Keeping the Balance

Do you struggle with maintaining a healthy work/home life balance?  Sure, there are times in the school year requiring more of your time at home than you would like; however, are you the teacher that works at home most if not every night?  Well if I've just described you then you need to continue reading this post.  If not, then I would love to hear what you do to maintain the balance.  I'm always looking for a more efficient way to get it all done. :)

Tip #1:  Write a list with things you will get done every day in your classroom, for your family/spouse/or child, and something you will do for yourself EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  Yes, you heard me correctly!  You are important too!  By writing down reasonable goals to get accomplished you have a higher likelihood of checking them off your list each day.  Below are a few pictures of what I use to keep the anxiety down, the since of accomplishment up, and keeping me in the mix as being important as well.  It's super easy to become a/an slave to the classroom overly dedicated teacher that comes in at dark, leaves at dark, and continues the party at the house after all commitments are taken care of.  DON'T BE THAT TEACHER!  At the end of the day, being a teacher is just a job.  It's definitely my passion, but nonetheless it's still a job.  God, family, and friends are more important and cannot be replaced.  Jobs can be replaced if needed.  When reflecting at the end of your life, you will never think "I really should have worked more".  Most people wished they had more time to be with family, friends, and visit all the awesome places the world has to offer; not "data dive", answer parent emails, and attend professional development that could have been delivered in an email.

"Keeping the Balance" has been a huge life saver.  It holds me accountable to tackle small manageable tasks each day in all parts of my life.  You can grab your free copy by clicking here or on the picture below.

Tip #2:  Set a timer and stick with it!  I set the timer on my phone for 15-30 past the required work day and that's it!  The only time you will catch me staying significantly longer is during the few peak times of year (back to school, parent conferences and/or report cards, and end of year). Obviously if there is a staff meeting it's unavoidable; however, I'm fortunate enough not to have those very often.  I've found if you work under a timer you are more efficient.  When the timer goes off, it's time to LEAVE the building.  Nothing will ever be super perfect and that's okay.  DO NOT judge yourself against any "super teachers" you may follow on Periscope, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or blog.  You have no idea what their daily life looks like or resources they may/maynot have access to.  It's no fun trying to "keep up with the Joneses'".  I believe you should do YOUR best each day you're in the classroom.  Be 100 percent present for your students and then be 100 percent present for family, friends, and yourself when you leave the classroom each day.  Also, give yourself permission to "let it go" of anything you didn't get to or wished would've done different. Reflect and then move on.  There's always tomorrow.  More times than not, only you know if things didn't go perfectly during the day.  Most people will be overly impressed with everything you do have going on in the classroom.  Focus on what's going great and not on what's not so fabulous! :)

Okie dokie!  I will leave you with those two very important time saving tips.  I hope you find them helpful.  I truly believe both tips will lead to a happier and healthier you for everything you are to so many people.  I would love to hear any timesaving tips you have; and you know you have something to share with us!  

Have a fabulous week teachers...we are on the downhill slide to Christmas break!

Oh, What a Week...Post SNOW DAY Craftivity Freebie

Happy Saturday Night!

Oh what a week!!  Thankfully, the snow has passed and we were able to go to school all five days this week.  Of course, the first thing on the minds of children was if they would have to make up the days.  I knew this would be the case, so I was prepared for the busy minds!  Prior to returning to school I found the cutest craft for winter from A Year of Many Firsts, but knew I would need an upper grade twist. After brainstorming with my team we came up with an opinion writing response to fit the craft perfectly. The long and short of it...our kids had a fabulous time crafting, organizing, and writing opinion paragraphs stating whether they should have a snow day or a delay on the school day. The thinking maps and writing piece was stapled to the bottom of the craft and hung in the hall for all to see.  You can grab your free copy of the writing prompt by clicking the picture below.  Thinking ahead to Spring...What craftivities do you do with your upper grade students?  Until next time...

CNN Student News Freebie!

Do you use CNN Student News in your classroom?!  I LOVE it!  It's one of my most favorite memories of being a 5th grader!  My teacher used to record it nightly on the VCR and play the recording for us every morning before we started our day.  When I became a 5th grade teacher 3 years ago I knew I wanted my students to have the same memory!  Obviously in 2014 it's played online and no recordings or VCRs required! ;)  Sometimes I get flack from co-workers about spending 10 minutes of my day watching the news with my class; which inspired me to create an accountability component to the news.  

