Tuesday, July 28, 2015

TPT: Solving Equations


I missed Made It Monday because I have enjoyed spending a whole week with the love of my life.  I therefore focused more on creating TPT products when he was at work or baseball practices.  In addition to my percent bundle, this week I created a solving equations bundle.


Check Out My TPT Store!
Solving Equations: One-Step Task Cards
24 Task Cards solving one-step equations.
Solving Equations: Two-Step Task Cards
24 Task Cards solving two-step equations.
Solving Equations: Multi-Step Task Cards
24 Task Cards solving multi-step equations.
Solving Equations Task Card Bundle
Solving Equations Bundle
All my task cards start at an easy level, and increase in difficulty as students move through the problems.  The task cards also have include different kinds of problems including whole number, integers, decimals, fractions, and my favorite, word problems.  


Here is a sneak peak of what is coming this week along with a new bundle!
Solving Inequalities: One-Step Task Cards
24 Task Cards Solving Inequalities One Step

Please check out my work and leave feedback!  I am so excited to expand my TPT Store to include these new products.



Wednesday, July 22, 2015

New TPT Products

Hey everyone, I am so excited to say that I have finally sat down and devoted some of my time to create some new TPT products!  I have finally figured out how create some amazing pieces with new graphics that I have found and new fonts that I finally downloaded.  I decided to create some task cards because it is something that my students loved to do.  I use them as a review for a topic.  We complete half of them in class and then I upload the rest of them on my classroom website or Google Classroom and the students then have to finish it for homework.  I started with a topic that I find difficulty finding TPT products for: percentages.

Percentage of a Number Task Cards
16 Task Cards where students need to find the "part"
when given the whole and percent.
Finding The Whole Number Percentage Task Cards
16 Task Cards where students need to find the "whole"
when given the part and percent.
Finding Percentages Task Card
16 Task Cards where students need to find the percent
when given the part and whole number.

After completing these three sets of task cards, I thought it would be great to add them together to create a bundle.  This bundle will include all three task card sets at a cheaper price them buying them all together.  I then created the following: 
MY FIRST BUNDLE!  
Percentages Bundle
Percentage Bundle

After spending one day creating these percentage task cards and the percentage bundle, I thought I would start at the beginning of the school year and begin creating task cards for large unit sections.  Therefore, today I started to create my equations task card.  I started with task cards with solving equations (one-step). 

Solving Equations: One-Step Task Cards
24 Task Cards solving one-step equations.

All my task cards start at an easy level, and increase in difficulty as students move through the problems.  The task cards also have include different kinds of problems including whole number, integers, decimals, fractions, and my favorite, word problems.  

Please check out my work and leave feedback!  I am so excited to expand my TPT Store to include these new products.


Happy & Healthy - Lunch


Hey everyone!!  Marion from Mentoring in the Middle are coming together again with a look at healthy lunches!  Does what you pack for lunch need an update?  Want to try something new?  Link up with your go-to lunch to bring to school and see if you find a recipe or two to try!



My favorite lunch is the Mandarin Orange Asian Chicken Salad.  This yummy lunch has a little bit of everything: fruit, vegetables, protein, and a small amount of carbs.  This is an easy lunch to make and you can alter to best meet your needs. 

Now it's time to share your favorite healthy lunches with us and link up below!







Monday, July 20, 2015

Made It Monday - July 20, 2015

Hey everyone!  As I get another week closer to school starting, I am starting to worry if I will be ready.  I am not allowed to move into my new classroom until two weeks until school starts.  This worries me because I would be going into my old school now to set up.  I am very OCD about my things and worry that a week and a half will not be enough time to get organized and used to the new school.  This past weekend I was able to pick up all my things from my old school.  This meant that I was able to work more on my bins and organizing my binders.

I am linking up with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for my second Made It Monday!  
Please make sure to stop by her site and link up with the party to share all your products!


Here is an image of all my products for this week!  As you can see, I was busy fixing up old things and creating new things!  Please make sure to check my TPT for all my new products.  Please feel free to message me if you would like something customized for your classroom!


