tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51991128966225886752024-03-15T20:12:51.068-05:00Teach Laugh PlanLorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-13986558268893606242023-07-19T10:39:00.007-05:002023-07-29T19:28:51.302-05:00mario sig<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ68vn20EoJeiAaTrJaI6lIGHeromSptQzxPVndFfSev4hqrlNkLUKHwXNnV9BShide5ouYTrw0LZR3yaEo4RZt_4zMlAXWlR4qQAouRBSgk5BUfS-ASTSgWBmXqkoB7iPehBPQQhqfLXx7S015CjNGpgSKrH0vTQXoS-_sDP1uABZIVphxfxIYuqXYEo/s932/Screenshot%202023-07-29%20at%207.15.40%20PM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="932" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ68vn20EoJeiAaTrJaI6lIGHeromSptQzxPVndFfSev4hqrlNkLUKHwXNnV9BShide5ouYTrw0LZR3yaEo4RZt_4zMlAXWlR4qQAouRBSgk5BUfS-ASTSgWBmXqkoB7iPehBPQQhqfLXx7S015CjNGpgSKrH0vTQXoS-_sDP1uABZIVphxfxIYuqXYEo/s320/Screenshot%202023-07-29%20at%207.15.40%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-9346216858997471392019-01-01T22:56:00.000-06:002019-01-01T22:56:22.668-06:00New Year, New Blog, New Season <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBGmnEUEvqMz8SUMgr_S2Wo8256DQ2Z9wBuTMkMdU-qjIJJCtHZUfBWGnrXkr5Z1PjOQ9kmWDtPE-qLZbVnn220U6ySJI02r5Zo4CAFL6UQ5SiczASF91owLxMk0eou9V8KAJu4Kmas4/s1600/IMG_6453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="398" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsBGmnEUEvqMz8SUMgr_S2Wo8256DQ2Z9wBuTMkMdU-qjIJJCtHZUfBWGnrXkr5Z1PjOQ9kmWDtPE-qLZbVnn220U6ySJI02r5Zo4CAFL6UQ5SiczASF91owLxMk0eou9V8KAJu4Kmas4/s200/IMG_6453.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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Happy New Year friends!<br />
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As you may have noticed, I have a new blog design. I not only wanted to share my teaching ideas but I want to share my planner obsession, and my family as well. I changed my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/teach.laugh.plan/">instagram</a> to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/teach.laugh.plan/">Teach.Laugh.Plan</a> but my facebook is a different story. Facebook won't let me just change the name of my page from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Fabulous3rdGradeFroggies/">Fabulous 3rd Grade Froggies</a> to Teach Laugh Plan. My only option is to make a new Facebook page but I am leaning towards keeping it the same... let me know your thoughts in the comments.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzybLOR2DeGNqEWGhJewzalWZJ3qtRsL729d4n9e6UOCChq4Popuyu18i6CWjLd1iRkcEWymEoI45r7_8FnCfPTYADurJNn_L0Edik4eBD0QITFDr7fKG89LPca9YnFbOIDt-LqEnqHk/s1600/IMG_6181.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzybLOR2DeGNqEWGhJewzalWZJ3qtRsL729d4n9e6UOCChq4Popuyu18i6CWjLd1iRkcEWymEoI45r7_8FnCfPTYADurJNn_L0Edik4eBD0QITFDr7fKG89LPca9YnFbOIDt-LqEnqHk/s320/IMG_6181.PNG" width="180" /></a><br />
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The title of this post is so cliche but it's true! It is a new year, I do have a new blog, and I am in a new "season" of my life. I am almost 51 years old and an empty nester. My husband, of 28 years, and I are ready to shift our focus to us. In other words, we are getting old and want to focus on having fun! <br />
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We want to jump for joy every day like the kids are doing in the pic during our Disney Thanksgiving vacation. However, I can't get my big butt off the ground to jump so I let the kids do the physical work.<br />
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I want to live with intention! I'm actually going to set goals and try to keep them this year. I am even going to make a focus board with a Word of the Year! I read the book <a href="https://amzn.to/2GQo4US">Cultivate: A Grace-Filled Guide to Growing an Intentional Life</a> by Lara Casey and it really inspired me.<br />
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Have a blessed 2019 with lots of love and laughter!<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimCLfh3_V7O_d9Wp9S2AG03WpwIZLEiwfHp71yvhLvXvCwGFDjHJmKp-CMDDVAIJYCM1zPsbmF3dzwGLTP7T5e1Dx-RdVER3Ka8IO3Q7iFW-C8_hfLV6oWxCqc5sekjjNq7Xsrxe6XjVER/s1600/PostSignature-2a.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-64312159538927255112017-08-13T16:06:00.002-05:002017-08-13T19:13:42.793-05:00THIS IS WRONG.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUjeJ2LI_aWTEFKXhI1QR6Kvo28LL5da20EftzIUfj400571IMbYnaWqBbFgwCw3xBJrh3i5SdUlW1_dZ5WIF1ZydbakFo2hKvHFsJoZQBWWqeoSB8jMyPXHmYQNZdzsX1Lxuo1my1rY/s1600/FullSizeRender+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="1236" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUjeJ2LI_aWTEFKXhI1QR6Kvo28LL5da20EftzIUfj400571IMbYnaWqBbFgwCw3xBJrh3i5SdUlW1_dZ5WIF1ZydbakFo2hKvHFsJoZQBWWqeoSB8jMyPXHmYQNZdzsX1Lxuo1my1rY/s640/FullSizeRender+22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hello Fabulous Friends,</div>
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As I sit here meal prepping and for the week, I keep stopping and just vegging on the couch. I cannot stop thinking of yesterday's events in Charlottesville. My heart hurts and I feel literally sick to my stomach (no, its not from my cooking) that it is 2017 and such ugly ignorance still remains in our country. As I am typing this I am weeping from pain. I have written and deleted this post many times today.</div>
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I remember learning about slavery, segregation and plain ol' ugly racism.... I thought, "Oh my, that is awful, how could people even think that way? Thank goodness that was so long ago and things have changed." Boy how lucky and privileged I must have been to think this way. Well as an adult I can tell you things aren't all that different. HATE is everywhere! Racism (also known to me as IGNORANCE) is still running rampant. This is so wrong! Nelson Mandela once said,</div>
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"<i>No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."</i></h3>
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This is TRUE! Young children are taught to hate and they grow up to be adults who still hate. We need to teach them differently. I cannot change what happened in Charlottesville yesterday or in history but, as Kid President suggests, I can get loud and voice my thoughts. As an educator I can show and teach love & kindness. I can be kind to people, of any color, religion, or background. I can model love and kindness not only to my students but to anyone I encounter. </div>
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I want my friends of color (in real life and in my blogging life) to know where I stand and let you know that I will NOT tolerate racism and will not sit quietly, turning my head away from it.</div>
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Thank you for allowing me to get my feelings out and listening. God Bless all of us (especially those with hate in their hearts)</div>
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<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-46119250810366278772017-07-08T23:27:00.000-05:002017-07-08T23:27:28.571-05:00One of My Favorite Teacher Traditions!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZN-Gp_L38_I_JAHg-XoKpv2WYLYZiYFAAb23pLu0ZkleS8SPU-P2TgSyLxxkp6e6_vOeM1xVEgIrfERwiAoOl0QyoWHMC8xgAM1ItxO5ZyHoS5ps-rD_1Fo6YJOgDSFHyg_RB4Sgz-A/s1600/Post+pic+7-8-17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="832" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZN-Gp_L38_I_JAHg-XoKpv2WYLYZiYFAAb23pLu0ZkleS8SPU-P2TgSyLxxkp6e6_vOeM1xVEgIrfERwiAoOl0QyoWHMC8xgAM1ItxO5ZyHoS5ps-rD_1Fo6YJOgDSFHyg_RB4Sgz-A/s640/Post+pic+7-8-17.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Hi Fabulous Friends!<br />
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I am not sure if this "tradition" of mine is to celebrate the academic year that just ended or good way to start the next school year but it always happens around late June.<br />
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What is it you ask? It's buying myself a present! Not buying a present for myself from my kids or husband but it's "to Lorraine, from Lorraine" I buy the same gift to myself every year. I know you are thinking ... "Whaaaat??? the same gift??? What kind of crazy person does this?" This Fabulous crazy person!<br />
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Every single year I buy myself an <a href="https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/lorrainevasquez" target="_blank">Erin Condren Teacher Lesson Planner</a>, a <a href="https://www.verabradley.com/us/Home" target="_blank">Vera Bradley tote or backpack</a>, and this year I added some teacher planner stickers from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/owlplanwithyou?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">Owl Plan with You on Esty</a>. There is nothing like starting out the new year with a new teacher bag and planner. <br />
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Erin Condren releases her the new Teacher Lesson Planner in June so I have to order it when it first comes out. This year with the release she had a few free gifts to go with it. If you click <a href="https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/lorrainevasquez" target="_blank">HERE</a> or the above link you will get my referral link and if you are new to Erin Condren as soon as you set up your account you will be emailed an $10 off code. I picked this cover and picked my own colors (green and blue are my faves) and personalized it with my name, the year, and a hashtag (#OttInspired - our school hashtag for this coming year). I also happened to buy myself some personalized file folders because I like my name on stuff. LOL! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeVEQveEwgfu0pcMYK4O_mGqcjzpqmVp3JA7exm1hk7NtjvzQ3gBUEV8BHYkH0ZZfnqUhZ4Gtwjd34sII6O2r9CTHDUxFPxotaLHBIMWSnYEsOCfLv4mbPxGnnT-h4WqIfw-i1McLSpE/s1600/FullSizeRender+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1358" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKeVEQveEwgfu0pcMYK4O_mGqcjzpqmVp3JA7exm1hk7NtjvzQ3gBUEV8BHYkH0ZZfnqUhZ4Gtwjd34sII6O2r9CTHDUxFPxotaLHBIMWSnYEsOCfLv4mbPxGnnT-h4WqIfw-i1McLSpE/s320/FullSizeRender+24.jpg" width="271" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the front of my EC Teacher Planner.<br /></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g7JhY_zs1TRwhPR-Eeln5JXWzFGU_CUAUhNOWrkJQ_9w2z98_EYiww2CGia6q8tEQmV0aGka-SYRdiADpkOfE9EcOeLtGhjxKgZOjMlbDoli9-69KGGIzLaSui8iFaGn7YoLdlBNq1M/s1600/FullSizeRender+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1388" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9g7JhY_zs1TRwhPR-Eeln5JXWzFGU_CUAUhNOWrkJQ_9w2z98_EYiww2CGia6q8tEQmV0aGka-SYRdiADpkOfE9EcOeLtGhjxKgZOjMlbDoli9-69KGGIzLaSui8iFaGn7YoLdlBNq1M/s320/FullSizeRender+25.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the back the of my planner.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJc1E93ZhMsLqtJXwGEW70WLB_WzMaLz3svNbESVPW5JB__f8SH87IOjtpcK_u2S9DWrxyWgoUHaMXSJ6xWe1pBSIcDr7OteZPEsnktgm7_QFFu6BbSaKzM-JSQFVOfdkhvzjUv2FOCmI/s1600/FullSizeRender+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1600" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJc1E93ZhMsLqtJXwGEW70WLB_WzMaLz3svNbESVPW5JB__f8SH87IOjtpcK_u2S9DWrxyWgoUHaMXSJ6xWe1pBSIcDr7OteZPEsnktgm7_QFFu6BbSaKzM-JSQFVOfdkhvzjUv2FOCmI/s640/FullSizeRender+22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is part of the inside and the stickers I bought that were customized just for me!<br />The owner of Owl Plan with You is named Betsy and she is incredibly kind and willing to please!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Also in late June Vera Bradley usually has a big sale (which is still going on right now by the way) on certain patterns and styles. I got this fabulous bag for 50% off and they had free shipping that day. The bag is still on sale for only $34! Here is my bag for this coming year.... It's even more gorgeous in person and the perfect size, with pocket on the inside and even two on the outside for a water bottle. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrXpIR1oL9pz5W4Sn7VxZ7bGxeAmX_NoaN3-3eThY9CjEPjFkZPNykL0QEbSWQME7r5kQkUvdN2XdyoEt2wTG0umXV0KWP3uFd-inZS7lRX3Hy9iKtJspq0RYcYiz5096YfpUagrj8S4/s1600/FullSizeRender+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1028" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJrXpIR1oL9pz5W4Sn7VxZ7bGxeAmX_NoaN3-3eThY9CjEPjFkZPNykL0QEbSWQME7r5kQkUvdN2XdyoEt2wTG0umXV0KWP3uFd-inZS7lRX3Hy9iKtJspq0RYcYiz5096YfpUagrj8S4/s400/FullSizeRender+23.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The style of this bag is the pleated tote and the<br />pattern is called Havana Rose.<br /></td></tr>
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Besides these treats, a color and cut, and an fabulous deals on school supplies (that I usually share on my Facebook and Twitter pages) that's about it for school purchases.<br />
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Do you have any teacher traditions that you do at the end of year or the beginning of the year? Let me know in the comments below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhy1gr_y7tiXwB8Q_d-SJYUVwGaQO27WfOvdTVqqvw-raLMBD8y6pFeU686ViM_LgI8Pfdh0dlTVsOBlYmrO-JgRDMD9IFAhYNegCUQu84gpLwqSx0tSQIFNYkPLaadf6gO4eNqpwTT6va_cRMne4Df7H9_B_UMPCDQ46ju3RdcqAnNIcqqcRH20H9FB0F4gcf77vVWufs=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeo6skYZDqkegLmsopgt7a3B8KzpTahySjsKLYBHqzLeY7OpJ2kagk39MUcl0ze-Oh_yERPAUyUzyMzWMFG37tpCMQwKsy2j-KxWlud5nBJZ3UKw2PQjClKw1jQZNQDzo5s5mUQT0-sc/s1600/blog+post+pic+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1354" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeo6skYZDqkegLmsopgt7a3B8KzpTahySjsKLYBHqzLeY7OpJ2kagk39MUcl0ze-Oh_yERPAUyUzyMzWMFG37tpCMQwKsy2j-KxWlud5nBJZ3UKw2PQjClKw1jQZNQDzo5s5mUQT0-sc/s640/blog+post+pic+.png" width="640" /></a></div>
Hi friends!<br />
