tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54358872489891622052024-02-20T13:22:54.006-08:00Inspire, Dream, & CreateAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-57273360375568651302012-08-19T16:55:00.001-07:002012-08-19T16:55:43.643-07:00Please Bring It!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bTwc34e2x0U2RbEZzMpoUEsQbQLAmZ3oHqXVv43sw-xkG9Q_nGwcsF3W0AmeN_wvbRMRdis-5vmG3_w_coNnZ7jJkBmp3Ju85sVNOIeS2f_8DGD8irQxBiP2XtFcTi4DN3p62JlFEag/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-19+at+5.53.29+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="34" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bTwc34e2x0U2RbEZzMpoUEsQbQLAmZ3oHqXVv43sw-xkG9Q_nGwcsF3W0AmeN_wvbRMRdis-5vmG3_w_coNnZ7jJkBmp3Ju85sVNOIeS2f_8DGD8irQxBiP2XtFcTi4DN3p62JlFEag/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-08-19+at+5.53.29+PM.png" width="320" /></a>School has officially started in full force! And I'm pretty sure the "honeymoon" period is already over... Here I thought that if I got my blog started over the summer, I would easily be able to keep up with a post or two each week once the school year started! Ha! First week of school and I haven't even thought of "blog-land" until today! :o)<br />
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When pondering different post options, I decided to go with a technology/management tool that I have use a few times already this year! I am very thankful that someone told me about it, so I thought I would pass it along!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh-nv0CYed0diEv98K7EWRyNQKHju345twZJTOgt1Z0k7fWmCMCwf9w4Y66Cp3jUTBUsgbDJkMp2TiO61TzETYO3dvdiVkCHva-4vaNRtJhOPr303I8I4lkQqX_pF4iTiSDk68BPO1J0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-19+at+5.12.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh-nv0CYed0diEv98K7EWRyNQKHju345twZJTOgt1Z0k7fWmCMCwf9w4Y66Cp3jUTBUsgbDJkMp2TiO61TzETYO3dvdiVkCHva-4vaNRtJhOPr303I8I4lkQqX_pF4iTiSDk68BPO1J0/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-08-19+at+5.12.22+PM.png" width="320" /></a><a href="http://signup.pleasebringit.com/">Bring It</a> is an easy to use online sign-up sheet site that can be used in a number of different ways. Each year there are many times when we need parents (or students) to sign up to bring different materials or food for parties or activities we are doing in our class. Before I found this site, it was a pain to have to send home notes in Thursday Folders and hope that they made it home to the parents... But now the process is so much easier!<br />
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One way that I am going to use this site next week during Back to School Night is by having parents sign up for my different volunteer opportunities. Here is how you get started:<br />
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1. Go to<a href="http://signup.pleasebringit.com/"> http://signup.pleasebringit.com/</a>.<br />
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2. Click on "Get Started" in the upper right hand corner.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva8J4PQ-OTBPw8q2LW7Vfo95mzwQSMBid531lQkHCJbO99Ttdbvo6qOw66KLlscMsRDVqS1pJXafX6OlkRjt68EjWdPya638beevWEdSwplTIGcN2HkZ2-by5iT3FOamfCnMtUPD_BEg/s1600/Bring+it+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva8J4PQ-OTBPw8q2LW7Vfo95mzwQSMBid531lQkHCJbO99Ttdbvo6qOw66KLlscMsRDVqS1pJXafX6OlkRjt68EjWdPya638beevWEdSwplTIGcN2HkZ2-by5iT3FOamfCnMtUPD_BEg/s640/Bring+it+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
3. Then fill in your information. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjPH7UQNLq1LmaYpfztU1Kli-qjoCtUrQ5E0BSLbVq_TaLc_dqge6BFGDPzsqIRoCxtH6Hks2giyUh2lhwDyy1uwuqMubFC3VqlELH4-_iuYv-KqQn_FiTOxVa0EoaTEdi8e6V8_oz7g/s1600/Bring+it2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjPH7UQNLq1LmaYpfztU1Kli-qjoCtUrQ5E0BSLbVq_TaLc_dqge6BFGDPzsqIRoCxtH6Hks2giyUh2lhwDyy1uwuqMubFC3VqlELH4-_iuYv-KqQn_FiTOxVa0EoaTEdi8e6V8_oz7g/s640/Bring+it2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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** Make sure you choose something for your custom domain that you will remember! This is what you will use whenever you want to sign in to your account! **</div>
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4. Once you've created your account, you can start making new sign-up sheets by clicking</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLniXnXk76x_laAYce6lXihE8d79hNafqKN_flPdPvmC9QZQrWEM6d0_qtkn3oUZmei3veO_MuPpohUPXAdkavEK4_NWAl9WOVIHmLNejfGKw9eZpVq10XNt9_tEnEArIYeSSiuVIWyU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-19+at+5.21.02+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnLniXnXk76x_laAYce6lXihE8d79hNafqKN_flPdPvmC9QZQrWEM6d0_qtkn3oUZmei3veO_MuPpohUPXAdkavEK4_NWAl9WOVIHmLNejfGKw9eZpVq10XNt9_tEnEArIYeSSiuVIWyU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-19+at+5.21.02+PM.png" /></a></div>
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5. When you create your sign-up sheet, you can title it with what your event is and then select your event type. It doesn't really matter which type you choose because the formats are all the same. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVPvYTMG3HDJ8fMw6Wqttf8dlefM5KE1qz_UmcfRlMSSQ05_Bq1BiA9FyVwH4Ss1EswTcN1yYA0oudwVXONFdCx2H3mUgOxzHBB9cFtIqPJnULCay878PGSBDmxrj4fIFr-TXT3d3Il8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-19+at+5.22.18+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqVPvYTMG3HDJ8fMw6Wqttf8dlefM5KE1qz_UmcfRlMSSQ05_Bq1BiA9FyVwH4Ss1EswTcN1yYA0oudwVXONFdCx2H3mUgOxzHBB9cFtIqPJnULCay878PGSBDmxrj4fIFr-TXT3d3Il8/s320/Screen+Shot+2012-08-19+at+5.22.18+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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6. Now you can start to put the items or tasks that you need into your sheet. You can also add a note to whoever you are sharing this with to add more details about the event. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7MNNHVjam925XoOl2H7fgdxX5fwtikd55tLRjkV6n9dB8JVrFUK3DYR6ekAPgk9TVpkdmuXSeVYo2R_bHzEwxNWm6Lsbfa2j_2fmlpdG-SnGTsvIGZB5abeE2CvcO0irZm5uaQ89Dio/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-19+at+5.28.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg7MNNHVjam925XoOl2H7fgdxX5fwtikd55tLRjkV6n9dB8JVrFUK3DYR6ekAPgk9TVpkdmuXSeVYo2R_bHzEwxNWm6Lsbfa2j_2fmlpdG-SnGTsvIGZB5abeE2CvcO0irZm5uaQ89Dio/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-08-19+at+5.28.20+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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When you're ready to share, you copy the link on the right-hand side of the page and email that to your parents. They will be able to view your page and sign up for what they are willing to do. The best part is that they can include their email address and Bring It will send them a reminder email!</div>
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Here is the form that I created for my Volunteers:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgPGiHv3WvY8NWhfpzsx-qN-mj4bfC4SwgUSCs1XAERnbQm6NA00Rc-VWU06C94VChSmgyUR_2DMncE-OZyNBPut_ENhnTnldjjCJFtrBVlFEAHmj4MCNvw5bYRTzhReVeJlawj8oEDg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-08-19+at+5.27.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgPGiHv3WvY8NWhfpzsx-qN-mj4bfC4SwgUSCs1XAERnbQm6NA00Rc-VWU06C94VChSmgyUR_2DMncE-OZyNBPut_ENhnTnldjjCJFtrBVlFEAHmj4MCNvw5bYRTzhReVeJlawj8oEDg/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-08-19+at+5.27.33+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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What I really love about this is that parents know exactly what I need and I won't get multiple parents who are interested. I've used a Google Form for this in years past, but then I get parents who are interested in the same opportunity, but I only need one. I'm really looking forward to using Bring It throughout the year!</div>
