Tell YOU about Me Tuesday!

I am one lucky girl... I'm sure you can see why:

Here is my girl, my sweet 6 year old who might think she is 16.. but she is 6. We have gotten a couple of girl's days this summer.. pedis, the American Girl store for her bday, and time at the lake. She is growing so fast... especially intellectually... I am so proud of her!

And here is my sweet boy! He will be 10 this year... the double digits have arrived! He is so smart-- almost too smart for his own good! Constantly reading and building legos. If only I could get him to stop pestering his sister... I know he loves her, even if he won't admit it! Lucky him.. He has gotten to visit a few church camps this summer to enjoy some of that independence he is longing for.

Here is our crazy family at Christmas. Each day they give me something else to work for while exhausting me all at the same time. I couldn't live without them...

Especially this one... After 10 years of marriage, I feel like we have made it. Through the thick and thin, this guy hangs around. He has given me the best thing I will ever produce and he works hard everyday to support our family... and give me things I dream of!

I told you I am a lucky girl! Each day I get to wake up with these people!

Other things you might care to know about me:

1. I've taught 1st and 2nd grade. This is my 7th year teaching... and I might possibly be working with the BEST team imaginable!

 2. I am about to start a doctoral program...I might be busy this year... Just a little!

 3. I have recently become obsessed with pinning home ideas, as we are in the process of building a house! It is so exciting!

4. I have a small yorkie poo. She is lovable, but not so much fun living with in an apartment. Every noise makes her bark!

 5. I have 2 sisters and a brother.

6. I have 1 niece and 1 nephew. Another niece coming in January!


ok... I'm making this 2nd post in... right under the wire!

{late} monday must-haves

I am slightly tardy for this linky party, but I'm going to catch up... right now!

There are a few must-haves that I must have for school!

First, planning is the MOST important part of my year, so I always invest in some kind of planner. I usually buy one on TPT and spend lots of time printing and binding

and it looks beautiful.... but.....

this year I did something a bit different, and a little more expensive but I can't wait to get it in the mail!

I bought an Erin Condren.. from all the reviews I read, I'm pretty sure I won't regret it!

I'll be sure to post pictures, once I've gotten mine in the mail! 

Another planner I bought this year (that might be the best thing I've EVER bought on TPT) is a year-long planner. 

Being able to give myself a year long idea of skills and topics is extremely helpful! Once I filled this in and saw everything I was amazed!! You can click the picture above to download my year if you want to check it out!

A few more things I must have include:

Um... these magazine files from Ikea are amazing!! I love them and the price! I don't actually have an Ikea close by to Nashville (although Atlanta is just a day trip away!), but shipping is only about $10, which is totally worth it (if your ordering a few packs!) If you have an Ikea close by, run there to get these!!! You will not regret it.

When my room is finished, I'll show you how I will be using them this year!

One more thing you need:

I just got this flip book and I can't wait to use on Open House night! Less paper and no cutting and pasting! Love it!!

I'm going to try to catch up with this linky... so look for a 2nd post (oh my!) from me this afternoon! 

challenge time

So, it's been a while. A loooonnnggg while! This TPT Seller Challenge is going to be my motivation to get back into the swing of things. Here I am starting out this challenge:

I haven't been paying much attention to my numbers... and that is probably because I haven't been paying much attention to:

1. Blogging
2. Instragramming (for teacher purposes)
3. Don't even have the twitter app on my phone or ipad! 
4. Have not posted anything new to TPT in a few months! 

I have, however, been pinning up a storm... which is a whole other story! 

This morning I accepted the TPT Seller Challenge, and I've completed the first challenge: Makeover Madness!

This was my first freebie to get started on TPT and it looked super BORING! I have a few products (that are from the beginning) that look like they need an update. This morning, though, I realized why it might be a few weeks before that update occurs. My computer is super sssslllllooowww. It took me at least an hour and a half to get through this 8 page update. Granted the original was made in Word, so I had to start from scratch, but it took forever! I need to seriously clean up my Mac (or possibly, get a new one!!).

