Groovy Educator

This summer, I am taking all kinds of new risks.  I just started my first Facebook Group called Groovy Teaching Ideas.  Any advice is welcome.  It is a place to share, learn, and grow.  You can find the link on my Groovy Educator Facebook Page.  Please feel free to share with friends and family. https://www.facebook.com/GroovyEducatorFL/

YouTube Video Teaching Writing Skills and Vocabulary Through Conversation In this relatively short video, I model how you can use conversations to build your child's vocabulary.  Through questioning and rephrasing, you are modeling appropriate language skills.  This in turn improves your child's ability to write because usually if a child can say it, he/she can write it (even if words are sounded out). In the video, I begin by asking what my daughter wants to talk about and she replies "fans."  Then she goes on to say "So today we will be talking about fans."  She automatically went into an introduction without even realizing she was stating the topic (probably because her mom's a teacher).  By giving her a choice on the topic, she is more interested in the conversation.  This builds engagement. A little while later in the video, I state "Apparently my daughter is a fan of fans."  I am intentionally modeling another way to use ...

                       Click here to see Pickles on YouTube! Pickles is one of my rescue animals.  I absolutely love my pets.  They are a perfect topic during modeled writing lessons, especially narratives.  I use them to demonstrate how to think about writing.  The kids are engaged when I write about Pickles, Sparky, Cali, Alice, Sadie, Rosie, or Zeus.  They ask a lot of questions and that lead to more detailed writing infused with adjectives and descriptive language. The writing is much more rich in vocabulary and not just "safe writing."     I made a little thirty second video featuring Pickles the cat.  He was a stray that we saved from under a friend's car while visiting an out of town relative.  My husband didn't want to keep him at first because we had too many animals already (3 cats and 2 dogs).  Somehow Pickles found a way into his heart and now they are bo...

Please click the link below and check out my first YouTube video.  It’s less than two minutes long.  It features Groovy Educator and Groovy Learner with a surprise appearance by Pickles the cat. 😁   If you like the video, please subscribe, like or comment.  We sure had fun making this video! YouTube link:   Groovy Educator Intro

I've been GroovyEducator on eBay before but earlier this summer I changed my user name to lowerysloftllc.  I started my own business Lowery's Loft LLC and switched everything that was Groovy Educator to Lowery's Loft in my excitement. I know it sounds silly but I've been blogging as Groovy Educator for so long and just love the handle so I switched my user name back to that on eBay.  I hope it's not too confusing. Anyhow, I'm back to late night ramblings... Tomorrow my friends are starting their second week of teaching (for this school year) and I am still missing the classroom. It's hard to believe I'm trying to work from home rather than being an educator.  Please share if you have had or know anyone who has had success working from home. It is much lonelier than the classroom.  I miss the camaraderie an collaborations with the other teachers.  I still enjoy pursuing my dream... That's it for tonight's late night ramblings...

Time seems to be going faster and faster.  I am sorry for neglecting this blog.  Some people can have many hats and wear them all well.  I used to be that way but lately a few of those many hats are up in the closet.  Groovy Educator is near and dear to my heart but I am trying to grow my Lowery's Loft LLC home business selling mostly vintage and collectibles.  It is relatively a new business so I need to spend a lot of time trying to build a customer base and learning the ins and outs of a new career.   Please keep checking back with Groovy Educator, I will periodically post teaching tips and new TpT products.  BUT for the time being I am taking a detour and pursuing a new adventure all in an attempt to be a stay at home mom.   I know there are still moms out there that do it.  Right now I wonder how...because going from two incomes to one is daunting.   I do want to make some back to school items for TpT.  I miss not go...

Last week I resigned from teaching.  I love the profession but decided to pursue a dream.  With my Dad's passing I realize how precious and short life is... Ever since I was in elementary school I wanted my own business.  Back then I dreamed of Andie's Place.  I even drew layouts in a notebook.  My earliest memory was wanting to own my own dress store when I was in first or second grade. Flash forward thirty years and I opened Lowery's Loft LLC (an online business selling on eBay).  Being a small business owner is a lot like being a teacher in several ways. You have to be super organized. You have to manage materials. You are always learning. Everything consistently evolves. There is a lot of documentation. Kindness counts There are many more items that I could add to the list.  With that said...Change is never easy.  There are things I am giving up to pursue this dream. I will miss my students and my coworkers .  Noth...

a Rafflecopter giveaway This is my first attempt at a give away.  The winner will be notified and I will e-mail you the products that you select from my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.  I would love for you to follow my blog! Thanks for participating!  

I am throwing a sale! 28% off ALL PRODUCTS!!!  Monday and Tuesday  (Nov. 25th and 26th) 20% off ALL PRODUCTS!  Wednesday and Thursday  (Nov. 27th and 28th) Check out my Teachers Pay Teachers Store!!!

The majority of these sites are geared towards the primary grades (K-2).  I have used many of these websites in my classroom. Over the course of my career I have taught Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, and ESL classes (aka ESOL, ELL). Please feel free to recommend websites in the comments section.  I will update this list regularly and I am always open to new ideas and suggestions. Just click on the link to view the website in a new window.    PBS Kids Common Core Standards (added Sept.2012)   Free Reading (added Sept.2012)   ReadWriteThink (Courtesy of Lindsey) ABCya.com GameAquarium Primary Games  Seussville AAA Math Cool Math  Math Playground Starfall  Sight Words with Samson  Internet4Classrooms  Mother Goose Caboose  Spelling City  Speakaboos  Storyline Online Tumble Books Book Adventure  National Geographic Kids Discovery Science Ele...

When I began this blog it was my thirteenth year of teaching and my first year as a mom .  Talk about a perspective shift!  As an educator, I constantly reflect on what went well and what can be improved.  I am always interested in new ideas. Currently, I am not teaching due to my fibromyalgia.  Long story... When I started this blog the goal was to simplify and get super organized yet remain creative.  Now the goal is to share any inspiration, insights, and knowledge that may be helpful to fellow teachers and families. Periodically I add items to my Teachers Pay Teachers store.  Please take a moment to check it out. More recently I have started another blog to go along with my eBay store (Lowery's Loft).   Thank You for Visiting!   A little more about me:  I have taught on both the eastern and western sides of the United States.   In 2006, I was honored as Teacher of the Year for my school.  I...