Monday, October 22, 2012

Sunday, October 21, 2012

A Rockin' Give-A-Way

Hello Buddies!

We have partnered up with Rockin' Teacher Materials for a...well, ROCKIN' give-a-way. 

There are a TON of great activities up for you to win, including our Every Vote Counts Author Voting product which would be great now that election time is amongst us.  

You can enter to win here Rockin' Teacher Materials Blog

You can view our Every Vote Counts Product by visiting our Teachers Pay Teachers store here: The Reading Buddies on TPT

Enter soon before time runs out and GOOD LUCK!
-Damien and Kelly

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Haunted Classroom

I saw this on Pinterest and LOVED it. I couldn't wait to get it up on my classroom door. Well, we have had MAJOR computer problems which meant no "real" work to do so I spent my prep wrapping my mummy.

Currently thinking of adding a speech bubble that reads "5th grade is hard...I want my mummy!"

Thoughts?
Damien

Monday, October 15, 2012

Linkin' up for a ROCKIN freebie

Hi all-

We are lining up with ROCKIN' Teaching Materials for a massive giveaway.

We will be donating our Every Vote Counts product (perfect for the upcoming election) for the giveaway.

You can check it out at our TPT store. Every Vote Counts.

CHECK IT OUT!

Damien

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Franny K. Stein is in the house

Franny K. Stein mad scientist ROCKS!
Well I worried all summer about what chapter books I would read to my second grade class that would make them love READING.  You see in first grade it's a no brainer because every first grader loves Junie B. Jones.  Anyway I can't tell you how over the moon my entire class is about reading Franny K.  The only problem is that they have all gone to the library or bought books in the series so it is hard to do predictions but who cares!  I have boys reading during indoor recess because they can't wait to read the end of the book!!  I have to say this character traits chart has helped in the motivation, so of course each student made their own flip book like in story one.

I truly encourage all second grade teachers to use this as a read aloud most of the books have a good author's message.  The best part is that I show the book on my  projected screen because eventhough it is a chapter book each page has pictures also.  So what are you waiting for go buy Franny K. Stein by Jim Benton.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Math Anchor Charts

I absolutely love my Math anchor charts. Sometimes I forget the color of my classroom walls because they are covered with Math and ELA anchor charts.

I hang these near my Math word wall so that when looking for the proper Math terms the kids also have a place to look for some lesson reminders.

We also copy them in our Math binder so the kids have them at home as well.

Thought I'd share what we've been up to so far.
-Damien

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Is anyone else tired?

Maybe it's just me, but I am EXHAUSTED!

Today was officially the 16th day of school and I already feel lilke I have been hit my a mac-truck.

Between beginning of the year assessments (we give way to many), trying to dive into my curriculum (too much material), and trying to make my little Hogwart-ians excited about learning (remember that?)-I'm just so tired!

Add to it graduate work, lesson planning, after school events, mentoring, some resemblance of a home life(only some), two serious emotional slaps in the face (one from school and one from home that involved one less four-legged family member-SO SAD!) and I am ready for BED!  Some one wake me for Christmas!

How are all my buddies holding up?
-Damien