So I know I'm breaking blogging rules, but I'm super excited that I actually finished this!  I found a pin on Pinterest at the beginning of summer about a teacher autobiography.  I ended up following the link to Sarah at Yeehaw! Teaching in Texas.  I loved her autobiography, but knew I wanted to make mine on the computer.

Enter Tara's Monday Made It! and I began putting it together.  I took me a while to figure out exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it to look, but it's done!

My heart is still in 2nd grade, so I'm leaving it there until I'm told otherwise!

I'll probably go back and add pictures to this one.  Gotta dig 'em out!

I love the way it turned out and I love even more that I made it!  That's why I love this linky party!  Thank you so much for doing this Tara!

After I made it, I decided to make a version for TPT.  Here's what you'll get with that:

It's an editable powerpoint where you can type in your text, remove any items that don't apply to you, and insert pictures into colorful frames.  There are 9 pages for you to use; the same as the ones I used above.  I'm so excited to share this and would love any feedback!  You can click on the pictures above to go directly to this item or you can click {HERE}.  Because I'm so excited about this and think you'll really love it, I put it on sale in my TPT store!  Right now you can get it for $4!

I'm off to finish watching the Olympics and catch up on all the projects for Monday Made It!  Don't forget the 1st TPT product swap review is Wednesday.  I'll be posting about a great product from a great blogger!





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Brandi

So I'm still a teacher without a grade, but that's not going to stop me from making things for my classroom!  I'm linking up again with Tara from 4th Grade Frolics for

This week I made Power Towers.  I had never heard of these until I began blog stalking and can't wait to use them in my classroom!  I made 2 reading (with 1st and 2nd grade sight words) and 1 math (with basic addition facts).  I figure that I can always change the cups depending on the grade level, but I know I want to use them!  Here's a link to the Teacher Tipster's YouTube video on Power Towers.  I got the labels for the cans from Mrs. Gilchrist's Class.  I used the smaller Pringles can for the reading ones and still need to buy a larger can for the math facts.

basic math facts

The next things I made were Boggle letters and Math It Up numbers.  Now I didn't make the letters or numbers.  I downloaded them from Teacher on the Loose.  Since I am gradeless, I don't know if I'll have to move classrooms, so I don't know if I'm going to put them on a bulletin board or use the oil pan idea that's floating around Pinterest.  Despite that, I have all the letters cut out and laminated.  I have extra Dollar Tree containers in my room so I plan to put them in there.

A couple weeks ago, I was reading a post on A Cupcake for the Teacher on Voices charts.  I instantly fell in love with the idea, so I decided to make one in my sports theme:

Lastly, I made the picture directions cards.  I hate answering (multiple times!) "Can we use markers, glue bottles, etc?"  Having these up should cut that down............at least a little bit!

Now I'm off to blog hop and add more things to my to do list!

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Brandi

I'm linking up with Amanda from Teaching Maddenness for her New {School} Year Resolutions!

I love this time of year because of all the promise and excitement.  I also love that it's a chance for me to take all of my reflecting from the summer and put it into practice!  So here are my resolutions for the upcoming school year:

#1: Stay organized!  I've created my teacher organizational binder so I'm hoping this helps!

#2: Along the lines of organization, I will keep my desk neat and organized!  I will not throw papers on my desk or supplies in my desk.  The infamous teacher toolbox should help with this too!

#3: Keep my class website updated!  I always start strong, then hit lulls.  I'm determined this year to consistently add to it.  In order to keep this manageable, I will only be posting things I know I can do on a regular basis...................I've learned the hard way once you start posting things, parents expected it and get irritated when it's not there!

#4: Maintain balance!  Between work, being a mommy, blogging, and taking care of myself.  I know that in order to be the best that I want and know I can be, I need to make sure that I have balance.  Over the last few years, I've internalized the fact that NO is not a bad word and I need to use it more often sometimes!

#5: Use my time wisely!  I think this compliments having balance very well.  In my binder I have a to do list section that will help keep me focused and organized.  I know what I want to accomplish during certain times, i.e. before/after school and during prep periods.  I need to make sure that I don't chit chat with friends too much and end up behind schedule.

Make sure to stop by and link up!  Also check in tomorrow for the wonderful Monday Made It! Linky Party!

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Brandi

I first wanted to say thank you to everyone for their positive comments about me changing grade levels.  Us teachers are creatures of habit and I love second grade, but I know that all things will work out and I'll be a better teacher because of this!  Joining the blogging world is like being in a sorority who completely gets you and I'm so grateful for that!
Now on to the blog hop!  I'm linking up with Janis at Grade Three is the Place for Me for the

Here's what being asked of us:

1. what state you are in: I live in California.

2. your current teaching position: I don't know my grade level for next year, hoping for primary but I teach at a charter school.

3. your teaching experience: I've taught first grade for 3 years and second grade for 5 years.

4. when you started blogging: I just started blogging in May and I love it!

5. share a blogging tip / blogging resource: My favorite place for resources/tips/how to's is from Teaching Blog Addict

I'm off to go read everyone's posts!  Have a great weekend!

