I Heart Middle

2014-07-31T14:11:00.000-07:00

Hello, fellow teachers!

I can hear the clock ticking...summer is fading and back-to-school is creeping in!

I usually start to get a little excited this time of year. Sure, I'll miss the quality time I've had with my children, but I look forward to a more structured schedule and meeting the kids I'll spend the next 9 months inspiring!

If you're like me, you teach English, Language Arts, Reading, Social Studies or at least one of these! Please look through my products and see if there is anything that could make your life easier or more fun. If there is something you'd like to see, I can probably find it in my archives or make it happen!

TpT: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/I-Heart-Middle
T.N.: http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/IHEARTMIDDLE

I'd like to share and learn what worked and didn't work in my class this year. I'm currently teaching 5th grade ELAR/SS on an intermediate campus, in a 90 minute block. I have LEP and SpEd students for which to differentiate. I hope we can work together to teach each other and grow!

Click on the link below for a freebie! Thanks for taking the time to check me out!

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/IHEARTMIDDLE/back-to-school-forms-and-elar-activities/ff/null/blog

Happy Teaching!

A Little Summer-Planning Allows You to Sit Back and Watch Your Classroom Run Itself!

2013-06-18T12:00:00.001-07:00

Getting some rest?

Planning your classroom in your mind? I know I do…every summer!

I learn something new every year. I feel like experience helps me “tweak” to make everything run more smoothly with each, new year.

I plan to use several things this year that will make my classroom run itself, like an automatic! In addition to utilizing student notebooks to house all of their writing, grammar, vocabulary, etc., I have decided that using literacy stations with a timer is the best way to manage my classroom. Students work alone or with a partner on student-centered, enrichment (GT), writing, reading, spelling, etc. activities while I conference with each student or work with a small group on areas of improvement. It works like a well-oiled machine!

Most of my career has been focused on struggling readers from a low socioeconomic background and English Language Learners. Understanding that limited vocabulary, fluency, and background knowledge are areas to address with these students is key. Finding the time in the day to work with these students means the rest of the class needs to be self-sufficient. Literacy work stations is the answer to this problem for me. All I have to do is push START, and it will take off!

Contact me if you have any questions about how to incorporate work-stations in your classroom or you'd like to share ideas! Check out my shop/store on Teachers-Pay-Teachers & Teachers Notebook for products that can help you get started. ‘No sense in reinventing the wheel!

TpT: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/I-Heart-Middle

T.N.: http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/IHEARTMIDDLE

Happy Teaching!

April Showers Bring May Wow-ers!

2013-04-07T10:19:00.001-07:00

I’m thinking I’ll have my students write poems this month. With the focus on how pretty it looks and feels outside, this should be an easy enough inspiration! I’ll post their poems on large flower, umbrella, cloud, butterfly, or tree templates. Hanging them from string around the room or in the hall for Spring Open House would decorate the room nicely. Any suggestions?

I’ve done a poem before where the students fill in the blanks with what they see, hear, smell, etc. Then, I cut off (or fold back) the beginning part of the sentence to make it sound more like poetry than a narrative.

I see…_____________________________________

I hear…____________________________________

I smell…____________________________________

I feel…_____________________________________

I touch…____________________________________

I taste…____________________________________

‘Just a fun idea. This time of year is one of my favorites! Visit my Teacher’s Notebook shop and/or Teachers-Pay-Teachers shop (look on the right side of my blog for a link to these) for more ideas.

*I’m running a Spring into Spring 15% off sale on both sites!!!*

MARCH ON!!!

2013-03-13T07:17:00.001-07:00

March Madness. Spring Break. Easter. What else does March 2013 have in store for us???

I’ve been trying to come up with simple ways to cover grammar that aren’t too long and arduous. I’ve included two worksheets on “Teachers Pay Teachers” and “Teacher’s Notebook”. Use these for practice at home or in a station/center to assess your students’ understanding. Right now, my school is covering coordinating and subordinating conjunctions in compound and complex sentences. I also saw the need to review parts of speech…often!So, I made a shapes and color-coded practice sheet for parts of speech. Each is only .99!

