tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58730547107410787742024-03-05T12:09:54.410-05:00Middle of LitTales of a first-year 7th Grade Language Arts TeacherMiddle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-74337347891774858892015-03-17T18:29:00.002-04:002015-03-17T18:29:36.979-04:00Poetry CoffeehouseI wanted to share an event that was a success in my ELA classroom - Poetry Coffeehouse! We just finished up a poetry unit, so this was a fun way to celebrate poetry and practice speaking skills. And drink hot chocolate, of course :)<br />
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The set up was quite simple. All students had a poem to read. This was a poem we had been working on for a little while, so I knew they would be ready. A few volunteers brought in treats. I bought a few large tubs of hot cocoa powder and made hot chocolate for students to enjoy.<br />
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Students went up one by one in rows (I re-arranged my classroom for that day). The runner up sat in the "support chair" so that the student reading was not the only one up there :)<br />
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Students got to sit in my chair and read in front of a coffeehouse-themed background. We snapped our fingers when they were done, in true "coffeehouse style". After each row went, I played a song on the "coffeehouse" Pandora station to keep the mood light and enjoyable.<br />
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I'd say it was a success because some students asked if we could do it again! I loved hearing their poems read, and it was so fun to do something a little more out of the ordinary. I know that there are <i>way</i> more involved ways to do this, but for my classroom this worked quite well!<br /><br />Next up for practicing speaking skills - reading their "How To Explanatory" essays to the class. And what a pleasant coincidence that some students are writing about how-to make baked goods and are planning to bring some in to share ;) teaching is sweet!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever done a poetry reading in your class?</span></i>Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-51664086193904261262015-03-08T09:42:00.003-04:002015-03-08T09:42:36.755-04:00Sunday Scoop 3/8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sunday Scoop time! I am in the final stretch up until conferences (next week Wednesday/Thursday), so I plan to go to my classroom today so that I am all prepped for this week. <br />I know that not rushing around in the morning to get a lesson ready will make me much more relaxed :)</div>
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I'm linking up with <a href="http://teachingtrio.blogspot.com/2015/03/sunday-scoop-3815.html" target="_blank">The Teaching Trio</a>!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Does anyone else have "Spring" conferences soon? It sure feels like a long way from spring in Michigan!</i></span></div>
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<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-58882087482732947372015-03-01T16:12:00.002-05:002015-03-01T16:12:31.688-05:00Sunday Scoop 3/1I'm linking up with <a href="http://teachingtrio.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Teaching Trio</a> for this short and sweet linky :)<br />
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You know how it is - you bring something home to grade on your "must do" list, but in reality it's more of a "hope to do". I did take the pile of tests out of my teaching bag, so step #1 is completed :)<br />
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As far as the exercise plan, I am feeling extra motivated now that it's just about one month until I'm in Florida for spring break. Another blogger reccomended the Blogilates Youtube videos, and I'm so glad she did! I've been enjoying these quick and motivating workouts. Okay, so I don't really "enjoy" the workout part, but I enjoy the quickness and the fact that I'm sore the next day tells me it must be working!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
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<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-46527747700009821552015-02-24T18:37:00.005-05:002015-02-24T18:37:41.106-05:00HEROES sale!I'm sure that most of you have heard about the Teachers are Heroes sale - but with my "newbie" blog I wanted to highlight a few of my products - everything will be 28% off!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aMKiTnCir-ar7Xe0pa3CUNGzVVQm1Q1eTE6HyL-i35hKipTyaPfBlunhPJsWB4nY5kLsClj7nv3ECwyqjNcpT2FYFT0jVcJxqLEeu_okac_jmbIbzM5hEUUdZnh-QB5S283OgwQQcR8/s1600/10930986_414296452073172_6077261703293006053_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aMKiTnCir-ar7Xe0pa3CUNGzVVQm1Q1eTE6HyL-i35hKipTyaPfBlunhPJsWB4nY5kLsClj7nv3ECwyqjNcpT2FYFT0jVcJxqLEeu_okac_jmbIbzM5hEUUdZnh-QB5S283OgwQQcR8/s1600/10930986_414296452073172_6077261703293006053_o.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Thanks to <a href="http://www.ladybugsteacherfiles.com/2015/02/what-to-do-when-they-are-new-giveaway_24.html" target="_blank">Ladybug Teacher Files</a> for the cute button!</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Neon-Chalkboard-Genre-Posters-Middle-School-1362151" target="_blank"><b>Neon Chalkboard Genre Posters for Middle School</b></a><br />*there is also a black and white version!</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Neon-Chalkboard-Genre-Posters-Middle-School-1362151" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Neon-Chalkboard-Genre-Poster-Middle-School-1362151/original-1362151-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Get these super-cute (if I do say so myself) posters for $4!</div>
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<br /><br /><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Roll-and-Retell-Theme-1584853" target="_blank"><b>Roll and Retell Theme</b></a> and <b><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Roll-and-Retell-Plot-1584874" target="_blank">Roll and Retell Plot</a> </b>are on sale for $1.60!</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Roll-and-Retell-Theme-1584853" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Roll-and-Retell-Theme-1584853/original-1584853-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Roll-and-Retell-Plot-1584874" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Roll-and-Retell-Plot-1584874/original-1584874-1.jpg" width="240" /></a><span id="goog_325155909"></span><span id="goog_325155910"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a></div>
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<br /><a href="https://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Sensory-Detail-Poetry-Stations-1717053-1424361807/original-1717053-1.jpg" target="_blank"><b>Sensory Detail Poetry Stations</b></a> are a steal at only $2.00</div>
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<a href="https://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Sensory-Detail-Poetry-Stations-1717053-1424361807/original-1717053-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Sensory-Detail-Poetry-Stations-1717053-1424361807/original-1717053-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br /><br /><br />Happy sale! Thanks for reading, fellow heroes :)<br /><br /></div>
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<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-34275032971664860502015-02-22T11:13:00.003-05:002015-02-22T11:13:53.365-05:00Sunday Scoop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm linking up with <a href="http://teachingtrio.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Teaching Trio</a> for this fun Sunday linky...</div>
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I have been spoiled with four or three-day weeks with all of our snow days lately. This week is scheduled to be five days - call me crazy but I am hoping for a bit of normalcy this week. As much as a love snow days, my schedule is a bit thrown off!</div>
<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-84550620605793014902015-02-20T11:32:00.003-05:002015-02-20T11:37:16.408-05:00Five For Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Saz1_rpEb-4/VOXCJyt0kLI/AAAAAAAAccE/HTpOzjAXbic/s1600/fiveforfriday2.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></div>
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It has been awhile since I linked up with Five for Friday at Doodle Bugs Teaching!<br />
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1) There's no excuse for me not to link up - I am sitting at home on my second snow day, technically "cold day" of the week. With temperatures below -20 degrees, school has been closed the past two days. I was expecting to have yesterday off after checking the forecast, but today was a complete surprise!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSPER51kWN8m5qDeeFShN78FNGPTmBdMke9KNbX7yaxzER2NjeIGxPZ-_a4zAVfNCfYi9Gcy1fmTyxKpyF3fVUH1uRaQHGDRlBkuQbIXKprufIB5gooT8n-hjT8SrIBZhLfhrI9sEj58l/s1600/frigid.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSPER51kWN8m5qDeeFShN78FNGPTmBdMke9KNbX7yaxzER2NjeIGxPZ-_a4zAVfNCfYi9Gcy1fmTyxKpyF3fVUH1uRaQHGDRlBkuQbIXKprufIB5gooT8n-hjT8SrIBZhLfhrI9sEj58l/s1600/frigid.PNG" /></a></div>
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Frigid...brrr</div>
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2) This student's warning at the top of his reader's response letter: "spoilers after dotted line" cracked me up. It's little things like this about middle schoolers that make me smile.<br />
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3) I was feeling very lazy on my day off yesterday until I found this muffin recipe. These sounded easy, plus I had all the ingredients. There was no way I was going to the store in this freezing weather! I've been experimenting a lot lately with "breakfast" baking...lots of different combinations of oatmeal bars, breakfast cookies, baked oatmeal...well these are definitely at the top of my list! The greek yogurt makes them so moist. I liked that it was a "one bowl" recipe in that I just had to throw everything in the food processor. <br />
Clik the picture to see the recipe over at "Running with Spoons"<br />
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<a href="http://www.runningwithspoons.com/2014/06/24/banana-oat-greek-yogurt-muffins/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.runningwithspoons.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Banana-Oat-Greek-Yogurt-Muffins.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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4) Of course I've been on Pinterest quite a bit with all of this extra time off. I've been looking at lots of decorating ideas lately. Now, I'm not actually re-decorating...more like "window shopping" on Pinterest :)</div>
However, I found this great roundup of 50 budget decorating ideas that I would love to try out someday.<br />
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<a href="http://www.livelovediy.com/2014/07/50-budget-decorating-tips-you-should.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49H2PGJee48EA2EUST6yLOnx9xpJvPUvh6DvMVIeHisJuWyiSfvRu0MzdWHi7UTKpOPgtH8GJo2pJ2uPDeBB5lBtlS4r45OPnARLmOw1EwoykDp1OE9bpODpDjshY2psNxH_r4fD6tncF/s1600/BUDGET+DECORATING+IDEAS+&+tips.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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5) Last but not least, a big thing for me this week has been creating a new TpT product. I just blogged about it yesterday, so all of the details are in that post. I'd love for you to check out my Sensory Detail Poetry Stations - five leveled poems and three differentiated worksheets! Woohoo!</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sensory-Detail-Poetry-Stations-1717053" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Sensory-Detail-Poetry-Stations-1717053-1424361807/original-1717053-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Stay warm! Any else with a "snow" or "cold" day today? :)</span></i></div>
