Classroom Setup 2016-2017

I will be going into my 8th year of teaching in September.  I am at a new school and a new grade level.  This summer has been full of hard work and continuous effort.  I have worked with many wonderful children in a literacy summer program and tutoring.  I can't believe that summer is coming to a close and I haven't had a day to relax, but to be in the wonderful district I am, made all worth the hard work!  My journey and teaching path are no accident.  I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

So I will be teaching fourth grade for the 2016-2017 school year.  I haven't taught 4th grade in some years, but I can't wait to provide care and authentic experiences for my fourth graders!

What do you think? There is still time to jazz it up a little more, but this is the basic gist  :) 

Can we say books?! Holy moly.  After many hours of work, all of the books are now categorized with specific labels and ready for the children to read.  Lots of choices! :)  

 Our daily subject board and jobs.  You can find this adorable "Pencil me in" job chart HERE! I am going to be laminating and rotating names for the jobs.

 

Below are some of my subject bulletin boards that I will be adding to and changing throughout the year.  Crayfish and Geography are two of the first units that I will teach for Science and Social Studies.  I am excited to have lots of wall space for each subject area!

 Here are my Genre posters from Really Good Stuff and I LOVED these motivational posters.  This TPT freebie can be found HERE from Teaches Third in Georgia!

 My reading nook is one of my favorite areas in my classroom.  I love my 6 Traits of Writing Posters, my RACE sign from Fourth Grade Flipper, and my Text Evidence freebie I found that would look awesome in color (but I printed in black and white.)

My classroom won't be on Pinterest and all of my bins do not match.  I don't have the latest and greatest bulletin boards, but as the years continue and I develop more of a supply for décor, this is what it'll look like.  And I like it.  Sure I would love to have the chalkboard designs and all black bulletin boards matching and all of my bins to be labeled.  But for right now, it's all good!

I wish you all a wonderful 2016-2017 school year.  Make it the best year ever. :)

Back to School Sale

I am so excited for the Back to School Sale.. what about you?  What is on your wish list?
All of my products will be on sale for 20% off August 1st-3rd.  On August 1st and 2nd, if you use the code BESTYEAR it will be a total of 28% off... WAHOO!
Here's to the best year ever... that's how I feel each and every year and that keeps me going and keeps me happy.

Here are some of my products that I have loved using in my classroom and some "best sellers" in my store :) Click on the pictures to view the descriptions! :)

 

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I wanted to share some great anchor charts I created for my students, inspired by Lucy Calkins - many parts of her readers and writers workshop have helped me become a better teacher this past year.  These two posters were used for early learners and ENL learners to help learn the process of reading comprehension and strategies like "Turn and Talk."

 I love this Anchor Chart I pinned on Pinterest from The Brown Bag Teacher on Small Moments... Her post on Narrative Writing is a must read :) Personal narratives is a great unit in Lucy Calkins Writer's Workshop.

After connecting with this post, it got me thinking about creative writing and what I do in my classroom... small moments.  What if I could find some photos that are "small moments" that children can turn into something "bigger?" Details, creativity, and imagination..

I just finished a product for grades 1-3 - Creative writing with photographs.  I have used these a lot with my first graders last year, and this type of activity helps children more about themselves as a writer while using their imagination and digging deeper with descriptive words.

I hope you enjoy and you are enjoying getting ready for Back to School.  Happy Shopping! XO

TPT Sale, Giveaway, and Freebies

Hello everyone.. it's been so long since I've blogged. How has life been for all of you? I know many of you are in your new classrooms or getting ready to head back to school.  In New York, we go back to school at the beginning of September, so I am right about in the middle of my summer vacation right now.  I wanted to share some freebies with you that I have used for my tutoring this summer -

For my going into 4th grade student, these products have been awesome!-

 

From Fifth in the Middle, her close reading packs are so enriched with interesting topics.  Here is a sample close reading of Martin Luther King, Jr.

From Math Tech Connections, this great Bookmark Book Report freebie can be used for fiction and nonfiction (two types included) - enjoy!

For my going into second grade tutoring students, these products have been so helpful.

From Read Like a Rock Star, I love this close reading product - perfect for readers that are leaving first grade :)

From Brittney Marie, there are Reading Comprehension passages on different levels for you to try with your kiddos.  My students love highlighting in different colors the text evidence that they find. 

I hope you enjoy those freebies!

