Minecraft Classroom Continued

Hi all.  I've been hard at work in my classroom...and have added a few more things.  I hope you like it all, and I would love to hear some feedback.

script"> I'm using my chalkboard as my Writing Board because I will be using my Smart Board for the majority of my teaching.  I decided I could spare half of the chalkboard for the Writing Process and for my Status of the Class.  I am pleased with the way it looks.  I hope the kiddos like it.  You can find these here.

Here is my schedule board.  Now, I have to admit...I am a slob.  I really am.  But, when it comes to color patterns I am a bit compulsive.  So, I printed and laminated each activity in all three colors so that I can stick with the pattern.  These are included in my Calendar Kit.  You can find them here.

This is just a view across the classroom.  I still have stuff spread around the room where it doesn't belong...but, I'm getting there.

Another view across the room.  

 This is my reading board.  I am getting clothespins that I will hot glue under the signs to hold the posters that go along with the signs.  They say:  Our Story, Genre, Comprehension Skill, and Comprehension Strategy.  This goes along with our Reading Street Story.  If you like them...you can find them here.

Student Recognition is a bit of a passion of mine.  Everyone deserves to be recognized for something....but, it needs to be something they deserve.  With all of the categories, every student will be recognized for a legitimate reason, and self confidence will grow.  I am not planning on making sure that everyone is recognized in all of these categories.  If I find an area to add...I will.  You can find these here.  They come with the the little strips that will be posted under these and certificates to go home. 

Check out these awesome editing signs.  Here they are.

I love my Science board.  I got the adorable banner from ZisforZebra.  They are awesome.  They can be edited and there are a lot of different styles and patterns.  The Scientific Process steps can be found here.

Don't laugh too hard at my homemade Steve.  He was fun to make.  

Good luck with your classrooms.  I can't wait to see how they turn out.  

Jen

Minecraft Classroom Theme

It's coming together.  I'm not done.  Yet.  But, I will be.  This is what I have so far....

I love these banners from ZisforZebra.  

They are editable and so cute.  I printed these 4 to a sheet for just the right size.  

You can purchase them here.

This is my minecraft calendar.  I used squares of construction paper for the background, and I love how it turned out.  You can find it here. I can't wait to print the deskplates that go with it.  

These are my CAFE signs.  Get your free copy here.

My school uses BIST and these are our goals for life.  I love how these look.  You can find these here.  

My book tags.  These aren't in my store yet, but they will be.  I will let you know when you can find them there.  

I love my literacy signs!  You can find them here.

I like the way my green and blue baskets look with my minecraft theme.  

My minecraft boggle letters will also be available soon.  Do you see some words?

Stay tuned for what is coming next!

Minecraft Calendar Kit and Deskplates Giveaway

One lucky person will win the Minecraft Calendar Kit and Deskplates.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Click HERE to Purchase.

Check out my Freebies while you are there!

Why a Minecraft Theme?

Some of you might be wondering why I decided to go with a Minecraft Theme in my classroom next year.  Am I jumping on a bandwagon?  A bit, I suppose.  The idea occurred to me earlier this year when my daughter had a reading project.  She was supposed to draw a map of her book setting....which is a pretty common assignment, right?  She was kinda grumping about it...even though she is a pretty artistic kiddo.  So, I suggested that she make her map on Minecraft.  She LOVED it.  She put so much more thought into it and she really enjoyed it.  (We took a screenshot and then printed it as a poster using kidpix)

That planted the seed.....  Minecraft in the classroom?  Why, yes...I think so.  Then I went to a Technology conference, and there were several sessions dedicated to Minecraft.  I am now working to see if I will be allowed to use Minecraft as more than just decorations.  I can tell you this...it will definitely be an option for projects, but in typical fashion...I want MORE. 

Stay tuned.  

Minecraft Freebies

I am so excited to offer some freebies in my TPT store. I have created CAFE signs and strategy signs to go along with each of them. They are adorable if I do say so myself. Take a minute and check them out. I hope you love them as much as I do.

Like what you see?  Click here...and take a minute to browse my store for the free strategy signs that go along with these.  Enjoy.