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It's been a long time (a whole school year) since I have blogged. The end of last year brought many changes for me... after 6 years in 4th grade I moved back to third. I also became an empty nester! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHZBIirLzfTcVTYjSbRj5T-cSPXPm7C9sv2fH__M4zx2Orz7P5JOFZ47tbAImjWiKiHtHilytybsposmTLmZekVTW-zdES4TywVScD7zNLE8v_RV-Sn_3OLZ54RUpQMiweGO8f0PTVQ8/s1600/1+a+visit+to+see+Jake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="721" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHZBIirLzfTcVTYjSbRj5T-cSPXPm7C9sv2fH__M4zx2Orz7P5JOFZ47tbAImjWiKiHtHilytybsposmTLmZekVTW-zdES4TywVScD7zNLE8v_RV-Sn_3OLZ54RUpQMiweGO8f0PTVQ8/s200/1+a+visit+to+see+Jake.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzAOS2RTjzDwjIaAqhXhf6pC2qmLiagrSMQhSzSdTSkJ221vC9lpLM8yoXE0yOOuWzjJnxb5hv_PmVnBE1A5XAXQa5v4JPvxjZctkkBewVnoVL_-nvG3AJ712F7zzXPF4qdiMZR4Avto/s1600/2+me+and+bella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzAOS2RTjzDwjIaAqhXhf6pC2qmLiagrSMQhSzSdTSkJ221vC9lpLM8yoXE0yOOuWzjJnxb5hv_PmVnBE1A5XAXQa5v4JPvxjZctkkBewVnoVL_-nvG3AJ712F7zzXPF4qdiMZR4Avto/s200/2+me+and+bella.jpg" width="112" /></a>First, the hardest thing for me... becoming an <strike>old lady</strike> empty nester. My daughter, Bella, is 22 years old and attends Texas A&M San Antonio and lives on her own. My son, Jake, who is 19, just finished his Freshman year at Texas A&M College Station and lived in the dorms. He now has moved to an apartment while he attends some summer classes and finishes his next 3 years as an Aggie! I am so proud of both my kids. They amaze me with their independence, their drive, their intelligence, and their great morals! Even though they are both so independent and doing great, its so hard "untying those apron strings". My husband and I raised them to be the awesome kids they are but it took me almost a year not to shed a few tears daily because I miss them so much. I hear from them weekly and the come home to visit when they can.<br />
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So I can rest and relax after this year of changes, my husband and I are going to take our very first vacation (without the kids) in 23 years. Tomorrow we leave for Vegas! I can't wait! Neither of us have ever been to Vegas so it will be a fun adventure for us. We are staying at Planet Hollywood in the middle of the strip and have tickets to a comedy show, Jennifer Lopez, and a tour of Pawn Stars (my hubby's favorite show besides sports).<br />
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My move to 3rd grade was a welcome one, 3rd grade is my favorite grade to teach! I taught 3rd grade for 6 years when I first came to my current school. However, so much has changed since I first taught third. I had to learn a whole new curriculum and had a whole new team to work with (except for one teacher, my mentee and BFF, Melissa). Planning, teaching, and everything in between was very different between my new team and last team. AND I totally forgot how young beginning of the year 3rd graders were. I can go on and on about how 3rd had changed but now that this year is over it is time to reflect about two important things.... 1) What went well and 2) What I may need to change for next year. Let me preface this by saying that every year you have a new group of kids and you need to adjust everything to their needs but the things that went well can be continued with adjustments and the things that didn't go like you would have liked need to be changed completely.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Fabulous 3rd Grade Froggies 2016 - 2017</td></tr>
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Things I did well and will continue next year:</div>
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<li>build relationships with my students</li>
<li>provide a safe, engaging, and a risk taking environment/classroom </li>
<li>classroom management</li>
<li>advocate for my students</li>
<li>was a BYOD classroom (Bring your own device)</li>
<li>parent communication</li>
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Things I need to change for next year:</div>
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<li>include specific student use of technology in plans</li>
<li>do more enrichment</li>
<li>use the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) to plan with my team and not just "do what they did last year"</li>
<li>keep classroom less cluttered and more organized</li>
<li>blog and share about my class happenings here not just on my <a href="https://twitter.com/LorraineVasquez" target="_blank">twitter</a></li>
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I will go in more detail in my next post since I still need to pack for my Vegas trip but I want to share two teacher resource books I have on my reading list for this summer. Let me know in the comments if you have read these or have heard anything about them. To learn more about them click on the book itself to see them on Amazon.</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Curious-Classroom-Structures-Teaching-Student-Directed/dp/0325089906/ref=as_li_ss_il?&linkCode=li3&tag=fabu4thgradfr-20&linkId=0a91f9d47faf6f3e2f315e20dd8580ef" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=0325089906&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=fabu4thgradfr-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=fabu4thgradfr-20&l=li3&o=1&a=0325089906" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Disrupting-Thinking-Why-Read-Matters/dp/1338132903/ref=as_li_ss_il?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1338132903&pd_rd_r=4NMGT91Z4109MGQ7WYFA&pd_rd_w=lXCLz&pd_rd_wg=NfGay&psc=1&refRID=4NMGT91Z4109MGQ7WYFA&linkCode=li3&tag=fabu4thgradfr-20&linkId=44a260cd18bfe83cbe7a8dfb86cf4f55" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1338132903&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=fabu4thgradfr-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=fabu4thgradfr-20&l=li3&o=1&a=1338132903" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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What are your reflections for this year? What educational books are you reading? Let me know in the comments. My next post will be on explaining how I am going to make the changes I need to make for next year. I will hopefully have ordered my teacher planner by then and talk about that too!<br />
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Hoppy Summer!<br />
<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" /></div>
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Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-57885034233273798032016-05-07T09:47:00.000-05:002016-05-07T14:14:19.654-05:00The end of 4th brings new beginnings<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq23YNKzrh1WX3Htfvt437SeySRN_H3e8zmUYVgOyBIxJOEn2g7ASqPez4ZsRP7UcBDxwNNSx6oWZrSQl2TvAhyphenhyphenK2e2FfZ5XeE6ZkioCgpv2K7_ulQg8ylVlum1igYxZCtidp21sj4v_M/s1600/fabfrog3button.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq23YNKzrh1WX3Htfvt437SeySRN_H3e8zmUYVgOyBIxJOEn2g7ASqPez4ZsRP7UcBDxwNNSx6oWZrSQl2TvAhyphenhyphenK2e2FfZ5XeE6ZkioCgpv2K7_ulQg8ylVlum1igYxZCtidp21sj4v_M/s320/fabfrog3button.png" width="320" /></a><br />
We are heading towards the final stretch of the 2015 - 2016 academic year. On Monday and Tuesday we will be taking the STAAR test. Yes, I said Monday after Mother's Day weekend... I won't get on my soap box but who in the heck schedules a huge test on a Monday? I know kids should be able to "show what they know" any time or day but Tuesday and Wednesday would be better... just saying'<br />
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You may have noticed that Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies has become Fabulous <b>3rd Grade </b>Froggies.... its true! I am hopping back to third grade after 6 years teaching 4th. <br />
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I will be the first to admit that I love alliteration and Fabulous 3rd Grade Froggies just doesn't have the same ring as Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies but I decided that Fabulous Froggies is just me and I will keep the name and just change the grade level. <br />
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<a href="https://ecdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Teacher-Binder-and-Planner-Editable-PRETTY-BASIC--2471146-1462293286/original-2471146-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://ecdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Teacher-Binder-and-Planner-Editable-PRETTY-BASIC--2471146-1462293286/original-2471146-1.jpg" width="200" /></a>I am super excited to go back to 3rd grade. Since I left 3rd grade to teach 4th there have been a lot of changes... the curriculum has changed, the teachers have changed, and of course the students have changed. I have been at the same school for 12 years and I never taught on the same team with anyone on this new third grade team so I am excited. While I am not one that can say I necessarily like change, I know change is good. It keeps us on our toes and refreshes us. I'm already starting to get ready! I purchased the <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Teacher-Binder-and-Planner-Editable-PRETTY-BASIC-2471146" target="_blank">teacher binder/planner</a> from one of my favorite TPTers and friend, April at <a href="http://www.amodernteacher.com/" target="_blank">A Modern Teacher</a>. I have one of her gorgeous printable teacher binders (the chevron one) but I am trying this new one since it has a zillion (Ok, that may be a little bit of an exaggeration) covers to choose from... yes, I chose a frog one ;).<br />
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They (who ever they are) always say "leave while you are on top" and that is just what I am doing. I am leaving 4th grade with one of the most amazing classes. My students and their families are incredible people. As all of my former students, they will stay in my heart forever. Luckily for me, our 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade classes are all upstairs so I will still get to see them daily.<br />
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I am hoping this change will also change my blogging habits. I am hoping to blog weekly and share out my adventures as a "new" third grade teacher. <br />
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The week after next, the fourth grade teachers and students will be visiting the Alamo and watching the Battle of the Alamo at the IMAX. I will be sure to take lots of pics to share with you!<br />
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Thanks in advance for sticking with me as I begin a new adventure!<br />
<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-83123894013775185912016-01-01T16:52:00.004-06:002020-08-10T09:06:52.293-05:00Happy 2016 my Fabulous Froggy Friends!<br />
Hi Friends! <br />
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Happy New Year! I wish everyone has a new year full of love, laughs, and good health! I didn't do much to bring in the new year. My husband (a sheriff deputy) worked, my son worked (at Six Flags Fiesta Texas) but came home around 11:00, and my daughter (who lives on her own) was sick. So it was just me and the dogs. The noise of the fireworks around us were overwhelming loud and it made the dogs pretty nervous so they just cuddle with me pretty much the whole night.<br />
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I am not making resolutions this year.... I never keep them anyway! However, I am going to try to improve my awesome life by finding balance. I give so much of myself to work that sometimes I don't have time to work on other things important in my life. I want to do what makes me happy (which includes work) but find balance in doing so.<br />
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I'm participating in my Fabulous friend Farley at <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2016/01/currently-january-2016.html" target="_blank">Oh Boy 4th Grade</a>'s links party.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEau_d5-jRLBR28RHtPK_KpChrI3yOcWu_6Kyqr0PFcQl4sQwo-wb5lZvJJE35QWJfxOJ8ZPjdSoisUNIHtvx-7le52_LYLjRWF6yaI2rgtrteHOIsaqR7xkJPc47mtUVYnyV0Jrox5M/s1600/Slide1.jpg"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEau_d5-jRLBR28RHtPK_KpChrI3yOcWu_6Kyqr0PFcQl4sQwo-wb5lZvJJE35QWJfxOJ8ZPjdSoisUNIHtvx-7le52_LYLjRWF6yaI2rgtrteHOIsaqR7xkJPc47mtUVYnyV0Jrox5M/s640/Slide1.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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LISTENING:<br />
I am just chillaxin on this chilly day and watching Ellen. I love this show and I am able to watch it while on break. I normally DVR it but never find the time to watch it on DVR so I'm enjoying it now.<br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/1muvuxy" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518Y87%2Bp8vL._SX352_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="141" /></a>LOVING:<br />
I am not a typical teacher who is a "reader". I want to be but it takes a lot for me to get hooked in to a good book. Well my friends, I started a book that I just cannot put down. I do love most of Mitch Albom's work but this one literally made me cry yesterday! It's called <a href="http://amzn.to/1muvuxy" style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto</a>. Click on the pic of the book or the link and check it out!<br />
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THINKING:<br />
My Winter break is about over. I go back to work on Monday. I miss my students a lot but I wish I had another week or two to hang out with my family (including my dogs).<br />
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WANTING:<br />
I want 2016 to be MY year! I want want to stick to my goals and I don't want to sweat the small stuff.<br />
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NEEDING:<br />
Oh boy do I NEED to get better at time management. I stink at it.... at work, at home, in every aspect of my life. I waste so much time and <strike>want</strike> need to learn to be more efficient. Perhaps not being on social media 24/7 would help!<br />