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<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-72675875796371591532015-02-19T10:56:00.001-05:002015-02-19T10:56:46.825-05:00Sensory Detail Poetry Stations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sensory-Detail-Poetry-Stations-1717053" target="_blank"><img alt="Sensory Detail Poetry Stations" src="https://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Sensory-Detail-Poetry-Stations-1717053-1424360417/original-1717053-1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I needed a way to use leveled poems and differentiate my poetry instruction - so <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sensory-Detail-Poetry-Stations-1717053" target="_blank">Sensory Detail Poetry Stations</a> were born!</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sensory-Detail-Poetry-Stations-1717053" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5Quq7gdoGvEuq8kJbhlyLjfv7WFTsPztjHi3VUw8ksGHkCawhWt6q3e-ft6zz9sbF7-YFWLCJ9TOo5zge0xDQl8r9t1W3OyVBXyP6dwgtfw0mfr2I1AjKXJS-cQPyWC6ijCXYF7biuBV/s1600/Sensory+Details+Preview+1.PNG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />I don't know how many times I googled "poems with sensory details" before deciding that I needed to make this product :) The five leveled poems are all great examples of poems with sensory details.<div>
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There are three very basic poems for students still struggling with identifying sensory details. The on-level poem, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" involves a higher comprehension level. The most challenging poem, "Where I'm From", by George Ella Lyon, involves a more challenging historical context.<br /><div>
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After reading the poems, students track sensory details on one of three differentiated recording sheets. </div>
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This middle-school activity goes beyond students simply knowing what a sensory detail is and has students share the effect on the poem.</div>
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<br />The three worksheets included involve varying levels of tracking sensory details. All worksheets require students to list examples from the poem. <br />The first worksheet, meant to be easier for struggling students, has the opportunity for students to sketch the sensory details as well as list examples. <br />The “middle” worksheet, for on-level students, involves listing examples as well as explaining the effect on the poem.<br />The third worksheet, for more advanced learners, has students not only listing examples of sensory detail and explaining the effect, but also thinking about why the author would include the sensory detail.</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sensory-Detail-Poetry-Stations-1717053" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsStXgG-wk_t4vZbu4heYOL04zMUX3t1aAt0PRqpHOwtl99NhG2o8SPlZ9-Ep8fR56ING1MAfRq3o_ExrxwKCaJov8vD-__kFVmZoEoPti0Qyhbw75rU3TPKSNXJrYUrPkAf6wdc6Vi3fE/s1600/Sensory+Detail+Preview+2.PNG" height="296" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am so happy with how it turned out! I'm really hoping that this product can be of use to other teachers who need access to sensory detail poetry and want to differentiate!</div>
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Click <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sensory-Detail-Poetry-Stations-1717053" target="_blank">here</a> to find this product in my TpT store.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Do you teach sensory details in your classroom?</b></span></i></div>
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Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-28969782123873203792015-02-17T17:10:00.000-05:002015-02-17T17:10:26.350-05:00Coordinate Adjective Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RVoPOcuLXiF6B6rMiAVoTdOjLhuiB3ty9OqS2z0G-AUsZczda2yfmdjNV5DUIQsk9S6PVDmBnx9bHtvR05Ak-wTTRqt_ZcP52DBsLH13NOdkBCdSHPZLoUEPM0MZz6uNL9Cqor3C_U5C/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RVoPOcuLXiF6B6rMiAVoTdOjLhuiB3ty9OqS2z0G-AUsZczda2yfmdjNV5DUIQsk9S6PVDmBnx9bHtvR05Ak-wTTRqt_ZcP52DBsLH13NOdkBCdSHPZLoUEPM0MZz6uNL9Cqor3C_U5C/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Okay, so I wouldn't have thought to put "coordinate adjective" and "fun" in a sentence together until today. As an ELA teacher, I am more easily excited about grammar than most people, but sometimes it can be..........boring. I said it!<br />
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Realistically, every single grammar lesson cannot be fun and games. However, I do try to incorporate some sort of activity or game into our grammar learning to prevent my students (and myself, honestly) from becoming bored.<br />
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In our current unit, we are working on coordinate adjectives. Just in case you are too, here are a few resources I used:<br />
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1) this quick intro video<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA0a5H-P9Co">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA0a5H-P9Co</a><br />
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2) This worksheet (I projected it for students to use as independent practice)<br />
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<a href="http://www.k12reader.com/punctuation/commas_and_coordinating_adjectives.pdf">http://www.k12reader.com/punctuation/commas_and_coordinating_adjectives.pdf</a><br />
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And this activity:<br />
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I gave each student an index card and gave them one minute to draw something. I timed it to add a little to the excitement and make the drawings a little more difficult to interpret.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RVoPOcuLXiF6B6rMiAVoTdOjLhuiB3ty9OqS2z0G-AUsZczda2yfmdjNV5DUIQsk9S6PVDmBnx9bHtvR05Ak-wTTRqt_ZcP52DBsLH13NOdkBCdSHPZLoUEPM0MZz6uNL9Cqor3C_U5C/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0RVoPOcuLXiF6B6rMiAVoTdOjLhuiB3ty9OqS2z0G-AUsZczda2yfmdjNV5DUIQsk9S6PVDmBnx9bHtvR05Ak-wTTRqt_ZcP52DBsLH13NOdkBCdSHPZLoUEPM0MZz6uNL9Cqor3C_U5C/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had to tease some of the students that it took them one whole minute to draw some of these masterpieces ;)</div>
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After one minute, I collected the index cards and then distributed them randomly.<br />
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Students then had to write a coordinate adjective sentence describing the picture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcA-oBFPQUsJQ0XoJLNgr_j4oUuLsHKSw_sF9PvIfjNbwMR5l8JJ4wKen_VV0rJEr0uC3FCJ9lsqEItLf-WQ8BZMuFRqAizBNZaapoEVuVSQAQXUgzbzEXuq7pGGRCpOS9h6gPTCyhioG/s1600/IMG_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcA-oBFPQUsJQ0XoJLNgr_j4oUuLsHKSw_sF9PvIfjNbwMR5l8JJ4wKen_VV0rJEr0uC3FCJ9lsqEItLf-WQ8BZMuFRqAizBNZaapoEVuVSQAQXUgzbzEXuq7pGGRCpOS9h6gPTCyhioG/s1600/IMG_0262.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I projected different examples under my Elmo when the students were done - they laughed seeing what people had come up with for their picture, and there were some pretty funny interpretations. <br />
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I can see myself doing something like this for other objectives...maybe having students draw a picture and then having someone else write a sentence using figurative language (we are working on that standard too!)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Would you use this acitivity in your classroom? Have you done something similar?</em></span><br />
<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-34965805889520371932015-02-04T17:52:00.001-05:002015-02-04T17:52:16.167-05:00Wordless Wednesday - Mint to Succeed!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDMOJev8QGHBPAfCDOXvrCKCo3g2ZgXM08llQQVw4TXV_jYw0-SfNKruOF3NoVM2eenORjwYPh69h5JOPrX24F51k1g1fNTvR833PqkJE4PSsPluqTEDmgDug5ri5qtnrgiEluFmzsOL_/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDMOJev8QGHBPAfCDOXvrCKCo3g2ZgXM08llQQVw4TXV_jYw0-SfNKruOF3NoVM2eenORjwYPh69h5JOPrX24F51k1g1fNTvR833PqkJE4PSsPluqTEDmgDug5ri5qtnrgiEluFmzsOL_/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Because this mountain of tests in no fun for anyone...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKi3NjSZCmxLBzO0ERJPIPArfU59dhjm3i-6OygVPLvDuIJqDz2wuy7pfFUtN4w2uPB9ZLWNVee4obU_Y1tZhtjrlefVY6lshnRYBx1FJGZLJreL2OsU3MOxev_KsCM0fOytrbRbMq3CW5/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKi3NjSZCmxLBzO0ERJPIPArfU59dhjm3i-6OygVPLvDuIJqDz2wuy7pfFUtN4w2uPB9ZLWNVee4obU_Y1tZhtjrlefVY6lshnRYBx1FJGZLJreL2OsU3MOxev_KsCM0fOytrbRbMq3CW5/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">My students needed a little motivation last week.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggC3RiaxptHeDJKG_BeZXHtoBTk2KbnAbC5TZqRznxyA40i_-FRphEj9rZh7gwinPSpgEXFdw8uqCCWbdtecUSm-LOnksJkNF34WJPKySXkhvDuHtP7khPHb3MzrvS54Q_lewML2jOlvMh/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggC3RiaxptHeDJKG_BeZXHtoBTk2KbnAbC5TZqRznxyA40i_-FRphEj9rZh7gwinPSpgEXFdw8uqCCWbdtecUSm-LOnksJkNF34WJPKySXkhvDuHtP7khPHb3MzrvS54Q_lewML2jOlvMh/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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They loved them!</div>
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Download an assortment of testing motivation notes from GingerSnaps <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Motivational-Testing-Notes-241261" target="_blank">here</a>:</div>
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(I used a screenshot of the note I wanted, pasted a page of notes into PowerPoint, and printed on mint paper. The notes come in adorable colors but of course the color printer wasn't working that day. I think that being flexible is one the main lessons I've learned from my first year teaching!)</div>
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<a href="http://secondgradesugarandspice.blogspot.com/2015/02/wordless-wednesday-february-4th-are-you.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKSVSx-VX3XV8Srf-mZwK8wVJ-dypUwRgGqR21gjd18WcNR222C0aJ6MVrF4BAEzWNCSa7hyphenhyphenDQezRAVLpkyr4XzTNWRV9L_xhGvdmuzjwoKFUt8Ys2-iSrMruevv3JPdCsXKWJCCNQAg/s1600/WordlessWednesdayLinkyPic.png" height="128" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-28410961400183206052015-02-02T14:18:00.000-05:002015-02-17T17:16:14.803-05:00RACE Writing Response (freebie on a snowday!)There's no excuse not to blog - I am sitting at home on a snow day :) I was called with the cancellation yesterday just before 5:00...it was so nice to know early!<br />
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I've been thinking about what I could share on this blog, and pondering what has really worked in my ELA classroom. I realized after my students took their first "Common Assessment" test created by the district that I could not just tell them to "write a complete short answer". I had to teach them how to do it by breaking down each step and setting expectations.<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/RACE-Writing-Response-Poster-FREE-1684962" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBkgSo2ap40XafTVPbvBZ2AQfVY9cDkfklHC4rQptgaGoAPJ-uvD2Bd6dKFpjOY_2IRwTBFsn02zXVZMEjsKbkYBEz96kUxjFAWSaPWZLnTkV5ZJPnOqz8NVuk1QE-ekw4nq4-Y-HX2W0/s1600/RACE+thumbnail.PNG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
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This is not my original idea, but if I've learned anything as a first-year teacher it's to not reinvent the wheel!<br />
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The acronym, RACE, stands for each part of a complete constructed response. There are a few versions out there, but I like this one best:<br />
