Bloglovin': The New Way to Read Blogs you Love!

If you are like me, you follow blogs using Google Reader...but, that is going to change. Starting July 1st, they are doing away with the Google Reader so if that's where you go to see all your fave blogs, you'll need to do something different. I just joined Bloglovin! It let's you follow all your current blogs through their site as soon as you sign up...with the click of just a few buttons!

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It was DIY day today! Easy Ideas :)

Yep...if you agree with this, you are my kind of teacher! LOL

Today I spend about five hours in my classroom getting things organized and getting RID OF MY DESK! (whew! That thing was H-E-A-V-Y...and full of junk!)

My hopes are that not having a desk will keep me from collecting lots of junk and stacks of papers...and it will help me IMMERSE myself in my lessons more because I won't have that perch!

I'll post before and after pics of that space in my room soon!

But

for today...

I want to show you a couple of ideas I had for making my room more "cute" :)

First up, I made new bathroom passes out of the wooden door hangers. I don't let students take them to the bathroom. Instead, they grab them and put them on their desk while they are gone. This way, I can easily look around the room and see who is gone to the bathroom. 

I used the wooden door hangers, little wooden letters, wooden animals, hot glue, and ribbon! VOILA! It was super simple!

And, I've been wanting to do something like this for quite a while to keep my birthday goodies in one spot:

Pinterest Link 

This was my inspiration....I just needed a way to tweak it to fit my animal print classroom.

And, so...

it was PERFECT when I found a zebra print wine bottle gift canister! Check out what I did!

I cut the lid off of the canister and now can use it as a paperclip or rubber band holder...

Then, I hot glued this cool Zebra mask that I found a while back (and bought hoping I'd find a use!)...

Next I poured rice into the canister to weight it down and put in some crazy straws and glow necklaces! Now when I have a birthday, I'll just let them go pick out their straw and necklace. 

I'll be back later this week to share my desk space before/after pics! :)

Someone New Sunday: Check out this "new" blogger!

I am starting to really LOVE Sunday blog posts...it is just so fun to meet so many new and wonderful blogger friends! :) 

I hope you'll stop over to visit Kendra

from

Have fun reading through Kendra's answers to our get-to-know-you questions! :)

1. How long have you been blogging? 

I started blog stalking last year for one of my Reading education classes, and after reading several religiously, I knew I wanted to start my own. This past March (2013) I finally found the time, and courage, to explore Blogger. 

2. How long have you been teaching and what grades?

I am not officially a teacher YET. I am going to school for my BSE - Broadfield Social Science, so I will be licensed to teach history, economics, geography, and political science in grades 6- 12. I am student teaching this fall at a local high school and will graduate in December. So if anyone knows of openings for this area near you, let me know!

3. What is your favorite classroom theme you've ever tried?

I have never had my own classroom, but I love the safari theme or blue/yellow chevron. I wrote about my dream classroom designs, taking from fellow bloggers, in a blog post here: http://www.thesocialstudentteacher.blogspot.com/2013/04/classroom-decor.html

4. When is the last time you shopped on TpT?

I have an online shopping problem. I am always on TPT looking for cute new things that others have created. The last time I was on (earlier this morning), I downloaded Ashley Hughes's "Welcome Banners" that are perfect for back to school.

5. What would you consider your Super Power, other than teaching?

Organization! I love being organized - making lists and creating places for everything makes me super happy. Although everything doesn't have to be labeled, it has a specific spot. I am splurging on the Erin Condren Lesson Planner for this upcoming fall, and I cannot wait to receive it in the mail to do some planning, make lists, and patiently await for my first day of student teaching!

6. What is the last thing you bought for your classroom?

At the last PD seminar I went to, I bought two books about Ancient Greece and Rome. I can't wait to read through them this summer and get new ideas of how to present this information to class. I am thinking a lot of time in groups exploring how they influenced today rather than the "boring history teacher lecturing at them."  And, as I said above, I can't wait for my Erin Condren Lesson Planner to get here so I can be in tip-top planning shape for the school year!

 7. We'd love to visit you! What are your links? TpT, FB, Blog?

Blog: http://www.thesocialstudentteacher.blogspot.com/
TPT: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Kendra-S (still in the works!)

Remember, if you are a new blogger and would like to be featured, please email me with your blog address to be considered! :)

Five for Friday (on Saturday!)

