The Ol' Ball Coach Shares... The Best Gift

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Regular blog contributor and LYS Legend, The Ol’ Ball Coach, asked thatI pass this on to LYS Nation.
SC,
As I listen to venom and disrespect directed towards educators ingeneral and teachers in particular, I’ve been thinking a lot about my aunt.

Aunt Erin taught 5th grade for 44 years and when she retired from SintonISD the district and the community gave her a grand party.  It was a bigdeal and she was showered with accolades and presents. A couple of weeks afterthe celebration I asked Aunt Erin what was the best gift that she received?  Without a moments hesitation she saidit was a handwritten letter from a former student.
It seems that unbeknownst to my aunt, the year this student was in herclass the student was the victim of some terrible things at her home.  It was a very dark time in herlife.  In the letter the studentthanked my Aunt because at that time the only positives in her life were myAunt’s class and the attention that my Aunt gave her every day.  She credited my Aunt for giving her thestrength to persevere and an example of what she could be.
A student letter was the greatest gift Aunt Erin ever received.
LYS Nation, you cannot comprehend how important the work you do everydayactually is.  And you may neverknow how much of a positive impact that work you do will have on the future ofyour students. Just know that you are working for a greater good.
The Ol’ Ball Coach
Think. Work. Achieve.Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copiesavailable on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary SchoolLeadership Tale” Individual copies available onAmazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Nowat the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite(Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Upcoming Presentations:  TASSPAssistant Principals’ Workshop (Featured Speaker), American Association ofSchool Administrators Conference (Multiple Presentations), National Associationof Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations), TexasAssociation of Secondary School Principals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• FollowSean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation and like LYS on Facebook

Happy Birthday to the Blog

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That’s right LYS Nation, our daily conversation is fouryears old today. It alternately feels like we just started this yesterday andthat we have been doing this forever. I have to admit when I started writingfour years ago I had no expectations and no idea where this would take us. Mybiggest fear was that I would have writer's block after the first two weeks.Fortunately, the blog struck a cord with you (the reader and practitioner) andthe LYS Nation was born. Writer’s block has yet to be an issue because the LYSNation quickly stepped up and took over the topics of discussion. And as Iregularly remind you, it is much easier and rewarding to participate in adialogue than support a never-ending monologue.I thought it would be fun to re-visit the first post Iwrote for the blog, and yes, exactly four years later, I’m dashing this offright before I hit the road to visit another school.Thank you for another great year and who knows where we’llgo in the upcoming year.Getting Started: An Introduction (February 2009)Here I am sitting in anotherairport terminal at 6:00 in the morning. I wish I could say that this isunusual, but it’s not. I’m now a school road warrior. For the past 5 (now 9)years I have lived on the road, 3, 4 and too often 5 nights a week. Going whereschools and principals have needs and problems that they need help with.There are some perks. Becauseof the travel points I’m a Hilton Diamond member and a Continental (now United)Elite member. This means on a big jet and in a big city, I get upgraded. Thathappens a couple a times a month, but most of the time I’m on a small planegoing to a small town. I also get a lot of free Southwest Airline tickets. “Congratulations,you fly a lot, do you want to fly some more?”I’m not complaining. I’m justmaking the case that I have seen a lot, worked with a lot of principals andschools, and have fixed a lot of problems. All of that to say, that what I’veseen, what I’ve learned, and what I do may be useful out there.I have observed that schoolleaders for the most part live on islands. Islands that have been built byisolation, misinformation, wishful thinking and/or petty jealousies. Hopefully,I can help get some of you off the island, or at least make the island morehospitable.So here’s what I’m going todo. I’m going to write about school leadership and school operations. The focuswill mostly be on improvement and what works. But I’ll also write about thetools that I find useful, books that I have read, conversations that I have hadand respond to your comments. Who knows where this will go? I just hope thatevery once in a while, you’ll find something that is useful to you, your schooland/or your staff.Time to board now, off toanother city and another school.
Think. Work. Achieve.Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copiesavailable on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary SchoolLeadership Tale” Individual copies available onAmazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Nowat the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite(Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: American Association of School Administrators Conference(Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School PrincipalsConference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Association of Secondary SchoolPrincipals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• FollowSean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  andlike Lead Your School on Facebook

