Dictionary Detectives

So here it is... my newest unit on TPT!  It breaks down the dictionary with a detective theme.  Each day a "clue" to the dictionary is delivered to the classroom.  Students must use the clues to complete detective assignments throughout the week.  At the conclusion (and after passing the Official Dictionary Detective Test, of course!), I included certificates and detective ID badges.  I had a lot of fun creating this unit and I really hope you and your students enjoy it. 

You can get it HERE!

Smiles and Snapshots,

Courtney

Dunk Tank!

Friday was our school's Spring Fling.  This is a fellow 2nd grade teacher (on the left) and I getting ready for the dunk tank.  

So much fun but I have to admit that I was pretty sore.  Who knew the dunk tank was a workout!  She's actually roommate starting in May so we are thinking of blowing this picture up and putting it over the mantle.  I kid, I kid.  But it WILL go up somewhere in the apartment, I'm  sure! 

I'm  putting some finishing touches on the newest unit to go in my TPT  store so check back within the next few days to grab it!  My boyfriend leaves for an extended hike next Tuesday.  He'll be gone until July which means I'll be cranking a lot of schoolwork to keep myself occupied while he's gone!  Gotta keep myself busy!

Ok seriously, falling asleep! 

Check back for my unit: "Dictionary Detectives!"

Smiles and Snapshots,
Courtney

My TPT store is open! WAHOO!

I'm obsessed with TeachersPayTeachers.  No really.  What a great site to find excellent resources for my classroom.  I just opened up my own TPT store this afternoon.  I may have jumped up and down a little bit... but oh well! :)

I used to have literacy centers in my classroom but I recently began the Daily 5.  I had a center in which my students put high frequency words in ABC order but I wanted to come up with a way that I could assess my students each month, would be easy to grade, and would increase in difficulty each month.  I created Month-By-Month a-BEE-c order! 

Click HERE to grab it!

Let me know what you think! :)

Smiles and Snapshots,

Courtney



Long Time Coming

It's been a while... a little too long if you ask me but (I'm sure like most of you) my life has been insanely crazy for the past month or so.  Only 30 something days of school left and I'm packing in all that I can.  I don't even want to begin to think of when my kiddos will move on to 3rd grade.  I feel as though they teach ME something new every day.  I'm soaking it all in!

It's hard to believe that it is April but here is the "Currently" from over at

Oh' Boy 4th Grade

Seriously.  I strongly despise cutting things out.  I'm  OBSESSED with laminating... if only I could just cut it out automatically.  That would be awesome!

So I applied and have been accepted to a Summer Writing Institute.  I'm stoked!  We have had "Pre Institute" days to prepare for this summer and I've already gotten some really great ideas for my classroom.  I'm such a stickler for routine in my classroom.  I like to be in control of what is going on throughout my room and everyone writing something different has always scared me.  I've been researching and thinking and brainstorming how to ease (myself) into this whole giving my kiddos a choice of what to write.  I came up with a choice board that gives my kiddos some examples of what they can do.

I also created a box of magazine pictures that they can go to for inspiration if they are stuck.  It's the first week that I have not only implemented this but The Daily 5 as well.  It really went well and I am  looking forward to digging even deeper with my kids in the weeks to come. 

Smiles and Snapshots,

Courtney

"One Lovely Blog Award!" and a Linky Party

Erika over at 2B Honey Bunch has given me One Lovely Blog Award.  She has some super cute stuff!  Be sure to check it out.

The rules for this award:

1. Link back to the blogger who gave it to you.

2. Pass the award on to 15 other lovely bloggers.

3. Follow the person who sent it to you.

And it's as simple as that!

I'm passing on the award to the following "lovely" bloggers!

Heather's Heart

Conversations in Literacy

Traditions Laughter and Happily Ever After

Teacher "Extraordinaire

Swinging through Second Grade

Teaching in Room 6

Beg Borrow Steal

Teaching with Love and Laughter

Shenanigans in Second

Step into Second Grade

Teaching in Flip Flops

The First Grade Parade

Soaring through Second

Teaching with Style

I Love 2 Teach

I can't get any buttons to add to my blog!  HELP!

Also I decided to participate in a linky party over at Fun For First... 

You know you teach ____  when you...

I currently have my family saving all bottle caps.  They think I'm crazy.  A literacy center idea will strike and I'll want to put it together over the weekend or something! :)  Who knows!



Alien Invasion!

I've been talking about fact and opinion all week with my wonderful kiddos!  We also discussed symmetry this week in Math.  I decided to let my students create their own fact and opinion symmetrical aliens.  I gave them  each a sheet of white construction paper.  They folded it and cut out their own alien.  They painted half and then "smooshed" it back together.  We did all of that yesterday... while I was being observed for my 2nd year teacher stuff.  YIKES!  The kids loved it though and they came up with some fantastic things. 
Today, I gave them  fact strips to add to the left side of their paper and 3 classmates added opinions to each student's alien.  They turned out cute... and of course, I had to make a spaceship for the hallway.  It says "Caution! Fact and Opinion Symmetrical Aliens have Invaded Miss Long's Class!" 

 Here's a picture....

Pretty excited about the way it turned out.... and that my spaceship didnt' turn out to look like a pancake with legs. :)

Smiles and Snapshots,
Courtney

Currently...

Happy Monday Funday!  That's always what I tell my kiddos when they walk in the door at the beginning of the week.  They always look at me like I'm crazy but today I had one shout it at me.  Progress?? I think so! :)

I thought I would link up with my first "currently."

I'm working on a pinterest inspired bulletin board that I'll post pictures of as soon as it is complete!