Writing Center Mats

I just created one of my all time favorite products!!!

I know this is one I will use year round for kiddos to create writing pieces.  These writing mats are perfect for the Daily 5 classroom or any classroom that has literacy centers or a writing center.

First, there is a poster to display near the trays or tubs you plan to place your materials in....

I have created a writing mat for every month.  The mats include a selection of characters and settings for the students to choose from and let their imaginations soar!

Finally, I have included stationary to accompany the mats for every month...

These pieces of stationary also include a blank copy without the "My _____ Story".  This allows you to copy front and back or let the students create their own titles.  I can't wait to get them printed and laminated.  I know my student authors will enjoy the freedom and creativity they have with these writing mats!

Click HERE if you would like to visit this product at my TPT store.

Many Changes and New Creations

It has been a very long time since I have blogged.  I mean a ridiculous 2 months!!!!  I know, totally uncalled for and I should be totally ashamed of myself.  There is a reason behind this procrastination.  Many new developments have come about and some major changes are about to happen in my life, for the better!

I struggled through the last school year.  It was a great year, but a very exhausting one.  My husband has been deployed and I have been teaching 2nd grade and raising my beautiful girls alone.  I had a very successful school year, but it was so stressful.  I started this school year alone too.  My husband is in South Korea and I was going to conquer another solo school year while also building our new, forever home in Indiana.  Well, lets just say God has other plans for the Bryant family.  Turns out my husband won't be retiring the end of the school year and I have had enough of us being apart.  Our little princesses miss Daddy too.  We are relocating to South Korea after Christmas, sometime in January!!!  Time to be together.  Needless to say, I have resigned from my position and now I am focusing on the GIANT list of To Do's that have to be accomplished ASAP.  I am so excited to be joining my husband!    We lived in South Korea in 2004 and I am anxious to go back and expose my girls to an awesome and friendly culture.

Along with my list of To Do's, resigning has freed up a little time for TPT creations.  I have had so many creations in folders on my computer just waiting for some love.  How many of you have the same type of folder, the "Give Me Some Love" folder?  Fortunately, I knocked out a few products these last two weeks and so proud of them.

The first is my Life Science Unit on Animals:

                      



I also finished a great collection of Short and Long Vowel Flapbooks:

Can't wait to see what else I can knock out of that "Give Me Some Love" folder!  Have some sweet dreams blogging friends.  It is nice to be back!

Up too late!!!

It is entirely too late and I am constantly complaining about not getting enough sleep, but I have been trying to finish up my new short vowel product for TpT and I was determined to get it all done before resting my head.  I am sure all you TpT creators know just where I am coming from!!!  Am I correct?  We have been reviewing short vowels in my classroom and I just created this super fun product to use next week.  

Each vowel comes with a slider...

A place for writing down the slider words and a passage about what is on the slider for kiddos to highlight the short vowel words...

A short vowel word search...

and an answer key...

Plus, I created a short vowel flipbook!

and a short vowel word sort!!!!

Click HERE if you would like to visit this product at my TpT store.  Okay, I am going to sleep now.  Mission accomplished!  Sweet dreams!

One last thing!!!!  I have a Daily 5 freebie for you since you stopped by to give me some love.

Click the picture below for this Daily 5 Word Search!

Classroom Reveal

Teacher Organization Day is Monday and all the little darlings will start filling the hallways that evening for back to school night.  School starts Tuesday!  Excited!  Anxious!  Nervous!  Butterflies in the belly!  Why does this happen every year, even after teaching for quite some time now?!?!?  I don't think it will ever go away.  You want to be great!  You want the kids to love you, but you also want to set the stage in a way they will learn routine and develop respect for you.  Such a critical time.

My absolute favorite part of back to school is getting my room ready and organized.  I have worked hard on my classroom transformation.  Put TONS of time into getting everything just where I want it and loving my new look.  I want to share some of my new decor and classroom ideas.  I have tried to provide links to the different products around the room.  Here goes....

Alphabet is by Erica Bohrer and the comprehension strategies & skills posters are by A Cupcake for the Teacher.

Classroom library organization is inspired by Beth Newingham

2nd Grade Common Core Essential Questions, CAFE, & Daily 5 materials can be found at my TpT store by clicking here.

I get many products from Amy Lemons.  You will see many of her materials in my classroom.  She is my go to girl for 2nd Grade.  LOVE her!

Math Lab labels and recording sheets can be found at my store by clicking here.

Writing wall materials are A Cupcake for the Teacher and Lori Rosenberg.

Polka dot table numbers and the behavior chart can be found at my TpT store by clicking here.  The table numbers are also available in CHEVRON!

I know I will be praying for an amazing year for my students, their parents, all teachers out there and my sanity!  Ha ha!  Enjoy your back to school events and God bless!