What Are Three of Your Favorite Things?

1. Having a stressful day? Simply go to the store and do some pen retail therapy. There is nothing more exciting that coming home with a bag full of colorful, smooth writing pens and jotting down all of your creative thoughts. Also, there is a true bonding experience when you meet another "Pen Person." 

2. Clipart, Clipart, Clipart! I absolutely LOVE Clipart! How many of you send way too much money buying clipart? SHHH don't tell my husband.

3. Fonts-- I love using all kinds of different fonts. There seems to be a different font for everything you need when creating a product and this is absolutely AWESOME.  
Now I must admit I need to learn more about adding and changing fonts on my blog posts. However, I have already been to Google Fonts and it is pretty spectacular! 

Now it's your turn! What puts a smile on your face? Be sure to comment and tell me some of your favorite things. I can't wait to hear from you.

Effective Reading Instruction in the Elementary School Setting

Over the next few months, I plan on discussing and providing activities for effective reading instruction in the elementary grades. The areas I will be covering are phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and writing. During the month of July, the first area of discussion will be phonemic awareness. I look forward to hearing your comments and ways you incorporate these components of reading in your classroom. 

Hope to hear from you soon!
Crystal

Editable Teacher Binder Packet-- Growing Bundle

Hi Everyone,
I just wanted to let you know that my Editable Teacher Binder Packet-- Growing Bundle is still ONLY $1.00!        UPDATE TO PRODUCT IS COMING SOON!! 

This unit is a Growing Bundle. What's does this mean? Well, I will be adding more editable templates to this product. As I add new files the price of the product will increase. However, if you purchase the Growing Bundle you will get all of the additional templates for FREE!

Click on picture to go to my shop page.

Thanks!

Summer Teacher's Book Club Anyone?

Be sure to stop by The Sunny Side of Second Grade with Mrs. Felts to learn more about this new book study on Lucy Calkins' Units of Study A Curricular Plan for The Reading Workshop: Grade 2.We will be sharing our thoughts and strategies from the great resource and we would love to have you join us!

 Hope to hear from you soon!

Chalkboard Magnetic Boards

Who loves Pinterest? Well, I sure do and I found this fabulous idea 

from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/348043877430379716/ and decide to give it a try. Well, let's  just say it turned out better than I could have ever imagined and it gives me the excuse to go and purchase the chalkboard pens from Hobby Lobby.

 http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/fluorescent-bistro-chalk-marker-set-103960/

This is a "Win Win" Situations! Right?

Here's how you can make your very own Magnetic Chalkboard too.

You will need a pizza pan or cookie sheet. I got mine from Dollar Tree. Then you will need chalkboard paint ( pretty sure I got mine from Hobby Lobby a few years ago) and a sponge paint brush.

Paint the pizza pan or cookie sheet. It takes about 6 or 7 coats to cover the pizza pan. Be sure to wait until the paint has dried between each of the coats. Once it has great coverage you are ready to write and use anything magnetic!

Where Does the Time Go?

Well it has been awhile since I have posted anything, but I have a very good reason.

Please meet Sarah my 5 month old baby girl. She is full of life and keeps me on my toes.

With that being said I plan posting more often this summer with how to tutorials, book club discussions, new products and much more.

 Thanks and see you soon!