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Now, time to plan the rest of Back to School Night...</div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-70751253755913230282012-08-04T11:33:00.001-07:002012-08-04T11:33:10.106-07:00August Currently<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wow... August... where has this year gone?!? I'm linking up with Farley from <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2012/08/currently-plug-another-creations.html">Oh' Boy Fourth Grade </a>for my August Currently!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaWNXjmSQVpTkm63V4YNCVKqFuhSrXo3zabb6VImx8-FYbz7PrKSMjZipyjXc7YLZsGqw6lSsEZeofl3lrph2NRYFoetOwOvCjywGnqJ2tWVC-DBaxuTUkD-fUs7PV8RPH8MHPjTmN4o/s1600/My+August+Currently.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaWNXjmSQVpTkm63V4YNCVKqFuhSrXo3zabb6VImx8-FYbz7PrKSMjZipyjXc7YLZsGqw6lSsEZeofl3lrph2NRYFoetOwOvCjywGnqJ2tWVC-DBaxuTUkD-fUs7PV8RPH8MHPjTmN4o/s1600/My+August+Currently.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><u>B2S Must Haves:</u></b></div>
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1. <u>Costco Photo Center</u> - For most of my classroom designs (banners, schedule signs, teacher binder dividers) I use my scrapbooking software to make it look pretty! Because colored ink is so expensive, for most of my colored printing, I use Costco Photo Center. I like how inexpensive their printing is and the photo paper is a little more substantial than printer paper. So, needless to say, I've spent a lot of time uploading and picking up my things from Costco this summer!</div>
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2. <u>Lamination</u> - After I print from Costco, I still have to laminate! I'm waiting for someone at my school to cut me off... We have a wonderful aide who has been coming in periodically throughout the summer to do our copy room work, so I haven't been the one doing my own lamination. Hopefully she's not keeping track... ;o)</div>
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3. <u>To-do lists & my planner</u> - I'm obsessed (OBSESSED) with making lists and crossing things off! I'll add things to my list after I've already completed them, just so I can cross them off!! Pathetic... I know... But I've relied heavily on making my To-do Lists in my new planner. I have sooo much to get done by next week that I would be lost without it!</div>
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Now it's time for me to tackle that To-Do List...</div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-5009754668435949202012-08-03T10:52:00.001-07:002012-08-03T10:52:10.804-07:00Fiction Friday - Chris Grabenstein<br />
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<a href="http://theteachingthief.blogspot.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodA6_Pap6Fh8BTDW6FJgYBtOiHw3PQ3kf5o9yBNF4m-I8Quksy-gKQXM_YaLCU7VYTCb1mUsWvRMihd6IvN5eglC8Vh0-G8BKcO3hvAs4GugUWJ4tMkOwyO3Luo446UcEOe4P3TOpGPdk/s200/FictionFridayButton.png" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_yhjojRVYrKmUn73kqTaF2D7LG2wZo7lfWxx1R8eJtD0mY5WA-X9jXmk628ynVfmvY_kT7kYeBaWQGQDMJ5nHseKoOdwK7ZsS7WsziDH4oiWgBayCc11ZM7KIfoth8p8gkN1BKqBYgrb/s200/CG.jpg" width="148" /></a>My Fiction Friday post is more about an author instead of a book. Last year my teammate connected with author <a href="http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/">Chris Grabenstein</a> through <a href="http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/">Skype With An Author</a>, and it was such positive experience that we have already booked an interview with him for this year. Chris Grabenstein has been writing for many years and has had experience from tv show to adult novels to children's novels. He even spent some time doing improve comedy and it showed - the kids thought he was hilarious during his interview!<br />
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In preparation for his interview, each of the 5th grade classrooms read one of his books. At the time he had four different scary, haunted books that were all apart of the same series. <u>The Crossroads</u> is the first book in the series, which tells the story about a young boy named Zack who has the ability to see ghosts and just moved into a haunted house. Throughout the book, he tries to solve the mystery of what happens at The Crossroads.<br />
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The books in this series are well written, but may be a little scary for some audiences. There were a couple of times we had to do a little censoring for our 5th graders, but overall they really liked how creepy the books were! Many of them continued to read other books from the series!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqhPAVvf0FwOfkSBLXSMkYmc7llpWcJxibcZHw1xD7vLOqC7iQm9TOpcHXXRcONXlLxgeds57Q_DQ0kyhqpsCuFmMuYt3a-eH9gf1WgoTZ-sjiScLsP_i_Acwdtcx55NKsM0LFGuHvojW/s1600/crossroads_200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqhPAVvf0FwOfkSBLXSMkYmc7llpWcJxibcZHw1xD7vLOqC7iQm9TOpcHXXRcONXlLxgeds57Q_DQ0kyhqpsCuFmMuYt3a-eH9gf1WgoTZ-sjiScLsP_i_Acwdtcx55NKsM0LFGuHvojW/s200/crossroads_200.jpg" width="139" /></a></div>
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This year he has released the first book to his new series <u>Riley Mack</u>. I am planning on reading this book aloud to my students before we Skype with him in September. I think this one is more of an adventure story instead of scary story. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmMlUbXuayZtkQOotFBCQLuB6Bm-oW3roZv9xJCEMc-hmVEkNoyhds_mtO0UCSi5mTT85DIdhfdnvWpYK_0dLAzYKb8oMjXdqKUtdmtDzOJCdqUHsGehbIO5NDUYZJ3uXklL5DjJcnvvJ/s1600/riley-mack-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmMlUbXuayZtkQOotFBCQLuB6Bm-oW3roZv9xJCEMc-hmVEkNoyhds_mtO0UCSi5mTT85DIdhfdnvWpYK_0dLAzYKb8oMjXdqKUtdmtDzOJCdqUHsGehbIO5NDUYZJ3uXklL5DjJcnvvJ/s200/riley-mack-200.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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Before we Skyped with Mr. Grabenstein, the students put together a list of questions to ask him. As a class we decided which questions would actually be asked and those kiddos were the ones who got to go in front of the camera to talk with him. Here is the Lino it they created with all their questions:</div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://linoit.com/users/MrsMooney/canvases/Author%20Questions?inner=1" style="border-bottom-color: black; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: black; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: black; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: black; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; height: 480px; width: 640px;"></iframe></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha34j_2ipkqEQy9LKe1qIf3c9RZbQLfjZd82ga7LkQi8O_d9TjqDKIp3wDYiNQYfOn_aMLwuD0PxFooKBti4sF7TE5MBSEsOwHKqag9-emMp8crDgPYcOhKUR26ONzI5UwUOn75wUbfBAQ/s1600/CG+interview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha34j_2ipkqEQy9LKe1qIf3c9RZbQLfjZd82ga7LkQi8O_d9TjqDKIp3wDYiNQYfOn_aMLwuD0PxFooKBti4sF7TE5MBSEsOwHKqag9-emMp8crDgPYcOhKUR26ONzI5UwUOn75wUbfBAQ/s320/CG+interview.jpg" width="320" /></a>On the day of the interview, we shoved all 75 students into one room and set the computer up so that Mr. Grabenstein could see everyone and he was projected onto the Smartboard. He talked about the process he goes through to write his books and then he showed us around his home office and how he covers the walls with all his ideas. After his part, he answered the questions that we had compiled. We learned a lot about him during this time. At one point he called over his dog - the kids really liked that! :o)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fKc7pSCIUdHLWWnkf8H68yy-R6yIPMfOE6gzXp90iyifYsIAD2GGZTGT7DlHdOowk577E5wdB7q9CAKxKUBTkMEOht8k3egWzrvDTtBTL_JlYUCi9CQX-kkjWh-WZDNwoAznR19VN4L2/s1600/CG+Dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fKc7pSCIUdHLWWnkf8H68yy-R6yIPMfOE6gzXp90iyifYsIAD2GGZTGT7DlHdOowk577E5wdB7q9CAKxKUBTkMEOht8k3egWzrvDTtBTL_JlYUCi9CQX-kkjWh-WZDNwoAznR19VN4L2/s320/CG+Dog.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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After the interview, we had each student send Mr. Grabenstein a Thank You email, and he took the time to respond to each one! He also sent us autographed bookmarks for each student! It was amazing to me that an award winning author would take the time to Skype with us and then give us so much attention afterwards... all for FREE! It meant so much to us, teachers, and the students!<br />
