The Happy Learning Den

It's not mandatory, but I, like many other teachers I know, enjoy giving my students a little gift right before the winter holidays.  This year I want to give my students something that they can keep forever, not roll under a classmate's desk or under their couch.  I especially want to create a keepsake for each of them because of how special they are- I had several of these students when I taught 3rd grade.

I know my students very well.  There is a level of trust and kindness in my classroom that can only be built up overtime.  However, the closer we get to the winter vacation... the more "squirrely" my students are becoming.  They have been short-tempered and sarcastic with one another, so I decided to pause academics and reteach kindness in a quick 45 minute lesson.  (A little foreshadowing: This activity is going to turn into their holiday presents!  Shhhhhhh!  It's a surprise!  Don't tell!)

I called all of my students to the carpet, and started with the opener "What makes a good friend?"  We brainstormed a list of about 30 words and then I asked students to think about their friends in the classroom.  I asked students to think about why people are friends with them.  Then we added more words to the list.  We ended up with around 50 words such as "funny, silly, unique, intelligent, friendly, respectful, etc.  Next, I asked students to share which words on the list described themselves.

Once everyone shared (that wanted to), I moved into the next phase of my lesson.  :-)  Students wrote 3 of the words from the list on a sheet of notebook paper and then we played "SCOOT."  I had students move one desk to the right and write down one to two words that described (complimented) each person.  After about 1 minute, students would "SCOOT" to the next desk and write down another one or two words that described their classmate.  (Of course I had to stop a few times and remind students that they are writing positive things about their classmates to reinforce kindness.  And, no, "crazy" is not a compliment and neither is "clumsy."  Oy!)  Students "scooted" from desk to desk about 15 times, and then I collected all the papers.  I have 23 students, but I did not want my students to see what others had written about them.  (More foreshadowing: Not yet!) So I collected all the papers before they were close to their own desks.

I am using the compliments that students wrote about one another and creating their holiday gifts with them.  I went to the website Tagul (I am not affiliated with Tagul in any way.), and it was so incredibly easy to use.  I wrote each student's name in capital letters and then chose seven words for each student to create speech bubble compliments.  I am going to print them onto colorful card stock and then laminate each one for a meaningful keepsake.

I believe I have created a holiday tradition for myself that I will keep for many years. The lesson reinforced kindness in my classroom ( a huge plus) and I now have a unique and inexpensive gift for each student. A few examples of the speech bubble compliments are below.  Enjoy!

I guess my plans for weekly blog posts flew right out the window!  Oooops!  Thanksgiving is this week, and I am grateful for a few days to spend with my friends and family... and NOT bringing any work home with me!  What a hectic year it has been so far- and we have only been in school 3 months!  My new plan is to blog once a month- to recap what we did in the classroom, and if I am able to blog a little more.... bonus!

Writing ELA Plans
Dreadful!  I am constantly second guessing myself with is this good enough... will this engage and interest my on-grade-level readers; for my below grade-level readers, I constantly worry if they will find the lessons "baby-ish."  Enough is enough is enough!  Last week I worked smarter, not harder! A colleague and I sat down after school with our reading manuals, the standards we are focusing on during the months of November and December, and our Teachers Pay Teachers accounts open.  We sat together for about 90 minutes, but our reading plans are solid through the second week of December!  And I feel confident that it is standards based, targets each level (below and at grade level), and students will enjoy the lessons.... even if they don't enjoy it, I am confident they will be engaged!  That's half the battle!!!

I think I discovered part of my problem with writing reading plans this year.  (For those of you who don't know, last year I only taught math and science, and the year before that I was in 3rd grade for 100 years....)  Anyway, I discovered while we were planning what is my problem with writing reading plans.  After all, I don't usually second guess myself when I write math or science plans.  It ONLY happens when writing plans for ELA (English Language Arts).  I REALLY do not like this reading series.  Most of my students are reading 2 or more years below grade level and the curriculum is annoyingly difficult.
(I sense an RTI -response to intervention- blog post starting to be written in the back of my mind...)

