Another CRAFT (version of CAFE) freebie!

Happy Tuesday Night!

I have another freebie just for you if using the CRAFT version of CAFE.  You can learn more about CRAFT by visiting Ladybug's Teacher Files.  This printable is the CAFE menu printable from the sisters with the modifications/adaptations created by Ladybug's Teacher Files.  NONE of this is my own thinking!!  I simply took the material from the CAFE menu and additions from Ms. Ladybug and put it in a colorful menu with a Dr. Seuss font.  

This is what will be in my "Pensieve" as well as my student's reading journals for them to date/highlight strategies like CAFE suggests for upper elementary students.  I hope you can use it!  There are 2 versions.  The first version is a one page printable for the "Pensieve" for each student/tab.  The second version has two of the same page so you can print them 2 to a page to make the menu smaller if gluing in a composition book.  You can collect yours by clicking on which one/ones you prefer (1 page or 2 pages).  I hope you find these of use!  This is my first week back to school and am super busy with everything the new school year brings.  I will be back in touch hopefully this weekend. ;)  Have a fantastic week in the classroom or on summer break!  

CAFE or (CRAFT) Dr. Seuss Themed Conference Calender Freebie!

Happy Friday!

I've been super busy tying up the loose ends of summer to prepare for our back to real life school on Monday.  As with many I've made a few changes to my literacy workshop. This year I'm doing CRAFT a version of CAFE for my 5th grade classroom.  If you would like to know more about CRAFT you can check out Ladybug's Teacher Files to read more about this fabulous adaptation to CAFE.  

My contribution to the Pinterest craziness interest in CAFE is a set of student conferring calenders with a Dr. Seuss theme.  You can download your free copy by clicking on the picture above.  I plan to use the calender on a clip board hanging on my wall next to my small group area instead of inside a data binder or "Pensieve".  This way we are all accountable to meet regularly with students. :)  Let me know if you download it and if you like what you see.  I'm trying to create a set of Dr. Seuss themed CAFE/CRAFT "stuff" because it's more fun when it's in color and themed. ;)  

Have a great weekend!

Monday Made It

Happy Monday Night!

I'm happy to be linking up once again for another MMI party!  You can check out the fabulous things other bloggers have made by clicking here!  Sad news, MMI linky is now going to a monthly linky on the 2nd Monday of each month. :(  I am always so inspired by other bloggers and their creations.  In fact, some of my MMI's came from last week's blog post from Kris over at the poole pages.  You should check out everything she's got going on!

Now on with my MMI completed projects.

Made it #1:

These are pencil tags to assist students when you are not working in a small group.  They should alleviate small group chatter while waiting on me to help them.  It's sort of like a deli counter grab a number and wait to be helped idea.  I got the idea from Kris atthe poole pages who found it on all students can shine.  I'm SO EXCITED to use these this year!  What a fabulous idea and it's FREE! :))

Made it #2:

This is my parent handbook for this year.  The idea came from Pinterest and I just added what I needed for my class.  I don't have the original pin with the picture, but I've seen several versions of this and just made my own to go with my classroom theme.  I made the flip book with the number of tabs to cover everything I idea wanted to parents to know.  THEN, I typed up each section, cut/pasted it to the corresponding tab.  The final step will be to run on colored paper when I go back to school on Monday.  Another simple, yet genius idea.

Made it #3:

This is a fabulous freebie from lady bugs teacher files.  Have you checked out her site?  It's fabulous!  In fact, I have yet to find a blog that isn't fantastic!!  I can't wait to see if we can keep up with pencils this year.  Last year was challenging and if I didn't know better I would have bet everything I had on my kiddos eating the pencils!  I've never gone through so many pencils and I hope this is the solution to my frustrations!  

Made it #4:

These 2 clip boards are instead of having a cork board to house teaching "stuff".  You can't see it very well, but each clip is labeled.  The top one is for those important papers you get in your mail box at school that you know you need to hold onto, but not sure where to file them.  The second board is for my conference calender for CAFE (using CRAFT, but same thing).  I'm so excited to have these hanging in the classroom!


 Made it #5:

This picture is what I've decided to do for my student birthdays.  It was inspired by this idea on Pinterest.  I used the Dr. Seuss fonts, frames by 3am teacher, card stock I already had at the house, and gum from Target.  I will put all of these in a jar and create a fun label to match the cards.  I can't wait!  

 Made it #6:

This is my tissue paper wreath for the house!  It matches my house and I think it's fabulous...my husband, not so much!  He says it looks like a pinata and candy should come out of it!! I may make it smaller...I'm marinating on it for a few days. :)

 Made it #7:

These task cards are a fabulous freebie from teaching with a mountain view to introduce a task card rotation game called Scoot.  We do the student rotation of task cards before a unit test, but this is a fabulous way to teach your expectations of student behavior.  

