Wordless Wednesday: Favorite Teaching Supply?

It's Wednesday so you know what that means...

I went shopping the other day and grabbed a few of my favorite teaching supplies. Betcha can't guess what my favorite kind of supply is!!!

Do you have a favorite teaching supply?

Two for Tuesday: Homework Woes Solution

It's time to join Chalk One Up for the Teacher for some AWESOME bargains...

This week's bargains at The Teacher's Desk 6 are marked 50% off through Thursday, July 16, 2015 and offer you a fun, engaging, classroom-tested method for managing homework. Click on the product links below the graphic to learn more about each product.

Homework Management System (Bright Tweens Theme)

Growing Bundle of Brag Tags for the School Year

Looking for more bargains? Hop on over to Chalk One Up for the Teacher where you're sure to find more great teaching products. Don't wait too long! The bargains only last a little while.

Monday Made It: Another kind of TPT

At the beginning of summer I mentioned that I was reading several professional development books, among them Total Participation Techniques (TPT, for short) by Persidea and William Himmele.

One of my BBB's, Lisa from Mrs. Spangler in the Middle, wrote to me and said that she was VERY interested in hearing more about this book and its contents. Lisa inspired me to do this book talk. Thanks for the great idea, Lisa!

About this book...

Providing easy-to-use alternatives to the stand and deliver approach to teaching that causes so many students to tune out--or even drop out--Total Participation Techniques presents dozens of ways to engage K 12 students in active learning and allow them to demonstrate the depth of their knowledge and understanding. The authors, Persida Himmele and William Himmele, explain both the why and the how of Total Participation Techniques (TPTs) as they explore the high cost of student disengagement, place TPTs in the context of higher-order thinking and formative assessments, and demonstrate how to create a TPT-conducive classroom.  

Readers will learn how to implement field-tested techniques they can use on the spot (e.g., Quick-Draws, Quick-Writes, Chalkboard Splash); with Hold-Up cards (e.g., True/Not True, Selected Response); with movement (e.g., Bounce Cards, Line-Ups, Simulations); and to guide note-taking and concept analysis (e.g., Picture Notes, 3-Sentence Wrap-Up, Debate Team Carousel).

Filled with examples from real classrooms, Total Participation Techniques is an essential toolkit for teachers at all levels and for administrators who want a model for analyzing lessons to ensure that they are relevant, engaging, and cognitively challenging... from Amazon.com

As I read through the book, I recognized many things that I already did in my classroom that were TPT's; I just didn't call them that. I've been using exit tickets and quick writes for some time, as well as Pair-Share or Turn and Teach; Thumbs-up, Thumbs-down; and using sign language to indicate multiple choice answers.

What I like about the book is that there is a plethora of activities, MANY more than what I was already familiar with, described IN DETAIL...

Each TPT is presented in four parts:* A descriptive overview * How It Works--step-by-step instructions for implementation* How to Ensure Higher-Order Thinking--ideas for advancing students beyond surface-level thinking* Pause to Apply--suggestions for how to adapt and personalize the technique for specific contexts and content areas... from Amazon.com

Have any of you read this book? I'd love to hear your thoughts about the techniques presented. Has anyone implemented the techniques?

This now brings me to...

As I read through all the techniques, I decided to implement a few in my instruction this coming year. I have to select just a FEW to not overwhelm myself. Too many and I will forget what is what! Total Participation Cards referred to as HOLD-UPS (there's a HUGE variety mentioned in the book) are something so close to what I'm doing already that I knew I could implement them well. I made two sets: Mastery Cards and Choice Cards.

Mastery Cards are meant to be used by students while they are working. Students select the level of understanding where they are during discussions and work sessions to inform the teacher who then can concentrate on those who are "still working at it." Simple to make and use, you can grab your forever freebie set HERE.

Choice Cards are designed to engage EVERY student in a discussion or question/answer session. You can grab your set (including four options) of this forever freebie HERE.

Be sure you stop by 4th Grade Frolics to check out OODLES of Monday Made Its. Betcha find something there you just can't resist making!

Sunday Scoop... WOOT! WOOT!

Here's my scoop for this beautiful day!

Be sure to stop by the Teaching Trio to read more Sunday Scoop posts. You'll be able to keep up with great teacher bloggers and the wonderful world of blogging!

A VERY Random Five for Friday

 My wonderful, handsome, loving nephew steam-cleaned my carpets this past weekend! LOVE him!

