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Saturday, July 28, 2012

Books, books, & more books for 4th Grade!

A week or so ago one of my  fabulous Facebook fans, Brittney, asked for some suggestions for 4th grade novels to use in her classroom.  My fans had such awesome suggestions I decided to put them all together here for easy reference!



Thanks for all the suggestions! Even though some of these are oldies but goodies, I have never read them and I can't wait to do so this year!  I hope you find this list as helpful as I do.

If you have any suggestions for great 4th grade appropriate books please let me know in the comment section.
HAPPY READING!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Classroom management & requested journal covers

I can't believe it's the last week of July and the start of school is right around the corner.  Summer blew by and its time to really start thinking about the upcoming new year.

Whether you are a new teacher or not, I think one of the most important things needed for a successful year is good great classroom management.  There is not one perfect "program" that works the same for everyone.  We all have different tolerance levels, different expectations, and different personalities.  We have to find what works for us and our students.  I personally don't like to use the pulling of the cards(red, yellow, green) or the clip chart things. I also never give whole class consequences for negative behavior.  I know they work for other teachers but it doesn't mean they necessarily will work for me.  I like to use positive reinforcement as much as possible yet I am known as a pretty strict teacher.  However, I am known for being a very fun teacher.  Every year I tell students and parents, "I can be your child's most fun teacher ever or their worst nightmare the kind of teacher that doesn't let them sneeze without permission."  And that is absolutely true.  It's the students choice (I'm not good at decision making anyways so it works out good for everyone).

Anywho, let me tell you what I do in my classroom and maybe you can use some ideas for yours.  As I said, I won't "punish the whole class as a whole but I definitely reward them as a whole if they earn it.  Inspired by my friend Teresa from Confession of a Teaching Junkie, one of the management tools I use is 'Behavior BINGO'.  Here is a BINGO board I had made at Vistaprint to match my theme this year.
Small Banners Vertical by Vistaprint
Students get to choose the reward that they are working towards.  In the past the kids tried to get a BINGO for a class pet, a week of no homework, movie day, game day, and even a "Mrs. Vasquez love the Dallas Cowboys day" {Some background knowledge needed:  I hate, despise, can't stand, am not a fan of the Dallas Cowgirls Cowboys.  I am a big NFL fan and an even bigger Pittsburgh Steelers fan - not real popular here in the heart of Texas}.   

Students love love love working for something big like this and really encourage their classmates to choose to be "good" all the time. 

Individual student management is a bit different.  At the beginning of the year I let my students know I have VERY HIGH expectations of them.  I expect each and everyone of my students to make positive choices, give 110% effort, and treat each other like we are a family.... does it always happen?  Absolutely not, but I still expect ALL students to strive for this.  I only reward when students go over and beyond....  yup, it's true.  I have found, especially in the last couple of years, students expect to be given a prize for anything they do.  "Mrs. Vasquez, I did my homework last night, can I get a prize?"  "Mrs. Vasquez, I just helped SuzieQ pick up the crayons she dropped, can I pick from the prize box?"  Uuuhhh no!  One, don't ask for a prize and two, you are suppose to do your homework and you are suppose to help your classmates... Your prize is the good feeling you get inside.  We do all sorts of cheers, and patting ourselves or each other on the back but not prizes for doing what your suppose to do just because you are a good human being.

However, when students do go over and beyond or even just at random times when students are on tasks and have been doing what good human beings do I give out classroom dollars. I have generic dollars that were printed out from the computer (some year I use tickets like they use at carnivals or fairs).  Students save up the dollars to "buy" Friday Fun Day! Friday Fun Day is where the student get 30-45 minutes at the end of the day to play games, dance to music, etc.  Unfortunately, not everyone always gets Friday Fun Day.   And believe me, I have heard how mean I am to not just give in and let Johnny, SuzieQ, and Billy have Friday Fun Day because they didn't earn enough dollars to buy Friday Fun Day.   My answer always is "They made their choices not me".  While others are having Friday Fun Day it is a great opportunity for me to talk with the students who didn't get to participate about the choices they made during the week and/or what choices need to be made to earn enough to enjoy a fun Friday afternoon.

