EOY Made It!

I've been out of school for a week! Summer time is in full swing!

But, my oh my. This is the first 'last day of school' that I've cried. I cried, team teacher cried, parents cried, and the kids cried. I really connected with this group, despite the challenges, and I will truly miss them as they move on to the 4th-5th grade building, which is one town over.

Anyway, it was very emotional!

As an end of the year gift for the parents, I started out by making this Pinterest-inspired frame for my students to hold. Even though I made it last week, I wanted to link up! =)

Here is the original pin:

[Pinterest is acting up on my computer! I'll insert the pin when pinterest gets its act together!]

And here is my version:

[Let me assure you that the face behind the smiley is oddly similar to the smiley!]

This craft wasn't expensive. I bought a plain wooden frame and letters that spelled out 'third grade.' All of the other materials [scrapbook paper, paint, buttons, flowers, hot glue] I already had on hand in my craft box.

First, I painted the letters, then I mod-podged scrapbook paper onto themr. I added a black outline with a foam brush, which I usually do on letters, to make them pop! Next, I painted the frame with a few coats. The next day, I added the embellishments. Ta-da! It turned out super cute!

I hung black bulletin board paper in the hallway as a back drop, and I took each student's picture. I told them that this was a gift for their parents, so make whatever face that you think they will like. Let's just say that personalities shown through!

Then, I brought my camera card to CVS. I printed the pictures, but I hated how they turned out. So, I went to Rite Aid and tried again. Unlike CVS, they have a 4x4 option, which was perfect for what I was going for. I printed out the 4x4s, brought them home, and laminated.

I attached a strip of magnet tape on the back. I found it super cheap [a roll of 30 inches for less than $2] at AC Moore. It was a strong magnet, and it did the trick.

I loved that I was able to send home this keepsake with my kids. I hope that they put their magnets right on the fridge and remember all of our great times!

Talk soon!

Blog lovin'. Meh?

Click here to follow Third Grade in the First State with bloglovin!

Made the plunge.

I'm now on blog lovin'. Are you? If not, what did you use to move on from google reader?

Not sure how I feel about it yet.

Any tips?

Talk soon! =)

Have We Met?

Oh my. Hello to those of you who still follow me in my tiny corner of the teacher blogging world. It has been a five month absence. I alluded to the fact that I was feeling less than inspired to blog in my last few posts, but now that spring break is here, maybe this will be the jump start that I need to get going.

Fingers crossed!

Here's the agenda!

1. Currently linky

2. New products I've created recently

Listen closely, you'll be quizzed at the end!

It has been so long since I've partaken in this linky!

Listening: Sports Final is a Sunday night thing on NBC just recapping Philly sports. Usually I am snugging solo in bed at this time on a Sunday, tossing and turning no doubt. But boys and girls, I am on spring break! Grown up appropriate bed time!

Loving: Well, without kids of my own, spring break is just a reaaaally long weekend for me. I usually don't have many things planned. And then I sleep the whole break away. Not this time, though. Boyfriend's birthday was yesterday, so we went to Atlantic City for the night. Today, I went out to the Cheesecake Factory [first timer here!] for Easter dinner [don't judge!] with my dad and sister. Now, I have a couple days of downtime, so I'm catching up on school and grad class work. On Wednesday, I'm off to Colorado for some family time until Saturday.

Thinking: That I miss this whole blogging thing!

Wanting: I gotta get back on my healthy eating kick. In the beginning of the school year, I lost about 15 pounds. Then, its been downhill since Thanksgiving. =(

Needing: Colorado is coming. Might want to bring clothes with me.

Advice: Be you! If you're outgoing, own it. If you're reserved [like me], own it. I've recently gone through some things where I feel like people are questioning my quietness. After some soul searching, it really isn't worth my energy to go against my natural personality, which is to be a listener and speak up when I'm passionate about my opinion. To connect that to TPT, blogging, etc, I would say not to compare yourself to others. I didn't feel like blogging for five months, so I didn't. At present, I only make products that I use myself in my classroom. Don't worry about what other people think, just be you. 

