Reply Button Doesn't Work??

Ok I am new at this so I know this is probably something I've done to screw something up but when someone leaves a comment the reply button won't let me reply to them. Y'all have said such wonderful things and I really want to talk to you but I can't figure out what to do? Is there anyone out there that has a solution to this problem?

Thanks!

How Do You Plan & Clipart Giveaways

Today I am linking up with Jessica Stanford over at Mrs. Standford's Class for an Erin Condren giveaway!! And I am so excited I've eyed some of Erin Condren's products for a while now but never bought any so maybe this will be my chance to finally purchase something!!

So today's linky is all about how do you plan? I do all my plans on the computer because I like to have them backed up from year to year or in case something happens. Usually I then print them and put them in a lesson plan binder but this year I am going to try just pulling them up on the computer again. When it comes to actually doing plans this year I am working with two different teams. I am working with all of the first grade teachers across the district (or at least most of us) to plan the actual curriculum and then I am working with 1st - 3rd in my building to plan the implementation of Daily 5 in reading and math. So once I get everything I am doing in a set routine then I will create a template on the computer and each week sit down and plug in the activities, standards, and objectives for the week.

I also wanted to let you know there is this great giveaway going on!

I could really use some great clip art to get me motivated this year!! But head on over and get registered!

Now I'm off to do more organization!

Currently

I'm linking up with Farley at Oh' Boy 4th Grade for August Currently

Listening - the Olympics on t.v.

Loving - seeing my friends at work (we always plan to get together over the summer and never do)

Thinking - of all the things I need to do in my classroom

Wanting - the Sisters to release a Daily 5 math book now so I can figure out what I'm doing

Needing - to get off my couch and get busy

Let me explain my Back to School Must Haves

1. Anything Dr. Seuss - my room is Seuss themed and has been my entire career and I love it but I also love finding new things every summer I search the Target Dollar Spot and the Teacher Store to see what is new. This year I found a site that is going to be damaging to my bank account Seussland.com. Love it!!

2. More desk - I have 23 firsties coming this year I've only ever had 20 in my room!! This might be craziness.

3. Binders for organizing - my goal this year is to be organized. I am so bad at it.

So now it's your turn! Link up and enjoy! Have a great Saturday

Common Core Math

Today I sat in training on the math common core standards ALL DAY. It was good work but it made for a long day and it sent my mind spinning with lots of new ideas. But I came out with some good resources for y'all (I may be from the north but my heart has always been in the south) and I'm excited to share them. Hopefully you haven't already heard of them all.
1. illustrativemathematics.org - This is offically my new favorite website. I think I finally understand the common core. First off, if you click K-8 standards it gives you this great visual of how the standards are mapped out across grade levels. Then if you click on your grade level it will give you all the standards and if next to the standard it says illustration that means it gives you ideas to use in your classroom!! Amazing!! Also, you can sign up to be a member and review the activities presented which means you'll know when they add new activities. I can't wait to become a member.
2. www.ccsstoolbox.com - This site is from the University of Texas and this group of people who developed the website are the ones writing the prototype questions for the new assessments. If your district doesn't have a scope and sequence for the CC like mine doesn't (we're working on it) then you can click Resources for Implementation and then Sample Scope and Sequence - which will at least give you a framework to start with.
3. insidemathematics.org - this site doesn't have a lot of info for my 1st grade friends but it has sample video lessons and activities to use in the classroom.
Then I also left there with several ideas for using time test that are more student friendly
- have students make it about beating their own time. So you walk around with the stopwatch as they finish you write their time and then they graph it and see if they can get faster.
- have students do it with 2 color pencils. Have them use the 1st color for however long you would have normally tested them for and then have them switch and finish the paper with the other color.
- Have them sort the flash cards for the set of facts you are working on into hard and easy. Then have them practice and see if next week they can put more cards into the easy pile.
Hope you find these helpful. After a few coversations with co-workers today I'm off to research Daily 5 for math and Number Talks - if you use either and have tips please leave me a comment and let me know! I am excited and overwhelmed all at the same time.

First Day Jitters

Another Blog Hop - Thanks to Ashley over at Fierce in Fourth for hosting a First Day Jitters Blog Hop.

Here are 3 things I'm jittery about for this year

1. My new firsties, all of our kindergarten classrooms are in one building. Then in firs they move to our elementary buildings so I don't know these kids and it always makes me jittery

2. Making sure all of my firsties get home the correct way. It is always a crazy time of day and by the end of the day they've always forgotten how they get home.
3. Getting all the supplies organized and put away. I'm going to try having them bring in supplies during our reading screening days before school begins but I have a feeling several will forget.

So what are you jittery about? Link up and share!

Another Award

Thanks to Mrs. Livers over at Starring in First Grade for another blog award!

