tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83557639967392088572024-03-28T04:29:39.072-05:00Mrs. Castro's ClassMrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-45277944018472455132013-09-01T10:12:00.002-05:002013-09-01T10:12:48.060-05:00Updated Daily 5 Freebie<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just a quick post from me today. I wanted to let you all know I've updated my Daily 5 freebie. I received some requests for a few changes/additions and was able to get to them on this long weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is what this freebie includes:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Posters, Pocket Chart Cards and Editable T-Charts in:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*2 Spanish translations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*English</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Wordless</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*Bilingual Spanish and English</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I added the editable T-Charts because my classroom has an incredible small amount of wall space. So, as my students become more familiar with the routines and expectations I plan on replacing the huge original chart paper anchors, with these T-Charts. You can add your own text to them and make them fit your classrooms language needs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take a look:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Daily-5-Bilingual-Resource-Posters-Pocket-Chart-Cards-and-Editable-T-Charts-317973" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhMc7N_5t1M/UiNSQKGEf0I/AAAAAAAACWk/e0gaqLo7v10/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really appreciate that I was contacted by people with requests. It feels good to know that people are using this resource. I want everything I create to work for your classroom - so I appreciate it that they took the time to make a request instead of resigning themselves that wasn't quite right! I'm sure most bloggers feel the same.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Click <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Daily-5-Bilingual-Resource-Posters-Pocket-Chart-Cards-and-Editable-T-Charts-317973" target="_blank">here</a> to get the freebie on TpT.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy the long weekend!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com207tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-38601118750094597442013-08-31T10:20:00.001-05:002013-08-31T15:17:55.533-05:00Back to School Reading<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello All!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're back to school I hope it's been great! If you're not - well enjoy it while you can!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've been back since August 21st, and I can honestly say I have a great group! I only have 16 students, and it's an even split between boys and girls. Not only do I have a small group, I also have the more English proficient group - so it's honestly been a wonderfully smooth start to the new year! Believe me, this is a first! I've had some large and challenging groups in the past.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've been busy teaching routines and procedures and the like. However, my principal gave teachers permission to read, Read, READ! He wants us to start the year by developing in our students a love for reading. Which is pretty much my mission in life - I think I've found the perfect administration for my teaching beliefs!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All that to say, we've been really enjoying reading in our classroom! I have some great books to share with you, and they are especially great for the bilingual or dual language classroom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, and foremost...our first chapter book read aloud!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am so thankful for the day I discovered this book! It is a wonderfully imaginative read - with beautiful, authentic Spanish language and amazing images to capture your students interest! Los niños extraordinarios is a series of books by Victoria Perez Escriva. In the first book, there is an epidemic of cavities, a vampire dentist, a giant, a house shaped like an apple, and more! Every day my students rush to the carpet after lunch to listen, and groan emphatically when it's time to stop. The book will take us less than two weeks to finish, and luckily the second and third are already available! I was able to find this book at my local library, but it's available from Amazon for under $12 - which is a steal because it's a hardcover book with color pictures and will last forever!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We've also been reading some books to encourage students to become aware of their "inner voice". I want my students to know that if you're reading you MUST also be thinking! In my opinion, a great way for students to become aware of their innner voice is to read wordless books. Wordless books can be incredibly rich in detail and challange the reader to make all kinds of inferences, connections, and syntetize their thoughts throughout. By taking away the words of an author the students cannot help but become aware that EVERYTHING happening inside their head is their own, their thoughts, their inner voice! It's really cool to see students become aware of just how much is going on inside their head while they read!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are two great wordless books we've read:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7662594-chalk" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SU4Xcd1S3q8/UiIH4mPbG9I/AAAAAAAACWM/fTxxjNgbI9E/s1600/chalk.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Chalk </u>by Bill Thomson, is a wonderful read about kids who venture out on a rainy day and discover magic chalk that turns their drawings into reality. My students were literally blown away by this book!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/138070.Flotsam" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iBPvHRNPcv0/UiIH4bMgKsI/AAAAAAAACWI/OWBYuXNaZu4/s1600/Flotsam.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u>Flotsam</u> by David Wiesner also captured my students from page 1 till...well actually they were still talking about it as they left for the weekend. They wish their was a sequel and were trying to predict what would happen in a sequel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Students came to the carpet with a clipboard with 6 post-its and a pencil. I modeled my thoughts through "think-alouds", and then challenged students to write their thoughts. We then would stick their thoughts into the pages of the book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because these books are wordless they can work so well in any classroom - bilingual, dual, monolingual, etc. There are many more wordless books I plan on sharing with my students thoughout the year, and will share here too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a great long weekend! If you do happen to read any of these books (especially the series, Los ninos extraordinarios, please share!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheers,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mrs. Castro</span></div>
Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-4223341419580527422013-08-18T23:00:00.001-05:002013-08-18T23:02:29.867-05:00A little freebie for my fans!Hi All,<br />
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I wanted to share a quick freebie with you all. I've made some labels for my plethora of tea tins, and thought I could share them!<br />
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I've made cute Monster Labels that you might want if you have any <i>brain breaks</i> and <i>fairness sticks</i> in your classroom. You can see how they turned out below. Click the <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-pO4SrDLtkfT0QzUzFfS251aE0/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">HERE </a>to get the freebie on Google Drive.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjUwLObcAcM/UhGW4p9DLwI/AAAAAAAACVA/ZYvNYp3ckHc/s1600/Slide1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjUwLObcAcM/UhGW4p9DLwI/AAAAAAAACVA/ZYvNYp3ckHc/s320/Slide1.PNG" width="247" /></a></div>
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Have a great Sunday night! </div>
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Mrs. Castro</div>
<br />Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-57455400593809375322013-08-05T09:57:00.000-05:002013-08-05T09:57:04.293-05:00Back to School Updates and a SALE!Hello all!<br />
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I've been absent from the blogging world for a while...a long while! I'm happy to report that whatever it is that motivates teachers to create, share and blog has been rekindled in me. Last year was a wonderful year in a 5th grade dual language classroom. However, the learning curve was steep and my students were a wonderful, special and needy bunch! Which, did not leave much time for creation or energy for blogging.<br />
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I'll be teaching third grade this year, and am excited for the change! I haven't been able to visit my classroom yet - so I'm eager to get started! While anticipating beginning classroom setup, I've been busy updating my Back To School packets!<br />
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I've made changes to all the packets, general revisions and some new material. In celebration of finalizing the updates, I'm throwing a 20% off sale! <br />
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All my the Back to School packets are on sale today and tomorrow (August 5-6). Bilingual packets include activities in English and Spanish, so my bilingual teacher friends will not need to waste time translating!<br />
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Click the images below to visit my store.<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Back-to-School-Pack-Bilingual-Start-the-year-right-295020" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ODY287iw-V4/Uf-6xe4FUaI/AAAAAAAACTU/L89WlnbU1Ro/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="154" /></a><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Kindergarten-Back-to-School-Pack-Start-the-year-right-295040" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yRdQoCKJwis/Uf-6zHtcgdI/AAAAAAAACTc/thOBdDYI7V0/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="154" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-Back-to-School-Pack-Bilingual-Start-the-year-right-295118" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-pv5-xhbw0qXDuqXXmKV0Q7sb3ffm2cADUgdpr6UBLUqR3UR1CCkjUF8QkKt8twxTTWUgHsbe_OfpamDI0JzNRT6FYMDfgSPq1thoB28vZIXZsR9UOAzVKmWnoO_agzcT_4XGNvJmJ7tS/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="154" /></a> <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/First-Grade-Back-to-School-Activity-Pack-Start-the-year-right-295091" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ciCBJjDBPcQ/Uf-7Fy0imPI/AAAAAAAACTo/3vgtYO-6B2A/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="154" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Second-Grade-Back-to-School-Activity-Pack-Bilingual-Start-the-year-right-295141" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdy5LFUIYHV-31uS-Xoso4xP0P2ufsMLC8i_DR9_YTi9PiG8bC2fZ2_2Gcf9iqekCKiZ6RCv1Z8Rh0c8rR7rhdEWLv0wRg0mq-X0zEZj5lXSVVYFbxsfIMhEEJ_FL8_hlmO8Lbf0sSGq2u/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="154" /></a> <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Second-Grade-Back-to-School-Activity-Pack-Start-the-year-right-295162" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n7D1ozUvink/Uf-7PAgyGnI/AAAAAAAACT4/tV7P-tDb8pE/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="154" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Third-Grade-BILINGUAL-Back-to-School-Activity-Pack-Start-the-Year-Right-805489" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODQzwZn7wkot-u_MfC_tsuBizU1BnUtn-TSDhMDLvU28aNoa8Uikk4QLvC0PsxqyFoZxAa9ydzWYwTAy1Bstg7d4Lq_dk3RUxzuxqwmOfQsKWxfVWhh_pMUYfb5tZ9KfFYCbGcDcL1MjM/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="154" /></a><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Third-Grade-Back-to-School-Activity-Pack-Start-the-Year-Right-804025" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qbsZPmgxVIvsza4aw96uJRkKYsvyHss0NmPYX8TP3ZxMGqTjRc0i4vvdQvt7FBfZHEl3wZ2830mBoj4wmCgORf5aC234ozobLCehCQ5eF4hlS6756NzajlYGymX7WOliWdcNlAjhyBJ-/s200/Slide1.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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I hope all is well and you've enjoyed your summer! I hope to be back here blogging regularly, and am thankful to those of you who continue to follow my blog! <br />
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Cheers!<br />
Mrs. Castro<br />
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P.S. If you're a Splat the Cat fan, my products are temporarily marked down by A LOT! Check them out!<br />
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Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-63486009844597293442013-01-06T12:03:00.001-06:002013-01-06T12:03:49.953-06:00Updated Math Work Station Freebie<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy New Year! It's been ages! I've been a terrible blogger lately. Not writing, not checking in, nothing. I apologize for being so absent. I'm hoping the new year will bring in a wave of creative energy, something that's been lacking lately.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I wanted to share a freebie that's been updated at the request of a follower. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I previously shared a math work station that was "How Many to 5?". It's been updated to include the materials for a "How Many to 10?" work station. Everything is in English and Spanish, of course!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Follow the link below to find the freebie in my TpT store:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Number-Sense-Math-Work-Station-How-Many-to-510-BILINGUAL" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6rJvyH-ziiE/UOm5e6tcQMI/AAAAAAAACK8/rzFjRgmn5rM/s320/How+Many+to+5+and+10+Freebie+Image.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Before moving up to 5th grade I also used this fun freebie with my 1st and 2nd graders. My teammate had found and lost track of a freebie that was about "fishing for 10". So I made a quick version of my own to share. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Students will need cards from 1-10. We used cards from a regular deck and counted the Ace as 1. Students divide up the cards, my students had 5 cards each, and try to make 10. The rainbow is just a cheat sheet for them to decide which cards they should ask for. For example, if they have a 2 they can follow the rainbow and see they should ask for an 8. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each pair of cards that make 10 are set out. If a student has a 10, they set it out by itself since there is no 0 card.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If their partner doesn't have the card they go fish. It was pretty basic, but this helped my students with the concept of making 10.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B-pO4SrDLtkfSWpQa2dCMnRDWW8" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3taSIWS-t5bRn0GcqDd4MfpUsN8IjGO-Q4vYgfHeVXJ6-gonkW32zbgRO3lU4M6fUVnYzjAPhIUNVAZJ7ttflBjQ4tPM8fe4Nk2XFBSS9EQU4zXT4vdTIP9voX_MasgbUdHet_MwwafL/s320/pescamos+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We kept it simple. Sometimes the game lasted forever, and other times it ended as soon as it started. Click the rainbow for the freebie in Google Drive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That's all for now! </span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-61718524280413766892012-10-29T19:24:00.002-05:002012-10-29T19:24:48.418-05:00Guided Math–what’s working and what isn’t!<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">I've made the leap to guided math and I’m not missing whole group math instruction even a little bit! My group this year is very polarized and whole group instruction was a depressing failure for us all. I couldn't meet the needs of my students. My struggling students were able to slide under the radar while my math rock stars either stole the show or were bored. Does this sound at all familiar? If so, guided math is for you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">I’ll be honest, I didn't read the guided math book. I understand the theory behind guided math and knew it would take some time to find the right approach for my class and teaching style. I’m enjoying the process and trust my students will reap the benefits. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">At first I tried a structured rotation. Students knew when they were coming to me and exactly what they should be doing when they weren’t with me. Their options were Everyday Math games, multiplication and a higher level calendar math sheet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">On the surface it looked nice…</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6IYMntaa814/UI8db08q__I/AAAAAAAACIA/2p1-Z24jcPg/s1600-h/PA131623%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><img alt="PA131623" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KrYnPOgIv94/UI8dc3lCWEI/AAAAAAAACII/_05NRs0KtLE/PA131623_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="PA131623" width="301" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">...but there wasn't enough accountability built in. <b>IN FACT</b>, on the second day ever of guided math I scheduled my first observation of the year. The lesson was great, but kids who weren't meeting with me were not all on task…one student even made a point of discussing his “<i>mustache</i>” (not noticing the assistant principal listening in). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">I’m lucky that my assistant principal is understanding and loves teaching math. She had lots of good ideas, which I've since been able to implement with much more success. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">Instead of the assigned rotations, students now have a weekly contract where I list the activities they are responsible for if they want to achieve a certain grade for their week’s work. This is good for everyone because:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">*I’m planning ahead more effectively - looking at the exam before planning so I know exactly what my kiddos are expected to learn. For whatever reason Everyday Math does not always explicitly teach items that are on the test (not spiral items, new items). So now, I’m prepared to prepare my students! Following the lessons wasn't enough!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">*I’m planning ahead more effectively - choosing with care which official pieces from the curriculum to use, and what activities I need to create.