tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50585059947526551952024-03-27T22:57:09.238-07:00Diary of a Grumpy TeacherAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-3129163390127277962016-01-24T17:04:00.001-08:002016-01-24T17:04:02.744-08:00My Blog Has Moved!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please visit my new blog at <a href="http://www.msmaihuynh.com/">www.msmaihuynh.com</a>!</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-75456489153406554072015-11-07T10:44:00.000-08:002015-11-07T10:51:52.193-08:00No Ugly White Border (Office for Mac 2016)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I got a new MacBook Pro! I got the new Office for Mac 2016<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>I finished</span> my <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/1st-Grade-Thanksgiving-Break-Packet-2184849" target="_blank">Thanksgiving Break Packet</a></span> on PowerPoint<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/1st-Grade-Thanksgiving-Break-Packet-2184849" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/1st-Grade-Thanksgiving-Break-Packet-2184849" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn514vfi-Xb2_ib-C7h8YC-3q7wcizRD4HxZzD9LNLtntb2JNRuiKhP4dfcdaVwcyGtRiHun3xXWHsL42EPeNFzC_EBHwaMdkV4hwwWOQ2abg4WBSDeL1l1jxfX-Uqi0Aa0S3rQqKUXNg/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-11-07+at+11.32.36+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And then...</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7iz2OqGojYxTlf8trTxCHDxJsU3YrzU1RXvOqIQDJ-D3opbFjjP-FrE6hO4wGvqvF808c4GnpkHxcdtm99RtzWX-1Vl5WCZZzAPAkRj2mFvf_oZFT__YtM8xH-Xr0UUwWcJE_JxeuUg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-07+at+11.51.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7iz2OqGojYxTlf8trTxCHDxJsU3YrzU1RXvOqIQDJ-D3opbFjjP-FrE6hO4wGvqvF808c4GnpkHxcdtm99RtzWX-1Vl5WCZZzAPAkRj2mFvf_oZFT__YtM8xH-Xr0UUwWcJE_JxeuUg/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-11-07+at+11.51.46+AM.png" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">...I got the ugly white border on my PDF.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I trie<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">d the old trick of unchecking the "Scale to Fit Paper" box, but <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it didn't work. It just c<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ut out <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the edges of my cover page. Ugh! I had to s<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tep away from my comp<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">uter for several days. I was too frustrated after trying to figure it out for nearly 3 hours. But a <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">few days later, I was determined and I did it. I figured it out<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">...in less than 10 minutes<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. In case there's someone out there in<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the wor<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ld that encounters the same issue, I'm ho<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ping this post can save you some time and f<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ru<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">stration.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">S<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tep<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> 1</span></span></span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: File </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">➔</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Page Setup </span></span><span style="color: black;">➔ <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(enter desired page dimensions)</span> </span><span style="color: black;">➔ </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Options</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWshI1s1W5SkBGgRnIx3e0VTMT-AFNuS7YAAj181iHaJQ5A27IiUd7bYD0_ddCXheI_00OOS_7EQVPBlUZSFW_bUpNqYzTJpbr918VrWHckNn-2sjmBxTBFeDcIZowW9IH6iv-XlzJ5UQ/s1600/Picture1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWshI1s1W5SkBGgRnIx3e0VTMT-AFNuS7YAAj181iHaJQ5A27IiUd7bYD0_ddCXheI_00OOS_7EQVPBlUZSFW_bUpNqYzTJpbr918VrWHckNn-2sjmBxTBFeDcIZowW9IH6iv-XlzJ5UQ/s320/Picture1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 2</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: Paper Size </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">➔</span> Manage Custom Si<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">zes</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPEYRUKTTZvDrCXiM3v6gk8ozHx0LljG-tPSQ2ao1jPzm_362UAz4q2fdH7jOKejHCjXcG3on5Aaj1tqN6jYKanDRDvdvgHkjXTH8KFOfAdyncbsbwFQzCH3v8LO4KH8FoRljg-jJdEo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-07+at+11.22.20+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPEYRUKTTZvDrCXiM3v6gk8ozHx0LljG-tPSQ2ao1jPzm_362UAz4q2fdH7jOKejHCjXcG3on5Aaj1tqN6jYKanDRDvdvgHkjXTH8KFOfAdyncbsbwFQzCH3v8LO4KH8FoRljg-jJdEo/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-11-07+at+11.22.20+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Step 3</span></u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">: <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Add <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(+) </span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">➔</span> (<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">type in d<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">esired custom size name)</span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZnqfLN0jMHZ2nQ6SRkLYUYriMmGMvavhwSVGpsg5Y-QRAm3E26qSgKoKOhc53wNHV7xF0uYG_vsuvoaMVcWGu7cBHZ_FCsJ_yU5MUTK-MZry2l2f9Z_s0-iaY7JzUMCmmUFsVn8Y4F4/s1600/Picture2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ZnqfLN0jMHZ2nQ6SRkLYUYriMmGMvavhwSVGpsg5Y-QRAm3E26qSgKoKOhc53wNHV7xF0uYG_vsuvoaMVcWGu7cBHZ_FCsJ_yU5MUTK-MZry2l2f9Z_s0-iaY7JzUMCmmUFsVn8Y4F4/s320/Picture2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Step 4</u>: Paper Size (mine is 8.5 x 11) </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">➔</span> Set all margins to "0" </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">➔ <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">OK </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">➔ </span>OK</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyft6j3iQqPsirVjOcJsZCOtH-wJKMhX9gLxIHCmyAW7RNtoC0c2wdTckeQag1Kdw-OOrj2lyn6PnDqaDy2XjfF1740w5URV_Z_6ICykRnP-LOwMowH4aY-Q9RgyP7t8hlSBTOFC6NHnA/s1600/Picture3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyft6j3iQqPsirVjOcJsZCOtH-wJKMhX9gLxIHCmyAW7RNtoC0c2wdTckeQag1Kdw-OOrj2lyn6PnDqaDy2XjfF1740w5URV_Z_6ICykRnP-LOwMowH4aY-Q9RgyP7t8hlSBTOFC6NHnA/s320/Picture3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Step 5</u>: Print </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">➔</span> Paper Size. Select your custom size you set up in Step 3, mine is called "Edge to Edge."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxjEIBs7gR7vNDj5Z44qyOoF3d0rqjVMjjx6H6wLu0XWuV6Ub-exbxKRwTGRnm52u5DVzTliZHIcvPfHo6Btq_lxGmSVz_3jeCyoYgBs_C46-6TuAZM265EcHMj0Hf-Y0mx4LkIL0DEI/s1600/Picture4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxjEIBs7gR7vNDj5Z44qyOoF3d0rqjVMjjx6H6wLu0XWuV6Ub-exbxKRwTGRnm52u5DVzTliZHIcvPfHo6Btq_lxGmSVz_3jeCyoYgBs_C46-6TuAZM265EcHMj0Hf-Y0mx4LkIL0DEI/s320/Picture4.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Step 6</u>: PDF </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">➔</span> Save as PDF</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTw_YlViiOjEeo99PqyVjo6yMSQvENzH2hB2j9ORh_-CiAxBoKjNOOydeze-c7s3jMUlzelJp0r8m1aSynBPpm5Zc6kwHXP0fuROAyTyhaAvHClKNHvNq-5g4IBm8nm5jA9LlT75gLwE/s1600/Picture5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTw_YlViiOjEeo99PqyVjo6yMSQvENzH2hB2j9ORh_-CiAxBoKjNOOydeze-c7s3jMUlzelJp0r8m1aSynBPpm5Zc6kwHXP0fuROAyTyhaAvHClKNHvNq-5g4IBm8nm5jA9LlT75gLwE/s320/Picture5.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Step 7</u>: If you want to secure the PDF, check the "Require password to copy text, images, and other content" box and enter the same password twice. OK </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">➔ </span>Save</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><u>Step 8</u>: File </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">➔ </span>Open </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-color-index: 1; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text1; mso-style-textfill-type: solid;">➔ </span>NO UGLY WHITE BORDER!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1GRNQFFDVAFr-mh-e1MEu9qCCEMkHtrSnIl8A93lHG2RACTuKtbqaxTHxFtQ1Tpqq6WTra0qJKNpBBHJiwM1ENd3A5Sj4r2asXSsMpZ_dHeNXPba9eT0eyZRD2WqPfj5xhNC0nO0Iso/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-11-07+at+12.40.30+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1GRNQFFDVAFr-mh-e1MEu9qCCEMkHtrSnIl8A93lHG2RACTuKtbqaxTHxFtQ1Tpqq6WTra0qJKNpBBHJiwM1ENd3A5Sj4r2asXSsMpZ_dHeNXPba9eT0eyZRD2WqPfj5xhNC0nO0Iso/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-11-07+at+12.40.30+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope that helps! </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-60185051504362962092015-09-04T19:04:00.001-07:002015-09-04T19:04:36.579-07:00Five for Friday - New Blog Reveal<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't believe we just finished our second week of school. It feels like the students have been back for two months! Anyway, I'm linking up with <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doodle Bugs Teaching</a> for another edition of <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2015/09/five-for-friday-linky-party-september.html" target="_blank">Five for Friday</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. I absolutely love my new blog design! A big thank you to <a href="http://lpaulldesigns.com/" target="_blank">Lindsey Paull</a> for doing such an amazing job!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I tried using a traditional teacher's planner when school first started, but I quickly found that I needed a better way of organizing since I am now in my new role as a literacy coach. After several hours of looking online, I wasn't able to find the perfect literacy coach planner. Feeling frustrated and needing to get organized quickly, I decided to spend a weekend creating my very own, personalized calendar. I really like how it turned out and it has been filling up quickly!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnh6hVXOvUJWURKo2NBxrwzinTSzM_goihdnGSyWa3jcW11Wt8pJoDi4QHlxCGSzj8pFtY5pAsDgIBTokIKN-4OmHqQ6MflxzEjzI3Um95ltQ34E0cbSps1MN1NYC0IawIYuEq1UXKpg/s1600/2015-08-31+21.06.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnh6hVXOvUJWURKo2NBxrwzinTSzM_goihdnGSyWa3jcW11Wt8pJoDi4QHlxCGSzj8pFtY5pAsDgIBTokIKN-4OmHqQ6MflxzEjzI3Um95ltQ34E0cbSps1MN1NYC0IawIYuEq1UXKpg/s400/2015-08-31+21.06.22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNc4vwrEyqrHo_eiEvq3G66_xxaJeYyawyDZEdx2bja1AJuQX8iXaqGhbdopZEf7p-7P8RFAL_2mv1XwjyoW11JPLsGV_BEtDiPEgWouNiHzRi8flVbsfnxAVuuL4b_1AwJvFLUzbrkM/s1600/2015-08-31+21.17.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNc4vwrEyqrHo_eiEvq3G66_xxaJeYyawyDZEdx2bja1AJuQX8iXaqGhbdopZEf7p-7P8RFAL_2mv1XwjyoW11JPLsGV_BEtDiPEgWouNiHzRi8flVbsfnxAVuuL4b_1AwJvFLUzbrkM/s400/2015-08-31+21.17.50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Being a literacy coach is a new position for me and I was feeling completely lost and useless until I got this book, The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0872071561/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687682&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0872075656&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1P4KHSMQ6SY75680TB7Q" target="_blank">Literacy Coach's Survival Guide</a>.
I'm only about a third of the way through it, but it has completely
changed my approach to literacy coaching. I'm already experiencing
positive responses from the elementary classroom teachers. Thank
goodness! I will write a post soon about my top 5 biggest mistakes as a
literacy coach and hopefully other coaches in my shoes can learn from my
mistakes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="a-dynamic-image" data-a-dynamic-image="{"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tRSsgJDhL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg":[260,343],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tRSsgJDhL._SX376_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg":[378,499]}" id="imgBlkFront" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tRSsgJDhL._SX376_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="260px" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. I was thrilled to see my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/1st-Grade-Common-Core-Morning-Work-September-1410012" target="_blank">1st Grade Common Core Morning Work packet for September</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TeachersPayTeachers/timeline" target="_blank">Teachers Pay Teachers' Facebook page</a> to celebrate my very first milestone. You still have a chance to get the morning work for free until 11:59 CST Saturday 9/5/15!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7HhJfZnEVMGOEuv7TmzHBR-slPkX6Rye8JJeKHh_Y2r6T23Flnhqn9_Yalc9wmO6lHmnPEDdsOxVxzAGLN0nweqdifb_Xwc_SmYxej8lCBF8tUwFvYqUvsw0k-zVFhZEHUyupGtxVyE/s1600/Product+Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7HhJfZnEVMGOEuv7TmzHBR-slPkX6Rye8JJeKHh_Y2r6T23Flnhqn9_Yalc9wmO6lHmnPEDdsOxVxzAGLN0nweqdifb_Xwc_SmYxej8lCBF8tUwFvYqUvsw0k-zVFhZEHUyupGtxVyE/s400/Product+Cover.png" width="301" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh97NU3DT96jyeW_5sVFlXzO7z1ioxCJussqsaVpVuQtcIz7pvzkBCZxqQB3DoAifjHtlkX1LntZTQQaaXEAX7rO-ifjz_WwhNFJEQgkCP-agWTkUzfLLii52ISdA7ovJcEmeB55RDn4/s1600/Thumbnail-Day+19.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihh97NU3DT96jyeW_5sVFlXzO7z1ioxCJussqsaVpVuQtcIz7pvzkBCZxqQB3DoAifjHtlkX1LntZTQQaaXEAX7rO-ifjz_WwhNFJEQgkCP-agWTkUzfLLii52ISdA7ovJcEmeB55RDn4/s640/Thumbnail-Day+19.png" width="492" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfXw5KoCoO4nOWAxyGAhimSqU-ikqopMgMRcigdZQzQXI6r_no_VOsElhz0zxUHI6jAGPq7HxNvGldBAA8yoKfUjV-uVrMpHZM5Fh0s58VqRF0aRDh4hvdTdGZ9_tEWOPpnzAJsG5z60/s1600/Thumbnail-Day+26.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfXw5KoCoO4nOWAxyGAhimSqU-ikqopMgMRcigdZQzQXI6r_no_VOsElhz0zxUHI6jAGPq7HxNvGldBAA8yoKfUjV-uVrMpHZM5Fh0s58VqRF0aRDh4hvdTdGZ9_tEWOPpnzAJsG5z60/s640/Thumbnail-Day+26.png" width="492" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. I turned 34 last week...and I finally got a ROOMBA! I've been talking non-stop about how great it would be to have a Roomba for at least a year now. I've used it twice since Sunday and I'm amazed at how well it sweeps up my hardwood floors. Now my boyfriend Chris can stop complaining about seeing my stray hairs all over the place.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQISLz4Oh2OTN6MdDyoCcr7gyGXBx-RlxBcmt1lCyY4hn9rRp3r4zT_Zn4r44H23kQh4JGpgS57oVWgC7DwTs1QZZtdRkFVhhszrAvcO_xH8R7tQQy663OkuYCdQAXoOaCp2WrJLLkBs/s1600/2015-08-30+19.53.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQISLz4Oh2OTN6MdDyoCcr7gyGXBx-RlxBcmt1lCyY4hn9rRp3r4zT_Zn4r44H23kQh4JGpgS57oVWgC7DwTs1QZZtdRkFVhhszrAvcO_xH8R7tQQy663OkuYCdQAXoOaCp2WrJLLkBs/s400/2015-08-30+19.53.33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy new school year everyone! Don't forget to link up!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdqzESWlyxS-nr0HT7e3TgxQl7idNHRbV6MNUFP-UhpIMjonuZPrqbmHm3htHqZe-oPiLPWv3_wxRgerKrHtT2c9L44vHTTUcKlLve2OOrlImjelUgPeZI75krKtqyCSdkYeyT_ixwzY/s1600/Five+for+Friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdqzESWlyxS-nr0HT7e3TgxQl7idNHRbV6MNUFP-UhpIMjonuZPrqbmHm3htHqZe-oPiLPWv3_wxRgerKrHtT2c9L44vHTTUcKlLve2OOrlImjelUgPeZI75krKtqyCSdkYeyT_ixwzY/s200/Five+for+Friday.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-5205408540182708182015-08-23T08:41:00.002-07:002015-09-04T19:06:34.914-07:00Five for Friday - 8/21/15<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was just about done writing this post on Friday when my internet suddenly went out. It was finally fixed this morning. Two days without internet was unnerving. Anyway, I'm linking up with <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doodle Bugs Teaching</a> for Five for Friday--two days late.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. I finally reached the first TpT milestone! It took a little over two years and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears...but I did it! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I'm so excited for the new school year! While I'll still be teaching reading intervention, part of my time will be spent as the literacy coach for lower elementary. I will be coaching and supporting teachers in all areas of literacy, but will be targeting Guided Reading. Before I begin coaching in that, I will spend the first few weeks supporting the teachers as they set their routines with literacy centers or work stations. Here are a couple books I've been using as a point of reference:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Literacy-Work-Stations-Making-Centers/dp/1571103538/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440344248&sr=8-1&keywords=literacy+work+stations" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/Literacy-Work-Stations-Making-Centers/dp/1571103538/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440344248&sr=8-1&keywords=literacy+work+stations" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNOp2GoDcD4uzSkPBCcUHuER0FbfWe0LEMY1EJ8oXXjJ_cL5nE4hJL_syqnJ32pmYJNvoRCZnBSHnrg_EMLB1apOHc5vdTkMquoLW_xpVHuVoq815OmfqGXjqrRHRQKbyDx1kOtgDvJ4/s320/Debbie+Diller.jpg" width="256" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Daily-Five-Gail-Boushey/dp/1571104291/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1440344193&sr=8-3&keywords=daily+five" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/Daily-Five-Gail-Boushey/dp/1571104291/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1440344193&sr=8-3&keywords=daily+five" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDn7UgW92IhiNDn2VQskcS9u-H2BC0xsD6AhfQyXg74ZsChYZ8wdhiSDDu1Tu7yIwyaxJlmjqTbYQk_txpEKfKqR_VL1VaQi42Aqr43vUxVP6urFJC7KnWKYQEThUs99pEjhAXHPC0jI/s320/daily5Book.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. I had the opportunity to lead a 3-hour literacy workshop at my school. I was so nervous! I was worried the teachers would be bored or wouldn't find any of it meaningful. However, it went better than I thought it would. The teachers seemed really engaged and I got a lot of positive feedback.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our school uses a very specific letter-sound correspondence and blending strategy that is a Direction Instruction model adapted from SRA Mastery. Here are some of the teachers practicing:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also discussed the importance of using <a href="http://www.kaganonline.com/free_articles/research_and_rationale/increase_achievement.php" target="_blank">cooperative learning structures</a>. Too often we assume students know how to talk to each other. We, as teachers, need to provide the students ample opportunities to interact with each other. One of my favorite cooperative learning structures is called <i>Rally Robin</i>. I played the video below to the teachers to show how I first teach <i>Rally Robin </i>to my students.