Choose vs. Chose

I feel like I've just lived through the episode of friends where Ross has just told Rachel off:

"And by the way: Y-O-U-R spells 'your'.  Y-O-U-R apostrophe R-E means YOU ARE!"

Remember that?

It's one of my favorite {F-A-V-O-R-I-T-E} episodes.  Of all time.

One, because it's funny.
Two, because your and you're are two of my grammatically incorrect pet-peeves.

So, when I got a message from a buyer that told me I had mistaken chose for choose, how did I feel?

Do-oooy {That's supposed to rhyme with boy} and means:

YOU BIG DUMMY!

Remember this poster?

See the big boo-boo?

Yikes!  And this guy has been floating around Pinterest, too.  Man. 

So, here's the updated one.

See.  All fixed.  I've also fixed the links on that blog post so that whenever someone stops by, they get the correct one.  'Cause that's just embarrassing, people.

I am no longer Rachel.

I also updated the mistake in the bundle, too.  Yes, I made that stinkin' mistake not once, but TWICE.

Ugh.

Fixed now, though.  So, if you've downloaded this, so sorry for the mistake.  Please re-download and RELAX, I will edit better next time.

Maybe.

Now, if you still want a free copy {cause it's fixed now}, don't forget to comment on the original post here.

Stella and Dot Win and Testing Giveaway

Ugh.
First
Day
Back.
Ugh.

My janitor even said, "Where's your smile?"  Man, that puts it into perspective.

I will say, my smile was mostly on in the classroom.

Mostly.

Here's a little something that helped.

Yes, I won those!  They are Stella and Dot.  Jealous?

Did you join in the Very Pinteresting Spring Exchange?   I did.  And, I won their first giveaway.  Yay!
If you haven't joined the Teacher Blogger Exchange blog, you should.





I won them from Heather over at:




I ran right on over and followed her.  She's so cute!  She an Michelle (3AM Teacher) need to have a talk about their sleeping habits.

This kinda made going back to work a little more enjoyable.

I said, a little.

OK, like I said yesterday...it's crunch time.  ARGH!  Testing...why?????

If you haven't already left me a comment about my Testing Strategies Foldables and Lapbook Bundle, do so before Wednesday night at 8:00.  I'm going to give 5 of them away :)

Click on the picture below to link back to the post to leave your comment now:

Good luck!

Testing Strategies Foldables or Lapbook

We don't test for another 3 weeks.  Therefore, three weeks of heavy preparation awaits us on Monday morning when we return from Spring Break!

Why do we prepare?  Am I teaching to the test?

I have gone back and forth on this one for years.  I've come to the conclusion that if I don't do some type of testing preparation, I'm leading them down a slippery slope without anything to grab hold of to keep from falling/{ie. failing}.

With that in mind, I spent some of my "down time" during my break creating foldables that can be used to give my students just a few reminders of what to do on the test.

I set it up like the Poetry and Figurative Language Lapbook that I made a few weeks ago.

This time, however, I'm not sure if I will have them make a lapbook, or simply put the foldables into their reading and math notebooks.

There are five foldables all together and a "graffiti board" where classmates can write encouraging messages to each other.

Here is a preview of the bundle.  You can pick up your own copy at my TpT store and my TN store for only $3.

However, just like with my other lapbook, I will give away 5 copies using the random number generator on Wednesday night at 8:00 eastern standard time.

Comment below that you'd like a copy, or leave me a note about what other strategy you would like for me to include.

And just as a thank you for everyone who follows my blog, here's a testing strategy poster that you can use to help remind your students to RELAX when taking the test and do their very best by following 5 simple rules:

I love how this turned out.  The frame graphic is from 3AM Teacher and the letters are KPM Doodles.
If you'd prefer having it as a PDF file, you may download it from my TpT or TN stores.

Good luck with testing and good luck winning this bundle!

Happy Easter everyone!

Off to have lunch with my family.  Enjoy your day!

Tagged...Writer's Block??

