Keeping Up With Kirbys

Well, I didn't mean to stay away so long.  I'm starting to feel the pressure of busy schedules and my summer is coming to an end! Boo!  I just came back from Capturing Kids Hearts conference in Saledo.  First, I have to say the place was beautiful!  Gorgeous! -The only thing that was missing was my family. :(                                 Me and Michelle Yes, they even had animals out there.  They also had buffalo, an ostrich, and goats.   It was truly an amazing conference and I am so thankful that I was picked to be apart of that experience.  The conference was very similar to the Love and Logic philosophy and empowering kids.   " If you have a child's heart, you have his head. " -Flip Flippen I feel like, for the most part, I implement this philosophy in my classroom, but there are LOTS of things that can be changed and fixed. (always)  The presenter really made this philosophy relevant with our peers. WOW!! - That was a big eye opener!  Our

I love to use my word wall in the classroom for lots of activities but I REALLY, REALLY like it when the kids use it as a reference.  (kinda the point, huh) :) - Yea, I know.  This year I have put together a personal book for each kiddo that they will be able to reference and I can quickly use it to assess their sight word recognition.   These sight words specifically follow the Texas Journeys Reading Basal for 2nd grade.  Anyone can use this but I've used the 300 sight words in the order of this series.   Each Friday I will listen to the students read the list of of words to me.  I plan to use a different highlighter for each week to mark a word that the student struggles with and we can spend more one on one time in small group for mastery.   I'm going to place the booklets on rings like you see above and hang from hooks on the back of a cabinet.   My goal this year is to FEEL like I'm on top of things...................rather than slowly drowning. :)  If this is

I love hearing all about the kids and what they love.....and they LOVE to tell you about themselves.  I'm linking up with Tara for her Monday Made It, so I can share this little freebie with you. Thank you Tara for bringing all these wonderful ideas to one place.   Inferencing can be tricky to teach but if we are talking and thinking about it with the things that are most important to the kids then maybe we can make it easier for them.  This activity is, Show and Tell, using clues to help the kids (and teachers) to get to know each other.  This activity also has friend cards that they can fill out and take home to share something they learned about each classmate. You can pick it up at my TPT store. It's been a busy week but I've accomplished..........nothing crafty (boo!). I've tried to get back in my running routine and my little sass wanted to run with me.  Awwww....so sweet, I'm thinking she's probably going to slow me down but that'

I've created two different ways to display AR goals and points.  I haven't decided which one I'm going to use yet.  I would LOVE for you to pick them up at my TPT store (it's a freebie) if you are still looking for a way to display your AR points.  I think I'm going to use going to use the bees and flowers........ but I still have time to change my mind.........right?!  This is some of the new clip art I purchased from Nikki over at  Melonheadz , she has the cutest stuff and each week she has freebies.  I LOVE freebies! :)   Happy Tuesday, ya'll!!

Well, it's another Monday and I'm linking up with Tara for her Monday Made It Linky.  She always has so many fabulous teachers sharing fun ideas.  My first inspiration came from Run!Mrs. Nelson's Got the Camera .  She posted a list of rewards and incentives she uses in the classroom and I LOVED her idea for a treat tree.  I haven't decided yet if I would like to use it for 100's on spelling tests or meeting an AR goal.  I should probably work that out soon.  "Sweet Treats for you and me..." Earlier this week I linked up with Teaching in Room 6  to share my behavior chart.  I finally finished putting mine together and I found the cutest little clothespins. You can get my Behavior that Makes Cents at my TPT store if you would like to use it.  I cannot even imagine charging for any of the things that I make right now.  I am truly a newb at this, so until I feel like I have something worth selling all my things are free. ;)  Finally, my

I've decided for this next school year to implement $$ into my behavior clip chart.  Our school has certain colors and points that they want us to use and deduct from each child's conduct grade based on the child's color/conduct clip.  So each year I jazz up my color chart BUT this year I'm implementing Coins.......get it???!!!  Behavior that Makes Cents!!  Okay.......this is how it will work in my classroom.  Each day the students will stamp their behavior calendar with a coin stamp based on our color chart.  For example, black will be used for a quarter because black is considered exceptional behavior throughout the day. They will use a green stamp for dimes, yellow stamp for nickels, and a red stamp for a penny.  Although, I rarely have color changes, I truly feel like this will motivate them to not only KNOW their coins but be able to add them up.  They will NEED to know how much they have in order to spend their money on Friday.   Really, I keep it very simp

Well, I feel truly honored and a little shocked but I am ever so thankful.  My sweet and talented friend over at Smitten with First has given my lil' ole blog 2 awards. Once you receive the Lovely Blog Award, you must follow 3 rules: 1. Follow the person that gave you the award. 2. Link back to the person that gave you the award. 3. Pass the award on to 15 bloggers. The rules for this award are: 1. Thank the blogger who nominated you. 2. Include a link to their site. 3. Include the award image in your post. 4. Give 7 random facts about yourself. 5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award. 6. When nominating, include a link to their site. 7. Let other bloggers know they’ve been nominated. Now that I've received these awards I need to share 7 random facts about myself. Sooo...here I go: 1. I play on a coed softball team with my husband. I am actually the other teams best player. :/ 2.  I have a son that will be a SOPHOMORE this year. gasp!!-that doesn&

Oh sweet summertime...........where are you going???!!!  My list of things I want to make is getting loooonnnnggggeeerrr...  I truly look forward to Tara's Monday Made It Linky Party .  Now, the things I want to share this Monday may not be considered by some as "made it" BUT you should know that I stuck my own stickers on AND did all my own hot gluing. ;) Okay, we have an amazing little boutique in town and my kids (parents) are always picking up little gifts for me. (so sweet) Well, this boutique has the cutest jewelry gift boxes........so being a teacher, I thought.......how can I use these in the classroom??  Let me show you!! We all LOVE the desk fairy!!  This is the box she leaves on a desk with a soft peppermint inside.  (my kiddos LOVE those)   It says:  "Please eat this treat because you've been SWEET and kept your desk all nice and neat." On the inside of the lid it says "Please return this box to your teacher. Love, The Classroom F