#Motivational Monday

Anybody ready for spring break?

Need some chicken soup for the next few days? 

My kids are SERIOUSLY feeling the spring fever, so as I crawled into bed last night, I thought of an idea! They need some motivation! And when I feel upset, I try to remind myself to be thankful. I try to think of all the happy ideas that I store in my pot of chicken soup. I knew I couldn't ask my students to think of EVERYTHING that makes them happy, so I capped it off at three. 

So I put it to the test today, and if you're willing to give it a try, here's what I did. Come up with three things that you love, that make you happy, or make you feel good. Come up with one thing that brings you down or bums you out. Model for the kids. And WAH - LAH! There you have it. Motivational Monday

So here are some pictures from today: 

My Motivational Monday Ticket

It actually was a rainy Monday morning today! ...Which perfectly set the mood for #MotivationalMonday! Here's a view of the kids working after I modeled this for them and posted it on the Mimio. 

  

  

This friend is apparently very competitive. [It brings me down when...] "I loose a game :(" 

I usually put happy faces in 100's when I'm grading papers... So I wonder where he got the idea to do another sad face in the "oo" of "loose" ...hehehehe... so cute!

    

"A lot of tests and homework." - TRUTH

(Poor Kids)
They have it so rough!

If you would like to try my #MotivationalMonday Tickets, please download the template from my google drive (click the link below), cut in half, and please come back to comment and give me feedback!

*CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD*
 

Have a great week!

~Sarah :)

Writing Across the Curriculum

Ever stress out and wonder how you're going to fit all of that JAM-PACKED curriculum into your busy schedule? Then figure out how to differentiate and give some kids an extra boost?

Well... I can't say that I'm here to solve all your problems... but... this unit is like a 3-in-one!

I feel like I've been creating a lot of graphic organizers lately for my high-functioning kiddos, so I thought I'd start sharing them, and see what you guys think!

So I adapted a writing assignment for a 3rd grade social studies unit about Georgia Habitats and made a graphic organizer and checklist to help our visual learners organize their thoughts. My new product is great for all learners, but it is PERFECT for students who have frequent "writer's block" or executive functioning weaknesses.

The assignment: Students must choose a habitat to write about, then write a friendly letter, with facts that they've researched about their habitat, and persuade parents with reasons why they should visit, or write their teacher explaining why it is the best habitat.

The skills practiced in this unit:
- Expressing opinions
- Supporting their reasons with evidence from informational text
- Organizing ideas in 4-square
- Writing interesting topic and closing sentences
- Using a checklist to increase independence and direction-following

What's included:
- 4-square organizer (for GA habitat or any habitat in other regions of the US)
- checklist with all components needed for writing the friendly letter with sentence starters!

You may pick up this FREEBIE for a limited time by clicking on the picture of the cover page above or right HERE.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week, and don't forget to leave your feedback!

Now presenting............

The Grand Opening of my TPT Store!!!

I've had ideas flowing all summer, and I've finally taken the time to pull it all together! First, I would like to share with you my *FIRST TPT PRODUCT!!* 

I use this 5-star Leader Poster Pack to provide a visual for my rules and expectations. The 5-Star Leader Program uses a mnemonic device to remember the expectations: 

S= Stay positive (Always bring a positive attitude to class!)

T= Try your best (Never be discouraged!)

A= And participate while following directions (You must participate AND follow directions! It's two different points! That's how it adds up to a 5-point star!)

R= ...Respectfully and Responsibly (You need to be respectful and responsible at all times!)

During my social skills classes, that I call Lunch Bunch, I use a self-monitoring positive reinforcement system to keep kids accountable for their behavior, while rewarding them for making good choices. In Lunch Bunch, everyone "wins" regardless of how many points they earn. The prizes are ranked, so that they can usually earn something (as long as they earn at least 5 points). Usually, this system works well enough that it's easy to earn the maximum number of points. However, when a kid is having a rough day, this system reminds them to improve on a certain skill so that they can earn the desired prize next time. 

Setting up for Lunch Bunch! Students pick a sheet and a twistable crayon, write their name & date, then color their score for the day!

Below is a picture of the self-monitoring sheet that I use. I copy them on colored paper, and then slice them on the dashed lines. My groups come to me twice each week (either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday) so I have a separate format for each. The kids are taught to color in their score, so if they earned all 5, then they color in the number 5. On the second day, they add their points up, and prizes are as follows: 

This is the MW self-monitoring sheet. **FYI: There is also a TT template, as well as a 5-day template if you want to use it for a group that you have every day. 

Available Prizes (organized in Drawers): 
5 points = 1 sticker
8 points = washable tattoo
9 points = pencil/eraser prize
10 points = STAR SLIP (A PBS System that my whole school uses...kids go nuts over them, which makes them EXTREMELY desirable!)

Here's a sneak peek of what's included when you purchase this packet! Click the picture to get it from my store!

AND GUESS WHAT?! 

For the next month, I am giving it away FOR ONLY $1! I want users to try it out and give me feedback for this system, so the price will increase on 10/8/14. Please, please, PLEASE help me out and let me know what you think!

While you're visiting  my store...

Please check out my new freebie! (Click the picture below to find it at my store)

Please be mindful that these are the very first products that I am posting in my store, and the best way to help a new Teacher-Author out, is to give feedback! 

Thank you all for your help in supporting a new TPT Teacher-Author!! :)