Sunday Smosgasbord

Linking up with Fabulous in First for the Sunday Smorgasbord!

I had about a million thoughts rolling around in my head today, so I figured it was the perfect chance to do a Sunday Smorgasbord post! Fun fact: when I first started my teaching blog, it was called Fabulous in Fifth, so I love that this is hosted by Fabulous in First.

I've been super busy prepping for the upcoming school year lately! I know that my time at school will be more limited than in the past because of childcare, so I am trying to really think ahead. I am redoing a few things that I use often in the classroom, and just finished one that I thought I'd share!

When my students take a test, I am more concerned with what they learn than the grade they get. However, a lot of my students are more concerned with their grade. I like to give students the opportunity to work through the problems they made mistakes on to earn additional credit. It works for me, because the students correct their errors and show their learning. It works for them, because it helps their grade. That's a win-win situation! I revamped the sheet I use today, and created an instruction sheet to go with it. Check it out!

I ask the students to circle the type of question that they got incorrect so I can quickly assess their weakness. For instance, if they are most often losing credit on short answer questions I know that I need to target this area in the future.  The other columns are a bit more open ended and require some student thought and reflection. I created an instruction sheet go along with the correction sheet. I printed this sheet on colored copy paper, and the students will keep it in their binder all year long.

One of my favorite parts about this sheet is that the students are asked to identify the reason they did not receive full credit. Along with this, I ask the students to write a paragraph long reflection in their math notebook. After a few tests, I am able to identify frequent errors and address them within my instruction. This instruction sheet is incredibly useful in teaching the kiddos how to use this sheet. It prevents (to an extent) students from leaving columns blank because they "didn't know what to write." 

I've created this to work with my classroom procedures, but if you are interested in downloading a copy check it out here! 

Totally unrelated to anything, I am super psyched to have just bought this adorable wristlet!

It's a wallet that has a smartphone pocket, which solves my "gotta have the diaper bag, so I can't carry my purse, but I'm always dropping my iPhone because it's not in a bag" problem! :)


Check out my view right now...

How can I not go join in? :) Off to spend time with my loves.

Classroom Theme

Ok, I need some help bloggy friends. I am looking for a new theme for my classroom! For the last couple years I have done the ever-popular owls.

Super cute, right?? I only meant to keep it for a year, but I got pretty carried away buying things the first year. I had owl EVERYTHING... pencils, bulletin boards, calendars, you name it. After that, it just kind of spiraled out of control. My kids kind of assumed that I loved owls and started buying me things, so I had even more owls. Then, even more people assumed I loved owls, so they bought me owl things too. It got really out of control. I'm gonna confess something here... I have no strong feelings toward owls. To be honest, I'm just tired of looking at the same old stuff. It's time for a change! I've got serious mental block going on though. So, here's where I ask for your help. What is your theme? How do you incorporate it into your classroom? What sorts of things do you include in your theme?  Let me know in the comments!

A lazy summertime Five for Friday

Linking up with DoodleBugs for Five for Friday!

Ok, I admit it. Until I logged into Bloglovin' this afternoon, I had no idea it was Friday. I guess that's what happens during the lazy, hazy days of summer? I felt like The Dowager Countess of Grantham from Downton Abbey. 

Every day is a weekend until September, and I love it! :) 

I'm seriously excited today because I bought a new laptop. 

I've always had PCs, but strangely also had iPhones/iPads since they were released. When my current computer was on the way out, I finally decided to make the leap to mac. I am loving my new Macbook Air! I haven't moved my files over yet, so fingers crossed that goes smoothly. 

PSA- Right now, Apple is giving a $100 gift card with the purchase of a Macbook in addition to it's educator pricing! Sweet deal, probably the best one you will see for a while. If you are debating buying a computer, now is the time!

So, fellow Mac users- what are the MUST HAVE apps and programs???

I am loving the all the time I get to spend with my little dude. 

I know everyone says that you fall in love as soon as you have a baby, but I never really understood what that meant until my little guy came into the world. Seriously, I would move mountains for him. <3 nbsp="" p="">

One of the reasons I love summer so much is that it gives me a chance to reflect on my teaching. I can read books, think about lessons, and create new materials. I'm kicking off my school prep by re-reading Teach Like A Pirate by Dave Burgess.

If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it! It's seriously good. After I read it, I always feel so energized and revitalized. I think the major message in this book is that it is okay to have fun. In fact, it's preferable! Kids that have fun while learning are more likely to remember what they learn. I really recommend this book to all teachers, especially after you have had time to rest and recharge.

Hubby, baby, and I are headed out on vacation next week! This'll be our view for the week...

 (credit Acadia Magic)

Can't wait to relax and enjoy family time! :)

Happy Friday, friends!

Back to School Goals

It's true, summer vacation still has almost 2 months left to it... but here I am, making goals. I've always been the type of person that loved to plan way in advance, so I guess this is no exception. Seriously, as an elementary school student I'd beg to start shopping for school supplies weeks after vacation started. Oh well. 

So, here it goes! Linking up with I Heart Recess for my 2014- 2015 goals!

Short and sweet today! Heading over the linky to check out everyone else's goals, too.

Big changes

I have been seriously absent lately! I have a great reason, though... meet baby Jack!

The end of my pregnancy was pretty difficult physically (I ended up on bedrest), my husband and I moved into our new home, and this little darling was 9 days late. Talk about it all happening at once! So, here I am, in my new house with my new baby, surrounded by boxes. We are deliriously happy and deliriously tired.

So, on to the good stuff- it's summer vacation! I still have 7 weeks left, but I started my fall prep today by shopping the Staples back to school sale. I scored 25 notebooks for only $6! 

So, that's where I've been lately. To try to catch up and meet some new bloggers, I'm joining the Summer Meet Me linky party hosted by The Teaching Tribune!