tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71497169692629724712024-03-20T08:06:32.422-07:00Life in Middle SchoolThe daily life of a Middle School teacher.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.comBlogger152125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-14868077933772516272014-07-05T09:51:00.000-07:002014-07-05T09:51:00.997-07:00SALE!Don't keel over from the shock of me posting two times in two days... but I wanted to help Susan at Middle School OCD promote her TPT Sale!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOMCyBsN3emBgemqjXqhUNkIOIDrf6xbNhClnXRHihbCP77TVkNVN2zSM197XDktALzimL0Ss0LtVy0MiPzf1VdGhNICVz_RIIYZ1tPfdx_bsZLd2TgKtYnV20Ab5VvxtQo2lodivhMk/s1600/10524801_905516639464219_257937964_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOMCyBsN3emBgemqjXqhUNkIOIDrf6xbNhClnXRHihbCP77TVkNVN2zSM197XDktALzimL0Ss0LtVy0MiPzf1VdGhNICVz_RIIYZ1tPfdx_bsZLd2TgKtYnV20Ab5VvxtQo2lodivhMk/s1600/10524801_905516639464219_257937964_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I started teaching back in the day (heehee) and Susan helped me SO much with everything, so trust me when I tell you that everything in her store is wonderful. Plus, she doesn't post just anything, she makes sure that it's the best of the best.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Middle-School-Ocd" target="_blank">Go visit her store!!</a></b><br />
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Also, since I have you around... I did make a new item for TPT. It's the 5 Stages of Writing Poster to help you keep track of your classroom writing situation.<br />
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<br /><b><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Stages-of-Writing-Chart-1305665" target="_blank">Go and check it out here!</a></b>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-33868034801369905272014-07-04T14:56:00.001-07:002014-07-04T14:56:47.615-07:00Medieval Shield Project<i>(So, I'm going to pretend like I've been blogging this whole time! Long story short, class was misery and I'd rather not think about those kids one moment longer than I needed to! I'll be moving to a 6th grade high achiever class for next year, so hopefully I'll have more inspiration!) </i><br />
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This past year, I brought back a fun project for my students to work on - the <b>Medieval Shield</b>!<br />
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My students get to design their own Medieval Shield, complete with symbols that symbolize who THEY are. I tie it into the Medieval unit, which is about two chapters in our social studies books.... It works nicely with the Feudal System and Knights.<br />
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I'll tell you one thing, students love to talk about their favorite topic - THEMSELVES.<br />
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The shield has six openings, so I have my students pick six symbols. They have a rough draft shield to sketch their symbols on first and plan out their shield before I give them the construction paper cut out.<br />
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Additionally, because I feel guilty if my students are not constantly writing about something... they have to complete at least a paragraph that explains why they chose each symbol. The paragraph requirement depends on the class/level/attitude of the students that I'm teaching. If they can handle more, the requirement goes up. If we can actually get to the computer lab, then their paragraphs have to be typed.<br />
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Additionally, even the background color should symbolize an emotion or feeling that the students can tie to themselves. Here are a few links that you can use. I was planning on re-doing my instruction guide this year, however... I'm moving back to 6th grade. So, I'm not going to bother (haha!) since it's all Ancient History, not Medieval!<br />
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<a href="http://www.familytreesandcrests.com/heraldry-symbols.htm" target="_blank">Family Crest Info</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.oshel.com/symbols.htm" target="_blank">More Family Crest</a>
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I am so happy to join up with Susan at Middle School OCD and Erin at Miss Lifesaver to join their 300 Follower Giveaway!<br />
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First, you must go and follow <a href="http://www.misslifesaver.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Miss Lifesaver</a> and <a href="http://www.middleschoolocd.blogspot.com)" target="_blank">Middle School OCD</a>! </div>
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Go. Now. I can wait.</div>
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<i>{hums patiently}</i></div>
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Are you back? Oh good, then we can continue.</div>
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They are hosting a fantastic giveaway that features a scavenger hunt, where <b>EVERYONE</b> wins and a grand prize package full of wonderful items.</div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: start;">Graphics and Fonts by Confetti Graphics, The Learning Site, Lovin' Lit, and Shelia Melton</i></div>
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I've included my Literature Circle Guide as part of the grand prize. It helps you prepare for using Literature Circles in a middle school setting based on my triumphs and failures!</div>
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I've also included some of my smaller items in their Everyone Wins! Giveaway. There are so many awesome items, that I'm headed off to go and participate.</div>
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<b>Favorite Teacher </b><br />
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My favorite teacher was Mr. Bacer, my 6th grade teacher. I loved this teacher, he was able to make all our subjects so interesting and it always seemed like he really cared about all his students. He also was a computer guy and had an account to Prodigy (OMG I'm so old) that we could log onto to the internet during our 1/2 computer time. The man was obviously a visionary in 1990. I remember that his class really made learning fun.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-47661469677699523512013-09-17T00:00:00.000-07:002013-09-17T00:00:09.653-07:002 Year Blog AnniversaryTwo years ago - I started this blog because I had been transferred to a new school and I missed all my work friends. I never thought that I would still be blogging two years later and would have made so many new blogging friends and followers!<br />
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I wanted to celebrate two years of stories, linky parties, pinterest boards, lessons, TPT products with all my friends and followers.<br />
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I have some great blogging friends and bloggers that I simply aspire to be like lined up to celebrate with me!<br />
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To celebrate, I am giving away some fabulous prizes! There will be an individual winner for each prize.<br />
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<li>$25 Amazon or TPT Gift Card (Winner's Choice)</li>
<li>My entire 35 item TPT Store</li>
<li>Prize donated by Middle School OCD</li>
<li>Prize donated by Joy in 6th Grade</li>
<li>Common Core Task Cards from Carson Dellosa Publishing</li>
<li>Winner's Choice of 2 Items from Teaching Tales Along the Yellow Brick Road's TPT Store</li>
<li>Graphics Set from I'm Lovin' Lit</li>
<li>Paragraph of the Week Kit from Teaching in Room 6</li>
<li>Number of the Day Task Cards from Laffin's Learnings</li>
<li>12 Genre Book Reports from 2 Peas and a Dog </li>
<li>Winner's Choice of a Math Unit from Ideas by Jivey</li>
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That's a total of 11 awesome prizes for 11 awesome winners!</div>
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To earn entires you can follow each blog and their TPT stores. You can earn additional entries by tweeting about the contest and writing a blog post on your own blog! Earn your entries by claiming them in the Rafflecopter below!</div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e977802/" id="rc-e977802" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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Here are the wonderful bloggers that are joining up with me for the party! Each blogger has graciously donated an item to celebrate! <br />
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<a href="http://middleschoolocd.blogspot.com/" title="Middle School OCD"><img alt="Middle School OCD" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhBbK-XYRAPq0_B92e1nb9m7RbotWzw-ekfQvgTXp3Vz7LgezeU2EMrbUuCb4XvdaH3KtuNJNhJotBuyuxkQDeIXiH2279cf3Z_AdXw5OvCq_pSBRDZ6M1mg38PJFMVH-YNdKdKP1RjSK7/s1600/Button.png" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://teaching-in-oz.blogspot.com/" title="Teaching Tales Along the Yellow Brick Road"><img alt="Teaching Tales Along the Yellow Brick Road" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yv9HHedFvPbaKj_bPgjt1bep_4uQuFOHoJ70V5ichs4JtDNpsFLFjUI0clxgtwFbgUCSMaQLzvhXr4vVLfW9BrMiKNaOkX1OJrCfIMzfCs_9QSPpIgOPxnVw7rNNsG0KexchZcSVGww/s1600/Button.png" style="border: none;" /></a><br />
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Thank you again for following me! I hope to keep up my blogging about Life in Middle School :)</div>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-826806933570315512013-09-16T19:37:00.002-07:002013-09-16T19:43:52.107-07:00Quick Plot Review Chart Freebie!A quick post - but I wanted to share something that I made tonight!<br />
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I needed something that I could give to my students and have them quickly review plot elements. Since my school is concerned about my "excessive paper usage" (pft!) these are two on a page - save some trees. (Or your school budget in my case!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEI0B3xarfadCrnh6FbA2unLECs2plJhwgrZrmqMLw-OpfP6zvTyvqgJZoZHlwGz1TpjbShhcsrnIMlmfFZMPgFLbjTmkPLmv6T0qzPmLb1ryzp8LbW8jakdihilvnkmLT4Ym6koefEQ/s1600/QuickPlot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEI0B3xarfadCrnh6FbA2unLECs2plJhwgrZrmqMLw-OpfP6zvTyvqgJZoZHlwGz1TpjbShhcsrnIMlmfFZMPgFLbjTmkPLmv6T0qzPmLb1ryzp8LbW8jakdihilvnkmLT4Ym6koefEQ/s640/QuickPlot.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Quick-Plot-Review-877258" target="_blank">Lucky you - it's available for FREE at my TPT Store!</a></div>