I know you are thinking, "O.M.G. you crazy frog lady, we don't have an extra 30-45 minutes to spare with all the academics we need to get in."   There are several times I can't give up a Friday afternoon (especially when state tests are coming) but in that case the kids get to "buy" something from the prize box...my prize box has everything from coupons for no homework, lunch with teacher, sit at teacher desk for the day, or prizes that are pretty cool (of course from the Dollar store, Target Dollar Spot, or something on clearance).

I must say that  like with anything else, kids need to have the positive choices modeled and practice, practice, practice.  We practice procedures and making good choices all year long but especially at the beginning of the year.   

In doing all of the above I have found that students learn to appreciate each other and themselves.  They start to appreciate the good feeling they get when they do make a good choice, and they appreciate the "prizes" so much more.  Students really come to appreciate the fun we have when I teach (because they've earned it).

This year I am also going to use what I will call "Working Willies" for group management but that will be another post when ever I have a change to make them. :)

I would love to hear what you use for your classroom management so please share in the comments.

***UPDATE*** ~  First I want to tell you that I can't reply to your wonderful comments unless I'm on my phone...weird I know but it's true!  Its something with the design and html that I know nothing about. :)  I will get to all comments ASAP.   However, I want to say Thank you to Allison Mogren for asking what I do with the kids who aren't making positive choices.   Well good golly Miss Molly (that one is for you Mrs. Malloy), I act like everyone in my class is perfect and that is not always true!  


So what do I do? Well, it really depends on the infraction. I do not tolerate any type of name calling or bullying period!  If its something minor the student gets a verbal warning.  Again, depending on the child or the situation they may get one or more verbal warnings.  If the student does the same thing again I put a plain post it note on their desk for a visual warning.  Next I would have the student call the parent and "tell on themselves". And of course, if necessary, I write an office referral and send them down to the office.  To be honest, I usually don't keep students from recess as a consequence because most of the time those are the kids that need to run off their energy but I have taken 5 minutes away from recess for behavior issues.  


I know its going to sound CRAZY but I rarely have any behavior consequences more then the post it note.  Students in my class know (or get to know) that if they don't earn fun they don't get fun and that includes my teaching.  I can make copies of worksheets like anyone else, so if they choose to, I can lecture and hand out worksheets OR I can be interactive, get crazy, and have fun when teaching!  And remember, I don't punish the class as a whole so most kids want to have fun being engaged with the Promethean board or perhaps a math game, etc. They don't want to miss out on that, would you?.  Sometimes the students who make good choices are so engaged that they are all on their own and I am sitting one on one with the culprit who made bad choices........ boring for them! ;)

Speaking of comments, a couple of days ago on my Made it Monday post, many of you emailed me or left a comment that you wanted to know when my journal covers would go on sale in my TPT store.   While I buy from TPT I don't sell anything.  I give my stuff away for free. I was going to put these journal covers as my freebie in my August newsletter but due to popular demand you can get them right now by clicking here.  Here is an example of one of my whole class journal covers.
Have a hoppy day!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Monday Made it - Journals & Classroom Numbers

After I started my recent "To Do Before School Starts list" linky party, my list just started growing and growing.  To be honest I was a bit lazy this weekend but I need to get my rear in geaSr starting today or else I will have nothing done.

I am able to knock off my to do list 2 things.  First is my whole class writing journals.  I made twelve journals to use as part of my "writing" component of Daily 5.  I am thinking about writing an entry on the first page of each so the students can see an example but I am not sure yet....just another addition to my  to do list!
***UPDATE*** - no need to wait for the August newsletter to download the journal covers. You can download them now by clicking here

Next I made some new numbers to label my cubbies, mailboxes, etc. with to match my new theme.  Printed, cut, laminated, and cut again, ready to go! I think I will attached them on the cubbies with velcro so I can change them out when my theme changes.  Right now I just use the colored dot sticker labels with a number written on them that some people use for garage sales....not the cutest!  These new numbers are about the size of a quarter.