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R -<b> restate</b> the answer<br />
A - <b>answer</b> all parts of the question<br />
C - <b>cite</b> evidence<br />
E - <b>explain</b> how your evidence supports your answer.<br />
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We've practiced this by writing responses to whole-class texts, stand-alone prompts, and even questions like "what was the best part of your weekend?" <br />
Of course, the "citing" would have to be examples from the weekend instead of text evidence.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Now that my students know how to use the RACE response, I can just say "don't forget the RACE method!" when we are taking a test :) I have seen such an improvement in their responses from the beginning of the year.</span>It makes me so happy to see my students scrawl "RACE" at the top of their answer page, or even to see them planning out their response with each letter before they write it.<br />
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There are a few products I've used for this that have been really successful:<br />
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/RACE-Writing-Strategy-Card-1325093" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://datax.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/RACE-Writing-Strategy-Card-1325093/original-1325093-1.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
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These strategy cards are great for responding to any prompt! Each part of the response is broken down for the students. I think this would be great to use when you are first introducing this strategy.</div>
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<a href="http://middleschoolmattersblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-quote-for-short-answer-question.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIMLLrxA-Dpic2ihaAw_UVf-7_e06-_cqI6AsrW29Wm0svzu6esK7KQ4SAR0WRXR42mmfTIUxP4_xeu67FocoQxH-LdVPfIqDYApctt36bemVhDSmRwS8znagBsLq_UW6HWgP6-fWz1A/s1600/quote1question.PNG" height="310" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Here is a free writing response that has students responding to a Henry Ford quote using the RACE method. We did this activity shortly after I introduced the acronym.</span></div>
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<a href="http://classroomsol.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/0/1120439/race_info_and_rubric.pdf" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z4X4xJurG64K9pzNAl5bEp42WE_rxZnrlpExllV2xX-Yr5Yakm6I3Kig8q5eRPXUnUDNXU434PkjMoypOOnHkVrcFgZv6Na6W0DbhBCfvKH8lrEdFetCzVcxV2FP2r0H1QYNOFCIzTqZ/s1600/RACE+response+example.PNG" height="400" width="307" /></a></div>
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Here is a great explanation of the strategy (complete with a rubric) from Mrs. Sol's classroom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42vOSzWT9OB3a1Wv4uU7S9_3dCI7EeJrlqmcfH42rchCDiasphIMbtVBoYKOnfRqyS5Ovp4SIAG2ZLYtuVuNCqAJ96HW-MVoOYRYJZAGFsFkkF1FmP136Ps8dE2_KRfmF0M4ht7EF-ELA/s1600/RACE+notebook+page.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42vOSzWT9OB3a1Wv4uU7S9_3dCI7EeJrlqmcfH42rchCDiasphIMbtVBoYKOnfRqyS5Ovp4SIAG2ZLYtuVuNCqAJ96HW-MVoOYRYJZAGFsFkkF1FmP136Ps8dE2_KRfmF0M4ht7EF-ELA/s1600/RACE+notebook+page.PNG" height="400" width="360" /></a></div>
I love this resource for the visual of setting up a notebook page!<br /><br />
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Oh, and I've had a few students tell me that they've used this short-answer method in other classes, too! Yay for cross-curricular connections!</div>
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<a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/RACE-Writing-Response-Poster-FREE-1684962" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinBkgSo2ap40XafTVPbvBZ2AQfVY9cDkfklHC4rQptgaGoAPJ-uvD2Bd6dKFpjOY_2IRwTBFsn02zXVZMEjsKbkYBEz96kUxjFAWSaPWZLnTkV5ZJPnOqz8NVuk1QE-ekw4nq4-Y-HX2W0/s1600/RACE+thumbnail.PNG" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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Because I love things to match, I've created a version that you can use in your own classroom to match some of the neon chalkboard items I've made.<br />
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Click on the picture to get this FREE download at my TpT store.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Do you use a constructed-response format in your classroom?</i></span></div>
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Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-79288244799948454832014-12-03T11:57:00.001-05:002014-12-03T11:57:30.004-05:00Wordless Wednesday: Book Fair!<br />
I LOVE the Book Fair...I told my students that it feels like Christmas to me :) I was able to buy some new books with Scholastic Money, and some fabulous students of mine also donated to our classroom from my wish list. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRyFHZqDQjPMorfRYtFTRpR_inDHDRzMHG4LBwkR48bgAumXlGusHn4aDD6VYqRU-G-hYAmoJnYBYSACUIEURi5aZ1Saygo2MAgmtmVcPXPLAdzdGoTr4YUlDglVk7O9U6NNkQ_QWs_uI/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRyFHZqDQjPMorfRYtFTRpR_inDHDRzMHG4LBwkR48bgAumXlGusHn4aDD6VYqRU-G-hYAmoJnYBYSACUIEURi5aZ1Saygo2MAgmtmVcPXPLAdzdGoTr4YUlDglVk7O9U6NNkQ_QWs_uI/s1600/books.jpg" height="414" width="640" /></a></div>
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It made my heart SO happy. What made me even happier was seeing the excitement about these new books! <br />
I kept them up on the board for one day to build some suspense ;) and the next day I allowed students to check them out. There are only a few left now!<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Have you read any of these books? Which ones did you love?</span></em></div>
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<a href="http://secondgradesugarandspice.blogspot.com/2014/12/wordless-wednesday-its-beginning-to.html" target="_blank"><img alt="http://secondgradesugarandspice.blogspot.com/2014/12/wordless-wednesday-its-beginning-to.html" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8qPq8Bz9lQaFgLVcrxhkYindB-Hh7h_PlB8CrCG41uc3_Y_hnmsCaE5UTR8iVqRJLW28JFBkVm0hwdcbWv2lYLRC_yGF-ErljESWXvB90BeGoGJGxjos0WrvGN6YKxoj9jQcqgVp_5w/s320/WordlessWednesdayLinkyPic.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm linking up with Miss DeCarbo for Wordless Wednesday!</div>
Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-20758003748643433292014-12-02T18:55:00.003-05:002014-12-02T19:36:26.851-05:00Table Hopping: Task Cards, Group Work, and Instant Formative Assessment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenO7jz8ZKT-c5Oomv7t6pEwhnQ0ns95Ep9RJouoc-11uTIBdjb2cSx19j19RdcDHmMbCia5N8ZAlJP5gv5la4Bvewj15JJnQAX6_xTGPVvP-I2Q5HGqkCOxTgDCjnKbGQ583BZP6vr3_C/s1600/task+card+activity+4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenO7jz8ZKT-c5Oomv7t6pEwhnQ0ns95Ep9RJouoc-11uTIBdjb2cSx19j19RdcDHmMbCia5N8ZAlJP5gv5la4Bvewj15JJnQAX6_xTGPVvP-I2Q5HGqkCOxTgDCjnKbGQ583BZP6vr3_C/s1600/task+card+activity+4.jpg" height="331" width="400" /></a></div>
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Whew! That was a long title...but there are a lot of things going on in this post. I tried something new today in the classroom and I'm really excited about how it works!<br />
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I love using task cards, but I've found that with some recording sheets it's hard to really gauge what students understand and what they need help with. Also, I'm always looking for ideas to get students collaborating and moving around! Enter: table hopping!<br />
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I came across this idea in the shower, the morning of the lesson...why is it that the best ideas come at the strangest, last-minute time?<br />
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I am sure I'm not the first person to think of this, but it worked...so here we go.<br />
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Anyways, I started off with six different task cards, because I have six different table groups. We are working on Author's Purpose this week, so I used <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Authors-Purpose-Test-Prep-Small-Passages-Travel-Activity-598778" target="_blank">these</a>. Since these task cards need to be the appropriate level of difficulty for a group discussion, it's best to use longer or more complex ones. However, you don't just need to use task cards for this...you could really use any sort of problem/short answer you want students to do!<br />
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I numbered the task cards 1-6 and put one at each table group. There's #5 in the picture below...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGR5gn10rErHWrHVhM-9HMVwfP6lVF2EO949tWKSNoyjno-tgrLVoHH8e6v8YSrA2sZdzkQUbf7Oh0MIy_C1ZCxxJb2e5FvsbOQD6eTVBKudram3SHPv-xncwc1q5TPTyeyULe9QYCH1_I/s1600/task+card+activity+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGR5gn10rErHWrHVhM-9HMVwfP6lVF2EO949tWKSNoyjno-tgrLVoHH8e6v8YSrA2sZdzkQUbf7Oh0MIy_C1ZCxxJb2e5FvsbOQD6eTVBKudram3SHPv-xncwc1q5TPTyeyULe9QYCH1_I/s1600/task+card+activity+1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The set up: six cards, six clipboards (with six sticky notes each!) whew!</td></tr>
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Then, I had each group use a clipboard with six sticky notes labeled 1-6.<br />
Depending on the task card, they needed to write the answer on the corresponding numbered card (ex: the answer for task card #5 is written on sticky note #5)<br />
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Each group was also color coded because:<br />
a) It made me happy<br />
b) It looked pretty<br />
c) I was able to tell which groups needed extra support<br />
d) all of the above :)<br />
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(answer: D!)<br />
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The groups started "solving" the task card that was at their current table. They had to write the multiple choice letter (A-D) and WHY.<br />
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When I could tell that most groups were done (or when I asked them to give me a thumbs-up), I would say "switch!" and they rotated (along with their clipboard) to the next table group.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNw7mQcimqQUVi_v_rdW444b08g1nYLwrZbAQGwQ9fs0U5JfRF2lV-olufNNq3l20t1Z68j0m4aEbKz-GwbXUdqEEeDnC8dyusbzxnimjzAl-OTqVAG40flrZb3LjcispxbefR12BspWcO/s1600/task+card+activity+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNw7mQcimqQUVi_v_rdW444b08g1nYLwrZbAQGwQ9fs0U5JfRF2lV-olufNNq3l20t1Z68j0m4aEbKz-GwbXUdqEEeDnC8dyusbzxnimjzAl-OTqVAG40flrZb3LjcispxbefR12BspWcO/s1600/task+card+activity+2.jpg" height="305" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the final work! Task cards with six answers from each of the six groups!</td></tr>
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When they were done, we compared answers! Under the ELMO projector, I put a task card and asked the table leaders to come up with the corresponding sticky note. The majority of students agreed with each other, but we had some great discussions when there were discrepancies.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrjTvuduf9hPKfA3rfvVfZ9xp07gT5I4FBOTfa2znGg8dNImaGYZRwBPPRM07iprNG7CnTDfs306NEeFwWw0u-buf2RB7lzf4d4uI1l6U1ozPyvik4apYDYa4LcU98hNvDTExpcckDAmp/s1600/task+card+acitivity+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrjTvuduf9hPKfA3rfvVfZ9xp07gT5I4FBOTfa2znGg8dNImaGYZRwBPPRM07iprNG7CnTDfs306NEeFwWw0u-buf2RB7lzf4d4uI1l6U1ozPyvik4apYDYa4LcU98hNvDTExpcckDAmp/s1600/task+card+acitivity+3.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Example of compared answers</td></tr>
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I loved that this activity involved collaboration, movement, and an easy check for me to see who was getting it! Oh, and lovely color-coded sticky notes ;)<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have any interactive response activities up your sleeve, or ways to use task cards? I'd love to learn more?</span></i></div>
Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-52168133530294779812014-11-29T12:49:00.001-05:002014-11-29T12:49:24.028-05:00Wish List Fun!I have LOVED relaxing during this Thanksgiving Break. We had conferences until 8:00 pm Monday and Tuesday, so this break was much needed :)<br /><br />One thing on my to-do list this weekend (which is still very long, oops!) is to update my cart for the TpT sale on...drumroll please...Monday and Tuesday!<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-Of-Lit" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5s2_jAPMErLeA7sRJSkANyj-ZrSYUL5v74PVi0Lv0lMcaMTezsOq7nPz3caQ5GWT90mbuWgXkDEbBfelu7V-2_hv3Rm9U-C4LSeTeCK5ey7L-aHsBey7k0Q7YFN7Rt43lKmfpt-Hfq72/s1600/Cyber+Sale+Banners4.png" height="80" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have had a few things in my cart for a few weeks now, hoping that there would be a sale around this time :) I am in luck!<br /><br />I love seeing what other teachers are planning to buy - especially middle school ELA teachers. I am constantly finding new products that I have never seen before.<br /><br />Before I share MY wish list, here are a few products that other teachers have wish-listed from my little store (which will be on sale for an 20% off, in addition to the TPT 10% off code!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuS_5shm0krMsXypNSrNPPK3orLGCZHj_hQTXYETutkkhrC5Zlw7WPSEKdx3AXg4oizSxrHtrJSbUrQk3pLOowF_8yhV6WiUPe7FZrHHkZp-YliWkrDPnL-sJmOg1eq76RdQRYrPsKmzB4/s1600/firstwishlist.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuS_5shm0krMsXypNSrNPPK3orLGCZHj_hQTXYETutkkhrC5Zlw7WPSEKdx3AXg4oizSxrHtrJSbUrQk3pLOowF_8yhV6WiUPe7FZrHHkZp-YliWkrDPnL-sJmOg1eq76RdQRYrPsKmzB4/s1600/firstwishlist.png" height="105" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Neon-Chalkboard-Genre-Posters-Middle-School-1362151" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Neon-Chalkboard-Genre-Poster-Middle-School-1362151/original-1362151-1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Neon Chalkboard Genre Posters (just right for middle school!)<br /><br />I love how these look up on my wall in my library area. Not only do they add a fun pop of neon color, but I see students referring to them for book ideas and definitions of genres. When students write a reader's response letter to me on Fridays, they need to put the genre of the book in their letter, so these come in handy!</div>
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/10548097_10100791220869298_5846570391013639128_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/t31.0-8/10548097_10100791220869298_5846570391013639128_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am SO excited about these Roll and Retell activities. So far, I have made products for both Theme and Plot. I have a few more in the works, too!</div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Roll-and-Retell-Theme-1584853" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Roll-and-Retell-Theme-1584853-1417281307/original-1584853-1.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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"Roll and Retell" isn't just for elementary! Students enjoy adding some "chance" the their reading responses. Simply add dice, and responding to reading becomes a game :)</div>
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Use this activity with any literature text that students have read - as an entire class, in small groups, or independently.</div>
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In this product, you will find the following:</div>
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1) Roll and Retell Worksheet (use for on-level students who are working to master the reading skill)</div>
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2) Roll and Retell Extension Worksheet (use for accelerated students to extend their thinking)</div>
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3) Full page recording page </div>
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4) Three-Question recording page (use if you would like students to roll three responses. These responses will be longer, and only choosing three adds some extra “chance”)</div>
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5) Half-page recording sheets (use these to save paper!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuo88iQiH-VNcf52YQMnHugnCi6wPoeuuyzj3tnZ6cL-sbt6gj9Rx1qe5NDpESTMCKzC4BD0M-gtdF1z3WkFhZiFyxkKuGwoEYO-tImPzv0mioOMrYWvGZLWLKY6GZi83DR3epl-KN9Fb/s1600/mywishlist.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuo88iQiH-VNcf52YQMnHugnCi6wPoeuuyzj3tnZ6cL-sbt6gj9Rx1qe5NDpESTMCKzC4BD0M-gtdF1z3WkFhZiFyxkKuGwoEYO-tImPzv0mioOMrYWvGZLWLKY6GZi83DR3epl-KN9Fb/s1600/mywishlist.png" height="102" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now for my wish list! This product is actually in my cart...I can't wait to purchase it on Monday. </div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Grade-7-Daily-Common-Core-Reading-Practice-Weeks-1-20-1404361" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Grade-7-Daily-Common-Core-Reading-Practice-Weeks-1-20-1404361/original-1404361-1.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a></div>
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7th Grade Daily Common Core Reading Practice!</div>
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I plan to use these as a warm-up for my students. It will be a great way to reinforce literature skills to make sure my students are ready for all of our assessments. The passages look so interesting, too!</div>
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<b>Does anyone else own this reading passage set? I'd love to hear how it works for you!</b></div>
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I am linking up to share my 2+1 TPTCYBER ideas!</div>
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<a href="http://fifthinthemiddle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10568932_10100791220534968_1100788985577999785_n.jpg?oh=060dea785c44dff5e12a725d4cb26a30&oe=5519BF01" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-78187980411738956792014-11-19T20:20:00.000-05:002014-11-29T12:13:30.764-05:00Teaching THE MEssage {freebie and an activity}This unit we are focusing on finding the theme of our text. I'm enjoying teaching this because I think (or at least I hope!) it helps students to see the value in reading - that there are messages in the text for us to discover and apply to our own lives.<br />
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This anchor chart has been SO helpful for referring to theme. I have taught students that the THEME is <b>THE ME</b>ssage...and is different than the topic.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzixQUeNxbEf_Lcw916lPcdbDHC8ym85ub9BqGE3uG-bHAmcl8rOIm19Kv_FioIB3sv-eZsUXu5dc7i3q-wwCT4BPem76H_3tE3G3egQ0r9_Vjbo8K3mSqyz94eRPsJSswa1NyQiVPJpG/s1600/theme+anchor+chart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzixQUeNxbEf_Lcw916lPcdbDHC8ym85ub9BqGE3uG-bHAmcl8rOIm19Kv_FioIB3sv-eZsUXu5dc7i3q-wwCT4BPem76H_3tE3G3egQ0r9_Vjbo8K3mSqyz94eRPsJSswa1NyQiVPJpG/s1600/theme+anchor+chart.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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The TOPIC/big idea might be friendship, but the THEME is what the author is saying about friendship, such as "true friendship lasts through the toughest obstacles".<br />
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The mini sticky notes under "topic" and the big stick notes under "theme" have been good visuals to remember that topics are just a few words and themes are a lesson that is written as a sentences.<br />
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To help students remember THE MEssage, I created this poster.<br />
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Download for <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Theme-Poster-FREE-1566661" target="_blank">free</a> on TpT!<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Theme-Poster-FREE-1566661" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXI0pvJUSqu7V8LxPZuI6SF9aExhz7YLGmA-IgMR3ubx9JrROn2K2C9QIyFzWahHx_UxCsH8uclLc3Ub08dHBFxDvt6CqKFe3uPFDyXn05tJ_v6yqKAKRZ4lRD0QaZuJAMJrxcRiEfFNA/s1600/theme+middle+of+lit.PNG" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>What else have we done to find the theme?</em><br />
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Awesome theme passages from<a href="http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/free-reading-worksheets/theme-worksheets/" target="_blank"> ereadingworksheets</a>. I love that these free passages have a space to write the theme and ask for evidence. There is a wide range of passages - challenging enough for my high-level students and others at the perfect level for students struggling to find the theme.<br />
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This T.H.E.M.E acronym on <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/THEME-An-Acronym-Graphic-Organizer-193834" target="_blank">TpT </a>was a great find!<br />
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Lastly, today we did THEME roll and retell. We used a short fiction story from our textbook, and students rolled the die to see which question they had to answer. This added some fun and some "choice" (or luck, I should say) with answering questions. Just add a die and suddenly comprehension questions are a game :)<br />
Though ultimately they had to answer all of them, it mixed things up from me telling them which questions to answer.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5v3xENMkXKfFoUvGMucdzW-Dc3uYciWkhrAgJIbNu7YYenbnqzB1IA8xHrj8pUlVQKBWiQ3deHjKeljMoDmFGyIHfx0FH8t78HmHwSsJtr7Oqq4cQD3AZ2j_zTXk_7R09JBp_SyzcCVYJ/s1600/IMG_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5v3xENMkXKfFoUvGMucdzW-Dc3uYciWkhrAgJIbNu7YYenbnqzB1IA8xHrj8pUlVQKBWiQ3deHjKeljMoDmFGyIHfx0FH8t78HmHwSsJtr7Oqq4cQD3AZ2j_zTXk_7R09JBp_SyzcCVYJ/s1600/IMG_0138.JPG" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
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In this differentiated roll and retell, students are all working with the same grade-level, yet challenging, text.<br />
Students who have an advanced understanding of theme can use the "Theme Extensions" roll and retell.<br />
Students still working on finding the message have grade-level questions to use with a grade-level text.<br />
I would work in a small group (still using the same challenging text) with students who are struggling to discover the theme.<br />
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If you are interested in purchasing this product for your classroom, follow the link below!<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Roll-and-Retell-Theme-1584853" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjnDhwvqgjnO0VI86RvOd37wRENZbAQShWvb2os1qL2wt1ovDEgHNLqosO8PtdNq6eXrKqWmK0r1SfLLwvLFt3AXs2wKsOgGj-h2ePlQh_3C6GTACkBYA898I-fKvp2CGcCu8Ra1RFbbs/s1600/roll+and+retell+theme+middle+of+lit.PNG" height="400" width="301" /></a></div>
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<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-27790535394017363992014-11-16T11:40:00.000-05:002014-11-16T11:40:01.453-05:00Sunday Scoop & Breakfast CookiesI love this short and sweet link-up over at <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=3762643137&group=0&frame_type=a&context=undefined&context_ids=undefined&blog=12321373&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Teaching Trio</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQa9J0_0y_Rysb-5WP4c8ceNNHj_NtFxqahdp325xdH5n6mZFG8RpbqJe0tHfXFeleWTBXLT2g_cJalMCNnSXXgNt6YX59amj5SXVUcaKydfmAdJLAbCZ2tyswKWZhbvTXp57tZcdZEjH/s1600/Sunday+Scoop+Button.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQa9J0_0y_Rysb-5WP4c8ceNNHj_NtFxqahdp325xdH5n6mZFG8RpbqJe0tHfXFeleWTBXLT2g_cJalMCNnSXXgNt6YX59amj5SXVUcaKydfmAdJLAbCZ2tyswKWZhbvTXp57tZcdZEjH/s1600/Sunday+Scoop+Button.JPG" height="200" width="197" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAAZ0YpXsxPd_YY-zZOwEwN-Sp1dnhumU8wBdB5noYYiVsHN36Ms8XmnKBYH9JABeY03WYdSCIFOeOrqJjEDDOZAe-UiewdU9zHMMznVx-586TJShhN0OLB4Jisitov2MPfQcx1MG1Zar/s1600/Sunday+Scoop+11_16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAAZ0YpXsxPd_YY-zZOwEwN-Sp1dnhumU8wBdB5noYYiVsHN36Ms8XmnKBYH9JABeY03WYdSCIFOeOrqJjEDDOZAe-UiewdU9zHMMznVx-586TJShhN0OLB4Jisitov2MPfQcx1MG1Zar/s1600/Sunday+Scoop+11_16.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I always enjoy seeing what other teachers still have to do and look forward to for the week!</div>
