tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69226362062669804672024-03-19T05:18:38.723-04:00Fourth and TenLisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.comBlogger254125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-46098924905687953592019-07-27T13:07:00.000-04:002019-08-10T11:31:55.390-04:0010 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL OPEN HOUSE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoqiez98w9ncuLBn5ZPT2l8lN-uq4A7wK0f39vMn_usXRlSyy6hYuRUZ3JERHK9QCstHm8wBvy2TMgZsZV93G_QdKGbUCNltZX4N3udfFCOdPnTQq1H32ooO7RnWvWdDKmWkEyuMGR6BT/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUoqiez98w9ncuLBn5ZPT2l8lN-uq4A7wK0f39vMn_usXRlSyy6hYuRUZ3JERHK9QCstHm8wBvy2TMgZsZV93G_QdKGbUCNltZX4N3udfFCOdPnTQq1H32ooO7RnWvWdDKmWkEyuMGR6BT/s640/Slide1.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been teaching for twelve years, and I still get all the anxious thoughts and butterflies the day of open house. There's a lot of people crammed into a small place, a lot of small talk, and all the attention is on you. It can be overwhelming, no matter how long you've been teaching! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">During my career I've had great open house. I've also had some <i>horrible</i> open houses. The worst was when a mailing mishap occurred in the office, and all fifty of my students received my welcome letter. None of them received my partner teacher's welcome letter, that meant all 50 students showed up to my room for open house. As you can imagine, it was quite a mess. Parents were upset, kids were confused, and my partner teacher and were embarrassed and overwhelmed. It was not a great way to start the year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Open house is important, as it's our chance to set a good impression on our students and their families. In many ways, open house sets the tone for your relationships with your families for year. Let's just say in the scenario described above, the tone that was set was not a very good one. :( </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As teachers, we are always reflecting, and always trying to improve. My open house file folder is full of Post Its and notes on how to improve for the following year. I can say with confidence the past two open houses were the best I've had, and I'm excited to share my "Top 10 Tips for a Successful Open House" with you. These tips have helped me simplify open house, making it a better experience for my students, their families, and myself. If you are interested in any of the forms featured in this post, they are available <a href="http://bit.ly/openhouseessentials">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Remember that open house I mentioned above? That inspired me to have personalized sign in sheets for open house, I probably wouldn't have had twenty-five extra students in my room for open house if I had sign in sheet with <i>just</i> my homeroom roster on it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I personally put out three sign in sheets, with a third of my students on each sheet, this prevents families from crowding around the same sheet, and helps with traffic flow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also like having an assigned seat/spot for each child at open house. It gives students a place to go, so they can unload their supplies, and to receive their classroom/school forms. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To prevent confusion, I only put out name tags for my homeroom students. When my switch class comes over to meet me, I explain they will get the seat I have reserved for them on the first day of school. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I print my desk tags on colored cardstock and then laminate them for durability. I love stocking up on colored cardstock at Michaels. I use it all the time for printing task cards and other instructional materials. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">For the past few years, I've used an Open House Checklist. What a life saver. Parents and students are no longer coming up to me and asking what to do next, allowing me to greet each family as they walk in the door. This checklist also lets families know the flow of the evening. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I like to collect big items like notebook paper, tissues, cleaning wipes, plastic bags, and paper towels at open house. I simply use empty organizing bins or laundry baskets that I already own for this. :) Having the bins clearly labeled helps students and their families check off an item on their checklist easily. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I place the bins in lower traffic areas, such as our coat hooks. Another perk of this tip, is that it puts all of these bulky items together in one place until I am able to put them in their proper home around our classroom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At open house, I require my families to fill out ONE paper. That one paper is a transportation form. This lets me know in advance how my students are going home the first day of school. Having this information before the first day of school really helps us have a stress free dismissal on that first day. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">There are few reasons as to why this is the only form I required to be filled out before they leave open house. Many of our families have to attend more than one open house at the same time. Our open house is also late in the evening, and sometimes the night before the first day of school. When this is the case, I'd rather my fourth grade families be spending time together at home, rather than spending a large chunk of time at school filling out paperwork. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBz-hibnKay-2oqqCGiFwxpviGGprWhVjKgGBJepYBnI0czNK4BZiwJJb2ADuzEuOoKsvzcH3vODK4Gsf3YFpWit_X8HoRGadLVfTdWtY7D6c_kimFHfM5fKdwH040K8GIOEUAu6pPRz8D/s1600/Slide07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBz-hibnKay-2oqqCGiFwxpviGGprWhVjKgGBJepYBnI0czNK4BZiwJJb2ADuzEuOoKsvzcH3vODK4Gsf3YFpWit_X8HoRGadLVfTdWtY7D6c_kimFHfM5fKdwH040K8GIOEUAu6pPRz8D/s640/Slide07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I first starting teaching, I passed out so many forms at open house. There was the parent survey, kid survey, grade level info packet, a volunteer form, a class party form, a homework policy letter, and a few more that are slipping my mind. All of that was in ADDITION to our school/district paperwork. It was a lot, and looking back, just way more than necessary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The past few years, I've only used the forms pictured above. A student survey, a family survey, and a grade level brochure. I typically only use the parent email form if a family has problems accessing our Email Sign Up Google Form. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With a fewer number of forms for families to complete/read over, the higher the likelihood that the forms will get READ, filled out, and returned. #winning</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I like to copy our classroom forms on colored paper, these helps them stick out from the rest of the back to school paperwork from our school. I typically include <a href="https://amzn.to/2SNXyO3">this </a>pack in my back to school supply order. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our school does not have a curriculum night after school begins, and open house is our only time to really touch base face to face with our families until conferences. It was really tempting for SO long to go into a ton of detail about curriculum, ways to support learning at home, homework info, etc. However, open house is already overwhelming enough. The room is crowded, it often gets stuffy, and I know that a lot of information I shared wasn't being retained. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, I've kept it simple the past few years. Essentially, my partner teacher and I share:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: large;">Ways we will communicate with our families </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Homework structure </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Specials and Lunch the first few days of school, which is the one thing the kids want to know. :) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Our classroom management plan</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Information about our binder organization</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This presentation maybe takes a little over five minutes. It's short, it's to the point, and covers the most important things we would like our families to know at the beginning of the year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Music is a key part of our day, especially it comes to transitions. I like to play music softly in the background as families filter in. My cooperating teacher did this at Open House, and I've done it every single year. You can access my open house playlist <a href="http://bit.ly/4thn10playlist">{here}</a> to get ideas for your own. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If I can, I try to move around a bit during the presentation. It calms my nerves, and allows me to work the room. My presenter tool is a lifesaver all year, but especially at Open House. You can find mine {<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y5ZGPX1/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B06Y5ZGPX1&linkCode=as2&tag=fourthnten-20&linkId=1498fd8a4b2164d81b939c24598faf65">here}</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the years, I've had elaborate donation displays and simple ones. Honestly, this one of the last things I do for open house, and often, I forget to put it out. I just hang this sign up in an area where families are likely to see it, and just write any requests on Post Its. Easy peasy. I also keep the items on the donation station simple, parents are far more likely to help out if the items are easily found at their local grocery or big box store. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Organization is key for a successful open house. I put a few letter trays out on my small group table at open house to collect any completed forms. Having these forms in one place helps cleaning up after open house a breeze. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have several sets of <a href="https://amzn.to/2SIUEKq">these</a> letter trays all over my classroom. I use them organize my copies for the week, centers, etc. I unstack a few that I already own to use at open house. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Student treats certainly aren't required at open house. It's just a nice extra. However, I do like to give my switch class a little treat when they come over to say "hi" at open house, since I don't have their desk ready for them yet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Over the years, I've come to realize, "Why waste all that time stuffing candy in a bag with a cute topper? They're just going to tear it apart in like two seconds and throw it away." Now I just buy a combo pack of Starbursts/Skittles, slap a label on them and call it a day! I typically give Starbursts to one class and Skittles to the other. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I use the Avery 18294 labels for these labels. I also use these labels for labeling student supplies, I make several copies of each child's name, and for organizing our classroom library. You can find them {<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MSZ1PIQ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00MSZ1PIQ&linkCode=as2&tag=fourthnten-20&linkId=c204ab6f58a1ec29cf3aeae1a6160300">here</a>}. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope that you've found a tip or two within in this post to help you rock your open house! If you've like to utilize any of the forms/documents featured within these tips, please check out my Open House Essentials pack. You can find it in my Teachers Pay Store by clicking <a href="http://bit.ly/openhouseessentials">{here},</a> or by clicking on the image below. Many of the forms can be customized to best meet your needs, so you can ROCK your Open House! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This post features Amazon affiliate links. This allows me to earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. This commission allows me to provide extra resources in my classroom. Thank you. :) </span>
<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com221tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-48850598830711888432015-09-17T19:17:00.001-04:002015-09-17T19:17:20.820-04:00Hallway Management Tips<span style="font-size: x-large;">This year, I have had the awesome opportunity to work with some first year teachers. It's been great to share some of the tips and tricks I've learned during my nine years of teaching with them. A few weeks ago, one of them asked, "So just how do you keep these big kids quiet in the hall? They always want to talk." </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Yes, they do always want to talk. Intermediate kiddos are <u>extremely social</u> beings by nature. Our fourth grade classroom is louder than most, because we do a LOT of cooperative learning structures and brain breaks throughout the day. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Which is fine, because it's in OUR room. I do, however, want to be courteous to my fellow teachers when we are walking in the hallway, because I know how frustrating it can be to be in the middle of a lesson and be interrupted by a herd of elephants, I mean students, walking past your room. At our school, we also have lots of students who are receive interventions in the hallway, and they don't need to be interrupted from their hard work every time my students walk down the hall either. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Although, hallway behavior with the bigger kids can be difficult, I have learned a few tips and tricks along that way that typically keep my fourth graders quiet in the hall. You'd think by fourth grade they'd have it down, but that's not always the case. My kids get "senoritis", fourth grade is their last year of elementary school, and they think they <span style="font-style: italic;">rule</span> the school. Below are some of my tired and true hallway management tips. I'd love to hear some of your favorite tips in the comments! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The biggest piece of advice that I can offer ANY teacher when it comes to walking in the hall, is line order. Give each student each a spot in line, and set them up for success. Does every class really need this? No. However, it's just a nice system to have, because it makes lining up so much easier! I feel my kids out for the few days of school, and then I assign our line order spots. I change up our spots throughout the year as necessary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">After you give your students a line order spot, then it's time to practice. This might seem crazy to some of you, but you don't always know what their previous teachers/schools allowed. Take the time to practice, practice, and practice YOUR expectations in the hall. I promise you'll get that time back when it doesn't take you ten minutes to get back to your room after specials, lunch, or recess. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I do this more so at the beginning of the year, and ease off towards the end of first quarter, but one trick that typically keeps my big kids quiet is our quiet person game. I secretly pick a student before we leave the room, and if they are quiet on the way to and on the way back from our destination, I give the class a bingo number. It helps my class buy into being quiet and respectful in the hallway, and it also helps to develop a good habit that usually follows us all year long. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Finally, BE CONSISTENT! Don't just stress the importance of good hallway behavior at the beginning of the year, and never bring it up again. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Remind students often just how important their behavior in the hallway is to you. Your students learn what's valued/acceptable in your classroom by what you allow. If you ease up on what you expect, with anything in the classroom, then be prepared for inevitable downfall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes we get to our destination early, and my class has to wait in the hallway quietly. By fourth grade, they get pretty tired of the quiet game. I play a fun game called "statue" at the end of the day,while we wait for the buses, and it's a hallway favorite too. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">To play, I call out "statue" and my students strike a frozen pose. We do have expectations, such as: statues don't talk, touch another statue, or make inappropriate gestures. ;) I pick the best "statue" and they become the judge. I call out "statue" again and my next student judge picks the best statue to be the judge for the next round. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My fourth graders love this game, and it really keeps them quiet in the hallway. You do need to really reinforce what's allowed before you play and do a fair amount of modeling, but once they've got it, they've got it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Another game we play at the end of the day, and while we are waiting in the hallway is the twenty questions game. I think of an object and allow my students to ask me yes or no questions about the object. They LOVE this game, and it's great inferencing practice. No matter how many times we play it throughout the year, they always get excited when the mystery object is revealed! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">When I taught third grade, I'd carry Brain Quest cards around with me every where, and I'd use those when we got somewhere early. My students always loved them, and I need to pick up a fourth grade set! They are great time fillers!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What about you, what are your favorite hallway management tips? Share them below!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Teaching, </span>