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. No matter how much I try, I never seem to be 100% satisfied with my classroom library. This year, I am sticking with sorting my books by guided reading level, but I also added the Lexile to each label on the book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lexile really helps especially since students' comprehension levels vary so much. For example, I could have two children reading at a level H, but one child may struggle with comprehension more than the other. So I would give that child a level H book with a lower Lexile. The other student would read a level H book, but with a higher Lexile.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. My school is bursting at the seams! Our enrollment increases every year and we are at capacity. Thank goodness we are breaking ground in a few weeks for our school's new location for the 2016-2017 school year. Because we lack space, I no longer have a classroom for my intervention groups. I will have to make-do with empty classrooms and hallway space this year. It will be a challenge, but the teachers have been asked to be as understanding and as flexible as possible this year. After all, it's just one more year and then we will have a brand new school all to ourselves. Anyway, I don't have my own classroom this year, but I want to show how talented my colleagues are. Their doors look absolutely amazing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to Kacey at <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doodle Bugs Teaching</a> for hosting <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2015/08/five-for-friday-linky-party-august-21.html" target="_blank">Five for Friday</a>!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy new school year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mai<br /> </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-7631346822052504692015-07-21T09:46:00.000-07:002015-09-08T16:10:35.099-07:00My Top 5 Guided Reading Mistakes<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I make my frequent stops to Target, Office Max, Lakeshore Learning Store, etc. to find the best deals for the back-to-school season, I'm also thinking about how I will teach even better during this upcoming school year. In addition to teaching reading intervention, I have the added responsibility of coaching and mentoring the K-3 classroom teachers at my school in best practices for literacy instruction. </span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In preparing for<i> </i>my additional role, <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I have spent the last week reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Making-Most-Small-Groups-Differentiation/dp/1571104313/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437491123&sr=1-1&keywords=making+the+most+of+small+groups" target="_blank">Debbie Diller's </a><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Making-Most-Small-Groups-Differentiation/dp/1571104313/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437491123&sr=1-1&keywords=making+the+most+of+small+groups" target="_blank">Making the Most of Small Groups: Differentiation for All</a> </i>book. (While also working on my tan...)</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">While reading, I couldn't help but reflect upon my own teaching practices. I cringe thinking about my first few years of teaching. <i>How did those children learn anything from me?? </i>Well, I must have done something right because I spent the following years watching them move on from grade-to-grade. But I also came to understand that my teaching practice is always evolving. For as long as I'm a teacher, I cannot be immune to my mistakes. I will always be growing, learning, and improving upon my teaching practice.</span></span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I compiled a list of my well-intentioned approaches that just, well, wasn't effective. I hope this list will help you in your guided reading instruction. If you want to read more, I included the page numbers from Debbie Diller's book that I used as a reference.</span></span><br>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>My Top 5 Guided Reading Mistakes</u></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>MISTAKE #1: I didn't have a thorough plan <i>before</i> teaching. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Often times, my plan for guided reading only involved two things: the students I'll be meeting with and the book I'll be using with them. Since the books are short and at an easy elementary reading level, I don't even read them ahead of time. Admit it--I'm not the only one--you've been guilty of this too! While there is nothing wrong with this "plan" and when you're meeting with so many different groups, it's inevitable that you will not be able to plan anything more than this from time-to-time. However, when I spent an extra few minutes planning for each group, the results among the children were significantly better. The skills taught were intentional and not just happenstance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>*Takeaway: Plan a skill you will be focusing on with a specific group of students with a book you have read in advance.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>**Further reading p. 5-9 </i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>MISTAKE #2: </b></span>I only used the leveled readers from my basal reading curriculum.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The leveled-readers that came with the Scott Foresman: Reading Street curriculum were terrible. The readers had no F & P guided reading level, Lexile, or any useful leveling apart from the words <i>below-level, on-level, </i>and <i>above-level</i>. In trying to use the expensive readers my school purchased, I sorted my students into those three groups for my entire first year of teaching. (CRINGE!) Thankfully, I learned a more effective approach during a guided reading workshop. I assessed my students so I knew what books to use in small groups at their instructional level. Book sets were expensive though, so I used book sets available through my school, book sets donated by Half-Price Books, ordered book sets using points accrued from the Scholastic Book Club, and printed books from Reading A-Z.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>*Takeaway: Use running records to continually assess the reading level of students. Use texts that the students can read at 90-94% accuracy.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>**Further reading p.<b> </b>4</i><b><br></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>MISTAKE #3:</b></span> The students were doing round-robin reading.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Round-robin reading admittedly was the biggest mistake I made when I first started teaching reading. What was my reasoning for round-robin reading? Well, nothing more than my teachers did it when I was a student and I continued to do it when I started as a teacher<b>. </b>Keeping in mind that the ultimate goal of guided reading is to give the students enough reading practice so they can eventually gain independent reading skills. Round-robin reading does not achieve this goal. The students are listening to each other but rather than focusing on word-solving and comprehension, they are more worried about reading perfectly in front of their peers. Some students are bored when a child is reading too slow. Some students are frustrated because they lost their spot and can't follow along with the child reading. While it is important to give the students opportunities to listen to each other read, guided reading is not the time. Students will be reading their new text during your small group at the same time, but independently of each other and at their own pace. You will then listen for a minute or two to each student as they are reading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>*Takeaway: Allow students to read independently of each other and at their own pace.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>**Further reading p. 8 </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>MISTAKE #4:</b></span><i> </i>When students come to an unknown word, I gave it to them.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I still can't help but give the tricky word to students sometimes. I see students, parents, and even teachers doing this all the time. But if you just keep giving the word to the student, then you're not teaching them how to word-solve, which is an essential independent reading skill they are trying to learn. Now, when a student gets to a tricky word, I wait 3 seconds. The 3 seconds of silence is really uncomfortable for the student and often-times uncomfortable for the teacher. However, it is important to give the student time to attempt the word. After 3 seconds, I use several prompts such as:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Look at the anchor charts to help you.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's a sight word we've been working on this week.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can you chunk the word? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You say the first sound, I'll say the rest.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It rhymes with...</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>*Takeaway: When a child encounters a tricky word, don't just give the child the word. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>**Further reading: p. 8</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>MISTAKE #5:</b></span>. I didn't connect the skills during guided reading to other parts of the day.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One day during guided reading, we were talking about how the setting changed multiple times in a story we were reading. This boy in my group was able to describe the multiple setting changes perfectly. Then, during whole group, we were reading a class story. I called on this particular student to describe the setting, but this student seemed to draw a complete blank and looked at me as if he had never heard of the term setting. I was so frustrated because we had just talked about it for several days during guided reading. The next day during guided reading, he successfully described the setting of the story. I then said to him, "I want you to think about setting again later today when we read a different story during read-aloud. I want you to think about where and when the story takes place." The boy smiled and nodded. Later that day during read aloud, I asked the students about setting and the boy immediately threw his hand up eager to answer. I learned that I was teaching skills in isolation and therefore not being intentional in how I wanted to the students to transfer their learning to other contexts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>*Takeaway: Connect the skills students are focusing on during Guided Reading to other parts of the day.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>**Further reading: p. 9-10 </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">New teachers and veteran teachers, I hope this post has been helpful for you. If you would like to discuss guided reading, please join me this afternoon (Tuesday 7/21/15) on Periscope @msmaihuynh<i> </i>at 4:15 p.m. CST. If you are not available for the Periscope, the replay will be available for 24 hours. Otherwise, please leave your questions or comments below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanks for reading!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mai </span><br>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-16426271251799058382015-07-13T11:32:00.002-07:002015-07-13T15:38:05.883-07:00Monday Made It - 7/13/15<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm thrilled to be linking up with <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">4th Grade Frolics</a> for <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2015/07/monday-made-it-july-13.html" target="_blank">Monday Made It</a>. It has been over a year since my last link-up!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWrBXmfILV7e4k54q13gWHtY6di_EAebdAnd9B5ByG_gU-P3EvmMFm58jVIq3JMi3tAZmLyj_Z4jUjrsTDtAXVHtuSaVS8gg_KP8IxDgH8xiv5JIcGfQdvQoCezGNHdfdaFyPUDkGMU8/s1600/MadeIt1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWrBXmfILV7e4k54q13gWHtY6di_EAebdAnd9B5ByG_gU-P3EvmMFm58jVIq3JMi3tAZmLyj_Z4jUjrsTDtAXVHtuSaVS8gg_KP8IxDgH8xiv5JIcGfQdvQoCezGNHdfdaFyPUDkGMU8/s200/MadeIt1.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sister, Linh, is very crafty so she is always inspiring me in many ways! Over the weekend, I helped her set up this amazing art corner in her house for her kids. It was really simple. My school is moving into a new building in one year, so I will definitely set this up for my art wall in my new classroom.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVGs9Ywvf6fakWxPMnPzLl1StVzmjMOiVytnmLOGDk-jzbJY3SVDIleseo_yFiWaPqvaXr7TD8MLz6a_N3SJktb4JtTccsaGpENsAOMkvbhpY34-eHNBWVhzRyppUyhM6OzUFEx075-I/s1600/2015-07-12+11.34.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVGs9Ywvf6fakWxPMnPzLl1StVzmjMOiVytnmLOGDk-jzbJY3SVDIleseo_yFiWaPqvaXr7TD8MLz6a_N3SJktb4JtTccsaGpENsAOMkvbhpY34-eHNBWVhzRyppUyhM6OzUFEx075-I/s400/2015-07-12+11.34.27.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We first put the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Every-child-artist-Pablo-Picasso/dp/B00CEJWS9Q/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1436808523&sr=1-4&keywords=every+child+is+an+artist+wall+decal" target="_blank">"Every child is an artist" decal from Amazon</a> on the wall. This decal also comes in other fonts too on Amazon for about $14. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5wP5I3G9vsvJMolSeYfp6WruzJbhgZLZap-raoiRxdrK8YYfGExpuje1XRshBQnU_7BSQjmg8e0QzajanwufSZ9WqbTLsulsunMY8Zlhc77Q13MWjHLaJdPueBhrajDKPzbDccrHSUM/s1600/2015-07-12+12.15.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH5wP5I3G9vsvJMolSeYfp6WruzJbhgZLZap-raoiRxdrK8YYfGExpuje1XRshBQnU_7BSQjmg8e0QzajanwufSZ9WqbTLsulsunMY8Zlhc77Q13MWjHLaJdPueBhrajDKPzbDccrHSUM/s320/2015-07-12+12.15.23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then, we used <a href="http://www.target.com/p/36-pk-1-25-hooks-white/-/A-13340095#prodSlot=medium_1_4&term=white+hook" target="_blank">little white hooks from Target</a> and screwed them right into the wall.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8wDJsVvTP4L1Act_FIivh_X4Z2IigRGutj46rHngTqV-YKcqwmUql7XGL8XOB5KvNlmmpKSUbfdF8ljVLaGpBd6B3ztItUrYm9yVMF5-Xy2RbfrYlGXi3p5-sHH0mgxbHiYpScfn_kI/s1600/2015-07-12+12.16.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF8wDJsVvTP4L1Act_FIivh_X4Z2IigRGutj46rHngTqV-YKcqwmUql7XGL8XOB5KvNlmmpKSUbfdF8ljVLaGpBd6B3ztItUrYm9yVMF5-Xy2RbfrYlGXi3p5-sHH0mgxbHiYpScfn_kI/s320/2015-07-12+12.16.01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We used twine and connected it to the ends of the hooks. Yarn can also be used too, but twine is more durable and doesn't fray as easily. The clothespins look like the standard size in the picture, but they are actually <a href="http://www.michaels.com/10122781.html" target="_blank">mini-sized clothespins from Michaels</a>. It doesn't matter what size you use though. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGkdpYwyE8FgNa27LeHZOHskwLYc0sjZRfexc4BmLGtXuqWuWiMKUbwSbPgYNnOrVnQGbTEi1-XP6uaPxqAdIqVue9mZFZxoco_wrgKsolsQcSxwRy1Gl3cHLEMESp4efOSlxLDZZxpI/s1600/2015-07-12+12.15.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGkdpYwyE8FgNa27LeHZOHskwLYc0sjZRfexc4BmLGtXuqWuWiMKUbwSbPgYNnOrVnQGbTEi1-XP6uaPxqAdIqVue9mZFZxoco_wrgKsolsQcSxwRy1Gl3cHLEMESp4efOSlxLDZZxpI/s320/2015-07-12+12.15.48.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will obviously use the <a href="http://www.target.com/p/command-hooks-damage-free-9-pk/-/A-13682271#prodSlot=medium_1_49&term=white+hook" target="_blank">white Command hooks</a> in my new classroom so there is no damage to the wall.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBygedYtBTKBQavkpb3gKkKKzEvJFZdH6t0qGn5-5mmWY_5zjkLIbVLLfMvAMD9XPsYS9dw5bJcFYflvRhWa5CwpfEyjnma5jB2iPF7lODdHSgvBU_yOlEB1V07kf9QMUk8qCF_dst4U/s1600/2015-07-13+08.08.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBygedYtBTKBQavkpb3gKkKKzEvJFZdH6t0qGn5-5mmWY_5zjkLIbVLLfMvAMD9XPsYS9dw5bJcFYflvRhWa5CwpfEyjnma5jB2iPF7lODdHSgvBU_yOlEB1V07kf9QMUk8qCF_dst4U/s200/2015-07-13+08.08.16.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPreurepwiYiLilqRkHZlFzTAgKgKkXjWz2qPgzMTR5eovborybNrq5A9iQIQIsj-DMUnQQ7g7Sb923j4QlakgIg5zf7NPdbSlNGps0_vV8rMuGrl8z4XBvp9bPPmcY43LD_p0mmoYVY/s1600/MadeIt2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPreurepwiYiLilqRkHZlFzTAgKgKkXjWz2qPgzMTR5eovborybNrq5A9iQIQIsj-DMUnQQ7g7Sb923j4QlakgIg5zf7NPdbSlNGps0_vV8rMuGrl8z4XBvp9bPPmcY43LD_p0mmoYVY/s200/MadeIt2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The revision of my 1st grade morning work packet bundle is still in progress. The <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mai-Huynh/Category/ELA-Math-Morning-Work" target="_blank">morning work packets I have up on TpT</a> are aligned to Minnesota State Standards so the math review includes concepts like counting collections of dimes, nickels, and pennies which are not part of the 1st grade CCSS. After receiving requests from a few of my followers, I decided to revise the morning work packets so that the skills are aligned to the CCSS. It's been taking me a long time, but I hope to have them ready by the end of July or the first week of August. If you have already purchased the packets, you will be able to download the revised files soon!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0tGpicjSf8FSzYu8umEuS3FdTav8nS-yjjPfgkZ9742Fx-fZteKrSgW8k6d5nE_9oe9GCzRt0DF2zBMQyIr3tulOV5sWTl7OC_c6q4_JrlEvgsdF2DkUqzHodWU4bgVtc4-CAgQU5IU/s1600/2015-07-13+13.29.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ0tGpicjSf8FSzYu8umEuS3FdTav8nS-yjjPfgkZ9742Fx-fZteKrSgW8k6d5nE_9oe9GCzRt0DF2zBMQyIr3tulOV5sWTl7OC_c6q4_JrlEvgsdF2DkUqzHodWU4bgVtc4-CAgQU5IU/s320/2015-07-13+13.29.36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rJXVKSa6dEvmVMBShpIeq7CZT485UoIJMPbEJ06geG4mMThVNx_paD8QJqA2K6hcIg7Gdg85TikDRm61gQJk8jla3Ef3gwieuT9s3TzhcJg2OUKNBo0ZVJe8DCGXHcdQKTLVcz2ccg8/s1600/MadeIt3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rJXVKSa6dEvmVMBShpIeq7CZT485UoIJMPbEJ06geG4mMThVNx_paD8QJqA2K6hcIg7Gdg85TikDRm61gQJk8jla3Ef3gwieuT9s3TzhcJg2OUKNBo0ZVJe8DCGXHcdQKTLVcz2ccg8/s200/MadeIt3.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Teachers are flocking to Periscope. It's exactly what the teaching community needed to connect with each other to offer teaching tidbits, stories about life, and support. I will be hosting my first LIVE Periscope broadcast today at 2:15 p.m. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Find me @msmaihuynh. I will be posting a reminder on Instagram, so don't miss out on my introduction!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCQUpd6hR9HKjdrFBbCcEYfoTuGCx13WBspLxLGfakshlluq0zTtYcz13tJqckI773_DlQadxHq2qbBJbdpFIGPulW2o4Rn5iYzpJ1chTep6fljYZOl79x4LEzE4gJ0kdLJyYVoMmS10/s1600/Broadcast1b.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCQUpd6hR9HKjdrFBbCcEYfoTuGCx13WBspLxLGfakshlluq0zTtYcz13tJqckI773_DlQadxHq2qbBJbdpFIGPulW2o4Rn5iYzpJ1chTep6fljYZOl79x4LEzE4gJ0kdLJyYVoMmS10/s320/Broadcast1b.