Did the tagging ever end?  Is this a new round?  I'm so tired from all of the running I can't remember.  I was tagged by Krista over at Stellar Students:





The rules are the same that applied last time.  Link back to the person who tagged you. Answer questions.  Tag more with new questions.  I may have to cheat.  Forgive me.
 1.  What is your favorite way to relax after a rough day in the classroom? a bubble bath, listening to Josh Groban with a nice drink of some kind

2. What is your favorite subject to teach and why? This has changed over the years.  Right now, I think I'd say math thanks to math rotations.  I'm loving it :) {Not McDonald's either}

3. How/Why did you get into blogging? I was constantly stalking with no real purpose.  I also wanted to have "something" that I did that meant something to me.  Not that being a wife, mother and teacher weren't enough, I just wanted something "just for me".  That's blogging.

4. If you could visit anywhere, where would you go and why? Australia or New Zealand because they are both beautiful places.

5. What is the one thing you could not do without in your classroom? My SmartBoard!  Who else feels this way?

 6.  Who or What inspired you to become a teacher? I've always wanted to be a teacher.  I think that I had great roll models along the way.

7. What is one of your funniest teacher moments? I had a kid years ago in my room who struggled.  He was so lovable.  Everyone enjoyed him.  We were studying inventors and the students had to create a new invention, bring it in and explain how it worked.  His was a battery connected to a small light-bulb.  Not really a new invention, but the best he could do, I'm sure.  At the end of his presentation, a student asked him, what happens if the wire becomes disconnected.  He said, without skipping a beat, "Then, I guess you're screwed."
Yep, I guess so.

8. What book are you reading right now or who is your favorite author? Right now I'm struggling to finish Cutting for Stone.  It's a long one.

9.  Why did you decide to become a teacher? I really don't remember wanting to ever be anything else.

10.  What are 3 of your favorite places to shop?Ann Taylor Loft, Holister and Trader Joe's {there's not one in my town...so I try to go to one whenever I'm traveling...how lame am I?}.

OK- I was totally lying about Holister.

Did you even believe me?

OK-here are my 10 questions:

1. If you could have one wish, what would it be?
2. What is your favorite breakfast food?
3. What is your favorite vacation destination?
4. Who is your best friend and why?
5. Do you have pets?
6. Are you organized or disorganized?
7. What is the funniest thing that you remember from childhood?
8. Do you like scary movies?
9. What job would you like to have for ONLY one day?
10. Salty or sweet?

OK- I'm tagging everyone.  See, I told you I was cheating.  I just don't have it in me to try to find people who haven't been tagged.

So-if you are having a mental block and want something to write about...here's your chance :)

Oh- and I'm heading home and back to reality....boo, hoo, hoo :(

Sumoku and Other Randomness

You know you're a teacher when you go out of town and you go shopping for your classroom.

Let me explain.

I've been all over in all kinds of shopping areas.  I bought clothes for my kids.  Nothing for me.

Until:

We stopped at The Learning Express while waiting for pizza.

I haven't been in one of these stores since my kids were little-bitty.  Now that they have {almost} outgrown this store, it's like looking at this store with a new set of eyes.  I say "almost" because my 11 year old still strolled around in there on a scooter like he is 5.   I mean, really?


Anyway- I found this:

It was on sale for only $7.99.  Sold!

Have you seen this before?  It's like Bananagrams except for math.  For example, the kids can make connecting rows that are, let's say, multiples of 5.  Each row needs to add up to a number that is a multiple of 5.  See the bottom left corner 6 + 4 = 10 (multiple of 5).  Going down 1 + 4 = 5 (another multiple).  Then, 1 + 2 + 2 = 5 (ditto).

Cool, right?

Can't wait to take it to school on Monday!


Other Randomness:

Have you ever watched Strange Addiction?  OK, so strange.  So, so, sooooo appropriately named. The one we just watched was of a woman who eats tape.  Three rolls of tape a day.  I don't think I will ever be able to look at  my tape dispenser at school the same again.

Birchbox and a Freebie Woohoo!

First of all, let me show you how I started my day:

Yes, that's my screenshot from my very first Birchbox purchase!  I got an email this morning letting me know that I had made the cut :)  I was no longer on the waiting list and I could purchase my first Birchbox.  Woohoo!  I can't wait to see what I get.  I'll let you know show you once it arrives.

Secondly, I'm on my second half of my spring break vacation.  (Is that just beautifully written, or what?) I left Garden City yesterday and headed a bit north to Wilmington, NC to visit friends.  We were going to go to the beach today...but BURRR :(

Went shopping instead.