On T-P-T:

Conjunctions: Hooking Together Clauses:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Conjunctions-Hooking-Together-Clauses

Shape and Color-Coded Weekly Grammar Homework:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Shape-and-Color-Coded-Weekly-Grammar-Homework

On T.N.:

Conjunctions: Hooking Together Clauses:

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/IHEARTMIDDLE/conjunctions-hooking-together-clauses

Shape and Color-Coded Weekly Grammar Homework:

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/IHEARTMIDDLE/shapes-and-color-coded-weekly-grammar-homework

Enjoy your fun-filled, busy MARCH!

Happy Teaching!

February: The Month of Love

2013-02-03T17:42:00.001-08:00

We’re now in February. The month of love. Almost as soon as we’ve made our resolutions, we’re tested to keep them…

We love the Super Bowl. We love Mardi Gras. We love chocolate and over-indulging. After we go a little overboard, we have to reel ourselves back in…

I’ve created a fun little lesson you can do with your kids. My students loved them! After they’ve written their creative, unique Diamante poems, cut them out, glue them onto colored paper and hang them from string. Let their little diamonds shine!

On TpT: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creating-a-Diamante-Poem

On T.N.: http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/IHEARTMIDDLE/creating-a-diamante-poem

Have fun and enjoy!

Story Time

2013-01-19T11:31:00.001-08:00

Whether you’re introducing the elements of a short story for the first time, or you need to review plot structure to analyze a novel, it’s nice to have a graphic organizer and ready-made analysis sheets to distribute to your students. I’ve added an item to both Teacher’s Notebook and Teachers Pay Teachers that can make this process more fun for you and your students.

If you have English Language Learners or Special Education students, having a mental model for them to organize their thoughts, makes things easier for them.

Check it out!

On T.N.: ' target=_blank>Character, Setting, & Plot

On T-p-T: Character, Setting, & Plot

Happy Teaching! :)

Happy New Year!!!

2013-01-02T13:20:00.001-08:00

2012 was a great year. I learned a lot about things that work and things that don’t. I decided to make things easier on myself (and consequently more fun for the kids), by implementing more technology in my teaching! It was scary at first, but I realized it really saves time and it’s more engaging for them.

First of all, rather than paper journals, the kids are using “Kid Blog” to record their thoughts and feelings. Let’s face it. Blogging is the new journaling anyway.

Next, I’ve been using www.spellingcity.com for my students to practice and take their spelling tests. There are lots of activities they can do on “Spelling City” to learn the words – meaning, pronunciation AND spelling. It’s fun for them and a quick and easy grade for me!

Last (but not least), I have been allowing my students time to practice their typing skills on “Type to Learn”. They need practice typing. Too many of them STILL hunt and peck on the keyboard! AHHHH!!!!

I hope 2013 brings lots of excitement and wonder into your classrooms and your hearts. We’re starting our research projects. So be looking for some research lessons soon. In the meantime, check out a figurative language lesson, get your students’ papers organized into a ELAR notebook, or get ideas on how to use literacy stations by going to:

Teacher’s-Pay-Teacher’s Store:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/I-Heart-Middle

-and-

Teacher’s Notebook Shop:

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/IHEARTMIDDLE

I have New Year’s Sales going on NOW!!!!

Check out the HUGE Turkey-Sized Sale!

2012-11-20T18:54:00.001-08:00

HUGE Thanksgiving Sale!!!

Thanksgiving

2012-11-20T15:50:00.003-08:00

Hello, Thanksgiving!

We spent the past 2 days making "Thankful Turkeys". On each feather, they listed something for which they have to be thankful. At first, they struggled to come up with more than a handful of things. Then, when I reminded how fortunate they are to have all the luxuries they do, they began to think of things I hadn't even considered! One little girl said, "Love." I hadn't thought of love. Perfect.

