Storage Ideas

Happy Tuesday!  I hope you all had a fantastic day!  Today, I am linking up with Fourth Grade Flipper for her Tried it Tuesday party!  I love reading about all of the fun things everyone has tried...I have gotten some fantastic ideas from you all!

Today, I want to talk to you about storage.  Teachers have lots of stuff and we have to become very creative when it comes to storing our stuff.  In my last classroom, I was blessed with an amazing closet to store everything.  My classroom this year does not have any closet and very little storage.  Over the summer, I was on pinterest and I came across a great way to to store all of the little desk things teachers have (paper clips, pens, binder clips, extra staples).  I did not want to crowd my desk drawers with all of this stuff so I made an organizer for all of it.

I bought the box at Lowes for about $16.  It is supposed to hold nails and such, but it works great for school supplies.  I bought some fun scrap book paper and made labels for each drawer.  I keep this on a book shelf behind my desk so it easy to access.  I do keep post it notes on my desk and pens and pencils in my desk, I use this mostly to keep the extras of everything.  I love it and have gotten so co-workers asking where they could buy.  I had to tell them I made it!

Another great storage idea I use when I had a closet was an over the door shoe holder.  It held all of my extra supplies and my kid supplies.  It worked great too! I wish I had a picture of that, but it I don't.

What are some of your most useful storage ideas?  I would love to know!

Have a great night!

Rosie

Goals, a freebie and a giveaway!

Happy Monday!  I made it through my first day post spring break!  It wasn't too bad except for the talking!  A constant problem in my class!  But, I figured out that after today there are only 6 more Mondays left in the school year!!!  I can conquer the rest of the school year with only 6 more Mondays!

Today, I am linking up with i {heart} recess for her May Monthly Goals!  (I think this is perfect for this time of year!)

Personal: I am probably like any teacher, I spend to much money on my classroom.  I am always amazed when I do my taxes and add up all the receipts how much I spent.  I am like a magnet for dollar bins, dollar stores, bookstores, clearance sections, regular sections, you name it I am a magnet.  I am hoping not to spend as much on my classroom this month.  I need to look at it in a way that I am going to have to pack it up in a few weeks and do I want one more thing to put into a box?

Health: I have been trying to get into a better exercise/running routine.  I have done some hear and there, but would love to drop a few pounds for my sisters wedding on June 1st.  I hope I can be more consistent in my exercise.

Blogging: I am new to this whole thing, but I would love to hit 50 followers.  That may be kind of a large goal, but I am up for the challenge!  I would be happy with any number of followers!

School: With only eight weeks of school, I am looking at my math curriculum and seeing a lot left to get through.  I don't want to rush and my students not understand it fully, but cover everything so they have some understanding.  I think I need to sit down and make a chart!  I love charts!

Fun:  My mom is a wonderful person who I absolutely love.  I want to do something special for her this month.  I would love for us to spend a day in the city or even just doing something fun.  She deserves it for all she puts up with my siblings and I!

I hope I can accomplish these goals this month.  I may have to revisit them throughout the month just so I am accountable to someone!

Now onto a new product I have created!  I recently finished my Prime and Composite Number Sort.  You can find this product in my TPT store. Check it out and let me know what you think...I am still new to creating product!

I love to give gifts so, I want to give a copy of this product away to one lucky person...leave a comment with you name, your favorite math activity and your email.  I will choose a winner tomorrow night.  

If you want a little sample, here is a prime and composite number freebie for you!

Prime and Composite Freebie

Well I think that is all for tonight!  Thanks for reading and don't forget to leave me a comment with you favorite math activity for a chance to win my Prime and Composite Number Sort!
Rosie

Mentor Text Linky Party

Well, I enjoying my final day before I head back to school.  Spring break was great, wish it was longer, but I am ready to get back to school and finish the year out strong!  Today, I am linking up with the girls at Collaboration Cuties for their weekly linky party on Mentor Texts.  

