A new blog that I love...

I love it when everyone shares new blogs they find. It is like finding a special treasure or something. Well I came across a newer blog so I thought I would share.

Caroline G's blog! She is super cute and wears the most amazing outfits! I am totally obsessed with all the bright colors she wears. She also has some great ideas for mixing and matching different pieces of clothing. If you haven't checked her out you DEFINITELY should!You won't be disappointed!



Oh and her motto is DREAM BIG! It made me like her even more! Happy almost Friday! I will be back tomorrow with a measurement anchor chart I made and my Fashion Fridays post!


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Linky Party and Ugh!

I am joining up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics! She is having a look in my lunchbox linky party! Well here is the problem....I do have a lunchbox but I rarely bring it to school. I actually don't usually even pack a lunch or even eat a lunch. Most of the time I eat a protein bar that I keep in my desk and I actually am out of them (ugh!) so I can't take a picture. Sorry my lunchbox isn't that interesting, I am just not a lunch kind of girl. :)

It has just been crazy this week back from Spring Break and I have worked very hard/late to catch-up on everything I needed/wanted to do. Sometimes I just don't understand how in 20 minutes of reading emails at the end of the day can completely stress you out and then you are back to square one. Does anyone else experience this or am I just the crazy, OCD one?

I have also been working on a formative/summative assessment packet for one of my masters classes. It is currently 25 pages! I am going to reread over it tomorrow and then turn that sucker in! One more thing to check off my list that was so small before I read emails today!

Well I will be back soon to share some of the fun activities we have done this week! Happy Wednesday!


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Spring Break Crafty and Next Week

My mom and I saw this really cute purse from pinterest that someone made out of a plain canvas bag. I of course pinned it and wanted to recreate it as soon as we had the time.

Click on my Pinterest and look under Crafty to find the directions and orginial pin.

I think it turned out really cute. I am planning on using it for school! :)

Tomorrow I go back to school from Spring Break. I am excited, but I know I have a lot of meetings so I am not looking forward to that. This week we will be starting out rock unit. I saw that some of you are also study rocks right now. If you have a blog post about rocks please leave me a comment and I will check it out. I will be using some of the activities from

She has some great treats I will be making for my kids. There is also a workbook which is how I teach most of Science/Social Studies units. I also made this anchor chart we will fill out after we learn about each different type of rocks!

Here is an up close picture:

Well I am going to go and enjoy the nice weather while it lasts! It is suppose to rain all week again! Ugh! I don't like the rain!


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Fashion Fridays...Finally!

The hubby came home from his business trip yesterday and of course he is sick! And you all know when your hubby is sick the whole world comes to and end. It seems though when we are sick it is more like "takes some meds. and suck it up." (hehe) Here is my Fashion Friday post on Saturday, because of the sick hubby who by the way is still sleeping.

Today I wanted to share two things. The first is how to cut down your morning routine. When I was in high school I would literally take 20 minutes to find an outfit, well no more to that! Since I started teaching I would think about what I wanted to wear before I went to bed, but my bff helped me take it a step further...actually planning outfits!In my closet I hang outfits together so in the morning all I need to do it pull one down and I am ready to go. This has helped me get ready even faster. It also helps you to know what items you need when you go shopping because you already have outfits planned out. Here is part of my closet. I used to put my pants with the outfits too, but my closet didn't look nice and neat doing that. I pretty much know what pair of pants goes with each outfit I make so I don't feel the need.

Here is an outfit...I hooked the belt right on the hanger so I don't have to go search for it in the morning.

Here is an example where I put the bracelet I am going to wear on the hanger. Again less time I will be searching in the morning! I hope this helps some some of you cut down on your morning.

Second I want to talk MAKEUP! So I read some reviews and went out and bought this...

The covenit (sp?) "BB" cream! I have to say that it does give me a much better over all glow and coverage. If you have dry skin though I would not recommend it. I have a mixture of dry and oily skin. The first day I used it I felt like it made my nose (which is my dry spot) a little flaky. The second day I made sure to moisturize my dry areas a lot before I applied it and it was MUCH better! If you are looking for a little change I would definitely recommend this. It makes your complexion very smooth and even. You can get this brand at Sephora or any other major department store.