That's it for now since I need to get back to my to do list right away or maybe after a little summer time nap............boy, I am going to miss my naps when I go back to work!

Make sure you link up with the fabulous Tara at Fourth Grade Frolics's 8th Monday Made it by clicking the button below!

Look for some great blog posts coming up....
  • What I use for classroom management (individually & whole class)
  • Great book recommendations for 4th graders
  • Working Willies
  • 1st week of school tried and true activities
Happy a hoppy week! 

Thursday, July 19, 2012

To do or Not to do? So many things on my list! (linky party)

Today is Thursday, July 19th.  Ahhh, the days of summer.......hanging out with my kids, staying up way to late at night and sleeping in until noon like I was a teenager.  I have lots of thing to do during summer but first I will just chillax (chill out + relax...I'm pretty hip, huh?).  

Today I rescheduled a doctor's appointment from tomorrow until Aug. 7th so of course I had to pull out my Erin Condren life planner to write down the new appointment when all of a sudden I start to PANIC!  Holy "beep"!!!!!!!!!  Only 4 weeks until I start setting up my classroom.  We don't officially have to go back to work until August 20th but with all the staff development and meetings we have that week I never have time to set up my classroom.   Did you hear me?  4 weeks to do EVERYTHING I had planned to get accomplished over the summer!!!!!! 

You think 4 weeks is a long time?  You are CRAY-ZEE!!!!!!! I have so much to do including: decluttering the house (especially the garage), painting the kitchen and family room, replacing the carpet, replacing the fence, painting the exterior of the house, painting a mural in my sons room, re-doing my cross wall, find a new sofa table, buy new lamps...... oh my goodness I can go on and on and this is just my to do at home list.  There is a to do personal list like start exercising, eating better, etc and there is a school to do list that is a mile long!  In fact, I have so much I want to do before the first day of school I can't even think of everything! 

The house stuff and me stuff will have to wait until Christmas break (like always)!!!!!! 

Because of my lack of focus and lack of movement (yes, I'm a couch potato.... don't judge) I've decided to have a linky party! A "what do you still need to do before the first day of school" linky party!

Here is my list of only my school stuff that I need to do before the 1st day of school
(in no particular order)
  1. Make my parent orientation brochure and order through vistaprint (done)
  2. Create several "class journals" like I've seen on pinterest
  3. Plan out my curriculum for the year... a very loose timeline
  4. Figures out what classroom jobs I'm going to have
  5. Make labels for student spirals and folders (I made stuff for my own binder already)
  6. Plan out Daily 5 - make posters, think about how I will track students, etc.
  7. Plan out gathering area, student book boxes, etc (for daily 5)
  8. make and organize word work
  9. write out P.O. for two grants I won at the end of last year
  10. Make an book about me (autobiography w/ pics) to share with my students
  11. Make little "recycle paper bins" for the student desk groups
  12. Make birthday bucket with "birthday treats"
  13. Create Sign In/Out binder sheets 
  14. numbers for labeling (create, print, cut out, laminate, cut out again)
  15. 5 Jenga get to know you games (buy, print, create)
  16. Create buttons/badges... "ask me how I did on my test today",  "Ask me how I filled someone's bucket today", etc.
  17. Bucket filler board/shoe organizer (buy, print, create)
  18. Check out station for my library books (posterboard w/ library pockets- buy, print, create)
  19. Make class schedule
  20. Door decoration  from pinterest (make, print, cut, laminate and cut again)
  21. Make Peace Maker / Peace Breaker board for back of door
OK, I am stopping at 20 (#1 doesn't count because I did it already) because just #3 will take me forever!!!! Now its your turn to share what you still have to do before your first day of school.  Hopefully you will get other ideas and/or you will get suggestions on how to make your to list shrink quickly!

Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies
<div align="center"><a href="http://www.fabulous4thgradefroggies.com" title="Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd413/Rainee2011/Linkypartypic.png" alt="Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
After writing your post with your "to do list"(don't forget to include the linky party button on your blog post so others can check your post out)link up here:

Monday, July 16, 2012

Winners, Winners, & more Winners!!!!

I will be emailing all of you for your addresses so we can get your prizes out to you!  If you read this before you get my email you can email me your mailing address at rainee2011@gmail.com

Thanks again for all your support!







Thursday, July 12, 2012

Giveaway, Big Brother, The Book Whisperer & Panic!

First, I want to share a new facebook page called Fourth Grade Friends!  A new friend, named Beth Joyner, just created it tonight  and I thought I would pass it along to you.  If you teach 4th Grade please come by and like it.  The more the merrier :)

Learning Resources have given me another opportunity to review a product and give one away to one of my followers!  I am so excited to introduce to you the hearAll Assessment Recorder!  It does exactly what it says.... it hears all!  




This little (about the size of an iPhone) tool has 4 microphones on each corner and can record small groups while you are working with another small group.  Holy smokes folks, that is almost like having an assistant!  OK, its nothing like having an assistant but its super duper cool nonetheless.  It records several people at once and the recordings remain very clear.  You can play back the recording, download and even share the recording with the parents or even the reading specialist.  It even records for 4 hours!  For your chance to win scroll down to the bottom of this post and enter.


source: CBS.com
Now let's talk serious......who here watches Big Brother?  O.M.G!  Tonight the new season started!!!!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show!!!!  It pathetic but me and my family make sure that we make plans around the show.  My hubby, my kids, and myself, sat in the den cheering on the contestants to victory!  Who do you want to win?


I'm about to start reading The Book Whisperer.  I hear it's a good one!  Have you read it yet?  What are your thoughts on it?




And now to the panic!!!!  I was sitting at home today being lazy, watching tv, and doing some blog stalking.  I happened to knock over my Erin Condren life planner and noticed I only have about 4 weeks before I start setting up my classroom again!  How can that be when I haven't started doing anything I planned on doing this summer.  I was going to DECLUTTER and get rid of anything I (or my family) haven't used in a year.... my darling smarty pants husband said if that was my plan I would have to throw out our stove! Hardy Har Har, he's soooooo funny (I say in my most sarcastic voice). I do admit we eat out a lot but I love to cook and that was something else I have plans for this summer.... cooking EVERY DAY!!!!   I wanted to plan out meals and see if I try to cook on the weekends and freeze some meals  to use during the week during the school year.  I wanted to paint my kitchen and redo my bedroom.  I wanted to go through my curriculum and plan out next year.  Oh my gosh, the list can go on and on! 
What's a girl to do?   I guess what I do every summer.  Enjoy it so much that it passes me by so quickly and then I panic and do get anything done and say I will do it all on our winter break! LOL!  Story of my life!

Alrighty, here is where you can enter the giveaway.  I think I am going to try google docs again.  A winner will be chosen Saturday, July 15th at midnight central time and will be announced on July 16th.  Good Luck!

Monday, July 9, 2012

DIY ~ RGS, Passes, Dividers,& Student Welcome Kit

Holy Guacamole Batman!  Check out my article/post on Really Good Stuff!  It so super cool to see my name on a "famous blog"!  I feel so super awesome!  Now on to other awesome blogs!

As most of you know I am contributor to the awesome blog Classroom DIY.  I post a DIY project that can be used in your classroom on the 9th of every month so that means I have a post today.  Today's Classroom DIY post is a fun Student Welcome kit (with a free printable).  I give this gift to my student on Meet the Teacher night at the beginning of each year and its great in almost any grade. Click here to go check it out!
Another reason I am writing a DIY post is because I want to participate in my friend, Tara @ 4th Grade Frolics's, Monday Made it!  I love always reading the crafty ideas and thought its about time I join.