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He also has some adult novels that he has written and if you like scary stories, I urge you to check them out! All the titles are on his <a href="http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/">website</a>! I also urge you to check out <a href="http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/">Skype With An Author</a> because so many of them are willing to do an interview for free! It was a really great experience and I am excited to do it again this year!<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-45281103321525837052012-08-02T16:32:00.000-07:002012-08-03T13:25:54.432-07:00Ahhh... Finally!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINmjaDZlk_4-iO7fvhyphenhyphenY8p6RAjdXiBK7QaW-HRC2sJ6P_pKDHUzCEGpbxCBRwpk1pQkaZLMwwfRnG943fKnJZFDWH6TEfFAXdWtEcyiR-DY5bjrInPgp9lxVyd_3KkVHi2EP13hhd0CM/s1600/haha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINmjaDZlk_4-iO7fvhyphenhyphenY8p6RAjdXiBK7QaW-HRC2sJ6P_pKDHUzCEGpbxCBRwpk1pQkaZLMwwfRnG943fKnJZFDWH6TEfFAXdWtEcyiR-DY5bjrInPgp9lxVyd_3KkVHi2EP13hhd0CM/s200/haha.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Finally, I think that my classroom is close to finished! I've spent hours rearranging and redecorating, but today I feel like it's ready for students. Unfortunately, I'm not ready for students. I found this picture on Pinterest and thought that it totally explains how I feel! Now I need to start working on the important things (you know, like lesson plans...).<br />
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One of my biggest projects of the week was working on my Boggle bulletin board (<a href="http://www.technologyrocksseriously.com/2011/08/polka-dot-letters.html">INSPIRATION</a>). Thanks to <a href="http://simply2ndresources.blogspot.com/2012/07/crafty-wednesday-5-boggle-board.html?showComment=1343406403724">Simply 2nd Resources</a> for making the super cute letters that match my theme exactly! This activity is something new that I am trying this year, so I have been thinking about the logistics of how I am going to manage it. I think I'm going to change the letters once a week (probably on Monday) and I wanted to find a way that I could quickly make the change without taking a lot of time. I went to the dollar store this morning and bought 36 clothespins and 300 tacks and glued them together. Then after taking A LOT of time perfecting the spacing, I put the pins into the wall where each of the letters would go. I think this is going to work well, and I'm very happy about the way it turned out!!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIYOR7QAUYEzWY26yxcwFdO988LswtTIqrxItvdOUye5feqS5JWzzWeua-_FDFXbXFCTV0kcYxqjzxuPfMlHiCskvbALvdZuzyBnSoErW24KCwE9GIRAqXMNDvaqx-b4Mj39PHMu9Qt0/s1600/IMG_1337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIYOR7QAUYEzWY26yxcwFdO988LswtTIqrxItvdOUye5feqS5JWzzWeua-_FDFXbXFCTV0kcYxqjzxuPfMlHiCskvbALvdZuzyBnSoErW24KCwE9GIRAqXMNDvaqx-b4Mj39PHMu9Qt0/s320/IMG_1337.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14uddHkf6jj2ACcdH3NLxiElz1KPP2XkOzkDcr_wWYvoH8ZDH1Ua5eGpnDV86mCgG6gXqOZes8frvJ8EUH3r73G3kD21i_P0-Cj8WfZyaDtInPC3S7_7l3vty4tsKKtNOf846nhgEtm8/s1600/IMG_1340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14uddHkf6jj2ACcdH3NLxiElz1KPP2XkOzkDcr_wWYvoH8ZDH1Ua5eGpnDV86mCgG6gXqOZes8frvJ8EUH3r73G3kD21i_P0-Cj8WfZyaDtInPC3S7_7l3vty4tsKKtNOf846nhgEtm8/s320/IMG_1340.jpg" width="238" /></a><br />
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<span style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;">On a side note, I might show my students the math work that I had to do to figure out the correct spacing for each of the letters. Hopefully some will see that the math we do in class will help them in the future! </span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">As for the rest of my classroom...</span></u></b></div>
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Outside my door - <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle</a> with all my students' names. </div>
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View from the door. </div>
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View from the classroom library.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gi3-DEeR4SZprTm26xcei_4TjqvHSEHsfHG504WAD_o3B-nrnMYpDStTc57Ya9YQeO3loB8k-TZpiK380iqcGIcdlBKjL2a54XuSoFbZjuEO1YmGc3lG3gVzboPgFT5FedS5PEAfrwg/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gi3-DEeR4SZprTm26xcei_4TjqvHSEHsfHG504WAD_o3B-nrnMYpDStTc57Ya9YQeO3loB8k-TZpiK380iqcGIcdlBKjL2a54XuSoFbZjuEO1YmGc3lG3gVzboPgFT5FedS5PEAfrwg/s320/IMG_1352.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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Classroom library - Waiting on my Vista Print order to finish the wall over the shelves.</div>
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My reading board isn't quite finished. I spent a lot of time this year organizing all my books by genre. I am using <a href="http://classroom.booksource.com/">Classroom Organizer</a> for students to check out books.</div>
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Science & reading.</div>
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Window banners & tissue pom-poms. I spent a lot of time making all of those pom-poms! </div>
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My desk. Gonna add more about me on the bulletin behind my desk.</div>
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I also made this Today's Number poster today too (<a href="http://shoopdedoop.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/todays-number-is/">INSPIRATION</a>). I like the idea of students practicing these skills everyday with different numbers. I'm not sure if I am going to have my students complete this as morning work or a warm up during math. I may even do it every other day... Not sure...</div>
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So, there it is! Now I can start working on my lesson plans for the start of the year!<br />
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<a href="http://brigidsdailylessonlog.blogspot.com/2012/08/classroom-tours-linky-party.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvSLkU8dnUuaadnO2G12qWpjfbWawj9cMvfvBedskzwOWT4xpjKQ9HdQcmgzJNQrspxNrXX9LlLVATdJIhp5MQ-X2flg8_KmswVDvr4hVXJJqhDiFSKm551HI9JzNgzuk_iJCBWBleQc/s200/Classroom+Tours.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I'm joining up with Brigid's Classroom Tours Linky Party!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-77998476186531275422012-08-01T18:26:00.000-07:002012-08-01T18:26:18.869-07:00Heart-warming!<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">While I was on vacation, I got two emails from future parents... They both made me feel sooo special!!! Here's what I got:</span><br />