So I'm a little late to the game with this week's Five for Friday...you'll see why in just a moment!

I really, really wanted to post yesterday, but I had a FABULOUS Arizona Blogger Meet up last night and wanted to wait so I could share pics from that fun adventure! :) 

Here it is...my amazing night with some AMAZING women...who also LOVE BLOGGING as much as me!

We all had a great time and got to show off our painting talents at The Brush Bar. All in all, I think we are pretty darn good artists! Don't you? 

Speaking of artists...I took my kids this week to a local ceramics studio to make something for their Daddy for Father's Day. I helped them make a plate with their hand prints, and my daughter wanted to make her Dad a mug. She picked the colors, which I thought was ok...but then, after it was fired in the kiln, Dad's mug turned PINK!! :) 

Let's switch gears now and talk about food! I'm really trying to do more clean eating and incorporate new foods that I've never given a chance. This week, I wanted to try quinoa...which, up until about 5 months ago, I thought was pronounced "kwin-o-uh" Don't judge! 

This stuff was AMAZING!

If you follow my facebook page at all, you may have seen this picture...I posted it after a rather hard time getting my 2 year old "cleaned up"... lol

I know I'm not the only one who can relate to this...right??? It may be gross...but MAN oh MAN is it the truth! lol

Oh, and if you didn't see it, I made a little set to go along with the book A Bad Case of Stripes! I love using this book at the beginning of school and thought you guys may want to see some ideas I have to go along with it. This packet has several different activities and some ideas on bulletins too! :)

To see this packet in my store, CLICK HERE! 

Be sure to click the FIVE FOR FRIDAY button to see everyone's week in pics!

Teach Like a Pirate Book Study: Sex and Teaching???

Did I get your attention with that title???

Now that you're here, I have a question for you.

Aaaargh you a pirate?

Have you heard about this fun SUMMER BOOK STUDY?? 

If you missed the First chapter, you can check it out by reading Greg's post from Tuesday. He posted all about Chapter 1. Smedley's Smorgasboard: Teach Like a Pirate post 

I am not sure about the rest of you, but I have to admit...it is RARE that I read teacher/teaching books on my off time. I just need a BREAK sometimes, you know?

But, Dave Burgess is an incredible writer and has a way of writing like he's a close teacher friend of yours just chatting over lunch. 

I am loving his book Teach Like a Pirate. If you haven't seen it yet, you can check it out here in Amazon:

Chapter one was great, but I have to say, Chapter 2 (Immersion) really caught my attention. Dave starts the chapter by basically saying that complete immersion can make you a better teacher...and a better lover. I couldn't agree more! LOL

Anyone who can put those two topics in the same paragraph is a winner in my book!

But, on a more serious note, I really do love the way he talks about just getting in there and "being in the moment" with your students.

Dave says, "I’m suggesting that when delivering first instruction, especially to struggling learners, you need to leave the comfort of the lounge chair or lifeguard tower and jump into the water with your students."

Have you ever been teaching something that you just weren't that "into"? Or, have you ever walked into your classroom with other things on your mind and just been distracted? Have you ever been content standing on the sidelines or as Dave said, sitting in the "lifeguard tower"? Your students WILL notice when you aren't fully immersed in the lessons, discussions, or activities.

Some educators may wonder: 

How am I supposed to be fully immersed in all of these activities and make every lesson so that I will want to be immersed with my students? How can I do this when I have all of this material I need to cover so my students will score well on the big test?

Well, I think Dave says it best when he closes his chapter. In that last section of Chapter 2 he said this:

I hope you'll let me know your thoughts...Have you read this yet? Are you reading it now? 

Do you consider yourself someone who gets in there and is FULLY immersed? 

And be sure you go check out the other posts on this book. Just click the button at the top of this post!

Credits/Citing:

Burgess, Dave (2012-10-22). Teach Like a PIRATE: Increase Student Engagement, Boost Your Creativity, and Transform Your Life as an Educator (Kindle Locations 299-300). Dave Burgess Consulting, Inc.. Kindle Edition. 

Made It Monday: Library Organization!

I actually "MADE" this last week and have been waiting to tell you guys all about it! :O It's MADE IT MONDAY!

BUT....be sure you read all the way to the end so you'll find out if you were the winner for my AZ BLOGGER BEAT THE HEAT GIVEAWAY too! I'm announcing the winner today!