Saying that I must say, that my Monday Made It projects are very easy and quick. I really am a crafter but all my summer naps, TV watching, blog stalking, and trips to Target have taken up a lot of my time this summer.  I promise to show you more of my crafty side when I have more time.  

The first project is a bathroom pass.  I know you are thinking eeeeeewwww GRODY TO THE MAX but these bathroom passes are as germ free as they get.  I only allow one boy and one girl out using the bathroom at a time.  When a student goes to the restroom they take the appropriate bottle of germ-x (either boy or girl) and place it on their desk.  Then they go across the hall to the restroom.  Having the bottle on the desk does a couple of things.... 1) it tells me who is out of the room and 2) it keeps the "pass" out of the germ infested, stinky student restrooms.  Hopefully the students wash their hands before leaving the restroom but on the off chance they don't when they get back to their desk they take a squirt of the germ-x and then put it back where they are kept by my sign in & out binder.

I just printed out cute labels and put them on germ-x bottles with clear packing tape.

Here is a pic of my binder cover for my sign in/out binder.  It's pretty self explanatory.  Students must sign out and in when ever they leave the room (whether its to the restroom or the nurse or the reading specialist, etc.)

A couple of Mondays ago, I think it was Made it Monday #3,  Tara made some binder dividers that inspired me to make some as well.  I put all my pics together so they would take up too much space.  Of course they match my Peace, Love & 4th Grade Frog theme.

Don't forget that if you are in need of a new lunch bag, school tote, or gift, my Thirty-One online party is still happening... Last day to place an order is July 15th.  There are fabulous prizes to be won and those will be announced on the 16th.  Check it out here!

Have an incredible week my friends!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Party Animal on a Friday night (NOT!!!)

It's summer time and there is no reason I shouldn't be "partying up" on a Friday night!  I don't need a babysitter, my kids are teenagers and my husband is here not doing anything. 


So what do you think I did?  Did I hit the dance club?  Perhaps we went bar hopping?  Or maybe just a romantic dinner at a quaint resturaunt with some music and wine?


Nope, none of the above!  On the first Friday night of July I sat home in my pajamas, watching Bravo T.V., played with Erin Condren and read a great book.  


OK, maybe I don't even know the real Erin Condren but I do know her planners!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Erin Condren life planner!!!! Earlier in the day I received a package and yes, it was my new and improved Erin Condren life planner ( I also received a desk pad I bought for my desk at work).  As soon as I opened the box I knew I had plans for the evening.....to write in my new life planner!  It wouldn't have matter if the President of the United States called me to go to dinner I would have had to politely decline and say I had a previous engagement with Erin.

I must say I do NOT get anything for bragging about my Erin Condren life planner, desk pad, or even my lesson plan book.  I just love sharing things I love (except my husband...I'm not sharing him)

If you never have received a package from ErinCondren.com you are missing out.  In the picture below you can the adorable box your product comes in. The picture below the box is what it looks like when you open the lid to the box, again adorable!  That is my new 2012-2013 life planner and my new deskpad in the pic as well.  

I also purchased the lesson plan book from ErinCondren.com put I bought it about a month ago.  Some friends ask to see pictures of what it looked like inside.  So below you can see my lesson plan book and some pages from the inside.... only some pages I didn't take a pic of everything.  By the way, did you notice my life planner matches my lesson plan book?  FAN- TAB-U-LUS!

I have to be honest, I didn't write in my planner allllll night! In between writing in my new planner and reading a fabulous book (which I will share in a minute) I did some blog stalking and downloaded some AWESOME  Language Arts Cootie Catchers!   What the heck are cootie catchers you ask?  Well check them out here at Runde's Room store. My students are going to love practicing their Language Arts skills with these cootie catchers! You can get the bundled pack or individual skill ones.... in Math too!  I still need to get the math bundled pack but I do have the multiplication one.  Runde's Room is one of my favorite blogs.  You need to go visit and tell her that Lorraine at Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies sent ya.