Because, well, you're great.

Like I need to remind you, but go link up!

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So, although I've been slacking on the old blog lately, I've still been creating some products that I've used in my classroom. Maybe they'd be useful to you as well?

I've made another task card/recording sheet product. They go along with 2nd-4th grade Common Core measurement [linear, mass, and liquid volume] math standards. Here's a preview. Click the link to head to my TPT store to check them out! [If you want an idea of how they look, download my free set of multiplication and division task cards while you're there!]

I also created a product that can be used to accelerate your upper elementary students, or it can be used in your middle school math classroom. It included placemats, both black/white for reproducing or in color for laminating, as well as a recording sheet, student/teacher directions, and playing cards. Students draw an expression and a variable. They evaluate the expression based on the value of the unknown. My kids loved it, and they were very engaged! =)

Right now, I'm working on a pack the is all about research! 

As I've mentioned, I'm currently in graduate school for my degree in School Counseling. I was inspired to meet some of the ASCA standards through my research unit that is coming up in writing. Right now, the pack includes lesson plans, graphic organizers, final draft paper, a brochure template, and a rubric. Anything else you'd like to see in the pack that would meet your classroom needs? If you post a suggestion that I end up using [and include your email!], I'll send you the pack for free when it is finished, which should be in the next couple days!

Before I go, sorry that I had to put the capsha code thingy back on the comments. The spam comments were out of control! Anyone have a better, blog commenter-friendly way to solve that problem?

Oh me, oh my..

Well, hello and goodbye November. I'm with the rest of you! Where has this month gone? Between storm days, professional development, and holidays, I feel like I haven't been in my classroom. 

Well, I really haven't actually.

I had a professional development today, which was held in the building, and it was related to data teams and PLCs. I won't get into the details. But I will say one thing.

I missed my kids!

They waved to me as they walked by the conference room from special. They hugged me when I was out in the hallway on a break and they were on their way back from lunch. I felt like such a sap.

Anyway, nothing of too much relevance to post about today. Sorry for my MIA-ness and lack of legit posts. I'm not forcing myself to blog, just when I feel like it. So thanks for sticking with me during this prolonged feeling of being uninspired. =)

But hey, how about a currently? Better late than never.

Listening: Can't get enough HIMYM. Thank goodness I can DVR the new ones with my class being on Mondays!

Loving: Am I the only one who loves Christmas music. I turn up the radio just a little louder during the holiday season.

Thinking: The personal life has been looking up lately. =)

Wanting: See ramblings at beginning of post. I want to do what I do best, teach my chick-a-dees!

Needing: So. Much. To. Do.

Music: I don't really play music during transitions or anything, but I do a lot of singing. Not relevant songs about content or anything. No, I just sing directions. Or compliments. Or reminders.

C'mon. "Boys and girls, please focus!" sounds a lot better when sung in an opera voice, no? =)

Second Grade Common Core

Yes, you are in the right place. I am writing about the second grade common core book because yes, I am a third grade teacher, but yes, I have to differentiate a TON to meet the needs of my diverse learners!

In my class, I'm all about assessing and finding out where each student is in terms of meeting a third grade standard. Sometimes, they are at a first grade level. More often than not, they are on a second grade level. I have one or two that are ready to jump right into the third grade stuff. I enjoy collecting second grade resources so that I can scaffold my below level learners with appropriate support.

So with that being said, I was excited that the second grade common core became available, because I think it would be a really helpful resource in my room.

Most states are using the common core at this point. This resource contains worksheets and activities that support both the ELA and Math standards!

So with ALL of that being said, click this link to check out the Second Grade Common Core Workbook. A small sample is available if you'd like to download it & check it out before purchasing!

I'll be back in the next few days with the November Currently. Because if I were to fill it out right now, it would be all about the 10 pounds of assessments that I need to grade, along with the 100 pages I need to read for grad class on Monday. I'll wait until I have more interesting things to fill in the blanks!