And a late night linky!

Well, I came across this linky party via Teach123, and I thought her idea about a pencil that never needs sharpening was GENIUS!  She definitely inspired me to visit Jenn over at Best Practices 4 Teaching and create my own Invention for Teachers!  So, without further ado, here is my Super Fantastic Teacher Invention!

Who's with me here?

I have to wonder who else out there has ever said to their kids (in frustration, of course), "Hey, I'm not teaching this for my benefit.  I already passed ____ grade!  I don't need to learn this! You do!" Only to find that this tactic really isn't the best??  Hopefully I'm not the only one who sometimes forgets all those fabulous things I learned in the (perfect) student teaching world...Anyway, I was feeling like this Thursday, and I was having trouble getting my students' attention.  However, rather than revert to strategies that have proven ineffective, especially with these "emotionally disabled" children, I decided to go all anti-Margaret.  I became that perky, high-pitched, super smiley teacher.  I told the students that I had already learned this material, and I knew it well, and I was going to prove it by teaching it.  I then stated, "I'm a fabulous teacher, and I'm going to teach, and I'm going to teach it well.  It's up to you to learn it."  They looked at me as if I had lost my mind, BUT after I answered my own questions with enthusiasm about 4 times, they gave in and started participating.  It was quite satisfying.

©2006/2007 National Association of Special Education Teachers

So, tell me....have you ever felt this way?  How did you deal with it??  What do you think of my response??

The 3am Teacher Giveaway!

Ok, so I've always thought Michelle over at The 3am Teacher was the best....Now, I have the great opportunity to share with you how WONDERFUL she is!!  She is giving away a charm from Stamped Evermore AND a $10 TpT gift card AAAAAND your choice of any one product she has listed in her TpT store!!  Just check out her blog for the rules and such.  While you're there, make sure you check out all the awesome freebie graphics that she has to offer!

Linky Parties!

I love Linky Parties!  It's a wonderful way to find other teacher blogs and so many ideas!  Not to mention, I love an opportunity to get my blog out there!  So first, here's a Blog List by grade level over at Math Coach's Corner



And second, Teach123 is linking up blogs that are handing out teaching tips. So, here are some things I have learned in my various teaching environments....



I know it may sound horrible, but it's a great tip.  Especially in a school.  Maybe it's because we're around tattle telling kids children who feel the need to point out everyone else's wrongs all day.  After all, You are what you teach, right?

 And I always find this to be true!  Besides, you can plan, and plan, and plan, but you just never know what your kids are going to do.  Or what they are going to grasp.  Sometimes my best lessons are the ones that start with me declaring, "Oh!  I know.  Let's try this!"




And there's my Sunday morning reflection!  Time to hit the plan books to get ready for the week ahead....gotta be prepared in order to get those A-ha moments!

Leprechaun Repellent

Ok, let me start by reminding you that I taught middle school for 6 years, so I didn't realize just how many "holidays" elementary school (specifically early elementary) teachers have to celebrate.  I JUST finished President's Day when Valentine's Day snuck up on me...then I find out I have to give Dr. Seuss a birthday party.  Now, a leprechaun is supposed to come mess up my room and leave gold and treasure??  My immediate response was, "Huh? Ain't no Leprechaun coming up in here and messing up my room!" (Yeah, I know the grammar sucks, but come on....I'm southern :) I get a pass.)  ANYWHO...I thought it would be cute to create Leprechaun Repellent and make a big deal about not letting one in on Friday....Teaching is all about acting anyway, right?  So, I plan to fill my bottle with some water and glitter, then make a big, silly deal of spraying it around the classroom.  Of course, come Friday, the repellent won't have worked, and I will still leave their "treasure" in the room.  I may even leave a note from the Leprechaun that says he felt the need to be good and leave treats, not trash the room, because of the repellent.  Maybe I can convince the kids that the "Leprechaun Away" will make them behave too......

Click the picture below to get the Leprechaun Away label for free!!  The label says "Leprechaun Away.....Keep those pesky Leprechauns away this St. Patrick's Day with this super lucky glitter spray!"  The top label fit this spray bottle that I bought at Dollar Tree last weekend, but I included other sizes for other bottles as well!  Enjoy!

You know you teach when....

Fun For First is having a linky party to let people share their "You know you're a teacher when" realizations!  Mine is that I speak in acronyms!  You know, since I work in an LRE, and I provide a FAPE, to my ED,and LD, ADD, ADHD, DD etc children.  I follow their IEPs, and BIPs (which are based on the FBAs).  In South Carolina we test our kids with the state PASS test (previously known as PACT, B-SAP)....I could go on and on, but I just realized it's 11:00, not 10:00, thanks to Springing Forward last night.  So, I'm just going to post my realization, and wish you all a wonderful week!  For our school, we only have 14 days left until Spring Break, NOT that I'm counting.....

One Lovely Blog

I just got back from a lovely weekend getaway to the beach to find that Stacey at 3rd Grade Times had given me a One Lovely Blog Award!  So, I'm now going to return the favor and choose the blogs that I find Lovely!

Here are the rules:

1.  Link back to the blogger who gave it to you.

2.  Pass the award on to 15 other lovely bloggers.

3.  Follow the person who sent it to you.

And the awards for One Lovely Blog Award go to:

1.  My Whole Brain Teaching Blog
2.  Sandra's Savvy Teaching Tips
3.  KPM Doodles
4.  Time 4 Kindergarten
5.  Learning with Mrs. Parker

Ok, Ok, so I only came up with 5.....but I am feeling lazy am suffering from beach bum blues must be behind on the Lovely award!  Everyone already has it, it seems!  So, I'll take nominations!  If you have a blog that you think is lovely enough for an award, email me or comment and I'll add you to my list!


And while you're at it, go check out my TpT store and my new St. Pat's Day Emergent Reader!