I love this pic I found on the internet!  Can you imagine if we did get professional development hours for blog stalking?  I know I have found some incredible ideas while blog stalking, how about you?

I ended my night reading a fantastic book.  I read the entire thing (although its not a big book) before falling asleep.  I consider myself a positive person but sometimes life does get ya down sometimes just reading about positiveness reminds me what a wonderful life I really have.  Anywho, the book I read was by Mr. Positivity himself, Jon Gordon.  It's called the Positive Dog.  I really recommend reading this book, especially before you go back to teaching. Click on the link below to read more about it.  It's a good reminder to start the year on a positive foot!


So there you have it..... while I enjoy an occasional party I also love NOT being a party animal, sitting home in my jammies filling out my planner, downloading goodies for my students, blogstalking, and reading.

Don't forget to get yourself a new lunch bag or a fabulous new tote and my  my Thirty-One Gifts online party.  Click here to see all the FABULOUS prizes we're giving away and to learn more about my online party.

Enjoy your weekend my friends!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Shopping fun with Thirty-One! (w/ great giveawayS)

As most of you know I am currently having a Thirty-One Gifts Online party through July 15th.  My Thirty-One consultant (and dear friend), Blair Beck, said she had some prizes and those who placed an order would be eligible.  I was thrilled when she told me she had several items to donate!!!!  I assumed she would donate a couple of small items like the awesome manicure nail file (only $2) or maybe a small rosette ($5) that you can pin on a bag.  I actually have both on my shopping list right now.  Well I was wrong!  Now don't tell my husband that I admitted I am wrong because at home I am never wrong.  FO Real, I am never wrong! Just ask him! Make sure I am in the room when you ask him because sometimes he forgets that I am always right and never wrong.

Anywho, this isn't about me being right or wrong!  This is about FAB-U-LOUS prizes! Blair just sent me a text with the pictures of the prizes she is providing.  Holy purses batman... you are going to love this one!  OK, first of all anyone who places an order (either online or locally by calling Blair) gets in a drawing for 10 terrific prizes. Then once we have of the prizes awarded we will put everyone's name in again for a GRAND prize..... yup, that's right! You have a chance of winning 2 incredible prizes just for placing an order!!!!!  Here are pics of the prizes.  Be sure to scroll all the way down to place an order and get your name in the drawing.



Here are the 10 prizes you have a chance of winning one of by placing an order! First name chosen will win the Beauty Queen large zippered bag, second will win the mini organizer (the one with lots of pockets), the third will win the adorable bag that says #1 teacher, the fourth will win the icon coin purse (butterfly)


fifth name chosen will win the pens & pencils large zippered pouch, 6th will win the cupcake large zippered pouch, 7th will win the butterfly cinch sack, 8th, 9th, and 10th will win one of the flowered large zippered pouches.

Shhhhhh, I have a secret......As of the writing of this post you have an AWESOME chance of winning one of the 10 prizes since there are only 5 orders and only one prize per order (not including the grand prize)

Shop & Place your order by clicking here

If you place an order leave me a comment telling me which prize you hope to win out of the 10!





Monday, July 2, 2012

It's my Blogiversary and a Par-Tay!!!!

I can't believe that I've been blogging for a year already!  I remember being so excited that I had 50 followers and now I am over 700 followers!  I can't thank you enough for always being supportive and  sharing your comments,thoughts, and ideas with me!



