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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Resources That Keep Me Afloat


I am so excited about this blog hop that involves so many of my favorite owls and their favorite resources.  Not only are these girls some of the sweetest, funniest, and smartest girls around, but they make some kick-butt resources that I use in my classroom everyday. Make sure to read all the way to the bottom of this post!!

I use so many of their resources, but today I'm gonna show off my friend Jen's "Tasty Facts (Addition & Subtraction Facts).  And down at the bottom, I'll list a few of my other favorite Owl Resources!





I think it's a common complaint that many math programs are lacking in fact fluency. I know ours sure does. I was cringing earlier this year when my kids were using their fingers for double-digit addition and subtraction!!!

Jen's Tasty Facts make it easy for me to supplement fact fluency.


I copy all levels in advance and cut and paperclip them. Sometimes I need to make additional copies if a group of students get stuck on the same level for a few rounds.


Oh, and there's the whole "tasty" part that makes it fun for my kiddos.  Right now we're working through our addition facts to earn an ice-cream sundae party. Apparently ice cream is a pretty super motivator because my kids are flying through their facts. Fly-ingggggg....

These kids know how to make their teacher smile :)

This guy finally made it past his 2s today and he was grinning from ear to ear!

I give timed tests twice a week, and my kids get to color their parts of their sundae as they pass each level of the tests.

They can't wait to trade in their sundae craft for the real deal.



I hold on to students' sundaes. Once all their parts are colored in, I'll let them cut them out and put the sundae together on construction paper to display in class.


My kiddos have until the end of March to earn their addition sundae, then we will move onto subtraction, where the kids earn...wait for it...a pizza party!

I cannot rave enough about these tasty facts. Jen provides everything you need to keep the tests organized (like checklists), and even provides 4 different types of quizzes of each fact (2 versions with additional facts and 2 versions of horizontal facts).  That sure helped for any wandering eyes I might have had during any quizzes.



And if you have any brainiacs in your class, or you teach 3rd or 4th grade, Jen also offers a multiplication and division version of her timed quizzes. You can even get the bundled version!

Grab the bundled version here!


I really hope I've convinced you to scoop up these "Tasty Facts" (get it, scoop, sundaes, get it?!?). You can click here to check them out. Don't forget, there's a BIG SALE over at TpT this Thursday and Friday, so you can grab them at a discounted price!!!  What a deal steal!

Jen offers a great explanation of how she does timed tests in a post on her blog. She has it set up in an easy to follow Q&A format. Check it out here.

I also want to give a shout-out to some of my other favorite Owl Resources!!!

But I'm gonna cheat and tell you my OWN resource that keeps me afloat...

My Reading Comprehension Packs. I'm getting ready to pull out my Spring Edition next week (now if only the weather would cooperate ;))


Click here to check them out on TpT
These things don't just keep me afloat...they SAVE MY LIFE!!

We use them for...
*Close Reads
*Restating (a skill we need a lot of practice with, but we're getting so much better at)
*Homework
*Early Finishers (believe it or not!!!)
*As companions to other things we're learning about in class for text-to-text connections.

I have Spring, Summer, Back to School, Fall, Winter Holidays, and Winter Editions available in my TpT Shop.

You can grab them bundled now, and when I upload the Non-Fiction Edition AFTER the SALE it's like you're getting it free!

Check out the Bundled Version by clicking the picture below...



As for my other owls...

Right now, we're loving Linda Kamp's Landforms Unit!

Check it out here.
We started our landform book yesterday:



I also could not survive without Rachel's Genre Posters. We refer to them before, during, and after every single story or book we read in class. My kiddos get genres so much better this year! Plus, you can't beat that they're super cute!

Check them out here!
Of course we LOVE Miss Katie King's Busy Teacher, whatever the month!

Check out the February Edition here.
There really are so many more resources I use from my favorite owls, but I'm gonna let some of the other girls show them off!

Anddddd...I'm super happy to offer you a chance to win an item from my own little shop (up to $10), so you can save some money and put it towards one of the awesome resources above!

All you have to do is comment below with ANY ITEM that keeps you afloat during the school-year. It does NOT have to be a TpT product (though I wouldn't be surprised if it was!). Don't forget to leave your email in the comment, and make sure you're a follower of this blog too! (by email, bloglovin', or Google Friend Connect...your choice).

Giveaway Closed
Winner: Courtney

I hope I was able to show you some items to stock your cart with!

Have fun shopping the TpT 3 Million Strong Sale!

Click the adorable button below to head to my shop, or any of the links above to grab the items I talked about!

Button courtesy of Rachel (The Tattooed Teacher)



Happy Shopping!