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com111tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-69768994368317335182015-08-03T23:23:00.003-04:002015-08-03T23:31:49.827-04:00DAILY TOP THREE: PRODUCTIVITY TIP <span style="font-size: x-large;">Like many teachers, I am a list maker. I <i>love</i> making lists, especially "to do lists". However, I am what you would call an "over eager/overly ambitious" list maker. When I make a "to do" list, I put every task I can think of on them. Case in point, my spring break to do list. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">There was NO way I could have ever accomplished all of the things on my list of spring break. No way. My "to do" lists tend to be overly ambitious, and are never ever completed because I always put anything and everything I would like to accomplish on them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This summer, I transitioned to a <a href="http://www.daydesigner.com/">Day Designer </a>planner. One of the things that I love about my Day Designer is that each day has a "top three" box. This box is meant for the three most important jobs/tasks of the day. It has made me incredibly more productive at home, because it has made me really reevaluate what I could realistic accomplish each day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Like most of you, I've been working in my classroom lately. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I don't know about you, but sitting up my classroom can be quite overwhelming and there are many times where I feel like I'm not getting </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">anywhere</span><i style="font-size: xx-large;">. </i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mainly </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">because I'm walking around from task to task without a sense of purpose and never really accomplishing anything. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This summer, I decided to implement the "daily top three" concept while working in my classroom, and it's been amazing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Every day that I'm in the classroom, I create a "top three" list. I make the three jobs/goals realistic to accomplish, and I can only tackle a new task, one not on the list, if the other three are completed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This was my "top three" from my last classroom work session. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">1. Print, copy, and stuff my homeroom's welcome back letters. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">2. Arrange student desks into tables. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">3. Unpack, purge, and organize my personal office supplies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">In about two and half hours, I completed my "top three" and I was able to add another task to my list, organizing my "I Can" Statements. Here's some proof of my productivity!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I've only been in my classroom about three times this summer, never for a full day, and I've already feel that that having a "daily top three" has made me so much more productive and purposeful than in previous years! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I plan to continue using the daily "top three" once school begins, because I love it SO much. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I created a free printable this evening to use the rest of the summer and for the upcoming school year. If you'd like to download my template, you can download it </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">from Google Drive </span><a href="http://bit.ly/1ePa22e" style="font-size: xx-large;">{here}</a><span style="font-size: x-large;">. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wkPC2zrAAMmDlVqq1QXgObWThzHZNjGE7HUjCmQEq-asMUTAVsgeUPnCm0H2Sdz4APP5-UUXUbJn3MPZEU2SK0gBpsKTKqNdogsHAzAzqggTRgEJvy3qz6783ZFTCque5Xi4BEOuowuK/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wkPC2zrAAMmDlVqq1QXgObWThzHZNjGE7HUjCmQEq-asMUTAVsgeUPnCm0H2Sdz4APP5-UUXUbJn3MPZEU2SK0gBpsKTKqNdogsHAzAzqggTRgEJvy3qz6783ZFTCque5Xi4BEOuowuK/s400/Slide1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Once I pick up my desk calendar from our union rep, I might start putting my daily "top three" there instead. You could also put your daily "top three" on a post it, notepad, phone, computer, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you found using a "Daily Top Three" list helpful, I'd love to hear from you in the comments!</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com101tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-37690096817796128802015-07-16T15:56:00.001-04:002015-07-16T22:08:58.930-04:00COFFEE TALK: WHERE I'VE BEEN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSdFsfGBzwfCaaayJVYJXechcS-o9YkjT1mVNFp87QOcLyrilC78qfU3LnbJQqg6_sEd3odhVajhTIep-sBRWm_A78Rawp3m4XrXTlz0MmWLk0bqf4pkhE1idjicQ0pOLeuNlTH61DrEn/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSdFsfGBzwfCaaayJVYJXechcS-o9YkjT1mVNFp87QOcLyrilC78qfU3LnbJQqg6_sEd3odhVajhTIep-sBRWm_A78Rawp3m4XrXTlz0MmWLk0bqf4pkhE1idjicQ0pOLeuNlTH61DrEn/s640/Slide1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Before I begin to attempt to get back in the blogging groove, I figured you guys deserved an explanation as to where I've been. If you follow me o</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">n Instagram, you know I'm alive. However, I neglected this blog for far too long. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So I'm explaining what's been going on over a cup of coffee. Just like I would if we were connecting in real life, rather than through computer screens. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I started this past school year off with a blogging bang! I mean, I even had enough energy to blog a recap of open house, on the night of open house. I was blessed with two classes full of the sweetest kids I had ever taught and I was SO excited to share our classroom adventures with you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Then it happened. By it, I mean the stress induced headaches and occasional panic attacks. Triggered by so many factors. Triggers that I'm being very open about with you, in hopes my post may encourage some of you who may have experienced, or are experiencing, similar things.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">One of my triggers was testing. This year was a very stressful year for my grade level, as our students, and our performance as educators, were assessed with a brand new testing platform. One that we knew very little about. We saw a few practice tests, but that was it. We had no idea how the questions would be scored, what was considered passing, or even when our students scores would be released. Once my students were done testing in April, I felt like an enormous burden was lifted off my shoulders. My state has since done away with the assessment we used this year, which gives me great relief in some ways and has me scared in many others, because next year will another year where I have no idea what students, or my teaching, will be measured up against! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Another trigger was TTC. This past year, my husband and I decided we wanted to start a family. Months and months went by, without a positive test for us. All our friends were announcing their pregnancies and that was hard, even though we were SO happy for them. It was hard to see so many couples move onto the next phase of their lives as a family, even though you love them and are so genuinely happy for them, and we had to keep living in "the two week wait" window. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">As you can imagine, it was very difficult for us as a couple to go to baby shower after baby shower and even spend time with our friends who were pregnant/had babies because it was a constant reminder of what we, for whatever reason, couldn't have. We often felt excluded from conversations because well, we didn't have/weren't going to have a baby anytime soon. We began to feel like we didn't fit in, that our friends would forget about us, or that we had nothing to offer them anymore. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Another trigger, was just being a teacher. Like many of you reading my blog, I'm still a classroom teacher. I love blogging. I love being creative and designing materials for TpT. However, neither one of these things are my full time gig. I still have students in my classroom that count on me for a nurturing, safe, and challenging classroom environment. I still have fifty-five spelling and reading tests to grade almost every week, lesson plans to write, parents to communicate with, coworkers to collaborate with, and meetings to attend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Like I mentioned earlier, I got headaches almost daily from October to December. Always during the week, never on the weekends, and I started to dread going to work. A few times, I even had what my doctor later told me were panic attacks, because I felt my at times my heart rate/pulse were out of control for no good reason. My doctor advised me to look for ways to cut stress out my life. Not just because we were trying to have a baby but because my body was basically rebelling against all the stress. My first thought was to get a massage. The massage therapist confirmed what my doctor told me, my body was full of stress. I knew that I had to change something because I hated feeling the way that I did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I prayed and prayed about what to do. I obviously couldn't switch grade levels mid year or refuse to have my students take the new standardized tests. My husband and I still wanted a baby. I love teaching, it's my passion, and blogging/TpT has been an amazing blessing to our family. I just didn't know what to give up or step away from.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Winter Break recharged and energized me. My husband even told me, "I love how happy you are." One morning while reading the bible, this verse spoke to me. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oe5Jb0zlz8D2C6L3OplSlnHPIjGPge0mxBDhrdG54CbR6is2LrbrrMYnzM3cWSpXmP-StV3W6AtjSzQvtbpuMdSg7tA2TsPNU4jVA1rAwuPMAd_gFTKYmFoFgS2lVKCddnaPHZaNCoJT/s1600/3175f8faa1c2402c40015fbbcd5b37cd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oe5Jb0zlz8D2C6L3OplSlnHPIjGPge0mxBDhrdG54CbR6is2LrbrrMYnzM3cWSpXmP-StV3W6AtjSzQvtbpuMdSg7tA2TsPNU4jVA1rAwuPMAd_gFTKYmFoFgS2lVKCddnaPHZaNCoJT/s400/3175f8faa1c2402c40015fbbcd5b37cd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My soul was burdened and weary and I needed rest. I decided to take a step back from TpT and blogging for the rest of the school year. This was something I probably should have told y'all at the beginning, but I had no idea how long the break would be. As the days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months, I knew that the break would probably be for the rest of the year. That thought was solidified when I went to a TpT Seller/Blogger Meet Up in the spring with some friends. Rather than feeling excited about my blog or TpT, my heart raced the entire time that I was there, and not in a good way. I'm walked around a fog and probably didn't make a great first impression on the people that I met. Sure enough, on the way home from the meet up, I got a migraine. So naturally, I decided not to go to Vegas this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My husband and I also took a formal break from trying to have a baby. It wasn't that we no longer desired to have a child, it's just the TTC process was extremely stressful and heart breaking, at times, for both of us. We just needed a break and wanted to enjoy simply being married after months of living in the "two week window".</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">In late January, the daily head attaches and the far too frequent feeling like my heart was beating way faster than it should be started to go away. For the first time in months, I felt <i>good</i>. I felt that 2015 would be an amazing year, if I just listened to my body. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So, I cherished my time in the classroom with my sweet students and together we accomplished some amazing things, even though the odds were stacked against us with the whole testing thing. I love my kids more than I could ever express every year but this year was different. I cherished every single moment we had together and loved them like <i>crazy</i>. They were truly a calm in all my crazy this year. My students truly became a classroom family and we all cried on the last day of school. The class of 2023, will always hold a very special place in my heart! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">At home, my husband attacked his schooling with a renewed sense of passion and focus since we decided to take a TTC break and he finally finished his degree. He has been going to school and working full time for four years. I am SO very proud of him! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We have been cherishing our summer together, as we as finally have some free time to go dates, to relax by the fire pit, and do little things, like going to the grocery store together. We have even started focusing on becoming healthier versions of ourselves this summer and have lost a combined total of forty pounds. While we still haven't been blessed with a baby, we are at a much better place now and believe that in God's time and in God's way, he will grow our family. Of course it's hard sometimes be the only couple without kids, sometimes really hard, but I've been trying to soak up all the baby cuddles I can get right now, in preparation for when it will finally be our turn. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Rather than spending time chained to my computer each night, I was able to rediscover my other passions during the second half of the school year. One of those passions was reading. I read lots of young adult novels for my classroom, several beach/chic lit reads, and even some cheesy romances with my newly found spare time. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Reading more and talking to my kids about how much I was reading was magical, as so many of them became passionate and avid readers this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I also spent time being crafty to keep my fingers busy, and I made several new wreaths for our front door. It was a lot of fun getting creative in other ways, rather than just behind a computer screen. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I starting cooking every night again, cooking is one of my favorite hobbies. This summer, I even started running again. For years, I ran almost every day. I even ran a marathon a few years ago but running was one of the first things I said "goodbye" to when I started my TpT/blogging journey. It has felt good to rediscover some of my other passions and interests.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This time away from blogging and TpT has been really good for my mental health. However, I miss it. I miss sharing things with you. I miss creating things that teachers all over the world can benefit from. However, after four years of trying to being a good teacher, wife, dog mom, friend, blogger, running coach, and curriculum designer, I needed a break. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">As I listen to my body, I know that the break is coming to an end. I've started to feel a little restless and the curriculum designer in my head has taken over my daily walks and has kept me up at night a few times. I've started to update a few older products and I have some ideas for new ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The challenge now is to try and keep everything in balance, which I know will be very hard to do. I appreciate your patience and support as I try my best to fit in all my passions in a healthy way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you have ever felt overwhelmed with stress, please know you are not alone. Reach out to your loved ones, your doctors, your friends. Stress and anxiety are things that we all deal with, but rarely talk about. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I always thought that I managed stress pretty well, until this year when my body rebelled against it. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Luckily for me, I was able to find a solution to my headaches/anxiety fairly quickly. Please, listen to your body. Take a break when you need it. Love yourself and remember you are not alone. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">With Love,</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com91tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-26762085475895876082015-04-02T14:31:00.003-04:002019-07-30T08:05:52.270-04:002015 Teacher Tool Gift Exchange Linky<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hello, friends! I'm so excited to have some free time this week, so I can share with you a little bit about my recent trip to French Lick, Indiana for the 2015 Spring Teacher Blogger Meet Up! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Today I wanted to share with you the fabulous gift I took home from our Teacher Tool Gift Exchange. </span><br />
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<a href="http://secondgradesugarandspice.blogspot.com/2015/03/2015-teacher-tool-gift-exchange-linky.html"><img border="0" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPb9bp8Lk7Lv9MIoUDRZpBwPLLhr_01n1gzA_JTLA4tUfhfJxFrRwhP6Yje813yZFtPxoQafAHOgtpd3gmZutmplqIkj6fwMusUjP8YqaP9ln5nrO3yD8RRFUItAdkV3pcgtmYTukxqOzy/s1600/teacher+tool+gift+linky+button.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Everyone who attended the meet up was asked to bring their favorite teacher tool for a gift exchange. At the meet up, they separated us into grade level groups to exchange and share our gifts. I LOVED seeing everyone's gifts, and add several new items to my Amazon wish list on the spot! You can check out what I took to the meet up as my favorite teacher tool kit <a href="http://exploringiselementary.blogspot.com/2015/03/teacher-tool-swap.html">{here}</a>. So glad you liked the markers, Cindy! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">After playing a fun "swap" game, we were to open our goodies. I was lucky enough to receive a fabulous gift bag from The Primary Gal! </span><br />
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<a href="http://theprimarygal.blogspot.com/" title="The Primary Gal"><img alt="The Primary Gal" src="http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag77/pljones05/button_zps994a7236.png~original" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />There were so many fun and thoughtful goodies inside! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KdAVeKbR9OZCHdvRo6LfehFJjKYlZ7f7teiHMBrlW0UXXKgHFfAxU4GX0S9SMX9zGL-jMIesgvvdmYwxL6ruC9IR53mxVKG90OeWlzzQwWCUnQ7kS4CVrDh3DXVqn28ABb3LYd_G1OGn/s1600/Slide3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KdAVeKbR9OZCHdvRo6LfehFJjKYlZ7f7teiHMBrlW0UXXKgHFfAxU4GX0S9SMX9zGL-jMIesgvvdmYwxL6ruC9IR53mxVKG90OeWlzzQwWCUnQ7kS4CVrDh3DXVqn28ABb3LYd_G1OGn/s1600/Slide3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JKsQiLsiUcIvlAP36iQruf8akpboV3CY-B1EJFZFi6LF_8OTtx9HgcZSdJ_movftW-lkT071dqDsLvpngmVhaR0uqB-fLTWWtSjEnM7mWtIiniNQGN0fMJ2ypWiL9BIwxaL4ef5LVuDk/s1600/Slide4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JKsQiLsiUcIvlAP36iQruf8akpboV3CY-B1EJFZFi6LF_8OTtx9HgcZSdJ_movftW-lkT071dqDsLvpngmVhaR0uqB-fLTWWtSjEnM7mWtIiniNQGN0fMJ2ypWiL9BIwxaL4ef5LVuDk/s1600/Slide4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Amanda shared with me that she always loves to have a cute box of Thank You cards in her desk at school. I typically have some on hand as well, but they aren't this cute! :) I love them! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have also been using the Sharpies almost daily since I got home from French Lick a lot because they match my classroom perfectly! :) The colors are also perfect for spring!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">There were also a few fun post notes in her gift bag as well! :) </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvfdbljxS0_FdNBblBR0dwvCOXS9Aua0eYrf3ARWHBVnXgrHTE-_j6RzWNpEe-FpPMx3omohdJ6meP1fyz5pYwmjvJ7yoWeXMEfNvVUXL69s5eQJxrxABqmDcxBZymz6gS6NshXoU4vis/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvfdbljxS0_FdNBblBR0dwvCOXS9Aua0eYrf3ARWHBVnXgrHTE-_j6RzWNpEe-FpPMx3omohdJ6meP1fyz5pYwmjvJ7yoWeXMEfNvVUXL69s5eQJxrxABqmDcxBZymz6gS6NshXoU4vis/s1600/Slide1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWv83V74MyjFvGvmCaExCIeX5228OHnzRv7VbKNdqIIqZE4piSOp9Rzlc6jSd-qNGIebNKMBJLFJSh60jA26Jxz6fKFAHSf2hhByAwnC6lPWPp_q0s6Q0IVnvUcd7WYUf0QVi3oW_lAb7/s1600/Slide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWv83V74MyjFvGvmCaExCIeX5228OHnzRv7VbKNdqIIqZE4piSOp9Rzlc6jSd-qNGIebNKMBJLFJSh60jA26Jxz6fKFAHSf2hhByAwnC6lPWPp_q0s6Q0IVnvUcd7WYUf0QVi3oW_lAb7/s1600/Slide2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have been using the hand print post it notes to write encouraging "high five" notes to my students. I plan on using the thought bubble ones during my "reading is thinking" lesson at the next year. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUtJrmLreY0diFKfEdtbCpuPqvrRrfEe8N-VnEMYblsHXhKrrRRo-jUQxVGyTK25hYt2NfRjcqDSBUEQwfj47yRVYJVXo4uG7MSkAxSi6RxCm00NDmYmcHuxlL0b8_TmgNRdCC2IYS2gG/s1600/reeces.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUtJrmLreY0diFKfEdtbCpuPqvrRrfEe8N-VnEMYblsHXhKrrRRo-jUQxVGyTK25hYt2NfRjcqDSBUEQwfj47yRVYJVXo4uG7MSkAxSi6RxCm00NDmYmcHuxlL0b8_TmgNRdCC2IYS2gG/s1600/reeces.png" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">She even included a package of Reece's Peanut Butter Eggs in her gift as well! They are my favorite Easter candy and I had to carefully hid them from my husband when I got home! Thank you so much, Amanda for the thoughtful and generous gift!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The Teacher Tool Gift Exchange was just one of the fabulous parts of my weekend in French Lick and I can't wait to share the rest of my trip with you soon! Many thanks to my sweet friend, <a href="http://secondgradesugarandspice.blogspot.com/2015/03/2015-teacher-tool-gift-exchange-linky.html">Christina</a>, for hosting this fun link up! :) I highly encourage you to click around on the links below to see some of the other posts. I did earlier this week and found some great Christmas/birthday gift ideas for my teacher friends at school!</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com76tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-22744086598252376522015-03-29T11:07:00.000-04:002015-03-29T11:07:01.048-04:00Spring Cleaning Sale<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Sunday! I am officially on spring break and can't wait to catch up with you. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm just popping by today to let you know that I'm having a little Spring Cleaning Sale!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Not only is my entire sale on sale BUT a few of my favorite spring products are 25% off. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">You can check out my TpT store by clicking <a href="http://bit.ly/1Aftez4">{here}</a> or by clicking on the Spring Cleaning Sale image. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a great Sunday! I'll be blogging at you soon!</span><br />
