That's the Shape of Things Common Core Aligned Activity

Hi everyone!
This year, we are working with a new math program, Investigations in Mathematics.  Are any of you using this program?  At this point, we are half-way through our Geometry investigation and the students are really enjoying it.  This is the Standard we have been focusing on so far:

Last week, I had to do an observation lesson and did it for math.  The kids were really great! They worked so diligently and I was truly proud of them!  I wanted to share some of the supplements that can be used with this unit.  First up are some super cute Plane Shape Posters to hang in the classroom.  The kids really loved seeing these happy shapes and refer to them often.  Take a peek...

These little cuties are going to be in my store by the end of the week, but you can grab them now by clicking {here}. Just leave me some love to let me know if you like them :)

You may also want to pop by to say hello to the awesome creator of these lil' cuties!

Up next is the little Architect Booklet I created to go along with the lesson.  There are two versions.  One has the kids building on one hexagon, one has them building on two hexagons.  Since I was focusing on using assessment to inform instruction for this lesson, you will find a rubric inside of the booklet.  This is a rubric that is based on the information found in the book, Students Taking Charge by Nancy Sulla.

Here's a peek at what was included in the booklet.  Not sure what the kids enjoyed more...being an "architect" for the day or using a rubric to "grade" themselves.

Since my observation is over {HOORAY!!!!!} I am celebrating by sharing that little booklet with you.  Click {here}.

I also pulled a freebie out of my files for you.  It's a simple and quick version of "Ways to Fill a Hexagon."  Click to Grab it or head over to Facebook...it's there too :)

Hope your day SHAPES UP to be a great one! {I know, that was pretty cheesy.....xo}

I'm Back...and with a Frenzy of Freebies!

Dear Blog,

I'm not going to candy-coat it...I've neglected you. This was my first Back-to-School as a blogger and I admit it: everything just kind of caught up with me at once.

You know the routine...the planning, the creating, the decorating, the first week, the back-to-school night...Mix in the "outside of school" life, and that left me just enough time to go to the bathroom {If I was lucky!}

But I've missed you, and so I am back.  Do I dare say that I pledge to be back at least once a week? Three times a month? All I can promise is my best try...I have a lot to share, so let's get started!

<3, Me
_________________________________________________________________________________

Now...for you all, how can I come back to my blog without a little{ok, a BIG} treat for you guys?  Many of you have gotten to know me on Instagram - I've been having so much fun posting there! What you may not know about me is that I love to share, and do so often!

Since it's the beginning of the year, I'd like to start this post with some quick pics of my classroom.  I love being here every day.  Although there is not a heck of a lot of space, I managed to change it up a bit for my new 2nd graders.  Here's a look:

I added the rocking chair this year.  It's been sitting all alone in my basement since I stopped rocking my babies in it (sniff, sniff).  I LOVE having the chair in my classroom, mostly because I have so many warm memories of it.

Now for a quick shot of our Back-to-School Night set up.  Our 2nd grade team {love them!!!!} has continued on with the "Movie Night" theme. This works well because I always shoot a lot of footage during the first few days of school and turn it into a movie.  I like beginning my presentation this way because it helps the parents get a nice glimpse into our day. {It also cuts down my talking time...aaaaaahhhhhh! I still get so nervous up there!}

We even rolled out the red carpet for our parents!

I always breathe a huge sigh of relief when it's all over.  I'm sure you can relate!

Ok, ok, you've seen the pics...now onto the goods!  I have freebies all over the place!  To jump back in to the school year, I'm offering to you, my sweet blog readers:

• a freebie on the blog
• a freebie on Facebook
• a freebie on Instagram

The Freebie Frenzy will run until Wednesday, so grab them all now!

{details how below}

But wait...There's more!  For the next few days, all of my TPT items are 20% off {click below}

So, which freebies do you get where?  Well, you can grab your copy of Pete The Cat by following me  on Bloglovin!  Find the link on my sidebar.  Once you do, let me know you follow with an email {see my email link on the sidebar as well.} I will email the link to you.  

My kids went wild for the amazing glitter iPads in this project {Thanks, Glitter Meets Glue!} Here's what you will find waiting for you in your in-box:

Next up, is Chrysanthemum.  This packet comes with a lesson plan and craftivity as well.  You can grab this one by sharing it on Instagram and shooting me a quick email to let me know that you'd like a copy. When I get it, I'll send you the link. Here's what you'll get in your inbox:

Finally, I have to put a freebie on Facebook! After all, this is what I saw when I logged on yesterday:

That put a smile on my face!  With my Facebook freebie, I am introducing you to my new friends.  Everyone, meet the Royals:

This week, while trying to reinforce how important the number 10 is to my class, I drew a crown on top of the zero.  The kids loved it and so, an idea was born.  The Royals will be a work in progress as we move through our new Investigations math program. First up are some posters for your classroom to introduce your students to these very important numbers.  Want it for your room, too?  Just head on over to my Facebook page - it's under "Fan Freebies!"