Thank goodness I have a wealth of supplemental curriculum that I can use.  The fifth grade teachers have been using StoryWorks again this year, which I adore.  It's more than current events that you get with Scholastic.  It also has Readers Theater plays, poetry, PAIRED TEXTS (hello!  It is so hard to find paired texts.), content that students are actually interested in, background videos, audio files of the texts, AND worksheets that go along with each text, AND..... tests..... differentiated tests!  OMG!  There are always 2 tests to go along with two of the featured articles AND they are differentiated!  So there are LL (Low Level) and HL (High Level)... LOVE LOVE LOVE!  I have also bought several resources on Teachers Pay Teachers to supplement and fill any gaps.

I hope everyone has a restful and family filled Thanksgiving!  Try not to bring any work home with you during this break.  Enjoy this time off, refresh yourself, eat turkey, go shopping, SLEEP IN PAST 5am, and go back to school well-rested and ready.  Because the winter holidays are right around the corner! 

Happy Teaching!  Happy Learning!
Love to all,
~Sandy @The Happy Learning Den

We held our annual storybook character parade Monday!  Students were encouraged to dress up as their favorite storybook character, and then each class paraded around the school parking lot to the delight of parents, teachers, and students alike.  There were ninjas, princesses, pumpkins, and of course the 4th and 5th grade teachers dressed up too.  Just like we do every year.  This year's book was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  I was 'Happy.'  I think we get better every year.... it can be a little stressful, but the pictures show just how much fun everyone had!  I'm already looking forward to doing it again next year!
Enjoy the photos!

Oh my goodness!  It's been a month since I last wrote anything!

That should tell you how busy my students have been learning!  (And I don't have to tell you, dear reader, how the amount of their learning directly correlates to the amount of my planning and teaching.)

Open House was a huge success!  Nine parents showed up, which meant 9 students earned Brag Tags just for their parents attendance.  They were so cute about it.  One student remarked that she liked getting a Brag Tag for "begging" her mom to attend Open House.  Whatever works, right?  ;-)

Here's an update on what we have been learning in class...

Math
We continue to work on P.E.M.D.A.S.... or Order of Operations.... you remember that right? Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally.... which means... Parenthesis, Exponents, Multiplication and/or Division, Addition and/ or Subtraction. It's been a struggle because many of my students struggle with simple multiplication and division.  However, they will survive and grow stronger math brains.  I created a PEMDAS scoot game that students have been playing, and loving!  It is such a great feeling when students have a good time learning/ relearning a skill!

I have also been teaching students what seems like 1,000 different ways to divide.  Hopefully, one way will stick.  Practice, practice, practice!

Social Studies
As difficult as it was to discuss September 11th (2001) with my class, they did learn a lot.  I showed a PowerPoint with September 11th facts.  It had photos of what the Twin Towers looked like before that horrific day, and then of the planes hitting the Towers and smoke billowing out of the windows.  One of my new teacher friends sent me a great craft where students drew  themselves and wrote about how they can change the world.  Of course we had a discussion first of what things they can do as 10 and 11 year olds to make the world a better place... wow!  These students of mine!  I love what they came up with!  Ideas like: making sure everyone is included at recess so no one feels left out, talking to everyone at the table so no one feels sad, making new friends every year no matter a person's skin color, religion, disability, or whether they are a boy or a girl...
But one student comment  really created a lively discussion... How come the terrorists have hate in their heart?   Out of the mouths of babes... one student thought that maybe when the terrorists were their age no one was nice to them, another thought that they were bullied.... I let them discuss this without input from me for a few minutes.... and then had students work on the craft/ writing activity.  They came out better that I had expected!

Science
We have been learning about weather and climate.  Using a lot of videos, journaling, reading the text book, classroom discussion ... I really do love journals in the classroom!


Reading & Writing
I have been teaching one skill per week in Reading, and then testing students on that specific skill/ standard at the end of the week.  In other words, one week I taught finding the Main Idea and supporting details.  The next week was Cause and Effect, and the week after was Problem and Solution.  I have a journal activity each week as well as a test at the end of the week.  Journaling allow students to work together, to learn from one another as they apply the concept to an activity.  Testing, obviously, is completed independently or within a small group- often I find that I need to read the content to my students who are significantly below grade level.  This way they are still able to demonstrate mastery of the standard, but are given a little support.