We are writing one major paper per 6 weeks. The 1st 6 weeks we wrote a personal narrative. The 2nd was a persuasive essay. Now that we're into the 3rd 6 weeks, they're writing a reflective paper, in which they'll respond to literature they are reading in Reading class. They will be asked to make emotional connections to the conflicts in the story and how they connect to the characters.

We have barely begun our literacy station transitions. The students seem to enjoy the various activities and frequent changes throughout the class period, and it gives us (teachers) the opportunity to conference with each student about their writing and other skills for which they need extra attention.

I'll share how they are going in a few days, once we're worked through the kinks. I think it's going to be a great thing!

Happy Turkey-Eating!

Enjoy Teacher's Notebook sale (below) and combine it with mine to receive:

55% off!!!!

55% off Teacher's Notebook Sale!

!<iframe width="220" height="320" frameborder="0" src="http://www.teachersnotebook.com/widget/IHEARTMIDDLE/sale"></iframe>

2nd 6 Weeks

2012-10-07T11:09:00.004-07:00

Well, the 1st 6 Weeks if officially behind us! I feel a sense of relief. It was rocky. Now, going into the 2nd 6 Weeks, I know my students' names, where they sit, what period they're in, etc. I am learning their strengths and weaknesses. I can tell a sub who he/she can count on for help and to whom "special attention" is required.

Suggestion: I have made file folders on my desk. They are color-coded and labeled for quick and easy access. I have a file folder with my SpEd students' names. They have a Hall Pass for Content Mastery that these kids can use when they need extra help on a test/assignment. I have a different folder with rosters for each of my classes. I have another that holds all the bell schedules for specified events. These are also color-coded. For instance, on early release days, we have an adjusted bell schedule for dismissing at noon, and on assembly days, the bell schedule is adjusted a little differently. It's good to have these printed and ready.

I just created a figurative language item on TpT and TN. It has notes for the different types and 2 worksheets with answer keys. Grab 'em now!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Figurative-Language-Notes-and-Worksheets

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/IHEARTMIDDLE/figurative-language-notes-and-worksheets

Happy Teaching!

The 1st 6 Weeks is Fading...

2012-09-26T14:19:00.003-07:00

It's not in my rearview mirror yet, but it's fading.... FAST!
I have gotten my feet wet in this new school, and we're off and running. My students and I have learned our new surroundings, and we're getting into a routine.
We started out the year by reviewing the parts of speech and re-visiting the writing steps. We are now working on making our sentences a little more complex, so that our personal narratives are not choppy. They flow nicely and tie ideas together with good transitional words.

I'm working on a lesson that provides rubrics and checklists for self-evaluation and peer-editing. Be looking for it in the nexr few days!!! In the meantime, check out some of the graphic organizers I have in my TpT Store & T.N. Shop!

Now, I need to get to work on my literacy stations! AHHH!!!

Happy Teaching!

Falling For Fall

2012-09-16T13:17:00.004-07:00

Cooler temps, rain, falling leaves...they are all signs that change is near, and it gives me a burst of energy! I can already see visions of candy corn and pumpkin goodies dancing in my head!

I need to get in my attic and pull out all my Fall decorations to get me inspired to create some fun, Autumn lessons!

While I work on those, check out these FREE flahscards I made on www.Quizlet.com to review those Latin and Greek Roots and Affixes!

Latin Roots:
http://quizlet.com/13637382/familiarize/embedv2/?hideLinks

Greek Roots:
http://quizlet.com/13637636/familiarize/embedv2/?hideLinks

Latin and Greek Prefixes:
http://quizlet.com/13638462/familiarize/embedv2/?hideLinks

Latin and Greek Suffixes:
http://quizlet.com/13639035/familiarize/embedv2/?hideLinks

My TpT Store:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/I-Heart-Middle

-or-

My Teacher's Notebook Shop:
www.http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/IHEARTMIDDLE

Grab "Roots and Affixes Bingo","Back-to-School Forms and ELAR Activities" and "Things I Learned the Hard Way: Classroom Management Ideas..." to review those back-to-school objectives and MORE!!!

Happy Teaching!

Back to School!

2012-09-02T15:14:00.003-07:00

Hi, Teacher Friends!

