August Currently

So I've been working ALL day on Common Core stuff for a presentation on Friday.  My brain is common cored out for the day.  I decided I should take a break and blog.... and probably sleep!  I decided to link up with Farley over at Oh Boy Fourth Grade for her August Currently!

It was super hard to only choose 3 back to school must haves.  A new hot glue gun could probably be added to this list. My is really squeaky and in not so great shape.  And new colorful pens... because honestly there is nothing like a package of brand new colorful pens. :)

It's a big week in my family.  My little (and only) sister moves to college tomorrow.  Oh boy.  I don't feel old enough for her to go to college that's for sure.  Hopefully I won't cry.  The college is 20 minutes from my apartment and 45 minutes from mom's house so I will probably see her more now than I did before but it's still really hard.  When did she get so old??

I loaded some new things into both stores today (during breaks from CC madness).  Go check them out.  I'm having a sale in both :)

Smiles and Snapshots,

Courtney

Classroom Pictures :)

Well the classroom is pretty much complete (minus organizing some cabinets and nametags on desks).  I've had a lot of help between my boyfriend, my mom, and my boyfriend's mom and sister.  I'm a lucky girl, for sure!  My goal was to have it done before Teacher Workdays start on Tuesday... goal accomplished! :)  After a week of Common Core classes and then presenting in 6 days, I've been super busy but I feel like I'm finally getting back into the routine of things.  My sticky note to-do list is still ridiculously long though.

Here are some pictures of what I've been doing...

My classroom library.  This is a GREAT improvement from what it was.

Their cubbies... I put up my zebra numbers that turned out pretty cute.

A little motivational section.  Love the subway art quotes from Hope at 2nd Grade Shenanigans!

I'm really liking the zebra pennant banners I got from Target.  It had pink ribbon but I switched it out with black ribbon.

 My owl door.. .All I need to add it "Look whooo's in our class."  I got the patten HERE.  My boyfriend's mom and sister made the tree branches and leaves.  The leaves have my kiddos' names on them.

My writing wall...  The posters came from Teaching in Flip Flops

 My calendar wall with birthdays (clipart from Digiweb Studios.. .the hats have their names and bdays written on them) and my job chart.  I put the velcro dots on the chart so that I can easily change out the jobs.  The clocks have been chilling in my filing cabinet for 2 years so I decided to bring them out for the 4th graders.

My Student of the Month bulletin board that will go out in my hallway!

     The circles are from Teaching in Flip Flops again.  The paper is from Michael's... it was left over from my hallway.  I jumped up and down when I found it.  The lady at the cash register was laughing at my excitement.  Plus teachers get a discount at Michael's.  Gotta love it.

Speaking of hallway...  There's that paper that I'm madly in love with.  The animals came from clipart from DigiWeb Studios.  Tarzan came from Scrappin' Doodles. :)

My favorite part... :)

 And I'm having a sale in my Teacher's Notebook store.  Make sure to stop by and grab a few things for your classroom this year! :)

Smiles and Snapshots,

Courtney Long

25% off! WHAAAAT!

School is right around the corner!  Do you have a plan for Writing instruction this year? 

For one week, and one week only you can grab a copy of my 160 Days of Writing for $37.50 instead of $50 in my Teachers Notebook store!  :)

 Go get yours HERE!

This 86 page packet is a 160 day Common Core aligned Writing Curriculum that I will be using in my 4^thgrade classroom but it also covers MANY Common Core standards for other grades as well.  Minilesson and independent work descriptions are included as well as graphic organizers, forms, and graded sheets.  It has everything you will need to have a successful writing time each day of the school year!

Smiles and Snapshots,

Courtney

Giveaway Winner!

So when I set the giveaway to end on August 1st I didn't think it would get here this fast.  I mean, seriously, it's already August!  Oh. my. word.  I decided that I need to just make a to-do list each day or I'll never get stuff done. 

Today's To-Do List:

Finish custom orders

Add a new item to my TN and TPT stores

Figure out the layout of Daily 5 for this year

Do some cleaning

Date night with the boyfriend

Announce the giveaway winner

Why don't I go ahead and scratch one of these off of the list... the giveaway winner!  DRUM ROLL PLEASE!

Congratulations Nesli! I'll be emailing your items over later today!

School's right around the corner so if you didn't win, make sure to still stop by our TPT stores and grab the items that you wanted!

Ok, off to finish some things from my to-do list! :)

Smiles and Snapshots,

Courtney