Currently I am...(linky party woop woop)

 

is having a Linky Party for Currently I am....

(she was inspired by PINTEREST what else?:))

She also has some freebies with a Currently I am....print out to use in your classroom. I snagged it up and you should to AFTER you link up for the linky party.

Here we gooooooooo

 

construction across the street at the Mercedes dealership and my husband talking to a customer (I'm working at my in-law's furniture store some this summer). 

all the insanely creative and inspiring projects and ideas from Pinterest as well as all my new blogging teacher "friends" I have found and that have found me.

But did I mention that I love Pinterest right now? 

Oh okay thought so.

about where the hubbie and I are going to stay for our anniversary trip Thursday-Sunday. We know we're going to the beach..some beach. That's about it.

I'm also thinking about how I can make a window in my classroom because I have NO WINDOWS.

If you have any ideas, please leave them in the comments section. 

some Peanut butter M and M's. 

nom nom nom.

to work on some OHLOVELYOIL orders and get over this laziness syndrome.

craigslist? Wait is that considered stalking? Well that's where I'm spending a lot of time in search of anniversary spot. 

I guess I was kind of stalking Oh Boy 4th Grade seeing as how I read about the linky party.

Your turn

Go Link UP

Blog Mixer Linky Party

All the other fabulous blogs I follow were doing it, so I guess I caved. (eh peer pressure)

Yearn to Learn is hosting this link party and here's the deal-e-oooo

1.  A blogger who is a "New Kid on the Blog"(Let's say someone who has blogged 2 months or less and has less than 200 followers)Mrs. Hahn I was pretty excited when I stumbled upon her blog today because 1. she likes feathers and 2. she does craftastic things like modge podge clip boards
2.  Post a blogger in your same grade levelSince my classroom can house K-3 this one was easy peasy
Mrs. Tabb (first grade) (you might can find her on www.thebomb.com )Mrs. Lemons (2nd grade)
3.  Post a blogger in a different grade level
Tara at 4th Grade Frolics
and http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/ (even though she is going to be teaching 4th now)

4.  It's all about the button. Find a cute blog button and post it

For even more great blogs head over to Yearn to Learn and follow until your little heart is content:)

i am a WINNER!

Today has been one of those stressful, bang head against the wall kind of days.  Storm clouds followed me for a good portion of the day until I came home, checked my blog feed and found this

remember the Trash to Treasure linky party contest I entered here

trashtotreasure

Well I won one of the prizes. 

I so needed this sunshine today.

it couldn't have come at a more perfect time.

(insert happy dance here)

Someone else's trash became my Treasure:)

Fact number 1: I love altering and making/creating things.
Fact number 2: My husband is a garage sale/thrifting guru. When you are married to someone who has this gift of finding "treasures" among "trash", you have no choice but to participate in the journey.

So at the end of this school year I had to move classrooms (mind you I had already moved mid year). I guess you could say I'm like a traveling gypsy.  My new classroom has a perfect spot under the telephone for a small shelf.  It only took 2 Saturday's to come across the perfect fitting shelf for my room which happened to look like this:

Don't you just love the sponged on tan and blues? mmmm good looking

Scored this one for 2 whole dollars:)

So after casting forth vision, here's what I decided to do with it.

bright blue, black and white plus some hot pink...

now that's more like it

 I am quite obsessed with the top

 Oh hey cool frame from Hobby Lobby

 the black strips are....chalkboard!!! quotes, words, phrases, doodles

I love these blocks. great for list making

or if I feel generous, letting the students draw on my teacher shelf 

Now head on over to 

and check out some more trash to treasure creations.

10 things about Me:)

So I must admit, I love all the linky parties that have been taking place on all the fabulous blogs I stalk. Mrs. Owens follow the link to head to her blog is having a linky party for 10 things about you (or me). She also has a cute freebie printable on her post as well (so snag it quick!)

Here's ten things about myself

1. I celebrate my 2 year wedding anniversary on August 29th. Aren't we cute:

2. I have 3 furbabies (Josiah a toy fox terrier, Kaylee black lab mix, and Salem pit bull mix)

 3. I love reading.  Book nerd for life


4. I am a part time artist/crafter. Check out my etsy here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ohlovelyoil      and my crafty blog here: http://ohlovelyoil.blogspot.com/

5. I am an EC teacher (will be going on my 6th year) and teach students who have behavioral and emotional disabilities) 


6.  I have a slight obsession with birds, old keys, journals, and all things vintage.


7. I like to do fun things to my hair. my most recent being this:

8. My husband can dance. He teaches ball room dancing through the program Dancing Classrooms http://www.dancingclassrooms.com/ (in the North Carolina pilot program) as well as hip hop dance


9. "If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking...Oh how He loves us all" I love the Lord 


10. We have a pool at our house that needs a new pump, liner, etc, etc in order to become functioning. If you would like to donate to the pool fund you will be blessed (hehehehe)

Super Spelling Ideas

My students do a word study block using the WORDS THEIR WAY program by Francine Johnston as their spelling words for each week.