I hope you are having a successful year so far.  Try to relax a little... go to the spa, bubble bath, hang out with friends and family.  Best wishes to you all this year!
Happy Learning!
Happy Teaching!
~Sandra @The Happy Learning Den

Hallway Bulletin Board: Change Your Words, Change Your Mindset

Over my years of teaching, I have come across several students who firmly believed that they were stupid if they made mistakes, that they were not good enough when faced with a challenge, and/ or that they would never understand so why try.   Of course I spoke with students, referred many to our guidance counselor and had parent conferences.  But year after year, there was always one student who had a fixed mindset.  I never new how to fight back against those negative beliefs or  mindsets until this past summer.  I was so excited to learn about how teaching a growth mindset can positively impact a student's academic performance and desire to learn that I spent the summer reading about fixed vs. growth mindset.  Based on what I read, I created posters and activities to use with my students this year.  If you are interested, this is a direct link to that product.

I decided to not only teach Fixed vs. Growth Mindset this year, but to also use Brag Tags.  I purchased and downloaded many freebies and have been using both with fidelity since the first day of school- 2 weeks ago.  My students LOVE it!  I put all the brag tag necklaces on one bulletin board with the posters I created above them, to look like a banner.  The bulletin board is in the front of the room.  This way every time they line up or put a brag tag on their necklace they are reading posters such as:
1.) Mistakes are proof that you are trying. Never Give Up!
2.) I have not failed.  I have just found 10,000 ways that won't work. ~Albert Einstein
3.) I will persist until I succeed.  Keep trying.

The first thing I taught students was that their brain is always growing and that challenges are actually good for them.  I asked students if they have any baby brothers or sisters.  (Many raised their hands.)  I asked if their baby brothers and sisters were born knowing how to walk.  Then we had a conversation about how it is difficult for a baby to learn to walk.  They told stories about siblings falling over and over and laughing each time they fell, but they always got up.  We discussed that this was challenging for their baby brothers and sisters, but with practice they got better... and how their brain goes through growth every time they learn something new.

I asked students to tell about a time they were learning something new.  Something that they really wanted to learn, but was frustrating for them.  The key to this, not only did I want them to share something that used to be challenging for them to learn... but that now they felt that they were experts at it. Once all students who wanted to shared, we talked about what they all had in common.  I led them to discuss that they practiced and practiced and practiced some more.  That they didn't give up.  Their mindset allowed them to learn ride a bike, learn to skateboard, to learn to dance, etc.  That this is called a growth mindset, and I told them that they were going to learn the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset this year.

They next day to review we played a quick game.  I said a statement that was either a fixed or growth mindset.  If it was a fixed mindset, students folded their arms across their chests.  If it was a growth mindset, students were to raise both hands in the air.  I used statements such as:
1.) I'm just not good at math.  (fixed)
2.) I'll never get good at this.  (fixed)
3.) I'll get better at this if I keep trying.  (growth)
4.) This is good enough.          (fixed)
5.) I am going to make this super-duper!  (growth)

We played this game for about two minutes, and then I passed out a cut and paste activity that I created with four growth mindsets and six fixed mindsets.  Students were given two options.  They could work with a partner or work by themselves.  Of course, they all chose to work with a partner. But I still wanted to give the option just in case.

Over these first 2 weeks of school I have been teaching my rules, procedures, how to earn brag tags, and practicing using a growth mindset vs giving up (fixed mindset).  What I didn't anticipate was how effective it was going to be right away.  I have never had so many students try every single problem on the math prerequisite test and beginning of the year math test.  As I walked around the room, students were erasing and starting over and over and over.  Two students told me when they did turn in their tests that they felt their brains growing during the test!  I promise I only smiled!  :-)

I had my students create two mindset cellphone selfies.  The first one shows each student's drawing of themselves and a speech bubble above their cellphone selfie "saying" something they used to say that is fixed.  The one to the right is of a cellphone selfie drawing and a speech bubble "saying" their new thought  (growth mindset).  It came out better than I dreamed.