LYS Principal Search

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LYS Executive Search~ High School Principal ~
A West Texas school district is searching forits next secondary school principal. The successful candidate will have:

• Demonstrated leadership success atthe campus level
• Demonstrated success educatingat-risk student populations
• Experience in curriculumimplementation and teacher support
• LYS training and experience,preferred

Information of Note:

• Small Texas High School
• Located in a rural, West Texas community
• Excellent location to raise a family
• Diverse student population
• Compensation: Mid - $80’s, with a competitive benefitspackage

Qualified candidates should submit the following to Search@LeadYourSchool.com

• Letterof interest
• Resume
• Texas administrators’certification
• Two letters of reference

Application Deadline: March 15, 2013 
Search Consultant: E.Don Brown LYS Executive Search(832) 477-5323
LYS Nation, once again a school district is specificallylooking for you to be its next campus leader.
Think. Work. Achieve.Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copiesavailable on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary SchoolLeadership Tale” Individual copies available onAmazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Nowat the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite(Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool)
• Upcoming Presentations: National Association of Secondary School PrincipalsConference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Association of Secondary SchoolPrincipals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• FollowSean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  andlike Lead Your School on Facebook

Common Core ELA Vocabulary Cards & 'I Can' Statements

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I tell ya right now!  These will be the death of me.  When I created these for 4th grade math, I didn't know I would have people from all grade levels wanting them.  Which was fine... it was not bad at all.  Then, I had people also wanting the ELA as well for all grade levels.  Again, I don't mind at all because these.have.paid.off.BIG.TIME!  I can't even begin to explain just how much of a blessing TpT has been to my family.  The math cards are my #1 seller right now on TpT.  I FINALLY got around to printing my own set after having them for about 6 months.  I do have to say that THEY-ARE-ADORABLE!  I don't have the 'I Can' yet because folks at my school have went a little crazy with the color toner and lamination.  ANYWAYS- I am writing all this to say this...

I AM SO SORRY THE ELA ARE NOT COMPLETE YET!  Ya'll... life with two babies under the age of 3 is CRAZY.  I promised the cards with hopes that I would have ALL this free time in the summer.  Well, it didn't happen.  It just didn't.  I tried and tried, but every second of my time is consumed with my small ones.  And, I'm okay with that.. I just hope you all can be okay with that.  I am going to do the ELA, and I hope to have them ALL out by the end of December.  So, for my planning purpose and to answer all your questions about when your grade level is going to be available, I have created a schedule that I will keep... I promise!  So, check out your grade level and when the cards {vocab & 'I can'} will be available in my TpT shop.  After these, I will not be taking any custom orders at this time.  Ya'll, I miss creating things just for fun...

4th Grade: September 11st Grade: October 13rd Grade: November 12nd Grade: December 31
I'm assuming that these all will be out earlier than listed here.  These dates are the latest they will be available.  Once I complete the first set and see how long it will take, I will adjust the schedule accordingly.
Thank ya'll for understanding.  It really means a lot.  Also, I've had a lot of people commenting that the definition font on the cards is difficult to read from afar.  After printing these off, I agree.  After the ELA cards are complete, I am going to update all the math files with two versions, the original and the new version with easy to read font.  Don't worry, the ELA will come with both as well for those of you who are already using the current math version in your classroom.
We started school on Friday and this week is my first full week.  I am looking forward to this school year, and I can't wait to implement and use all the adorable things I purchased off TpT today.  I hope ya'll have a great week!

Thirty-One Gifts.. Don't miss this!