Now back at her house to let my goddaughter nap.  So, I'm trying to get some things finished up for next week. 

Got side-tracked. 

Again.

One of the things I want to do is organize my guided reading binders.  I made this cute little binder label that will fit 4 different sized binders.  I'm not sure which size I will end up with, but the first label on the left is for a 1-inch binder, then a 1 1/2-inch, 2-inch and 2 1/2-inch binder.  I'm going to either
a) use binders that I already have and print this on full sized sheets of sticky-label paper.  or,
b) buy new binders with the sleeves and just print it on regular paper and slip in in the sleeve.

You can download this from my TpT or TN stores.

Do you have a need for a more specific reading notebook? Maybe one with group names, numbers, etc.?  Comment below and let me know what you could use and I'll see what I can do.


If you haven't already started following 3-6 Free Resources, you should consider following it.  Like Right Now!

First, I'm a contributor, so it's got to be a great place-totally tongue in cheek, y'all.  Geesh :)

Second, I love the way that it is organized.  You can click on a specific grade level to find blogs by specific grade level. (Oh My-another beautifully written sentence.  I amaze myself.)

Third, there are a lot of great contributors {not just me} who have some terrific ideas.

Enough reasons?

Oh-wait-everything is TOTALLY FREE :)  Gotta love that!

Head on over!

Currently April and a WINNER :)

One of these months, I might be a little bit quicker at linking up.  Maybe.

 Lemme explain my super power...or do I really need to?  Who wouldn't love to clone themselves.  The clone would do all of the chores and you'd be able to do more of what you love {blogging, reading, etc.}. 

Head on over and link up with Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade!


Now for the winner of my giveaway.

First, how cool is this?  I had 200 comments for my 200th follower.  Good vibes, good vibes.

And the winner is-

Teacher Bug from Read and Black and Learning All Over:

This was her comment:

Congratulations!  I need your email address so that you can get your prizes emailed to you! 

Now, off to sink my toes in the sand!

Survey Linky

I'm linking up with

for the cutest little survey linky ever!  I remember doing a lot of these when I first started emailing.  That dates me doesn't it?  Pleh....

1.  Are you married, do you have a bf, or are you flying free as a single lady/man?

Married to my best friend, Brian.

2.  Where did you grow up?

All over the place.  I was an Navy brat.  Mostly, I am from South Carolina because I have lived here the longest.

3.  Do you have any pets?  If so, what kind and what is his/her name?

Yes.  Ben: our super-lovable lap dog lab... Yes, you read that correctly. (He thinks he belongs on the sofa resting on your lap.)

4. What is a favorite tv show you are embarrassed to admit to watching?

Toddlers and Tiaras- Yikes!
 

5.  Are you a saver or a spender?

I'm a spender, but it has to be a bargain! I love a coupon! We will be going to the Tanger Outlets later this week, so I hope to find a bargain.

6.  What is your favorite children's book?

Harold and the Purple Crayon- I've loved this book forever.  But, when my son was young, it was his favorite book, too.  So, I'm sure it will always be my favorite.
 

7.  Were you the class clown, teacher's pet, or neither?

Neither...I would probably loved to be the class clown.  Maybe that's where my snarky sarcasm comes into play now that I'm an adult. 

8.  Who is your favorite athletic team?

I don't really have a favorite. I went to the College of Charleson (which doesn't have a football team), so I never really "got into" college football.

9.  Where did you go on your last REALLY fun vacation?

I went to Bryson City, NC with my husband last summer for our anniversary.  Here's some pictures from that: 

We stayed in a Yurt.  Have you heard of this?  It's called "glamping" {camping with glamour}.

 We went white water rafting (sorry no pictures) and zip-lining...

10.  Who is your favorite actor?  Actress?

Actor-Tom Hanks- I have an autographed picture of him playing Forrest Gump in my office {sad, but true}  Actress-right now it's Emma Stone

11.  Tell about the last time you cried because you were happy.

Probably had something to do with my kids, but I can't remember right now.
 

12.  What is your favorite season?

Spring-I love seeing the new growth, the flowers, the warm weather...I'm not a cold-weather girl.

13.  What is your biggest regret?
This was a hard one, but I think it is that I didn't travel more with my husband before children came along.

