Government Unit Flash Freebie!

In honor of our Country's Birthday, I am giving away my United States Government Unit for Free until July 5th.  Click on over to download it now!  All I ask it that you follow us and pin!  Happy 4th of July! (early)

Thanks so much to Patti at On the Road to Success,  Allison at Busy Teacher Love, and Jessica at Mrs. Wood's Class  for the Lovey Blog Award! Thank you Diane at Schoolhouse Treasures for the Versitile Blogger Award!

Facebook in the Classroom: Edmodo

While completing one of my classes this summer, I came across Edmodo!  One of my colleagues had mentioned it to me before, but I never had a chance to look at it.

 I created an Edmodo account that I plan to use next year with my third graders.  It allows students to post assignments and respond to each other online in a safe environment.  “I think of Edmodo as a virtual classroom — all the doors are closed and locked, so no one can just walk in without permission.” It also allows parents to follow their students and all correspondence between students and teachers.  I am really excited about this because I think it will be great for students to collaborate with one another.  This will allow me to teach my students netiquette (did you know this is a real word?), and how to properly use a social media site. 

Ideas for the classroom
a. Posting stories in writer’s workshop with students posting feedback
b. book reviews and recommendations
c. tutorial videos for help at home
d. classroom updates
e. projects (ex. Animal Research Project)
f. taking quizzes with immediate feeback

I love the security features of Edmodo.

·         Edmodo class groups are created and managed by the teacher

·         students need to know the class group code in order to view or participate in the class group

·         teachers have full administrative rights on student participation in the teacher's class group

·         private conversation between students are not possible : students may only communicate to the whole class or the teacher.

·         teachers may choose to receive automatic notification of student postings into the class group

·         a 'read-only' mode which can be applied selectively for those students who are not using Edmodo constructively.

Edmodo is really easy to use!  I was able to create a log in and profile very quickly.  I am really anxious to set up my kiddos on their and get them logged in with their passwords.  That will be the real test of how easy this program is.  All of the reviews I have read are really positive.  I am so excited about the possibilities!  I did some research to see how other elementary teachers are using it. A lot of them have ipods in their classrooms.  I have two student computers so it will be interesting to see how this all plays out. 

I created a lesson that I am going to try out when school starts.  We'll see what happens.  Download it for Free!  If you do please pin and rate!  I REALLY appreciate it!

Kindergarten Math Common Core List with Kid Friendly Language

I am finally finished with the common core lists.... woo hoo! Click on the picture below to go to my TPT store and download a copy. Check out my store and get the ELA standards also if you haven't already. I am hoping the Common Core Standards, once our curriculum and report card are aligned, will be a great change! I am going to a few workshops this summer but they are not about the Common Core Standards. I have heard some feedback about them not aligning with the current curriculum in schools. I would love to hear from anyone that knows more about them!

                                                           -Shelley

Kindergarten Common Core Standards for Reading

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer so far! I have been enjoying it so much that I haven't done anything school related. So, I thought I would do a little at a time... I wouldn't want to exert myself! I listed the ELA Kindergarten Common Core Standards along with kid friendly talk. I tried to write the kid friendly part as if my students were explaining what I just taught. Click on the picture below to go to my TPT store and download this list! When you download it, you will see 3 different PDF files. I could not save it as one file.

I am still learning when it comes to common core standards. What do you all think about it? What have you learned so far? Thanks so much for stopping by! I will have the Common Core Math Standards by next week! 

              -Shelley

It's Here! Common Core MATH!

I hope you are getting to relax and enjoy your summer!  I am just so happy I get to sleep in everyday!  It is my favorite!  So, I finally finished the Common Core Checklist with Kid Friendly Language for Math.  This is for third grade, but take heart, Gretchen is working on one for second grade and Shelley is working on one for kindergarten.  Make sure to check back often for updates!

Feel free to share this with your teacher friends and PIN IT!  I want as many people as possible to be able to use this and not have to remake one.  It was a lot of work!  Hopefully I can save somebody some time. =)

Common Core Checklist

I hope your summer is off to a great start!  Mine has been busy getting ready for my little sister's wedding.  I am trying to plan her Bridal Shower right now.  Got any amazing ideas? 

So after my conference on the Common Core, I decided to make myself a checklist and include kid friendly language, because let's face it, standards/objectives can be written like they are meant for a rocket scientist to figure out.  I wanted something that was easy and wouldn't make my brain hurt when I was planning.  This is for third grade.  So lucky you, Ms. Third Grade Teacher!  You can have this for FREE!  If you don't teach 3rd grade, feel free to print it off and share it with your 3rd grade teachers at your school.

I will be making a checklist for Math like this as well, just got to get my bottom into gear!
Download for free at my TPT store.  A lot of my teacher friends told me they can't download my freebies because they don't have a Teachers Pay Teachers account.  Why not?  It is free and simple to sign up!  You can also follow your favorite sellers (hint, hint) and it will notify you when they add more stuff (like freebies) then you can get on there and download your little heart out!

Sneek a Peek in our Room

Here is a sneek peek into my classroom.  Enjoy!

This is my classroom from a year ago when I did a jungle/monkey theme.  I didn't do very well with taking pics of my class this year which was Pirates.  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.