I got goofy and messed with my blog design and now things are a little hairy canary!! Everything is here but just out of order!! I decided my blog couldn't be I heart SPRING forever.  hehe

I will upload the charts and pages I use to keep track of behavior later today when I run into more time!!

Monster Multiplication [Compatibility Mode]

I'll admit, this was a big year for me. This was my first year teaching third grade and it was at times a bit of a struggle. We went self contained this year so I was teaching subjects that I never had before. Let's just say the kids weren't the only ones who learned a ton this year!! I survived a class with some pretty severe behavior problems. I wasn't sure at times if I would. I would say haha but I'm so serious. They taught me as much in that regard as I taught them. In the end I had to choose between third and fourth grades. I had previously been in fourth for the past four years. I was comfortable there and so even I was shocked when I decided to stay in third. I consider myself lucky that I even had any say because I know I'm so very lucky to have a job more less choices in placement.

I have a true passion for reading and I feel like every year I really reach out and inspire children to love to read as well. I discovered the impact setting that spark within my students can have when you reach a child at an even younger age. I had always gotten kids in fourth grade who had grudges/reservations about reading and I celebrated those victories. My victories feel so much larger this year. Some of my little ones will leave having jumped multiple grade levels. I have a few who would hardly sit down in the beginning of the year that are leaving reading well above grade level. Since this isn't a toot your own horn linky party I will stop going on and on. I'm just proud and a little surprised.

Speaking of Daiy 5, the sisters would say to be a teacher who notices their students shoes. One of the sisters has a child who wanted to wear a particular pair of shoes because the teacher notices new shoes and the child wanted to be noticed. The sister wondered if she was the kind of teacher who noticed kids shoes. Really it comes down to knowing your students and I would say my success this year is that after everything I'm a teacher who notices their students shoes.


Now, if only I had the time and money to run out and buy me some sassy new shoes!! hehe

I can't leave without mentioning how inspired and motivated I am by all of you out there in blogger land!! Every day I jump on here and I see and learn new things and I'm reminded of how much fun it is to learn and discover! Thanks for all you do!!

Did I mention this was my first post on my new Toshiba??!! hehe

Speaking of organization, leave me a comment if you want your blog on my Sqworl site that is set up by grade level. Check out the previous post and the right sidebar for more information. 

I was inspired by Nancy over at The Apple Basket Teacher to get my blogs organized. I'm not a stranger to Sqworl but I had neglected my account over there. I love how she has organized all her blogs by grade level. All her blogs are thumbnailed and organized at Sqworl which makes looking for specifics much easier.


I don't know if you are like me but I'm following so many blogs I can't keep them all straight. I forget who teaches what grades.


I want to get everyone organized so leave me a comment if you want me to add your blog to my Sqworl and I will put you right in your grade level all nice and neat! :)

Keep in mind I've only done 3rd Grade so far!  :)

I woke up yesterday feeling a little better. (I've been down and out all week.) I sat down with a (little) bowl of cereal planning to visit all of you in bloggy land but my plans ended abruptly. As I opened my laptop I heard a very scary popping noise. Yep, my screen busted! Good gravy!!!

I priced out new laptops but they didn't have what I needed until Wed.
Anyone have any computer buying advice out there??

Not having my laptop is not good for this TBA!!  :)

• Incentives
• Special Lessons
• Favorite Subs

What is your Substitute Teacher Magic that helps keep all calm (or calmer) and normal.


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Scrappin Doodles

Does anyone know of any other sites such as Scrappin Doodles that allows one to create and share without spending big bucks???

This one was easy peasy lemon squeezy! We love for summer to hit so we can take our nightly bike rides to the DQ. 
(We really do go almost nightly!) 
These are my three sassy sweeties! I love them tooooo much! The DQ opened last night so this was our maiden voyage.





My husband and I love to eat at the Outback Steakhouse!! I always get the Victoria's Filet! I'm never disappointed!

Monster Multiplication - Snipits
I know, I can hardly believe it myself!  :)

This Saturday, April 9th, at 10:00 I'm going to be part of a giant "Grade In".  Teachers from all over will gather and do what we do in front of the public! I plan to put together some spelling activities, grade papers, and work on my TpT stuff. Erin, my partner in crime and I plan on being at the Briarwood mall to show our support for our profession and show our angst for the terrible actions happening against teachers and unions in Michigan today. 

If you are local think about coming out! This should be very interesting. There will be plenty of media, shopping, and food court food!!

Click on over and check out 1st Grade with Miss Snowden!! She is having a link party on technology. I'm sure you will want to grab up all the super cool ideas people will be posting about!





I wanted to join this linky party but felt a little technology challenged. Compared to the rest of you I don't really have a lot of techy experience under my belt. I guess you could say I'm just getting started! :) I have a document camera on the way but my classroom computer has been all I really have and it runs like a dinosaur. (A really slow dinosaur)  I do have a pretty cool projector.

One of my co-workers introduced me to  Schoology it's a social networking site similar to Facebook but it is overseen by an adult. It has the look and functions of Facebook but it is set up and controlled by the classroom teacher. This is probably a site to be used with older students around 4th/5th grade and up.

You might be interested in checking out Free Technology For Teachers this is a teacher Richard Byrne who specializes in free technology tips and lessons for teachers. There is a lot over there to see and learn.

Thanks for the cool linky party Miss Snowden!!

Spring Collage


Fern over at Fern Smith's Classroom Ideas inspired me to start up a TpT account. I don't have a ton of stuff to share but I do have some! I know when summer hits I'll have fun creating and posting on TpT. They have such cool stuff over there and frankly we may as well support each other. Here is a snapshot of a little six page spring bundle I put together today. This is really me learning how to use TpT and having fun playing with all my new graphics from Lettering Delights!

Thanks so much to The Teacher Wife for helping me with the snipping tool!! Very cool!!

My three year old son Saywer just declared that if I didn't get him a hot dog he would be up all night long driving the car.
My  five year old Tyler proceed to ask - WHAT CAR???
Sawyer - Mom's car and I won't even turn on the lights!
Tyler  - You can't drive mom's car! You don't even have a driver's license! 
Saywer - Mom, how do you put the lights on anyways??

Later before bed my daughter Morgan was helping me put laundry away and I noticed a pair of jeans must have left marks on one of my hoodies.
Morgan (7)said - You should totally get Oxiclean. It would take care of that. Oxiclean makes things cleaner and stronger you know.  Yep, that needs Oxiclean.

Kids are a hoot! I swear I need to start a quote book for our everyday lives!

You better act fast!! Head on over to One Extra Degree for a super cool give away!! I'm a little late on the draw cuz it ends tonight!! That's right, if you want in you better get over there and get commented up! Good Luck!!

Cool huh!?

OK - Thanks for letting me vent!! Arghhhhhhh!

I got in!! They emailed me and said they squeezed me in and I'm sooooo happy!! I promise to post all the wonderful things I learn!!