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If you do download it, please leave me a comment letting me know! </div>
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My BIG BIG BIG 2 Year Blog Anniversary party starts tomorrow (or tonight at midnight!). Come back and check out the super awesome prizes you could win!!</div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-57420407245799263072013-09-15T13:40:00.002-07:002013-09-15T13:40:24.969-07:00A Peek at my Week - Week #6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm excited to be back for another installment for a Peek at my Week linky! It's funny, I have stuff to blog about during the week, but it's been hard to get going after a long day a work. I have pictures from my Interactive Student Notebooks, a lesson called "Hooks from Books" and my common assessment woes. (Woes!)</div>
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The posts I write in my head are pretty awesome people. If only I had my clone available to write them.</div>
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It's another full week for me:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Blog Anniversary!</b></span><br />
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This week marks the 2 year anniversary of my blog! I've been working to gather together some fantastic bloggers to join my celebration and I'm so very happy with the people that are participating! When I decided to have my little internet party, I wanted the bloggers that I enjoy reading their blogs and buying their products to join up. </div>
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The bloggers that are joining me are:</div>
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<li>Susan from Middle School OCD</li>
<li>Kim from Joy in 6th Grade</li>
<li>Christy from Teaching Tales Along the Yellow Brick Road</li>
<li>Erin from I'm Lovin' Lit</li>
<li>Stephanie from Teaching in Room 6</li>
<li>Jennifer from Mrs. Laffin's Laughings</li>
<li>Jessica from Ideas by Jivey</li>
<li>Kristy from 2 Peas and a Dog</li>
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Come back on Wednesday, September 18th to see what you have to do to win all the fantastic prizes available!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Re-teach, Re-teach, Re-teach!</b></span></div>
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My students totally bombed their common assessment this week. It's pretty embarrassing, but I know that it's time to put a full stop to any new material and to go back to what they need to have mastered.</div>
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Have you guys read <b>Instruction for all Students by Paula Rutherford</b>? (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Instruction-All-Students-Second-Edition/dp/0977779688/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379277302&sr=8-1&keywords=instruction+for+all+students" target="_blank">Amazon Link</a>)</div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41rGO8n9vTL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41rGO8n9vTL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div>
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I love this book. It has a lot of good ideas. One idea listed is called "Chris' Test" - you put the students into groups of 2 and then they have to correct a fictional student called "Chris" and his/her test. They don't know which answers are marked correct or incorrect - they have to go through and determine how to make their test better. </div>
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I'm going to be using this on Tuesday to help my students review the common assessment and determine their mistakes.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. The Hunger Games (insert the music here)</b></span></div>
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Finally, finally, finally - my class is starting on the Hunger Games. I think they are excited and starting to enjoy the first few pages we read on Thursday. I had a few dissenters, but you can't make everyone happy. I did purchase the famous Hunger Games TPT Lesson by Tracee Orman and it's as fabulous as you would think!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Maintain Everything and Maintain my Sanity</b></span></div>
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Yep! It's tough handling everyone, everything and to keep smiling. Does anyone else feel the same way?</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-64894954929567965332013-09-08T18:11:00.001-07:002013-09-08T18:11:50.633-07:00A Peek at My Week - Week #5Hi Everyone - I'm back and gearing up for Week 5 at work. My husband is finally on the mend from his surgery and our lives are starting to get back into the regular routine of life! (Thank goodness!)<br />
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So, to start off my week on the right foot, I'm joining Jennifer over at Mrs. Laffin's Laughings for her Peek at my Week linky!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Continue with the Routines:</b></span><br />
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Another week into the madness of trying to get my 7th graders close to where I think they should be. It's been a little difficult getting my morning group "with the program" so to speak because I have this weird revolving door situation with my classes.<br />
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1st Period: 34 total students -- with 7 leaving at the end of the period<br />
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2nd Period: 27 total students staying in the room -- with 13 students coming in. (Yep... you added them up right total of 40 kids with my TA that I am training with the madness.)<br />
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3rd period: 27 students leave -- 13 stay and then I add another 12 (very very very low) come in.<br />
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The volume level increases as the periods roll in and out. I've been kicking them out for the break and making them walk in silently. I've been making the stay room silent read too. They work, but it's all just exhausting.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Keep Moving Forward:</b></span><br />
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I feel tired just looking at this. UGH! Now, I noticed that I don't have anything for 9/11 on Wednesday. I'll have to think about if I can squeeze something in that day.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Read the Lottery:</b></span><br />
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I'm excited that we are going to start off the Hunger Games by reading The Lottery by Shirley Jackson on Monday and Tuesday. Such a good story and what a great tie-in to the Hunger Games!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. WRITE:</span></b><br />
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My students looked at me like I had grown a second head last week when I made them write an essay. Five paragraphs? Hook? Whaaaaaaaaaaa? I was ready to tear my hair out! (<i>I also mentally cursed a few 6th grade teachers that only taught from the book and liked to read newspapers during class. GR!</i>) So, I'm starting Writing Wednesday. Hopefully, it will help some of my struggling students. I haven't graded their essays this week - I'm scared people.<br />
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I know that I have some other home life stuff going on, but it's nothing fascinating... Laundry (boo). Reading Logs (boo). I'm really waiting for all the good TV shows to come back on.<br />
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Also, my 2nd blogging anniversary is coming up. I know that I have a few bloggers lined up for a giveaway, but email me (freelauren21@gmail.com) if you wanna participate. It's always good for getting new and exciting people to visit your blog!<br />
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-30789056624475492032013-08-26T21:01:00.002-07:002013-08-26T21:01:51.225-07:00A Peek at My Week Linky!Thanks to Middle School OCD, I discovered this fun linky! It's hosted by <a href="http://mrslaffinslaughings.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-peek-at-my-week-new-linky-party.html" target="_blank">Jennifer of Mrs. Laffin's Laughings</a> and encourages you to share your plans for this upcoming week.<br />
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This week marks the end of our third week of school. It feels like four because we had a mini week to start the year. Am I insane that I feel like I'm behind <b>ALREADY</b>?! Is it possible? I'm trying to train these guys and move through plans and activities but I feel like I'm moving at a snail's pace.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Finish the Fall of Ancient Rome</span></b><br />
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I have to finish up this chapter if I want to hit the Renaissance at the end of the year! Sometimes, I drag on the first real social studies unit and this year I promised myself that I would take it easy. Practice learning the note taking routines, doing actual work, etc. Keep any "Projects" to a minimum.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Finish Rikki Tikki Tavi and create a comic strip!</b></span><br />
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Again, I have to start closing out my smaller stories if I want to hit The Hunger Games in a week. We have to finish reading Rikki Tikki together, discuss Plot Elements and then we are creating a comic book strip to help everyone retell the most important plot points. For middle schoolers, they want to retell EVERYTHING and I have to train them to give me the highlights only!!<br />
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I use my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Story-Map-and-Plot-Chart-234495" target="_blank">Story Map/Plot Chart</a> for teaching them Plot Elements. I really like it because it hits all the important ideas in one page AND gives them their plot chart and summary section on the back.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Create Sub Plans</span></b><br />
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I hate hate hate writing the first sub plans of the year. You never know how it's going to go and how fast they will finish the work. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. Nurse my hubby back to health!</span></b><br />
