Groovy Educator

Whenever you think your day is rough, imagine that poor newbie substitute who steps into an inner city kindergarten classroom ... I always try to leave detailed plans for my substitutes.  Several years ago the substitute left a detailed note for ME.  It was a shocking note to say the least.  The gist was that he was considering being a teacher but thanks to this experience, he realizes that it wouldn't be a good idea. Days later, I was still finding crayons in places crayons should not go...  You could even link up any products that have silly written all over them...

I'm linking up with DoodleBugsTeaching for another Five for Friday! 1.  Spring Break is almost over!  I've enjoyed time with my family, working on my blog, and not feeling "rushed." Please check out my end of the year class yearbook at my TpT store.  It really is a wonderful activity and the end of the year just sneaks up.  It is a big hit every year with the kids.  I am so excited to use this updated version. 2.  Three years ago, I was in California on Good Friday.  It was the last time I've been "home."  Even though I left CA at 21 and since lived in two other states, I still think of myself as a California Girl.  I was born in the valley after all, like totally. :)  On that same trip, I visited Arizona (my favorite place).  This is the view I miss more that I can put into words.  I love the mountains.  Even though the sun has not come all the way up in this picture, I know that the sky will soon be the mos...

FREEBIE!  (for the time being...)  Updated April 2015 I've included two April calendars. They can be used in many ways. I like to track weather, record homework, or color in the square to show behavior. (Blue-Outstanding, Green-Good, Yellow-Needs Improvement, Red-Unacceptable) You can even use the calendar to keep track of AR points, set goals (in reading or other subjects), and record minutes read. The possibilities are endless! On a side note, I sell on eBay and promote other sellers.  If interested check out my eBay Store: Lowery's Loft .  My username on eBay is GroovyEducator (just like this blog).

This is my newest product.  Even if you choose not to purchase this one, I've listed some ideas on how reading logs in general can be used in the classroom. For $2.00 I've enclosed a few variations of the same reading log so that you can choose the version that works best in your classroom.  !. You can use this form in class to hold your children accountable for reading during independent reading or center time. At the end of readers' workshop or independent reading, collect the reading logs and briefly question the children about the book/books listed. I usually draw the names of 2-3 students. (I have them written on popsicle sticks in a cup.) You can ask a quick question like who was the main character in the book? How do you know? Or what was your favorite part and why? 2. The reading log can be used to track Accelerated Reader (AR) points. (If your school participates in this program) 3. It can be used to document time read with parents at home or with a volu...

I am throwing a sale to celebrate Spring Break.   Almost EVERYTHING is 20% off now through March 26th! This is a great time to get the Class Yearbook (memory book)!  April is right around the corner and then May!  I like to plan ahead.  Purchasing this item now gives you time to look through the worksheets, decide on which ones you will use, make the copies,  and laminate the cover (optional).  My Mad Minute is also on sale! ( This rarely happens... ) The only product not on sale is my brand new item. - Star Reader Reading Log Feel Free to grab my sale button! :)

I just love linking up with DoodleBugsTeaching for this Linky party! What a week, what a week... (If you read only one of these five things, please read #5.) 1.  I have been sick since Saturday!  Yes that's right... A WHOLE week!  I still do not feel a hundred percent. :(  I had to miss THREE days of school this week due to the fever. :(  This is a nasty virus (sore throat, fever, cough, headache, stomache ache, etc).  BUT it afforded me the time to start not one but TWO LINKY PARTIES! 2.  We had our Egg Hunt at school and the kids were so sweet.  They had a BLAST! I just love my class.  They all brought in stuffed eggs earlier this week.  I counted them all up and checked them last night.  Some parents came to help me hide the eggs while the little darlings were at P.E.  Each kid had to find fifteen eggs and then sit on the bench until everyone was done.  They were not allowed to open the eggs until we got...

Okay...perhaps it is because I am still sick with this flu/cold/sinus/thing-a-ma-bob OR perhaps it's because I am enjoying My First Linky Party so much that I am starting another one !  IT'S LINKY MADNESS! :) Please link up your TpT Store or newest product so that you can advertise and share. You can also link up with Educasong for an April Linky Party!

I've been home sick these last TWO days!  It's so frustrating!  I did sneak in my classroom at 6:30am Monday to make sure the leprechaun visited and make sure plans were in order. Can you believe I had over a 100 degree fever Saturday, Sunday, and Monday?  Today I woke up drenched (luckily no fever) with a straggling sore throat that will not go away .  Luckily my husband was off and he took care of our soon to be one year old sweetie pie. I slept and I slept and I slept.  I forgot what that felt like because it's been so long!  In the moments that I wasn't sleeping, when my teeth were chattering, I looked up ideas for my baby's first birthday.  It is sneaking up so quickly. I feel so guilty that I wasn't grading papers!!!  It's so hard to find balance now that I am a mom.  I feel guilty when I am doing school work because I want to give my daughter 100% and I feel guilty when I am doing mommy jobs because I feel my other babies nee...

mycutegraphics.com Welcome to my first linky party!  Please submit a link to your favorite blog post. There is a wealth of information out there.  I would love for everyone to share their best work/ideas in one place.  Please link up to make this a valuable resource to reference.   On a side note, I sell on eBay and promote other sellers.  If interested check out my eBay Store: Lowery's Loft .  My username on eBay is GroovyEducator (just like this blog).