Teacher Toolbox

So I wanted to revamp my teacher toolbox so that it would match my new classroom theme.  Before my toolbox was a dark navy blue with blue and maize labels (for Michigan of course).  I decided to try this spray paint thing (which I never did before).  So I was stupid enough to try it out on the hottest, most humid day that we have had in PA all summer.  So I painted it to my classroom theme and then decided to create my own labels.  As you see, I am still unsure as to what I want the last big bin to be.  I have researched and many people have pencils, pens, expo markers, but I cannot fit my markers, pens, or pencils in the bin without turning them diagonally.  Besides, I have my cute pen holder for all my adorable flair and colored pens.  So I am up to suggestions as to what else I
 can put in that last bin.  I do have the following things so far:
-Post-It Notes & Post It Tags (the small ones)
-White Out
-Fine Tip Sharpies
-Highlighters
-Charging Chords (my ipad/iphone)
-Glue Sticks                    - Thumb Tacks
-Scotch Tape                  - Staples
-Paper clips (small, large, x-large, fancy)
-Binder clips (small, medium, large)
-Rubber bands                - Staple Remover
-Brass Brads                   - Change (coins)
On top of my teacher bin I have my desk calendar that I created last week along with my correcting pen holder which I created by taking a black short vase and wrapped it with ribbon.

Please make sure to check out my TPT Store for the teacher tool box labels.  Again, I am willing to change them to meet the needs of your classroom theme!

 Welcome Banner
I got this great idea from NOT JANE when she created her lovely welcome banner from target.  I was looking for the chevron and blue theme for the longest time.  I could not find anything on TPT or pinterest so I created my own.  I laminated the banner and then punched holes in the banner to connect each piece to create my final master piece.  I absolutely love it and cannot wait to hang it from my door as the students come in!  This was a simple make that took only an hour to create, laminate, cut, and construct!  


Homeroom Bin
This is a bin that I have been using the past four years, but it needed a huge makeover.  I decided to spray paint it black because I did not want to have too much blue in my room.  It used to be a very dirty white.  My spray paint was able to cover all the dirt.  I then created several labels that match the rest of the labels that I am using throughout my classroom.  My homeroom has been using this as a way to organize their papers instead of bringing everything to my desk.  They place their office notes, papers, letters in the designated bin.  All lunch orders go in it's own bin and any notes or things that need to be turned into me goes in my bin.  This is easier than having 100 different things on my desk.  It also allows me to check off who did or did not turn things on.  Of course I enforce the "put your name on everything" in the beginning of the year.  I just found this to be an easy way for me to organize myself in the morning and keep papers off my desk!

Again, check out my TPT Store for all my label products.  Of course if you need any of them to be altered to your classroom theme, I will gladly do so!


Teacher Cart Organization
I started using this last year when I spotted this gem at SAMS club.  As you can see, I am extremely organized!  I like to plan for the week and make copies early so that I do not have to fight people for it.  In each of these bins I have a file folder for each class I teach.  In those folders are all the handouts that I need for the week.  This way I can go to the correct day, class, and just hand out the papers that I need.  It is also a great way for subs to come in and find things very easily.  I used to have small address labels on this for the different days of the week, but decided since I was making custom labels to create some for this cart as well.  I did add the bin "next week" to to my cart this year.  One goal I have is to try and prepare for the following week as early as I can.  If I know of worksheets, papers, or projects that I want to do the next week, I can put that material in that bin so it will be easy to find.  I am still unsure how to use the last four bins.  Again, I am up to suggestions.  I was thinking of copy and file, but I have a different organization style for things like that.  I have a hanging file cabinet folder for each class that I need to file so when I have time (once a month), I file them into their correct binders.  The only thing I can think of is to create bins for things that I am in charge of (Student Council, 8th Grade Graduation, 8th Grade Trip).  The only problem to this is that I have binders with all of these things.  So, SUGGESTIONS?

Teacher & TPT Binders

Since I was able to get into my old classroom, I was able to pick up all my binders filled with all my tests, quizzes, worksheets, and TPT products.  I really wanted to sit down this summer and figure out how to organize all my work.  Over the weekend, I posted a question on my Instagram asking how everyone organizes their TPT products.  I decided that since I am teaching leveled classes that it might be a good idea to organize them based on topics.  I laid out all my products based on topics and decided to put them into binders based on large units (6th grade material, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, my own foldables & I Have, Who Has game).  I am working on an additional binder that has holiday TPT products in.  Then I wanted to sit down and organize my teacher binder.
 My teacher binder has all the essentials that I need throughout the school year.  I used clear protective sleeves and post it note dividers.  My first section is my weekly planner.  I plan on keeping this in a clear protective sleeve because then I can use white board markers to write on it, and erase it each week.  This will allow me to stay organized.  This worksheet includes the following things:

-To Do Check List
-Don't Forget Section
-Meetings
-Next Week
-Misc

I think each section is needed to help me through the school year.  With being in a new school, I need to make sure that I stay up-to-date on all the things going on.