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My husband will be going into get his deviated septum fixed on Wednesday and I'm taking off two days as his official "caregiver." I'm more nervous about the surgery than he is!! He has had his deviated septum forever from breaking his nose as a kid and seriously, the guy can hardly breathe. He can't even get a decent nights sleep anymore. I hope that everything goes well and... well... at least I can get 5-7 hours of quiet grading time in at the hospital, right? (So horrible of me!)<br />
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Wish me luck! Apparently, Kaiser has free wi-fi so maybe I'll even get in a blog post about my ISN's or my Roman Tweets activity. We shall see!<br />
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-19499748669873507552013-08-25T13:39:00.000-07:002013-08-28T16:51:52.216-07:00Common Core Standards KitA few weeks ago, I was contacted by Carson-Dellosa to test out their <a href="http://www.carsondellosa.com/cd2/Products/TheCompleteCommonCoreStateStandardsKitforLanguageArts/PocketChartCards/158055" target="_blank">Complete Common Core Standards kit for Language Arts</a>. I love testing new items, so I jumped at the chance to try a set.<br />
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Here is a video that explains all about the product!<br />
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My set came in the mail yesterday and it was a really great experience unboxing and checking out the materials.<br />
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I like that everything is clearly labeled in this set. All the pocket chart cards are divided into each of the standards. <br />
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On one side - the standard is written and labeled for the teacher. Which is a smart idea. I always have to double check the original text of the standard to make sure I don't "miss" anything when I'm using the "I Can" Statements.<br />
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On the other side, the standard is written into kid-friendly "I Can" statements. Love it!<br />
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The set comes in a case that houses all your standards. Inside the case, the standards are split by blue dividers, which make it very easy and convenient for the teacher to find exactly the standard they need! <br />
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I think this is a great product to have in your classroom for Common Core. However, I only have one issue. The pocket chart cards are the smaller version. These are not the long version, the cards measure 12 inches long by 2 1/4 inches tall. These cards will not be seen across the room if you post them on the wall. It's not a bad thing, I think their primary function would be in a small group setting. The publisher, Carson-Dellosa recommends on the box to use the Daily Standards Pocket Chart.<br />
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All in all, I'm excited that Carson-Dellosa has created this product and I think it will enhance the learning of my students!!</div>
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<i><b>Disclaimer:</b> This post is a review post of the product. I only post about and review items that I would use in my own classroom and feel would enhance the teaching of my readers. The only compensation I have received was the original product that I used in my review.</i><br />
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-44963132209200639042013-08-17T09:39:00.002-07:002013-08-17T09:39:30.021-07:00Five for Friday.... or Saturday!It's the end of our first week of school and I'm exhausted! I heard other teachers talking about it too, so at least I'm not the only one! I think having Back to School Night in the same week as the first full week of school is just a lot.<br />
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But - it's Saturday and that means I'm just a little late for Doodle Bug's 5 for Friday!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Back to School Night</span></b></div>
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This was the first year that I didn't do a "presentation" at the start of every period. I'm glad that I didn't because it's just too difficult with parents coming in and out the entire time. I just had my power point presentation on auto as I worked my way through parents and answered questions. Here's my instragram pic of my room.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Donors Choose</b></span></div>
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On Friday my Donors Choose materials came! I'm SO HAPPY that I got my project funded and my students can read The Hunger Games in a few weeks. I'm super excited about the possibilities.... what other books are good for Middle School? Percy Jackson? I always try to find series so that I encourage my students to read the remaining books on their own.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. Baseball Fun</span></b></div>
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Some of our good friends invited us to the local baseball game Thursday night. It was really good to get out and think of something else besides work! And stay up past 9:30!! My school report time is 7am, so I have to go to bed early if I want to be functional that early! </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Grading</b></span></div>
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However, this weekend I get the joy of grading my students work for the first time. I have about 3 assignments for 3 periods and it's a huge stack of work. My math partner wants to send home progress reports for Monday, so that means I gotta get through ALL of it and put it into our online gradebook. Ugh. Fun, fun times.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">5. TpT Back to School Sale!</span></b></div>
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This week TpT finally announced their Back to School Sale! I will most definitely be participating and I'm trying to make a few more items for the Sale! The sale is Sunday and Monday - you can get up to 28% off your purchases by entering <b>BTS13</b>!! Come and join the fun! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSTatus2FTalgBiLjJpk-8q_RAD2BHFdHNjZ8Z6JvlZUthhF958s4C0FTKyu49mT3ryzLDFHhM2yxwoUunh0et7Z6EwWv60CSv3VWhX5oK9EQIteJJ-LCRneNbYs8LmkVpU7RPiXVjMw/s1600/TpTBackToSchoolSaleBlogIconGraphicClipartFREE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSTatus2FTalgBiLjJpk-8q_RAD2BHFdHNjZ8Z6JvlZUthhF958s4C0FTKyu49mT3ryzLDFHhM2yxwoUunh0et7Z6EwWv60CSv3VWhX5oK9EQIteJJ-LCRneNbYs8LmkVpU7RPiXVjMw/s640/TpTBackToSchoolSaleBlogIconGraphicClipartFREE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This beautiful graphic is by Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Designs! She's offering it as a <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-TpT-Back-To-School-Sale-Blog-Icon-Graphic-Clipart-829835#tab_ratings_feedback" target="_blank">free TpT download here!</a></div>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-77569338667725385312013-08-13T16:57:00.000-07:002013-08-13T16:57:48.227-07:00Teacher Week 2013 - Day 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today for Teacher Week - we are going on Classroom Tours! If you still want to join, it's not too late!! Check out the list for every day this week.<br />
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Classroom tours! I know that it's tough to find a lot of Middle School classrooms, so I'm happy to share mine. This is so exciting too.... because I'll quickly remind you at what I started with:<br />
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Gross - right? I'm pretty horrified still and I had to clean up all this crap the other teacher left behind. (And the teacher before him and the teacher before THAT!)<br />
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Pictures of my overall room. I know a lot of people commented on my high ceilings - which are very nice and create an open space. However, I wish my room was a little bigger. I have 39 students in my second period and it's a PACKED HOUSE.<br />
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I place my students into groups because I manage behavior by using table points with Class Dojo. It helps and leaves me the option of going into rows when I'm super angry!!<br />
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My fun tree that I made after seeing a few posts on Pinterest. It was really easy to make and I was pretty impressed with myself. (haha)<br />
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I spend 98% of my life talking about Plot Charts in my first semester, so I figured I would put one up!</div>
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I liked keeping the STAR theme together here. The table below is where my students turn in papers, staple, sharpen all that good stuff!</div>
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My library is there in the corner. Its a close fit next to table #4, but remember 39 kids in second period. There's no where else to go. :(</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQF_CKKA1o0FUwQe_hXO-2Eh26b4LrNChq6rTx01SDw6zGvxDOdVpuCth6pAylxzRFF-4iZVuKRct2mBatcPL2EUPC7lhRuCWzOw5XXci5zJjGb7b_frLna1QIVCzFGQBgnJS5H3VpYI/s1600/IMG_0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQF_CKKA1o0FUwQe_hXO-2Eh26b4LrNChq6rTx01SDw6zGvxDOdVpuCth6pAylxzRFF-4iZVuKRct2mBatcPL2EUPC7lhRuCWzOw5XXci5zJjGb7b_frLna1QIVCzFGQBgnJS5H3VpYI/s640/IMG_0220.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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My KINGS corner! My desk is next to the microwave/fridge.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab9TrnP1r9dRakPj9krolJAW9B8gxy7aMbOWAHoro-6YLWOMjtEtynAVdoly0Y9HyTH4T7dR1qrHh_CfsmXefdb16QO-xG7MBwxZxhcy0xSmsfs51m-axPKUGbsxI-BzZQD4lWq3Ekjg/s1600/IMG_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab9TrnP1r9dRakPj9krolJAW9B8gxy7aMbOWAHoro-6YLWOMjtEtynAVdoly0Y9HyTH4T7dR1qrHh_CfsmXefdb16QO-xG7MBwxZxhcy0xSmsfs51m-axPKUGbsxI-BzZQD4lWq3Ekjg/s640/IMG_0215.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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My sentence frames on the board. I used magnetic dots to attach EVERYTHING this year. Just a great deal at Lakeshore.</div>
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Stick them on the back of your border and make your OWN magnetic borders!</div>
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Table Numbers!</div>
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Finally, the view from my desk. That's my smart podium cart that I WILL NEVER PART WITH. They were on our "Surplus" broken furniture website through our district and I cannot believe someone wanted to get rid of it. It's the best invention EVER.</div>