So here are some random facts about me:

1. I went to college at a small Christian school in Lake Wales, FL - Warner University (it was Warner Southern College then)

2. I start every Friday with a Diet Mt. Dew - thanks to my teaching team for getting me addicted

3. I have completed 2 half-marathons and am looking forward to running another

4. I was part of a missions trip to Guatemala this summer and now help run a program that helps feed kids lunch in Guatemala and can't wait to return next summer

5. I am an only child

6. I have a dog named Willy Mo after Wily Mo Pena who played for the Red's and was my favorite player at the time.

7. I am OBSESSED with the Royal family :)

I would like to nominate the following bloggers with this award and you must complete the following:
1. Thank the blogger who nominated you
2. Include a link to their blog
3. Include the award image in your post
4. Give seven random facts about yourself
5. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award
6. When nominating, include a link to their blog
7. Let other bloggers know they've been nominated

Versatile Blog Nominations......

1. Curious Firsties

2. Kinder Kapers

3. A Year of WBT in Third Grade

4. PAWSitively Wild for WBT

5. The Dynamic Duo

6. Owl See You in Third Grade

7. Challenge Makes Life Interesting

8. Happy Kinders

9. The Common Core Classroom

10. Mrs. Christy's Leaping Loopers

11. Pocketful of Centers

12. Back in Fourth

13. Life in Room 406

14. 3rd Grade Troops

15. A Ray of Kindergarten Sunshine

Now back to sorting my files, I promised myself I would organize them this summer, of course I waited until the last minute :)

2 Awards Already!!

I am so thankful for the support that has come in the past few days. Thanks for all the kind words and encouragement. And for the 2 words - y'all have only made me more excited about this blogging journey.

The first award came from Mrs. Goodwin over at I Live 2 Learn I Love 2 Grow. Thanks Mrs. Goodwin.

So here are the rules:

1. Follow the person who gave you the award.
2. Link back to the person that gave you the award: Click here to go to her blog and check it out!
3. Pass to 5 new bloggers and then let them know they have received the award.

My Silly Firsties

Wild About Words!

Buzz Around in 2nd Grade

Primary Paradise

Polka Dot Firsties

The 2nd award came from Teacher in Training.

The Rules:

1. Link back to the person who gave it to you

2. Post the award to your blog

3. Give the award to at least 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers

4. Leave a comment on the 5 blogs to let them know that they have been offered this award.

The nominees are ...

Teaching with Hope

Spotted in First Grade

PJ. Jots

Kindergarten is a Hoot!!

The Bomb-Diggity Classroom

Hope y'all take the time to check out these awesome blogs!! And again thanks for all the love and support!

Crazy Day & Math Manipulatives

Well I never expected what happened today or at least I didn't expect it to happen today. My principal called to let me know that we were moving so positions around in the school. Not my job but the other 1st grade teacher will be moving to 5th/6th grade science, the 5t/6th grade teacher to 3rd grade and the 3rd grade teacher who was my childhood best friend to 1st grade!! I am excited to be working with her but we've been meeting as a 1st grade team through out the district all summer so now I have a lot to catch her up on.

After all that excitment I spent some time in my classroom. Organizing and cleaning its such a mess right now. But I am trying something new with my math manipulatives this year and I'm really excited. I took all the manipulatives the kids will need for the beginning of the year and made a baggie for each student. Each one has a tens frame, a five frame, unifix cubes, and counters. We'll spend the beginning of the year exploring the manipulatives and then the students will be able to use them when ever they need them. I know this is probably not a new idea but I'm excited to try this and hope we can keep them organized. (Sorry about the bad picture but I only had my phone with me).

Newbie Bloggers Blog Hop

So this is my first blog hop and I'm excited to join. Thanks to Janis at Grade Three is the Place for Me for hosting this blog hop. So here it goes:

1. what state you are in
2. your current teaching
position
3. your teaching
experience
4. when you started
blogging
5. share a blogging tip / blogging
resource

1. I am in Ohio
2. I currently teach 1st grade
3. This will be my 7th year of teaching - I have taught 1st & 2nd in my career including one year of a 1st/2nd split class
4. I started blogging TODAY
5. Here is a great post on how to make a button for your blog - which I'm off to do now :)

My New Blog

Ok so here it is. I have been addicted to reading teacher blogs for the past couple of years. They have been an inspiration to me so I decided it is my turn. Who knows if I can keep up with this or if it is just a crazy thought. But I hope to be an inspiration to others. Even if it is just to let others know they aren't the only one running around like crazy trying to keep up with everything.

So its the middle of July and I'm already stressing about what will happen in my classroom this year. Is anyone else stressing abou this? I've already been in twice and moved things around and am trying to make decisions about where things will go.

Well now I'm off to get some cleaning done. Have a great day!