<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com168tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-31776580351989832592015-01-04T15:48:00.002-05:002015-01-04T16:39:55.560-05:00Fourth and Ten at Home: Winter Break Projects<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hello! Like many of you, I'm savoring my last few moments of Winter Break. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My husband is at work today and I'm cuddled up on the couch marathon watching "The Office" like it's my job. It is in one word, perfect. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">In a little bit, I'll get my teacher bag out of my office and organize the mess that it is. I'll review this week's lesson plans, and grade a few papers. Most of all, I'll savor the fact that the house is clean and the laundry is caught up because I know that after tomorrow it probably won't be until spring break.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Today, I want to share a few projects I tackled at home over break with you. Thus the reason for the post title "Fourth and Ten at Home." I used to have a home blog back in the day and I miss it a lot. I don't have the time to keep with up with more than one blog right now, so I hope you don't mind me sharing an occasional recipe or home project from time to time with you to get my "fix".</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am not naturally a very organized person, and neither is my husband. Thankfully there are blogs like <a href="http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/">I Heart Organizing</a> and <a href="http://www.twotwentyone.net/">Two Twenty One</a> to help a girl like me along. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">One project I wanted to tackle over Winter Break was organizing our catch all cabinet. This cabinet holds our medicines, dog treats, serving platters, mail supplies, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I made some labels and shopped my house for some baskets/containers to organize everything in our catch all cabinet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">There are still a few things in the cabinet that need a home but it's way better that what it was! :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I've also been using essential oils for the past few months. They have helped my out my sinuses so much. However, the only thing I have hated about using them was that I didn't have a great way to store them! Luckily I found some containers at The Container Store that were perfect! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh674VNAkBT7gFKqTYGn7sNAXVv_YR9cSnIIun0q-sLvOaTSEGQxzNSU2gYnKejX97UcxzIrnpR-5K3EuYImJSWk95PuDgomD8MiDgn-c5_B2FMiKtCgXXufqQ1HhxROe217iF8BY_8AmY3/s1600/Slide09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh674VNAkBT7gFKqTYGn7sNAXVv_YR9cSnIIun0q-sLvOaTSEGQxzNSU2gYnKejX97UcxzIrnpR-5K3EuYImJSWk95PuDgomD8MiDgn-c5_B2FMiKtCgXXufqQ1HhxROe217iF8BY_8AmY3/s1600/Slide09.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I used a <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/bath/cosmeticsOrganizers?productId=10030982">lipstick holder </a>for the 5ml bottles and a <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/bath/cosmeticsOrganizers?productId=10034471">nail polish holder</a> for the 15ml bottles and the glass bottles I put my carrier oils in. If you're interested in essential oils, feel free to email me. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I also worked on adding some character to our kitchen. We had our house painted a few years ago and hung some curtains, but many rooms are missing that "finishing" touch. I hope to change that in 2015. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">One thing I wanted to add to our kitchen was a little coffee station. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Luckily, Hobby Lobby was <i>really</i> good to me last week! I was able to get the metal basket and picture frame for half off. The "But First, Coffee" print was purchased <a href="https://www.etsy.com/transaction/257810863">{here}</a> and printed off at Walgreens. This whole project cost a little more than $10 but added so much character, and much needed organization, to my kitchen. I just love it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We also have a ledge that separates our kitchen and our morning room, dinning area. I felt it needed a little TLC too and I love how it came together! </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">I already had the green mason jar and the print was from Meijer of all places, and the frame was from Hobby Lobby. The picture is one of my favorites from our wedding and I love looking over at it while I'm doing the dishes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We also had a blank wall that really needed a little something. We've looked and looked but never really found anything we loved. We went to Columbus over break and found this sign at a little shop called <a href="http://www.celebratelocalohio.com/">Celebrate Local</a> and knew we had to have it. I love looking at it every morning. It has such a positive message. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I paid a little attention to our entry way as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I printed all the <a href="http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/p/subway-art-collection.html">eighteen25 subway art</a> prints off at Costco a few years go but for some reason, never switch them out. I'm trying this year to actually keep them current because they do add a little "something" to our entry way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Yes, that is a turkey on my blog in January. We have hosted Thanksgiving for the past two years. I used the same core recipes both times but they weren't organized at all. In fact, the printed copies were all over my cookbook basket. So I made a cute cover, paper clipped them all together, and I'm already to go next year! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I also picked up a little wicker tray at Hobby Lobby for our TV remotes. It's literally been the best $5 I have spent lately. The hubs and I have actually done a good job at keeping our remotes inside it. Usually we have to spend a few minutes searching the family room and couch cousins before we can actually watch TV. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I also worked on thank you notes for my students. I have found that it's really hard for me to actually get them to my students before we go on break. Call me crazy, but I just love to spend time with my kids that last day of school before break begins. Usually, I spend an hour or so over on my holiday thank you notes on day while I watch TV/bowl games etc. This allows my notes to be a little bit more personalized. This template is one of many from my newest pack, <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-Winter-Themed-Homework-Passes-and-Thank-You-Notes-1625295">Editable Winter Themed Homework Passes and Thank You Notes</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">They fit, once trimmed, in standard <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P4LS2XW?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00P4LS2XW&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20">No. 6 3/4 envelopes</a>,which you can find at any retailer. I like to mail them to my kiddos but that is totally up to you. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My Buckeyes also played in the Sugar Bowl. So January 1st's projects were all about the Buckeyes. We had some friends and family over. So I made buffalo chicken sliders. They were yummy and delicious. I used<a href="http://www.emilybites.com/2012/07/slow-cooker-buffalo-chicken.html"> {this}</a> recipe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">One of my sweet students got me those paper towels. I think they they brought good luck, so I'll have them out next Monday too. I bought <a href="http://www.cheryls.com/">Cheryl's </a>cookies for all the humans and homemade script Ohio treats for my dogs. We all had a great time eating and cheering for our Buckeyes together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I lost my voice during the game, I was <i>a little excited</i>, and I am now trying to think of ways to fit in my dad's luggage since he is going to the National Championship in Dallas. #jealous</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The best part of break though was just spending lots of time with my husband. He was actually on winter break from school too, he goes to college and works full time, which never happens. We had so much fun over break together. It has been a stressful few months for both of us and carefree time together was just what we needed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope that you had a wonderful break, teacher friends. May your coffee be strong tomorrow and your day feel short! </span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com147tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-21150715200733845602014-12-31T11:53:00.001-05:002014-12-31T11:53:28.321-05:00Winter Party Recap<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hi, friends! I had a few questions on <a href="http://instagram.com/fourthnten/">IG </a>about my fall and winter parties, so I'm here today to share some simple tips on how I make our holiday parties fun and exciting BUT enjoyable and calm for their teacher as well. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I try to keep things simple when it comes to parties. I've learned that just works best. I have set up parties every way you could think of. I've had parents plan the entire party, I've had parents plan games and crafts, I've done activities as a whole class, and I've done activities in smaller groups. I've had parties where the games where the activities took so long that we didn't get to even touch the food the kids brought it. I've also had parties where we revert to playing tic tac toe or hangman because the games/activities didn't take up enough time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Over time, I learned that things work best when I'm in charge. Parents naturally flock to you during parties to ask questions about activities, games, or crafts. Even if you announce a fellow parent was in charge of the party planning. For me, nothing is more stressful than shrugging my shoulders and saying "I don't know," to a parent during a party. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So a few years ago, I just started planning it all. I reuse many of the same activities from year to year, so it takes literally minutes to put everything into place. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We rock our parties out in rotations. I have six tables. We have six stations/rotations. They move from station to station with their table. When it's time to switch, I just move the name names to their new station. So easy. The rotations allow my kids to have fun in a very controlled way. This allows me to have fun too and many of my classroom parents have remarked at how it allows them to enjoy the experience of volunteering more as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have my students take "party bags" from rotation to rotation. They put the put any papers, activities, or snacks from each station in them during the party. It's a great way to keep everything together and to keep the party rolling. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">One of the stations always involves a fun snack. For our winter/Christmas party, we decorated graham crackers. I am usually in charge of this station. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Each student had a graham cracker, that they broke in half, a knife with a dollop of icing on it, and sprinkles that they used to make little graham cracker sandwiches with. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Three of the stations involve a game of some kind. At our winter party we played Don't Eat Rudolph, a variation of Don't Eat Pete, <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Holiday-Bingo-Set-171478">Holiday Bingo</a>, and a <a href="http://www.myloveforwords.com/christmas-guessing-game-printables/#_a5y_p=2838165">Holiday Hedbanz/Guessing Game</a>. My parent volunteers are each assigned one of these stations and run the same station throughout the entire party. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">A few of my kids had never played Hedbanz before, so we made sure to play it during brain breaks the week of the party.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Two of the stations are a bit calmer and can run without any help, which is great if you don't have a lot of extra help at your party. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My kids LOVE word searches and we never ever get to do them, so we always have a word search. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We also do a simple craft. For this party, my students decorated Christmas Tree Magic Scratch Ornaments. I got them from <a href="http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/search/processRequest.do?Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial&Ntk=all&requestURI=searchMain&N=0&No=0&Ntt=magic+scratch+">Oriental Trading</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The rotations take about thirty minutes, give or take, and then we end things with some snacks and a movie. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The parents typically man a little buffet for our snacks at our back table and allow students to go table by table. I don't go crazy on the snacks because for many years, the kids were throwing SO much food away. I let the kids pick what they want and there is usually very little food left at the end of the party. I typically have a least one student with a peanut allergy, so we usually stick to Oreos, Rice Krispie Treats, pretzels, and fruit snacks. This year I have a student with an egg/diary allergy and he just brings his own snack pack to the party and keeps his own game boards/coutners for any games involving food in his party bag.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">While my students eat their snacks and enjoy the movie, the parents and I clean up the stations. I also send home the leftover cookies, fruit snacks, pretzels, etc. with the students who sent them in to avoid cluttering up my cabinets/counters. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">The movie gives my students a chance to calm down and we can go to the buses safely and calmly.</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">To keep things even less stressful on party day, I put the items needed for each station in plastic tubs as they come in. I have a tub for each station and this allows us to begin our party as soon as our parent helpers show up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I use <a href="http://www.signupgenius.com/">Signup Genius </a> for our party donations and volunteers. It takes minutes to create a sign up and I love how I don't have to coordinate who is sending in items, the website does it for me. I send the link out to my homeroom parents in an email and usually within a DAY, everything is taken care off. The website also sends parents an email about their donation/volunteer time a few days before. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Even though our Christmas/Winter Parties are over, hopefully you found something helpful/useful for your future class parties. We use the same set up at every party and it always works out great, even with my most challenging classes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I also just wanted to let you know that my store will be on sale today and tomorrow to celebrate the New Year! You can check out Fourth and Ten on TpT <a href="http://bit.ly/1pSxeuS">{here}</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy New Year!</span><br />
<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com367tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-51915612337984703902014-12-23T16:30:00.002-05:002015-12-13T19:00:41.723-05:00Homemade Christmas Gifts for Coworkers, Students, Neighbors and Friends {2014 edition} Freebies<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hi friends! :) I just printed and prepped the last of our 2014 Christmas gifts and finally have some time to relax and unwind. It's a Wonderful Life is on the TV and I have two sweet pups curled up next to me on the couch. It's my own little piece of heaven. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I wanted to take some time today to share some of the gift tags from Christmas gifts that I shared on my IG account. A lot of people asked and I'm excited to share them with you as a special holiday gift today! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Christmas gifts were Pinspired this year and I have had a lot of fun putting everything together! A recap of our holiday gifts, for school and home, is below. Even if you can't use them this year, you might find something to Pin away for next year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My husband is a general manager for a nationwide bakery cafe chain and wanted to do something special for his assistant managers this year to let them know how much he appreciates their hard work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I picked up a few movie themed snacks at The Dollar Tree, some buttered popcorn from Aldi, and printed off some giftcards from Redbox to make a fun movie night box. The tubs and tissue paper are from The Dollar Tree as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">He also has 25+ associates that he wanted to do something special for. My first thought was a $5 gift card to Starbucks but my husband hates giving gift cards. We went round and round with ideas for a few weeks and come up with this gift. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I forgot to take a picture of these gifts before he took them to work, and my hubs was sweet enough to text me one. I bought a variety of the candy cane treat containers above, they are also on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BV2G8XY?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00BV2G8XY&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20">Amazon</a>, and my husband let his employees choose the one the wanted. They were $2 each at Walmart and his employees loved them! I also made his staff my cake batter cookies. I use this <a href="http://stephaniecooks.blogspot.com/2011/01/cake-batter-cookies.html">recipe</a>. The cookie bags were from Hobby Lobby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My teaching team also exchanges gifts with one another. We meet up for dinner at the beginning of break and have a lot of fun exchanging the fun little gifts we found for each other. For these gifts, I start stalking my jane.com app/emails in early November. Last year, I got everyone Burlap ornaments. This year, everyone got chapstick keychains! I ordered one for myself too and I LOVE it! They came from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/gabrielsgoodtidings">this</a> Etsy seller in case you want one for yourself!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I put a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GM0F9BM?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00GM0F9BM&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20">Candy Cane Chap Stick</a> in each. :) Isn't it the BEST flavor? I need to stock up on it, so I have enough for the rest of the year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I nicknamed Christmas 2014, "A Very Dollar Tree Christmas" because I was seemingly there every day after work. I also gave the girls a pair of cozy socks from the DT as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Here's what everything looked like in their gift bags. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am very blessed to have a dedicated group of educational assistants who work with my students. They provide interventions, classroom support, and they are such a help to me. I bought several passion fruit EOS and made these adorable EOS Rudolphs. You can find the printable <a href="http://www.triedandtrueblog.com/rudolph-christmas-gift-free-printable/">{here}</a> from <a href="http://www.triedandtrueblog.com/">The Tried and True Blog</a>. This was such a practical and cute gift! Everyone loved them! I got the EOS from a variety of different places. The ones below are from Walmart and I liked them best because how they were packaged. The bags were from Hobby Lobby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My kids made handprint snowmen ornaments for their parents again this year. I originally blogged about them <a href="http://www.fourthnten.com/2012/12/parent-gift-ideas-freebie.html">{here}</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This was my fourth year doing these ornaments. I always say "that's too much work" or "I'm never doing them again" but I always end up doing them. My kids always enjoy making them and they are always make a great keepsake for their parents. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This year my teaching partner, painted the canvases with our kids one day and a few days later, I had them do the snow people paintings. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This helped me out tremendously! Thanks, Amy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This year we used <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CE1PBQ?