The Reading Strategies Book

Hey Everyone!  I hope you are all having a wonderful summer!  I know I am finally getting to some relaxation.  It takes me at least 2 weeks to feel like I'm actually relaxed.  

Well I am super excited to be linking up with Teaching Little Miracles for a book study.  I just received this book at the end of the school year and I'm loving it so far.  The book is called "The Reading Strategies Book" by Jennifer Serravallo.  It is not your ordinary summer reading book but it is chock-full of AMAZING strategies and techniques to help struggling readers in every skill set.

The book starts with how Jennifer decided to arrange the book.  It's done by skill which I LOVE!!!!  It is so easy to determine the skill a student needs extra work on, flip to that section of the book and find a great strategy to work on with them!

I don't want to give it all away just yet.  The book study will be posted about each week throughout the summer.  Posts will follow this schedule:

                    
 

Stay tuned as we go through each goal in the book, the strategies involved and the AWESOMENESS of this book! Thanks for checking in!

Five for Friday

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog!  I'm teaming up with Doodle Bugs to bring you

I'm SUPER excited to get back to blogging.  I have to admit something.  I'm a HORRIBLE blogger!  I don't know how people find the time, seriously!

First, I would like to ask y'all a favor.  Please "Follow" my blog so I don't feel like I'm typing to myself :)  I'm going to be setting up a regular blogging schedule that I can maintain.  My goal is to search out the best freebies and tips and bring them directly to you!

I currently case manage 20 students.  Of those 20, I am the learning support teacher for 17.  I don't know about you, but the general education teachers are constantly coming to me with "problem behaviors."  While I get where they're coming from, they often haven't tried any interventions. THIS is what frustrates me.  I am no magician.  I believe that identifying the cause of the behavior is crucial in figuring out the solution.  I found a really good FREE resource by Autism Classroom for targeting some problem behaviors.  I give these checklists to the teacher so they can pinpoint what might be causing the problem. Then we work together to come up with some strategies.  It has definitely been a HUGE go-to resource for me.  You can download it for free HERE or by clicking on the picture.

Another great blog I found is The Starr Spangled Planner.  She has a great post about resources to utilize in your special education classroom.

 

This post has some great ideas for fidgety kids, kids with sensory needs, and more.   

At the beginning of the school year, I applied for a grant through my school district so I could set up a Flexible Learning Environment.  I just received notice about a week ago that I was approved!!!!  I will be doing a whole blog post about that in the next week or so when all of my materials arrive.  SUPER excited!!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1LUXQWzCno&feature=youtu.be  

It's FRIDAY and yes, this is how I feel!  I survived.  I am a survivor!!!!

Head back to Doodle Bugs to check out some more great blog posts!!!  Thanks again for stopping by and don't forget to "Follow" me!

Lori

December Currently!

H.O.W. on earth did it get to be December?!?!?!  I feel like we just started school! 

Maybe I'm getting old (keep your comments nice!) but I swear time is flying by these days!

For those of you who read regularly, I am ONE CLASS away from my Master's Degree.  I have school Wednesday night, then . . . . . .

WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!  I'll be D.O.N.Z.O.!!!!

Can you tell how happy I am????

I wanted to explain that part to you before you read my December Currently.  I am always thrilled to hook up with Miss Farley from Oh' Boy 4th Grade to bring you this wonderful monthly post.

 Listening ~ I am currently listening to the poor dog next door.  We have, how can I say this politely?  NOT NICE neighbors!  They don't take care of their home and they don't take care of their kids (5) and they certainly don't take care of their dog!  I feel so bad for the lil guy.  He's always outside barking to get in.  If they don't want to care for a dog, why on earth did they get one?!?!?!  Sorry, rant is over!

Loving ~ Did I mention I only have one more night of class left???

Thinking ~ My birthday was last Friday so my wonderful hubby took me to the Pocono Mountains for a little getaway.  We desperately needed it (see below.)  While we were away, we visited a place with over 100 outlet stores.  They had every store I could think of.....from North Face, Coach, and Ann Taylor to Nike, Gap and Fossil.  Needless to say my wallet came home a whole lot emptier but it was a blast! 

Wanting ~ My hubs currently works 2nd shift which causes quite a problem for us.  When I leave for work he is sleeping.  When I get home from work he's already at work.  When he gets done I'm sleeping.  Do you see the problem?  I'm hoping a position in his field becomes open on first shift so we can have a real life again!

Needing ~ I started with a horrible cold last Monday night and although I feel better I can't seem to get rid of the cough!  Stocked up on cough drops tonight so hopefully that will help!

