Well it has definitely been a minute...

Life happened and I was feeling uninspired, exhausted, and just overwhelmingly well...overwhelmed.  I think after ten years of teaching that is almost certainly going to happen but the thing I had to do was just keep pushing through and choosing joy in the little things like my morning coffee or the new planner that I purchased to make my to-do lists and busy calendars look pretty. 

Certain times of the school year also always brighten my mood and give me this nostalgic feeling.  College and Career Week is definitely one of those times.  It falls in February and always just feels like we are a little closer to Spring Break.  The kids are excited and they love to share their big dreams for the future.  I always get excited to tell them about college and show them so pics of dorm rooms and campuses.  The door decorating contest is also always so much fun. I mean it is always a lot of "stressful" fun LOL.  Coming up with a new idea each year and then getting it together just in time for the judges to come by and take a peek is a challenge, but I think procrastination is key for me (ha).  Nothing like working under pressure.  Anyway, here is our 2k17 college door!  

We went with some pop culture (with corrected grammar of course) and my kiddos love to use snapchat filters so that was a must.  Most importantly, they had fun and are so excited to have their pics on the door! 

As for me... well I hope to find the joy in the little things and definitely blog more.  I have missed it for sure. 

Be Back Soon,
Misty

Sweet Sock Monkey Summertime

I have been working on several things over here.  I'm busy decorating my new apartment (I'm obsessed) and figuring out what I want to do in my classroom as far as style goes.  I finally finished this sweet little Sock Monkey pack and it's available in my TPT store.  Look for the matching behavior clip chart and some coordinating  math signs next week.  I hope you all are enjoying some SUMMER FUN!

Slow as a Snail...

It is May and I am most definitely feeling sluggish.  I find myself hitting snooze at least 4 times every morning nowadays (PTL I only have a 5 minute commute to school) and have my make-up routine down to 10 minutes and I can dash out the door. I am so ready for summer break.  Who's with me? 

I think I am really looking forward to having time to sit with my laptop, sipping sweet tea, and creating, creating, creating!  I did have time recently to get back into the swing of blogging and creating again so I came up with an activity that my students loved.  Before our big monster STAAR test, we needed a quick review of figurative language.  My kiddos are also UUUHBSESSED with QR codes and iPads so I whipped up an activity to incorporate both.  It's available in my TPT store HERE.

I ran black and white copies to save some printer ink and my students worked with a partner to read the cards, answer, and scan the QR to check themselves.  I store my baggies of cards and recording sheets in a brown clasp envelope.  I glue the cover on and laminate the envelope for durability.  This also helps when I need a quick small group, tutoring, or review activity.  I can just grab it and go.  

I can't wait to prepare more fantastic activities this summer to be ready to go in August with my new thirdsters.  

Hope you all are hanging in there!  Summer is just around the corner!

 

Coffee Talk

Book talks are one of my favorite parts of the curriculum to teach.  I am an avid reader (always have been) and I love to model that for my students.  My hope is to shape them into lifelong readers as well.

I am always pondering ways to make reading come alive for them.  To make it exciting. 
Last spring my students did book talk videos and we had popcorn and video viewing day, which they adored. 

They were pumped and not ready to give up on book talks, so I came up with the idea of "Coffee Talk" where we could invite parents and guests to enjoy an afternoon of "coffee" (herbal tea and hot chocolate, but I just had to keep the name as a shout-out to old school SNL) as our little literary experts gave live book talks and quick Q&A sessions. 

Here is a peek at our little coffee shop.  I think it was so adorable...

Our literary experts were even allowed to sit on my teacher stool to present (it's the little things).

I created a book talk planning page that my students used to jot down the elements of their presentation.  

You can grab it for FREE in my TPT store HERE.

Hang in there!  It's almost summer!

It's Reading Fair Time!

Right after the STAAR test last year, I decided it was time to let loose and do some interactive, engaging projects to incorporate all we had learned throughout the year. 

One of my students' favorite projects was our School-wide Reading Fair.  I created a quick, no prep (except making copies) packet to give my students so they could plan their project.  It included a detailed explanation of my expectations and the literary elements that they were to present on their finished board.

You can find my Reading Fair packet in my TPT store or just click here.  
Here are some of my favorite projects...

I can't wait to get started with my kiddos at the end of this month!!

PS- I would love to hear feedback if you use the packet in your classroom or school.

STAAR WARS

  The STAAR test (here in the great state of Texas) is fast approaching for my thirdsters so we have been busy reviewing and refining our skills.  The 4th and 5th graders had their first test today so last week my class did a little Star STAAR Wars Do's and Don'ts skit to motivate them. The script was full of cute little Star Warsy (I like to invent words) references and the kids loved it.  I found these super cute masks on Etsy  and they were a must for our performance.  Of course the kids all wanted light sabers.  PTL for Pinterest! The parents were gracious enough to donate pool noodles, duck tape, and electrical tape so we I could make this awesomeness!  The performance was a hit, complete with theme music and the handmade props.  It was precious. 

I created a "May the Force" poster for my classroom so I most definitely want to share that with you too.  Keep scrolling for the FREEBIE!

Follow the link in the post to find these super cute masks from HOLIDAY PARTY HALL on Etsy!



Finally for the FREEBIE!

Grab it by clicking HERE!

Big Dreams and a freebie of course...

We are wrapping up college and career week at our school and the kids (and teachers) had sooooo much fun.  We kicked it off last Friday with college shirt and jean day.  We have standardized dress so anytime they get to wear jeans they are ecstatic. The halls were buzzing with door decorating and kiddos were busy dreaming up their costumes for "What I want to be when I grow up" day. 
Tuesday was career day and we had a great line-up of speakers visiting our classrooms.  We even had a visit from the town Mayor!  The kids were in awe to say the least.  So much fun!  We have been doing some career oriented and college activities all week.  I was really curious what my thirdsters actually thought about college so I decided to have them complete a quick writing assignment (freebie alert). 

Click HERE to grab it!

Here is a peek at my door.  

 

Owls!!! Shocking I know...  

Happy teaching and happy almost Friday!  Toodles!