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This Sunday, part of my "scoop" was making breakfast cookies :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyObgsV5Rs0VHKwbfOBBRzm_upEnxVe6isZcCVb56D6FXRSbekGnZKnNVKEUzl4Mkpt1s7PeDGAnCa3D70ufkFS566JGva6EGF8ImtL5jDOxgUihT8_7YWO_Q8lTdOt3TMpJqP6bciEaxH/s1600/breakfast+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyObgsV5Rs0VHKwbfOBBRzm_upEnxVe6isZcCVb56D6FXRSbekGnZKnNVKEUzl4Mkpt1s7PeDGAnCa3D70ufkFS566JGva6EGF8ImtL5jDOxgUihT8_7YWO_Q8lTdOt3TMpJqP6bciEaxH/s1600/breakfast+cookies.jpg" height="400" width="387" /></a></div>
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{EASY: quick oats, almond butter, bananas, honey, almonds, chocolate chips, and cinnamon!}</div>
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I love baking, it's a way for me to relax and experiment with new things. I've been wanting to make a "breakfast cookie" that I could grab in the morning and would keep me full for awhile. I tried this recipe on <a href="http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/01/28/banana-chocolate-chip-breakfast-cookies/" target="_blank">Sally's Baking Addiction</a> and I am so happy with how they turned out!</div>
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If you're looking for an easy breakfast idea, I would recommend these cookies!</div>
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<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-43034368555794047152014-11-14T08:34:00.000-05:002015-02-04T19:48:19.028-05:00Freebie Friday! Proud Wall BannerIn the past month, I have implemented a few things in my classroom to try to make it a positive, student-centered, and affirming place.<br />
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I hope that my students always remember how to fix a run-on sentence, but more than anything I want them to remember 7th grade ELA as I place where they knew they mattered and had confidence in themselves.</div>
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The freebie I am sharing today is the sign for the Proud Wall in my classroom. This bulletin board has three "sections".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIBaM6ZR8MK3glWxCqaBqcGLVQgGnX083cj-vTc6yWrInhLRaiwvVzXozajDRR4ASbtew1WJ-A_ZyngNBxQ0EmfeqtS_rov2At-xedBL9E0HIqdCxbrojsZUCbOdayH5hRcViMQqU-tpU/s1600/proud+wall+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSIBaM6ZR8MK3glWxCqaBqcGLVQgGnX083cj-vTc6yWrInhLRaiwvVzXozajDRR4ASbtew1WJ-A_ZyngNBxQ0EmfeqtS_rov2At-xedBL9E0HIqdCxbrojsZUCbOdayH5hRcViMQqU-tpU/s640/proud+wall+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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1) Exemplary work (hung up by clothespins) - this rotates and displays work for each of my classes. When students see their work on the board, they get that little <i>trying-hard-to-be-cool-and-not-smile </i>smile on their faces and I know they are proud of themselves.<br /><br /><b>*these clothespins were SO easy to make. <br />1) I just cut a strip of washi tape in half (the tape I bought worked out perfectly to be cut in half lengthwise)<br />2) I placed it sticky-side down (just like regular tape) the clothespin. If the top/bottom edge hung over a little but I just tucked it under.<br />3) Then, I hot-glued a pushpin to the back.<br />Ta-da!</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKtElWev-BcG7rw6i7UaaIRdAXYXagQoGI2toFgc5t6KvwZQZZV9WIPpAlvRX7uTSnb_n-5QpsXR6o-Hg2nQtcN0teMFdWzaLeytx7u9nxFwoWdrcQvCL_OFCvS4NXHp46xLsQxjFbHAO/s1600/clothespin+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKtElWev-BcG7rw6i7UaaIRdAXYXagQoGI2toFgc5t6KvwZQZZV9WIPpAlvRX7uTSnb_n-5QpsXR6o-Hg2nQtcN0teMFdWzaLeytx7u9nxFwoWdrcQvCL_OFCvS4NXHp46xLsQxjFbHAO/s320/clothespin+1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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2) Affirmations - I will talk more about these in detail another time :) these affirmations are the ones either written to an entire hour or ones that students have chosen to put up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5m7vSXTn44LCF4SkaqEeywj40KkFxK3UTfMp-JZmnC2Q6Z_NT6-Sty-_WpPCOe4MdD5rs28Moxr9WkqeiXvDJ7kQfONvWj3Q9iVnZw5rRwr4aB7hybauu4_Bq5P6Mou-GqchbN5VcQEIU/s1600/affirmations+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5m7vSXTn44LCF4SkaqEeywj40KkFxK3UTfMp-JZmnC2Q6Z_NT6-Sty-_WpPCOe4MdD5rs28Moxr9WkqeiXvDJ7kQfONvWj3Q9iVnZw5rRwr4aB7hybauu4_Bq5P6Mou-GqchbN5VcQEIU/s640/affirmations+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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3) Miscellaneous - awesome student work (aka a song called "All About That Plot" written to the tune of "All About That Bass"), an award from our custodian for a clean classroom, a "Happy Llama Day" card made in my creative writing class, etc. I know this will grow throughout the year.</div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chevron-Proud-Wall-Banner-1556129" target="_blank">Here</a> is the link to the chevron "Proud Wall" banner. There is neon and a black and white version. Download for free on TpT! I simply cut out, laminated, and posted on the bulletin board with push pins. If you have space in your classroom and want to try something like this, I would<b> love </b>for you to download the banner!<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chevron-Proud-Wall-Banner-1556129" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chevron-Proud-Wall-Banner-1556129" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw60Mgq-ERhPkYUGlwj_SxaEQVU-ivHYrOZrViwdxCaHVu7Z24feU0DSPAeVl7nnXcZXlEQezV3yhGOYNc53b5NfxJwV831MTMYvPFvaMoWcvnK2iYTCG3i9aVgKhKRQR1wKXxTY8ZTUMY/s1600/chevron+proud+wall+banner.PNG" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/search/label/Freebie%20Friday" target="_blank"><img alt="Teaching Blog Addict Freebie Downloads" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oFTQNxYLhig/VE6Pyzn2QxI/AAAAAAAAN9E/gedpWRwE2dU/s200-no/teaching-blog-addict-free-printable.png" /></a></div>
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I am linking up to TBA's Freebie Friday (I love the adorable new button!)</div>
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Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-44264561539535673402014-11-11T19:23:00.000-05:002014-11-11T19:23:01.258-05:00MIA Blogger Confessions1) It has taken me five minutes to write this first sentence. <div>
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2) It has been so long since I last blogged that I first attempted to start a new post by opening up a "new email" message.</div>
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3) Teaching is hard.</div>
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4) I know that what I do matters. That makes it awesome and even more hard.</div>
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5) I told my mom that I would write a blog post so now I have to. It is possible that she will be the only one reading this post. Hi, Mom!</div>
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6) After reading <a href="http://www.thetogethergroup.com/books/the-together-teacher/" target="_blank">this</a> fantastic book, I planned out enough of my time to not have to go into school on weekends for the past month. Major win!!! Working less made me less bitter/stressed and helped me relax so much more.</div>
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This is definitely one of those books I need to read again (and probably again) but so far I would call myself a "mostly-together" teacher :)</div>
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Two of my major takeaways from the book are scheduling to-do's and using one "weekly worksheet" for everything!</div>
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<a href="http://www.thetogethergroup.com/wp-content/plugins/sheltoncustom/lib/thumb/thumb.php?src=http://www.thetogethergroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/TogetherTeacher.png&q=90&w=245" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thetogethergroup.com/wp-content/plugins/sheltoncustom/lib/thumb/thumb.php?src=http://www.thetogethergroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/TogetherTeacher.png&q=90&w=245" /></a></div>
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Has anyone else read this? What did you find most helpful?</div>
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7) I am going to <i>really really</i> try to post more often. If I was <i>really</i> a "together teacher" I would schedule time to write blog posts. I want to share more about what I am doing in the classroom...make more products...connect with more teachers. One step at a time :) First of all, I need to blog more often that every two months!<br /><br />8) I will leave you with <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/weareteachers/i-teach-for-seven-straight-hours-in-stilletos-and-h0xt" target="_blank">this </a>hilarious article. It takes "stock photos" of teachers and has comments about teaching that I can only assume came right from a teacher. I love all of the apple references and #21 made me laugh out loud.</div>
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<a href="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-10/24/10/enhanced/webdr05/enhanced-27182-1414161130-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://s3-ec.buzzfed.com/static/2014-10/24/10/enhanced/webdr05/enhanced-27182-1414161130-4.jpg" height="242" width="320" /></a></div>
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Because this is what our lives look like every day, right?</div>
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Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-15428020459130787532014-09-07T12:28:00.002-04:002014-09-07T12:28:18.848-04:00Sunday ScoopI made it through my first week! It was awesome, really. 7th graders are great and I am excited about the rest of the year.<br />
Of course, every day I learn something new that I have to do - I am trying my best to keep up with it all.<br />
I left school around 5:00 each day (keeping up with my goal! woohoo!) but I spent quite a few hours yesterday afternoon and today working on school stuff.<br />
However, a lot of it is creating rubrics, setting up the reading response letter system, laminating vocab cards for the year...so I am thinking that it won't always be like this :) right? right.<br />
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Here are a few activities students completed this past week:<br />
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<a href="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/13acce1e-ac2a-44fe-b32e-89a5c9c182ea_zpsbb1a9c04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/13acce1e-ac2a-44fe-b32e-89a5c9c182ea_zpsbb1a9c04.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
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(Intsa-goal, Twitter Student Profile, and Reading/Writing Survey)</div>
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The first week at my school is all about procedures and expectations - so starting on Monday (tomorrow!) we will be getting down to business.<br />
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The first unit is all about plot, setting, and character. We will start our first whole-group short story (Seventh Grade by Gary Soto) and start diving into elements of plot.<br />
