Saturday, March 30, 2013

{TPT Product} My Vacation Writing Journal


Hey all! We're at the tail end of our Spring Break this week, and it's been amazing...although I didn't go anywhere, I had the chance to snuggle up to my 4 month old all week. Now THAT is an energizing vacation :)

I thought it fitting to add this new TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers) product this week. Sometimes I feel like I'm barely keeping up with all of our "teach-ery" responsibilities...planning, creating, assessing, scroring, grading, the list goes on! But then you get that inevitable parent letter. You know the one. They inform you that their student is going away. On vacation. For a week. TOMORROW. Oh, and by the way, please send them home with every and all assignments they will miss when they're gone. UGH.

Now, I'm all about keeping students current, up to speed, and on target. However, I think it's just as frustrating FOR US to send a student HOME with lessons and materials you haven't even covered yet as it is for them. Plus, isn't a vacation supposed to be an enjoyed experience?

"My Vacation Journal" is a product I've created for my kiddos (and yours) to fully enjoy themselves and their families on their trip, all while implementing several skills to keep them fresh in their writing practice.

So check it out! You can find it over at my TPT store here: First, Third, Fifth - TeachersPayTeachers.com

Friday, March 29, 2013

No longer a "lurker"!

Hey all! I am SO stinkin' excited to be writing this VERY FIRST post!!! I have no problem admitting that I have spent the past 6+ months being, what I guess you could call, a "lurker"...you know, stalking lurking over some of your stinkin' awesome blogs. I've had so much fun finding and pouring over some fabulous teacher blogs that I've found, and honestly, feel like I've made some new friends. It's been so refreshing to read about how passionate these gals are about our profession. It's totally breathed new life into some of my aspects of teaching.

In any case, I just wanted to write quickly to introduce myself! As the blog title suggests, I'm Ms. McSmartPants. My kiddos are also all McSmartPants...as in Joe McSmartPants, or Jane McSmartPants...everyone in my room is a smartypants, and how I address them each day. We giggle, but it's truly how I feel. Regardless of learning style, personalities, strengths, or struggles, every child is a smartypants. As educators, we just have to know how to draw that out.

I've been a teacher for 8 years in a wonderful district. I started out in a 5th grade inclusion classroom, then moved to 1st grade, and have currently landed in 3rd. WHICH. I. LOVE. *swoon* This grade level is just too much fun.

So, there it is. I cannot wait to share some of my journey with you. And while I'm getting this blog up and running, I'm doing the same over at TeachersPayTeachers.com. Check out my store (http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Ms-Mcsmartpants) and all my crazy brainstorm creations.