The next section of my binder is the monthly calendar.  I found this to work last year.  I then copy the school calendar and have them facing each other.  It allows me to compare what is happening at home with events that are going on in school.  Being highly involved in school and community means that I need to make sure that I manage my calendar.  So my calendar is ready for the whole school year!  August to June!


 After the calendar would be a spot for my lesson plans.  I place my lesson plans in the clear protective sleeves.  I do this because if I need another day for a lesson, I can use a white board marker to draw arrows or write in my lesson plans.

Following my lesson plans are my meeting notes paper.  I use these for monthly faculty meetings and weekly middle school team meetings.  It allows me to place the date at the top and includes the following:
-Notes
-Action Items (things going on that week)
-Dates to Remember
-Misc.

Being team leader, I then take these notes to create a Google doc. of what happened at the meeting for all teachers.

 After the meeting log is my parent contact log.  I love this section of my binder.  It allows me to keep record of all parent contact.  My school is very strict with making sure that we record all parent contact in case we need them for reference.  This log includes the following:
-Student's name
-Parent I contacted
- Way I contacted them
-Date
-Notes section to write down what we discussed

It is an organized way to keep parent contact log in case my principal ever needs it or a parent does not remember what we discussed last time we met.  It helps with parent conferences as well.  So I can help direct my conversations with the parents.


The last section of my teacher binder is my usernames and passwords.  This section is new to me.  Last year, I had so many passwords, usernames, and emails to remember that I would tend to forget what the username or password was to various websites.  This year I am going to try and improve that by keeping track of all this information.  Other team teachers have similar things and found it so useful.  I would ask them the password to the teacher iPad or the students iPads and they would be able to quickly tell me this information by looking at their username and password section of their binder.  Since I am starting at a new school, I thought it would best to include this since I am going to need to learn new emails, passwords, usernames, and use new websites.

I was worried about putting this in my binder, but this binder stays on a safe place behind my desk so that students will not get into it.


Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Happy & Healthy - Breakfast

Whoop Whoop!!!
I have an important announcement to make ...   


Over the years, blogging and linky parties have allowed me to create and establish friendships with many amazing teachers.  One blog post of mine has allowed me to create yet another friendship with a new and exciting idea.  On my recent Summer Bucket List post, I talked about eating healthy throughout the summer so that I can continue those habits into the school year.  Marion, from Mentoring in the Middle, commented on my post then sent me a personal email.  In her email, she expressed her idea to me of creating a linky party that allows teachers to share their favorite healthy meals.  It got me thinking of what a great idea that would be!!  We could share specific meal ideas like breakfasts, lunch, dinner, snacks, desserts, etc.  This would allow me to broaden my ideas of easy meals and maybe find new, healthy, and easy ideas very quickly.

Therefore, I am happy to announce that Mentoring in the Middle and myself will be joining up to create the Happy & Healthy Linky Party every Wednesday!  Each week we will look for different meals, snacks, and/or drinks that relate to a specific category.  We will post our editable recipe card and you fill them out and post them on your blog talking about your favorite healthy meal.  You then link up the our party so other teachers can read about your favorite healthy recipes.

A special thank you to Marion for this brilliant idea!  Please make sure to visit her blog and spread the word!

 

An now ...
LINKY TIME!


Happy & Healthy Breakfast Edition

Our first meal of choice is probably the most important one for all of us teachers!  We will be asking you to give us your favorite healthy breakfast recipe that you eat during the school year!  Please make sure that after posting your favorite breakfast recipe that you link up with our party and check in with other blogs to find new breakfast recipes to use this school year!




Now It's Your Turn



I am so excited to see everyone's favorite healthy breakfast recipes!