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<a href="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/50c1d7d3-297c-48e3-a3ac-2e94648e0ba6_zpse8d8b324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/50c1d7d3-297c-48e3-a3ac-2e94648e0ba6_zpse8d8b324.jpg" height="400" width="212" /></a></div>
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One of my goals this weekend was to get a candy jar...I saw a few other Middle School teachers in my building had one, so I knew I needed one too :)<br />
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Starbursts - $4.00<br />
Jar -$3.00 (at Marshall's!)<br />
Bribing students with candy...priceless.<br />
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Really though, my plan for this is as an extra reward for students who have gone above and beyond. This week, I am offering a starburst to anyone who finds the latin root "lect" in a new word that we haven't discussed.<br />
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I am linking up with <a href="http://teachingtrio.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-sunday-scoop-new-linky.html" target="_blank">The Teaching Trio</a> for this short and sweet (love this idea!) Sunday link-up.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0riSOAWJTtsXsb5kubzzshFIwYg2ViAuxdgstLUx1trwPSesFofhHDK4O0rJexBw1fTAwbCBZEoUB41C5OyoiygMN9_LbhFLWdaPPdd1ffjSFbPkWuUQ7w6891sRkG56slW_8iWm9jRG/s1600/sundayscoop1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0riSOAWJTtsXsb5kubzzshFIwYg2ViAuxdgstLUx1trwPSesFofhHDK4O0rJexBw1fTAwbCBZEoUB41C5OyoiygMN9_LbhFLWdaPPdd1ffjSFbPkWuUQ7w6891sRkG56slW_8iWm9jRG/s1600/sundayscoop1.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Have a wonderful week!</div>
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<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-51748799766517071112014-09-01T16:17:00.002-04:002014-09-01T16:59:20.797-04:00Classroom Reveal/CurrentlyTomorrow is the big day - my first day of school of my first year teaching!<br />
After working really hard for the past two weeks, my classroom is finally done...I am ready to show it off!<br />
My plan is to post more in detail about certain parts of my room once the year gets started...and once I figure out how well they work :)<br />
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But for now, here is what my 7th graders will see when they come in tomorrow morning:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnKDXqbMYDnnzLnvzzY-3Rn6fi2-oxkvXi5AJyDdTZrEshxzZ98QLn8eQDUN22d0fv02fAmXDjeesvQu9-1VWrSqpb426AuzrbnWvCxmBU3aGLyukrnUy48VTCVJQCZXQstgwapk6B0jL/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjnKDXqbMYDnnzLnvzzY-3Rn6fi2-oxkvXi5AJyDdTZrEshxzZ98QLn8eQDUN22d0fv02fAmXDjeesvQu9-1VWrSqpb426AuzrbnWvCxmBU3aGLyukrnUy48VTCVJQCZXQstgwapk6B0jL/s1600/image.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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Classroom curtain (no sew!!! I am going to post about it soon because I was so happy with how it turned out, and how easy it was)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCx32df-pDbbrHJip8UWWKnePcQLG_t_LCgzfnX9DRDDPgoORCshV6MWNhQjS2_TcyhSv8QXlhsnz-YqHl0QS_4G8NRgHLkO4ugX7HYq4vTSx5LBBDf-iw7RTfMmjnunQf8O4fUYgLi18/s1600/image+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCx32df-pDbbrHJip8UWWKnePcQLG_t_LCgzfnX9DRDDPgoORCshV6MWNhQjS2_TcyhSv8QXlhsnz-YqHl0QS_4G8NRgHLkO4ugX7HYq4vTSx5LBBDf-iw7RTfMmjnunQf8O4fUYgLi18/s1600/image+(1).jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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Word Wall/Group Work table</div>
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(I am going to put up academic vocabulary throughout the year)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Vr1cU217DnfcUWoPwR0LirLwrJ6GN_P_I17X1sj2R__Ez2qskGt5ew8vMyjfTjbdxN9pzOcgctsYp5zYNHaAv1RWTre6SPkuB-8OgFOo8Cl6BlWIUGU3aUdpQyDtC6G-aAooOwNWwoW2/s1600/image+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Vr1cU217DnfcUWoPwR0LirLwrJ6GN_P_I17X1sj2R__Ez2qskGt5ew8vMyjfTjbdxN9pzOcgctsYp5zYNHaAv1RWTre6SPkuB-8OgFOo8Cl6BlWIUGU3aUdpQyDtC6G-aAooOwNWwoW2/s1600/image+(2).jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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My favorite part of the room - my classroom library!</div>
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Each bin is organized by genre. I haven't marked the books individually...but I am hoping that my classroom librarians will help keep them in order for now :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHAh6pjhyphenhyphenbo3imsulfz_f5DkA0MY0QIafN2SKal1mBuKN-OpTZwi5PR8zVFVXEKgtZ0OdAoVeCYoATF9qBYHP39PjFtC1clrpINKwL4G-YtyIvCX_ANLGCaEcVx1A4zPfP0w5EEPhB0Xu/s1600/image+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHAh6pjhyphenhyphenbo3imsulfz_f5DkA0MY0QIafN2SKal1mBuKN-OpTZwi5PR8zVFVXEKgtZ0OdAoVeCYoATF9qBYHP39PjFtC1clrpINKwL4G-YtyIvCX_ANLGCaEcVx1A4zPfP0w5EEPhB0Xu/s1600/image+(3).jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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Neon Genre Posters!</div>
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I just LOVE these - definitely my favorite product I have made.</div>
Find them on TpT <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Neon-Chalkboard-Genre-Posters-Middle-School-1362151" target="_blank">here</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu7MYwHlROg0O2uBgcsCFGa-abza7WgfAguIC9pQ8JP3tqpfhA-N5F7sppyjvCn6VxkwVg6fwOyC6vNlqiVoqi2EjsOv7X9AU9_83jkdh4tc2BbDh7jVNvELq1qyY0SCsvq2IGZi8dhmC/s1600/image+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAu7MYwHlROg0O2uBgcsCFGa-abza7WgfAguIC9pQ8JP3tqpfhA-N5F7sppyjvCn6VxkwVg6fwOyC6vNlqiVoqi2EjsOv7X9AU9_83jkdh4tc2BbDh7jVNvELq1qyY0SCsvq2IGZi8dhmC/s1600/image+(4).jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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Whiteboard with I can statement/schedule for the day</div>
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(The lefts side is 7th ELA, the right side is Creative Writing)</div>
The bulletin board on the right of the whiteboard has clothespins for hanging up anchor charts<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl48GfSGp3x6-tYYQeNLKlyd3BMVaAxJKyid3GpQ_JH3KKiEnLg15SDf62fOt9Avp3eW_B-8OKPCGwitaxQSacnfzqc27_ZdG4t1_eb5mO7hWNx9cz1kr8POV8l7CP9Qek671v6vRs4rK/s1600/image+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAl48GfSGp3x6-tYYQeNLKlyd3BMVaAxJKyid3GpQ_JH3KKiEnLg15SDf62fOt9Avp3eW_B-8OKPCGwitaxQSacnfzqc27_ZdG4t1_eb5mO7hWNx9cz1kr8POV8l7CP9Qek671v6vRs4rK/s1600/image+(5).jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Proud Wall"</div>
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The clothespins are for "exemplary student work" examples :)</div>
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Students are going to write affirmations to each other throughout the year - and may choose to post these on the Proud Wall.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObgz5KvweS5wv32LzXFL4JIq0ZOAn3J0bpm0WWc59l3qENfz8bSOMacP2E3Yeq24drzqqxgweD-Vu32N3W6UIByfUEMPdasHx31KlkXr-19WlgqgO2r1qFZtBIu2Bg2bmoI-HVsRH0M8H/s1600/image+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObgz5KvweS5wv32LzXFL4JIq0ZOAn3J0bpm0WWc59l3qENfz8bSOMacP2E3Yeq24drzqqxgweD-Vu32N3W6UIByfUEMPdasHx31KlkXr-19WlgqgO2r1qFZtBIu2Bg2bmoI-HVsRH0M8H/s1600/image+(6).jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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View from my desk</div>
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More pictures/blogging to come :)<br />
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Thank you SO much to those sweet bloggers who commented on my last post about how to balance everything as a teacher. I am definitely planning to set limits/hours for myself this year so I don't go crazy. </div>
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My rough plan is to arrive about 45 minutes before school starts, and stay until 5. But once I am home, I need to RELAX! I think that seems reasonable. </div>
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I am linking up with <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Farley</a> for September Currently (of course back to school is the #1 thing on my mind!)</div>
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Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-73520458955081585672014-08-21T19:53:00.001-04:002014-08-21T19:53:13.304-04:00A very busy bloggerI have been the worst blogger! I feel guilty for not writing...but at the same time I've had to cut myself a little slack. I moved to a new apartment last weekend, and have spent all week in PD during the day, then stayed at school until dinnertime to work on my classroom. Needless to say, by the time I get home all I have energy for is to lay down and eat fast food at watch netflix. Well, that seems sad...<br />
I tried to make a crockpot meal but 8 hours on high instead of 8 hours on low made for some very charred chicken. Oops. Better luck next time!<br />
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Which leads me to wonder...how do teacher bloggers "do it all" during school? I guess I will have to get my act together or this blog is going to become very barren! And we don't want that.<br />
I <i>can't wait</i> to be able to show pictures of my classroom...but not until it's done. It is getting there. Slowly but surely.<br />
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I'm really excited about a few things I bought during the TpT boost sale yesterday (I impulsively made some purchases at 11pm...) But I don't regret a single one! Having more resources make me feel much more prepared. Here are the goods...<br /><br /><b>For my 7th Grade ELA class:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Elements-of-Fiction-Posters-Plot-Vocabulary-Set-of-13-720331" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Elements-of-Fiction-Posters-Plot-Vocabulary-Set-of-13-1408506783/original-720331-1.jpg" height="153" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Grammar-Poster-Bundle-Set-of-55-Posters-for-Grades-4-8-1285695" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Grammar-Poster-Bundle-Set-of-55-Posters-for-Grades-4-8-1285695-1408506783/original-1285695-1.jpg" height="153" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/7th-Grade-Common-Core-ELA-I-Can-Statement-Posters-English-Language-Arts-724847" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/7th-Grade-Common-Core-ELA-I-Can-Statement-Posters-English-Language-Arts-1408506783/original-724847-1.jpg" height="200" width="153" /></a></div>
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<b>For my creative writing elective:</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creative-Writing-Task-Card-Activity-Bundle-46-total-and-CCSS-1312795" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Creative-Writing-Task-Card-Activity-Bundle-46-total-and-CCSS-1312795-1408506659/original-1312795-1.jpg" height="200" width="153" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-a-Fable-Creating-a-Childrens-Book-1293835" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Writing-a-Fable-Creating-a-Childrens-Book-1293835-1408604434/original-1293835-1.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/POETRY-WRITING-UNIT-Haiku-Limerick-Quatrain-Diamante-Acrostic-More-544527" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Poetry-Writing-Unit-Penning-My-Own-Poetry-Booklet-1408604841/original-544527-1.jpg" height="170" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/POETRY-SLAM-Writing-Activity-With-Presentation-Handouts-Organizer-Rubric-700947" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Poetry-Slam-Writing-Activity-With-Presentation-Handouts-Organizer-Rubric-007891600-1368815864-1408604841/original-700947-1.jpg" height="176" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creative-Writing-Book-of-Tricks-69927" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Creative-Writing-Book-of-Tricks-1408604781/original-69927-1.jpg" height="200" width="140" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Okay, so that wasn't a rhetorical question...how do you find time for blogging (and eating regular meals?!) during the school year?</i></span></div>