Each morning students grab their clipboards and news tracker and come to and around the carpet.  I show CNN Student News (previewed by me the night before to make sure the content is appropriate...sometimes not all of the news can be watched).  Students then watch the stories and choose one story to complete the chart for.  At the end of the week I collect them for an informal Social Studies grade.  Occasionally, our Time For Kids magazine aligns with CNN Students News and then we discuss how the stories are similar/different in presenting the information using a Double Bubble Thinking Map.  You can grad your free copy of the the news tracker by clicking the picture above!  If you download it, I would appreciate feedback on how you use it in your classroom.  Until next time...

Fraction of the Day Freebie!

Happy Tuesday!  I only happen to know what day it is because of my gym schedule.  Don't you just love the summer?!  Anyway, I'm back again with another freebie as I occasionally think about school.  This year the only changes I plan to make are to my math instruction.  I started Guided Math late last year and it wasn't as effective as it could've been. I will continue Guided Math from the very beginning this new year.  After reviewing my state test results for math from this past school year, I decided I needed to refine my craft and try to do better.  A team member of mine does a daily math problem with team points.  This was the jumping off point for my Fraction Problem of the Day idea.  Also, in North Carolina, a majority of the state testing focuses on fractions; therefore, the two things combined helped inspire my newest product!  I don't believe in teaching "the test", but clearly there are things I needed do better this year.  :) 

I'm planning to use the Fraction Problem of the Day as part of the morning work.  Students will come in, get settled in the morning routine (completing morning seat work, getting homework out, writing in planner, etc), and then individually come to the front of the room to solve on a scrap piece of paper the problem of the day.  This freebie begins with 4th grade problems and will progressively get more challenging as the days go on.  I will have 180 fraction problems (a problem a day for the entire year)!  My hope is that the children will become fraction experts and will be able to apply their knowledge to ANY fraction problem.  The problems will be mixed operation calculations and problem solving.  I'm looking forward to seeing if this new addition to my daily math exposure for students will make a difference.  Ok, back to the table points.  Basically, each student will answer the problem and place the answer in their table group pile, container, or however you want to organize it.  My team member uses the magnetic pen containers you put on white boards (at Dollar General) and has one for each table group. Anyway, to begin her math lesson, she has the class help her solve the problem of the day.  Then, she quickly checks each groups answers submitted.  She gives a point for each correct answer submitted to the table groups. I think this is fabulous because there are no consequences for incorrect answers and only positive rewards for correct answers.  The problem of the day can go in a clear plastic frame or in a page protector on a small pocket chart table stand (how I plan to display them).  I hope you can use this product however it fits the needs of your class!  You can grab your copy of the freebie by clicking the picture above.  The remaining weeks will be available at my TPT store in the near future (by September 1st).  Thanks for hanging in there with me to explain the how and why behind my newest product.  I would love to hear what you think if you choose to download it!  Have a great week! 

Weekly Common Core Spiraling Review Freebie in one download!

Happy Monday almost Tuesday!

I've been truly enjoying summer break and have been slack on all things school related!  I LOVE being a teacher, but really think I needed a mental break for a few weeks before considering looking at anything school related!  Over the past couple of weeks I've been a workout machine, pool regular, Pinterest chef/baker, and household organizing fanatic!  While doing everything mentioned above, I've been enjoying our little nugget and ALL the extra time I get with her in the summer months!  There's still tons to do and play dates to host; however, I'm ready to look at and think about school again a few days a week!  

Several people have requested the morning work spiraling review be located in one central spot for an easier download....your wishes are my command! ;)  You can download weeks 1-12 by clicking the picture below.  I don't have past week 12 because I ran out of time this past year.  I'm also not sure how I plan to use them this upcoming year or if I want to try something a little different...more to come on this!  Leave a comment if you like my work or have suggestions for other items you would like to see. Until next time....

End of Year Awards (Freebie)

Happy Wednesday!

Yesterday was our last day of school!  It was a bittersweet day for me because I really LOVED my class this year!  My class was incredible and it was definitely hard to see them off after the 5th grade celebration. :(  Before our celebration we had a mini celebration in the classroom and handed out class superlatives.  This is a first for me, and I'm so glad we did it! It was so much fun and the children enjoyed their certificates because they were chosen/voted on by their peers secretly.  Normally, I do the candy bar awards; however, the lower grades are taking over those awards so I needed something different and fun to mix things up.  The idea for my certificates was created from a TPT seller, but can't find a blog name for her.  You can check out the sheet that inspired me by clicking here.

The certificates are simple, but I'm loving them because of the chevron print and Dr. Seuss font (goes with our classroom theme).    Click on the picture below to grab your free copy if you choose.  They are really cute when printed in color.  Have a great week until next time! :)))

Week 11 CCSS Morning Work Spiral Review Freebie

Happy Sunday Everyone!  

