A Classroom Friendly Pencil Sharpener in a BUSY Second Grade Class

Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! WOW!

     The Classroom Friendly Pencil Sharpener really does what it says it will do! Troy at Classroom Friendly Supplies was kind enough to offer me a sharpener for my classroom for my honest opinion on the sharpener. It is awesome!

    
     First, let me explain. I teach second grade sweeties (you already know this part). Sometimes they are a little rough on a pencil sharpener (I bet you suspected this, if you didn't already know it!). I've gone through many, many pencil sharpeners in my years teaching. I even refused to allow anyone (other than my appointed "pencil sharpener") to touch my electric pencil sharpener. I have gone so far as to HIDE (seriously, folks) my pencil sharpener (or at least the part that catches the stuff so it wouldn't work) when I had to be out and leave a substitute in charge. That was a result of previous pencil sharpeners being destroyed utterly annihilated by my lovelies when I was not at school!! >:(

     Woe be unto me the times I forgot to hide the parts and came back to a pencil sharpener that chewed and whirred and ground all day, but would no longer sharpen a pencil properly. The latest in a long line of pencil sharpeners was my $75.00 electric sharpener that I HID for the summer, only to come back and find that it chewed and whirred and ground all day, but would no longer sharpen a pencil properly!! Can you say ticked? (Yeah, I know, I said worse, too!) Let's just try to keep it clean here...

    Then suddenly, on the horizon, the Classroom Friendly Pencil Sharpener is making all these promises...promises of 1-NO NOISE (very little!), 2-a perfect point every time (YEP!), and I quote "It will change the way you sharpen pencils in your classroom." Well, I have to say...I was skeptical. I wanted to see this for myself and I'm not even from Missouri (the Show-Me state). So...the judge is in and the verdict is...this pencil sharpener delivers on its promises!!

GET ONE FOR EVERYONE IN YOUR SCHOOL!

HURRY! DO IT NOW BEFORE SUPPLY IS GONE!!

     Check this little baby out. It's pulled out so you just squeeze the black tabs on top together, insert your pencil, put your hand on top of the green barrel, and sharpen until the pencil stops. SOooo simple and easy, yet marvelous! Students can sharpener their pencils perfectly (2 at a time, please...then hurry back to writing!) without all the noise.

      Seriously, I am going to forward this to my princiPAL and let her know that in my humble opinion, we can save mucho $$$$ by ordering at least one (preferably two for morning sharpenings) per class! At $25.00, the price of the Classroom Friendly Pencil Sharpener is about half what I usually spent on an electric sharpener. If I'd known about the Classroom Friendly Pencil Sharpener when I spent $75.00 for the big one, I could've had THREE! Count 'em and weep with me! With the teacher pack, I would have had enough left over to buy a burger, even! The school pack makes the savings even better, hence my suggestion to buy for the entire building.


      I just wonder how durable this cute little car would be. Isn't that the neatest? I might get one of those for my grandbabies (if/when I am ever blessed with one/some)...think Troy would share one of those with me for another blog?
                        
      Of course, now my dilemma is finding a way to 1-convince my princiPAL that this truly is the way to go as far as pencil sharpeners go, and 2-getting that cute little car. Hint, hint, Troy! ;)

      Hurry, order yours today at Classroom Friendly Supplies! You won't be sorry. Now, when are they going to create scissors that won't walk out of your classroom when your back is turned?!

 
Lovin' my Classroom Friendly Sharpener,

†~Melly~†

Congratulations to our Carson-Dellosa Common Core Standards Kit Winner!

Congratulations to Raye W who is the winner of Carson-Dellosa's Common Core Standard Kit! I hope you enjoy it, Raye!

I'm lovin' it. Not only do I have standards posted in the pocket chart where my Essential Questions (EQs) are posted, but I have pulled out standards for my small groups. We are highlighting key words in the "I can" statements as well as reading and reviewing the standard written on the opposite sides of the cards. What an awesome resource. Thanks again, Carson-Dellosa!

