We are reading weekly poems. The student who reads it to the most people & has the most signatures by Friday gets to read it to the class or if they choose, Mrs. Coward, our principal. Go readers!

This week we read How Teddy Bears Are Made by Ann Morris

Here is an awesome PBS Curiosity Quest that actually goes to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. http://youtu.be/wqLz8BOaFio

The kids all brought their special stuffed friends. They hung out in the classroom and were great inspirations for writing!

Happy birthday!!!

My teacher gave me a scratch off ticket for good behavior. When I scratched it off, it said, "Share something on our blog!" So that is why I get to write this blog. 

These are the lights in our classroom. They help us see when we turn off the big light in the classroom during free writing time. I think they are beautiful. They make me feel happy. 

Oh my goodness! The three second grade teachers were so blessed to be able to observe a master teacher! I got some wonderful ideas from her!!! Here are the new tables and seating options in my room! Also a little writing by firelight, thanks Mrs. Cash!

You are now entering the fantastic 2nd grade classroom of Mrs. Cash!!

Be prepared to be amazed!!!

My Story           Character      Setting         PEA (problem, experience, or adventure)  

Beginning            Event 1        Event 2        Event 3                                                     

Middle                                                  

End                                                      

ANOTHER FREEBIE! http://totallyterrificintexas.blogspot.com/search/label/writing%20porfolios

Cheryl Sigmon's Portable Word Wall FREE!

http://www.cherylsigmon.com/pdf/H%20-%202%20Portable%20WW.pdf

LOVING HER RUG! I have the same one! :) 

Math Strategy Cards 

Math stops

Groups are ladybugs, butterflies, blue jays, owls, caterpillars, & bees.

The asterisk next to the assignment is what they are graded on for that day. 

Most centers contain 2 activities. She also sends home a fantastic rubric explaining how students are graded!

As a parent, I know I would really appreciate this!!!

FREEBIE ALERT!!!

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/7-Syllable-Types-Classroom-Posters-Set-1011739

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/writing-center-starter-kit-printables-246843

You can purchase this here. 

FREEBIE ALERT!!! http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Slant-Poster-255320

Morning music! Gets everyone jumping, clapping, smiling, and greeting each other. 

Teacher participates!

Fabulous anchor charts all over the room & teacher created bulletin boards w/ butcher paper & borders.

Love everything on these walls, seriously!

Strategies

Lovely organization & sonic cup! We all need one!

She was able to immediately go to a notebook or file & pull out examples of everything I had questions on. 

Ceiling hangers. She had group #s above each table & strips denoting how many points that particular table had earned for god behavior.

Double digit addition/subtraction freebie!

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B618ahbgtlRwNDI3Mjg5ZTYtMmIzMi00NDIyLWIxNDktYjkxZTBjNzdkZTIy/edit?hl=en

Reading Strategies

There are several FREE resources on TPT. There are also tons of paid resources. This concept is not unknown, and has MANY authors with many different versions. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Reading-Strategies-Posters-Bright-Chevron-Polka-Dot-or-Non-Patterned-722246

or

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREEBIE-Reading-Strategies-Posters-Bookmarks-790560 or

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Flippy-Dolphin-Reading-Strategy-Lesson-Plan-Center-PowerPoint-CC-Aligned-1031959

or my favorite is Deanna Jump's http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guided-Reading-101-Printables-Strategies-and-Word-Work-158699

I HOPE I HAVEN'T WORN YOUR EYES & FINGERS OUT. 

Lots of amazing resources from an immensely talented educator.

BUT  as amazing as all this is....the most amazing thing was the environment. It was calm, organized, caring, respectful, vibrant, fun, and everything a teacher strives for! Way to go Mrs. Cash. Thank you for inspiring me & challenging me to do more! 

Birthday boys!

Addition & Subtraction Strategy Posters (free if you'd like them)

Brain Break to Just Dance. The kids BEG to do this! :) Only when our behavior is excellent. :) 

Heartwrenchingly sweet Santa letter!

Dear Santa,

I want you to come to see the good people to make them happy for the kids and the babies because so they can have a good Christmas. 

He didn't ask for a single thing for himself, how precious is that???

The jungle is BACK!

All lit up for peaceful writing/ reading time.

Autograph stools- when a student does something that gives me the warm fuzzies- they get to autograph these stools! So far just one famous second grader. There's the challenge kids!

The THRONE. Another reward. :) 

Previously mandarin orange cans...now FABULOUS WRITING CENTER STORAGE!

Sweeties writing about how awesome Mrs. Lawson is. I love these kids!