Summer Reading List

The Clutter-Free Classroom is having a linky party about Summer Reading (and a give away to go along with it.  I always have a ton of books on my Amazon Wish List, in my book basket, and on my Nook.  This summer I plan on reading the Daily Five book and The Cafe book for the online book study.  I am also doing Primary Inspired book study on Guided Math (and hopefully hosting a chapter here!).  Not all of my summer reading will be professional development though.  Here are more books on my to read list:

        

       

Another Classroom Makeover

Last summer I completely redecorated my classroom-new curtains, new colors, new borders, new everything.  Looks like I have a another classroom makeover ahead of me this summer.  Since I am moving to 3rd grade, I am also moving to a new room.  This room was a kindergarten room last year and is a lot smaller than my old room.  I have no idea where to put all my books! I took some pictures of my new room on the last day of school and I am sharing them below.  Stay tuned as I work out my organization and decorations over the summer! Any and all suggestions and ideas are welcome as usual!

All the decorations on the wall belong to the Kindergarten teacher who is moving down the hall.

Green walls and a yellow floor-yikes!

Those are some of my books and supplies that I moved in on the last day of school.

I am thinking of doing a reading focus wall to the right of the Promethean Board and possibly my Mountain Math to the left.

Whopps a bit blurry.  Two big storage units!!

Those bins go underneath the counter.  I plan on putting my computer on the counter and my kidney table in front of the counter.  I am not going to have a teacher desk this year.  Mine always collects junk and I never use it. 

Book Study!!!

I know, I know, I am breaking the rules by posting twice in a day.  (let's face it I need to post three times a day to make up for all my absences!).  I am just so excited about a new blog I stumbled upon today that I had to share.  Lorraine from Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies and some other fab bloggers have started a new blog called We Read, We Blog, We Teach.  This is a blog dedicated to upper elementary teachers and book studies.  Their first book studies are on Daily 5 and The CAFE book.  I have read a lot about these ideas on blogs but I have never read the books.  I am really excited to read and discuss these books this summer.  I use Reading Street but I am interested in incorporating Daily Five into my routine and hopefully this book study will help me.  YAY!! I am so super pumped. 

And know I have again confirmed what a dork I am! Oh Well!

My Favorite Websites-A linky party!

3-6 Resources is having a linky party so I decided to join in.  The topic is your favorite websites.  I use a lot of websites to find resources, games, and activities.  Here are a few of my favorites!

Shepphard's Software- They have great math games here. My favorite thing on this site is the science though.  My kids love all the food chain games and info!

Reading Street Links for 4th Grade- I used this site almost every week to set up my computer centers.  We did a lot of the grammar games during whole group as well.  I hope I can find one for 3rd grade!

Ms. Sanchez's Class- She has great printables and graphic organizers.  Check it out! You will love it.

Honestly, some of my favorite sites are your blogs! Oh and Teachers Pay Teachers and Pinterest!

Calling all 3rd grade teachers...

  I have news to share with y'all.  I am officially moving to 3rd grade after four years in 4th.  Even though this means I will not be teaching next door to my good friend Brooke anymore, I am excited about the new challenge.  I will be moving to a new classroom and trying to figure out how to arrange everything and what colors to put with the green walls and yellow floors.  Ekk!  I will post pictures of my new room as soon as I can so be on the lookout for those!
  Alright my 3rd grade teaching friends, any advice for me? Oh and what are your favorite read alouds or novel studies?

Book Boxes:Yes or No?

I don't know about y'all (yep. I said it. Y'all. I am Southern), but at the end of the year I get in super planning mode.  I keep thinking about all the things I want to do this summer and I want to start them all RIGHT NOW.  I am trying to keep calm and focus on what I need to do-which is back up my entire classroom in preparation for my move down the hall, finish all my end of the year paperwork, and enjoy my kids. 
  That being said, I am considering doing book boxes or book bins next year for my kids.  The room I am moving to is a bit smaller (ok a lot smaller) than my current room and there will not be a lot of storage for students.  My thoughts were to get those book bins or boxes and have students keep their current reading selections in there along with their reading journal, reading folder, and perhaps writing folders.  I have never done book boxes before so I am looking for input.
  My questions to you:
  Have you used book boxes before and how did it go?
What did students keep in them?
What kind works best?  The cardboard or should I spring from the plastic ones?

  Thanks for any input you can give.  I know we are all busy and exhausted but not too much longer!!!

4 More Days!!

We only have four more days with our kids! I am excited and a bit sad.  Right now we are making class memory books which the kids loved.  We had our Edward Tulane celebration yesterday complete with bunny cake. I have never seen more excited kids then I did when I showed them that cake!
   A couple of updates and ideas:

1.  I am making a PowerPoint of our year to show during our class party.  I have tried to take pictures throughout the year of all our activities.  Hopefully it will turn out cute.

2.  I am still not sure what grade I will be teaching next year.  Getting a bit nervous over here!

3.  The Wizard- I have been studying for National Boards (the test is in two hours and here I am-procrastinating til the end) and I came across a lot of great ideas.  One is called The Wizard.  You ask students a question and they practice looking back in their text to find it.  The first student that answer correctly gets to be the next Wizard and ask a question and then pass on the title of The Wizard.  Wish i had known about that this year!

Off to do some last minute studying (and praying) before Boards.  Wish me luck!