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Thanks for taking my room tour... I might have missed a few areas, but that's pretty much the whole thing.</div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-13904552180521185512013-08-11T21:38:00.002-07:002013-08-11T21:38:33.603-07:00Teacher Week 2013!I'm so excited to be a part of the Teacher Week 2013 link up week!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Q2ZkD2DLkSSEasGsPh0vQqDJrNXe_jgciF6O6RK4lDKq29HgHuXtp10UU-p0ifIjaoIXvvLuxnOlMFXzee3ze-EEDLeCE3Uvjyiu1ylD1go1Grwv8GFfHmidg1SKBK9CE9oi6Skc0w/s400/teacherweek2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-Q2ZkD2DLkSSEasGsPh0vQqDJrNXe_jgciF6O6RK4lDKq29HgHuXtp10UU-p0ifIjaoIXvvLuxnOlMFXzee3ze-EEDLeCE3Uvjyiu1ylD1go1Grwv8GFfHmidg1SKBK9CE9oi6Skc0w/s320/teacherweek2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I just found out about it yesterday, but here's the scoop! Each day there is a different topic for you to blog about and then link up over at Blog Hoppin! Today is "Let's Talk About Me!"<br />
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Here we go!</div>
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1. This is the start of my 8th year teaching! They are starting to blend together a little bit. I have to mentally count upward from my first year assignment to remember how many years I've taught! I'm back to teaching 7th grade Language Arts and Social Studies again!!</div>
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2. I met my husband playing roller hockey when I was 17 years old. He was originally this jerk that bothered me. Sometimes, he still is that jerk that bothers me, except now I live with the jerk. We both grew up playing hockey and now we're happy to pass that along to our son.</div>
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3. I was born and raised in Southern California. My parents moved here from New York in the 1970's. I can't imagine myself living in NY.</div>
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4. This is a Disney Household. Disney Channel is usually on some TV in the house, we usually have Disneyland Annual Passes and this winter we are going to DisneyWorld! (Whooooooooooo) I have Belle statues spread throughout my office too.</div>
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5. I am afraid of the Smurfs. When I was 7, I watched an episode where they ate bad ham and became zombies. They transmitted their zombiness by biting each other. I still shudder to this day and pretty much refuse to eat ham.</div>
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6. I also have mild OCD when it comes to pens. I HATE HATE HATE pens that have lost their caps. If the cap is gone, just throw the rest of the pen away because it just bugs me.</div>
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7. Even though teaching has become increasingly stressful with testing, Common Core, etc - I still love my job and I cannot imagine doing anything else. </div>
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8. I am probably the clumsiest person in California. I walk into walls, trip over my own feet, drop things... My husband is just used to it and says I passed it on to our son. Oops!</div>
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9. I'm a techie/Mac geek. I love all things Mac and I've been addicted to the computer since I was 10. My poor husband gets neglected sometimes because I'm too busy online. I even built my first webpage that I hand coded the HTML when I was 14. It was lime green and was about the Beatles. Yes, I was dorky even then ;)</div>
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10. And finally, I'm approaching my 2nd blogging anniversary and I'm amazed that I'm still in this thing. Thanks for reading and sticking with me!</div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-32008268957496142992013-08-10T21:50:00.002-07:002013-08-10T21:50:42.944-07:00Five for Friday - First Week of School EditionThis has been one crazy week. Thank goodness it's time for...<br />
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Yes, it's Saturday, but I'm just happy I've found the energy to get it done!<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Not One but TWO FIRST DAYS of School</span></b><br />
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My darling boy started school on Monday. I've been a bit of a wreck because he really never went to "preschool" - why should I send him when I have perfectly willing grandparents that want to spend time with him? But, that means his "Classroom Behavior" probably isn't going to be spot on for a bit. I'll be the first to tell you - the kid has ants in his pants!<br />
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Here he is on his first day. He's been forcing the hubby and/or the grandparents to leave extra early for school. He's been first at the gate for the past three days.</div>
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Then I went back to school and had my first day on Thursday. This momma/teacher is TIRED.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2. 39 Kids!</b></span></div>
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I have 39 kids in my Language Arts class. It's a packed house. I'm just a smidge irritated with this because I only have 33 in my other LA class. We can't seem to overcome the scheduling demons to balance this out? I kinda hate it because you can't really "work" a room when you're constantly tripping over people and chair legs.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Print? Who needs to print stuff?!</span></b></div>
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Since I switched rooms over the summer, my laptop isn't connected to the printer in my room. Yes, I could throw my stuff on a flash drive, boot up the other computers, log on, print my stuff, log off... It sounds exhausting to me - what about you. So, I will stoically wait until I can really just print my stuff.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Room 312</b></span></div>
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Speaking of... I took all my pictures of my pretty sparkling room on Friday. I just need to upload them to my computer and then you can enjoy my classroom set up. I know that the blogging world needs more examples of Middle School classrooms. Plus, I will do some NOW and THEN comparisons. I remember the nastiness I walked into this May.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. Sleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep</span></b></div>
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I am sleeping in tomorrow! I think I have to in order to start regaining some sanity because it's 0 to 60mph on Monday with starting to train my class on academic procedures, academic discussions and more. (Ugh! The first three weeks are always such a pain. I enjoy teaching when I can just get everyone WITH the PROGRAM!)</div>
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Also - it's my <b>2nd blog-a-versary in September</b>. I was thinking of hosting a fun giveaway. Is there anyone out there that would like to participate?? Email me at freelauren21@gmail.com and let me know.</div>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-56839770166109362672013-08-06T07:45:00.002-07:002013-08-06T07:45:39.176-07:00Quick Check InGood morning dear bloggy friends!<br />
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I have lots of classroom reveal pictures in the works for everyone and other good stuff I've been making. There are just three things hampering my progress.<br />
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1. My husband and I switched computers this weekend. So, like moving... I'm trying to re-find all my fonts, clip art, etc! :) Plus, I got the "older" computer that I didn't update my OS to Lion back in the day. This means I have to wait for my disc (Snow Leopard) to come before I can fully update. #macgeek<br />
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2. I start school on Thursday. Eek! Am I ready? No. But I think I'm close!<br />
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3. This was the most stressful of all... My sweet kiddo started Kindergarten yesterday! I'm trying to get used to the new routine and after today, not being able to drop him off and pick him up. Luckily, we have the happiest, most easy going kid on the planet. He's totally cool with whatever schedule we throw at him.<br />
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Here he is...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjei4vLKEVnlYmxMt4DOYzfBeZR9v0TEPpDncNJzvspJLczyNAlxsKsKs_GONNYIdCgSv8Lp3PCkgA95gErF3WeR2qNfBVzyX6OFMCm8PkEE_M2gyY3ajTxfLDdfPkQkDN51Ayd7P73I/s1600/liamfirstday2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxjei4vLKEVnlYmxMt4DOYzfBeZR9v0TEPpDncNJzvspJLczyNAlxsKsKs_GONNYIdCgSv8Lp3PCkgA95gErF3WeR2qNfBVzyX6OFMCm8PkEE_M2gyY3ajTxfLDdfPkQkDN51Ayd7P73I/s400/liamfirstday2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_l5GLhYNk2LhB7WHnzCenQQZDFJ254Wp68ODSR2EAc_soWHiJpPKiWKzLbgnw0vLLaZOyfpKOjT69TvIqzU1AXMgBaE80ws2mQ3v4G2LS0ZFKZKhWWswSum61xC0FvGl2fN9xXCB_9Mk/s1600/liamfirstday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_l5GLhYNk2LhB7WHnzCenQQZDFJ254Wp68ODSR2EAc_soWHiJpPKiWKzLbgnw0vLLaZOyfpKOjT69TvIqzU1AXMgBaE80ws2mQ3v4G2LS0ZFKZKhWWswSum61xC0FvGl2fN9xXCB_9Mk/s400/liamfirstday.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-38768492731363490972013-07-31T16:50:00.004-07:002013-07-31T16:50:46.491-07:002013-2014 Goals<a href="http://iheartrecess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">I {heart} Recess</a> is having a great 2013-2014 Back to School Goal Linky going on over at her blog!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tXEMb9vSFWw/UQ8J4rcvBHI/AAAAAAAAAP8/MYFo-66U724/s250/bbutton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tXEMb9vSFWw/UQ8J4rcvBHI/AAAAAAAAAP8/MYFo-66U724/s250/bbutton.png" /></a></div>
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It's focusing on your personal, professional goals for the upcoming school year. Since I go back next Thursday, it's time to take a look!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjez0_kkcbAXvKNOUWQR8NPL0MSz0uDtLNY-8BL7BQ1Anf6w30yFTuPsIewjF856V9KDlgn2z-8geG8FdYtMMrN53OjkpNO-16pC1gK1AipBAF66cZ9AbE82G4vc03HtOhjvhhuWtreJZA/s1600/backtoschool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjez0_kkcbAXvKNOUWQR8NPL0MSz0uDtLNY-8BL7BQ1Anf6w30yFTuPsIewjF856V9KDlgn2z-8geG8FdYtMMrN53OjkpNO-16pC1gK1AipBAF66cZ9AbE82G4vc03HtOhjvhhuWtreJZA/s400/backtoschool.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b>Personal</b>: I've been trying to keep up a level of fitness... I've been better at working out, but over the summer, I've been trying to get back into the working out groove. Hopefully, now that I'm going back and playing hockey once a week - it will help my fitness. I am also trying to eat healthier!</div>
