Stock up on $1 and $2 Items... The Dollar Days Sale is Here!

As everyone is preparing for back-to-school, why not stock up on some great items for your classroom for either $1 or $2?! The Lesson Cloud's Dollar Days Sale starts tonight and lasts until Monday. Click the picture below to visit The Lesson Cloud and check out all the amazing products that are being discounted!

Here are the five products that I am discounting for you!

1) Dictionary Skills- discounted from $2 to $1

2) Around the World Passport- discounted from $1.75 to $1

3) Compound Words Activity Pack- discounted from $2.50 to $1

4) Math Games with Dice- discounted from $3.50 to $2

5) Monthly Spelling Homework Choices- discounted from $2.50 to $2

I hope you are able to get some goodies from this sale! Be sure to enter the Really Good Stuff $75 giveaway while you are visiting The Lesson Cloud's website!

Have a great night!

 

Inspiration for My Classroom Decor.... Schoolgirl Style!

Have you heard of Schoolgirl Style? If not, you need to check out this website! The fabulous Melanie Ralbusky has created a classroom decorating site for teachers. It is unbelievable! From banners, paper lanterns, nameplates, and tags, this website has everything you need to set up an adorable classroom.

My favorite theme on her website is the Primary Apple Theme. I mean, how cute is this?!

When I saw this classroom theme, I knew I had to design my classroom with this in mind. I just love the paper lanterns, bright colors, and trees. It is so cozy! I am currently in the process of decorating my room and I love how it is coming together. I will be posting pictures next week of my progress! In the meantime, be sure to stop by Schoolgirl Style and check out her beautiful items!

Fourth Grade Common Core Posters and Tell Me More Linky!

Calling all fourth grade teachers! I've finally completed the Fourth Grade "Kid Friendly" Common Core Standards Posters. I have had many requests for these and have been working on them for quite some time. I am exited to share them with you!

These 4th grade common core posters are unique due to the fact that the standards cards are two-sided: one side is the exact standard written and coded for your records, the other side is the same standard written in "kid-friendly" language so that your students will be able to understand what it is they will be learning. (NOTE: I've taken great care in trying to preserve the meaning of the standard when I changed it into terms that the students can understand. I kept most verbage the same and used synonyms for more challenging words to help fourth graders understand!)

This document includes ALL standards for Language Arts (reading, writing, language, etc.) and Math.

Also included are subject heading cards for your display, information explaining how to read the coding on each card, and directions on how to print and make the cards. Making the cards is very simple-- you just need to print, cut around the solid black line (but DO NOT cut the line in the middle) and then fold in half. One side will be the "teacher" side and the other is the "kid-friendly" side. Just laminate, if you wish, and display in your classroom to make the learning goals more visible to your students!

Two different options for display include:

#1) On a hanging ribbon- just use velcro to change out the cards each day to align with what you are teaching.

#2) In a pocket chart- these cards will fit in virtually all pocket charts. No need for velcro, just change them out daily!

Check them out... Click {here} to be taken to the link! I hope these posters help you with the new transition to the Common Core!

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Okay, on to something a little more fun! I am linking up with the fabulous Amy Lemons to share some quirky facts about myself! If you'd like to join in on the fun, just click the button below to link up!

Alright, here goes:

1. Growing up, I HATED being tall. I am about 5'10" and have recently embraced my height. I always felt like a giant (especially in middle school when the boys were about half my height!) but now I'm beginning to realize that being tall has its perks!

2. I am a Big Brother fanatic! I love the TV show and drop everything to watch it all three days of the week =) Now I don't go as far as watching the live feeds online like some people do, but I'm a pretty devoted fan of the show!

3. I have terrible eyesight! I thank God every day for contact lenses because if I had to wear my glasses, it would not be pretty... ha!

4. My favorite place to be is at my family's lake house at Seneca Lake. I grew up spending my summers on this lake. Three years ago, my husband proposed to me on the cliff at sunset. Ahh... I just love it!

5. I absolutely love reading! My favorite authors include Jodi Piccoult and James Patterson, among many others. This summer, I read a series of books that start with "50"... haha... very interesting reads to say the least!

6. I am a bit of a perfectionist... okay, maybe more than a bit! Since becoming a mom though, I've learned that things aren't always just so. I'm letting things go (you should see my house!) and realizing that those little things don't matter in the grand scheme of life =)

7. My hubby, Brandon, is the love of my life! Every day, I just can't believe how lucky I am to be married to someone so loving, helpful, and funny!