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">*Items are ranked between must do items - things my students have to know in order to do well on the test, and extension activities. I hope that this way I meet the needs of all my learners!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">*Now all students are held accountable and know what is expected of them if they want to earn a certain grade.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">Here is an example of how I’m planning the week and what the contract looks like right now. <strong><u><em><span style="background-color: yellow;">It’s a work in progress</span></em></u></strong>. I’m thinking about adding a rubric piece to it, so students know what is expected in terms of completeness, organization, neatness, etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">My Plans:</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rgwh9Qv7R4Q/UI8dewMLOYI/AAAAAAAACIQ/SoZJHfAKtaQ/s1600-h/Slide5%25255B6%25255D.png"><span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"></span></a><span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPuNOCYQe0_qPw-GlzhE5mrITSyhyju3vyENCOSwGVQngx8zZrn0AZ3gp8eZZrFsuXZQvMfq7VWnjTHE_1ln6xiGl8cm_6Zw2rQ-H654c67dkyXPbcVyObzRGODoNUopZn4R_aMzHuHHU/s1600-h/Slide5%25255B7%25255D.png"><img alt="Slide5" border="0" height="375" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wvms4hYcB-A/UI8djrsXL4I/AAAAAAAACIc/uK9tIBiSbgE/Slide5_thumb%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Slide5" width="454" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">The Contract:</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSF9753ko7vENgOY9Nan1tQ8FOuBuUZHt-E0nHtU11FJ-poZKaKsURzAWTnkaMt1mHADCUeQ06dScfnmVaC3dj2VHXK6OdN9gZdd15iUc3iJAq80LhV4ddNPUIOz8E5SxetGowL7GcG1Y/s1600-h/Slide6%25255B6%25255D.png"><span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><img alt="Slide6" border="0" height="334" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QxCZivAbDBM/UI8dl4948-I/AAAAAAAACIs/p8zvnHnmBYE/Slide6_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Slide6" width="407" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">I project this fun image for students to refer to as well – just in case the contract isn't enough. They seem to need this visual to support the contract. </span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-et7G1kI98Mw/UI8dmygThFI/AAAAAAAACI0/GRNl_p2vl34/s1600-h/image%25255B4%25255D.png"><span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="345" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4FkEj_4J8fE/UI8dof89NxI/AAAAAAAACI8/g54WuHgybWE/image_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="448" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">Are you doing guided math? What works for you? Any tips or suggestions for me and my readers?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">Happy almost Halloween!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-75701817457005294812012-10-02T20:00:00.000-05:002012-10-02T20:00:44.952-05:00"I have…Who has"–Bilingual freebie<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">I hope your school year is going well! It seems like it’s so easy to forget how overwhelming the beginning of the school year can be…or maybe it’s a case of selective memory. This school year has been great so far! My kids are great blend of sassy and respectful. My teammates are amazing! And, I love 5th grade!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">BUT, I won’t lie…I’m overwhelmed. There is so much to learn when switching schools/grades/program models. I have a lot to learn, and as always feel the pressure of doing my best to help my kids be as successful as possible. You know the feeling, I’m sure!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">Because I’m overwhelmed I haven’t been keeping up with my blog. Finding time to post something insightful is too much for me right now. Once I figure out the grade level, curriculum and dual language hopefully insights will just pour forth. But for now I’m noticeably lacking insight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">Instead of insight I thought I would share a quick freebie. I’ve definitely noticed that my dual language students are struggling with large numbers. They lack confidence when required to say a large number out loud, especially in Spanish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">I created a quick “I have…Who has” set for them to practice saying those big numbers. There is a set in Spanish for my dual and bilingual friends. But I think it’s unlikely my students will only need practice in Spanish, so I created a set in English too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">So instead of insights I offer a freebie hopefully a few of my loyal readers can use or share with someone. Click the image below to download from my TpT shop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/I-Have-Who-Has-Reading-Large-Numbers-Bilingual-Freebie-Halloween-Theme"><span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><img alt="Read and Say Large Numbers - Bilingual B&W" border="0" height="401" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b2FRw6QAPlU/UGuNvRWvMMI/AAAAAAAACGo/NbHja4gwW6U/Read%252520and%252520Say%252520Large%252520Numbers%252520-%252520Bilingual%252520B%252526W%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Read and Say Large Numbers - Bilingual B&W" width="303" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">Happy October!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-69077269150100957032012-09-09T16:47:00.000-05:002012-09-09T19:39:16.949-05:00Divisibility Freebie<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">Teaching 5th grade math is different from teaching 2nd grade math. Shocker! It’s especially a big adjustment for me because I’m teaching using a different curriculum, and I used to teach math in English but now teach it in Spanish. Do you use Everyday Math? Does it get easier? I feel like I read and reread the lesson (in Spanish!) and I am rarely 100% certain I’ve figured out the main idea of the lesson.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">We did have an excellent lesson on divisibility yesterday, though largely due to another blog! Shocker #2! ;) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">First, Andrea from </span><a href="http://www.fortheloveofteachingmath.com/2011/09/21/divisibility-rules/"><span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">For the Love of Teaching Math</span></a><span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">, has a lovely post on a divisibility foldable. Here is the image of my original inspiration:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><img height="254" src="http://www.fortheloveofteachingmath.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/dsc_0083.jpg?w=300" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="356" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">The second key to this lesson came from my 5th grade teammates. They have a copy of a mysterious table they use to teach divisibility. They have one copy and NO idea where it originally came from. The table breaks the rules up into three different patterns, which I liked!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">See the original table:</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZdOomMsQuCnkpy8RTkiiq43YQg_80EHhTmoLpfYLVnbH7vSjaPRhXfnsRJTP2qqAKFG4eu0NvOJy2dSY-rqCOc_zgIy3eRAbeNk8B5TavP7qsB39aTt0DeYnLrF3vXPexTbJ-0wgvmC7/s1600-h/2012-09-07%25252009.38.18%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2012-09-07 09.38.18" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RFzssOL3oJ8/UE0L2TbscMI/AAAAAAAACDM/fNDRN4XaovM/2012-09-07%25252009.38.18_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2012-09-07 09.38.18" width="296" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">So with the foldable and table in mind I got to work!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">When I told my students we were making a foldable for math, you would have thought they got an extra recess! Note: 5th graders like foldables!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">We color coded our foldable, and wrote the rules in the same order as the table, to distinguish these patters visually as well. We glued them into our math notebooks and I will give them a copy of the table to glue/tape into their assignment notebooks to use for homework.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">Here is what it looked like:</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-B2HUCFxl1aI/UE0L3lbyHLI/AAAAAAAACDU/eOiNGnlBaQU/s1600-h/P90715933.jpg"><span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><img alt="P9071593" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O6lDUyDhco0/UE0L4HyXvFI/AAAAAAAACDc/Zv6k5CkmLvo/P9071593_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P9071593" width="184" /></span></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wOMDTsow0ck/UE0L59Z0wtI/AAAAAAAACDk/Pu7gCwJ7-nA/s1600-h/P90715943.jpg"><span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><img alt="P9071594" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y3SkD3t0tfc/UE0L6efIaUI/AAAAAAAACDs/WnlVKDlksto/P9071594_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P9071594" width="184" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoK4fPpIL40po56lNJm_ge9BnjdQBNavWQ2JNW23p3yjUFjEpDVu53u5IK1e8RDe0SC3S64tccXdokzdQWh3IyI8mbu9NN53viPWf0MvQFg7eBHIzeGceJRceyk9ATyd8EoZHzX_omV24T/s1600-h/P90715953.jpg"><span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><img alt="P9071595" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vg_4qZvSGOw/UE0L8XLwgWI/AAAAAAAACD8/CtV_zhvVVdw/P9071595_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P9071595" width="184" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">I’ve also created a divisibility freebie for you. You can have your own divisibility rules table! I had to make one for my team so we wouldn’t be fearful of losing our one and only copy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">You can download the freebie through Google Docs, or TpT. To download through Google - just click any of the images of the actual freebie. To download through TpT - click the green TpT button at the bottom of the post. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Rules-of-Divisibility-a-student-reference-chart-in-English-or-Spanish"><img alt="green TPT.png" border="0" height="200" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YwTCT-PBkkI/UE0L9IZDQ7I/AAAAAAAACEE/lu2chAWYOqk/green%252520TPT.png%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="green TPT.png" width="197" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: DJB BABY BUMP;">Mrs. Castro</span></span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-47324162350452817522012-09-02T20:12:00.000-05:002012-09-02T22:36:45.934-05:00Catch up and The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I hope the beginning of the school year has been a positive experience for all of you! I have to say I’m amazed at how much more smoothly the start of the year goes with 5th graders compared to my former 2nd graders! It’s a whole new world! Thank you to all the primary teachers who work so hard to get them ready for us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am so happy I made the switch to 5th grade. I truly enjoy my students, and am constantly amazed at their ideas, conversations and maturity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">However, I know everyone’s brain works differently. I officially am a “big-picture” person. I have a hard time wrapping my head around details until I’ve figured out big ideas, and how things work as a whole. Consequently, I’m taking 5th grade a day at a time, putting the pieces together. I’m making decisions slowly about how we’ll do our reading logs, use our notebooks, folders, etc. I have to have a vision for everything until I’ll commit. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is why I am absent from blogging. I don’t have a lot to contribute until I've wrapped my head around my new role as a 5th grade dual language teacher. I hope to be sharing ideas and activities soon, but right now everything is in the very beginning stages.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of the ways I’m wrapping my head around the intermediate grades is by reading…I’ve been reading more children's/YA books to keep my book recommendations relevant and up to date. I’ve also been reading some teacher books.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I want to share one with you that is truly amazing! If you teach in the intermediate/middle school grades this book is definitely for you. Teachers of other grade levels this book is still a good read, it might just not be quite as easily applied to your classroom.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4732276-the-book-whisperer" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child" height="261" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255578415l/4732276.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><u>The Book Whisperer</u> by Donalyn Miller. Did you ever watch/read Anne of Green Gables? I remember the main character always carrying on about kindred spirits. Well, I can honestly say that although Donalyn and I have never met, we are kindred spirits. Donalyn is a teacher and a true book nerd, of epic proportions! (She would probably say bibliophile…) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a teacher Donalyn initially struggled to find a literacy instruction approach that engaged students and inspired students to become true readers. In this book she shares her experiences and methods for creating lifelong readers. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her book left me inspired, motivated, and wishing I had had a teacher like her! Donalyn promotes more student freedom, choice and independent reading in the classroom. Under this approach her students have shown incredible growth as readers, and have proven time and time again that “no single literacy activity has a more positive effect on students’ comprehension, vocabulary knowledge, spelling, writing ability, and overall academic achievement than free voluntary reading”.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This book is very reasonably priced and is an easy read! I read it in less than 48 hours! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What now? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now that I’ve read this book how am I going to apply Donalyn’s wisdom to my classroom? It is important that I strive to be a teacher like Donalyn so that my students aren’t left wishing they had had a teacher like her, as I am now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are some of the things I plan to do…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. READ – more books that are geared for my students reading levels. A huge part of what makes Donalyn’s approach so successful is her knowledge and passion for literature. She is very up to date on what kids are reading and can make recommendations to any of her students.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Students will be expected to read 40 books this school year, with genre requirements built in to help them expand their lietrary experiences.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Create our reading response journals…because I have about 100 composition notebooks I believe we’ll be using composition notebooks. Donalyn uses spirals, and a former colleague of mine used three-pronged folders with loose-leaf paper. Included:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Table of contents</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Genre Notes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Literary Terms</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bridge (for dual language)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have-Read List</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Want to read list</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lots of space for reader response to text (letters to me, and my answers)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. Genre discussion with students – this week!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. Continue organizing classroom library by genre using Donalyn’s model.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6. Build my classroom library – another secret to Donalyn’s success is her HUGE classroom library. In order for students to choose they have to have books to choose from…so I’ll be working on this too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7. Decide what this will look like in a dual language classroom. I need my students to be growing as readers and writers in both Spanish and English. So I will have to set certain requirements for language.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This will be a work in progress, but I will be sure to share what works and doesn’t work. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have a wonderful labor day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-24197790408865850432012-08-20T07:00:00.000-05:002012-08-20T07:00:08.896-05:00It’s Monday What Are You Reading?<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m linking up for the first time with a great reading linky, It’s Monday What Are You Reading, hosted by Shelia at <a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-152/">Book Journey</a> and Jen and Kellee at <a href="http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2012/08/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-082012.html#axzz243LmSiIY">Teach Mentor Texts</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://bookjourney.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-152/"><img align="left" height="182" src="http://bookjourney.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/34.jpg?w=658" style="display: inline; float: left;" width="188" /></a><a href="http://www.teachmentortexts.com/2012/08/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-082012.html#axzz243LmSiIY"><img height="195" src="http://irunreadteach.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/mondayreading2.jpg?w=300&h=282" width="206" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The reason I decided to move from 2nd to 5th was ultimately decided by books. As I thought about how big 5th graders are compared to 2nd graders…and all the attitude they might bring in their bigger selves…I suddenly had an epiphany…with bigger bodies comes bigger reading skills – well maybe that’s not a hard fast rule, but in elementary school I think it makes sense!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Reading...essentially my favorite sport! Don’t get me wrong some of my little second graders were great readers. But no matter what kind of reader you are as a second grader, well…you’re no fifth grader. So, my love of reading and desire to teach rich literature at a higher level I accepted the position! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve since checked out about 40+ books from the library. I’ve always read a lot of YA literature. But, I haven’t been keeping up. Plus, a lot of the YA literature I read is geared more towards high school or middle school readers…so I’ve been reading.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are some pictures of this – you can’t read all the titles but you can get a sense of “she’s compulsively checking books out of the library…and may not be in complete control”.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dmZGBwVQMV0/UDG6SUAi-AI/AAAAAAAACA8/MqphPaUKE48/s1600-h/1345433401025%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1345433401025" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-slFpUle03Ns/UDG6TA1LxfI/AAAAAAAACBE/nsbaoxghUJU/1345433401025_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1345433401025" width="244" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6k-mvzTipb3q-tXUu274FekGffETK475D9yW2RsvH2Ebw4WNaXvX-7WH4An3KzvHKsihzj8EzmzNV5hnpKNcsJa_bQE6esQsoYKwqb_qJ5ugkNMLTf8wgDUQOIv6XmVpE1-pel571p4h/s1600-h/1345433557190%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1345433557190" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CK7Mo76RTVM/UDG6UdyqWKI/AAAAAAAACBU/hC8M2eJOs6I/1345433557190_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1345433557190" width="244" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I try to get the same amount of books in English and in Spanish because I will need to make sure to read and provide my students with equal opportunities to read authentic literature in both languages – no easy task my friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is what I’ve officially read or am reading most recently:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Igniting a Passion for Reading: Successful Strategies for Building Lifetime Readers" height="233" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328750705l/6798354.jpg" width="194" /> <img alt="Que Locura Por La Lectura / Wild About Books" height="221" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266776315l/1336614.jpg" width="163" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Shipwreck (Island, #1)" height="219" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1180315000l/1025223.jpg" width="151" /><img alt="Frindle" height="217" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1344395824l/439173.jpg" width="147" /><img alt="Inside Out & Back Again" height="226" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1301851361l/8537327.jpg" width="151" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden, #1)" height="230" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1323357921l/10215349.jpg" width="154" /><img alt="The Dreamer" height="229" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328844026l/6761339.jpg" width="181" /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. Steven Layne’s “Igniting a Passion for Reading”. This is not a book I will be reading to my students, rather it’s a professional development read. I am halfway through and am convinced Steven Layne and I are teaching soul mates. Everything he says or recommends I’ve either done in one – but less purposefully, or have contemplated. One thing he recommends is for teachers to focus their “personal for pleasure” reading on books that fit the age group they are teaching. I haven’t been doing very good at this…so teacher vow: “I solemnly swear to read MOSTLY YA lit this year” (except for during my commute when I listen to books). I highly recommend this book if you are looking for ideas for reading or are looking to be inspired! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Judy Sierra’s “Que locura por la lectura” which also comes in English “Crazy About Reading”. This is a book that is great for almost any grade level. It’s well written and clever. Older kids will appreciate they lyricism and wit of the text. I’m looking forward to using this to set the tone in my classroom – Reading is AMAZING!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Gordon Zorman’s “The Island”. This was my first read by this prolific author. It was a little slow to start but I’m a sucker for anything that is a series! I love following characters indefinitely. I think this will be a great read for 5th graders – they will have to “freshen up” on their nautical vocabulary though!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. Andrew Clements’ Frindle. I LOVED this book. The characters were all likable and the school setting didn’t feel contrived at completely out of touch the way some do. This is another read I hope to share with my students this year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. Thanhha Lai’s “Inside Out & Back Again”. I’m about a quarter through this book. This is an interesting read about a young girl in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It is written from her perspective in verse. This isn’t a book I would normally pick up, as I prefer prose, but it is well done. I’m amazed at how much of her spirit, wit and will come through this writing style – more so than in your average novel!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6. Julie Kagawa’s “The Immortal Rules”. The first in a trilogy – which means it leaves the reader desperate for the second book. Typical! After Twilight I haven’t really read any vampire books, but this one was more “The Passage” meets “Hunger Games”. I enjoyed it, and found the writing to be well done and the characters interesting. I’m curious to see how the story continues. I do not think I’ll be sharing this one with my fifth graders. :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7. Pam Muñoz Ryan’s “The Dreamer”. I’m actually reading the Spanish version “El soñador”. A good friend of mine did not enjoy the English version, but so far I’m enjoying the Spanish version. This story is about Pablo Neruda a famous Chilean poet. I’m only part way through but is following him through his childhood. The books is written in a mixture of prose, verse and stream of consciousness all from Neruda’s p.o.v. I do not know that this would be a great read aloud as a whole, but there are many brilliant sections with beautiful language for teaching visualizations, sensory language and figurative language. Also, if you ever want a peek into the mind of someone who is brilliant/incredibly easily distracted this book does it! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anything by Pam Muñoz Ryan is bound to be good in my opinion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you have any recommendations for 5th grade? I’m making near daily library trips, so recommendations are BIENVENIDOS!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Come “friend” me on Goodreads if you’re a YA reader too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #382110;">my read shelf:</span> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/5544070?shelf=read" title="Laura's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)"><img alt="Laura's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (read shelf)" border="0" src="http://www.goodreads.com/images/badge/badge1.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Reading!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-75041192182658678192012-08-19T09:59:00.001-05:002012-08-19T09:59:46.543-05:00Sneak-a-Peek Linky Party<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been a terrible blogger lately. Between summer school, changing jobs and going on vacation I haven’t been responding to emails or comments lately. I will do better…starting NOW!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://imbloghoppin.blogspot.com/2012/08/sneak-peek-linky-party.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70B-Snfj4GR-ky3lIw3BRPBgYhHc9b2vxTpwQtaPoiqDOv8lI1jLFJHx2-q_2JVH9EX2OZd5XunlVDE72T13y1phwxN0DAMunD6buv-G7oEej1-LIAaH6LwAXT6x4879x60_o1A2sHVg/s400/Sneak+a+Peek.jpg" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While on vacation I made sure to head over to a café for some internet action – since our little cabin was internet free. Oh boy, I didn’t realize just how addicted I was to constant internet connection. It was like detoxing, it wasn't pretty!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BUT, I was able to buy some things…I wish I had been more prepared and put intermediate things in my wish list! Live and learn!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. <a href="http://whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com/">Natalie from What the Teacher Wants</a> had this amazing set! I need all the help I can get since I’m coming from primary. I’m so glad to have something to help me stay aware of the common core!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Common-Core-Math-and-ELA-Galore-5th-Grade-Checklist"><img alt="image" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHLH2QIfGW6eClsv1Kqf2wBdQ701rZs8sAgx8rx8Tc_W-gNlNCpg_V4lHpnV1Sb_3S6qMFx8N_7oREawv1l3OrJ5qD3PFfjyantdYsHV5W6M-FO6Lp_eZIwe8rL5P5-EaKnPcbWCkCW6X2/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="189" /></a><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Common-Core-Math-and-ELA-Galore-5th-Grade-Checklist"><img alt="image" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDoxb87hxi9UO-G8GqCUrfWQcg9LgDYCXksWels9n3wDorxCOO_welvml28VHvj4QJ1g8HVbORvCVe7Ucahr8ILUVXfBgFGrN4tDwlWhxRGDk15vQ2MpJp7o5Bsf0TT6NeA5VGFXD719PW/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="187" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Kristen from The Ladybug’s Teacher Files cursive alphabet! The one that was in my classroom was ancient and awful in every way! This will be great…I just have to figure out where to print it. Any suggestions for what you do for color printing?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ZB-Cursive-Alphabet-Line-Bright-Clear-Decor"><img alt="image" border="0" height="187" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8YzD8f0_J_A/UDD77Zv_G1I/AAAAAAAAB_I/wnjlshMbsEI/image%25255B33%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="244" /></a><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/ZB-Cursive-Alphabet-Line-Bright-Clear-Decor"><img alt="image" border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqjrorCpzAbJkeGqYNF6U2iJ1AGtGPx0AXTd5zHVOUi2XEL0MKF1vq9Rf2ghJVtYDXwJXMt7Ewc85mYo2mk3O1D6zEmCRwc_NYTs836LIe0y12UCojSJqKsExWYDhBVCHjpgPrUEP6CXPG/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="244" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. I teach math in Spanish. But I wanted something to help me keep track of data, and expectations in the 5th grade. So I purchased <a href="http://www.teachingtoinspirein5th.blogspot.com//">Jennifer Findley from Teaching to Inspire in 5th’s</a> Math Common Core Assessments and Data Collection. I’m sure I’ll be doing some translating, but that’s the life of a dual language teacher! After a brief perusal I’m really impressed!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/5th-Grade-Common-Core-Math-Assessments-and-Data-Collection-All-Standards"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JiZPPsmXz_8/UDD7_gDwfNI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/dtt0AOubG2A/image%25255B37%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="183" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. <a href="http://www.traceeorman.com/">Tracee Orman’s</a> Creative Activities & Project Ideas for Any Book. I thought this looked interesting, and it’s from Tracee Orman who is the queen of upper grades on TpT. Again a lot of translating will be needed, but I think it’s a great guide!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creative-Activities-for-ANY-Novel-or-Short-Story-with-Handouts"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dMtmSt2tF0c/UDD8AkZ3rSI/AAAAAAAAB_g/toMS7Nb2TCs/image%25255B42%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="189" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to use this or not. But since I love words and love to see how they are all related I thought this was pretty AMAZING! Plus, there are so many of the cognates between English and Spanish stem from these root words so I think I’ll find away to use this. This came from <a href="http://teachinginroom6.blogspot.com/">Stephanie at Teaching in Room 6</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Greek-and-Latin-Root-Word-Wall-Pieces-and-Word-Cards"><img alt="image" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6-mbB6OhwOU/UDD8BQFb1dI/AAAAAAAAB_o/MGlZqqpP9qc/image%25255B35%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="184" /></a><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Greek-and-Latin-Root-Word-Wall-Pieces-and-Word-Cards"><img alt="image" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wNVOB-AGDh4/UDD8CTGzJVI/AAAAAAAAB_w/uXSta26AUsU/image%25255B36%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="188" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7. Also from Stephanie at Teaching in Room 6 is this calendar math for the upper grades. Remember how I teach math in Spanish…well I know I’ll need to translate and tweak this for my classroom, but she had such a cool system that I had to get this! You can see more about her upper grades calendar math at her blog post by clicking <a href="http://teachinginroom6.blogspot.com/search/label/Calendar%20Math">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Calendar-Math-for-Upper-Grades-5th-Grade-Editable-Version"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rzt4aOp8nF0/UDD8DOsVziI/AAAAAAAAB_4/NkTFNEQvHYQ/image%25255B40%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="188" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8. So this was an impulse buy. I did not do the guided math book study and I don’t know if I’ll be ready for guided math this year because I’m:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*Changing grades</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*Changing curriculums (Houghton Mifflin to Everyday Math)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*Channing instructional languages</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But I know guided math is the way to go! So I got this kit by Clutterfree Classroom, to help set it up…again, I’ll have to translate it and tweak it but how could I not get it!?</span><br />
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/MATH-WORKSHOP-ROTATION-BOARD"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EvbUjagFhwo/UDD8EO91LbI/AAAAAAAACAA/PuXEmsXP9oE/image%25255B41%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="201" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So those are my purchases for this big sale. I’m excited to start using them…but next time I’ll be more prepared!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cheers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mrs. Castro</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">P.S. New blog look coming soon!</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-62115986137036389922012-08-13T09:00:00.000-05:002012-08-13T12:49:41.587-05:00Monday Made it #3 For Me!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Project #1:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This Monday Made It, is rather disappointing. I had hoped to make my own vinyl. I found a blog on Pinterest that explained how to make homemade vinyl.</span><br />
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<a href="http://brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/2010/05/contact-paper-cardstock-wall-decals.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">http://brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/2010/05/contact-paper-cardstock-wall-decals.html</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought, “that sounds AMAZING!” I keep looking at all these different vinyl stores online, but can’t make up my mind. I’m not a great decision maker when it comes to these sorts of things, and I just flip from shop to shop and never buy a thing. If I could make my own vinyl, having chosen the paper and colors in person– well that would solve my problems!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T_dOf_1IZY0/UCWVpv2kEoI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/VBppcd74wDY/s1600-h/P8101512%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="P8101512" border="0" height="344" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vBbJ31mdFzg/UCWVq_OTvHI/AAAAAAAAB7g/E7eyez5vaxU/P8101512_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8101512" width="254" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So I tried it. It wasn’t easy. Contact paper is a difficult medium! I don’t have enough hands to keep it flat…seriously I was using my chin at one point. But eventually I was able to sort of work it out, and I anxiously awaited 12 pieces of homemade vinyl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well…as the cardstock dried…it became very loosely stuck to the contact paper. Should I have used more mod podge? Something heavier? I put a heavy binder on them as they dried. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then, when I tried using my Silhouette on them, it failed. The letters were cut but the cardstock separated from the contact paper. Needless to say I’m disappointed and back to square 1 when it comes to vinyl.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Project #2:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I still was able to make my Bienvenidos Banner using my cameo. I just used a touch of hot glue to attach the letters instead of homemade vinyl. The Silhouette cut the pennants (including circles for ribbon) and the letters. It was super easy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I chose my color scheme with Kristen’s flipped signs in mind…I love everything she does, so this seemed like a safe plan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thinking:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.ladybugsteacherfiles.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="image" border="0" height="401" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XkkPSHvTVk8/UCWVsXyAprI/AAAAAAAAB7o/B0iaHkEjRWM/image%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="479" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Created:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8vZRqXJgLv4/UCWVuZzIYbI/AAAAAAAAB7w/PlRqtakyr6Y/s1600-h/P8101516%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8101516" border="0" height="200" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wBnUET3O1l4/UCWVvTfRE5I/AAAAAAAAB74/iyc83Md0bLE/P8101516_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8101516" width="260" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OuvG_EPE_ck/UCWVynLcl5I/AAAAAAAAB8A/n3QEkfE1IFw/s1600-h/P8101518%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8101518" border="0" height="200" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zg5Y6K1GpVA/UCWVzskrksI/AAAAAAAAB8I/15VFjKtqc_0/P8101518_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8101518" width="260" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Project #3:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This week I also made these fun duct tape flower pens. (Once I have vinyl I want to add some grass to the tin). I also need to add a bit of foam to the bottom of my recycled Tazo Tea tins, because they are too deep for everything I make. I was thinking they could be some sort of incentive for the kids – after so many pieces of bling you get to use the flower pen…I could have sold that with second graders, but I’m thinking fifth graders won’t buy into it…they’re still cute though!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aht4tPq_ekc/UCWV1n-v4HI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/2p1vofPMYYc/s1600-h/P8101536%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="P8101536" border="0" height="274" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--8qKfrVgZRQ/UCWV2boMo9I/AAAAAAAAB8Y/yipLB2vFjZ8/P8101536_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8101536" width="349" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I used this tutorial that I found on Pinterest. </span><br />
