I stumbled upon this blog last night and I really wanted to share!! I had great intentions of doing a mini version of this on my Meals On the Run page. I'm obviously not doing such a hot job. :(  I stumbled over here and found Betty!!! This site is awesome!! I'm making this tomorrow and I'm going to be ready to make the Orzo soon. I didn't know if it was kosher to cut and past from another blog but I wanted you to get a peek of her yummy stuff. 

On a side note does anyone know how to do more than one post on separate pages?? I would have liked to put this on my Meals page but I don't know how. Anybody??

 

 Becoming Betty!!

Crock-pot Ravioli Casserole

1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef 1 onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce 1 can stewed tomatoes 1 tsp. oregano 1 tsp. Italian seasoning salt/pepper 10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed (I used fresh spinach) 16 oz. bowtie pasta, cooked 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded 1 1/2 cup mozzarella, shredded *Brown ground beef with onion and garlic.  Put in crock-pot and add sauce, tomatoes and seasonings. Cook for 6-7 hours on low.  Add the last 4 ingredients during the last 30 minutes of cooking and turn crock-pot to high.  I added the fresh spinach, pasta, parmesan and 1 cup of the mozzarella and I mixed it all up really well.  Then I added the last 1/2 cup of mozzarella to melt on the top.

More Video Fun!!

Abby over at The Inspired Apple is having a link party!! The topic is - You know you're a teacher when..... so here I go!!

You know you are a third grade teacher when.....

- You call random people sweetie. (even poor waitress) I hate it when I do that!!

- When kids call your name over and over you want to yell, "I AM NOT A ROCK STAR"

- You feel the need to recommend books to random kids.

- You get giddy over highlighters, sharpies, and post its!!

- Look at a birthday snack and the first thing you think is hmmmm... who made this and where has it been.

- You remind your own children to be respectful, responsible, and safe.

- Your two year old comes up to you and says their sibling is being a bucket dipper.

- The phone ringing at 5 am makes you wake up and squeal with joy!!

- You walk the halls on the last day of school after the kids have left and sing - schools out for summer!!!

 - A rainy day makes you think oh no, not indoor recess!!

Your turn!! Go over and get linked up!

Yesterday Primary Graffiti posted about this super cool video made by The Techy Teacher. This video is so very neat! She not only talks about reduce, reuse, recycle, but also gives tips on how to make this video. I know I was pumped to learn how to do this when I saw it so I thought I would pass this along.













This video reminded me of one I posted a while back created by my co-workers. I would really like to get into this but where oh where does one find the time!! :)



This was created by Ms. Metevia who does some really fun technology with her students!! Her site is a little more student focused but very informative!

I won! I won! 
I won the $25 gift card give away over at Building Blocks!!!

Thanks so much Roschell Russ!!

BK Construction

More tinkering with my new graphics!

 Track Your Thinking Cars

I'm having lots of fun tinkering with my new Lettering Delights finds!! Our track your thinking sheet was out of date so I'm tink, tink, tinkering!

Story Map




I made some revisions. What a hoot! I went to print this off and realized I had left out a few things. hehe

Yipeee!! 
I managed to convert my Word Docs to PDF. Miss Sullard over at Keep Calm and Teach On gave me this helpful hint and it worked wonderful!! Go on over and download CutePDF to convert your files. My Daily Five Posters are up and running! 

Thanks blogger buddies!!

Run on over and enter to win sassy Easter math center activities!!

If you haven't already checked out this site then hurry up and click on over there!! They are having a super cool sale on alphabets, fonts, graphics etc. I just clicked over for the first time and I found tons of cute stuff. I think I'm gonna spend me some money!  hehe

Lettering Delights


Have Fun!

Over on Always First Grade Mrs. Ibarra is having a classroom photo link party. I think it has been going on for a while. It is really cool to look into the rooms of others. I haven't posted pictures of my room yet so I figured this was as good a time as any!
I do love my room, it is my home away from home. I have a lovely view, through big picture windows of our playground. My children come to school with me, so during the warmer weather they run around and play outside while I pick up and plan. I feel blessed to be where I'm at doing what I love.


 This is a view of my classroom from the classroom door. We work in learning clubs of 4-5 students. The Writing Diner and the Daily 5 are up on my bulletin boards.


