Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Can I just say WOW! I was reading through my blog list (late) last night and found out I won a GREAT set of math task cards from Denise over at Yearn to Learn! Yippppeeeee! Thanks Denise! I must say my 20 and 22 year sons were a bit overwhelmed by my enthusiasm, but heck my name or number NEVER gets drawn! (My 20 year old will get it soon... he's an education major! Ha!)

The task cards are wonderful and will be very useful. Check out her task cards at http://denisetalbott.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

Thanks again!

The Time Is Near

It's hard to believe there are only 16 days of summer left... where did the summer go???? While I can't complain too much because I have had my share of summer adventure (NASCAR races, camping fun, pool time and motorcycle trips etc.), it IS hard to let go!

I have learned sooooo... much this summer from teacher blogs and have really enjoyed trying my hand at it! Not to mention my new addiction to pinterest...WOW! I could spend hours.

Now... how do you choose which of the many WONDERFUL ideas to implement?????

These are my "plans":

1. Implement a more structured multiplication facts daily homework program.

2. Make 6 crate seats for guided reading table.

3. Use anchor charts more....I have found many wonderful models on pinterest.

4. Improve my writing workshop with Lucy Calkins Units of Study.

5. Do more hands on science experiments and utilize interactive science notebooks better.

6. Integrate technology seamlessly throughout my curriculum.

OK...I'm overwhelmed even typing it. This is only my 2nd year in 4th grade. I taught kindergarten and first grade for my 1st 17 years. So...... look out 2nd year of fourth grade... here I come! Thank you all for your sharing of wonderful ideas!

Blog Mixer Linky Party

Yearn to Learn is hosting a TERRIFIC blog mixer party! I've had a great time looking at all the picks!

Here are my discoveries...

1. New Kid on the Block: ME! Fourth Grade Fanatic I began blogging earlier this month and am really enjoying...

2. Same Grade Level: (4th) There are many great fourth grade blogs that I am learning so much from. I especially enjoy Fourth Grade Frolics!

3. Different Grade Level: One Extra Degree- She has some great ideas

4. Cutest Blog Button: Set This Circus Down

ADORABLE!

Woo Hoo! Success! I am very excited this morning because after several tutorials (thanks to all), and many attempts, I have a blog button! Feel free to grab my button! Thanks so much for all the welcoming comments during my induction into blogging world!

Top Ten Things About Me :-)

I am joining my first Linky Party with Mrs. Owen's 10 Things About Me.

10. I am the proud mother of two amazing young men. Tyler-22 and Trevor-20. They have hearts of gold and are my strength and inspiration!

9. I am happily married to an incredible man!

8. I am an animal lover. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats.

7. I have lived lots of places: Born in New York, moved to KY, then to New Jersey, back to KY, then to California, to Maryland and FINALLY back home to good ole Kentucky! (and I am never leaving!)

6. I have naturally curly hair and straighten it EVERY day. (I am hair obsessed)

5. I am directionally challenged! (Thank goodness I live in a small town)

4. I love camping, motorcycling and summertime cookouts with friends and family.

3. I think Dairy Queen Blizzards are the bomb.

2. I tend to get too many little projects going at once. I have to be busy.

1. I LOVE my job! I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. (My apologies to all my friends I use to MAKE play school with me for hours when we were kids!)

Common Core Standards Anyone???

So how many of us are implementing the Common Core Standards this coming school year? My school district has been working diligently to break down the math and english/language arts standards into student friendly targets. I was fortunate to work with a few other 4th grade teachers in my district to help with the break down of the english/language arts standards. I feel pretty comfortable in that area. Math not so much. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with the amount of math content to be covered. Lots of content has been moved down a grade level or so. In fourth grade I am noticing LOTS more fractions! If you have been working with the common core standards... what are the biggest changes you notice? What resources have you found that will help with the implementation? I found these websites for math http://www.ixl.com/math/standards. and http://www.k-5mathteachingresources.com/index.html They have practice activities in each grade that are correlated to the common core standards. Feel free to leave a comment with any resources you have found!