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<b>Organization</b>: I want to try and stay on top of my grading and paperwork this year. I'm decent at keeping up on my grading, but you know those days when you have a HUGE stack that takes 3 hours to complete. No more!</div>
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<b>Planning</b>: Our lesson plans are checked every Thursday afternoon for the past week. (It would be smart if they checked the week ahead, but I'm not the boss.) I'm going to admit that there were some days that I wrote the lesson plans during my prep on Thursday for that afternoon. Now that I'm back in the LA/SS groove, I gotta be more on top of my planning to make sure my students are engaged and learning!</div>
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<b>Professional</b>: Ignoring what I can't change is my number 1 goal this year. I can't make people want to be better at my site. No matter how much I give, it's not going to make the school-wide changes that I think should be started. If I can't fix it, I can't worry about it!</div>
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<b>Students</b>: Stay positive!!! I know that I have some tough kids coming in, but if I start the year down - there's no where else to go! I'm going to stay positive and love my students whether they like it or not!! We can do it and we're just going to get there one way or another!!</div>
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<b>Motto</b>: So - it all adds into my MOTTO: Be the Rockstar that I know I am! My admin probably doesn't know I can teach and manage a classroom like a champ. Somedays I wonder if they know what subject I'm teaching this year, but I just want to prove that I'm awesome and I can handle all the stuff they throw at me!!</div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-67226898093884642592013-07-29T15:45:00.002-07:002013-07-29T15:45:40.440-07:00Monday Made It!You guys - I go back to work next Thursday!<br />
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<i>{GASP}</i><br />
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I haven't been posting as much lately because I've been going into my classroom and trying to get my room organized and ready for the new school year. I have lots of great pictures to show you, but that's a post all of it's own.<br />
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First, I have to congratulate <b>Heather</b> and <b>Marsha</b> from my last post. I chose comments #2 and #5 for your free products. Please ladies - send me an email with what product you would like and I'll send it off to you!<br />
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Now, it's time for Monday Made It!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslPMnuom8vBFYqraEU9O7RGk3duHRafvAsHXrkR2P5s4oYVikJ3PoXf4SN96-2K2rP41PoFOMz1j_9DJJnM0C0xMpae0rDPoVk6ZMUxomrGo1rBjWoeA8Y7GOQzNRmZza6R0_7QazgnXf/s320/3am_tara_madeitmonday_2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslPMnuom8vBFYqraEU9O7RGk3duHRafvAsHXrkR2P5s4oYVikJ3PoXf4SN96-2K2rP41PoFOMz1j_9DJJnM0C0xMpae0rDPoVk6ZMUxomrGo1rBjWoeA8Y7GOQzNRmZza6R0_7QazgnXf/s320/3am_tara_madeitmonday_2013.png" /></a></div>
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This week, I made a clipboard bucket for my classroom. I have about 10 clipboards that were overflowing out of the original bucket I had. There wasn't enough room for all of them and frankly, I'm already tired of picking them up from the floor.<br />
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(My poor son, I shamelessly stole this bucket from him. Now all his outdoor toys are on the ground in our garage.)<br />
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The MIL gave me a Circuit Mini for Christmas last year and I had been waiting for a good opportunity to use it with the extra vinyl I picked up at Hobby Lobby. The problem with Circuit is that you have to pay for all the fonts and extra things you might want to use. (I guess there was a program you could buy that would hack around that, but I didn't have the time/money to buy more stuff!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88V-cgIHyiIm6R_wOhg6IlG1r1_PbeC7i3_KZd52AqdA-Za622tr5I3WU2makBJZKNl_-iIYRT0vQu52AyQnqfSujlIKlmMV4fAl0zBUvV0W3aeaA2bjJ7A2vw2Vwb9fdPyP225mJ5Bc/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88V-cgIHyiIm6R_wOhg6IlG1r1_PbeC7i3_KZd52AqdA-Za622tr5I3WU2makBJZKNl_-iIYRT0vQu52AyQnqfSujlIKlmMV4fAl0zBUvV0W3aeaA2bjJ7A2vw2Vwb9fdPyP225mJ5Bc/s400/IMG_0203.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, I just used the regular letters that came with the program and staggered them throughout the bucket. Since I don't like to waste all the vinyl, I decided to also cut large, medium and small polka-dots to put all through the front of the giant bucket.</div>
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One of the handles had broken in half. Luckily, I had some of this cute star duct tape in my office. I fixed the handle and then made the other handle match. I also added a layer of the tape to the bottom of the bucket to make it match!</div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-78725058481689617082013-07-16T17:48:00.002-07:002013-07-16T17:48:48.988-07:00Some New Products!If you've been a blog follower for awhile, you know that I don't always discuss the products I make on TPT for a dedicated post of their own. However, I've made a few things over the past month, so I thought I would just post them on here!<br />
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(I mean, I gotta pimp my own stuff sometime!)<br />
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So, if you're interested - click on the link to take you directly to my TpT store and that item.<br />
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Plus - if you comment on this post, I will give away one of my new items to TWO lucky commentors! Good luck!<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Middle-School-Math-Helper-750752" target="_blank">Update to my Middle School Math Helper</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCE5eIPQrwKUWSFEl90LumUoAFYJ31CFHiqgJULdTyZKO_kDR-vZe6P0OC2EWPKYSFkBFTiJ3LqE5k9fCgoMFdXlNO3HUrYVbuJuVfNp1lOlalcNX9z1mqyT6VnvvW0FuwYpTdO4NPBEI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+7.46.05+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCE5eIPQrwKUWSFEl90LumUoAFYJ31CFHiqgJULdTyZKO_kDR-vZe6P0OC2EWPKYSFkBFTiJ3LqE5k9fCgoMFdXlNO3HUrYVbuJuVfNp1lOlalcNX9z1mqyT6VnvvW0FuwYpTdO4NPBEI/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-06-30+at+7.46.05+PM.png" width="311" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/6th-Grade-ELA-Common-Core-Posters-771288" target="_blank">Common Core Posters for 6th Grade ELA</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhGMy4ME-6z5_Q0PzL8IimnIQL2r4ndXYMgLhrtBqZ08ZEI2zUSbMjR6EhyphenhyphenL5J2wClzmpCupcG5lU-CNWXqP06BZFOmh59IZ_NAxw4wzPwl4-OIOjH07EZ_-YOP4YeEN38etqgG-GXq0/s1600/Slide05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhGMy4ME-6z5_Q0PzL8IimnIQL2r4ndXYMgLhrtBqZ08ZEI2zUSbMjR6EhyphenhyphenL5J2wClzmpCupcG5lU-CNWXqP06BZFOmh59IZ_NAxw4wzPwl4-OIOjH07EZ_-YOP4YeEN38etqgG-GXq0/s320/Slide05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/7th-Grade-ELA-Common-Core-Posters-733170" target="_blank">Common Core Posters for 7th Grade ELA</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1c82Pmh4LeNlycKIL2XXK1pgO8whXOpJBjFaL7kDjZpEdKtuNtXxJDUIQTnUYCVQAViKrhtuqT27vAtClFStpf6vDL3W5DWtHIkwx9b9HNmXiqpApdT6066sDNp0XhLM94xUl4DK8BQ/s1600/Slide04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1c82Pmh4LeNlycKIL2XXK1pgO8whXOpJBjFaL7kDjZpEdKtuNtXxJDUIQTnUYCVQAViKrhtuqT27vAtClFStpf6vDL3W5DWtHIkwx9b9HNmXiqpApdT6066sDNp0XhLM94xUl4DK8BQ/s320/Slide04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/8th-Grade-ELA-Common-Core-Posters-737420" target="_blank">Common Core Posters for 8th Grade ELA</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbeg9Vru0IVxRHVQZmTegIRJSrHh5iKp5ehEP5lVv7cD3b7gIBZIzIHtZFWkBbGc7ZdBWGJUO9atQ1dM-rC8wFKceyMS8Eazk1L5G3KLnm52hsyF6Ea5XvwaDwkmDVlqqJLBShI9bPf4/s1600/Slide04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbeg9Vru0IVxRHVQZmTegIRJSrHh5iKp5ehEP5lVv7cD3b7gIBZIzIHtZFWkBbGc7ZdBWGJUO9atQ1dM-rC8wFKceyMS8Eazk1L5G3KLnm52hsyF6Ea5XvwaDwkmDVlqqJLBShI9bPf4/s320/Slide04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chevron-Lesson-Plan-Covers-752540" target="_blank">Chevron Lesson Plan Covers</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXCgDVnEWsj-kJtFGsPR0A6ZY-cucZTMqfAMgCNWeKhBwEQGOp-3Zlg-IWgfAgr1R_e8Dk8hu48bTqVnmyM4b5FcORuJeF3Pl1VWAzn1Jiorx8nCYeSpwxX-bnm-divzUoPPciDAIbwc/s1600/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXCgDVnEWsj-kJtFGsPR0A6ZY-cucZTMqfAMgCNWeKhBwEQGOp-3Zlg-IWgfAgr1R_e8Dk8hu48bTqVnmyM4b5FcORuJeF3Pl1VWAzn1Jiorx8nCYeSpwxX-bnm-divzUoPPciDAIbwc/s320/Slide1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Middle-School-Lesson-Planning-Template-761845" target="_blank">Middle School Planner</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCvy98QKkqqrPrnoS0h9uCV_qsSb3w5YnotGFOtqdBBMyoOQFmeEmBqi3YR5NutVX9w5HZl0x5wYq5V1_ghwTULoMHl5oe_kQDH14nyxC5wxQXrInARdbeaigK3eyswcncIZYI1DKq1U/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-07-08+at+12.01.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCvy98QKkqqrPrnoS0h9uCV_qsSb3w5YnotGFOtqdBBMyoOQFmeEmBqi3YR5NutVX9w5HZl0x5wYq5V1_ghwTULoMHl5oe_kQDH14nyxC5wxQXrInARdbeaigK3eyswcncIZYI1DKq1U/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-07-08+at+12.01.20+PM.png" width="252" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/7th-Grade-ELA-Common-Core-I-Can-Statements-750201" target="_blank">7th Grade "I Can" Checklist </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamiPnsTIo6j65zI4J_CwMD7Ms2wdtEHLJ5uZpQLCP29Ev63YBxqawNhD_lv7xan1XqR0PKO93CE6UDzZCQzPiBulrmyG4fd8EBQ1uyHJUW1VVK1JLz4pgM8oSjJhHfOqtpzeSYcY9wsM/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-07-16+at+5.46.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamiPnsTIo6j65zI4J_CwMD7Ms2wdtEHLJ5uZpQLCP29Ev63YBxqawNhD_lv7xan1XqR0PKO93CE6UDzZCQzPiBulrmyG4fd8EBQ1uyHJUW1VVK1JLz4pgM8oSjJhHfOqtpzeSYcY9wsM/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-07-16+at+5.46.40+PM.png" width="281" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/7th-Grade-ELA-Common-Core-Checklist-750213" target="_blank">7th Grade Common Core Standards Tracker</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneiWvxb-Ht-k6F9VWmrSQfWmuOYbSAqotRkI7oAocuHxCX452KfGZIxw6b84XOhw0CYudo9pBDY5f9YYCUgUzr2aEG8HsME-yiAmjKk1tFEnBeYucQlWhWI6COeyRyfTmyj7vobQvCmk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-07-16+at+5.47.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjneiWvxb-Ht-k6F9VWmrSQfWmuOYbSAqotRkI7oAocuHxCX452KfGZIxw6b84XOhw0CYudo9pBDY5f9YYCUgUzr2aEG8HsME-yiAmjKk1tFEnBeYucQlWhWI6COeyRyfTmyj7vobQvCmk/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-07-16+at+5.47.40+PM.png" width="286" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Sentence-Frames-for-Classroom-Discussion-774408" target="_blank">Sentence Frames for Classroom Discussion</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwYJqxxzw_psvMccm0eqDmZ3AWKItRRxAxyzO4VZD1Iqy0NsnFj4a02OITDpN1gwniQbrezt5zBo1YQZKyTMILXAT9AcqiGYpzoFH2FORvBspFO5vNQHMJz5nC4EJuK20cBcQR1SDl60/s1600/Slide01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwYJqxxzw_psvMccm0eqDmZ3AWKItRRxAxyzO4VZD1Iqy0NsnFj4a02OITDpN1gwniQbrezt5zBo1YQZKyTMILXAT9AcqiGYpzoFH2FORvBspFO5vNQHMJz5nC4EJuK20cBcQR1SDl60/s320/Slide01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-38394201634914832942013-07-12T09:37:00.000-07:002013-07-12T09:46:18.652-07:00Pinterest Friday... <br />