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From Kayla - </div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">From Grant - </span></div>
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I think these are signs that it is going to be a great year!!!!!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Also, I can't believe that I started my blog less than a month ago and I already have 50 followers! I really appreciate all of the positive support that people have given me! Thank you so much to Erin at <a href="http://adventuresinthirdgrade-brown.blogspot.com/2012/08/more-awards.html?showComment=1343867071313#c5122574464366733596">Adventures in Third Grade</a> for nominating me for the Liebster Blog award. This award </span></span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">recognizes</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> blogs with under 200 followers. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhvSEAxYm_BedITs7QtDceyn4f1M38Yzsck-yiH_eN6cFJhxLwPGoVWvaHRkFcQj2PDBM9PD3bJtPANCTZBxVUZDvhHYtx5UeYdHAbK-XqfamtPacnroeMjMbRqPPCpdGxSGBbOVEbeg/s1600/LiebsterBlog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhvSEAxYm_BedITs7QtDceyn4f1M38Yzsck-yiH_eN6cFJhxLwPGoVWvaHRkFcQj2PDBM9PD3bJtPANCTZBxVUZDvhHYtx5UeYdHAbK-XqfamtPacnroeMjMbRqPPCpdGxSGBbOVEbeg/s1600/LiebsterBlog.png" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Here are the rules for the award: </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">1. Copy and paste this award to your blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">2. Thank the giver and link back to them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">3. Reveal 5 other bloggers and let them know by commenting on their blog. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Here are my nominations:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://1stgradeevents.blogspot.com/">A Series of First Grade Events</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://reflectionsatrecess.blogspot.com/">Reflections at Recess</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://teacherontheloose.blogspot.com/">Teacher on the Loose</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sssteaching.blogspot.com/">Sparkles, Smiles, and Student Teaching</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://inspiredreamandcreate.blogspot.com/%22%3EInspire,%20Dream,%20&%20Create!%3C/a%3E%C2%A0">Teachers Toolkit</a></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-72143338909655758382012-07-31T16:38:00.001-07:002012-08-01T18:38:19.253-07:00Vista Print!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbJhw2lKe2KkYybnsnXCk_o0tCQRhMjNFzKV-nvMRvlMcUWK0fCXsQK75Wa10Wr1iNH5nqwqcDTr8Y-C5fEDQefQCiQGUdv5_6Zu79DD4I4D9ehzfjnGMvY-TtoKGU2fYUoKwf9_nOcM/s1600/vista+print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbJhw2lKe2KkYybnsnXCk_o0tCQRhMjNFzKV-nvMRvlMcUWK0fCXsQK75Wa10Wr1iNH5nqwqcDTr8Y-C5fEDQefQCiQGUdv5_6Zu79DD4I4D9ehzfjnGMvY-TtoKGU2fYUoKwf9_nOcM/s320/vista+print.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
Holy cow... I have just spent the last 5 hours lost on Vista Print (in between cleaning the kitchen, doing 4 loads of laundry, and taking care of a husband who got his wisdom teeth out this morning...)! I've pinned a few ideas from other teachers in the past, but hadn't found the right deal to pursue making anything. <br />
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On Sunday night I bought a Groupon for Vista Print where I paid $20 to get $80 worth of product; and I got an email this morning from VP reminding that they are having a huge clearance sell that ends tonight! So, I decided that it was as good of time as any to use my Groupon. And, can I just say: I had a hard time finding $80 worth of product to purchase because the sales were so great! So much of what I got was FREE or under $5.00! The prices that are listed by the products below are after my Groupon discount. I spent $25 extra so that I could get free shipping ($28 in shipping, or $25 in more product!?!). I'm an addict now! Here's what I got:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-wMyLQrf1BrajQE7I-nrW5IXZX-GWpL8X23a6nm9c3Cnn38wtXNHCxcy_dmXZ8Q9oJDTF_T7ZSEi1mACpenvltFKoaJBZ57LAZ0KjjN6jpcYwJ30OIL6yg1bFdmNDeyGSUelubUEdyU/s1600/Book+treat.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-wMyLQrf1BrajQE7I-nrW5IXZX-GWpL8X23a6nm9c3Cnn38wtXNHCxcy_dmXZ8Q9oJDTF_T7ZSEi1mACpenvltFKoaJBZ57LAZ0KjjN6jpcYwJ30OIL6yg1bFdmNDeyGSUelubUEdyU/s320/Book+treat.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://msnoblesclass.shutterfly.com/pictures/494#494">Inspiration: Ms. Nobel's Class</a><br />
<i>250 Business Cards = $3.58</i><br />
I liked the idea of rewarding students by giving them money towards a new book. I'm not sure exactly how I will use these, but I think it will be something that I just hand out when I see something I like!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Kda6epMokJTDm1KLqVeF2r3X3JdZ_k9ex1_uDJ3AnKCH_-nR6AHa2_RnOLYEK9DrdkkdjYQvNtyADj7RGphtJlfdPa9i_2JJiLF5pBnmkfm5UFhbHJ5j8Jg_VcZL6nSqUmWVRat4I6I/s1600/Homework+Vaca.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Kda6epMokJTDm1KLqVeF2r3X3JdZ_k9ex1_uDJ3AnKCH_-nR6AHa2_RnOLYEK9DrdkkdjYQvNtyADj7RGphtJlfdPa9i_2JJiLF5pBnmkfm5UFhbHJ5j8Jg_VcZL6nSqUmWVRat4I6I/s320/Homework+Vaca.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://sunnydaysinsecondgrade.blogspot.com/2011/06/vistaprintyour-new-addiction.html">Inspiration: Sunny Days in Second Grade</a></div>
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<i>250 Business Cards = $3.58</i></div>
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This one I know that I will use frequently! Just a quick way to reinforce actions and behaviors without giving food/candy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkapFl7yZhBwX81sY6Rn-Nyb1FNENdhv7OLCGIAxL4q7O3hdKoMBVNT-T_cYEqXxG3uIpC9TeZLO2TtCnos-Wm8rlUFwVbxE8LzHyNeRwY5_2M6d-4bQtvaQtPqW0Bt3Dn5U2-cBSoSQ/s1600/Login+stickers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkapFl7yZhBwX81sY6Rn-Nyb1FNENdhv7OLCGIAxL4q7O3hdKoMBVNT-T_cYEqXxG3uIpC9TeZLO2TtCnos-Wm8rlUFwVbxE8LzHyNeRwY5_2M6d-4bQtvaQtPqW0Bt3Dn5U2-cBSoSQ/s320/Login+stickers.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://caffeinatedconclusions.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-08-18T08:00:00-04:00&max-results=10&start=30&by-date=false">Inspiration: Caffeinated Conclusions</a><br />
<i>30 Business Card Stickers = $2.11</i><br />
We use technology A LOT and each student has a Google account in my district. This started last year, so I made these stickers to go inside their planners so they can access Google Apps at home successfully. I am so tired of "my computer wouldn't let me sign on last night!" What kind of excuse is that?!? Hopefully this will help them and their computers! :o)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHflmTiLNbTOB646Evg39QyZ9Cj4xFC_K9wwBAfTwMILKukOmN2iOq2hTkI3kmmsu4-7rAQdJC-mtc9KObCPSldWlIlG8gq6zcBK8_hN747ASjtZfBy03hFBc5IGvL00QwPdswWZwoOTY/s1600/Seuss+Poster.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHflmTiLNbTOB646Evg39QyZ9Cj4xFC_K9wwBAfTwMILKukOmN2iOq2hTkI3kmmsu4-7rAQdJC-mtc9KObCPSldWlIlG8gq6zcBK8_hN747ASjtZfBy03hFBc5IGvL00QwPdswWZwoOTY/s320/Seuss+Poster.jpeg" width="241" /></a><br />
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<i>Dr. Seuss Poster 18"x24" = $2.10</i></div>