Anyway, I would love for you to download this updated version and let me know what you think... It's FREE! You can download it here. While you are checking it out, I would love for you to follow me on TPT. Over the next few weeks I am going to be adding to my shop with some exciting games and I seriously plan on keeping you posted. :)

Have a great Tuesday!

Ten Math Pins

Linking up again with Ashley from Just Reed for ten of my favorite math pins!

Check out the linky party to see a ton more helpful pins! I'm on my way there right now :)

Classroom Management Ten Pins

I am linking up with Ashley at Just Reed again this week to share some my favorite classroom management pins. I am usually really organized and ready to go... last year I felt behind ALL year! I moved to my school literally 3 days before school started and never felt like I was fully able to catch up. I had to put a lot of things just on shelves and cabinets and a lot of it I never got organized quite like I like it. If you are a neat freak, you know how I was feeling! I am actually really excited to be moving rooms this year so I can get everything just right!

I went up to school today... I know... {gasp}. I needed to get a few more things from my "old" room before the new teacher got in there and thought I left it for her. A good friend of mine came and helped me move my furniture {minus desks} into the positions that make sense. Now, I am left with organizing!

Of course classroom management is not just about having your stuff organized.. it's more about having your students organized. So, here are my favorite pins (which I will totally be implementing this year-- or may have already implemented!)

I love how this idea gives the students ownership over the rules. Will totally be doing something like this!

Love this for writing journals, math journals... ok... all journals!

Instead of the "No Name" display I am gonna put this guy next to the turn in basket and it will be a constant reminder that you must write your name on your paper! Love it!

I didn't have a huge problem with this last year but I might start the year with this chart to make sure I don't have another huge problem... :)

I blogged about this a while back. If you are into mustaches, this is available in my mustache classroom decor set. I love how this way of showing who and how they are going home is so easy to change if needed for each day. I hung it and will hang it right by my door for easy access. Love it!

This pin is actually for pointers while reading to help your little ones follow along. I am going to use this for my pick sticks though. Write the name on one end and put the gem on the other. Then after you've called on that person you can flip the stick over so you only pick the ones with gems. Love it!

I am new to the clip chart system, but plan on implementing this year. I love how this gives you a place to put those worn out clips that have gotten so many gems! Totally doing this!

I don't know about you but sometimes a lot of times when we are creating gooey things we have to spread all of it out around the room for drying time... I run out of places to put things to dry! I love this system... and I know I can make it look beautiful! :) Wondering if a pizza place will give those for free... hmmm...

This is one of those... Why didn't I think of that?! moments! I am planning on putting my whole sub binder in picture format.. That way there is no guessing! I can put pics of kids, pics of where things are located, etc. {This might help me remember where I put things too!} lol

Who loves when all your kids who need help come up and surround you? It is my biggest pet peeve-- I almost feel clostrophobic! I can't take it!!! I am in love with this pin... Making it....like NOW!!!

So, that's about it...I mean... there are A TON more pins out there that will be utilized but these are my top 10 that I will for sure be using and geting started! Also, check out my freebies section for a classroom rewards freebie that is sure to keep them making good choices in and OUT of the room!

p.s. I have hooked up with BlogLovin'. You can start following me there :)

word wall makeover

Ok... I'm thinking about... I'm planning for it...

SCHOOL

I don't want to... but my brain just won't stop! How do I get this thing to turn off... it might only happen when waves are nearby (which won't be happening until next month!)

Anyway, I don't know about your school district but mine is adopting a new reading series this year! I am totally excited for it! Last year I created some weekly Treasures resources that were really helpful for my firsties. This year, I don't know if I will be doing the same for this new series. It is Journeys Common Core by Houghton Mifflin. Anybody else doing this? There are a lot of resources already posted on tpt for Journeys. Especially Journeys in my new grade level...

That's right! I am headed up to 2nd grade! I am really excited and I am changing rooms! A little sad to move from my hallway with the sweet teachers that have supported me this year, but excited to try something new! I have heard so many good things about teaching 2nd grade-- so I am gearing up!