This is the view from the opposite direction. I have a giant stationary desk that takes up a ton of space. It will be cut in half this summer and moved along the wall to look like counter tops. I can't wait!!! I keep the lessons by subject in piles on my desk. I can just grab and go when I need to. I have a student job for overheads. That student cleans the overheads off and places them back in the appropriate binder. I'm getting a document camera this summer so that should eliminate the overhead hassle.


 This is the view from my kidney table. I meet with small groups and conference one on one with students during Daily 5 time. Those windows are looking out over the playground.



These are pictures of my classroom library. I have a bit of a book buying addiction. I label and organize each book then place it in a basket based on author, series, etc. I have one student in charge of each book shelf. Yes, I did make these shelves. I sanded and nailed them like a champ. I do have to give props to my dad and grandfather who made me more as my library grew. They have made them for many of my co-workers as well. This is also a shot of the two windows I have. The shades are drawn so the shot would take.


This is a list of classroom jobs. Some students have more than one. The more the kids can do the better the room looks. It takes 23 of us to make the messes and it takes just as many to clean them up.
This is my check out system for my library. Each student has a pocket that they place their book cards in. I use this to keep track of who is reading what and keep tabs on my books.
This is my sink area. I have pictures around the room of this year and prior years students. I love plants and I'm getting luckier about keeping them alive.

I sell snacks in my room. I hit the sales and make sure I can sell everything for 50 cents. I have to snack throughout the day. Kids always have money to buy that fruit role up at lunch so I figured they might as well spend it earlier in my room on a healthy yogurt, cheese stick, granola bar, etc. I have to restock the snacks very frequently!! I buy in BULK too. You should see how much they eat. They can to eat "healthy" snacks throughout the day as long as it doesn't interfere with learning. I have had many a thank you from parents on this one.



This is my snack basket looking like it needs some attention. Students are in charge of stocking it, breaking down boxes for recycling, cutting out box tops, etc.


Well that is a quick tour of my room. I hope you enjoyed it!!
Please leave a comment if you have thoughts or questions!!
I'm pathetic and comment starved.  :)

Building Blocks is having a wonderful give away!! Two gift cards that anyone would want and everyone can use. While you are there check out some of the cool things she has for download.
Click above on Building Blocks and it will take you right over.

This is it!! This is my nest!
The giant science desk in the back can't be moved and takes up a lot of space (bad). It is getting cut in half and moved against the wall so I can utilize more of my classroom next year (good). I mainly use the kidney table for conferencing and small group instruction. I built those shelves in the background. Yep, I'm a little handy with a hammer and sandpaper. You can see more of my shelves if you click on the pictures link above. I have pics of my library there. I use fabric for my bulletin boards and you can see the Writing Diner on the black board (good). I'm working VERY hard to cut down on clutter.

Yes, that is a fridge, toaster, and microwave in the background. My daughter and son come to school with me and I sell healthy snacks in my room to my students. I rather they buy a yogurt or cheese snack with their loose money than a fruit roll up at lunch.Ugly would be toting in that food!! Ugh I swear I'll throw my back out someday!

Thanks for taking a look!! Feel free to click around! The Teacher Resources page is a work in progress but I have grand plans for the near future.


If you like what you see grab my button and/or  follow along!! 

Thanks so much Mrs.Farley for starting this fun link party!
What a fun idea!
Check her out at Oh' Boy 3rd Grade!

I work with these very creative ladies and I find them very inspiring and motivating. I thought this was so cool and I can't wait to try this in my room. This video comes from the classroom of Ms. Johnson. I have another cool one from Ms. Metevia but I can't get it to post. Maybe later!!
Check out some of the fun things teachers in our school are doing to integrate technology into the classroom. I'm a little biased since I had some of these sweeties last year!

Yipee!! I have a new blog button! I've been wanting one for a while now. They are just too cute! Feel free to grab it up. If you like what you see jump over and visit the ladies at The Cutest Blog on the Block !
Thanks for sassing up my blog ladies!!

Nouns can be fun, darn it!! This site is awesome!!
My kids have a blast singing and dancing to these videos/songs.
This is one of the ways I spice up my lessons.
Have fun!!