†~Melly~†

My First Give-Away: A Carson-Dellosa Common Core Standards Kit

Carson-Dellosa sent me a Second Grade Common Core Standards Kit for review. It came with a Daily Standards Pocket Chart 
and Granny Smith apples! How neat is that? Carson-Dellosa, you ROCK! The Second Grade Common Core Standards kit is so easy to use and fits right in with our requirements of posting standards. Receiving the Daily Standards Pocket Chart and apples were an added perk which I appreciate! Mucho gracias!

Here's a photo of the pocket chart of Standards with Essential Questions. I posted this on my board where I had previously posted typewritten standards which weren't "I can" statements. The "I can" statements really fit in with my second graders.

Here are close-ups of the Standards pocket chart...

 and the Essential Questions I added...

I am excited to share this neat little box of standards. I received it on Wednesday afternoon, so of course I took it to school Thursday morning and bragged to my teamies about my boon! Then, I hauled carried it with me to our faculty meeting on Thursday. I just sat the Standards box on the table with my notebook/calendar to see who would notice first. I can't remember who noticed first! :( Honestly, you'd think I would have paid closer attention...but that's my ADHD kicking in according to Debbie we had committee meetings and other important "stuff" which captured my attention. It seems that L was the first person to speak, "What you got there, Stapler?" At any rate, my goal of advertising this wonderful product at our meeting was successful. Several teachers saw it and were interested. I even shared that I'm blogging about it and they can enter to win a freebie! :D

To win your very own Carson-Dellosa Common Core Standards Kit-a $19.99 value, enter below by following my blog and leaving a post telling me you're following. Don't forget to add your e-mail address so I can send you contact info for ordering your free kit! Thanks!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


†~Melly~†

Carson-Dellosa & Student Teacher

Hello. It seems like forever... it's been an extremely busy time, but I see light at the end of the tunnel! First, Carson-Dellosa e-mailed me about their first Complete Common Core Standards Kit! I will receive two: one to blog about after trying it and one to give away! How exciting-my first giveaway ever! Hopefully I'll receive the kits and have everything ready to blog and do the giveaway around Valentine's Day...stay tuned! I am soo excited!

Next, my newest student teacher (fourth one since last January) is, in her words, not your typical college student. She is an experienced substitute teacher, married and mom of three boys. I am thrilled to have her in my class! Today went fantastically well. I just wish she were going to be in my class more than two days weekly. I'll take what I can get, though.

Stations went much more smoothly with two sets of eyes watching. She even commented on how well my students were behaved!! My students...the ones who cannot be still even if you sit on them! ;) Oh, what a lovely Monday it has been today!

Don't forget to stayed tuned for more information on the Common Core Standards Kit which even includes "I can" statements written on the students' level!

Blessings & peace,


†~Melly~†

HaPpY nEw YeAr!

Happy New Year!

It has been a busy first half of this year of second grade. I am looking forward to a slower pace. Let's hope I can do it!

I'm joining Jen R. over at the Teacher's Cauldron for a New Year's Linky Party. I like her idea of having one personal resolution and one for blogging.

My personal resolution is to SOAR...be on the look-out for every opportunity I can find to make the world a better place. More about that below...

My blogging resolution is to blog at least weekly and share something awesome! Of course, when there are wonderful things cookin' in the classroom, I'll blog more often...sometimes even daily.

I'm joining Farley's linky party and sharing my Currently.

Okay, so for my One Little Word...SOAR!

My biggest resolution this year is to trust God and honor Him for creating me the way He did. I am extremely hyper with a "bleeding heart"-as some folks say-who tries to fix everything for everyone! I know God created me this way for His Honor and Glory. It took me this long to realize it, so I am going to soar with eagle's wings this year by doing/being exactly who He created me to be...with His leadership and guidance, of course. I have been too worried about too much "stuff" for too long. That ends today!

Join me, please, in "soar"ing to new heights this year. Soar into your classroom. Teach your children to look for the adventure in every situation, everywhere they land, with everyone they meet. "Soar" by giving your best in everything you do...including R & R time, eating healthy, getting fresh air and exercise, and finding the glass half full. Be the optimist and the opportunist. See the positive and grab every opportunity you're offered. Lead the way in transforming every place in your circle of influence! :D

†~Melly~†

I have no words in mymouth to tell what is in my heart.