To contact us Click HERE
Okay, okay.. this is totally not teaching related, but I just had to share!
Well, I did it again!  I just can't resist.  After taking a year off to have my little boy, I have decided to sell Thirty-One again.  I just love it.  I love having 'me' time to spend with a group of girls that love shopping just as much as I do.  When I was introduced to Thirty-One almost four years ago, I never thought it would turn into an obsession.... but it did!  Our new spring catalog goes live on Jan. 4th.  I will be shipping out a bulk of catalogs.  If you would like me to mail you a catalog, please message email me your address at terri.renee09@gmail.com. Also, if you would like to be on my monthly emails for monthly customer and hostess specials, please email me your email address at terri.renee09@gmail.com. I will be mailing the catalogs out on Thursday.   You are going to love what is in them!  Here's a sneak peek of what's inside.  If you have never heard of Thirty-one before, check out my website for more information.

MY WEBSITE
BE SURE TO 'LIKE' MY 31 REASONS TO LOVE THIRTY-ONE FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES, AUCTIONS, AND GIVEAWAYS!
I hope each of you have a great New Year and are abundantly blessed in 2013!

Top LYS Tweets From the Week of February 10, 2013

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A number of you in the LYS Nation are now Twitterusers.  If you haven’t done so yet,we want you to join us.  To let yousee what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week ofFebruary 10, 2013.
1. Pearson has a $468 million contract with Texas. Oh, and theFormer House Education Chairman as a lobbyist. (By @funnymonkey)
2. I've yet to have a student tell me they can't use technology inclass because they haven't had any PD on it. (By @sjunkins)
3. I will concede that not all students will goto college... If you will concede that you are not the judge and jury whodecides.
4. "If there’s a "but" at theend of your comment about students, your expectations are lowered." (By@PrincipalDiff)
5. So far "school choice" in Texas has meant theLegislature chooses to fund one school at $4747 per pupil and chooses to fundanother at $8500+ per pupil. (By @johnkuhntx)
6. Technology is not inherently innovative (itis the tool)...it is the human element (the driver) that makes it innovative.(By @DCulberhouse)
7. Sanger MS is discussing in our facultymeeting today how The Fundamental 5 has affected our campus. Staff has embracedit! (By @dsteeber)
8. L. Cain says most the important part of lesson is closure: Wherekids prove what they learned that day. Creates opportunity for appliedlearning. (By @6thgradersrule)
9. LYS Nation, A great 4-part piece on the Anti-CSCOPE Arguments.The crazies are out in full force on this one. Hopefully common sense willprevail. (By @dsteeber)
10. If your school improvement plan is tocreate "separate but equal," shame on you.
Think. Work. Achieve.Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copiesavailable on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary SchoolLeadership Tale” Individual copies available onAmazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Nowat the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite(Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: American Association of School Administrators Conference(Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School PrincipalsConference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Association of Secondary SchoolPrincipals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• FollowSean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  andlike Lead Your School on Facebook