<a href="http://sevensistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/02/lucky-ducky-duct-tape-flower-pens.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-239sgXKvoJA/TWcaY9uO3sI/AAAAAAAAD-k/2XeRCkqe-JQ/s320/IMG_4967.JPG" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was really easy to follow. I felt like my fingerprints had been ripped off after so much duct tape use, but apparently not since they scanned properly for my background check for my new employer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Project #4:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also had ordered these posters from Vistaprint, and had the dry mounted at Hobby Lobby. They were too flimsy and I was afraid they would get destroyed in my classroom. The dry mounting cost $9.00 a piece, but if you consider I got them for free at the clearance sale, I think it’s a good deal!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VmT2KQg2WOw/UCWV3493awI/AAAAAAAAB8g/Mo-VlgHszoQ/s1600-h/P8101519%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8101519" border="0" height="200" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DfVEuJ6BIRU/UCWV4oktHGI/AAAAAAAAB8o/3IQpHwsUzE4/P8101519_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8101519" width="260" /></a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EE4nZxZxWyY/UCWV57V7FtI/AAAAAAAAB8w/dngvsyfybQM/s1600-h/P8101522%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8101522" border="0" height="200" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-476WvJ5s4d8/UCWV6eL-atI/AAAAAAAAB84/7L8dMwWT8bg/P8101522_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8101522" width="260" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8xqkApnjr-0/UCWV7ZsvfbI/AAAAAAAAB9A/GlBzdqXadfk/s1600-h/P8101526%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8101526" border="0" height="260" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Nu8D6FrqIl0/UCWV8D1UJlI/AAAAAAAAB9I/H_kb-hc8DVE/P8101526_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8101526" width="200" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3-SFuqgg4PE/UCWV9OkUBYI/AAAAAAAAB9Q/ZfAFb5a0UKk/s1600-h/P8101527%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8101527" border="0" height="260" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cdi_n37Knbs/UCWV9sCg4FI/AAAAAAAAB9Y/KBGROvcffLc/P8101527_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8101527" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Krista @ <a href="http://thesecondgradesuperkids.blogspot.com/2012/07/monday-made-it-5-for-me.html">The Second Grade Super Kids</a> made something earlier this summer with the quote from Gandhi – and I loved her idea! Be the change you want to se in the world. These will look great in my classroom and are perfect for dual language!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Find more great ideas at 4th Grade Frolics:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2012/08/monday-made-it-11-and-yipee.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ0YO2elr_ATMO78z_6-E7xJ1utx831ccMkz9s-KIW1zaMpO0HhCJ4SNP-LXfRbQhiSybsCI5CaymRZVNsKE68IpWgyMdhKB28uQFFdMHn4zpuU4LhePa87DqZAXxOfZQRb2sDo2PLEVP/s320/mondaymadeit2_240x240.png" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That’s it for this week! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy creating!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-53959759996447325822012-08-11T08:00:00.000-05:002012-08-11T08:00:01.036-05:00Back to School Sale<span style="font-family: Georgia;">No doubt you’re all thinking about the beginning of the school year and adding things to your TpT wishlist like a madwoman! (I can’t be the only one!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I’m happy to announce that I’m here to help! My entire store will be on sale August 12-13th (Sunday and Monday). You can get up to 28% off all my products. AMAZING!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><b><u>Every product will be on 20% off. Make sure to use the coupon code - BTS12 to get an extra 10%off!</u></b></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Castro"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><img alt="BTS 12 250x125" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs075/1102126629145/img/2049.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Here are some of the things you can find and wishlist until the sale!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Back to school packets</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8YkGUt15NIYpLdg0IiCzchNOhrO31SBwj1mo9_3ZElJ25XYGfgtVnW77tKhT-r3fn9wBan7mNBnBc3WBz2rNIdyvyTBqVtbpKBprxNLMRvdLdWsD62vwC5f-ys_2_uMmrHN11Z205HZ6/s1600-h/sale%252520for%252520blog1%25255B3%25255D.png"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Castro/PreK-12-Subject-Area/HolidaysSeasonal/Back-to-School"><img alt="sale for blog1" border="0" height="496" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tsCeO1TrJqo/UCSH-weLaUI/AAAAAAAAB54/ukJTla-QqYI/sale%252520for%252520blog1%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="sale for blog1" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">You can also find my Splat packets which come in English only and bilingual forms</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDI80EI82l_h4ITqc2ZsGQqWpdBXt2905qULfUCFqlPg8y_8fUbv1UhEFNEadPXFftbIxeJIQ2SD7JpyodQqMAEPEAo_koF1IeYZjIGXmKhnyDtwWx5dMQ-ZyCJY5gpQQOsFVLAOzaWY8/s1600-h/Splat%252520Writing%252520Craftivity%252520-%252520Bilingual%252520Cover%25255B2%25255D.png"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Splish-Splash-Splat-Writing-Craftivity-English-and-Spanish"><img alt="Splat Writing Craftivity - Bilingual Cover" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G7cb06eH3GQ/UCSIHe5IstI/AAAAAAAAB6I/xMzAeXfac4s/Splat%252520Writing%252520Craftivity%252520-%252520Bilingual%252520Cover%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Splat Writing Craftivity - Bilingual Cover" width="189" /></a></span><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Splish-Splash-Splat-Bilingual-Math-and-Literacy-activities"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Splish-Splash-Splat-Math-and-literacy-activities"><img alt="Splish Splash Splat - English - Cover" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedjVUqukykjtihtiFUGRuM4-36S5Y8gc7eGhUx952nOje9c_gC21FHUP1l9N6zdTqBtLQItWYHUTTTWHWUV4npNZg1Z0a_Gc4XmV3f5cj6uUPIE9VfxXPs1MdPK_KNG8LeJPo2KYd7JSS/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Splish Splash Splat - English - Cover" width="189" /></a></span><img alt="Splish Splash Splat - Bilingual" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q0qHkzfxcoQ/UCSIKuoVqRI/AAAAAAAAB6Y/DlJiPruSJdU/Splish%252520Splash%252520Splat%252520-%252520Bilingual%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Splish Splash Splat - Bilingual" width="189" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">You’ll find other items there too! Click the green sign (green means go... so go!)</span></div>
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Castro"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><img alt="green TPT.png" border="0" height="239" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0E1ScahBRyI/UCSILIjiKrI/AAAAAAAAB6g/gBwtjEYXRJQ/green%252520TPT.png%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;" title="green TPT.png" width="240" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">I know I have a bunch of things on my wish list I’ll be purchasing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Happy back to school shopping! </span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-78398658908299800152012-08-10T06:00:00.000-05:002012-08-10T06:00:00.127-05:00Blogging changes lives…really!<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blogging has changed my life. Literally. And in a BIG way! I’m excited to share some news with you. I am making a change…well, lots of changes really.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*I’m changing districts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*I’m changing grade.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">*I’m changing program model.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here’s the info…since I started to blog, I almost immediately started following the blog of a 2nd grade dual language teacher. I bet you follow her blog too! <a href="http://thesecondgradesuperkids.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Krista @ The Second Grade Super Kids</a>. Well it was exciting when I realized she was practically a neighbor of mine, and is also from the Chicago area.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We were able to meet during the summer and…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#1 – she’s amazing!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">#2 – she’s inspiring! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After talking with Krista I found myself wishing more than anything that I was part of a dual language program. For those of you in the bilingual education know – I was teaching in a transitional program. But dual language was calling my name!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, I decided to see if the perfect position would present itself. I wouldn’t change for anything but the perfect position! I had such a wonderful teammate, and support system at my school. These were the people who helped me figure out how to teach! It’s hard to leave them behind and venture into the unknown!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BUT, the perfect position did present itself as a 5th grade dual language position. Even better, I’m going to be working at a school with a staff that believes in dual language and has an established methodology and vision. (EXCITING!) To top it all off, I’ll be working at the same school as Krista. She’s no longer just a bloggy friend, she’s a colleague and a friend. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So from bilingual 2nd grade to 5th grade dual language I go!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">See! Blogging changes lives! There is no doubt if I hadn’t started blogging I wouldn’t have been on the path that led me to this opportunity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are some pics of my new classroom as I found it:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskiNnYyLkVbvViAxRzAvGomRGWaqNci7Ev2nwExdPRqip6EpicuZYZ1Tygg3QbBfjx5xnykeg8FN8wqEBRXv12iDi1zyM3zXKcGxZd1ogTxMbp0hvwctibW61i697_Dz-lBbwcUh8mikM/s1600-h/from%252520the%252520doorway%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="from the doorway" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPHyhBRa5aycKIGXhR2QRir1bjtuGtccKtrFV0ahfI1-JaCsmTz5RwqT5zKKb7ry9NJmtTkfuEBcFC2BrlFC5W9g0uVD99Te6t2FbYas7f-I8CwYKrxVCT-Hddi5QpEmxr5WsGz0fwTcJi/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="from the doorway" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5YmAF2ozO9Y/UCSCc45zXMI/AAAAAAAAB3M/mXO_jcLGw9Q/s1600-h/from%252520the%252520back%252520corner%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="from the back corner" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4MVGWdYjOCs/UCSCezzoBWI/AAAAAAAAB3U/-btGWlLktRc/from%252520the%252520back%252520corner_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="from the back corner" width="244" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAbf7gQJvHPRUkrN-rYvDbkU1OLy_WOWsuiYoGrS2IVul_o9PQV2hkfwn9NLbhl92UxxV57v4QsWtVxLjNmb1PbqWCiSyK7HeIuMKbblhcfKcqAiypYMETzVpUtwKoDdT4cPuayySqyu8/s1600-h/from%252520the%252520back%252520wall%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="from the back wall" border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqW-CDk2u9yds3lXjiHjU_LbFxqNr2pj93l530uhwDa-pdHMrioPHvDndd1D8GmO7z6vd29Zk4azUSnyd1vRIJST7HWavxfN0T2DEbgfUcZ71kcM94qmeVokQF7TtRFsc2vW74fLnkO9F8/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="from the back wall" width="244" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuqnSS5w6Y0z9o4r4TDBLxFfRr3APGkibJKYh0UWK_FESHitNEbpd8I1R5yoU592jV4adG3TA4bOL8SHDn5OcB5pxypi79hECnIlPHrHN_CdHTs-5kuOgS8wJ_9fdv8JnBNYKkaz0giLZk/s1600-h/from%252520opposite%252520wall%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="from opposite wall" border="0" height="196" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_o2TNGJdlVY/UCSC4hMH4qI/AAAAAAAAB34/dBppGHt1dBE/from%252520opposite%252520wall_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="from opposite wall" width="244" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BTZB6Pm3gnk/UCSDE-LCzII/AAAAAAAAB4A/w6qxmaXA488/s1600-h/from%252520my%252520desk%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="from my desk" border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZ_0eOnmvJih5Oq-dleAzxyq-7nHiy73XvkaeWOIHHMWxHKx3zgFOTC1c604GD6CdPCf9NNWTESqou9Hk5gdr3AMX1Ui2vXgHUiuQvliyV_f-3NmInZ6Uv8aTP7138apOvMkS1EAZRP8-/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="from my desk" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2tmSFJ2a4lk/UCSDT-4EstI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/cQN8YChl9ys/s1600-h/from%252520my%252520desk1%25255B2%25255D.png"><img alt="from my desk1" border="0" height="192" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I6lWV-46SB0/UCSDVRaB3QI/AAAAAAAAB4Y/nRYiPkhES5c/from%252520my%252520desk1_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="from my desk1" width="244" /></a></span></div>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mHJnec3C5T4/UCSDgjs13gI/AAAAAAAAB4g/c7BZiWGAh9A/s1600-h/from%252520the%252520front%25255B2%25255D.png"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="from the front" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7i8rwkqi8RQ/UCSDidgK74I/AAAAAAAAB4o/MgleaWRbcLk/from%252520the%252520front_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="from the front" width="244" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All these pics mean I’m linking up to Miss Nelson’s linky – Before & After! Isn't that a good idea. I've always loved before & after pics...and as a teacher nothing beats classroom before & afters!</span><br />
<a href="http://missnelsonsgotthecamera.blogspot.com/2012/08/giveaway.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4r4YudcCG5tYn3dPTGHd29nj-N8W4JSnXndf0JpSVJ1i2ArTPpAVDdJftZQnuEAS_gtsCPI_oX88tF50JPihz2xHjnaDsuyzBtzW_cTBXuisoWJtlejZCL5OFD5mRnLx553dOpgr8vU/s320/before+and+after+linky.png" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I had to empty out my old classroom. I think today might have been the second day in the ENTIRE summer that it actually rained, and all day! BUT after a few trips I was able to move all of my things to my garage. You’ll remember I spent a lot of time this summer organizing my classroom library – well all those books and fancy labels are in my garage until further notice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Remember my back to school packets? I thought I was being smart, creating a product and getting myself set for the beginning of the school year. Well, feedback has been great, I’m really proud of them and was looking forward to using one in my classroom…but all that’s out the window too now! Fifth grade teachers how do you start the school year?!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It’s worth it though! I’m excited to read real literature with my 5th graders. I’ve already picked up these book from the library and have 12 more on hold! Can you tell I’m excited about reading some “real” books!!?! I’m so looking forward to the conversations my students and I will share in Spanish and English! (HUGE GRIN!)</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XbAHYgm_GmU/UCSDkUoQseI/AAAAAAAAB4w/dXKQp7LQIp0/s1600-h/P8091505%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="P8091505" border="0" height="309" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LSFUzOYFFlc/UCSDlCOwXWI/AAAAAAAAB44/KezQM_kpx54/P8091505_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8091505" width="399" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What this all really means though, is that my blog is going to have to change its look again! I have to think of a clever name…any suggestions? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Any tips for 5th grade? I will take all tips and advice! Behavior management suggestions? Does the clip chart work? Incentives for 5th graders. I’m not sure bling will be as tempting as it was for my little guys. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last thing in this l-o-n-g post. This Saturday is my husband's and my 5th anniversary! CRAZY! We’ll be going on vacation to northern Minnesota (exciting, I know!) for a week – just in time for me to be freaking out about not being in my classroom…but I’m going to try and keep it together and remember that no matter how much preparing I do, I’ll feel unprepared on the first day of school this year…at least I’ll keep telling myself that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cheers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-31090556226302887142012-08-06T19:59:00.002-05:002012-08-06T19:59:57.222-05:00Product Swap–Product Review–FINALLY!<a href="http://mrsstanfordsclass.blogspot.com/2012/07/day-has-finally-come-welcome-to-magical.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="MrsStanfordsClass" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpC2v8l5Hgy2yefUNiR105b0aXkorzQcWLOJBvrYZCt1oB_WByKmY0OUgP1s_61nKPawwBJGIaZ_dJrKrMtspPjb2ymgb8tZUeJfeI5-JZ5OkWkZDu0HoVEU7XcW543wBVxI1WwSJnnAA/s320/Jessica_button_final.png" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I first signed up to be a part of the product swap hosted by Jessica Stanford at Mrs. Stanford's class, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I’m so glad I decided to participate though! I was matched with the lovely, Lori Wolfe. I couldn’t have been more lucky! Lori has tons of experience teaching ELLs and has already created so many products – published products. As it turned out I actually already owned one of her math books! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve been working on improving my math work stations, so I chose Lori’s “Place Value with 2 Digit Numbers – Math Games and Lesson Plans”. (Lori generously sent me her 3 Digit Numbers pack as well!