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you can't make it at 2:15, the video will be available for 24 hours for you to watch. You won't be able to make a comment, but you will be able to give me hearts by tapping on the screen. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to <a href="http://mrsharrisonshive.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cher from Mrs. Harrison's Hive</a> for such an inspiring Periscope last night! Also, I joined Angie's (of <a href="http://www.luckylittlelearners.com/" target="_blank">Lucky Little Learners</a>) Periscope this morning and read her <a href="http://www.luckylittlelearners.com/2015/07/25-periscope-tips-to-help-you.html" target="_blank">"25 Periscope Tips" post</a>, so I'm feeling a little more at ease. You have both given me the courage I need...I'm still nervous though!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tara from 4th Grade Frolics</a> for hosting today's Monday Made It. Click on the image below to join the linky!</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2015/07/monday-made-it-july-13.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2015/07/monday-made-it-july-13.html" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0dSZOp1c8L9h6F9ogeWaddOhmQohphrwwvQ4q8ENR2g1KYiQV1ZdMYxTmIBzTBcMBpw0YxYn-mSZdYl6mvVwktdcxnSmYcvy837s-Gb2mnewJl1XFK6tujO_b0QeD4FoQoE-i3TN3E8/s200/MondayMadeIt.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As my good friend Stacy used to always say to me, "Walk with a purpose!" </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mai </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-59453536451923720612015-07-10T10:18:00.000-07:002015-08-21T13:32:10.630-07:00Five for Friday (7/10/15) and TpT Seller Challenge #3<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm linking up with <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doodle Bugs Teaching</a> for another addition of <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2015/07/five-for-friday-linky-party-july-10th.html" target="_blank">Five for Friday</a>!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTQVgiN2O3Ug_rzS20BvtX2guJlsjbLSjrEetQtsXFwyHp2wsxztMhPBuDE5WE_05uI_LwXcYCmaF8SAjtMZLfNGPkdx0uvCn2Ht8oYQEL7Ssv8Vs-K2kTID038jNiCg8cjSv3lm6GW4/s1600/Five+for+Friday-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTQVgiN2O3Ug_rzS20BvtX2guJlsjbLSjrEetQtsXFwyHp2wsxztMhPBuDE5WE_05uI_LwXcYCmaF8SAjtMZLfNGPkdx0uvCn2Ht8oYQEL7Ssv8Vs-K2kTID038jNiCg8cjSv3lm6GW4/s200/Five+for+Friday-1.png" width="136" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spending a week in Costa Rica with Chris was absolutely amazing. We were both so excited to have a nice and relaxing vacation. Although, I had to lecture Chris about taking care of his things though. I'm sure you can guess which passport belongs to him...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahvkFZc4Uootki2VKow6ux2Xu50kqSiwfuQYOoTVXt4DrfhHUf0uevHk5_GnT1yP_Cr6_1v2oYMOBdCVW2Q_bX94voM3tpWJJBtuukhuxNab_V3rfK0dHLn8eaYQKM5gAmfCGi3NBkl8/s1600/2015-07-10+09.50.14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahvkFZc4Uootki2VKow6ux2Xu50kqSiwfuQYOoTVXt4DrfhHUf0uevHk5_GnT1yP_Cr6_1v2oYMOBdCVW2Q_bX94voM3tpWJJBtuukhuxNab_V3rfK0dHLn8eaYQKM5gAmfCGi3NBkl8/s400/2015-07-10+09.50.14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We stayed 20 minutes outside of La Fortuna at the <a href="http://lostiguanacr.com/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">Lost Iguana Resort</a>. We made such a great choice with this resort. There were two different hiking trails on their 120-acres in the rainforest that kept us busy in the early mornings. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Here are a few pictures I took from the resort: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is so much to do in Costa Rica so it was very easy to stay active while having fun. We did a night walk and a day walk through the <a href="http://www.misticopark.com/en/" target="_blank">Arenal Hanging Bridges Park</a>, kayaked in the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="st">Peñas</span> Blancas River, hiked over the lava flow of the 1968 Arenal Volcano eruption, and crawled through the tightest spaces amongst bats and crickets in the Venado Caves.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm really scared of bats, so the cave tour was really creepy, but turned out to be my favorite activity. The limestone was beautiful and the water was so refreshing because we got so hot and sweaty from all the climbing and crawling around in the cave. We didn't have waterproof cameras (why didn't we buy a Go Pro??) so we only took a before and after picture of the Venado Cave tour.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am a little late with the <a href="http://www.teachcreatemotivate.com/2015/06/make-your-masterpiece.html" target="_blank">3rd TpT Seller Challenge: Make Your Masterpiece</a>. I worked on it for two days as soon as I got back from Costa Rica. I'm really happy with the way it turned out. The <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/1st-Grade-Common-Core-Morning-Work-Back-to-School-1948684" target="_blank">CCSS aligned 1st Grade Morning Work for Back-to-School</a> follows the same format as my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mai-Huynh/Category/ELA-Math-Summer-Packet" target="_blank">best-selling summer packets</a> with each day including 5 math and 5 literacy problems. </span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/1st-Grade-Common-Core-Morning-Work-Back-to-School-1948684" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/1st-Grade-Common-Core-Morning-Work-Back-to-School-1948684" border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYjzjaNQShFCdXfJHQAhilifgdc5OvIlVqdjhecwjN4ZQGyiA7VlibAIMHAyu6HrwZuv2_ZiqEhUtWT7cLbWWYhOgA_DnByMa0zED0w-q8Hu2WxvVrGpTOi3eCKr2DdJuAApoeUiPJfQ/s400/Masterpiece.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you like the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/1st-Grade-Common-Core-Morning-Work-Back-to-School-1948684" target="_blank">1st Grade Common Core Morning Work for Back-to-School</a>, stay tuned for the back-to-school homework packet. Also, my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mai-Huynh/Category/ELA-Math-Morning-Work" target="_blank">1st Grade Morning Work packets</a> currently on TpT is aligned to Minnesota State Standards (we adopted <a href="http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/" target="_blank">CCSS for Literacy</a>, but not <a href="http://www.corestandards.org/Math/" target="_blank">CCSS for Math</a>) but I'm working to revise them so that the packets are aligned with the Common Core State Standards. I'm halfway done with the year-long morning work packets, so you can expect the updated version on TpT by the end of July or the first week of August.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love going out to eat, so I don't end up cooking too much at home, especially during the summer. However, the few times a do cook during the week, I always avoid using fresh herbs simply because I end up throwing 75% of it away. I try not to be wasteful so I usually end up using dried herbs. I was elated when I saw smaller packages of fresh, organic herbs at the grocery store yesterday and only $1.50! I made crusted pork chops last night and they tasted significantly better with fresh herbs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chris is slowly moving into my condo and my closets are exploding! Time to look into a closet storage system! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I finished my 3-credit Minnesota Writing Project Open Institute called "<a href="http://writing.umn.edu/mwp/open/">Writing Process and Thematic Inquiry: Writing for Social Justice</a>" at the University of Minnesota right before I left for Costa Rica. I learned how important it is to design lesson plans with social justice themes. Bree Picower (2012) suggests that an elementary social justice curriculum is beneficial to help "students care about and critically understand inequalities in the world around them."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I created a lesson plan with the social justice theme of bullying. Bullying prevention needs to be addressed in schools as early as possible. Jensen, Brisson, Bender, and Williford (2013) found "A considerable proportion of students who bully their classmates in elementary school continue to be perpetrators during middle school." Hopefully my proactive approach will be effective at the elementary level, in turn, hopefully deterring acts of bullying at the secondary level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I chose this brilliant book called Nobody! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nobody-Story-Overcoming-Bullying-Schools/dp/1575424967/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1436535043&sr=1-1&keywords=nobody+a+story+about+overcoming+bullying+in+schools">A Story About Overcoming Bullying in School by Erin Frankel</a> from <a href="http://freespirit.com/">Free Spirit Publishing</a>. I created a lesson plan targeted for 3rd grade students, but it could be easily modified for 2nd grade and 4th grade students. You can <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B73aFpyJuYIcbzY1NGw2RkVfUnc">download the lesson plan for free</a> for use in the classroom. No part of the download can be used in any other way without the prior written consent from me by clicking on the "envelope icon" at the top of the page.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">References </span></span></div>
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Jenson, J.M.,
Brisson, D., Bender, K.A. & Williford, A.P. (2013). Effects of the youth
matters prevention program on patterns of bullying and victimization in
elementary and middle school. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Social Work
Research, 37</i>, 361-371.</div>
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Picower, B.
(2012). Using their words: Six elements of social justice curriculum design for
the elementary classroom. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">International
Journal of Multicultural Education, 14, </i>1-15.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks again to <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doodle Bugs Teaching</a>!</span></div>
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<a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2015/07/five-for-friday-linky-party-july-10th.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2015/07/five-for-friday-linky-party-july-10th.html" border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisN8r_pIpSogCc9NbHpQdqAeg8yG4oGMHPi73sNDC9ITbsFsPRoEZvSj4OIhwedEdNj_YsWmsahmis2MD4e6fNsFu-3yy3IqU7IFmhv28F271JslxH22ShuH8oImchAyzuZ-BPrmhbkow/s200/Five+for+Friday.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And a shout out to </span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thirdinhollywood.com/" target="_blank">Third in Hollywood</a>, <a href="http://sparklinginsecondgrade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sparkling in Second</a>, <a href="http://www.peppyzestyteacherista.com/" target="_blank">Peppy Zesty Teacherista</a>, and <a href="http://www.teachcreatemotivate.com/" target="_blank">Teach.Create.Motivate</a>!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a great weekend!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mai </span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-77409267869420195692015-06-25T09:50:00.000-07:002015-06-25T09:56:08.139-07:00TpT Seller Challenge Week 2: Dare to Dream<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am loving this <a href="http://www.teachcreatemotivate.com/2015/06/tpt-seller-challenge.html" target="_blank">TpT Seller Challenge</a>! I definitely experienced a severe case of TpT-burnout during the school year, but now this much-needed motivation is pushing me to revise my old products and create new products. There's nothing better than binge-watching "Parenthood" and "Orange is the New Black" while working on my TpT products. Thanks to <a href="http://www.teachcreatemotivate.com/" target="_blank">Teach, Create, Motivate</a>; <a href="http://www.peppyzestyteacherista.com/" target="_blank">Peppy, Zesty Teacherista</a>; <a href="http://www.thirdinhollywood.com/" target="_blank">Third in Hollywood</a>; and <a href="http://sparklinginsecondgrade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sparkling in Second</a> for hosting such a fantastic challenge!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are many things in life that I wouldn't be able to do on my teacher's salary alone. With a lot of time, research, and hard work, my growing TpT business may help me reach my dreams. Here they are:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqN-Oy1sfyKCOpV5xKwbSAW9c1vvZ45WLhBF4wmTIZm__xnHSzgIYovirFWPFBCLyqkembHhLxkucUnPLF-zfeTW1uKcitGNiQlS0R8kpMhtwGmCr3LO6-5KoQY95V2UsdDg6IOAGOBc/s1600/Dare+to+Dream2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqN-Oy1sfyKCOpV5xKwbSAW9c1vvZ45WLhBF4wmTIZm__xnHSzgIYovirFWPFBCLyqkembHhLxkucUnPLF-zfeTW1uKcitGNiQlS0R8kpMhtwGmCr3LO6-5KoQY95V2UsdDg6IOAGOBc/s400/Dare+to+Dream2.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. I cannot wait to finish the <a href="http://www.hamline.edu/reading/" target="_blank">K-12 Reading License program at Hamline University</a>. Earning this reading license will be the next substantial step in my teaching career. I've completed two out of the required six courses, but decided to put the rest on hold until I've saved enough money to pay for the courses in full without taking out loans or borrowing money from my sister. I still owe her money from the course I took nearly a year ago! At least she doesn't charge me interest like my credit card companies do...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. I bought my MacBook Pro in 2009, but it's time for a new MacBook. While I love what I've been able to create with my MacBook Pro, I just want to toss it out the window every time I see this hostile wheel of death:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPIGicgUVapMkfVsPhEZFy5BU_7zDMjUHUSELqyrgNm5J48AnP9NLuIFn3UePZMGPgzmkVDmxKW5Liqy1rWoVYE6Uhp6mCVMKLjLalpuHeievSP6_-xEQp9h1YtvCFzzguudFB6JxXYo/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibPIGicgUVapMkfVsPhEZFy5BU_7zDMjUHUSELqyrgNm5J48AnP9NLuIFn3UePZMGPgzmkVDmxKW5Liqy1rWoVYE6Uhp6mCVMKLjLalpuHeievSP6_-xEQp9h1YtvCFzzguudFB6JxXYo/s200/untitled.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I added the maximum amount of ram two years ago and it helped a lot, but now </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">creating classroom resources, polishing up TpT products, and completing homework has gotten even more complicated with an aging computer that is so incredibly s-l-o-w. Also, the battery wants to be serviced:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3lHz7X-YzI3E6gbH4oxRAC19SVjvp-a4753K3vIOjuhkQIe30i2ooAixWt9nrDHuMJMfV3nhdJMHNxjPcTKoVR0ghdqvQlcDVi2zIOtAOUKllyH4tAcUFBbP2sn73tyzIEqo-PmIpwo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-25+at+9.19.33+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3lHz7X-YzI3E6gbH4oxRAC19SVjvp-a4753K3vIOjuhkQIe30i2ooAixWt9nrDHuMJMfV3nhdJMHNxjPcTKoVR0ghdqvQlcDVi2zIOtAOUKllyH4tAcUFBbP2sn73tyzIEqo-PmIpwo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-25+at+9.19.33+AM.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I suppose I could replace the battery and install a solid state drive to improve the speed, but that would cost me several hundred dollars. It's been 6 years since I purchased my last laptop, so I think it's time I treat myself to a new one. Hopefully I'll be able to purchase a new <a href="https://www.apple.com/mac/compare/results/?product1=macbook&product2=macbook-pro-retina-13" target="_blank">MacBook or MacBook Pro</a> within the next year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. I had a great time hiking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal in 2007 and loved every minute I spent during my 6-week trip to southern Africa in 2011 so it would only make sense to make a trip to Tanzania. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really, really, really want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, but it would be a very expensive adventure. Perhaps summer 2016?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. I was elated when I became a first-time homeowner last summer in July. While I love my home, I had to cut back in other areas to make financial ends meet. Before I owned a home, I had enough money to go to a very special gym, <a href="http://thefirmmpls.com/" target="_blank">The Firm</a>. I was addicted to their spin classes. They were so much fun and made an hour class feel like it was 15 minutes. This gym also offered yoga classes. They keep the classes pretty small so the instructors were able to connect with everyone to ensure we had the best form possible. I was really close to doing a handstand! Unfortunately, I couldn't afford the membership anymore after buying my home so I had to cancel it. I can't wait to go back and reinstate my membership so I can one day do a handstand.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.teachcreatemotivate.com/2015/06/makeover-madness-tptsellerchallenge.html" target="_blank">Week 1 of the TpT Seller Challenge, Makeover Madness</a>, inspired me to update my old products. <a href="http://diaryofagrumpyteacher.blogspot.com/2015/06/five-for-friday-61915.html" target="_blank">Last week's post</a> showed my "<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Tally-Marks-914030" target="_blank">Tally Marks</a>" makeover. I started out with the intention of just improving the product cover, but then it turned into an all-day project. I ended up revising the format of all the worksheets, adding an additional activity and adding an answer key. This makeover madness motivated me to improve another math product, my "<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Money-912742" target="_blank">Counting Coins</a>" product. I created this coin product a year and a half ago, so it definitely needed more than a cover update. Here are the changes I made:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpGwce9y6BgT5CuLFjwCMDs9GgswFw0TQhwTlUQQR5zYrWWJXYbUd3YZHVYJ9GPtc6sXpAwqygPIYvxeBnUEVVW6dOYK9M_b9jOVSoZqwTD_ucSdK_ywGGZYOU6Vht7dSYs9KlxPLyi4/s1600/blog1-6.2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpGwce9y6BgT5CuLFjwCMDs9GgswFw0TQhwTlUQQR5zYrWWJXYbUd3YZHVYJ9GPtc6sXpAwqygPIYvxeBnUEVVW6dOYK9M_b9jOVSoZqwTD_ucSdK_ywGGZYOU6Vht7dSYs9KlxPLyi4/s400/blog1-6.2015.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksl671PZi11WQzlb2zBSOTtpajo6fWuMlcEu_CosTklXjRm0dqS-ahK78nF9LBxYtcm0YBND4lA6If-9KPxZ0ORv22SDfY7G3E3RGrcUblOouFqd8nODdOpg3TnNNM6BlwV6DS2Fxh9w/s1600/blog2-6.2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksl671PZi11WQzlb2zBSOTtpajo6fWuMlcEu_CosTklXjRm0dqS-ahK78nF9LBxYtcm0YBND4lA6If-9KPxZ0ORv22SDfY7G3E3RGrcUblOouFqd8nODdOpg3TnNNM6BlwV6DS2Fxh9w/s640/blog2-6.2015.