Teacher Week- My {bare} Room!

It's Tuesday of Teacher Week with Blog Hoppin', so today I'm sharing all about WHERE I teach!

This will be short and sweet, since I just recently moved into my new room!  It's far from complete, but I can point out some features that I am pretty excited to have.  :)

Mmkay…. see that SMART board on the wall on the right!?  Can't wait to play around with it and use it every day!  And lots of storage with the closets on the right and the low shelving on the left.

My room came with beautiful, sturdy mailboxes.  Y'all know how expensive those can be!  See that printer there too??  For those moments where you're like, "Oh crap, I'm TWO copies short!"  I know we've all been there.  Behind the mailboxes is a sink with drinking fountain.

The desks most likely won't stay like this for long… I just wanted to get them down and off of each other.  Is anyone else totally annoyed by that one lower desk?  #teacherOCD

I've been spending most of my time lately organizing my picture books.  Because I'll be teaching 6th, I am putting a lot of my low level books in the closet for now.  I know that at some point, I will need a picture book for a read-aloud or something, so I wanted to organize them in a way where I'd be able to find a book if I needed it.  

I started by entering all of my books into a spreadsheet.  I included the book title, author, and illustrator.  Then I organized the titles alphabetically.  First into piles with sticky note labels...

Then each pile got organized alphabetically and put into a box.  If I need a book, I can look on my spreadsheet and easily find it in one of the boxes!

The other books in my library will be available for my students to borrow.  These are the higher level chapter books.  To keep those organized, I am using The Brown-Bag Teacher's iRead Book Bin Labels.  I'm in love with them!

Stay tuned for more photos of my set-up as I spend more time in my classroom!

And don't forget to link up with Blog Hoppin' to show off your learning space!

It's Teacher Week!

It's Back to School- Teacher Week!  I'm linking up with Blog Hoppin' this week to tell you all more about me and what I love to do most- teach!

Who am I?

I'm a 25 year-old teacher, blogger, and TpTer.  I'll be starting my third year of teaching this year, in a new school and a new grade!  I taught a classroom of 3rd grade ELLs, and now I'm moving to 6th grade.  I'm ready for the adventure!

Make Way for Ducklings!  In Boston Public Garden

I've been with this guy for nearly 7 years!  Love him! 

My team and I during our school's Hmong New Year celebration.

If I wasn't a teacher, I would definitely be a baker!  I loooooove making cupcakes!

My new classroom is AWESOME!  It's slowly starting to come together.  :)

TpT is a huge hobby of mine!  Here are a few of my favorite products from my store.  

Take a peek at other products in my store here!  Speaking of TpT, did you hear about their one-day BOOST sale this Wednesday?  Wahoo!  Start adding to your Wishlist now!

So that's a bit about me… Be sure to visit Blog Hoppin' to meet other teachers during Teacher Week!

Tomorrow I'll be linking up to share WHERE I teach.  :)  Can't wait!

Meet the Teacher Linky!

My Instagram has been buzzing with posts about this linky, and I just couldn't pass it up!  Falling Into First is hosting a Meet the Teacher Linky so we can meet some new friends before back to school time!

Hellooo from Minnesooota!  I'm Ellie, a 25 year-old teacher, blogger, and TpT'er.  I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota and will be starting my third year of teaching in a couple weeks.  I taught 3rd grade for two years, but this year I'm moving up to 6th!  Someday, I hope to return to the lower elementary grades, but for now I will enjoy my adventure with big kids!

This summer has been one to remember!  I visited Sin City, had a birthday, and saw Paul McCartney in concert!  In September, I'll be moving into a new apartment with my boyfriend, Mr. Wolf.  The end of this month will mark SEVEN years dating this guy!

Vegas, Mr. Wolf, and the Paul McCartney concert

 THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

Blogging. TpTing. Fresh flowers. Days at the lake. Baking. Antique vases. Food Network. Smelly markers. Leggings. Infinity scarves. Smoothies. Caribou (the Starbucks of Minnesota). Pretty binders. Sewing. Decorating. Creating art. Farmer's markets. Crafting. 

 IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

A Baker!  I LOVE baking, especially cupcakes!  Maybe someday, years from now, I will open my own cupcake shop.  :)

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Creative. Funny. Kind.  

 

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

"Sure, I can certainly do that in my free time ...said no teacher EVER!!"
 

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?

Jimmy Fallon!  And Martha Stewart (to decorate).

Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

 Colorful Tails 

 Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

 Tough choice!  Invisibility, or… the ability to travel back in time.  Mhmm.  :)

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

“There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened.”

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

 "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

I love me some oldies!

 

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

Depends on the day!  This summer, I have been a TOTAL night owl, and then sleep in late and take a couple a nap during the day.  During the school year though, I would rather go in to school early when it is nice and quiet.  I get a lot done in the mornings before the bell rings!

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?