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I love this quote! This is going to go in my classroom library!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQECbmATp0vp8oQb2XmhGGpXzaP9yRfjgx7Vympk_jHT9_OMdEhFPzUb5bbL_HOwDytqI0zIUCFsDjB0qeO2kh3YlwY4AHQo9MDK33VcOpFDowJsoG9DXz6t9FlapX-IZJREs8NXxu0E/s1600/Thank+you+cards.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQECbmATp0vp8oQb2XmhGGpXzaP9yRfjgx7Vympk_jHT9_OMdEhFPzUb5bbL_HOwDytqI0zIUCFsDjB0qeO2kh3YlwY4AHQo9MDK33VcOpFDowJsoG9DXz6t9FlapX-IZJREs8NXxu0E/s320/Thank+you+cards.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://twothingsincommon.blogspot.ca/search/label/Teachers">Inspiration: Two Things In Common</a></div>
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<i>30 Thank You Note Cards = $2.99</i></div>
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Always good to have on hand!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjefkcknrESHWvZLr2QfPfTDyy_FEubmTYPEQbi7S4ouTIsFZPafnu84phJT9cKS4tHXapP1fJb2_d6Muat74mCnndMsVVQt-tJfgN1B6dqN0hW0FVNtExNMAdeEyze6TkcGjC-ukjGk/s1600/Class+jobs.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjefkcknrESHWvZLr2QfPfTDyy_FEubmTYPEQbi7S4ouTIsFZPafnu84phJT9cKS4tHXapP1fJb2_d6Muat74mCnndMsVVQt-tJfgN1B6dqN0hW0FVNtExNMAdeEyze6TkcGjC-ukjGk/s320/Class+jobs.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>50 Small Business Magnets = $3.58</i><br />
In my first couple years of teaching, I used to assign specific jobs to specific students. Teaching the older kiddos, I just have two helpers who do anything I need them to do. Last year, I had a tropical theme so I made the helper names using the fish dicut, but this year I didn't know what I would do to match my theme. I plan to write the students' names in the middle of this square and then keeping them on the white board. <br />
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And then, after each order I made, they have items already put together or that match the theme I just used and there were a couple of items I couldn't resist!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCv-nFaePZFRgBEOoI6hJYTpaOPhHOB5qsZqDwdggm4TCbrhLJj2AsKGWVoxcDomCVJvpCdEoOmLHhZ7GgV3C_mVOOKmeyswgu7-0W6tFZ-EeT7oUW2ynTOEzrXSjVbwSzrhNxu-30-k/s1600/Note+pad.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCv-nFaePZFRgBEOoI6hJYTpaOPhHOB5qsZqDwdggm4TCbrhLJj2AsKGWVoxcDomCVJvpCdEoOmLHhZ7GgV3C_mVOOKmeyswgu7-0W6tFZ-EeT7oUW2ynTOEzrXSjVbwSzrhNxu-30-k/s200/Note+pad.jpeg" width="154" /></a><i></i><br />
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<i>Notepad = $0.63</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDfQPVa9QehXiiuaHuqZOLBr7HtwCbG-RO_OxEzEiRGmRUrPV4qJsEZnREKExsO092O7HPC2APRgImZz_OkMufiJDxGHm0eL6AjVPkZtXuXGlWVmCFU87NiSG3a7wrhu3TtUfnc6NaUc/s1600/Sticky+notes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDfQPVa9QehXiiuaHuqZOLBr7HtwCbG-RO_OxEzEiRGmRUrPV4qJsEZnREKExsO092O7HPC2APRgImZz_OkMufiJDxGHm0eL6AjVPkZtXuXGlWVmCFU87NiSG3a7wrhu3TtUfnc6NaUc/s200/Sticky+notes.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i>Sticky Notes = $FREE$</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiDFw2Wz3_CLToSr-Nh7OEZZMLB5DhYrxtJg9HEKoPdiBAnbCKrFlqdAnb2YJh3Pu1n-u-CT_4PjnGj2DAzDgsfkcVfQFCDIhPCLB_6MB-Tp2ThcxRxjW0nlvpFkDVaJBFXq6X7qxhaw/s1600/Notebook.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiDFw2Wz3_CLToSr-Nh7OEZZMLB5DhYrxtJg9HEKoPdiBAnbCKrFlqdAnb2YJh3Pu1n-u-CT_4PjnGj2DAzDgsfkcVfQFCDIhPCLB_6MB-Tp2ThcxRxjW0nlvpFkDVaJBFXq6X7qxhaw/s320/Notebook.jpeg" width="216" /></i></a><br />
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<i>Notebook = $1.78</i><br />
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I also order a couple of personal things, but they were under $5.00 as well. In total, I paid $47.45 for over $150 worth of product! I'm SUPER happy!! Now I just have to wait 14 business days for my goodies to arrive.......ugh!<br />
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<a href="http://bainbridgeclass.blogspot.com/2012/07/vistapnt-fever.html"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8nxYDOe6gE9ID2gPJbKb_ibju-wmV_tejMo3KPNaKHqdO0wuB2395qaybByfEfborrJ6ZrNgIXsPL-cqKCSKiZI7MQOWBOivSMoDAcFPOoPaKc0-Bn6xJQT64QxbRfXqR0ADUEPMszw/s320/vista+linky.gif" width="248" /></a></div>
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-59242933561218936112012-07-27T10:25:00.000-07:002012-07-27T10:31:53.928-07:00Another Award!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmh9GPZ5BU_XjLyed3Mn0k3B8B0cgM1a7Fuyjtt1cLuuDgfajUWalSsVG8dweB9nBuhs9QFcMcrihN-lpLubF0MhQqhwwyLQW7JGeiA7AAiFbDo_fSXUMfL3UYco7YZFl7UlfE8NL3CI/s1600/One+lovely+blog+award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYmh9GPZ5BU_XjLyed3Mn0k3B8B0cgM1a7Fuyjtt1cLuuDgfajUWalSsVG8dweB9nBuhs9QFcMcrihN-lpLubF0MhQqhwwyLQW7JGeiA7AAiFbDo_fSXUMfL3UYco7YZFl7UlfE8NL3CI/s1600/One+lovely+blog+award.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="color: #4f372f; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
Yesterday, my husband and I cruised down the PCH from LA to San Diego, moving from one hotel to the next. While we were enjoying the warm sunshine and a little sand in our toes, I was nominated for the One Lovely Blog Award from two different people! :o) A huge thank you goes out to Vicky at<b> <a href="http://keepcalmandimagine.blogspot.com/">Keep Calm & Imagine</a></b> and Cathy at<b> <a href="http://cisforcookiesclasscrafts.blogspot.com/">C is for Cookies, Cakes, Children, Classrooms, and Crafts</a></b>. </div>
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For this award, here are the rules: </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #553d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">1. Follow the person who gave me the award. </span> done :)</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Architects Daughter', cursive, Verdana, Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #553d3d; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">2. Link back to the person that gave me the award. </span></span></span>done :)</div>
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3. Pass to 15 new bloggers and then let them know they have received the award. </div>
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<span style="color: #4f372f; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 18px;">Here are the awesome blogs I'm passing this award on to:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4f372f; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 18px;">*I'm trying to find 15 blogs... but here is what I have so far!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4f372f; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://lessonslearningandlaughter.blogspot.com/2012/07/a-blog-hop.html">Lessons, Learning, and Laughter</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4f372f; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://closingthegapinacuteoutfit.blogspot.com/">Closing the Gap...In a cute outfit!</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4f372f; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://thegradethreejamboree.blogspot.com/2012/07/one-more-blog-hop.html#comment-form">The Grade Three Jamboree</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4f372f; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.mrsmayhew.blogspot.com/2012/07/newbie-blog-hop.html#comment-form">Inside the Classroom</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4f372f; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://teachwithcolorsofthewind.blogspot.com/2012/07/newbie-blog-hop.html?showComment=1343407244484#c393353792233119844">Teach with all the Colors of the Wind</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #4f372f; font-family: 'Coming Soon'; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://polkadotfirsties.blogspot.com/2012/07/blog-hop.html#comment-form">Polka Dot Firsties</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://newteachertlc.blogspot.com/2012/07/newbie-blog-hop.html#comment-form">The Learning Curve</a></span></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-22251224158287373552012-07-23T21:04:00.003-07:002012-07-23T21:08:36.499-07:00Monday Made It - Birthday Bags<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Getting back into the swing of things, I've been working on setting up my classroom. Of course, the first year (in five!) that I haven't had to change rooms, I decide to switch my theme! Last year I had a tropical theme and decided that I wanted to go more simplistic and chic - teal & lime green. More pictures of my classroom to follow.<br />