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GoXR1ntuaQJfbJB7GnB8V0GgIu6qk7eahYV5CToTHfFYClrkVnz39S64TagiwAc0NupiPtnaxrmAhL3JWcTLXUgSkp8cH5n6iLnyVqgbg9S4l7m45IouBVY9got1pFw8rrHX4WqmsAw/s1600/blog3-6.2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GoXR1ntuaQJfbJB7GnB8V0GgIu6qk7eahYV5CToTHfFYClrkVnz39S64TagiwAc0NupiPtnaxrmAhL3JWcTLXUgSkp8cH5n6iLnyVqgbg9S4l7m45IouBVY9got1pFw8rrHX4WqmsAw/s640/blog3-6.2015.png" width="486" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really need to stay away from my blog, TpT, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. for the rest of the day so I can focus on finishing my "Writing for Social Justice" lesson plan. I will be presenting it tomorrow for the last day of my <a href="http://writing.umn.edu/mwp/about/index.html" target="_blank">Minnesota Writing Project class at the University of Minnesota</a>. My 3rd grade lesson plan focuses in on the social justice theme of bullying. I will write about this and share my lesson plan and resources next week in case you are looking for something to do with your students in <a href="http://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/" target="_blank">October for National Bullying Prevention Month</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy the upcoming weekend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ms. Mai Huynh</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-9046412379500572722015-06-19T15:41:00.001-07:002015-06-19T15:41:50.452-07:00Five for Friday (6/19/15)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm linking up with <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doodle Bugs Teaching</a> for <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2015/06/five-for-friday-linky-party-june-19th.html" target="_blank">Five for Friday</a>! This is the end of the second week of my summer vacation. Since I'm not teaching summer school for the first time in nine years, I thought I was going to have tons of time to relax, but this summer is shaping up to be one of my busiest summers both personally and professionally.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhlUigzH5mWDn6kpP-_jNGy8tUYz416t-iiU_YwfWhdyXG2JSoOjO7YcRkPCL943m_x7w8i3hezEzR7W55pPK32jn974CoqZsuwJQxrVlGy3dzCdx7ke8zH_5i7Dr-quiMpRQsYOJxDM/s1600/Five+for+Friday-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhlUigzH5mWDn6kpP-_jNGy8tUYz416t-iiU_YwfWhdyXG2JSoOjO7YcRkPCL943m_x7w8i3hezEzR7W55pPK32jn974CoqZsuwJQxrVlGy3dzCdx7ke8zH_5i7Dr-quiMpRQsYOJxDM/s1600/Five+for+Friday-1.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love creating resources for the classroom, but sometimes I really lack the motivation to spruce the resources up with eye-catching covers to post onto <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/" target="_blank">TpT</a>. While it's a lot of fun and the production involved serves as my creative outlet, sometimes I would just rather relax and stare at the TV. Luckily a group of lovely ladies organized the ultimate 4-week <a href="http://www.teachcreatemotivate.com/2015/06/tpt-seller-challenge.html" target="_blank">TpT Seller Challenge</a> hosted on <a href="http://www.teachcreatemotivate.com/" target="_blank">Teach, Create, Motivate</a>. The <a href="http://www.teachcreatemotivate.com/2015/06/makeover-madness-tptsellerchallenge.html" target="_blank">first week</a> of the challenge involves revamping a product or cover. I was totally on-board! If you are a seller and haven't joined yet, make sure you read all about the <a href="http://www.teachcreatemotivate.com/2015/06/tpt-seller-challenge.html" target="_blank">TpT Seller Challenge</a> and join. Here's my first makeover I did on my <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Tally-Marks-914030" target="_blank">tally marks</a> product:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teachcreatemotivate.com/2015/06/makeover-madness-tptsellerchallenge.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teachcreatemotivate.com/2015/06/makeover-madness-tptsellerchallenge.html" border="0" height="637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdGpISDtWrzr2nnp5itdW-0lfPA9QOl6vAkGkebhLyeTxbGh4pQQHJ3U2A5T9I7MMLDTYqanvnCb-U8eqDWVgDCCl8O6R7bqexah0uW7sH1XaLVZ6telw9NK-9AdbpAy9466kHO2lsU9I/s640/MakeoverWeek1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My second makeover is the BIG makeover. I spent a lot of time creating first grade morning work for my kiddos that were aligned to the <a href="http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/EdExc/StanCurri/K-12AcademicStandards/" target="_blank">Minnesota State Standards</a> for Math and ELA, but now I've decided to revise it to align with the <a href="http://www.corestandards.org/" target="_blank">Common Core State Standards</a> for Math and ELA. Minnesota is unique in that we were the only state to adopt the CCSS for ELA but not for math. Our math standards are currently being reviewed and there are many rumors that suggest we may be adopting the CCSS for math, but who knows. Rumors are rumors. Regardless of our state's decision, I decided to make the change because I got a lot of inquiries asking me to make Common Core aligned morning work. Hopefully I'll be done by the end of July. If you wish to purchase the Minnesota aligned <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mai-Huynh/Category/ELA-Math-Morning-Work" target="_blank">first grade morning work</a>, then you should do so now. You would then have the added benefit of being able to later download the updated CCSS version for no additional charge. It's a pretty amazing 2-for-1 deal!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I just absolutely love <a href="http://www.beyond123.com/mini/mini.html" target="_blank">miniLUK</a> puzzles. Children are highly engaged with the playful design while reviewing key skills. If you don't know what they are you should watch this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okqr6uQhyMw" target="_blank">short video</a> to learn all about it. Even though it sounds like it, I am not affiliated with this company--I just want everyone to benefit from this great product. It took just two activities with me for my niece to complete the rest of the activities independently. She was able to check her own work too so I was able to keep the other little guy occupied!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since there are so many approaches to education, teachers constantly need to be learning and being a part of professional learning communities in order to be skilled and effective teachers. My friends and family are always saying, "You're in school again??" Yup! I'm not seeking any sort of degree beyond my master's, but I'm always looking for additional opportunities, whether at the university or at a workshop, to further advance my educational practice. An area that I've never been entirely confident in is my teaching skills in writing, so I enrolled in a 3-credit course at the University of Minnesota called "Writing for Joy and Justice." Our course is based on <a href="http://www.rethinkingschools.org/ProdDetails.asp?ID=9780942961430" target="_blank">Linda Christensen's text<i> </i></a><i><a href="http://www.rethinkingschools.org/ProdDetails.asp?ID=9780942961430" target="_blank">Teaching for Joy and Justice</a>.</i></span><i></i> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The final project involves writing a lesson plan that addresses a social justice theme. I chose to address the social justice theme of bullying. I've been busy gathering and reading resources, so I'll share the lesson plan that will be written, in a later post. Anyway, while researching, I stumbled upon this amazing publishing company called <a href="http://www.freespirit.com/" target="_blank">Free Spirit Publishing</a>--and it's based right here in Minnesota! Here's their incredible mission: <i>"Free Spirit has had the same mission for more than 30 years: to provide
children and teens—and the adults who care for and about them—with the
tools they need to think for themselves, overcome challenges, and make a
difference in the world." </i>Needless to say, I found many books and resources that fit nicely within the climate I have and would like to continue fostering in my classroom. Here's the first two books (in which I imagine will be the start of my <i>Free Spirit Publication</i> collection):</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wonder how long my two nieces will continue doing the work that I've created. As of now, they don't even realize it's work. They actually think completing these worksheets is some kind of fun! Here's my niece working on her <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mai-Huynh/Category/ELA-Math-Summer-Packet" target="_blank">summer packet</a>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so excited to have fun this weekend and work a little less. I'm going to <a href="http://www.walkerart.org/calendar/2015/rock-garden-2015" target="_blank">Rock the Garden </a>(one of the largest music festivals in the Twin Cities) tomorrow to see one of my favorite bands, <a href="http://www.belleandsebastian.com/" target="_blank">Belle and Sebastian</a>. And the cool thing? It's happening in my backyard...literally! They are almost done setting up for the festivities that will begin tomorrow afternoon. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a picture taken from my balcony: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then I'm going to spend Sunday with my daddy (I'm 33 and I'll never stop calling my dad my daddy) and the rest of my family. Happy father's day to the best daddy in the world!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That concludes another entry from <i>Diary of a Grumpy Teacher</i>. Until next time, please enjoy your weekend!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mai </span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-12543685708155997872015-05-31T17:48:00.000-07:002015-06-20T07:35:17.098-07:00The Last Week of School<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/TestAdmin/MNTests/" target="_blank">MCA</a> and <a href="https://www.nwea.org/" target="_blank">NWEA</a> testing is finally over. Thank goodness! Testing season is so taxing on the children and teachers. While it's tempting to stop teaching and show a movie every day (it's true, I walked by a few classrooms last week where they showed a movie <i>every single day</i>), I think it's important to keep those little ones actively engaged in learning up until the very last day of school. I'm impressed by all the teachers that use this time to fully immerse their children in fun projects, something we don't always have time for before state testing. Our wonderful ELL teacher, Ms. Christine Brinkman, had one of the third grade classrooms create a diorama showcasing their favorite story from our <a href="http://ngl.cengage.com/search/productOverview.do?N=201+4294918395&Ntk=NGL&Ntt=PRO0000000005&Ntx=mode%2Bmatchallpartial" target="_blank">National Geographic REACH curriculum</a>. Our students can only be creative if you give them the opportunity to be creative. And boy did they run with this project! Here are a few examples of the amazing student work:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQk_p6dGina9fUboFjhN4Ph-fzI9F4olj_B5dif0PRu-EvtdRvJvBSEceBVXWjXZRg27G-RyHxia-qFBmOc49I0HXIAgNqc_7sOIADsUM9z-mpHEbEAXcbrX9dsVwPmVOMKB7OQSkpzc/s1600/2015-05-29+11.01.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQk_p6dGina9fUboFjhN4Ph-fzI9F4olj_B5dif0PRu-EvtdRvJvBSEceBVXWjXZRg27G-RyHxia-qFBmOc49I0HXIAgNqc_7sOIADsUM9z-mpHEbEAXcbrX9dsVwPmVOMKB7OQSkpzc/s200/2015-05-29+11.01.21.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrgMZNCzfQDFVPk4tDobVa0TS90_dURX3PBbCxDi5etlOgOyMky_yEKhvPKYoIOmq7dILqWt7F2SKDn4pE0gn_r-pEIROK7tzGc7IkIROfZDzvJJRZxYX1sLfwiHBKAjeGdoUv3C_Tak/s1600/2015-05-29+10.56.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrgMZNCzfQDFVPk4tDobVa0TS90_dURX3PBbCxDi5etlOgOyMky_yEKhvPKYoIOmq7dILqWt7F2SKDn4pE0gn_r-pEIROK7tzGc7IkIROfZDzvJJRZxYX1sLfwiHBKAjeGdoUv3C_Tak/s200/2015-05-29+10.56.49.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ms. Ashley Eichhorn and I had our students make pinatas after reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/El-pi%C3%B1atero-The-Pi%C3%B1ata-Maker/dp/0152000607" target="_blank"><i>The Pinata Maker </i>by George Ancona</a>.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was such a mess, but sometimes it's just necessary to let the kiddos be a little messy. The pinatas turned out nicely!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To prevent the dreaded summer slide, we sent home an 8-week summer packet with each of the students. Each day the students will have five math and five literacy problems to complete. Depending on the student, each page will only take about 10-15 minutes to complete so it's just enough daily spiral review to help them retain what they have learned, but won't take up too much of their summer fun time. If the student brings back the packet completed during the first week of school, they will get a reward from their teacher.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you looking for a free summer packet to send home with your students? Or are you looking for a free summer packet to use with your own child? You can have a 5-day summer packet sample for students going into <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Freebie-Summer-Packet-Going-into-1st-Grade-1854301" target="_blank">first grade</a>, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Freebie-Summer-Packet-Going-into-2nd-Grade-1222953" target="_blank">second grade</a>, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Freebie-Summer-Packet-Going-into-3rd-Grade-1256826" target="_blank">third grade</a>, or <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Freebie-Summer-Packet-Going-into-4th-Grade-1833510" target="_blank">fourth grade</a> for FREE!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or you can purchase the full
40-day summer packet for students going into <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Packet-Going-into-1st-Grade-1854268" target="_blank">first grade</a>, <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Packet-Going-into-2nd-Grade-1215211" target="_blank">second grade</a>,
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Packet-Going-into-3rd-Grade-1256831" target="_blank">third grade</a>, or <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Packet-Going-into-4th-Grade-1833326" target="_blank">fourth grade</a>. Either one you choose, parents and
students will be delighted!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Packet-Going-into-1st-Grade-1854268" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Packet-Going-into-1st-Grade-1854268" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrOHNKzH9_JrkuJGYfyaGDMvLFQMQE5s8Ht4oOImVFbVl9649QwIEgmxhKc5IOjmzwVfcMkHwzoxkqmxmuDwNMPNQLSjoTdWJrinN9zmgFWbcpYvZWwKGOlGlBBJ_XChutZA0kR7soF8/s320/Cover.png" width="247" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Packet-Going-into-2nd-Grade-1215211" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Packet-Going-into-2nd-Grade-1215211" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhANzNFP1RO9JMk9zhsg61qDop65XKo3UKX666HuxrUlkTRx-ChI1TJL7k5n3RlRwMjqjRLW6AjtqPXf2rekSgSYxddDQjDTOipIoQwpHDGZdvtIUZbaHaYaYiiLqS_b5oEBlhnyo2H10c/s320/Cover.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Four more days until summer break! I cannot wait to lay by my pool with a good book and summer cocktail!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy summer everyone!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mai</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-9027500484572299412015-05-10T14:39:00.001-07:002015-05-10T14:39:47.918-07:00The Magic Finger by Roald Dahl<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I cannot believe I'll be wrapping up my ninth year of teaching in 17 days. Now that we have completed our state testing, we can spend the last four weeks with our kiddos, stress-free. While we are without the stress of tests, I still put a lot of pressure on myself to ensure the students are still actively engaged with fun and thorough lessons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I struggled all year to motivate the boys in my third grade reading intervention group. They're all very sweet boys and would always do what was asked of them, but I could always tell they were never genuinely interested in the lessons. I tried so many different approaches to actively engage them, but nothing seemed to work. Finally, we started a <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Magic-Finger-Book-Unit-1176046" target="_blank">book unit with <i>The Magic Finger </i>by Roald Dahl</a> and that seemed to do the trick.</span> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I had to use
binder clips to remind the students where to stop reading, otherwise, a
