It is taking some time, but I finally am starting to feel like I am getting my feet planted.  We are now done with our second month of school!!  It is hard to believe that we have already been in school for eight weeks, and tomorrow begins week NINE!!  I knew a class of 26 was going to keep me busy, but I never imagined it would keep me this busy!  Having my two kiddos at home keeps me busy at home as well!

My kids are loving the Daily 5!!  So far we are up to the Daily 3.  

They are doing so great with Read to Self, and I am meeting with them all at least once a week individually or in a small group.  My biggest problem is trying to find ways to "assess" them in a way for parents to be happy with a grade on a report card.  I don't want to just give them a grade, I tried to explain it more as progress.  Some parents were okay with it, and some weren't too excited.

 

Word Work they are loving!!  I asked parents to bring in some supplies for us to help out with our Word Work.  I was given one Scrabble set, so the kids love using that one!  It is the one word work option that I always see being put to use.  When I told parents about it during parent teacher conferences last week they said they would get buy us another set, so I'm crossing my fingers!

We did our first formal Work on Writing assignment over the last two weeks.  The students were able to write about their favorite thing they did this summer.  I had kids writing about trips to the Ozarks, Nebraska for the college world series, Broadway to see Annie, and the mall to go shopping!  My kids had a blast with the experience, and loved being able to draw their pictures as well. Parents were excited to see the process too, and I told them at the end of the year they would have a whole collection of writing to look at!

I have been reading aloud to my kids every day, so I feel that counts as Listen to Reading, but I haven't brought out the books on CD yet.  I don't really own any, so that is part of the problem, as well as having the CD players, and headphones available.  It is something that I will work on over time, and hopefully will be able to have up and running by Christmas time?  The kids picked out our last novel I read to them, and they chose Fantastic Mr. Fox.  We are going to watch the movie next week since we will be doing our standardized testing the morning.  I haven't seen the movie yet, but from watching the previews I can already tell how different it is from the novel.  It is going to be a great writing lesson after!!

 I am going to try my best to start posting more often!!  I will have something free for you on Friday, so make sure you come check it out!

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Cassandra

Caitlin and Carrie over at Table Talk with C and C have been able to put together an amazing giveaway!  I just spent a little time entering as many times as I could, finding some new great teachers to follow on Instagram and on TPT.  I hope that you take some time to go check this giveaway out, and not only that, but are as excited as I am, and check out all of the amazing people that they found to donate as well!!

I can't wait to see their math giveaway later in October!!  That one I will be entering as soon as possible!!  Make sure you add them so that way you can be notified as soon as they start looking for contributors, and are ready to open the give away!!

Thank you again Caitlin and Carrie, and best of luck to all who entered!!

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Cassandra

I'm doing my first Currently and am so excited to start figuring out a system to blog more!!  Things have been so crazy for me starting back to school, I feel as if I have never taught before!!

Thank you Oh' Boy 4th Grade for having this awesome linky party every month!

Listening - I love listening to Pandora, it helps me make it through my day!!  My current favorite song is Cornerstone by United, so I keep listening to the station hoping it will come on!  We live in AZ, so the AC is constantly running!  I can't wait for it to cool down!!

Loving - I love having the extra time at home to spend with my kiddos!  Plus a three day weekend, means a four day work week!  Too bad that just means we try and put even more into those four days!  Sonic is a favorite of mine.  I love the fruit slushes!!  I could have one every day!!  I try to go during happy hour, and then I don't feel as bad paying only $1 for a drink!!  My favorite is the lemon raspberry slush!

Thinking - I am trying out a bunch of new things this year in my teaching, so I have been doing math groups and trying the Daily 5.  My kids are loving both, but I am trying to make sure they are running smoothly, and that all kids are reaching their goals.  So far, so good, we'll see how it goes this month.  HIMYM - How I Met Your Mother, is a show the hubby and I are plowing through right now.  We just started season four.  We are trying to finish before the series finale, so that way no one will tell us who she is!!

Wanting - I love spending time with my kids, and even a three day weekend isn't enough.  I love teaching, but I love being a mom so much more!!  Next weekend my daughter is being baptized, so I can't wait for her godparents to get into town Friday night!!  Plus we get to meet our niece!!

Needing - I need a system to let parents sign up to come in to help with math, Daily 5, and lunch.  We don't let parents upstairs, so I can't have something outside my room, and a lot of parents do drop off or pick up.  I need to find an online system to have them sign up.  This way I don't have to constantly email asking for help, or reminding.

Love - I started out strong last month working out every day.  Around the 15th I stopped, and I need to get back into the swing of things.  I was also doing really well about eating my fruits and veggies, and staying away from carbs.  That also went backwards!!  On the 21st we are having our first book club meeting, and I am barely started on Gone Girl!!  I have a long way to go if I am going to have it done in time!

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Cassandra