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<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-85139711131358545242014-08-13T08:32:00.002-04:002014-08-13T08:35:24.618-04:00Wordless Wednesday - Binder Time!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">I mentioned in my "meet me" post that something I love is to organize my life into binders...haha that sounds pretty dorky once I type it out ;) but I know my fellow teachers understand!</span></div>
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<a href="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/5a489912-0b63-4c27-b48b-d11f8696d3e7_zps8bcc6610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/5a489912-0b63-4c27-b48b-d11f8696d3e7_zps8bcc6610.jpg" height="400" width="367" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have any binders that you refer to all of the time? I think my "teacher binder" will be my go-to!</span></i><br />
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I am linking up with Miss DeCarbo for Wordless Wednesday!</div>
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<a href="http://secondgradesugarandspice.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiov77HfM3t8BHp-9i11R_rOS5O9boyBPpc8U4znXWmnxp_G9RLrdAENhiIh3Q2xXk8j9FbR-SpOGGseDbd71ws08j_SAMFtnHWIfIRN5BAvjrTV5u1pqB9NzjAmq9zoK46Wn-L6WfwwE/s1600/WordlessWednesdayLinkyPic.png" height="128" width="200" /></a></div>
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p.s. I found these binder covers and spines on TpT for free <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-2013-2014-EDITABLE-Black-and-White-Themed-Teacher-Binder-Covers-810601" target="_blank">here</a>! I loved the black and white designs!</div>
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<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-42727811755344862992014-08-12T00:16:00.003-04:002014-08-12T00:52:55.543-04:00Meet Me (Middle of Lit!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWT3CKb8sks85DAkKIbmO2KDdaG7olK6Vaq-A2TqfuBd9hEGxZEW0Tq0B3dOfKJYV0zUmmXDFB0oJtHiAWD1rQnXZvOuaqbhW_gwMyvOeepPaigOg75BgJocFIzDRuEXgUBSxrHUQycP-6/s1600/meet+the+teacher.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWT3CKb8sks85DAkKIbmO2KDdaG7olK6Vaq-A2TqfuBd9hEGxZEW0Tq0B3dOfKJYV0zUmmXDFB0oJtHiAWD1rQnXZvOuaqbhW_gwMyvOeepPaigOg75BgJocFIzDRuEXgUBSxrHUQycP-6/s1600/meet+the+teacher.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have loved learning more about other bloggers through this link-up, so now it's my turn!</div>
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Thank you to <a href="http://fallingintofirst.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Falling into First</a> for the opportunity :)<br />
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This year is my first year teaching! I will be teaching 7th Grade Language Arts (and a Creative Writing elective!) I am so excited to have a classroom of my own, and I know that this year will be quite an adventure. I'm glad you are along for the ride :)<br />
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<a href="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/88fdb854-7ad3-4707-a856-9ace1f865549_zps0397db19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/88fdb854-7ad3-4707-a856-9ace1f865549_zps0397db19.jpg" height="200" width="176" /></a></div>
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Here is me in 7th grade. Awkward? Absolutely.</div>
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I think I'll show this to my 7th graders as a humbling experience ;) </div>
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I am the oldest of three kids (I may have been the bossy older sister...) but I also think it's made me a good leader and someone who truly cares for other people.<br />
My Mom is a first-grade teacher and I <i>know</i> I would not be the teacher (or human) I am today without her support! Hi Mom! She reads my blog.<br />
After my parents, my boyfriend is my biggest fan :) he drove me to my teaching interviews and made me feel like I could do anything! And now I have a job - woohoo!<br />
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Now you know the basics...time for Q&A...</div>
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<b>THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...</b><br />
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<li>Traveling, thinking about traveling, and weekend trips</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4_6-6mo729M-kMb4R_iKT_vPy_jEEnUWy9PRjTPy8e0CWzJ6Dd_6OHq6b2uQZDkt73PYSaHV1hSRnUo9fmIBJetq3T1FOQFl6Ku6GNg1R9a50De24gn4zLZfDYpWvuyAUaj-p4aUeI-Z/s1600/1891094_2263384705094_45693791_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4_6-6mo729M-kMb4R_iKT_vPy_jEEnUWy9PRjTPy8e0CWzJ6Dd_6OHq6b2uQZDkt73PYSaHV1hSRnUo9fmIBJetq3T1FOQFl6Ku6GNg1R9a50De24gn4zLZfDYpWvuyAUaj-p4aUeI-Z/s1600/1891094_2263384705094_45693791_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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(my boyfriend and I on a cross-country skiing trip)</div>
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<li>Spending time on teacher blogs (really! It is definitely a hobby of mine)</li>
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<li>Food! Eating delicious food, trying new recipes, browsing Pinterest for food ideas</li>
<li>Good conversation, puns, and grumpy cat memes</li>
<li>School supplies, labels, organizing my life into binders</li>
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<b> IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?</b><br />
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Oh man. This is hard for me because I've wanted to be a teacher for so long! Maybe an interior designer? I went through a phase in elementary school where I had an "interior design" notebook. I drew room plans and had fabric samples and paint chips to go along with each room...I do love decorating so that would be a fun outlet for me!</div>
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<b>THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.</b><br />
Compassionate. Listener. Organizer.</div>
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<b>FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________, SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"</b><br />
"I only work 40 hours a week"...okay maybe someone has figured out how to do that, but I know as a first year teacher I will be staying after school and working on the weekends!</div>
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BUT...I definitely know I need to set boundaries for myself. I think one of the best tips I received at a conference is that teachers need to set deadlines for themselves...like leaving work at a certain time and sticking to it. <a href="http://www.teachingthecore.com/four-keys-impact-teaching-pt2-you-level/" target="_blank">This </a>article is written by the speaker I just referenced and I think it's very helpful!<br />
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<b>Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?</b><br />
Hmm maybe the Queen of England. And lots of other princesses...we could have a tea party. That sounds lovely.<br />
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<b>Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?</b><br />
"Middle of Lit"...ha the only thing I can think of is my blog name. But that seems fitting! </div>
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<b> Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?</b> <br />
I would say the ability to fly! I could travel anywhere :)</div>
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<b>Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?</b><br />
Oh this one is SO hard for me. I love quotes and words and saying.<br />
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I have this poster that says "Choose Happy." Such a simple but important message (and sometimes hard to do!)<br />
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<b>Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? </b><br />
Oh I am a terrible singer. But I do love Billy Joel so perhaps one of his songs - though that would be incredibly difficult!<br />
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<b> Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?</b><br />
A night owl...I could stay up way too late if I don't make myself go to sleep! But, I also hate sleeping in too late. That may sound crazy, but I feel like I am wasting my day that way!</div>
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<b>Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?</b><br />
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My Neon Classroom Genre Posters (for Middle School). It brings together everything I love right now - texts for the middle grades, neon, chalkboard, cute fonts, and developing a love for reading in my students! :)</div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Neon-Chalkboard-Genre-Posters-Middle-School-1362151" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2v_lo8IvmDdxPF_5LcbrrZdomN_WINZyBdOVPnvreJpCW_udblHFiIJwAuydVGBIY4sctQAOPSkFUvVRpgQ_EwqcZkAWMAxYERe7PNDCDATMpdFCTWfUGZ8Hhn3LbHRqyEeKCBhPH5J2E/s1600/Neon+Chalkboard+Cover.JPG" height="241" width="320" /></a></div>
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Click on the picture to check these out on TpT :)</div>
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<b>Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU!</b><br />
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I studied abroad in Ireland for a semester! I was able to be a teacher's aide in a little school overlooking the ocean. It was an awesome experience...and being able to visit London, Paris, Rome, and Barcelona during my Spring Break <i>really</i> fueled my travel bug. I can't wait until I can visit Europe again!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQfshjHudNrqMk7Y1zI8bX7MkXG-WLUY3pPv6Sa__Resey8kOFeqFscCF_22quMRBfcXPAiCJQICw-sMuj6t1QuIZqfDXPpLa5TUHXAAukKS5CcrGJGlmOSz2MCdi9_StfiDa3yN_IsoH/s1600/IMG_3714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQfshjHudNrqMk7Y1zI8bX7MkXG-WLUY3pPv6Sa__Resey8kOFeqFscCF_22quMRBfcXPAiCJQICw-sMuj6t1QuIZqfDXPpLa5TUHXAAukKS5CcrGJGlmOSz2MCdi9_StfiDa3yN_IsoH/s1600/IMG_3714.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Standing on Giant's Causeway</div>
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At the top of St. Peter's Basilica</div>
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<a href="http://fallingintofirst.blogspot.com/2014/08/meet-teacher-linky.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6w6sKn5-VzjmgjpA5L1ds8BwFKKeWnOULitScd1YaoF0wN3-JRf-18xZFctxdJJ80poYoTF9hQwZR20zhsbDrF4J4UqaBrTWOUudGbcPDVC4OpFqv7IHvNId6v_v0JoQr_JgNMUjS-7k/s1600/MTTB.jpg" height="196" width="200" /></a></div>
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Head on over to Falling into First to meet more bloggers!</div>
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Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-12641633492196020592014-08-11T08:46:00.000-04:002014-11-14T08:45:21.390-05:00Monday Made It - Spray Paint EditionI mentioned last Friday that not only am I setting up my first classroom, but I am moving into a new apartment this Saturday! Eeek!<br />
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This Monday Made it is "Apartment Edition...Starring Spray Paint!" I have seen some awesome re-do's for the classroom with just a can of spray paint. I have a few classroom projects too but those aren't quite as done as these are.<br />
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<a href="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/2E3BDEF6-5D1E-4E63-B02C-7D28C5B94906_zpsv8oig4ia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/2E3BDEF6-5D1E-4E63-B02C-7D28C5B94906_zpsv8oig4ia.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></div>