 I'm getting ready for another round of jam making. I thought I would only be making two batches of these beauties...

... but look what my niece and I found this afternoon... TONS of them... in her backyard (she just moved to this house during the winter).

 My fuzz girls LOVE having me home! They would sit on my lap ALL day long if I would let them. Here they had been sitting for two hours with no sign of movement... good thing I LOVE to read!

Not sure what I'm doing yet, but I am on Periscope. Come and follow me... I might figure it out one day! LOL!

The school shopping has officially begun!!!!

Be sure to stop by Doodle Bugs Teaching to read lots more Five for Friday blog posts so that you can keep up with what's happening with all the great teachers in bloggy land.

I'm Not in Vegas, but...

I'm joining Kristin from School and the City (and a whole host of others) who are not in Vegas for the TpT Conference... sigh!

Unfortunately, next summer I am having MORE work done around the house! I think (I hope) that will be the end of the major renovations and upgrades (I live in a 100 yr. old house that has had little done to it since the 70's). So TpT Conference 2017... MAYBE!

Two for Tuesday and a Bright Giveaway!

So glad it's Tuesday! That means you get to discover some real savings today! 

After reading my blog post, be sure to hope on over to Chalk One Up for the Teacher where you can follow the links to loads of savings on great teaching products created by talented TpT Sellers.

Both of my Two for Tuesday products are 50% off for the very first time, now through July 8, 2015. 

Steps for the End of the Day Poster Set

Writing Process Clip Chart for Big Kids

Look for more products in the Bright Tweens line in the near future, like this one...

Bright Tweens Grouping Cards

Purchase one of my Two for Tuesday products listed above (just click on the links provided to be taken to its TpT Store listing). Email me at teachersdesk@yahoo.com with your TpT username before July 10, 2015, and I will send you the matching Bright Tweens Grouping Cards for FREE!

Sunday Scoop 7.5.15

Another Sunday, another scoop!

Be sure to stop by the Teaching Trio to catch up on all the scoops this week! Also be sure to stop by my TpT Store before midnight tonight to stock up on teaching items for the upcoming school year.

EVERYTHING in my store is on sale!

Pick 3 Top Pinterest Picks for July

I am known as the Queen of Pinterest at my school; even my kiddos know this about me. I've had parents ask if such-and-such an idea came from Pinterest. How I have missed this linky I don't know! I do know that I will be joining Inspired Owl's Corner each month from now on.

Have any of you ever used exit tickets or an exit ticket board? I'm thinking of adding this to my instruction this year.

Formative Assessment Tool: Exit Ticket Board

Do you crock pot?

I am all about quick and easy... work smarter, not harder! Crock pot recipes are my go-to meals. Throw in the ingredients, turn on the pot, and walk away. Eight hours later, yummy delicious is there for me. This recipe is hands-down one of the BEST I've ever found. I made it with half chicken breast and half boneless, thick cut pork chop. Oh boy!

Chicken, green beans, red potatoes, and ranch dressing mix. YUMMY!

Are you a REAL teacher?

A little teacher humor.

Be sure to stop by Inspired Owl's Corner for loads more Pinterest ideas for the month of July! I found some great pins to add to my collection.

Be sure to also stop by my TpT Store now through July 5, 2015 to stock up on teaching items for the upcoming school year. EVERYTHING in my store is 20% off!

Happy Independence Day!

Five for Friday 7.3.15

Another Friday? This is the fourth one of my summer break. Time is passing all too QUICKLY! So, what's up for this week's...

 This morning's project: Potato salad for the picnic we are having this afternoon. This is one BIG, HONKING bowl. My family had better be hungry!

 Can you guess the next project(s)? Yep, baked beans and cutting the melon.

 Yesterday my friends and I visited a new ice cream parlor in a nearby burg. Called Heavenly Creamery, the parlor is housed in a refurbished Lutheran church. Some of the pews remain, all of the stained glass windows, and even part of the altar. The best part, besides the hand-made ice cream? The plastic spoon with which you eat. It turns color when it gets cold!

 I took stock this morning. Stop by my TpT Store and see all the NEW and IMPROVED items.

Just a few of the many titles I've read or am reading currently...

Be sure to stop by Doodle Bugs Teaching for more fun Five for Friday posts where you can catch up with all that's happening in the teaching blogging world!