 

I have my TPT store on SALE 20% off of EVERYTHING as many of us start thinking about Back to School and heading back into the groove.  The sale will be from 7/24-7/26 :) I also would like to do an appreciation giveaway - if you are a new teacher or would like to add to your teacher binder, I am giving away 3 copies of my Teacher Guide Unit - Please enter the Rafflecopter below!! Giveaway will run until 7/28 :) Thank you so much for your continued love and support!  Happy Shopping and Back to School!

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teacher's Appreciation Sale

Hi everyone!  It has been waaaay too long since I have blogged.  I apologize for being away for so long, but it has been a busy (and wonderful) year.  My goal is to get back into creating fun and engaging products for all of you on TPT and get back into blogging and connecting with my friends again!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day - I appreciate you.  So do all of your wonderful parents, students, and coworkers.  I hope you had a wonderful day!!

As you may know, there is a Teacher Appreciation SALE going on over at Teachers Pay Teachers.  This site has changed my life with teaching and finding the best resources out there.  MANY, MANY sellers have put their stores on sale May 3rd and 4th with 20% off and with the code CELEBRATE, you can receive 28% off of my resources and bundles!! The code is good through May 4th, BUT.... my store will also be on sale for 20% off the 5th (CInco de Mayo!) in case you didn't have time to shop :)

I am linking up with some fabulous ladies (Miss DeCarbo, Flying into First Grade, Elementary Nest, and ) My Silly Firsties) for the appreciation sale.

HAPPY SHOPPING and HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY!

Day #7 Christmas Giveaway

It's Day #7 for Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Design's Giveaway!! 

Featuring the wonderful Teaching with a Mountain View, The Price of Teaching, and Molly Maloy!

Enter to win $30 to Amazon and $20 in TPT Store Credits! 

:)

Click HERE and click the "Giveaway" tab on Zippy's Facebook!

Day #6 of Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Design's Giveaway!

Sooo excited for you to enter my friend Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Design's Giveaway!  With some wonderful people - Georgia Grown Kiddos, Kindergarten Smorgasboard, and Deedee Wills! It doesn't get much better :)

For more info, enter HERE and click the "GIVEAWAY" tab!!

Happy Holidays!!!

The World of Foxyland

 My first graders and I had the chance to review "Welcome to Foxyland" by Wald Peterson.  My kiddos always get very excited about read alouds, especially about animals :)

"Welcome to Foxyland" is about Foxycat (half fox, half cat) going on adventures through his world, Foxyland.  He encounters many fun animal friends and his world is very magical.  The kids dove right in with loving Foxycat and excited to see what he was going to do next.

Here is a preview below of what the text looks like:

 As you can see, the pages are a little lengthy.  I do not recommend to Kindergarten or below, but definitely first grade and above.  We split this book into chapters and the read aloud took 3 times.  This gave me the opportunity to discuss key factors of text like predictions, main idea, details, characterization, and setting.  

The way Wald Peterson describes the world of Foxyland is that of a dream.  It allowed my firsties to dive into a magical land that is very much unlike earth... It looks like it, but one of my students said it was "magical" and "really cool" :) 

My kiddos loved the book and even though it was lengthier than some of my read alouds, this book held their attention.  During their free time after their work was finished, some of them even drew the lovable and curious Foxycat.

If you would like to check out more information or purchase Foxycat for your students, please click HERE and explore the fun of Foxyland! :) Through this link, there are even chances to WIN your own copy!!!

Have a wonderful and foxy day everyone!

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway

I am so excited to be kicking off THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS for Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Design's amazing 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway!  I am so excited to be doing this again this year and to be teaming up with some wonderful ladies - Creating Teaching Inspiring and Good Enough Teacher.

Who doesn't love Amazon.com?  You can get almost anything on Amazon.  We are giving away a $30 Amazon gift card!! It's such a wonderful site full of goodies for you, your kids, your whole family!  Treat yourself to something nice if you win ;)

Also up for grabs is $5 TPT Store Credit to my store (Laura Love to Teach), Creating Teaching Inspiring's store, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Design's Store, and featured is also Good Enough Teacher's awesome writing craftivity - If I were an elf :) So many goodies and awesome things!

Did I mention I love the holidays? Because I really do.  Thank you for following my blog, TPT store, and anywhere in between.  It is truly appreciated and I hope you have a wonderful month!  Best of luck in the giveaway - please enter below using the rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also don't forget!  It's the last day of the Teachers Pay Teachers Cyber Monday (AND TUESDAY) Sale!! It's the last day, so don't forget to pick up some great goodies... even my bundles are on sale :)

Don't forget to grab my after holiday freebie as well :) 

Happy Holidays!