Techie and Tried it Tuesday!!

It's Tuesday and it was a cold morning here in south Texas...so weird! Today I am linking up with Technology Tailgate for Techie Tuesday and Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried it Tuesday!

My Techie Tuesday is this great site called GeoGuessr. This is a fantastic site for my GT kids!! Geoguessr is powered by Google and is ultimately a game played with Google Maps. When you go to the site it will drop you in a different location. The purpose is to use the surroundings visible in the picture to determine where you are. You then click on the map to pinpoint your location. You get points depending on how close you were to the correct destination, then you move to the next location. Here is a screenshot of one location...Can you guess where it is??? I will post the answer tomorrow!!!!

I love this "game" so much and the kids do too! I think it is a fantastic way to supplement any geography lesson! 

As an added bonus to Geoguessr, kids can also create their own Geoguessr challenge by using Geosettr!!! They can choose locations in the world and have their friends guess where they are. The kids really love this because they get to try and trick their friends!!!

Now for my Tried it Tuesday...yesterday I finally got the nerve to start centers in the library it was a super duper success!!! My only regret is that I didn't start them sooner. The kids were so well behaved and engaged, I could hardly believe my eyes!! Thank you to Elementary Librarian for the guidance and great ideas throughout this process. 

As most of you know this is my first year as a librarian, and while it is the GREATEST job in the world, it has been a somewhat difficult transition for me leaving the classroom and moving to the library. I have never really liked centers because no matter how much or how long I trained my students, the moment I started a small group all you know what would break lose. I spent most of my time getting the others to quiet down so I could concentrate on my reading group. In theory, centers are great, but for me they never really worked. All that to say I was a little reluctant to start centers in my library. But, then it hit me that I wasn't going to be pulling a small group, which meant I could devote my time to making sure they were doing the centers correctly and help other patrons locate and check out books. 

the next problem was finding centers for each grade level, K-5...this is what I came up with:

Kinder- letter matching (a little too easy, I think I will change it to site word match or rhyming match. See picture below).

K-2: Theme reading (depending on the theme for the week. See picture below). This was going to be just a Kinder center, but I decided to use it for K-2, because I figured they would like the books.

K-2: puzzles (realized I needed 2 of these and now I think I need to make one harder than the other...on the hunt for fun/cheap puzzles now. See picture below)

K-5: Independent Reading center with stuffed animals (they love this! See picture below)

2 and up: Library Assistant (students had to shelve books on a cart in alphabetical order, see picture below). I think this may be a little hard for 2nd grade, so next time I will have them match call numbers with author names. 

1-2: Book Recommendation Center (for this week I put the cute heart recommendation form out from this great resource that I found from the elementary librarian's blog and it's FREE...check it out here)

and here

Here are the ones I used...

for 1st grade:

for 2nd grade and up:

aren't they great!!! 

Here are the pics from my centers...

Matching Center:

Theme Reading Center:

Independent Reading Center:

Library Assistant Center:

Book Recommendation Center:

I am starting to plan my centers for 3-5 for next week...

I would love recommendations!!! Thanks!

I think that is all for today! I hope all of you have a Lovely Tuesday and stay warm, wherever you may be:)

It's Monday....Linky!

Happy Monday to all!! I hope everyone had a GREAT weekend and enjoyed the beautiful weather if you are in Texas...now for some really cold weather tonight!!! Texas you never cease to amaze me...that's why I LOVE you so:)

Today I am linking up with Teach Mentor Texts for It's Monday! What are you Reading? YA and It's Monday! What are you Reading for adults with Book Journey. This is a GREAT linky for me because I don't have to do too much thinking...LOL. I just have to tell what books I'm reading. Although this week is a little harder for my adult book because I just finished a book and need to decide which book I will start next.

Here we go...

This week I am still trying to finish "Ghetto Cowboy" by G. Neri. It is a current Texas Bluebonnet nominee, so I really want to finish it. It is a great book! I think my kids struggled quit a bit with it because of the dialect, but overall they liked it. Another thing that said quit a bit was that it was weird...I can understand that because the main character is going through things that my students are unaware of.  

This weekend I finished reading "Crazy Love" by Nicola Marsh...it was a good love story, which I'm known to be a sucker for. This week I have decided to re-start "Tell No One" by Harlen Corben. I have heard he's a great author and have honestly never read anything of his. If any of you have read his work, let me know what you think.

