Sight Word Books

I have just updated my Sight Word Books and Recording Sheets on Teachers Pay Teachers!

Click on the picture to check them out! 

Here is how I use them in my classroom: 

Thanks for stopping by!

Monthly Newsletters

Are you looking for an easy and quick way to send home information to parents and students each month?

Look no further than my new Editable Monthly Newsletter pack!  

I've just created the newsletters we will use all year long!  

Each month includes themed graphics from www.mycutegraphics.com as well as fonts from www.amandaandkevin.com!

At my school, we are required to send home a newsletter to parents as well as post them outside our doors for visitors to see what we are learning about.  

I've made this super easy for you!  Just download the file in powerpoint and edit the word boxes to fit the needs of your classroom! Viola!  You are all set to print and send them out to parents!

I always copy the student's spelling lists for that month on the back of the newsletter, which I've included in the pack!

Click on the picture or here to grab this file!  

It will save you oodles and boodles of time this year communicating with parents!!!

We were on a break!

Anyone a Friends fan out there?  I love the running line between Ross and Rachel "We were on a break!" "We were NOT on a break!"

I think that sums up the past five months of my blogging history.

Some days, I was definitely on a break from all things teachery.

Other days I was not on a break from blogging.  (At least that's what I was telling myself.  But in reality I was.)

I was worn out.

I was tired.

I was feeling unsuccessful as a teacher.

I was without words to type anything of meaning to ya'll out there in blog world.

I was on a break.

But today, I am NOT on a break!

Today I am guest blogging over at Leach Teach with Melissa!

Click here to check out my plans for the first two weeks of writer's workshop AND grab our new writing pack for yourself!  Trust me, you will need this to get your students started with writing!

Cheers to Friends and breaks!
Lord knows we all need 'em.

Meet the Teacher Night

Hello there!  

I'm here to tell you all about what I have in store for our Meet the Teacher night.  

Can you believe that school is just around the corner?  

Boy, where did summer go?  

If only the other 9 months would pass by as quickly as the summers, we'd all be in heaven.

At our school, Meet the Teacher night is a come and go event where parents and students can drop off school supplies, take a peek in their new room, and (of course) meet their new teacher.

When students enter the room, they will be prompted to find their name tag on the back table and pick a desk.  

Sidenote: This may be scary for some teachers (I know it was for me my first few years of teaching.  Can we say control freak?).  I think having students pick their own desk, possibly next to a friend from last year, gets rid of some jitters they might have about the first day of school.  They don't know, but after the first few days, I rearrange the desks anyways. :)

Students will then sort their supplies in the tubs at the back of the room.

We share all supplies in 2nd grade and divide them equally for students to use.

While students are sorting supplies, parents will fill out the Student Information Form.

Usually, this is something I print, copy, and place on the desks.

This year I am hoping to have parents take the packet home and return it on the first day of school.

Since our event is come and go, we are not required to give a formal presentation of any kind to parents.  I am planning on having a powerpoint running in the background to help answer any questions parents may have.  

This year I'll be using Kristen's powerpoint from her fabulous Edible Parent Presentation Pack.

It's free and wonderful!  

Click the picture to download it from her blog.

The last thing for parents and students on Meet the Teacher Night is a tasty treat!

I always want to thank them for coming.

This year I've created a little tag to be attached to popcorn.  

(I did not come up with this original cute idea, I simply wanted cute labels!)

Click on the picture to download the free labels!  

All you need to do is print one label per student and attach it to popcorn!

Whew!  

After all the parents and popcorn are gone, you can prop your feet up and dream about the beach dream about what a fabulous school year you will have with your new, precious kiddos.

What activities are you planning for meet the teacher?  

Are you required to give a formal presentation or is your school more relaxed?

Currently off the horse!

I am currently fell off the horse, bumped my head on a rock, and am slowly regaining consciousness of my blog.  

Let's just say, last year was NOT a piece of cake.

I'm back on the horse-inspired by the beginning of school and my blogging buddy Melissa Leach.  

The only thing going into detail would be my new planner!  

Have ya'll read The Together Teacher?  

That's what I am basing my planner off of and I have a feeling it will be LIFE CHANGING for this little teacher.

Currently ON TIME!

Yes! 

I am here!  

Everybody say "Hey!" 

Say "Ohh."

Do you know what it's like to join a party late? 

When you open the door and everybody yells, "Hey!" as they greet you with a friendly smile.

You, as the late guest, usually feel a mixed emotion of excitement (that you are here to party) and guilt (that it took you so long to get here).

Well, today- like most months- I am at the Currently party.

Only, this time, I am the one AT THE PARTY yelling "Hey!"

I'm finally on the other side of the door, welcoming in the late comers!  

And, boy, is this more fun!

Today, I enjoyed a yoga class outside at the local farmer's market.

It was wonderful.  They meet down by the river.  

The wind was rustling and tussling the trees.

It was a beautiful experience.

This week, I took a mental health day to spend with my baby niece.  

Can I just say, I am ready for summer?

I want to spend every possible moment with that cutie!  

She is precious.

I love her so much, and she's only 3 weeks old.

My answer is Disneyworld and the Florida sand.

Anyone have a guess at my question?

Currently February

Seriously?

Where has the time gone?

Even as I type that last question, I'm wondering why it seems like the days are crawling by, yet the weeks and months somehow fly by?

Time is a weird thing, my friend.

Teaching has me busy, as usual.

It seems like as of late, I have been overly stressed.

Teaching is a stressful job.

But when you combine it with a perfectionist who also has a fear of failure, I've got a line of new wrinkles and a patch of gray hairs.

When you are doing your best, what you are doing is enough.

I am doing my best.  It.is.enough.

Repeat daily every hour.

Hubs and I have quite a tradition on Monday nights.  He plays video games (shhh....he wouldn't want me to tell you that) and listens to a soccer podcast to catch up on his Swansea City, while I sit on the couch and try not to make a decision in preparation for the next school day.

Oh.My.Word!  

I'm an aunt!

My sister had her baby on Friday.  

8 pounder!  

Blake Avery is her name and she is SO precious!

I would show you a picture of her, but my brother in law is a little paranoid about photos of his baby on the internet.  We have currently been forbidden to share any photos of her on facebook or instagram.  Whomp whomp.

It's such a shame.  She is beautiful.  

School has been on my mind a lot recently.  

I'm not the teacher I want to be.  

I'm not sure how to change, but I think a start would be to reflect on the teacher I AM right now.

Seriously.  

Hello?

Winter?  The Earth called.  It wants the sun back.  Pleaseandthankyou.

Treat yo' self.  

Any Parks and Recs Fans out there know what I'm sayin?

My fib is that I am the oldest child.  I am the baby of the family and it shows in most situations :)

Okay, if you are like me, and need a little inspiration to get you through this (Valentine's) week, you have to read this blog post!  

You matter, just the way you are.

Happy teaching!