A Spring Break Surprise and Some Writing Help

Oh how I have missed Monday night taco night! Last week I was enjoying my last night at the beach (I'm not sad at all....do you hear the sarcasm???) and while we did enjoy some delicious Mexican food, it is just not the same as my normal yummy tacos. No one takes care of me like Raul and Jesus! It was so good to get back in my usual routine and it actually helped me get through my first day back from Spring Break.

Speaking of Spring Break, for those who went back today, did you survive? I am soooo tired! It never fails, after returning after an extended break, it is always to get used to working all day. I think one of my teachers said today 43 days till summer break....it can't come fast enough!

I have a funny story about Easter Eggs to share with you! Kindergarten classes dyed eggs the Thursday before we got out, which is over 10 days ago, and today one of the teachers found a "surprise" in a students book bag....a dyed egg!!! The best part was that the egg had gotten smashed open in the bag and anytime you walked near her room, you caught a whiff and it almost made you sick!  Get out the Clorox ASAP!!!!

Today I worked on planning out our next writing unit. I am working with first grade and they are doing authors as mentors in Writing Workshop. When thinking about authors you want to study there are a few important things to think about.

1. Which authors do you enjoy? Think about your favorite go to authors for read aloud and shared reading. Why do you like them? Are they appealing to your kiddos?

2. What does this author do in his/her writing (writer's craft)? Which items do I want to focus on and have my students practice in their own writing?

3. Are there more than one book written by this author to use as mentor texts during this unit?

Once you've answered these questions, you'll be ready to choose the author who you will study during this unit. Choose about 3-4 books to use as mentor texts during the unit. After you have decided on your mentor texts, look through them and find which author's craft items you will highlight in this unit. Then its time to begin your monthly overview.

This is a sample of what could be done in a Writing Workshop using this genre.

After this, its easy peasy to create your writing mini-lessons! 

Do any of you use overviews to help plan out longer units????

Currently on Spring Break!!!!

I am loving this Spring Break week!  We just got back from the beach and I am linking up with Farley for her world famous Currently!

The hubs got a free Redbox code and we rented Lincoln.  I love all things history and in particular, this time period (dork, I know!) I am loving being on Spring Break!!!!  No wake up time, except when the girls get up, getting things done around the house on days other than Saturday, and watching the Young and the Restless, what could be better????  Come on Summer Break!!  

I am thinking about the new products I want to make.  I have so many ideas in my head, its time to put those ideas into action!  I am going to start working on a natural resources lapbook and a plants unit pack.  Any other suggestions?

My want is a big one!  I have been married since 2004 and the hubs and I have NEVER had a new couch!  That is what I want!  I want to get one that is mine first and I get to pick out the color.  Don't get me wrong, we have appreciated the kindness of others, giving us furniture, but now I want my own!  Oh did I mention I also want a new house?!?!?!  That's a whole different post!

I am needing to get up and clean my house!  We came back from the beach and the house was left like a tornado had been through it.  It is quiet difficult to clean with the twins around, and not to mention HGTV and DIY were calling my name!  Oh well, there is always tomorrow to try again!

My advice is pretty straightforward, be yourself.  On your blog and in your products.  It is very tempting to "sell out" and try to model yourself into what others who are successful are, but it is far better to be yourself. It is awful hard keeping up an act as someone else, then to just be real!  

That's it!  Head over to Farley's and get your own!

Hallelujah It's Spring Break!

So after patiently waiting for what seems like forever, Spring Break has finally arrived! I couldn't be more ready for this break. All the stress of the new CCSS and my new role has taken its toll and the fact we haven't had a break in months didn't help. Looking at next years calendar I'm glad they added in at least one workday a month.

My aunt and uncle live in Garden City Beach, SC which is down from popular Myrtle Beach, so we are vacationing there, for free...the best kind!

So we decided to brave the cold 55 degree temps and head to the ocean. Nothing, not even cold windy weather was going to dampen my vacay! In order to get the full effect I must set the scene! We get dressed in full sweats, socks, and tennis shoes to go bask shiver in the sun on the beach. The girls couldn't wait to "do to beach" When we got down there, they loved playing in the largest sandbox they could imagine. This lasted approximately 15 min, which is a lifetime in 2 year old terms!

Kenley started pulling her shirt up saying, "clothes off, do swim" and then they started running around on the beach. One time Raegan ran straight towards the ocean and I was certain she was going to keep running into the water! I jumped straight up to grab her and I'm sure I looked like a complete idiot. It also didn't help that my child took this opportunity to attempt to throw herself down in the sopping wet sand.

So in short, after an hour and a half, I'd had enough! We came back in, they went down for a nap and my real vacation began...laying around watching 90210 reruns on soap! Don't hate!

For those that actually stayed with me through this rambling post, you will be rewarded! I'm joining up with several other bloggers and throwing a spring cleaning sale over at my TpT and TN for 20% off Saturday and Sunday. It's a great time to clean out those wish lists and purchase some items you've been wanting for a while.

Today we will be dyeing Easter Eggs, attending a beach side Easter Egg hunt, and having some lazy time in there somewhere!  What are your Easter/Spring Break plans????

Blast From the Past, Freebie, A Sale and a Giveaway (that you don't have to enter to win!!)

So I have been on Spring break and it has been great!  My aunt lives at the beach so we get to go for free!!  Bonus!!!!!  I didn't even touch a computer the whole time I was there.  Instead I caught up on my Kindle reading the Hunger Games.  It is awesomely addictive!

The girls first time playing in the sand!!  Raegan had a ball and ate about a pound of sand!  Kenley wasn't feeling too good so she wasn't feeling the sand.

Check out the awesome sunrise on Easter Sunday service on the beach!  Doesn't get much better!

The hubs playing the ocean, and yes it was FREEZING!  My girl had no fear and wanted to go deeper!!!

Kenley loved sitting on the golf cart and playing with her bucket that was just her size.

Playin' in the sand

As many of you know, I LOVE history, and with the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic, I have been busy with lessons surrounding this great event.  Yesterday was the actual anniversary and I had hoped to get this posted then, but one of my girls is suffering a double ear infection, and well, plans changed!  But I am happy to say that my Titanic Lapbook is finally ready!!!!!  (I know I've been saying I was going to have it for a while now!)

I am super excited and proud of this piece!  I already used it with my kiddos and they loved it.  You can pick it up in my TpT or Teacher's Notebook Store  As promised, the giveaway is pretty simple.  The first 4 followers to comment will receive the Titanic Lapbook for free!!!!!!  I told you there wasn't an entry :)  Make sure you leave your email address.

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic, I am having a sale at both my stores.  Enjoy 20% off all items through April 21! Make sure you stop buy and pick up some new items.

Finally, I have the freebie I promised!  Please enjoy the Titanic Interactive Timeline from my lapbook.

Pick it up at my TpT or my Teacher's Notebook store.  Thanks for being awesome followers and continuing to read my blog!