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001CE1PBQ&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20">these</a> artist trading cards. I got mine at Hobby Lobby but they are on Amazon too! The best deal I found on the acrylic paint was at Walmart, they were 2 for $1. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My teaching partner and I have 50+ students. That's a lot of bonus points and I just never saw any $1 books that they would love, except <u>Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing</u> but we read that during book clubs later in the year. So we bought some cute holiday sandwich bags from The Dollar Tree and filled them with goodies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We filled the bag with cherry candy canes (WalMart), a pencil and eraser (Dollar Tree), and homework passes. I used the homework passes from my Editable Homework Pass/Thank You note pack that you can find on TpT <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Editable-Winter-Themed-Homework-Passes-and-Thank-You-Notes-1625295">{here}</a>. It made prepping their gifts a snap and easily to implement, as my partner teacher and I got to customize our homework passes! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The DIY/Pinspiration trend carried over into our friends' gifts as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Several of our friends now have babies and so I got several copies of <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1477810544?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=1477810544&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20">Sneezy the Snowman</a></u> for them from Scholastic. They were only a $1 each and it is such a cute little book!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We put the copies of <u>Sneezy</u> in a gift bag with the following treats. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I got these cute little Keurig Gingerbread Houses from Meijer for $5! You can also find them on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PCV25LY?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00PCV25LY&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20">Amazon</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We are really lucky that some of our best friends are our neighbors, so we wanted to add a little something to their coffee and book bag. They all love my homemade pumpkin bread. I bought <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FGUX9VQ?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00FGUX9VQ&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20">these</a> mini bread loaf tins and was able to get six mini loaves from my recipe! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">For the other neighbors on our street, we gave them a roll of cute wrapping paper and tape because we didn't know if they had any food allergies at their house. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> The gift wrap and tape were purchased at Dollar Tree. :) I PROMISE they didn't sponsor this post, I just love DT this time of the year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We also have the sweetest mailman in the world. He's always smiling and always shows great care with the many packages we receive. We left this bag of donuts in our mailbox with a Panera gift card for some coffee for him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">These donuts were two for $4 at Meijer this week and I picked up a few more for our garbage men. It might seem overboard but it's a joy to bless the people who serve our family every single day/week. The tag I plan on using is for our garbage men are in the freebie included at the end of the post! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you are interested in the tags for the movie night tub, coffee, bread, wrapping paper, or donuts, they are in available <a href="http://bit.ly/1wij2xR">{here}</a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyJKQKyRUKVu-d5tbsBhc-wawjBG-CGwgQEkrxhqaT_bTzFmnfzyHaC_QsxiIi4j5TnoXvVULdu_2KV7gr1NAACS2-ASkrjcnGQF2gZayZ9M8Kb3_1PxydQv3OAPS20QXrGsZz9IgITx_/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyJKQKyRUKVu-d5tbsBhc-wawjBG-CGwgQEkrxhqaT_bTzFmnfzyHaC_QsxiIi4j5TnoXvVULdu_2KV7gr1NAACS2-ASkrjcnGQF2gZayZ9M8Kb3_1PxydQv3OAPS20QXrGsZz9IgITx_/s1600/Slide1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">They may look a little different but this way you can sign your name with a regular pen/maker, since the ones in the pictures are chalkboard and would require white. If you aren't able to use the tags this year, you can alway pin any of the images for next year. :) Before I go, I get asked often what printer I use often. I have an Epson Workforce Pro. You can find mine </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JXLGESY?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00JXLGESY&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20" style="font-size: xx-large;">{here}</a><span style="font-size: x-large;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas! </span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-91083061574144623202014-11-30T09:19:00.001-05:002014-11-30T09:19:12.023-05:002+1 Cyber Sale Link Up<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hello, friends! So sorry that it's been more than a hot minute since I last posted. I've been battling a lingering cold for the past month and we had lots of out of town family in for Thanksgiving. Hosting Thanksgiving is such much fun but boy is it a lot of work! :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Perhaps by now you have heard that TpT is having their annual Cyber Sale on Monday and Tuesday! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_pvk6b_D9Fb5KH4krHxsTGvxoDiO-yQ3IUzaQwz5U3bQq65SVLg0Vn7Uyv-6XXIZ_mpgbHaMqXvqv3qQvOWqnnYMq6xMr9-MCi065aaL8ifEhGe3GWyrSClprreIm4DBnkqG8zWl3pGw/s1600/Cyber+Sale+Banners4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_pvk6b_D9Fb5KH4krHxsTGvxoDiO-yQ3IUzaQwz5U3bQq65SVLg0Vn7Uyv-6XXIZ_mpgbHaMqXvqv3qQvOWqnnYMq6xMr9-MCi065aaL8ifEhGe3GWyrSClprreIm4DBnkqG8zWl3pGw/s1600/Cyber+Sale+Banners4.png" height="80" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Since I'm not a fan of crowds and lines, I rock the online shopping at Christmas time! I check jane.com and Amazon daily during the weeks leading up to Christmas to find gifts for my friends and family. Luckily, I've always been able to find some really unique and special gifts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">TpT's Cyber Sale is a perfect time to stock up on goodies for class to use during the winter months. We often go days, even weeks at time, cooped up indoors during the winter, so I love using items from TpT to keep things fresh and exciting! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm excited to link up with <a href="http://ideasbyjivey.blogspot.com/">Jivey</a> today to share the two most wish listed items from my store and one item I can't wait to buy during the big sale!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgty2605cuMXXsmdwnV-e9sdLkcU7-DO3wP9Syu0ImynJFN5aVRlRP2wXGyTEERzqIpmcjFAp3nsbO6fWngb0h2cN3HoXI09eOpioYl0IxpVCQ8EkMv1z73fyX83tERpgo3AZDQFLtH6aHt/s1600/LinkyButton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgty2605cuMXXsmdwnV-e9sdLkcU7-DO3wP9Syu0ImynJFN5aVRlRP2wXGyTEERzqIpmcjFAp3nsbO6fWngb0h2cN3HoXI09eOpioYl0IxpVCQ8EkMv1z73fyX83tERpgo3AZDQFLtH6aHt/s1600/LinkyButton.png" height="636" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">You can check out the entire link up <a href="http://ideasbyjivey.blogspot.com/2014/11/21tptcyber-whats-on-your-wishlist.html">{here}</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngp4BauJ0USTFzaeslSJPg-ehc-6yJ0db06uEh4dHc5WgFC0tLocEPZ0znXOJOKmjdVS8YBOP7KxBfyETP8YcV12KbQbdy9z5BkEDQBtsw1rFZquURu4SQyMW-_jX__ipJw9u2eXixg6n/s1600/firstwishlist.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhngp4BauJ0USTFzaeslSJPg-ehc-6yJ0db06uEh4dHc5WgFC0tLocEPZ0znXOJOKmjdVS8YBOP7KxBfyETP8YcV12KbQbdy9z5BkEDQBtsw1rFZquURu4SQyMW-_jX__ipJw9u2eXixg6n/s1600/firstwishlist.png" height="170" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">My store's most wish listed item is my Place Value Block Craftivity. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B9FuO9HEy781Gl038-acBmmsf-szg5GwkjBC57F40W2kY6u6CwTLWTjnHaJkPiIy2GqyYv7oA9Oad1pCB8jW2oOHUZoPrlT9A_gj-Z8z0Rj8pbCDI2zRmUIIcPQjhKUvWG7_TJZkPqWh/s1600/place+value+block+preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7B9FuO9HEy781Gl038-acBmmsf-szg5GwkjBC57F40W2kY6u6CwTLWTjnHaJkPiIy2GqyYv7oA9Oad1pCB8jW2oOHUZoPrlT9A_gj-Z8z0Rj8pbCDI2zRmUIIcPQjhKUvWG7_TJZkPqWh/s1600/place+value+block+preview.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I always love seeing how creative my students are with their final products of this activity and it's a great way to assess your students' knowledge of standard, expanded and word form. Many of my store's customers have shared they use them in interactive notebooks or make a place value block town as a bulletin board, which I think is a darling idea! You can check out Place Value Block <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-Block-a-math-craftivity-261441">{here}</a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-hnuqguYQ41rxWsC-eLna9HV-Fz2FFB0iCfTCk-11XVsPui7-HasH7R7O33s9lqj7K6JrZlqHrCVj3lTk68Z8amPEhEb40NYbqbB7aDXJnrjz6UU7GWe5PRypZAF-IIdr8kRW_LVBUbf/s1600/secondwishlist.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-hnuqguYQ41rxWsC-eLna9HV-Fz2FFB0iCfTCk-11XVsPui7-HasH7R7O33s9lqj7K6JrZlqHrCVj3lTk68Z8amPEhEb40NYbqbB7aDXJnrjz6UU7GWe5PRypZAF-IIdr8kRW_LVBUbf/s1600/secondwishlist.png" height="170" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The second most wish listed item in my store is my Types of Sentences Activity Pack. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMisnI16Dpa8oWdiwfKIV0gR6yWWUV5AwuLKk9Wx4_5WFX98L_BKP5pBCAuGP8WmIcL3p7N0LuGo-s6MAUtG4DBIgYHdiVgLF1uaYnxZ-NKzEGJGuNNp8VG2o96d2WpwBkAeoe7EUaIF3U/s1600/971329_395972357174738_2070511817_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMisnI16Dpa8oWdiwfKIV0gR6yWWUV5AwuLKk9Wx4_5WFX98L_BKP5pBCAuGP8WmIcL3p7N0LuGo-s6MAUtG4DBIgYHdiVgLF1uaYnxZ-NKzEGJGuNNp8VG2o96d2WpwBkAeoe7EUaIF3U/s1600/971329_395972357174738_2070511817_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I use this interactive unit during the first few weeks of school to review the types of sentences/punctuation types and I'm always so thankful for the time we spent review with it! However, you could use the activities all year long! :) You can check out my Types of Sentences Activity Pack <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Types-of-Sentences-Activity-Pack-262978">{here}</a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Q7ALPmV_xvlyWAs6XfuR4HOzCmQ_rJF97kwPqmIetp58wdvsQy_TYYLUS4Jhv5ITRxeggR-KLNNR2ZFfZfVLif3GVE9ZiZIFwM1-sSjN0qDnKaOZLAJeb-Fc4XkDjEKzb77cy60treKM/s1600/mywishlist+(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Q7ALPmV_xvlyWAs6XfuR4HOzCmQ_rJF97kwPqmIetp58wdvsQy_TYYLUS4Jhv5ITRxeggR-KLNNR2ZFfZfVLif3GVE9ZiZIFwM1-sSjN0qDnKaOZLAJeb-Fc4XkDjEKzb77cy60treKM/s1600/mywishlist+(1).png" height="164" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">There are a lot of items on my wish list that I can't wait to buy but the one I'm looking forward to buying first thing on Monday is <a href="http://thebrownbagteacher.blogspot.com/">Catherine's</a> Winter Break Challenge!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FYChy1ilqf7PdecGTjnCsBPeTz2UOig7NKg_mSbFGnfDCBGCj0tK-AnmFjrI85wqL_H13Iux0c1slodbemdaml0_WIkhlOgRtZqnHEkcuKMf-ZxKDPe07E_rvtfQWyAiPn3EnrTWRnOb/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FYChy1ilqf7PdecGTjnCsBPeTz2UOig7NKg_mSbFGnfDCBGCj0tK-AnmFjrI85wqL_H13Iux0c1slodbemdaml0_WIkhlOgRtZqnHEkcuKMf-ZxKDPe07E_rvtfQWyAiPn3EnrTWRnOb/s1600/Slide1.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We are off for about 2.5 weeks every winter break, which is AMAZING. However, my students really struggle with their reading stamina when they come back to school. My students this year also LOVE reading and I can tell they would love this pack! Catherine's pack looks like a great and FUN way to keep my students motivated with their independent reading over our very long holiday break! You can check out Catherine's Winter Break Challenge <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Break-Challenge-for-Elementary-Classrooms-998410">{here}</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I do have several Christmas goodies in my store, which you can check out <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Fourth-And-Ten/PreK-12-Subject-Area/ChristmasChanukahKwanzaa">{here}</a>! My store will be 20% during the sale and you can save an additional 10% off the sale prices using the code TPTCYBER. Happy Shopping!</span><br />
<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-64868827544904746442014-10-26T11:58:00.002-04:002014-10-26T15:53:26.869-04:00Trick or Treat Sale and Halloween fun for the Bigger Kids<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Sunday, Friends! I just wanted to stop by the ole blog and little you know I'm having a Trick or Treat sale today and tomorrow! It's the perfect time to pick up some Halloween fun for the bigger kids. :) </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOedEr-6OyP7nNRfTBszteriAg6pNVYGKi5HULrr8KgjSVBxxNBbK5BLAC1zudxfNkBZSNQufV2-Ap2AE8vIBXGt3XYPp0hrWEJxYeJhrs_lAa0mx0BXvo61OUh7pMMXabNyu7baeyzMaH/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOedEr-6OyP7nNRfTBszteriAg6pNVYGKi5HULrr8KgjSVBxxNBbK5BLAC1zudxfNkBZSNQufV2-Ap2AE8vIBXGt3XYPp0hrWEJxYeJhrs_lAa0mx0BXvo61OUh7pMMXabNyu7baeyzMaH/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">You can visit my TpT store by clicking <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Fourth-And-Ten/">{here}</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have been asked a few times lately to share what Halloween looks like in my fourth grade classroom. So I dug into the blog archives to share some of the Halloween activities I typically do with my students. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">One of things that I always do is make extra copies of my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Themed-Reading-Graphic-Organizers-340774">Halloween Graphic Organizers</a> to use throughout the month during their independent reading. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRjSfyBWJevAEYDvs880LYeI6SFxCgBDeNPbv_CG13E2SAj0AvZbUB38IiCplwLZ4UuVgg3et9w838Y1T2CK1Ipwb2lJAP_PNwkcm-m17iCHzfnybppS-8FDFhTMLT6rtasZpN_fzpELR/s1600/Slide01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRjSfyBWJevAEYDvs880LYeI6SFxCgBDeNPbv_CG13E2SAj0AvZbUB38IiCplwLZ4UuVgg3et9w838Y1T2CK1Ipwb2lJAP_PNwkcm-m17iCHzfnybppS-8FDFhTMLT6rtasZpN_fzpELR/s1600/Slide01.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I keep the extra copies in a binder and tab the first copy of each. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFub2uwxqlk1Vmt79I9I3z3hDCi5MqdXLWkADuZWdcbQL0DhPXXeLNlL3_SzK-7VieCl4A_YL78RGqqBCJyhy5gL3hamvAF01LBTJBsnMSOZ8xXFNlTLR15c4NQ6J7Zx6ZQVUispEMPzC/s1600/trick+or+treat+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFub2uwxqlk1Vmt79I9I3z3hDCi5MqdXLWkADuZWdcbQL0DhPXXeLNlL3_SzK-7VieCl4A_YL78RGqqBCJyhy5gL3hamvAF01LBTJBsnMSOZ8xXFNlTLR15c4NQ6J7Zx6ZQVUispEMPzC/s400/trick+or+treat+2.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Then I put the binder in the tub I keep my seasonal books in for easy access. My kiddos having been loving the extra practice with various comprehension strategies and story elements, and I have too. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">On the actual day of Halloween, I allow my students to read a Halloween/Fall picture book with a partner and complete an accompanying Halloween graphic organizer. You'd be surprised by how excited big kids still get when there is a cute piece of clip art on their graphic organizer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Of course, I use them throughout the month during small groups too. In fact, I used the summary graphic organizer just last week!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_adCK_QQFJ1ZKWeN0_52_SnAB8pQJBHv9RPn0agFBz_lHb932BxfC7j4fIvq4LFXQHrcXTbmgtZ4rN_SGVfwM_j581zlSVMcLUyx8kXRw4yyHhE5N9eGSiQcHTbif7rcjMQX-pJH_9XY/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-10-26+at+11.57.26+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_adCK_QQFJ1ZKWeN0_52_SnAB8pQJBHv9RPn0agFBz_lHb932BxfC7j4fIvq4LFXQHrcXTbmgtZ4rN_SGVfwM_j581zlSVMcLUyx8kXRw4yyHhE5N9eGSiQcHTbif7rcjMQX-pJH_9XY/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-10-26+at+11.57.26+AM.png" height="468" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Several teachers who have purchased my seasonal graphic organizers mentioned that they use my graphic organizers in their listening centers, which I think is a GREAT idea! :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My teaching partner teaches math, so she gets to use one of my favorite TpT products this week, my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Boo-Ha-Ha-Halloween-Math-Centers-for-Bigger-Kids-354150">BooHaHa Math Centers</a> pack!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My teaching partner uses math workshop to organize her math block and she already has the BooHaHa recording sheets copied and ready to go this week. She uses centers for the hands on portion of her math rotations. :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">She also has a math facts rotation and she is sweet enough to use my multiplication roll and covers in this center. This month she has been using my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Halloween-Multiplication-Roll-and-Cover-941842">Halloween Multiplication Roll and Cover</a> set. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIn9iXnX7IiRFIox7LI8-QIkvq9bospE_zqaBNiaMoJRJyDtorx6ra3Q-HWUH25USSAeG2_PYB9riczhvkOHWcVFZGsaNDGIkRUr8w3AFkmVUHqV6YjYgxGOwg6OUKXO8Zu3osiLyN0XDN/s1600/5d8424e2cd8e52486452b07b3d5cd96a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIn9iXnX7IiRFIox7LI8-QIkvq9bospE_zqaBNiaMoJRJyDtorx6ra3Q-HWUH25USSAeG2_PYB9riczhvkOHWcVFZGsaNDGIkRUr8w3AFkmVUHqV6YjYgxGOwg6OUKXO8Zu3osiLyN0XDN/s1600/5d8424e2cd8e52486452b07b3d5cd96a.jpg" height="400" width="307" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The kids love them and they are so easy to implement. I always put them in a page protector and my students used dry erase markers or math counters as markers. I got my twelve sided dice from Amazon {here}. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Fluency is something I always work on with my struggling readers. I've been working with my IEP students on mastering their third, fourth, and fifth one hundred set of sight words. They LOVE to play my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Trick-or-Treat-Fry-Word-Game-for-Bigger-Kids-371368">Trick or Treat Sigh Word Game</a>! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkGI9mwKeBFBgQHgDOaIpvXyFZcdkN2pvbn5yubKFK5vDQRAo2rgghL51KUFtB-aGfvPhbXPcdEsYQq2NgtRrgVbMGofkJawLCZ0dg4L-LfZ3XMG5TVWuN2W3_ixXZ7UDgnGk6loJGPl0/s1600/Slide01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkGI9mwKeBFBgQHgDOaIpvXyFZcdkN2pvbn5yubKFK5vDQRAo2rgghL51KUFtB-aGfvPhbXPcdEsYQq2NgtRrgVbMGofkJawLCZ0dg4L-LfZ3XMG5TVWuN2W3_ixXZ7UDgnGk6loJGPl0/s1600/Slide01.jpg" height="308" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We have been starting our teacher time guided reading rotation with this game and it's been a great way to get their minds warmed up for reading and have some fun too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope this post helps with your Halloween planning! Have a great week!</span></div>
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-39934745222635799262014-10-13T18:51:00.000-04:002014-10-13T18:51:14.945-04:00Point of View Freebie <span style="font-size: x-large;">Hi friends! I'm keeping tonight's post short and sweet, it's conference week and I've got a to do list a mile long to get ready! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We have been studying point of view for the past few weeks and it's a skill that I like for my students to get a good handle on early in the year because we will now discuss point of view with almost every literature text in class.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">As I was grading my students' biweekly assessment, I could tell that some of my students could benefit from some additional practice with point of view. They especially need more practice comparing/contrast first person and third person point of view. Since one of my weekly workstations during the Daily Five is task cards/literacy centers, I decided to make point of view the focus on my task card station this week. I created a fun game for my students and wrote some passages to use in my task card/center rotation this week.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GgLOi4x43um941oG8kkbzzX-qKXdYb37b6oneA8RiBe-Gp3mEJjMlUTXtAiAXiCsn-BRPkecor3p_ZeVVW5_ZLNWHoOaF-yiUyhEJYzJDKYTFqI6ZPwO89UaNa9SRpCdQ58mgBksPDvu/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GgLOi4x43um941oG8kkbzzX-qKXdYb37b6oneA8RiBe-Gp3mEJjMlUTXtAiAXiCsn-BRPkecor3p_ZeVVW5_ZLNWHoOaF-yiUyhEJYzJDKYTFqI6ZPwO89UaNa9SRpCdQ58mgBksPDvu/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyHTrhfOt1-pmQEkaOZaMvBoaMtYpfyJGMzQMbzNQU5rAjWW2RGnafOAodm2LnPe1tyVjZyE2Iy7zinF8vYLPabGR1w_PE6aoymHBY5doQJ21AgevxZ8_at5xKe5GHunVrn92_hzwSQk2/s1600/Slide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyHTrhfOt1-pmQEkaOZaMvBoaMtYpfyJGMzQMbzNQU5rAjWW2RGnafOAodm2LnPe1tyVjZyE2Iy7zinF8vYLPabGR1w_PE6aoymHBY5doQJ21AgevxZ8_at5xKe5GHunVrn92_hzwSQk2/s1600/Slide2.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixO-ynnFSWE7R-TWPmLAo-1flzbRVjPF4gvZM523XPrUcCyKswL-rD18g9furvoBGoXVjWvEyU_888hgthnmfu5w_h6DoSDREspUVyyS3bYJIjJTOiQNvd0bKdNlu02xP0Av2l7_4Kj5I9/s1600/Slide3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixO-ynnFSWE7R-TWPmLAo-1flzbRVjPF4gvZM523XPrUcCyKswL-rD18g9furvoBGoXVjWvEyU_888hgthnmfu5w_h6DoSDREspUVyyS3bYJIjJTOiQNvd0bKdNlu02xP0Av2l7_4Kj5I9/s1600/Slide3.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you think your students could benefit from using this freebie, you can download it via Google Drive <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0_vpTYVq8ELVHp2d3pyOExpbXc/view?usp=sharing">{here}</a>. :) Enjoy!</span><br />
