Teamwork

When I see teamwork like this, it makes my heart smile!  <3  

Place Value

Do your students need PLACE VALUE reminders?!?!

Awesome things are coming!  I just need to put the finishing touches on this product!  :)  Do you have any suggestions that stand out?  If so, please send them my way!  If you do, I will send a free copy of this product in the next week as soon as I finish it!!!  <3

Quote that has me thinking...Writing Workshop

Last week, I had the pleasure of working with 20+ amazing educators in the Chicagoland area...each with special talents to bring to his/her community, school, students and education as a whole.   Not only am I a 2nd grade teacher, I am an Illinois Writing Project Leader.  I love this unique work I get to do.  Each summer, I am reminded of how much I love being a teacher by the chance to facilitate difficult and in-depth discussions with these talented educators.  During the course of this week, this quote struck me.

"To help our students become writers, we need to write side by side with them." - Rebecca Alber

There are many similar quotes out there that you might stumble upon.  However, this one strikes me as one that I need to continue to remember.  One of my all time favorite moments of the school day is the mini-lesson for Writing Workshop.  Every single person in the classroom looks forward to this special time.  The students, me, and special guests in the classroom that day.

Writing in front of the students gives me a chance to play with some word choice and semantics, as well as it give me a chance to show the students the entire writing process as a think/write aloud.  I have to remember that not only do I want to continue to write in front of students, I want to also do my own writing on my own and show students that I am writing and show them the importance of writing.  How impactful for the students to see the real work application!!  I need to remember to bring in my own Writer's Notebook, just as Ralph Fletcher recommends.

I hope this quote will resonate with you as it has resonated with me.  <3

If you are interested in the Illinois Writing Project, please check out our website.

http://illinoiswritingproject.com/

Makes my heart smile

You know that time when a former student contacts you out of the blue and makes your Friday evening?

Well, that happened to me tonight.  <3

I do not know about you, but I have often thought about where my former students might be, what grade they are in, what they have become, and what would I say to them?  Well, I was reminded that I have said enough...all that has to be said has been said...my biggest impact was already made every single day he/she was in our classroom.  No shows.  No gimmicks.  No fake warm wishes.

When I received the prized message, my husband and I were in the middle of flipping through the channels to find a show to watch after a long and tiring day of potty training and also work.  I will leave it to you to decide who was doing what.  ;-)

Anyways, before we could decide on a show to watch while we cuddled on the couch, a ding occurred on my phone.  I decided to glance, even though I really did not want to.

Well, as soon as I reached for my phone to look at Facebook Messenger, I was elated that I did.

Through messages back and forth, I found out this former student is studying elementary education.  My heart is so full.  I teach for these relationships and memories, impressions and inspiration.  This is the real reason I teach.  #foreverateacher

We Want to Hook You In!

Boy, has it been wayyyyyy tooooo longggggg!  I find myself posting on Instagram or Facebook about exciting things that happen in my classroom, but I have been forgetting about my special place where I can share my thoughts, pictures, and not have to worry about limiting my characters!  :)

Today we worked on writing fabulous leads in Writing Workshop!  The kids want to HOOK YOU IN!  :)  I love watching these little writers blossom!  :)  Below are two of my favorite writing transformations!  I wrote in front of the kids last week (as I do every day!!!!), and today we went back to that piece.  We modified the lead sentence to my piece, and then the kids went back to their seats and picked one piece they wanted to make better, they brainstormed some different leads, and then they picked one they wanted to use.  Honestly, the kids did awesome for the first day!!  I will share more transformations once they happen in the next few days!  :)

Tomorrow, we will look at mentor texts that give us amazing leads!  I will post tomorrow to show you how that goes and give you some ideas!  :)

New Lead:  You are never going to believe this!  :)

New Lead:  Guess what!  :)

Scrabble + Family = Happiness

#1  It has been wayyyyyyy too long since I have posted.  The school year engulfed me.  Like literally.  Once the infamous to-do list gets shorter, it all of a sudden gets way longer.  The holidays came and are on their way out.  Where did 2015 go?!?!
#2  I wanted to post a picture of the present I made for my parents on their 36th wedding anniversary.  I am so happy with how it turned out that I HAD to share it with you all.
#3  Happy New Year!  May 2016 bless you with exactly what you are looking for in the upcoming year.

Writing Workshop Often Melts My Heart

Who here LOVES to teach Writing Workshop?  My hand is up...way up in the hair after hearing this question.  Helping kids gain a voice is so powerful and one of my favorite things about my job.  Here are two examples right here!  For number one, the little munchkin wrote about her brother and had such powerful voice.  She even used the phrase, "Guess What?  Are you ready?"  Just like I modeled during my Write Aloud.  :)  Get ready for some extra cuteness.  :)

My second kiddo wrote a longer story her new baby brother or sister.  She even wrote this, "We do not know if it is a boy or a girl yet, but I know this for sure.  I will love the baby and it will be so lucky to have a big sister like me."  Awwwww!!!!!

Days of the Week Labels

Do you want to organize all of your papers/materials you will use during the course of the week/next week in your classroom?!?!  Here is your answer!  I ordered these 3-drawer organizers from Amazon, and they work like a charm.  This link is for the 3 pack, so am using 2 for the daily drawers, and then I have a the 3rd one holding writing workshop paper in our writing center! You can get these FREE daily labels at my TpT Shop!

Have a great night!  I am off to bed!!!!!  :)

If you think you are done, you have only just begun.

