Wild Sharing

Ready for some Wild Reading?

Brought to you by:
Some wild thoughts:

 I love the idea of reading graffiti-and as I thought about it, I thought about how cool it would be to have the kids use only one line to recommend a book to their friends! I think it would be very interesting!

I do talk to kids about the books they're reading, although it's casual, in passing conversation-nothing deliberate (except in Guided Reading!) Something to think about for next year.

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

What I'm Wearing Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

I haven't done any outfit pictures in a while, but I thought I would link up with Jivey for What I'm Wearing Wednesday!
Here's what I wore today:

I also ordered some dresses from eShakti-which is a really cool online store. They sell mostly dresses, but they sell tops, skirts and jackets as well.

I have a big birthday coming up next week-so I thought I'd treat myself! It is a little more expensive than I would normally pay (around $60-$90/dress), but they were having a buy 2 get 1 sale (now it's 35% off Summer stuff) (plus it's a BIG birthday!)

The neat thing about eShakti is that:
~Most of their dresses have pockets! (I know!!)
~You can customize your sleeve length and hem length for a small ($7.50) fee
~It's based off your height!! (a plus for shorties like me!)
~If their 'standard' sizes don't fit you, you can use your own measurements-again starting at $7.50!
~A lot of their stuff has a fun, unique twist-cool embroidery

My stuff?

As is

Sleeve: Changed to Elbow length Hem to knee length

Sleeve: Changed to short length Hem to knee length

I did have a hard time just picking three! I had my eyes on some others, but I want to see how this order goes-and how I like them!

I'm can't wait until they get here! (Estimated ETA: first week of August!)

*eShakti does not know that I am writing this-in fact, if not for my order, they wouldn't know I exist-I just think it is an awesome site.

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Monday Made It

Another Monday flying by!

I made some very yummy baked ziti!

Single person/Couple size!

I've been working on updating some things for my classroom things year-and making things to improve!

One of things things I really want to focus on this year is being a better writing teacher. So in that case, I've been working on some things to help me do that!

I made a new writing clip chart!

I like the old one (part of the Ultimate Writing Resource I got from TPT) but I think my new one focuses in more on what the kids need.

Old One

Ta-da!

It's so pretty!

I have little mini clothespins with their numbers on it that they can clip to the sides.

Once I've cut it out, I'll back it with poster board and tape the edges with packing tape before I laminate-to help keep it sturdy!

 In the same vein of writing, I also made some Buddy/Peer Conference Task Cards!

This should help the kids focus as they are doing peer conferences-kind of like a checklist of what they need to look for!

They are not in the order I plan to organize them-I have some rearranging to do once I've cut them out! :)

I also plan on making Editing and Revising ones to go along with them-I'm excited to see how the new board will turn out!

And last, but certainly not least:

I finished the last two sections of the mini CC I can statements!

I started it over a year ago (during Science NECAP testing!), and I finally finished the Language and Speaking and Listening parts.

I think those standards may have turned out better than the previous ones-because I've been teaching it for a year and was able to decipher them better!

They'll look very cute with the others in the mini pocket charts on the focus wall!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Wild Libraries

Ready for some Wild Reading?

Brought to you by:
Some wild thoughts:

Currently, my library looks like this.

Except I have two wire shelves filled now! :)

 Most of my books have a sticker on them, which matches the sticker on the bin.

They are mostly sorted by genre, topic or author-NOT but lexile level, guided reading level or grade level equivalent.

To help me remember which stickers go with with genre, topic or author, I have all the stickers with their labels on a HUGE index card.

So far, this system works pretty well. It easily allows me to reclassify books as needed (like if one topic gets too big, and I can divide it into different subtopics-which I did with American History! I split it into American History and War History. And Nonfiction Animals! I split that into Animals and Ocean Animals.)

Inside some of the covers, I have the Guided Reading Level and Grade Level Equivalent. (We use Guided Reading Levels in our small groups)

I have been using Scholastic Book Wizard, but lately,  they've only had one or two books in their database out of a stack, (which I totally don't get, because I buy almost all my books from them. If they sell them, why aren't they in the database?)


I don't force my kids to read within a certain band-but they have the information if they want it!

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn

Monday Made It

Linking up with Tara and Christy today!

              

 One of my very favorite treats-Things in the Oven (what I used to call them when I was little!)

It's very easy-you only need three ingredients!

Cinnamon Sugar (although I make my own), Pam and Crescent Rolls!

First thing you are going to do is to roll out the crescent rolls (separated), and spray them with Pam.

I like to roll them out on wax paper-because it can get a little messy!

After you sprayed them with Pam, pour the cinnamon sugar over top (more is better!). The Pam will make it stick to the crescent roll.

Next, roll up the crescent rolls (like you normally would is you where just making the rolls), and place them in a pan (I used a brownie pan-but a 8" circle pan works awesomely too-any pan would probably do!)

They can be touching-sometimes they turn out better that way!

Now, spray the top of the crescent tolls with Pam.

Then, sprinkle cinnamon sugar over top (more is better here too!).

Don't worry if it gets in the pan-they'll make cinnamon crunchies that are yummy too!

Now, you'll want to bake it at 375* for about 10-15 minutes. You'll know they are ready when the rolls have puffed up and the cinnamon sugar has melted on top (Plus, it smells really good!)

You have a yummy breakfast (when I usually eat them!), dessert, or general snack!

They also reheat really well-if you don't finish any, wrap them in aluminum foil (I usually group 2 or 3 together) and just reheat in the oven or toaster oven.

Delish!

My next Made It isn't as yummy. :)

I've been working on Curriculum Maps (ELA only!) for the year. Since this will be my 3rd year (wow!) at this school, I have a pretty good idea of the program, and how I want to organize things.

Of course, I can't make a boring curriculum map-what fun would that be?! (Please note that these are not done and I am still working on them-some of the months are very blank!)

I've also matched each month with it's counterpart in my planner!

 The border color and clipart are similar in both!

I've also been toying with having it either vertical

or horizontal

Which way would you prefer?

Smiles and Sunshine,
Kaitlyn