<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-74545428910765236482014-09-22T20:26:00.000-04:002014-09-23T07:36:21.422-04:00A Peek At Our Week: Characterization and Text Structure <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hello, friends! I hope that everyone had a great Monday! Last week was our first full week of
the Daily Five and overall it went really well. Of course we have a few things we need to work on but I know we will be pros before too long!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I changed up my rotation board and some of the things my students will be doing during the Daily Five a bit this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I purchased my new rotation cards from Jessica, aka <a href="http://theteachertalk22.blogspot.com/">The TeacherTalk</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved all the different
options; you can find them in here store <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Literacy-Station-Rotation-Cards-1360392">{here}</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeXt88tW3Dwo40Df8coT0lPvwiEbmYpyXmkxJjLfyQXDZGGUzuzLbLBQuE_pgzl60l97Aw3bLgaM_2-tXXhqarfcYrSldOPaHRB5ecDrBJ-0UBq8vtD3NeMaEGLKQl_U5H5TpYhvnpDON/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeXt88tW3Dwo40Df8coT0lPvwiEbmYpyXmkxJjLfyQXDZGGUzuzLbLBQuE_pgzl60l97Aw3bLgaM_2-tXXhqarfcYrSldOPaHRB5ecDrBJ-0UBq8vtD3NeMaEGLKQl_U5H5TpYhvnpDON/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This year I added a vocabulary station, a journaling
station, and a task card station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So I guess you could say that my Daily Five block has more of a
workstation vibe this year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This reason for adding the additional stations was because I wanted to provide my
students with additional exposures to our vocabulary words/skills and I also
wanted to give them additional opportunities to work on some of the anchor
standards and skills that are often on our end of the unit/year assessments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Including these two stations has made a
difference already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Responding to reading is huge part of
our PBA PARCC assessments, so I wanted to make sure we </span><u style="font-size: xx-large;">all</u><span style="font-size: x-large;"> got a head start when it came to responding to our reading. I just started introducing responding to reading to some of my groups and I'll share more of what my students do later in the year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Last week our task card station had my students reviewing
main idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most groups used
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Main-Idea-Task-Cards-28-Task-Cards-2-DIFFERENTIATED-Answer-Boards-More-512355">{these}</a> task cards, which you will see below, and my below level/IEP students used <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Main-Idea-Details-Task-Cards-1057616">{these}</a> task
cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Since I have a large number of IEP students this year, I
knew additional exposures to our vocabulary words would help them better
understand our anchor text and allow them to be more successful on our biweekly
comprehension tests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This week our vocabulary station had my students reviewing
the meanings of our Treasures vocabulary words for The Raft. My students played vocabulary memory,
vocabulary dominoes, filled out a crossword and then wrote sentences with our
vocabulary words. I somehow forgot to take pictures of this station but I think you get the gist of how our vocabulary station works/functions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">As the year progresses, my students will do more with
Greek/Latin roots and figurative language for their vocabulary station work but this certainly works for
now!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9QVuy-sYKCpjTk2-u7BnaaNSyw2VP96dHdOO84T5jhmvMtezblpJjo2R0KAe67lmO9I1gP0_vsjNkly_7kL2rkJxPeckMlVplDyVRv23motby-NK81fltopJvUQtSygw6357c_feOphB/s1600/Slide05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9QVuy-sYKCpjTk2-u7BnaaNSyw2VP96dHdOO84T5jhmvMtezblpJjo2R0KAe67lmO9I1gP0_vsjNkly_7kL2rkJxPeckMlVplDyVRv23motby-NK81fltopJvUQtSygw6357c_feOphB/s1600/Slide05.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My students always love our word work workstations, which I use for my spelling stations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use parts of <a href="http://oneextradegree.blogspot.com/">Amanda’s</a> <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Words-Galore-Center-Activities-197955">Words Galore</a>
pack and other materials that I’ve collected throughout the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their favorites this year are sign
language, sandpaper words and magnet words. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv403q_030oJDySPXziaVM1BhrEyf2YCa7hTAz033MxgYES7JaVqccI-YeGCkfm7jKIaq8RF17BYVW7ya6O71eHbJR8ExJrU4ZrdYj-Bt90lOfwEnRQ9E3epO6PrOdpcRCgzu-a3-t4b4p/s1600/Slide16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv403q_030oJDySPXziaVM1BhrEyf2YCa7hTAz033MxgYES7JaVqccI-YeGCkfm7jKIaq8RF17BYVW7ya6O71eHbJR8ExJrU4ZrdYj-Bt90lOfwEnRQ9E3epO6PrOdpcRCgzu-a3-t4b4p/s1600/Slide16.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwMAl9lvtB06qescfAZmHqwWcPwD7sv7senwUt58xVKFt68VwhdkSrMNlrPNvJKlux94LEWTH-JWWibHDBWTdmU2-Bprr02vVVruxqilGZWbMAYuX9K4PohgeyDjPO178p3rgz0VIQmV7/s1600/Slide15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwMAl9lvtB06qescfAZmHqwWcPwD7sv7senwUt58xVKFt68VwhdkSrMNlrPNvJKlux94LEWTH-JWWibHDBWTdmU2-Bprr02vVVruxqilGZWbMAYuX9K4PohgeyDjPO178p3rgz0VIQmV7/s1600/Slide15.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">During our reading rotations I focused on
characterization and informational text structure with my students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I got lucky last week because the main selection from our basal,</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0064438562?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0064438562&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20">The Raft</a>, is a great book to use for
characterization because the main character, Nicky, makes such a drastic change
from the beginning to end of the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">On Monday, I modeled how to use a character’s actions,
thoughts/feelings and words when choosing his/her character traits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used the following anchor chart, no
judging, and passage for this mini lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrXEe0tJp39jiZyDkNuifTgpcrF4wp7lTQeGSQN8o_UdO0sw3tNXFG_a-gLQt4ff6i0-gabpbzyegqFhjEYvXG-GNRYC04kNLb8ewsiNHZFBWoGVLlKC0S6ymWPEm17_03Tp43xVlGNs_/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrXEe0tJp39jiZyDkNuifTgpcrF4wp7lTQeGSQN8o_UdO0sw3tNXFG_a-gLQt4ff6i0-gabpbzyegqFhjEYvXG-GNRYC04kNLb8ewsiNHZFBWoGVLlKC0S6ymWPEm17_03Tp43xVlGNs_/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">In small groups, we examined Nicky’s thoughts/feelings,
words and actions from the first half of the book carefully in our small groups
to choose character traits that best described him the first time we met. I sadly don't have a picture of this activity but I did use of the character graphic organizers from this <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Common-Core-Graphic-Organizers-for-Reading-Literature-Grades-3-5-388799">pack</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We finished the book as a whole class later in the week and
discussed how Nicky’s character changed during the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I noticed while meeting with my small groups, many of my
students wanted to use words like “not nice” or “mad” to describe Nicky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which was true BUT weren’t the
best words to describe him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
used several of <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Character-Traits-Task-Cards-32-Short-Answer-Story-Cards-218840">Rachel’s characterization task cards </a>as a whole class to
practice choosing good fit character traits throughout the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had my students work with their
shoulder partner to choose character traits to describe the characters in the
passages I showed on the Smartboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With lots of practice, they got much better as the
week went on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVww8c8R6C9mpEXpV5fIl3aOHUqlBIsUsPFPhsuzM6__R9Zrs1JOhF57y-ABwssZYxaTmytxrihcrTsihtijBOuDoiXZSnNP7zugB7-c5frtbAE9BLK8V37J0HI8SLYR8Ox1w5q0ym8QQ/s1600/Slide09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVww8c8R6C9mpEXpV5fIl3aOHUqlBIsUsPFPhsuzM6__R9Zrs1JOhF57y-ABwssZYxaTmytxrihcrTsihtijBOuDoiXZSnNP7zugB7-c5frtbAE9BLK8V37J0HI8SLYR8Ox1w5q0ym8QQ/s1600/Slide09.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The students that needed a little bit more practice with
choosing good character traits worked with me later in the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Using-Context-Clues-to-Infer-Character-Traits-Task-Cards-Differentiated-875290">these</a> task cards from Teaching
With a Mountain View! I love that these cards are good context clue practice as
well! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIJtH9BnypRU0v_m-uuk7zgDRyK5JUT16hqkG88SZGlZBAWFe-jj1P0tDWkTZ0ELUUKIT-DzHRAbVYtPUmSBzGm0Brgm818artUVhS-B1O1ojA1aZOR4yeMKQAQlGZ33zR2mMvGj3MUzy/s1600/Slide13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIJtH9BnypRU0v_m-uuk7zgDRyK5JUT16hqkG88SZGlZBAWFe-jj1P0tDWkTZ0ELUUKIT-DzHRAbVYtPUmSBzGm0Brgm818artUVhS-B1O1ojA1aZOR4yeMKQAQlGZ33zR2mMvGj3MUzy/s1600/Slide13.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you use Treasures, you know the third text of the week is
always nonfiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been
trying to use these more and more, especially to help teach different text
structures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our second round of
small groups this week, we read a passage called <u>Into the Swamp</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We identified its text structure,
completed a graphic organizer, and also learned how maps can be helpful text
features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We also reviewed the types of sentences this past week
because I had noticed that so many of my students needed review with ending
punctuation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started by
watching the following Brainpop Junior<a href="http://www.brainpopjr.com/readingandwriting/sentence/typesofsentences/preview.weml"> video</a>, which was fantastic! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXNb4W_CPx27lCStXQdYCuBxSX6b4ckKmP6Vk6B0saQ6jTojsVJReWTFYEpQ4aBXFmTu7WPr5ySWuYCVbbm_0OesVXIoRr0h6diG2bPNr5bldKEBOBc9uGvWAckjQntJJmdUDwykNPgHf/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-09-22+at+7.57.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXNb4W_CPx27lCStXQdYCuBxSX6b4ckKmP6Vk6B0saQ6jTojsVJReWTFYEpQ4aBXFmTu7WPr5ySWuYCVbbm_0OesVXIoRr0h6diG2bPNr5bldKEBOBc9uGvWAckjQntJJmdUDwykNPgHf/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-09-22+at+7.57.04+PM.png" height="424" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We also took notes on the four main sentence types with the flip
book from my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Types-of-Sentences-Activity-Pack-262978">Types of Sentences Activity pack</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtZlKroAhWSF19mR9v1uQPQPshkRHVVM_CSQzR5Q282m4ke9RQSQQTMC5CIG9yB7FgiqemKK6AjS3MlvS_z-USw9W3WRh65nbCM16ETq6H77K6I7ghbpvS7w891PFrp5kKmvmVKAwAHRi/s1600/IMG_4395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtZlKroAhWSF19mR9v1uQPQPshkRHVVM_CSQzR5Q282m4ke9RQSQQTMC5CIG9yB7FgiqemKK6AjS3MlvS_z-USw9W3WRh65nbCM16ETq6H77K6I7ghbpvS7w891PFrp5kKmvmVKAwAHRi/s1600/IMG_4395.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Later in the week, we also did the types of sentences graffiti wall activity from my Types of Sentences pack as well. I had a meeting before school that day, so I wasn't able to to prep the actual templates from my pack like I would have liked to because I teach writing/grammar first thing in the morning. However, they still really LOVED the modified version. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Well I think that recaps our week! :) We were certainly busy but we sure did have fun and learned a lot too! </span></div>
<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-45682665839869676162014-09-15T21:02:00.000-04:002014-09-15T21:02:11.719-04:00A Peek at Our Week: Main Idea and Similes/Metaphors<span style="font-size: x-large;">Good evening, friends! It finally feels like fall here in SW Ohio. The colder temperatures made me grateful I had my favorite <a href="http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2006/12/black-bean-and-rice-soup-with-lime-and.html">black bean soup</a> cooking away in my Crockpot tonight. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Last week, our focus skill was main idea. Which can be such a hard skill for my bigger kids, especially when the main idea isn't explicitly mentioned in the first sentence or two of a paragraph/text. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We started our week by watching BrainPop's Main Idea video. It is one of their free videos and you can find it <a href="http://www.brainpop.com/english/freemovies/mainidea/">{here}</a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMP8MQ8OmYBNcbrq35rXxxLa4hnefo-PD1FqVexoC0_8in60YmzvNuzgrYhfi-5jCJ9bIEeo-T9BaPYCYfC4MpAYRBU6WTNk9aqBujnw7_4xCBCbdaGIlMfswK8CtgV67eutTC24CrMQh/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-09-15+at+8.24.15+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMP8MQ8OmYBNcbrq35rXxxLa4hnefo-PD1FqVexoC0_8in60YmzvNuzgrYhfi-5jCJ9bIEeo-T9BaPYCYfC4MpAYRBU6WTNk9aqBujnw7_4xCBCbdaGIlMfswK8CtgV67eutTC24CrMQh/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-09-15+at+8.24.15+PM.png" height="608" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It does a great job explaining how <i>topic</i> and <i>main idea</i> are <u>not</u> the same. I highly recommend using it when you teach main idea!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Our Treasures anchor text last week was <u>A Walk in the Desert</u>. Which can be a really long/difficult text to read. So, we only read chunks of it and I did lots of think a louds/modeling to demonstrate how to find the main idea and supporting details of the pages we read together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">On Tuesday, I had my students complete a formative assessment on main idea. I also had them rate themselves on their understanding of main idea. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This is the rating scale that my partner teacher and I use. It really helps that both of us use the same language. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I used their formative assessment/self assessment rating to create tiered activities/groups for the next day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My group that had low self assessment ratings/poor performance on their formative assessments worked with me. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-sFML8lZCdhcf8KY9lk17zglfB-Gx5ftGKNkbe3rM1IooWRgHVIp-WfV7p2PnjTkoxDwUIjtJw8TRTNtgXEQ90S-w_P8yr5HasVripZy8ttM5dFeHcEUfLnp3wDM4TzKuEfGpbTrZ8su/s1600/Slide04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-sFML8lZCdhcf8KY9lk17zglfB-Gx5ftGKNkbe3rM1IooWRgHVIp-WfV7p2PnjTkoxDwUIjtJw8TRTNtgXEQ90S-w_P8yr5HasVripZy8ttM5dFeHcEUfLnp3wDM4TzKuEfGpbTrZ8su/s1600/Slide04.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We started off by constructing paragraphs using Christina's <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Main-Ideas-and-Supporting-Details-Race-Freebie-1225532">Main Idea Race</a>. The hands on practice was SO beneficial and really helped a lot of my students differentiate </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">the difference between main idea sentences and detail sentences. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Then we completed one of Tracy's <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Main-Idea-Practice-Pack-Nonfiction-Passages-430072">Main Idea Practice Pack</a> passages together. My students LOVE this pack. I love it too because of all the differentiation options it has. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIXg5PV94T9i71xardIPM8hBJJ6vdwDWj7pXkIDJ_BhvN-mYNwwgekBRmTMoEx7A_cT_7N_PWRbWJ_jE_V_TnrcRH60mY9GR0kPMVQzGV7yNX3UkxL9-ADsE6J9_Tih52JCwZ7CHuh2km/s1600/Slide03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIXg5PV94T9i71xardIPM8hBJJ6vdwDWj7pXkIDJ_BhvN-mYNwwgekBRmTMoEx7A_cT_7N_PWRbWJ_jE_V_TnrcRH60mY9GR0kPMVQzGV7yNX3UkxL9-ADsE6J9_Tih52JCwZ7CHuh2km/s1600/Slide03.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My students that rated themselves a 3 and only missed a few on their formative assessment completed Bright Concept for Teachers <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Main-Idea-Details-Task-Cards-1057616">Main Idea Task Cards</a> and a reading passage with a main idea web. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5sot-P0Sc-fAKDUGbWTkwWjVCuTJx0aMYng_TrFoUuf_KV_b6_odaxQ-LwNn2zjDlbVHol0EnEJ5Ou4Sha7RogcuZqvlyEoJ76Oa_7ONMEyTVwN3QC98s7Pmj6SynKvSPWWP5vxLxg10/s1600/Slide02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5sot-P0Sc-fAKDUGbWTkwWjVCuTJx0aMYng_TrFoUuf_KV_b6_odaxQ-LwNn2zjDlbVHol0EnEJ5Ou4Sha7RogcuZqvlyEoJ76Oa_7ONMEyTVwN3QC98s7Pmj6SynKvSPWWP5vxLxg10/s1600/Slide02.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This passage is from Kim Miller's <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Find-the-Main-Idea-with-Non-Fiction-Texts-FREEBIE-1223086">Find the Main Idea With Non Fiction Texts Freebie</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My students who rated themselves as a 4/had a perfect score on their formative assessment, completed some of Teaching With a Mountain View's <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Main-Idea-Task-Cards-Activity-52-Picture-Text-Cards-Differentiated-536965">Main Idea Task Cards</a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMq6tWwPQZMnTssKoG0AiDu19ZMoChBGLaPSQqC-sRien2r9jNTkOSOzq_tgdO3vQ5lYGdyvIXCk9Ud8sWLzG4PfPkMfpnr-nvKcNwV5De4MN3abI4AkRwA41HU4pgPDLAWfUFJgkU_Ti/s1600/Slide06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMq6tWwPQZMnTssKoG0AiDu19ZMoChBGLaPSQqC-sRien2r9jNTkOSOzq_tgdO3vQ5lYGdyvIXCk9Ud8sWLzG4PfPkMfpnr-nvKcNwV5De4MN3abI4AkRwA41HU4pgPDLAWfUFJgkU_Ti/s1600/Slide06.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">They really loved reading these passages. :) I heard lots of giggles/"I didn't know that..." while my students were working through the task cards. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Later in the week, I introduced similes and metaphors. We revisit this a lot throughout the year. So last week, I just focused on the differences between the two. As the year goes on, we'll focus more on determining the meaning of the similes and metaphors we come across in our reading. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I always play this similes and metaphor song at the beginning of our first similes and metaphor lesson. My kids always LOVE it and request it often, it also makes a great brain break!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />After watching the music video, I read this book to the class to build on their knowledge of similes and metaphors. It's a fun little book and my students always enjoy it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">You can find it on Amazon </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0761339450?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0761339450&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20" style="font-size: xx-large;">{here}</a><span style="font-size: x-large;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">After the music video and read aloud, we used a flip book from my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Similes-and-Metaphors-Activity-Pack-1071904">Similes and Metaphors Activity Pack</a> to take notes/write examples of each. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Then we played a little Simile and Metaphor Tic Tac Toe, which was a great way to practice differentiating the difference between similes and metaphors in our reading/writing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Similes and Metaphor Tic Tac Toe is from my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Similes-and-Metaphors-Activity-Pack-1071904">Similes and Metaphors Activity Pack</a> too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We were very busy last week and we are starting the Daily Five this week! Our first day of rotations was today and it went pretty well. Of course we have some things to work on but overall I'm very pleased. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a great week! :) </span></div>