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-with-2-Digit-Numbers-Math-Games-and-Lesson-Plans"><img align="left" alt="image" border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhuV5Wpga5khM-2vUsq5q22hie-W-_aBZkg20w-86P4SCq8kU2DgFU72WzQ3O9pXubiNAPjhPJ6qY0P7Mrc2uPPivjZn_gP-hdsJllIMXCB2FCIcN5XSTc_hedKyguQkVV3f-U97Izu0K/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="188" /></a><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Place-Value-with-3-Digit-Numbers-Games-and-Lesson-Plans-Math-Games"><img alt="image" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V89QkbK4vjU/UCBmzYN9MsI/AAAAAAAABzo/b0qpJ8dBkvc/image%25255B7%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="image" width="191" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These packs sell for $5.95 and includes 5 different place value games. DUAL AND BILINGUAL TEACHERS this is available in Spanish too!!!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Valor-Posicional-Con-Numeros-de-2-Digitos-Math-Games-Lesson-Plans"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt=" Valor Posicional Con Numeros de 2 Digitos-Math Games & Le" height="158" src="http://datax.teacherspayteachers.com/thumbitem/Valor-Posicional-Con-Numeros-de-2-Digitos-Math-Games-Lesson-Plans/medium-22706-1.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="127" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">These packs come in black and white. I LOVE this! I personally don’t own a colored printer. The colored printer at work is notoriously out of ink and this is the sort of resource I would rather color code myself with different paper than have colored graphics. Here you can see how Lori has hers in fun colors:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here you can see I color coded my games. Each game is a different color – makes it so easy to keep all the pieces separate! Unfortunately the colors I chose are semi-similar and it’s hard to tell. I have a teal, light blue, turquoise and purple. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-caYIBnPAiRw/UCBm1UGfFHI/AAAAAAAABzw/Gt6qHUWxh0w/s1600-h/P8051467%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8051467" border="0" height="226" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2zUA6UXVGL4/UCBm2Jx61II/AAAAAAAABz4/W390x5XXBP8/P8051467_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8051467" width="167" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVfURrUNa-eJskQO-rrM50PAoM8nPYyAPQhCqfFyfdJMImY8i06NIlikATHfDfjOm9j4ICsDiQ3y5wWcKrfEDT0JHLZxsYyG7nqa7tXLFmHp0FL7QJupiwZkhVxJjX-8QVXfHZ15OV_gU/s1600-h/P8061484%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8061484" border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQDWUHBdBhvvhHYs2bxhiRZmNlO-5t0yYNVDWHgvfHE16l6DbWwxWmKBB80yBvWDpWsHVlf705XK67OM-HlMSSpkzzM99HRpnolx-yMhz_U2cPLDb8eRdTvY0cNiQUOaxqighbXzm_rk7W/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8061484" width="292" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also used my handy-dandy Scotch laminator to make sure these games really lasted! Everything turned out so sturdy and EXPO marker friendly! I’ve even laminated the recording sheets – that way they can be reused again and again!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are two things that really impressed me about this product…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. The layout. The directions are very easy to follow. I was absent when they taught “following directions” and “reading for detail” at school…so I usually struggle putting things together, and there are lots of wasted paper and mistakes. BUT, this product is laid out in such a way that I had no problems putting the games together. Everything is concise and labeled! I put them together in no time! See...easy to read set up!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hwHoGzv3D0/UCBnwUmFsqI/AAAAAAAAB2A/Xl0bw_DymcM/s1600/P8061485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hwHoGzv3D0/UCBnwUmFsqI/AAAAAAAAB2A/Xl0bw_DymcM/s200/P8061485.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQzFLWqwYmQ/UCBn1eTnB6I/AAAAAAAAB2I/qM2IdANYFGk/s1600/P8061486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQzFLWqwYmQ/UCBn1eTnB6I/AAAAAAAAB2I/qM2IdANYFGk/s200/P8061486.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. The games are simple and yet incredibly meaningful! I do not expect it to be difficult to teach these games to my students. And yet, the games will challenge the students to develop place value strategies in order to beat their partner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">EXAMPLES:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1s & 10s Greatest Number. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 players.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Students each have a 2 digit place value game board.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Students draw a number and must place the card in either the ones or tens place. Their goal is to get the greatest number. Students must come up with a strategy for determining when to place a number in the ones vs. tens…how will they determine it?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The learning is extended as the students then have to write the numbers on the recording sheet from greatest to least. COOL RIGHT!?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AAYazI9IXxc/UCBm6eDdvuI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/EheQqNqfaWI/s1600-h/P8061474%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8061474" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TPN74lZAQ3U/UCBm7Bhp2cI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/Epw3Y5Fa_Fo/P8061474_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8061474" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KKaNG1D1WSY/UCBm8_GzVeI/AAAAAAAAB0g/LooslxYybso/s1600-h/P8061476%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8061476" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4VA_sEproKgFCS138iIYyuLHqWtaU-nWKqptV_k34WEQ6h0-PYjkIS6CqNzZkUbIJ9maeoWv1k3j6lGCWOj571SCbfJdftSdmIFrDTVXmWVjjl8bwHx5X-bxSItG39ImkK4xVpx75raz/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8061476" width="244" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Odd or Even? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2+ players</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I played this by myself to make sure I could explain it. This is a challenging game if you wan to win! Each student has a 2 digit place value game board. Each student draws a number and must decide to place it in the tens or ones place – the goal is make the largest ODD number. So not only do students need to understand even and odd, they must also determine how to make the biggest number possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Students record the results on a sheet to see who gets the most “greatest odd numbers”.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CecTuPhzuwc/UCBm_bIMc5I/AAAAAAAAB0w/Ym8G5_fZYSs/s1600-h/P8061477%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8061477" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X6iKi0WVhE8/UCBnAYS2GPI/AAAAAAAAB04/xKiw-Ug6Xug/P8061477_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8061477" width="244" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwuIKy82in5EugFYSDmgQeLW8ipLajzJQxe6gVx9erxjWuNYrNl39iORIppLKOQi-wR4NShRPQ2x3oPHFST234g6LUWoI2afrI8T6XI3haRC1a1QfRZbYAqn8IOhgQGVttTCzj-DntaIbj/s1600-h/P8061478%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8061478" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSojj5zrytry8y9R5mPFhYK12bwhU0w9s6ykW-orDWqj4ydkmrlqOQdn0844TE1viiTI2mr_YyvCF7WIdFKw6kUsV78OE-uSJ4wxFaUeufsWMKV_OlcLjHE1yRPz0PaOtp3nkMQvGcyOX/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8061478" width="244" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3 In A Row - 2+ players</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This game is great because it adds a twist. Students must be the first to fill their board. BUT, the number cards are labeled with tens or ones…so when a student draws a card they must put it in the right place value slot. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e5O1eOEVbuo/UCBnFWHNz-I/AAAAAAAAB1Q/y3BTRqFUrkk/s1600-h/P8061480%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8061480" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rmjxYXaTluA/UCBnF07jrBI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/bhXFUVZIus4/P8061480_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8061480" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FK_JIGP-u-I/UCBnHzNozjI/AAAAAAAAB1g/feJDQVDRNRY/s1600-h/P8061479%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8061479" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLZcN0j9scoaWDbJMWj56zs3NPcfxkvQ2g-n02xIOuBNsMVcLluXISCFnDKsaq0MVnL-YjE5_jNXo87cMqSQ5aeLG9Qw47J-wF1LZNRmwdu_OJwI5-K6v5TtqfyViO0iVdtvTSyNwocpE/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8061479" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M-WtZQslCyI/UCBnK2XoO9I/AAAAAAAAB1w/-dtLaqIQv3k/s1600-h/P8061481%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="P8061481" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUnhvPF-xYgCspwGI35UqUvQTXKqbDwwLgI_Zyr2s7Uo5g1ewb4twd-_9k46a4N8mPPsMvQ-_-aIVOc8-7wJmmXmpj_Yvfj1O1LYB_6TcWSiM1ats2uY1j0muDz73AKr4FuqNNxU3Ha_Nn/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P8061481" width="244" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Go Fish Even – uses the same materials but students try to fill their boards with even numbers ONLY. I like that this is interactive because my students will be forced to talk and use math language!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lori also has a place value game that uses base 10 block cards!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I anticipate this packet becoming an essential resource for place value in my work station rotations. They are simple, straight-forward, easy to assemble but pack an instructional punch! I know my students will have fun playing these games and won’t even realize how much they are learning and reinforcing their learning while they play! Isn’t that what we’re always looking for as teacher? A way to make learning engaging and meaningful! Lori has managed! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lori’s TpT store is FULL of amazing products for regular ed. teachers and bilingual teachers. She has products in English and Spanish. AND she has products across the content areas – Language Arts, Math, and more. Check it out here:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Fun-To-Teach"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Welcome to the ESL ELD blog!" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPneT6zdX13jDIu6nfR6i2vsCT4ywVT88Zr7TmisX4tdEoF-v_cwCLxKePUShYKz4lUnqjCmn3P-Q9pX-y0v6Ri-qp2-cThDUkzk6UEIvQkl-ITibiozpcQr90bjU_tUb2Akzq4-_kfKn/s250/Logo175x200noText+copy.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is the link to Lori’s blog!</span><br />
<img alt="ELL blog" src="http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/3673/funtoteachblogbutton150.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lori has a FB account too!</span><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FunToTeach"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img align="left" height="234" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s720x720/536158_280495318701340_219775982_n.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left;" width="525" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I feel very fortunate to have been matched to Lori Wolfe. Check out all of her wonderful products and ideas!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cheers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-83519278369459074872012-08-04T14:13:00.002-05:002012-08-04T14:13:16.609-05:00Back to School – Start the year right!<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heads up – this post is about my store, not my classroom. So read on if you are in need of some back to school activities – in English or Spanish.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Castro/PreK-12-Subject-Area/HolidaysSeasonal/Back-to-School"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="sale for blog1" border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNGeMLpyZupTY1msiNl_hxkIsp2jVy-Cailr0xi8AQ6-Kv95gDMmfBPbduIZZZTctd7J6tsvkoUuFpTHY_GSBtFKIPBC53G7yQv_OL2FvGQT7dYpfGYDEN_wsSaWbG9ZZez2PcXx2Y8Ce/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="sale for blog1" width="578" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">***All Back To School Items discounted and on 20% off until Tuesday, August 7 at midnight!***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you ever started a simple straight-forward project that slowly evolved into something so much bigger than you planned?! That’s what my back to school project turned out to be – a behemoth with a mind of its own. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m so happy it’s finally done and I can share what I’ve been up to. I know there are lots of back to school activity packs out there for you to buy. But I wanted to create something a little different. How is this different you might ask…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. I designed it with my bilingual/dual teacher friends in mind. I wanted to create something they wouldn’t have to spend any time translating...Later I decided to make everything in English too, for my monolingual teacher friends who still want to spice up their beginning of the year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. These activities will “spice things up” by using “new” non-traditional back to school read alouds, AND traditional read alouds. These include two AMAZING multi-cultural reads!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. This packet isn’t about keeping the kids occupied those first days of school. Each activity works towards the creation of something bigger – a class book! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each pack is full of activities and comes with a PowerPoint with editable covers for your class books! In addition to creating 7 class books, students will work on a “All About Me” book. Cool, right!? Activities have been differentiated for three different grade levels! There is a reading survey, family tree activity, poetry writing, and more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">REMEMBER bilingual teachers – in the bilingual pack all activities are included in English and Spanish! </span><br />
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Castro/PreK-12-Subject-Area/HolidaysSeasonal/Back-to-School"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Slide1" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibshrXANW2_uEFqtQl4GxtDW6Aak-uR1sZotQSKoKbuKm8ajjxxck8cIv8odp1oiJPbNsoOI3Xwj5IZuyAhukYs6kP6yEfWh3htJrLJF2PX5s1NMtdT6prMyhI-PyKPMcaL-_CE2S58TNx/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Slide1" width="244" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Castro/PreK-12-Subject-Area/HolidaysSeasonal/Back-to-School"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Slide1" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k-_z70rowXo/UB1zQQGYsJI/AAAAAAAABx4/ErITPUrKPOo/Slide1%25255B13%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Slide1" width="244" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Castro/PreK-12-Subject-Area/HolidaysSeasonal/Back-to-School"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Slide1" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EM3cvYeIlTo/UB1zRnJwMiI/AAAAAAAAByA/HleyzBuKz4A/Slide1%25255B12%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Slide1" width="244" /></span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Castro/PreK-12-Subject-Area/HolidaysSeasonal/Back-to-School"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img alt="Slide2" border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFEkidGhiNJx7oP3xy34huf1kdGOVPBmkFJL5nytR8BSJuKFGZLXpRYZkpH4R9Ekjacq93Ex5quc7JUfpuvraHHF97pmm3GqU20tPY3144-dEzurnMbLj4MaI3SvOgMwlsJwqC_rWwteo/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Slide2" width="244" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Castro/PreK-12-Subject-Area/HolidaysSeasonal/Back-to-School"><img alt="Slide3" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0DD7cLhsULM/UB1zTSgdzvI/AAAAAAAAByQ/LfOaizSXf4s/Slide3%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Slide3" width="244" /></a><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mrs-Castro/PreK-12-Subject-Area/HolidaysSeasonal/Back-to-School"><img alt="Slide4" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rfxzmKwHMDE/UB1zUCrxG-I/AAAAAAAAByY/HplCguHiIdE/Slide4%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Slide4" width="244" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’ve also broken up some of my favorite activities into smaller products – so if you don’t want to buy a whole pack you can get the individual activity for less $.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So click any of the images on this page to head over to my store and see all my back to school products. All of these items are discounted and 20% off until Tuesday, August 7 at midnight! Don't miss out!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cheers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-28985943257701324052012-07-30T14:48:00.000-05:002012-07-30T14:50:18.214-05:00Monday Made It #2 - Silhouette and Debbie Diller in one post!<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ve officially demolished a Silhouette cutting mat in my first attempts at using it. But, that is irrelevant because I have made my first Silhouette project. It’s not particularly awe-inspiring, but it’s a start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I use numbers to keep track of my students and last year I wrote the numbers on sticks – and just kept them in a container. Very blah, and uninspired. What would always happen was, I would misplace sticks that I had chosen because I had nowhere specific for the sticks that had been used…I would also walk around with the holder and misplace that…but I hope all that can be solved.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ve created these bright fancy number sticks and holders. Now every stick has a home, called on or not! Bonus: everything is bright, so hopefully I can’t misplace anything even if I set the tins in a random place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TlA2K5OuADZ5fmxFZY7d10X6gOUFU9X_e7iUl634VrcCoIPeknwZ7ZyjgbtdFcf_IeTOEg_IWs0sJgDVPqR4rVsq6GeBS-sYyaFUi9ZA7UPdMe0mS2ppNTxTOYHbzJUVITKKsxE2HhZe/s1600-h/Monday%252520Made%252520It%252520-%252520Sticks%25255B4%25255D.png"><img alt="Monday Made It - Sticks" border="0" height="388" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-omMJ8zxgpr4/UBbj4yayc-I/AAAAAAAABwk/Kqmek3QN5C8/Monday%252520Made%252520It%252520-%252520Sticks_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Monday Made It - Sticks" width="443" /></a>Why am I glad I used my Silhouette? I DIDN’T HAVE TO CUT ANYTHING! I printed the circles on colored regular paper, NOT cardstock. Sent them through the laminator. Then the Silhouette cut them out. I didn’t have to cut a single circle! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hopefully I’ll do something much more fun for next week! Accepting all Silhouette tips and ideas! BTW the Tazo Tea Tins are incredibly difficult to recycle! It was a real chore taking off the labels…even using the goo be gone stuff!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Next, I made these math work station mats. During summer school I’ve noticed how the kids just love to roll the die as far as possible, and spread the counters all around them, and…well you know how it is. Even after modeling and explaining, I still catch the odd flying die in the corner of my eye. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Debbie Diller did think of something for this and on page 40 of her book explains the mats. I bought the shelf-liner from the Dollar Tree. Duct tape I made two trips – 40% off at Hobby Lobby and Michaels. So pretty cheap!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NMDCaVrxKvw/UBbkC_5yWfI/AAAAAAAABww/DKAAs3KULa0/s1600-h/Monday%252520Made%252520It%252520-%252520Math%252520Mats%25255B5%25255D.png"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="Monday Made It - Math Mats" border="0" height="534" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gzckrwxFWko/UBbkHTgifqI/AAAAAAAABw4/eEGl-vhjSSk/Monday%252520Made%252520It%252520-%252520Math%252520Mats_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Monday Made It - Math Mats" width="551" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So there you have it! My latest creations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To join the linky fun and see what other teachers are creating head over to Tara's blog by clicking below:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2012/07/crunch-time-monday-made-it-9.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ0YO2elr_ATMO78z_6-E7xJ1utx831ccMkz9s-KIW1zaMpO0HhCJ4SNP-LXfRbQhiSybsCI5CaymRZVNsKE68IpWgyMdhKB28uQFFdMHn4zpuU4LhePa87DqZAXxOfZQRb2sDo2PLEVP/s320/mondaymadeit2_240x240.png" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I won’t be posting again until I finish my back to school packets. So be on the look out for those. They’ll be perfect for dual language, bilingual classrooms and regular education teachers looking for some new read alouds and activities.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Monday!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-34360434203757785642012-07-28T20:41:00.001-05:002012-07-29T14:03:04.004-05:00The Linky Post to end ALL Linky Posts<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">First things first. I have to say thank you to all of my followers. It truly makes my day when I see that I have new followers or have new comments. Suddenly my blog is blossoming! So thanks to all of you who have taken the time to officially follow my blog! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are so many fun linkys going on right now…so many in fact that instead of linking to one each day I’m just going to link to them all in one post. Otherwise all you would see from me would be linky posts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Linky #1 – Must Have Picture Books – brought to you by the Teacher Wife</span><br />
<a href="http://theteacherwife.blogspot.com/2012/07/must-have-picture-books-linky.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jOvUKbVfVktRenBVcuoc0x7NIWvISUhT0OFEo6ssiVFULLs9WLP0Lb8tH88mv84SEKSigYzX3Jed2DA_GXhW-fVehh1bgmJCioEe654_94GbHBxiztVLy1QCfVqRhjqg2JtyDpT8A9w/s1600/BOOK-LINKY-IMAGE.gif" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ve been meaning to join this linky for a while – but I had to think hard about which books I wanted to include as my top 5. The first 3 I discovered this summer after several back to school posts by Candis at I Teach Dual Language. She has shared some wonderful read alouds for back to school that are more multicultural than your traditional back to school read alouds. After checking them out from the library…I fell in LOVE with these books. You should get them from the library now…because they’re amazing, and because I’m working on a bilingual back to school packet that will include these books!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marisol-McDonald-Doesnt-Match-combina/dp/0892392355/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343520939&sr=8-1&keywords=marisol+mcdonald+doesn%27t+match">Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match/Marisol McDonald no combina</a> by Monica Brown. This is a story about a little girl with one Peruvian parent and one Scottish parent. She’s an interesting mix of the two, and completely unique. This read aloud is great for teaching that differences are good, empathy, and accepting yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I rarely like bilingual books with English and Spanish prose – but this book did it so well and in such a way that it reflected how a bilingual mind works. Brilliant!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marisol-McDonald-Doesnt-Match-combina/dp/0892392355/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343520939&sr=8-1&keywords=marisol+mcdonald+doesn%27t+match"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRB7ED5ep0P44M5nZhwkEjkg6gnp98tJNETXUuvog8HDQwoe8PF" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rene-Last-Names-tiene-apellidos/dp/1558855300/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343520930&sr=8-1&keywords=rene+has+two+last+names">Rene Has Two Last Names by Rene Colato Lainez.</a> This is another great story about a new student from El Salvador. In El Salvador he used two last names, but his second last name is not included on any of his school paperwork. Rene struggles with this – because his second last name helps him remember his maternal grandparents and all they represent. This book explains cultural differences in a very authentic way, and would be great for any classroom. It truly is a story and isn’t just an explanation of the cultural difference! </span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rene-Last-Names-tiene-apellidos/dp/1558855300/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343520930&sr=8-1&keywords=rene+has+two+last+names"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSKvOHD0xF0EJmztJW_slDSMglHduca_CgeTyulULGaCUHnlaCfSw" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. This one is a fun for inspiring readers! It comes in English and Spanish. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/About-Excellence-Childrens-Literature-Awards/dp/037582538X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343520960&sr=8-1&keywords=wild+about+reading">Wild About Books/Que Locura por la lectura</a> by Judy Sierra. I caught myself smiling and laughing out loud while reading this book! I wanted to immediately share it with my husband. Essentially a librarian takes her library to the zoo and the animals fall in love with reading. You find out what each animal likes to read, how they read, what they write, etc. Reading it out loud is fun though because it is written in rhyme. It’s clever and creative…you’ll love it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/About-Excellence-Childrens-Literature-Awards/dp/037582538X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343520960&sr=8-1&keywords=wild+about+reading"><img src="https://files.nyu.edu/mg128/public/img/wild.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Que-Locura-Por-Lectura-Spanish/dp/1930332858/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1343521142&sr=1-1&keywords=que+locura+por+la+lectura"><img height="188" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSHE4-Skp9ZfMUe9IwfVU8glCOd-WlJeaBjWFDGplRsUKN_EVLs" width="147" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. I also love <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Three-Little-Tamales-Eric-Kimmel/dp/0761455191/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343520968&sr=8-1&keywords=the+three+little+tamales">The Three Little Tamales by Eric A. Kimmel</a>. This is a great story for teaching compare and contrast as it is essentially the story of The Three Little Pigs but told from a tamales perspective. I love books that put a new spin on something familiar. I also love stories that incorporate English and Spanish in an authentic way. My students adore this book, and I’m sure yours will too!<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Three-Little-Tamales-Eric-Kimmel/dp/0761455191/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343520968&sr=8-1&keywords=the+three+little+tamales"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRnqSbvrOwUyg864BA92VWKYVFDXmuBkGAWp7eKjP1LreC82ZCTVw" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. Finally, this is one of our favorite read alouds from this year. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Square-Cat-Elizabeth-Schoonmaker/dp/1442406194/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343520975&sr=8-1&keywords=square+cat">Square Cat by Elizbath Schoonmaker</a>. Eula is a square cat that is unhappy with her square state, since all her friends are round. We see Eula try to change herself to fit what she thinks is the “right” cat mold. However, with the help of her trusty friends, Eula discovers being square really isn’t so bad. The illustrations in this book are very well done and my students really related to this story. The author is very sweet and reached out to our classroom sharing pictures and letters. This was a special read aloud for us!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Square-Cat-Elizabeth-Schoonmaker/dp/1442406194/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343520975&sr=8-1&keywords=square+cat"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img src="http://www.juliakriley.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/square-cat.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Linky # 2 - I’m also linking up with <a href="http://teacherideafactory.blogspot.com/2012/07/rockin-resource-giveaway-part-deux.html">Kelley at the Teacher Idea Factory</a>. She is my newest follower – which makes me excited!</span><br />
<a href="http://teacherideafactory.blogspot.com/2012/07/rockin-resource-giveaway-part-deux.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOhL2gxCzdWWyRxwVjjalZJDs-mEB619NglEZxAhHQE_GxZXgqOSid0-3GrQuylJK5vvlnfn210IAJX51bAShnLPTycGsiBCrcBsPgIG4JRrPzbR29Wyq8kgPEaP-ZduhsoOYPlIC_HNQ/s320/Rockin+Resources+Linky+Label.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. I love Words Their Way. This is a spelling program that is designed to meet kids at their developmental spelling level! At first it seems a bit overwhelming, but it’s worth the learning curve. I was amazed to see how much growth my students demonstrated – in their SECOND LANGUAGE! There is a spelling assessment you give three times a year and you can really see how much your students have grown. Even better, this program is inexpensive – if you and your team decide to use it you could easily split the cost! I actually posted about how we used WTW in our classroom, check out that post by clicking the link below the image. AND if you have questions about the program email me!</span><br />
<table 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;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRi3-0vtswJ3plXOuTcgc9h_XAZTLfpX_zyqHSq-hq5FKRwLn4wTw" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mrscastrospanglishstyle.blogspot.com/2012/03/spelling-with-words-their-way-and-new.html">http://mrscastrospanglishstyle.blogspot.com/2012/03/spelling-with-words-their-way-and-new.html</a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. Another program I love is Interactive Read Alouds by Linda Hoyt (who I’ve met!). This is a wonderful program that has identified read alouds that compliment different reading comprehension strategies, literary elements, language structures, writing styles, etc. Each mentor text also has a lesson plan, a shared reading activity, and an extension activity. This is another inexpensive resource that has become essential in my classroom!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.interactivereadalouds.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img height="240" src="http://www.interactivereadalouds.com/images/9780325010571.jpg" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="254" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. I love double dice! (Technical name – Dice in dice – BORING!) My students love double dice! I was lucky enough to receive these from our bilingual department. I can’t tell you how excited my kids are when they get to use these little guys! There are an infinite number of ways to use them, which makes them even more valuable!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/product/productDet.jsp?productItemID=1%2C689%2C949%2C371%2C899%2C057&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113&bmUID=1343521865314"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSya1qHAHK9oyP7x1y1Xz-BA73beQpfsaYAjnSrYBnV1H0iDoRw-w" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. Wire hanging file holder. Unfortunately I don’t have a picture of mine, but it basically looks like this one. I use this holder to keep track of my students data folders/signed forms/parent contact. I have a hanging file – each is numbered since my students are assigned numbers. Inside each hanging file I have a pronged folder where I keep all of my students’ data. I may change it up next year and find a way for my students to update their data folders – but I believe I will still use this little guy. I never lost anything – and could just bring it home when I need to update things. With R.T.I., I really depend on this little guy to make sure I have everything I need.</span><br />
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTefKl4hO1FztonqBF9EdcBGwlPa3oF2za1_jSiqqsP6xe-T6Rg1Q" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. This item is something I actually don’t have in my classroom – but wish desperately I did! For a short while I did have an electric hole punching machine. It was amazing how much we used that hole punch! It saved so many trips to the work room. The kids liked it, I loved it. But then it died. It was probably from the 80s, but it was a tragic day when it left us. I would love to have another hole punch in my classroom, but ideally an electric hole punch!</span><br />
<img src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRdKBYC2SYeVSMmDGauR17bZxRks_AhLHaPuDhJYijHdOzC9x3U" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So there you have it! Go visit <a href="http://teacherideafactory.blogspot.com/2012/07/rockin-resource-giveaway-part-deux.html">Kelley’s page</a> to see more amazing resources and link up yourself!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Linky # 3 - Last but not least I’m joining Amy Lemon’s linky Tell Me More, Tell Me More! – I’ll try to keep it simple and just give you a glimpse of who I am.</span><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="http://stepintosecondgrade.blogspot.com/2012/07/tell-me-more-tell-me-more-linky-party.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQDsa0aHAPz7Ns_t47zmGRYrfL74-bL28uZLlXgzYq9osARZNj2CTpYyd7eGthmCmXB75tRWBxqjX6Brxy8bU4e8DZoNawNrfRtuWTvHuhkjNoagFRO4o68rgU8_jHUq_Tzs3X7Ew9-3A/s200/tell+me+more.png" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I lived in Argentina for nearly 5 years. Met my husband and got married there.</span></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jaVkB6YcrTE/UBSPm0v30LI/AAAAAAAABrw/8KMYFfZkbE4/s1600-h/argentina%252520map%25255B3%25255D.gif"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="argentina map" border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMAfcvrQjm6iF3rIv5_eVpLb5cL7Gjdl6BHUFSDyWPjlqOZuiy5pnsdhsCU5hGAUtb6A6RhIPHcsDm40x2HgzuB5NhZ3hEGGxbYJRpZ7-AGXRgeqxV60nUFxpQWW2W-FGTJ8T_NUGfDQD/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="argentina map" width="240" /></span></a><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our anniversary is coming up – 5 years in August.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NI6auMvoWlc/UBSPoopaNBI/AAAAAAAABsA/nxWli56VEk8/s1600-h/IMG_3497%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3497" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BqC1pSqiQAA/UBSPp0btoNI/AAAAAAAABsI/mQsO8u2cvxc/IMG_3497_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3497" width="160" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BkrdT_zc3UE/UBSPrGsIjWI/AAAAAAAABsQ/HPVFK0kgGec/s1600-h/IMG_3380%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_3380" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eJaan9-qN9E/UBSPr8Xof-I/AAAAAAAABsY/t-IFdkXGVF4/IMG_3380_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_3380" width="160" /></a></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I didn’t study to be a teacher. Due to a desperate need for bilingual teachers I was allowed into a classroom with no qualifications other than speaking Spanish. Luckily, I’ve since become qualified! :)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I LOVE animals. Generally speaking, when I watch movies I only <strike>cry</strike> sob if an animal dies, an remain semi-rational if a human dies. Probably means something…</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While living in Argentina I rescued several animals – 2 cats, a box of kittens, 1 pregnant dog and her 9 puppies, and at least 4 other dogs…and I may have lost count. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tA5niy3DFys/UBSPtSeoFXI/AAAAAAAABsg/AZCRuAPXhD0/s1600-h/Fotos1%252520044%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Fotos1 044" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qVEJ8Owqz0A/UBSPt2nYxQI/AAAAAAAABso/OW20YbC1iBw/Fotos1%252520044_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Fotos1 044" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qXUG9RtF0e8/UBSPvjoHTTI/AAAAAAAABsw/yXqGvC8vnFk/s1600-h/Argentina1%252520047%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Argentina1 047" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ng0ZV8Nccu8/UBSPwHgKupI/AAAAAAAABs4/J45Dv18-9Tw/Argentina1%252520047_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Argentina1 047" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcL7mVkyrlQCHIhY4icOfvml7KTEi0EK8WY57kH3BxhfrW7_ZBeLBlD-H9NSAfMJPKopyMnzLjxWdMoEWUMzsZwCwYi3HNvgtNV8iMw9XQArth4G6ZTQmtJvEJZQtEj8dEDx_aC78cZAs/s1600-h/PA260018%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="PA260018" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gO5547OQtnQ/UBSP2LQLK8I/AAAAAAAABtI/OpJXOOIg0Wk/PA260018_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="PA260018" width="240" /></a></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have 2 cats – Max and Ellie. They pretty much rule the Castro house.</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Max has one eye.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Ellie has two eyes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Together they have three eyes.