I don't know about you, but my school year seemed very stressful. We got new reading curriculum this year, new math curriculum last year and the whole standard 7/ data collection thing started for us this past year too. Change is a good thing, but that much change all at once made for a stressful year.
I felt like I just kept my head above water. Something had to give and it was the blog. But I'm BACK baby! I resolve to post more this year. I love my little blog and it and all of you make me happy!
Now for the FUN! I am linking with up Fifth in the Middle with her blogs by state. Virginia is for blog lovers baby!
AND I am happy to share that Karen and Kelly are celebrating Christmas in July with a Virginia Blogger Meet-up. Woo Who!
I am trying VERY hard to post more often. I found this linky that is perfect for me. Thank you "Swimming in Second" for this fun linky. Best Books for Boys Linky Party (Click here to link up) I work part time as a children's library reference assistant on weekends. Every librarian has a few go-to books for reluctant readers. Most of the time, those readers are boys. I usually try to offer some books that are part of a series. That way, if they like one...they might keep reading more. Here are a couple of my go-to books for boys. The Hank Zipzer series. There are 17 books in this series. These are written by non other than Henry Winkler (The Fonz). Lexile 610 Suggested grade: 2nd and up.
For Hank, fourth grade does not start out on the right foot. First of all, he gets called to the principal's office on the very first day of school. Then the first assignment his teacher gives him is to write five paragraphs on "What You Did This Summer." Hank is terrified-writing one good sentence is hard for him, so how in the world is he going to write five whole paragraphs? Hank comes up with a plan: instead of writing what he did on vacation, he'll show what he did. But when Hank's "living essay" becomes a living disaster, he finds himself in detention. Strangely enough, however, detention ends up becoming a turning point in his life
Inspired by his own experiences with undiagnosed dyslexia, actor/director Henry Winkler presents this new series about the high-spirited and funny adventures of a fourth-grader with learning differences. When Hank Zipzer has to write an essay on what he did over the summer, he decides instead to "show" what he did.
Snakes by Nic Bishop (One of many nature books written and photographed by Nic Bishop)
Lexile 1050 YIKES!!! Join naturalist Nic Bishop for a closer look at scaly, scary snakes!
Snakes are scaly, scary, silent predators. They use powerful venom or crushing strength to overwhelm their victims. Then they swallow them whole!
With breathtaking full-page images, Sibert Medal-winning photographer Nic Bishop introduces the terrifying and beautiful world of snakes. The simple, engaging text presents both basic information and captivating details about the appearance, habits, and remarkable abilities of these amazing reptiles. An index and glossary are included, along with an author's note detailing his research and the fun stories behind the photographs
Description by Barnes and Noble.
The Gregor the Overlander Series. Written by Suzanne Collins. (She wrote the Hunger Games)
Lexile: 630 Age range: 8 and up.
This irresistible first novel tells the story of a quiet boy who embarks on a dangerous quest in order to fulfill his destiny -- and find his father -- in a strange world beneath New York City.
When Gregor falls through a grate in the laundry room of his apartment building, he hurtles into the dark Underland, where spiders, rats, cockroaches coexist uneasily with humans. This world is on the brink of war, and Gregor's arrival is no accident. A prophecy foretells that Gregor has a role to play in the Underland's uncertain future. Gregor wants no part of it -- until he realizes it's the only way to solve the mystery of his father's disappearance. Reluctantly, Gregor embarks on a dangerous adventure that will change both him and the Underland forever.
When eleven-year-old Gregor and his two-year-old sister are pulled into a strange underground world, they trigger an epic battle involving men, bats, rats, cockroaches, and spiders while on a quest foretold by ancient prophecy.
Description by Barnes and Noble
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
Lexile 1020 Suggested age: 9 and up. On his way to visit his recently divorced father in the Canadian mountains, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is the only survivor when the single-engine plane crashes. His body battered, his clothes in shreds, Brian must now stay alive in the boundless Canadian wilderness. More than a survival story, Hathcet is a tale of tough decisions. When all is stripped down to the barest essentials, Brian discovers some stark and simple truths: Self-pity doesn't work. Despair doesn't work. And if Brian is to survive physically as well as mentally, he must discover courage.After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the Canadian wilderness, learning to survive with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother, and learning also to survive his parents' divorce.
Description by Barnes and Noble.
I've never had a bad review on ANY of these books for boys.
Happy Reading!
This is my first currently...so if you see something I should do differently, please let me know.
It is 2:18 in the morning on my last day of winter break. I've enjoyed my time home so much and I am sad that I have to go back to work tomorrow. We only had seven days off for winter break.
The house is quiet except for the kitties playing upstairs in the kitchen. I should probably go check on them, but it is more fun to try and guess what they are doing.
I love having all my chicks back home for a while. Everyone lives at home, except for my oldest. She is 23, but her presence this week makes my home feel perfect. I love having her home even though having three girls at thome means girl drama.
I'm thinking I should be writing lesson plans right now for tomorrow.
I'm wanting more time home....I probably don't need to say anymore.
I need to find my work/ teaching clothes. I've enjoyed all the pj days and jean days. Gotta bring out the fabric steamer and find something cute for tomorrow!
OLW: Priorities. After a few days off, I realize that I need to put my priorities in order. Family should be first always. My girls are getting older and I need to enjoy my time with them. Like most teachers, I haven't found the balance between work and home.
Come link up with Oh' Boy 4th grade and share your thoughts....
.....read to the end to see how I use this product in my classroom!
