Elves in the Classroom- Week 4

The last three days of school were pretty tame for my Elf Family. They didn't do much. 

Day 15- 12/21/15

The elves hung out by some of the books, that aren't checked out all that often.

Day 16- 12/22/15

Then they went to the top of the book shelf. They really love to read.

Day 17- 12/23/15 

As we all know, Elves love candy canes. They had to sit with my leftover candy canes on our last day before break. 

Elves in the Classroom-Week 3

The elves have all come and gone, but I realized I hadn't posted about their adventures over the last 7 days in the classroom.

Day 10- 12/14/15
The elves brought us MORE Christmas stories. We used one (not pictured) to start another writing assignment.

Day 11- 12/15/15
The elves hung out by my desk. Jingle Jangles wore an ugly sweater.

Day 12- 12/16/15
Elves decided to visit my Jesse Tree.

Day 13- 12/17/15
MY FAVORITE DAY! The Jangles Family brought the fourth and fifth graders their consumable science books that they had been waiting on since the summer. It was a Christmas miracle!! They even ripped a book, and started eating it.

Day 14- 12/18/15
The elves hung out in the "jungle" (aka where all my plants are housed).

Lesson Plan Hack

Recently, I realized how tiresome my lesson planning was becoming. Planning still takes forever, but copying it from my typed format to the paper book is insane. My mom suggested something, and I am so glad I took her advice. (Thanks Mom!)

I used to print my plans, then hand cut each box and tape them into the book. It took FOREVER. Now I....

USE STICKER LABEL SHEETS! This saves SO much time! 

It just takes 6 simple steps.

Step 1: Print plans onto sticker label sheets.

Step 2: Trim page.

Step 3: Peal off back.

Step 4: Place onto page.

Step 5: Press down to secure.

Step 6: Enjoy neatly written plans. =)

Hopefully this can help you save some time!

Elves in the Classroom-Week 2

This is a little late, but December is crazy for everyone!! My elves are still getting into mischief. This time, they came bundled up and prepared for the cold weather. 

On Day 6, they hung out by the TV. They didn't do much, but it was fun to see them somewhere new.

On Day 7, the elves brought us new books to read aloud. We love being in New Jersey!

On Day 8, they felt like being a little religious. They went and sat in the middle of the Advent wreath!

Finally, on Day 9, they sat by the Three Kings. 

The Jangles Family is already getting into trouble this week. I'll update you all over the weekend on their progress.

Holiday Traditions

Hey everyone! I'm doing my first linky party! I'm so excited to link up with Ashley from Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd and Angie from Lucky Little Learners to share my FAVORITE holiday traditions for my classroom. I'm new to the #2getherwearebetter party, but I'm excited to keep joining them month to month! 

Since I work at a Catholic School, most of our students celebrate Christmas. There are several traditions that we partake in as a school, such as Advent Prayer Services and attending Reconciliation. Every classroom puts up an Advent wreath and the Religion classes put up a Jesse Tree. I place a wreath in my room. It always brightens my day. I also put up a small manager scene. I make sure the Three Kings are far away. They travel a little at a time. The students love trying to see if the kings moved at all.

My most FAVORITE tradition is my Elf on the Shelf. I have gone crazy and even picked up more elves. All of my classes love seeing what the Elves have gotten into each day.

I also give my students a small gift at the end of the year. This is usually just a holiday pencil. My kids lose pencils and pens like they are going out of style!

What are your favorite holiday traditions for the classroom?

Elves in the Classroom-Week 1

Our Elves have had a crazy week!! Here is just a brief overview of what they did:

Day 1: 11/30/15
Our elves joined us by sitting on top of a bookshelf by our spider plant. It was simple, but the kids were happy to name our new friends.

Day 2: 12/1/15
Our elves sat on our wire bookshelf by our Christmas Tree. They brought a suitcase full of clothes with them.

Day 3: 12/2/15
On Wednesday, our school had the Christmas Bazaar. The elves left messages for our kids to behave.