I am one happy teacher!
Happy Teaching!
Happy Learning!
Sandra @The Happy Learning Den

Below you will see some closeups of student work.  Enjoy!  Please feel free to share in the comments section below how you teach fixed vs. growth mindset to your students.

Fixed Mindset = Plan A didn't work. Growth Mindset = Good thing the alphabet has 25 more.

Fixed Mindset = I give up! Growth Mindset = I may stop, but I'm not giving up!

Fixed Mindset = This is good enough. Growth Mindset = I better recheck this.

Fixed Mindset = I'm not good at this. Growth Mindset = I'm on the right track.

Fixed Mindset = He's better than me. Growth Mindset = Soon I will be smart as him.

Fixed Mindset = I just can't do this! Growth Mindset = I can do this with some more practice.

Today was my 19th first day of teaching.  I always know that I am going to be drained, but I always forget exactly to what extent.  Here are a few thoughts that ran through my head today:

1.) I wonder if I can get away with wearing slippers to school tomorrow.

2.) I need chart paper for my to-do list.

3.) Oh summer!  I miss being able to go to the bathroom whenever I wanted to.

4.) Coffee!  I need more coffee!
 
5.) 6 pm is a reasonable bedtime for tonight, right?

6.)  My heart is bursting!  These kiddos are great!

What were your thoughts today?

Have a great school year,
Sandra @The Happy Learning Den

In my many years of teaching I have experienced a few first days that were pure "you know what," but more often than not my first day of school is usually exhausting but exhilarating. So far this year is starting out like poetry and roses.  I am rested, relaxed, and ready.   In order to get this way, I spent endless hours in my classroom last week setting the stage for a successful year.  (And my relaxing/ pampering/ me day at the spa yesterday helped too.)



Now remember, day 1 sets the tone for the remainder of the school year.  First impressions are everything!
Here are some tips that I follow for a successful first day:
1.) Have Extra Copies of EVERYTHING
Make extra copies.  JUST IN CASE.  There is nothing worse that being one or two copies short.  Have extra pencils stashed around the room in case, ahem for when, students misplace their own.

2.) Be Organized, Tidy, and Ready
Try to get to school on the earlier side.  For instance, teachers report in my school at 7:30.  Tomorrow, I will arrive at 7:00 am.  Walk around your room.  If you haven't done so already, label your supplies.

3.) Be Ready for Everything and ANYTHING
Try to stay calm.  Not everything is going to go as you planned.  That's ok.

4.) Start learning names now.
If you aren't sure how to pronounce a student's name, ASK.  Write it down phonetically.  Practice.  Call on that student by name.  Praise that student, using his/ her name.  Learn the names.  Don't be THAT teacher who butchers names and thinks it's not a big deal.  It is.

Have a great school year!
~Sandra @The Happy Learning Den

Throughout the summer, I have been researching and listing great first week of school activities.  I hope this post can help you to build a sense of community that will last throughout the year.

1. Name Chain
No prep.  No supplies. The first student says his/ her name and one interesting fact about themselves.  The next student must then tell his or her own name, an interesting fact about themselves, and then introduce the previous student to the class.  The third student then tells his or her own name, and then introduces the previous two students.  Keep this up until the very last student.  For added fun, you can also participate... of course, you are last.

2. New Year's Resolution
I am sure that your students are familiar with New Year's Resolutions in December/ January, but a new school year allows students to set new goals for the new school year.  Encourage students to be specific about what they would like to change.  Have students create posters, and then you will have a visual all year long.  Win-win!  :-)

3. Ice Breakers & Team Building Activities 
In my lesson plans, not only do I list the activities, but I also list the teaching objectives and possible reflection/ extension idea.  At my Teacher's Pay Teachers store,  I have a resource that includes 14 getting to know you activities.  Each lesson includes a learning objective, materials needed (if any), expected time frame needed, instructions, examples, and possible extension/ reflection activities.