That is what a man touched by short-term missionary workers told our congregation. He said, "I never understood this king who would leave everything he had and come to me. Then you, who live here in the United States left all your riches and came to me. You brought clothes and left everything you had in your suitcases except the clothes you wore home. You gave us many things: food, medicine, a well, etc., etc. We have in my country a saying. When someone does something sooo wonderful for us, we say I have no words in my mouth." He knelt beside the pulpit as he was speaking and thanked us all for everything we had done...going to Burkina Faso, sending funds and supplies with those words: "I have no words in my mouth to tell what is in my heart." I cried like a baby at his gratitude.

This weekend, I cry like a baby for all those mommies and daddies whose babies are in the arms of Jesus now. I cannot understand their pain, but it breaks my heart as I try to imagine the emptiness in their hearts and lives. My humble prayer is that Our Father would send guardian angels to each and every school worldwide to guard and protect our innocent ones, so that this will never happen again. Specifically, I ask that anyone with intent to harm will lose all strength in his/her/their body/bodies, fall as dead in a faint, and be carried out of the school building by strong men. Amen! 

Go with God, my friends. He is our shield and our refuge, a strong tower in times of trouble.


  †~Melly~†

Happy Thanksgiving, Bloggy Friends!

Happy Thanksgiving! May the Lord bless and keep you and make His Face to shine upon you today and always! I am thankful for all your contributions to the bloggy world. I learn something new every time I read blogs.


†~Melly~†

Sorry! Second Post...

I have a question...can you see the linked item? I keep getting requests to share. Am I doing something wrong? HELP! ;)

†~Melly~†

Poem for Christmas gift...

    Last night my Mother-in-Love had a dizzy spell, so I went to pick her up and get her home (she is doing okay now, thank You, Jesus!). Well, she had a little gift in her gift bag from the ladies' meeting she attended. It has the cutest little poem.

    I have typed up the poem so my students can practice their handwriting (they want sooo badly to write cursive), wrap a little gift for their parents, grandparents, etc., and give it at Christmas. Four copies fit on one sheet...perfect for a writing station! I think it will be sooo precious because it's their handwriting (or printing) from second grade. They can even write "Christmas 2012" at the end. I think the children will enjoy wrapping the gifts themselves and tying the ribbon on the gift (and won't it be special that it was done by the child!) to give to their parents. 

    To make the poem small enough to work as an ornament, I am going to shrink their writing on the copier. Does your copier have a special features button that will put two or four or 8 copies of the same thing on one page?  I think doing four or eight on one page will make it just the right size to make a cute little ornament. Now if I can just find 20 tiny boxes... :D Any suggestions? Maybe Hobby Lobby? Michael's? Maybe I should ask for donations of tiny jewelry boxes from parents...he!he!

    I'm sharing a copy of the poem if you're interested.


†~Melly~†

Thanksgiving already?!?

WOW! I am amazed that we are only 4 weeks away from being at the half-way mark for this school year. I have posted soo little! It's been overwhelming, but I have my groove back now. :) With the new Common Core, a new situation, and some extremely busy students, I neglected my blog. I'm back now with loads to say and loads of fun!

Daily 5 is rocking the house! I have some super students...five are being tested for our QUEST program, and I think two or three more should be tested. Alas, their COGAT scores said otherwise. :'(

I just found Spelling Battleship which I think my students will seriously love in my WordWork station. I can't wait to try it out on them tomorrow. I made my own because the one I found was so simple and didn't have rules. My students are a little freaked when they don't have rules for the games...they make up their own and then argue to beat the band. I think I have too many chiefs, not enough braves. :D

I am sooo thankful to have an entire week off for Thanksgiving. How about you? Do you have the entire week off? I have major plans for my house next week as well as planning some cool lessons for the upcoming Christmas season! I can't wait to pull out all my Gingerbread man stuff. I think I'll make those Gingerbread head cookies I saw. They looked sooo cute! Maybe the children can decorate their own head. :D

Hallelujah! It's good to be back to me! ;)

†~Melly~†

Currently NOVEMBER! (seriously?)

I cannot believe it is already November. Wow! I am really feeling overwhelmed this year. I just can’t seem to get everything done in as timely a fashion as I have in the past. My family sees me less, my body aches more, YIKES! I need a shot of B12, or maybe seventeen shots of B12!

