Inspired and a Freebie

For those of that were just hanging off the edge of your seat all day today, wondering what I had in store for you with my new bundle of Melonheadz clip art that I bought from Educents, you need to wait no further.

I spent most of my Sunday afternoon making an avatar for each of the students that I pull for small groups.  I tried the best that I could to make them look like the actual students themselves and what I think that they wear.  Seriously was a lot of fun!  I have a couple of ideas on how I would like to use them, but will blog about that later.

I have been sitting on a freebie for a while and keep meaning to put out there.  It is another set that goes along with my theme this year.  I have had vowel posters in my room that were kind of out-dated.  I wanted to make my own this year and have them use the colors that matched.  So here they are!

Click on either picture and it will take you to the link.  These are not available on my TpT store, only for my blog followers!  Enjoy!

Tomorrow, back to my professional book post.  I have kind of left that poor book all alone the last couple of weeks!

Theme Freebie #2

It is soooo hot here in the Midwest.  I feel like one big puddle!  My daughters and I went to the local bowling alley where they had a special for two hours of bowling, a pizza, drink and shoe rental for $9.99.  We met some of her friends and had a blast!  Then we came home and read for about an hour.  My kind of day!

I was thinking what else I could spruce up my classroom with, now that I know my theme.  Here are some guided reading text level signs that I made for my room.  If you haven't guessed it already, I am a huge Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell fan.  The work that they have put into their guided reading levels is amazing!

Here you go!  Click the picture to get your free signs!

Happy Thursday everyone!

Theme Freebie!

I don't know if y'all knew this or not, but it is not easy coming back from a paradise vacation.  Especially one that is a 5 hour time difference from what you are used to!  I know, I know, I am complaining about my wonderful vacation.  However, I have to say me sleep schedule has not been the same since I returned.  I seriously like a good 8 - 9 hours a night in the summer.  Last night, I went to bed at midnight and tossed and turned until 3 AM.  I then went downstairs to watch the last hour and a half of Forrest Gump. (Great movie, and I hadn't seen it in awhile).  I came back to bed around 5 AM and slept until about 8:30.  This is sooooo not the way I operate; it is killing me!!

I took my girls to the pool today and tired them (and hopefully myself) out!  I had a little glass of vino and feel now that I can read myself to sleep at a decent time tonight.

Okay, now to the freebie part.  I was so excited that I found my theme for my classroom, that I started making some materials for it already.  Since I don't have a regular classroom, I only need literacy type of materials.  I started with an alphabet strip.  I love making my own and find them to be much more engaging for the students.  Here is a sample of a few pages.

So here you go!  Click the cover page below and that will take you to my freebie!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Reading Theme This Year

In my younger years, I decorated my third grade classroom in very bright colors.  I always tried to keep it different from year to year (more for me not getting worn out on the same thing year after year), but always stuck to bright colors and making the room attractive.  It never occurred to me to find plan out my classroom according to a theme.

Flash forward some 16 years later, and I have finally gotten on board with a themed idea.  When I first changed jobs two years ago to be a reading specialist, I knew that I would be working children pretty hard in their reading skills.  My philosophy has always been to work and have fun in the process.  So, I wanted to make the room and student incentives as fun as possible.  I went to my local teacher store and saw some RAD (totally 80's word) girl and boy electric guitar players.  The words "Read Like a Rock Star" instantly came to me.  I had so much fun thinking about and finding items that fit my theme.

Last year, my theme was "Wild About Reading."  Monkeys were everywhere in the room!

So this year, I have been thinking and thinking about what I would like my theme to be.  I have decided to use . . . . . . . . . . .  (do you hear a drum roll in the background?)  "Reading is So Delicious!"  When I talk about being delicious, I am not talking about healthy food delicious, I am talking Willy Wonka delicious!  I have yet to decide on a color scheme for this.  However, I love this new line by creative teaching press!

I do really like this color scheme.  I don't admit this to many people because my good friends make fun of me when I do, but my favorite color is BROWN!  I just think it is a very soothing color.  I think I a winner!

What themes or ideas do you use to decorate your classrooms?