Creative Teaching Organizer

I have always read other teacher's blogs and I have read them rave over certain items that they used in their classroom. Of course, deep down I think to myself ... how much are they being paid to advertise for this company and did they even really use it in their room. I can promise you everything I say in this post is 110% the truth and my own opinion from my own classroom experiences THIS WEEK!

Every. Single. Last. Detail. 

Creative Teaching. Go there. Now. This post is all about one of the items I received and I LOVE. 

Introducing the Narrative Writing Organizer...

This thing has brought so many smiles and so much excitement into my classroom from my kids. And even from me... I actually look forward to teaching writing now! Third grade is trying to prepare for the writing test, so we are quickly reviewing the three types of writing again so that we can push out amazing papers in March for the scoring. This week my class worked on completing this organizer. Check out this amazing organizer!

When you open it up this is the first thing you see. On the left it shows the kids helpful words to use in their writing: Character traits, sensory words, setting words, places, verbs.  On the right it shows strong leads and strong closings for narrative writing. Also a punctuation and capitalization review!

The inside shows the kids how to create their paragraphs. We have been noticing that a lot of our struggle with forming paragraphs. This organizer shows them what to put in each paragraph for personal and fictional narratives. The middle has the transition words they can use and then BAM it starts them with their graphic organizer.

 Then the kids begin brainstorming their middle and end for their writing. On the write is a spot for them to begin writing their rough draft. We haven't gotten to this yet in our room, but hope to on Monday!

A checklist is on the back! Perfect reminder for those who "think" they are done. 

This organizer has honestly made my kids REALLY see the parts they should have for their paper. I can't wait to see how much their papers improve after using this organizer for narratives! I also can't wait to use the informational organizer and the opinion organizer as well!

So you still don't know if you should order it or not... Well here's the quick reasons why you should:

• Kids love it!
• You will love it
• It has an 8 page teacher guide
• Breaks down the entire writing process into simple steps
• It has a list of the common core standards addressed
• It's a convenient, all in one resource. 

 Do it! Order it now! HERE

Full heart.

Well hello there blog world. How are you? I have been so busy the past six days that this is the first time I have turned on my laptop since last week during the snow storm. It's been a crazy week! This post will be my weekly update then a little bit of an update on what is going on with me! Tomorrow I plan on blogging about the Creative Learning Press writing organizers I am using in my classroom right now.

#365daysofliz 

Day 44: February 13, 2014:

Georgia is not built for snow. And neither am I. I was finally kidnapped and taken to Chipotle during all of that snow junk we had. 

Day 45: February 14, 2014:

I'm not a fan of Valentine's Day. Ever. But this guy right here knows how to treat a lady. We had a fabulous night and I loved every minute of it. Yes, blog friends this is my new guy. This girl over here is super happy and not sure what I did to deserve him. 

 Day 46: February 15, 2014:
SAY WHAT? I finally found the girl scouts and got me and JD a box of cookies. Thin Mints for the win!

Day 47: February 16, 2014:

 I got to spend the day with my momma and some family I never get to see. We went to my cousin Jessie's baby shower. 

Day 48: February 17, 2014:

Because of the snow days we weren't at school for Valentine's Day so I was brought all sorts of gifts from my students the Monday we got back. 

 Day 49: February 18, 2014:
Birthday dinner for Amy was at Teds Montana Grill. It was so good to see all my teaching friends I'm not with anymore. I miss them bunches!

Day 50: February 19, 2014:
Wednesday night snuggles with this boy are the absolute best! (Is it seriously the 50th day of the year already?)

Day 51: February 20, 2014:
My students have NEVER EVER EVER been excited for writing class. No matter what I try there is always someone who is whining about it. But today when I said, "Get out your Narrative Writing Organizers." I kid you not... these kids cheered. They love using these organizers I got from Creative Teaching Press. I plan on blogging about them tomorrow after we finish working on our ending graphic organizer. 

Well that is my week in review. Seriously, this year is going by so fast. And honestly it is amazing. As you can see from day 45 I have a new guy. Yes.... *insert me blushing and a huge smile on my face.*  I honestly have no idea what I did to deserve this guy, but he treats me like I am a queen. :) 

He has met my family, even my dad (and those of you who know my dad know that this is a big deal). Pretty sure dad approved of JD! I have met JD's family and love them all! It really seems too good to be true. Here are some pictures that really show how the past few weeks have been spent with him. 

 We spent about 90 minutes looking at maps with his brother in law and sister

  Boys and their video games..... 

