We Like to Move It, Move It….

We move a lot in our room.  I have a class of 31 kiddos this year and 20 of them are boys.  We are an active bunch.  Any time we can be up out of our seats and moving around while we learn we do it!  This year activities like Scoot, Write the Room, Quiz-Quiz-Trade, Inside-Outside Circles and others have been my best friends. 

This week we reviewed simple, complex and compound sentences with some task cards I made and Inside-Outside Circles.  My class loves learning and reviewing this way.  It feels like a game and they would much rather do things the “fun way,” instead of the “worksheet way!”

Cooperative learning strategies like Inside-Outside Circles gives me an opportunity to walk around the circle, give extra support and instruction to the kiddos who are still struggling and hear what they are thinking.  Not only did they have to read the sentence out loud to their partner (fluency practice) and tell them which type of sentence is was, but they also had to use one of our favorite words….because.  They had to explain to their partner why it was simple, complex or compound.  Again, this was a great opportunity to listen to their explanations and see what we may need extra work on, what they had a firm grasp of and fix any misconceptions they still had. 

I uploaded the task cards I used and they are available as a free download, I hope that you find them useful and find a fun way to use them.  I included several different ideas.  If you come up with one that isn’t on the list I would love to hear how you used it!  Email me or upload the pic to Insta and tag me….The Blessed Teacher!  Click on the pic below to grab them!

 

A New Year….A New Beginning

I’m back.  I can’t believe how long I was gone.  It was a long 2 month hiatus, not really by choice.  More because of a computer malfunction that took me forever to correct.  Anyways, I tried not beat myself up about missing 2 months of blogging and creating but I really have missed it….and you all!!!  It feels good to be back.  And, there is no better way to get back in the swing of things than with Farley’s Currently…..my all time favorite Linky! 


Here we go 2015……..

Listening…. Currently I’m listening to the silence.  We had friends over for the New Year celebration and didn’t get to bed until after 1 this morning.  My teenagers, their friends, and my husband are still sound asleep and the breakfast casserole is in the oven.  It’s been a relaxing and quiet morning!


Loving……My family time.  Last year, we lost my father in law the day after Christmas.  Our break was a whirlwind of hospice and funeral plans.  Nothing will remind you faster about the importance of cherishing your family and the time you have with them more than losing someone you love.  Time is flying by faster and faster each year and I am determined to make the most of the moments I have with my girls.  2015 marks the year that my oldest will get her license (maybe) and take her first trip to New York City without us!  They are growing up so very fast.


Thinking……  When the girls were little my husband and I used to talk about all of the things we wanted them to see and experience “once they were old enough.”  Sadly, they are old enough but we are almost out of time!  Oldest daughter is halfway through her sophomore year already, yikes.  I really want to take them back east and show them where I grew up, we want to do a family mission trip, we want to travel to important historical sights….the list is long and time (and money) are in short supply!


Wanting……I’m afraid my wanting isn’t as heartfelt as the others…I really want a pair of Kendra Scott earrings.  I love jewelry.  I inherited that trait from my mother.  I love that you won’t wake up one day after indulging in tons of yummy Christmas treats and the jewelry will be too tight.  It won’t happen, jewelry is very forgiving!  Alas, I have a hard time splurging on myself and the mister and I had a strict no gifts policy for the holiday this year, thanks to the new dishwasher we had to buy on black Friday!


Needing…..to take down the Christmas tree.  Nothing more needs to be said, I’m sure you all understand.  I think we may draw straws this year. 


Yes….to getting back into a running routine.  I’m scared to turn on my Nike app and see how many days it’s been….ugh…


Maybe….to planning another trip with my man and another girls’ trip.  Last year we flew to San Antonio to see a former player’s senior night basketball game.  This year we need to plan on heading to USC for graduation.  My husband has another former player who is finishing his degree and we need to go help him celebrate! 


I wish….. I plan on turning my dreams into plans this year and making things happen.  My oldest will start driving this year and we are stressing out about paying for her insurance and all of the other things that come along with that.  My plan is to work hard on TpT, this blog, working on my craft and producing quality products that will truly help in classrooms.  I would love to be able to make enough to help with the growing costs of having two teenage daughters!  And don’t even get me started on how close college is to happening….yikes!


Well, here’s to 2015 and all of the excitement it’s going to bring.  I can’t wait to share another year of life with all of you, I love the blogging world!


Happy New Year everyone!