Resources That Keep Me Afloat

I am so excited about this blog hop that involves so many of my favorite owls and their favorite resources.  Not only are these girls some of the sweetest, funniest, and smartest girls around, but they make some kick-butt resources that I use in my classroom everyday. Make sure to read all the way to the bottom of this post!!

I use so many of their resources, but today I'm gonna show off my friend Jen's "Tasty Facts (Addition & Subtraction Facts).  And down at the bottom, I'll list a few of my other favorite Owl Resources!

I think it's a common complaint that many math programs are lacking in fact fluency. I know ours sure does. I was cringing earlier this year when my kids were using their fingers for double-digit addition and subtraction!!!

Jen's Tasty Facts make it easy for me to supplement fact fluency.

I copy all levels in advance and cut and paperclip them. Sometimes I need to make additional copies if a group of students get stuck on the same level for a few rounds.

Oh, and there's the whole "tasty" part that makes it fun for my kiddos.  Right now we're working through our addition facts to earn an ice-cream sundae party. Apparently ice cream is a pretty super motivator because my kids are flying through their facts. Fly-ingggggg....

These kids know how to make their teacher smile :)

This guy finally made it past his 2s today and he was grinning from ear to ear!

I give timed tests twice a week, and my kids get to color their parts of their sundae as they pass each level of the tests.

They can't wait to trade in their sundae craft for the real deal.

I hold on to students' sundaes. Once all their parts are colored in, I'll let them cut them out and put the sundae together on construction paper to display in class.

My kiddos have until the end of March to earn their addition sundae, then we will move onto subtraction, where the kids earn...wait for it...a pizza party!

I cannot rave enough about these tasty facts. Jen provides everything you need to keep the tests organized (like checklists), and even provides 4 different types of quizzes of each fact (2 versions with additional facts and 2 versions of horizontal facts).  That sure helped for any wandering eyes I might have had during any quizzes.

And if you have any brainiacs in your class, or you teach 3rd or 4th grade, Jen also offers a multiplication and division version of her timed quizzes. You can even get the bundled version!

Grab the bundled version here!

I really hope I've convinced you to scoop up these "Tasty Facts" (get it, scoop, sundaes, get it?!?). You can click here to check them out. Don't forget, there's a BIG SALE over at TpT this Thursday and Friday, so you can grab them at a discounted price!!!  What a deal steal!

Jen offers a great explanation of how she does timed tests in a post on her blog. She has it set up in an easy to follow Q&A format. Check it out here.

I also want to give a shout-out to some of my other favorite Owl Resources!!!

But I'm gonna cheat and tell you my OWN resource that keeps me afloat...

My Reading Comprehension Packs. I'm getting ready to pull out my Spring Edition next week (now if only the weather would cooperate ;))

Click here to check them out on TpT

These things don't just keep me afloat...they SAVE MY LIFE!!

We use them for...
*Close Reads
*Restating (a skill we need a lot of practice with, but we're getting so much better at)
*Homework
*Early Finishers (believe it or not!!!)
*As companions to other things we're learning about in class for text-to-text connections.

I have Spring, Summer, Back to School, Fall, Winter Holidays, and Winter Editions available in my TpT Shop.

You can grab them bundled now, and when I upload the Non-Fiction Edition AFTER the SALE it's like you're getting it free!

Check out the Bundled Version by clicking the picture below...

As for my other owls...

Right now, we're loving Linda Kamp's Landforms Unit!

Check it out here.

We started our landform book yesterday:

I also could not survive without Rachel's Genre Posters. We refer to them before, during, and after every single story or book we read in class. My kiddos get genres so much better this year! Plus, you can't beat that they're super cute!

Check them out here!

Of course we LOVE Miss Katie King's Busy Teacher, whatever the month!

Check out the February Edition here.

There really are so many more resources I use from my favorite owls, but I'm gonna let some of the other girls show them off!

Anddddd...I'm super happy to offer you a chance to win an item from my own little shop (up to $10), so you can save some money and put it towards one of the awesome resources above!

All you have to do is comment below with ANY ITEM that keeps you afloat during the school-year. It does NOT have to be a TpT product (though I wouldn't be surprised if it was!). Don't forget to leave your email in the comment, and make sure you're a follower of this blog too! (by email, bloglovin', or Google Friend Connect...your choice).

Giveaway Closed

Winner: Courtney

I hope I was able to show you some items to stock your cart with!

Have fun shopping the TpT 3 Million Strong Sale!

Click the adorable button below to head to my shop, or any of the links above to grab the items I talked about!

Button courtesy of Rachel (The Tattooed Teacher)

Happy Shopping!

Check out the other "Resources That Keep Us Afloat" below:

An InLinkz Link-up

My Truth Monday: One Word

Well, Denise over at Sunny Days gave me a pretty enticing reason to come out of my blogging slump…

all I had to do was come up with one word for 2014.



I chose appreciate because I kind of forgot to feel appreciate all the good things in my life towards the end of 2014. I’ve hinted before that this school year has been beyond stressful for me, add to that some struggles in my personal life and I’ve been feeling pretty unappreciative lately.

The truth is, I have SO MUCH to be grateful for.  A loving, supportive, encouraging, funny, and handsome husband.  Georgie, who so much more than just a pet…she’s a cuddle-bug, stress-relieving, furry bundle of joy (and my cat is pretty cool too).  My mom is my biggest fan and seriously the smartest, wisest, strongest person I know. I'm thankful for our relationship everyday. My grade partners make a stress-inducing year so much more tolerable.  So many bloggers that have offered a support-system, and family and friends that have provided an outlet time and time again.

Add to that all the other good stuff, like a new, cozy, warm home, financial security, good food..,and wine…and there is so much to appreciate.

I vow to pay attention to all that a little more in 2014 :)

Go link up with Denise and share your word for 2014!



Halle

Roam the Room Christmas Freebie!!!

Hi Friends!

6 more days until a much needed Christmas Break for me, how about you?

I’m just popping in with a quick freebie for you tonight!

It’s a FREEBIE designed after my “Santa’s Little Helper” Hallway Hunt.  We’ll be using it all next week to review some common core concepts in a fun way before we head off on Christmas Break!



You can read more about “Santa’s Little Helpers” here.

For this freebie, your students roam the room (or the hallway, in my case)  completing a mission for Santa. To help him, they need decide what part of speech is written on the word cards. 



Directions, word cards, and a recording sheet are included in the freebie.







To grab it head over to my Facebook page and click the “Freebies for Fans” tab at the top of the page. 

You will need to “like” my page to access the freebie.  Once you do, it will link you to a folder with tonight's freebie, as well as previous Fan Freebies. Grab them all while you’re there :)

I hope this little activity helps you get through these last few days before break!

Goodnight :)