</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EliAkMYM9xQ/UBSP3ufKGEI/AAAAAAAABtQ/aMDvHBngBsA/s1600-h/Max%252520and%252520Ellie%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Max and Ellie 1" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ukuzbl2Yn7k/UBSP4FEZOHI/AAAAAAAABtY/vYBA_n5VVOg/Max%252520and%252520Ellie%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Max and Ellie 1" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXe6CqXTKI423YDMkTwsSM7HFBdvvQFQTif_F_Sr5GisDyDxcCIVuRMDMlSDdnynbNKlWoQS2klxXJzhUGa0a_TbQJJ-lSS_cJxl0fZZ2nWNpOLXtVu__phjyYAHphjE3wWTdytdVa3Qme/s1600-h/Max%252520and%252520Ellie%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Max and Ellie 2" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n2uERVEx5uk/UBSP5sX0oKI/AAAAAAAABtk/cDh6Y_qMaJ4/Max%252520and%252520Ellie%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Max and Ellie 2" width="240" /></a></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am a tea person. No coffee for me. (This is dangerous because my husband works at Starbucks and I get a free thing of tea every week!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Movies I can (and do) watch over and over:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Mexican</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Galaxy Quest</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Proposal</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The King’s Speech</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQ_mF2zb2A4o44t9gQiO86XvsmErZVkb6VFFcTdu3eqNpnMKCjnHZUcnTm" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="143" /><img border="0" height="200" src="http://content7.flixster.com/movie/10/91/52/10915261_det.jpg" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="140" /><img border="0" height="198" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQGQzrWCgblPPgO8_9SanBbNBXx7uFOtvFNmcOqWq8lmJdEin-xIRocvUM" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="138" /><img border="0" height="197" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTnW4jeH3SKrdWFe7KaYPncTEmkJasuDsYZ1NPXGTEOcAF3cK8jjQ" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="147" /></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I love reading – so much so that I wear this necklace all the time!</span></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0BhkqvSBhqg/UBSP6cVu_6I/AAAAAAAABtw/RfIJVtSp6nk/s1600-h/2012-02-18%25252009.30.53%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="2012-02-18 09.30.53" border="0" height="180" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C3Z1FIjBVew/UBSP7KwJuII/AAAAAAAABt4/XPqWTgFhgaM/2012-02-18%25252009.30.53_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2012-02-18 09.30.53" width="240" /></span></a><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">AND last but not least, I ran my first 5K/Mud Run today! It was a lot of fun! But I’m totally out of shape and held the group back. MUST train for next year! Our team was the “muddy maestras” and the back of our shirts said” teaching is a dirty job…too true!</span></li>
</ul>
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sHI1HyZCDDE/UBSP8Hy6E7I/AAAAAAAABuA/-HwfHdk1Up0/s1600-h/P7281450%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="P7281450" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WyzLcRAdt54/UBSP80acM9I/AAAAAAAABuI/ZxjpmnPS4No/P7281450_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P7281450" width="180" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I think that’s enough tonight – if you made it this far…thank you and I’m sorry! That was the longest post E-V-E-R!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Have a great weekend! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-68053802236624483722012-07-27T14:55:00.000-05:002012-07-27T14:55:29.137-05:00Summer Vacation Linky<div align="center">
<a href="http://thesecondgradesuperkids.blogspot.com/2012/07/destination-summer-vacation-linky.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmIAYqrByYAh4pgZCGa8w2MQ63Dmh7FvqtRU_1zMMoOqwvIbfC89pvsVCa7XM-fup42YCZoo_pCdLbUn-0CYM59fHupQbtJfFFMueu1y6AON81xCEhEk0msXtj_aIAZsiLHZX8yjUacNw/s400/Slide1.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’m joining up with my friend Krista for her Summer Vacation Linky Party. I wish I could say I’ve been on some amazing summer vacations recently…but that would be a lie! Since moving back to the United States we really haven’t been able to take many vacations. BUT, I have gone to some cool places so I thought I would share.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Just before getting married my husband and I went to Bariloche, Argentina! Bariloche is a very popular skiing destination during the winter in Argentina (a.k.a summer in the northern hemisphere). BUT, we went during the early spring. It was beautiful. I still can’t believe I’ve been to the Andes (3x)! If you ever get a chance to go – take it. It’s lovely! We didn’t take a single formal tour – we just rented a car a did our own thing. I had really never driven stick before – but somehow we survived! I would love to go back someday.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ1a21BMlarIH0Fx3bcV0u9nTi33fc0sSpgVhqUBt0YKuyB2CRXkoQX_BPham8mQt1KQ4UFW9q3nSeCo7dLYGgcQqKdECva8_Y_5Ajllegjt9yNVV5bDSepYGdirEfCY9M0FQGdxbWfoH/s1600-h/Bariloche%25255B6%25255D.png"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="Bariloche" border="0" height="491" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gq-wPewYWsY/UBLpc_fJY7I/AAAAAAAABqk/xPW57qvSwx8/Bariloche_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bariloche" width="622" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When we got married – my family came for the ceremony. Can you believe this was the first time they met Ariel?! The problem was they were in a foreign country and didn’t speak any Spanish. So instead of going on a honeymoon, we went on a family vacation to Mendoza, Argentina. Mendoza is also in the Andes and is wine country. If you get any wines from Argentina (like Malbec) they are probably from Mendoza. I’ve been to Mendoza twice, and unfortunately both times were in the winter. It’s supposed to be absolutely beautiful in the summer! The city of Mendoza is a startling contrast to Buenos Aires. Mendoza is soooooooo clean! It’s refreshing after dog-poop infested Buenos Aires.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This was the first time my husband ever experienced snow! It was novel and fun at the time. After 3 winters 3 winters in Chicago – it’s lost it’s luster!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKBE5Z_Cx29BWSeZXM9mVpFjYbxJ0Oc5y-Mxiu3owrKIoO7qUx3I2IKVkb5otLuUNrXjSWpGeXwCvIIWvneUybppyPN725wCGZ8ND7MqT06Lv3UZyd2XY-YoBBgGEIOH3q60S2y3ABRAq/s1600-h/Mendoza%25255B6%25255D.png"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="Mendoza" border="0" height="497" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YUIGuhQKU1c/UBLpuZqf_2I/AAAAAAAABq0/pDZeU0SyiDk/Mendoza_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Mendoza" width="627" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One summer we were lucky enough to come to the United States to visit my family. We were able to spend a week in Minnesota with family. It was lovely and exactly what we needed after so much time in a HUGE city! I know Minnesota isn’t the most exotic of places – but we were happy! In fact, we’ll be going back to the same cabin in a couple of weeks. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJcA5O0xP3rwrHB46OPnYmPbfcDudhvI3lfBHc47Qh1KUzgLhaXby_ZRCL6q3TWq9LkkR0_zndDRHOB5yvEd695ZS62YYanxfoBy6Y_2NHE-hoKQrx8e8Zm8msDHpCBuniW7NtNX74IiQ/s1600-h/Minnesota%25255B6%25255D.png"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img alt="Minnesota" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JRf9QYjVPf4/UBLqESEUXeI/AAAAAAAABrE/PJnj1eCpthA/Minnesota_thumb%25255B4%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Minnesota" width="606" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Join the fun and share you best vacations! I’d love to add new places to my vacation wish list!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cheers, <br />Mrs. Castro</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">P.S. We still haven't had a honeymoon - we dream about going to Europe someday though!</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-18924756690244834422012-07-25T17:58:00.000-05:002012-07-25T18:12:56.618-05:00Totally Terrific Teacher Tools @ Home<br />
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<center><a href="http://mrscastrospanglishstyle.blogspot.com/2012/07/totally-terrific-teacher-tools-home.html" target="_blank" title="Click to link Totally Terrific teacher Tools @ Home"><img alt="Totally Terrific Teacher Tools @ Home Linky" border="0" src="http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii625/lschmitzy/TotallyTerrificTeacherToolsHomeLinky.jpg" /></a></center>
<center><textarea code-source”="" cols="”20″" name="”Button" readonly="”readonly”" rows="”4″"><center><a href=”http://mrscastrospanglishstyle.blogspot.com/2012/07/totally-terrific-teacher-tools-home.html” target=”_blank” title=” Click to link Totally Terrific teacher Tools @ Home “><img border=”0″ src=” http://i1263.photobucket.com/albums/ii625/lschmitzy/TotallyTerrificTeacherToolsHomeLinky.jpg” alt=” Totally Terrific Teacher Tools @ Home Linky” /></a></center></textarea></center>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">In</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"> honor of my new Silhouette Cameo that just arrived, I want to host my first linky!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">There are linkys about teacher resources at school. BUT, I want to know what tools you have at home that you absolutely can’t live with out! Because we all know, despite popular opinion, that a teacher’s workday doesn’t end when we leave school…we keep working, many of us for hours. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">So, what tools do you depend on while you’re at home to create for your classroom? What tools do you use to create your own products? To make other teachers drool with envy? What tools make your life easier when you’re “not working” at home?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Think for a second what tools you’ve invested in that make creating easier and fancier…it may be something as simple as a printer, a glue gun, a really awesome teacher bag or maybe something fancier like a special software, crafty tool or Silhouette or maybe a never-ending supply of caffeine (like my tea collection)!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Here is what to do:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">*Copy the picture at the beginning of the post/or grab the code and include this in your post*</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">*Link back to this post*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">*Share<i> at least 3 totally terrific tools</i> you depend on. Share why you depend on them and why other teachers might want to invest. Include pictures of the tool if you can and maybe projects you’ve created with it.*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">*Share at least 1 teacher tool on your teacher wish list – something you know would change your teacher game*</span><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #9b00d3; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Totally Terrific Teacher Tools I Own</span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">1. My printer/scanner/copier. We went for ages with no printer at home. I got this as a birthday present, and it’s made such a huge difference. Probably 99% of you have had a printer for years, so I don’t need to explain how amazing it is to have one. Only down side, this is just a black & white printer…I love that it scans, you wouldn’t believe how often it comes in handy to scan things. Mine is the Brother brand and works perfectly - even prints double sided!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OLl3SW-r02c/UBB1hgSOKwI/AAAAAAAABpA/XR-rVf_qb9I/s1600-h/P7251427%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><img alt="P7251427" border="0" height="260" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TZVC8vS5R1Y/UBB1ieR0ZEI/AAAAAAAABpI/wQiq6cA5RXw/P7251427_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P7251427" width="200" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">2. My Silhouette – that I haven’t used yet, but am absolutely sure will change how I create at home! If you have any pointers or tips, please share! If you’ve created a Pinterest board, be sure to leave a comment! I have a lot to learn. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Even Ellie is excited!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lTL4dPiiSQ8/UBB1jqCGw7I/AAAAAAAABpQ/9sS243IgeQs/s1600-h/P7251419%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><img alt="P7251419" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnlT8KRjbyaE_jKuvZnJK2FQdDC55kzu9M4HMmlwegj2OjMmdMv5xgmGZP96SYrgJMcQj8uzbzWW6Ym5IoLhPPTVCQPsJUh0KJEZ1lHbtX5oIOjpOv3Kh6C4hSiaxApNji2bbz-WtNzjSa/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P7251419" width="260" /></span></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A1NNfiunRig/UBB1mJm19wI/AAAAAAAABpg/iEnRlwFPciM/s1600-h/P7251425%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><img alt="P7251425" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnyHk5musqgGxGphi7NI8cgV61sQz_YeBptJAAbBy4uzvvfGNKzF_CsRn-WU5cmWgEO-2chnLrQw-35kUNaktwFNBMnoYBA_dQEOxU-ApV45-LsK8019IjJDiCUMGoFudjZDE1BG3iduf/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P7251425" width="260" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">3. My teacher bag! I know this seems lame, but this Thirty-One bag has helped me keep my super disorganized self, semi-organized. This bag really helped me get my act together! Plus everyone loves it – even the cats!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9QYw7YknYNA/UBB1pfW1qmI/AAAAAAAABpw/KnAeQJTdYug/s1600-h/P2281001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><img alt="P2281001" border="0" height="200" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d2wdbxKiNVI/UBB1qhpKwTI/AAAAAAAABp4/IM69gLkPPow/P2281001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P2281001" width="260" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIanzin_RMsgPi8AvY906vo3Q2fmW1BRW2Y69_Y7NUTM4b5Je3GMA3ShWS3h4k3ksA3jwYZXT_bvemdvT0gYcBKeQ2mzfN9HMnRqnreSET2tkIT_ufYprmqMlFbIcsE0x9ZJflcvHnIOq/s1600-h/P2281002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><img alt="P2281002" border="0" height="200" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u5Fgo-7c_6k/UBB1t6gPcqI/AAAAAAAABqI/y6mcyZ-IkYY/P2281002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P2281002" width="260" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">4. A scotch laminator. I can’t technically write “my” before this tool, because a special family member lends this to me when I need it. I was doubtful after buying the laminating sheets. They seem so thin, but once they go through the laminator…holy moly they rock! I’ve heard you can get the laminating sheets cheap at Costco… This little laminator puts to shame the laminator we have at school and I’ll have to make sure to control myself and only laminate things I really want to last.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ7tHUyr0JXM3LWdX8Xgve_mDLKyuIv-mNqgr-UavZ9cEREV4JRgQ" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /></span><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Totally Terrific Teacher Tools on My Wish List</span></strong></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">1. A color printer. I love my printer/scanner/copier, but oh how I long for a color printer! If you have a color printer, share what brand you have. Is it crazy expensive to refill the cartridges? Any recommendations? Our school’s color printers are notoriously lacking ink. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">2. I'm dying for a Thistle Girl Designs membership. I just don't know if it's worth it...</span><br />
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<img border="0" height="149" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQE1XlaKQTL6ZZfqv0xKgy1BUALu2W9GUKJjZUxzv6NLenc9Fsf" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="133" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">I wish I had more amazing tools to share, but I’m still new to the creating at home game. I’m dying to see what you all use to create all the amazing things I've seen on your blogs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Thanks for linking up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Cheers,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Mrs. Castro</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><em>If you like what you see – please follow me!</em></span><br />
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document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=176533&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');
</script>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-52220467525373878322012-07-23T18:09:00.000-05:002012-09-09T16:56:09.761-05:00*UPDATED* Bilingual Daily 5 Freebie and my first Monday Made It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A1afxwZCmx4/UA56P3jl9TI/AAAAAAAABo4/9a0YcmKdxcM/s1600/Slide1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A1afxwZCmx4/UA56P3jl9TI/AAAAAAAABo4/9a0YcmKdxcM/s200/Slide1.PNG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iNm2TZI7h4U/UE0Pv3wDPSI/AAAAAAAACFg/vCzIbaysOjM/s1600/Slide1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iNm2TZI7h4U/UE0Pv3wDPSI/AAAAAAAACFg/vCzIbaysOjM/s200/Slide1.PNG" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8sFQym7G9JQ/UE0PyZs_IUI/AAAAAAAACFo/y4WW_KJx1zw/s1600/Slide6.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8sFQym7G9JQ/UE0PyZs_IUI/AAAAAAAACFo/y4WW_KJx1zw/s200/Slide6.PNG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finally I’m going to be a part of the “Monday Made It” brought to you by 4th Grade Frolics! </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ve been working on a Daily 5 freebie for all my dual language or bilingual teacher friends. I find so many great freebies in English, but there isn’t a lot of Daily 5 stuff out there in Spanish.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of my all time most popular posts is my Anchor Chart post (<a href="http://mrscastrospanglishstyle.blogspot.com/2012/03/anchor-chart-linky-party.html" target="_blank">click here</a>). There I shared how I manage the Daily 5 in my classroom. I use a pocket chart and direct students where they are to go. I know that the Daily 5 is supposed to be about choice, but this worked really well. My students responded very well to the routine. So I’ve created some Daily 5 pocket chart cards in Spanish to help you if you manage your Daily 5 this way.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I've</span> also created signs in case you manage the Daily 5 as seen in my previous post (<a href="http://mrscastrospanglishstyle.blogspot.com/2012/07/vote-to-help-create-spanish-daily-5.html" target="_blank">click here</a>). </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The freebie has two different Spanish translations of the Daily 5 rotations. My husband (an Argentine) and I worked on one, and then I saw my friend Krista from The Second Grade Super Kids posted a fun Daily 5 bookmark freebie…so I used her translation as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've included posters and pocket chart cards that are only visuals – no words, in case you want to keep it simple or want to do your own translation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here you go. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Please let me know if you need these translated differently, or a different look – I’ll try my best to help out! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These can also be downloaded at my TpT store - </span>
