Friday, June 29, 2012

Fourth of July

My latest passion has been pinning and Pinterest. Today my tribute is to the USA. I will share a few of my pins that I have found and/or saved for a July 4th Celebration.


Pinned from Eighteen 25

Pinned from Impressed Inc.




Pinned from 3 media




Check out this blog for more Endless Pinabilites 

Happy Pinning!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

A blog award

I am so happy to have received 

I want to give a BIG thanks and shout out to Aimee from Pencils Books and Dirty Looks.

The rules for this award include:
  1. Thank the blogger that nomiated you.
  2. Include a link to their site.
  3. Include the award image in your post.
  4. Give 7  random facts about yourself.
  5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.
  6. When nominating include a link to the blog you nominated. 
  7.  Let the bloggers know you nominated them.
So here are the 7 random facts about me:
  1. I am an elementary teacher. I have taught Pre-K, K, first, third, and fifth. I will be adding Gifted to the list next year as I will be one of the Gifted Resource teachers at my school.
  2. My sister and I teach at the same school. This is a wonderful thing.
  3. I have 3 amazing children that I would not trade for anything.
  4. I was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2006. This is the highlight of my teaching career.
  5. I am a vegetarian (most of the time).
  6. I love Disney.
  7. I enjoy blogging especially in the summer because I have more time.

Now for those versatile bloggers I am nominating. Drum Roll.....









(The reason and my inspiration for blogging.)







Ms. Bongers at Life in 4B




 Hope King at Second Grade Shenanigans




Ginger at Ginger Snaps

 
Laura Chandler at Corkboard Connections




Whew! This blog post is long and required a lot of linking and adding pictures. Be sure to check out these awesome blogs.

Now off to the pool with my kids!









Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Juicing 101 and Informational Writing

Okay, I am feeling somewhat guilty with everyone posting all the book studies and Make It Mondays-----So today I am going to share with you how I filled part of my day yesterday.
About 2 years ago, I began juicing for my husband. I found lots of inspiration and recipes from Hallelujah Acres.
First, let me give you a little background knowledge about juice. There are two categories of juice-fruit juices and vegetable juices. Fruit juices cleanse, and vegetable juices heal.  My hubby mainly needed healing. He tried all kinds of vegetable juices, but mainly has stuck to broccoli, celery, and carrot juice.

To juice, you will need about 15-20 carrots (We use organic.), 1/2 head broccoli (You do not have to use organic because broccoli is cut when it is "young".--Just a fact I have learned.), and about 3-5 stalks of celery (We use organic.) Rinse, cut, and place in colander.

Next, you will need a juicer (not a blender). There are all kinds of juicers out there on the market. We have this Green Star Juicer. This is a tritrucating juicer. We have found this juicer to extract more juice with more nutritional content than any other juicer. Juice extracted from this juicer seems to last longer also. Yes, we have tried other juicer such as the Jack LaLanne. ( If you want to find out more about the Green Star juicer, click here because this is not an advertisement for GreenStar.)


Then, simply run the vegetable through the top of the juicer. The juice will fill in the clear container you see and the pulp will go into the bowl you see. This is the final product. My husband would say, "Yummy!" At first, I made double the amount. (That would be one head of broccoli, one bunch of celery, and about 30 carrots.) .
Then, I pour the juice into a jar and place in the refrigerator. This about 4-5 eight ounce servings. At first, when I was making double (about 8-10 eight ounce serving), my husband would drink it all in two days. Now this one jar lasts for two days. (He ia mainly drinking for maintanence and healthy balance now.
Well, this is the pulp. The Jack LaLanne cookbook shows lots of things you can do and make with the pulp. I have only used the pulp one time in meatloaf. All the other times, we just throw away. Perhaps, I should try making muffins, carrot cake, and other sweet treats.
Since many teachers will be using the Common Core and since the Common Core focuses on informational text. Don't forget to bring in those cookbooks or have students bring in cookbooks or find recipes in magazines too as part of nonfictional texts. 

If you like what you see, please consider following my blog so that you do not miss anything.
Enjoy!


Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Back to School Freebie

I know many of you are already planning and preparing for heading BACK TO SCHOOL. So I created this little Student Information FREEBIE to help you with information about your students.
Simply print one for each of your students, have parents complete at Open House, and place in your teacher notebook. You will have this handy for emergencies and don't forget to make those positive phone calls and/or emails too.














Let me know which one you download in the comments below, list your blog (if you have one) so that I can visit and oh, please become a follower too.
Enjoy!

Monday, June 25, 2012

Reading Strategies and a Manic Monday Freebie

  
It is Manic Monday over at Classroom Freebies. If you haven't been there, then you better get over there and start discovering all the freebies.