couple of the kiddos may have read the entire book in one night.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJLAba0DE2n8Td_IuNImBiVxYapB9A8RHkef0a84_bRhPBeLN8fwSvihqrVjmmPlPLyl5Obuydkm1xPYKnu970idu9JlF4EHg4HVpLq3y_BFL7tslhTcTcv-npAsuwA_0UfQPPDY-gdo/s1600/2015-04-16+10.45.31-blurred+w+arrow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJLAba0DE2n8Td_IuNImBiVxYapB9A8RHkef0a84_bRhPBeLN8fwSvihqrVjmmPlPLyl5Obuydkm1xPYKnu970idu9JlF4EHg4HVpLq3y_BFL7tslhTcTcv-npAsuwA_0UfQPPDY-gdo/s400/2015-04-16+10.45.31-blurred+w+arrow.png" width="397" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All of my students in this reading intervention group are ELL so we had to spend a lot of time with vocabulary words from the book. We defined and explored the first six vocabulary words before reading the book using various activities. The students used dictionaries to write the definition of each word. They also played charades and completed worksheets and puzzles for further practice. After reading the first two parts, I repeated the same process for the last six vocabulary words.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Magic-Finger-Book-Unit-1176046" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Magic-Finger-Book-Unit-1176046" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaBJ97XFRWxB2SVeEOOfMB2aJ7FhHwyuhRpTu8hptEX2Q7gej9pqlMnDtfiFzppFp9eHsfvpq5B5kzSrwL51FN_ksNM0lPG7oSutqCEny3YWumnNE9VHBPqyjKud4IBBcq1q90cyCzes4/s320/Vocab+Cards.png" width="248" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Magic-Finger-Book-Unit-1176046" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Magic-Finger-Book-Unit-1176046" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EVYZzkoM7EPNLiZFM-xMBe4hNxkGi0FVjDC6x92nTocxl72BAi-4hqZ-TrPuvT3crQ3Ax2n5HGHc6fJMRaoYmKeuBHS_S_mDwD8g1btyVQ70SJiKVNTWxql9kUdAuMTy72Smk0ir8BI/s320/Vocab+Wksht.png" width="247" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Magic-Finger-Book-Unit-1176046" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Magic-Finger-Book-Unit-1176046" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZypNjv_CBGq-LEp8CpkmL7jrV0cliWCAuZHU4VfCmlTovpII96soaUNJPm-1ROa2yVPbfdE7TqyZENl2QwEBa9E2HK4c3XArZGBIJk4mEmYtz_6rOrsttRCTOFCTwaG3hfcJStn6uriw/s320/Vocab+Word+Find.png" width="247" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Magic-Finger-Book-Unit-1176046" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Magic-Finger-Book-Unit-1176046" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREFOyeAzM0lCtCQlY1JUvj1hNN9_LThtuKkyv6FAOF_46ACrcH4bHSco9rHyn2dcxY8o4A1k0BHVLD6IV5CojdvLpRZ0AMlfxfo0dRKtfItIDCxquhapE6Bg8KAfn-rwlpX5DYB1lvYE/s320/Vocab+Crossword.png" width="248" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I read the first part of the book out loud to the students and then guided them through the first comprehension worksheet. I always teach and model how to complete the first comprehension worksheet so the students know some strategies for how they will complete the rest of the comprehension worksheets independently. Since the students are responsible for reading each part of the book independently, these worksheets are perfect to check to see if they read carefully. If they did, then they should get majority of the questions correct.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vMPVplpDf05eDs_Vs1kGXbgt9XW8knp-ocDlamaSHGtpiEpoyBKVXRsWLJfyEpGgv6ZcMRlpoVfFwotiaEGjnhxkDabphrNF02u4ynpdNrDNOuz7SA6tJs4b_NN7fXxnXV5dTCW40dM/s1600/Comp+Wksht.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vMPVplpDf05eDs_Vs1kGXbgt9XW8knp-ocDlamaSHGtpiEpoyBKVXRsWLJfyEpGgv6ZcMRlpoVfFwotiaEGjnhxkDabphrNF02u4ynpdNrDNOuz7SA6tJs4b_NN7fXxnXV5dTCW40dM/s320/Comp+Wksht.png" width="248" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After giving the students the task of reading the second part and completing the corresponding comprehension worksheet, I was thrilled to see the students leaving my classroom with their noses deep in the books.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oCV2Dk56YUrEX-U70VtlrgSikiGL9MrRu5U285GRChZfBJlrqMqFf1CM7gKqus5XBZVwuouMRzOi7Y217GnPxb5a7P3yaKFJmMQTjf5i6HaKiBF_b6UclXrwrkB-PK_pG5ahOcJdmzo/s1600/2015-04-16+10.59.52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oCV2Dk56YUrEX-U70VtlrgSikiGL9MrRu5U285GRChZfBJlrqMqFf1CM7gKqus5XBZVwuouMRzOi7Y217GnPxb5a7P3yaKFJmMQTjf5i6HaKiBF_b6UclXrwrkB-PK_pG5ahOcJdmzo/s400/2015-04-16+10.59.52.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6s1y1F047GwqRnTvGzSeScea-kcjzLXBO4qZjm875SbK1asROvi4B1ZVi0wLezpzar_Rungj5fAN9AP1hpco26hzPxqMlEmAX8Ai1RtT89VePTHBen59p5NsBf4hQoCbWfimEiLxT3k/s1600/2015-04-16+11.00.07-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6s1y1F047GwqRnTvGzSeScea-kcjzLXBO4qZjm875SbK1asROvi4B1ZVi0wLezpzar_Rungj5fAN9AP1hpco26hzPxqMlEmAX8Ai1RtT89VePTHBen59p5NsBf4hQoCbWfimEiLxT3k/s400/2015-04-16+11.00.07-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After reading part four (pages 30-39) my kiddos had a spontaneous discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of having wings instead of arms, just like the Greggs. This gave me the idea to lead the students in an activity to explore how difficult it would be to eat an apple without arms. So I brought in apples and had the students attempt to eat the apples without their hands. They had a blast trying. The kiddos and I couldn't stop laughing. It was a riot! It got a little gross when they laughed with a mouthful of apples and bits of it were flying everywhere, but I'm glad they enjoyed it. After a few minutes of trying, I let them finish their apples with their hands as they discussed and wrote in their journals what it was like to eat an apple without any hands.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH8YHmrwIelKFSi7pT2zziyXSjo1o0eDYmM5dWnTbdvzfriCJnhreal2CUYXcV5ADivlZGudmom_OBIgUFIKjsxVjANjIfGpj2NUjpZSPZqoly-izr6zwCTWIMmiFLBYRfvfj5uBN9-4/s1600/2015-05-08+10.37.50-blur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeH8YHmrwIelKFSi7pT2zziyXSjo1o0eDYmM5dWnTbdvzfriCJnhreal2CUYXcV5ADivlZGudmom_OBIgUFIKjsxVjANjIfGpj2NUjpZSPZqoly-izr6zwCTWIMmiFLBYRfvfj5uBN9-4/s400/2015-05-08+10.37.50-blur.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCp8XbNjd8JoglB120cTRBBDLTDGm_YgJ5BW8jjHmCobWVTGY29b-_6xNUnPaogK0NHmmag3OdYHe9fy46gWs-24GRS5Zj50HpC7LwRPdHKecHPdaxkWLrGO2FpBhMSs-F-xzFVnvbs9U/s1600/2015-05-08+10.38.05-blur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCp8XbNjd8JoglB120cTRBBDLTDGm_YgJ5BW8jjHmCobWVTGY29b-_6xNUnPaogK0NHmmag3OdYHe9fy46gWs-24GRS5Zj50HpC7LwRPdHKecHPdaxkWLrGO2FpBhMSs-F-xzFVnvbs9U/s400/2015-05-08+10.38.05-blur.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finished the book unit in about a week and a half. The last activity involved choosing one of the writing prompts as shown below. I'll post their writing piece as soon as they are finished. I told the boys we would be starting the new book unit in a few days and they actually cheered! I was elated!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Magic-Finger-Book-Unit-1176046" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Magic-Finger-Book-Unit-1176046" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqba5iFPhIbxZ85nblph_TGI0yECgyI14C847GbOoVepx8D0j8aDskRndqOmnO6ILP4IHnqFrbBk1Ebs-Yc0ctEUk5iqSk3JwH3m-sGXGw3N_fUm60Iv3dTcYRQb5fUJuZfKG_HGk2xU/s320/Writing+Wksht+2.png" width="248" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Magic-Finger-Book-Unit-1176046" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Magic-Finger-Book-Unit-1176046" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNHCXgENID5lrdyLmI6Gohn-_mb3C5Lm0YuQvPcFFQUHJ78_Qbdns9y9a24k6PYvLtO7EMERgJXKv_iHtBuTI4ModEHfcrcyEN_uYEMvuu6fWgFxYAN_eRmmuISvPKczY7cBbE10fwOrI/s320/Writing+Wksht.png" width="248" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Four more weeks until summer vacation! When does the school year end for you?</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-13094482658329378672015-04-11T09:41:00.000-07:002015-04-18T09:35:35.344-07:00Chocolate Fever by Robert Kimmel Smith<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://shop.scholastic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplayView?productId=86567&langId=-1&storeId=10751&catalogId=10004" target="_blank"><i>Chocolate Fever</i> by Robert Kimmel Smith</a> was a hit with my students last year, so I decided to use the book again this year. I have been using the <a href="http://www.heinemann.com/fountasandpinnell/lli_Overview.aspx" target="_blank">Fountas and Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention</a> (2nd grade blue system) and have now reached the end of the kit with my 3rd grade reading intervention group. They have made incredible strides, but unfortunately, my school doesn't have the next kit (3rd grade red system) so I had to find something else to use to ensure they continue to get closer to reading on-level.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chocolate-Fever-Book-Unit-1798040" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chocolate-Fever-Book-Unit-1798040" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEityePkNh33dTG-OcyHprFowZYzORlBmtBxwgP-ENbl5eO9Tk7N5_8Iqy5Q_nNnxT8JBA-LA4bxaFSjEfKxlulP6q1gQd12Mjq61rIp5390OOfdcBWVRydIir8lTHYLV4ZE6OfdhiNplXg/s1600/Cover.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is a high percentage of ELL students at my school so I have to spend a lot of time launching any new unit to allow students adequate time to build background knowledge, connect to previous learning and focus on learning new vocabulary. <i>Chocolate Fever</i> was the perfect selection because the students were immediately interested in the story and were immediately engaged.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To introduce the new vocabulary words, I had the students cut out the first page of six vocabulary flashcards. Next, with a partner the students "turned and talked" to discuss what they think each word means from what they already know or from the picture clue on each card. Then, the students used a dictionary to write the definition on the back of each card. It was great listening in on the students and hearing them say, "I was right!" or "I've never heard of that word." Last, to wrap up the lesson, we played vocabulary charades. The next set of vocabulary words don't appear until after chapter 4 so the students began reading the first few chapters before I repeated the same process for the next set of words.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKI3b9_nZcJrKDkc0KMFd_ArBaeOYozFSMUS3-6Vhs9PGFBM8ZmkpMJVFOutRrnKCjXVtTqIT3f-qIo0Gm0mYt3huz22zqwNLoyBBFpAIy-PM1popMFLRPL-Fq6K1c0bA4F6oxUuPdqvk/s1600/Vocab+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKI3b9_nZcJrKDkc0KMFd_ArBaeOYozFSMUS3-6Vhs9PGFBM8ZmkpMJVFOutRrnKCjXVtTqIT3f-qIo0Gm0mYt3huz22zqwNLoyBBFpAIy-PM1popMFLRPL-Fq6K1c0bA4F6oxUuPdqvk/s1600/Vocab+pic.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chocolate-Fever-Book-Unit-1798040" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chocolate-Fever-Book-Unit-1798040" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kJFgYhd-65AVREQA0VmvsLd3hHD4Kx-g1M4xN8aNdtVVKELeti_OL7WaVwouTMnzMVidEANZLXqyNgzVhdchm0a4fuJ-OLqEZBAs9OlaX0NwMGI3cJgseqjTV6-piDA_Kdfmj58DaOk/s1600/Thumbnail.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After launching the book, I did a read aloud for the just the first chapter. Afterwards, I explained to the students that they would be responsible for reading the rest of the chapters independently. I use a short comprehension worksheet to check if they read each of the assigned chapters. If they read the chapter carefully, they should be able to get majority of the questions correct. I then took a few minutes to model how to complete the first comprehension worksheet. When students come back the next day after reading the assigned chapter, they work on their comprehension worksheet. Here is an example of a comprehension worksheet:</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chocolate-Fever-Book-Unit-1798040" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chocolate-Fever-Book-Unit-1798040" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7P91ULQdwHL0siUkOGjSTCLK8Cq8X7Fkc3VPGEyAu3_-kjjZXhhzmNWN2Tn52EwbGQKp18sNYlG-2hIe7ILGQyz6GHXJJmlgMCCjWTnntWNfb1QgdV10NlRv7qxfpK7NKWLLcq9Baxg/s1600/Thumbnail-2.jpg" height="400" width="306" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since students work at different paces, the "fast and right" students use the extra time to work on the vocabulary word find and the vocabulary crossword puzzle.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumSnCVyP49_RHp2h3picVBaCJHxDcY87jFPVq7y03b4T58ikyJ_RgmEGm1SF7KyGY2H9Vqd3lsBfM6IYBshsipqUiGdzoLeCTG5VjnUG9Jd2aM7VWHeuB8al1aTHHozCrUdHSz3JkSMI/s1600/Word+Find+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumSnCVyP49_RHp2h3picVBaCJHxDcY87jFPVq7y03b4T58ikyJ_RgmEGm1SF7KyGY2H9Vqd3lsBfM6IYBshsipqUiGdzoLeCTG5VjnUG9Jd2aM7VWHeuB8al1aTHHozCrUdHSz3JkSMI/s1600/Word+Find+Pic.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I also gave them a fun activity to work on after I read the first chapter. They had to draw pictures of items they might find in Henry's pantry. Most of the students didn't finish with the time I gave them in class, so this was another great "fast and right" activity in addition to the word find and the crossword puzzle.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPjq_JNzV-bXHOPompAx71z0IhaWQo-VXgv3s1K8cS6pVh30Zx-5aCd93Rkg38m-YzJ69NsC_mhGGePpuf6aSCmPsLBw2MmJ5qd6zBV6PomdLe8JfSNrCzW8wXHsBptk1Akap1xd_adw/s1600/Pantry+Cover+Pic-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPjq_JNzV-bXHOPompAx71z0IhaWQo-VXgv3s1K8cS6pVh30Zx-5aCd93Rkg38m-YzJ69NsC_mhGGePpuf6aSCmPsLBw2MmJ5qd6zBV6PomdLe8JfSNrCzW8wXHsBptk1Akap1xd_adw/s1600/Pantry+Cover+Pic-2.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WH_NwcO_70AuLEj8DjgLAxF-FQheDu8BdaF1Ux3SvBb3jsKN7oOjJ6tjBJTS8Z7OoZPKTpG8Nj_oVVn_gdlqxo_-ax4zd6XZlwSDEQ91vmhzZx9goJGa0sqZFGBY84NdKszatj0ucUk/s1600/Pantry+Cover+Pic-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WH_NwcO_70AuLEj8DjgLAxF-FQheDu8BdaF1Ux3SvBb3jsKN7oOjJ6tjBJTS8Z7OoZPKTpG8Nj_oVVn_gdlqxo_-ax4zd6XZlwSDEQ91vmhzZx9goJGa0sqZFGBY84NdKszatj0ucUk/s1600/Pantry+Cover+Pic-4.jpeg" height="320" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCInN2qsuNB2WU5Rpa_1rQX6Ij19QdY3fpyX8qG16pUtRqRyiVn-ZeOFzGzoysbt-0Hbc0YIup3tm-RsFhJd-3CZei0MfGaS624ZW_TlkfyWHchvOSI3zyf-cGWDBhBlPaNM0N6z1U-Y/s1600/Pantry+Inside+Pic.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCInN2qsuNB2WU5Rpa_1rQX6Ij19QdY3fpyX8qG16pUtRqRyiVn-ZeOFzGzoysbt-0Hbc0YIup3tm-RsFhJd-3CZei0MfGaS624ZW_TlkfyWHchvOSI3zyf-cGWDBhBlPaNM0N6z1U-Y/s1600/Pantry+Inside+Pic.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In addition to reading the chapter as an assignment, I gave the students one other task to complete as they are reading at home. It's very important for students to read the vocabulary words in the context of the story so I gave each student <a href="http://officemax.com/a/products/160064/Post-it-Flags-12-x-1/" target="_blank">Post-it Flags</a> and instructed them to "highlight" each vocabulary word as they read. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1fpz8GoSlyf19zgX4FHNwTnEG1NFJD4MUlrK_wzEcxirS7fFWqTzVEgJQiAlJWe3tC7V6Re2jZciCgjmC18Pp0v140KHrbLniw3EBpFHI_AD8q5DPncEgP3QzWbMySq6zk2cKqtRjR4/s1600/Vocab+pic2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1fpz8GoSlyf19zgX4FHNwTnEG1NFJD4MUlrK_wzEcxirS7fFWqTzVEgJQiAlJWe3tC7V6Re2jZciCgjmC18Pp0v140KHrbLniw3EBpFHI_AD8q5DPncEgP3QzWbMySq6zk2cKqtRjR4/s1600/Vocab+pic2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rFGANt9ZfRneXa562BeM3Zg3gLWIUJCoE4RTH8fiNHJ9DUAvD1iYi7rOsCEIiuFYwvlJ_eU6c-2A4Ke1UybAS0_d-PtlO37h00-TAICRuNx36yTvl0w6CQ2Szaj1lFCVSlZuy7LvwJk/s1600/Vocab+pic4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rFGANt9ZfRneXa562BeM3Zg3gLWIUJCoE4RTH8fiNHJ9DUAvD1iYi7rOsCEIiuFYwvlJ_eU6c-2A4Ke1UybAS0_d-PtlO37h00-TAICRuNx36yTvl0w6CQ2Szaj1lFCVSlZuy7LvwJk/s1600/Vocab+pic4.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The students were assigned to read chapter 5 and 6 over the weekend. I'm anticipating a very lively discussion on Monday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanks to the <a href="http://brynnallison.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Literacy Maven</a> for hosting the linky! </span><br />
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<a href="http://brynnallison.blogspot.com/2015/04/page-turners-fostering-love-of-reading.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://brynnallison.blogspot.com/2015/04/page-turners-fostering-love-of-reading.html" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdXTLUiDJVHYw7rz96MRCfwCudyQ3fLwO9l5Yi7jNqhgdPHYgKl_UkgjCyTd6w-TsmHbL4I8U-yrhoMYgSYA_5bgjXaPhuoKR8pGhtiHPAJAiFU8-Fdz7ZrfZvbffDULqf9wu2swBua8c/s1600/Wednesday+Page+Turners.png" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-76298112052321498992014-08-23T17:37:00.000-07:002014-08-23T17:38:59.885-07:00Gone are the days by the pool, And here we are back to school!<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I swear, I didn't mean to rhyme :) I'm linking up a little late with <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doodle Bugs Teaching</a> with my <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2014/08/five-for-friday-linky-party-august-22nd.html" target="_blank">Five for Friday</a> (on Saturday).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. I work with some of the most talented and creative people. I was gone for three days at the <a href="https://minnesotareadingcorps.org/" target="_blank">Minnesota Reading Corps</a> Summer Institute (more on that below) and when I came back on Friday, this is what I saw:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhpe9Ve2SwPWwEFkZYsKC90wqbi8NM3dG0uM3hNv73rMQ1ObxIEJfqg47WZdLE5t2Flie0dmtxyyGci7DwvL6Iou6e6fpUtXWrOXl4DH5TtgL0Cp0n5738c4vjbpGtwqHS1y1rFe8DRA/s1600/doordecoration5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhpe9Ve2SwPWwEFkZYsKC90wqbi8NM3dG0uM3hNv73rMQ1ObxIEJfqg47WZdLE5t2Flie0dmtxyyGci7DwvL6Iou6e6fpUtXWrOXl4DH5TtgL0Cp0n5738c4vjbpGtwqHS1y1rFe8DRA/s1600/doordecoration5.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rouCvG3smNWourtwiW0nP2xR5Hp3omR2dR9YYHQ6OaazT-dYRMyRg1ka7QXvFkx1IRrk3mGSPm7e17k2iL9bx0sJzfPHNjq8sgx-FTvbwI9hS2fpV3JQBWFN5J0-9ZvPdDKkmPb-DEg/s1600/ReachCurriculum.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rouCvG3smNWourtwiW0nP2xR5Hp3omR2dR9YYHQ6OaazT-dYRMyRg1ka7QXvFkx1IRrk3mGSPm7e17k2iL9bx0sJzfPHNjq8sgx-FTvbwI9hS2fpV3JQBWFN5J0-9ZvPdDKkmPb-DEg/s1600/ReachCurriculum.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_K_Vgb4RxCIewAK1470kdf5IYwCYJsyxdSbsIQQ2zdqhnhOj0G5FxoNpyVhQVlXMCk1TjqzO7pmtPD7xrwZNK9Ez67Q1vDUKJmfrhBiExq4l4IKOL7yvuqXcuyjD6oYfAoUmV_G5dik/s1600/doordecoration2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_K_Vgb4RxCIewAK1470kdf5IYwCYJsyxdSbsIQQ2zdqhnhOj0G5FxoNpyVhQVlXMCk1TjqzO7pmtPD7xrwZNK9Ez67Q1vDUKJmfrhBiExq4l4IKOL7yvuqXcuyjD6oYfAoUmV_G5dik/s1600/doordecoration2.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We were thrilled to meet the kiddos and their families at our school's open house earlier this week. The children were excited and and seemed eager to return to school. I have a feeling this school year will be one of the best!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. While we have been putting 12+ hours each day decorating and organizing our classrooms, we have also been spending a lot of time digging into our new reading curriculum, <a href="http://www.ngsptechnology.com/tabid/1403/Default.aspx" target="_blank">National Geographic Reach</a>, which so far seems to be the best curriculum out there for targeting the high percentage of our ELL students. There is also the standard version too for schools with a lower percentage of ELL students, <a href="http://www.ngsptechnology.com/PRODUCTS/NationalGeographicReachforReading/tabid/1606/Default.aspx" target="_blank">National Geographic Reach for Reading</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnB_9e2bN3e6cdf7hvlscrYMNm9ThyyaiWwGNlYwXv6hvNoiTD_D4WV6yn0rbYs0SuUtmYFUZSMWNyfv7z2PB6wB_G8xy1uy6-Pj0zQSE3wqNIx36C57LbFWzcDsc-_oPCOB-K_LpR5-k/s1600/ReachCurriculum.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnB_9e2bN3e6cdf7hvlscrYMNm9ThyyaiWwGNlYwXv6hvNoiTD_D4WV6yn0rbYs0SuUtmYFUZSMWNyfv7z2PB6wB_G8xy1uy6-Pj0zQSE3wqNIx36C57LbFWzcDsc-_oPCOB-K_LpR5-k/s1600/ReachCurriculum.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I really like what I see so far. The curriculum is completely aligned with the <a href="http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/" target="_blank">Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts</a>. The carefully aligned standards are taught through content with a huge emphasis in science and social studies. The textbook is filled with all of those exciting and beautiful pictures we have seen all of our lives in the National Geographic magazines. Also, we have access to several exclusive National Geographic videos that are tied to the content we are teaching in the classroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And here's my favorite part: this curriculum encourages teachers to, well, shut up! Admit it! We teachers talk way too much! The teaching guides give the teachers specific academic language frames during each activity to increase peer-to-peer interaction. Language proficiency will only happen if we give our students ample opportunities to interact with each other. Less teacher talk = more student interaction = increased language proficiency!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What experience have you had with the National Geographic Reach curriculum? Please share with me! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. At the end of the last school year, I gave the first grade and second grade classroom teachers a <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Packet-Going-into-2nd-Grade-1215211" target="_blank">summer packet</a> that I created to give to their students on the last day of school. The classroom teachers gave the students an incentive to complete and return the packets during the first week of school. Several of the students came to our open house rushing to their previous teachers to return the <i>completed</i> packets. We were stunned and might I add, proud! The parents and families of our students were very appreciative of the modest amount of work we gave them. I hope the summer review has helped them retain what they learned last year. I guess we'll see!