Classroom Sneak Peek | Five for Friday

It's been pretty quiet over here on the blog.  Between vacations, starting and preparing for a new teaching job, and the launch of the Virginia is for Teachers blog...I've not had enough time to devote over here.  But that is all changing soon!  For now, here is a little sneak peek of my room.  It's not yet done...but it's very close!  Below are five of my favorite things about the classroom...right now!

Look very closely underneath the promethean board...see those book boxes?!  I'm so excited to have individual student book boxes this year.  I don't know what they will keep in them, or how I'll use them.  But I'm excited, nonetheless!!

Check out that cute magnetic border that is on the whiteboard!  It's a super fun, super cute, and super easy way to 'dress up your boards!'

In terms of books, my library is a work in progress right now.  But the library got super comfy this year!  

These letters are causing problems...they won't stick to the magnets.  But these iPod alphabet charts are my favorite!

And just for fun...here is where the room started!  Stay tuned to the final reveal soon!

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Reading BINGO + a product on sale!

Sometimes, I get a good idea.  But that's rare!  Sometimes, I test out my 'good idea' with my students.   We have finished with our state testing...but my students do not want to be at school anymore.  Especially since the test is done.  Since I still need to teach, I've been scrambling to find something fun to do, that incorporates learning...and it's a plus if they don't think about learning!  

A couple weeks ago, I made a Reading Skills Vocabulary BINGO game!  We tested it out this week in my classroom and the kids enjoyed it a lot!  They love to play BINGO, we do it a lot, so they think of it as just a game.  But, you have to read and use those skills they've learned throughout the year in order to win!  

This BINGO game has two different versions - students either search for the definition of the words, or they will search for the vocabulary words.  Included are reading terms like cause & effect, main idea, sensory words, headings, captions, and many more!  

I promise your kids will enjoy playing this BINGO game!  And, it's 50% off until Friday night!  At only $1.50, you don't want to miss this!  Grab it here today! 

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Win Your Fall 2014 Classroom!

It's 5:30 in the morning and I'm wide awake thanks to jet lag!  I had an amazing vacation, but I am ready to get back and get ready for the new school year!  The only problem that I have (and I'm sure you have to) is that money is slim and I dream of having a super fun and colorful classroom.  How will that happen?  Well, Inspired in Style is teaming up with Creative Teaching Press to giveaway multiple $200 gift cards to teachers around the country!  I'd love to win this so much!  My little classroom sure needs it!  So, how would I spend the $200?  I'm doing a 'technology theme' in my classroom this year and my colors are purple, turquoise and lime green.  Here's what I would spend the money on!

BW Calendar Set - $12.99

I teach only reading/language arts and have three sections of classes.  I color code my classes, one is purple, one is turquoise and one is green.  I'd use these charts to track Accelerated Reader points, homework, or something similar.  

Purple Large Vertical Incentive Chart - $2.49

Blue Large Vertical Incentive Chart - $2.49

Green Large Vertical Incentive Chart - $2.49

Greek and Latin Root Words are hard to teach and I'm planning on making a year-long study of this with my students.  This book will help tremendously!

Greek and Latin Roots Book - $19.99

An important part of a classroom is creating a classroom community and making sure students follow directions and are always on task.  So, I think this book will definitely come in helpful at the beginning of the year, when setting classroom expectations!

Following Directions Book - $11.99

More I'm Through, What Can I Do? - $14.99

Creative Teaching Press has so many amazing products for classroom teachers, that it really is hard to pick exactly what I'd spend the money on.  These are just a few of the many things that I want for my classroom!  What would you choose if you won?  

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*Giveaway* My New Teacher Planner

*Stay tuned to the end of this post for a giveaway!!*

I love to stay organized, especially at school.  I also love using technology.  However, when it comes to planners, I prefer printed calendars to digital calendars.  Last year, I used about three different calendars/planners for school, because not one had everything that I wanted.  And I've yet to find that one planner that does.  So, I set out to make my own for this year!  I searched out for some pretty and fun digital clip art images and got to work on my new planner, and I'm in love!  It's going to be such a fun thing to use and I'm so excited for next year!  

I've also posted my new 2014-2015 Teacher Planner on TeachersPayTeachers.  It's also on sale until the end of June...so hurry up and purchase today at a discounted price!! ;)

CLICK HERE to view the teacher planner on my TpT page.

This planner has 166 pages and is full of the following items that you can use...

- Cover
- Blank Cover
- Section Headings
- Monthly Calendar
- Weekly Planner
- Information
- Grades/Data
- Parent Contact Information
- Monthly Calendar
- Already Dated
- August 2014-July 2015
- Blank Monthly Calendar Template
- Weekly Planner Pages
- Already Dated for Each Week
- Blank Weekly Planner Template
- Blank Today's Lesson Template
- Year at a Glance (for yearly planning purposes)
- Birthdays and Special Events
- Teacher Log-Ins
- Student Log-Ins
- Next Year...
- Gradebook Pages
- Student Checklist
- Class Dojo Point Checklist
- Parent Contact Information
- Parent Contact Log
- Daily Behavior
- Notes
- 5 Blank Section Headings
- Back Cover

This planner is a digital printable planner that is NOT customizable. However, you may contact me for cheap customization if you want any wording changed on any of the pages! I want to make this the most useful resource you use all year long!

I'm using a Staples' Arc Discbound Notebook for my planner and had some of my pages printed at Best Value Copy.  View some of the images from my planner below...and look for the giveaway after the pictures! 

Here's the giveaway!  I'm giving away one digital copy of my planner below!  This giveaway runs until next Thursday, June 26.
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

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