An Award? So Exciting!!

I am so surprised and excited! It's All Elementary was given The Versatile Blogger Award by Amy Grout from Adventures in Teaching. Thank you Amy!

 

Here are the rules for the award:

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you and include a link to their site.

2. Include the award image in your post.

3. Give seven random facts about yourself.

4. Nominate 5-10 other bloggers for the award and include a link to their site.

5. Let bloggers know they've been nominated.

Here are 7 Random Facts....

1. I love chocolate (who doesn't?!?)

2. My next door neighbor is one of my best friends.

3. I LOVE Vera Bradley.

4. I HATE snakes.

5. I love watching my sons play flag-football.

6. Christmas is my favorite holiday.

7. My husband is to blame for my Starbuck's addiction:-)

And the nominees are...
1. Calling Plays in 2nd Grade
2. 3rd Grade Gridiron
3. A Place Called Kindergarten
4. Cooperative Learning 365
5. 2nd Grade Math Maniac

Time? It Got Away From Me! (& my 1st FREEBIE!)

So, summer is now in full swing. Baseball has started (Coach-Pitch and tee-ball), my summer reading "stack" has been gathered, my home to-do list keeps getting longer...and I've started on the many teacher resource projects that were put off until, well, NOW!

My first project was to create a writing organizer that included a mnemonic and visual aide. This is based on Patricia Naughton's "Picture It!" The organizer is meant to be used for K-2, so the lines are larger and I may have to create a second series with smaller lines for those more capable writers in first and second grades.

 

This is the first resource I've ever created for a teacher that I've posted on my blog, so I guess it's my first FREEBIE! Click on the picture above to download your own copy.

Keep checking back...there is MORE to come in the near future! (Hint...you may be seeing more of OUR work soon:-)

                                                             

KindergartenWorks: digital three ring binder {instant organization!}

For those of you responsible for interventions, progress monitoring, or wanting to start e-portfolios, check out this post from KindergartenWorks.  The possibilities are endless!

KindergartenWorks: digital three ring binder {instant organization!}: In today's kindergarten {the modern first grade} we are reaching to keep things real, hands-on and kinesthetic as possible. As teachers we k...

Book Studies GALORE!

I have found THREE more great book studies for those of you looking for something to do over the summer
Number 1...If you haven't heard of or read the book Guided Math, this is  a good place to get started. Click on the link below to join Brenda and many others. Book study starts tomorrow!

Primary Inspired: Guided Math~Book Study Calendar & Survey!: I am SO excited to "get my math on" & start this Guided Math party book study tomorrow! Hope you've got your book, some sticky no...

Number 2...The second book study is taking place at Thinking of Teaching . Beth hosted a book study last year that focused on The Book Whisperer (fabulous book if you haven't read it) and has decided to follow this summer with Lori Jamison's Guiding Readers. This is another incredible must-have professional book.

Number 3...Daily 5 in KINDERGARTEN! Yep, it's true! For all of you kindergarten teachers, hop over to Live, Love, Laugh Everyday in Kindergarten to check this one out. It will be hosted by Tammy and several other TBA authors.

1 week left more me...not that I'm counting!

AHHHH! 1 1/2 Weeks Left!

I have made it half-way through this dreaded 4 week course! Down to the completion of the group project and dreaded 10-15 page paper...that I'm still not sure how to actually put together. Oh well, it will get done.

Meanwhile, I have stumbled upon two awesome things "to-do" for yourself over the summer. If you are looking to play around with some writing, check out this link to "Teachers Write!" A Virtual Writing Camp for Teachers and Librarians. I'm planning on trying it myself. Be sure to scroll down on the page and "Sign Up".


The other gem is the online book study for Daily 5 and CAFE being held at We Read, We Blog, We Teach.

This is being run by several TBA authors and other great bloggers. I have been using Daily 5 and CAFE for a few years now and have also done several professional development sessions for our staff and others in the district, but I'm always on the look out for more. Maybe I'll "see" you there:-)

For those of you like me who are STILL in school, hang in there, the end is near. And for those of you lucky ducks who are done, start having some fun!

I'm Still Here!

In all my infinite wisdom, I signed up for my first grad class last month- not really thinking that the 4 week course would be that big of a deal this time of year. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. Not only am I trying to close out interventions, collect and analyze data, but I am also trying to complete 4 months of grad work in 4 weeks. So...as soon as that final paper is done, I will return to the blog world. If anyone has any words of advice or encouragement, I'm all ears! Until then, have a great rest of your school year and check back-new ideas on the horizon:-)

She's Got the Look!

Just a quick post to let everyone know that one, of my two inspirations for starting this blog has a brand new look! Head over to The Plaid Apple and check out Kelly's awesome new color scheme.