Every teacher has a different approach to the first week of school.  However you choose to get to know your students, have a little fun!  I hope this blog helps you start the year off on the right foot.  Feel free to share any tried and true ice breaker activities that you love in the comments below.

Have a great school year,
Sandra @The Happy Learning Den










;

This school year will be my 19th year teaching!  This blows my mind because I can still remember my first year teaching!  It's forever ago and just yesterday all rolled up into one.  It's strange and rewarding realizing you're not the newbie anymore.

I feel strongly about helping new teachers.  When I was brand new I was incredibly blessed with amazing colleagues who guided me throughout my entire first year.  Then when I switched districts, and went through the new teacher program again... I was once again blessed with AMAZING teachers/ colleagues who have become dear friends too.  I know that I am incredibly lucky, because I have heard horrific stories from my friends in other schools.

I hope that you will share this with a new teacher or a college student going through the teacher program, or, if you are a veteran that you will share tips and advice that have helped you to become the expert you are today.


1.  Set a reasonable time to leave school every day and stick to it!
There is ALWAYS more work that can be done at school.  It will still be there tomorrow.  Trust me, I know it's hard to leave it at home.  I am guilty of taking work home myself.  But last year I broke the vicious cycle.  At the beginning of the school year, I would bring work home... but I left it in the car.  I would joke with my friends that the papers were taking a "field trip."  By the end of the school year, I didn't take any work home.  If it wasn't done by the time I set for myself, I would do it the next day!  Of course, this means that I didn't follow the contractual hours... the hours that I am paid to work (7:30 - 3:00).  I arrived at school most days around 6:45, which gave me 45 minutes of uninterrupted grading time.  I also stayed at work until 4:30 (1.5 hours extra) to grade, contact parents, write lesson plans, collaborate with others, post bulletin boards, etc. etc. etc.  This way I didn't need to bring things home.  Just make sure you stay on top of deadlines!  

2.  Stock an emergency drawer in your desk or bottom of your file cabinet.
You will spend so much time in your classroom it will feel like you live there.  Keeping some thought out essentials in your desk will save you from those little life-curveballs that may happen.  Here's what I keep in mine: deodorant, dental floss, lip gloss, small mirror, extra birthday cards and thank you cards, chocolate, long shelf-life snacks, breath mints, maxi-pads, hairbrush, hair clip, spare phone charger, compact umbrella.  I also keep a sweater on my desk chair in case the weather outside changes suddenly or I get a chill.

3.  Document ALL parent and administrator contact.
I am going to be brutally honest here.  I still struggle with this one AND I was given this same advice my first year!  It is tedious, but it is essential.  Get a simple notebook at the back to school sales.  (I used a composition notebook last year.)  Before you leave each day, write down the date, who you had contact with, and a few sentences to remind you of the most important points to help jog your memory.  Angela Watson has a great Freebie at Teachers Pay Teachers you can use. 

4.  Prepare Emergency Substitute Plans now so you are ready for any unexpected illnesses or family emergencies during the school year.
This is one of those things that you and your fellow teachers will be grateful for during the school year.  In my school, we are required to have emergency plans for the inevitable.  I keep a "Sub Tub" behind my desk with two types of emergency plans.  One is for if a substitute comes, and the other is sets of work in case my class needs to be split up into the other classes.  Work they can complete on their own without the aide of the teacher whom they will be spending the day with in your absence.  I include an attendance sheet and which teacher they should go to.

5.  Don't compare yourself to veteran teachers.
I think I am a pretty great teacher.  My students learn a lot every year.  However, I'm human.  Sometimes I look at what other teachers are doing, and I feel inadequate.  These teachers change out their bulletin boards monthly others bi-weekly.  They have students fill out applications for the jobs they want, and then have neat job titles like Classroom Librarian, Errand Runner, Doorman, etc. They have a classroom currency system where they can buy things like pencils, erasers, trips to the prize box, etc.
I am not those teachers, and that's ok!  Those things don't work for me as a teacher.  I do plenty of other things really well, and over time, you will realize that so do you.

