Monday Made It: Roots, Workshop, Drugs, and Dryers

It's once again time to link up to Tara's Monday Made It Linky.  Every week it keeps me working on those projects instead of waiting until the last minute in August.  I'm one of those a-little-at-a-time type of girls.  

Monday Made It #1 - Spelling Roots Word Cards

This next year I'm switching to a root based spelling program (courtesy of LadyBug Teacher Files).  Our standards changed, and it's imperative that we add roots in some way.  :)  Included in her pack she has differentiated spelling lists, a root student dictionary (already printed off in the students' classroom folders), and 4 per sheet root cards.  I chose to print the BW version since I need to save my ink, and printed 4 of those sheets per page - so 16 cards total per page.  Then I cut them out, and fit 20 cards per card stock before laminating.  I started cutting the cards out, but realized it would be easier to find the specific card if they were still somewhat attached. These will be going on our word wall to help remember what we have completed this year.  

Monday Made It #2 - Workshop Reminder Rings

I shared this freebie the other day - it's my new FB Fan Freebie, now I have gone to the next step of printing these off on card stock (4 per page), laminating, cutting them apart, and using a binder ring to attach together.  The freebie has other sheets as well, but I mainly wanted the Workshop Checklist, the MATH Checklist, and the Daily 6 Checklist.  Right now I have 1 in. Binder Rings to hold them together (since it's what I had at home), but I think I'm going to switch to 1/2 in. ones when I get to a store.  

Monday Made It #3 - Drug and Tobacco Lessons for Red Ribbon Week

Every year we are required to teach Drug and Tobacco Education to our students as part of Red Ribbon Week.  I have added to those lessons and created my own over the years to help make it personal for the kids.  Usually I have the kids create their own mini books to record the information, but I've been finally getting around to typing what I do (exit slips, matching games, brainstorming posters, mini notebook pages, etc.) to make it easier.  It's almost complete!  

Monday Made It #4 - A Decision about the Dryer

This last one is completely home related.  We've lived in this house for 12 years.  Since we've moved in we've added 3 little boys that make a lot of mess.  Our 9 year old dryer was only drying 1 in 3 loads the past month, everything else was a mixture of damp clothes, to which I had to hang up all over the house (up and down the banister, in doorways, over dining room chairs, etc). We had a warranty on it, so we were making appointments left and right to try to fix it... but to no avail.  :)  I'd like to welcome you to my new dryer.  Isn't it pretty!?!  It is huge and it works.  That truly is the best part.

Well that's it for me (at least for the moment).  What have you done this week? 

New FB Fan Freebie

Hi Everyone!  I've been thinking a lot about next year's schedule... I'm sure you have been doing the same kind of reflection, what you want to change for next year.  One thing that I absolutely loved was having workshop time on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon.  My 9 and 10 year olds craved this time.  I craved this time too!  It was time that I could meet with small groups, work with individual students, and complete conferences.  

I decided that next year (which really begins in 2 months) that I don't want to have to rewrite the options on the board over and over again.  I want the kids to take responsibility for their actions... so I typed up the checklists that the kids complete over a 3 day span.  3 days since Monday is a short day (they leave 30 minutes after lunch), and Friday afternoons are filled with fun!

The download contains a few different options for both Reading and Math.  I LOVE using Daily 5 for Reading Activities, and a MATH option for Math Activities.  These 3 of the workshop lists (Daily 6, MATH, and Workshop Checklist) I've printed out on card stock (4 per page), and need to laminate for the kids to use with their whiteboard markers.  I'm still trying to figure out if I'll use small binder rings, keychains, or yarn to keep these all together after I hole punch the corner.

Hope it helps!  Hop on over to FB to pick it up.  :)  

New FB Fan Freebie: Facts Behind the Festivities

I'm a curious person.  I like to know why something happened, or when it happened.  I think my students are the same way - I know my own kids are!  So as I have been prepping for all the upcoming celebrations of the next weeks, I got to thinking that I didn't know the facts behind the celebrations. 

 Yesterday I did some digging and uncovered information that I want to share with my students.  I want them to know why we don't have school today, or on February 10th, or February 17th.  I want to be able to share some background knowledge about Chinese New Year, and the Super Bowl, etc.  I want them to record facts and write about them - because this really is the time of year that there is SO MUCH going on to celebrate our history.  

I went researching over at Time and Date.com.  I typed up my notes, and then made up some lined paper with clip art for the different celebrations.  Then I posted it over on FB for my new Fan Freebie.

I hope this helps you!