Whew!  I've been busy!  I still have so much more to do before officially returning to work on Monday!  I'm going up to visit my classroom and arrange desks this Thursday, but that's it until Monday.  Happy Back to School!  Don't forget to link up on the 2nd Monday of each month for more fantastic ideas!

American Revolution Anyone?

Happy Sunday!

I'm linking up with Fifth in the Middle to share something I created to use this year to teach/explore Social Studies  Go by and check out the other great ideas that are linking up to get us ready to tackle the new school year in SS.

My creation/contribution to the linky party is a WebQuest about the causes of the American Revolution.  I LOVE using WebQuests in the classroom!  There isn't enough time in the day to teach everything and using a WebQuest as a workstation during Readers Workshop is how I integrate SS in the classroom.  If you haven't checked out Zunal, you should!  I love going there and checking out all of the fabulous and FREE resources created by hardworking teachers like yourself. :)

The only delta about using a WebQuest off of Zunal is that you are unable to customize it to meet exactly what you're wanting to do!  My creation solves that problem!  What I did was surf the site and found several WebQuests I liked and then pulled what I liked about each one of them and created my own WebQuest with my additions to the project as well such as thinking maps, evidence based questions, and student creations. :))  

I also have a Science WebQuest I created on Zunal, but they only let you create one for free and then you have to pay to use their site to create any more.  Like I've mentioned in other posts, I don't like paying for things that I can create myself (time allowing) or can tweak to make a free version.  I went to PB Works and created a FREE wiki to host ALL of my WebQuests I will make/use this year.  

Here is a screen shot of my site and what you will see when you click on page 1 of the folder

Thanks for hanging in there with me!  You can find my American Revolution WebQuest by clicking here.  The right side of the screen under the navigation bar has a folder labeled American Revolution.  Everything you/your students need is right there!  The links are perfect and so are the directions.  I hope you can use it.  Each WebQuest will take my students approximately 1-2 months to complete in a weekly visit to this workstation.  At the end of ALL students completing the WebQuest AND student work product, we will share out student work.  The children really enjoy presenting their newly found information and I enjoy hearing/reading what my students learned from student directed learning. If you pin it or use it, please let me know your feedback.  I'm always looking for ways to improve my craft! 

Happy Saturday With a Back to School Freebie

Happy Saturday!

Unfortunately I wasn't able to post anything yesterday for the Friday Freebies link up at Teaching Blog Addict.  FORTUNATELY, I am able to link up my Freebie today of all days!  Thanks TBA for letting us link up all weekend long!  

Last night I was trying to brainstorm an inexpensive way to give my new kiddos a fun back to school snack for the first day of school.  In year's past I would do a cute little poem with objects in a baggie and what they all mean.  I've loved doing this, but decided I wanted to do something cheaper different this year.  Also, my hubby gets frustrated this time of year with all of the back to school costs for the classroom, me, and our little girl.  Last night I brainstormed and created my solution and everyone wins. :)  Some of the words are borrowed from Dr. Seuss.  Other words are from my brain.  The final line is from Pinterest to go with the Lucky Charms Cereal in the snack bag.  I'm thinking I will use snack size Ziploc bags to put the cereal in.  The card will be stapled at the top of the bag where you close it.  The cards will also be printed in color to make it more eye appealing.  I chose the Dr. Seuss language because like I've mentioned in previous posts, my classroom is a combination theme of Dr. Seuss and technology.  The words from Dr. Seuss only seemed appropriate.  :)

You can download your free copy here.  There are two versions you can choose from.  A picture of the file is below!  The file will not look right until you download it onto your computer.  Google Drive distorts the file in their format.  The download is in PowerPoint and all you have to do is plug in your name and school.  I'm leaning towards the option on the right side of the screen to use this year.  Let me know if you use it or have any other inexpensive back to school gifts you use for new students.

A Few of My Favorite Common Core (Free) Resources :)

Happy Tuesday!

As I dread plan for returning to work I thought I should share some of my favorite free resources that have helped me tackle 5th grade common core.  I LOVE being a teacher, but I am IN LOVE with being Lillian's mom.  I wish we could provide her the fantastic life she has without me working.  Wishful thinking I know.  

