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Friday, July 31, 2015

TpT B2S Sale!

Have you heard?? Teachers Pay Teachers is having a site-wide sale!!

Before I became a Teacher-Author, I LOVED these sales. (Who am I kidding... I still do!!)

This go around, you can save up to 28% off. Who doesn't love a discount? :)

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/teaching-fifth-in-the-fort

Click the logo above to see the deals you can get at my store on August 3 &4!!
 
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Wednesday, July 29, 2015

SCOOT!

SCOOT is such a fun way to practice almost any skill you're working on. Have you ever played it?

To prepare, I like to cut out and laminate all the "cards" for durability. 




There are a few variations to setting up SCOOT, but my preferred method is to place the cards all around the room. (You could also distribute cards one per desk and have students rotate desks.) Have students start by finding a card -- one student per card --  and wait for my signal. I will give about 30 seconds (more or less depending on the work) for students to answer the problem on a corresponding answer document.


Then after the 30 seconds (or so) is up, I call out, "SCOOT!" Students then move to the next card. I like to keep things flowing clockwise for organization. This keeps going until everyone has reached every card. 

The kids love it because they get to move around! I love it because it gets them interested!

Check out my newest SCOOT/Task Card product HERE. Do you play SCOOT in your class? What subject do you mostly use it in?

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Task-CardsSCOOT-Place-Value-Ten-times-as-much-and-110-of-CCSS-5NBTA1-1989227

 

Monday, July 27, 2015

ELA Morning Work

Whew! I am so happy to announce the release of my ELA Morning Work Bundle! I have worked so hard on this product almost all summer long.
   This bundle includes the following Morning Work/ Bell Ringer products, plus a BONUS Notes Handout for student morning work binders.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ELA-Spiral-Review-Weekly-Quizzes-NO-PREP-FULL-YEAR-Meets-All-CCSS-Standards-1986354

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ELA-Daily-Morning-WorkBell-Ringer-NO-PREP-FULL-YEAR-Meets-All-CCSS-Standards-1948669
You can find all of these products HERE, HERE, and HERE

Did I mention that these products are 50% for the first 24 hours they're posted? That means the Bundle of all products (a $40 value) is available for just $15! Wow!

I use Morning Work as a classroom management tool. Students know each morning to come in, put the book bags away, have their homework ready to check on their desks, and begin working on morning work. On the off chance I had to run to the restroom or wasn't in the room right when the bell rings, students knew exactly what to do. We go over these procedures for weeks at the beginning of school. It makes the rest of the year run very smoothly!

What are your best practices in classroom management? How do your students "get started" each day?

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Back to Work

As I begin this blog, I am quickly learning that there is so much more to learn! For any teacher bloggers out there, what tips do you have? I'm learning as I go and any help available is greatly appreciated! One step I've taken, is joining up with BlogLovin'. Click the link on the right of this page to follow me.

Today, I went by my school to check in (on a Saturday... in July... I know. I'm crazy) and found my room totally cleaned up and desks neatly in rows! Wow! I don't know that I've ever come back to that. It got me excited to get in there and start decorating and organizing. What do you love most about the weeks leading up to going back to school?

 

Friday, July 24, 2015

The Beginning Blogger

Hey y'all and welcome to my blog!

My name is Laura Smith and I have taught in Spanish Fort, AL for the past five years. Four of those years were with (my favorite) fifth graders and one year was with third graders. Teaching is in my blood-- I come from a long line of educators including both grandfathers, both parents, 2 aunts, and 2 cousins. Teaching is more than a job for me. I enjoy going to work and seeing my students' love of learning.

I am a huge Florida Gators fan and I have a definite affinity for owls. I love all things yellow and my sweet rescue mutt, Lulu. Thanks for stopping by!

P.S.: Go Check out my TpT store: Teaching Fifth in the Fort