Longish post and a freebie...

Hello out there...I had to blow the dust off my blog today to post it has been so long!  I feel so bad about that.  Each time I sit down to work on plans, grade papers, or create something for my class, I think of my blog and those of you that read it and I just feel bad.  This is one thing that I do not want to just quit because my plate is totally full.  Blogging is so much fun and I have met some wonderful folks so far! 

A peek at life since October (I think that was the last time I wrote a real post)

I went to the Kentucky Reading Association conference on October 21 and went to an AWESOME whole brain teaching seminar.  I love when I go to conferences and I can walk away with something I can implement immediately and costs me nothing!  I was able to go back and give whole brain teaching a try and I really love it.  It really suites my style of teaching and I am not afraid to try something new...So I created these whole brain teaching rule circles and I have them posted in my room...I go over them everyday to remind students of my expectations.  Click here to download them...I love them.  I am giving them to my whole staff when I present the first week of December.

I had a huge success with my two multiplication task card products I posted, I created one for division.  I have had such a wonderful experience teaching division to my students this year.  I hadn't really read closely the standard for division until this year and I wish I had of.  Boy do I wish I had of.  I have been trying to force the US standard algorithm for division down my kids throats for years, and it turns out with Common Core they don't need it until like 6th grade.  It pays to read the standards vertically and not just horizontally!!!  My students REALLY get it, the concept that is, and they are doing division with such a wonderful foundation.  I really feel like I taught this group something...that is such a wonderful feeling for a teacher!  So to celebrate this momentous occasion, these task cards will be half off until this time tomorrow night!  

My second daughter started preschool late last month...I can't say enough about our county preschool program.  Her teacher was one of my interns years ago and she treats both of my girls like her own.  Yes, both of my girls are in her room.  She told me it was her first time having siblings!  My oldest is in her last year of preschool and takes care of her sister at school.  She looks out for her and includes her in everything, but the great thing is that my youngest daughter is so independent that she doesnt really hang on my oldest daughters coat tails so they play some together and a good portion of the time they play in different circles.  I am just so fortunate to have such a wonderful teacher for them both! 

Well, enough about me!  I wish each and everyone of you out there the happiest of Thanksgivings...I am so thankful for your readership