Summer Reading Recommendations

I LOVE posting about what I'm reading. (Hence my posts here, here, here, here, and here! Yikes. Click those links for more book recommendations!) What I love even more is reading about what others are reading! Because of that, my to-read list on Goodreads is a mile long and always expanding. Darn you, talented authors!

So I'm linking up (a little late!) with Lucky to Be in First for a Summer Reading Linky! These lists are obviously abbreviated. Enjoy!

Prisoner B-3087: I saw this book on another blogger's list, and it looks pretty interesting.

Me Before You: I bought this book on my Kindle a while ago but haven't gotten to it. What better time than the summer!

Wonder: I started this book during D.E.A.R. time with my students, but toward the end of the year, I used that time to catch up on paper work. Bad teacher! So, I brought this hard copy home to finish!

101 Solutions & How Children Succeed: Some professional reading for my new job.

Life in a Jar: I loved this book for a couple reasons. Number one, I love narrative nonfiction. One of my favorite genres! Also, the secondary plot is about how a teacher ignites a love of learning in a group of girls, which leads them to learn more about this historical, yet widely unknown, woman, Irena Sendler.

And the Mountains Echoed: From the author of Kite Runner & Thousand Splendid Suns. The stories he writes are just so beautiful, and they are always a tangled web of characters. I gave this one 4 stars, only because I kind of needed to draw a character map to keep track of all of the connections between them! But it is worth the read!

The Martian: So stoked that this is going to be a movie. With Matt Damon. Bonus. All about a guy getting left on Mars. Loved it!

Up the Down Staircase: I'm reading this now, and I can't put it down. It was written in the 60s, and it is proof that much about teaching has not changed much! It is about a young woman who is a fictional teacher in an urban high school. It chronicles her relationships, struggles, and successes. 110% recommend! Apparently, it was made into a movie a few decades ago that I might need to track down and check out.

Tuck Everlasting: I read this with my above level students this year, and we fell in love. We watched the movie during the last week of school, and they were so excited! Don't you love when that happens?

Thanks for reading. Any other suggestions? Comment below!

Greek and Latin Root Center

This product is truly a labor of love, and I am so looking forward to sharing it with you! I have been working on it all school year, adding to it as I've been using it. It is finally prepped and ready for all of you to check out!

This product includes root posters, vocabulary maps, worksheets, and flash cards for 37 of the most common Greek and Latin roots. It is meant to aid in introducing and enforcing a root per week in a mid/upper elementary classroom. This worked really well for me in an gifted/talented third grade classroom, so the target audience would probably be third through fifth grade. However, if you have a group of well above level learners in second grade, they would enjoy this, too. It can also be adapted for middle school review. The roots vary in difficulty, so you could give younger students the most common roots, such as aqua, multi, or phon. You don't have to go in alphabetical order, so you can go in any order that you think will work for your students!

Here is a closer look at what is included in the download.

Not pictured, but also included, is an editable document so that you may add additional roots that are not in the 37 that I included. I only tried to include roots that had 5-6 developmentally appropriate words that corresponded, but I'm sure there are more that you teach in your classroom!

Full disclosure, I'm SO sad that I won't be using this product next year due to accepting my new position as the school counselor. My kids l-o-v-e-d this center, and it really motivated them to break apart words to decipher their meanings. It also made them "feel like big kids!"

This product is on sale for 20% off for the time being. That is only $8 for a routine/center that will last you the ENTIRE year! Click one of the pictures or HERE to check it out. Let me know what you think if you download! I also put the rest of my store on sale, too.

Freebie Makeover

Things are a little crazy around these parts due to my new job and moving out of my classroom. So while I am not taking part in the whole TPT challenge (it is wayyyy too involved!), I was inspired to make over one of my free products.

That's pretty depressing, no? No cover. No directions. Tons of downloads, but only 2 ratings. Since I posted that freebie ages ago, I've made a few more variations that ease my students into more difficult concepts. The layout stays the same, but different elements are replaced each time. Some elements stay, such as the fact family triangle, because it is versatile. In the first marking period, I do addition/subtraction. After that, I start with simple multiplication, working my way up to more difficult numbers.

Here is the cover update!

Now, the download includes three calendar math templates and a suggested use page. Muuuuuch better! Click the cover page to head over to TPT and check out how I incorporate calendar math!

Counseling... in the First State?

I am so happy to announce that I've accepted a position as an Elementary School Counselor in upstate Delaware.

The interview alluded to in my Currently post was followed up by teaching a couple of guidance lessons in front of students, the principal, and out-going school counselor.

I am very anxious to start this new chapter in my career. I will miss being a classroom teacher more than I can express. However, I've always known that my true calling was to be a counselor. So, I'm trading in my reading and math binders for McKinney-Vento and 504 binders.

As far as Third Grade in the First State goes, I want to keep blogging at this address. A name change will come over the summer. Suggestions are welcome! I'm thinking "From Classroom to Counselor" or something along those lines?

As far as content, you can take the girl out of third grade, but you can't take third grade out of the girl! I still plan on posting relevant content for elementary educators. The only difference will be that now, counseling/guidance content will be the main focus.

I hope that you stick with me through this journey! I'm excited to share everything I learn as I begin my new career!

June Currently

It has been a hot minute since I participated in a Currently, and since I have the day off today, I thought I'd jump in!

Listening: My poor, poor Phillies. We are in rebuilding mode, and it is painful. We've somehow won the past two in exciting, walk off fashion. It is exciting, though, to watch our future get their first chances in the big leagues.

Loving: Only 4.5 left with students. Only 7.5 til sweet, sweet summertime!

Thinking: End of the year obligations are bananas. So much paperwork. More just got dropped on my plate today that has to be sent to the school my kids go to next year. Looks like my teacher bag is going to be full this weekend.

Wanting: I had the day off today because I had an interview for a school counseling position upstate. Please send good vibes my way! I want this one, badly!

Needing: This week has been so rainy and blah. We took our annual trip to Washington, DC and had to eat lunch on the bus because it was just gross outside. Now, I'm not saying it needs to jump back to 90 degrees like it was this week, but 70s and sunny would be a great way to end the school year!

Summer Lovin': I can't wait to have more time to spend with my nephew, who had a first birthday a couple of weeks ago! My summer TV line up is a little ridiculous. This summer will include: Orange in the New Black, Orphan Black, Graceland, Extant, Under the Dome, unReal, Wet Hot American Summer, SYTYCD, Bachelorette, The Walking Dead spin off, and probably more I'm forgetting. I DVR everything and watch most of it while my boyfriend is at work. Because I'm nice.

Also, if you're a long time reader, you know that animal rescue is near and dear to my heart. I've been a foster mom for about five years, taking a break recently because I adopted one of my foster cats. I support anyone who is helping to make a difference in the lives of those with four paws! So, I made a donation to help WAG in Wimberley. I can't imagine losing everything, but losing a pet would just break me to the core. Think about donating to help board these displaced animals. Click over to Farley's site using her linked button below and help out. Every dollar helps. Thank you, Farley, for championing this cause!

I have a few posts that I'm finishing up, so you'll see me soon!