<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-60174515879410074322014-09-10T21:36:00.001-04:002014-09-10T21:36:37.518-04:00Back to School Recap <span style="font-size: x-large;">Hello friends! :) I'm back! The first few weeks of school are always so hard to juggle teaching, blogging, and being a wife/dog mom. Thankfully, I am able to leave work a little earlier each day now and I should have some more time to blog, share, and create. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The first three weeks of fourth grade have been wonderful. I am so blessed to have two very sweet classes who love reading and writing. They also have such fun personalities and I love spending my days with them. One of my sweet students brought me an apple the other day and it about made me cry. A student hasn't brought me an apple in a very long time, so I cherished this sweet gesture. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">One of the first things we did this school year was starting our school year scrapbooks. You can check out my School Year Scrapbook pack <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/School-Year-Scrapbook-1360295">{here}</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am really excited about our scrapbooks and I know that they will be such a great keepsake of our year together. It has been fun to read through my students' scrapbooks and learn more about them! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We also did lots of the Find Somebody Who pages from my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fabulous-Back-to-School-Fun-278193">Fabulous Back to School Fun</a> pack. They got us up and moving and learning a lot about each other. These are always a hit with my kiddos and I always love participating in them too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We also had lots of fun with my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cooking-Up-a-Great-Year-Together-a-tasty-back-to-school-activity-271528">Cooking Up a Great School Year</a> pack. Both classes loved it this year and the books have sparked a lot of really great discussions on how to be a good classmate this year. You can check out my original post on Cooking Up a Great Year <a href="http://www.fourthnten.com/2012/07/question-time.htmlQ">{here}</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">As always, the Cooking Up a Great Year Trail Mix was a big hit, and quite tasty too!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This year in addition to reading and discussing the books, I tried to do some hands on activities for each character trait included in the pack. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We did graffiti walls to talk about sharing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We put puzzles together with our tables for teamwork. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We drew self portraits for being yourself. I'm so in LOVE with their pictures. They always make me smile. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The activities that I added this year really made the traits stick and I look forward to adding them to my pack very soon! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">On our first Friday of school, we did the Skittles Sharing activity from my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fabulous-Back-to-School-Fun-278193">Fabulous Back to School Fun</a> pack. My kids loved it and it was a great way to hit some speaking and listening standards and close out the week with a fun treat!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Behavior Bingo is still rocking my behavior management world and both of my classes just love it. They have both earned a bingo already and are super motivated to earn their next one. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">You can check out how I use behavior bingo <a href="http://www.fourthnten.com/2014/07/behavior-management-link-up.html">{here}</a> and check out the awesome behavior bingo board pack I purchased from Dots n Spots <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Behavior-Bingo-Editable-730696">{here}</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I also have found a morning work that I just adore. Denise's <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fourth-Grade-Common-Core-Weekly-Word-Work-yearlong-pack-957521">Weekly Word Work</a> has already made a big difference with my kiddos. It's a very well thought out resource and I love using it. I write their assigned boxes on the Smartboard with our lunch count each morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We have also been busy launching the Daily Five. I am hoping to start guided reading groups next week. We did a trial run today and it went wonderful, so I am very hopeful for another great year with the Daily Five!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My new students are also loving our new classroom library set up and have been doing a great job at putting their books pack where they belong. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I put a small label on the back of each book this summer and haven't found a book put in wrong bin yet. You can find the labels I used <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Z6JW?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00004Z6JW&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'll be back later this week/weekend to share some of the things we have done this week as we focused on main idea and detail for the first time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a great rest of the week, friends!</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-32417269154430964842014-08-25T21:54:00.003-04:002014-08-25T22:07:11.648-04:00Classroom Tour Post!<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hello! My sweeties and I started school on Wednesday and are finally starting to develop a daily routine. :) It always feels so good when that starts to happen. I really am blessed to have two sweet classes this year that are SO excited about reading. It doesn't get much better than that!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />Since I have a little bit of energy tonight, I wanted to share my completed classroom with you. As I looked as these pictures, I realized I missed a few shots. So hopefully I'll be editing this post soon to include pictures of my desk, the front of my room and my storage area for our clipboards and dry erase boards. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Alphabet: <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/DN-Cursive-Alphabet-Line-and-Word-Wall-Headers-Bright-Clear-Decor-301067">Ladybug's Teacher Files</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Subway Art: <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Desire-to-Inspire-Subway-Art-Chalkboard-Brights-and-Pastels-738363">Hope King</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Lanterns and Tissue Paper Puffs: Hobby Lobby</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This is the view from my desk. I use a piece of felt cut into four pieces and rubber bands to keep the chairs from scrapping on the floor. It works wonders. I have to replace most of the felt throughout the year but it's SO worth it to not hear scrapping sounds all.day.long. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Here is a picture from the opposite corner on the room. I need to take a close up picture of what is hanging up in the front of the room. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_yKLREkQJkTgRv3U5uonT8Ysfmfs9BtfQVtxBiCBmgT72LfIBKGlCue3_-XiA3yqWhAOiCjBxVc4fBrxnVIQmVDhkB3W6ojy9VEr6fcdOQP3_DhFCp1evNCDKdFfDriAYFKjIPHQTERw/s1600/Slide05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe_yKLREkQJkTgRv3U5uonT8Ysfmfs9BtfQVtxBiCBmgT72LfIBKGlCue3_-XiA3yqWhAOiCjBxVc4fBrxnVIQmVDhkB3W6ojy9VEr6fcdOQP3_DhFCp1evNCDKdFfDriAYFKjIPHQTERw/s1600/Slide05.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Bookshelf: Mr. Fourth and Ten :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Library Tubs: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003OKWRR2?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B003OKWRR2&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20">Sterilite</a> via <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Sterilite-6-Qt-Storage-Box-60-Pack-16428060/203120128?quantity=1&str_nbr=3861">Home Depot</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Library Tub Labels: <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chalkboard-Classroom-Library-Labels-749367">Lessons With Laughter </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Reorganizing my classroom library was a labor of love this summer. I purged a lot of books and organized them by genre, author, series or topic this summer. I can already tell that my students LOVE it! It's made it book shopping so much easier. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Word Work Tubs: Dollar Tree</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Task Card Storage: Target</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Fluency Tubs: Sterilite </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My library continues over to this large shelf as well. It also stores my word work centers, fluency tubs and reading task cards. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGnYug1MS8OBy6PQ_3-E_uiwMb1kjG_qCwcSIDE3Rppdy1ZEv6Vr-omSnBrKUc-aGX0h_qY3sxaXsZiC1nC1krm9LU4CmdEllpaL2IJpIJDL7aqKFibfgmVqm9UwTwn69JY4qnIsKDGy0/s1600/Slide08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEGnYug1MS8OBy6PQ_3-E_uiwMb1kjG_qCwcSIDE3Rppdy1ZEv6Vr-omSnBrKUc-aGX0h_qY3sxaXsZiC1nC1krm9LU4CmdEllpaL2IJpIJDL7aqKFibfgmVqm9UwTwn69JY4qnIsKDGy0/s1600/Slide08.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Stools: <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00246196/">Ikea</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Here is where all the magic happens, my small group table! I haven't always had the space for one at my current school, so I cherish every moment we spend over here. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1_XyeznUuauVYyUOMp54I6eRJi-GRJkYck7sCnI9DXypfHnlTvwEUPEersUKunckUB0M3wTBbKWfYSUXQwv9eRM22MeABz7gNAqXEed0a4lLBn1YKmBHQDQaw5z9ZSBqCjtZoq9i4r9c/s1600/Slide09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr1_XyeznUuauVYyUOMp54I6eRJi-GRJkYck7sCnI9DXypfHnlTvwEUPEersUKunckUB0M3wTBbKWfYSUXQwv9eRM22MeABz7gNAqXEed0a4lLBn1YKmBHQDQaw5z9ZSBqCjtZoq9i4r9c/s1600/Slide09.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Border: United Arts and Education</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Theme Team Letters: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007R83VKE?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B007R83VKE&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20">Cameo Creation</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Theme Team Posters: <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Theme-Team-837512">Primary Punch</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Even though I love my black and neon classroom, I couldn't pass up this Ohio State Bulletin Board Border! :) Theme is big in fourth grade, so I decided to put up a Theme Team wall for us to reference throughout the year. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UYi3FS5QmLvM_Zup8O_wIr9Zj6L735gCt0OUM_awd9pu-ze9-jETvD-98Nec_kaRtO-GxV5xHBpBNWcyMUMhu1RPGlw0hPzFiiiEqlxhqOVhYtcBoFVS1B2y8zcv6c_hNpkw3lPi3Ncf/s1600/Slide11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0UYi3FS5QmLvM_Zup8O_wIr9Zj6L735gCt0OUM_awd9pu-ze9-jETvD-98Nec_kaRtO-GxV5xHBpBNWcyMUMhu1RPGlw0hPzFiiiEqlxhqOVhYtcBoFVS1B2y8zcv6c_hNpkw3lPi3Ncf/s1600/Slide11.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Baskets: Big Lots</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Basket Labels: <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Decor-Mega-Bundle-Brights-and-Stripes-Editable-728189">Hope King</a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This is a better shot of the open space above my guided reading table. I keep our book club choices and our writing/reading notebooks in the baskets. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSzjbOM_bj9kVvtKgVlCMLt15WzrRBPRRrK74A2Wf0nIfND10MqpZOUg2k_DHEe-GIVEkMhILFRKEE90sJ5QL9c1kHwy7U20fnYt7xHpB3jfTSjcAlNKhNAo74AjgClYqHshQnKgDP933/s1600/Slide10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSzjbOM_bj9kVvtKgVlCMLt15WzrRBPRRrK74A2Wf0nIfND10MqpZOUg2k_DHEe-GIVEkMhILFRKEE90sJ5QL9c1kHwy7U20fnYt7xHpB3jfTSjcAlNKhNAo74AjgClYqHshQnKgDP933/s1600/Slide10.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Voice Level Signs: <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/hand-signals-voice-levels-chevron-theme-711999">A Cupcake for the Teacher</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hand Signal Signs: <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/hand-signals-voice-levels-chevron-theme-711999">A Cupcake for the Teacher</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Daily Five Rotation Signs: <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Daily-5-Goodies-771540">Teaching With Love and Laughter</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Behavior Bingo: <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Behavior-Bingo-Editable-730696">Dots and Spots</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This is behavior management central in my room! My teaching partner and I both use the voice level and hand signal charts and it really makes a difference! I use <a href="http://www.fourthnten.com/2014/07/behavior-management-link-up.html">behavior bingo</a> for my whole class behavior incentive and this year's kids LOVE it! My morning class just earned their first bingo! :) I use the rotation chart to schedule my small groups. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzEUmxJy6Wl0thJeQOtm_P5LZUQnkVwZiyity5tJArsf1aEH79uK1lzC-Q7tg-AbsO7RPb9GKKOuabfCyAz-5uv4wW5CRY4KAKHnuVfzi60_fkbYT_xPpmA_C7kFMVc10dU12JqI6GPYj/s1600/Slide12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzEUmxJy6Wl0thJeQOtm_P5LZUQnkVwZiyity5tJArsf1aEH79uK1lzC-Q7tg-AbsO7RPb9GKKOuabfCyAz-5uv4wW5CRY4KAKHnuVfzi60_fkbYT_xPpmA_C7kFMVc10dU12JqI6GPYj/s1600/Slide12.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Ribbon and Fans: Hobby Lobby</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I've been working on redecorating my classroom for two years now. Next summer, I'll finally get new curtains for my classroom. Until then, I love this little display. :) </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa1DxddVKtmkYhg-qjboZAbOgPUONbd5dZ9-A7YZxJ3bBh06FjUqguEC0ncIKFFQoo9wQOVvz5Rfy8Sml2Iyvp-r2maMdmO_sleyOTfaHz0oFCf77SXzZiaT67H4H2aKIjGDjCpDH65At/s1600/Slide13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRa1DxddVKtmkYhg-qjboZAbOgPUONbd5dZ9-A7YZxJ3bBh06FjUqguEC0ncIKFFQoo9wQOVvz5Rfy8Sml2Iyvp-r2maMdmO_sleyOTfaHz0oFCf77SXzZiaT67H4H2aKIjGDjCpDH65At/s1600/Slide13.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Reading Strategies Letters: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007R83VKE?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B007R83VKE&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20">Cameo Creation</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Reading Strategies Posters: <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Comprehension-Strategies-and-Skills-Poster-Set-1371008">Amy Groesbeck</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I only have one bulletin board. It's a little hard to get to, so I don't change it super often. Right now, it has the reading strategies we use throughout the year hanging up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope you enjoyed a quick glance into my classroom. Like I said before, I still have a few pictures to add, but I just love this room. It truly makes me smile when I walk in the door. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I've linked this post to the following link ups! :)</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.swimmingintosecond.com/2014/08/show-off-your-space-linky-party.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Swimming into Second" src="http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z476/Court14650/ShowOffYourSpace.png" height="250" width="400" /></a></center>
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com77tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-44727667683863656602014-08-19T20:29:00.001-04:002014-08-19T21:47:13.685-04:00Open House Pictures and a Boost Sale <span style="font-size: x-large;">Hello! Tonight was open house and my partner teacher and I had a great turn out. I might be biassed but I'm pretty sure my new group of fourth graders are the most darling things ever. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Since I actually have some energy tonight, I thought I would share some pictures of open house!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-fx80B0puG0MsB6gDsre331RWpfxyLSYY2PKQ8Exy9WDv6DIs4EcVw3F7kaWhrHlYfrFaBNFO0ZtcHM2-PhaKMUbef9Kq02d_etSesRrXmUeYsgeW0we28uFGa2gmGNSkzK2ctCvzyxU/s1600/tall+pic+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-fx80B0puG0MsB6gDsre331RWpfxyLSYY2PKQ8Exy9WDv6DIs4EcVw3F7kaWhrHlYfrFaBNFO0ZtcHM2-PhaKMUbef9Kq02d_etSesRrXmUeYsgeW0we28uFGa2gmGNSkzK2ctCvzyxU/s1600/tall+pic+4.png" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Outside my door was my wish list wall. I used <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Open-House-Classroom-Donation-FREEBIE-1379859">this freebie </a> at the top of the wall and used my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-Cameo-Starter-Kit-Bundle/dp/B007R83VKE/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=stofrosec-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=6EWPJFCQNA265IOD&creativeASIN=B007R83VKE">Cameo</a> to cut out the little hands. They say "Thank You!" on them. I put my wish list outside my classroom this year because it usually gets lost in the shuffle during open house since my partner teacher and I switch classes during open house. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">We switch classes so we can meet all our students and their families. Having the wish list outside was a success this year. I was very blessed to have lots of parents pick up a handprint or two. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Outside our room I had our open house sign in sheet, a welcome sign and a copy a poem called "Unity". My cooperating teacher when I student taught shared it during open house and I just adore it. You can find this super cute version <a href="http://www.teachinspireprepare.com/2012/05/teachers-and-parents.html">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Once my students entered the room, they were instructed to find their desk and visit the various stations I had around the room. I only had a few since I was going to be talking a little bit as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Most of the stations where dropping off supplies such as: notebook paper, tissues and plastic bags. We also instructed our students to put their school supplies in their desk and allowed parents and students to fill out our back to school paperwork if they wished. We also had a transportation station so we could find out how our students would be getting home tomorrow. Dismissal on the first day of school is always so nerve racking!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysBajKWVpqTu6js15YfrekHgglRKUZ-GhbK7yDzzo7cNpp25RrXCyvH2fsuA64xQ2RoSEYpv0zmKXRUNGK-Bw_3LcEAEYgxWa9LvVmPilGbXU-Iru4hyphenhyphenJTsVhBH3QOe45ylOGvtHTtKhj/s1600/tall+pic1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysBajKWVpqTu6js15YfrekHgglRKUZ-GhbK7yDzzo7cNpp25RrXCyvH2fsuA64xQ2RoSEYpv0zmKXRUNGK-Bw_3LcEAEYgxWa9LvVmPilGbXU-Iru4hyphenhyphenJTsVhBH3QOe45ylOGvtHTtKhj/s1600/tall+pic1.png" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">This was on each students' desk. Included was our grade levels information pamphlet, an email sign up list, <a href="http://theteacherscauldron.blogspot.com/2012/08/first-days-of-yearand-freebies.html">Jen's Parent Survey</a> and <a href="http://www.fourthnten.com/2012/07/summer-school-goodies-for-you-freebies.html">my student survey</a>. We decided to have our students fill out the student survey at home this year since some of them just take a long time to fill them out and we are always missing a few. I loved having the post it note with directions on the stack of paperwork because I didn't have to repeat them a hundred times. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">After about fifteen minutes, my teaching partner and I each did a little presentation with our homerooms. We introduced ourselves and talked our behavior plan, communication and our organizational binders. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Then we talked about things pertaining to our subject matter. For example, I talked about my homework packet and a what a day looks like in my reading classroom. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">After our short presentation, we switched classes. I briefly introduced myself to my afternoon class, went over language arts information, and mingled with my afternoon class and their families for a little bit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">We used this amazing template from Ladybug's Teacher Files to set up the formal presentation part of our open house. You can find it <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Parent-Presentation-Pack-333409">{here}</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The mix of stations and an informal presentation was perfect for my teaching partner and I and we were both glad we set up our evening this way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I am going to give you guys a full classroom tour this weekend but here is the view from my door. :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm off to make my lunch and review my first day lessons one more time but I before I go, I wanted to let you know I am participating in TpT's BTS Boost sale tomorrow! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApIJUPqynpZCmC-bZN2POuikG_8PTI5ROXU0pZ-xkA2AXK5Poi_3qz2SnHnQWwXzLCmK8PePFonZQFRNPkiPZOxG5Ct0RWQMJVOx35rv6d9ucN_9QlbCKAqcx4IABlQx33gxlbu7UOAnZ/s1600/1919657_10202898260957682_6700156071362493173_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApIJUPqynpZCmC-bZN2POuikG_8PTI5ROXU0pZ-xkA2AXK5Poi_3qz2SnHnQWwXzLCmK8PePFonZQFRNPkiPZOxG5Ct0RWQMJVOx35rv6d9ucN_9QlbCKAqcx4IABlQx33gxlbu7UOAnZ/s1600/1919657_10202898260957682_6700156071362493173_n.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Everything in my store will be 20% off and TpT will take an additional 10% off the sale price, for a total savings of 28%! :) You can check out my store<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Fourth-And-Ten"> {here}</a>.</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-67889023815738916102014-08-16T10:00:00.000-04:002014-08-16T11:12:57.549-04:00Bright Idea: Managing Transitions With Music <span style="font-size: x-large;">Good Morning! Today is one of my favorite Saturdays of the month, it's Bright Ideas Link Up time! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZrnvKuQqQ1-wkaokF-uPRSfBUg7mZrk7qA8VwiG2g1Dl78EfbqTOuZRu80g27d6cNd-_hWEsb6YHFeUJNJ5jD504PSNWyBxZDfkYWTn5-JTjkOQXUR7BkvyxdcrL5juPkmH4659Ezs3L/s1600/bright+ideas+2.001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZrnvKuQqQ1-wkaokF-uPRSfBUg7mZrk7qA8VwiG2g1Dl78EfbqTOuZRu80g27d6cNd-_hWEsb6YHFeUJNJ5jD504PSNWyBxZDfkYWTn5-JTjkOQXUR7BkvyxdcrL5juPkmH4659Ezs3L/s1600/bright+ideas+2.001.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">While I've posted about my Bright Idea before <a href="http://www.fourthnten.com/2013/01/managing-transitions-and-drawing.html">{here},</a> it was really more a "check out what I did and love" mention at the end of a blog post. I occasionally get questions about it, so I thought I'd share more about how I manage transitions such as lining up for specials and recess, coming to the carpet and getting notebooks out for writing, and going to Daily Five Rotations during this month's Bright Ideas Link Up. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaciDi_cASfKUCizkzUhXyX-SWVK_kwFy6M38jpjZH8Y5L90fFcescnryNH__jVKwcLDwycVnpLRRn0uCnzp5JI9OuKbVFEELZUpx5VeR1D6VWXZzkfAK-0mYpMVgm3y8h9vP9rzwh_fWD/s1600/bright+idea.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaciDi_cASfKUCizkzUhXyX-SWVK_kwFy6M38jpjZH8Y5L90fFcescnryNH__jVKwcLDwycVnpLRRn0uCnzp5JI9OuKbVFEELZUpx5VeR1D6VWXZzkfAK-0mYpMVgm3y8h9vP9rzwh_fWD/s1600/bright+idea.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Before I begin, I want to thank </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://soaringthroughsecond.blogspot.com/2012/08/transitions-and-cutting-music-with.html">Sandy</a><span style="font-size: x-large;"> a<span style="font-size: x-large;">nd </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.mrsliretteslearningdetectives.com/2012/01/transition-music-in-classroom.html" style="font-size: xx-large;">Mary</a> for sharing how they use music time time transitions in their classrooms. It has really been a lifesaver! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I keep a Powerpoint Slide that has all the transitions that my students usually do during the day on it up all day. Imbedded in that Powerpoint are TV show theme songs. I play the theme song while my students are transitioning to time them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This has been a huge lifesaver for me because bigger kids are so very social and see every little bit of downtime as a chance to talk. :) Since I only have each class for a limited amount of time, these songs really keep us on track. </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">My Powerpoint slide is below. :) </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2LF7tdOaehjdZCXZou1avsglZDHR31ZYSCHJtnLXzv_DYQSyvK4nnQYa8ytRF7MjKijWzPL59GuXcJc_Azt7_-8P321Eur5vgI5EIkBuCCYI0CxGgTX1pVOnoiYIXAEyL4ae7FVkKHxT/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2LF7tdOaehjdZCXZou1avsglZDHR31ZYSCHJtnLXzv_DYQSyvK4nnQYa8ytRF7MjKijWzPL59GuXcJc_Azt7_-8P321Eur5vgI5EIkBuCCYI0CxGgTX1pVOnoiYIXAEyL4ae7FVkKHxT/s1600/Slide1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I used clip art, text boxes, and sound files to make my slide. Once I had the songs, this literally took minutes to put together. :) Below is a screenshot of how to insert sounds into Powerpoint if you've never done it before. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4acl1zprMnMsdhZub4hgYAnz3yzO6an7fFaml6cp4_Lufzg8AXDbtTuPhzVE6W8sd6WrOQDr9jCTxC25IL_h-HHI7ju6ugsBsry_HbHBKmLZvgmGg-DIlCx_2RYPqbtBzcZxNpWbPeD6/s1600/Slide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4acl1zprMnMsdhZub4hgYAnz3yzO6an7fFaml6cp4_Lufzg8AXDbtTuPhzVE6W8sd6WrOQDr9jCTxC25IL_h-HHI7ju6ugsBsry_HbHBKmLZvgmGg-DIlCx_2RYPqbtBzcZxNpWbPeD6/s1600/Slide2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">While I used Powerpoint, you could use your Interactive Whiteboard software as well if you have one. I create almost everything for my classroom in Powerpoint, so this was the easiest. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I use a mixture of songs my kids know and ones they don't. I love using TV show theme songs because they are short enough that I don't have to do any editing of their length. I use shorter songs for simple transitions and longer songs for the transitions that take a little bit more time. For example, I play "Be Ready" when I want my students to do something quick like put a paper in their take home folder. My "Be Ready" song is the Rugrats theme song. I play "Pass Out Papers" when we are passing out tests/papers. During this time privacy folders and tests are being passed out for each table, so that requires a little bit more time. My "Pass Out Papers" song is the Saved by the Bell theme song. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">When creating my Transition Time slide, I also picked songs I don't mind hearing again and again and again since I used it with both of my classes. :) My class' playlist is below. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_p6O2-VSxFVJCV7UqJytHqKNpfh07A-fFWqfQ1ZIWcEAakmXZuBYocSZed4i4ulXqHnCyZwty9H-x_yzJ0Iz3mMveJQ5O2C9zk8C0T2QegxQUychHiQ-JdahLJsifpfsfKf0jEixeQsBQ/s1600/Slide3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_p6O2-VSxFVJCV7UqJytHqKNpfh07A-fFWqfQ1ZIWcEAakmXZuBYocSZed4i4ulXqHnCyZwty9H-x_yzJ0Iz3mMveJQ5O2C9zk8C0T2QegxQUychHiQ-JdahLJsifpfsfKf0jEixeQsBQ/s1600/Slide3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes I change up songs throughout the year. Sometimes we get bored, sometimes we aren't moving fast enough, or sometimes I just can't bear to hear a song anymore. Currently, I'm looking for a song to replace SpongeBob because he's been my line up for specials song for three years. I'm a little sick of him. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Using music to time transitions has been one of the best things I've done in my classroom. It's a fun way to hold students accountable during what can often be an unstructured time. If my students beat their transition song, I always reward them with a <a href="http://www.fourthnten.com/2014/07/behavior-management-link-up.html">Bingo number</a>, especially if it's been one they've struggled with. My students love hearing these fun songs throughout the day and once they figure how long each song really is, the songs really do help them speed up what they are doing so that they can complete the transition in time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you enjoyed this bright idea, please consider </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">following me me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FourthAndTenEducationResources">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/fourthnten">Instagram</a>, or <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Fourth-And-Ten">Teachers Pay Teachers</a> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">for more great ideas. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">For even more great classroom ideas,</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> please browse through the link-up </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">below and click on a topic/grade level that interests you. Thanks for visiting! :)</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-12010582690971624192014-08-14T09:56:00.003-04:002019-07-30T08:05:06.096-04:00Wordless Wednesday: Storing Extra Student Supplies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqd3Ept5KOeDMQi8-QMzuU358AghHMSrLg1jMQli8qQEPdn09Bzf5RPsA2BG1m9Q_AHzTR8G3pUKISchGCKK9tTeL1tYXm5dJiIOlrpPnkWn0jf_GyQ9llNULsJa-ZdaZRzbd5uuCtviPi/s1600/meet+up+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqd3Ept5KOeDMQi8-QMzuU358AghHMSrLg1jMQli8qQEPdn09Bzf5RPsA2BG1m9Q_AHzTR8G3pUKISchGCKK9tTeL1tYXm5dJiIOlrpPnkWn0jf_GyQ9llNULsJa-ZdaZRzbd5uuCtviPi/s640/meet+up+button.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">One year we did community supplies, a flop. For many years they just kept the extras in their cubbies, desks, or backpacks, a mess. Last year, they kept a few pencils, one highlighter, one glue stick, one Expo marker and their crayons in their supply pouch. Then the rest went in a large Ziploc bag with their name on it in the extra supply crate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">When their supply pouch stash ran out, they went and got more from their Ziploc bag. Most of my kiddos were very respectful and didn't get in other students' bags. I only had to watch a few of them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VkTd87EWvubJdqPayG2ZAfWkGwDJkiMUXeLAtvB5u53XnJCD3XKvWVJywpP1Ynn1Bm0BqLc7z-md7Y6akIglyV_eugLqAk6Ejit7NCiLEjfPZ0Pq6OGiJ0WuZXB7DcZsKqHcVFY8YbDn/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VkTd87EWvubJdqPayG2ZAfWkGwDJkiMUXeLAtvB5u53XnJCD3XKvWVJywpP1Ynn1Bm0BqLc7z-md7Y6akIglyV_eugLqAk6Ejit7NCiLEjfPZ0Pq6OGiJ0WuZXB7DcZsKqHcVFY8YbDn/s640/Untitled.png" width="480" /></a></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I hold onto my homeroom's extra supplies and my teaching partner holds on to her homeroom's extra supplies. They can only ask to get in their extra supply bag when they are with their homeroom teacher. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Here's my question for you: How do you organize your students' extra/surplus supplies? </span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-46020022659163717402014-08-11T22:44:00.000-04:002014-08-11T22:50:57.863-04:00Monday Made It: Dismissal Board Edition<span style="font-size: x-large;">Good Evening! I know I'm a little late to the party, but I still wanted to show off my Monday Made It. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My project was made last summer but I forgot to blog about it. Oops! Back to school is so exhausting sometimes. ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Being departmentalized means that somethings that worked in my self contained classroom needed to be tweaked in order to work. One of those things was my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Happy-and-Bright-Primary-Polka-Dot-Transportation-Chart-294360">transportation chart</a>. I loved it but I knew it would be hard to manage since I would not be taking my homeroom class to the bus. We switch classes in the middle of the day, so I take my afternoon class to the bus and once we switch we only have a few minutes to unpack and fill out our planners before some of my students leave for intervention.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So I used some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/GoWrite-Dry-Erase-Sheets-White/dp/B000F8R46A/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=stofrosec-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=&creativeASIN=B000F8R46A">dry erase poster board</a>, fabric (purchased at Hobby Lobby), border and M<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IKES5O?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001IKES5O&linkCode=xm2&tag=stofrosec-20">odge Podge</a> to create a new dismissal board that would a bit easier to manage with two classes. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitc2n-6pHgPJPOx836_rffJXdcdDaS8zxu6sZMXHPJfMUSroJbYpga5g3j-GubAnfPZrDV9dc41PwEkntKxEYFhqfr7gGvIS_-WTCml_RxAiHbGtnwtqYe62SKOhyVNUW2PTAQmSyFs3C/s1600/Untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitc2n-6pHgPJPOx836_rffJXdcdDaS8zxu6sZMXHPJfMUSroJbYpga5g3j-GubAnfPZrDV9dc41PwEkntKxEYFhqfr7gGvIS_-WTCml_RxAiHbGtnwtqYe62SKOhyVNUW2PTAQmSyFs3C/s1600/Untitled.png" height="610" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My teaching partner and I collected any changes in after school routine notes from our homeroom students each morning and then we passed them off to each other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I would review the notes and mark any changes on the posters. I also put my non bus rider student schedules on the board as well. So for example, if Noah was a pick up MWF but a Latchkey student on T/R that would go on the board and stay up all year. I attached the rosters for chorus and basketball directly to the board as well, so I knew which students participated in these weekly activities. A little bit of extra organization made sure everyone was always where they needed to be when school ended.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">You can download the home to school notes we pass out to our parents </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0_vpTYVq8ELeG5nanRsSThWNEU/edit" style="font-size: xx-large;">here</a><span style="font-size: x-large;">. All they have to do is fill in the blanks for absences, tardies, and for the days their child's end of the day transportation changes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Since the boards are dry erase, they erase easily. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So if Michael was only being an after school pick up on 8/11, you can simply erase it the next day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Many of the subs who worked with my class last year remarked how easy it made dismissal for them. Plus if I have to leave right after school, our office staff can refer to it if there is any confusion at dismissal. Our dismissal board is certainly one of our most used classroom tools. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">If you would like to see more fabulous Monday Made It Projects, make sure you visit <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/">Tara's</a> blog for <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2014/08/monday-made-it-my-summer-is-gone.html">this week's link up</a>! :) You might even see a product of mine in one of her Monday Made It Projects! :) </span></div>
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<a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2014/08/monday-made-it-my-summer-is-gone.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQ2DUoXAjvY8xNaDE_5PU4PnRclfPUsy5xwWbbh5n7O9Yr1SsQgDvgPeVmoBQgKgJSPHZU9oOKjDsIjDi-VmwYaSvz5AGSciolBG-7rjPVHZjdZUFI0CLtojr5HbcfbexJRqIi4-BUtqP/s1600/Monday+Made+It+1.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Have a great week, friends! </span></div>
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-92034194157330380802014-08-07T20:52:00.001-04:002014-08-07T20:52:04.936-04:00Wordless Wednesday: August 6th <span style="font-size: x-large;">Helo! I wanted to link up with my sweet friend, <a href="http://secondgradesugarandspice.blogspot.com/2014/08/wordless-wednesday-august-6-lunch.html">Miss DeCarbo</a>, last night but yesterday was our wedding anniversary! :) So I'm linking up tonight, I don't think she'll mind. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Earlier this year, I went to a painting class with some of my friends. While I had fun with the girls, it was a <i>horrible</i> experience for me. The teacher moved too fast, stood in awkward positions that didn't allow me to see what she was doing, and played music a little too loud so I couldn't hear her directions clearly. Additionally, there were "helpers" that walked around and rather than help me, they deflated me by saying things like "Just what are you trying to do here?" I felt extremely frustrated the entire time. The pace of the class was way too fast and I couldn't keep up. I was constantly several steps behind. I couldn't wait for it to be over. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">On the way home, it hit me. The frustration I felt must be how some of my students, especially my strugglers, must feel on a daily basis. Since my painting is what you would say beautiful, I was tempted to throw it away. Instead, I hung it up in my classroom as a reminder. As a reminder to slow down, to give clear directions, and to be patient with my students. It reminds me daily just how frustrating learning/trying something can be. Daily it inspires me to be a better teacher. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I know this isn't a very Wordless Wednesday, so sorry Christina, but I DO have a question for you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Do you have anything in your classroom, a picture, quote, or a special memento, that inspires you to be a better teacher?</span><br />
