Accountable Talk is Live and in ACTION!

My class and I have been working really hard for the past two weeks on using Accountable Talk.  We started small with Turn and Talk.  I assigned each kid a partner for the week, a student that was right next to them.  During our instruction, I ask the kids to "Turn and Talk about....  ".  At first it was a slow, slow start up a giant hill, but now they are getting so much better at it.  Then we added Accountable Talk, or AT, to the mix.  It is so fun to hear the kids say, "I disagree with her because I think that....." or "I'm wondering if.....".  We use it for all of the subjects and they really enjoy it.  Here is a picture of the chart we made as a class to help us remember some of the starters when we get stuck. 

If you aren't using Accountable Talk or Turn and Talk in your classroom, give it a try!  Once you start doing it you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner!

Have a great week!
Tracy

Context Clues Anchor Charts!

We have been working hard all week on context clues.  I found two great anchor charts that we used and it really helped the kids get the hang of it.  We started off with this one and practiced using the strategies on it. 

  

Then we used this anchor chart when we came across unknown words when we read some chapters from Flat Stanly's African Safari Adventures!  The kids worked in groups and decided what to write on their sticky note.  After they all put their ideas on the chart we discussed them.  They LOVE LOVE LOVE writing on sticky notes!

Hope everyone is having a great week!
Tracy

The Cutest Little Craftivity!

Teaching writing is always so much fun!  Who doesn't love a little craft along with it?  Out comes the THE PERFECT CUPCAKE!  My first real try at a craftivity and I think it came out adorable!  It comes with graphic organizers and all of the pieces to make a cute craft while teaching writing with time order words. Click on any of the pictures to go to TPT and take a look at this activity!

Another amazing idea on Pinterest!

I'm always searching for some fun things to do with my kids.  This week we are working on prefixes and suffixes.  I came across this picture on Pinterest and just had to make it for me kids this week. 

Here is my version of this great idea for my third grade friends!

Click on the picture to go download it.  Can't wait to use it this week!

Happy Teaching!
Tracy

TPT Sale!

Well it is finally here!  The Back to School Sale on Teachers Pay Teachers!

The sale starts tomorrow and runs through Monday!  Time to clear out those wish lists and get up to 28% off.  Almost all of the sellers will be throwing a sale in honor of a NEW SCHOOL YEAR!

Everything in my store will be 20% and when you add that to TPT's extra discount, your savings will be 28%.  Use PROMO CODE BTS13 when you check out to get the discount!

Click here to go directly to my store!

The Classrooms All Ready for the First Day!

Well it came and went FAST!  Today was the first day of school for us today.  My new friends are lots and lots of fun.  I can tell it is going to be an amazing year.  Here are some pictures of my organized classroom.  Yes, for the first time in 17 years my room is organized!  I can't believe it!

I used a bunch of animal print duct tape to recover some bins and organizers that I 

had.  So Cute!

I am going to do the BUCKET FILLERS this year!  I hung them with the calendar and I LOVE IT!

Duct tape and scrapbook paper made this over into a safari organizer!

Everything in labeled bins!  I can find anything! 

So all in all it was a great day, but this teacher is ready for bed!
Tracy

This is WONDERFUL!

I wanted to share with you the latest website that I am in LOVE with!  I wanted an easy way to save You Tube videos this year because due to budget issues we are losing all of my favorite subscriptions that I use all the time.  After trying two different sites that others had suggested I took a look at www.edcanvas.com and I am HOOKED!  It is super easy.  It has a search function that I can put in the topic, common core standard, or book we are working on and it brings up all of the videos on You Tube.  Then you drag and drop to your canvas....  simple as that!

Take a look at it!  I think it is well worth the time!

Something Fun for Your Room Mom!

I wanted to start the year out with something fun for my new ROOM MOM!  She was so sweet and offered to be our "helper" for the year!  I didn't have to beg or look sad at parent night!  YIPPPEEEE!  Here it is.....  The Amazing Room Mom Binder!

The Amazing Room Mom binder helps your room mom get set for a easy year.  It has everything from parent contact information, student birthdays, monthly calendars, and even a page for you to fill out of all your favorite things!  Here are some pages from it.  You can click on any of them to take you to the packet.  The first person to buy one and email me will receive The Ultimate Teacher Binder for FREE!  Yes, your reading it right!  Your going to get the more expensive product for FREE!  Just purchase it, leave feedback for it, and send me a message through TPT and I will send it to you.  Once someone wins, I will post a notice on the website.

You can see The Ultimate Teacher Binder if you scroll down on the posts.  It is truly something that I am already using and I am finally organized this year.

I hope everyone is getting ready for a BRIGHT and AMAZING New Year!