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Brandi

I got some upsetting news this week that I probably won't be teaching second grade in the fall.  I'll still be at my school site, but I don't know what grade I'll be in.  I'm not going to complain, though, because I'm thankful to have a job.  So, I had to stop making grade-specific things and work on general classroom stuff.  Again I'm linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics for

Here's what I made:

I covered a shoebox in duct tape then painted some wooden letters and used my glue gun to attach them to the shoebox.  I plan to keep this on my desk for students' notes and things they hand me in the morning.

Here's the welcome sign I created.  It's available at my TpT store {HERE}.  I plan to hang this on my door for the beginning of school, back to school night, open house, etc.

Make sure you stop by and link up.  I get so many great ideas each week from fellow bloggers!

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Brandi

I'm linking up with Tara at 4th Grade Frolics again for

Yesterday I posted about sight word practice.  Click {HERE} to read.  To help my students practice their sight words even more, I made Tara's Shake, Write, and Learn Tumblers.  When I saw this idea I was instantly hooked!  I know my kids will love doing this activity and I think it compliments WBT's SuperSpeed 100/1000 very well.  While SuperSpeed works on reading sight words, the Shake, Write, and Learn Tumblers focus on spelling and writing sight words.  By using both, my students will have a great grasp on sight words!

While I was reading up on WBT, I read Tonya's post and followed the link to Ashley at The Polka Dot Patch.  She has the WBT rules you can download and print, so I did that and attached them to ribbon.

I teach at a Multiple Intelligence (MI) school and love how well the strategies from WBT align with MI.  I will definitely be spending more time this summer reading and watching videos from WBT.

For more fun items, I made these bookmarks from paint samples that I picked up at Walmart.  I had a star punch that I used along the sides, then tied some silver ribbon to the top.  I plan to pass these out at meet your teacher day.

Don't forget to link up and share what you've done this week!

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Brandi

I've been spending time this week thinking of how to have my students practice their sight words more.  We all know how important being able to read, write, and spell these words are; yet I feel like I haven't always done the best job of making sure my students practice them regularly or are working at a level that is just right for them.
As I was blog hopping, I found a great post from Amber at T is For Teaching. 


She wrote about the SuperSpeed 100 and SuperSpeed 1000 from Whole Brain Teaching.  Since entering the blogging world, I have read so much about WBT and have fallen in love with so many aspects of it.  So when I saw this post, I knew it was something I would have to look into.

With the SuperSpeed 100/1000, student pairs read a list of sight words that is at their level.  I love that there is little prep, once you make the initial set of lists.  Students are challenging themselves to beat their personal best, which I also love.  April even made a really cute recording sheet for students to use!

 I think this is going to be a great addition to my classroom.  I feel like it's manageable, practical, and something I'll stick with, which is so important.  What do you do in your classroom to practice sight words and how has it been working?  I'd love to get even more ideas to use!

Check back tomorrow for my Monday Made It.  It has something to do with sight words too!

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Brandi

At my previous school we recognized 2 students a month at an awards assembly.  At my current school, we recognize the kids in our class "unofficially".  Last summer I found student of the month posters at the Dollar Tree.  I was good about handing them out for the first few two months, but then it was sporadic.  Toward the end of the year, I was recognizing 6-8 kids each month, just to make sure that everyone got to do the poster!
Because I know how hectic teaching is, I wanted to think of a better way to do this.  I've decided to honor a student of the week instead of students of the month.  I think it will be easier to remember for both me and my students.  I also plan to have all of my students complete the poster at the beginning of the year, so that I have them on file whenever it is their week.
Instead of buying the posters, I decided to make one for my students to fill in.  Since I'm using the sports theme, I'm calling them All-Stars of the Week.

I also made a regular student of the week poster (same as the one above, but says student instead of all-star).  You can check them out in my TpT store by clicking HERE
While stalking browsing the dollar spot at Target, I found these:

I also picked up a whole bunch of other stuff....gotta love the dollar spot!

I plan to put it on the chair of the student and they can keep it for the whole week.  I also plan to have the class write a letter to the student, then I'll bind them and each student will have a cute keepsake.  Here's the star letter template I plan to use (Click the picture to download):

Frame by 3AM Teacher

If you honor students of the week/month, what do you do?  I'd love to add more ideas to what I plan to do. 

I'm also linking up again with Elizabeth at Fun in Room 4B. My Fabulous Find this week goes with my sports theme for this school year.  I found these at the Dollar Tree:

They're birthday invitations that I plan to use for conference reminders!  Don't forget to hop over to Fun in Room 4B to see what other fabulous finds people have discovered this week!

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Brandi

Yesterday I took my daughter to Sea World and we had a blast.  I'll have to post pictures soon...once I get them off my camera (I'm terrible when it comes to that!).  Later today we're going to the beach with my bestie and her daughter so the girls can play.  Before we leave, I wanted to talk about some great giveaways that are happening right now:

Sara at Fourth Grade Fanatics is giving away a $10 TpT gift card AND a $10 Target gift card.

And don't forget to visit Megan's giveaway...you could win 2 of my products!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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Brandi