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anyway, after seeing the summer packets I created, a few of the teachers asked if I had plans to make morning work following the same format. My original answer was no because it's so much work, but over the last couple of weeks, I was able to put together <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/1st-Grade-Morning-Work-1410012" target="_blank">1st grade morning work for September</a>. I'm committed to the project now, so stay tuned for the rest of the months...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. I am now the internal coach for our school's <a href="https://minnesotareadingcorps.org/get-involved/become-a-member" target="_blank">Reading Corps Tutor</a>. We are so lucky to have recruited a full-time tutor that will be working with Tier 2 children, 1:1, on a daily basis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While I'm thrilled we are receiving the extra support at our school, I was a little bummed that I had to miss <i>three</i> days of professional development to attend the training for internal coaches. I was happy to be back at school on Friday. Being gone for three days felt like being gone for three months!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I don't know too much about Reading Corps and its potential impact on students and the school as a whole, so I will share what I learn along the way!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What experience have you had with Reading Corps?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. I love my new home! Each morning I step onto my deck and this is the view I have of downtown Minneapolis.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Click the image below to join the Five for Friday linky! Thanks Doodle Bugs Teaching</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Enjoy the rest of the weekend and happy new school year!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mai </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-2520331520373075302014-07-19T13:48:00.000-07:002014-07-19T13:48:47.784-07:00It's time to start thinking about BACK TO SCHOOL!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks Ellie from <a href="http://misswoodwardsclass.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ms. Woodward's Class</a> for spending the last three and a half hours with me over coffee and lunch! We came armed with our laptops ready to tackle the ever-growing list of things to do to be ready for back-to-school. Catching up with Ms. Woodward gave me some much-needed motivation for thinking about back to school. It's hard to believe that we're already nearing the end of July.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This summer has proven to be the busiest summer I've ever had. For starters, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also just completed the second week of summer school with the new, incoming kindergartners. Because I teach reading in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade, summer is the only opportunity I ever get to teach kindergarteners. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We focused on counting, identifying and writing the numbers 1-5. I used a lot of finger plays like "Five Little Ducks" and "Five Little Monkeys" to engage the children. First, I read the books to the children encouraging them to join in with the predictable pattern while counting backwards with their fingers. </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/five-little-ducks-pamela-paparone/1100322312?ean=9781558587007" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/five-little-ducks-pamela-paparone/1100322312?ean=9781558587007" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQTYoH6NnXPDWNQbU9RXKD5mJSoLJPd8ye6IHHkpC4zqCzKPa4umC1kjt0tQW0PLpUTw7Znr6tiEYIrvHjp6WAJHekPqUywU14WAeCBXTXkHHywtnyZNXF2dgICMS_vnfyUAK4pk9Po4/s1600/Five+Little+Ducks.jpg" height="181" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/five-little-monkeys-jumping-on-the-bed-eileen-christelow/1100465944?ean=9780395557013" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/five-little-monkeys-jumping-on-the-bed-eileen-christelow/1100465944?ean=9780395557013" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouGDmfT5Ia2CxowmyntvhGTBJXh3cywWg79Q6B07CWVSThDvxT2fToDLqst1N7CdZ9k-IVjIb710GedCQsOMjdUmpbiXeWnecKTqE8Hk0inih33DT2QfLt7s52F8wbpUs4RW2_sVLV64/s1600/Five+Little+Monkeys.jpg" height="162" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, I printed <a href="http://www.classroomjr.com/make-way-for-ducklings-worksheets/duckling-mask-color/" target="_blank">duck</a> and <a href="http://www.craftjr.com/printable-animal-masks-monkey-mask/printable-monkey-mask-2/" target="_blank">monkey</a> masks and glued them onto craft sticks for the children to act out each story.</span> Click on the images below to be redirected to <a href="http://www.classroomjr.com/" target="_blank">Classroom Jr. Teaching Resources</a> to print your own masks.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.classroomjr.com/make-way-for-ducklings-worksheets/duckling-mask-color/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.classroomjr.com/make-way-for-ducklings-worksheets/duckling-mask-color/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWcx9n0QIgR_fCBphhHUG_iUaLg0f94DtDjT3mc1s7RrexHdWbvRudanpqwJyp7wPAWZAx2o3IVbdbzrltDcvF24NaAuFDrRtPxAT03o_1-wi50z1Wy4tXVApsPSNquZLV0irOh00b4I/s1600/Duck+Mask.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.craftjr.com/printable-animal-masks-monkey-mask/printable-monkey-mask-2/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.craftjr.com/printable-animal-masks-monkey-mask/printable-monkey-mask-2/" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmdlp-ePlwoXWU0wka5Cz5zEoA_Wt7Y6DWofNozekratRvI9M6nRk2sBmQU0O9MuTXUtQ2mCkl3UYw-WzTu06YsSRO5t3nki1Fwq7OgxFssO2jlhGcIgjbMCwZc6zfbRhkuYzLm0Y4a4/s1600/Monkey+Mask.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I purchased a set of <a href="http://www.dollartree.com/Bingo-Markers-2-8-oz-/p309567/index.pro" target="_blank">12 bingo daubers from the Dollar Tree</a> and a ton of stickers. The students practiced number formations using the daubers and stickers before attempting to write the numbers with a pencil.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabL9wOwNhj3FxRH4yPIzW5I5E-esh9eCVt3hsRATMwXKFYzkH-S30Eb7X73pxXaXL-cnKwbvamWyHJeE98zBCJYtoJ_Z-9Nk6T6LfgpVXBAIkfasCR6n7Hq5f3gykoZyWj3Cvr6B7Z9c/s1600/Stickering+Numbers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabL9wOwNhj3FxRH4yPIzW5I5E-esh9eCVt3hsRATMwXKFYzkH-S30Eb7X73pxXaXL-cnKwbvamWyHJeE98zBCJYtoJ_Z-9Nk6T6LfgpVXBAIkfasCR6n7Hq5f3gykoZyWj3Cvr6B7Z9c/s1600/Stickering+Numbers.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To help the children practice writing, identifying and counting numbers 1-5, I created several <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Numbers-0-10-Worksheets-Activities-and-Posters-1333738" target="_blank">practice worksheets and activities</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Numbers-0-10-Worksheets-Activities-and-Posters-1333738" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Numbers-0-10-Worksheets-Activities-and-Posters-1333738" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDIbY7kxVDWXLE_V9Jw-kidpFkY_tqdc-wWkfvcb6ppTQhgebHsLI3VhqSNI0VyHYhIVGVApoUW_BIUyAu8SQJrNb2pxEFULPohW-XO0EhbDv2v6FFYFWQTdvQU2HCUmsZsOvtRvL-9Q/s1600/Ice+Cream+Cones.jpeg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Numbers-0-10-Worksheets-Activities-and-Posters-1333738" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Numbers-0-10-Worksheets-Activities-and-Posters-1333738" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpG7E1BHxGI-ULN0xPmDIAvR1O8hn9KX7WNCsBrINypR730o4bOFeTbL5dc5RwyN8OqYLSAQphnWD4t4yxpXCL7mkoosIkH2iD_ol4aGJ3pjiX4m2qFEcx-FA_zUWOBlFvYNLpvkCh0IQ/s1600/Worksheet.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Numbers-0-10-Worksheets-Activities-and-Posters-1333738" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Numbers-0-10-Worksheets-Activities-and-Posters-1333738" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4nFWKl-KMxFUI3A5qlssfth2_JGL9xDsXDv8mR2jyCczBNItzslCy4DFcLsA5dUIer2LhTpIYcAm0AZnknWaShbBbn1RUVbKSuc8mVDlwjpSKBveL4V0cceIQacvUaieX6Bbwlelyd94/s1600/Cut+and+Paste.jpg" height="320" width="242" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our theme for summer school is "Under the Sea." After reading and learning about sea animals, the students made their own fish.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaB-I_fCDpzLHldAN2iQl02pnn6WLiu_leJXXi6y2eqkufN1H4SJqkGwaTZSy7lpWpxuT7UjtHC8P6otLJD4raKP3tAn8PBcHEtPYctHlotRgQkpjkLkqaWZNcaCUQLsd0Ii4pIuP-gqg/s1600/Making+Fish.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaB-I_fCDpzLHldAN2iQl02pnn6WLiu_leJXXi6y2eqkufN1H4SJqkGwaTZSy7lpWpxuT7UjtHC8P6otLJD4raKP3tAn8PBcHEtPYctHlotRgQkpjkLkqaWZNcaCUQLsd0Ii4pIuP-gqg/s1600/Making+Fish.jpeg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am also currently taking an intensive, 3-credit course in Foundations of Reading. It's the first of six courses I am taking to get obtain my additional license in reading instruction. While this course has been a lot of work, I love having the opportunity to communicate and share with other teachers from all over the Twin Cities. The two books below are required reading for the course. I highly recommend them for any K-12 teacher, regardless of the grade and content area you teach. Reading and discussing the books has reignited a dormant part of my brain. I can't wait to apply the reading instructional strategies I have learned in my classroom in the fall.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lenses-Reading-Second-Edition-Introduction/dp/1462504701/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405799637&sr=8-1&keywords=lenses+on+reading" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/Lenses-Reading-Second-Edition-Introduction/dp/1462504701/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405799637&sr=8-1&keywords=lenses+on+reading" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vMdue5kqS7FqWQO0rrga9inmlW_-RZaaVDWWkklvQYP5OAKfZ1qM67aLpMCE9RtLQRt7qxiet2Pp9iLbXnq4KO04Tq9cohCYM3_Q1I0HM8U08ZC12lR6jC2tPzHc0Tx25wRmaPJFgBo/s1600/Lenses+on+Reading.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Practices-Literacy-Instruction-Fourth-Edition/dp/1609181786/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405799680&sr=8-1&keywords=best+practices+in+literacy+instruction" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/Practices-Literacy-Instruction-Fourth-Edition/dp/1609181786/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405799680&sr=8-1&keywords=best+practices+in+literacy+instruction" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTjEQmcYhycyfYhgmXByM4fVif94d6RrxsIAldehQz3ANzyDOW0DnO1mDuGKXlyGJjmT1RTQXckFCuMnca1_CTi6k-GOrStUNqKCzjE9GUSsPmpBwGL5MgDOpjqmed2J-AA5cWyjOxqs/s1600/Best+Practices+in+Literacy+Instruction.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy the rest of the weekend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mai </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-25124392023010806382014-05-02T20:05:00.000-07:002014-05-02T20:05:14.301-07:00Five for Friday-5/2/14<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. My New Nephew</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlakWLsiuG5hiVxlprWfOwwPLlegI3xBsDFhu1z4RWjd9W10vvqqudYESF2CfOfkM12vSsTFxvwdr_p3C2d4ShQFCgsChL1xE6eFEgOxX_9Wuj4h8sbdevQcPOM0dzXnW5jUoBehgb75E/s1600/5Friday-May2-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlakWLsiuG5hiVxlprWfOwwPLlegI3xBsDFhu1z4RWjd9W10vvqqudYESF2CfOfkM12vSsTFxvwdr_p3C2d4ShQFCgsChL1xE6eFEgOxX_9Wuj4h8sbdevQcPOM0dzXnW5jUoBehgb75E/s1600/5Friday-May2-1.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Grumpy Teacher has a new nephew! My sister Linh welcomed her second child, William, earlier this week on Wednesday. While I've had my fair share of experiences with newborns, I still have to admit, newborns terrify me. They're like aliens. I called my niece "E.T." for the first few months of her life and this little newbie to the world is no exception. But for an alien, he's still pretty darn cute.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. Testing, Testing and More Testing</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe4UoDV-z1zsh1RXkGeiLU7QpPmZeYzqFqbEJfVQSBuWFO3MfeTOBcXQiZjmmepl6B9TIp2fDaLlMI49qxkfUalMu6ok3fabm_t6FhIUduUhyphenhyphenhxN9TegfqFxBApKa1e0OAShcjgtucGM/s1600/5Friday-May2-2.jpeg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe4UoDV-z1zsh1RXkGeiLU7QpPmZeYzqFqbEJfVQSBuWFO3MfeTOBcXQiZjmmepl6B9TIp2fDaLlMI49qxkfUalMu6ok3fabm_t6FhIUduUhyphenhyphenhxN9TegfqFxBApKa1e0OAShcjgtucGM/s1600/5Friday-May2-2.jpeg.jpg" height="216" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We just completed our second week of the <a href="http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/SchSup/TestAdmin/MNTests/" target="_blank">Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments</a>, our state's standardized tests. Testing is so taxing on the children, but I'm continually amazed by the students' motivation and enthusiasm. They worked hard all year long and really shined over the last two weeks. My wonderful colleague in 4th grade left a treat each morning for her students--the treats and notes really got the children excited!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. Fun with Idioms</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A few weeks ago, I spent several days creating an <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Amelia-Bedelia-Book-Unit-and-Idioms-1215279" target="_blank">Amelia Bedelia Book Unit</a>. I love this book by Peggy Parish and couldn't wait to launch this book unit with a lesson on idioms. The kiddos had so much fun with idioms. I used "Hit the Hay" to introduce idioms. I created posters to display in the classroom to remind the students the meaning of the words <i>literal </i>and <i>implied</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I Do:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Amelia-Bedelia-Book-Unit-and-Idioms-1215279" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Amelia-Bedelia-Book-Unit-and-Idioms-1215279" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3tnRVDhy0dHi8ZVR2ZzcDKjP7AT9TtvzyH_gdc8LGJdndjJfl1cxYFCGW8LpPWO3SF_NRt3_kEtooTbHbsaRzc7RCWTqfEjMivdIV_RJv_Y3fCwJxYvhUi3sHSkfg-0MLOYoIBH6sJVY/s1600/IdiomPosters.jpg" height="246" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We Do:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaooM3qTnnAcsiFiUKsEfof9hf4soTdszo-6uIzE9WZwx9Fy_dApO__rL6WjhKPJ1DX7-JheA093o0zVF-Q4UNJSYvr1pfIGo3xs57gJ6cvobEV53gznIHRgWVHHLNHcP77j-Sew5oAoY/s1600/5Friday-May2-3.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaooM3qTnnAcsiFiUKsEfof9hf4soTdszo-6uIzE9WZwx9Fy_dApO__rL6WjhKPJ1DX7-JheA093o0zVF-Q4UNJSYvr1pfIGo3xs57gJ6cvobEV53gznIHRgWVHHLNHcP77j-Sew5oAoY/s1600/5Friday-May2-3.jpg.png" height="397" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You Do:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWyis-PUKJNq2M8EjM8WPFkC388GBpW4lQYvzLqBY9cEzd_W2Fy2mOes4MQ1X5F3S4pTpj2eU2RJvOt3o1w5IyGpjJueBm6WqKVm14CDGTLeCZflOqr885_A1c4w2w-ZHV2CmW-G0wEg/s1600/StudentWork-Idioms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWWyis-PUKJNq2M8EjM8WPFkC388GBpW4lQYvzLqBY9cEzd_W2Fy2mOes4MQ1X5F3S4pTpj2eU2RJvOt3o1w5IyGpjJueBm6WqKVm14CDGTLeCZflOqr885_A1c4w2w-ZHV2CmW-G0wEg/s1600/StudentWork-Idioms.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since majority of my students are ELL students, I wanted to make sure they had a firm understanding of key vocabulary words from the book before actually reading it. After teaching each of the 12 vocabulary words, I had the students cut out the vocabulary cards to review the definition of each vocabulary word. After reviewing for about 5 minutes, we played "Pictionary" using the the vocabulary words. The students and I had a ball! For each remaining day of the week, they spent about 5 minutes to complete a vocabulary worksheet for further practice. The kiddos are anxious to read the book next week.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Amelia-Bedelia-Book-Unit-and-Idioms-1215279" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Amelia-Bedelia-Book-Unit-and-Idioms-1215279" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxf7GgCjGHVSGAbAqHtkuiqnyGqobuJAl8r_aOcODfkThtdsPWqupNDgVW3dVqrW6dpdBjx9yq0uMgtidgYUC8BTBJo7RLZIpoXCFazVLQ9f5wnZ74ufE7v0GGYK7dNYWb67nDTGNsmw/s1600/Collage.png" height="384" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. The Countdown to Summer Vacation</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The week of rain definitely made us even more anxious for summer vacation. It's hard to believe we just have a month left of school. While we teachers all look forward to the much needed break, we also all dread the "summer slide" and worry about what the students will retain once they come back in the fall. Back when I used to teach first grade, I would send home a summer packet to review the concepts we covered throughout the year in math and reading. The daily review summer packet would take on average 10-15 minutes each day for the students complete so it provided just enough daily practice for 8 weeks without cutting too much into their "summer fun" time. The first grade teachers at my school were thrilled to receive a copy to send home with their kiddos. Get the first week of the <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Freebie-Summer-Packet-Going-into-2nd-Grade-1222953" target="_blank">Summer Packet: Going into 2nd Grade-FREEBIE</a>!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Packet-Going-into-2nd-Grade-1215211" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Summer-Packet-Going-into-2nd-Grade-1215211" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFX0xMqv_VW0jzsx0-YrCle7qmP1eORlXtP06GEPRBYnsKmPXrgnMNKjlycqMvNQ7Hy19AbmhNq3Ix3u5yu2dhY28ejEK_uSSixB4gwkY-vI7BWQA1J36kjXTHGUNN5uyoKSLTOAtmtfk/s1600/Collage.png" height="294" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. My New Watch</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It was so incredibly difficult saying goodbye to such a wonderful family. I spent the last four years tutoring three amazing sisters every Saturday morning. However, as I venture further and further into my career as a teacher, I'm finding spare time is difficult to come by to spend with my family and friends. I also hate saying this out loud, but now that I'm well into my 30s...I just get worn out so much quicker than I did in my 20s. While I love the challenge of additional responsibilities at my school, it was a tough decision to resign from my private tutoring position with this family. They surprised me on my last day with the most beautiful <a href="http://www.baume-et-mercier.com/en-us/hampton-10050.html" target="_blank">Baume & Mercier Hampton</a> watch, thanking me for the time I spent with their family. I was so touched!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanks to <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doodle Bugs Teaching</a> for the linky! Have a great weekend everyone!</span><br />