This weeks subject is Social Studies!  When I read that Social Studies was this week, I knew instantly which book I would choose!  One of my favorite fun books to read to my kids is The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller.  I love United States geography, so this books was a must have for me. 

Synopsis: Kansas is feeling lonely and doesn't like where he is placed in the United States.  He complains that he never meets any new friends.  He has a great idea to throw a party and invite all of the states and they can all switch places and experience somewhere new.  The states are all on board and find their way to different parts of the country.  After a little while, they are not liking their new location.  Florida is very cold because he switched with Minnesota and Minnesota got a sunburn because he forgot to put on sunscreen.  The states decide to switch back.  They were able to tell their neighbors all the adventures they went on, the good and the bad. But, they were happy to be home!

The books has some great humor throughout the book.  I would read this book when were were starting our study on the United States.  We would talk about why Florida was freezing when it switched places with Minnesota.  It gave a nice introduction to where the states were located.  I would then have the students use a map to fill in where each state. 

There are many games and other resources that have come out based on this book.  Laurie Keller, the author, also has some great resources on her website: lauriekeller.com.  

If you don't teach United States geography, I would suggest picking up this book any way!  It is a fun one!

Have a fantastic week!

Rosie

Five for Friday

Well, my spring break is coming to a close and I am sad.  I know that the sooner I a go back to school, the sooner school will be over, but it is so nice to be home with no agenda and not having to worry about anything!  It does not help that the weather has been beautiful all week! Today, I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Five for Friday.  

Here are top five things from spring break (in no particular order):

1. My sister's bridal showers.  My yonger sister, Sarah, is getting married in a few weeks.  Last week-end, we had two bridal showers for her.  It was so nice to see her blessed my many people.  She is a great sister and I am excited for her to marry Steven.

Sarah with her cake!

A picture of my two sisters and I.  Rebecca is on skype because she lives in the Netherlands with her husband and two kids.  She joined us through skype while Sarah openned her presents.  It was like she was here!  Her and Sarah are identical twins too!

2. The Culinary Institute of America.  I have lived near the Culinary all of my life, but had never been until this week.  On Wednesday, a few of my teaching friends and I went for lunch and it was amazing!  It was so good that I took my mom for breakfast on Thursday. This place could be dangerous for me when summer rolls around!

3. Wednesday with friends.  On Wednesday, three of my fellow teachers came up to New York to spend the day with me and see where I live.  It was so much fun to take them around and show them my neck of the woods.  We could not have asked for a more perfect day.  

Me, Jessica (from Joy in the Journey), Lindsay and Lauren on the Walkway over the Hudson

4. Great deals.  This week I have scored some great deals on clothes and books.  I love shopping especially when I find great deals.  I think the best deal was the 28 books I scored at a local library for only $1.

All of these books for $1!!!

5. Relaxing.  I am happy to say I did a great deal of relaxing this week, which was much needed.  I enjoyed not really having an agenda and just lounging around.  I even managed to cut out lots of laminating while relaxing on the couch.  I am sad to see spring break go, but I am excited to hear about all of my students' adventures during spring break!

Well, I am off to enjoy the rest of my Friday and the last few days of spring break!  Hope you all have a wonderful Friday!

Rosie

Peace, Hope, Love and Kindness

I am linking up with three wonderful blogs today- Ideas by Jivey, Collaboration Cuties and Head Over Heels Teaching.  Today's theme is Peace, Hope, Love and Kindness.  I am going to focus on kindness.  My school has a school wide motto of "Obey the Law of Kindness".  This motto is taken from a Psalm 31:26 (KJV), 'She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness'.  This theme is all over my school and I love it!  My students are not perfect in their kindness, and often need to be reminded of obeying the law of kindness, but they do have an understanding of how being unkind to a person can effect them.  In the month of January, we have a school wide kindness challenge.  Our principal challenges the students to be caught being kind and every time a student is caught being kind they receive a tally point.  The tally points are then converted into dots that will cover huge 3-D letters of ALA.  Students in the school have three weeks to cover the letters with the final prize being a school wide pizza party.  Students work very hard to make sure they are being kind to one another during those weeks.  Each class also picks a student to receive the Kindness Award for the class.  It is neat to see who the students choose for the Kindness Award.  It is often not the most popular student, but a student who surprises everyone.  

