Interactive Notebooks.. Oh, and a Flash Freebie Alert!

When I first found out that I was going to be a 4th grade teacher, I was filled with all sorts of emotions: excited, nervous, overwhelmed, challenged... I could go on.

I am teaching Texas History and Science and really want to help lead my students to truly love these subjects. For starters, I hated history as young kid. I remember I had to study for a test and called my Grams  (in California) pleading with her to tell my mom to not make me study. I cried and tried to plead my case with  her, "It's just a bunch of stuff about dead old white guys!"... Needless to say, she gave me an earful.. I studied and did well, but just thought of it as facts and dates until I had this AMAZING  history teacher in High School...

For those of y'all in Texas, you know that *most* history classes are usually taught by a coach.. Now, I'm sure there are amazing coaches and history teachers but at my school,  my freshman year's teacher was typically worried about drawing up his next football play, rather than teaching.. But somehow, I ended up in this class my sophomore year  and had this amazing guru.. It was then,  that year, I  began my love affair with history. He told history as a story full of adventure, drama, romance and of course war. It was like all of my favorite movies in one time period. He has us create these interactive notebooks where we colored and drew pictures, bolded words and highlighted others. We created 'left sides' where we as students demonstrated our learning in a creative way. It challenged me to think 'outside the book' and highlighted by creativity.

This summer, I decided let's approach teaching this year differently. I don't want to be that teacher who constantly has students reading from books and doing worksheets (there is nothing wrong with that) but it's not for me. Just because we have our hands on doesn't mean our minds are off. I want to start my students off early on their love affair or at least give them a taste of how cool history and science can be... So, I did some research, started turning my wheels, and voila... I have the foundation for my Interactive Notebook. For those that want a sneak peak and a freebie head over to my store... Interactive Notebook

I hope that it helps inspire to teach more 'colorfully'.

Clickable Social Media Buttons

I know I always show up late to the party... But this "How to" was amazing! I have been trying to figure out how to spice up my Terms of Use page.... Because.. let's be honest. It was pretty sorry looking. For someone who claims to "make learning more colorful" it was plain as vanilla pudding. It's okay... for now... but there are SOO many better flavors..

                                                       Just check out this before...

What was I thinking? It got the job done but I felt it wasn't a true representation of moi! I started  thinking what makes me me... and then I had that light bulb moment! I had to have polkadots.. That goes without saying. I LOVE coffee. (Even my students this year caught onto that) and I love puns.. I also knew that I wanted to have clickable Social Media buttons. Which were SOO last year. .But, better late than never, right? 

The After

 

*sigh* I know it's not as fancy as others, but I love it. Plus this tutorial was Simple. Easy. Amazing. You can check it out here... Adding Clickable Links to PDF 

Till next time!

Test... Test.. Is this thing on?

Wow. It has been a HOT minute since I blogged. I completely failed on my goal for more blogging for this year... Well,  wait!! I did get one blog post in. Just kidding. Not what I was envisioning when I made the goal to blog more.... I'm still trying to find the time to lesson plan. teach. grade. have a life. repeat.  So, I apologize if you were horribly offended by my lack of blogging.

This year was one for the books.  Let me start off my saying, my students were GREAT! I loved my babies this year. Sure, you will always have "that one".. you know what I'm talking about...

but even that  kid and I became close.. I did have a few 'challenges'  outside the classroom this year... It was tough at times...okay.. a lot of times. I was lucky enough to have a very great support system from teammates, friends and my husband.  

Fast forward a bit and I get the message, "Please come to the office"... Ever since I was a kid, the "office" has been a terrible. horrible. no good. very bad place for me. But my principal sat me down as asked what I thought about moving to 4th grade... I'll admit it.. I did not accept right away. I love my team and I love those 2nd grade kiddos. Taking the time to think, I made a Pros and Cons list... To me it made since to move and voila.. I'm now moving to 4th grade!!! It is bittersweet- I'll miss my old team but I am SOO looking forward to working not only on the other side of the building but with some teachers who truly are "ROCKSTARS".  I will be teaching Social Studies and Science..  The one thing  was not excited about doing was moving my stuff..

I realized I had a lot of "stuff"... That's the nice word... I guess in trying to find the positive- it will be nice to start fresh and new. Plus I love designing and decorating, so I guess that just means time to "update"!

Until next time.