Teachers Are Heroes

 It's that time, again!  It's time for a SALE!  TpT is hosting another fab sale and everything in my store will be 28% off.

    

Is it the Weekend Yet? Monday Letters

Happy Monday! 

Dear teachers, did you grab yesterday's freebie?  Stay motivated and treat your awesome self to a fun iPhone wallpaper!

Dear any teacher anywhere, Have you hear, have you heard, have you heard?  TpT is hosting another huge sale this Wednesday!  You can grab anything in my store 28% cheaper than usual!  I am stocking up my cart now!

Dear rainy Monday, Can I please go back to playing Cards Against Humanity with my friends?  What an amazing weekend to get away to Savannah, lounge by fireplaces, and create delicious meals together.

Dear ladies,  Have you checked out the amazing bible study packs from She Reads Truth?  Day by day they're helping me gain sanity and remind me of what's important.  Simple, right on your phone, and easy to discuss.  Go!  Check them out!

Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to teachers or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week. 

Weekly Inspiration iPhone Wallpaper

If you're anything like me, you love a pretty phone background.  I cannot help but smile when I find a picture that will brighten up my phone's background.  I've really been loving my She Reads Truth backgrounds and so I wanted to share something to inspire teachers as well!  Every Sunday you can stop by for a simple, inspirational, fun and FREE iPhone Wallpaper made just for teachers!

This week's is simple!  Just save the picture to your phone and set the background!  You may need to adjust it a bit but it should fit in no problem.

Enjoy!

Click on the picture and save it to your phone! 

The Secret to Getting Students to Write - Teaching CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.10

Because of my change in life right now, I will be sharing great ideas that are outside of my classroom.  Teaching is one of the hardest and most challenging jobs and I really want to continue to help make teacher's jobs easier.  So, I'm hoping to start a new series that will do just that - help make your lives easier!  I will be sharing resources and ideas that meet specific standards.  One of the most difficult standards to reach, in my mind, is Lit.W.5.10 - Writing routinely over time.

 

How do we help students write every day? 

They need to write.  But how can we get them writing?  Here are some fun ways to ensure students never tell you, "I don't know what to write!"

Source

Give them colorful pens!  You can buy a bunch of pens inexpensively here!  Who doesn't love to write with a different color?  Let them choose a new one each day and it's a great way to keep track of how much they write every day!

Make a Writer's Block!  Grab an empty box (like a tissue box) and fill it up with pictures.  They can be small clip art pictures or pictures from magazines (laminated for durability).  When students are having a hard time thinking about what to write, they can grab a picture (but one and only one!) and write about the picture or use it to inspire them. 

Remember, nobody is perfect.  How many of you write every single day?  And always have the best idea to write about?  And don't get bored three pages into your story?  It's normal and we need to remember that it's normal for students too!  By giving them some fun ideas for writing, they will be able to enjoy writing and make the most of it!

Don't be scared to tell students, "Write about not having anything to write about!"  "Write a grocery list and tell me what you're making for dinner!"  "Try to convince me that we should have recess all day" "Write about your favorite food" "Draw a comic strip" (as long as there's talking!).  I have no problem with students drawing comic strips, but I leave coloring and major illustrations to be taken care of during publishing, not drafting!

Still having a hard time getting students to write?  Check out these websites! (Click on the pictures to get more info!)

Fitting writing into your day can be a struggle... but by writing more, you will see a difference in the work your students produce all around.  Go on!  Give it a try!  Let me know what you think?

Monday Letters

Cheers to Valentine's Day weekend 2015!  I loved having Valentine's Day on a weekend this year!  Not that I did much to celebrate... but I do love a good holiday!

Dear Valentine's Day... What better time to share with my friends how much they mean to me!  This was definitely my favorite card I made (because homemade is always better, right?) Love it?  It was inspired by this fun little shop!

Dear arctic blast...  I do love earmuffs, I do love earmuffs has been my mantra these past few days.  And it looks like I'll have to keep it up.  Brrrrrr.

Dear Pet Enthusiasts... Be on the lookout for a fab giveaway hosted by Lisa from Pawsitively Teaching, Amy from Learning Lessons with Mrs. Labrasciano, Marissa from Inspired Owl's Corner and Jennifer from Stories and Songs in Second.

Dear Timehop... Thank you for this pleasant reminder that Valentine's Day may not be the best day to look back on the past.  I had to laugh out loud when I saw this lovely reminder pop up!

Last Minute Ideas for Valentine's Day!

I'm not one of those people who have it altogether.  I have great intentions... but then I oversleep, or get stuck on facebook reading.  Or completely caught up in life and overwhelmed.  Can I get an Amen?  And Valentine's Day always seems to sneak up on me!!  So here are some ideas for those of you who are last minuters like me!

Pencils, Laffy Taffy, Glow Sticks, and Smarties!

Musical Hearts, Valentine's Bingo, Party Schedule, Heart Science

 Enjoy your day and happy Friday the 13th!!  Looking for more ideas?  Stop by my Pinterest Board to see what other fun activities you can use tomorrow!

Monday Letters {Slacker Edition}

It's Monday... and my slacker-ness with teacher/work things have hit an all time high.  But for a very good reason.  My bestie was visiting.  And not just from anywhere, friends.  She flew from SOUTH KOREA (where she's teaching English) and so, knowing that she flew from South Korea to be with lil' 'ol me- we have been busy doing lots of fun things.  And eating.  SO. MUCH. EATING.  So here's this week's letters.

Dear Freaker USA,
We are loving your adorable drink coozies that fit ANYTHING.  Wine bottle? Check!  Beer bottle?  Check!  Water bottle?  Check!  Seriously - go buy one for all your friends!  I did. 

Dear sunsets,
We cannot get enough of you - even if you're in the Walmart parking lot.  There's nowhere I'd rather witness a beautiful sunset than the Walmart Parking Lot. {<-- Sarcasm}

Dear Valentine's Day,
I love celebrations.  I really do.  But I just cannot get into you this year.  I am hoping my heart shaped Panera cookie will get me in the spirit.  Or at least pacify my sweet tooth!!

Dear 70 degrees and blue skies,
You were a much welcome gift this weekend!!  Sit inside and watch a movie?  No thank you!  I loved having a little bit more color to my face this morning!!  I am officially ready for Spring, y'all!  And will never, ever, ever move back up North.  Ever. 

Inspired by Elle & Co., Monday Letters is a weekly installment where I write four letters each week.  Two letters are to my classroom or are school related.  The other two are for anything else in my world during that week.