6. Post instructions as often as possible on the board.
I know this sounds like something you would/ should only do for students in grades K - 3, but writing out expectations of what needs to be done upon entering the classroom makes my morning calmer. I have found that students behave much better when they know exactly what is expected of them.  They have the same procedure every morning when they enter my classroom.  They always unpack first, then copy their homework, and then they begin an activity.  This allows me to take attendance and do all those little housekeeping things that need to be done each morning, and students are engaged.  Every morning I have written on the board:
                    Do Now
                1. Unpack  [I don't allow my students to go into their book bag 1,000 times a day.  I limit it                                    to in the morning when they are unpacking, before we go to lunch, and then                                          again when we pack at the end of the day.]
                2. Copy Homework
                3. This is where I write down the activity I want them to complete.

7. Procedures!  Know what you want students to do and have them practice!!!
The first three weeks of school are key to the success of your entire year.  You have two choices.  Either set your students up for success: your classroom runs efficiently and children are safe.  Or set your students up for failure, let them get away with whatever they want, and then book yourself a permanent private suite at a psychiatric facility.  It's your choice.

You need to know exactly how you want everything done, and then have students practice the heck out of it.  What do I mean by everything?  You name it... there needs to be a procedure for it.
The way students enter and leave your classroom,  lining up, walking in line, when they can use the bathroom (never while I am giving instructions), how often they can use the bathroom, when they can sharpen their pencils, when and if they can borrow a pencil from you, how to turn in papers, how to write their heading, participating in group lessons, using the class library, visitors in the classroom, fire drills, helping other students, what to do if they are finished, etc.

I personally recommend that every new teacher reads the book, The First Days of School by Harry Wong.

Have a great year!
Love,
Sandra @The Happy Learning Den

Summer Bucket List

1.  I know the temptation to begin planning for next year.  I have already succumbed.  But it is important to take a break for a week or two.  Or even take a month off if you can.  You'll feel invigorated when you return to your plans.

2.  Read a book that is just for grown-ups.  I have read 3 murder mysteries so far this summer.  I highly recommend it.

3.  Classroom Shopping Challenge:  Go to Walmart, and don't buy anything for your classroom.  Then go to Target and once again buy NOTHING for your classroom.  Then go to any dollar store.  You can do it!  Don't buy anything for your classroom here either.  I believe in you.

4.  Reconnect with family and friends.  Travel to see college friends now that you don't have the time constraints of the classroom.  Take some tome to spend quality time with your family.  Celebrate all the awesome stuff that everyone else is doing.

5.  Start a new hobby.  Take a yoga class for a week.  Explore a new interest.  Give yourself time for it to become a regular part of your life.

6.  Do you.  Summer is an excellent time to have a little reflection time.  Pamper yourself.  Get a foot massage, get a manicure, pedicure, or both.  Take care of yourself now so that you can take care of all your students when you return.

7.  Reflect.  Reflect on your reflections.  Reflect on your students, reflect on your year, your attitude, your personal life.

8.  Read teaching blogs.  You're reading this blog!  So you've already succeeded in checking this off your list!

9.  Say "Thank You."  While you're feeling wonderful after inspiring yourself, make sure to say thank you.  It can be for thanking a colleague for helping you out.  It can be as simple as sending a note, but it's still important. This is a great way to create and/ or strengthen friendships.

10.  Do whatever you need to do, but make sure you take time to let the stress fade and relax!

Have a great time relaxing and breathing,
Sandra @ The Happy Learning

1. Make at least 2 products (1 free, and 1 paid).
When I first started, I created everything using Word.  I then saved my final products to a PDF.   Take it from me, it is MUCH EASIER to create your resources in PowerPoint first- and then save it to a secured PDF file!
2. Join Teachers Pay Teachers and set up your store. (Please use my referral link if you are using this post to help you.) You can join as a seller for free.  You also have the option to pay to be a premium seller, where you will keep a higher percentage of your profit.  (I waited until I made $100 before I paid for the premium membership.
3. Promote your products.  (I prefer Facebook and Pinterest.)