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1) I bought this gold framed mirror for $7 - I knew it had some greater potential :)<br />
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And...the finished product!<br />
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<a href="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/2a929d7b-d095-4729-ba3c-14f41c9a6438_zps79634fe0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/2a929d7b-d095-4729-ba3c-14f41c9a6438_zps79634fe0.jpg" height="400" width="275" /></a></div>
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2) I also gave this tray a little makeover - it was printed before and just didn't quite match what I had in mind for my living room :)<br />
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Here's what it looks like after a spray paint facelift and a piece of scrapbook paper!<br />
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3) Okay, okay...this doesn't count as a "made it" but I'm going to call it a "Monday Found It"...because sometimes for me half the battle is making a decision...especially when it comes to something as important as fabric ;)<br />
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<a href="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/3e9233f3-877f-4673-a6ba-f9a06c59aa55_zps83956d52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/3e9233f3-877f-4673-a6ba-f9a06c59aa55_zps83956d52.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></div>
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Even though I am teaching middle school, I want to add some homey touches to my room...for both the students and myself! I found this fabric at Hobby Lobby - perfect for a neon and black room :)<br />
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Eventually (I hope) I will be making curtains and I'll share the finished product then. There are some "no-sew" curtains out there that look very easy :)<br />
Look at <a href="http://www.ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2012/04/quick-easy-no-sew-cafe-curtains.html" target="_blank">this</a> one! All you need is a hot glue gun!<br />
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I am off to pack, pack, pack, <strike>browse TpT and Pinterest for hours on end</strike>, and pack some more!<br />
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<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-42699983994334431662014-08-08T07:14:00.000-04:002014-08-08T07:14:25.197-04:00Five For Friday - Schedules & Spray Paint<div style="text-align: center;">
I love Fridays because it means I can link up with both Doodlebugs Teaching <b>and</b> Teaching Blog Addict (last week I was randomly picked as the featured freebie! Ahh I couldn't believe it!)</div>
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<a href="http://doodlebugsteaching.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2PxFpwsdwOs/U9qh8FNkMcI/AAAAAAAAY4U/zfWiMmEwpSg/s1600/fiveforfriday2_thumb%25255B3%25255D%25255B4%25255D.jpg" height="142" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.teachingblogaddict.com/search/label/Freebie" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5kLVUZT0fBoqEDHg7qacXxmM4ekF9yC6mrCUKVENi22nkGvnNecHQBwzPnftdYsOAmTyPu6S1uI-zUYJ-Ti5M1o81Y2nQ3ANXNuVArOybPJ2kdUm3pWT2S2UkBO6LutxQBOsftLMalWu/s200/free-teacher-resources-TBA.jpg" height="200" width="185" /></a></div>
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Here we go!</div>
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Tracee Orman (THE Tracee Orman) commented on my "<a href="http://middleoflit.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-i-bought.html" target="_blank">What I bought</a>" blog post from Wednesday. I wrote about buying three of her resources so that must be what brought here here :)</div>
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Still, I was starstruck. She has such incredible resources and knowledge of literacy instruction. And...she is following me! I even took a screenshot because it made me day :)</div>
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Yes, I am kind of a dork...</div>
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These printed, laminated, cut, and bound "Story Elements Question Fans" (Runde's Room) make me SO happy. It was easy enough to do during a few Parks and Rec episodes :)</div>
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The Plot fan is really going to come in handy during my first unit.</div>
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I'm thinking of using these as a "must do" (I will also have "may do's" for early finishers) during workshop time. They are easy to differentiate for my different groups.</div>
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Does anyone else use these? I'd love to hear how!</div>
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I move in 8 DAYS! The process of moving to my own apartment and setting up my very first classroom is both extremely excited and overwhelming. I am thankful for all of it but oh, man there is a lot to do!</div>
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Want a few sneak peeks?</div>
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Here is my classroom library and an apartment project in-process (stay tuned for Made it Monday to see the little spray paint party I had :)</div>
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(I almost forgot to take a before picture! Yikes!)</div>
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So. I found out that get to design my own curriculum for my Creative Writing elective. The freedom and choice I have is AWESOME but also - whoa, so many decisions to make! </div>
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So I am asking you, dear readers of this small blog...have any of you ever taught a creative writing elective before? With the trimester format, it will be about 12 weeks long. I have some ideas rattling around but and guidance would be forever appreciated :)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NI4qfGInaAo/U9qifwzr6II/AAAAAAAAY7A/WyQC7fSQn0A/s1600/Divider%2525205%25255B5%25255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NI4qfGInaAo/U9qifwzr6II/AAAAAAAAY7A/WyQC7fSQn0A/s1600/Divider%2525205%25255B5%25255D.png" height="200" width="141" /></a></div>
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With moving to a new apartment <b>and</b> classroom, I knew that I needed a space to keep track of things outside of school...so I made a little "Weekly Schedule" page. This schedule helps me to see the big picture and keeps me accountable</div>
If you think it's something that would work for you, I would love for you to download this Freebie from my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-Of-Lit" target="_blank">TpT store</a>!<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Weekly-Schedule-FREE-1379629" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag237/middleoflit/f08ec213-6cae-4ce8-b118-d77a4c4ba1af_zps8e5529f1.png" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Weekly-Schedule-FREE-1379629" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10PZBd_u5lar7FCp2S2QD3ddemlXtc22kdIf2Ho3E73UvO4FW6M6wUaMb1ad28KFV3MGNMjiZbYMFFxHhbH8fUejWmzu6WYSsB2PqFkgUqIN5bLNe7f18mBQjxW1APZTpqTv1cM3SrCnF/s1600/1EFEB334-362A-468D-9081-98A4FAC869DE_zpsdppnv58y.JPG" height="318" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Weekly-Schedule-FREE-1379629" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SE6WZocsGjqm7WBJMrwGr01T9h9ei4FH9vMUzx0SWcuBTVXYGk9lN4GUr3HlFzdxry1O3J0SxlCm-44eXRl4MQYc6605hYivhM-1CgLwKgzAzGWVL6g6sbGTKLu3ifcU2KXBJ4Q3H4I1/s1600/Weekly+schedule+preview.PNG" height="152" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are a few ways to use this. Either use my template as-is, or use the blank template to write in your own labels. I put mine in a page protector and used a vis-a-vis marker. </div>
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(Okay, I'll be honest...I made my schedule look "prettier" before I took a picture, so this isn't completely realistic. But only exercising once this week is...oops...at least I was honest about that!)</div>
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You could also print these out and write on it however you wish...a Flair pen would be lovely...</div>
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Let me know if this helps you! That would make my day :)</div>
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Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5873054710741078774.post-91414130538026056192014-08-06T08:00:00.000-04:002014-08-06T08:00:05.164-04:00What I bought!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">After much deliberation (SO many amazing products to choose from!), here is what I bought during the TpT sale!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yYM_a7WLlX22S37FTccyHKn7U02kMVjvr7sY5AzUX6oHMR_1eNBDNrHgXn7k6bOrrba6eCmr0ay9I9H_vCyblZJc-SAT6Gb7nPUyYiCDijU70kf3SBUqF488ofjPFwm_7OejYWTNzga0/s1600/tpt+sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_yYM_a7WLlX22S37FTccyHKn7U02kMVjvr7sY5AzUX6oHMR_1eNBDNrHgXn7k6bOrrba6eCmr0ay9I9H_vCyblZJc-SAT6Gb7nPUyYiCDijU70kf3SBUqF488ofjPFwm_7OejYWTNzga0/s1600/tpt+sale.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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1) <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Building-Better-Writing-Responses-1370796" target="_blank">Building Better Writing Responses</a> - Runde's Room</div>
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2) <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Interactive-Notebook-Reading-Literature-Bundle-for-Any-Novel-or-Story-1317926" target="_blank">Interactive Notebook Reading Literature Bundle</a> - Tracee Orman</div>
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3) <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creative-Activities-for-ANY-Book-Common-Core-Bell-Ringers-Exit-Slips-1004353" target="_blank">Creative Activities for ANY Book Common Core Bell Ringers Exit Slips</a> - Tracee Orman</div>
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4) <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creative-Activities-for-ANY-Book-Common-Core-Bell-Ringers-Exit-Slips-1004353" target="_blank">Question Fan Bundle for Reading Responses and Reflections</a> - Runde's Room</div>
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5) <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Differentiated-Writers-Workshop-Grades-6-12-491981" target="_blank">Differentiated Writer's Workshop</a> - The SuperHERO Teacher</div>
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6) <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Commercial-Font-License-SINGLE-FONT-348256" target="_blank">KG Single Font Commercial License</a> (things are about to get real cute around here)<br />7) <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creative-Activities-for-ANY-Novel-or-Short-Story-with-Handouts-77190" target="_blank">Creative Activities for ANY Novel or Short Story with Handouts</a> - Tracee Orman (I see a pattern!!)</div>
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8) <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Back-to-School-Beginning-of-the-Year-My-Life-in-30-Words-50324" target="_blank">My Life in 30 Words</a> - Addie Williams</div>
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<br /> <a href="http://imbloghoppin.blogspot.com/2014/08/show-us-what-you-bought-linky.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTBXDNX3Uz77uswScpsUR0qNQg3Axm90sGYbUqe-EkG-x_SqQ6PwL_BfStPxDtkzPod4bmnZxdmBMd6NnwN4ACQlR06zkHwBs26xrtCkRCMEzmjimJ5fGGb03xCgigowOeYegGjkbfn4/?imgmax=800" height="242" width="320" /></a></div>
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Link up to show off what you bought!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Did you buy any of the same things that I did?</i></span></div>
<br />Middle of Lithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10824808608387224734noreply@blogger.com4