Day 4: 12/3/15
The elves brought in some magic powder, in case a mischievous child touches them!

Day 5: 12/4/15
The elves were upset with the plain red Starbucks cups, so they decided to decorate one.

Blogger Business Cards

I was so excited with the way my blog design turned out. I had asked Lindsey to create a matching business card design as well. Well, I ordered them from Vistaprint and they arrived yesterday!!! I am so happy with how they turned out! I can't wait to distribute them at networking events. Do you have business cards for your blog? How do you use them?

Scout Elves Return!

Introducing the Jangles Family of Scout Elves for Room 5-21:

Meet Fizzy von Jangles, our female elf, who is married to Jingle Jangles, our returning male scout elf from last year. They also invested in a reindeer pet named Lt. Buddy Jangles. The Jangles family is happy to work in 5-21 this year. Reindeer pets are allowed to be touched, but the elves are not. My students made promises to themselves to continue spreading the Christmas spirit during this time of year, to help fill Lt. Buddy Jangles up with love so he can carry Santa's sleigh on Christmas Eve.

Product Review-So Stacey Sews

It's great to have amazing friends. It's even greater to have amazing friends who are crafty!!! My friend Stacey, who I met at the Simmons Summer Institute in Tuckerton, NJ this past summer, is extremely talented with sewing. She makes tons of things. We discussed some items for my science classroom, and she came up with a teacher sign and a periodic table sign. 

Her products are amazing. I'm not just saying that because she's my friend, but because it's the truth! Please take a minute and go check out her site. Her prices are reasonable, and her work will last! Why not get an awesome periodic table sign like mine?? It'll be different than just a regular poster.

Or order a teacher sign, personalized to your likes! So Stacey Sews is amazing, and please support small businesses!

Can't stop bragging about my amazing friend. So grateful to have such talented and caring people in my life.

Elf on the Shelf---Spreading the Magic during the Christmas Season

Last year I went out and bought an Elf on the Shelf. I bought a boy, and we named him Jingle Jangles. Jingle Jangles got into some mischief in our classroom, and it was enjoyable to see the students trying to find his new hiding spot every morning. 

This year I've purchased 2 new members of our little 5-21 Family. A female elf and a Reindeer pet. I think Jingle Jangles will be excited to have some new friends, as well. I can't wait to name them all on Monday. 

Here are my hopes for names:
Female Elf:
Fizzy von Wrinklielips
Evergreen 
Gingersnap 
Snowflake

Reindeer Pet:
Lightning Flufferstein 
Cocoa Bootsie Wickerson 
Dizzy von Whimsy

I hope that these elves (and reindeer) will bring the holiday cheer into the classroom, and maybe help make my kids behave. I'll take pictures of their adventures and post them here. Check out the Stepping Into Science Instagram account for updates, too! 

A Few of My Favorite Things-Science Edition

I have found several products and stores that have been extremely helpful to me, as I begin teaching Science.

Store # 1:

Kesler Science: This blog and store have amazing resources. At times, they are too advanced for my own students, but I still use his products to help reach those students who are more advanced.

My favorite product:
Lab Stations: Kesler just finished these awesome stations. They help keep the kids moving and learning during the day. These are complex enough to engage the upper level students, and still easy enough for my 4th and 5th graders to understand the tasks and concepts taught.

Store # 2:


Nitty Gritty Science: This blog and store have amazing resources. At times, they are too advanced for my own students, but I still use her products to help reach those students who are more advanced.

My favorite product:

Interactive Notebook Bundle: This is an awesome bundle. My students are sometimes confused by the notes, but that is expected when your students are younger than the projected age. This is an amazing resource because it gives both quizzes, notes and foldables. Foldables are amazing and this is a great resource for the traditional Interactive Science Notebook style.


Store # 3:

The Science Penguin: This blog and store have amazing resources. Ari has perfect resources for K-5 students. I use her products all the time. My students love it when I pull out a penguin product.
My favorite product:

Hands-On Vocabulary Instruction: This is an awesome product. I love the demonstrations and foldables for important science vocabulary. The demonstrations really help the students understand the concepts and topics.