No matter what you call your reading/language arts time, I bet your students read. I bet you teach your students about reading comprehension strategies to use BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER reader. I bet you instill in your students a love for listening to read alouds, reading independently, and wanting to learn more through reading. I have created some bookmarks to aide in encompassing the love and excitement, as well as, sneaking in using reading comprehension strategies.







I am super excited about these bookmarks. Click here for a sneak peek and a freebie at the first one in the series! If you like what you see, please consider following my blog.
Ideas on how to use:
You could print on colored paper to add Pizzazz and cut!
You could print front and back. Have the students fold and use for 6 weeks!
You could print and laminate. Allow students to use vis a vis and reuse!
The possibilities are endless.
Any other suggestions on how to use?
Enjoy!


Thursday, June 14, 2012

A Sneak Peak Reading Freebie and ME

Okay, so I have been working on some things in reading. I have posted them on my blog and at my Teachers Pay Teacher Store. I am really excited about my new series. Check it out here. Be sure to head over to here later today for my first set in my series-Reading is Thinking-Summarizing.





I love summer!
I love my family!
I love vacation!
I have been blogging and posting (almost daily for awhile), but I am taking a break for a couple of weeks. I mean who can resist wanting to spend time with these cuties



 or spending time as a family

I have completed my homework and assignments (I am working on my last class to receive my Gifted Endorsement). I do not plan to blog or make things for my TpT store (until I get back). I do not plan to even Facebook (after Sunday) or Pinterest. Yes, I will be able to breathe. Yes, I will survive.  I plan for fun in the sun with my 3 kiddeos and wonderful hubby. I will be getting lots of Vitamin D, making memories, and be with the ones I love and adore most.
So for now--over and out--See you in a couple of weeks!

Enjoy the freebie.
Please be sure to follow my blog and tell a friend too. Leave a comment--I love reading your words of encouragement.
Visit my other freebie and reading posts too by clicking on the labels.
Happy Reading!


Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Read to Someone/Partner Reading and a F


Do your students partner or pair read?
Research shows that partner reading is a fluency strategy. Of course, students are practing their reading, but they are also practicing using fluency while reading together. Some teachers allow students to choose their partner, and some teachers choose student partners. While some teachers, do both. When teachers choose partners, more fluent readers should be paired with less fluent, or students who read at the same level should be partners. While partner reading, students can choral read, echo read, one student read one page and one student read the other page (sentence, paragraph, or chapter).  Partner reading also requires cooperation. Of course, you need to teach your students the procedures and expectations for Read to Someone/Partner Reading portion of your day. When partners are reading some expectations might include sitting elbow to elbow and knee to knee. This is called EEKK. Students must also sit with the book so that both can see the book (usually in the middle where their knees touch.)  Here is a little chart for your students to remember.


If you like what you see, please consider following my blog so that you do not miss out!


Enjoy!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Read 3 Ways Freebie

Do you teach reading?
Did you know that there were three ways to read a book?
Use this sign and cute song to help your students remember the three ways to read a book.

Click here to download.
 I created some FACE of a reader signs that are similar in design. Be sure to checkout the reading posters signs here.
If you like what you see, please consider following my blog. Thanks.


I HAVE A SPECIAL TREAT VERY SOON. I AM EXCITED ABOUT WHAT I AM MAKING -STAY TUNED FOR A SNEAK PEAK LATER THIS WEEK.

Enjoy!


Monday, June 11, 2012

Manic Monday Freebie





It is Manic Monday over at Classroom Freebies. If you haven't been there, then you better get over there and start discovering all the freebies. My freebie today is my very first set of reading posters! Check them out here!Simply click, print, laminate, and enjoy!







If you like what you see, please consider following my blog so that you don't miss out!

Enjoy and have a Manic Monday! 


Sunday, June 10, 2012

Obessions



Ok-So i decided to join the Obsession Confession Link over at Living A Wonderful Life.

SO here they are:

1. My Kids (my personal ones-Dylan, Austin, and Ashleigh)-They are my world and I could not be happier to have such wonderful miracles in my life. I am blessed with lots of laughter, love, and learning.

2. Smoothies and Body by Vi shakes-These are so yummy, delicious, and nutritious.

3. Mocha Frappucinnos-These can be from McDonald's or from Starbucks (and no-they are not nutritious, but they are delicious and yummy).
4. Orlando, FL (Well--mainly--DISNEY)--My family could go there every year (and we do--sometimes more than once per year) and find something MAGICAL about each trip.



5. Cruising-Although I wish we could cruise Disney each time, reality is we can NOT. Even though Disney is the most magical cruise, I have ever sailed, the price is not so magically affordable.

6. Hanging out with my sister and her family--or just talking to her on the phone. I am lucky that my sister and I are so close. We have been through a lot together in our lives. I am so thankful to have her. (BTW-We even have the joy of teaching at the same school. It is AWESOME!)
7. And, of course MY BLOG!


So these are a few of my obsessions. What are yours?