Tonight I am also linking up with The Reading Tutor/OG for Mentor Text Monday- Nonfiction Text Features.

Before becoming a librarian this year, I taught for 9 years, with the last 2 being in 4th grade. I believe 4th grade is one of the hardest, craziest years for children, teachers, and parents alike. To top it off, Texas got a new standardized test 2 1/2 years ago that was a game changer for teachers and students. While nonfiction text features were on the previous test as were other topics, I don't think anything could have prepared any of us for what we got. I realized after the first year, Texas wasn't messin' around. Yes, I was furious and still am, but I also quickly jumped on board to help my students be as successful as I possibly could and one way I did that was by pulling out EVERY nonfiction book I could get my hands on. My students read nonfiction books and passages EVERY SINGLE DAY. After I while, they got used to it, but they also got bored, so I decided I had to change that up some too. The only way I could do that was by finding the most interesting topics I could find, which is what I still do today. I found that kids liked learning the history of things. So, for this weeks nonfiction text features, I chose several books (in no particular order)

1. Pop! The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy...

This book is neat because it follows a story format. It doesn't have many NF text features, but it does have real pictures with captions at the end.

2. Hot Diggity Dog: The History of the Hot Dog by Adrienne Sylver

this book is great because it is different than most NF books. It has several text features, although they are a little different than what most students might be used to. The following are the NF text features included in this books:

Text Features: 

recipes (not a text feature, but different)

pictures with captions

labels

Although it uses comic type pictures, I still think it a good book to help switch things up with your students. 

3. Chocolate: Riches from the Rainforest by Robert Burleigh

I LOVE chocolate...who doesn't love chocolate (don't answer that if you don't) I know my kids LOVED chocolate (I mean, I wouldn't know because I NEVER gave my kids candy). Just because I didn't give them the chocolate I sure did let them read about and learn. This book has a lot of great information in and some good text features as well...

Text Features:

illustrations with captions

timeline (ish)

steps (not a text feature, but helpful)

glossary

My final book for the nonfiction text feature mentor text linky is 

4. How Sweet It Is (and was): The History of Candy by Ruth Freeman Swain

Another book about something yummy, so the students are bound to be interested...

(again, I DID NOT give them candy :/)

This book only has a couple text features, but the ones it has are good and interesting!

Text Features:

timeline

recipes

I hope you have enjoyed the books this week....

In Library News:

I finally tried library centers....stay tuned tomorrow to see how that worked out for me!

I hope you all have a great night! Make it lovely and I'll be back tomorrow!

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday...or Friday for me and Bluebonnet Parties!

Well, I missed blogging yesterday because I went to the Scholastic Warehouse sale and bought some books for my library. Then when I got home on the frigid night, I was putting my daughter down and ended up falling asleep until 12:30...oops!

Today was a CRAZY day, but fun! I woke up thinking and secretly hoping for a delay start, but that didn't happen, so we were running a little late to school all while trying to brave the freezing cold. People I live in Texas, we are not used to this cold weather and we definitely are NOT, I repeat NOT equipped for ice and snow, so quit making fun!!!

When I got here I had to get ready for my first round of Blue Parties for my students who have read at least 10 Bluebonnets. I decided to have a little fun and put blue in my hair!!!! We had ice cream with blue sprinkles and sprite with blue food coloring. We played a Bluebonnet Bingo I made and then a matching game, where the kids have to look at items that pertain to the book and decide which book it belongs to. I think they all really enjoyed themselves.

Back to the hair...I got a text from my mom in the late afternoon asking if my family wanted to meet them for dinner tonight. Uh oh...I have BLUE HAIR and did I mention I live an hour away, so I can't go home and wash it??? I still don't understand why more people don't carry shampoo around with them...LOL

I'm 2 days late and a dollar short, but I love nonfiction books, so I wanted to get in on the Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday, thank you to Kid Lit Frenzy for hosting this great challenge. I have decided to take on the challenge and read 1 nonfiction books per week.

Without further ado, here is my nonfiction picture book for this week...

The Cart That Carried Martin by Eve Bunting (Junior Library Guild, December, 2013)

This book is a great book or was a great book for MLK Day. I love the artwork and the way it really adds to the story. It is a sad, but heart warming story that the students would enjoy. It includes a back story of MLK and his assassination and then describes the day of his funeral. 

In Library News...

I bought some new books last night at the book sale and nearly froze my rear off in the warehouse. I had to use my scholastic dollars though, so I had to sacrifice.