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My ONE LITTLE WORD is: Balance<br />
I need to find a good balance between work, family, my blog, my home, and just doing what makes me happy. I think that goes back to my time management issues but we'll see how it goes this year. I am really going to work on being more balanced.<br />
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Stay fabulous my friends,<br />
<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_1gbF9ybwIO9QS3z5XsiPK-iuXU_o5CuIbmPMIKSexGbNpbs-TfNC-YFrZQkcnmPDpIAb6pxWWVSj9-lqgwlaEMZlwFMD1i8IUhMGPDovZzeGc6_Msu8-S7Zx7n0G5w1jQlI9nfVbug/s656/Signature.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="208" data-original-width="656" height="99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2_1gbF9ybwIO9QS3z5XsiPK-iuXU_o5CuIbmPMIKSexGbNpbs-TfNC-YFrZQkcnmPDpIAb6pxWWVSj9-lqgwlaEMZlwFMD1i8IUhMGPDovZzeGc6_Msu8-S7Zx7n0G5w1jQlI9nfVbug/w313-h99/Signature.png" width="313" /></a></div>Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-76461556601388589772015-10-03T19:24:00.002-05:002015-10-03T19:24:56.892-05:00Currently in October..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I try never to miss my Fabulous friend Farley's<a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2015/10/currently-october-2015.html" target="_blank"> Currently Linky</a> but I did last month and I swore to myself I wouldn't miss October... so it's a bit late but that's better than missing it altogether.</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Listening</u> - I'm watching Tanked (on the Animal Planet). I would LOVE LOVE LOVE for them to build me a tank... a girl can dream.</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Loving</u> - that I am using Google Classrooms for my homework this year. Thanks to my new and terrific teammate, Courtney Martinez, I am creating little videos for homework that guide students through some math problems. It's working out FANTASTIC and the kids love doing homework!</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Thinking</u> - I need to buy a new purse... looks like me and the hubs may do a little shopping tomorrow. Vera Bradley here I come!</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Wanting</u> - the weather to cool down. It's October for goodness sake! Here is South Texas its still HOT, HOT, HOT!</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Needing</u> - ice cream! Well, really its the last thing I actually need but I am sure if I ate some ice cream right now I would be more willing to do some grading.</div>
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Keep Sharon and everyone else fighting cancer in your prayers!</h3>
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<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-22662136870875459362015-09-30T22:09:00.000-05:002015-09-30T22:09:11.983-05:00Carson Dellosa GoodiesHowdy my Fabulous Friends!<br />
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I've recently become a Carson Dellosa Brand Ambassador....how fun is that? Carson Dellosa sends me products to use in my classroom and then I get to review them. I love learning about new resources to use with my Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies!<br />
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The two new product I used this month were the <a href="http://ow.ly/ScunU" target="_blank">Learning Targets and Essential Questions</a> and one of many <a href="http://ow.ly/SctSI" target="_blank">Spectrum Focused Practice workbooks</a>. <br />
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I bet you can guess what book I chose.... that's right, I chose Writing! Wouldn't any 4th grade teacher?<br />
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This books takes the students through the entire writing process with a lot of lessons in between and even reinforces language art/grammar skills. <br />
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I love that this books covers many types of writing and well as writing for a purpose. However, my favorite part of this book is that it is so user friendly!<br />
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I look forward to checking out the Spectrum series in other subjects. Watch this short video so you can see how great this series is for yourself!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOyASxeMRC4TbtesiaNRagYh0S7HLpgfAK4fOhhisV8VZZLfy1MGeww6gJexkV3cMorHblaImpOLlXsX39WgiRFED6QPoRH411ihK8QD4vIefZeCXV026FeESLZct4-3JLwQ5KWlbThU/s1600/Learning+Targets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOyASxeMRC4TbtesiaNRagYh0S7HLpgfAK4fOhhisV8VZZLfy1MGeww6gJexkV3cMorHblaImpOLlXsX39WgiRFED6QPoRH411ihK8QD4vIefZeCXV026FeESLZct4-3JLwQ5KWlbThU/s320/Learning+Targets.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Learning Targets are great too! We are required to post an essential question for each subject we teach. It can be written on the board or written/typed on a sentence strip and put in a pocket chart but it has to be posted somewhere so everyone can see it, especially the students. I like to say that every single student is able to answer the essential questions posted after I have taught the content. Not completely true but I can say that they all know what the essential questions are and that our goal is to be able to answer them.</div>
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One of side of the card there is an "I can" statement and on the other is an essential question. I have only used the essential question side but I wish I had set for every subject and every standard we teach here in Texas. The cards are a perfect size to post and not take too much room. I don't use a pocket chart but I post on my board with one small magnet. I love not having to write the questions on the board. It is so much easier to look in the box and pull out the card to post. The essential questions are very easy to read and plain enough not to clash with any decor. Can't have something that clashes with my frogs, right?</div>
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The cards are housed in a sturdy box that even includes dividers. I love that these cards lead my class to such great discussion and encourage my students to think critically. But I am going to be honest, the best thing about these cards is they are such a time saver!!!! The only thing is dislike about these Learning Targets.... they don't come in Science and Social Studies!</div>
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Watch this video to see how you can use these Learning Targets in your classroom.</div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/G4uM9K5uZXo/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G4uM9K5uZXo?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<br />What great products, huh? And did you catch the adorable elephant border in Learning Target video? If my room wasn't all about frogs, I would have to get that border!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Review Disclaimer: </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I participate in the Brand Ambassador Program for Carson-Dellosa and have received this product for free to review.</i></div>
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Visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CarsonDellosa" target="_blank">Carson Dellosa on Facebook</a> and tell them your Froggy Friend Lorraine sent ya ;)</div>
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Happy Fall Y'all!</div>
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<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-4630493920382886422015-07-01T00:11:00.003-05:002015-07-01T21:31:15.930-05:00Currently in July!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDdquShiUhu9r3VZPDdXPmISMs_aOY0A-DJ5xfw1yeK2L1HDFY1RGDcjJgCRi4xif3aGqqIavuASb2xAwm0Zq15HYNItvNAjD4k8wiARMsXj7_euhecOgYqNyG-8HPED_00dbPi6LUA4/s1600/Blog+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDdquShiUhu9r3VZPDdXPmISMs_aOY0A-DJ5xfw1yeK2L1HDFY1RGDcjJgCRi4xif3aGqqIavuASb2xAwm0Zq15HYNItvNAjD4k8wiARMsXj7_euhecOgYqNyG-8HPED_00dbPi6LUA4/s640/Blog+pic.png" width="480" /></a></div>
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I think I missed June's Currently.... Oh my! Farley from <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2015/06/currently-july-2015.html" target="_blank">Oh Boy 4th Grade!'s Currently</a> is my very favorite linky, I try to never miss. Boo!</div>
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Oh well, it's July and I in! </div>
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Listening: I am listening to the book <i style="text-decoration: underline;">Wonder</i> by RJ Palacio on Audible. I am testing the 30 day Audible free try out period. I love it! I think I am going to subscribe! The first book I listened to was <u style="font-style: italic;">A Girl on The Train</u>. It was really good!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3o05oO_2wu8nm_OmlcmXnXMzDb1KEvL1DYFd7RtWKNb-25APplI8SfVpP9yVs7hLOwPVLM03wCoLPZ0yle14xXYiAo5ngDreidax5wGr68eM5_6ejljGbSwKmLY3l1o5iF4YZqXZMUL4/s1600/planner+pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3o05oO_2wu8nm_OmlcmXnXMzDb1KEvL1DYFd7RtWKNb-25APplI8SfVpP9yVs7hLOwPVLM03wCoLPZ0yle14xXYiAo5ngDreidax5wGr68eM5_6ejljGbSwKmLY3l1o5iF4YZqXZMUL4/s200/planner+pic.JPG" width="150" /></a>Loving: My new Happy Planner by Me & My Big Ideas! I have a Erin Condren notebook for work/school with a calendar insert and this Beautiful Happy Planner for everything else. I will save <span id="goog_194255603"></span>the details for another blog post. </div>
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Thinking: I can't believe it's July 1st!!!! What? What? Summer is flying by! I am not ready for July yet but I guess I don't have much of a choice, huh? I better enjoy and be somewhat productive every single day of July because once August hits I say goodbye couch and hello work!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BUoa6t9JpA8U1C3YA6hSwZWUlhsgyVX0OuMbUGhuEYlu_9YsBSTGSy_7p535yGbgX_PNEDlqMR4ru918O82LN2sovEw_htbZNUDoWHdBZBAsg-45eRAntkImmC9szqjyF6IwDnWCMFE/s1600/pups.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BUoa6t9JpA8U1C3YA6hSwZWUlhsgyVX0OuMbUGhuEYlu_9YsBSTGSy_7p535yGbgX_PNEDlqMR4ru918O82LN2sovEw_htbZNUDoWHdBZBAsg-45eRAntkImmC9szqjyF6IwDnWCMFE/s200/pups.JPG" width="200" /></a>Wanting: I want to take my two rescue dogs to the beach. I think mid July would be the time to go. The coast of Texas is only about 2 1/2 hours a day and we can even make a day trip out of it. I love my pups! We rescued Daisy (the blond) 2 years ago at 8 weeks old. She was going to be euthanized if she wasn't adopted and we were at the pound that day so she was meant to be ours. Bruce (the brunette LOL!) is a new dog to us. They found him roaming downtown and my husband happened to be at the pound when he came and and started playing with him.... He fell in love with him within minutes and needless to say, he came home with us. He is about a year old and we have only had him for a little more than a month. They are so different but both so sweet. Daisy is a Basenji mix and is extremely smart!!!! Bruce is a staffordshire terrier mix and well, not so smart. LOL! I love them both!!!!!!!!!! And the best part is they love each other! By the way, don't let the dog bed fool you. Daisy sleeps with my son in his bed and Bruce sleeps with my daughter in her bed. Spoiled doggies!</div>
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Needing: I have been spending so much money on what my hubby likes to call random crap! Well, crap to hubby but fun stuff to me! I've bought a ton of stickers and washi tape to make my calendar and planner pages extra cute! I've also purchased so many new books! Professional reads and books for the classroom. I haven't had time to read except one so far!!!!!! I am going to try to do a NO SPEND JULY only on non necessities, well except for eating out. I let you know how I do (I wouldn't hold your breath!)<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>UPDATE (7/1/15): No Spend July is an epic fail! Oh well, on to shopping!</b></span></div>
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All Star: I am an All-Star at laughing and being <strike>a smart ass </strike> witty. I love to laugh and make others laugh. Being witty usually causes laughter and I love to hear others laugh as much as I love to laugh!</div>
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It's your turn to join the <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2015/06/currently-july-2015.html" target="_blank">Currently linky</a>!</div>
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Happy INDEPENDENCE DAY to all! </div>
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<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-45371051599761195562015-06-13T17:34:00.000-05:002015-06-13T17:34:50.532-05:00Summertime is here... time to relax, rest, and READ!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Summer my Fabulous Friends!</div>
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Once again, I am <strike>hoping</strike> going to blog regularly again. It should be easier since it summer time! I thought I would start out by sharing what is on my Professional reading list. I've started reading <u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1Bayaa9" target="_blank">Learn Like a Pirate</a></u> by Paul Solarz. This is the perfect read for practical strategies that you can use to create a student-led classroom, which I definitely am trying to have and want to improve on.</div>
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<u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1Be6FfE" target="_blank">Creating Cultures of Thinking</a> </u> by Ron Ritchhart is the second book on my list. I've noticed more and more how my students expect me to think for them. I know their (and their parent's) lives are packed with sports, scouts, competitions, etc. and they may not have time to be "thinkers" but in order for my kiddos to be successful adults they need to be! I am hoping this book helps me help them with that. I am hoping this book has all the answers ;)</div>
