Silhouette Portrait...GIVEAWAY!


Need I say more?!? ;) 

Okay, okay...you twisted my arm! Y'all know I can't just stop right there. Seriously though, if you have been following my blog for any length of time, you know how much I adore my Silhouette machine. If you are a teacher...it's an absolute must {at least that's how you can convince your husband}. ;)

The creations that are possible with this little gem of a machine are truly endless. It saves hours in the classroom. I can't tell you how excited I was when I no longer had to punch out letters for bulletin boards. 


Well, the team at Silhouette America has decided to give away another machine! EEEeeek!!!! They must love teachers as much as I do! 

Here is what you need to do to enter: 

1) Visit Silhouette America and click "see if you qualify" to sign up for the educators discount. Then, you can save 20% on all Silhouette purchases! You can also "like" them on Facebook right {HERE}

2) "Like" Second Grade Shenanigans on Facebook by clicking {HERE}

3) Follow my TPT shop so that you can receive updates on my newest products. Click {HERE}

4) Follow my lil' blog by clicking {HERE}

5) "Like" and "Share" the giveaway on Facebook. You can do that on my fan page {HERE}

6) In the comments section, tell me how you plan to use this machine in your classroom. Click {HERE}.  

Easy as 1...2...3...456! ;) 


Best of Luck!!! 

Hope you are having a fabulous week! And I couldn't resist...

B2S Mega Sale!!!!

Eeek! Why must I love sales so much? The sad part...every single time a clothing store has a sale...I never find one. single. darn. thing! True story. I love sales, but I am never lucky with sales...which is why you will never see this girl out on Black Friday! However, I do love a good TPT sale, because you just can't go wrong with 28% off of your favorite things for the classroom. Since I am never lucky with other sales, I take FULL advantage of TPT sales! 


Just in case you have been living under a rock {which is totally fine...} ;), TPT is having a GIGANTIC B2S sale today and tomorrow only! 


Thanks for the cute graphic, Amy Lemons!

You may want to check out some of these B2S units and grab them while they are on sale! Click on any of the pictures below to see the unit in my TPT shop

Get your kiddos started off on the "write" track...;) They will adore all of these writing projects and they are perfect for hallway displays! 

These centers will be sure to engage those kiddos still on summer vacay! Plus, they are aligned to CCSS for 2nd and 3rd Grade! 

I posted about a new way to engage your readers yesterday on my blog. You can check that out {HERE} or see this unit in my TPT shop by clicking the picture below! 

You may want to grab this unique spin on a year long writing portfolio. Your kid's will love the "keychain" awards! ;) 

Going for the Gold Back to School Unit! This unit is perfect for setting goals and teaching students to reach towards high achievement! 
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Preview

Classroom Decor: 
Check out all of my decor packs by clicking {HERE} .

Units that Motivate:


The Original Version
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Preview

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Classroom Instruction and Displays
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demoGetReelwithWritingCreatingAwardWinningWriters

First and Second Grade Word Work
First Grade Word Study      Second Grade Word Study II

Math Centers for the Year {Bundles and Single Units}

Slide1  Slide1  Playing Card Math Centers
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Bundles: 

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Bundle #1: Click HERE

Common Themes Preview
Bundle #2: Click HERE

Celebrations Preview
Bundle #3: Click HERE

Unit 

More units are available at my TPT shop, so head on over and check it out!
Hope you all had a wonderful week! Happy Shopping!

Reading Strategies Subway Art & Necklaces: New Unit


You know you're a teaching when you get excited about subway art and paper necklaces! ;) Seriously though, I am super excited about my newest little deal that I added to my TPT shop. During my guided reading groups, I love using my strategy sticks. This year, I wanted to update these sticks and add a little more "goodness" to help students learn to independently monitor their comprehension and build strong reading behaviors. 


If you are looking for a new way to engage readers, check it out below. 


Here is my newest pack: 

It includes eight reading strategy posters {in five different color schemes}. 




It also includes matching comprehension sticks...



And...

The very BEST part...


