Ten Pin Linky: Writing!

I am linking up with Ashley over at Just Reed for her Ten Pin Linky Party!  I love writing and the new writers' workshop I began implementing two years ago.  I loosely follow the Lucy Caulkins Writers' Workshop and have created many units to go along with these (that are available on my TPT store)!  I feel like I finally have a good handle on Writing, but I am constantly looking at Pinterest for new ideas :)  Writing is so important!  OK, enough rambling, here are my pins!

    

This year I want my kids to actually do this activity where they create a "1 drawing," a "2 drawing," etc.  I think that may help them remember to color like I expect!

I already added this to the last Pinterest linky party, but I LOVE it so much!

I have this posted in my writing center.  I think its another cute way to have kids evaluate their sentences.

I use to say "Is that a two thumbs up sentence?" (Capital letter and period), but I think I will change that up this year so I can say "Does your sentence have SWAG?!"

 I use to have pockets with the letters on it where I would put words they would constantly ask me about that weren't on the word wall (beautiful, cousin, etc.)  I think I will add a second area for these this year!

I did this with my kids last year, they did a nice job after a writing unit evaluating their writing.

I used post-its in the past with reminders for kids, but if I had a couple of these binders I could just set them up on kids' desks who need that personalized anchor chart.

This is more fun than writing a list of what is special to them!

Used these last year... loved it!

Another way to reinforce sentence structure.

Blogger isn't letting me add links to these pins, but you can see them all on my Writing Pinterest Board.

Happy Pinning!

Annie

Freebie for some Feedback!

I have been a busy bee working away on word study centers.  We do Word Sorts each week.  I have about 4 groups for word study.  In the past, they each have received their words on Monday, done activities all week and then taken a test on Friday.  I wanted to spruce it up a bit this year and give them more options for their activities so I have been creating different activities for each word sort.  I have made 4 units so far, but would LOVE some feed back!

So here is your chance for a freebie for feedback!  If you would like to help me out, I can send you the 47 page pack for FREE if you can let me know if this would be useful.

Just leave your email address below!  Here are some sneak previews of what you would get for the IG, IN, IP and IT sort.

THANKS!

Annie

My Favorite Pins Friday (a bit late!)

I did start hunting for my favorite pins on the correct day, but got a bit distracted!  I am happy to be linking up with The First Grade Parade for the first time this summer to share some of my favorite pins!

Favorite Health Pin

I am OBSESSED with this detox water, I drink it all of the time just because it is delicious and super easy to make:

Favorite End of the Year Pin

I did this at the end of the year and my kids loved it!  I know it will be a great keepsake for them.  Thanks Polka-Dotted Teacher!

My Favorite Pin the Just Makes Me Happy

I loved my college experience and it just makes me happy remembering it!

My Favorite Writing Idea

I had a mailbox, but I was VERY bad about passing out mail during the past couple of years.  I think this mailbox set up would be a little more in my face!

My Favorite Math Thinking Pin

I was really proud of my kids when they worked on these puzzles.  It was a great way to have them practice adding and subtracting.

My Favorite EASY Sight Word Activity

This is super easy to make a center for sight word recognition.  I created some 8x11 parking lots and typed in words and then I switch them out every week.  The kids love playing with their cars.

My Favorite Grading Activity

Perfect visual of what I want their writing to look like!

My Favorite Recipe

If you love thai food, this is absolutely delicious!  Just like this blogger says, I don't use the vegetable oil (way to oily then).  This is easy and yummy!!

My Favorite Brain Break Video

I love teaching my kids the states.  This is a fun quick video to show at the end of the day or when you need a quick break!

Thanks for the link up opportunity, I love pinterest and am finding some great pins on this linky party!

Enjoy your weekend!
Annie

New TPT Project!

I know I already mentioned the vacation I was on, but I think I have a problem.  The whole time I was gone, I was thinking and writing down projects I could do for my classroom/TPT! Am I the only one who can't turn the brain off?

Anyway, I have been working for the past two days on the first of a series of mini unit activities.  I love words their way, but was a little bored with some of the activities I was doing so I am creating about 5 activities per word sort (and adding more words!).  I figure I will put this in a word study center and each group will have their own designated tub of activities they can work on throughout the week.

I got a little carried away... I created a 47 page document for AT and AN words.  I am really proud of some of the activities - there is a fun word search, a board game, some sorts and other fun things :)  Check it out at my TPT store!

My Store!

Tomorrow my hubby is pulling me away from my computer for a trip downtown, but I'll be back at the next set on Thursday!