An InLinkz Link-up

Monday, July 13, 2015

Made It Monday

I am linking up to Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for Made It Monday!  


If you have not heard, I transferred schools within the dioceses.  I am extremely blessed to be moving closer home.  I no longer have a 45 min-1 hr drive to work anymore but a short 15 min - 20 min ride.  Since I have a new classroom, I am looking to spice things up with a beautiful new class theme.  I am looking at using a pink, blue, and black chevron theme for this year's classroom.  I have been creating my own templates for bins, charts, and labels.  Please make sure to check out my TPT Store for the most up-to-date products.  
Here is a picture of all my Made It Monday Goodies!  

Absent Bin
The first thing that I found out to be extremely successful was my absent bin that I created two years ago.  My students seem to love this system because they know that one of their friends fill out the form and to come in the next morning to check their name for all missing paperwork.  Since my new school has leveled classes, I had to create a new absent form that will just have my classes on them.  Please make sure to check out my TPT Store for this editable sign and form!  

Classroom Job Banner
Even though I am a middle school teacher, I have found that the students enjoy being responsible for their classroom and it saves me time straightening up the classroom at the end of every day.  The last several years I have used iHelp but I thought this year I would create a small banner and use clothes pins with numbers to delegate jobs.  My classroom job banner names each job and gives a small description of the job so that the students do not have to continue to ask me what they need to do.  I can tell them to read their job description.  The jobs that I have this year are the following:
-Teacher Assistants (2)
-Secretary
-Librarian
-Geek Squad (2)
-Board Inspector
-Classroom Inspectors (2)
-Postal Express
-Prayer Leader

Teacher Assistants - My teacher assistants will be asked to help me with various tasks throughout the week.  This can include handing out papers, collecting papers, checking homework, etc.  
Secretary - My secretary is going to organize my papers (put them in number order), make sure to that pencils are sharpened, clean the sharpener, and organize our craft corner (make sure our glue sticks, rulers, markers, pencils, scissors are in the correct bin).  This person will also be responsible for rotating the jobs so that everyone has a chance to have every job throughout the school year.
Librarian - My librarian will make sure that the classroom library is clean and organized.  That books are facing the correct way and will inform me of any books that are coming in ripped or torn.
Geek Squad - My geek squad is in charge of turning off the computers, projector, and iPads each day.  
Board Inspector - This person is in charge of erasing, washing, and cleaning up the board area.  I am going to a school that uses chalk boards so it can get very dusty and dirty quickly.  By having someone making sure that it is washed daily and clean, I can keep my classroom as clean as possible.
Classroom Inspectors - This group will be responsible for making sure that all desks are lined up, all trash is cleaned up from the floor, and that all windows are closed.  This job has saved me hours of cleaning and straightening up my room.  
Postal Express - This is going to be my office runner.  They will run all the things that I collected to the office or send notes to other teachers in the school.
Prayer Leader - Teaching at a Catholic school means that we say daily prayers (morning, lunch, after lunch, end of the day).  I used to choose a specific person at my old school and the kids said they felt left out.  I am now making it a job that will rotate so that everyone has a chance.  

I plan on recording and having my secretary rotate jobs on a weekly basis.  Please make sure to check out my TPT Store for my Classroom Jobs in chevron (black and white) and blue.  More colors to come soon!

Magnetic Name
Last year I created Ms. Lawler for my desk and this year I noticed that all the teachers in my new school have Mrs. or Miss.  Therefore, I needed to change/add some magnetic wooden letters to my name to make it Miss Lawler.  I found wood letters at Hobby Lobby and started by painting them white.  After the white color tried, I used this turquoise/blue color to paint over the white.  I then finished them with a sealer.  I repainted my old ones since I did not seal them last year.  I added magnets to the back of the letters and they will go on the front of my desk.   

Before
After
Desk Calendar
After spending what felt like FOREVER at Hobby Lobby the other day, I found this cute desk calendar.  I always wanted one since all the other teachers at my old school had one, but could never find one.  The only thing I did not like about it when I bought it was the color, since it did not match my theme.  Therefore, I changed it by painting it the same color as the letters for my name.  I started by painting it white to try and cover up the red paint.  I then went over it with the turquoise/blue and then sealed it with a spray paint.  I am hoping that it lasts!  I love it so much and am excited to add it to my desk.