A Superintendent Writes... The Anti-CSCOPE Agitators

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A LYS Superintendent submits the following:
SC, 
The problem with the anti-CSCOPE agitators is that theycan find “facts” that support their agenda. For example, the CSCOPE managementorganization (TESCC) has petitioned the Attorney General for a ruling on itsstatus. Though this is not an uncommon practice (as any Superintendent knows), to thelayperson or purposefully uninformed, it smells like something else.
If there is a CSCOPE controversy, it is driven by thelessons.  I would advise CSCOPE to get out of the lesson business and justlet teachers share ideas via some forum, like Project Share.
The anecdotal evidence provided by the agitators can beattributed to random (yet expected) incidents of poor teaching practice, poor leadership practice, andgeneral griping. Nothing by itself detrimental, but the overall mix is toxic andconfuses the real issues of instructional support and improvement. Like it or not, the anti-CSCOPEmovement does seem to have legs.
SC ResponseI can’t disagree with anything you present. But it doesbring two things to mind. 
First, in the early 2000s a group that wanted to developand sell a curriculum tool, similar to what CSCOPE is today, approachedme.  They made me a very attractiveoffer, which I turned down. When they asked why, I told them that I didn’t seetheir idea as viable. The reason? I had never met a teacher or administratorthat didn’t hate the curriculum and blame the majority of their problems onit.  This is seemingly a universaltruth.  Long story short, thecompany didn’t make it.  It seemsthat no matter what they did, teachers kept complaining about the product.
Second, in dealing with the anti-CSCOPE agitators, I’mreminded of the reason why you don’t wrestle with pigs.  All that happens is that you get dirtyand the pigs like it.
Think. Work. Achieve.Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copiesavailable on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary SchoolLeadership Tale” Individual copies available onAmazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook
• Nowat the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite(Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: American Association of School Administrators Conference(Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School PrincipalsConference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Association of Secondary SchoolPrincipals Conference (Multiple Presentations)
• FollowSean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  andlike Lead Your School on Facebook

A Principal Writes... Pretty Lies and Powerful Truths - Part 8

To contact us Click HERE

In response to the 11/29/12 post, “Pretty Lies and Powerful Truths – Part 5,” a Principal writes:
The voucher issue as well as the charter school and virtual classroomissues are a major part of the current legislative session. As advocates forpublic education reform we must recognize that the inadequacy of state fundingto public education in Texas is the civil rights issue of our time. 
People, get off your duffs and open your eyes and ears to what's goingon around you, around us, and around our schools and the students we serve.Follow, or better yet join, organizations like Raise Your Hand Texas to stayinformed, involved, and at the bare minimum be able to clearly articulate youropinions on the critical issues that will soon make your daily life's work evenmore difficult!
Take the red pill...
Think. Work. Achieve.Your turn...

• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copiesavailable on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5 
• Call Jo at (832)477-LEAD to order your campus set of “Look at Me: A Cautionary SchoolLeadership Tale” Individual copies available onAmazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/lookatmebook 
• Nowat the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool); PW Lite(Basic PowerWalks Tool); PW Pro (Mid-level PowerWalks Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: American Association of School Administrators Conference(Multiple Presentations), National Association of Secondary School PrincipalsConference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Association of Secondary SchoolPrincipals Conference (Multiple Presentations) 
• FollowSean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  andlike Lead Your School on Facebook

Common Core ELA Vocabulary Cards & 'I Can' Statements

To contact us Click HERE
I tell ya right now!  These will be the death of me.  When I created these for 4th grade math, I didn't know I would have people from all grade levels wanting them.  Which was fine... it was not bad at all.  Then, I had people also wanting the ELA as well for all grade levels.  Again, I don't mind at all because these.have.paid.off.BIG.TIME!  I can't even begin to explain just how much of a blessing TpT has been to my family.  The math cards are my #1 seller right now on TpT.  I FINALLY got around to printing my own set after having them for about 6 months.  I do have to say that THEY-ARE-ADORABLE!  I don't have the 'I Can' yet because folks at my school have went a little crazy with the color toner and lamination.  ANYWAYS- I am writing all this to say this...

I AM SO SORRY THE ELA ARE NOT COMPLETE YET!  Ya'll... life with two babies under the age of 3 is CRAZY.  I promised the cards with hopes that I would have ALL this free time in the summer.  Well, it didn't happen.  It just didn't.  I tried and tried, but every second of my time is consumed with my small ones.  And, I'm okay with that.. I just hope you all can be okay with that.  I am going to do the ELA, and I hope to have them ALL out by the end of December.  So, for my planning purpose and to answer all your questions about when your grade level is going to be available, I have created a schedule that I will keep... I promise!  So, check out your grade level and when the cards {vocab & 'I can'} will be available in my TpT shop.  After these, I will not be taking any custom orders at this time.  Ya'll, I miss creating things just for fun...

