A Behavior Freebie

This year is the first year that our students are coming all day the first day of school.  In the past they have come for an hour and half.  Which made for a crazy first day, but I loved having the afternoon to put away all the supplies that the students bring to school.

So now that the students are coming all day I have been looking for more ideas what I can have the students do.  That’s when I came across a Jodi’s Linky Party from Fun in First.  I haven’t read all the links yet, but I’m getting some ideas.  So here at two activities that I plan on doing on the first day of school.

#1 First Day Jitters

Sometimes the students have heard this book before in 1^st grade, but most of the time they don’t remember what it is about.

The students complete these worksheets as we read the book from Joanne Griffen’s Website.

#2  Rules

We all know that going over the school rules are very important on the 1^st day.  Our school implements P.B.I.S. for behavior.  Our school has 4 rules that are the same no matter what classroom you are in.  The 4 school rules are:

Be Respectful

Be Caring

Be Here, Be Ready

Be Safe

The rules are in order so both students and staff members can remember them.  (R.C.H.S. for R.C. Hill School)

Many years ago I created a Student Behavior Handbook that goes home with the students.  When I made this booklet I didn’t create all my things on the computer like I do on.  So it’s a very basic booklet.  You can check out the link here.  It’s under the letter “B”. 

It’s that document that inspired this idea.  Why not have the students create their own that we can reference during the year.  If the students create it then they will have more ownership right?  Well I hope so.

There are two pages for each setting of our school to fit our 4 school rules.  Students can write and illustrate how that rule fits that setting.  I’m thinking students will work in pairs on this one and we will have one class book.

You can download this for free on TPT.

New (School) Year Resolutions

Hooking up with Teaching Maddeness again with her latest linky party New Years Resoltions.  I always have great intentions with New Year Resoultions (both school year and personal), but I always seem to end up failing at them. 

So maybe now that I have put my resoultions out here in bloggy land I will do a better job of it this school year.

#1  Being more organized
This seems to be on the top of my resoultion list every year.  I start off doing okay but then the students come with all their stuff, meetings, etc. and the organization goes out the window.  I'm sure by now everyone has heard about the Teachers Toolbox.  I have bought my toolbox from Lowes, and have my scrapbooking paper.  (Purple zebra stripes- my favorite color) So hopefully this weekend I will get that completed. 
I have two teammates that have super clean desks all the time.  So my teachers desk is the start of my organization.

So being organized leads into my next resolution.

#2 Putting everything away before I leave.
This will also help with #1.  So many afternoons when the bell rings I stand in the hallway and talk with the other teachers about our day.  By the time I'm done talking I look at the time and call it a day.  I tell myself I will clean up in the AM but that doesn't work.  So I have to make myself stay and tidy things up before I leave. 

#3 My Blog
Last June I started this blog.  My plan was to take pictures and blog about the activities that we do.  Well I didn't do a good job of that at all last year. 

#4 Try and stay positive
Last year our district/school saw many changes in Admin.  We started MAP testing with students for the first time last year, and have several Math changes too.  Yes, Math changes.  We started off the year with new pacing charts that were aligned to CCSS.  Then after 1st qtr. that was changed to something new called Complete Curriculum that didn't really fit our needs.  Now this school we year adopted My Math.  Hopefully math will go much smoother this year.
Now that is all in the past. I'm ready for a fresh start and dwell on what I can't control.

That should do it for my New School Year Resoulutions. Now that I put resoultions out here in bloggy land for all to read. That should help me to stick with them. 

I will be back later this week with a Back to School Freebie.  Maybe even some pictures of my classroom.  (Today I got word that my classroom has been cleaned and ready for teachers to come.) I didn't really want to go in until next week, but now that it is ready I'm not sure I can stay away.

Rockin' Resources

There are so many great linky parties out there in bloggy land. Rockin’ Resources is a great one for this time of year hosted by Kelley from Teacher Idea Factory (BTW- I also love her dad, Ron Browns CD’s.  I have a few of them and use them all the time. )

 I couldn’t resist linking up to this one.   I’m finding lots of great ideas that are on my wish list now. 

Well here at my Top 5 Rockin' Resources.  (In no particular order.)

#1  The Scotch Laminator

I bought this at Target for about $27 a few years ago with a gift card from one of my Christmas presents from a student.  Even without the gift card it was one of the best purchases I have made!  I keep this at home.  I actually like using this more than our school laminator.  Plus we don’t have to hear about how much laminating we used or how the laminator keeps breaking.  Which BTW the teachers can’t use anymore since we kept breaking it, but it still breaks down all the time.

#2  Dry Erase Boards

Dry erase boards are great to use with students.  I have one for each of my students.  I love how it saves on paper and it makes for a quick and easy assessment.  I use it every single day.

#3  Chair Pockets

Well you won’t find this one at the stores. My mom made these for my class.  I’m always telling her she should sell them.  There isn’t a lot of storage in the student desks, so this helps store light things like folders or spirals.  It also helps keeps the students organized. 

#4  Nametags

I love how you can reuse them.  I use them for student lunch numbers in the beginning of the year.  Also good for field trips.

#5  Paper cutter

I have one of these in my classroom and at home.  Our school is huge.  So when I need to cut some paper it isn’t always easy to make it down to the teacher’s lounge.  It makes it so easy to have in the classroom.

Well that's my Top 5 Rockin' Resources.  It was much harder than I thought to narrow it down to 5. 

Happy T.G.I.F.

What's Cookin' Good Lookin'?