I want to say thank you to all of the fellow bloggers who have been so kind to me over the last week, by leaving me encouraging comments or emailing me with suggestions.  I am truly grateful.  I know I am just beginning this journey, but I am grateful for the kindness you all have!

Rosie

A fun day and a fun math game

I am loving spring break!!!  I think I said that once or twice before.  Today was the perfect day.  The weather was perfect, people I was with was perfect, the food I ate was perfect...it was a perfect day!  A few of my fellow teachers ventured up to New York to see where I live and explore a few fun things with me.  We had a wonderful lunch at the Culinary Institute of America and then took a walk over the Walkway over the Hudson.  If you ever find yourself in Dutchess County, I highly suggest both of those places!

I also hit the jackpot at a local library.  They had a few shelves of used books and they were running a sale all the books you could fit in a bag for $1.  Look at what I was able to fit in my bag!

28 books for $1

They are going to have a big book sale in a couple of weeks and I am going to stock up again $5 for a box!  I cannot wait! (yes, I have a slight obsession with books!)

Ok, now for a fun simple math game.  I am linking up with Ideas by Jivey for her Wednesday Workshop.  This weeks theme: Math Partner Games.

My game is pretty simple...

All you need is two decks of cards, some kind of game board and playing pieces.  Each students gets a deck of cards (you can remove the face cards if you want or they can be higher number values) and places their marker on start.  Each student draws two cards, they can either add, subtract or multiply the numbers on the cards.  The goal is they want the highest number.  If they have the highest number they move their piece forward.  You can isolate just having the students practice their addition, subtraction or multiplication facts.  It is a super easy game to set up and get started with students.  My fifth graders even love it! 

One last thing...

I have teamed up with Michaela from The Center Based Classroom.  She is holding an amazing fundraiser for the people in Boston.  If you donate $20 you can choose form two amazing product bundles (one for K-2 or one for 3-6).  100% of your donation with goes to the victims of the Boston bombings.  I encourage you to donate to this great cause.  

              

Thanks again for reading!  I pray you have a wonderful night!

Rosie

Tried it Tuesday- Simple Mother's Day Gift (and cheap!)

Well, I am enjoying spring break!  It was a long time coming, but worth the wait.  I have done four loads of laundry, ran errands, visited my dad, did some shopping and lots of relaxing!  Tomorrow I am excited because three of the teachers I work with are coming up to visit me and we are going to go eat at the Culinary Institute of America and take a walk over the Walkway over the Hudson.  I am excited to show them where I live because I live in a different state then I work in.  I live in New York, but teach in New Jersey.  I live a double life!

Well enough about me...I am excited to be linking up for the first time with Fourth Grade Flipper for her Tried it Tuesday!

Today I want to share with you a great gift idea for Mother's Day.  For the past three years, I have been having my classes make painted coasters for Mother's Day.  Each year they come out better and better.  This project is very simple and does not cost a lot of money.

What you need:
- white bathroom tiles (at Lowes the are 15 cents each)
- Americana Gloss Enamels paint
- brushes 
- cups of water
- paper plates
- newspaper

I gave each student four tiles.  Write their name on the back with a marker, this way you know who's is who's.  I put newspaper on each desk and gave each student a cup of water and a paper plate.  I use the paper plates to put the paint on, it makes it so much easier for each student to have their own plate then having them share.  With using paper plates, everything just goes in the garbage when they are done.  I only bought five colors of paint and let the students choose which colors they would like.  They do not need a lot of paint, just a little dot.  Passing out the paint takes patience and I tell the students that from the beginning.  

