nervous/eager to get to go!  Anyone else going this year?  I plan to blog more about my preparations for it soon and will certainly post something about it when I return!

Well, I hope summer is treating you well, your A/C works well (especially if you are a Texan), and you are filled with happiness each day!

Five For Friday!

My name is Mindy, and I just survived my sixth year of teaching.  LOL!  Just joking.  But seriously, I am OUT of school for summer and I am SO ready to relax, recharge, and hang out with my family - including a new addition!  (More on that in a moment).
Well, it is FRIDAY again which means I'm linking up with Kacey over at Doodlebugs for my Five for Friday.  Ready?

 Our last day of school with students was this past Friday, but we had a half-day to make up on Monday thanks to that crazy ice storm a lot of country 'enjoyed' earlier this year.  After the kids left, a few teacher friends and myself decided to unwind and get our dork on.  Please enjoy this little ditty we threw together…

Wednesday, a couple of other teachers and I presented a course called Math Guided Practice with Games at our school district's Summer Curriculum Conference.  It was a fun professional development course because we shared lots of fun games to use in math centers and had some giveaways.  I donated a few of my products and we also gave everyone a game called Snap It Up!  This game is fun and very versatile!  If you haven't heard of it, click the picture below to check it out. (I am in no way associated with this company).

Our curriculum coordinator also found a wonderful resource from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.  Their research shows that playing games in math allows for meaningful practice. Appropriate mathematical activities are essential building blocks to develop mathematically proficient students who demonstrate computational fluency (Van de Walle & Lovin, Teaching Student-Centered Mathematics Grades K-3, pg. 94).
Click the picture below for a document that has TONS of games for 2nd grade math. (These are also available in other grade levels - you can Google them).

Last week my sweet baby had her first dance recital.  

Our beautiful, tiny dancer.

She's serious about her tap dancing.  She KILLS me!!

Here's the world's proudest, twin brother.  He cheered her on in the aisle and wanted to give her the flowers by himself.

My happy little family!

My twins are also turning 4 on Monday - which I seriously can't believe.  So, we had their birthday party over the weekend.  They are SUPER into Despicable Me right now, so we had a minion party.

Ben and Emily with their minion piñata. (Funny story - we had that minion for a couple of weeks before the party.  We had to keep it up on top of our dresser, and every morning they'd come tell it good morning, and if we were leaving, we had to tell it goodbye).

Ben spent a GOOD chunk of time at the drink dispenser.  He thought it was great fun.  My aunt later told me every time he got a drink, he got a new cup - no wonder we went through them so fast!

Emily with her new minion, Bob.  

And last - about our new addition to the family.  We are NOT having another baby, but we DID get a puppy!!  We rescued her from a shelter and totally lucked out in the way of puppies!  She's such a sweet girl!  She's so gentle with my babies and has been such a good girl!  We named her Ellie.

And THAT, my friends, is my Five for Friday!  I hope your summer has begun and that you all have a wonderful break!

Be sure to stop by and stock up on Sunday!

Thomas' Teachable Moments on TPT

Vote NO to House Bill 2543

I encourage you to read Texas House Bill 2543 that is being supported by State Representative Charles Anderson in District 56.  Call, write or email to make your voice heard!  Click his picture below to send him an email opposing Bill 2543.

State Rep. Charles Anderson
District 56

2nd Grade Readiness Standards Benchmark

Ever since moving to second grade, I have wanted a benchmark assessment so I can gauge how our students are progressing through the year.  We had one in 3rd grade that I loved because I was able to get quick data about how my students were progressing, but we don't have a benchmark in my district in 2nd grade.  So, I finally decided to create my own!  I help write math tests for the district, so I figured, why not write a test for myself?

I wanted something to tell me how much my kids can do on their own, how they are doing mid-year, and if they have mastered all of the skills necessary to move to third grade.  Now I will be able to tell how my students are progressing towards mastering the Readiness Standards.
I have included the assessment, directions for how and when to use it, answer keys, an optional answer document, and optional data tracking sheets.
It is perfect for 2nd grade.
It would be wonderful for a beginning of year 3rd grade placement test.
It would also be good to use at the end of 1st grade to see how well students can apply their 1st grade knowledge to try and understand 2nd grade skills.
I hope you check it out and that it can become a regular part of your classroom each year!

Click the picture to be taken to my store!

Five for Friday!

Hello!  Happy Good Friday to you!  My twins had their Easter egg hunt at school today and learned the Bible verse, "He is risen!" Matthew 28:6.  There is something so sweet and wonderful knowing that they are learning early about Jesus and the love He has for them.

Unfortunately, we don't get today off because we have to make up a snow day, but hopefully, we will make it to the service this evening. 

Well, it's that time of the week again.  What have we been up to?  I love that Kacey over at Doodlebugs links us all up at the end of our weeks to find out!

We continued our study on poetry this week in ELA by focusing on alliteration, similes and onomatopoeia.  We had the most FUN craftivities to use from a unit called Poetry Pizzazz from the Teacher's Clubhouse!  We used the Simile Sandwiches, Alliterainbows and Poetry Pops craftivities.  I also used "My Spectacular Onomatopoeia Book" from Mrs. Mabe.