I also got an email today saying my first HUGE book order is on its way...EEKK, I'm a little nervous, but super duper excited!!!

I'm taking a break from blogging for the weekend unless I think of something REALLY exciting!! Time to run...I have classes next week so I have to plan!!! Hey, maybe I'll add my lesson plans for next week??????

February Currently

Are you kidding me...3 Days in a row for blogging, unheard of! In all honesty, I LOVE blogging and I need to make more time for it because it makes me feel good. Today I am linking up with Farley at Oh Boy 4th Grade for the February Currently...it has been months since I last linked up and I am excited about this one, because I love February and I love the page...as always:)

I finally got the chance to work on the computer from home and while it was quiet in my room, I could here the tv blaring in the living room...at least I wasn't being bothered:) I had to go to bed so I didn't finish, but now all I hear are the clicking of the keys on my keyboard:)

If you haven't heard, I have the greatest job in the world...I love being a librarian!!!!

I am thinking how I really need to be working on my lesson plans for next week, but instead I am blogging.

My need and want are the same this time...I really want my house to sell and it really needs to sell. I adore my parents and it has been a blessing that we have had the opportunity to live with them, but I really need to have my own things again and my own space. I am so lucky that my parents are easy going though, which is very nice!!!

Now for my 2 Truths and Fib....

1. FIB...I do like saving gas, but the truth is that I also like my time being by myself and for all the mom's out there, you know how crucial "your time" is. You see, my husband and I have an hour drive each way to work (actually he is a little further). So, we leave at 5:30 every morning, he drops me off at school, takes our daughter to school, then heads to his job. I love that we get to spend time together and that we are saving gas and money, bbbbuuuutttt, sometimes I just need a little time alone. 

2. Truth...After being in the library now for 5 months, I realize I should have done this years ago. I always wondered if I would miss being in the classroom and to be honest, I don't. I think it is because I still have classes, so I still get to teach...the best of both worlds!

3. Truth...duh, don't we ALL need more time to do the things we absolutely love??? I have a long list of things I will start doing again or just start doing once we live closer to our jobs. Right now though, we are on such a time crunch every evening that the time for me to do things I absolutely love, besides being with my family, are nonexistent. That's ok though, because I am very thankful for all the blessings in my life...great job, a place to live (with my parents:), and a very happy and healthy family!!

In Library News...

I submitted my votes today for the Bluebonnet Award...

For my Texas friends, who do you think will win??? I'm pretty certain I called this one from the beginning!!!

If you do Bluebonnets, I am attaching a little freebie you can use for your kids to track their Bluebonnets...not sure if you can use it this year, but hey, better late than never....right????

I think that is all for today!! I hope all of you have had a super day, please check out my Facebook page, I feel like I am kind of talking to myself on there...LOL 

Until next time, make every day lovely!!!

Tried it Tuesday and Techie Tuesday Link Ups

Wow 2 days in a row...now that's impressive!! I am linking up with Fourth Grade Flipper for Tried it Tuesday and Technology Tailgate for Techie Tuesday Link Up! This is my first time for this linky, but there's a first time for everything!

My Tried it Tuesday  and Techie Tuesday Link Up is a site called Big Huge Labs...I love this site and so do my GT students. I learned about Big Huge Labs at the Texas GT conference in Houston this year and I was so excited to try it with my students. With BHL's, when you sign up for an account, you can add your students and then print off their user names and passwords. 

There are some really cool things you can do on this site, from magazine covers, cd covers, posters, flyers etc. When a student creates a project, they can then email it to their teacher. I have only had the opportunity to use it once with my students and they thought it was so neat. My students chose to do the magazine cover for their travel projects they were finishing.

As they were working, I had an awesome "a-ha" moment (don't you love it when that happens???) I realized how great magazine covers are for teaching main idea. My students were so confused at first by what to put on the cover and the only way I could think to explain it was to think of the main things you "did" on your trip. It clicked with them (and me) at that moment that magazines are great for teaching main idea and then I was quickly saddened that I never thought of that while I was in the classroom:(...

Anyway, I hope you will have the chance to give it a try...I know your students will love it!!

In other news, I forgot to post a picture yesterday of my Bluebonnet chain links that have become the death of me. Now you can see why I am changing to something a little more manageable next year (make sure you read my post from yesterday so you can give me some input on how I should keep track of the Bluebonnets the students read next year...I know, crazy I am already thinking about next year...shhhh, don't tell anyone).

