So last week this beauty arrived at my door!

 

 

And lemme tell ya, I was impressed--They have improved a lot from last year.I accidentally ordered the wrong color though so when I opened it I was like " umm this isn't mine" but it had my name on it! So, I checked the paper and it matched the colors on my order form. I thought I ordered a more colorful one but that's okay. My fault I suppose.

 

 

 

I said goodbye to these sweeties almost three weeks ago and met my fifth graders at my new school the following week! I wished I would have taken pictures of our end of the year party that we had! I bought everyone a water bottle and we signed them with markers. They turned out really cute and I thought was a great way to remember our last day  together.

 

 

Soon after my last day I was rushed over to my new building to see their final days of school. I loved how structured they are in everything they do. There is so much order in their hallway \expectations it makes me happy. They looped the 4th grade classes into the 5th grade classrooms so that should be interesting. I'm excited to see if that makes the first couple weeks transition easier since they already have that since of community or will they lose that a little since they are thrown into a new classroom?

 

I've already have three full PD days at my new school and have four more coming up next week. I'm learning all about their balanced literacy program which is pretty beneficial but a bit overwhelming. So more to learn with a new school I'm hoping I catch on quick! I learned so much on those three days my brain was fried. I think that is why I haven't been blogging. I'll be back soon with some goodies. Promise.

I still need a new blog name! HELP!

 

 

 

Why I've been MIA

I've been MIA for so long! I swear I'm coming back again soon! I've been taking a break since school is out for lots of professional development, grad school projects, party planning and weddings. Plus moving---not only myself out of my apartment but my classroom to a new building as well! I've got lots of goodies to share when I get back. I just have to get my summer in order first:) On another note! Then news came to the house this week to film their morning show LIVE! They also did another segment for their evening show. It turned out so nice so I'll brag on it....



Boyfriend is handsome right!? ;)
I also need a new blog name:( SINCE I'm no longer teaching third grade. I'm open to suggestions! I've come up with a few but can't really decide on something final. I want to keep my layout though- I'm still loving my poka-dots, even a year later.
So help me out. I can't wait to show pictures of my brand spankin' new classroom either. It is so lovely. I'll take pictures tommorrow and be back ASAP. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. My first two weeks went WAY to stinkin fast!

Friday Folder Inserts

Click on the photo to enlarge

I'm getting excited about next fall in fifth grade and have thought about upgrading a couple things. First on the list: Friday Folders. My old inserts had immature graphics so I did away with them and added better fonts. Check them out! You can purchase them HERE at my TPT store. They are on sale until Monday for $2!!

They are editable too so you can use them year after year

And since I love teachers (obvi) I'm giving away a few free files to the first three people to comment by answering what technology they wish they had in their classroom? Don't forget your e-mail address.

Because I did start my Donor's Choose PROJECT this week! I wan an Ipad mini!!

Comment away loves,

P.S. 4 1/2 days of school left!! WHAT!?

Our simple Mother's Day Books template!

Today we are finishing up our Mother's Day books! I thought I'd share our template in case anyone needs a filler this week. Our books talk about the five senses and how they related to our mothers. I was really excited on how these turned out! I think our mothers will love them. Actually, I know they will! We are laminating them and binding them into books. We are also putting our hand print on the back with paint. It is never to late to be crafty!

Some of us even decided to paint the cover!

I've included the example that we used here. I did one of my dad so now one could copy! Gotta be ahead of them always don't cha? 

Example is here!

Here are the papers!

Also, I started a new Donor's Choose project this week! 

I'm really wanting to get an ipad mini for my classroom next fall. Fingers crossed that it will be a success! If you want to help out you can head over HERE. All gifts donated in the next 7 days will be matched using the code word "INSPIRE" at the checkout:)

 

I'm still recovering from the weekend today after I wore this beauties this weekend! My ankles are sore!!

 AND BRING ON SUMMER!

Welcome May!

I'm glad it is finally MAY but I'm so not happy about this nasty, cold, and wet weather we have here in Missouri! I'm linkin up for some fun today!

 

I'm headed to my beautiful cousin's wedding this weekend in Van Buren, MO. My most favorite place in the whole world. I love Missouri, I'm a Missouri girl for life. We have beautiful outdoors here and I don't know if many people appreciate that as much as I do! I live for summers on the lakes and rivers and I love waking up the farm every morning in complete silence! My family is from the boot heel and I love revisiting that area. We have a lot of family history there! Including a store my Great Grandparents owned during the depression. It has a new owner now but still has our name!

