Meet Me- Monday Meet Up

Today I'm joining with The Teaching Tribune for their weekly meet me linky! This week's theme is three things I am thankful for. (Pictures below)

A picture from 2012 of my best friend, Liz, and me!

Liz and me at my bachelorette

My brother, Anthony, Liz, and me 

I love them! :)

Treg's side of the family from our wedding. :)

My side of the family from our wedding

My handsome hubby and me

My kitties! Pumpkin (orange), Teemo (black), Beau (tabby)

Five for Friday!

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs again for my Five for Friday. Check out what I've been doing all week! 

I've been working in my new classroom all this week. I'm pretty much finished organizing and decorating. Although, no teacher is ever finished with her classroom. I'm really excited, because I'm trying a whole new look. All the colors are very cohesive. :) I can't wait to show you all the final product!

These are some of my newest T.Shirt designs for my Teacher's Clothing and Goods store. I'm in love with the first one on the left!

These are some of the books I've been using to plan for next year! I am in love with Writing to Texts! The other books are great too, and have really helped me write my own writing prompts the relate back to the novels we'll be studying. Language Arts 4 Today is also great for morning work. I have some other test-prep and grammar sheets I will use as well. :) They make all of these books for each grade level. You can find them on Amazon. 

Here is another sneak peak of my classroom. This is where I will post all of our objectives. I found these at Target and thought they'd be a stellar addition to my room. They were pretty cheap too! :) 

I'm currently reading this novel. It is so great! I can't wait to teach it! I'll be creating a unit for it soon! :) Even if you don't teach 5th grade, this is a great book! It's an easy read since it is on a 5th grad level, but there's so much history and depth inside. 

I LOVE to read your comments, and I always reply! I look forward to hearing from you. :)

Random Thoughts Thursday

My greatest accomplishment of as a teacher is teaching students to think for themselves. 
I am so so so excited to teach 5th grade ELA this coming fall! I get to introduce students to amazing characters in literature and in history. And, I get to challenge them to have an opinion and a voice about it. My dream as a teacher has always been to inspire kids to think for themselves and to have the voice and confidence to do it. Writing has always been a passion of mine, and now I get to share that passion with students. I can't wait! :) I just know great things are coming. 


On another note, I spent more time working in my classroom! Check out some more of my progress on my Instagram page. :)

Workin' on it Wednesday!

I'm linking up with Kinder Gals today to share with you what I've been working on this week.

1) I am working on my next novel study unit for The Apprenticeship of Lucas Whitaker. So far I just have a vocabulary list and an image for the cover of the unit. Hopefully I'll have some previews for you soon!
Here is the image for the cover of the unit. The image is of an old-school stethoscope from the 1850's. In the novel, Lucas's family dies of consumption (tuberculosis) and becomes an apprentice for a doctor.
The quote, "Truth is stranger than fiction." is from the novel as well. If you purchase this shirt, you will receive a FREE copy of the unit when I am finished. :)

2) I've been working really hard on my classroom this week. I am at a new school so I've had to go through a lot, organize, and decorate. I'm not even close to finished, but here are some preview pics! (Sorry for the poor lighting. I had my windows opened).

The middle board is for the unit we are working on. The first unit will be "Ideas". We will be studying Einstein, the Wright Brothers, and other inventors.

Lockers

This is my schedule and announcement board. Above it are my classroom rules.

Another view of my back boards.

3) I'm currently running a giveaway on my latest unit that I just finished working on! Check {HERE} for more info! Enter to win below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway and a Sale!

I finished my Einstein mini-novel unit! The great thing about this unit is that it can be used without the mini-novel. I am teaching about Einstein during Wonders Unit 1: Ideas. Our parish has adopted a new textbook called Wonders. I am teaching novels and mini-novels along side each unit in Wonders. I'm really excited about this! This is my first unit so please leave feedback! 

If you're looking for a great nonfiction, science, or novel unit, this is for you! You can enter to win this unit below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 This is the mini-novel that I will be reading along side this unit. Again, you can read any novel or biography about Einstein with this unit! 

 

Today I'm linking up with Diary of a Not So Wimpy Teacher! Today and tomorrow my ENITRE TpT store will be on sale! 

It is the perfect time to grab a novel study, research project, writing power points, or stock up on task cards! (You could get prepped over the summer! That's what I'm doing!)
Click HERE to head to my store and check out the 17 items I have for 20% off.

Want!

I just found this adorable door hanger! I have two doors to my classroom, and I really want something for both doors. This is just too cute. I've definitely added this to my wish list! 

Check more of her stuff out here:

Made It Monday!

Today I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made It! This is my newest T.Shirt design for my Teacher Clothing & Goods store! :)

Bright Idea: Sunshines

Sunshines were a bright idea given to me by a fabulous teacher, Amanda. Sunshines are anonymous nots that the students write at the beginning of each week. Each student draws another student's name from a bucket. That student must write an anonymous compliment or positive statement to the student he or sure drew from the bucket. 

Throughout the week, the teacher pulls the sunshines to help brighten the student's day. When the teacher says, "It's time for sunshines," the students pound on their desk to make the sound of thunder. The teacher pulls one or two cards and reads them aloud. The student that the teacher pulls stands on his or her chair. Once the card is read aloud, the teacher gives the card to the student, and the other students give an applause. This brightens students days! This is a great motivational technique! 

New FAN FREEBIE!!!

Click the image to download!