10 Things I've Learned From Teaching

WOW! This is a linky I 1st found on Facebook, and I had to link up and share my experiences. This is one thing, that no matter where you are on your teaching journey, we all have learned something along the way.

1. It is MORE work to create sub plans, that it is to just go to school! There have been times when I haven't been able to avoid being out, and I wish I could have just stayed at school. Lol!!

2. A "teacher planning" period, is not always used as such. It can be full of conferences and other miscellaneous disruptions. Don't save all your work for these periods, you never know what will happen. :-/

3. Teach your kids that Germ- X does NOt replace washing your hands... it's a sad truth that many kids think you don't need soap and water as long as you have Germ- X. (Every season is FLU season when you work with kids)

4. We're not just teachers, we are friends, parents, disciplinarians, peer mediators, nurses, custodians, technology guru's and we even "come to Jesus" from time to time. (And they call you "mom", what an an honor) <3

5. If there ever comes a time when you don't finish everything, know that it will be there tomorrow. Staying late, is worth your time, but do not forget to relax, recharge and SLEEP! (Hardest part for me)

6. When you work with young children, you cherish the moments when you get to speak to adults. Enjoy your lunch period!! :)

7. Happy hour with a glass of WINE, is great for clearing your head! It's good to "let loose" every now and again and unWINE! Lol! - corny joke!

8. No matter what grade you teach, GET YOUR KIDS MOVING! I've been to too many workshops, that teach us to get kids moving, however; they make us (teachers) sit for hours! We don't like it, and they don't either. TRUST ME!

9. Bathroom Break?!?!? What's that?? (That moment when you tell the teacher across the hall to watch your kids for a second, only to SPRINT to the restroom?) - I don't call that a break. LOL!

10. Always BUILD UP your kids!! All kids are smart, and all kids can learn, and the process is easier when both teacher and student believe in them. Think about it: we work better with praise, our kids would too. ("Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them become what they are capable of becoming." -- Goethe)

I have learned a lot of things in only 3 years of teaching, but I have learned that you have to LOVE what you do!! Teaching is so rewarding, and while that is the most used "cliche", it holds true! No matter how many times, we repeat ourselves, tie the same pair of shoe laces, or reschedule parent conferences, we LOVE our jobs. We love what we do, because we love our kids (Even the stinkers!) and we help make each other better. :)

Thanks for reading!

Favorite Picture Books for Mentor Texts

Sooo over this past week I have been looking at my library book selection, and thinking about adding some new pieces to my library. 

One thing I LOVE about using picture books as mentor texts is that you can use them to teach several mini lessons and, because we've read the story, and our kids are familiar with it. (Which means we don't have to read the entire book again.) We canjust go to a specific part/page and discuss the author's craft and how they use it. (I love Mentor Texts)

I would love some of your input on different picture books. I have some, that I have loved for years, and can use to teach just about ANY skill, and I also have my favorite authors. 

Some books that I LOVE and believe should be on everyone's shelf, are:

Anything by Patricia Polacco

Anything by Cynthia Rylant

Kevin Henkes Series

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs

I would love to see what books you find as MUST haves in your classroom! I would love to find some new books! :)

Thanks!

And The Winners are.....

First off, I would like to thank everyone who participated in this giveaway!! I am very appreciative of all of you who participated! 

Without further delay, the winners of the 2 Target gift cards are Lupe Yarina and Jasmine!! Congrats!! You will receive an email from me shortly!

Thanks again to everyone for playing!! :) Have an Awesome Friday!

Currently July and Freebie!

Sooo.. I woke up this morning and stopped by Farley's page... only to realize I never linked up to Currently July!! How did this happen?!?! Summer-itis has me forgetting! Any who!! I am posting and linking up  with Oh' Boy 4th Grade to do Currently July!

Look for this FREEBIE under my new Freebie Tab! 

Only 3 days left to enter into the Target Gift Card Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Target Follower Giveaway!!