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One thing that I did accomplish this week are my Birthday Bags. This is something that I picked up from somewhere along the way and have been doing for a few years. Personally, I like birthdays! I also want to celebrate my students when it is their birthday, but I find that if I don't have something ready to give to them on their special day, then I forget. </div>
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At the beginning of the year, I put together a brown bag for each student that has a couple of inexpensive "treats" inside. Each year it varies depending on what I am able to gather, but I try to make it simple, cheap, and easy.<br />
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After searching the isles of the Dollar Tree, this year I put a mechanical pencil (because I am SO tired of students getting up a thousand times a day to sharpen their pencils!), robot eraser, free homework coupon, and a celebration horn (just for fun!). In past years, I've put Scholastic books that I've saved throughout the year into the bags and students seemed to like that; I also usually put some piece of candy, but this year I was trying to be healthier by not including sweets. Here is a copy of the homework coupon I made:</div>
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Once all the bags are put together, I write the students' name and birth date on the outside of the bag. This year, I wanted to match my theme, so I created a half-sheet that went on the outside.</div>
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Finally, when all the pieces are put together, I staple them onto one of my walls so that I have a daily reminder of each student's birthday. The conversation on the first day is usually buzzing about what is inside the bag and students swarm the first birthday kid as they open their bag to see what is waiting inside. Here is what my wall looks like this year:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuBXsidyf7VXNra8rxe4ETRL8wU-AI-O1G-y-vpmpJLMpExj2nVxjruZu-xTYEXnzOu7gaOhi-CdGESEgh3lbAW3ESOWZFSgtvs1peZL7HTHRV40hWLs8KC_VQdYnIB8LKf5Y8lYFfUM/s1600/IMG_1282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuBXsidyf7VXNra8rxe4ETRL8wU-AI-O1G-y-vpmpJLMpExj2nVxjruZu-xTYEXnzOu7gaOhi-CdGESEgh3lbAW3ESOWZFSgtvs1peZL7HTHRV40hWLs8KC_VQdYnIB8LKf5Y8lYFfUM/s320/IMG_1282.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
The Happy Birthday banner is something else that I made this week using my digital scrapbooking software, some ribbon, and a hot glue gun! I just printed a 4x6 photo with the colors and letter I wanted, then trimmed it into the flag shape.<br />
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I'm very pleased with the way that my birthday bags turned out the year! :o)<br />
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~Ashley</div>
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</div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-27733310170050561812012-07-21T21:44:00.000-07:002012-07-21T21:44:20.287-07:00Aurora Tragedy...So, I want my blog to be all about teaching... but I have to take a moment to reflect upon the tragic event that happened in my city yesterday.<br />
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This morning, my husband and I worked in the yard - he was mowing the grass while I pulled up some pesky weeds. As I tugged at the roots, I noticed how some of the plants looked like they bled when I pulled the stem instead of getting the entire root.<br />
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Now, I realize that I am an emotional person to begin with, but I actually started tearing up when I saw this! It made me so sad to "kill" this living thing that is just minding its own business, doing the thing it was created to do. This weed is part of our ecosystem! And here I am, some human, coming along and destroying it all because it "looks bad" in my yard!</div>
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As I was wiping away the tear that fell down my cheek, I kinda chuckled out loud because I just shed a tear over a weed! A WEED!! But, I think my sadness fell deeper than this lonely plant. It makes me sad to think that a human being is capable of taking away the life of multiple people. It makes me sick to think that a person has an agenda to kill, just for the sake of killing. </div>
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My heart goes out to all of the families who have been affected by the Aurora Theater Shooting. I cannot even begin to imagine the heartbreak and loss that is felt by those people who were there or knew someone who was. I absolutely cannot understand taking life of another soul. </div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Psalms 30:5 <em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">…</em></strong><em style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.</em></span></div>
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<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read more: </span><a href="http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/20-bible-verses-to-comfort-the-hurting/#ixzz21K6ajbtX" style="color: #003399; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/20-bible-verses-to-comfort-the-hurting/#ixzz21K6ajbtX</a></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-24821403955138147952012-07-20T15:42:00.002-07:002012-07-20T15:59:40.412-07:00Versatile Blogger Award<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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WOW! What a day! I got the Versatile Blogger award from two different people today! A huge thanks to Kelly at <a href="http://kellyteach.blogspot.com/">Kelly Teach</a> and Mrs. Goodwin at <a href="http://ilive2learnilove2grow.blogspot.com/">I live 2 Learn, I love 2 Grow</a> for the honor! :o)<br />
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<b>Versatile Blogger Award:</b><br />
1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.<br />
2. Include a link to their site.<br />
3. Include the award image in your post.<br />
4. Give 7 random facts about yourself.<br />
5. Nominate 5-10 other bloggers, include their link, and let them know.<br />
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<b>Seven Random Facts About Me:</b><br />
1. I love reading! Especially young-adult fantasy romance!<br />
2. My husband and I grew up across the street from each other.<br />
3. I am addicted to Pinterest and spend WAY too much time pinning!<br />
4. I LOVE Goodwill!!! I buy all my classroom books there... and maybe some new clothes!<br />
5. I am afraid of moths!<br />
6. I love to go new places - but I hate flying on planes!<br />
7. I love to ski in the winter!<br />