<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Daily-5-Posters-and-Pocket-Chart-Set-Bilingual">http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Daily-5-Posters-and-Pocket-Chart-Set-Bilingual</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><iframe height="480" src="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-pO4SrDLtkfY1RMWEtzbWVXdms/preview" width="640"></iframe></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here are 2 other great Spanish Daily 5 resources from fellow bloggers:</span><br />
<a href="http://thesecondgradesuperkids.blogspot.com/2012/07/super-five-bookmarks.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">The Second Grade Super Kid's Super 5 Book Marks</span></a><br />
<a href="http://multilingualmultiage.blogspot.com/2012/06/dual-daily-five-i-pick-en-espanol.html" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;">Multilingual Multiage I-Pick</span></a><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Crafts aren’t usually my area of strength –</span><span style="background-color: white;"> but </span>I’ve also finally finished up my teacher tool box! I painted it Key Lime – using Rust-Oleum spray paint. I painted my future math work stations shelf the same color. Key Lime was calling to me this summer! </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I chose some scrapbook paper that I really liked, but in the end it just didn’t work. It was hard to read the labels and just kind of uninspired. See below:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ELJdnARezKWGPNiM5tckBXqfzeODAxsAPh8lNBfUohz1H0qZJvBci1alLWfSg8lBaShR0bbRW5pKxkWn3qxrMO8-xzxbvBA405s7MGwimtlLzU4G5sy2rbgbiV7gXfI3D9-q7LRIWuAj/s1600/P7201386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ELJdnARezKWGPNiM5tckBXqfzeODAxsAPh8lNBfUohz1H0qZJvBci1alLWfSg8lBaShR0bbRW5pKxkWn3qxrMO8-xzxbvBA405s7MGwimtlLzU4G5sy2rbgbiV7gXfI3D9-q7LRIWuAj/s320/P7201386.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></span></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then I bought some BRIGHT NEON scrapbook paper that I think works much better! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bkWgLRcELC4/UA2YA5-9v5I/AAAAAAAABoQ/eZlW36--A4Y/s1600/P7211406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bkWgLRcELC4/UA2YA5-9v5I/AAAAAAAABoQ/eZlW36--A4Y/s320/P7211406.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Here you can also see the future home of math work stations...it started as a beat up shelf that we had as kids and has sat unused for years in my parents' basement...aren't parent basements great!?!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxyKuYbzM18/UA2XRSGQnkI/AAAAAAAABnM/qCbrM03dz5A/s1600/P6191289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxyKuYbzM18/UA2XRSGQnkI/AAAAAAAABnM/qCbrM03dz5A/s320/P6191289.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then it was key-lime-ified!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--75a_NOVcXs/UA2XRaAnSOI/AAAAAAAABnQ/vvpIjx4sW_M/s1600/P6251300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--75a_NOVcXs/UA2XRaAnSOI/AAAAAAAABnQ/vvpIjx4sW_M/s320/P6251300.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, it's burried under the mess of my future math work stations that are rather discombobulated at the moment...it'll get there, don't worry and I'll have a brilliant photo to share worthy of Pinterest!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gW-EdIVQAjI/UA2Xk_tq0HI/AAAAAAAABng/0Bz9cR8pCiA/s1600/P7051341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gW-EdIVQAjI/UA2Xk_tq0HI/AAAAAAAABng/0Bz9cR8pCiA/s320/P7051341.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Join the Monday Made It madness by clicking below:</span><br />
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<a href="http://4thgradefrolics.blogspot.com/2012/07/monday-made-it-8-wowza.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZ0YO2elr_ATMO78z_6-E7xJ1utx831ccMkz9s-KIW1zaMpO0HhCJ4SNP-LXfRbQhiSybsCI5CaymRZVNsKE68IpWgyMdhKB28uQFFdMHn4zpuU4LhePa87DqZAXxOfZQRb2sDo2PLEVP/s320/mondaymadeit2_240x240.png" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cheers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mrs. Castro</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">P.S. – my mom bought me a Silhouette Cameo – it’s on it’s way now – I think I’ll be walking my parents’ dog for the rest of my life to pay it off – but it’s worth it!</span></span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-3435029595624224552012-07-22T15:27:00.000-05:002012-09-09T19:23:38.559-05:00Vote to help create a Spanish Daily 5 freebie<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">**Update - you can find the freebie by clicking below**</span></div>
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<a href="http://mrscastrospanglishstyle.blogspot.com/2012/07/daily-5-freebie-and-my-first-monday.html">http://mrscastrospanglishstyle.blogspot.com/2012/07/daily-5-freebie-and-my-first-monday.html</a>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Hola! Necesito tu ayuda! I've created 5 different polls on my Facebook page for Spanish speakers/educators to vote on how the Daily 5 stations should be translated to Spanish. I’m putting together a freebie but want to make sure to translate the stations in a way that is most helpful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">I hope to share the freebie early this week. I will share simple posters in case your manage your daily 5 rotations this way:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"> </span><a href="http://meanmyfirstgradegang.blogspot.com/2011/09/im-obsessed-with-daily-5-check-out-my.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><img height="375" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YtBfVHvZf2A/Tn_BXd0JBcI/AAAAAAAAAb8/WaJlLGS_T-Q/s1600/048.JPG" style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="282" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">I will also include pocket chart cards in case you manage your daily 5 stations the same way I have in the past:</span><br />
<a href="http://mrscastrospanglishstyle.blogspot.com/2012/03/anchor-chart-linky-party.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><img alt="P3201104" border="0" height="401" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w9iZHum-7Fo/UAxhWO-OvuI/AAAAAAAABmw/VF3psPagdTM/P3201104%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="P3201104" width="296" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">So if you want a voice in how these freebies are translated so you don’t have to do your own – head on over and place your vote – I’ve crated a poll for each rotation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Click below to vote:</span><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MrsCastrosClass"><img alt="Facebook Icon.png" border="0" height="156" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Dm5zKny8oy4/UAxhWkTNibI/AAAAAAAABm4/HiQNIrD2xFc/Facebook%252520Icon.png%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Facebook Icon.png" width="151" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Also, if you manage your daily 5 with a different tool, let me know. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Cheers! <br />Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-67828060649807803112012-07-22T07:20:00.001-05:002012-07-22T07:28:15.003-05:00And the winners are…<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">The giveaway has ended and I am amazed by how successful it was. I never imagined getting so much from fellow bloggers through donations. Thank you to all the donators! I also never imagined so many people would participate and visit my blog. I guess Vistaprint has that sort of pull!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">I honestly wish I could say everyone was a winner today (I’m from that generation). BUT, I only have 6 winners to announce. See below:</span><br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/35f0130/" id="rc-35f0130" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js">
</script>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/35f0131/" id="rc-35f0131" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js">
</script>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/35f0133/" id="rc-35f0133" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js">
</script>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/35f0134/" id="rc-35f0134" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js">
</script>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/35f0136/" id="rc-35f0136" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js">
</script>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/35f0137/" id="rc-35f0137" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js">
</script>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">If you are a winner you will be receiving an email shortly from me to confirm. Thank you!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">T</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">o all my new followers (who I bribed to be here with Vistaprint :) I promise to post about more than giveaways. Stay tuned for a Daily 5 Spanish freebie in the next few days!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Cheers,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-50147247951847641772012-07-20T09:14:00.000-05:002012-07-20T09:14:16.246-05:00REMINDER–2 days left in the HUGE giveaway<span style="font-family: Bookworm; font-size: medium;">This giveaway really has been huge, and there are still 2 days left! I can’t believe how many lovely new followers have joined my blog! For you newbies – I promise I really do post about more than my giveaway, just hang on for a few more days!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm; font-size: medium;">Thank you all who have been spreading the news about my giveaway. Just an FYI that if you’ve already shared the news – share again! You can get extra entries every time you blog or facebook about the giveaway. (Facebook is a verb!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm; font-size: medium;">So remember to go enter by clicking the image below…and remember to share again to get extra entries! Just go back to the original post and say that you shared again under giveaway #1!</span><br />
<a href="http://mrscastrospanglishstyle.blogspot.com/2012/07/100-followers-giveawayits-huge.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Bookworm; font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-family: Bookworm; font-size: medium;"><img alt="Castros 100 Followers Giveaway Simple" border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_7eSreo_tSBFNJ5arQqJbRhxlF8POBJx96INp6abLxx2aCLD0xhLCDyoiB76oA9XMZoyxxbXXjgfQgfE4XITi1IGQJHewNp6tERatiRLksMep7LAkyEW2TF32isujPIcYtlzT9HjjVt9/?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Castros 100 Followers Giveaway Simple" width="371" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm; font-size: medium;">Gracias a todos! I can’t wait to unveil the winners! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm; font-size: medium;">Cheers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm; font-size: medium;">Mrs. Castro</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm; font-size: medium;"></span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355763996739208857.post-38258008344504221182012-07-16T20:31:00.002-05:002012-09-09T19:23:38.565-05:00Math Work Station Freebie<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">FIRST, don’t forget to enter for your chance to win in my HUGE giveaway (think Vistaprint, and prizes from your favorite bloggers!). Click the image below to go to that post.</span><br />
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<a href="http://mrscastrospanglishstyle.blogspot.com/2012/07/100-followers-giveawayits-huge.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38Equmo6PYY/UAJLiP0LIzI/AAAAAAAABlg/sLWOn0zsqZg/s320/Castros+100+Followers+Giveaway+Simple.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">Today was my first time implementing a Debbie Diller Math Work Station in the classroom. And…it was GREAT! The kids loved it, they were engaged and using “math talk”, which makes me a happy teacher. Summer school is nice because I’m actually teaching the same thing 3 times each morning. Our kiddos are rotating between myself and the other two teachers, which means I’m going to get a lot of practice implementing these work stations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">Today we kept it simple. I’m working with incoming first and incoming second. I’m used to second graders, so the incoming first graders are a semi-unknown quantity…but I’m learning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">I created a Number Sense Work Station based off of Chapter 4 of Debbie Diller’s book. This was called, “How Many to 5?”. It’s pretty simple and fun!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9sIRc8hVwaU/UAS-UKKbWEI/AAAAAAAABmM/EB4trwiuem0/s1600/P7161351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9sIRc8hVwaU/UAS-UKKbWEI/AAAAAAAABmM/EB4trwiuem0/s320/P7161351.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ox2UZF1xfip9iuLZsAFHBEO5rhjB01A9_h5qhYBxqaQaQP4l62fhgGb1Ut9TJeKtxPlDA4-uCgLPXVT0O2JdukeJ7je_COd7wKf92bNKhTtA_DA5mtHzE9g1RLSf_XI86sQGwSbTEBKh/s1600/P7161354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ox2UZF1xfip9iuLZsAFHBEO5rhjB01A9_h5qhYBxqaQaQP4l62fhgGb1Ut9TJeKtxPlDA4-uCgLPXVT0O2JdukeJ7je_COd7wKf92bNKhTtA_DA5mtHzE9g1RLSf_XI86sQGwSbTEBKh/s320/P7161354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bookworm;">Students work in partners and t</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bookworm;">hey need (I kept it all in a bin):</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Bookworm;">a die</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Bookworm;">15 counters</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Bookworm;">3 five-frames</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Bookworm;">2 markers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Bookworm;">Graph</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">Goal: complete individual frame, and wild frame before partner. The wild frame is the one in the middle of the 2 individual frames, and any student can “win” that one. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">Students sit facing each other. Place the three 5-frames in between them. Set out I-can task card and Math Talk sheets. Roll dice to see who goes first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">Student rolls the die, places number of counters on five-frame. IF student rolls a 6, can’t do anything. After turn, says, “I have____. I need ____ to get to 5.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">Students can only put the counters on the frame if they roll a number that fits on the frame. For example if the student has 3 counters on the frame, and rolls a 3,4,5,6 then he cannot place any counters on the frame and essentially loses his turn until he rolls a 1 or 2. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">After the student completes his own frame he can begin working on the wild frame. BUT, it doesn’t matter who places the most counters on the wild frame. The student who places the final fifth counter on the frame “wins” that frame.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">Once students have filled the wild frame they extend the activity from number sense to data by graphing the results. They write the first letter of their first name under their column and graph how many frames they filled - NOT how many squares.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">Then start over. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">We loved it! Tomorrow, I think we’ll be ready for “How Many to 10?”, and might try to do a place value station too - we’ll see.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Bookworm;">I've</span></span><span style="font-family: Bookworm;"> made a freebie so you can try this station in your classroom too! It’s in English and Spanish and includes all the printables. If you use it let me know what you think, I’m hoping to create a bunch more math work station in English and Spanish, and feedback is so appreciated! Click the image below to download from my TpT store.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Number-Sense-Math-Work-Station-How-Many-to-5-BILINGUAL" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hdie1U8eAbMBDj4Sb0xZhjqBRZTqJ9xNzAc-jNKzfV5-RU3mlaNSvVB7XX_Boiw1m0XNbmizlnfiSkDtqYYlwFQT-SDIYIBrcB6FXrZW_Sb1nUdawws8sHcxfGXPHs8e_MdT46dZpwW3/s400/How+Many+to+5+Preview.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Bookworm;">Don't forget to enter my giveaway! Also here are some other giveaways you should check out!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">Sandra at Sweet Times in First is having a great math giveaway - perfect for this post. Click her button below to go to it:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sweettimesinfirst.blogspot.com/2012/07/box-cars-and-one-eyed-jacks-math-games.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Sweet Times in First" src="http://i1185.photobucket.com/albums/z343/ladybugteacher/sandrabutton.png" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">Donna at Math Coach's Corner is also having a great giveaway - for a TpT gift card and some more math products from her store...and they'r amazing! She's the queen of work stations! Click the image below to head over:</span><br />
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<a href="http://mathcoachscorner.blogspot.com/2012/07/go-for-gold-giveaway.html?showComment=1342279216867#c1149235149185773595" target="_blank"><img height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8a1PuqQukAKr6dtCaqACxKXmoCGJhoXgtmOOwHHZG7hqfmPdN66BFo9DE00imQpxhMxt1TKV0fGTqEEOC7mnzIaILjzidvo8h5sD4sTIw5jBQ-NbPlrywFKSYgmjW_OOMT-CBp1p0mPI2/s200/1K+Giveaway.PNG" width="198" /></a>
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<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">And, that's it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">Cheers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Bookworm;">Mrs. Castro</span>Mrs. Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07519198978851634825noreply@blogger.com10