Well that's all for now. I hope some of you are finding my information useful. I bought some great bargain pieces over spring break that I will be sharing with you next week! Happy weekend! (two more days then back to school for me!)


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Math Centers Freebie

So I sat down last night and read every single one of your comments. Some of them really hit home and truly touched my heart. Before I share the winner, I would like to share with you my most rewarding aspect of teaching. (actually I have two!)

1. I love to know that my job is making a difference. We are responsible for educating the next generation. We are making a difference in children's lives. Many of my students just want someone to listen to them and care about them. I know some of you work in lower income schools like myself and these kiddo's stories just break your heart. I come to school each day looking to make a difference in one of my kids day, whether that be give them hug, talk with them, or teach them something new. I love teaching and I wouldn't do anything else no matter the amount of money they would offer.

2. Secondly I love teaching because it helps me get all my creative juices out. I have loved to do crafty things since I was little. I never wanted to watch T.V. or play games when I was younger. I would beg my mom to take me to the local craft store so I could buy a craft to make. Well guess what we are still doing that. (We are making really cute bags that I will share later this week) Teaching allows me to be creative and help instill some of that creativity into my students!

There was NOOO way I could just choose 5 winners so.....I am going to give it to everyone for free. Thank you all for making my day and writing such meaning messages!

Click here to download the centers!

Happy Thursday!


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Calling All ImagineIT Teachers

What did I do all day?? I worked on the final parts of my Professional Growth Plan or PGP. I have my final meeting next week when we come back from Spring Break. So my focus this year was on higher level questioning. I started at the beginning of the year writing questions here and there for all subject areas. I wasn't too happy with the results so I started only writing questions for reading. My goal was to get a whole set complete by the end of the year. Well ta-da...I did it! I have 5 questions for each lesson of ImagineIt, yep all 6 Units! If you are an ImagineIT teacher please feel free to pick up the document and use it for youself...

Click here to get the 8 page document with all 6 units!

I wanted to share the way I organized all these great questions...

I found this note card organizer from Target. I used white labels I also got from Target. On the front of each tab I used a label that says the unit and the theme. On the inside of the front tab I used labels to show all the stories in that unit.

Sorry for the blurry picture. I couldn't get the camera to focus. After each tab I placed 5 note cards, for the 5 lessons in each unit. I used rubber cement to glue down each of the questions from the document. It looks like this:

I am so glad I got this done. I hope some of you can use this. Just a reminder that I have a chance for you to get free April Math Centers on my previous post. Make sure to check back on Thursday because there might be a little surprise for everyone!


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Do you want free April Math Centers???

So I said I was going to create my own math centers instead of buying them well....I have completed half of them. I usually have about 9 to 10 centers. This set of centers has 6 different centers. All of these are centered around number sense and inspired by some of Hope King's great centers. I tailored them to fit the needs of my students and their instructional level. I am planning on making about 4 more centers probably: fractions, graphing, money, and telling time. Here are the ones I have created so far.

I am currently using the math resource Everyday Math. Many of these games my students have learned through that resource. I feel like my students are most engaged either playing these math games or during centers. We make it a priority to always have either game/center time during math each day.

Here is how you can get them for free:

I am not going to do a giveaway but instead I am going to pick 5 people to give my centers to. Please leave a comment telling me: What is the most rewarding aspect of teaching? I will read all the answers on Thursday and choose 5. There isn't a right or wrong answer I am looking for, just something that is honest and comes from the heart. :)

P.S. If you blog about this post it might get you extra brownie points!

Classroom Decor

First order of business Kristen over at Ladybug Teacher Files is having a anchor chart linky party with Ms. B. If you haven't check it out you should! There are some great ideas for all different grade levels. Thanks ladies for hosting that!

Second I have to thank Stacy over at Second Grade Paradise for giving me the Lovely Blog Award. I think several people have given me this award. If I have forgotten anyone I am truly sorry. Thanks Stacy!

On to classroom decor! My classroom is a bug/frog/reptile theme, but mainly bug themed! Every spring and summer I find some great new additions for my classroom at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and Joanns! Where you might ask?? In the garden section!!Currently I have some paper butterflies hanging in my reading area. I have two wind socks and some smaller little figures like ladybugs and grasshoppers. I had posted a couple weeks ago about a bumblebee and owl I found too! (I know the owl doesn't match, but he was just soo cute!) Here are my latest finds:

He is just too cute! I am going to put him behind my small group reading table on a shelf.