14.  What food do you just NOT like at all?

Brussel sprouts...I have never liked them.  I remember biting down in them and having a sandy-gritty texture maybe because they weren't washed properly {which is CRAZY, because my mother is a clean-freak...love you, Mom, but it's true}.  My kids LOVE them...weirdos.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST FOR MY TEACHER BLOG....

15. Who was your most memorable teacher, and why?

Mrs. Matthews, my fifth grade teacher.  She made me feel special all the time.  {insert Ahhs}.  I moved at the end of that year and I've saved her letter to me all these years.

Now, you remember that I'm at the beach right now, right?  I hope you are not too jealous if I post these pictures...

Ahhhh, bliss.

Now, don't forget that tonight is the end of my giveaway. Midnight, tonight to be exact.  Remember how I said I'd be awake at midnight...well, that might be a lie...I fell asleep at little after 10 last night...What???!!!

I'm Going to Do This EVERY YEAR!

What's that, you ask?

Schedule a field trip the day before Spring Break.

Yep.

It was that awesome!

Instead of trying to teach contain 25 eager little beavers crazy kids who were all itching for a break for 6 hours, I could sit back and watch. 

I think we were ALL ready for a break.

A break from each other.

This field trip?

Well, it was a trip out to a nature center in a neighboring town.  We go there twice a year and this was our spring trip.  We had two sessions.  One session was all about birds.  We learned about carnivores, herbivores and omnivores.  We learned about raptures, wing spans, characteristics and adaptations of birds and so much more in this session.  I would probably sound a lot smarter here if I taught science.  But, seeing as I haven't taught science in over 8 years, I'm kinda just an observer to these lessons :)  I was so impressed with how much my students knew...so kudos to my partner teacher!!!

Our second session was all about animal tracks in the woods.  The students played detectives trying to determine which "specimen" belonged to which animal.

My favorite moment of the day came when I was sitting with a cute bunch of my boys.  The instructor was telling them all about how they can find evidence in the woods that an animal had been there.  You know where this is leading, right?  After going through imprints of paws, etc., fur, feathers, etc., she started talking about poo.  Yep.  You KNOW fourth graders are going to love this, right? 

So she says, "Oh, and we've come to my favorite word, scat." 

One of my boys says, "That's her favorite word?  Man."  {insinuating that the woman should get out more...}

I started laughing, all 4 boys started laughing.  It was a total giggle-fest.  I felt myself in my students' shoes.  You know, when I say something kinda lame.  They laugh, can't stop.  Well, I guess I "get" it.

Which leads me to my question.

What is the lamest thing you've said in front of your class that you wish you could take back?  (Make sure you comment below.)

I'm going to think on mine on my drive to Garden City, SC.  {near Myrtle Beach}  'Cause you know why...Spring Break is FINALLY here and I'm beach bound-baby.

I'm spending the first half of the week in Garden City with my BFF and Josh Groban partner-in-crime.  {Which, by-the-way, that may be my next few posts...my explanation of my fascination with the man...seeing as I'll probably not have anything teacher-inspired for you...is that OK?}  The second half of the week, I'm going to visit my dear friends {and parents to my newest Goddaughter} who just moved to Wilmington, NC.  I can't wait to see their new home and to visit them and my Goddaughter. 

Hey- don't forget that tomorrow is the last day for my giveaway.  (Click on the word to take you to that post).  Make sure you enter :)

Lunch Box Linky and Don't Forget My Giveaway!

Who doesn't love these?

I am joining up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics.  Love her! Do you see the cute graphic?  Who do you think created this gem?  Holla: Michelle at The 3AM Teacher.  I just want her to create a badge like that for me to wear around school.  Seriously.

I'm kinda in a love-hate relationship with this one, though.  Here's why:

#1- I don't have a cute lunch box right now.  My daughter has lost hers so she's using my cute Vera Bradley one.  {So it would be totally cool if I win the one that Tara is giving away as a part of this linky.} If I still had mine, it would look like this:

So, I basically throw my junk in my teacher bag:

And there goes the organization.  Remember this post about how I worked so diligently to organize it?

So, what used to look like this:

Now looks like this:

Yep, everything is dumped down into that bag.  The banana will probably definitely be smooshed {blogger doesn't like that word.  It's a word, right?} beyond consumption before I even get to school.   