Enjoy your weekend!

Leader In Me Conference, Instagram Link-up, Giveaway, Book Exchange, Chipotle Rumors la de da etc

Friday I was honored to go to a Leader In Me School in Quincy, IL and let me tell ya- It was an amazing experience. It was an eye opening experience to show how a school building should run. I basically fell in love with the atmosphere, organization,  and structure and I'm excited to implement as much as possible into my classroom next fall. This school has been a Leader In me school for nearly 9 years. They also implement PBS with tickets. They are about 92% free and reduced lunch (More or less). Regardless, their poverty level doesn't change their learning environment. They have the structure and discipline of a private school and the love that is inside the building is felt in every classroom. I took a ton of pictures and can't wait to share them all. I'll try not to overload you all today! Click on pictures to enlarge.

The first bulletin board that took your attention was this beauty. Amazing, right!?

It is amazing to teach this generosity at such a young age especially in such a low income area. I think it is important to teach child that not only can you give financially but you can give gifts that are free too!

I think I will add site words and attendance/homework to my goal folders next fall. I also plan on adding monthly behavior sheets. These photos came from their third grade folders.

You can follow my Instagram @ Courtneyljanes
It is my personal account but I add both!

Today I added a picture of the book we just finished! 

Our class would totally recommend this book to any class to read. It was amazing. I might have cried at least 3 times at the end. Read it, it is worth every second. It is my new favorite book and I will probably read it to my fifth graders next year. I wouldn't probably read it to any grade lower than 3rd---some of my kids didn't get the "read between the lines" business.

Woo hoo! We are also having a book exchange! I wanted to do one last year but never got around to it so this year we are exchanging fo sho. I just sent it home yesterday and I already have a student who brought in 18 books today. I plan on going to Goodwill several days before and collecting some other books for my students who brought a ton, as well as going through my own books. (click to enlarge invite)

And don't forget to head over to The Third Wheel for an awesome giveaway. That I'm a part of. I can't remember what I said I was donating though! Whoops. 

It is finally warming up in Missouri! 13 1/2 days of school left! Then I'm heading to my new district for a week of learning. For their last day of school they will come to "my" class! I've got lots of fun things planned for them already and I'm excited to share them with ya all next week.

p.s. This picture is circulating! I heard they are announcing something on Thursday! Get excited. Wish I had one nearby:( click to enlarge

Our Test Preparations

Today starts our state wide testing! Here at my lovely school we call the week before testing MAP attack week. Each day we did a dress up day and talked about test taking strategies, tips, etc. We even did a practice test and practiced how we would do everything the day of testing to ease stress. 

My favorite day was CAMO day by far! Some of our staff dressed up like Duck Dynasty. Of course, the kids loved it. ( I don't know why this picture is so FUZZY)

Click on the image below to view the rest of our dress up days. We do dress up days at least once a month! Sometimes we dress up the whole week or other times we dress up on certain days! Today, we wore green, blue, or brown to represent Earth day! I feel like it creates a sense of community in our building and also brings some extra fun to the school days. I also snapped a few pictures at twin day.

Click the image below to see the rest of our days!

In order to enforce expectations during testing time our third graders earn stars! I cut out a ton of stars on my  Cricut (which I never use but need to!) and they didn't turn our half bad!

We made this poster together as a class and stick to it during testing times.

One of my lovely room mothers sent these stylish pants to us! How funny!

This morning when my kids came in they received their parent letters! I use THIS (Smart Little Cookies) TPT file for mine and I love it! They all wanted to read their letters to the class and share their photos so when we were finished testing I let them. They make me tear up  every year! Its pathetic  Its amazing how good it makes them feel. I did it last year too and you can read more about it here.

VIA

I turned in my resignation to my district this morning. I'm going to miss this place so much. Especially my classroom. I feel like it is my home away from home and my first classroom. So many memories in the big room but I suppose I have so many more to make somewhere else. I'm itching so bad to get into my new classroom and I found out today another one of my friends is also teaching 5th grade at a nearby school, so I'll have a wing man to bounce ideas with! Have a wonderful week!