Common Core Standards:Grade One/ Post Card Exchange

I'm once again coming to you gals for help! I've just been told that my school is going to be using Common Core Standards. I know a little about Common Core, so I'm turning to you EXPERTS! I've seen somewhere in blog world a post about Common Core Standards but of course since I'm looking for it I can't for the life of me find it! HELP ME PLESE!!!

We have 19 states that are open in the postcard exchange. The states that are open are:

• Alaska
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Idaho
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Vermont
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

If you are from one of the listed states PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE email Mechele from 

Barrow's Hodgepodge @ mechele.barrow@gmail.com

Ladybug Giveway

Hey guy! Happy Saturday! I've just stopped by to let you guys know about the wonderful giveaway that Kristin at Ladybug Teaching Files is having. Kristen also blogs and she is giving away 4 yes FOUR blog designs next week. Hop on by her blog to enter. Though I must be honest with you and let you know I really hope I win!

Summer School Teacher?!?!?!

Today I was awaken by a call from my school. In my mind I was saying "What could they possibly want with me at 7a.m.". I just knew NOTHING was THAT important! I answered the phone in my OMGosh I was STILL sleeping voice to hear my schools secretary saying "Ms. Davis I NEED your help" in a very panicky voice. I sat up and asked what was wrong and she said "One of the teachers got food poison and I NEED you to come in and sub summer school for the day." I asked was the teacher going to be fine then I laughed and told her I don't do summer school, never have never will. Then she went on and on and on about how no one else was available so I caved in and taught second and third graders reading during summer school.


Turns out summer school isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It totally helped that today was a cool day so the building wasn't HOT. I knew the students so they knew NOT to play with me. Things went pretty well and I must say the PAY wasn't to shabby either. I really learned a lesson today. I have to stop saying what I'll never do because sometimes things work for a greater good than expected.

Calling All Open Court Teaching Geniuses!!!

My school uses Open Court 2002 as our reading program. I've been teaching from this series for the past three years, but I must admit I haven't really made it my own or perfected my style to teach it to the BEST of my ability. That's why I'm sending out this ALL CALL to seek advice from my fellow teachers. I know that you guys are great at all things teacher related. So if you teach Open Court and have made centers, came up with a better system or just know a trick you are willing to share PLEASE stop by here and share your knowledge.

Postcard Exchange 2011-2012 School Year

Do you want to participate in a postcard exchange?

A postcard exchange is where 50 teachers (one from each of our great states) agrees to have their students write and mail the postcards out to the other participants.

You will need 50 postcards. Mail out 49 postcards, keep one for yourself. You will need to purchase postcards and stamps.


This exchange is open to all teachers who have a blog, website, wiki or any other means to share postcard exchange updates, pictures, etc... Don't worry if you don't have a blog yet. Kristen from Ladybug Teacher Files has done some wonderful tutorials on how to get a classroom blog started very quickly. This can be your opportunity to start one! All participants should be able to share in some form and a blog is super easy!


The exchange will be open on a first come, first serve basis. All participants should mail out their postcards by the end of October. The deadline is set to allow time for correspondence between participants throughout the upcoming school year. Look HERE to see if your state is available.

 All participants should include an introduction to their classroom and a fact about their state. Please also include a line "want to learn more about ____________, just Skype us at _________" OR "want to learn more about __________, just contact us at ___________."

If you would like to join the exchange email  Mechele at
mechele.barrow@gmail.com.

Please include in the email your name, state and blog. She will then send you a conformation email. If a reply isn't made within several days, I will select the next person available.

Tuesdays Treasures- Back to school finds

Today I woke up super early because I wanted to accomplish a ton of things. These things included going to the bank, a local teachers store (because I had a groupon I needed to use before it expired), target and to my classroom to drop off all my goodies! I'm happy to say that I accomplished all of these things and I'm very proud of myself :-) I didn't come here for that personal pat on the back though, I came to give your guys a heads up on all of my wonderful finds!

At the teachers store I had a $20.00 groupon so I was determined not to spend more than that. You know my theme this year is polka dots and this store was the right place for me!



I think I'll decorate my desk or door with these

Then I made my way down the street to a teacher home away from home, Target! I am so glad that I made the trip because they had just begin to put out school items in the dollar section. Whenever I go to Target I tell myself I can only spend $20.00 in the dollar section. Today that did NOT work out very well. I spent a little over $50.00 but everything I got was well worth it!

The pointers I've been looking for!

Mini dry erase markers, Seuss Week bookmarks and playing cards for my math center

Just because it's polka dot tote



This is NOT something I bought! I just snapped a picture for all of you beached themed teachers. These are really cool, it's a surf board and flower cork board. Only $2.50



 

File folders that had little dots. Love them!



These are on sale for .20 cents!!! I use so many glue sticks during the school year, so i stocked up pretty good today. 80 glue sticks for $8.00!!!!