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<a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2014/05/five-for-friday-linky-party-may-2.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/2014/05/five-for-friday-linky-party-may-2.html" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bX8Y4Xx-a5tzoGLojtfGbul7NVcwvAy78UzJydvmeNww-E8CZZ2HUjRyVMTuYxlvACDtxI6BzzsscdB9BE9qGlXS_u-5tt3INJ2HsRly4xxk0kM1qInlRmnEMe9q5jkXmYvXAQwAzFk/s1600/Five+for+Friday.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-49945369040759538512014-04-30T21:09:00.000-07:002014-05-02T20:19:13.337-07:00A Random Act of Kindness<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm not quite sure why this random act of kindness happened, but it definitely brought me to tears. Some people might argue that everything brings me to tears, but this particular event truly made me cry because I was so overjoyed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A couple of my teacher friends and I went to dinner after work. As many of you are aware, when teachers gather together, the conversation inevitably turns to the sharing of classroom war stories. While I would love to say that we only shared inspiring and positive reflections of our teaching day...I just can't because it was a full-blown venting session. We've all been there right? We were in the middle of our rant when the bartender said, "For some unknown reason, the woman sitting next to you at the bar took care of the bill for all of you."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were elated...and confused. Why would she do that? Maybe she heard parts of our conversation and realized we were teachers and wanted to do something nice for Teacher Appreciation next week? Or perhaps she came into the restaurant knowing that she was going to pay for someone's bill and we just happened to be the lucky four who sat down next to her? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll never know why she chose us, but I'm fine with that. I'm fine with just knowing the ultimate message that she was probably trying to leave with us:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Be kind.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-77691184382279337222014-04-04T15:57:00.000-07:002014-04-04T15:57:17.173-07:00Freebie Friday: Magic Number Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will <b>love</b> this freebie! Sometimes a lesson ends a little earlier than expected and teachers need to reach into their toolkit to find something to occupy the kids for a few minutes. This is one of my favorites...<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Freebie-Magic-Number-Cards-1192404" target="_blank">Magic Number Cards</a>! Okay, so it's not really magic, but your students will think it is! Your students will be amazed when they learn their teacher has magical powers.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Freebie-Magic-Number-Cards-1192404" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Freebie-Magic-Number-Cards-1192404" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rHWg8PKpJ2DE0NArorTdGKShePKnJdsBGvk5WvimKNcq6m5A7GRy5sFsoa_1ctm57DiEn8cY0IEP7wHyXJwaPbrxGIbbHO-9b2cy5jl0vaTCHv_qyV7r75bgBL3c7n5aeTd8l3m1fKs/s1600/Binary+Number+Cards+Cover+Pic.png" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This simple math trick uses the binary number system. Don't worry, I'm not going to get into what a binary number system is and you certainly don't need to know it to dazzle your students with this trick. However, if you're curious, you should look it up--it's very cool!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, this is how it works:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MS. MAI: Johnny, I can read your brain! Pick a secret number from 1 to 63. DO NOT tell me what it is. Then, write it on this little whiteboard without letting me see it. (<i>This ensures that the student won't change his answer.)</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">JOHNNY: Okay. (<i>writes down the number</i>)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MS. MAI: Now, look at these 6 cards. Give me every card that has your secret number on it. If the card does not have your secret number on it, I do not want it.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGobWPzGFqrU4dKJLOo673DvHAW7t5hc89nmdAetP77y_-c_RwFoFay8tpKi-tkl__2dG1s-ohl5ncFiuMvBZLFBgSXk36m2WkS2Cl89OyJTmNnYvlct45wf2crLrFjujv_X_Sgjwpdo/s1600/6+Number+Cards.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGobWPzGFqrU4dKJLOo673DvHAW7t5hc89nmdAetP77y_-c_RwFoFay8tpKi-tkl__2dG1s-ohl5ncFiuMvBZLFBgSXk36m2WkS2Cl89OyJTmNnYvlct45wf2crLrFjujv_X_Sgjwpdo/s1600/6+Number+Cards.png" height="328" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">JOHNNY: Here you go Ms. Mai. Each of these cards have my secret number on it.</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfkLARQhFTG9UCFRjx24WTJZFDXD7cDsTutfgtt_sGdMw6W5Klg5sYuLsdzDlie3rO0JsdpWq3kRkg8JbuN66qG7PnIvVVj6DllBiiIBLyItJjAE6pYSRcWDCGRS5SosHWLoqSj4PUXI/s1600/3+cards.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfkLARQhFTG9UCFRjx24WTJZFDXD7cDsTutfgtt_sGdMw6W5Klg5sYuLsdzDlie3rO0JsdpWq3kRkg8JbuN66qG7PnIvVVj6DllBiiIBLyItJjAE6pYSRcWDCGRS5SosHWLoqSj4PUXI/s1600/3+cards.png" height="160" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MS. MAI: Hmmmmm...I'm reading your brain...(<i>add the first number in the upper left-hand corner on each card: 2 + 4 + 16 = 22). </i>Your secret number is...22!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">JOHNNY: (<i>shows the number 22, written on his board to the class)</i> How did you do that??</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MS. MAI: Magic.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you enjoy this freebie! Thanks for hosting "<a href="http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/2014/04/the-first-freebie-friday-of-april.html" target="_blank">Freebie Friday</a>" <a href="http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/p/welcome-to-tba.html" target="_blank">Teaching Blog Addict</a>!</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-7372758271085931432014-03-26T09:44:00.001-07:002014-03-26T09:47:31.233-07:00Kids Say the Darndest Things<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the years, my kiddos have given me several pieces of writing and artwork that make me laugh out loud. Here are a couple of my favorites.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other day, we finished a lesson a little bit early and the kiddos had about 5 minutes before moving to art, so I said they could use the extra time to draw a picture. While I was circulating around the room, this girl Vanessa kept asking me question after question. I was a bit distracted while checking in with one student so I just answered without paying much attention to what she was doing. Here are some of her questions:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vanessa: Ms. Mai, how do you spell your name?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: M-S period M-A-I</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vanessa: Ms. Mai, how old are you?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: 32.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vanessa: Ms. Mai, are you married?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: No.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vanessa: Ms. Mai, do you have kids?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: No.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the children lined up and left the classroom, this is what I found on my desk:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an old piece of writing from when I was teaching first grade for the first time in 2008...geez, that makes me feel old! The children had to write about the hero in their life. Yasmin chose me and this is what she wrote:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really liked how she said that I'm always nice, but then later stated that I'm a little mean...ha! But my favorite was her use of quotation marks. So funny!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-80044172372835353602014-02-05T04:50:00.001-08:002014-05-02T20:37:04.757-07:00What makes a Grumpy Teacher??<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While I love all of my students, they can really drive me insane sometimes. With all the cold weather we've had, I just don't understand why it's so cool to be cold! It's below-zero, yet the kiddos just hang the hood of their coats on their heads <i>without actually</i> putting on their coats or leave <i>holding </i>their mittens instead of wearing them...what gives?? That vein starts protruding out of my neck as I'm shouting at them, "Good grief...put your coat on! Why is it so cool to be cold?" And then they just give me <i>that</i> giggle, you know, the you're-too-old-and-unhip-to-understand giggle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Secondly...tiny pencils. Why is it so hard for students to part with their little pencils, even when I'm offering them new, free ones?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbSWdrAmOmiFObrXTYwCI1orPmKFFHqc1hz7PQvhdYxhNqB65izq_UCL7_Z13GR5FyMzdCYeSTKE5fR9V-6sp4CCMiU544WbSdMBgdU08H8kTjmYCLVYeg6ZBiF-uz7e4KmiyvH_cnKQ/s1600/tinypencil.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbSWdrAmOmiFObrXTYwCI1orPmKFFHqc1hz7PQvhdYxhNqB65izq_UCL7_Z13GR5FyMzdCYeSTKE5fR9V-6sp4CCMiU544WbSdMBgdU08H8kTjmYCLVYeg6ZBiF-uz7e4KmiyvH_cnKQ/s1600/tinypencil.jpeg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In case you're wondering, I discreetly stole this pencil from a student...I'm terrible!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And last, sometimes I'm a Grumpy Teacher when I'm just green with envy. This door decoration from one of the first grade teachers in my school just makes me want to hang my head in shame. I still have autumn leaves stuck to the windows of my classroom door...and I didn't even put them there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What makes you a Grumpy Teacher??</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-43097496659814060042014-01-31T04:42:00.000-08:002014-01-31T04:42:09.539-08:00Five for Friday...brrrrrrrr!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm linking up with <a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Doodle Bugs Teaching</a></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for my first "Five for Friday" post in the new year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did the celebration dance when our winter break was extended for two days due to the extreme cold. I welcomed the third "cold" snow day last week because I got a lot of chores done in my apartment. But when the fourth and fifth "cold" snow day of the school year was announced earlier this week on Monday and Tuesday, I started to dread the potential school days that might be added in June. Students don't want to learn in June and let's be honest, teachers don't want to teach in June. But what can you do? Then, we got dumped with snow early yesterday morning...my goodness. But we can't complain considering the situation in Atlanta...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eKVIfoMMSm65fiyj4CZGEhBrfn6w46WV2vTkNqJq0otJxDzZBEDYTMcezEVocxRUZ3LunJlIVCdwq2JaH8fCAaJ1dTNElR8B_H4c6CSkKtE_OmRt8h-eyCv9NaCNdd4DXCRVP2v_tJI/s1600/Five+for+Friday-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eKVIfoMMSm65fiyj4CZGEhBrfn6w46WV2vTkNqJq0otJxDzZBEDYTMcezEVocxRUZ3LunJlIVCdwq2JaH8fCAaJ1dTNElR8B_H4c6CSkKtE_OmRt8h-eyCv9NaCNdd4DXCRVP2v_tJI/s1600/Five+for+Friday-2.png" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An extra-long winter break made time for a "Sex in the City" marathon which directly resulted in an online shopping bonanza for me. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I bought a Vince Camuto down coat, a pair of Paige skinny jeans and a pair of Stuart Weitzman wedges. Within days of receiving the three little items that cost me a fortune, I suffered major guilt. I didn't <i>need</i> any of the items, I just really, really wanted them. But it's Carrie Bradshaw's fault for glamorizing the lifestyle of those who perpetually live paycheck-to-paycheck in exchange for designer clothing and shoes. After all, I am single and I <i>need </i>to look good! Anyway, the arctic chill we've been experiencing in good ol' Minnesota has helped ease the pain of buyer's remorse. I've gotten a lot of wear out of my new, warm coat. I can't wait for warmer weather so I can wear my new shoes!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_YDwuGw_vyLJBVMxoYbc9oAOX_ToK5t0_jXxlVWNS5K8214WNd2GRvzxVF8KtWpCinigJEy_4mKsufBKZNsAMO_ire-ehN1CtZ0Ywn2rBM2UlWZXna68XOrvGpxGcoLA1QBhf3jhjQY/s1600/Five+for+Friday-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_YDwuGw_vyLJBVMxoYbc9oAOX_ToK5t0_jXxlVWNS5K8214WNd2GRvzxVF8KtWpCinigJEy_4mKsufBKZNsAMO_ire-ehN1CtZ0Ywn2rBM2UlWZXna68XOrvGpxGcoLA1QBhf3jhjQY/s1600/Five+for+Friday-3.png" height="200" width="134" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This next one also has nothing to do with teaching, but hey, to the shock of my students...teachers do have a life outside of school! I'm participating in a charity event called "<a href="http://dateforlife.org/" target="_blank">Date for Life</a>" that benefits the <a href="http://www.childrenscancer.org/" target="_blank">Children's Cancer Research Fund</a>. This event raised over $200,000 last year. My participation is interesting too. I am one of twelve bachelorettes that will be auctioned off. The highest bidder for each bachelorette gets a date. Wish me luck for this event that will be taking place in two weeks. This will definitely be a funny page to add to my diary!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://dateforlife.org/mai-h" target="_blank"><img alt="http://dateforlife.org/mai-h" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUotLd7_oFk7Er6e2jqmfwO7hSxAy6ENgbeZIOzopdeRs6kRkMPOgLCbZprgFQqaLVWZ_lbwAMd5A9SvWd6dzgG1e5TI1gGZp2raOEt8m0Iyvmc8GmZoRnHh0Qw5vrgFCWLSpszwFXLfI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-01-26+at+11.18.35+PM.png" height="331" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiaig_4NdqC3HS5P7Zwxx0YPREcweYHtNpqBXTtUkPHZ6784e072tU1XgAgJFLAsmCYfHJmB6K8D0paZGQVMBtKMHy70AZveangsVQ3D6GsgUSnkELAWuE9U4v8WvuC-AbPAq6RIMGyw/s1600/Five+for+Friday-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiaig_4NdqC3HS5P7Zwxx0YPREcweYHtNpqBXTtUkPHZ6784e072tU1XgAgJFLAsmCYfHJmB6K8D0paZGQVMBtKMHy70AZveangsVQ3D6GsgUSnkELAWuE9U4v8WvuC-AbPAq6RIMGyw/s1600/Five+for+Friday-4.png" height="200" width="127" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the cancelled school days has afforded me a lot of extra time to create. My kiddos already learned how to find the missing number in addition and subtraction equations (<a href="http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Content/1/OA/D/8" target="_blank">1.OA.D.8</a>) so we started reviewing the concept last week. Our curriculum doesn't offer enough activities and worksheets for the students to gain enough additional practice to reach mastery, so I created my own. I'm ashamed to admit that as an 8th year elementary teacher, I've never played "Scoot." I'm glad I took the time to make the task cards to play "Scoot." I played it with my students last week and to my amazement, most of my students were familiar with the game so I didn't have to spend much time explaining the directions. We had so much fun playing it and only one kid toppled off his chair! I have the "<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Missing-Numbers-in-Addition-and-Subtraction-1068721" target="_blank">Missing Numbers in Addition and Subtraction within 10</a>" available on TpT. My product includes 24 task cards for addition equations with a recording sheet and task card answer key, 24 task cards for subtraction equations with a recording sheet and task card answer key and 6 practice worksheets. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Missing-Numbers-in-Addition-and-Subtraction-1068721" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Missing-Numbers-in-Addition-and-Subtraction-1068721" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8tl4lmYqUdeloObei7nevTjFOCvTTG-q1NznzQtHdqV70uCyBRecB5w8-vyfu0NF-__YatHovwfphpXN7on4Zqpl_kgx68kJVNUhorZIeUGBFYhyphenhyphenf2nRYI1o9aeupDidD2ArBrSLa3E/s1600/Missing+numbers.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Missing-Numbers-in-Addition-and-Subtraction-1068721" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Missing-Numbers-in-Addition-and-Subtraction-1068721" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplcrsvUjZcPHZ3xCey5ZDZ-kt_dqRr217mM97Pmmt4O5ylT-_PmcpaiBJBJOa1GfMZ-sSt8P2VDlkKZPiFrg30lauKf3UvwtspfDdJ3exCXbfuIij6sstd3-v9KN03VFknLTUAPkl-iQ/s1600/Worksheet+Collage.png" height="505" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhVT5PTZlFTP7gCqyuqsI9zv6gZ1nUPvf5jO2SVTbPqL1fptAQ0vTBmQ9RslpwgteIoN6b09P441l-EF_0Q4zyzoVmXJ9U55gQ6iJn7hA_AmArbIwcluP4kSrKJsKYAJ43MvgZfs_wXI/s1600/Five+for+Friday-5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhVT5PTZlFTP7gCqyuqsI9zv6gZ1nUPvf5jO2SVTbPqL1fptAQ0vTBmQ9RslpwgteIoN6b09P441l-EF_0Q4zyzoVmXJ9U55gQ6iJn7hA_AmArbIwcluP4kSrKJsKYAJ43MvgZfs_wXI/s1600/Five+for+Friday-5.png" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My students still sometimes struggle to read and write contractions properly so I wanted to give them extra practice. I wanted a hands-on activity for them to practice their contractions so I created these foldable contraction strips with a heart theme for Valentine's Day. The activity is called, "Fix the Broken Hearts." It's really simple, but a fun way to get the kiddos to practice making contractions. The students first write the two words on the left side of the strip on their recording sheet. Then they fold over the other side to "fix" the broken heart and to reveal the contraction the two words make. Last, they write the contraction on their recording sheet. If you're looking for a fun Valentine's Day activity, you can purchase this "<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Heart-Contractions-1079195" target="_blank">Hearts Contractions</a>" product on TpT. The product includes one set of 8 folding strips for 'm, n't and 'll, 8 folding strips for 's, 've and 're and blank folding strips to write your own words and contractions. All the strips are available in color and in black and white. The product also includes 4 practice worksheets.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Heart-Contractions-1079195" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Heart-Contractions-1079195" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoF-hnwCZsi1rsoXZDhsqcQNZ_F5AIYqu_6xD3dMYd6p047ZYyaP2trUtUY6__S56HRoHVFwAp62Up_VhWRNRxEiQINL1VuYd5QYXxdGYmidr5sOSq-9TYpGGekbM0gNioJRXs18-gf6M/s1600/Contractions.png" height="172" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Heart-Contractions-1079195" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Heart-Contractions-1079195" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBP1O0GdLHV6NuhXFxf6qJsqSoMjLtJGJ1-M1OC2QEyz-eqOppekd-Jha0AfWNms9jcd9AxxLiq5_Ai1dYRtal0f87dkvs37C-A38ZL1lWH0RLB7N3aFQ56glAYG_DXZUTLu15hR-ww1c/s1600/contractions.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Heart-Contractions-1079195" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Heart-Contractions-1079195" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeMGkSHR3jE_2-fW86y4ICDHrPRBTVFXvUiC94vTthyphenhyphenOLfns8RbYN_uWbV6Bq7fW8tIY1qAE0Q2yMy3y81zoP11k_-BGHVQxyd3omI84nEeQay8CtFbzziZ2-qh0cvUTqhX77ZIglIzAY/s1600/Contraction+Worksheet+Collage.png" height="465" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't forget to link up your "Five for Friday." Have a great weekend!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-25076884673702821592014-01-09T05:26:00.000-08:002014-04-06T07:20:44.857-07:00How to Include Links in TpT Product Descriptions<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've noticed many TpT product descriptions have a webpage the seller wants you to visit, whether it's to see a picture, to see other products or to visit their blog. Whatever the reason, there is wrong way and a right way to include links in your TpT product descriptions.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0eKM04boXpgc75UD6C91_lUI0Rw_fQrQGsuHp4dqO9VaHznKuDETK9G6DbBY5IT1c7t_z3FgAwlzvz5miFD3x_t1JTWTeuY5L-VoVcgCf_HbbGynwJ2nlcxsc2p1EyKy4uSzCWSwBjs/s1600/badlinkgoodlink.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0eKM04boXpgc75UD6C91_lUI0Rw_fQrQGsuHp4dqO9VaHznKuDETK9G6DbBY5IT1c7t_z3FgAwlzvz5miFD3x_t1JTWTeuY5L-VoVcgCf_HbbGynwJ2nlcxsc2p1EyKy4uSzCWSwBjs/s640/badlinkgoodlink.png" height="395" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am really lazy about certain things and highlighting, copying and pasting is no exception. I don't think many people even realize you can post links in the product descriptions. I didn't realize it until earlier in the fall. So how do you do it? I will show you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you already know how to include hyperlinks in HTML and are just looking for the codes, here they are:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Open link within the same window:</span> <span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="PASTE URL HERE">LINK TEXT</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For example: </span>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="www.diaryofagrumpyteacher.blogspot.com">Diary of a Grumpy Teacher</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Open the link in a new window or tab:</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="PASTE URL HERE"
