Library under Construction!

My Library is currently undergoing a makeover!  Thanks to the Wonderful Ladybug's Teacher Files, if you have not checked out her blog you will thank me, she is absolutely amazing and has a ton of awesome resources.

I have been wanted to redo my library and debating on if I wanted to keep my library organized my genre or switch it to be leveled.  However when I came across the wonderful files already created from Ladybug's blog I figured it was a no brainer and I have been working on leveling all my books using scholastic Book wizard as well as AR bookfind to determine the reading levels.

It's definitely a work in progress, but I am so happy to have finally taken the plunge to do it!  Here are a few pictures of the books with the new labels on them as well as the library under construction ... We have a 1/2 day teacher prep day so hopefully I can get more done tomorrow and post some after pictures.  Hope this link might be helpful to anyone else looking to level their classroom library.

New baskets ready to be labeled and filled with books!

Labels courtesy of Ladybug's Teacher Files!!!

Books being labeled, its sure a process, but well worth it in the end ;-)

Life Cycle of a Butterfly

We have been learning all about animals and their life cycles -- today we learned about the life cycle of a butterfly and we did this super cute activity using dry pasta noodles.  Very easy and cheap, the kids loved it!

Here's what you need:

Star Shaped pasta for the Butterfly Eggs

Spiral Pasta for the Larva

Shells for the Chrysalis

and Bowtie Pasta for the Butterfly!

That was sooo last week ;-)

I know this was from last week, but I was on spring break and had no pictures to post... so anyway today was back to work and thought I would share my nest from Oh Boy 3rd Grade! Linky Party ...

Here's the GOOD ... 

This is how I organize my lesson plans and all the stuff for that day.

These hold my guided reading books for each of my groups.

And my new found LOVE!!!  This was found on Mrs. Patton's Blog and I loved it so much I ordered as soon as I saw it!!  It's truly amazing I am so glad I got it!!!

A view of the Teachers Area

Behind my desk ...

Here's The not so good ...

This shelf just becomes a drop off place, as many times as I try to declutter, by the end of the day it's cluttered again *sigh*

 Well there you have it -- My Nest!  :-)

Another Great Giveaway --

Over at Mrs. Durning's Fairytale you have the chance to get her  *Easter Math Center Giveaway*

Go on over and become a follower of her blog & TpT store and post about her giveaway!!!

Good Luck!!!

I hope it works!

I finally got it to work (I hope)  anyway, anyone out there willing to give it a try I would REALLY appreciate it!  I'm working right now to put as many as I can of other blogs on my page as well!

It's on the side bar to the left of this post if you would be willing to try it out and let me know if it works -- THANKS SOOOO MUCH!!!

Also if you want to create your own button -- check out this blog on how to get it to show up on your blog!

$1 Deals at Lettering Delights!!!

If you have not been to this site before -- you will love me for it (but you bank account might not) however today your in luck -- Basically EVERYTHING on the site is $1, a few items are $2, but wow can you say awesome deal on some of the cutest clipart and fonts!!  I just finished spending ... $35 but hey that's well over $100 if it had been regular price -- so I'm excited!

Lettering Delights

Super Excited -- I have 20 Followers!!!!

Can't believe I just started this blog last week and I already have 20 followers!!!  I am so excited :)  -- since I have started my blog I have come across soooooo many other teacher's blogs and all the awesome ideas everyone shares its truly a great thing we have going on!!  So anyway to show my gratitude I would like to share my Writing Notebook Sheets -- hope you enjoy!

CLICK HERE!!!

Awesome Giveaway from Diane & Kelly...

Check out this awesome giveaway from Diane & Kelly at Made for 1st Grade!  They are giving away their circle story Activities --

Click here to check out their blog!!

My Firts Linky Party!!!

I joined the Classroom photos Linky Party hosted by Always First Grade ...  So excited to participate in my first Linky Party, hope you enjoy a tour of my classroom!

I had this sign made at vistaprint.com

Classroom Library...

Beanie Baby Posters for Reading and Comprehension Strategies above and below are from Christina Bainbridge's Classroom!  She is awesome check out her website here for other great ideas!

Target Math --

The front of the classroom

Genre Poster's from Beth Newingham's Website ... another awesome teacher with GREAT ideas!!!

Math games and manipulatives

The "Think Station" this is an idea from Mrs. Bainbridge -- when my students have made a poor choice they go to the think station and fill out a form which makes them reflect on what they were doing wrong and how to make a better choice next time.

This was an idea I found in the Mailbox magazine -- students are able to make their lunch choice as well as allowing me to take attendance to see who isn't here.

Behind my desk ... seems organized now -- I only wish it still looked this way :)

This now has a list of rules we made together as well as all of my students names pledging to follow all the classroom rules!

Clip chart -- used for student behavior!

Hope you enjoyed my classroom tour!!!  Have a Happy Monday :)

TPT Sale!!

I am having an early weekend sale!!

Click below to see my reading response sheets!

TPT

Reading Response Sheets...

I just uploaded a pack of reading response sheets to TPT!  There are 12 different pages ranging from -- mental images, making connections, inferences, synthesis, and story elements!!  Please go check them out ... I'm sure you will love them as much I do! Just click on the image below --

Stamp a Word!

Please go check out my very first item posted on TPT ... it's free, and who doesn't enjoy getting free stuff?!?!?  If you like it please leave positive feedback for me and become a follower there as well!  Click below to see my product on TPT!

Schedule Cards--

I LOVE Thistle Girl Design! If you have not seen her stuff before you have to check it out, she has such great graphics and they always make everything I create look soooo much better!  Just like these cards I created for my daily schedule.  Hope they come in use for someone else!

 Click Here to Download Cards!

Ask 3 Before Me...

Here is a poster I created, that I use during my guided reading lessons.  I have taught the students the rule: If they have a questions they must ask 3 members of their group before they can ask me for help, and even then if they still find that they need my help (which most of the time they don't if they really ask 3 other students) then they write their question on a sticky note and keep working until I can help them.  Basically the poster serves as reminder so if I have a student try to get my attention I just point to the sign and they remember what to do. Click on the picture below to download the poster!