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The third book is <u><i><a href="http://amzn.to/1GlnFQm" target="_blank">Move Your Bus </a></i></u> by Ron Clark. It isn't even available until June 30, 2015 but I pre-ordered it from Amazon. As the team leader of my 4th grade team and the "leader" of my classroom I thought this book would be the perfect read. Plus its by Ron Clark... need I say more?</div>
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Then we have <a href="http://amzn.to/1SdDUEj" style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Unstoppable Writing Teacher</a>. You knew I would have to have a "writing" book on my list since I am a fourth grade teacher, right? Just reading the table of contents got me hooked. For example; Chapter 2: I don't know what to teach this student, he is a better writer than I am. Or Chapter 9: I teach grammar but my kids don't learn it. I hope this books is as good as it seems.</div>
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Last on my professional reading list is <u style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1C57oec" target="_blank">Genre Study: Teaching with Fiction and Non-Fiction books</a> </u> by Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell.</div>
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<strike>If I have time, I plan to</strike> I will make time to re-read <a href="http://amzn.to/1Ibq4Lp" style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">The Book Whisperer</a> by Donalyn Miller. This is one of the best professional reads I have read!</div>
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What professional books are you reading this summer? Please share in the comments any and all great books that I MUST read!</div>
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Happy Reading my froggy friends,<br />
<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-78697552008246139272015-03-01T19:49:00.000-06:002015-03-01T19:49:34.178-06:00Currently in March...(and in Jamberry)!It's March 1st! Can you believe it? The first of March means a new Currently and the Spring/Summer Jamberry Nails Spring Catalog is out! I am crazy excited about the new designs, especially the Sister Style exclusive this month. I already ordered two of them! March also starts the stress of the testing season... BOOO!<br />
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Let's start with Currently from my fabulous friend Farley at <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2015/03/march-currently-2015.html" target="_blank">Oh Boy 4th Grade</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2s8e8xjnR4RPPY88NDK6kyU3CKnsiZhNPWnkp0MoA6my9qV-LbBD6iH6WLwd4LntVnY-tUGkQA4HtbCksrvAkFkEzWyjv9L4hbNCPvPeIQNQy7PgaCvswx-cq5m8ZRTT4uZ3hVrtVX4/s1600/post+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2s8e8xjnR4RPPY88NDK6kyU3CKnsiZhNPWnkp0MoA6my9qV-LbBD6iH6WLwd4LntVnY-tUGkQA4HtbCksrvAkFkEzWyjv9L4hbNCPvPeIQNQy7PgaCvswx-cq5m8ZRTT4uZ3hVrtVX4/s1600/post+pic.png" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I love the Food Network and I love to cook. I am not a gourmet cook and I am a very picky eater but cooking and baking is relaxing to me... not as relaxing as naps but relaxing none the less.</div>
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Now saying this about cooking, I am fat! Yup! Big, fat, obese, pleasantly plump, whatever you want to call it, I am very unhealthy and I need to change that. I don't even know where to start. I can't tell you how many times I've been on a diet, or joined Weight Watchers. WW always worked and I lost weight each time but I never stuck to it. I really need to figure this out! I turned 47 in February and its only getting harder and harder to get myself fit. I don't want to look like a bikini model (OK, that's such a lie - I would love it!) but I just want to be able to wear shorts or a cap sleeve shirt and not feel humiliated. I live in South Texas, its a million degrees most of the time and I am always in jeans/pants and 3/4 sleeve shirts. No bueno! I have several health issues that would be eliminated if I lost weight but I can't find the motivation. If you can help me at least head in the right direction please please please let me know.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorAnJ4HJ0qjYV5JbO3dlatg8JAouzx90ayV_VDnC171WxyRCeRw2bvxyx7c7nOjpcnVlnIWDHTWRkIdjw-AQUK0XHV59IAIcEQ-rhJR7G1OikagdIB7LJ-Oc6L3P-dCwTBDQlzxJuCmU/s1600/catalog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorAnJ4HJ0qjYV5JbO3dlatg8JAouzx90ayV_VDnC171WxyRCeRw2bvxyx7c7nOjpcnVlnIWDHTWRkIdjw-AQUK0XHV59IAIcEQ-rhJR7G1OikagdIB7LJ-Oc6L3P-dCwTBDQlzxJuCmU/s1600/catalog.jpg" height="200" width="196" /></a>So I may not be happy with my body and my way of eating but I am thrilled with my nails! As you may already know, I became a Jamberry Nails Independent Consultant just for the discount because I love the nails so much. I change out my nails weekly not because I need to but because there are so many awesome designs!!!! I ordered a starter kit and got everything I needed to have FAB nails. I've never been an acrylic nail girl but I like to have my regular nails painted with cute designs. Even just getting a manicure every two weeks adds up. For just $15, a full sheet gives you 2 manicures, 2 pedicures, and a few extra for accent nails. These nail wraps are made from a vinyl material and don't chip or scratch!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygsFZkq4xCKDtNY2QkVl20K3yZO7_99oAkt1OxULwQWYZS9VwQ6jLqXPOixmjsEfcMVrd004uwfubFKy0-YFBNiC9OMEN6rRSf5mPv-UBjovhe1O7kt5miBXUs8ecmNdqO_amdcOF00g/s1600/free+heater.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygsFZkq4xCKDtNY2QkVl20K3yZO7_99oAkt1OxULwQWYZS9VwQ6jLqXPOixmjsEfcMVrd004uwfubFKy0-YFBNiC9OMEN6rRSf5mPv-UBjovhe1O7kt5miBXUs8ecmNdqO_amdcOF00g/s1600/free+heater.png" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa8aOy7RR4Ltxj7nt9WpNEiHYlXLMRp3RLEoFd9FnfmocjAbnNjexEBZDHSZVdmzBpKqqXIeE1Sqog2_h16YqwYZ0QrvJSyDSJrootrHiREmv5iHK7Xw4we3SP6Hm-pJGAqB1s_k7kE4/s1600/join.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa8aOy7RR4Ltxj7nt9WpNEiHYlXLMRp3RLEoFd9FnfmocjAbnNjexEBZDHSZVdmzBpKqqXIeE1Sqog2_h16YqwYZ0QrvJSyDSJrootrHiREmv5iHK7Xw4we3SP6Hm-pJGAqB1s_k7kE4/s1600/join.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>You can check out my <a href="http://lorrainesfabnails.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank">Jamberry Nails site here</a>. The Spring/Summer catalog came out today and the new wrap designs are beyond terrific! Jamberry doesn't only have wraps though. They have <a href="http://lorrainesfabnails.jamberrynails.net/category/hand-care-products" target="_blank">hand</a> and <a href="http://lorrainesfabnails.jamberrynails.net/category/nail-care-products" target="_blank">nail </a>care and <a href="http://lorrainesfabnails.jamberrynails.net/category/nail-lacquer" target="_blank">nail laquer</a> as well. <b><span style="color: purple;">Right now I am holding a special for March. If you schedule a party with me and you and your guest purchase a minimum of $200 at the party (an average party is usually $300-$400) I will buy you a Jamberry heater. If you join my "Team Fabulous" I will send you two wraps free since you will get a heater with your starter kit. <a href="http://lorrainesfabnails.jamberrynails.net/host/Schedule.aspx" target="_blank">Click here to schedule a party</a> and <a href="http://lorrainesfabnails.jamberrynails.net/join/" target="_blank">Click here to join my team.</a></span></b></div>
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Like I said, I joined not to "make money" but just to buy myself wraps and without having to put in much effort I've already made a good chunk of change that allowed me to buy everything I bought at our recent vacation to Disney World in cash (and I bought a lot!). I've only had online parties and it takes the same time I am already on facebook. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv_RR2c9w6oZciv7yapq_07olZ4cSO95zymseMOZj7EuSdFDTTxQzScd-qd59ywWk-bI3kiY3UWERLfyekinXUKm_gHi9WKjBsK838TUYTY-YY-EfiGwDuxZ3Aep6NfcGqLmx-hbpJAk/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVv_RR2c9w6oZciv7yapq_07olZ4cSO95zymseMOZj7EuSdFDTTxQzScd-qd59ywWk-bI3kiY3UWERLfyekinXUKm_gHi9WKjBsK838TUYTY-YY-EfiGwDuxZ3Aep6NfcGqLmx-hbpJAk/s1600/Untitled.jpg" height="200" width="188" /></a><a href="http://859e247efcd0bb1d5bd7-04e3b76f197c540c8f4da25365e380c0.r88.cf1.rackcdn.com/images/product/M0E0NA==.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://859e247efcd0bb1d5bd7-04e3b76f197c540c8f4da25365e380c0.r88.cf1.rackcdn.com/images/product/M0E0NA==.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>They even have a wrap that Farley is going to love... it's called, <a href="http://lorrainesfabnails.jamberrynails.net/product/oh-deer-#.VPO8KvnF-VY" target="_blank">Oh Deer</a> but it screams Buck! My favorite happens to be this month's sister exclusive called <a href="http://lorrainesfabnails.jamberrynails.net/category/sisters-style-exclusive" target="_blank">Spring Break</a> (only available in March)</div>
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And there's testing season, yuck! I feel for all upper grade students who have to take these state tests. It's just so stressful for them and their teachers. I think most students can pass the state test if it was seen as just another assignment or assessment in class, not something that decides their future. Such hoopla is made over the test and the nerves and stress itself make kills fail. As educators we need to remember that the test is just one snapshot of the students progress.</div>
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It doesn't matter if I like the test or not, my 4th grade froggies will be taking their 2 days of Writing STAAR on March 30th and 31st. Next week will be SPRING BREAK and the week after Spring Break will be doing Camp Write Along <a href="http://www.fabulous4thgradefroggies.com/2012/03/writing-fun-camp-writing-along.ht" target="_blank">(see a previous post about it here</a>) and then test. Our Math and Reading STAAR isn't until mid April. At least the state doesn't make fourth graders test 4 days in a row!</div>
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Now to go do laundry and grade. Have a fabulous week my friends!</div>
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhy1gr_y7tiXwB8Q_d-SJYUVwGaQO27WfOvdTVqqvw-raLMBD8y6pFeU686ViM_LgI8Pfdh0dlTVsOBlYmrO-JgRDMD9IFAhYNegCUQu84gpLwqSx0tSQIFNYkPLaadf6gO4eNqpwTT6va_cRMne4Df7H9_B_UMPCDQ46ju3RdcqAnNIcqqcRH20H9FB0F4gcf77vVWufs=" />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fi1064.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu378%2Fdesignbychristi%2Florfrog%2Fsig-1_zps4a13d635.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhy1gr_y7tiXwB8Q_d-SJYUVwGaQO27WfOvdTVqqvw-raLMBD8y6pFeU686ViM_LgI8Pfdh0dlTVsOBlYmrO-JgRDMD9IFAhYNegCUQu84gpLwqSx0tSQIFNYkPLaadf6gO4eNqpwTT6va_cRMne4Df7H9_B_UMPCDQ46ju3RdcqAnNIcqqcRH20H9FB0F4gcf77vVWufs=" -->Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-83835407118821538082015-02-21T21:21:00.000-06:002015-02-21T21:37:34.578-06:00Saturday for the WIN ! (part one)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know what you are thinking...</div>
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...Lorraine isn't the athletic type so she couldn't have won a tournament or any kind of sport.</div>
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...There isn't a napping competition or a coffee drinking competition so she couldn't have won those.</div>
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...<strike>The name of this post isn't I quit suckers so she didn't leave Greg to marry Adam Levine.</strike></div>
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...The lottery numbers haven't been called yet so its not that.</div>
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Nope, you are all wrong! It's none of those!!!!</div>
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Well, what did I win on this lovely Saturday? </div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>*SQUIRREL*</b></span></div>
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(Don't be jealous my North and East coast friends, it was a beautiful sunny 75 degrees today)</div>
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I didn't win a thang (my attempt to sound Texan) but my students sure did! Yep, it's true my 4th grade little froggies are the winners of my participation in a FAB-U-LOUS literacy training that has changed (and continues to change) the way I teach. I was going to wait until the end of the year to write about this but for some reason after my day of training today I felt the need to share. </div>
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So what am I talking about you ask? <a href="http://www.abydoslearning.org/page5/page5.html" target="_blank">Abydos learning</a> ( also known in my district as WIN (Writing in Northside). You can find them on facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Abydos-Learning-NJWPT/375357956263?sk=timeline" target="_blank">here</a> or click their name above to see their website. </div>
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It's my 11th year in Northside Independent School District (15th in teaching), all 11 years at the same school by the way... yes, I love my school that much to stay over a decade! </div>
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Anywho, I never even heard of NJWP (New Jersey Writing Project) or Adydos or WIN until about 6 years ago when I was teaching third grade. </div>
