Goodbye Google Reader, Hello BlogLovin'

First of all I'd like to say that I don't even use Google reader. By the time I really go into the blog world (like steady reading and then writing) I had my iPad. I had a friend that used FlipBoard for following RSS feed and she recommended it to me. I mean, I had blogs in Google Reader but I didn't utilize it.

I created a FlipBoard account on my iPad and linked FB, local news, Google Reader, etc to it and I can flip through it like a magazine. (These images are from a previous post from the fall)

landscape

portrait

I just got this in an email (while I was writing up this post, crazy!)

I've done some reading and even though Google Reader is leaving good 'ol Google Friend Connect (where you click to follow blogs) is not. So, I'm keeping that on my blog and that is how I'll track my followers and  I'll use that number for blogging milestones and giveaways. 

Today I linked my blog up with BlogLovin'. I also downloaded the iPad app. You can sign up with either your FB or an email. I opted for email. 

At top is the standard Google follower (I'm keeping this and so are most bloggers--and below is the new BlogLovin' follower widget)

Here's what the app looks like:

If you choose to go the BlogLovin' route please continue to follow me. It imported all of my Google Reader blogs that I follow. I'm off to update my FlipBoard. You can always go the tried and true route and get on an actual computer (gasp! lol) to read new posts.

Do you use a different blog reading method?

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Behavior Clip Chart Revamped

For the last two years I've used a clip chart in my classroom. Before that I used card flips. I liked card flips but found that they focused too much on bad choices....so when a student had a rough morning  and when they went home and showed their parents my recording page it looked like that had a bad day. (I still keep my card flip chart, recording pages, and cards for when I need to make a change or 'crack the whip')

I liked the clip chart because it gave me an opportunity to focus on good choices as well. I did this verbally but this was a good visual for the kids. It also let the kids turn their behavior/attitude around. I feel that when the parents see my new recording pages they get an overall view of the whole day.

Here is my original clip chart:
(it was on my summer bucket list to revamp)

I really like it--but it needs a make-over. I'm going to chalk it up to my first attempts and when I first got started creating more classroom things.

Right now I don't have a good color printer (on my summer to buy wish-list-----side question: do you prefer laser or ink jet and why?)

Here are some choices that I'll have when it's time to print and laminate and put this bad boy together!

click here

click here

click here

click here

No, I don't have a Pirate room but one of my work-besties does so I revamped what I made her. 

You can find them all here in a bundle with my Classroom Management Resources.  Where you'll see different types of Management Resources. If you've already purchased this item then please go and re-download to get the updates.

Original blog post here

OR
If you know the clip chart is for you and you don't want to see other Management Resources click here to get only the clip chart images. (They are a bundled set--not sold individually) I will be giving away one set of the new bundle to the first comment with an email!

Is there a theme that you have in your classroom that you're just dying to see a clip chart to match?

Journal Template & 6-Traits

Hey everyone! Today (in real life, not blog life) I'm attending my first professional development of the summer. I'll be attending a 3hr pd for using iPads in the classroom for K-1. I really hope I learn some awesome things for my classroom. I only have one iPad right now so it'd be great to learn some new ways to integrate it into my teaching. I'll be sure to share how it goes.


But for today in blogland.....
You can find my journal writing post over at Teaching Blog Roundup today. Head on over to see how I use 6-Traits and to get a free journal template. :D

click here to go read it

Filling Word Art & Shapes

Hey everyone! Happy Thursday. :D Thank you for all of your well wishes. I'm starting to feel like a real person again. I am slowly joining the ranks of nose breather again. (Something I was starting to fear would never happen)

During this time I've have a lot of indoor time to myself. Instagram, blogs, FB, and and cable tv have been my friends. I've been going back and updating some early creations (oh.my.word.--I mean, I'm proud of my creations but not to toot my own horn but I'm way better a year later). I wanted to fancify (yeah, it's a word--just don't try to use it in Scrabble or Words with Friends) some of my products. It reminded me of something I saw on Pinterest and from Ashley Hughes from The School Supply Addict. 

Well, one thing lead to another and I decided to create this video to help some of you PowerPoint Mac users. (I tried making this video like 5x...dogs barked, emails popped up, I coughed...sigh. Hopefully it can help you)

Very Tardy Currently

It's June (nope, not the first anymore--but I'm still linking up!)

Listening-->
Now, I prefer the Bob Barker era but I was drawn in this morning. It was always a dream of mine to play Plinko and spin the big wheel!!

Loving--> I haven't had to set an alarm in days. I'm very much looking forward to this for weeks and weeks to come.

Thinking--> So you may have noticed that I'm kinda late on linking up--I even missed a 5 for Friday :( Well...I'm sick. Like I feel awful...well felt awful.  I couldn't get into the doctor until Monday (yesterday) morning. I have an upper respiratory infection and I'm all kinds of gross. I had a fever over the weekend, too. I've spent a lot of cuddle time with my couch and my blanket. So, I'm on 4x a day antibiotics and today is my first day of normalcy....meaning I'm upright on the couch. I also had a toothache but couldn't go in until I could breathe through my nose. Fun summer break start, huh?

