I've been on the hunt for some new bulletin board borders for my classroom.  I didn't want to go out and spend a whole ton of money, but I'm just kind of tired of my "Dots on Chocolate" goodies that I've had for the past couple of years.

I just posted a new item to my TpT store that I'm SUPER excited about sharing!  my vocab word wall cards.  I use my word wall a little bit differently than I used to.  When I taught first grade I used it to display sight words and no-excuse words.  But when I moved on up to 2nd grade I changed my system. Now each of my students has their own personal word wall in their writing folder for no excuse words and sight words and I use my word wall to display vocabulary words that we learn throughout the year.  As we learn them, we write a class definition on the back of the cards and if the students need a refresher, they can head up to the word wall and flip the card over to see what it means.  Works like a charm!  So I've revamped the words I use in 2nd grade to make them a little fancier.  If you want a different color or would like me to add some words, I would be more than happy to!  Just leave me a comment or shoot me an email!

Two days in a row?!  This is greatness!  Today, I'll be spending my day writing math assessments with some other 2nd grade teachers from the district.  (Though I would probably rather be sitting by the pool drinking some iced tea and lemonade, I know I will be grateful for the assessments when it comes time to take some serious grades!)  But on to more fun topics.  One of my favorite things about summertime is having extra time to read; both for pleasure and professional development.  So today....let's talk books!!

In teacher world I'm reading this...


During my first year of teaching I was in an accelerated masters program; I was a full time teacher AND a full time graduate student.  It was crazy but I learned so much and had so many amazing professors and mentors to work with.  I was also given loads of reading assignments; mostly pieces here and there from different texts.  One of the most beneficial texts I got to dig into was Classroom Discussions. Even though it was only 2 years ago, I need some refreshers.  So I'm spending some time with my nose in my math book!  The whole book is centered around the idea of math congress: providing students with the opportunity to talk through new and old ideas.  With EACH OTHER.  And I know we all give our students the opportunity to talk and answer questions and participate.  But, what if we let our students ask the questions, we let our students lead the discussions??  Then we would be seriously doing them some favors.  I'm only about 35 pages in, and I love it!  Go get yourself a copy!

And for some fun reading I'm reading this....

The Bride Quartet.  The four-book series is mushy, girly, happy, and so quick and easy to read...just can't put it down until it's finished.  I started a week ago, and I'm halfway through the fourth and final book.

What are you guys reading??  Do you have any recommendations for some more professional development?  What are your ideas and beliefs on math talk?  I would love to hear some feedback!!

Happy Wednesday!!!

How fabulous is summer?  I think back to those long, tiring days of February and realize these few weeks off are what got me through some of those days.  And I feel so refreshed and ready to tackle another year again!  Where have I been?  What have I been doing?  I'm so glad you asked!  :)

I've been....

*Dancing my booty off at lots and lots of weddings!  We've been lucky enough to see four couples tie the knot this summer...and we have three more to come!  And to top it off...I get to have this guy as my dancing partner!


*Taking more trips to the hardware store than I can count...this fixing up a house is crazy business I tell ya.  I haven't had a fresh coat of nail polish in weeks.  But it's all slowly coming together, and I'm falling more in love with my cozy little house every. single. day.
(Because who doesn't want to see into my Lowe's cart?!)

*Laying by the ocean.  Soaking up the sun.  Loving summer.
*And now I'm finally starting to get by booty in gear for what's to come in a few weeks....August!  I'm currently working on A LOT of goodies for this next year...a couple of my favorites are my FREE year long plan and my vocabulary word wall cards and letters, be on the lookout this week and be sure to follow my TpT store and you'll get an email right when I post new goodies!





And if you've read this far.....you'll be excited to know my little piece of blogland is going to get a makeover!  Coming at ya soon!
And now...it's time for me to enjoy learning about what's going on in your neck of the woods!!

Happy summer everyone!  (At least I hope everyone is enjoying the most wonderful time of year by now!)  My summer started off with a bang, and a heck of a lot of paper signing, because I BOUGHT A HOUSE! 

I'm so excited to get my hands dirty and start giving this little guy a makeover! 
I'm working on a few things for the start of the new school year...August will be here before we know it.  I'll be back throughout the summer to keep you posted on my new projects and ideas.  And of course to stay caught up on your ideas!  And in the spirit of redecorating this new little house of mine, I'll also be redoing some of my classroom.  My room currently looks like this....

Is anybody else about to go mad with all of the end of the year CRAZINESS?!  I know that my kids have totally checked out for this whole week.  It's a good thing we only have TWO days left!  In a desperate attempt to keep my students engaged and thinking I had them create puzzles for each other to put together  I used this little template....  (and if you click the picture it will take you to the printable version!)


I gave one of these to each student.  Each student could draw anything they wanted to on the puzzle pieces.  The students drew away. Crayons to paper for 15 minutes was music to my ears!  When they went to their morning computer class I ran all the puzzles through the laminating machine.  After computer class, each student cut out their puzzle pieces.  More music to my ears...(it took some serious concentration for their little eight year old fingers to maneuver scissors around those puzzle pieces.)

FINALLY, it was time to trade puzzles and put them together!  The kids had a blast.  I let them trade 2 times so they were able to complete 2 puzzles in addition to their own.

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs again today to share five random things from my week!  We had some fun this week in 2nd grade!

1. My first photo is actually from last week (but I was busy busy last weekend so didn't have time to post, forgive m!) We studied rocks and natural resources and to wrap up our unit we made fossils using air dry clay.  The kids LOVED it.  Therefore, I love it too :)

2.  I was so busy last weekend because my sister got MARRIED!!  It was so fun and exciting and so full of love.


3.  I let my kids make "cootie catchers" this week in our telling time math tub.  I'm sure I will regret it this next week when they start making them ALL THE TIME, but it was fun and they loved quizzing each other.


4.  We are researching and writing about science topics.  First we took notes using a Time for Kids article and then we wrote our own magazine article.  The kids did so well with this.  They got to have fun with it and had a lot of choices on how to set up their writing.  So fun.  Next week, we're going to do another one!

5.  I don't know about anyone else, but I am so excited for Teacher appreciation week!  Mostly for this reason.....I will absolutely be getting my car washed on Wednesday.  And I will be enjoying a nice Fountain Diet Coke.  And I'll leave with a full gas tank.  :)


I'm loving my relaxing weekend.  After my sister's wedding weekend I am in much need of all this time on the couch.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!