Busy Weekend

I started my weekend off with a 6 hour PD training on lesson planning.  I'm usually ready to stab myself in the eye about 3 hours in to these, but I actually enjoyed this training.  I think it was easier to sit through this time because I know I will be able to apply this to my classroom.  Now if only I had the extra 10 hours a week to "thoroughly" plan each of my lessons….. Eh, I'll figure it out. 

This is how I am doing homework this year.  I decided to give students the weekend to complete homework incase some of them were too busy during the weeknight.  So they get their homework packet on Tuesdays and it is due on Mondays.  (This is also great because it gives me time to get homework ready on Mondays.)  I am going to keep this hard copy each week and hand write the worksheet or activity they have for homework each night.  Let's hope this works out!  If you would like a copy of this (without my name on it), you can click {here} and download it for free!

New TpT post + a freebie!

I made these beginning consonant blends and digraph cards to use as a small group intervention.  They would also be great for a word work activity because they can be laminated and written on with dry erase marker :)

Get all 30 of these cards {here}!

Also, here is a cute color by shapes activity for the little ones!  Click {here} to download this freebie!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Student Data Binders

I am so excited to share with everyone my student data binders that I have created! They can be downloaded from my TpT store {here}!

Each student has their own 1-inch binder where they will keep track of their assessments, goals, and progress.  Most of the progress monitoring is based on colored bar graphs so the students can easily read what level they're on and where they need to be.

I have also included two {freebie} cover pages which you can download for free in the TpT preview!

I can't wait to use these with my student led conferences later in the year!

Back for round two...

As you can see, I took a hiatus from my "confessions of a first year teacher" blog after about 3 months into the school year.  My first year experience was one of the most stressful and unpleasant years of my life.  I was at a very challenging school (low income) with the majority of my class having severe behavior disorders. (swearing, throwing chairs, screaming, running away, throwing scissors, throwing anything within reach- those kinds)  By the end of the year, I had sworn to myself that I was never going to put myself through that again and I was done with teaching.

All summer I searched for jobs in other fields, but could not commit to doing anything else.  So long story short, I waited until the last possible minute (no really, my bank account was drained and the new school year was 20 days in) and I finally got a job.  The school is fantastic!  I can't even put into words the difference between the two schools.  I feel like my hard work is actually going to pay off this time around.  I feel so blessed to have been supported by so many family members and friends throughout the past year and cannot wait to share my experiences with all of you!

For now, here are a couple pics of my room!

Writing Toolbox

"I don't know what to write about…."

I decided I never wanted to hear one of my students say that again! I made this vocabulary flip chart so students can get ideas of what to write about and so they can include more details in their writing.  And the kids LOVE them!  I have two copies in color at the writing center and one black and white copy on each table.  

Download this writing toolbox from my TpT store {here}!

I also made these posters to hang on the front board.  It tells students what voice level they should be using and where their classwork will go when they are finished. I have found these to be SO useful!  If a student asks me where something goes, I just point to the board!

You can download this {here}! 

Thanks for reading! Check back soon for my student data binders post and a freebie!