I am linking up with DoodleBugsTeaching for another fun Five for Friday.  1.  Last Sunday, my daughter had her picture taken with the Easter Bunny.  It was an experience.  She is normally a super friendly little darling... When she saw the Easter Bunny, her eyes bulged and she let out a blood curdling scream right there in the middle of the mall.  She was dressed to the nines but my husband and I were not.  We all ended up in the picture.  It's interesting.  I know we will laugh about it in the years to come.   We were not expecting this because she loved Santa.  She brings us so much joy.  Every moment is a learning experience around her.  I see the world with new eyes.  2.  My class made Leprechaun traps today.  Since St. Patrick's Day falls on Sunday we did this activity today and will have a treat on Monday.  I had the children develop a plan and draw out a draft before comm...

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've decided my classroom theme is going to be stars.  I keep going over sayings and I am reflecting on future bulletin boards. One idea that popped in my head is a bulletin board entitled We are STARS!  Each kid could have their picture on a star and the following message could be on a mega big star...even a 3-D pop out star. S -Students who T -Try their best A -Always finish their work R -Read Everyday and S -Start each day ready to learn Right now this is just an idea that's developing...I'm sure it will evolve several times... Any thoughts?

I am so excited to link up with  Doodle Bugs Teaching  for another Five for Friday! A couple of my items are more personal and not school related this time. 1.  My baby girl WALKED!  I mean she took five steps carefully and didn't fall.  She is almost 11 months old.  I am so excited.  She has done this a few times this week.  It never ceases to amaze me how much she has learned in such a short time. 2.  In my quest to get healthy, I attempted jogging!  It felt good to do more than I thought I could.  Whenever I undertake something challenging, I try to look at it from a kid's perspective so I can be empathetic to their struggle at times. 3.  On a sad note, a friend's cancer came back full force.  She is in the hospital.  Please pray for peace and relief from the pain.  Life is a gift and circumstances can change quickly in either direction.  Times like these make me realize that life is unpredicta...

I just had an idea this afternoon that I am debating on doing next year.  I would appreciate your thoughts... While grading papers, I was thinking about how far the children have come since the beginning of the year.  I was also reflecting on the common core standards and the first grade mastery checklist that I need to fill out again this quarter. Wouldn't it be nice if every child had a testing binder to document their progress?  Now I'm not talking about the regular assessment file or data notebook each teacher usually keeps on each child but rather their classroom tests (reading tests, math chapter tests and checkpoints, science tests, etc.).  Each folder could have tabs for each subject.  Whenever a test is completed, I could add it to each kids' binder and the parents could sign off on it.  There could be a sheet at the front to document.  It would go home on Friday and come back on Monday.  It would be a great study guide to review what...

I am linking up with Dragonflies in First to share the best advice from mentors/peers.  It is hard to choose because there are so many words of wisdom that have been so helpful.  If I had to choose one it is based on what a current first grade coworker shared with me one day... Assign each child a number and have them write it on all their papers.  This makes filing a dream (especially if you have a helper).  It facilitates writing grades in the grade book, checking out books (inventory) , and it lends itself to this catchy tune I created. Number, name, and date. Number, name, and date. isn't it great to write your number, name, and date. Tune:  Farmer in the Dell (I believe) We sing this song before every activity. Each child having a number can be used for a multitude of things including mailboxes and lining up.  The possibilities are endless!

March 2nd is Dr. Seuss' birthday. This year my class did a home project-Book Reports! On Friday the children shared their reports with each other during our first Book Talk and Walk and then with the class.  They did such a nice job! We also made Cat in the Hat pictures and hats.  Here are the steps on how to make the cutest Cat in the Hat hats ever! Materials: 18x24 inch white paper. 18x24 inch red paper stapler glue tape 12x18 white paper Directions: Measure each child's head with the 18x24 inch white paper.  (These hats are tall!)  Staple to hold in place. Cut 18x24 inch red paper in half.  Fold it so that there are four long, skinny straight strips.  Cut or have children cut. Have students glue red strip to top of had and then leave a white space, glue another red, etc to make a pattern. Brim Directions: Trace circle around base of hat. Draw a 2-3 inch larger circle around this circle.  Inside the circle draw tabs. ...

I am so excited to link up with Doodle Bugs Teaching  for another Five for Friday! 1.  Since Read Across America day falls on Saturday this year, my class did our first Book Talk and Walk on Friday.  March 2nd is Dr. Seuss' birthday so to celebrate my class did book reports on Dr. Seuss books.  For the Book Talk and Walk, each child walked the track and shared their book report with two partners.  I chose their partner the first lap and they chose their partner the second lap.   This activity was a hit!  The kids loved it.  Next week I plan to do a Book Talk and Walk on our reading story (just one lap).  This is such a neat activity because you can use it in just about every subject.  We might even do a science talk and walk to prepare for the test.  The best way to hold the children accountable is to do a quick check where they share what their partner said OR write what their partner said.  2.  Our unit ...