4th Grade: September 11st Grade: October 13rd Grade: November 12nd Grade: December 31
I'm assuming that these all will be out earlier than listed here.  These dates are the latest they will be available.  Once I complete the first set and see how long it will take, I will adjust the schedule accordingly.
Thank ya'll for understanding.  It really means a lot.  Also, I've had a lot of people commenting that the definition font on the cards is difficult to read from afar.  After printing these off, I agree.  After the ELA cards are complete, I am going to update all the math files with two versions, the original and the new version with easy to read font.  Don't worry, the ELA will come with both as well for those of you who are already using the current math version in your classroom.
We started school on Friday and this week is my first full week.  I am looking forward to this school year, and I can't wait to implement and use all the adorable things I purchased off TpT today.  I hope ya'll have a great week!

Thirty-One Gifts.. Don't miss this!

To contact us Click HERE
Okay, okay.. this is totally not teaching related, but I just had to share!
Well, I did it again!  I just can't resist.  After taking a year off to have my little boy, I have decided to sell Thirty-One again.  I just love it.  I love having 'me' time to spend with a group of girls that love shopping just as much as I do.  When I was introduced to Thirty-One almost four years ago, I never thought it would turn into an obsession.... but it did!  Our new spring catalog goes live on Jan. 4th.  I will be shipping out a bulk of catalogs.  If you would like me to mail you a catalog, please message email me your address at terri.renee09@gmail.com. Also, if you would like to be on my monthly emails for monthly customer and hostess specials, please email me your email address at terri.renee09@gmail.com. I will be mailing the catalogs out on Thursday.   You are going to love what is in them!  Here's a sneak peek of what's inside.  If you have never heard of Thirty-one before, check out my website for more information.

MY WEBSITE
BE SURE TO 'LIKE' MY 31 REASONS TO LOVE THIRTY-ONE FACEBOOK PAGE FOR UPDATES, AUCTIONS, AND GIVEAWAYS!
I hope each of you have a great New Year and are abundantly blessed in 2013!

Parts of Speech Centers {Nouns, Verbs, & Adjectives}

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I think that an important part of student learning is engagement.  Duh, right?!  I also think that there's something to be said for activities that students feel comfortable and confident doing independently.  This is especially important during center time when your kiddos should be using their time to reinforce previously taught concepts, so that you can effectively manage the 20-some students that aren't working with you in a differentiated group.  
I loved center time as a classroom teacher.  Not only do you get to provide individualized, intentional support to your differentiated groups, but I think everyone (including the teacher!) enjoys the break from whole class instruction.  As I've grown as a teacher I've really moved to small-group, student-led learning, as opposed to constant whole-group instruction, anyway.  
 I'm not complicated when it comes to center set-up.  I like plastic bins and 2-pocket folders.  I want my kids to have everything they need at arms-length so that there's little commotion while I'm busy working.  Here's some samples of center organization...

   

And then there's the engagement/interest level of the centers.  I rarely had to force my kids into centers because they love interacting with partners to learn!  I recently created a set of centers for Parts of Speech {nouns, verbs, & adjectives} and really tried to keep the primary student in my mind as I designed them.  
Three of the activities I created involved partner work and were based on some of my favorite guessing games: Charades, Pictionary, and Taboo!  I figure if I love them, kiddos will love them, too! And, what better way to learn nouns and verbs than to act them out, draw them, and talk about them?!

                         
Plus, there's Silly Sentences - which are sure to make your kiddos giggle!  I even laughed writing My teacher can quack like an octopus!  Ha!

Here's a little preview pic of this pack that is for sale in my TpT shop HERE that includes even more than what's pictured here to reinforce nouns, verbs, and adjectives.  



{PS.  I should note that it took me an insane amount of time to upload this dang document to TpT.  Like hours.  This whole Mac thing is really messin' up my groove!}
I hope everyone enjoyed their time off today!