Back to School Giveaway!!

I couldn't help but notice all the AMAZING finds from teachers all over Target on Instagram! Wanted to take the opportunity for someone to find some great things ON ME!! :) Enter below for your chance to win!



Enter for a chance to win 1 of 2 gift cards from Target!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Liebster Award and FREEBIE

Over the past few days I have made it my task to find out more information on the the Liebster Award. It seems there isn't too much out there about it, however after reading through the blogs that it linked me to, I think I gained more of a "sense" of it.

I would, first, like to thank the 3 blogs that have nominated me for this award. Teaching with Twitte, Teaching 3rd With Mr. G, and Third and Goal. I am thankful for their thoughts of me during the nomination process.

I have nominated the following 3 blogs:

*Fab in 4th grade

* Elementary Tales

*Sullivan's Tigers

In order to accept the nomination, we must: 

Link back the blogs that nominated us

Nominate 3-5 blogs with fewer than 200 followers

Answer the questions posted by the nominators

Share 11 random facts about myself 

Create 11 questions for my nominees

Contact my nominees and let them know I have nominated them

11 questions for the nominees

Why do you blog?

To reflect, share and gain current ideas

What is your favorite book for a read aloud?

I would say any book by Patricia Palacco 

Are you a good dancer?

Yes, I danced in college

Do you have a favorite teacher/education website?

Yes I LOVE Beth Newingham and her website

What are you most excited about for the new school year?

My NEW team! Can't wait.. AWESOME group of ladies

What subject do you love to teach the most?

I love Reading.. but Math is .5 away.. I love both..lol!

How do you handle a tough day on the education field?

I exercise

Which holiday break is your favorite?

Winter Break

Which is better... pens or pencils?

Definitely Pens.. but they have to be colorful

Favorite type of music?

R&B and Pop... Anything that gets me moving

Favorite piece of advice to share with educators? 

Never allow yourself to settle for less than your very best. If you have a great idea, put it in action. (With principal approval of course)

11 RANDOM Facts about Me

1. I'd rather wear gym clothes

2. I ALWAYS try to return the cart at the grocery store

3. My favorite color is Lime Green

4. I'm terrified Of the Muppets

5. Dark colors depress me

6. I love to smile

7. Summer is my favorite season

8. I have more than 30 nail polishes

9. I can't sleep without the TV

10. I'm addicted to gummi candy

11. My sister is my best friend

11 questions for the nominees

Why do you blog?

What is your favorite book for a read aloud?Are you a good dancer?

Do you have a favorite teacher/education website?

What are you most excited about for the new school year?

What subject do you love to teach the most?How do you handle a tough day on the education field?

Which holiday break is your favorite?

Which is better... pens or pencils?

Favorite type of music?

Favorite piece of advice to share with educators?

 In honor of being nominated I would like to open up a Back to School item on my TPT site. This FREEBIE will remain free for 3 hours! :)

Thank you all so much!!

 

Time for a BLOGOVER!!

Remodeling for the upcoming year's theme!! 

ANCHORS!!!

This year, my classroom is going Nautical!! I can't wait to begin putting the decor together! I found some awesome FREEBIE Name Plates from The 3am Teacher!

Stop by and check out my new layout design! I'm so excited about this theme!! 

Anchor's Away!!

Shout Out to a New Blogger Friend!!

ATTN Bloggers!!

I'm so excited that one of my friends is now in the land of blogging!!  She's a wonderful person, raising babies and teaching kids! I love her! Hope you love her as much as I do! Stop by her page and follow her. She will be doing some great things during this upcoming year! 

The things that she finds and thinks of are so creative!

She's Awesome!!

Welcome Holly!!

Side Note: For all the new bloggers out there... one GREAT way to get fresh ideas frequently is to join Instagram!! There are a lot of great ideas circulating daily, sometimes more than once in a day!! You should join the Instagram party. You'll be glad you did! :)