Here's what's thrown in there:

 And, I guess since I can't bring a real Appletini or Margarita to school, I'll settle for these:

Have you seen these babies?  Can I say, "Yummmmm".  Even without the good stuff.

#2- I'm currently on a diet...bleh.  I've got to get myself in a dress for our Spring Formal on May 6th.  I bought this fabulous dress before the winter weight.  You know, that comfy extra 10 (or so) that seems to creep on each year.  What is wrong with me?

So, I'm not really enjoying my meals these days.  I'm trying to, but it's hard.  Really hard.  Especially with Spring Break coming and wanting to enjoy myself.  Dang it!

Hence the stinkin' rabbit food above.  

Tara also wanted to know about our lunchtime routines.  I'm getting so jealous of all of the teachers out there that get to have an unencumbered lunch {and some who actually get to LEAVE the building...what-the-what???}.  Mine goes something like this:

12:15ish- leave for lunchroom
12:18or so- get in line...now that's a story in itself.  There are 2 lines.  4th grade goes to lunch last (don't ask), and they shut down one of the lines just for us.  Isn't that so nice of them?  So, we have to shove 6 classes through one line instead of 2.  What?  Are you kidding me?
12:30ish (not really totally kidding) finally sit down and scarf down my meal.  Talk with buddy teacher...usually about our teenage girls.  Sometimes about our husbands....shhhh, don't tell.  Sometimes about our classes.  Sometimes about nothing at all.
12:40ish-line up to leave.  Since we are so rushed and since we are the last group in the lunchroom we usually linger a bit longer.  Yep, we make the janitors miffed, but oh well.

I hope you enjoyed my crazy, stupid lunch.


Go over to 4th Grade Frolics and link up.

Now, don't forget to enter my giveaway!  It ends this Sunday night at midnight.  That's not an April Fools either :)

200+ Follower Giveaway!

So excited to have surpassed 200.

To celebrate, I gathered a few bloggy friends to help me out:

You could win ALL of these items...so hurry and enter.

First off:
From little ol' me...

I've just started adding "stuff" to my TpT and TN stores.  You may have all of my "paid items" and all future paid items throughout the end of this school year.  For now, that includes these items:

My polka-dottie labels:

My Reading Rotation Board:

and my new Poetry and Figurative Language Lapbook:

By the way, I've sold over 10 12 13 of these babies...I think I'm hooked :)  That means, I'm planning on making more, more and more....so the winner will {hopefully} walk away with even more than you see here!  Yay!

Also: I am giving away a fan-tab-u-lous $15 gift card to where other than my favorite:

Now for a little help from my friends:

Amber from Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher:





She has donated her Measuring Unit:

AND her Measuring with Furry Friends Game Pack:

Misty from Think, Wonder & Teach:




has donated her "Brainy Matters...a Reflective Journal for Students":

Cara {who is busy getting ready for the Intermediate Teacher's Expo...can't wait} from Teaching...My Calling:


has donated the book, The Response Revolution.  It is a book that shows ideas for using Promethean ActiVotes and ActivExpressions, but the ideas can be used with any brand clicker:

Click here to learn more :)

Michelle from The 3AM Teacher {By the way...she is so generous with her clip art...you should definitely buy clip art from her!}:




has donated her Telling Time Graphics Collection:

Mandy from Mandy's Tips for Teachers:




has donated her any two items from her TpT store...here are a few possibilities:

Jen from The Teacher's Cauldron:


has donated her Spring Time Math and Literacy Centers:

And Elisabeth from Twins, Teaching and Tacos:



has donated her Comprehension Strategy Posters.

Here's what you need to do:

1.  Leave one comment for each blog you follow including mine.  That's 8, count them, 8 possible entries alone!
2. Like my Facebook Page or let me know you already do! (1 comment)

3.  Blog or Facebook about this giveaway! (2 chances- so 2 comments)

4. Pin something from my blog {one of my pictures} and let me know what you pinned.  Something just makes my heart go all a pitter-patter when I see something I made running wild on Pinterest.  (2 chances- so 2 comments).

OK, now that's a total of 13 chances, people.  What are you waiting for?

I'll post the winner on Sunday night at midnight.  'Cause guess why?

I'LL BE AWAKE...yes!  Spring Break, baby! 

Good luck!