It's that time of the week again! I love linking up with 4th Grade Frolics each week and seeing what the rest of you are making. So inspiring and motivating! I had some help this week with my two Monday Made It projects. My mom is in town for a few weeks visiting, and she's super creative (it's where I get my creative genes from), so I've been picking her brain on a few things. This idea started like most of the other ones I've had... "I saw this idea on Pinterest." We've all been there. ... Read More about Classroom + Home DIY Projects | Monday Made It
Back to School and Parent Involvement
Whether any of us want to admit it or not, back to school is coming. For some of us, it's here... and we can certainly smell the scent of freshly sharpened pencils. That smells makes any teacher just jump with joy, right? (Maybe during the middle of the school year, not so much during the back to school rush, am I right?!). For others of us, don't tell me you haven't been scoping out the back to school aisles at Target! I've seen your Instagram posts... I know! I'm super excited to start ... Read More about Back to School and Parent Involvement
Behavior Management + a Point System
Behavior management in any classroom is a tough thing to handle, and to some teachers it's natural... and to the rest of us, it doesn't come as easy. But we handle our own and do what works best for our classroom and our students. This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. View the full disclosure policy here. And honestly, ya know... since we're being honest... no two school years are the same. What works one year may absolutely bomb the next year, and that's okay! It's ... Read More about Behavior Management + a Point System
Teacher Fashion Thursday – Volume 3
Ever since high school, I've always thought of Back to School as a time to stock up on wardrobe essentials. You can get some great deals during back to school sales! Let me say that I was (and still am not) one to spend $50+ on one shirt or $80+ on one pair of jeans. I always have used coupons and shopped during sales. I rarely purchase anything at full price... I just can't bring myself to do it! *Can I get a hands up for Plato's Closet, too?! So I decided over the weekend that I was going to ... Read More about Teacher Fashion Thursday – Volume 3
Mrs. D’s Favorite Fonts for Teachers [2014]
As a TpT Author, one thing that I love collecting more than clip art is fonts. One might say that I am a "font snob" and I'm okay with that. I mean, recognizing fonts in stores and on signs and knowing the name of the font is normal, right?! My font collection has grown quite a lot over the past 3 years since discovering TPT. I don't even know how many fonts I have actually downloaded onto my laptop, but it's a lot. Like a lot a lot. Probably 400+ fonts. See. I told you. Pinterest doesn't ... Read More about Mrs. D’s Favorite Fonts for Teachers [2014]
Back to School Memory Lapbook
Even though summer is still new, and on the horizon for others of us, I'm already thinking about Back to School. Call me crazy, but I am super excited about this new chapter in my life and getting back into the elementary classroom.I can't quite yet divulge what position I've taken, as I'm waiting for a more official announcement. Don't worry, it's coming though and I can't wait to share it with all of you! Anyway, I just finished this Back to School Memory Lapbook and I'm very proud of it! With ... Read More about Back to School Memory Lapbook
End of the Year Lapbook Memories
The end of the year is upon us. Yep, it is! Crazy, right? As ready as I am to be under those palm trees soaking up the sun, it feels like just a few weeks ago it was the beginning of the school year and now we are wrapping up. The struggles, the tears, the fun time, the achievements, the parties, all of the indoor recesses and snow days (if you happened to live in the North this winter; we ended up with 10+ days. I seriously lost count!)... all of the good and the bad, definitely more good than ... Read More about End of the Year Lapbook Memories
Pencil Challenge | Tips for Managing Pencil Loss
I think as teachers, we've all been there. It's the middle of the school year, or you've just come back from break or a long weekend, or maybe it's just Monday. Either way, a solid good ... okay, maybe only 8 of 24 students have pencils to start the day. By lunch time, it's down to 5 students. You just scratch your head and wonder: how does this happen? Trust me. I've been there. Multiple times. It can get frustrating, especially when school budgets are dropping and us teachers are forking out ... Read More about Pencil Challenge | Tips for Managing Pencil Loss