target="_blank">LINK TEXT</a></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For example: </span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="www.diaryofagrumpyteacher.blogspot.com"
target="_blank">Diary of a Grumpy Teacher</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Start a "New Post" on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" target="_blank">Blogger</a>. Even if you don't blog, use this method anyway. If you do blog, don't worry, you're not posting anything. This is how you're going to get your HTML code for your link.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click on "Compose." Next, type the title of your link and then highlight it. Next, click on "Link."</span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcjdYseIgsvqVfNGAzw1GV0_aEnTihMYfd3da3qH_NMATiAQGhlTZ_ZSz-bdJoXHWWBtPMBsT4h-RuJM9W6M0qltugDVsU3HhZHKIGEF3OQ3EpW7HWSAK_vyQqtPkGrsKNTJcFpRX9ek/s1600/Compose-Link.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcjdYseIgsvqVfNGAzw1GV0_aEnTihMYfd3da3qH_NMATiAQGhlTZ_ZSz-bdJoXHWWBtPMBsT4h-RuJM9W6M0qltugDVsU3HhZHKIGEF3OQ3EpW7HWSAK_vyQqtPkGrsKNTJcFpRX9ek/s640/Compose-Link.png" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Copy and paste the URL of your desired link into the "Web address" field. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would strongly advise
against typing in the address. Any slight mistake will result in a link
that doesn't work. Don't frustrate your potential buyers with a faulty
link!</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Check the box next to "Open this link in a new window" if you want the link to open in a new window. Then click "OK."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ipBE2NLjnUJOQzS4aL86lrQtgYI5Op1X6R4uNQg7q2jHZq96Xk_d_08bPUb-mUoyYAPc6NZT2mx_ft1QPEYBR4bJrEMGd6eSD7uFeJYEgMT8yhmN3H40oiNycbwXrUew4id0N-FWU74/s1600/Link.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ipBE2NLjnUJOQzS4aL86lrQtgYI5Op1X6R4uNQg7q2jHZq96Xk_d_08bPUb-mUoyYAPc6NZT2mx_ft1QPEYBR4bJrEMGd6eSD7uFeJYEgMT8yhmN3H40oiNycbwXrUew4id0N-FWU74/s1600/Link.png" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_933450994"></span><span id="goog_933450995"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Click on "HTML." Then highlight and copy the entire code.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yVW-otq_bNy5JsKB_hfoMq7-Xtld7r2MLKszw1EbeCUxK4DIE-TzuBRq7scwKoJDhmmYChK2D3OKwx265N1Y6P9kBKTDfYukoveObwIN2v4SXiZcVyFQ8mUDEYwv9pm-s1Dicv4nD2A/s1600/HTML+code.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yVW-otq_bNy5JsKB_hfoMq7-Xtld7r2MLKszw1EbeCUxK4DIE-TzuBRq7scwKoJDhmmYChK2D3OKwx265N1Y6P9kBKTDfYukoveObwIN2v4SXiZcVyFQ8mUDEYwv9pm-s1Dicv4nD2A/s1600/HTML+code.png" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Go to your TpT product page and click on "Edit."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxxpV0QpPYl-k9cEY3EADixeTFsTRWyPBC1Rsu0HUFABZlfM0KPfrwUYNvo1sfSYWQ1FuYq6V12lM7TBM69z8G0IBJNdSuYw9j7LrgvunnThwgaJQ2M62pvIT5M45eLzTKVIfRaO6ey4/s1600/Edit+Product+Description.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxxpV0QpPYl-k9cEY3EADixeTFsTRWyPBC1Rsu0HUFABZlfM0KPfrwUYNvo1sfSYWQ1FuYq6V12lM7TBM69z8G0IBJNdSuYw9j7LrgvunnThwgaJQ2M62pvIT5M45eLzTKVIfRaO6ey4/s1600/Edit+Product+Description.png" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. In the field for the product description, paste the HTML code you copied from blogger. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9zuEYR7dqRwqJAZw9TG1wSJexxjeT8qMnndefdVa8jCjE2sN6dGAd1ZlLE4fSAJkxU4fg9BAptNkfELEd8NJ1dYvJuIp-GUEGEJOO5vgoOnjwU7Ucz3g-9SUV6Y4WvUBZdogLIbAF_g/s1600/Paste+HTML.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9zuEYR7dqRwqJAZw9TG1wSJexxjeT8qMnndefdVa8jCjE2sN6dGAd1ZlLE4fSAJkxU4fg9BAptNkfELEd8NJ1dYvJuIp-GUEGEJOO5vgoOnjwU7Ucz3g-9SUV6Y4WvUBZdogLIbAF_g/s1600/Paste+HTML.png" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Keep "Skip thumbnail generation!" checked if you want to leave your current thumbnail images the same. Then click "Next."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXPFSxejXQhhWdQ3MkFcdndOX9EsO0xz8HIpKPaSLkDx_IS0C0m851_iL9M0MdVfRCNW-kb3l3Bd0dgEAOf5vaZ_92FiKSvnVT193hInUbw6KKt-o-RgQAid5emUkcnUmUx_6udqZhS0/s1600/Skip+Thumbnail+Generate.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXPFSxejXQhhWdQ3MkFcdndOX9EsO0xz8HIpKPaSLkDx_IS0C0m851_iL9M0MdVfRCNW-kb3l3Bd0dgEAOf5vaZ_92FiKSvnVT193hInUbw6KKt-o-RgQAid5emUkcnUmUx_6udqZhS0/s1600/Skip+Thumbnail+Generate.png" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Click on the link to make sure it works and you're done!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiat8s5orrodZ9o09Kern_56OyQIKBMPA1_jWeNZwSEOJNRWaNrq5APVBbQ9lXywq2doIyPw0tRziryULgXks7no9zAMYWVk_q4RDWpgfyOnUI7B0Zy6ka1iNBLLBVJLUslpk-pjFLZdFs/s1600/Link-done.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiat8s5orrodZ9o09Kern_56OyQIKBMPA1_jWeNZwSEOJNRWaNrq5APVBbQ9lXywq2doIyPw0tRziryULgXks7no9zAMYWVk_q4RDWpgfyOnUI7B0Zy6ka1iNBLLBVJLUslpk-pjFLZdFs/s1600/Link-done.png" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-69734940453452255692014-01-06T14:31:00.000-08:002014-01-06T17:27:42.813-08:00Monday Made It-Sight Words<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I felt like the luckiest teacher when our governor announced on Friday that school would be cancelled today. And then I felt even luckier today when I was having coffee with my fellow work colleague, <a href="http://misswoodwardsclass.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Miss Woodward</a>, because school is cancelled again tomorrow! We exchanged high-fives and then continued exchanging ideas for the classroom for when we finally do make it back to the classroom. Two weeks off for winter break was nice...and then an additional two days off?? I'll take it! I guess that's what happens when you wake up to a -20 degree temperature. That was the actual morning temperature, not wind chill!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's been awhile since I've linked up with <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">4th Grade Frolics</a> for <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.ca/2014/01/monday-made-it-january-little-early.html" target="_blank">Monday Made It</a>. I've made several things over the last few months, but just haven't posted anything about them. What a perfect day to do it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dolch-Sight-Words-Worksheets-Pre-Primer-1045045" target="_blank">Dolch Sight Word Worksheets</a> and <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Wonders-Sight-Words-Worksheets-Unit-1-935161" target="_blank">Wonders Sight Word Worksheets</a> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj_FXL9oauz-0J9qyIBxiCv4PN1MNM7HwaRiEhGAA7iMfVDVuw9i8ScMwvrvWmeHkwI-TXS7S4D77ndaGpXCKb5ycI6fqWQHgraAUhS-zrjJg0iC47lYXIA2Wel8erwBkVbSOhymh3bs/s1600/Sight+Word+Worksheets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj_FXL9oauz-0J9qyIBxiCv4PN1MNM7HwaRiEhGAA7iMfVDVuw9i8ScMwvrvWmeHkwI-TXS7S4D77ndaGpXCKb5ycI6fqWQHgraAUhS-zrjJg0iC47lYXIA2Wel8erwBkVbSOhymh3bs/s1600/Sight+Word+Worksheets.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I created these worksheets because I wanted to give the children more opportunities to practice reading and writing their sight words. I use the same two worksheet formats for each sight word. With the predictable format, the students are able to complete these worksheets independently. Get two weeks of worksheets FREE by <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Freebie-Sight-Words-Worksheet-935154" target="_blank">downloading the Wonders Sight Words Worksheets for Unit 1.1 and 1.2</a>! Please note that the review worksheets in the free download are only available for the Wonders Sight Words, not the Dolch Sight Words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dolch-Sight-Words-Assessment-Booklets-1045013" target="_blank">Dolch Sight Word Assessment Booklets</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbqFpIjIEmD1Hdmq4_fK_kEGa-x35152Z06yDoG3Jh6BvswP8n4hZCd-UNKCeR0X2Zvqsvb72-C9KLliBc_SWFpzUAOkjCj8N9EXN63AYaRhh8E90ZPQxu7_0C2hOSCj16gzOAQUHsKg/s1600/Sight+Word+Booklets+3.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbqFpIjIEmD1Hdmq4_fK_kEGa-x35152Z06yDoG3Jh6BvswP8n4hZCd-UNKCeR0X2Zvqsvb72-C9KLliBc_SWFpzUAOkjCj8N9EXN63AYaRhh8E90ZPQxu7_0C2hOSCj16gzOAQUHsKg/s1600/Sight+Word+Booklets+3.jpg.png" height="320" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many years ago when I would assess my students on their sight words, I would just have them read off my checklist. I realized that wasn't the best method because the students would get nervous when they didn't get a check next to a word. Also, reading off the checklist was quite distracting because there were so many words written in small font. I next tried flashcards on a key ring and had the children flip through the words while I had a checklist on my clipboard. The flashcards were too small and were a bit cumbersome for the children. So this year, I made booklets as pictured above. They were so much better than any other method I have tried. The students can easily read the word on each page and turn the pages like a regular book so I can focus on the checklist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dolch-Sight-Words-Sticker-Book-1045033" target="_blank">Dolch Sight Word Sticker Book</a> and <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Wonders-Sight-Words-Sticker-Book-935160" target="_blank">Wonders Sight Word Sticker Book</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EyjNbquB44rp0-58BlfbN7qNS4VzPo9zVB9WX9oBAIy_NhtNLQTF27sGNQ-Z3loa_kobDmpZvI4V6C9PGlJEcGYHbO5PtbuHd8hlnwL-z4Ktr4_AhkGOygIUwntseph4H8HdhLJuTno/s1600/Sticker+Book.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EyjNbquB44rp0-58BlfbN7qNS4VzPo9zVB9WX9oBAIy_NhtNLQTF27sGNQ-Z3loa_kobDmpZvI4V6C9PGlJEcGYHbO5PtbuHd8hlnwL-z4Ktr4_AhkGOygIUwntseph4H8HdhLJuTno/s1600/Sticker+Book.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The students love their Sight Word Sticker Book! They're fun and an easy way for students to track their own progress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Wonders-Sight-Words-Weekly-Worksheets-Units-1-6-935173" target="_blank">Wonders Sight Words Weekly Worksheets-Units 1-6</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-t31DHq-Qd8IUiai0kp1AW2_2tZAajyK3tFYzavnw1XpOMyzlrX820Vu6AGab5CuzZRuQd2RS36qZ19odthIZYfJIJ-RfPw1_nliWSl_qmyT2JRj99LBjNoMimjynWrphXN1-G4DXlzU/s1600/Sight+Word+Review+Worksheets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-t31DHq-Qd8IUiai0kp1AW2_2tZAajyK3tFYzavnw1XpOMyzlrX820Vu6AGab5CuzZRuQd2RS36qZ19odthIZYfJIJ-RfPw1_nliWSl_qmyT2JRj99LBjNoMimjynWrphXN1-G4DXlzU/s1600/Sight+Word+Review+Worksheets.JPG" height="400" width="400" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I typically use these worksheets on Friday for a quick review of all the sight words we have learned for the week. The kids love "buttering" the popcorn sight words and completing the word find. The word finds increasingly get harder as we go further along with the units. The students like the challenge! These review worksheets are only available for the Wonders Sight Words. If I get enough emails expressing interest in these review worksheets for the Dolch Sight Words, then I'll create them. They just took me so much time to make, but I might find the motivation if enough people express interest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">4. <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Dolch-Sight-Words-Flashcards-1044966" target="_blank">Dolch Sight Word Flashcards</a> and <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Wonders-Sight-Words-Flashcards-935153" target="_blank">Wonders Sight Word Flashcards</a> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGPEoo8-k9frMO8itqTqdU1VYb0MemkCusjRUKZZIs1tSE0bNHObi-5AnY4-EXjr6Etmy_reGF2QL-N_gfJsPI8j0Ek3JQVc66Ire02-yFqgubdOw_On7HCDs-2HSC0x3A9k1rmrcAL8/s1600/Sight+Word+Flashcards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGPEoo8-k9frMO8itqTqdU1VYb0MemkCusjRUKZZIs1tSE0bNHObi-5AnY4-EXjr6Etmy_reGF2QL-N_gfJsPI8j0Ek3JQVc66Ire02-yFqgubdOw_On7HCDs-2HSC0x3A9k1rmrcAL8/s1600/Sight+Word+Flashcards.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I print and photocopy so many flashcards for the students, so it was important for me to create flashcards that use a minimal amount of ink. I print the flashcards on color paper according to level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Thanks again to <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">4th Grade Frolics</a> for hosting <a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.ca/2014/01/monday-made-it-january-little-early.html" target="_blank">Monday Made It</a>. Be sure to link up!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.ca/2014/01/monday-made-it-january-little-early.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.ca/2014/01/monday-made-it-january-little-early.html" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWWTHOEHSGdwkXmhooVWXxPhXIlcVYU5YTVk6-0CUZstaoX9QoFWRPGqh_lAo-EdjsC_YqL7eJRZVZSPJ-Q95ezjz8ZWpkxRXPM_zLKPjzVazqnLA3ftoEpKOZ0jsCl2boAkOciqt8po/s1600/Monday+Made+It.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5058505994752655195.post-11879618154148872172013-12-28T12:07:00.001-08:002014-05-02T20:54:04.073-07:00DonorsChoose Project FUNDED!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMERs6uH-y2j3EcpTfUT5gVVsim3sn57qOxvjhl1MsWs4doxNik7lxMmQqTzM4YByDboOTUj_hB6YUPCZTDvuh6OCJs8llrL72DuHIQ-F1mnRKVsmhMbgMM-Znkne_WMVh5nmSBv-vhY/s1600/iPod+Nano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMERs6uH-y2j3EcpTfUT5gVVsim3sn57qOxvjhl1MsWs4doxNik7lxMmQqTzM4YByDboOTUj_hB6YUPCZTDvuh6OCJs8llrL72DuHIQ-F1mnRKVsmhMbgMM-Znkne_WMVh5nmSBv-vhY/s400/iPod+Nano.jpg" height="182" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm so glad I finally posted a project on <a href="http://donorschoose.org/">DonorsChoose.org</a> earlier in the fall. After a few months, the <a href="http://www.donorschoose.org/project/listening-to-stories/1078625/?pma=true&pmaId=1926518&pmaHash=EJ%2B9EzyrHT4bdtO8LIyZfQ%3D%3D&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=feedback_donationmessage_teacher&rf=page_dccontent_2013_12_teacherid_1926518#leave_message" target="_blank">"Listening to Stories" project</a></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is fully funded and will be shipped out to my classroom in January! My students and I will receive four iPod Nanos and a new set of kid-friendly Lakeshore Learning headphones. Hello new listening center!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In previous years, I used <a href="http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/seo/ca|productSubCat~~p|JJ825~~f|/Assortments/Lakeshore/Promotions/promo/listeningcentersequipment.jsp" target="_blank">one CD player and a junction box</a> that was provided by my school. I quickly learned that it had limited uses and even more annoying, the children would argue over what story to listen to and who got to press the buttons. I decided that the listening center would be more useful, enjoyable and less disruptive if the children got to choose their own story and listen independently. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My first solution was to use Discman CD players. I spent a considerable amount of time and money at the local thrift store buying used Discman CD players hoping they were still functional. Sometimes they were, sometimes they weren't. While the children were thrilled with the idea of listening to a story of their choosing, the station was always riddled with problems. The CDs would get scratched and not play, any bump of the player (hello wiggly six-year-olds!) and the CD would skip, or the players would just stop working for no reason...well reason being probably because they were over a decade old.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After years of frustration, I decided I needed to invest in a better solution. I wanted the children to use current technology instead of technology that I used in high school (that was the 90s!) so I decided to go with a set of <a href="http://www.apple.com/ipod-nano/" target="_blank">iPod Nanos</a> and a set of new <a href="http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/product/productDet.jsp?productItemID=1%2C689%2C949%2C371%2C917%2C980&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302097194&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113&bmUID=1388260257516" target="_blank">kid-friendly headphones</a>. I've witnessed my 4-year-old niece navigate an iPad with better ease than my 62-year-old father (no offense daddy!) so most of my students will probably learn how to use the iPod Nanos quite easily with a quick and easy tutorial from me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So out with the old and in with the current! Thanks to all the generous donations of family, friends and strangers through <a href="http://donorschoose.org/">DonorsChoose.org</a>. This amazing gift we received will benefit children and spread the joy of literature for years to come. I couldn't ask for a better way to start 2014.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy new year and happy reading!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01019240071600808368noreply@blogger.com1