Thankful for...

What the Teacher Wants and Oh Boy 4th Grade are hosting a Thankful Linky Parties. We are linking up.  Answers in red belong to Emily.  Answers in orange belong to Antoinette.
In the Classroom:
    I am of course going to say my students.  I have this really mellow class.  They are good-natured and great little independent workers. 
    As far as classroom supplies, it has to be the mini laptops my kids get to use.  I have been participating in the eMINTSforAll program.  The focus is on using inquiry based learning and integrating technology.  It is such a great motivator for the kids.
   I am also thankful for my students.  I was lucky enough to loop up to fifth grade with them and even luckier that my new additions are pretty wonderful as well.
   Not to copy Emily, but the technology in the classroom really takes my teaching to a higher level.  With the mini-notes, the students are able to practice skills on my website, research any questions they might have, and present projects in a variety of ways.




Person:
  I am supposed to say my husband, right?! (Seriously, I have been with this man for 10 years, I LOVE him.)
But really, I am thankful for Antoinette and all the ladies I am close with at work.  I love trading ideas with them!  They rock!
  I am thankful for my family whom are my biggest fans and are always there for me no matter what.  I am also thankful for my close group of friends/co-workers whom it would difficult to keep a smile on my face without.  Emily is not only a great friend, but inspires me to learn more and broadens my daily vocabulary lol!  Tracy inspires me to take my teaching to a higher level everyday.  Kristin motivates me to look to the positive and keeps me smiling and laughing everyday.

3 Blogs (only 3...)

Thoughts of a third grade teacher
Julie was our first follower!  She has some great ideas.

Ladybug's Teacher File
She can do amazing things with graphics!

Pitner's Potpourri
Oh the freebies!!

Guilty Pleasure:

CHOCOLATE!!!  Everyone I work with knows I have a drawer full of two things, Coke (aka The way I survive the afternoon) and CHOCOLATE!  Plus, I bring it to EVERY meeting. 
   My guilty pleasure would be caffiene.  I love my coffees from Friendly Bean or Starbucks and I love my diet vanilla cokes from Sonic.  I also love my coffee breaks with Kristin in her office.  Chocolate of course is always a guilty pleasure of mine. :)



My chocolate drawer!!!



Most thankful for:

My crazy, busy, overwhelming (at times) life.  I take on more than I should, and forget things ALL the time, but I wouldn't have it any other way!  This is why in the past 3 months I have painted my kitchen cabinets, am taking a grad school class, took 2 district seminar-type classes, started a blog with my pal Antoinette, took on the CAFE strategies and math workshop, District Math rep for my building in a year we are revamping everything for Common Core, as well as spent time with my husband and my dog!

   Having a career where I get to work with some wonderful people and awesome children.  I love getting into the classroom and teaching.  The kids, although difficult at times, have such great personalities and for the most part are eager to learn.  I love seeing the lightbulbs come on for them.  It is such a rewarding career.

Antoinette & Emily

Anchor Chart Wrap Up

All week we have been participating in the Anchor Chart Linky Party hosted by Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes.  
Here are a couple of random charts we use in our classrooms:



This is a chart that goes along with our PBIS mission, called the "Wildcat Way." 
The kids earn a "wildcat" for each compliment they receive.



This is a Reader's Workshop chart that must have gotten "lost" in the picture abyss of this week.

Thanks Janaye for hosting this great linky party!
EmilyK & Antoinette

Management Anchor Chart

This is another post about anchor charts.  We have enjoyed sharing and looking at everyone's anchor charts this week.  A thanks to Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes for hosting this linky party. 

Here are a couple of charts for managing the students morning routine:

This is my fall anchor chart for our morning routine.



This is an example from my neighbor teacher. Thanks, Jessie!




This is an anchor chart from Antoinette's neighbor teacher.  Thanks, Tracy!

Also, our PBIS team designed beginning of the year establishing routines lessons, complete with anchor chart ideas.  (Thanks to my co-blogger Antoinette, who is a member of that team.) They really help with the consistency of expectations in our building!  Here is one of them: 

Thanks for visiting our blog!
EmilyK & Antoinette

Math Anchor Charts

We have been so excited to participate in the Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes anchor chart linky party.
Antoinette and I, both enjoy teaching math.  We both struggled at one point with learning math as kids, so it is so rewarding to help those struggling students "get it."  Here are just a couple of anchor chart examples:

Antoinette, a fellow teacher, and I wrote this graphing song.

I am also a fan of a math vocab wall.  Check back on our blog for that post.

EmilyK

Language Arts Anchor Charts

We are so excited to be a part of the Anchor Chart linky party hosted by Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes. 
Today's focus is on Reading anchor charts.  My co-blogger Antoinette is great with anchor charts for reading!  She inspires me!  Here are a few of her charts:

Hope you enjoyed them!
Antoinette & Emily