Wanting--> Energy
I am feeling a bit better today but I wish I was taking advantage of this great June weather. I know all too soon it'll be muggy. Luckily my pups also enjoy some lazy couch time.

Needing-->To clean this place up

To say that with the end of year chaos and my recent sickness that I've let this place go would be an understatement. I'm just saying that if you showed up I'd be mortified. So I'll be deep cleaning soon.

3 vacay essentials-->So whether you're doing a 'staycay' in your hometown or going off somewhere beachy I think you could use:

Sunscreen! I had some kiddos tell me they didn't need it because they tanned. I got into serious Miss Cosby mode. I like the spray kind. 

Sunglasses! Okay, not only are they cute but they're functional

Book! (or stack of mags) I got an ereader a few years ago. I love it. At the time I decided to go Nook and I'm still happy with it. No, it's not fancy and I can't get apps on it. But I have an iPad if I want those fancy things. I wanted e-ink so my eyes wouldn't strain over time and so there wouldn't be glare in the sunlight. Also, since it's a few years old and not fancy schmancy I won't be uber said if it gets sandy or if I leave it behind. (sad but not as sad as ruining my iPad)

I know I'm late and most of you that do this linky have already linked up but if you haven't head on over!

Parent Gifts

I've had some great parent volunteers this year. I have an AWESOME room mom who is generous and organized and a former teacher at my school. I've also made, bought, printed, and laminated a ton of classroom stuff this year. Well, one of the options on my parent volunteer form was to cut out papers, copy, staple, etc for me. I really really dislike cutting out laminated stuff so these parents have been a life saver!

I've come across some great ideas on Pinterest. I decided to go with hand lotion and a "Helping Hands" tag.

It was a toss-up between soap or lotion. Bath and Body words had their "Signature Collection" products Buy 3 Get 3 Free. I decided to go with 'Country Chic' lotions for my parent helpers. I bought little gift bags at Michael's and some ribbon for them, too.

I'm going to attach these tags (on my copy I added my name to that blank spot but I left it there in case you wanted to sign yours)

right-click the image and save it OR click here to get the direct .jpeg 

Summer Bucket List

My school year isn't even over but thanks to #Pinterest, #Bloggers, and that part of your brain that won't go to sleep even though you're in bed and would like to doze off I'm already thinking of next year. So today I'm linking up with the Summer Bucket List linky party hosted by some awesome bloggers. 
Hosted by: Hadar at Miss Kindergarten, Teri from A Cupcake for the Teacher, and April fromA Modern Teacher!

1. New Reading Series
 We are adopting Journey Reading by HMH. I'm on a committee so I've already received my teacher materials and started curriculum mapping it. I also attended a textbook training session with the rest of first grade to familiarize ourselves with it. I'm actually looking forward to the technology training portion but it'll probably be in the fall....I <3 technology.

I comes with so many resources (digital and blackline). I'd really like to get a big chunk of Word Work for D5 completed and also organize some ideas for teaching. These pictures are from my login for digital resources. Our version will be updated and a little different. I really want to get my hands on the tangible resources. 

2. Road Trip

In June my friend and I are planning a day trip to Chicago. It's been years since I have been there and we're planning on getting there early and coming home pretty late. I plan on this being one of my only days where an alarm clock is required, lol. 

I for sure want to go to the Shedd Aquarium

And the Museum of Science and Industry

There are a few other things we're thinking about but time is a factor. Suggestions?

3. Organization
I'm loving the idea of these:

click here for source

I'm just not sure where I can put them...so that means more classroom organization to move thing around. I swear when former students come to visit they always say "It looks different." lol

I need to update my teacher binder (cover pages, calendars, etc)

I'm going to organize my Pinterest boards. I have math, reading, behavior, holidays, etc all on one board and I'm going to 'sort' my pins.

I  make my own plan pages and I need to rebudget my time. Partly because of the new reading series (that hits the ground running because right after K review we're taking spelling tests and learning about nouns) and partly because I want to do more D5.

3. Create
To say I've been TpT lazy is an understatement. To be fair I've been a very active consumer....just not producer. I would like to make some more Singapore Math based math journal packets. They've been a big hit and it's always hard to find Math In Focus/Singapore Math resources.

I also have some other ideas in the works. I'm going to go back and update some of my old stuff. (I see some of it now and can tell I was a newbie!)

One of the things I'll be updating are my Clip Chart graphics and Classroom Management Pack.

This is the one I've used for 2 years. Time for a makeover!!

I'll be updating this as well

4. Friends!
We had a rough winter and I live about 30 minutes from most of my close friends..so needless to say I didn't get a lot of hangout time lately. I want to change things. I want to do dinners, lunches, movies, shopping, hang out, IKEA (oooh!) and whatever else may come up. No teacher bedtime for me :D

Okay...those are the biggies. Maybe by blogging about them you can hold me to them. Just randomly email and ask "Umm...are those clip charts updated yet?" "I thought you were updating your Classroom Management Resources pack?" "I still haven't seen any new math journals, what's up with that?" lol

Go link up so I can see your bucket list, too! (I keep getting new ideas to add to mine by seeing your ideas)