2. Use Commercial Use Fonts, Graphics, and ClipArt.
3. Respect Copyright Laws!!! If you did not create it, you must have permission.  All clipart and photos must be carefully chosen.  When you want to use clip art, be sure to read the "Terms of Use" section.
4. You should also place your own copyright information on the products you create.  I put my information on the bottom of each page, and I also include information with my own terms of use.  You may want to include information such as the number of teachers who can use each product.
5.  Make it pretty!  I don't mean for you to add glitter or fairy dust to your resource. (I'm partial to polka-dots.)  However, you do need to make it attractive so buyers will notice it and find it appealing.  The quality and creativity of your work will determine whether or not you have repeat buyers!


The reason I started my journey with TPT is a simple one.  I needed more resources in my classroom to help my students with a new type of question they were required to answer: Multi-Select Questions.  No longer were my students going to have multiple choice questions where only one answer was correct.  Now more than one answer is correct and occasionally all of the answer choices were correct answers!!!  Uggggg!  I used what my school was given, but my students needed more practice.  My next step was to turn to Teachers Pay Teachers and see what others had created.  There was very little, and what was created didn't suit my needs.  So I created it for myself, and before I new it my entire team was using my resources.  Within a few months I was creating multi-select math curriculum/ practice for all of the teachers is grades 3-5 in my school.  And it all started because I needed it, so I created it.  One of my products is a bundle for third grade, however, some of the fourth and fifth grade teachers in my school use it as well to differentiate in their classroom.  It is also currently my best selling item.  Here is the link to that bundle of math goodness!

Many of the resources that I created for my classroom I post for free.  These are items that were relatively simple to create, but I did not have them in my class.  For instance, last year I taught 5th grade Math and Science.  So for Open House I needed a unique and specific PowerPoint presentation.  I created it, and then shared it on my TPT page.  Here it is in case you would like to use it.  You can edit it as you see fit.
I also needed to update my center rotations last year to a more simple format. I redid my rotation clipart and then posted it here for others to enjoy.


Make even more money!  Once you are a seller, refer other teachers!  Teachers Pay Teachers will pay you a bonus for two years!!! 

• For each new seller who uses your unique Promo Link to open a store, you will earn 5% of their sales for their first two years as a seller on Teachers Pay Teachers.  Nice, right?!?!?!
• TpT gives you this bonus to you, AND is not taken away from the person you referred.
• Everyone must use the link TPT assigns to you, and create a new account when they sign up.  If they don't click through your link you will not get credit.
• Simple!!!

*Here is my referral link if you are ready to sell:  https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Signup/referral:shoshana613

Feeling Overwhelmed?
1.  Don't expect to do everything all at once.  Take it slow.  Breathe!
2.  Make sure that your freebie and paid resource has attractive, colorful cover pages and include directions as well.
3. This is not a competition.  Spend some time reading the  information in the Seller's Forum.  There is a wealth of information there as well.


Thanks for reading this post!  I hope that I helped you with your TPT endeavor!  I am still learning myself.  I try to go into the Seller's Forum at least once a week, but during the crazy, hectic school year... it is more like once a month.  If you have any tips or feedback please leave a comment below.

Happy Creating!
Sandra @The Happy Learning Den
:-)

Wooooops! Sorry!  I realized this evening that I have not written anything in a month!    I hope you have all been well and not crazed with the "testing season" that is in many classrooms now.

A beautiful thing happened yesterday. A little over 120 students realized they had been tricked by their parents and teachers... all in the name of love. :-)

I'm going to stand on my soapbox for another moment... We need art class back in the elementary schools full-time. Students need to enjoy drawing for the sake of drawing a beautiful picture (while learning art curriculum). This shouldn't be left up to the classroom teacher. You know it is!
*Side note, I don't teach the art curriculum.  I do however try to infuse art elements into their assignments. However, the only mediums I have at my immediate and daily disposal are crayons, colored pencils, and markers.

Thank goodness once again for the parents in my school.  They step up every month and teach art to all the grades.

This past week they learned about Mardi Gras masks and they loved it!

Here are some of their creations!
Enjoy!