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Wait?<br />
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It's Friday already?! And it's July 12th? <br />
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My summer is practically over! {{sobs}} I can't believe that it flew by this quickly! You know what happens - when summer starts you have all these good intentions - then suddenly summer is almost over and you look back at your list and realize all those good intentions went out the window.<br />
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Oops?!<br />
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<strike>Anyway. It's Friday, so that means it's time to link up with Doodle Bug and the 5 for Friday!</strike><br />
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The 5 for Friday will be back in August! However, Doodle Bug did link up to the Favorite Pins Friday linky and lord knows, I spend a lot of time on Pinterest.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKuF70JtpMGoI-xNblWEL-iy2MiTbcDuPB2zr_liW_IYrOu4THbL2OUg2cm-9TE-7MEuoOm3WzwhrbEGeX-npDkAl55PQwakvQVJ0IMBt9RB91pox8jcvqaMhzqFaHbkXZWLVFlJx-C6R/s320/FavoritePinsButton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKuF70JtpMGoI-xNblWEL-iy2MiTbcDuPB2zr_liW_IYrOu4THbL2OUg2cm-9TE-7MEuoOm3WzwhrbEGeX-npDkAl55PQwakvQVJ0IMBt9RB91pox8jcvqaMhzqFaHbkXZWLVFlJx-C6R/s320/FavoritePinsButton.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Favorite Teaching Pin</b></span><br />
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I'm a HUGE Harry Potter fan! I'm sorted on Pottermore, (<span style="color: #0b5394;">Ravenclaw</span>) love the books, even got a piece of writing into a compilation book 10 years ago. So, to see this cool pin about how this teacher did a Harry Potter classroom is just the coolest thing EVER. See the house color ribbons? <br />
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Here is her link: <a href="http://chamberofmagic.blogspot.com/2012/08/harry-potter-classroom-theme.html">http://chamberofmagic.blogspot.com/2012/08/harry-potter-classroom-theme.html</a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Favorite Cooking/Baking Pin</span></b> (<i>for Ms. OCD to make for me? haha!</i>)<br />
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I am a choco-holic. No lie. I basically roam the Earth looking for chocolate. My friends at work know that they save me the dark chocolate bars in the random chocolate bags. I come to parties and bring some type of chocolate (brownies, chocolate chip cookies, cake... mmmmmmmm). <br />
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So, I found this pin.<br />
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<a href="http://chocolatechocolateandmore.com/2013/03/smores-cookie-bars/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/cb/21/57/cb2157c48c9a92087602744f83ab6ca7.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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Visit how to make it - <a href="http://chocolatechocolateandmore.com/2013/03/smores-cookie-bars/">http://chocolatechocolateandmore.com/2013/03/smores-cookie-bars/</a></div>
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Say it with me... Yum yum yum yum YUM!</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Favorite Geek Pin</span></b><br />
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Another not-so-surprising fact is that I love geeky stuff. My husband is Mr. Star Wars/Walking Dead/Marvel Comic book guy and I always loved it too. (Geek Romance Match!)<br />
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I can't remember when I pinned this, but I love it all the same.<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/5b/09/29/5b092907897a32cca9278e05a22864d5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinimg.com/736x/5b/09/29/5b092907897a32cca9278e05a22864d5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Favorite Miscellaneous Pin</b></span><br />
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Uh... you're welcome blogging friends. In fact, after I moved this over, the hotness simply crashed my Pinterest tab. Hahaha. Yay for Channing Tatum!<br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d9/9c/15/d99c154b36be51d277ebb9723a8eb9db.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/d9/9c/15/d99c154b36be51d277ebb9723a8eb9db.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>My Pin of the Week </b></span><br />
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<a href="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/bd/e2/74/bde2741282b909699b10c0f236e5b6a4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/bd/e2/74/bde2741282b909699b10c0f236e5b6a4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is my pin about how I put together my own lesson plan book. <a href="http://middleschoolforlife.blogspot.com/2013/07/made-it-mondayoptimum-organization.html" target="_blank">Check it out here!</a> :)</div>
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If you thought this was fun, go and <a href="http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/2013/07/favorite-pins-friday_12.html" target="_blank">check out the First Grade Parade</a> and join up!</div>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-31572255455771133702013-07-08T12:28:00.002-07:002013-07-08T13:29:35.955-07:00Made it Monday/Optimum Organization Double Take!It's July and in exactly one month - it will be my first day of school. Vacation, like always, has flown by. I'm going to have to start getting my "Back to School" to do list looked at. <br />
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Ugh! <br />
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<a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslPMnuom8vBFYqraEU9O7RGk3duHRafvAsHXrkR2P5s4oYVikJ3PoXf4SN96-2K2rP41PoFOMz1j_9DJJnM0C0xMpae0rDPoVk6ZMUxomrGo1rBjWoeA8Y7GOQzNRmZza6R0_7QazgnXf/s320/3am_tara_madeitmonday_2013.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Last week, I finally finished putting together my Lesson Plan book for 2013-2014. It's been a bit of a work in progress for me. My school requires that we have our weekly plans looked at by an administrator. Plus, the plans have to fit a certain format and has to fit MY criteria as well.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ladybugsteacherfiles.com/2013/07/using-website-for-parent-information.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBaSNmWRqMg95IdasMC0BgFivpip_Gc36K_WeLmaF0w8SI0cEv4K7i8mXZB8-xN7rnQtETVCtYmGewWXIenCzeOiNiGAeRWQMpxG1iZa8QKlYVlFMhMPSKzgF5gNnVqNtu3KAL9gOassE/s320/Optimum+Organization+Linky+Final.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm pretty proud to show off my finished product - especially on a Made it Monday and Optimum Organization. I know that if I didn't have my Lesson Plan book, I'd never get anything done! During the school year, if I have something important that I can't lose, I always tuck it into my plan book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhE9JH2v-vbArESx7LUoKDaBVmh-vZsEsNs7V_JuxelCUkXAL9nB5CDdu16rniaaFpFdprTIVnSEOjpGc1Y1OW2x2d32pjn_TXtRjq8tdwCrJp3DXYHFd4rCN_g-awj54aQIYnsWZ6RE/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhE9JH2v-vbArESx7LUoKDaBVmh-vZsEsNs7V_JuxelCUkXAL9nB5CDdu16rniaaFpFdprTIVnSEOjpGc1Y1OW2x2d32pjn_TXtRjq8tdwCrJp3DXYHFd4rCN_g-awj54aQIYnsWZ6RE/s640/IMG_0175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I printed out the cover that I designed, all my printed pages and took it to Office Max for double sided printing and binding. The binding only cost $4! What a deal! I had to pay about $12 for the double sided printing that I did on my pages. If my school was open, I could have saved that money... but I wanted to get it finished.</div>
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(<i>Psst! If you like the covers - <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Chevron-Lesson-Plan-Covers-752540" target="_blank">they are for sale at my Teacher's Pay Teachers store!</a></i>)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYF6FY3Gc742kQar4scPGc_kU7ZxsGrjks2UyIF_i1OgdEPKVptlh-VyL0Ai_lBmsu4fsUsZ0LPXiML1T0FD87YI1kmAhX71gtfkPQzf2qMSQNhghzkaUAOChNmSaQysdPyRkROhSH9I/s1600/IMG_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYF6FY3Gc742kQar4scPGc_kU7ZxsGrjks2UyIF_i1OgdEPKVptlh-VyL0Ai_lBmsu4fsUsZ0LPXiML1T0FD87YI1kmAhX71gtfkPQzf2qMSQNhghzkaUAOChNmSaQysdPyRkROhSH9I/s640/IMG_0176.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I used post it sticky labels to break up the sections for easy tabbing. I added the Notes section after some debating. I figure I always need some space to jot down ideas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHx1iDyh5DCHL4mVHttaUekLHy9Dr1YKSCQ2N9cu7wrYrGFwHolVF4QS37JTq-MrIyRtUHlDDUnCYtPvxUm23r9MOOSSxyiAN9awMW_5jh71nFEY867AVPxhPTmUJwQBG2PlTeIMMU2gk/s1600/IMG_0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHx1iDyh5DCHL4mVHttaUekLHy9Dr1YKSCQ2N9cu7wrYrGFwHolVF4QS37JTq-MrIyRtUHlDDUnCYtPvxUm23r9MOOSSxyiAN9awMW_5jh71nFEY867AVPxhPTmUJwQBG2PlTeIMMU2gk/s640/IMG_0177.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBWtyYmQwTnj6L_tqL0RRPL52AMaClY08RxZPkrT1QE4nq8fO5a2DbGk0Dn1GmmOeDb665JyOUlDabEbSN8X9_32-FgNnaNBWklXSPp2pSoZOlff2i_NKp7hIh2vxzfjEgwpC0JYuBl8/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBWtyYmQwTnj6L_tqL0RRPL52AMaClY08RxZPkrT1QE4nq8fO5a2DbGk0Dn1GmmOeDb665JyOUlDabEbSN8X9_32-FgNnaNBWklXSPp2pSoZOlff2i_NKp7hIh2vxzfjEgwpC0JYuBl8/s640/IMG_0178.