Minecraft in the Classroom

I have done the animal print theme. I have done the owl theme. I have done no theme at all. But, next year...I am doing a Minecraft Theme for my class. I am so excited to get started...and I have a lot of great ideas that I will be sharing here as I create them. First up: an awesome calendar kit and name plates. LOVE. Here is a sneak peek. You can find them by following this link: Minecraft in the Classroom

Tickling My Brain

Something has been tickling my brain for a while.  A story.  I have had a story on my mind that was just begging to get on paper.  Here's the thing...I am pretty sure it wants to be the first chapter of a book, and I want it to be the first chapter of a book, and the universe seems to think that if it is going to be the first chapter of a book that it will have to be later....  I can respect that.  The universe understands that I have children and a job.  So, the universe and I have compromised.  Chapter 1 makes a pretty good short story...and so for now...that is what it is...a short story.  I have developed activities that go along with the story and it is perfect for an average 5th grader.  It would be perfect for an advanced 3rd and 4th grader.  6th graders would like it too.  (I know...because I was once a 6th grader)

I just know you will like it.  Take a minute and check it out.

Excited

I am SO excited about something that is coming soon!

Critical Thinking Graphing Activity

I needed something special and challenging for my 2nd graders to do that are not in my Gifted group.  I have tons of bright kiddos and I need to challenge them all.  So, I created this critical thinking graphing activity.  I can't wait to see if they like it tomorrow.

Prayers Needed for a Past Student

One of my sweet fifth graders from last year is in the hospital on a ventilator.  She was diagnosed with human metapneumo virus.  I really don't know what that is....but, it sounds scary.  Please, please, please pray for her to get well.  Like all of my past kiddos she means the world to me.  

The Sisters Grimm-The Fairy Tale Detectives

I am fortunate.  I really am.  I have had the opportunity to teach every grade level at the elementary level.  I have even had the opportunity to teach Special Ed and Gifted.  I love that I know where my 2nd graders are coming from, and I am equally glad that I know where they are going.

Sometimes when I switch grade levels there is a big jump...like this year..I went from 5th to 2nd.  (Not my biggest jump...but, a pretty good jump nonetheless)  I was a little worried.  There are things that I 

L-O-V-E about 5th grade and things that I knew that I would M-I-S-S, but I also knew I would find things to L-O-V-E about 2nd grade.  I was right.  I did.  I love teaching 2nd grade.  

I had mixed feelings about Read Alouds.  I love that I can read picture books out loud and show the pictures.  I love that.  Every bit of it.  I was sad that I would have to abandon some of my favorite chapter books for reading out loud.  But, then I got to thinking....  Did I?  Some, yes....some no!  

One that I decided to hold on to is The Sister's Grimm:  The Fairy-Tale Detectives.   Students are so engaged and think that they are truly a big deal because they get to listen to a book that I have read to 5th graders.  There are so many teaching opportunities, and the students love talking about plot lines and characters when there is more "meat" to the story.  

Enjoy this freebie that you can download from my Teacher Pay Teacher store.  

Project Based Learning

Let's face it, we have all had those students that are SO bright, SO gifted, SO smart and they finish whatever they are given instantaneously.  You know the ones...you have just finished passing out an activity and they are done before you have even managed to pull your remedial group to the back table.  So, what should you do with them?  Some teachers solve the problem by giving them MORE...but MORE isn't the answer.  The answer is giving them something to challenge them by making them think and making them do.

I am about to start a measurement unit.  I have about 8 students that don't need practice measuring lines and that don't need to learn the difference between standard and non standard measurement.  They already know it.

I created a project for them to work on.  It will intrigue them and challenge them and I like that.  You can find it in my TPT store as a Freebie.

Project Diminutive 

I will post pictures of our finished products after we complete them.  I hope you enjoy

Passion for Differentiation

My passion for education is simple.  I strive to meet the needs of all learners.  ALL Learners.  Those that are struggling, those that are excelling, and those that are right on grade level.  Each group of students has their own special needs.  This blog will hopefully serve as a place to record my trials and tribulations.