Writing Workshop!  I love teaching Writing Workshop!  It is one of the times during the day where kids truly learn more about me as their teacher.  I love telling them more about me and my life through my Writing Aloud.  :)  During one of our first Writing Workshop lessons, I like to teach kids the familiar Lucy Calkins quote, "When you think you are done, you have just begun."  This teaches the students that even when they think they are done with a piece, they can add to the pictures, add to the words, or start a new piece!  :)  I love how Writing Workshop empowers students as true writers!!!  Do you use Writing Workshop in your classroom?!
*Get this for free at my TpT Shop!!!

Behavior and Inspirational Posters

Do you want to brighten up your students' faces, as well as your own each and every single day?!?!  Here is your answer!  Get your behavior and inspirational posters!  HERE!  These are great reminders for us all each and every day.  :)
Behavior and Inspirational Posters

Chicago Teachers Blogging Meet Up!

This was my very first blogger meet up, and it was so amazing!!!  I had a great time, learned so much and best of all, I was so INSPIRED!  What an awesome place to have it!!  Lou Malnati's Pizzeria!  YUMMM!!
I am excited to get back into the blogging world now that we have been in school for a month!  More pics from my classroom to come very soon!  :)  Thanks to Teaching in a Nutshell for setting this up!!  #CTBMU2015

New Planner!

Woah!  This is my very FIRST Erin Condren planner!  I cannot wait to start organizing and writing everything down.  I love being organized, and this planner will HELP me do this very easily!  Check it out!  The box and wrapping are ever SUPER adorable!!  I am in L.O.V.E.

Monday Made It!

I am happy to link up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for this week's MONDAY MADE IT!  :)  I am seriously 3 years late to jump on the bandwagon of this Teacher Toolbox idea..how have I not noticed this for 3 years, and how have I lived without it?  I love organization, and I love knowing where everything is...this toolbox will help me with both of these!

So, I purchased this toolbox from Home Depot online because it is already black.

Many people online have purchased the one from Lowes, but it is blue and I did not want to take the time to spray paint it!  But, then when I received the black one from Depot, I realized that the larger drawers have this little notch on the top inside, so I could not place the labels on the inside.  So, if you decide to purchase this one, please beware!

But honestly, this worked out so well!!!  This version made me think that I would just make everything colorful using scrapbook paper.  I LOVE how it turned out!  This is basically my color scheme from my classroom, so it works perfectly!

Have you made a teacher toolbox that you are in love with?!

Productive Sunday, New Products and TPT Sale!

What a productive Sunday it has been today!  :)  I organized, organized and organized the house sooooo much!!  It feels so good!

I am also excited that I finished and added new products that are going to help me with my ELA Anchor Chart Wall!  I added them to my TpT Store, so I hope they will help you, too!!  I placed them below for you to check out!!

Also, have you heard about the TpT Back to School Sale!?!  It is tomorrow August 3rd until August 4th!  Up to 28% off at my store!!  Fill your carts with all of your favorites that you have had your eyes on this summer!!!  I know I am!!  :)  Enter code:  BTS15!

Check out my TpT Store here!!

Proud Moment

  

I know I have said this almost every day someone asks me, "How is your writing class going?"  My response each and every single time has been the same.  "I am amongst the most talented, creative and thoughtful educators.  I am proud to be one of their leaders in this Summer Leadership Institute.  I am learning soooo much for them!!"

Today, was the last day of our institute, and honestly, I feel like it was the end of an era.  Yes, we will see each other for a follow up meeting in October.  Yes, we will connect virtually.  But, it won't be the same.  I have truly enjoyed the 12 days we spent together and will take back so many new and fresh ideas to my classroom.  I now have 20 more resources to reach out to when I have questions, ideas to bounce around and fine teachers to admire.

Today as we shared our own pieces of writing, it was as one of the participants said, "like a therapy session" where we cried together, smiled together, laughed together and clapped together.  When it came to my turn, I was pretty nervous to share my Where I'm From poem, but my group members who listened to my poem last week, reassured me that I had this, and I had great things to share.  In the big group, instead of giving verbal feedback, we wrote out a sentence or two on post-its and handed them to the authors.  I would love to share some of my feedback from my fellow participants, my friends.

I enjoyed the poem.  Very descriptive and delightful.  Your writing brings a smile to my face.  It's easy to identify with your words.  You are a delight.

I love getting to hear this poem again!  I love it and I can't wait to share this with my students.  I feel like we learn so much about you!

You are from what sounds like a beautiful childhood.  It truly reflects why you are the lovely woman you are today.  Thank you for sharing.  So pleasant.

I enjoyed the details you shared:  New Kids on the Block to Coke Slurpees.  It makes me think about my own childhood.  I'd like to write one of these.

Very cool.  Love all the description - "the most manicured lawn on the block."

You are from names written with a heart over the i!  :)   Love your poem!

I am so glad you did not become a nun.  Your joy and effervescence have been a gift to our group, as I'm sure they are to your students and family.

I love the line about you sitting with your dad talking about Prince Charming.

I love this piece, Kari.  The structure afforded us great glimpses into important pieces from your part that have helped you become the wonderful person you are!  :)

I loved that poem just as much today as I did the first you read it to the quad.  It's honest, beautifully written and heart filling.  So great!

I am from a place that connected to a lot of what you mentioned.  So cool!

I love this.  A lot of memories were brought back when I heard it!  I can see using this as a beginning of the year activity!

Thank you for sharing your life.  Your word choice and the way you described your life drew me in and kept me waiting for the next piece.

Beautiful piece and so are you!  Your voice is loud and your enthusiasm shines through.

So...can you see why I absolutely loved working amongst these creative, dedicated and talented teachers?  I am proud.

I also want to thank each and every one of them for the beautiful flowers and the very generous gift card to Barnes and Noble.  I cannot wait to pick out amazing new mentor texts to use in my Writing Workshop!  :)

#IWPsli2015