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Calendar is courtesy of the fabulous Kindergarten Works! Because I am cheap - the copies came out a little light. I had to write over some of the areas so when I doubled sided copied, they would show up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19K3yIji4TXwqiaHC34B5scP5FnLx-QlfbksPLED7RUk-lJj55o-AfPVFvE4cXTP8hXgvlOR-v2bEzF50edIgVdsW2UQF9Iy_DOpyd4chxW7PGicr0OtLaEU2Pz9zbNuulrM9cAnH7uo/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19K3yIji4TXwqiaHC34B5scP5FnLx-QlfbksPLED7RUk-lJj55o-AfPVFvE4cXTP8hXgvlOR-v2bEzF50edIgVdsW2UQF9Iy_DOpyd4chxW7PGicr0OtLaEU2Pz9zbNuulrM9cAnH7uo/s640/IMG_0179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our admins sometimes have difficulty finding the right sections, so I added in this helpful cover to my weekly plans. With the tab, there shouldn't be any problems locating my current plans.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNx7zYuva_ormBWdXwzUpPVpMUXZhp9F6iRGtuvufG6UiFbzamUWNviDF491ZAGVPO4K4Pkla483NahCOEGLOMuqPMhFMRWgQaSHpT3a8bLD7_oOd8XtLLyq7-peULy_K32YCWuf8laZs/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNx7zYuva_ormBWdXwzUpPVpMUXZhp9F6iRGtuvufG6UiFbzamUWNviDF491ZAGVPO4K4Pkla483NahCOEGLOMuqPMhFMRWgQaSHpT3a8bLD7_oOd8XtLLyq7-peULy_K32YCWuf8laZs/s640/IMG_0180.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is how I created my weekly plans to match the specific requests of our district. They want that Checking for Understanding section and it helps that I added in all the strategies that they would like us to use.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVX5ruee-3q-_QyqP5P05JK27rVowY4-NzmBZgsJC-ru_iKqDmyEsqGR0wZgCEe_pxceYNC7L8iW9k5yhdQKtIjSaSwor3hIoh277l0i2i2kXaPXyHBXCU8uWYn6iFVySooQ8tIvRfmRg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-07-08+at+12.01.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVX5ruee-3q-_QyqP5P05JK27rVowY4-NzmBZgsJC-ru_iKqDmyEsqGR0wZgCEe_pxceYNC7L8iW9k5yhdQKtIjSaSwor3hIoh277l0i2i2kXaPXyHBXCU8uWYn6iFVySooQ8tIvRfmRg/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-07-08+at+12.01.20+PM.png" width="505" /></a></div>
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This is what the weekly plans look like, a little closer. I have this weekly plan issue - the days HAVE to go across the page and the plans go down the page. I've rejected many a plan book that lists the days down the side instead of across the top.</div>
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Yeah, I have issues!</div>
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I had to squish my Social Studies section, but I think it will do. <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Middle-School-Lesson-Planning-Template-761845" target="_blank">I forgot to mention earlier that they are available for $1.00 at my TPT Store</a>. (It took me forever to get this plan right. The $1 might make me feel better for the angry hours I spent glaring at my computer screen ;) )</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AUlvSfFqpHuoiCiu-CS8EVzGLuz2R6Jq7gbyL55TAV3NjQKjH_-EV0Gv1MM44u9W3ckRQgLxAL4gmFrnZPZUfTIB8Iys1onSx58dPvhXSJWF6Byy429N6iu8xuVBvLhzVyExGRN21Ls/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8AUlvSfFqpHuoiCiu-CS8EVzGLuz2R6Jq7gbyL55TAV3NjQKjH_-EV0Gv1MM44u9W3ckRQgLxAL4gmFrnZPZUfTIB8Iys1onSx58dPvhXSJWF6Byy429N6iu8xuVBvLhzVyExGRN21Ls/s640/IMG_0181.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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To keep my place, I added in a ribbon! I had this fun monkey pattern lying around, so I used it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0uBf5CXpuApBUxW5RJPoPQzNrO8oZFbVi2pfTsj1t4AHKTUWbpKK_yoQtXk9sn0mCW-uWD3fuVSBelOK_06qgH84sPT6LdFXImv43oMQ0A_VRMHHP2PAj-it4vaG8vMHXjgAfWrjrjU/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0uBf5CXpuApBUxW5RJPoPQzNrO8oZFbVi2pfTsj1t4AHKTUWbpKK_yoQtXk9sn0mCW-uWD3fuVSBelOK_06qgH84sPT6LdFXImv43oMQ0A_VRMHHP2PAj-it4vaG8vMHXjgAfWrjrjU/s400/IMG_0182.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I used sticky dots to attach the ribbon to the inside back cover of my planner. I almost did it backwards the first time and had to think about how the ribbon would curl over the pages!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDvsrau8MSE3lh8IpCPgRWgNED3GB3GXEpRyKKFPC2xYd_i7oxMuMkO2IY2uJ95bOKFhecZGLk63mLOQZDWKUwFzq12AuQQlsR_uUeJpf7iQhbp_W5Jsfp1Lkol8zMsRklVIfZqFkU7I/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDvsrau8MSE3lh8IpCPgRWgNED3GB3GXEpRyKKFPC2xYd_i7oxMuMkO2IY2uJ95bOKFhecZGLk63mLOQZDWKUwFzq12AuQQlsR_uUeJpf7iQhbp_W5Jsfp1Lkol8zMsRklVIfZqFkU7I/s320/IMG_0183.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At Office Max, they add the clear cover and thick black cover in with your binding. I added about ten pages of blank copy paper to the end of my book as my Notes section.</div>
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Overall - I'm SO happy with my book. Last year, I printed the pages out on a weekly basis and then taped them into a blank planner. It wasn't the greatest idea because it was a pain in the butt every week to tape in my plan book pages. I think that this solution will work much better this year!</div>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-2758268139670419732013-07-04T12:56:00.001-07:002013-07-04T12:56:17.888-07:00Happy 4th and Lucky Me!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Happy</span><span style="font-size: large;"> 4th </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Everyone!!</span></div>
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This morning, some of my work friends were participating in the local 4th of July 5k. I have been MAJORLY slacking on my running, so I knew that I just had to sign up and go out there. I haven't really run anything above a mile in about a year - which meant that I was going to huff and puff my way through this run.</div>
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Huff and puff indeed! I realized that I forgot my knee wrap, so my knee was a little achy as I ran. I also made sure, since it was warm, to go nice and easy so I didn't end up half dead. <i>(Like the really big guy that took off at the start of the race... that I later passed as he was passed out on the ground being attended to by paramedics. Nice and easy finishes the race!)</i></div>
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So, here's proof that I did this thing. This isn't as I crossed the finish line (those are pictures no one should see) but about 20 minutes later? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUplBYZVBQI7hlnzSX5e3ViaiknhVDIJKnyYVKneVrSGw7p_vk7_mnmpu8kADSllPzFS3hKpNXL4JL7lGsRvSjHWhoxR5yhu01tNToOUhNsjiwV2ixjey_L5Saw6SF-yZMipmyyeb1ls/s612/claremont5k2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUplBYZVBQI7hlnzSX5e3ViaiknhVDIJKnyYVKneVrSGw7p_vk7_mnmpu8kADSllPzFS3hKpNXL4JL7lGsRvSjHWhoxR5yhu01tNToOUhNsjiwV2ixjey_L5Saw6SF-yZMipmyyeb1ls/s320/claremont5k2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIKxYOAb68KU9Px_ntM4gavQYBacffXxTt2nFsPwmHlXJG1mD45CXO4DiNlXrmtomYNU2qu5NeVAPHN7TDAI0HVqhlWX4F2v8_H4VkEy16S9UGYy8sRrMJe8EXFGWMareAHPe4i2VKSI/s508/claremont5k1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIKxYOAb68KU9Px_ntM4gavQYBacffXxTt2nFsPwmHlXJG1mD45CXO4DiNlXrmtomYNU2qu5NeVAPHN7TDAI0HVqhlWX4F2v8_H4VkEy16S9UGYy8sRrMJe8EXFGWMareAHPe4i2VKSI/s320/claremont5k1.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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I finished... I'm still alive. I'm in blue, btw. Ms. OCD will be happy that I cropped her out of this pic. However, Ms. OCD deserves major kudos for doing her first 5k with her bad foot. I'm so proud! {{sniff!}} Even though, I'm 100% sure that she did not want to be uploaded to the internet, hence the cropping. The other pic is the start line before it filled with 700 million people that raced this morning.</div>
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Okay - to bring this post around to something SCHOOL related because I'm sure that you're waiting for that... on my way back to my car, someone had an entire recycle crate <b>FULL OF BOOKS</b> that they were getting rid of. Mr. Life in Middle School graciously hunted down the owner of the books and helped carry them to my car.<br />
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Here are some of the books:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl92iXC9E0L6oJKfoAQ5V1HKakoMJRozhyphenhyphenEdC04f3zEkjXY7_OG5RsKFk_2ngudc8CFCG7U6YZyMqdJc4X6QVQ2dup1y0mULVnlkQdwRg4ur7T15YIMcYyE1EH2JaO4GBXoQfLpF3-ZFs/s1600/IMG_0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl92iXC9E0L6oJKfoAQ5V1HKakoMJRozhyphenhyphenEdC04f3zEkjXY7_OG5RsKFk_2ngudc8CFCG7U6YZyMqdJc4X6QVQ2dup1y0mULVnlkQdwRg4ur7T15YIMcYyE1EH2JaO4GBXoQfLpF3-ZFs/s320/IMG_0172.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82y8fsys5I0-XXatqEO09FZ6cx-YlvURpk_IikjkPYfT8rUoqdpNW4nJEvOAyy9W4VKTKTHZ2snbQAi93kgk22XAcLpeu2PlRO8ZSKeENzEzSHt1ugJcSC5fY03W5ZHC3J3mUP9ZNsVs/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82y8fsys5I0-XXatqEO09FZ6cx-YlvURpk_IikjkPYfT8rUoqdpNW4nJEvOAyy9W4VKTKTHZ2snbQAi93kgk22XAcLpeu2PlRO8ZSKeENzEzSHt1ugJcSC5fY03W5ZHC3J3mUP9ZNsVs/s320/IMG_0174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaRMx2VhfiasM0CSxEYUxlL_hXC1yGJmNQ-vS7W6xHBcVgwcieHOQnz1v8UMlpMIF9c-tmzhSceAhjUuCPMZ66JkrkTqEVN5IXoBOpmDYy6UPaDWJ9r9gqSf2pWhAnB9LH5jBlXpqmtM/s1600/IMG_0173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaRMx2VhfiasM0CSxEYUxlL_hXC1yGJmNQ-vS7W6xHBcVgwcieHOQnz1v8UMlpMIF9c-tmzhSceAhjUuCPMZ66JkrkTqEVN5IXoBOpmDYy6UPaDWJ9r9gqSf2pWhAnB9LH5jBlXpqmtM/s320/IMG_0173.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Those You Can Draw Books are amazing, plus 5 more copies of various Harry Potter books and a TON of Junie B Jones. Those are perfect books for my struggling 7th grade readers. There's a bunch of non-fiction mixed in there too. My son was super excited to find a book about Sharks and some Pokemon books that he quickly claimed.</div>
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I think this was my reward for running this morning! I'm off to make labels for all my new books now!</div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-60082530300133764262013-07-03T14:40:00.002-07:002013-07-03T14:40:55.233-07:00Quick Middle School Link UpI promised myself that I would stay off blogger today... but I stumbled across this link up specifically for Middle School blogs and I had to join up!<br />
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(There's usually a big black hole for middle school things... so I can't help myself!)<br />
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<a href="http://sixthgradetales.blogspot.se/2013/07/middle-grades-bloglovin-hop.html" target="_blank">Sixth Grade Tales is having a Middle Grade Bloglovin' Hop</a> - so all my Middle School readers, head over and check out the other Middle School blogs.<br />