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<b>The blogs I nominate for this award are... </b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.teachertreasurehunter.blogspot.com/">Treasure Teacher Hunter</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://teachingswell.blogspot.com/2012/07/new-blogger-bloggy-hop.html">Teaching Swell</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://fifthgradefancy.blogspot.com/">Fifth Grade Fancy</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://adventuresinthirdgrade-brown.blogspot.com/">Adventures in Third Grade</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.mytalesofateacher.blogspot.com/">My Tales of a Fourth Grade Teacher</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://1stgradefascination.blogspot.com/">First Grade Fascination</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://fromafirstyearteacher.blogspot.com/">Diary of a First Year Teacher</a></b></div>
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<i>I will nominate more when I come across sites that don't have the award yet! :o)</i></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-5275984468981853342012-07-20T07:54:00.000-07:002012-07-22T07:12:49.084-07:00Newbie Bloggers Blog Hop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I am new to the blogging world, I'm trying to get my blog out to other people, so I'm connecting with Janis at <a href="http://gr3istheplace4me.blogspot.com/">Grade Three is the Place for Me</a> in her New Bloggers Blog Hop. </div>
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<a href="http://gr3istheplace4me.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2mknJq9Og56lOxqKQLcGFQikI1kTMW5BTtTDO9XiAFuMF7RAiCgG2qpAawGv69-gOkBjMnYJmFnh-DcqveBSYJkkZrA_equ44ANX7jileJlUCnqliQZ8qM7aoDD1_c4AQYtZaZhNR3I/s1600/Newbie+Blog+Hop.png" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(233, 100, 155); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-image: initial; border-left-color: rgb(233, 100, 155); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: rgb(233, 100, 155); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: rgb(233, 100, 155); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">1. What state you are in?</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I teach in Colorado.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">2. Your current teaching position? </span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">This year I will be teaching 5th grade, which is my FAVORITE age group to teach! The content is so much fun and the kids are at the right age - I can tell a joke and they actually get it!</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">3. Your teaching experience...</span> </b>Boy, has my teaching experience been crazy! This is the start of my 6th year of teaching - the first two years I was in a two-year contract teaching 5th grade. Even though the job was a great fit, my principal decided to give my job to a woman who had tenure... So, I scrambled to find a job and I did... the day before school started! I taught 6th grade math for a year, but it was a one-year only contract. Then, I moved to a new school and taught 3rd grade. I was able to stay at that same school last year to teach 5th grade... and now I finally have tenure (whatever that means)!! I know that my long journey was just preparing me for the job I have now! I love my school and my team! It was all meant to be!!</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">4. When you started blogging?</span> </b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Two weeks ago! :o)</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">5. Share a blogging tip / blogging resource...</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I'm so new that I don't have a blogging tip.... I just look to see how everyone else is doing it! For now, I am totally a follower... do you have any tips for me? :o)</span></div>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-51991652132120439982012-07-19T14:26:00.001-07:002012-07-19T14:32:20.444-07:00July CurrentlyMy first Currently linky! I always love reading about what people are up to and now I'm able to share! Thanks to <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2012/07/currently-waiting-rule-of-three.html">Oh' Boy 4th Grade</a> for making the festive currently!<br />
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Hope all is well with you!<br />
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~ Ashley<br />
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-56062730902183958802012-07-16T19:24:00.000-07:002012-07-16T20:06:46.212-07:00Name Tags<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">So, at the beginning of the school year, my to-do list is too long and my wallet is too thin. Of all the things that need to be purchased each year, name tags are at the top. The variety of name tags that are offered at the different teacher stores are overwhelming, and in my first couple of years I bought the ones that had a cursive line and multiplication tables and geometric shapes on them for students to use as a reference. Not only do they cost a lot more, but I had to take them off and put them back on when we take our state standardized test. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Last year, I wanted an activity to fill up some time during the Meet the Teacher session on the last day of school, but I wanted that activity to be meaningful. I decided that it would be a great time for students to make their name tags for the year! And I really loved the idea that they had ownership for their tag! After doing a little brainstorming, I decided that a ransom-note style would be super cute! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOJFFPsFRDyHkYftT1fXjUiSDH68S3iloFnrY5YREY9OvAf-4xPnxNBq1Ox3IWWvCxYcjlVVtTiOCZmaocbI_38fy0vM2rvFfp-PfT6CVhLA8WkJqdy9wpet2gstyr7L7dzRR7708vTg/s1600/photo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOJFFPsFRDyHkYftT1fXjUiSDH68S3iloFnrY5YREY9OvAf-4xPnxNBq1Ox3IWWvCxYcjlVVtTiOCZmaocbI_38fy0vM2rvFfp-PfT6CVhLA8WkJqdy9wpet2gstyr7L7dzRR7708vTg/s320/photo+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I dug through some of my old magazine, cut out large-sized letters, and organized them into bags of individual letters. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XxhVSHwwePzFc9d-fE2wBpjlyh6QceM5ehn5u8clDJXexLvKRc_4v-liiPDwLlCSo0Ciokgn0ybhGNA3tWeib-x-6Zct1GYEcwSuMn2sWc7gf_n712_nMs70z8yEtUxiHbh5uF5JN5o/s1600/photo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_XxhVSHwwePzFc9d-fE2wBpjlyh6QceM5ehn5u8clDJXexLvKRc_4v-liiPDwLlCSo0Ciokgn0ybhGNA3tWeib-x-6Zct1GYEcwSuMn2sWc7gf_n712_nMs70z8yEtUxiHbh5uF5JN5o/s320/photo+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Because the letters were organized, the activity didn't take very long - maybe 10 minutes. It was fun for me to watch the kids pick out their letters and choose their desired color scheme. Below is a picture of the name tags that my students this year made.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48DBYO6WwKtWJMKRCt3km2_fT1ZJUypUXLKM0r8VU7TjlNhGA_pw4rqvVBOz5ScHuH77LGaUnMGQpk6Ek3rEhh0UEgBLhu2Pkr9kXv3IWaoSEzDK7WUpiUqztg8zh17LfArfwD7XGRv0/s1600/photo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48DBYO6WwKtWJMKRCt3km2_fT1ZJUypUXLKM0r8VU7TjlNhGA_pw4rqvVBOz5ScHuH77LGaUnMGQpk6Ek3rEhh0UEgBLhu2Pkr9kXv3IWaoSEzDK7WUpiUqztg8zh17LfArfwD7XGRv0/s320/photo+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I will write the students' class number on each name tag before I laminate them. I was impressed with their durability throughout the year last year. This name tag took a lot of time (cutting out the letters), but it didn't cost me anything, and I really believe that they are proud of the work they did!<br />
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~ AshleyAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-23332926653503223512012-07-11T22:01:00.003-07:002012-07-11T22:04:20.347-07:00Summer Reading LogOn the last day of school, we have a "Meet the Teacher" session, where we get to meet our upcoming students. It's a fun 30 minute meeting to tell a little about yourself and get to know them a little bit.<br />