Whew! Thanks for hanging in there with me on this long-over due post!  I hope you enjoy all of these goodies.  I'd love to hear what you think, so if you'd like, leave a comment below!

Have a great Sunday, everyone...and I promise I'll be back again SOON!

It's My Birthday and I'll Shop if I Want To!

Hi everyone! It's good to be back on the computer after a little time away this past week.  No, I wasn't on vacation {but at points, I pretended to be...read on}.

On Wednesday, my peanut had foot surgery at the most amazing hospital, The Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC.  Wow, what a place...and what amazing people there as well.  We ended up there for a few days, so needless to say, you get to know the staff rather well. We couldn't have been in better hands...and check out this view! Can you see where the pretend vacation came into play?

 My girlie is doing great {Thank you God} and happy to be home - check out her rockin' hot pink cast!

Luckily, she slept - A LOT...one of the best ways there is to heal, I think.  During those long snoozes, I just couldn't bring myself to work on my computer.  I had too much to think about, to pray for and to meditate about.  So instead, I laced up my sneakers and proceeded to tour the Upper East Side.  I think I may have found our future apartment for our eventual retirement home...what do you think?? I think I could be happy in either, hahaha!

In the midst of the craziness of the past week, I know the people over at TPT were getting ready to host a HUMUNGO Back to School Sale.  I couldn't miss the opportunity to be part of it.  My shopping cart is already filled up with goodies from some great teachers!  I am feeling pretty ready with great activities to start the year :)

The items in my store are on sale too!  Check it out:

Since I was in a birthday sort of mood, I made up these little goodies that you can customize for your own students.  I plan to cut them out, tape them to crazy straws and then put them in a vase in my classroom.  I will give them out to the students on their birthdays.  Come back this week to see that craft in action - I will try to do it as a "Made It Monday" link!  

For now, here are what the flower tops look like.  All you need to do is add the date on the right hand side a name on the bottom!

Like them?  I'll be choosing 5 WINNERS next week! Enter to win below...not yet available in my store!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm off to spend some time with the best birthday gift anyone can ask for...my family :)

Have a great day, everyone!

Treats for The Teacher Tuesday...EDITABLE LABELS!

Hi everyone! I am so excited that I've learned how to make my products editable for you.  I've had lots of requests, so I knew I needed to get moving on this.  I couldn't have done it without the help of this fabulous blogger, Mrs. Stanford.  I watched her awesome Youtube tutorial and learned in a snap! {Thank you Jessica!}

This leads me right into my Treats for the Teacher Tuesday...

All day TODAY ONLY, you can grab a copy of my Glitter and Chalk Classroom labels! If you want to grab them "as is" and "PDF Printer Ready," Click {HERE}.  This is what they look like:

Of course, if you want to change the font up to suit your own font fancy, you can do that too! I am pleased to present you with the editable version (Power-Point Ready) of the labels.  Grab them by clicking below!

Grab them while you can...after today, they'll be in my stores :)

I am currently working on medium and large size labels as well, to fit a variety of classroom bins. 

Please follow if you download and leave me a comment to let me know what you think! Have a label suggestion? I'd love to hear that too!

Although this post is coming today, I actually created the labels on Monday...so that means I am linking up with 4th Grade Frolics! Wow, is her Made-It-Monday Linky incredible or what?? So many talented teachers out there!

Have a great day everyone, and happy labeling!

Teachers, Show Us Your....Teacher's Choice!

Sometimes you have a week where you feel you have been graced by God, by family and by good friends.  This has been one of those weeks for me, so  I was very glad to get this School-Week Linky out to you each day.  It's a little bit late today, by my goal was to get it up before midnight - and here it is!

Today is Teacher's Choice! That means you can link ANYTHING up that you think will brighten a teacher's day. From bulletin boards, to classroom decor and classroom management to organization.  We want to see it all!  This link will be available until January 1st, so come back when you are ready.  Heck, you can link up more than once in the next few months!

I only ask that you share and get the word out so we can build up a really nice collection! Be sure to link back so your fans can find tons of great ideas!!

So...now on to my choice.  I decided that my choice is to THANK YOU all for coming to visit {and link} this week, so I am having a giveaway as well as a flash freebie.  Some you have asked for my Planbook calendar, so here you go.  I will leave the link up until MONDAY AUGUST 5TH...Enjoy :)

But wait...there's more! {That sound a little infomercial-ish, sorry!}  How great do you think you'd look in this little T-shirt on the first day of school?  I got the idea from a shirt I got a few years ago from (shhhhhhhh!) a kiddie shop.  Hahahah I was shopping with the girls and I couldn't resist.  I grabbed the largest size they had, lol.  Here's my version.  If you'd like one for yourself, enter the Rafflecopter below!  

Thanks for a great week everyone!  I look forward to sitting back and reading all of your blog posts this weekend! xo

Best of luck to all of my bloggy-teacher friends who are going back to school soon!  Have a great school year :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

An InLinkz Link-up