These guys I am going to hang from the ceiling. I will probably put these in my reading area and move the ones I have there over my desk. Last year I made a HUGE floor to ceiling tree over in my reading area. I think I might do that again next year.

One of these pinwheels was given to me by my bff! The smaller one is from the Target dollar section. I plan on putting them in the black pots and filling them with white beans to make them stand up. I think I will put these on the shelves above the sink.

By the way I ALWAYS wait for this stuff to go on sale. All these items were either 40 or 50 percent off! I also find really good deals at the end of the summer. If you have a similar theme make sure to check these places out!!

Well today is another 80 degree day here in Kansas. I have a feeling we are going to have a brutal summer! I plan on walking my 4 miles and getting the hubby all packed for his trip. I also want to start working on my April Math Centers. My goal is not to buy them from someone this month but to make my own. I might even have to give them to a few of my lucky bloggy friends. Be on the look out! Happy Sunday!

Fashion Fridays! (a new weekly post!)

Thanks for those that commented about me starting to post about my teacher and weekend casual fashion. I am definitely a bargian shopper. I can find great stuff on the sale racks, but I also like to slurge on items that I can get a lot of use out of (purses/shoes/watches usually). Today I am going to talk about the new neutral color that I love.....GRAY! I think you can wear gray with anything! I love to wear it with other neutrals like camel, off-white, and pale pink. On the flip side it looks great with bright teal and pink!

The first item I want to show you is a pair of shoes I picked up last weekend!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw these Toms! I have one pair of red Toms already, but I don't wear them much to school because they are a little too casual for our dress here in Kansas. When I saw these wedges I was really excited because I don't have a gray pair and they are super comfy!I am planning on pairing them with any color of cropped pants or maybe a white skirt. Here is an example of the length of pant I would wear with them:

You can pick these up at any major department store. They are very responsible and totally worth your money. These are are going to be a great staple for my spring/summer wardrobe.

Second item is a great gray scarf I found at Kohls! It was affordable and is currently in the stores for those of your who love it so much/need to have it in your own wardrobe.

I am planning on pairing it with some silver jewelry to help bring out the silver specks in it. Here is the jewelry I am planning on wearing with it:

Lastly I wanted to share a spurge...a clear watch is definitely a spring/summer staple! I can wear my watch with anything and everything. This one if Michael Kors but many stores carry clear watches for a more reasonable price. Make sure you be picky and find one that fits your specific needs!

I hope this inspires some of you to add some neutral gray into your wardrobe!I am planning on posting about fashion every Friday. If you have any specific questions about anything I post about please shoot me a comment or email.

I am officially on SPRING BREAK!! Woohoo! I am totally excited! Oh by the way the hubby will be gone on another business trip and my bff is gone to. I guess it is just me and my little helper! :)

Kevin Henkes Freebie!!

During my pioneer reading time, which is our small ability group we are reading Jessica by Kevin Henkes. I decided to make some activities that go along with the story for my students to do during centers or independently. I of course have to share with you!

Click here for this document. For some reason my documents didn't work together. Sorry for the trouble.

Click here to download all of these activities! All the graphics are from Michelle at 3 am teacher!

I hope someone else can use these! It is Read Across America Week/Spirit Week at school. Tomorrow is P.J. day! Woohoo, I am totally excited!

MIZ....

.....ZOU! Those of you not from the Midwest have no idea what I am saying, but hey I have a reason to celebrate! My Missouri Tigers won the Big 12 conference tournament and of course I was there cheering my head off! (yes I live in Kansas, but I cheer for the Tigers!)

For those KU fans well....we not only won the tournament, but we trumped the team that beat you! Woohoo!

Sorry bloggy friends that was my ultra-ego! She only comes out every once in awhile. On to some school stuff...We were still working on fractions this week. We made Amy Lemon's ice cream fraction sundaes and then we made fractions using the vowels and consonants with our names.

My kids had a lot of fun doing these activities. Next week is a crazy week! We have Read Across America week and it is the week before Spring Break. We are doing some fun activities that I can't wait to share with you. Happy Sunday!