 I can't choose just one!  My most recent is my Back to School Morning Work packet.  Coming in a close second is my Pairs of Pears Homophone Activities packet.  For some strange reason, I just LOVE  homophones.  They are one of my favorite things to teach.  :)

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

Sammie, Rusty, and 9 mo old Trapper (hunting dog)

My parents have three dogs… but I am allergic to them.  Every time I go to their house, I come stocked with allergy pills and nasal spray.  How could I possibly stay away from those adorable faces?

One more fun fact?  I've never dyed my hair.  I refuse to!  I love my natural color.  :)

Be sure to visit Stephanie at Falling for First and link up to introduce yourself!

The First Days of School: Unit B: LINKY

Hello everyone!  Today we're discussing Unit B of The First Days of School.  If you've read the book, or even if you haven't read the book, link up with me!  I want to hear your thoughts!

Grab this image, include it in your post, and link it back here! OR Pin it! :)

Unit B is all about positive expectations.  I really liked how on page 37, the authors say, "Expectations are different than standards."  It's really a good point to keep in mind, because standards are levels of achievement.  Standards are the academic concepts we teach our students.  An expectation is what you believe will or will not happen.

Another good point to keep in mind:

"Humans have a success instinct." (p.35)  It goes on to say that we can accomplish anything with our students if we have high expectations.

This unit reminded me of a video I came across about a year ago, which many of you have probably already seen before.  I feel it's a good reminder that WE set the expectations for our students.  And that EVERY student can succeed if we show them we care about them.

Page 45 begins to discuss how schools, parents, students, and the community should celebrate the first day of school.  Some schools have had big assemblies where parents and students wear formal attire.

1.  How does your school celebrate the first day?  Are teachers required to be outside of their classrooms greeting students as they enter the building?

During my first year of teaching, I had a student whom I had a hard time "reaching".  He never wanted to participate and often had outbursts and would storm out of the room.  He would slink into the classroom every morning during morning work, not saying a word to anybody.  Every morning, I would greet him with a smile, saying, "Good morning, _______!"  I would stop whatever I was doing to greet him.  Most days, he wouldn't respond.  After a few weeks of consistency, he began to greet me back.  "Good morning, Miss Woodward!"

2.  Does your school or district have a dress code?  What is it?  Do you think how you dress determines whether or not you're effective as a teacher?

While I do think it's important for teachers to be dressed appropriately, I didn't agree with everything on the "What's In" and "What's Out" list on page 57.  Some examples:

What's in: Career suits for women; bright colors for elementary teachers; soft, muted colors for secondary teachers.

What's Out: Excessive jewelry; blue denim only on Saturdays; and bold prints, plaids, and colors are no-no's.

Do you agree?

One last point from the unit:  In Chapter 10, page 71, the authors discuss using manners like "Please" and "Thank you".  While I agree with this point, I recently got some good advice from a teacher friend. She said, "Do not say 'Please' or 'Thank you' for expected behaviors."  For example, "Class, please sit down." Or, "Class, quiet down.  Thank you."  Because those are behaviors you would expect for learning to take place, you should not use "Please" or "Thank you".  Now, if a student gives you a beautiful picture or you need to ask a student to grab something off the shelf, then you should use "Please" and "Thank you".  To me, it made perfect sense!  What do you think?

3.  What were your biggest take-aways from this Unit?

Now it's your turn!

Write a post answering the three questions, post it, copy the page URL, and then link it up below!

Next Monday, we will be looking at Unit C: Classroom Management.  Looking forward to it!  :)

An InLinkz Link-up

High/Low Linky- August 9

It's Saturday, so I'm linking up with A First For Everything for her High/Low Linky!  I didn't have a chance to link up last week, so here's what's happened in the last two weeks!

Last Saturday was my birthday!  My boyfriend and I spent the day having breakfast with my family, exploring the Uptown Art Fair in Minneapolis, and seeing PAUL McCARTNEY!  It was such a great birthday!

"Live and Let Die"… AWESOME.

"Let it Be"

I made blueberry-lemon cupcakes with lemon buttercream.  I love to bake!  :)

AND! I got to move into my classroom yesterday!  Wahoo!

It needs a little personality, don't you think?

No lows this week!  Except that I have a week left of summer vacation.  Boohoo! 

Overall though, it's been a great summer!  I've been more active on TpT, I went to Vegas, had a birthday, and I'm starting a new job!  Wahoo!

The First Days of School: Unit A: LINKY

Hello everyone!  Today I'm hosting my very own linky party so we can talk about Unit A of The First Days of School.  Wahoo!  If you've read the book, or even if you haven't read the book, link up!  I want to hear your thoughts!

Grab this image, include it in your post, and link it back here! OR Pin it! :)

I remember the days leading up to my first day of my first year teaching.  I had veteran teachers as my teammates, and I felt so out of my element!  They already had their first days planned out, and I had NO idea what to do to start the year!

1.  Did you get any training on how to start the school year?  Did your school or district start you off with a mentor?

The book lays out four stages of teaching:

- Fantasy: Be a friend to your students.