I'm back at work...at a new campus...in a new school district...and I LOVE IT!!!

My students are so super cute, and I adore them already! They want to give hugs, and they are helpful and respectful. It's heaven! I know we're in the honeymoon phase, but I hope it stays this way! :)

I've had very little time to create new lessons, but I have been putting to use my station rotation schedule that I have on TpT and T.N. I also plan to use my ELAR student notebooks item, and I've used lots of stuff from my Classroom Management product to get my classroom organized. I hope you can use these! They saves lots of time and energy down the road!

Link to my Teachers-Pay-Teachers Store:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/I-Heart-Middle

Link to my Teacher's Notebook Shop:

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/IHEARTMIDDLE

Don't forget the Roots and Affixes Bingo game! I'll be using that in a few days to review my students:

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/IHEARTMIDDLE/roots-and-affixes-bingo

Good luck this year!!!!

Happy Teaching!
Brande :)

Cheers!

2012-07-31T15:50:00.001-07:00

It’s almost time for school…
Tomorrow is the first day of August. That always marks the beginning and the end for me. The beginning of a new school year and the end of the previous one. The beginning of new faces and supplies. The end of sunburns and relaxed BBQ’s .
I was able to upload 9 lessons onto my Teachers-Pay-Teachers store and Teacher’s Notebook shop. The latest one is one that would come in handy the most before school starts. I included suggestions and tips for classroom management that I’ve adopted and learned the hard way. I hope you’ll scoop it up and use some of the tools that have helped me work “smarter” & not “harder”!

Link to my Classroom Management Lesson on TpT:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Things-Ive-Learned-the-Hard-Way-Classroom-Management-Ideas

Link to my Classroom Management Lesson on T.N.:

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/IHEARTMIDDLE/things-i-learned-the-hard-way-classroom-management-ideas-suggestions-and-strategies
Summer is fading, but here’s a “Cheers” to good things that lie ahead!

Terrific Tuesday!

2012-07-24T08:42:00.001-07:00

August is drawing ever near. Part of me dreads getting back into the daily grind. I’ve enjoyed the time off with my children. The other part of me is excited to get back to work. I’ve been busy enough, but my mind needs more stimulation! I feel like I’m not being productive or contributing enough. My couch has gotten plenty of attention! ha!

I’m working on a drama lesson right now. I have 7 lessons on Teachers-Pay-Teachers & Teacher’s Notebook. Please snag a few before the back-to-school chaos starts!

I’ve got everything on Teacher’s Notebook on sale (15% off) for a limited time!!!

Teachers-Pay-Teachers link:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/I-Heart-Middle/Products

Teacher’s Notebook link:

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/IHEARTMIDDLE

Happy Teaching!

Cheers to New Things…

2012-07-12T06:48:00.001-07:00

This Fall is going to look very different…

For as long as I’ve lived in the Waco, TX area (7 years), I’ve worked in the same school district. I’ve only been in 2 schools here, and I’ve mostly worked with the same people. August will be VERY new. I will be in a new school district, at a new school, with new people…

I welcome the change because I will be working in the same school district in which I live and my own children go to school. It is only minutes from my house, and it seems like a great group of people with which to collaborate! I will miss many people, but I will take with me all that I’ve learned and all the experiences that has made me the teacher I am today.

Please take a peek at the 7 lessons I have posted on Teachers Pay Teachers and Teacher’s Notebook. Snag a few to toss in your toolbox, so you’ll have lots of goodies to start out your year!

Teachers Notebook: www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/IHEARTMIDDLE

Teachers Pay Teachers: www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/I-Heart-Middle

Happy Teaching!

Today is Special!

2012-07-06T11:10:00.001-07:00

Today is my 5 year anniversary! Can’t wait to have a nice dinner with my sweet hubby!

I’ve now uploaded 6 lessons on TpT & Teacher’s Notebook. A little bit of everything to promote literacy and a love for reading!

Check ‘em out! I’ve got some that are featured, some on sale, & even a freebie!