After paint is passed out, let the kids go to town.  I set newspaper some where else in my room for the tiles to dry.  They need to dry for 48 hours before being moved and baked.  After the 48 hours, the tiles need to be baked according to the instructions on the back of the paint bottles.  Once the tiles are baked, I glue foam on the bottom to make sure they don't scratch anything.

These make a great gift for Mother's Day or even Christmas.  I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from parents about this project.  Everyone loves that it is useful for everyday.  I love that it doesn't cost more than $1 per student and that they come out beautiful.

Some students like to write words on the tiles.

Some like to free style it!  I love how each is so unique and represents the students personality!

Please let me know what you think!  Hope you have a blessed Tuesday!

Rosie

Alliteration Fun with Poetry

I love teaching poetry.  Unfortunatly, this year I am not teaching reading and language arts so I do not get to venture into poetry as much with my students.  Two years ago, I was reading poetry to my students and I can across the poem Bleezer's Ice Cream by Jack Prelutsky.  My students got a kick out of the poem and could not believe the combinations of ice cream flavors mentioned.  I decided to take the poem one step further and teach my students about Alliteration. 

First, we read the poem a couple of times, listening and marking the alliteration in it. 

Next, we brainstormed some of our own alliteration ice cream flavors.  We did some that sounded good and some that might fit into Bleezer's Ice Cream shop.  Each students wrote down three different flavors and check to make sure the alliteration was correct with a partner.

Our final step was to make a wall display of all of our ice cream flavors.  We did our display in the form of a giant ice cream cone with many scoops.  Each scoop was a different flavor.  We had many classes walk by reading our ice cream flavors and think they were very funny.  

My students loved this simple activity and understood what alliteration is.  They would often point it out in other poems and stories we would read together.

Grab this freebie:

Alliteration Fun with Bleezer's Ice Cream

I am linking up with: 

I am also linking up with  Flying into First

This weeks topic:  My Classroom
Here are my three favorite spots in my classroom!
1. My Library

I have a bit of an obsession with books.  I love all kinds of books and I love even more when my students are reading books.  I have over 1000 books in my library and they are broken up into baskets by genre and subject matter.  I am always getting new books for my students...it is an obsession!

2. My Funky Fact Board

I appologize for the quality of this picture...they are from the beginning of the year and we are on spring break so I am not able to get better pictures.  This is a simple bulletin board I won a few years ago.  It has funky facts that the students find funny and interesting.  Some of them have even tied in with my cirriculum. 

Did you know...an elephants tooth can weigh up to 12 pounds!

3.  My Science Tables

I am sorry I do not have a picture of these.  I have four extra science tables in my classroom with chairs and stools around them.  I love bringing the whole class around for a science demonstration or spreading them out to work with partners or small groups.  One day a week we combine both fifth grades and the tables make it great for all the students to have a work space.  

Thanks for checking me out!  Have a great rest of your Monday!
Rosie

A New Adventure

Well...I did it.  I joined the blogging world!  I was encouraged my mom and my wonderful teaching partner, Jessica, to join the blogging world.  I am not sure if I will be any good at this, but I won't know unless I try!

Let me introduce myself...

My name is Rose and I am currently in my fourth year of teaching in a classroom.  I received my undergraduate degree in education, but did not jump into the classroom right away.  I worked at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in their education department, where I combined my passions for education and the performing arts together.  After, I worked for a family who homeschooled all thirteen of their children and I taught one of them!  That was an experience, but God was slowly preparing me to go into the classroom.  After two years with this family, I moved back to New York and taught third grade for three years.  This year I made a move to a school in New Jersey and I am teaching fifth grade.  This years has been an adventure, but I have learned a lot.  I never know what the next day hold, but I know that God has it under control.  I am always up for an adventure!

I hope through this blog to be able to share some of the ideas I have and also learn from all of the wonderful teachers out there too.  I just started a Teachers Pay Teachers store.  It is slowly growing with products and I would love for you to check it out: TPT- Rose Loiacono.

Please check back (or follow me) for more of my rambles!

Let the adventure begin!

Rosie