I have loads of good ideas, but little time to implement them. We are “meeting” to death as well as being paper-worked to death! Anyone else found this to be so this year with the Common Core? A friend who teaches in another county said they’re not having the same problem. Another friend was talking with an “administrator friend” from another county and said they’re not being swamped like this, either. Hmmm...interesting.

Keep me in your prayers, please!  I have some fabulous ideas cooking, but can’t seem to do anything except sleep when I get home from school. Currently--

†~Melly~†

Praises...

Golly! Does anyone else feel as overwhelmed as we do? My teamie and I agree that we feel like hamsters on wheels! I think things are calming down now, but it has been a busy first two months. I am amazed at how long it has taken me to get acclimated to this year. Maybe part of the reason it has taken me so long is that two close teacher friends retired and gifted me with books, books, and more books! I think if I could be quiet I’d be a great librarian. I love books so much and I love sharing books with children people! Part of what keeps me teaching second grade is seeing the light bulb go off as the year progresses and my emerging readers have finally crawled out of that chrysalis and begun to fly! Is there anything that is more rewarding?

I have several projects going to add to my TpT store, but I haven’t finished and uploaded yet because I’ve been running. With PTSO monthly, Chick-fil-A Spirit nights, and the other added fun things we are doing I just haven’t been able to sit down and get my creative juices glowing and flowing for completion. (sigh) It will come, and I am excited at what God is doing for me right now. He is to be praised!!

Last Sunday evening as I was talking with my teamie, I had a brain fog and asked her what Georgia Rivers we teach in second grade. I know those and more, so I have to be careful not to add in some extra ones. I said, “I know! I’ll Google it!” When I googled Georgia Rivers taught in second grade, I was pleasantly surprised ecstatic to see that a link to my blog was the first!! GOOGLE knows who I am! (He! He!) Seriously, that excited me to no end that God is opening doors. I just gotta walk through them. Hallelujah!

So, what’s up in your corner of the world? I am asking Our Father to help me “bloom where I’m planted” and give me strength for the journey. I think it’s going to be a BIG one this time. I’ll be careful to give Him all the honor and glory. Remind me if I get overwhelmed again…my Daddy’s got this! ;)

<>< Melly

Hello!

Hi friends!

    It's been a hectic beginning of the school year for me. I began the year with 22 students. Last Friday two of my little friends moved to their new homes and schools. We are teaching using Thinking Maps now and I know those must be included in my Georgia Regions activities...which I am working to rewrite.

I have a new item to post to my TpT store soon as well. I hope you will like it. It is going like gangbusters in my classroom! My students love this reading practice activity. I should have it up by Wednesday.

So, how's your year? Please reply...I love comments! :)


†~Melly~†

Currently September

Golly, I think I missed August...where did it go?

†~Melly~†

Daily 5, setting goals...

Didn't I read in the Daily 5 that children need a sense of urgency and they need to know where they are in order to develop a sense of urgency? Did I dream that one? 

Anywho...today I was telling my students that my teamie's class always has more students who earn 100 points each on AR than my class and since AR is a big thing at our school (yeah, I know...sometimes it's overkill and leads to extrinsic motivation) I wrote a sentence on the board for the children to use to write in their journals. "I would like plan to earn _______ points each week. I would like plan to earn _______ points this year." I pointed out to my students that they need to do more than "hope" or "like" or "love" something. We need to plan so we'll be successful. I said if you fail to plan, you plan to fail but I think that went right over their heads. Of course, right now we're discussing I PICK, good fit books, and practicing reading to self correctly.

I think someone at my school did Daily 5 last year because some of my students seem to be old hat at D5. I wonder....

Anyway, Day 3 is a wrap and it was a wonderful day! :)

†~Melly~†

First Day

Today was an awesome first day! Of course, I didn't accomplish everything I had planned. I never do on the first day. It's necessary to overplan in my opinion. Daily 5 began with awesome and amazing results! Hallelujah! I am looking forward to the most marvelous year ever!



†~Melly~†

Fundraising, anyone?

Hi friends!