So... 2nd grade Journeys? Anybody using this resource this year? There looks to be a lot of online resources for this curriculum on their site and so many people have already started posting packets/units for it on tpt. There are a few things I am particular about that I just have to make for myself. I like to display the sight words and vocabulary that we are emphasizing each week on our focus wall, then move those to the word wall... and I kinda want it all to match! Yeah, I know... I could just write these on index cards or something... 

I need some matching words that are easily located... So, here is my Journeys Word Wall Kit:

Click this pic to go to TPT!

I saw this pin:

It got me thinking... I want to do my word wall like this! I haven't gotten into my new, large, spacious... room but when I do... I am TOTALLY doing this! How about you? I haven't see a few similar ideas to this cruising pinterest- it must be a hit!

Anyway, you might be wondering why this is called a Journeys Word Wall...
So, each week in Journeys they designate about 10 sight words to focus on that week. This packet organizes the sight words in order from Unit 1 Lesson 1 to Unit 6 Lesson 30. In the corner of each card there is a number like 1.1 or 6.30 (simply standing for Unit 1 Lesson 1 or Unit 6 Lesson 30). Get it? Now you know where to file your cards and they all match! Whew... what a relief! lol

I also included color words, days of the week, and months of the year. In addition to all the words there are blank cards that you can simply add text to in adobe.

Also, included in this set--- the word wall letters to organize your word wall!

I am loving this chalkboard theme! It can be paired with almost any color palette (mine is black and turquoise). I am still going with a little mustache theme but not over the top. I am just going to attempt to keep all my colors consistent! 

If you are teaching Journeys next year and would like a free set of this Word Wall kit, just be the one of the first 3 people to comment below with your email and something else you would like to see for sale on tpt in regards to Journeys! I would love to hear your ideas! 

So, while I am linking up with the Applelicious Teacher: 

I have to share another fun idea I am thinking of doing next year. Last year I displayed all my kids work in the hallway, like this:

Each child had their own and I added their silhouettes! They were adorable! 

I am toying with this idea again, but then I thought of something super shabby chic that I really really want to try--- needing to get the hubs involved though- it will be kinda large.

So, I am sure we have all seen something like this on pinterest:

A little frame with some chicken wire. My thought is to make a really large frame out of {it's a secret}. I mean like 3 foot by 6 foot (or maybe longer)- I need to measure my space in the hallway. We would just use the sparkle clothespins to clip work in the hallway. Maybe add a name tag to the clip... Still thinking on the idea but I think it would be really cool! I will reveal my secret ingredient soon... I promise :)

p.s. If you are a journeys teacher and are just starting out with it (like me) you might need this:

font party!

I love fonts. In fact, lately, when I see an awesome font (on pinterest) I literally have to say to myself (out-loud), "You already have soooo many fonts that you don't use! You will NEVER find that font in the list if you download today...Just pin it for later!"

Here is one from Babbling Abby the other day:

Source: snippetandink.com via babblingabby on Pinterest

Look at those amazing fonts! I just want to go download them all... insert my little speech... ok, I am pinning for later. If you follow that link you will see that not all of those fonts (and the MANY others from that site) are free--- only some are. I am loving the mishka font (only $30! what?! ridiculous!). 

Anywho, I think we all love the fab fonts out there and I am linking up with Miss Nelson to show you a few of my faves THIS WEEK....

yes, they change pretty frequently- maybe weekly. I will get on a kick with a few fonts that I end up using for EVERYTHING then I change to something new. 

Don't know if you can read that top one: It is my fave font for student sheets (Trace Font for Kids). Of course, I can only use that on a few things that actually involve tracing :)

I am currently obsessed with all the fonts from Jen @ Hello Literacy. I love seeing the new fonts that everyone is able to make on their ipads. I will for sure start making some when I get an ipad (you know, in my dreams! LOL)

Happy Tuesday!