Teacher Idea Factory
Kelley at The Teacher Idea Factory is hosting a Perfect Pen Pal Pair Up. You don't have to be a blogger to enter. You just have to have a classroom. It is going to be fabulous. I signed up my in-coming Kindergarten class. I will finally get to use that cool mailbox I had my Dad make for me four years ago. Click on the link and sign up. Miss Whiddens Sweet Seconds
Lacey at Miss Whiddens Sweet Seconds is hosting a Post Card Swap. She is a second year teacher and a brand new blogger. She still has lots of states left. You will need some stamps, post cards and labels. I am so excited to use that cool mailbox again this year. I signed up to represent the state of Virginia.
Now I am linking up to share my favorite teaching supplies. This is also being hosted by Teacher Idea Factory. Ths girl is a do'er. Woo Hoo!
Now for my top five can't live without classroom resources.
1. I LOVE this glue. It doesn't run, there is a little clip for the kids to hook the lid onto the bottle during use. (NO more lost lids) and BEST of all...no clogging! There is a little tip on the lid that slides into the bottle when you put the lid on. It keeps the glue bottle from clogging. I purchases a bottle for each kiddo and I refill the bottle with glue the kids bring to school. I didn't believe that this would work so last year I purchased four bottles and gave them to my four little stinkers. It worked! Buy a bottle and try it.
2. Yep. Me too! I love these markers. The don't bleed through the chart paper and I can use them to help teach the five senses. They make me happy!
3. I use these for everything. Reminders to me...reminders for my Para. Graphing projects with the kiddos. I use them for everything and they come in pretty colors. What Kindergarten teacher doesn't like pretty colors?
4. I use my Activboard for so much. I use it for calendar, for center time, for lesson introductions, to show movie clips, for bus call...everything. I love it.
5. Gotcha didn't I? I love velcro, but no I don't stick the kids to the wall with it. LOL I use velcro to hang up stuff on my walls, cubby tags, coat tags, book box labels and for table name tags. I can move kids in an instant. Just pull the nametag and move it to a new space. No tape. I always put the fluffy side on the table or wall and I always put the rough side on the paper.
Thanks Kelley and Lacey for organizing all these fun activities. You are both awesome!
I'm excited to join a linky that I've been stalking for a few days. The linky I am joining is hosted by Step Into Second Grade.
I've loved learning some more about my favorite bloggers and thought I would share a few things about me.
1. I met my Mr. when I was just 13. We started dating when I was 16. We grew up together and I love him more now then ever.
2. My first car was an orange Mustang. I thought I was so cool when I drove it. I had to sell it when I had my first child. It was too hard to get the car seat in the backseat.
3. My class pets are Madagascar Cockroaches. My lady cockroach is currently pregnant. I have also had stickbugs, fish, butterflies and ladybugs. I am currently looking for a new stickbug. The kids love them and they are so easy to take care of.
4. I love Ikea. Most of my classroom furniture is Ikea furniture. I was hired at the last minute four years ago and my classroom was empty. My hubby and I made a trip to Ikea and supplied my room with cubbies, bookshelves and carpets.
5. I lived in Hawaii for 2 1/2 years. We were as poor as church mice, but I loved it. We went to the beach every Friday all year long. We even had Thanksgiving dinner at the beach. I would move back to Hawaii in a second. This was our favorite beach. Ko Olina.
Okay, here it goes...my first linky. I've been tempted to try this before, but chickened out. I hope this works. I couldn't resist this linky. I LOVE picture books. I work part time as a children's reference assistant at a public library in addition to teaching Kindergarten. I used to work as a youth services programmer at the public library. I know my picture books. There are too many that I can't live without, so I thought I would share some that make good read-alouds for beach themed interactive storytimes. You can click on the book titles to check out the book in Amazon. I copied the summaries from our local library website.
1. I love The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen. The pout-pout fish
believes he only knows how to frown, even though many of his friends suggest
ways to change his expression, until one day a fish
comes along that shows him otherwise.
Poor Hermit Crab! He's outgrown his snug little shell, so he finds himself
a larger one -- and many new friends to decorate and protect his new house. But
what will happen when he outgrows this shell, and has to say good-bye to all the
sea creatures who have made Hermit Crab's house a home?
Children facing change in their own lives will relate to Hermit Crab's story
-- and learn a lot about the fascinating world of marine life along the
way.
Hi! I'm Cindy. It is very nice to meet you. I am a 40 something Kindergarten teacher. I returned to the classroom at the age of 40. Prior to returning to Kindergarten, I worked as a library associate/ programmer at the public library. Oh...and I still work at the library on weekends. I also homeschooled my own children for 11 years. After my own family, my passions are Kindergarten, science and children's literature.
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.....read to the end to see how I use this product in my classroom! 
I LOVE this glue. It doesn't run, there is a little clip for the kids to hook the lid onto the bottle during use. (NO more lost lids) and BEST of all...no clogging! There is a little tip on the lid that slides into the bottle when you put the lid on. It keeps the glue bottle from clogging. I purchases a bottle for each kiddo and I refill the bottle with glue the kids bring to school. I didn't believe that this would work so last year I purchased four bottles and gave them to my four little stinkers. It worked! Buy a bottle and try it. 
Yep. Me too! I love these markers. The don't bleed through the chart paper and I can use them to help teach the five senses. They make me happy!
I use these for everything. Reminders to me...reminders for my Para. Graphing projects with the kiddos. I use them for everything and they come in pretty colors. What Kindergarten teacher doesn't like pretty colors?
I use my Activboard for so much. I use it for calendar, for center time, for lesson introductions, to show movie clips, for bus call...everything. I love it. 