Teachers-Pay-Teachers Store:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/I-Heart-MiddleToday

Teacher’s Notebook Shop:

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/shop/IHEARTMIDDLE

Thanks & have a blessed weekend!

Happy Teaching!

My 2 year old reader!

New Writing Lesson!

2012-07-03T14:42:00.001-07:00

Check out my latest writing lesson plan on Teacher’s Notebook:

http://www.teachersnotebook.com/product/IHEARTMIDDLE/organizing-and-supportinyour-persuasive-writing

I think it will help you show your students how to organize their thoughts!

Thanks for your support, and Happy Teaching!

Sharing is Caring…

2012-07-01T21:39:00.001-07:00

Hi! I hope you all enjoyed your weekend, and you’re ready to hop into July!

I am so excited to be getting my feet wet with this blogging and lesson-sharing! I know I still have a LOOONG way to go and lots of learning to do, but I’m proud of myself thus far.

If you don’t yet have a “Teacher’s Notebook” account &/or shop, PLEASE use the link below to open yours today! It’s lots of fun!

Use this link to open your own Teacher's Notebook account!

Goodbye, June! :(

2012-06-29T18:27:00.001-07:00

Well, June is officially over…
I got a few things done but not nearly as much as I had planned. I got my blog going and uploaded 3 lessons on TpT & Teacher’s Notebook. I’ve even got some followers and lessons sold with positive feedback!
Here is a great lesson to start out the school year. One of the 1st TEKS (if you live in Texas), is to teach or review Latin and Greek root words and affixes (prefixes and suffixes). This fun BINGO game Power Point can be used to do either! My kids loved it this past year. It is a keeper!

Enjoy your weekend, and Happy Teaching!

Hot, Hot, Hot!

2012-06-28T09:17:00.001-07:00

Well, it’s officially hot! It’s too hot to go outside and too boring to stay indoors! If I didn’t have kids in the house needing my constant attention, I could really get going on uploading some fun lessons to share. I’ll do my best to do so in the little free time I have.
So far, I have a folklore lesson with a fable with vocab. words, activities, graphic organizers, etc., a Bingo Power Point to teach or review roots and affixes, and a collection of creative book report ideas. I’ll see what else I have in my vault of lessons & get another out ASAP!
I need to get in my classroom and start organizing & decorating!
Ideas? Suggestions? Things to share?
Thanks!

Click on the link below to find this lesson on TpT!

Folklore Lesson:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Folklore-Lesson

TGIF!

2012-06-22T08:55:00.001-07:00

Here’s one of the lessons I just posted on TpT and Teacher’s Notebook: Click on the link below the picture to go directly to my store to check it out! Let me know what you think!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Book-Report-Ideas

Exciting Things!

2012-06-21T18:17:00.001-07:00

Exciting things are happening!
1) I am compiling resources and creating lessons.
2) I was trained this week on how to give constructive criticism to my intern next year.
I’m very excited about all the possibilities next year holds! I believe having to analyze someone else’s lessons and performance, will, in turn, help me think about the lesson cycle and how I teach. I hope it will ultimately make me a better teacher!
I’ve uploaded 3 lessons on TpT and Teacher’s Notebook.
Check ‘em out!
Thanks & Happy Teaching!

Hump Day!

2012-06-20T19:07:00.001-07:00

Today was refreshing. It made me excited for next year and reaffirmed for me that I’m in the right field. I’m excited about having an intern and watching them grow and learn. I’ve reached the point where I’m comfortable letting someone else “steer the ship”, and I know we’ll both learn from each other. Having to evaluate lessons (and the teaching cycle in general), will make me be a better teacher, too!
I added another lesson about folklore. Check it out!

Summer?!

2012-06-19T04:26:00.002-07:00

'Have my first lesson posted on TpT! Check it out! I think most teachers can use it, and they will really like all the ideas in it!

Today through Thursday, I have to get up bright & early. I have TxBess training. :/ I guess they’re going to prepare us for how to give feedback constructively to our interns next year (instead of saying, “that was a great lesson” everytime). ha!
I’ll let you know how my day went tomorrow…