 We played my brothers and their friends in a game of basketball and destroyed them. All thanks to my penalty shot!

 Tango video calls are always interesting.

This girl has a full heart. 

xoxo 

Lizzie 

Focus on the good.

I feel like I haven't posted in so long. It's only been nine days. That's okay. I don't want to just blog everyday because "I have to". I want to blog with purpose, with reason. 

Things have been going really great lately. Work is finally making some sort of sense. I am actually feeling like I can accomplish this difficult task, most days. All of the data, the meetings, the paperwork, the emails, the conferences, the grading and most importantly the teaching is finally having some sort of balance in my days. Yes, there are days where I want to scream and run away forever, but I am learning to control those feelings and focus on the good in life. And I am seeing God's plan for me. Some days in my past have been so dark to where I didn't think I could be "happy" like many of my other friends, but I am seeing that I am. I just had to wait for His plan to shine through. 

FOCUS ON THE GOOD

This has been my reminder this year. It was the background on my phone for a while. Now it's posted on my desk at work and on my desktop calendar. I must remember this. There is good in everything, you just have to focus on it. 

So with my busy life lately, I haven't posted my #365daysofliz post. Here goes.. My life for the past two weeks. and go!

Day 30: January 30, 2014:

Another snow day. A picture is worth a thousand words. 

Day 31: January 31, 2014: 

Dinner date with this old friend. 

Day 32: February 1, 2014:

Spent the evening with this doll face. 

Day 33: February 2, 2014: 

Finally got to see these girls. Happy Sunday!

Day 34: February 3, 2014:

Really focused on the good in everything with this gorgeous sunrise.

Day 35: February 4, 2014: 

Proud teacher moment for me today as some of my hardest working kids made a solid 100 on their math tests. So proud. 

Day 36: February 5, 2014: 

My Wednesday nights are back. :)

Day 37: February 6, 2014:

The best part of waking up before the sunrise is watching it rise on my drive into work. Beauty. Real beauty. 

Day 38: February 7, 2014: 

Another long night of basketball games, but I was happy to spend some time with this champ. This boy is a beast of a basketball player, and I'm proud of him. :)

Day 39: February 8, 2014: 

Our Saturday wouldn't be complete without a basketball game. JD and I played with the kids and dominated. :) All thanks to my penalty shot when AK head butt me. 

Day 40: February 9, 2014: 

Sunday night dinners. Wonderful company. Great food. And lots of encouragement. :) 

Day 41: February 10, 2014:

This weekend was PERFECT. A FaceTime call with my best friend was a perfect ending.

Day 42: February 11, 2014:

I am so excited to be able to be able to try out some of Creative Teaching Press's classroom items. Unfortunately the snow days are keeping me out of my room, so I'm not able to set up everything and use it yet... but be on the lookout for some reviews and photos of my classroom!

 Day 43: February 12, 2014: 
Snow Day number 2. Just my frozen view out the side window. 

So overall things have been going very well.  Are you having a snow day today? Enjoy!

Lizzie

MTTM

How did I survive without Bloglovin before? It seriously is the most perfect way for me to keep up with all of my blogs daily. I love coming after work and finally getting to read everyones posts. Today I am linking up with Trina over at The Ordinary to Extraordinary Classroom for a little Meet The Teacher Monday post. 

Here goes: 

1. List five things you always keep in your purse

• Gum
• An extra phone charger
• A Pen
• Hair ties
• My medicine

2. List five things you love about yourself

• My creativity
• My ability to make people laugh
• My sarcasm
• My behind (yes... mom, I love my butt)
• My love for jewelry

3. List 5 things you do to keep yourself entertained 

• Instagram. Instagram. Instagram.
• Procrastinate by wasting time on social media sites 
• Blog
• Read
• Netlix :)

4. List five things that attract you to the opposite sex 

• Sense of humor
• Confidence
• Spontaneity
• Facial Hair
• Close family relationship

5. List five things you want to accomplish in 2014

• Run in 5 races
• Become gifted certified
• Complete a service project with my students
• Serve the homeless on a holiday
• Be social media free for one whole weekend

Currently

February! Is it seriously already February! I am linking up with Farley again!

Listening: 
Thanks mom I am now addicted to Friday Night Lights. Making my way through season 2 as I type this!

Loving: 
Yep... I finally bought a cover and case for my new mac book. No more carrying it around in a T-shirt. Classy, I know. ;)

Thinking: 
Perfect night with G and W! They were angels. 

Wanting: 
Bronchitis and now Upper Respiratory Infection. I am done. Over this coughing.