Prepping for Literacy Night!

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As our Title I teacher, it is part of my responsibility to help plan and implement a school-wide Literacy Night.  I had the opportunity to meet with our PTA president and our FRC coordinator today to brainstorm for this upcoming event and, needless to say...
I. Am. So. EXCITED.
!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously, I cannot wait to see it all come together in March!  
Are you familiar with Literacy Nights?
Basically, the school puts on an evening of activities that encourage community literacy and emphasizes reading outside of school.  As we all know, family engagement is absolutely crucial for student success.  And, reading?  Also crucial for success.  Combining the two and bridging the gap between school and home is what a Literacy Night is all about.  
Fortunately, our Literacy Night will coincide with our PTA Read-a-Thon and Read Across America week.  Yay!


I don't want to disclose too many details because I want to blog all about it with pictures and ideas afterwards!
Have you participated in or planned a Literacy Night before?  Since I'm a Literacy Night novice,  I'd love to hear feedback, suggestions, or ideas you might have for me!  Please share!
Happy Tuesday :)

All things *green* and lovely!

To contact us Click HERE


I never considered March to be one of my favorite months of the year, but I'd have to say that it wins over January and February by far!  It's all that promise of newness and growth and - let's be honest - Spring Break.  Holla'!  I'm really looking forward to seeing GREEN this year.  Flowers, leafy trees, and shamrocks really speak to me :)
Speaking of green, I am a HUGE  Emerald City fan.  Love me some Wizard of Oz!  I even incorporated a Wizard of Oz themed unit in my classroom for the past two years.  My kids loooooved it and it gave me a great opportunity to incorporate creative writing into our curriculum and expose kids to one of my favorite stories.  {My Wizard of Oz unit can be found HERE.}
                               Besides loving the Wizard of Oz, I also LOVE Wicked.  I've seen it thrice and every time I want to get on that stage and defy gravity with Elphaba and Gah-linda.  My sister and I *might* sing that song into wooden spoons at the top of our lungs.  In front of our family.  Not embarrassing at all.

And, now, low and behold, this...


!!!!!!!  
So, to make March even better Oz The Great and Powerful comes out on the 8th.  Stop. It. 
And, then, there's St. Patrick's Day.  

I like to be festive, what can I say?  I also like to get the free green soft serve ice cream at Ameristop.  FREE.  
If you're getting centers ready for the coming month, check out my St. Patty's Day Packet O' Fun. Clean, green fun.  

March is going to be busy for the Mullins fam.  Between coaching my Academic Team in Governor's Cup, to prepping for Literacy Night, to packing our home up in preparation for our move, to all the spring festivities, we are going to be seven shades of green come April!  Shoo!  
Are you as excited for March as I am?!

ROFL! LOL!

To contact us Click HERE

I totally forgot to add this pic to my Wizard of Oz post yesterday...

Becks is reading one of *the best* Wizard of Oz adaptations with pop-ups by Robert Sabuda.  This illustrations and pop-ups are so intricate and incredible!  The original story is still told by L. Frank Baum, but this book just takes it too a whole other level.  Your kids will love it!
Anyway, back to my ROFL! LOL! title.  
I am doing a little research on funny read-alouds.  And, I'm talking hilarious-make-them-laugh-out-loud books.  Books that both boys and girls will enjoy.  Becks and I have happened upon several, and I've pulled out a few from my classroom library.  
Here's what make us ROFL...

Walter the Farting Dog is hilarious.  Probably because it says fart and rectal flatulence like no big deal. I will be completely honest here and say that the first time I read it - before Becks was even born - I was crying I was laughing so hard.  Here's an excerpt...
Walter wanted to stop [the burglars] but he was having unbearable gas pains.  He rolled on his back, and waved his paws in the air.  He gnashed his teeth...That's when Walter let it fly.  It was the worst fart of his life.
I apologize now if we don't share the same humor :P


I adore ALL books by Jan Thomas, but Can YOU Make a Scary Face? definitely gets giggles.  I tested  it out on some kindergarteners the other day, and I had to remind them to turn down their giggles a bit.  