- Survival: Just make it through the day!

-Mastery: Teachers who know how to achieve student success.

-Impact: Teachers who have an effect on a student's life.

They say that most teachers will not make it past the first two stages.  Some days I am in the survival stage, while some days I feel as though I have mastered the craft.

2.  What stage of teaching are you in?

Some of the biggest take-aways came towards the end of the unit.

"Effective teachers work cooperatively, seek out a mentor and role model, learn at professional meetings, and strive for excellence."

"Teaching is not a private practice."

"Listen, listen, listen."

Teaching is a cooperative career, and it's so important to listen and learn from each other!

3.  What were your biggest take-aways from this Unit?

Now it's your turn!

Write a post answering the three questions, post it, copy the page URL, and then link it up below!

Next Monday, we will be looking at Unit B: Positive Expectations.  Looking forward to it!  :)

An InLinkz Link-up

The First Days of School: Book Study!

Put your party hats on…. I'm going to host my very own, brand spankin' new linky party!  Woohoo!

I just scored this book at a thrift store for $1.50 and I know how many teachers love it.  Julie from A First for Everything told me she has read it every year since she started teaching!  Because this book has helped so many, and has such valuable information to share with new and veteran teachers, I thought I would host a little book study here in the blogging world!

The book is "The First Days of School" by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong.

Each week I will post some discussion questions from each "Unit" in the book (there are 5 altogether) and you'll have a chance to link up and share your thoughts and experiences!  Now, I don't expect you to spend hours reading this book cover to cover (ain't nobody got time for that!).  However, I want this to be valuable to YOU.  If you have read this book before and just want to refresh yourself, awesome!  If you've never read this book before and only have time to skim or read each unit's "Key Idea" or summary, go for it!  I want this linky to be a place for teachers to share what works for them in the first days of school.

The first link-up won't be until next Monday, August 4th.  That gives you time to get your hands on a copy of the book, and read through UNIT A.  

I'd love for you to Pin this post to spread the word!  Use the image below.  :)

Wish me luck… I can't wait to see how this goes!  I'll see you back HERE next Monday for the first Link-Up!  Wahoo!

High/Low Linky- July 26

Hi everyone!  I'm linking up again with A First For Everything for High/Low!  

I have been working SO hard on this Back to School Morning Work packet for 3rd grade.  And it's finally finished and in my store!  It includes 3 weeks of morning work for those first weeks of school.

Click the image to take you to the product in my TpT store!

Also this week:  I reached 100 Instagram followers!  Yippee!

I've also been shopping a little bit more for my classroom, especially at Thrift Stores.  Do y'all find any good stuff at Thrift Stores?  I LOVE them!  But I'm saving my scores for another post.  :)

Nothing TOO low to share this week… I've been staying up WAY too late lately, which has made me super tired the next day.  Not looking forward to back to school time.  I'll be exhausted!

How was your week?  Be sure to link up with A First for Everything and share!

Is it just me, or…..

Hello, my name is Ellie, and I can't get enough clipart.

Seriously.

My Wishlist on TpT is 4 pages long, and mostly consists of clipart.  I made a small dent the other day and can't wait to put my new goodies to use!

Here's what I got:
(click on any of the images to take you the store on TpT)

I am in LOVE with these paper sets by Little Red.  I got the Washi Patterns "Cosmos" set and the Geometric Patterns "Somersault".  I love how unique the patterns are, especially in the geometric set.  Can't wait to use these!

I also picked up some Retro Frames from MyClipArtStore.  There's 40 frames in the set, so you can layer different images to create your own unique frames.

I'm working on a Back to School morning work packet for 3rd grade, and needed some coin clipart.  I love A Sketchy Guy's clipart, because it's the most realistic I could find!

What are some of your favorite clip art stores on TpT?  What clipart do you use the most in your TpT products?  I'd love to hear about it!

Stepping it up with Social Media

One thing the TpT conference taught me was that, aside from quality products in my TpT store, I need to be active on social media.  This past week I have worked hard to get going on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

I already had an Instagram account, but I made my profile public, and have since gained a ton of followers!  It's been fun to see what other teachers post.  I might be a little bit addicted to checking my feed…. (anyone else out there?)  You can follow me on Instagram here.  :)

Miss Woodward's Class also got a Facebook page!  It's a work in progress, and I'm still working on figuring this one out.  Any veteran Facebookers out there have tips on reaching a larger audience?

Have you heard of PicMonkey?  I LOVE it!  It's a free site you can use to edit photos, add text and other images to your photos, and create collages.  I even used it to create this pin for a collaborative Pinterest board.

I posted the Pin on a collaborative board by Rachel Lynette.  Check out the board here!

The Seller's Forum on Teachers Pay Teachers has sections dedicated to social media.  I suggest you check it out to get some of your social media questions answered!

Check out just how techy I've become!

Facebook

Pinterest

Instagram