During the week they participate in various hands on activities to help them learn their spelling words. Here are some ideas you may want to use in your classroom to spice up your spelling.

Yarn Writing

All you need is paper, glue, and some yarn

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Larkin on Pinterest

Students use the glue to write out their words (one letter at a time is easier so it doesn't waste glue as the glue will dry quickly). Then they cut the yarn to form the letters using the glue outline.  Hands on, good for motor skills, plus they are spelling.

Source: somedaycrafts.blogspot.com via Jennie on Pinterest

ABC ORDER

(forwards or backwards)

I've found a ton of receipt paper at garage stores, thrift stores for really cheap.  My students enjoy this activity as they get to spread out in the floor.  I pass out a loooooooooooong strip of receipt paper and have students write their words out BIG (leaving space in between the words). Then after they write out their words they cut out the words. 

You can have them simply sort the words in ABC order (forwards or backwards) or have them glue the words on a poster in ABC order.  

Choo-Choo and RainBow Words

Source: matteart.blogspot.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Choo Choo words are just writing out the words around then paper, then drawing box cars and adding wheels to make it into a choo choo train.  Once words are written they can add in a road, draw the smoke, and make their trains more personal. 

Rainbow words are when students use either colored pencils, crayons, or markers and write their words. Each letter has to be a different color.

How Much are my Words Worth?

This activity incorporates math as students are given a chart with each letter and the corresponding money amount.  (see link below)

How much are my words worth?

Then students write out their words and calculate up how much it's worth.

Example: 

fish: I see the F is worth 6 cents, I is 7, S is 5 and the H is worth 1 cent. 

So they would add up 6 + 7 + 5 + 1= 19 cents

This also helps to reinforce addition skills for students who may not have that skill strongly in place.

Computer Fun

My students love, love, love getting on the computer and typing their words.  

Some of their favorite activities to do on the computer with their words is:

1) write a story with your words

2). Type your words 3 times each (change the font and size (and color if you have a colored printer) for your words. 

3) Make powerpoint slides of your words including:

*The Word

*A sentence

*Clip art that goes with the word or sentence 

(they enjoy customizing the slides and adding animation as well)

These are just a few of the MANY things we do with spelling.  Head on over to teachingblogaddict for more 

Classroom Shopping Linky Party

Kristen over at Ladybug's Teacher Files hosted a classroom shopping link party.  As a school supply shopper addict, I knew I had to link up my great recent finds.

I cannot lie. Once summer hits and school is out I am constantly hawking the stores (my top prized 3: Michaels, Dollar Tree, and Target -especially the dollar section) for teacher goodness.  I sadly cannot enter into the Dollar Tree without spending at least 8-10 dollars average.  I have a weakness for school supplies and have already taken multiple trips to various stores in hopes that some "Back to School" supplies have started to be stocked on the shelves.  

After reading all the great Target finds from the Linky party, I was inspired to head to my local Target in hopes of being as successful as some of the other teachers were.  It was a sad let down and I walked away empty handed. BUT I did see a few bookbags being put out. That must mean the rest will follow eh?

I have managed to snag some great goodies such as:

fabulous folders. 1.00 a pack. I am going to use them for our Student Survival Guide (which houses all our classroom expectations and rules to be successful). I may have to go back and purchase more. A teacher can never have enough folders

Behavior Charts (a much needed essential in my classroom)

 stickers, stars for behavior incentive sheets (see previous photo) and tags 

I adore the Dollar Tree teacher section

 These blank calendar pages are great. I use mine to keep all my IEP's organized 

 I have a slight obsession with owls so when I saw this for Character Ed, I squealed with joy.

Perfect!

 Dear Michaels, you never seem to disappoint me.

thank you

Storage bins (I'm thinking colored pencils) and lots of H (for Hawk of course) sticky notes

 I love this. 

Can't wait to hang it and remind myself each day to be in celebration

Everyone knows Dollar Tree is the place to go for bins. I was happy to see these guys back in stock as I needed them for my classroom library.