It's not a very good picture, but you get the idea of how hard it is to get to them...a good idea in theory.

In other library news...

Please check out my Facebook page. It is a work in progress, but I think I will like adding one more thing to my plate;)

I hope all of you have a good night...I am going to go work on my other projects (as if I need more)...

Until next time, make everything lovely!!

Library Time

It has been months and months and months since my last post...There are several reasons for this; I got a new job, I didn't really know what I wanted to blog about etc etc etc. After a lot of thought, I love blogging and journaling about my daily life.. family, hobbies, and my new job as a librarian. So, it might not be things everybody is always interested in, but there might be things that will interest you someday. without further ado...here is my blog and I hope you enjoy!

I have recently finished my first semester as a librarian and it is by far the GREATEST job in the entire world!! I have learned so much in the first 5 months of my job than I would have ever imagined. Since this is my first year, I decided to keep it pretty much the same as it has been in the past. But, now that I have finished my first year, I have started thinking about how and what I will change next year. There are things I had to learn before I could decide what I did like and didn't like.

Today I want to discuss what I have learned from my first year as a librarian about the Texas Bluebonnets...

I quickly realized how huge the Texas Bluebonnet award was at our school and I was super excited however, I also realized that I need to find a new method in how I track the number of bluebonnet books read. This year, and in the past, the students have done chain links. When they read 5, they get a blue paper chain link (there are 3 shades of blue, it depends on their grade level) They have to write their name on the link and the 5 they have read. When they read 10, they get a red link, 15 they get a silver link, and 20 they get a gold link. The links are hung on the ceiling. So, it sounds like a great idea in theory, but it is a pain to keep up with. I found that I didn't want to hang the chains because it was too hard to get up there and hang them. I also found that locating the chain to hang the students red, silver, or gold link was even more difficult because I couldn't read the names which means I could not find the correct link.

Well, with all that said, I plan on changing it up next year to fit me:)
I have finally decided on a theme for next year and will probably keep it for a while (which is so unlike me). This year I went with owls because I had always loved all the cute little owls out there and had never had a chance to do the theme in my classroom. I was planning on changing my theme and couldn't decide between forest animals, jungle, or sweets. Well, my secretary won a rug over the summer and brought it to my classroom a couple of weeks ago. She couldn't remember what it was, so it was quite the unveiling when it was unrolled. Drum roll please.........................................................................................................................................................

You guessed it, I am going with a forest theme...I am really excited about it and the rug sealed the deal:)

I had a reason for telling all of you this, I promise. I am sticking with the theme for showing off the students who have read bluebonnets. I have a choice to make though and I really hope I can get some help from all of you...Here are the options

1. A huge worm on the wall...when a student reads 5, they will get to add part of the body to the worm (use a different color for each grade level). Then in increments of 5, they will add a dot to their worm body part.
2. Lightening bug jars....Print out mason jars like this here. Write the child's name on it and their grade level. When they read 5, they get the jar with with a lightening bug (thumb print on yellow ink pad). Then in increments of 5, they will get another lightening bug.

I am not going to say which I like the most because I want to know what you think the pros and cons would be for each of them. I hope all of you will help me out!

In the Library news!!!

First, I get to go to TLA and I am super duper pumped!!! At first, it was looking like I wouldn't be able to go, but the stars aligned and I get to go the entire time....yes, you heard that right, the ENTIRE time!!! So, stay tuned for more info on that!!

I also wanted all to know that I am getting my Facebook page up and running and I sure hope all of you will head on over and like my Mrs. Saunders' Lovelies Page!!

Stay Tuned...

Changes for next year to AR and the awards
TLA
My FIRST book order
Scholastic Book Fair round 2:)
My first Adult Book Club!
Children's Book Club Take 2:)

I hope you all have a fantastic evening!

Lots 'O Linkies!!!

It has been a few days since my last post...I have been sick since Saturday, not fun, and I finally got Photoshop...YIPPEE!!! The only problem, is that it is for my PC laptop...which I haven't used in 2 years because I have a Mac....that means that ALL of my fonts were on my Mac and I had to get them moved. Not only was I doing that, but I have been playing with everything Photoshop and going to bed REALLY REALLY late....could be why I am sick (oops!) 

Anyway, today I am linking up for the first time with Collaboration Cuties for their Must Read Mentor Texts Linky. 

