This set of synonym activities really spark a lot of thinking from students.  :) 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Shades-of-Meaning-Synonym-Activities-1506928

My Math Cafe (morning math board) has been so helpful to my students.  They are now fabulous at word problems because of our Problem of the Day they do every single day.  Each morning I post a new word problem on our math board and I place Avery Printer Labels with that problem underneath the display.  Students come in and they know to place a label in their math cookbook (journal) after reading the display.  Then they reread the problem on the label and work the problem out.  In their journal they must P.E.E.L their problems which means:

P - Picture
E - Equation
E - Explanation
L - Labels

I have made 180 word problems that for display and for journal inserts and they work great!  http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/180-Word-Problem-Labels-Journal-Inserts-and-Matching-Display-Problems-1322124

This will be my family's first 5K run to support our kids' cause, Soles 4 Souls.  We are excited to help out at this event and to not only support Soles 4 Souls but also the men's rugby team at Middle Tennessee State University.  :) 

Well, once again I am such a proud mommy!  My big kids Kelton and Layken, as many people already know, have been collecting shoes to become ambassadors for an organization called Soles 4 Souls.  What's new and exciting in their endeavor is that Rutherford Parent Magazine contacted us and they want to help them reach their goal of collecting 50,000 pairs of shoes.  So, on October 25, 2014 Rutherford Parent Magazine will be hosting their 8th annual Kids Fall Fest at The Avenue in Murfreesboro, TN.  It will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and will have lots of fun things to do.  We will also be there collecting shoe donations.  For every pair of shoes that someone brings they will receive an entry into The Avenue gift card drawings.  Yay!   My kids are so excited about helping so many people.  :) 

This is such a great deal!  180 word problem labels, 8"x11" word problem displays, and journal inserts to use if you don't want to print the labels.  Yep, that's 180 word problems on the 2nd and 3rd grade levels. 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/180-Word-Problem-Labels-Journal-Inserts-and-Matching-Display-Problems-1322124

Have you ever done something that you know will come back to hurt you but you know it's the right thing to do?  Well, that's where I'm at now.  I have been asked to take on the responsibility of raising my little sister's baby until she is able to care for the child.  The baby is due in early March and I am willing to step in and love this baby with all of my heart.  BUT...I know first hand how difficult it is to give the child back after being the child's mother for several years.  I know this because I, along with my husband and mom, raised my sister's first daughter for the first 4 years of her life and then right when we were about to adopt her... BAM!  Her father, who had very little contact with her, changed his mind and decided to become a dad.  I cannot begin to tell you how we felt.  It was heartbreaking.  However, we are very thankful that over the last 5 years her biological father still allows us lots of visitation with her.  She pretty much spends her whole summer with us along with all of her school breaks.  So, here we go again...To love and let go.

 

Behavior Tracking at its best!  Allowing students the opportunity to improve their behavior promotes positive attitudes instead of a defeated mindset.  I created this adorable owl and chevron set for a friend's owl themed classroom.  I need to make this to fit my cafe themed classroom. 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Owl-and-Chevron-Themed-Behavior-Clip-Chart-1426825