8. Okay, I have two loves of my life-- my son, Grady, is the best thing that ever happened to me. He makes me laugh every day and is such a joy!

Alright, that's it! I know this is the longest post ever so thanks for reading! Be sure to link up with Amy above =)

Have a great Thursday!

Christmas in July and Dollar Days Sale!





I absolutely love all things Christmas, so when I heard about the Christmas in July sale, I just had to join in on the fun! From today until Friday, all SEASONAL items in my TpT store are 20% off! Just click the picture above to be taken to my TpT store. I wish you a Merry Sale! Do you want to participate? Quickly link up over at Blog Hopper and let everyone know!

I'd also like to announce the first ever Back to School Dollar Days sale...with a $75 Gift Certificate to Really Good Stuff to boot! This Sunday, July 29th and Monday, July 30th, join us on the Cloud for an amazing sale and giveaway!

The Lesson Cloud authors have put together an amazing list of hundreds of items for just $1 or $2!! Stock up on all your Back to School needs for just $1 or $2 each. Plus, once you've stocked up, enter our $75 Gift Certificate Giveaway to Really Good Stuff!! Couldn't you use an extra $75 to start off the school year?

I will be announcing my $1 and $2 items on the 29th... stay tuned!

Keep watching The Lesson Cloud blog, The Lesson Cloud Facebook page and The Lesson Cloud Twitter feeds for more!

All Sorts of Word Sorts!

This past school year, I got really tired of writing out word sorts for my guided reading groups on index cards. I started thinking that there had to be a better way so that the cards were already created and ready to go. I created this packet of word sorts so that I could laminate them, save them in a binder, and pull them out when needed.

This product includes sorting cards for over 100 spelling patterns (over 420 cards total)! Here is an example of how they can be used in a pocket chart:

After a guided reading lesson, I like to follow up with at least 5 minutes of word work activity. After teaching my students about certain word patterns, it is great to reinforce what they've learned by having them do a word sort. They love doing this! We go around the table, everyone gets a card, and they decide where it needs to go and then explain why it belongs there. Other ways that you could use these cards include: spelling groups, word work centers, guided reading groups, or intervention for your struggling spellers. The cards fit perfectly in almost all pocket charts. I especially like the desktop chart from Lakeshore Learning (pictured above in use).

The best part of these sorts is that they are great for differentiation! They range in difficulty from fairly easy (initial consonants) to more difficult (silent consonants). If you are interested in more information about this product, just click {here}!

Must Have Picture Books Linky Party

I am linking up with Lindsey, The Teacher Wife, to share my top five picture books! Click her button below to view other bloggers' top fives or to join the linky!

It was really difficult to choose just five (I LOVE children's picture books!) but here they are:

1. Mr. Peabody's Apples- Who knew Madonna writes books?! I didn't until I found this gem! This might be my all-time favorite picture book. This story has a lesson about the importance of not spreading rumors. The little boy in the story, Tommy Tiddlebottom, wants to undo the damage he's done by spreaking a rumor but learns that its nearly impossible. Whenever I read this book to my students, they are so engaged. You can hear a pin drop! It is a wonderful story about friendship, honesty, and forgiveness.

2. The 7 Habits of Happy Kids- My school is a "Leader in Me" school which means that we teach our kids about leadership and following the 7 Habits. This picture book is so powerful in teaching your students about how to be a leader. To read more about my blog post on the 7 habits, click {here}.

3. The Recess Queen- I always read this book during the first week of school because it is great for teaching about being a good friend and not bullying others. "Mean Jean" is a character that all of the kids can relate to because they've all dealt with someone who has been unkind or a bully. The rhyming story is fun for the kids (and fun to read!)

4. Chrysanthemum- I LOVE any book by Kevin Henkes! This is another great one for the beginning of the year. It has a theme of acceptance and the kids just love it!

5. The Polar Express- Who doesn't love this book?! I always read this book the day before our Winter break. We wear pajamas to school, listen to the story, and then watch the movie while drinking hot chocolate! So fun =)

Well now I'm off to work on the chair pockets that I am sewing for my classroom. I will post a picture soon! Have a great Tuesday =)