Giving ~ Our school offers a Holiday Program which I run (in all my spare time!)  I can't wait to start shopping for the kiddies I picked.  We are helping over 100 of our students this holiday season.  All of the teachers sponsor a child/children and purchase gifts for them.  I have a whopping 8 kids this year to buy for.  I love that I am financially able to give back!  Each one of my own children sponsors a child too!  I'm a proud mama!

Well thanks for stopping by and checking out my currently.  Now that school is {almost} over I will definitely be getting some products made again.  I have a list longer than Santa!  Have a great December!

P.S. Did you like my color scheme?  I'm such a nerd :)

CYBER Monday!

I don't know about you but I've been wish-listing things all night! I'm surprised I haven't broken my mouse yet!

Well, if you live under a rock,

......... buried under a mountain,

......... under 20 feet of snow,

you may not have heard the BIG NEWS!

      

YES SIR!  

Tomorrow is CYBER MONDAY!  

Do you know what that means?

Savings!

BIG SAVINGS!

I am SUPER excited about this.  This is a big opportunity for me to stock up on allllllll those things I've seen that I will DIE without.  Well, maybe not die but they will definitely make my job easier!

I thought I'd show you a few of the things in my store that might help you to make your job easier!

 

This product is one of my best seller's!  These Editable Newsletters come in two different themes ~ Polka dots and Chevron (Plus a BONUS black and white.)  These make putting out a monthly newsletter effortless!  Click HERE or on the picture to see this product.

                     

         

Another one of my best seller's is my ULTIMATE Binder!  As you can see, I have two versions of this to suit your needs.  The best part........both are completely EDITABLE!  You can add all of your personal information and print.  Just click on the image you like to view the product.

 

My Interactive Math Journal for Kindergarten will help your students acquire those important foundational skills in a hands-on way.  Activities include counting, skip counting, basic addition and subtraction and much more!  Click on the picture to view this product.

Don't forget - I'm offering 20% off of EVERYTHING in my store.  When you enter the code: TPTCYBER, TpT will give you another 8% off!  That's 28% off of EVERYTHING!  You can't beat that!

Happy Shopping!!!!

Maniac Monday FREEBIE!

Welcome to Maniac Monday hosted by Classroom Freebies!  I'm so glad you could stop by! 

I created these Goal Setting Templates because in Special Education, we are constantly setting goals! The kids work so hard for each accomplishment that it amazes me!  They are also very interested in what their goal is so they can move to the next level.

I decided that I would turn the "power" over to them and allow them to set their goals and track their progress.  They've really taken that role seriously and are now invested in their progress.  It has made such a difference in my classroom and I hope it makes a difference in yours!  Here is a preview of a few of them.

Just click on any of the pictures above to download this FREEBIE!!!!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  

Don't miss out on the HUGE savings going on TODAY and on MONDAY!!!!

If you enjoy the FREEBIE, make sure to follow my blog for more freebies and great resources!  Thanks!

November Currently

Well I may officially be the worst blogger E.V.E.R. but I can definitely find the time to hook up with Farley for her November edition of Currently!

 

Listening ~ Yes, believe it or not, I'm sitting here typing away listening to my hubs watch a dumb fishing show.  I can't even begin to fathom why people watch shows about someone else catching a fish.  Now, I'm certainly not a fishing-gal (as if that wasn't obvious) but really?  An entire 30-minute show dedicated to catching fish!?!?!  

Loving ~ I cannot believe I'm down to my last 3 classes!!!!  I'm going out kicking and screaming all the way but I'm so darn close I can taste it!  I'm done the first week of December and you better believe there will be a BIG OLE post about it!!!!

Thinking ~ I feel terrible guilt.  About anything.  About everything.  Always.  Since August, I have completely neglected my blog.  And my TpT Store.  And all of you.  I'm sorry!  I think about blogging all the time......does that count?

Wanting ~  I seriously need a break!  A LONG one!  I've been working 12-14 hour days since the middle of August.  Weekends too.  UGH, c'mon Christmas break!

Needing ~  See "Wanting"

Reading ~ I am reading the Pedigogy of Language Development.  For one of my grad classes.  Not by choice.  Synopsis:  Kids are born.  They acquire language.  They speak.  The end.  I just saved you $100 bucks!

Since it's November, the month of thankfulness, I figured I should add a blurp about what I am thankful for.  So here it goes.....

Thankful ~  I am thankful to have a good, solid roof over my head.  I am thankful for a beautiful, healthy family.  I am thankful for me wonderfully supportive work family (I couldn't make it through the day without them!) I am thankful to have a good paying job.  I am thankful for my students (most days.)  I am thankful for my wonderful blog / TpT followers!!!!!

Don't forget to head back to Farley's page and check out the other November Currently's!  Thanks for stopping by!  Happy November!