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<a href="http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag24/sixthgradetales/middlegrades_zpse293d43d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag24/sixthgradetales/middlegrades_zpse293d43d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In other news, I'm busy finishing my Lesson Plan book for 2013-2014. I built it mostly from scratch and I CAN NOT WAIT to bind it to present to everyone. Ms. OCD got a sneak preview of it yesterday at our work afternoon meet up. </div>
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Here's a peek of the cover!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQw2hQ4xnPhEmpKFIam3phweWr6OSWCiu7lcoXbeHbOvwKJSO4vHd3JkS5qSLTONi8hDgr8xCt5Zg0-9xbaD728GrBiI3KSbcrvVVauVT4bdVruB8A8x4-AQTMWJTr6NqjChgB2CJ0B8/s720/Slide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQw2hQ4xnPhEmpKFIam3phweWr6OSWCiu7lcoXbeHbOvwKJSO4vHd3JkS5qSLTONi8hDgr8xCt5Zg0-9xbaD728GrBiI3KSbcrvVVauVT4bdVruB8A8x4-AQTMWJTr6NqjChgB2CJ0B8/s400/Slide2.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmRQJTNtVd8dlVQ8tpegdwimQyPuhpmpEjPLBCe56i4J_x1rW_YT6GWQ1p3R3nwaKM-wSG39b53-2Etf_Xr340v60YGuBMn1HBPXfL8ZIWXYN2nudu8szPPSyyqjJiPhhL79NB3pp5Cs/s720/Slide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmRQJTNtVd8dlVQ8tpegdwimQyPuhpmpEjPLBCe56i4J_x1rW_YT6GWQ1p3R3nwaKM-wSG39b53-2Etf_Xr340v60YGuBMn1HBPXfL8ZIWXYN2nudu8szPPSyyqjJiPhhL79NB3pp5Cs/s400/Slide1.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I'm including two - just in case anyone wants to pin it.... It has my logo! Pin that picture please! :)</div>
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It's silly how the little things make me happy, but it really does!</div>
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Now, I have to break myself from blogging to finish some school work ideas. Then, we are meeting up with some friends for dinner and Despicable Me 2!</div>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-72500028666541761472013-07-01T08:53:00.001-07:002013-07-01T08:53:11.646-07:00Winner Winner!I wanted to congratulate my two winners for the BlogLovin' Giveaway!!<br />
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Congratulations to Doreen - you've won two items in my TpT store! I will be emailing you!<br />
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Congratulations to Dawn - you've won $10 to Amazon.com! I will be emailing you too!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAG9OZJ7eBIQhEQqR3viPqIdK3UXop2pyUbojjNquaJjpgG6Ta6cn1ye4ckF-FBJsOQkZm15EbgRpxKDJ3rucMzQdtGSPuljBsLw0Fvj63Kl_NH14pcLH71adCg_ezk2KQMhGpE9SGcXA/s365/Screen+Shot+2013-07-01+at+8.47.39+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAG9OZJ7eBIQhEQqR3viPqIdK3UXop2pyUbojjNquaJjpgG6Ta6cn1ye4ckF-FBJsOQkZm15EbgRpxKDJ3rucMzQdtGSPuljBsLw0Fvj63Kl_NH14pcLH71adCg_ezk2KQMhGpE9SGcXA/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-07-01+at+8.47.39+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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And, most importantly - thank you to everyone who participated! Today is that dreaded day... the end of Google Reader and the loss of the blogs we followed on there.</div>
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If you're not signed up, it's not too late to join BlogLovin' and follow your favorite blogs. My button is right to the left.</div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-767080640105288242013-06-29T21:06:00.001-07:002013-06-29T21:06:47.354-07:00July Currently!I have to laugh - I noticed that Farley put up the July Currently a little early and I thought to myself... really, how many people noticed to put up their Currently?<br />
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OMG! Already over 180 bloggers! It's really something that <b>EVERYONE</b> in the educational blogging community comes together at the beginning of every month to Farley. It's a nice window into everyone's blogging home life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55kcU_9l82RSpF19ujqxiMyPkpyakeAAAkyA8U-EMg-cTAP8DbTNGAC-WCJ46QVGNybto-LvWN0MlM-mKkmupwYkqk9cyXghGdWl1vWFQoDEHfUthhyphenhyphenFWLK3-VcD93QzqkDj2We3jQuA/s640/JulyCurrently2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55kcU_9l82RSpF19ujqxiMyPkpyakeAAAkyA8U-EMg-cTAP8DbTNGAC-WCJ46QVGNybto-LvWN0MlM-mKkmupwYkqk9cyXghGdWl1vWFQoDEHfUthhyphenhyphenFWLK3-VcD93QzqkDj2We3jQuA/s640/JulyCurrently2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Can I tell you something? It's HOT OUTSIDE! The entire Southwest is in a pretty ugly heatwave right now. It was about 107 today? We had to go and visit Mr. Life in Middle school's younger sis at her volleyball carwash. HOT HOT HOT! I was dying as we waited. It's like, Love ya sis, but wash that car faster!</div>
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Next, I'll fill all of you in on my bitterness/anxiety. Usually, I love the summer because it's this pure planning time. You get to plan on a new year and it doesn't matter if your last year was great or awful, but you get a fresh slate. This year, I've started to plan and I end up just pushing it all away because I start to get upset (already) about next year's staffing.</div>
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At my school, for the past four years, we have always reduced our staff by at least one person. I've either barely scraped by or like in 2010, transferred to a different school. I'm back on the bottom again unless we have an opening filled by someone that has less seniority then me.</div>
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So, I'm getting bitter over the whole thing - <i>why should I plan, I'm going to do all this work for nothing, I'm just going to have to pack up all my stuff again...</i></div>
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My wish/hope/prayer for this year - scrape by again, I guess. I know that I have to rock my plans regardless of the bitterness lurking in my heart because I have to re-prove to my principal that I can teach Language Arts.</div>
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Am I being silly over the whole thing?</div>
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And finally, my TpT tip is... if you make something for your class - you should put it on TpT. Why not? It's also a nice place to keep all your resources - there's nothing to lose.</div>
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-39315581915256677682013-06-26T12:40:00.003-07:002013-06-26T12:40:56.573-07:00Bloglovin' Giveaway Linky!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp4mR15Nu8CZiTzFULt0ckigLmc73BCdHB2eBWt1I5JzOr2HY9X1SBKHXXh9Jb2Qbv4mcXmYA3aSsxOj8pEOr-4CnmRJQvA-AMO0EY7rsWlyIYm_khwDxtzbLcTGfT1KDyTG9diKPafs/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-06-26+at+8.13.32+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCp4mR15Nu8CZiTzFULt0ckigLmc73BCdHB2eBWt1I5JzOr2HY9X1SBKHXXh9Jb2Qbv4mcXmYA3aSsxOj8pEOr-4CnmRJQvA-AMO0EY7rsWlyIYm_khwDxtzbLcTGfT1KDyTG9diKPafs/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-06-26+at+8.13.32+AM.png" /></a></div>
I'm joining up with <b>SO </b>many other bloggers on the Show Us Some Bloglovin' Giveaway! It's a great linky that has each blogger offering great deals on their TPT shops or <b>gift cards</b>! I'm joining up with the festivities and offering my own promotions!<br />
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I will be giving away <b>2 items from my TPT store</b> AND a<b> $10.00 gift card to Amazon.com</b>!!<br />
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This is what you have to do:<br />
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1. <b>Follow Me on BlogLovin</b>! If you already have an account with them, this is an easy step!! Just click on the blue button to the left of my post!<br />
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2. If you don't have a BlogLovin' account, go to their website and create an account. Once your account is active,<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/freelauren" target="_blank"> you can go to this link to follow my blog</a>. Blogs that you are following turn grey, while new-to-you blogs are blue!<br />
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You can also import all your Google reader blogs into BlogLovin'!<br />
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3. You can earn EXTRA entries for<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Lauren-Freeman-29" target="_blank"> following my TPT Store</a>, leaving a blog comment and my <a href="http://pinterest.com/freelauren/boards/" target="_blank">Pinterest Account</a>! <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The giveaway ends July 1st!</span></div>
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When you're all set up - enter the giveaway by entering your info into the Rafflecopter below! <br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e977801/" id="rc-e977801" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
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Blogging friends - make sure you join up with the Linky if you are giving away prizes for BlogLovin! This way, you too can join in on the extra fun! You can try and win prizes at each of the participating blogs and with so many blogs joining up - I'd say the odds are in your favor! <br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149716969262972471.post-23547264719975258532013-06-25T09:48:00.000-07:002013-06-25T09:48:04.568-07:00Bloglovin' Blog Hop!Only <b><span style="font-size: large;">5</span></b> days left until the end of Google reader and the end of all our lovely Follower number totals! <i>(sniff!)</i><br />
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I'm joining up with Tori over at Tori's Teacher Tips in her Bloglovin' Blog Hop! She set up this linky to get people moving over to Bloglovin' AND to start to re-build our follower counts!<br />
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<a href="http://toristeachertips.blogspot.com/2013/06/bloglovin-blog-hop-linky-party.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV84PL6E1SvgueK1i_VlEhyphenhyphen1Z13AS6eb2TALRORddGgyfj0Tmw9wV4_9y7LJvXD8mY1h9iw4LL9AOeUTvzGGi63mdlrzLCKFK8JISSFmKnBfTBALAZs-fbee8PxjHSYVI2VPRxNXzTGhkL/s400/Slide13.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm linked up - <a href="http://toristeachertips.blogspot.com/2013/06/bloglovin-blog-hop-linky-party.html" target="_blank">you need to head over and rebuild your reading lists!</a> The trick to this linky is that you are linking your Bloglovin' account, so you can quickly go through each blog and add them to your Bloglovin' list.</div>
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Also, I noticed that you can add categories - I can split all my blogs into groups. (Like Primary, Middle and High school blogs. I follow them all... you can find good ideas anywhere! :) )</div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09281542750489998700noreply@blogger.com0