Needing: 
Laundry... is it ever completed? Nope.. 

2 truths and a fib:
1. Yep. It's the truth. My students are working on finishing this movie during inside recess, and they have accepted the fact that I will sing along at my desk. 
2. Truth. Makes me sick. No buttery popcorn. No butter in my grits. Nada.
3. FIB! I hate the taste of regular coke. Diet Coke is my jam though!

I will end this post with the cutest picture I have of G & W from tonight.  

Weekly. Say What

This week is going by fast. Tomorrow is snow day #2 for us, which is weird. 

First I want to start off and say that Tuesday I was reminded why I am teaching. It was a difficult day in room 4.223. Students were acting out majorly and this teacher was losing it. But there was one student that just powered through and tried his hardest during math small groups. I worked with him extra long, just because I could. This one child was my reminder, during the dark part of the day, why I am doing what I am doing. 

#365daysofliz continues

Day 23: January 23, 2014: 

Rough morning. Late because I was making breakfast and before I even made it to the highway it was on the floorboard. 

Day 24: January 24, 2014:

My good ole friend Timothy came and read a book to my kids! They loved hearing a new voice during the day!

Day 25: January 25, 2014: 

My Saturday's are filled with basketball games for my brothers. This Saturday was a fun family filled day, but the gym was FREEZING at 10am. No heat at all!

Day 26: January 26, 2014: 

I waited all day for Sean and Catherine's wedding! It was gorgeous! Grown sexy for sure! Check out Sean's sister's blog post about the wedding! I have been following Shay for quite some time now and love her!

Day 27: January 27, 2014:

This is a stupid photo of the day, but it described my day perfectly. Losing my voice meant for a very quiet and cough drop filled day for me.

Day 28: January 28, 2014:

It started snowing while we were at school. For some reason my county didn't release us early, so after lunch we all took the kids outside to play. Many of our students have never seen snow before, so it was precious seeing them run around and squeal! While they played us teachers stayed warm and watched from the sidelines!

Day 29: January 29, 2014:

The beauty of untouched snow. 

A little more & a weekly

Goodness gracious! These last few days have been crazy! Last week I was busy every single night and this week I haven't slowed down.

Today third grade had our Professional Development Planning Day. I love learning from my peers and being able to walk out with new ideas for my classroom! I can't wait to post one of the new things we talked about doing once I get it printed and laminated!

QUESTION: Teachers:

We are spending a lot of time in Social Studies learning about American Heroes. So far this year we have learned about Susan B. Anthony, Paul Revere, Mary McLeod Bethune, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt and the list goes on and on. I want to have a fun project or activity for the kids to do to pull all of their knowledge on these hero's back into their minds.  I have seen the activities where they can create a "Fakebook" page or a Pinterest board about the person, but with my group of students I don't think that will grab all of their attentions. Our school is very diverse. 
Any idea? Please? Help a teacher out!? 

And now onto my weekly....

#365daysofliz continues...

one more week stronger!

Day 16: January 16, 2014: Just a normal 6:45 am trip to Kroger to buy all of the remaining diet coke that was on sale!

Day 17: January 17, 2014: This day had been a very rough day. I had lost another day of planning, for another meeting. Then when I got back to my classroom I had to deal with some student issues and I was very upset. I walked to my phone in hopes of having some happiness in my day and I received a text from my little brother saying he got accepted into MSU! I jumped up and down and danced around. My class just starred at me! I was a very proud sister, and ran next door to tell my friend about it. :) 

Day 18: January 18, 2014: Mall date with my momma! People say we look alike.... I don't see it. 

Day 19: January 19, 2014: A trip down 85 ended my night with frozen yogurt and great conversation. Perfect way to end the Sunday!

Day 20: January 20, 2014: School holiday meant me and my best friend, Denise, headed to Athens for a little shopping and eating fun. I finally got to visit my friend at the restaurant he works at. GUYS. I'M BEING AS HONEST AS I CAN BE. Grindhouse Killer Burgers is a wonderful place to go to eat. Chill atmosphere. Great food. Great prices. Ask for Tim to be your server too!

Day 21: January 21, 2014: Sometimes I never know how Pandora will treat me at 6 in the morning, but this morning it was a perfect playlist all the way to work!

Day 22: Januar 22, 2014: Six years ago today heaven gained a true angel. Papa was one tough and honest guy. He taught me more about The Lord's love for me than anyone has. He was a true and honest man. I know he's looking down on me today and smiling. 

So far this year has been wonderful. New friendships. New beginnings. 2014 you are kind.