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<span style="color: red;">DON'T KILL ME 4TH GRADE TEACHERS, I REPEAT, DO NOT KILL ME ...</span> but as a 3rd grade teacher I thought, "why would I need to take a writing class? I already know how to teach Writer's Workshop and do so every day <strike>when its not close to Reading and Math testing season.</strike> I'm an awesome teacher because I have had 100% pass rate on Reading and Math TAKS (the state test at the time) and that's what its all about here in Texas, right?" </div>
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Then I looped up to 4th grade with my class. Yes, it crossed my mind that now that I was teaching 4th grade I should attend this WIN training which I didn't know anything about except that was offered for three weeks from 8:00 - 5:00 during the summer. Low and behold, my first year teaching 4th grade I didn't have 100% passing TAKS but I had two students earn a score of '4' (out of 4) on the writing state assessment - the only 2 in the entire grade level at our school. That must of meant I knew what I was doing.</div>
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Long story short... (Ha, I know, too late for that!)</div>
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I went to writing workshops in the summer throughout the years to perfect my craft (I say in my sarcastic voice). The state test became way more rigorous, in addition to being renamed STAAR AAAANNNNNDDDD - hold on to your britches folks - students in Texas were actually expected to start thinking. That's right, not just thinking about what book to read or thinking about what friends they'll hang out with over the weekend, but critically thinking about their learning!!!! Wha - What?</div>
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Did this new expectation of including rigor in my teaching change how I taught writing? Nope, why change a good thing? Don't you remember, I went to workshops... I am a life long learner, taking writing workshops in the summer and perhaps some after school throughout the year. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">*SQUIRREL*</span></b></div>
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I've decided to make this "Saturday for the WIN" post several parts. This post is already getting too long and I haven't even told you what I've done in WIN yet.</div>
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I signed up for the three week WIN/Abydos summer training and then dropped it before it even started, not just once, but several years in a row. Something always came up, my kids needed to be driven to Orchestra camp/Volleyball camp, or a zillion other activities, and to be honest I wasn't sure I wanted to give up 3 weeks of my summer for a "workshop". What would I learn in three weeks that I couldn't learn in the 1 hour workshops I was going to? WIN just wasn't a priority to me. </div>
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Fast forward to last year when I asked myself, "Self, why do my students <u>hate</u> writing?" After some <strike>deep, deep soul searching</strike> reflecting I figured out that my students didn't like writing because I didn't like teaching writing! Woah! I hate teaching writing and I'm a fourth grade teacher? Yep, it was true! At the same time of this gigantic revelation in my life, I get an email from my district asking if I would be interested in taking the infamous WIN training if they offered it throughout the school year. Still not knowing much about WIN, I put myself on the "interested" list. Well, the stars aligned and everything must have been right with the world because I was invited to take the training this year. I don't mind giving up an occasional Saturday and I heard this WIN thing was pretty darn good. </div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Surprise, another *SQUIRREL*moment</b></span></div>
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Ha! Don't you just love "Saturday for the WIN"? Get it, we take the training on Saturdays and its called WIN training.... we are winners because we are taking this Abydos training... on a Saturday? </div>
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I'm ending this 'Part 1' right here, but before I do let me tell you that taking this WIN training has changed me as a teacher (for the better). I am only 1/2 way through this journey and I cannot tell you how much I LOVE teaching writing! I am so much more confident about teaching writing and the <b>most FABULOUS</b> part about the whole thing is that my students are excited to write!!!! Who knew that going through the PROCESS would make such a tremendous difference? </div>
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In part 2 of <i>Saturday for the WIN, </i>I will share what an incredible impact going through this process has made in me as a writer and how I implement what I experience in WIN with my students almost immediately (which I couldn't have done in the summer training). I also want to share the friendships and bonds I have made with my peers taking this training (who I didn't know previous to this) and tell you about my incredible trainers but that might have to wait for part 3. </div>
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Here is the book we use.... it has become my best friend. I was blessed to receive it through this training but I can tell you it is worth every single penny! </div>
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ss&ref=ss_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=fabu4thgradfr-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=1591585171&asins=1591585171&linkId=CKDWAA4P4ICYZH7H&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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Have a wonderful weekend my frogilicous friends!<br />
<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-29334124744371554902015-02-15T22:10:00.000-06:002015-02-15T22:10:27.072-06:00The Sunday Scoop<a href="http://teachingtrio.blogspot.com/2015/02/sunday-scoop-21515.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tMT7XL3GYHGPPs3y0fFENfPFWwWmXDaWyAdtwdWAyhburvtljWqY1RVLKj9fjEfOeVXyCj-lt5w_MbraCGsnEsUXdPKpfBZZw7TtdEZPTSfF805hGgwWoKxsFRS1iJF43YhyWjcut1cI/s1600/Sunday+Scoop+Button.JPG" height="200" width="197" /></a><br />
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I was blog surfing and found this fun linky and thought I should take a break from grading (any excuse to procrastinate) and participate. Check out <a href="http://teachingtrio.blogspot.com/2015/02/sunday-scoop-21515.html" target="_blank">The Sunday Scoop by The Teaching Trio</a>! Just click on the pic to the left to see who else joined the linky.<br />
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Many of you are off tomorrow because it's President's Day or because you have a snow day. I have to go to work. The students are off but the teachers go in for an inservice. It's 10:00PM here and I am watching Saturday Night Live's 40th Anniversary Special. Perhaps I should get this post finished so I can do all the stuff I HAVE to do before bed tonight.<br />
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Time to go check out everyone else's Sunday Scoop! <br />
<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-8388611063861045302015-02-01T08:58:00.000-06:002015-02-01T08:58:20.156-06:00Currently in February<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe it's February already! Heck, I can't believe it's 2015 already! </div>
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The first of every month I participate in the<a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2015/01/currently-february.html" target="_blank"> Fabulous Farley's linky party called Currently</a>. I normally try to be one of her top 10 to link up but I see I am already too late.</div>
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<b>Listening</b>: I am watching The Donut Showdown and really craving donuts, even though I had one yesterday :) I guess I shouldn't be watching this while I am hungry.</div>
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<b>Loving: </b>I was so tired after school on Friday but I still stayed to make copies that I need for the coming week. I am glad I did because now I am ready to go and don't have to worry about doing it in the morning. It's going to be a busy week!</div>
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<b>Thinking:</b> I am thinking about the huge pile of papers I need to grade including expository compositions. I need to start grading soon and not wait until the last minute. I need to stop leaving grading for the weekends. I liked it when I grade daily at work and didn't have any work on the weekend.</div>
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<b>Wanting: </b>I want more energy! I am tired of being tired all the time! I know it would help if I exercised and ate better but I don't so what else should I do to get energy?</div>
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<b>Needing: </b>I<b> </b>need to start planning my weekly dinners, well really all meals. Those of you who do meal planning... do you have any helpful hints to get me started?</div>
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<b>Pageant Title:</b> If I have a pageant title it would probably be Queen of Snarkasm but Farley already won that crown so my second choice would be Queen of Laughter. I love to laugh and I love to make others laugh. I even have a funny laugh which my husband fondly calls my a turkey cackle. </div>
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Make sure you go and link up at <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2015/01/currently-february.html" target="_blank">Oh Boy 4th Grade</a>!</div>
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<br />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-89224817246526435352014-12-02T00:07:00.000-06:002014-12-02T00:07:06.721-06:00Currently in December<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Whaaaaat???? It's December already? I can't believe it! </div>
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You know I didn't realize it was December if I am just now doing my <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2014/11/currently-december.html" target="_blank">Currently</a> from the ever so awesome Farley at <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2014/11/currently-december.html" target="_blank">Oh Boy Fourth Grade</a>! I usually try to get in the top 10 if not the top 5 and the last time I looked I will be 158! YIKES!</div>
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<b><u>Listening</u></b>: Right now I am watching The Tonight Show with Jimmy Falon... that dude is a hoot!</div>
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<b><u>Loving:</u></b> Today we had a cold front come in and its cold enough to wear jackets! I love the winter to feel like winter. Living in South Texas we don't get very cold. In fact, this week our highs have been in the high 70s and low 80s.... not so fun for holiday weather. Today our high was early this morning at 66 degrees....a cold front came in mid morning and we stayed in the low 40s all day. By Thursday we will be back in the mid 70s but for now I am enjoying the cooler weather.</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Thinking:</u> I should be in bed instead of on the computer. Today was the first day back after a week's long Thanksgiving break and I could hardly keep my eyes open all day. I left work around 5:00 and told myself I would be in bed by 9:00 but here I am wide awake and its almost midnight. </div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Wanting:</u> I want a new laptop. I don't need one but I want one. My daughter has a Dell touchscreen and my son has a Mac.... I like both of theirs. </div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Needing:</u> I really don't need anything. Maybe I NEED to go to bed. I definitely NEED to lose weight. I probably NEED an attitude adjustment too but when I think about it I don't need anything materialistic. I have wants (like a date with Adam Levine) but no needs. I am so blessed in all aspects of my life. </div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Giving:</u> Let's see, I give my hubby a headache, I give my students tests, heck I give my self heart attacks with my lack of time management but I don't think that is what my friend Farley meant. </div>
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I should be awesome like Farley and I will try but I know I won't honestly<b> </b>do RAKS every day. I am a very giving and generous person and bring treats to my team frequently but I wanted to do a special "Giving" for this Currently so I have donated a decent amount of money to our local Battered Women's and Children's Shelter today. I will also donate my time this month at a Homeless shelter here in town.</div>
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I better stop <strike>talking</strike> writing here so I don't wind up number 200+!<br />
<br />Good Night my friends and like Farley said, "Give, Give, Give!"<br />
<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-11781158376046593702014-11-30T00:30:00.000-06:002014-11-30T00:30:37.007-06:00Back to Blogging and Walking Wisdom!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIezV57UGKQ8N9pR1pEnYvut_IByuQT8UrsYuKX-EwSNnam9sgvhxIayuteqxQqDB8HTjSteTXwBilgyQ-PU2sOq9Fm0rm3qsLbUxNaOL-9IDUUlKmw-rREdPFfdUiiMTH-86jUSuZoc/s1600/post+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIezV57UGKQ8N9pR1pEnYvut_IByuQT8UrsYuKX-EwSNnam9sgvhxIayuteqxQqDB8HTjSteTXwBilgyQ-PU2sOq9Fm0rm3qsLbUxNaOL-9IDUUlKmw-rREdPFfdUiiMTH-86jUSuZoc/s1600/post+pic.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I know, I know... I've said it before. In fact, I've said it <strike>a million</strike> many times but this time I am going to stick to it. Starting today,<u><b> I WILL BLOG REGULARLY</b></u>! (If I capitalize, bold, and underline the words I really mean it, right?)</div>
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I'm not going to make excuses, I've just been lazy. #sorrynotsorry #sometimesijustneedtorest</div>