Go from “Hire Me!” to “I Got the Job!” | Teacher Tips
Over my last four years as a teacher, I have worked at four different schools. Yep, four. Even though now more than ever I am ready to stop moving around and stick with one district for a couple of years, I have had a lot of experience going to interviews and perfecting my resume (I guess those budget cuts did come in handy!). I've learned what helps me stick out as a candidate in a pool of hundreds and thousands of my fellow teachers and snag the job. I have it down to a science, really. And ... Read More about Go from “Hire Me!” to “I Got the Job!” | Teacher Tips
Black History Month Research Craftivity
Observed every February in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, Black History Month is powerful... meaningful... and an eye-opening time of year. Who are these important African Americans we see pictures of, what did they do, and why are they so important for our students to learn about? Celebrate the month by researching and learning about the journey of many important African American individuals who have helped shape history. Let's start with this... have you ever made a ... Read More about Black History Month Research Craftivity
Resource Room Setup | Classroom Reveal
Every special ed classroom set up is different. Truthfully, no two classrooms are the same. But that doesn't mean we can't collaborate and get ideas from one another. This is my classroom for the 2013-2014 school year as a 5th Grade Resource Teacher. I've been in my new school for a little over a month now and I feel like my room is finally where I want it to be. I'm sure I'll make a few changes as the year goes on, but for now I'm happy with it. :) Here are some ... Read More about Resource Room Setup | Classroom Reveal
Teacher Fashion Thursday – V2
It's that time again & I'm really excited for this week's TFT! It's finally feeling like fall here in Pennsylvania, so I can finally wear adorable scarves, sweaters, & cardigans. ( credit ) One of my favorite things about discovering outfits on Pinterest is realizing you can mix colors together... just like the navy & army green. How perfect is this outfit for the everyday life of a teacher? Plus I think the boots totally make this outfit. ( credit )I think I mentioned this ... Read More about Teacher Fashion Thursday – V2
Teacher Fashion Thursday V1
So with all of your positive responses to last month's Teacher Outfit post {click here}, I decided to start a new series on the blog: Teacher Fashion Tuesday / Teacher Fashion Thursday! I will share 1 or 2 posts a month about cute outfits that are perfect for teaching. Last month's inspiration was fall / autumn. I showed a few pins from Pinterest of outfits I loved and explained how I would wear them. This time I want to focus on everyday outfits that are perfect for running your classroom, so ... Read More about Teacher Fashion Thursday V1
Easy + Healthy Teacher Snacks
We all know how little time there can be during the school day to eat. I'm pretty sure all of us teachers were born with a know-how on how to eat our lunch while copying papers, or grading, or covering lunch duty. It's like a second nature to us. But there are, however, those days when eating on the go just doesn't seem like an option. There's a line for the microwave or you ran late this morning so you couldn't pack a lunch. It happens to all of us. So I've decided to share a few of my ... Read More about Easy + Healthy Teacher Snacks
Teacher Fashion: Fall 2013
I'm a huge summer person. I could live in shorts and a tank top with no shoes on (doesn't that sound perfect?). But whether I like it or not, autumn is right around the corner. Why do I like autumn? Pumpkin muffins at Dunkin Donuts, pumpkin roll from the grocery store, pumpkin scented candles (did I mention that the smell of pumpkin is my favorite?) and most of all, getting to wear scarves, cute sweaters and jeans. I'm a sucker for a great pair of jeans paired with a plain tee and a fun ... Read More about Teacher Fashion: Fall 2013
Extended School Year – A Recap
Well, it's officially over (okay, technically not until clean up is over tomorrow)... but my staff & I did it. We survived another summer of Extended School Year! I walked in to all new staff in my room & a brand new list of students, but my staff was fabulous & my students maintained or made leaps & bounds of progress! But it's finally over & I get to go home to my husband (I stay with my parents for 5 weeks each summer to come "home" to teach ESY at the Intermediate Unit ... Read More about Extended School Year – A Recap