OK, now...I'm not sure about you, but my classroom library makes me want to scream sometimes. My Firsties are not known for keeping an organized library. It always starts out the year nice, organized, and tidy....

Then, towards the end of the year (or even...let's be honest...3 months in) it looks like this more often than not.

Yes...I just showed this.... *ashamed* lol

And, this in turn makes me want to scream this....although, I DON'T. :)

Instead...I just remind them to put their books back WHERE THEY GOT THEM...and my "library police" take the time to go behind their friends and help to clean up the mess.

So...I've been thinking...there MUST be a better way. One of the blogs I follow (and I can't remember which one for the life of me) posted about using clothespins to help remind students which book bucket they grabbed from....

This is the results:

I bought some clothespins, painted them, added some animal print sparkle jewels, and laminated number circles for them. In my class, each student has a NUMBER for their cubby, water bottle holder, and computer lab chair. This number will also be their LIBRARY PIN number. 

Each student will have their own pin with THEIR number on it. This will be their pin for the year to help them with keeping our library organized. 

At the start of the year I'll have a "library lesson" and show my students the ropes with our new library system. When they want to take a book from the class library, they'll grab their pin (which will be clipped to a bucket on our library shelf...see below) and pin it to the bucket that they grab their book from. 

When they are done with that book, they'll simply find the bucket with their number clipped to it, and put the book back, then remove their pin. 

If they want another book, they'll repeat these steps...if they don't, they'll clip their pin back to the pin bucket.

This bucket was a DOLLAR...I just added the label and a cute little ribbon strip around the bottom. Sorry for the glare on the number...my camera is not the best! lol

And, for those of you who are interested....I have taken the time to get my library in tip-top order.

Take a peek:

 Whew! I hope that this is helpful for ya'll! I know it is going to save my sanity next year.

BUT, just in case...I did make this sign...still deciding if I should hang it up or if it may offend some parents! LOL

(FYI, my room theme is wild animal prints)

Thanks for reading along! 

And...now...drumroll please....

The winner of our AZ BLOGGER BEAT THE HEAT giveaway is:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Someone New Sunday: Another Great "New" Blogger!

It's Sunday, and I have another "new" blogger buddy for you all to meet! :)

Does this teacher look fun, or what?!

I love this picture of her and her little cuties :)

Tammy is the brains behind this sweet "new" blog:

I found Tammy's blog recently, and just love her content.

Now, let's get to know her a bit! I asked Tammy the following questions....check out what she had to say!

1. How long have you been blogging? I started blogging in June 2012.

2. How long have you been teaching and what grades? I have been teaching for 20 years. I started my teaching career in Hobbs, NM teaching 3rd grade and Kinder. I then moved to Omaha, NE and taught 2nd grade and my final move so far has been to Wichita, KS. I have been teaching there for 14 years. I've taught 3rd, 1st and 2nd grades.

3. What is your favorite classroom theme you've ever tried? When I first started teaching we really didn't use themes. We bought things that would look cute on the bulletin boards but nothing really matched.  I started thinking about themes when I moved to Wichita. I have always used the same theme and have built on that theme every year. I love butterflies and we do a study on Monarch Butterflies every year in the Fall when they are coming through town so my classroom reflects that. Each year I seem to do add more decorations and more homey items thanks to Pinterest and other teachers blogs.

4. When is the last time you shopped on TpT?  Last week! I went and bought another license for Lory Evan's Daily Math for 2nd grade. I really love those pages. My students really enjoyed working on them.

5. What would you consider your Super Power, other than teaching? I love to make homemade items for birthdays, weddings or just special occasions or for no reason at all except that I wanted too.  I love to cross stitch, crochet, quilt, scrapbook and make things with wood that I see on Pinterest. I love to keep my hand busy.

6. What is the last thing you bought for your classroom? Well, I have to think about this a little because I haven't done any shopping in a while since I am on summer break and I don't live in town. (Sometimes not living in town is a good thing.)  I would have to say a book shelf for all the new books that I bought at the Book-a-holic sale. $10.00 for a bag of as many books as you can put in a Walmart sack!  Can't beat that!!

 7. We'd love to visit you! What are your links?  Here is my blog link address:  http://tammyflickingerpage.blogspot.com/

NOW:
Are you new to blogging? Would you like to be featured in my Someone New Sunday spot? Just email me! :)