Back to the subject at hand...These resources are also available in other grade levels as well for my fabulous followers in other grades. :))

Resource #1:  LakeShore Printable Lesson Plans (A variety of subjects)

This site is not only my favorite teaching store, but they also have wonderful and free resources online to share as well.  The resources are not always spelled out with how they align to the CCSS, but you can pick and choose the resources that align with your objectives.  Click the picture below to visit the site and please let me know your thoughts if you choose to use any of the plans. :)

Resource #2: Utah Education Network (Language Arts Resource)

I love this resource because it does spell out the CCSS by grade level.  It also provides a laundry list of lesson plans to teach each language arts standard by grade level.  It's a FABULOUS and hidden resource on the internet!  Below is a screen shot of the website.  Click the picture below to visit the site!

Resource #3:  Common Core Warwick (Math Resource)

I love this resource because it provides math links/technology for each of the 5th grade CCSS.  Again, this site has other grade levels as well.  I highly recommend you checking it out when you get the curriculum pacing guides for the school year.  :)    Click the picture below to visit the site!

Well, that's it for now.  I will share more of my favorite free CCSS resources later this month.  These are great to get you started with the new school year!  Please let me know if you like the resources and/or have other resources that are free that you would like to share with all of us.  Have a great Tuesday!

                                          

Monday Made It...I'm on a role!!

Happy Monday Ya'll!  Yes, I did it AGAIN and created another something for the fantastic Monday Made It linky party over at 4th Grade Frolics.  You need to go over and check out the creativeness from awesome bloggers!

Now on with sharing my creation....

I actually created this about 2 weeks ago; however, I had to wait on Vistaprint to make and ship me my newest lovelies.  Vistaprint did the work.

The Lorax stamp is actually purple ink, but looks blue.

These two stamps are a MUST have for me in the classroom.  Last year I vowed I would NEVER EVER again get hand cramps from signing off on the countless beginning of year forms or receipts for money collected.  I also vowed to NEVER EVER again write the word 'LATE' on student work.  Besides, my experience has shown me that parents prefer to know how late something was and often times they believe the child over the teacher!  My stamps have made me one happy teacher and I can't wait to use them!  Vistaprint is definitely expensive, but if you sit back and wait for a 50% deal like I did it's worth it to get your creative juices flowing.  I paid a total of $26 for shipping and stamps.  Vistaprint is like The Loft and they are ALWAYS having some sort of sale and you should NEVER pay full price at either place!  Ok, so I'm done with my preaching!  I look forward to the wonderful comments I get each week from all of you amazing blog followers.  What stamps do you have in your classroom that are a 'must have'?

  

August Currently and a Freebie-Morning Work Volume 2

Happy Friday Night!  I'm so happy to link up with Farley over at oh boy 4th grade for a long over due currently!  I can't believe August is here ALREADY!  It doesn't seem possible for summer to be coming to an end so soon. :(

Listening~My husband is obsessed with the Show 'Shameless' and we watch a few episodes at night after the baby goes to sleep.  I can't just watch TV.  I have to be doing something else....maybe ADD?!  I'm not sure, but I just cant sit and watch TV unless it's Grey's Anatomy.

Loving~ Our new back to school purchases!  It's tax free weekend here in NC and what a fantastic excuse to go shopping!  I went to Kohls this afternoon and got 3 new dresses, 2 fall outfits for our baby, 2 new 'right now' baby outfits, and a bridal shower gift for a grand total of $117!!!  I had so many coupons and things were on sale!  I love a great deal!

Thinking~When school is ending it seems like you have all the time in the world during the summer months to conquer the moon!  Clearly, I spent the majority of my time with  our baby, hubby, and friends.   The summer list may just turn into a Fall list.  I've accomplished some of the items on each list, just not as much as I thought!  Oh Well!!

Wanting~More time off of work!  I love the time I get with our little girl in the summers.  We go to the pool, gym, play dates, strolling dates, lunches, and just play!  I just wish we could have this life ALL. THE. TIME.!  She's 19 1/2 months old and so much fun to be with!  

Needing~I need to finish my Social Studies WebQuests BEFORE I go back to work because I will be working on my National Board Certification this school year.  The more leg work I can get done now, the better it will be this school year.  

B2s~  The first must have is new clothes!  ALL of my B2s memories involve new clothes and I couldn't imagine starting the school year any other way!  The second must have are new markers and pens.  I LOVE  Mr. Sketch markers, Sharpies, and ANY fun/colorful pen!  I'm not particular with the pens because I LOVE all pens!  My final B2S item is new Seuss decorations for the classroom.  I can't afford to do everything at once so I add a little to the classroom each year!  This year's additions are the Truffula Trees, painted shelves, calender, and chalk board table.

Thanks for hanging in there with me and now my newest freebie!  It's the second issue of my morning work freebie.  You can grab yours by clicking here.  There will be a total of 40 issues of this (1 for each week of the school year) so come back next week to get the 3rd issue.  Until next time!!