Happy Tuesday!

Annie

Liebster Award!

I was super excited to come home from vacation and start blogging again... and now I am even more excited to have been nominated by Sarah J over at A Sunny Day in First Grade for the Liebster Award.  The Liebster Award is for up and coming bloggers and I am excited to be a part of it as I hope my blogging life really begins to take off :)  So THANK YOU Sarah!

To accept the nomination I must:
1. Link back to the blog that nominated me
2. Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers
3. Answer the questions posted for you by your nominator
4. Share 11 random facts about yourself
5. Create 11 questions for your nominees
6. Contact your nominees and let them know you nominated them

My nominations are:

Kelli @ Surviving the Little People

Courtney @ Polka Dot Lesson Plans

Jessica @ Wild About Firsties

Miss May @ One Fab Teacher

Erica @ Blooming In First

Sarah's Questions

Why did you start your blog?

It was a combination between Pinterest and TPT that got me started on blogging.  I always tell myself that I wish I knew about this my first year teaching just because there are SO many wonderful ideas out there.  I have gathered so many wonderful ideas that I hope through my blog I can share some of my ideas to help others out too.

What's your favorite thing to do in your free time?

I like to doodle with stuff on my computer (blog, pinterest, facebook).  I LOVE to travel and try to get away as much as I can.  I also like to exercise.

Do you have any pets?

Not yet, but we currently have the cutest, nicest dog staying with us and we are kind of falling in love with the idea.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Europe... anywhere over there!

What was the last book you read?

Digital Fortress by Dan Brown.

What is your favorite subject to teach and why?

It changes every year!  This past year I would say it was writing, definitely.  I love, love, love Lucy Caulkin's writers' workshop.

What is your favorite time of the year?

Fall, hands down.  I love the leaves, love the weather and love the holidays.

If you could have one thing (anything!) for your classroom, what would it be?

Those cubby seats from Target.  I would love those around my circle area... just for the organization and cleanliness!

What is your favorite place to shop?

I go anywhere that I can find a deal.

Winter or summer?

Summer :)

What is your greatest accomplishment?

That is a tough question.  I do think my teaching has been a continuous accomplishment, but I also think I have accomplished a lot physically - I hiked the Inca Trail, did a half marathon and a triathlon!  These were all great mental and physical accomplishments.

11 Random Facts About Me

1. I have been to 45/50 States!

2. I can recite ever line of  Friends for you.

3. I have had the same best friend since I was six.

4. I am OBSESSED with counting my daily steps.

5. I love having my picture taken... my Dad had a camera in my face constantly from day 1.

6. I am an irish dancer.

7. Every year I get extremely excited about Back to School sales... its better than Christmas!

8. I love when Rolling Thunder comes to DC during Memorial Day weekend, it is my favorite.

9. I can't follow directions to save my life, thank God my husband is a good navigator.

10. I hate talking on the phone.

11. I think one of most important things I teach my first graders is their 50 states.  It drives me insane when adults don't know all 50 states.

Questions to my Nominees!

1. What is the biggest difference between your teaching your first year and currently?

2. Are you more addicted to blogging, pinterest or Facebook?

3. What is your favorite children's book?

4. Why did you become a teacher?

5. What do you want your students to remember about you?

6. What is your favorite sport?

7. What is your favorite holiday?

8. What is your dream vacation?

9. If you could have a celebrity visit your classroom, who would it be?

10. Who inspires you?

11. Sweet or salty?

I look forward to reading all of your answers!  Thank you again Sarah for including me on this!

Happy Monday!

Annie

Where have I been?

I feel like I have been very neglectful of my blog, but don't worry... I am back and hope to have a lot of ideas to share!  I have been following all of your blogs through bloglovin on my ipad, but I found it too hard to type up entries with no keyboard!

I have just returned from a 3 1/2 week southeast road trip with the hubby!  We saw a LOT of things.  A quick re-cap of the cities we visited: Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Savannah, Destin, Mobile, New Orleans, Vicksburg, Little Rock, Memphis, St. Louis, Springfield, Metropolis, Nashville, Louisville and Cincinnati.  It was a great trip and we did about anything you can think of in those cities.  The hubby is a history teacher so we also so a LOT of historical things.  He thinks I get easily bored at these museums and battlefields, but I did learn a lot about our American history.

We are now back for the remainder of the month and I plan on tutoring and developing a lot of things for the upcoming school year.  I hope to join in on all of the linky parties and hopefully share some freebies as I develop them.

I hope you all are enjoying your summer and I am happy to be back in the blogging world :)