Many bloggers have other bloggers donate items to celebrate their day but I decided I want to do things a little differently.  I am not only going to have a give away but a Thirty-One Gifts online party with its own giveaways (Yes, its suppose to be plural!)!  My beautiful friend (and 31 consultant) Blair has 10 awesome prizes  (all Thirty-One products) to give away for those who place an order during this party.   The party will run from today through the 15th.  Click on the invitation below to see more details.There are 2 different giveaways!!!!!  The first one is for Thirty-One prizes (with purchase) and the second is for one of two gift cards (no purchase necessary to enter).   Make sure you scroll down all the way! :)
This is your chance to buy yourself a new school tote, purse or both (that's what I plan to do) or even a new wallet! Thirty-One products make great gifts for young and old alike.  This month there are SUPER FABULOUS specials! Click on the pic below to see them!  Bags for $5!!!! Yeah, that's awesome!

                                         

CLICK HERE TO PLACE A THIRTY-ONE ORDER

You must make a purchase for the Thirty-One Gifts giveaway.  If you order one item you will get 5 entries.  If you order two items you will get 10 entries and if you order three or more items in one order you get 25 entries!!!!  Party ends July 15th and  all winners will be announce on July 16th!

Plus there will be a GRAND prize valued at $50!!!! Everyone will be entered for that, even if you already won one of the 10 prizes for ordering!

No purchase necessary to enter the giveaway for the gift cards. Winner of the gift cards will be announced on July 16th as well. First winner will win  the $25 gift card and the second winner will win the $15 gift card

GOOD LUCK!
a Rafflecopter giveaway




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Currently, Fab Fourth, and a funny!


Today is July 1st and that means a couple of things....
  1. Our Daily 5 and CAFE book study for upper elementary teachers has started on my other blog, We Read, We Blog, We Teach. Today we are discussing chapter 1 of The Daily 5.
  2. My newsletter, The Lily Pad, went out today.  Make sure you check it out... I included a yummy recipe perfect for your 4th of July celebrations and a freebie to use in your classroom. See it by clicking here
  3. Farley has posted her Currently linky on her blog, Oh Boy 4th Grade!

I love participating in Farley's "Currently" parties! the last part of the currently says reads. The first is a  read for pleasure book and the second is a teacher resource I can't do without.  It was hard to pick one of each but these are what I chose!  Click on the pic below to read more about them.

UPDATE!!!!!! Whoever said teachers are the worst students may be right!  I didn't follow directions but its not all my fault... I am going to throw Farley herself under the bus!  It's kinda her fault since she and her "Currently" are so darn popular that I had to just skim her post so I can link up quickly.  I didn't want to be # 3,975!!!!!!!!!!!  PuuuuLeez!  Anywho, the reads were suppose to be my favorite READ ALOUD  (not a grown up book) and a Teacher Resource book.  Darn!  Well since I updated it red its all better, right?  I still think you should read Same Kind of Different As Me.....  I laugh, I cried and I stress ate!




My favorite read aloud is Sideways Stories from Wayside School!!!!
                 

As I've told you, my team(6 of us) next year will be all doing the same theme.  We will be doing PEACE, LOVE, & 4th GRADE!  How awesome is that?  Yeah, its an awesome theme but the awesome part is that 6 team members agreed on something!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!   I am sure everyone will put their own twist on the theme but we are going to be a FABULOUS FANTASTICAL UNITED team!  By the way, I am known as the frog teacher and can't teach without my frogs so my twisted theme is Peace, Love, and 4th grade frogs.... Perfect, huh?   Anywho, not only are we going to be extra awesome and united we bought team shirts!   How cute is this????

We will have some new team members next year but luckily for us we are getting a friend from 3rd grade and a friend from second.  Since the end of last year when we found out about this we decided that we are going to RoCk It oUt next year and kick some boo-tay!  It looks like our team will be lots of fun! We all like to laugh, we all love being educators, and we all are smartypants .... not the academic way (well several on the team are pretty darn brilliant) but the sarcastic way.   I look soooooooo forward to working with these gals!   When I saw the funny below I thought about next years team!  

I also want to announce that I am having a Thirty-One Gifts online party this week!  There will be prizes and great deals!  If you want a head start on shopping you can start by clicking here!
I can't wait to get a new purse and school tote........too bad they don't have a frog pattern ;)