I think that kiddos are going to love this new way to keep their strategies in mind. The tags are about 3 in. x 2 in. and include question starters on the back to help them think deeply about their text. 





This is now in my TPT shop, so click {HERE} to hop on over and check it out! 


And in case you haven't heard...


I love a good sale! How about you?!? 

Hope y'all have a fabulous weekend! 

Pack the Sack: A Year Long Writing Portfolio & Writing Awards


Do you love teaching writing as much as I do? It has always been one of my favorite instructional blocks in my day. I really think the reason I love it so much is that I am always amazed (no matter what grade level) at the amount of growth I see over the year. If you do not do some type of writing portfolio in your room, you should really consider it and now is the perfect time to plan your portfolio! 

Before I show you how I use writing portfolios in my classroom, I did want to share that I uploaded my newest portfolio to TPT. This is also part of my Ultimate Back to School Writing Bundle, but I had many requests for this to be a separate pack...so here she is!

This pack contains everything you need to create and establish a year long writing portfolio in your classroom. Plus, it has a little twist with writing award keychains that your kiddos will adore! You can read more about this below...



 If you have already purchased my writing bundle, please do not purchase this separately! 







You can pick this up in my TPT shop by clicking {HERE} or it is also part of my Ultimate Back to School Writing Bundle. Check that out {HERE}.  

Now...here are a few tips for establishing portfolios in your classroom. 

Since my very first year, I have always kept student writing samples and compiled them together at the end of the year to create a portfolio. It always amazes me how much their writing has improved over the course of a year. I love the look on their faces as they look back over a year's worth of writing. You can do this many different ways, but here is how I keep track/organize/celebrate our writing throughout the year! 


1. You just can't keep it ALL! 

We do a tremendous amount of writing and projects throughout the year. Literally, I am pretty sure that we are writing {in some way} at least 90% of our day. There is NO WAY that I could keep every single writing sample. Usually, we always do one big writing piece and project per month {sometimes more}. These are a *big deal* in our classroom. You know, the writings that you pour your blood, sweat, and tears into. I will usually keep one of these writings and send the rest home. I keep a large Rubbermaid container in my closet and literally chunk  them in here when I take them down from our hallway display {no rhyme or reason...there is really not a need for organization here}

My container looks a little something like this! 


Here is a look at some of our "bigger" writing projects that I kept from last year. 










12 Days of an SC Christmas

Okay...you get the idea! ;) 

2. End of Year Organization 

So all of that writing stays in the Rubbermaid until the last two{ish} weeks of school, or whenever you decide to assemble your portfolios. Then, the students lay out their portfolios and I distribute the writings. This time is always filled with "ooohs and ahhs" as they look back over their writings and see huge improvements. {I love when students are proud and even more when they take pride in their writing.} Then they place them into the portfolio. 

Some teachers decide to have students place the sample in at the end of each month so you don't have to organize at the end. Really, it is all about what works for you. 


3. Student Portfolios

Looking back over my last three years, I have had many different styles of writing portfolios. Since I had the same group for three years, I always wanted to change it up and do something a bit different. Here are a few ideas {if you are needing some} for a year long portfolio. 


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Pizza Boxes






4. Celebrate

Once everything is said and done, it is time to celebrate all of the writing that your students have accomplished during the year. I always hold a huge writing celebration...pancake breakfast style. The parents come in, eat breakfast with their child, and dig through their writing portfolio. We do not reveal these writings, or send them home throughout the year, so they are a complete surprise to our parents. They are equally amazed! This is probably one of our best days of the year and parents always adore having their child's writings in one place to save!  

That's it! I promise you will not be disappointed with any way that you choose to do writing portfolios in your room. They are well worth the time and effort. This is always such a great way to wrap up the year! 

Annnnnd...

speaking of writing, I can hardly wait to show you my newest series that I am working on! Love, love, LOVE me some writer's workshop, and I can't wait to share lots of engaging strategies with you to build our future authors! 


Be sure and link up with Blog Hoppin' for the final day of Teacher Week 2013 and share you teacher tips and tricks! 


TGIF bloggy friends! Have a great weekend!