Check out the other "Resources That Keep Us Afloat" below:


29 comments:

  1. The Ultimate Student Data Notebook helps me keep track of all my student data for RTI meetings. Love it! kaseyrenee63@gmail.com

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  2. We have been using interactive notebooks and they are a wonderful addition to our everyday! The kids enjoy it and it's a nice break! irbymd@hotmail.com

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  3. I bet your students are so excited to have an ice cream sundae party! That is such a great motivator. Love it!

    -Maria

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  4. I LOVE the CC graphic organizers by Jamie Rector!! Thanks for the chance to win! :)
    Ashley schroedershenanigansin2nd@gmail.com
    Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd

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  5. I love resources for the holidays: Rachel Lamb's Winter Holidays Powerpoint and Scrapbook and Chinese New Year by Teaching in High Heels are some of my favorites. Now I am getting ready to find something for spring and this giveaway can certainly help! Thanks you for the opportunity. klewis@umasd.org

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  6. I am loving the Close Reading packet from Teaching and Tapas! teachnkick@gmail.com

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  7. I LOVE the Critter Cafe' Reading Strategies by Julie Marciniak!!
    mjaquillard@oregoncs.org

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  8. I love Marsha's Word Families Galore packs!

    cheriemae@gmail.com

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  9. I am loving the text based evidence reading passages from Christina DeCarbo. I use them a lot in guided reading!
    Courtney
    cfcastonguay@yahoo.com

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  10. I have almost all of the Busy Teacher's Best Friend units!
    lraines78@gmail.com

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  11. Interactive Notebooks!! amandalawson4@gmail.com

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  12. Center games are key for me. Thank goodness for Hope King and Amy Lemons who have made a good amount of the centers I use!

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  13. I could not live without my lesson planner. I also could not live without print and go activities. They are so handy to use in those moments where you just need a little extra practice. poohm12@hotmail.com

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  14. My document camera is definitely something I could not teach as well without! I follow on Bloglovin!

    kellybrown28021@gmail.com

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  15. What keeps me afloat is my RED CAT which is a wireless microphone I wear around my neck. It comes with a speaker that is mounted to my wall. It definitely saves my voice, especially when I am reading and doing whole group instruction. My Firsties use it also when they are reading their published writings, or sharing with the class. aprekteacher@gmailcom

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  16. I love using the Standard Based Math Assessments from Young Teacher Love. I love that it gives my students the chance to assess their understanding. Freshly sharpen pencils also keep me afloat! :)

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  17. Love Lisa Mattes "Finding Proof" unit-it is helping with "restating"-something my kids STRUGGLE with also!

    franciscoaj4@gmail.com

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  18. I am really loving interactive notebooks this year! I had never heard of them until this year, and I thrilled to now be incorporating them in math and reading!
    scheinbere@hotmail.com

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  19. I have your reading packets, the entire bundled set. I have to say I LOVE them. I use them EVERY DAY for morning work. I've also used them for assessments. They are great! So, right now, I could NOT live without them. :) In the beginning of the year, I used them for homework. :)

    tarad716@yahoo.com

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  20. Interactive Reading/Language Notebooks by Nicole Shelby and Interactive Math Notebooks from CreateTeachShare........could not live without!!

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  21. I really love Deanna Jump and Deedee Willis' Math Units and I'm just starting to research interactive notebooks. There are so many wonderful things on TpT! My list is endless!

    Karyn
    Kideducator@comcast.net

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  22. My document camera and Ipad apps are a great help.
    rockingitin3rd@gmail.com

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  23. I don't know how id function without my doc cam. I also loved my guided reading packets. Bwager@dwby.k12.mn.us

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  24. I love my computer...seriously cannot imagine going without it at school! I would LOVE to win something of yours...I am a huge fan!

    tokyoshoes at hotmail dot com

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  25. The two series of packets that I am currently having a love affair with are "The Busy Teacher" by Katie King and "Common Core Crunch - ELA and Math" by Lisa Mattes <3 <3 <3. They are more than keeping me afloat...they are my lifeboats <3. I am also a BIG fan of your products...you have created some truly WONDERFUL things!!! I would LOVE to be the LUCKY recipient of this giveaway <3. Thank you for considering me =). leafsgirl@rogers.com.

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  26. Our interactive notebooks from Mandy and Erin. They keep my kiddos so engaged!

    tinysmiles34@gmail.com

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  27. Centers from Amy Lemons at Step into second grade keeps me afloat all year!!

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  28. planbook.com keeps me afloat with all these snow days

    jjn2home@yahoo.com

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  29. Centers from Amy Lemon keep me afloat all year! mcreynolds.sarah@gmail.com

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