Fluency Clipboards and a Winner

Fluency Practice 
I begin each of my small group reading lessons by meeting with one student for a running record and a quick conference.  While I'm meeting with this student individually, the other four students are doing their "warm-up" reading.  

Students use their baggie book and meet with their partner for their warm-up reading.   Partner A reads his baggie book aloud.  Partner B times the reading for one minute and counts the number of words read. Student A completes the graph and self-evaluation. Then they switch roles and repeat the activity.  

Fluency Clipboards (My Monday Made It Project)

This week I decided I wanted to make clipboards for my students to use when they are practicing with their partner. 

I started with a plain clipboard, scrapbook paper, stickers, ribbon, and Mod Podge.  

I covered the both sides with paper, stickers, and Mod Podge.  Once it dried I tied red ribbon to the metal clips.  Ta-dah!

Graph from The Panicked Teacher
Self Check from Mrs. Richardson's Class

I'm so pleased with the final product!  They will go perfectly with my "Camp Read S'more" theme.  :)

Be sure to hop on over to Tara's and check out all the great projects!  

100 Follower Giveaway Update
We have a winner!  WE HAVE A WINNER!
One lucky person has just won a $25 Gift Card to Teachers Pay Teachers, and 13 literacy products from some of my favorite bloggers.

*Drum Roll*

*Crowd Cheers*

Congratulations, Amanda!  I'll be contacting you via email with your prizes!

My Mind Is Racing

My mind is racing today.  I can barely think straight.  Here are a few of the things I've been thinking about...

A New Design - I'm getting a new blog design by the fabulous Megan from Bird in Hand Designs.  There are so many decisions to make and my head is spinning.  Who knew that this could be so mind boggling?

Heat Wave - This is the sixth day in a row of hazy, hot, and humid weather.  I love summer and sunshine, but tomorrow I am running in a 5K. I hope I don't melt.

{Electric Run}

Electric Run - Tomorrow night's the night!  My daughter, my friend, and I are heading to Philly for a 5K.  The Electric Run is a night run.  Yep, we're running in the dark with neon, glow-in-the-dark outfits.  There will be loud music, light shows, and tons of fun. 

Blogger Meet Up - I am getting so excited for next week.  On Wednesday, a few of my favorite bloggers are meeting up for the first time.  If you are a PA blogger and want to join us, click the image above and complete the form.

Back to School - Have you noticed yet?  Every single store I've been to this week is full-on ready for Back-to-School.  Wait!  Slow down, summer!  I am not ready to part with you.  :(

Milestone Giveaway - I'm so excited to host my first giveaway.  The winner will receive a $25 gift certificate to Teachers Pay Teachers and 13 fabulous literacy activities from nine talented authors.  To enter this 100 Follower Giveaway, click on the image.  The giveaway ends Sunday, so hurry! We'll soon have a winner.  :)

What's on your mind today?  Leave a comment; I'd love to hear from you. 

Tunes Tuesday: Similes

Did you ever wonder what would happen if we took all the topics in school that seemed difficult, or just plain dull, and taught them through music? Bam! Instant success I predict. 

As I reflect on my own classroom instruction, I've relied heavily on the use of music to boost student interest and secure tricky skills.  This was especially true when I taught first grade.  During tests, students quietly mouthed song lyrics to help them recall information they needed in order to answer questions.  

It's so easy to hook young children by using music, but it can be equally effective with older students.  The challenge is to find songs {with clean lyrics} that are relevant to students and have academic value; this is no easy task.

Nick from Sweet Rhyme Pure Reason has created a linky to feature grammar topics and the popular songs that we use to teach them.  It's genius!

So without further ado, here's my contribution.

Grammar Topic:  Similes

The song I chose is "Everything at Once" by Lenka.  In my opinion, it's the perfect song for teaching similes.  

I've provided a lyrics sheet for you to use.  As students read through the lyrics, they can highlight examples of similes in the text, count the number of similes they find, and meet with a partner to compare. 

Click {here} to download the lyric sheet.

Graphics by DJ Inkers and Creative Clips

After the activity is complete, play the video for students.  They may listen and/or sing along.  

Click {here} to see the official "Everything at Once" music video.

Do you have a song that you use to teach an important grammar concept?  Hop on over to Sweet Rhyme Pure Reason and share it.  :)

Finally, I'm having a 100 Follower Giveaway!  Enter to win a $25 gift certificate to Teachers Pay Teachers and thirteen fabulous literacy resources from a few of my favorite blogging buddies.

Just click the image and it will take you to the entry form.  Best of luck to you!

100 Follower Giveaway and a Monday Made-It

It's true, it's true!  I've reached 100 Followers on both Bloglovin' and Google Friend Connect.

That means ONE HUNDRED wonderful people have shown my teeny tiny blog some love.  I'm so thankful for all of you.  :)  

To show my appreciation, I'm throwing my very first Giveaway party.  

I'll be giving one lucky winner a $25 Gift Certificate to Teacher's Pay Teachers for a little shopping spree just in time for Back-to School!

In addition, a few of my favorite blogging buddies have joined together to help me celebrate this special occasion.  Take a look these top-notch prizes you also could win...

If you haven't already visited these bloggers, hurry right over and check them out.  Their blogs are truly amazing and packed with tons of terrific teaching tips and tricks.  Just click on an image above.  You won't be disappointed!   

Enter Here and Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Now for a *Monday Made-It* project...

My first attempt at making decorative R E A D letters for my classroom library was an epic fail.  :(

How did I not notice that?

Needless to say I had to make a second trip to the craft store, ha! 

Ahhh, much better.

I can't wait to hang this in my classroom.  Cute and colorful!  :) 

What have you been busy making?  Link up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics and share your treasures!

I Reached 100 Followers!