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In my class, reading is very important, and I wanted to warn my upcoming students about this in a fun way. I started the conversation by telling them that, for me personally, I use summer to get my "fun" reading done and that they should too! To encourage summer reading, I wanted to give them a little something. I looked on Pinterest and found a couple of ideas on <a href="http://www.simpleasthatblog.com/2011/08/back-to-school-reading-logs-free.html">Simple As That</a> & <a href="http://creativemamma.com/free-printable-summer-reading-kit-for-kids/">Creative Mamma</a> blogs, but adapted them to be my own.<br /><br />
I gave each student a Reading Log for them track information for each book that they finished throughout the summer. Of course this is an optional activity, but I encouraged them to bring back the reading log with as many books as they can read and I would reward them for their hard work. I think I'll make a "Free Homework" pass to give to the students who chose to participate. Here' a copy of the log I gave them:<br />
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And, because just a piece of paper isn't enough... I gave them some Summer Bookworms! I went to Wal-Mart and got the biggest bags of sour gummy worms and put 10 worms into separate zip bags.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkVgYGhEePW0VAUdUlQrg7KKfKLypaQGlHAWXf6RLDh95-Bi6Eql8ztfoOmT42jekTVlMXS2ziCs05GvctDZt2gzemKxDcyoMQxvn2m45aoKMJDCheQbakzaU7CWxB-B6y54UPS7TZNk/s1600/IMG_0925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkVgYGhEePW0VAUdUlQrg7KKfKLypaQGlHAWXf6RLDh95-Bi6Eql8ztfoOmT42jekTVlMXS2ziCs05GvctDZt2gzemKxDcyoMQxvn2m45aoKMJDCheQbakzaU7CWxB-B6y54UPS7TZNk/s320/IMG_0925.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Then I made and stapled this label to the top of each bag. This label I found on <a href="http://creativemamma.com/free-printable-summer-reading-kit-for-kids/">Creative Mamma</a>, but I put my name on it. I really love this quote by Dr. Seuss about reading!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2G9RaRoHPTDCDvbSaV-hzd3vaz26PIj2FPQRNhaJ4fvyvH1xc3QSRU7b_WEPb4SkXlrZ6dI5KqkIzrefEmV7Q055Nws-VQ8PXlHobgS5K1iEqPVKkEHkyGvWD2WnrGTJUWGpRS-1c0qo/s1600/IMG_0924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2G9RaRoHPTDCDvbSaV-hzd3vaz26PIj2FPQRNhaJ4fvyvH1xc3QSRU7b_WEPb4SkXlrZ6dI5KqkIzrefEmV7Q055Nws-VQ8PXlHobgS5K1iEqPVKkEHkyGvWD2WnrGTJUWGpRS-1c0qo/s320/IMG_0924.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
I know that doing this little act probably won't change some student's attitudes about summer reading... but one of my students said, "I'll eat one worm for every book I read!" and that comment made me feel like it was worth it! We will see how many kiddos turn in their list at the start of the school year!<br />
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<b> ~ Ashley</b><br />
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-68543953502649656372012-07-10T21:23:00.000-07:002012-07-11T22:02:17.650-07:00End of the YearBeing that it is summer, I'm not really sure where to start with my posts. I thought I would share what I did for end of year gifts for my students. I like to give some sort of something to my class at each of the holidays so they remember me, but I didn't really have anything specific for the end of the year. Looking on Pinterest, I found a teacher who gave a crazy straw and a Kool Aid packet and I loved that idea! It was simple and inexpensive! Here's how they turned out:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_bm0HbHuYepKEGPYo8wx-CPHeUW9jls9v8UOI8C8IN8FiPocampqgJ7gqR2D15XnoRzrLSTM05Z56wMDacHZeEuj0-CLX-5-hEqzP60ixrpbr0lgWmafJUKkhzR7WXXf6KW87oXtIIY/s1600/IMG_0918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_bm0HbHuYepKEGPYo8wx-CPHeUW9jls9v8UOI8C8IN8FiPocampqgJ7gqR2D15XnoRzrLSTM05Z56wMDacHZeEuj0-CLX-5-hEqzP60ixrpbr0lgWmafJUKkhzR7WXXf6KW87oXtIIY/s320/IMG_0918.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-E-Y3HJ1drCBT_RM37ipivd7MYE98YxYrwozCG-YvjGvljYptuBFo-qc8na4zw0aNyM5hOltJRd5CNCcXPFM4nz7Vp-CV46vq08v72k2Qldygd-YzyYY1KExLNLuxOdH9fwhSULuJqA/s1600/IMG_0913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-E-Y3HJ1drCBT_RM37ipivd7MYE98YxYrwozCG-YvjGvljYptuBFo-qc8na4zw0aNyM5hOltJRd5CNCcXPFM4nz7Vp-CV46vq08v72k2Qldygd-YzyYY1KExLNLuxOdH9fwhSULuJqA/s320/IMG_0913.jpg" width="238" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9vfeJ5HtV_gHzQLvT53R2sR73bDQGx7QxPwYk6MOG-OEMTL9GmNy6NmX1Mp9WOz_ZnXecWtQsaT5LXsvQI1CUnd9YlrcAXS2FK8K0YZapV-icV2VsOFvbWiJ69tPFOPp4YqgSA14sOM/s1600/IMG_0912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9vfeJ5HtV_gHzQLvT53R2sR73bDQGx7QxPwYk6MOG-OEMTL9GmNy6NmX1Mp9WOz_ZnXecWtQsaT5LXsvQI1CUnd9YlrcAXS2FK8K0YZapV-icV2VsOFvbWiJ69tPFOPp4YqgSA14sOM/s320/IMG_0912.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
On the card I put a poem on one side and my "Crazy Kool Summer" message on the other. I found the poem on Pinterest as well, and I just liked how positive and upbeat it was! I used curling ribbon to attach the card and Kool Aid packet to the straw.<br />
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I would say that these gifts were a pretty big hit! The kids seemed to like them and I think they were different than anything else they had received in the past. I'm defintely doing this one next year!<br />
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<b>~ Ashley</b><br />
<br />Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5435887248989162205.post-64356136656187872842012-07-08T12:36:00.000-07:002012-07-10T20:41:36.724-07:00Beg, Borrow, Steal...and Share!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Teaching is what I have wanted to do "when I grew up" for as long as I can remember. I love working with children everyday, to help them learn and grow in all ways. Besides being with the kids, I love the creativity that I get to tap into when creating lessons or decorating my classroom. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">My motto for teaching is "BEG, BORROW, & STEAL".... but also SHARE! I live by this motto for two reasons: 1. teaching requires a lot of time... so much time that there aren't enough hours in the day sit around creating the most perfect lesson plan for each subject for each day; 2. two heads are always greater than one - I love how a group of people can approach the same activity in a group of different ways! At the same time, when I have the opportunity to create something I think is pretty great, I want to share it with anyone who wants to hear!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">When I first jumped on the Pinterest train, I would stay up late into the night jumping from one teacher blog to the next. I felt like I had just hit the JACKPOT! There were so many lessons, activities, organizational strategies, management strategies, I could go on and on... that people were sharing for free! I would dream late into the night about what I was going to do the next day in my classroom, and when I successfully implemented my own activity, I didn't have any place to share with others. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">So... here I am! Starting my first blog! I want to share some of the things that I am doing in my classroom everyday. I will try my best to stay up to date with my posts, but I know that the school year will get hectic. I appreciate your support and time checking out what I have to share! :o)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Laters!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>~ Ashley</b></span>Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05900340621182463214noreply@blogger.com0