Sunday Scoop 8.30.15

Things are starting to take on a routine, now that school is in full swing once again, allowing me time to blog. Hopefully, I can get back to my favorite linkies and personal blog features. The Teaching Trio hosts a linky each Sunday that is one of my faves...

 

Here's my scoop for the week.

 

Have a GREAT week!

Five for Friday

Well, I made it through the first full week of the school year and it's Friday so it's time to join Doodlebugs for...

The week started out with an unwelcome visitor around midnight. Here the devil bird (my term for BAT) was FINALLY caught at 4:15am. YES, I did fall asleep, sitting upright at my desk during my planning period.

I am soooooo happy with my sixers! They are playing together so nicely at recess WITHOUT fighting, something I don't think they accomplished once in fifth grade. A few months makes a BIG difference.

Our first Flashlight Friday of the new school year. We're spotlighting informational text.

The fifth graders used task cards for the first time.

I finally broke down and bought a new computer. The last time I did that was back in late 2006. I probably wouldn't have gotten this new laptop but for the fact I have run out of room on the hard drive, it's still running XP, and little quirks are beginning to happen with old reliable. So far, so good although I would've preferred a desktop. The deal I got on this laptop could NOT be passed up, however.

Be sure to stop by Doodlebugs Blog to read more Five for Friday posts so you keep pace with the blogging world of teaching!

Phew! Just a Moment...

Wow! Can it be more than two weeks since my last blog post? What in the world? Oh yeah! School has started.

First week down, albeit a short one but a GREAT one! My sixers are fantastic and my fifth and seventh graders as well. I had probably the best first day EVER in three dozen years. Here are a few sights from the week. I am off and running back to school for a WELCOME BACK picnic! It has definitely begun.

FIRST ever First Day gifts... the teachery nutcracker is supposed to look like me. LOVE!

First Science activity of the year, first STEAM activity my sixers ever did.

Five for Friday Grammar Style

My version of Five for Friday with Doodle Bugs Teaching this week is a Grammar Cartoon Splash.

I was searching through my PC files, Pinterest pins, and "stuff" on my jump drives to locate all the grammar funnies that I've saved over the years. I wanted to gather them into one place so that I can more easily share them with my kiddos. I like to splash one of these cartoons on the Smartboard at least once a week as the kiddos are coming into the room. They not only serve as a good chuckle but also as a teaching point for grammar and humor. I share five of the funniest ones with you this week... ENJOY!

Favorite Things: Three Terrific Techie Teaching Tools

I'm joining the Teaching Trio for their monthly Favorite Things Linky.

I took a professional development college class this week on Monday and Tuesday. It was all about how teachers can utilize Google apps and other corresponding sites in their classrooms. OH MY GOSH! BEST STUFF I'VE LEARNED IN A LONG TIME! I'm sharing two websites and a Smartphone app that I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! How I didn't know about them before, I'm stymied! Investigate these, please. I guarantee you'll LOVE them, too!

Assess Me Week 2: This or That and Then Some

Rachel from The Tattooed Teacher has a fun little linky going on to help us get to know each other a little better. This week we're sharing a little of THIS and a little of THAT. Be sure to stop by her blog to check out all the assessments. I've had a great time reading them and learning so much more about you all!

And speaking of assessments...

For us TpT Sellers, assessment comes in the form of feedback from our customers. Not only do we sellers benefit from the constructive criticism, but so do the buyers. By leaving feedback (would that be formative or summative assessment?) our buyers earn TpT credits that they can use toward future purchases.

Because of the current TpT Back to School Sale (it ends at midnight tonght, BTW) I have received a larger than usual amount of feedback; buyers are accumulating credits to spend on their sale purchases. Each comment encourages me to continue creating teaching items, something I truly enjoy. I try to take the advice and suggestions to help me improve as well as to please my customers.

Every once-in-a-while I receive feedback that touches me most deeply. This happened yesterday. I work hard on all of my teaching products, but I put extra effort into my Catholic items. These are near and dear to my heart. Marge H. took the time to leave this assessment of my work. God bless  you, Marge, for your kindness and encouragement.

God certainly directed me to your store today. I used most of my budget to purchase your games. I taught 6th grade in a Catholic school for 30 years, and would have loved these for my students. At least now, I can use them with my grandchildren. THANK YOU. 

Thank you, Marge! Thank you, Lord, for the gift of teaching, for teachers who offer support and encouragement, for ways to collaborate and communicate, for the talent to create, and the willingness to share. I am blessed indeed!

Back to School in a Flash Week 2

I'm very happy that I can join once again this week with Ramona from Ramona Recommends, Layla from Fancy Free in 4th, and Jamie from a Not so Wimpy Teacher  to celebrate Back to School in a Flash! This week we will be looking at Curriculum Must Haves.

This is absolutely THE PERFECT topic for this week since it's time for the HUGE TpT Back to School Sale (Aug. 3 and 4). As you visit the blogs in the linky, you'll be able to grab some great bargains on terrific teaching items!

3-2-1 Back to School ELA Bundle of SIX Activities

Spelling with Morphology

Engineering with Play Dough

Don't forget! You have the rest of today and all of tomorrow to grab any of these three teaching items (and many more if you hop through the Back to School in a Flash linky) while they are on sale. Just be sure to use the special promo code so you receive those great savings!

Sunday Scoop 8.2.15

I'm linking up with the Teaching Trio once again for...

Here's my scoop for this Sunday...

What have you got planned for your Sunday? For the week? Don't forget tomorrow is THE BIG DAY! The start of the TpT Back to School Sale! Over 325 items will be on sale in my TpT Store alone!

Assess Me Week 1: Yes or No

Rachel from the Tattooed Teacher has a fun little linky going on to help us get to know each other a little better.

If you haven't joined yet there's still time. Hop on over to the Tattooed Teacher and link up. I can't wait to see what Rachel has planned for us for Week 2.