March is Reading Month Themes

February is the time to do 2 important things.

Eat chocolate and prepare for March is Reading Month, right?

Two of my favorite themes to do with my students for March is Reading month were the Information Highway, which my whole school did last year. I made this Information Highway unit to guide my students through a month of focusing on informational text.

Here are a few pictures from our month long journey on the Information Highway.

My all time favorite March is reading month theme is Camp Read a Lot!

It was a student (and parent) favorite as well.  I liked it so much that last year I did the Information Highway theme for the whole month and we still visited Camp Read a Lot for a week.  Over the last couple years, many teachers have sent me pictures of my Camp Read a Lot unit being used as an end of the year unit as well.

Back to the grad school assignment that I've been avoiding while I watch Downton Abbey.

Have a great week!

Fourteen in '14

A post...an item on my to do list...something that I love to do but never seem to have time for these days...call it what you want.  Isn't winter break amazing?

I love my Stitch Fix surprises! 

This jacket and the pants are from my last fix and my next one is one the way!

You can click on the image to check out Stitch Fix for yourself.

I don't really watch movies.  (for real)

However, I just bought this one because I read the book this summer.

Does that count?

I might watch it with my daughter this week...maybe.

I honestly don't really watch TV much either.  

My parents bought season 1 - 4 on DVD and I am guilty of having 

Downton Abbey marathons with one of my goldendoodles.

My FaVoRiTe restaurant is Casa Rio in San Antonio, Texas. 

I would love to be able to surprise my husband with plane tickets to fly there for dinner.

It's that good!

Someday...

skiing

Yes.  Only it has not happened yet. 

I'm going skiing for the first time in a couple days.

I'm trying to pump myself up.

Did I mention that I'm scared of heights?

And that sliding down a slippery mountain on skis that I don't know how to control 

after a terrifying ride on a flimsy swing is 

12 kinds of SCARY!

But, I will be brave.

I will try it.

I will not let my kids see my crying on the 

not very safe, 

probably has not been inspected properly, 

swinging from a rusted cable, 

lift.

Yes, I enrolled in the kids Learn to Ski class for my first day on the scary slopes.

My family gave me a few things to use in my new job...

One of the things my husband bought me is carrying case for my iPad 

that I can carry in and out of all the buildings I visit each day. 

If you follow me on Instagram, then you've seen this pic already.

My parents gave me these giant post it notes to use during my presentations.

Oh how I love post it notes and these giant ones...dreamy!

You can visit my Instagram feed here.

We almost bought a lake house this year (twice). 

Not kidding.  2 under contract. 2 deals fell through.

Someday, I'll hang a cute sign like this at our lake house (maybe).

You can click on the image to go to the Etsy shop where these cutes signs are sold.

You can check out my Pinterest boards here.

Chop, Chop, Chop! (my favorite teacher tip)

My new job as an instructional coach.

Big goals, big changes, big growth...

My heart and my life are so full.

My favorite boys.

My favorite girl.

Our annual trip to Petoskey, Michigan.

Grad school...again.

I'm starting classes in January to add another certification.

Excited. Nervous about time. Determined. Grateful.

Shut the front door! I finished a post!

Thanks for visiting today.

Please stop by the linky to read Fourteen in '14 posts by other bloggers!

Thank you to Hadar, Kristin and Traci for hosting the party!

Summer is in Sight!

It's the time of the year when things are wrappin' up...

We went on our zoo field trip last week.  On Thursday, my students hosted a Grandparent Tea Party!  I'll be posting about that soon.  It was adorable!  Next, we're gearin' up for field day and our ice cream social.  In between all that, I need to keep these kiddos on task!

My students are working on writing activities from my Get Ready for Summer Writing and Drawing Activities.  Everyone loves to make plans for summer vacation, right?

My friend, Emily, is a retired teacher.  She volunteers in my classroom on a regular basis and I am incredibly grateful that she has gifted so much time to me and my students over the years.  You can read a previous post about her here.  I am truly lucky!

Emily visited yesterday and she helped me prepare my summer packets for the children.  I always send summer work home.  Luckily, most of my students usually do it (and stop by to show me when they head of to 2nd grade). This year, I'll be their 2nd grade teacher since I'm looping with my class.  So, I'm planning a surprise to celebrate the completion of their summer work.

If you need a summer packet to send home with your students or to use for tutoring this summer, you can check out my pack by clicking on the image below.

Our Sharing My Writing Books are also bound and ready to be on display for our Ice Cream Social!  The Sharing My Writing Book pages are completed at home (but they can be used in the classroom).  My students are motivated to write about different topics each month and then they share their work with the class. For my students, this is a good opportunity to practice writing at home.  It's also an eye opener for many parents about encouraging their child to write using good sentences, punctuation, interesting words and details in their illustrations.

This weekend, I need to focus on my end of year gifts for students and volunteers.  I'll do that in between baseball, bike rides, the Memorial Day parade and report cards.

Voila...My New Design!

I'm in love!  But this time not with my husband, or my dogs, or new box of Mr. Sketch markers...

It's my new design that is making my heart flutter today!!!

The talented Kassie from Designs by Kassie deserves all the credit.

All I really did was choose my favorite colors and send her a million emails. Ha!

I loved working with Kassie! 

She is incredibly talented and patient.
 I truly appreciate her design expertise.

Tomorrow...

I'll be joining several of my teacher/blogger friends  for a Product Swap Snapshot and a giveaway!  

Please stop back tomorrow for the details! Oh, how I love my new design!  Thanks again, Kassie!  You are amazing!

Photos from Camp Read a Lot

My students went to Camp Read a Lot again this year!  

I'm packing this post with photos.

If you want to read more about Camp Read a Lot, you can visit my previous posts (which can be found in my sidebar under Camp Read a Lot).  I host Camp Read a Lot in March, but it also makes a fun end of the year activity.

Welcome to Camp Read a Lot!

Parent volunteers work at the registration desk on the first day of camp.

one of our teepees and one of our campfires (outside the room)

Keepin' it simple with 3 rules.

I only have 3 for my classroom as well (be kind, work hard, have fun).

The campfire in our meeting area.

Camping Graph (pieces included in my Camp Read a Lot pack)

Campfire Stories

one of our camp crafts

Each day of camp we had lots of letters (from parents and staff).

Campfire cupcakes

Seriously, how cute are these? 

My parents ROCK!

Read Under the Stars (one of the daily themes for camp)

The resources I use for Camp Read a Lot and more ideas about the crafts, daily themes, literacy activities and a list of books that I use are included in my Camp Read a Lot pack.

Camp Read a Lot was a huge success again this year!

And...this camp director is glad she pulled off another week at camp.

It was so worth it!