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I am starting to get my life more organized. I am not waiting to make a New Year's resolution, I am starting today. 11:45PM on 11/29/14! I vow to write everything down and go through my to do list daily. </div>
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Anywho, enough about my laziness and time management issues I want to share with you a <u style="font-weight: bold;">FABULOUS</u> (oh, I must really mean it!) way my students get smarter and exercise at the same time. </div>
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Whaaat what? Yup, you heard me right, my students are getting smarter while they are walking and getting exercise... thanks to <a href="http://www.thewalkingclassroom.org/" target="_blank">The Walking Classroom</a>! Go check out their website it has a wealth of information. I also invite you to follow them on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkingClassroom" target="_blank">facebook </a> and tell them Lorraine from Fabulous 4th Grade Froggies sent ya.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thewalkingclassroom.org/assets/images/walkkit-2014-back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thewalkingclassroom.org/assets/images/walkkit-2014-back.jpg" height="200" width="153" /></a><a href="http://www.thewalkingclassroom.org/assets/images/walkkit-2014-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thewalkingclassroom.org/assets/images/walkkit-2014-front.jpg" height="200" width="151" /></a>I was very fortunate to be awarded a grant from <a href="http://www.thewalkingclassroom.org/" target="_blank">The Walking Classroom</a> at the beginning of this school year for 24 WalkKits which contain 4th Grade ELA curriculum. My students literally beg me to use these every single day. Everything comes ready to go. It is completely easy for the kids (and the teacher) to use and even comes with a giant binder full of lessons and quizzes. You can click <a href="http://www.thewalkingclassroom.org/downloads/Idioms-Lesson-Plan-sample.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a> to see an example of an idiom lesson plan that is provided. Click <a href="http://www.thewalkingclassroom.org/downloads/4th-Grade-Teacher-Guide-TOC.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a> to see the table of contents for the 4th grade curriculum. </div>
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I really encourage you to check it out. You know me I am honest, more honest than I should be sometimes.... when I first applied for the grant I thought I would never win and if I did, I wondered how I could add another thing to our day. The first time I used this in the class I had to cut 30 minutes of something else out to get this in. As we continued to use The Walking Classroom it became part of our routine and the lessons fit it so nicely with what we have in our district given curriculum. It's amazing how easy it was to integrate what I was already doing. It's unbelievable how much the kids love using the Walkkits but even more unbelievable the amount they retain from the lessons. Each podcast lesson is an average of 15 minutes. We live in South Texas where the weather is usually great but when its raining outside we just walk the halls. I am sure it wasn't the intention of The Walking Classroom but the Walkkits can soooooo be used for bribery! I will say that I may or may not have said a time or two, "If we can't quiet down this afternoon we will not use the Walkkits tomorrow". I am not proud of it but it works!!!!!!!!!!!</div>
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Here are some pics of my class using it. </div>
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Walk on my friends!</div>
<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-80159208404880221972014-11-05T22:23:00.000-06:002014-11-05T22:23:22.524-06:00The Mailbox #BeTheDifference Fall Edition<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Can you believe fall is here? We just finished our first 9 week grading period of the year. Time is passing way too quick! Only two and half weeks before we have a week off for Thanksgiving which means just over a month until Christmas break. Holy Holiday Break Batman!!!!It seems like I am more overwhelmed then ever but at the same so thankful for having the best job ever! I don't know what it is this year, but I feel like I can't get it all in. I just need an extra couple of hours to my day so I can teach everything I need to. We are not even close to state testing yet... I can't imagine how I am going to feel then! YIKES!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6K1JkwhflY8wBZNUJ5pkDdQahk0cMgumz3ybI1rSmE449-GKgWawC3zYfQhOBThpG7Qpy6e6TnJqxQSLIz1vHNcvw9DKKXnt1IME5UFcjg0DgYV4smujqPOHyFU4VTbv8dBpqTnSOsg/s1600/IMG_9055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6K1JkwhflY8wBZNUJ5pkDdQahk0cMgumz3ybI1rSmE449-GKgWawC3zYfQhOBThpG7Qpy6e6TnJqxQSLIz1vHNcvw9DKKXnt1IME5UFcjg0DgYV4smujqPOHyFU4VTbv8dBpqTnSOsg/s1600/IMG_9055.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
Anywho, at this time of the year not only do we celebrate the holidays but we also reflect on what we are thankful for. One of the many things I am thankful for besides my family, friends, and having the best job in the world is the opportunities my blog and blogging friends have brought me. The Mailbox has provided me and many of teachers the opportunity to share how we can be the difference in our students lives. It's time to celebrate a new season of #BeThe Difference with The Mailbox Magazine! Once again, they sent me this box full of goodies. It included some stickers, candy corn, a couple of pencils, a notepad, a great bag, and some great ideas for fun activities.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wMVOlveH3vYg5dwZzidpiqfHEKgFnyKKi1v8FkwDicorxzFIOtNO2BjolsA0S7AnMETkiQIPs3e3JH2untPLpCGC4UmhTcyntT2VCUlncGewZp856aS6xF6mhTaZk4l_pRDTOBQqOdA/s1600/IMG_9065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wMVOlveH3vYg5dwZzidpiqfHEKgFnyKKi1v8FkwDicorxzFIOtNO2BjolsA0S7AnMETkiQIPs3e3JH2untPLpCGC4UmhTcyntT2VCUlncGewZp856aS6xF6mhTaZk4l_pRDTOBQqOdA/s1600/IMG_9065.JPG" /></a>One of the activities I tried out was this matching game. I know, I know, matching games are for little kids and who in the world has time for games these days? Well this game, was to help my fourth graders review Science vocabulary terms. I made it out of index cards. I had the vocabulary words on some cards and the definitions of those words on other cards. I threw in a couple of cards with a turkey sticker on them and an awesome game was born. The students try to match the vocabulary word with its meaning. If they flip a "turkey" they lose a turn. I can use this game for any type of review and match it up to any holiday. </div>
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Yup, I am making a difference by making learning fun and making sure my kids are not only engaged in their learning and full participants in their learning!!!!</div>
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It's funny how easy it is to make such a game and how much the kids LOVED playing it. It's even <strike>more pathetic</strike> funnier that I needed The Mailbox Magazine to help me think of it! </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I get such great ideas from The Mailbox Magazine and their gold online subscription! Here is a screenshot of just one resource. It grade level appropriate and lined up to CCSS (even though I'm in Texas and we don't do Common Core almost all activities go along with our TEKS as well). This particular Language Arts worksheet was a great activity for the students to do at home when I introduced the thesaurus. </span></div>
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I'd love to hear what fun simple games you use in your classroom and how do you #BeTheDifference for you students? </div>
<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-86257290391842128982014-11-01T21:57:00.002-05:002022-08-07T17:29:42.498-05:00Currently in November<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thank goodness for my FAB friend Farley and her just a fabulous <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2014/11/currently-november.html" target="_blank">Currently linky</a>. I have not been blogging like I should and I don't ever like to miss her linky parties so here I am!</div>
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I actually have a lot to blog about and I am hoping to do so regularly now that the first grading period of school is done. It is one of my goals to be more organized with my time.... I am a horrible time manager but I just can't be any more.</div>
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Anywho, join me and a million (not much of an exaggeration) other bloggers at the Currently linky party by clicking on the button below.</div>
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<a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2014/11/currently-november.html" target="_blank"><img height="198" src="http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt15/04fallingstar/Custom%20Blog%20Design/Meghan%20Farley/3am_MF_button2_zps7f6923d7.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Listening</b> - I'm watching Cupcake Wars while munching on Milky Way and drinking a Diet Coke from Sonic....best ice in the country :) I am really shouldn't watch this show because I now I <b>want </b>cupcakes!!!! Warm, moist, sweet goodness! </div>
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<b>Loving </b>- It's November!!!! That means that my favorite season, fall, is here. Well, living in South Texas the fall weather doesn't really come until December or so but today the weather was pretty good! It was nice and cool. We got a cool front in and it was 68 today. I prefer low 60 or high 50s but 68 is way than being in the 90s! In November is my son's birthday, our anniversary (24 years this year), and Thanksgiving... the holiday of <strike>gravy</strike> giving THANKS (but I do love my mom's turkey gravy!!!!)</div>
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<b>Thinking</b> - I definitely need to organize my schedule a bit more. I waste so much time, yet I don't have enough time in my day! Story of my life!</div>
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<b>Wanting - </b>see listening (and bring me a cupcake)</div>
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<b>Needing </b>- to start exercising because of the Milky Ways I am munching on and the darn cupcakes that I am craving. If you look back through many of my Currentlys you will see that I have needed to start exercising almost every month for the last couple of years! Well, if I scheduled some time in my unorganized schedule, I would actually walk now the weather is getting cooler. </div>
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<b>Reading </b>- <u style="font-style: italic;">Acts of Teaching - How to Teach Writing </u> It is like the Literacy Bible!!!! It's amazing! A bit pricey but worth every single penny!!!!!!!!!!!! You need to check it out</div>
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Happy Fall Y'all</div>
<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFRr3JEQw0atRHlKfpz2G5bevxkYxfgym7GnmuNh-QbTkqRAb2t5WxthdM37Vh-hwikeGyR8qz9ZwSx0S6h2n3tnXRC7b_uN6dDuVnbtDlOT6Nyx96guL48wIzeBsG7VlcpGDty8To2ZBHmlS8uR9VNYIcUcMDsfNUn7TeBPQBYJmEfFKoj5EcGqU/s966/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-07%20at%205.19.29%20PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="966" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFRr3JEQw0atRHlKfpz2G5bevxkYxfgym7GnmuNh-QbTkqRAb2t5WxthdM37Vh-hwikeGyR8qz9ZwSx0S6h2n3tnXRC7b_uN6dDuVnbtDlOT6Nyx96guL48wIzeBsG7VlcpGDty8To2ZBHmlS8uR9VNYIcUcMDsfNUn7TeBPQBYJmEfFKoj5EcGqU/s320/Screen%20Shot%202022-08-07%20at%205.19.29%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-24705273764974387012014-09-09T22:10:00.000-05:002014-09-09T22:10:59.814-05:00#BeTheDifference and win with Mailbox!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcMY1cr79lKtFw0r-ELKTiRr4x0mua6jqOCfraV_76YdEnu-nTU_TSIkWJpnfjTgpXqEg3T1fTVC6zThtQjHiabcPH_Vn-9LRWDoKsIjWoHbGnZ_AOFYSrZc7q6c2Ss_B0_Dtbb1cIXc/s1600/mailbox+pic+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcMY1cr79lKtFw0r-ELKTiRr4x0mua6jqOCfraV_76YdEnu-nTU_TSIkWJpnfjTgpXqEg3T1fTVC6zThtQjHiabcPH_Vn-9LRWDoKsIjWoHbGnZ_AOFYSrZc7q6c2Ss_B0_Dtbb1cIXc/s1600/mailbox+pic+1.JPG" height="320" width="217" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #592d25; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.920000076293945px;">I remember when I student taught (yes, I can remember that long ago), one thing I was most excited about was getting my first official subscription to Mailbox Magazine.... what says you're an official teacher better than a subscription to one of the most trusted name in educational publishing? I've been using their ideas, activities, and inspiration ever since! Well believe or not, Mailbox magazine contacted me to p</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #592d25; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.920000076293945px;">articipate in their #BeTheDifference campaign! So guess what I said? HA! Of course I said yes!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #592d25; font-family: Droid Serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.920000076293945px;">Mailbox Magazine knows that teachers make a difference in their student's lives every single day! Most of us became a teacher <strike>for the big bucks, for the fame & fortune</strike> to make a difference! I know I became a teacher for that very reason. I wanted to change lives while sharing my love of learning. Mailbox Magazine sent me a cute little package to start the year off having a ball!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #592d25; font-family: Droid Serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.920000076293945px;">The first week of school we do a lot of FABULOUS team building activities. I want my students to feel like they are a part of a family... a frog family, with me being Queen Frog! LOL! I make my classroom a safe, warm, and inviting place where my students feel comfortable taking risks and being the best they can be. This year on the Friday of the first week I played the "name game" with the beach ball that was sent to me, but it was the name game with a twist. This time we played the name game with partners and in order to be dismissed at the students had to call out their classmates names. I was a great way to review student names and they left my classroom with a smile!</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #592d25; font-family: Droid Serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.920000076293945px;">Mailbox Magazine would like to give 10 of my FABULOUS froggy followers a free year's Mailbox Gold subscription! Told ya they are awesome! Learn more about Mailbox GOLD by watching this short video.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #592d25; font-family: Droid Serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.920000076293945px;">Enter here for your chance to win! Good Luck!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #592d25; font-family: Droid Serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.920000076293945px;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/23ea681512/" id="rc-23ea681512" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