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-43080955568899129492014-08-04T22:46:00.000-04:002014-08-04T23:06:42.060-04:00Monday Made It: Storage Edition <span style="font-size: x-large;">Hi guys! How are you? I had a very busy and productive in my classroom today. This is the first year in three years that I haven't had to move classrooms. It has been glorious. Essentially everything is unpacked and ready to go. Well everything except for my library, but I did put all my books in their new bins and my new bookshelf is built. It just needs a good sanding and staining job. Special shout out to my husband for building it for me! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This evening I'm linking up with the lovely <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/">Tara</a> today to share some projects I did today in my classroom for <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2014/08/monday-made-it-so-much-to-share.html">Monday Made It</a>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have been in love with <a href="http://thebrownbagteacher.blogspot.com/2014/03/storing-organizing-hands-on-materials.html">Catherine's</a> {The Brown Bag Teacher} Literacy Center Storage since she first posted it but I just never had the time to set it up myself. Today, I got busy though! :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I used food storage containers from Target because they were a lot cheaper and I was really looking more for a way to store my task cards. So I purchased these small containers. They did, however, have larger ones that would fit large envelopes and recording sheets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Labels are from <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Decor-Mega-Bundle-Brights-and-Stripes-Editable-728189">this </a>decor pack from Hope King.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have two more containers that I need to make labels for and a could probably stand to use another package of containers as well. I just know I'll love having my tasks cards and center activities so organized this year!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD0ou52LWGWIgTMGLvlYC0dyoWL54W58UcPzoDARH4I90or2DWEr2kRBSlw98MTKs_K3rHD90AUb32v5y6OnGx2QHBtyrPY8_Gun5PhUFJ0tjT4ZTNvW55bNuW7uynim3uiogWk7XiDDT/s1600/Slide06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD0ou52LWGWIgTMGLvlYC0dyoWL54W58UcPzoDARH4I90or2DWEr2kRBSlw98MTKs_K3rHD90AUb32v5y6OnGx2QHBtyrPY8_Gun5PhUFJ0tjT4ZTNvW55bNuW7uynim3uiogWk7XiDDT/s1600/Slide06.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">I also got to work organizing my seasonal centers and fluency games. I use <a href="http://www.target.com/p/storage-tubs-and-totes-plastic-room-essentials-black/-/A-15190920#prodSlot=_1_54">these</a> containers and LOVE them. :) I glued some labels on them and sorted my seasonal materials into the appropriate bin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Look how pretty they are all in a row! I just LOVE it! :) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Finally, I organized some of my small group materials. Time is so valuable when it comes to small groups and I found my kiddos wasted a lot of time last year because they came to my reading table unprepared. So I shopped my classroom and found an adorable basket and some of these cute cups that I previously used for a book raffle. I already had some <a href="http://instagram.com/fourthnten">IG</a> friends ask me about the cups. I got them at WalMart around Easter time. :) Inside each cup I put materials I commonly have my students use during small groups. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Inside each cup is a piece of felt, I use these for dry erase marker erasers, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Converting-Plastic-Stirrers-Assorted/dp/B00FPAKPXM/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=stofrosec-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=YKYT7XBDUP52NSBE&creativeASIN=B00FPAKPXM">a reading pointer</a>, two different colored <a href="http://www.amazon.com/BIC-Highlighter-Chisel-Yellow-Highlighters/dp/B00006IQCV/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=stofrosec-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=WQPXXUI3Z3SN3LJR&creativeASIN=B00006IQCV">highlighters</a>, a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Expo-Erase-Markers-Black-86001/dp/B0006HXJFK/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=stofrosec-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=TL2ZAZRYC43ODIHS&creativeASIN=B0006HXJFK">dry erase marker</a>, and a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dixon-Ticonderoga-Wood-Cased-Pencils-13882/dp/B001AZ1D3C/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=stofrosec-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=RZHO2IDFZYGFMENO&creativeASIN=B001AZ1D3C">pencil</a>. I branded these supplies as mine with some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/3M-Washi-Tape-15mmx10m-Pink/dp/B00F9LENZ8/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=stofrosec-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=QDQKFDRDTUBCEGSM&creativeASIN=B00F9LENZ8">Washi </a>tape. I plan on storing these cups in a cute basket I found in my classroom, that was originally from Big Lots, and passing them out at the beginning of guided reading groups. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Hopefully this will cut down on our transitions during our guided reading groups and will help us get started right away! I'll use Clorox wipes a couple times a week to clean off the supplies to prevent germs from spreading around. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">So apparently TpT has a sale today and tomorrow. :) </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">You can visit my TpT store by clicking </span><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Fourth-And-Ten" style="font-size: xx-large;">{here}</a><span style="font-size: x-large;">. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm about to go shopping myself, so I can tackle my next Monday Made It...my library. This isn't my new shelf, but my two current ones set up so I could get my library books off my student desks. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Thanks again, Tara for hosting us all! :) </span><br />
<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-90935865725019972032014-08-03T13:52:00.003-04:002019-08-06T15:34:15.074-04:00My Back to School Lesson Plans <span style="font-size: x-large;">Hi friends! I have received a few messages on my Facebook page from teachers who are moving from the primary grades to intermediate and were curious about my back to school lesson plans. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: x-large;">So I compiled a post for you guys of my first eight days of school. Make sure you scroll all the way and down read the entire post for links to the products and freebies included in my back to school lesson plans! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Our first week of school is a three day week and our second week is a five day week. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77uGDFI3MLqV67yEcTBIqwyGjBWT_7XgB1mJ8_4E21dvnBfsnPlrY9O5if0wRKXKm6ibJs1yLjaB8TdBxttnsiUNmhyphenhyphenEf0zJv-hcpinl9FkO2xRlQmp93kIDZxRGN4uptQ1YVOP28obSE/s1600/Slide4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77uGDFI3MLqV67yEcTBIqwyGjBWT_7XgB1mJ8_4E21dvnBfsnPlrY9O5if0wRKXKm6ibJs1yLjaB8TdBxttnsiUNmhyphenhyphenEf0zJv-hcpinl9FkO2xRlQmp93kIDZxRGN4uptQ1YVOP28obSE/s1600/Slide4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Products featured in my plans: </span><br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fabulous-Back-to-School-Fun-278193" style="font-size: xx-large;">Fabulous Back to School Fun </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Story-of-My-Name-Writing-and-Craftivity-265034" style="font-size: xx-large;">Story of My Name</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cooking-Up-a-Great-Year-Together-a-tasty-back-to-school-activity-271528" style="font-size: xx-large;">Cooking Up a Great Year Together </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Types-of-Sentences-Activity-Pack-262978" style="font-size: xx-large;">Types of Sentences Activity Pack</a><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/School-Year-Scrapbook-1360295" style="font-size: xx-large;">School Year Scrapbook </a></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">As you can see, we spend <u>a lot</u> of time learning and practicing procedures, building community, and getting to know each other. I feel this is SO important, no matter what grade you teach! You might feel the curriculum crunch, but I promise you WILL make up that time. Especially if you are doing the Daily Five. Model and practice those procedures again and again until your students get it right. Time invested in that now will pay off, I promise. The years I jumped right into curriculum have been some of my rockiest years. I certainly teach academics those first two weeks but my main focus is on rules, routines, and community building. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />My school year scrapbook is a new product, and one that I'm SO excited about! I always did a scrapbook with my third graders and they loved it. However, as the demands of being in a testing grade increased, I stopped doing them a few years ago. I forgot about them until I ran into one of my former third graders, who is now going into <i>tenth</i> grade, and she told me that she still has her third grade scrapbook and how special it was to her. So I spent some time this summer turning our messy and time consuming scrapbooks into something more manageable! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRquQQc4o9EsjKMGzIsntgVnsQo23SVzFGod1aNFX_rWLmS5ExBQ0_d1cVOvZMNKmLXsDpPaY6nvimZCbVYMFIBXqwZa6Nq3H7QN68PgXbjw9C1u7snmh6cZX1dRH_tPv3m5yy9C-2akr/s1600/Slide01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioRquQQc4o9EsjKMGzIsntgVnsQo23SVzFGod1aNFX_rWLmS5ExBQ0_d1cVOvZMNKmLXsDpPaY6nvimZCbVYMFIBXqwZa6Nq3H7QN68PgXbjw9C1u7snmh6cZX1dRH_tPv3m5yy9C-2akr/s1600/Slide01.jpg" width="494" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">The new version has NO cutting or gluing! All you need to do is select one of the included cover pages and select a monthly page for your students to complete and assemble them before school starts. I plan on using the stapler setting on our copier that puts a staple at the top and bottom of the page, this makes the packet into a booklet. One of my coworkers is planning on hole punching the pages and putting them into folders. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I included multiple options for the beginning and end of the year and for each month. I have options for August-July. All you need to do is select the pages that best fit your class. </span><br />
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On the first school day of each new month, I will have my students fill out their scrapbook page for the previous month. This literally takes twenty minutes tops. They brainstorm their memorable moments, write about their favorite memory, and color the picture on the page to give it more of the scrapbook feel. I let them choose memories from home and school, but you can do what works for you! Here's an example of a completed page:</span><br />
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School Year Scrapbook is a yearlong memory book and makes an awesome keepsake for your students. I can't wait to show you pictures of our scrapbooks throughout the year. :) </span><br />
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I also get by with some help from some friends during Back to School! Our first two weeks in reading are spent on reading strategies and I use <a href="http://www.ashleigh-educationjourney.com/">Ashleigh's </a>amazing <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Comprehension-Strategies-for-Reading-Workshop-280653">Reading Strategies Unit</a>. Seriously, go check it out. Everything you need to get your students really thinking about their reading is in one easy to use file. It is pictured under reading in my visual plans. I plan on using this fun <a href="http://whoswhoandnew.blogspot.com/2014/07/setting-tone-in-first-10-minutes-of.html?showComment=1405813670970">Finish the Picture</a> freebie from the <a href="http://www.thethinkerbuilder.com/">Thinker Builder</a> as part of our morning work on the first day of school. </span><br />
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I use the Daily Five to organize my literacy block and follow The Sisters guide for implementation pretty much step by step. I highly encourage you to read the book if you are thinking of implementing the Daily Five with your students. There are lots of great blog posts about it out there about the Daily Five but the book made it all click for me. You can find the Second Edition of The Daily Five <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Daily-The-Second-Edition-Elementary/dp/1571109749/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=stofrosec-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=RYPUN4G5VSBPH6AC&creativeASIN=1571109749">{here}</a>. </span><br />
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You can also find a list of the books I use with Cooking Up a Great Year Together to promote a caring classroom environment <a href="http://www.fourthnten.com/2012/07/question-time.html">{here}</a>. The Toothpaste Words activity is offered as a freebie on my blog <a href="http://www.fourthnten.com/2012/07/back-to-school-activities-freebie.html">{here}</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Enjoy your day, friends! I hope you found my Back to School Lesson Plans helpful. </span></div>
<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-62129306540513300282014-07-31T17:32:00.002-04:002016-07-25T15:06:21.012-04:00Tips and Tricks for Going Back to School Without Breaking the Bank<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I think we can all agree that going back to school is expensive. However, it doesn't have to break the bank. :) Today I'm excited to share some tips and tricks that have saved me money over the years during the back to school season. Hopefully you might find a tip or trick that will help you out this year too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The biggest thing that has kept my BTS shopping from breaking the bank is setting a budget each year. I either withdraw that money from the bank and use that cash to do my BTS shopping OR I put the money on a prepaid Visa/MasterCard. I get a prepaid card when I plan on doing a lot of online shopping. Occasionally, I'll go over but I really try not to. My husband is </span><u style="font-size: xx-large; font-style: italic;">so</u><span style="font-size: x-large;"> supportive of my teaching adventures and I feel my BTS budget is generous enough to begin with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It's hard to not go crazy when you see crayons,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">glue sticks, and scissors at amazing prices. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">However, I started saving a lot more money when I started buying only what I needed. I don't do a lot of art projects or interactive notebooks, so there is really no reason for me to buy 50 pairs of scissors and hundreds of glue sticks. Typically, I buy some extra highlighters and crayons for my students to use during my guided reading groups, extra pencils, and extra dry erase markers. I also buy an additional notebook for each of my students because I like to use two notebooks, one for reading and one for writing, and our district supply list only asks for one. That might sound like a lot but since I'm only buying extras of a few things, I don't spend nearly as much as I did when I bought extras of <u>everything</u> on our supply list. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">This tip is simple, but SO true. Shop your classroom first. I don't know how many times I've gone to the teacher store for something in August, only to find out that I had what I just bought in my classroom. We also have a donation spot at my school and sometimes I have found what I needed there for free! If you are in search of bigger things, like filing cabinets or furniture, send an email out to your district. Someone at another school just might want to get rid of theirs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">When you head out to do your shopping, go with a list or purpose in mind. I don't know how many times I've picked up a notebook or notepad just because it was cute and then never used it. The other day I went shopping for book bins at Target and that's all I bought. Even though I wanted some new Mr. Sketch markers and some Flair pens too. I know I spend a lot more money when I just wonder around the store with no purpose in mind. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I saved a lot of money the other day when I bought bins for my library because Target had a Cartwheel coupon for them. I buy ink and laminating pouches on Amazon because they are so much cheaper online. My local teacher store also has a special day when teachers get discounts on their purchases. I saw that Big Lots will be doing an educator discount day and Walmart has their teacher rebate this summer. When I go to buy an extra notebook for each of my students, I search the sale ads to see who has them the cheapest and that's where I buy them. :) Anytime I buy something from Hobby Lobby or Michaels, I always check my phone for coupons. I actually found a great deal on my new library book bins at Home Depot of all places because I searched and searched online for the best deal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The classroom of your dreams, especially if you are a new teacher, isn't built overnight. It's okay to add things to your classroom as the year goes on and you have the extra funds. Or if you like having 50 extra pairs of scissors, a 100 extra glue sticks, and 25 extra boxes of crayons to use throughout the year, wait until a few weeks after school starts. I know Target usually has an AWESOME clearance section after school starts. I've purchased class sets of notebooks for pennies after school starts and I just save them for the next year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Craiglist, thrift stores, and garage sales are a great way to get things for your classroom for a great price! I've also scored several wonderful books on clearance this summer at Half Price Books. Our local children's resale shop offers teachers a discount when they purchase books and furniture for their classroom. Most of my classroom library is from Goodwill. I've also found used copies of resource/professional books in great condition for a great price online!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">My last tip is perhaps the hardest. Stop comparing your classroom to others because it's not fair. Focus only on the special environment you have created within the four walls of your classroom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">It's okay if you don't have trendy chevron borders, a ton of Pinterest inspired projects, fadeless bulletin board paper, etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">While I have the classroom of my dreams right now, I waited seven years for it. I inherited every thing I needed for a stars and stripes classroom when I first started teaching. So that's what I did. All my posters were handmade and I didn't care one bit. As time went by, I added things here and there to make the room feel more me, even if it wasn't the classroom theme I would have chosen for myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I rocked that stars and stripes theme for four years. Then I used all my blue and red bins and borders to do a primary polka theme before I finally invested last summer in my black and neon bright classroom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Even then, there were somethings I did not get rid of simply because they didn't match my black and neon theme. For example, I really wanted to get rid of my red and blue book baskets because they just didn't match. However, I had already spent enough money on redecorating my classroom. So I waited until this summer and will probably wait to add the cute curtains I've been wanting next summer because book bins aren't cheap. I'm okay with not winning a classroom decor contest anytime soon to keep my checkbook in balance. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">What about you? How do you try to save money when it comes to Back to School? </span></div>
<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6922636206266980467.post-46318053814703542602014-07-29T00:00:00.000-04:002014-07-29T09:22:59.706-04:00Back to School Sale and TpT Gift Certificate Giveaway <span style="font-size: x-large;">So apparently it's time for some of you to go back to school. Apparently some of you have <i>already</i> gone back to school. That's just crazy talk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Personally, it looks like Michaels, Target and WalMart threw up in the back of my SantaFe. I'm excited to get my room in order, but I'm also thankful for a few more weeks to finish up my summer to do list. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Since back to school is literally just around the corner for some of us, I'm throwing a Beat the Back to School Blues Sale!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">You can visit my TpT store by clicking <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Fourth-And-Ten">{here}</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I have gotten a few questions about my lesson plans and how I tackle back to school with my fourth graders and I'll be posting about that soon. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I will say that we spend a lot of time getting organized, learning and practicing procedures, building a classroom community, and having fun together that first week of school. I use my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Fabulous-Back-to-School-Fun-278193">Fabulous Back to School Fun</a>, <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Cooking-Up-a-Great-Year-Together-a-tasty-back-to-school-activity-271528">Cooking Up a Great Year Together</a> and <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Story-of-My-Name-Writing-and-Craftivity-265034">Story of My Name </a>units every single year. They really do set the tone for a great year together!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">To thank all of you for being such loyal and faithful readers, I am giving away <u>two</u> $10 Teachers Pay Teachers gift certificates! You can enter below. I'll choose two winners on Thursday! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Good luck!</span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f99d35b73/" id="rc-f99d35b73" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<img align="left" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img197/1259/j1ve.jpg" />Lisa at Fourth and Tenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04628224211161496155noreply@blogger.com54