     Be sure to check out Big Event Fundraising by clicking on the School Fundraisers link (just under the clock) in the right column on my blog. If you're interested in adding Big Event Fundraising to your blog, contact Clay Boggess and he'll set you up. Tell him Melly sent you! ;)
     I think this might be a way to raise money for Cancer Relay for Life since it's a big thing in our county. I'll pass on the info and let the powers that be decide. :)  They have lots of different fundraising ideas. Check it out when you can!



†~Melly~†

Sad...

Oh.My.Day!! This has been the craziest two weeks I've ever spent getting ready to go back to school! With all the books I received from my two friends who were retiring, I should have known better than to wait until the last minute. My mom once gave me a little sign that says, "Don't rush me! I'm waiting for the last minute!" YIKES! Sad, but it was true this summer. I'm ashamed of how little I did over the summer ... with the exception of picking, preparing, freezing and canning vegetables, blogging about The Daily 5, and reading (great relaxation for me).  

Now I have my classroom looking great, but I have about 15 little "piles"-some in crates, some in boxes, some tucked away here and there. My classroom library ROCKS.THE.HOUSE! I am so thankful for my friends who donated their books to me and to my family for helping me get them ready for use by my students. I can't wait for my children to start Daily 5 Monday. :)

So, in the process of scurrying around like a little  mouse because I procrastinated, I failed to help out my new teamie. I shared my beginning of the year powerpoint. She said she didn't know exactly how to fix it and I seriously intended to go over and help. I remembered this about 10 minutes before Open House began (at which time I flew into her room and asked (DUH!) if she got it up. I offered to change it to suit her then...it wouldn't take 5 minutes. She said, "That's okay." I don't think it is okay. I would be nervous about something taking longer than the person said it would if I didn't know much about it and I'm afraid that my "blind dash" to finish everything caused me to be a less than stellar teammate. I sent her an e-mail, apologizing, but I'm ticked with myself for not being a good team player. She's the new teacher on our team (not new to our school) and I am afraid I made her feel less welcome. :*(

On a brighter note, I have a wonderful library! I am thrilled with how organized my room now looks! Pictures to follow this weekend.


†~Melly~†

Daily 5 Chapter 7

  First, thanks to Mel D of Seusstastic Classroom Inspirations and Nicole of Teaching with Style fame for setting up this amazing book study! I will forever be grateful! :)

  One of my favorite quotes from Chapter 7 is ""One of the advantages of the Daily Five is that the structure allows for uninterrupted blocks of time to work with children in a one-on-one situation." I am feeling empowered by this aspect of Daily 5.

   I love the idea of "conferring notebooks"  which "become our diaries and documentation" and show "our plans for where to go next, allowing for differentiated instruction." Education is all about differentiation for the individual child, as it should be. Daily 5 will be the support I need in being able to give my students more of what they need! SHAZAM!

I've been working in my room, rearranging so that we have a  gathering place, library, and lots of small private work spaces that I can see from my work space. Student loved sharing the rocking chair as well as the ottoman in my class last year. I'm adding another chair and possibly a bean bag this year. It's exciting to be able to offer children the choice for which spot is "the best place for your brain and body to work." I love how the sisters even have an "Ignoring the Teacher Focus Lesson!" That cracks me up! To top it off, I have my class list for the 2012-2013 school year and I will most likely have to use that particular lesson. YIKES!

The Check-In page in Figure 7-1 on page 94 is something I can also create now that I have my class list. YIPPEEE!

I believe the time I've spent this summer reading and blogging about the Daily 5 has been some of the best time I have spent this summer. Thank you to everyone who participated in this book study. Thanks for sharing your ideas and methods. I applaud you! May God bless you 100-fold!


†~Melly~†

Back to the Drawing Board...

Oh. My. Word! My classroom looks like a storm hit! I have books, books, books to sort and label. My hubby painted two bookshelves for me today...one more tomorrow (and it's 8 feet long!). I hit pay dirt with two friends retiring and gifting me with books, books, books back in May. 

 I know I should have leveled, sorted, and labeled these books earlier...but I just could not force myself to go back to my classroom. Just needed the R & R! Now, I think I'll work straight through to December! YIKES! Prayers, please, peeps!

I'm happy to be back at it, though. I'm sooo very excited about doing the Daily 5 this year! YIPPEE!


†~Melly~†