I only have one today because I found that most of the others I read have already been posted. There are a lot, but the one I chose is so GREAT!!! I am sure most of you have heard about Pete the Cat, but if you haven't, your students will love it!! 

From Amazon:

Pete the Cat is back—and this time he’s rocking in his school shoes. Pete discovers the library, the lunchroom, the playground, and lots of other cool places at school. And no matter where he goes, Pete never stops moving and grooving and singing his song . . . because it’s all good.

This is such a great book to get the kids up, moving, and by the end, they will be singing along. Check out the MP3 version of the book by clicking play below. If it doesn't work, you can visit The Pete the Cat Website.

Pete the Cat: Rocking in my School Shoes MP3

I think it would be fun to read the book or let the kids listen to it, but I warn you, they will want to listen to it over and over and over again. After you are finished, you can either take a picture of all of their first day shoes and let them write about what they like to do in their shoes at school on their first day, or you can let them draw a picture of their shoes. You can use the freebies below to make a class book if you would like!

I hope these work for all of you. I was trying to figure out how to attach them through Google Docs, but it wouldn't work, so I just had to save them as a JPEG. If you know how to do it and can share with me, I would greatly appreciate it!!! I think I have done it before, but now I can't remember or Google Docs has updated since then...not sure which one. It is probably me and I'm going to blame it on being sick...:)

I am also linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for Monday Made it!!!

I am using my Pete the Cat  FREEBIES above, since it has ended up taking me forever to figure out the switching of the computers!!!! I was going to upload my first ever digital scrapbook paper, but maybe I will wait until next week for that and hopefully by then I will have several other papers to add to it!! 

Finally, I am also linking up with Flying into First Grade for her Let's Get Acquainted Linky Party!!!

This time around it is Tic-Tac-Toe and I have decided to do the diagonal....

I went to _____________________ college and a favorite memory

I went to Texas A&M University....can I get a WHOOP!!!!, and I would have to say one of the most fondest memories I have are all of the times I spent with my besties. I loved going out dancing and just having a good time. We always had something to eat and there was always a band that we needed to see. I also met my husband at A&M. It was my last year and we met in Horticulture class...fun times. I don't really remember any bad times in college, compared to "real" life problems, college problems have long been forgotten:) 

 

My Favorite School Memory as a Kid

That is tough...I feel like I was a kid sooooo long ago, but I would have to say being with my best friend, Jocelyn, who lived up the street from me. Funny thing, we didn't both have skates, so we shared a pair. No, we did not take turns, we each got one....hahahahaha. We were the BEST one skate skaters around, not to mention the only ones. We also used to have recorder concerts for our parents. We were learning the how to play the recorder in our schools and we would get our parents together and set chairs up outside and play our recorders for them...they were so kind. That must have been torture:/

Hobbies

I love doing EVERYTHING....I'm not kidding. I love crafting, sewing, baking,  blogging, selling Scentsy (the new scent Watermelon Mint is to die for), Selling Jamberry Nails (which are amazing!!!), playing with my sweet Ava, watching movies at home with my hubby, reading, practicing writing, learning to draw, learning to work on Photoshop, and sooooo much more. I really don't know how I find time to do it all. I just can't imagine which one I would get rid of if I had to.

As I mentioned earlier, I have started my first ever digital kit. It is going to be an ocean theme, not sure why I chose that, but it just happened. So far, I have made 1 paper...hahhahaha. It is time consuming, especially since I have never worked with Photoshop before. If anybody know how to do clipart in Illustrator or Photoshop, I would love a mini tutorial or some tips. I am also looking for people that would be interested in previewing my work for me or trying it out before I post it to TPT. If you are interested just leave me a comment below. 

I also mentioned a while back that I would be changing this blog up a bit, since I am now going to be a librarian. I am looking for things I could do weekly that people would be interested in reading about every week. I was thinking an author of the month, Fiction Friday...etc,. What are your thoughts? 

One more thing, I was wanting to start a linky for the school year that would have something to do with lovely moments at school...I know, from my previous job that it was very hard to always find the joy, but by blogging and thinking about it, I was able to find joy in things that normally I would not have. So, I thought it would be nice to recap the week and blog about something lovely that happened in the week. What do you think about that? 

I would love any input or suggestions from all of my readers....I appreciate each and every one of you!!!

That's it for me today. As always, until we chat again, make every moment lovely!!!