I totally forgot that I had this blog.  It has been that long.  I can't figure out (like I want to) the whole Canvas thing, so I am going to be posting things for my classroom here.  Hopefully it will benefit some. 

There have been SOOOOOOOOOOOOO many posts about freebies, online classess, etc.    It is quite overwhelming.  Then to top it off, getting back in the swing of things at school and teaching remotely/online.

This is a post for the kiddos in my classroom.  Don't forget about all of these AWESOME resources that we have used in the classroom and the new ones that we haven't used.  Here goes.

1.  CISD Parent Resources
2.  SeeSaw - (I will email the log in information.)  ***WE WILL BE USING THIS.***
3.  Get Epic (I will email the log in information.)
4.  Discovery Education (This can be accessed through the student's SSO).  Here is the link for the
     Student Portal -   Student Portal
5.  Pebble Go (I will email the log in information.)
6.  Capstone (I will email the log in information.)
7.  National Geographic for Kids
8.  Brain Pop (I will email the log in information.)
9.  History for Kids
10.  Storyline Online
11.  Typing Club (I will email the log in information.)

I am sure there will be more to come.  PLEASE DO NOT FEEL THAT YOU HAVE TO USE THESE ALL OF THE TIME.  They are just suggestions.
You will want to use the CISD Parent Resources and SeeSaw.
Please let me know if you have any questions.

I have a question.  Who loves Teachers Pay Teachers?  I know I do.  It is an addiction.  I have another question.  Who loves FREE stuff from TPT?  Again, I know I do.  An Apple For the Teacher is giving away a $75 gift card to TPT.  This is awesome.  You need to head over there right now and enter.  It takes less than 5 minutes and is well worth your time.  Here is the link to the giveaway.  Good Luck!

Common Core Reading Street Resources

     I know it has been awhile but hopefully I can blog once a week!!!  Today's post will be about Reading Street resources.  The first link was for Pearson Realize and the second one is for Pearson Success Net.  If you have Reading Street as your Basal, then you should have access  to these 2 resources.
     Now, here are some online resources that I have found and used or others have found our used.  Also, if you have any that I have not listed, please feel free to add them in the comments.

1. Common Core Reading Lessons:  This is an online website that I have found.  It has resources listed by Grade, who has adopted CCSS by state, and it gives a recap of the standards.  I teach 2nd Grade and here is the link to those resources.  It lists resources by standard and most of them are on TPT.
2. Everything Literacy:  This is a WikiSpace that is a 2nd grade resource.  It has the other grade levels listed on the left hand side.  It has skill posters for skills taught through the Reading Street series.  You will have to investigate this site because I am sure that it has something that you could use.
3. Birmingham City Schools:  This is a link to Birmingham City Schools website.  It has links to Scope and Sequence resources, long range plans, curriculum alignments, close reading lessons for 3rd - 5th, and much more.
4. Pinterest:  Of course, there is Pinterest.  When I need an idea for anything, this is one of the places I go.  You will just have to investigate it for yourself and find something that you can use.
5. Waltke's Web:  I have been using this site for several years.  It has resources for Reading Street before Common Core was adopted.  It has links to each grade level.
6. Freida Lewis:  I have just found this site and haven't had time to investigate it.  It has online games, parent pages, resources for teachers, Spelling City games, and other links.
7. Carl's Corner:  This is a resource that I don't use as much but I still go to from time to time.

If you have any more resources that you use, please add them to the comments.

Book "Baskets"

     The library is an integral part of my classroom.  Whenever I have the chance (Dollar Tree, Target Dollar Spot, and points from Scholastic), I am buying books for the library.  I love fiction but am absolutely in love with non-fiction books.  Here are some articles from Scholastic and Teaching Monster on why non-fiction is important to reading and learning.  I know at my school, all the teachers would agree that vocabulary instruction is a weakness in our school.  We need to find effective ways to teach our children the vocabulary they need to know to succeed in & outside of the classroom.

     Anyway, I got off track which is easy for me.  Look at what I bought today at Dollar Tree.

They are nylon, drawstring bags and they were only $1.00!!!  I have used baskets in the past but I saw these and thought to myself that they are worth a try.  They seem to be indestructible but we are talking about 2nd graders.  I am not too sure about the orange and yellow ones.  They are BRIGHT!!!!!  I am going to hand them out at Meet the Teacher night for the students to put in their cubbies.  I will have to post pictures of them in action once school starts.

     Comment below and share how you have your students store their library books.  You can include pictures too.

BLOGS I Love!!!

I am a NOVICE blogger!  If there is a stage below novice, that would be me.  How do you get better at something?  ANSWER:  Practice, Practice, Practice....and that is what I'm doing.  Today, I want to talk about a few blogs that I feel are a MUST for you to follow.

1. Teaching Maddenness - I don't know what I did before I found this blog.  Amanda is truly a gifted person who loves sharing her talents with others.  What I admire most about her is the way she does her lesson plans.  She does not use a basal reader and teaches using Genre Studies!  Ask yourself this question:  How many of us want to ditch the basal but are too scared (of change) to do it??  Me, Me, Me!!!!!!!  I know it will not happen overnight or even this school year but....I PROMISE...it will happen and it will be the best thing I have ever done.  Oh...she is also on TPT and has her own website (Teacher's Clubhouse).
2. Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd - Ashley is so spunky and full of love for the teaching profession.  She loves what she does and it shows.  I have bought many things from her TPT store (more things than I want to admit).  She has also started using Periscope (app downloaded for your phone) with her Blogging BFF, Angie from Lucky Little Learners.  It is a video app for you phone.  They have written a list of 10 Must Knows for the Periscope Beginner.
3. Lucky Little Learners - Angie  is from Minnesota and teaches 2nd grade at the school she attended as a child.  I can't even imagine what that would feel like.  She LOVES using Interactive Notebooks and I have to say, I am learning to love them too!  You need to go and visit her TPT store to see it for yourself.  Who doesn't learn when they are interacting within the lesson instead of listening to the teacher teach??  

Believe me, there are MANY more blogs out there that are AWESOME!!!!!!!!  Only a little bit at a time!  How can I forget this one..................
Farrah Shipley!  I discovered Whole Brain Teaching in the Spring and attended their National Conference in Louisiana.  Anyway....there will be an ENTIRE post dedicated to her and WBT!!!

     

Get to Know You (Me)!

I know it has been a few weeks but I am still trying to get used to this blogging thing.  Well, I better get used to it pretty quickly because I have to be back at school on August 10th with the students returning on August 17th.  I think I will do a lot better because I will have a schedule.

We all know with back to school there are "Get to Know You" activities.  Here is a little get to know you activity that will be fun to participate in.  It is from The Tattooed Teacher.  Here goes :)

I know....  I could be a little bit more interesting.  Maybe tomorrow (when it is not 11:43 at night) I will create "10 Facts You Don't Know About Me".

NEW Blog Design!

I am super excited to be showing off my new blog design!!!!!!!  Thank you so much to Lindsey @ L. Paull Designs for All!  You will see her button at the bottom of this page.  She also has another website:  Miss Johnston's Journey (Thriving in 3rd).  Lindsey does AWESOME work and is very patient.  You need to go visit her.

I have had this blog for awhile but have NOT been diligent in posting.  I am thinking to myself "Why would anyone be interested in what is going on in my classroom?  I am not a pro?  Nothing I have to say would seem important.".  Set in.....  SELF DOUBT!  Well, that is going to stop here and now.  I never know who will read my blog and what they will get from it.

It is late at night and I need to go to bed but I was so excited to share this with you.  Good night!
~Blessings~