Once Upon a Royal Superbaby is pretty funny, too.  It tells a shared story between a boy and girl classmate and how they tell the same story differently.  {PS.  This is a great book for your reluctant male readers!}  It also ends with a stinky diaper - Becks' favorite part.

Mo Willems has some super stories, but Becks and I have been cracking up over Elephant and Piggie lately.  Such a funny duo!  The stories are so simple and there is a lot of repetition and sight words.  A perfect funny choice for your K-1 babies.
So, back to my research question for y'all: what are some tried and true funny read-alouds that you and/or your kiddos adore? 

Pets, Pets, Pets!

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  Next week we are learning about pets!  This unit is a fun one because lots of families have pets, so this is an extremely relatable theme for preschoolers.  I have gathered some great pet resources and wanted to share!
Book Ideas:




Craft Ideas:
A Dog Craft Freebie from The Constant Kindergartner

Source: teachersnotebook.com via Ashley on Pinterest
Handprint Cats from Easy Preschool Craft
Source: easypreschoolcraft.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest
Individual fish aquariums from Teach Preschool
Source: teachpreschool.org via Ashley on Pinterest
Fun & Free activity ideas:

Free pet graphing from Bunting, Books & Bainbridge
Source: teachersnotebook.com via Ashley on Pinterest
Fish Cracker Match from Pre-Kinders
Source: prekinders.com via Ashley on Pinterest
Doggie Where’s My Bone? Phonemic Game from Make, Take, Teach
Source: teacherspayteachers.com via Ashley on Pinterest
Fish and bubble counting from To the Lesson
Source: tothelesson.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest
Here is the Pretend Play Vet Clinic that I set up for my kiddos last year.  It was a big hit!
 







I would love to hear your ideas for a Pet Thematic Unit!

Pets Rock! Especially non-living ones!!

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Hello Everyone!
PHEW! Four day weeks can be very tiring!  Especially the four day week that comes after the holiday break!  I always try to cram five days worth of learning into four.  Well, we made it through and ended the week on a fun note.  We've been working on "living vs. nonliving" in science. I love the AIMS materials when it comes to engaging learning activities.  On Friday, we were able to fit in a fun lesson about the difference in pets. What do we have to do to keep our pets healthy and safe?  Why? Because they are living things.  We learned a quick song, and then got busy making a pet that didn't need to be fed, walked, brushed, etc.  We made pet rocks!  We simply picked up some bags of rocks from Dollar Tree, dug out some eyes and a few other things to decorate, and tah dah! Cute little critters!!  Some of the kiddos named their critters, and I even saw one little one give her critter a little kiss.  Then we talked about the differences between this pet and live pets.  

 If you want a quick little copy of this song, click here! :)

The kids got to take their new Nonliving Pets home!  I hope they are taking good care of them!! :)

Have a great weekend!! Got to go and take care of my living pets!! :)
Joyfully!
Nancy

Won't You Be Mine?

To contact us Click HERE
Hello Everyone!
We are quickly approaching the sweetest day of the year...Valentines Day!  First graders looove Valentines Day!  I created a little unit to use during that entire week. It includes two poems, some word work activities, an eat your words activity, "The Biggest Valentine Ever" questioning activities and craft connection, about 6 different math activities dealing with comparing and ordering numbers up to and beyond 120, some fun math strategy games and a science activity.  I can't wait to try all this with my firsties!!  I hope you can use some of it as well!
Here are a few pics of what is included in the 48 page unit!

Mystery Picture clues include addition

For your free 48 page Valentine unit, be mine and click here! Have a sweet day!!Joyfully!Nancy