Cricut Expressions Vs. Silhouette?!

It is that time of year again…ordering! This used to be something that I absolutely LOVED to do. I would sit for hours and look up items I’d been eying or research the best of the best materials for my little ones out there. However, this year I just seem so busy it has almost become another “thing” on my list to do. Ahhh…I know I need to snap out of it and be thankful that I actually have a budget to order supplies with!! Ok that little vent session helped…haha. 

There is one thing I have wanted forever now. A Cricut expressions. I’ve seen such amazing things created for the classroom. 

 

Except today when I was catching up on my blog-land life I noticed that a lot of people are talking about the Silhouette (another die-cut machine.) My question is, which is better?! 

Do they both cut graphics and letters large enough to be used on bulletin boards? Do you have to purchase the cartridges in order for the Cricut to work (some people are saying they can get things online?) 

Do any of you out there have either machine? Or do you have an opinion on which one works better for all things “teachery”? I’d love any advice I can get! 

OK now back to answering e-mails…ugghhh!!! Have a lovely evening friends! 

Story Unit

Hi friends!! It’s been a while!! Spring break was absolutely AMAZING, but now it is back to work for the little bit of the school year left! In continuing to prepare for our upcoming Story Unit I am sharing a visual I like to have the kids use when re-telling stories they have read. It is really funny how hard it is for kids and adults alike to re-tell a story they are familiar with. I always like to have the kids start this concept by talking about the books they are reading. Even though we have been doing this all year it is something they still need continual practice with. This sheet (which I print and then laminate for durability) really seems to help my little ones remember to include the story elements when verbally re-telling a story and then when it comes to written activities.

Click here to download!

If We Were Colors...

I am officially freaking out! I leave for Jamaica in a few short hours and I’m pacing around the apt not knowing what to do with myself! Haha so obviously I decided to blog about an upcoming event at school.

Every year my school has an international book fair and food festival. On the same day each class has an author’s reading where the kids each read a story or poem aloud to their families. It is so much fun!! A lot of work, but way worth it in the end. I always have my little ones read poetry because it keeps it short, sweet AND still fun! 

One poem that I use for a prompt is Choose a Color by Jacqueline Sweeney. These turn out SO cute!! 

Choose a Color

This is an example of a student’s poem from two years ago. How stinkin’ sweet?!

Aram

Annnnddd here is the paper I plan to have my kiddies write their poems on! 

If We Were Colors writing paper

I’ll be back next week! Will miss you all and blogland while I’m away…but OMG cannot wait for the beach!! ;)

HOLY Giveaway!!!!

OMG head over to Ladybug's Teacher Files for an amazing blog template giveaway!!!

Isn’t this so freakin’ cute?! I can’t! I’d love, love, love to win this. My sweet little blog would LOVE a makeover!! Keeping my fingers crossed!

Stories Unit...

I’m on Spring break for the NEXT TWO WEEKSSSSS!!! Let me just tell you I am the happiest girl in the world right now! I am going to Jamaica with some very fun friends on Wednesday (poor B has to stay home because his graduate program has a different schedule…booooo!) My body, mind and soul all need some R&R like none other. Before I completely drift off into laa-laa land I wanted to share what I’ve been working on…

Our school has been working very hard this past year to re-vamp our current curriculum. Our Principal has worked with us to create interdisciplinary units using a curriculum program called Atlas Rubicon. At first most teachers would roll their eyes or mumble under their breath when Atlas was talked about. However, now I’m finally seeing what the purpose of it is. It will be great when all of our units are uploaded onto it and we can have a clear look at our year in one place. The art, music, foreign language teachers etc. will be able to see when we teach certain units and we will be able to collaborate.  Do any of you use Atlas at your schools?

Our next unit is Stories. It is a completely new unit for our team and I’m excited!!! It’s not like we didn’t teach about stories before, but now we have a few weeks to really dedicate to why stories are important and can be found all around us!!

I completely copied this idea from Kbumreading.com. I took her Fiction Story Walk and tweaked it to what elements I want my little people to focus on. 

Story Walk -

Poem of the Month...

Every day my class has a monthly poem that we recite during morning meeting. It is an excellent way to practice fluency and reading skills such as volume, tone and expression. Plus the kids love it! I keep the poems themed by month and whoever is the line leader that day gets to lead the class in the poem.

There are so many activities that you can do with poetry. I have attached just a quick Persona Poem intro lesson that I read about on Scholastic years ago. They come out very cute every year. It’s really funny to see what each kid picks to be. I will take pics after my class completes this little writing activity. 

Do you use poetry in your classroom? 

Im up here

Respecting the workers...

OK I promise this will be the last political post for a little while, but I just couldn’t resist. I came across this clip and wanted to share. The situation in our country concerning education and unions is just out of control and it’s nice to see that there are people still willing to defend the average Joes of the world.

I also liked this clip because Congressman Ryan talks about what America needs to do to compete with the rest of the world in the 21^st century. Sweet lord U.S.A let’s pull it together and QUICK!