Store # 4:

Science Doodles: This blog and store have amazing resources. She has perfect resources for all age students. I use her products all the time. My students love it when I pull out a penguin product.

My favorite product:
Earth Science Set: I honestly love all of her bundles, and use them all, but I choose the Earth Science Set, since I'm currently working on Earth Science. Her foldables and notes are amazing. The kids love fill in the blanks. They also love using the task cards to play SCOOT.

Morning Routine for Teachers

Every teacher has their own routine of things to do once they arrive in the Morning. Mine is a huge list, that requires me to arrive at school almost an hour before I'm supposed to. This has helped my sanity during these first few years, and I'm sure it will lessen the more experience I get. The list also changes depending on the time of year. For example, at the end of the month, I change decorations, calendars, and more.




Step 1: Settle in.
Once I've unlocked my door, and brought my bags in, I usually take a moment to settle in. I turn on the computer, enjoy my coffee, and make a list of things that NEED to be done for the day. Some days, it's a short list and other days it is crazy.
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Step 2: Updating the calendars

Every day, I look at my calendar. I double check to see what I had planned for the week. Are there any events happening? Did I forget to write about the assembly today for my plans? Do I have duty today? I also cross off the previous day. When I show the day is done, it is a solid, black curvy line going from the bottom left corner to the top right corner. At the end of the month, I also add another step in. 

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Step 2a: Setting up the next month's calendar

Setting up the next month's calendar is always a fun thing for me. I sit with both my school calendar (usually up on the computer) and my personal calendar. I pencil in various dates and events, so that I know what is going on for planning my lessons. Everything is color coded to my Erin Condren planner. Mondays are red, Tuesdays are orange, Wednesdays are green, Thursdays are blue, and Fridays are purple. Any days that are off from school are shown with a solid gray line going from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. If I am taking a day off from school for personal or professional reasons, it is shown with a dotted gray line going from the top left corner to the bottom right corner. I show a half day by placing a 1/2 symbol in the top right corner in gray marker. If I am festive enough, I attempt to draw pictures. I'm obviously not an art teacher, but it still looks nice.

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Step 3: Update the schedule
Once I've updated my calendar, I look at the schedule, and CHAMPS board. I usually need to update the schedule, but I don't always have to update the CHAMPS. CHAMPS helps my class understand what they are doing for the day, and what materials they need to be successful. I HATE repeating directions. Like the CHAMPS board? Purchase it here. Do you love the schedule pieces? Purchase them here.
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Step 4: Update the homework board
I then update the homework board and reminders for the students. My handwriting is not the best, but it works just the same. We write down any important paper reminders, any homework I know I'll be giving them for the night. Usually that means updating the Spelling homework, Reading homework and Science.

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Step 5: Open the blinds
Pretty self explanatory. I love that my blinds now have a chain and wheel...makes everything a lot easier to do!
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Step 6: Take down/Put up decorations

Every so often, especially at the end/beginning of seasons, I put up and take down decorations for my windows. Since before break was the "end" of the month, I took down my pumpkins. Next week, I'll end up putting up snowmen and snowflakes for the holidays and winter months.

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Step 7: Update the 40 Book Challenge List
My class does a 40 Book challenge during the year. I ask them to read 40 books from a variety of genres. We are getting pretty close to 25 books read! When they complete the challenge, I go out and purchase a $5 gift card for Barnes and Noble for them.
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Step 8: Water Plants
One of the last things I do is to water my plants. I have a huge jungle of plants available in my classroom. Most of them get watered on Mondays and Fridays. Every so often, I water them a little bit on Wednesday, depending on how the soil looks and if the plant usually takes more water. When I'm absent, I have two students who will water for me on Fridays.
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This doesn't include the making of copies, placing items into the mailboxes, checking and replying to emails, and more. These are things that are constantly done at both the beginning and end of the day.

I hope this "list" is helpful for you. What do you do to prepare for the day??