Aesop's Fabulous Fables Freebie

So, I just finished my Fables Unit! I am looking forward to using it this fall with my thirdies, but for now I will just have to be satisfied with sharing it with my wonderful blogging friends!! The new Common Core Standards ask that we have are students read and work with many different genres- fables included. Also, the common core asks for students to understand non-literal language.

I love fables for many reasons! They are short, they have great, rich language and they always teach my kids a lesson or MORAL!! Click on the photo to get to the page on TPT where you can download the whole 33 page unit or check out my sample. In honor of my wonderful day at the beach today I am going to give the everyone who follows my blog and comments on this post by Midnight tonight a FREE copy of the entire FABLES Unit!

Please make sure to leave your email and tell me you're a follower in your comment and I will send a copy your way!

Thanks!!

Melissa

Great new blog with a great giveaway!

Hello readers! Check out Erica's new blog for your chance at some great gifts! You get several chances to win!
Good luck!!

Check out the latest giveaway!

Click on the picture to find out about this fabulous giveaway!!! First Grade Frenzy is giving away some terrific trinkets! Don't forget to follow me so I can have a giveaway too!!

Give me the Finger!

Hey friends! I am planning to use a teamwork theme for my third graders this year!! I have lots of little projects going on and through my head as I plan to create a stimulating and organized classroom. I have these wonderful foam fingers that I am planning on hanging over my student tables (groups of desks). I usually have 6 groups of 4 (or some with 5 depending on how many students I end up with!). I can't wait to hang these adorable fingers. They are going to add so much color to my room. I know I am going to put big numbers on each one (1-6) but I am not sure what else I would like to do. After spending so much time painting them (it took a couple of coats), I want to get them just right! Any suggestions???

Summer time Giveaway!!

Check out this SUNsational Summer Giveaway! The prizes are too many to mention! Click on the button to check out all the goodies and get your entries in! The contest ends on Sunday. Good luck and don't forget to follow me so I can have a giveaway soon!!

Technology Makes a Difference!! (Classroom Project at DonorsChoose.org)

I have my first Donors Choose project! I am hoping to secure a listening center and Ipod touch that will help me differentiate with my students during literacy centers. Take a look at my proposal if you get a chance. Thanks!

Technology Makes a Difference!! (Classroom Project at DonorsChoose.org)

Idioms Animal Pack is Here!!

I have been working very hard on creating materials to support the ELA Common Core Standards for next year. I am excited to post my new Idioms Animal Sports pack to my TPT store. This set includes 17 animal theme idiom posters to share with your students, an I Have Who Has Game that can be printed on cardstock for durability and used with small groups or whole class. There is also a student response sheet included for individual work. I hope you have a chance to look at it! Click on the picture to check it out. I would love to hear your input!! Have a great Monday morning!!

Great goodies for next year!

Check out this FABULOUS giveaway! I hope I win!!
Kinderglynn
Good luck!!

Dressing Down!

I love that on Fridays we can dress down at my school. We have tons of "spirit wear" options, but I love this awesome tshirt that Amy is sharing on her blog. She is giving one away to a lucky follower!! Check it out at Step into 2nd Grade with Mrs. Lemons.

Katie's Giveaway!!

Katie over at Once Upon A Teaching Blog is having a great giveaway to celebrate 5o followers!! Before you head on over to check it out follow me so that I can do the same!!! Thanks:)

Kleinspiration: A Tech-Tastic Give-Away:#c7516515297125661472

Kleinspiration: A Tech-Tastic Give-Away:#c7516515297125661472

Kindergarten Works Raffle

Kindergarten Works is having a raffle on an AWESOME Calendar Pack! Get your ticket to win!

Schedule Schmedule!!!

I am so excited to be returning to my third grade classroom!! We have a lot of changes in store for us this year!! I have been thinking about so many things that need to be ready and in place by August and of course, my schedule is one of them!! That's why I am so excited about this linky party. Here is what I am thinking of for my schedule in the fall. This is, of course, a work in progress:

8:05-8:30 Morning routine/Morning work
8:30-9:00 Word Work/ Vocabulary
9:00-9:45 Specials (PE, Computer, Music, Art, Library)
9:45-11:15 ELA Block (Whole Group Reading, Guided Reading, Speaking & Listening Skills,
and Language
11:15-11:40 LUNCH
11:40-12:00 RECESS
12:00-1:15 Math Block
1:15-2:00 Writing Block
2:00-2:15 Teacher Read Aloud
2:15-3:00 Science/ Social Studies
3:00-3:15 Homework/Wrap-up
3:16 Dismissal

I hope this sample helps. I know it is pretty standard, but it works for me! Looking at it it looks like the days are just going to fly by!!

Teaching with Idioms!!

I am preparing for the switch to the new ELA Common Core Standards. Today I created a great Idioms packet that I can't wait to share with my class next year. I plan on doing a lot of work with idioms to help my students understand the nuances in our language and to learn what figurative language is. If you are ready to tackle the ELA Standards, have a look at my new packet and grab it on my teachers pay teachers site:) Just click on the above picture of my packet.

Thanks for taking the time to look!!

Guided Reading

Hey friends! I am very excited to be returning to the classroom to teach third grade after two FABULOUS years as an instructional coach. I have big plans to do some major overhauling of my classroom, schedule, reading program, EVERYTHING!!! I can't wait to dive in with some of the great things I have learned during my coaching days.

I have big plans to delve into my two feet tall stack of professional books this summer. I know I am biting off more than I can chew- especially since our summers seem to shrink more and more each year like a wool sweater that we just keep tossing into the dryer!! I have so much to do now that I will be teaching in the fall. I feel like I am starting over again. I will have to drag my classroom out of the garage and basement and set up shop all one more time!! It almost feels like I am a first year teacher again- the butterflies are already starting to flutter!!

Currently I am reading Guided Reading in Grades 3-6 by Mary Schulman. I am almost finished!! It has some great information in it and resources to use with my groups but I am looking for more! Do you have any book suggestions for me? How do you do Guided Reading in your classroom?