Let's just say cooking isn't one of my hobbies.  I don't hate cooking.  It's just a lot of work for one person. Plus there is the clean up.  That's the part about cooking I dislike the most.  It is so much easier just to make a quick sandwhich, salad, or just eat out.  (Which this summer I have done way too much!!)

Well every once in awhile I don't mind cooking as well long as it is something simple to make.

 The other day I had a friend over for dinner so I thought I would link up with Susan from T.G.I.F.  Linky party it's her first linky party. 

I actually had all the ingredients for this recipe so I made it for the very first time.  (Minus the shredded cheese, but it was still good)

Taco Pasta

1 pound ground beef
8-12 ounces medium pasta shells or other small dry pasta shapes, cooked and drained
1/2 cup pasta water
1 small onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, drained (if making this for kids, you might want to use just plain diced tomatoes)
1 packet (4 tablespoons) taco seasoning
3 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper

In a large skillet or sauté pan, cook the ground meat over medium-high heat until no longer pink. A few minutes before the meat is cooked through, add the chopped onion to the skillet. Add in the diced tomatoes and taco seasoning and let simmer over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the cooked pasta, cream cheese, sour cream and reserved pasta water, and continue stirring until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat 3-5 minutes to reduce the sauce a bit if it is still too thin. Toss in the cilantro right before serving. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and serve. 

Last year when I first started my blog I had a cooking linky party.  I believe I only had 3 people link up.  So if  you missed that you can check out the recipes.

Last year's Cooking Linky Party

Then during the past school year I had also posted another recipe.

Easy Dinner Recipe

Coming Soon to my blog-  I will be having one of my co-workers joining me.  Virginia is a first grade bilingual teacher. I look forward to blogging with her. Virginia has lots of good ideas.   So check back soon to meet Virginia.   

One more thing.  Courtney from Swimming Into Second is having a 1000 follower giveaway.  Today one of the items she is giving away is from me.  Check it out!

Another Linky Party

I love these linky parties.  You get to read what other bloggers are up too.  This one is hosted by Oh' Boy 4th Grade.



What Do You Love Linky Party

I'm linking up with Funky First Grade Fun to have a little fun. Hop on over to her blog and join the party if you haven't already.

Holiday recipe Linky Party

Rowdy in First Grade  is having a Linky Party for the holiday season.  Who couldn't use recipe ideas with all the family and friends get to get togethers we have this time of year. 

Teaching Blog Addict is also having a Linky Party.

Here's a recipe that I just found and made a few weeks ago that I love.  I love artichokes and I'm always looking for new ways to make it.  This would be great for football parties.  (Too bad my Bears are not going to be making the playoffs this year.)

Artichoke Bread

1/3 cup butter 1 Tbsp minced garlic 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped 4 ounces shredded Mozzarella cheese 1 cup grated parmesan cheese ½ cup sour cream 1 French bread loaf Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the artichoke hearts, Mozzarella  cheese, parmesan cheese and sour cream. Stir toblend. Remove from the heat and cool. Slice the bread lengthwise and scoop out some of the center. Spoon the artichoke mixture evenly into the  bread shell and sprinkle with the cheddar cheese. Place each half on a baking sheet and cover lightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another  5 to 8 minutes or until the cheese melts completely. Cut into slices and serve warm. Merry Christmas!

Pinterest Linky Party

Usually don't post twice in a day, but when I saw this Linky Party I just couldn't resist. So head on over to Michele's Math in the Middle.  Pinterest is a great place to organize all the great ideas you find when searching blogs.  I will warn you in advance if you haven't checked out Pinterest- it is quite addicting, but it's well worth it because you will come away with many great ideas.

 This past weekend I started my own Pinterest page. You can find this by clicking on the red button on the top of my side bar.

Recipe Linky Party

This week I'm taking a graduate class and it got me thinking about planning out recipes to make for quick and easy dinner ideas. I know during the school year we all are exhausted and the last thing we want to do is fix dinner. I know I enjoy picking up the cell phone and ordering pizza or chinesse food. That can get to be expensive and not always the healthy choice. (I always like to use left overs for lunch.) My goal this year is to make more homemade meals that are easy to prepare after an long day.

When the linky party is over I will post all the recipes collected into one document to share with everyone.  So you have a favorite recipe to share.  It could be a main dish, side, or a dessert. (my favorite.)
Here's a recipe to get us started:

Zesty Chicken Nacho Bake

4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves
3/4 cup chunky salsa
1/4 cup sour cream

3/4 cup crushed tortilla chips
3/4 cup shredded Mexican Style four-cheese blend

Preheat oven to 400.
Place chicken on foil-covered baking sheet. Slice 3 cuts on top of each chicken breast with sharp knife.
Top each chicken breast evenly with salsa, sour cream and tortilla chips.
Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven; sprinkle with cheese.
Bake an additional 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Fun in First Grade Linky Party

Fun in First Grade is have a having party about teacher's favorite Back to School Ideas.  It's always great to get new ideas for Back to School.  So head over to Fun in First Grade for some inspiration.

I got this book last summer and my class loved it!  They really did believe teacher's do what the story says.  Gotta love 2nd graders.  Can't wait to read this again to my new class. 

Here's another idea.  Every year my class always requests that we chant this poem. 

2nd Grade Army Song

Second Grade, second grade, what do you say? (repeat)
We're gonna have some fun today!
(repeat)
We're gonna read and write and spell!
(repeat)
We do these things very well!
(repeat)
Sound off
1-2
Sound off
3-4
Bring it on down now (at this point my kids stand up and boogie down)
1-2-3-4
1-2
3-4!!!!