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<span style="color: #592d25; font-family: Droid Serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23.920000076293945px;">Stay Fabulous!</span></span><br />
<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-32038029400205053682014-09-01T10:22:00.001-05:002014-09-01T10:22:29.599-05:00Currently in September!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As usual, I am linking up with one of my favorite peeps, Farley at <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2014/08/currently-september-2014.html" target="_blank">Oh Boy 4th Grade</a>, to one of my favorite linky par-tays, <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2014/08/currently-september-2014.html" target="_blank">Currently</a>!</div>
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My doctor recently told me to only drink water and milk and to cut down my coffee intake........WHAT???? Cut down my coffee intake? That's like telling the Pope no more praying! I am down to about 4-5 cups a day but my goal is to get it down to one cup a day (and not a real measured cup but my insulated Starbucks mug instead). I'm on #3 today but I will try not to have any this afternoon.... It's Labor day, holidays don't count, do they?</div>
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Today was the official launch to the new Jamberry Nails Designs. I LOVE them all, especially the <a href="http://lorrainesfabnails.jamberrynails.net/category/fashionably-festive" target="_blank">Fashionably Festive section</a> which has the holiday wraps! Here is a short video about some of the new designs. You can also visit my website ,<a href="http://lorrainesfabnails.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank">LorrainesFABnails</a>, and check out all the new designs.</div>
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I don't know about you but for me, the people I work with (including students) makes a world of difference. We just finished up our first week of school and I think its going to be an AWESOME year! I love my new team and my new students!</div>
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Of course, I left everything to do for today but I will eventually get it done.... maybe. One major thing is to look at our new math curriculum and figure out my guided math this year!</div>
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Vegas, Hawaii, and Alaska.... all places I have never been but NEED to go! We are planning on bringing in the new year at Disney World this year and that is probably one of the biggest reasons I have never been to the other places.... we keep going back to Disney! We went on our honeymoon and have been back at least 10 times in our 24 years of marriage. No matter how old we get the kids love it and so do we!</div>
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Happy Labor Day my friends!<br />
<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-47153286960836339662014-08-16T09:00:00.000-05:002014-08-16T09:00:00.709-05:00Bright Ideas for Back to School Fun!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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OMG! Summer is over!!!! Time to head back to school and hit the books! Students start on August 25th in my school district and teachers officially start on August 18th, however, as you already know, many of us have been busy attending staff development and making things for our for months now.</div>
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Today I thought I would share with you some of my tried and true first day of school activities. They are favorites of mine and my students and a great way to start off the year..... Puzzle Races and Saving Fred.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJY-J9yP-btlG-DX8cadCs9owUFrOcKw2LgSSQ0fMvK-R8ik0keU2LMKxMFs6YU_efOAA00gIecwGrmV5Tod6cyCEaBB8XAlhXWd62vPdOHc4eM7gf5CNtbWSetI-yOwbOwkf7c3OTWI/s1600/puzzles.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJY-J9yP-btlG-DX8cadCs9owUFrOcKw2LgSSQ0fMvK-R8ik0keU2LMKxMFs6YU_efOAA00gIecwGrmV5Tod6cyCEaBB8XAlhXWd62vPdOHc4eM7gf5CNtbWSetI-yOwbOwkf7c3OTWI/s200/puzzles.png" height="200" width="162" /></a>First the puzzle races. All you need to do is to divide your class into groups of 4-5 students and you need some puzzles. I set up my student desks in in groups of 4-5 students so that is how I decide my groups. You can find inexpensive puzzles at the dollar store and even Target's dollar spot. Of course you should pick a puzzle size that is appropriate to the age of students you have. I buy 100 piece puzzles and its perfect for my 4th graders. I always buy the same puzzle for each group so no one can claim that their group's puzzle was harder or easier. :) The puzzles I am using this year are pictured to the left. I bought them for a dollar each at Target a couple of years ago and they are still good to use. No lost pieces!</div>
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I give each "team" a puzzle and tell them they must work together to complete the puzzle before the other teams finish theirs. The conversations that go on are priceless. You will learn a lot from your students by just watching and listening. Once every group has completed their puzzles we have a talk about what some of the groups good strategies were. I've heard everything from "we did the border of the puzzle first" to "we didn't get bossy with each other". <br />
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Now for the Saving Fred. For this fun activity you will need: a gummy worm, a gummy ring, a plastic cup, and paper clips per group. You can do this activity in partners but I prefer to do it in small groups. In fact, I like to use the same groups that did the puzzles together. I also usually do this activity the second day of school and do the puzzle race on the first day.<br />
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To set this up you will need to but a ring on the desk with the plastic cup upside down over the gummy ring and put a gummy worm on top of the cup. The story is that Fred (the gummy worm) can't swim so he always has to wear a life preserver (the ring). However, his boat (the cup) capsized/flipped over before he put on his life preserver. It is the students job to work together to get the life preserver on Fred and the only rule is you cannot touch the Fred, his boat, or the life preserver with your hands. Hence, the paper clips... the only "tool" the students can use is the paper clips. Talk about team work and strategies! This is a great activity for both!</div>
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I hope you enjoyed the bright back to school fun ideas and even try them with your class! I would love for you to join me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Fabulous4thGradeFroggies" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/LorraineVasquez" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://instagram.com/fabulous4thgradefroggies" target="_blank">Instagram</a> as well.</center>
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For more bright ideas from more than 100 bloggers, please browse through the link up below. Just find an idea or grade level that interest you!</center>
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Happy First Week of School!</center>
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<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-5775283251396325032014-08-03T21:24:00.001-05:002014-08-03T21:24:25.526-05:00Fabulous Finds!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MIKZ6xVtQF5e1k2_eUsBHer2TF9z-8cKGa_Wf1HpA7KE3o1NkqS2AYlbuf5BWOny75wSxuRwcML4Bc4ityPcrf2IM8mUa40q-aQwFtwpn3Iay5O6Q8VlgfFeVfiVu3FI2eqJkuSZFJ4/s1600/post+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MIKZ6xVtQF5e1k2_eUsBHer2TF9z-8cKGa_Wf1HpA7KE3o1NkqS2AYlbuf5BWOny75wSxuRwcML4Bc4ityPcrf2IM8mUa40q-aQwFtwpn3Iay5O6Q8VlgfFeVfiVu3FI2eqJkuSZFJ4/s1600/post+pic.png" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Today is my official last day of summer. Starting tomorrow, I will try to wake up early and go to bed at a decent time. I will START thinking about school, well I kinda started thinking about school this evening knowing there is a Teachers Pay Teachers sale starting tomorrow. Anywho, tomorrow I will consider my summer over and start getting in back to school mode, slowly but surely!<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=617403&u=737242&m=7124&urllink=&afftrack=%22%3ESave%20an%20additional%2030%%20off%20all%20Sale%20Items%20at%20Fanatics.com%3C/a%3E" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=%2fproductImages%2f_1130000%2fff_1130422_xl.jpg&w=400" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=617403&u=737242&m=7124&urllink=&afftrack=%22%3ESave%20an%20additional%2030%%20off%20all%20Sale%20Items%20at%20Fanatics.com%3C/a%3E" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1600000/ff_1600177_xl.jpg&w=180" height="200" width="200" /></a>Instead of my usual Vera Bradley or Thrity-One Gifts school bag I decided on an adorable bag to represent my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers! While shopping for this tote I found this frog that was just calling my name... so I bought him! I bought both here (on sale by the way) at Fanatics. You can check out any sports team by clicking on the banner.<br />
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=537757&u=737242&m=7124&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"><img alt="Shop the newest Dallas Cowboys fan gear at Fanatics!" border="0" src="http://www.shareasale.com/image/7124/NFL_Dallas_Cowboys_728x90.jpg" height="48" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I did get a new Vera Bradley purse and some new Vera Bradley prescription glasses (both regular and sunglasses) so I think Vera will forgive me for getting a different school bag. :)</span></div>
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I saw this saying floating around the internet and had to make a shirt with it! No, the guys isn't included! :)</div>
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You can get this shirt any time before August 15th by going <a href="http://www.fabulous4thgradefroggies.com/p/for-sale.html" target="_blank">here and ordering it</a>. It's only $15.90 plus shipping. I am hoping my whole grade level gets one. I think they are adorable!</div>
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<a href="http://images.cdn.bigcartel.com/bigcartel/product_images/141107311/max_h-1000+max_w-1000/Rainbow_Chalkboard_Teacher_Life_Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.cdn.bigcartel.com/bigcartel/product_images/141107311/max_h-1000+max_w-1000/Rainbow_Chalkboard_Teacher_Life_Map.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I haven't received mine yet, but April from <a href="http://www.amodernteacher.com/" target="_blank">A Modern Teacher</a>, has created a masterpiece! It's called the Teacher Life Map. It's the PERFECT planner for teacher's who do their lesson plans online. <a href="http://www.amodernteacher.com/2014/07/28/today-is-the-day-your-questions-answered-the-teacher-life-map/" target="_blank">Read about it here</a>. She has different covers but the one pictured is the one I chose. By the way, it is not something you have to print out.... this is a hard good that will get shipped to you. I should receive mine next week and I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!</div>
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Here are some FABULOUS FINDS that you can get during the TPT sale! These are some things on my list. Don't forget to use the code BTS14 when you go shopping on TPT!</div>
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<a href="http://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Texas-Revolution-Complete-Unit-003155400-1378140403-1406582112/original-857275-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Texas-Revolution-Complete-Unit-003155400-1378140403-1406582112/original-857275-1.jpg" height="200" width="153" /></a></div>
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I had this on my wish list but I happen to win it this past week! WOOHOO! This fabulous resources is a must have for any Texas 4th or 7th grade teacher. It comes from my friend Alyssa who blogs at <a href="http://4thgraderacers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Teaching in the Fast Lane</a>. Her <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teaching-In-The-Fast-Lane" target="_blank">TPT store</a> is the first one I go to when I need any Texas history resources.</div>