I've finally created week 11 of the 5th grade spiral review common core morning work freebie.  You can grab your copy by clicking the picture below.  Oh, and if you ever see a typo or something needing to be corrected, please reach out to me.  

I'm a busy mom of a two year old with a traveling husband (basically I'm not perfect) so errors can happen.  I do triple check the work before posting, but after a while everything becomes a blur. ;)  Have a fabulous week until next time! :)))

Spiraling CCSS Morning Work Volume 10 Freebie

Happy Monday Night Everyone!

Since I last blogged I have completed my first half marathon.  I actually ran 13.27 miles and really enjoyed the experience.  We went to Charleston, SC for our half marathon and it's an indescribable experience I think everyone should have.  We enjoyed it so much that we are going back next year to complete the full 26.2 miles.  Any who, below you can grab volume 10 of the morning work series.  Please leave me a comment if you download it.  Have a great week!  Until next time... :))

Pre race photo.  I'm the one in the white shirt.

Our medal :)))

Click the picture to grab your freebie

Common Core Spiraling Morning Work Volume 9

Happy Saturday Night!

I finally have volume 9 for you to download and use in the classroom.  Click on the picture below to grab your free copy.  I should be back in a few days with a post/idea for Reading instruction.  I'm headed to bed for my final run before our half marathon next weekend in Charleston!  Stay tuned! :))  

Spiraling Common Core Morning Work Volume 7 Freebie

Happy Sunday!  Clearly I don't need to set goals for posting, because I have a trend of breaking them.  I've created Daily Dozen Week 7 for everyone.  Click on the picture below to grab your copy for free.  The analogies found in this pack come from Rachel-Lynette at Minds in Bloom.  The thanksgiving analogies are a freebie in her TPT store.  I hope you are enjoying the spiraling review.  I know my kids look forward to them each day.  Have a great week and check back later in the week for volume 8. :)

Common Core Morning Work Volume 6 Freebie

Happy Tuesday?! 

Wow!  This week has already gotten away from me!  I had super lofty goals of bringing you Volumes 6 & 7 of the morning work; however, I ran out of time.  I do bring to the table Volume 6 for you.  Click on the picture to grab your next copy!  I hope to have more volumes later this week and/or early next week.  Sorry, you're having to come back and get one week at a time. :(  Have a great week and let me know if you download it, like it, find it useful, or none of the above.  :))

Inference QR Code Freebie

Happy Friday Everyone!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to post volume 6 of my morning work spiral review last week.  I hope to have it out by Monday with volume 7 as well.  I had every intention of doing so; however, my week took a frustrating turn.  On Thursday we found out our student growth data from state testing...needless to say, it wasn't what I had hoped for.  The proficiency was evident, but the overall growth was minimal.  I spent the rest of the week and weekend trying to figure out how student growth is calculated and how I could do a better job with this group of children.  I was very distracted, but feel better now.  Basically, I did the very best I could do with the circumstances I was in.  I was a Kindergarten teacher and moved to 5th grade in a new county, at a new school, and with new team members.  Everything was new and overwhelming.  I didn't fully become the teacher I wanted to be for 5th graders until late last school year and definitely this year.  I spent the summer reflecting, researching, and refining my teaching craft to make a better difference this year.  Cross your fingers my hard work is reflected in student growth after this school year.  Anyway, I'm back on track and more driven than ever.

Now, onto the freebie mentioned.  Today I made inference task cards with self checking QR codes.  We've been working diligently on inferences and evidence based writing to support our thoughts; therefore, the inspiration to my creation.  You can grab your free copy by clicking the picture above.  If you like what you see, consider following my blog. :)  Have a great weekend and please leave a comment if you download it. 

Happy Sunday with a Freebie!

Happy Sunday!  I had every intention of posting on Friday, but I fell asleep in the living room before 9:00pm!!!  Clearly I was tired!  When I finally made it upstairs to go to sleep I woke my husband up with more snoring!  School is definitely keeping me busy this year!  Any who, I've finally gotten around to creating volume 3 of my spiraling morning work freebie series.  Click the picture below to download your free copy.  

I had planned to get them all out during the summer months, but I didn't so now I'm just creating them a week at a time.  I hope you're able to use them and have experienced success with them.  They are a combination of several teaching resources that I like.  I've changed some of the names, directions, or problems to best fit what I need.  Stay tuned next week for volume 4 to come your way!  Have a fantastic week! :))))

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!

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!