I'm jumping for joy!  I'm doing cartwheels!  I just can't contain my excitement!  I reached 100 followers on Friend Connect and Bloglovin'.

That means ONE HUNDRED wonderful people have shown my teeny tiny blog some love.  It's time to celebrate and show my appreciation.  I'm having my first Giveaway party.  Stop back tomorrow and see the fabulous products being offered by my favorite blogging buddies and little ole me.

Saturday Snapshots

Here are a few snapshots from my week.  
Warning:  These photographs are totally random.  :)

Day Trip:  Shopping in Downtown Frederick, MD

This photo is taken from one of the Canal Walk bridges.

Just hangin' out.

Believe it or not...I made my first trip to Hobby Lobby.

It was heavenly.  :)

Getting ready for the Philly Electric Run.

Have you seen this UV face paint?

Not sure if a screen shot counts as a photo, but

I reached 100 followers this week.  Hooray!

Miss Nelson, this quote is for you.  :)

What have you been doing this week?  Did you capture those moments on camera?  Link up with Miss Nelson at Run! Miss Nelson's Got the Camera and share them.  :)

Liebster Blog

I'm smiling.  Want to know why?  

Jess and Kheila from Two Friends in First and Tess from The Teacher and the Frog have both nominated me for the Liebster Award.  I'm so flattered that they chose my little blog.  *Blushing*  
Thanks so much, girls, for thinking of me.  :)

If you haven't yet met these super sweet bloggers, you should hurry over and see their amazing blogs.

Award Background

Liebster is a german word that means "dearest," "lovely," or "cute." The purpose of this award is to recognize new blogs that are worth a look. 

The 'rules' to accept this award...

• Link back to the blogs that nominated me
• Nominate 5-11 blogs with fewer than 200 followers
• Answer the questions posted for us by my nominator
• Share 11 random facts about me
• Create 11 questions for my nominees
• Contact my nominees and let them know of their nomination

A Little Bit About Me 
Featuring questions from Jess and Kheila...

1. Why did you start blogging?
To make connections with other teachers around the world and to share my love of teaching and reading with others.

2. Where did you go to college?
Shippensburg University - BS, Western Maryland College - MS,
Cabrini College - Reading Certificate

3. What advice would you give new teachers?
Establish positive parent relationships from the first day.

4. What superhero power would you like to have for a day?
To be in two places at once...so I can spend quality time with my family and get my school work finished.

5. Who is your favorite musical artist/band?  Train

6. What is your favorite sport and sports team?
Whatever sport my husband is coaching and my kids are playing (football, lacrosse).

7. What are the sweet and salty snacks you can't live without?
Pop BBQ Chips, Multigrain Tortilla Chips, Sun Chips

8. Do you have any children?
Yes, a daughter and two step-sons.

9. If you didn't teach, what would you want to do?
 I love animals, so I think I'd be a vet.

10. What is your favorite clothing store?
Banana Republic - almost everything I wear is from there.

11. What is a famous quote that you love?
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."

And questions from Tess...

1. What advice would you give a first year teacher?
Establish positive parent relationships from the first day.

2. What is your favorite book to read aloud to your class?
Charlotte's Web - I have different voices for each of the characters. I read it to my students year after year.  I still cry every time. :(

3. Tell me about a memorable student that you taught.
I once taught the sweetest, most polite student on the planet. She would greet me every morning, "Good Morning, Mrs. Arentz," and ask permission to do every single thing, "May I have permission to sneeze?" She actually gave the mittens off her hands to another less fortunate student.  Her kindness wore off on everyone. It soon became the dream class.  So precious!

4.Tell me about your pets.
I have one super-cute little beagle, named Bailey. Love her. :)

5. What is the one thing in your classroom you can't live without?
Books - I'm a reading teacher.  ;)

6. What movie title would you pick as your life story?
Oh geesh, ...? I am terrible at remembering movie titles!

7. What is the last thing you purchased?
A Breville toaster oven online this morning.

8. What is your favorite music?
I love almost anything, but my current favorites are Mumford and Sons, Walk the Moon, Imagine Dragons, and Fun.

9. If you had to eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Homemade baked mac and cheese, without a doubt.

10. Why did you decide to start a blog?
To make connections with teachers around the world and to share my love of teaching and reading with others.

11. What are some of your favorite blogs you follow?
A Teeny Tiny Teacher is my all time favorite!

11 Random Facts About Me...

• I have the sweetest husband and three great kids.
• I have a serious sweet tooth for cupcakes, brownies, and pastries.  Mmm.  I'll be right back...
• I don't eat my vegetables.
• I worked at Hershey Park for one day.
• I drink cinnamon bun coffee every morning.
• I'm extremely ticklish.
• I hate feet. I think they're gross.
• I'm a reality TV junkie.
• I can't live without my kindle or my laptop.
• I'd be happy anywhere there is sand, surf, and sunshine.
• My dream vacation would be to the Mediterranean.

My Nominations

• Megan from Fun in 5th
• Lindsey from Teaching Snip-Its
• Karli from Creating a Thoughtful Classroom
• Debbie from Teise's Tidbits
• Kristi and Crystal from Teaching Little Miracles
• Jennifer and Priscilla If You Give a Teacher a Blog

My Questions for them...

1.  Tell us about your family.
2.  Where did you go on your last vacation?
3.  Coke or Pepsi?
4.  What's the last movie you watched?
5.  Favorite store to shop in?
6.  What would you pick as your last meal?
7.  Top three blogs you read?
8.  Share a quote that is meaningful to you.
9.  What super power would you like to possess?
10. Name one item you can't live without.
11.  Tell us a funny school story.

Thanks for sticking around to learn a little bit about me.  :)
Leave a comment; let's be friends!