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<a href="http://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Regions-of-Texas-Bundle-1345909/original-1345909-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Regions-of-Texas-Bundle-1345909/original-1345909-1.jpg" height="200" width="153" /></a>This <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Texas-Revolution-Complete-Unit-857275" target="_blank">Texas Revolution Complete Unit</a> is absolutely FAB! It has so many activities including a powerpoint, I Have Who has, Task Cards, stuff for Interactive Notebooks, and Vocabulary. It's 180 plus pages of awesomeness and even includes an answer key!</div>
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Another one of Alyssa's products that are on my wish list is her <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Regions-of-Texas-Bundle-1345909" target="_blank">Regions of Texas bundle</a>. Actually I really want her <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Texas-History-ULTIMATE-BUNDLE-of-Every-Unit-1357199" target="_blank">Ultimate Texas History Bundle</a> that has a zillion trillion activities!!!! It sounds like all she creates is Texas history stuff but she doesn't...she has a bunch of super sensational resources so check out her store!</div>
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I know this post is getting long but to wrap things up here are some more items on my wishlist at TPT. </div>
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<a href="http://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Writing-Process-Expository-Prompts-and-Planning-Organizers-Grades-2-5-1368225-1407094518/original-1368225-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Writing-Process-Expository-Prompts-and-Planning-Organizers-Grades-2-5-1368225-1407094518/original-1368225-1.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Writing-Process-Personal-Narrative-Prompts-and-Planning-Organizers-Gr-2-5-1368694-1407099215/original-1368694-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Writing-Process-Personal-Narrative-Prompts-and-Planning-Organizers-Gr-2-5-1368694-1407099215/original-1368694-1.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Process-Personal-Narrative-Prompts-and-Planning-Organizers-Gr-2-5-1368694" target="_blank">Personal Narrative Prompts and Planning Organizers</a> and </div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Writing-Process-Expository-Prompts-and-Planning-Organizers-Grades-2-5-1368225" target="_blank">Expository Prompts and Planning Organizers</a></div>
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These are from another couple of friends, Rachel Reyna and Louis Fisher at <a href="http://www.fisherreyna.com/" target="_blank">Fisher Reyna Education</a><a href="http://www.fisherreyna.com/home/index" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.fisherreyna.com/images/board3.jpg" height="93" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt15/04fallingstar/Custom%20Blog%20Design/Meghan%20Farley/3am_MF_button2_zps7f6923d7.png" height="197" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Currently-for-Your-Classroom-324375" target="_blank">I need this Currently in your Classroom!</a> from my friend Farley at <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Oh boy 4th Grade</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.ladybugsteacherfiles.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbuserhome/Ladybugs-Teacher-Files/343647.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><a href="http://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Simply-Iconic-Customizable-Library-Labels-1367784-1407084210/original-1367784-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://mcdn1.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Simply-Iconic-Customizable-Library-Labels-1367784-1407084210/original-1367784-1.jpg" height="200" width="154" /></a>And the last wishlist item I will post tonight is the<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Simply-Iconic-Customizable-Library-Labels-1367784" target="_blank"> Incredibly Iconic library decor</a>! I love everything my friend, Kristen does but these are just plain ol' cool! Visit her site at <a href="http://www.ladybugsteacherfiles.com/" target="_blank">Ladybug's Teacher Files</a><br />
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Here's to a great year my fabulous froggy friends!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhy1gr_y7tiXwB8Q_d-SJYUVwGaQO27WfOvdTVqqvw-raLMBD8y6pFeU686ViM_LgI8Pfdh0dlTVsOBlYmrO-JgRDMD9IFAhYNegCUQu84gpLwqSx0tSQIFNYkPLaadf6gO4eNqpwTT6va_cRMne4Df7H9_B_UMPCDQ46ju3RdcqAnNIcqqcRH20H9FB0F4gcf77vVWufs=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEym01ryvhhYq_E9LOqDR2E3Tba4dSUgBx8jablHQTdHbomvPkJiLDim-hJEMmGT4yextFIpbgFgGCdFHDnxWn87dMgJ-EZaUMbyfp1BOd36fB7bRwswyYhDGe-0VZLLv2v9WaCpxterY/s1600/august+currently+blank.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEym01ryvhhYq_E9LOqDR2E3Tba4dSUgBx8jablHQTdHbomvPkJiLDim-hJEMmGT4yextFIpbgFgGCdFHDnxWn87dMgJ-EZaUMbyfp1BOd36fB7bRwswyYhDGe-0VZLLv2v9WaCpxterY/s1600/august+currently+blank.png" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I can't believe it's August already! The summer flew by but I enjoyed every second of it! You know I love me some Farley and participate in her <a href="http://ohboy3rdgrade.blogspot.com/2014/08/august-currently.html" target="_blank">Currently linky</a> every month! This month my currently doesn't need much explaining but here's a brief summary....</div>
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<u><b>Listening</b></u>: I'm watching the weather lady telling us it's going to be hot! Duh, I know, I live in South Texas!</div>
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<u><b>Loving</b></u>: I love being a <a href="http://lorrainesfabnails.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank">Jamberry Nails Independent Consultant</a>. I originally joined just to get the discount because I love the wraps and wear them all the time but I've made enough money to buy lots and lots of goodies for my classroom this year plus earned a ton of fabulous new nail wraps! It is no work at all! The only parties I have had so far are facebook parties (in my pjs) and have been pretty successful. If you are interested in joining my team the month of August is the month to do it because Jamberry is offering an awesome bonus! Just shoot me an <a href="mailto:lorrainesfabnails@gmail.com" target="_blank">email</a> if you want to know more or would like a sample to try it out.</div>
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<a href="http://lorrainesfabnails.jamberrynails.net/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtl8s5a2dzUGzNVFoIa_2FrLUDJX6sdnwIQqlAsDkXYczlrTabamzWCGyqwimfcoAaZByntjVLo_c0o0kyy4s-SRD-Ew7XPJHrkx2HKq-1DJYmNnmvGStRyrU9IxUu6Q9QSepBuMd8MOA/s1600/August+rebate.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Thinking</u>: Yup summer is basically over, time to start thinking about school!</div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Wanting</u>: I want to start meal planning. I see so many people doing it and preparing meals ahead of time. I am going to look into it this week and see if I can make it work for me. We "drive thru" way too much! </div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">Needing</u>: to start thinking about school.... everything from my schedule to school clothes to going back to self contained after only teaching ELA last year.</div>
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<br />I'm officially back on contract August 18th but I have some staff development next week and will go start setting up my classroom the week after. I'll be sure to post pics when I set up the classroom and post them here.</div>
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Here's to a Fabulous School year my Fabulous froggy friends!<br />
<img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u378/designbychristi/lorfrog/sig-1_zps4a13d635.png" />Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5199112896622588675.post-73513409393013659902014-07-25T23:47:00.000-05:002014-07-25T23:47:54.310-05:00YAHOO! YIPPEE! E is for Enthusiasm! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Uh Nooo, I don't want to know what's under your cape in a creepy flash your trench coat type of way. Get your mind out of the gutter!!!!</div>
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<i><u>What's Under Your Cape?</u></i> is a superduper, frogilicious, fantastical, (yup, they're real words) resource for teachers to use to integrate Character Education in their own classroom. Barbara Gruener, the author of this book, who is also a friend, and a superhero herself, shares her knowledge of having positive characteristics of SUPERHEROES on her own blog, <a href="http://corneroncharacter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Corner on Character</a>.</div>
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Some of my blogging buddies were talking about doing a book study on <i style="text-decoration: underline;">What's Under Your Cape?</i> I didn't even have the book when I said I wanted to participate. Well, yes, I partly wanted to participate because I don't like to be left out of stuff but I knew the book HAD to be absolutely FABULOUS since I was already a big fan of Barbara's! </div>
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I picked a date that corresponded with a chapter and it happened to be <i style="font-weight: bold;">E is for Enthusiasm</i>! Coincidence? I think NOT!</div>
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Those of you that know me in person would probably say I am very <strike>short, loud, slightly obnoxious, crazy, real loud, full of .... energy, real real loud</strike> enthusiastic, especially when it comes to teaching! I have such a passion for making a difference in student's lives and I am equally enthusiastic about teaching!</div>
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So what is enthusiasm? Watch this little clip and see if it helps you define being enthusiastic.</div>
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Barbara starts out the chapter by saying "Let's face it; enthusiasm ignites greatness." (p.65) When I read that line I want to scream, "Hell ya" but that wouldn't be nice so instead I gave it an "Amen sista"! Barbara also states that she saw this claim on a poster once: "A healthy dose of Enthusiasm is like passion on steroids". That's it! Enthusiasm is being excited and passionate about whatever you are doing!</center>
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I show enthusiasm and excitement everyday in the classroom! How can my students be excited and happy to be in school for most of their day without me, their teacher, showing enthusiastic passion for learning. I can confidently say that if you asked the kids who have been in my class throughout the years to describe me they may not use the word 'enthusiastic' but would definitely say I am crazy about learning, fun, happy, and perhaps silly. I love going to work and seeing my kids every single day. My students know it and FEEL it! Don't get me wrong, I still count down the days until Thanksgiving break (only 17 weeks by the way) and enjoy time off like everyone else but when I am with my students I share my enthusiasm, not just for school but for life. Happiness and eagerness breeds happiness and eagerness..... ooh, that's getting so philosophical, huh?</center>
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Imagine how your students would react if you came taught with as much enthusiasm as this guy has? </center>
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They would not only think you are the coolest teacher EV-VA but they would feel your positive vibes and try to emulate your enthusiasm. My students learn that even if something goes wrong in my day or I get in a bad mood, I will stop and change my attitude until I am positive again. I wasn't born this way, and my mom and sister will agree. In fact, my husband and kids will tell you that I am not always this way at home. I can get pretty grumpy and irritable with the best of them but I have learned in my 46 years of life to change my negative attitude about situations into positive ones and do whatever I do with enthusiasm and a good attitude just like this little guy...<br />
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Sorry about the video overload but they really do share my feelings and help me explain my thoughts! </div>
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In this chapter Barbara shares book titles and questions to ask yourself and your students. She shares songs and ideas to use in your classroom but I will let you discover them when you read it. She even suggest to reflect on some our favorite inspirational quotes.... I have a ton of quotes printed out on pretty paper posted all over my classroom. I need those reminders daily and so do my students.</div>
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As most of you know I can get pretty wordy (yes, in real life too!) so I am going to leave you with one last thought (before you leave me for being too wordy - LOL!). Enthusiasm, passion, a great attitude, and positive thinking is not something that is innate, or we are born with. It is something we deliberately and purposely have to make part of our day, every day. </div>
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I challenge you to show enthusiasm and positive thinking to your students every day. It will become a wonderful habit for both you and your students. I promise you with passion, enthusiasm,and a great attitude you will have a wonderful atmosphere in your classroom and a terrific year no matter what age you teach!</div>
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Our next Chapter will be R is for Responsibilty </div>
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Enthusiastically yours! ;)</div>
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Lorraine Vasquerzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772984849437852404noreply@blogger.com2