Quick and Easy Assessments {Snapshots!}

I just got some amazing feedback on one of my best-selling products...


SNAPSHOTS!

So... they are all on sale!

20% off through Friday!

Check out this old blog post.  I graded these in under 5 minutes and got an accurate assessment on how my students were doing on this one specific skill!

Grading.  It can be KILLER!

BUT... I use "Snapshots" each week to assess my students on a grammar concept and a comprehension skill... and I'm so happy to report that I can grade a class set of "Snapshots" in under 5 minutes... and, since each "Snapshot" is targeted to one Common Core standard, I can find out exactly who is successful and who needs more support so I can provide intervention right away!

So... here's the stack and the timer at zero...

And, here's the graded stack and the timer at 4 minutes and 21 seconds!

I teach ELA to two sections of third graders so, if it wasn't for these assessments, I think I'd spend every weekend grading!  I also love that students can complete these in about 4 minutes and 21 seconds too, so, even though we do two every week, they don't feel "assessed to death".

Click the banner below to check them out on TpT and snag them for 20% off... until Friday!  There are some sample packs available too- you can find them by clicking the link.  They're free and offer you a peek at one math, grammar, and comprehension snapshot for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades!

Sale-E-Oh-Yo!

Yo!  It's Back-to-School SALE time at TpT!!!!!  Summer school starts for me tomorrow, so I'll be stocking up on goodies to get my kiddos prepped and ready to start 3rd grade.

Just wanted to share with you today some stuff you never knew you couldn't live without!

I am in LOVE with my new Partner Play packs!!!!  Like serious LOVE.  I can't WAIT for my students to get their little paws on these.  The growing bundle will still be getting one more pack added before September 1st.  Right now, there are 45 partner plays in the growing bundle!  Click the picture to check them out!

They're laminated and ready to go in my partner reading center.  Click the pic to check out my partner reading area!

My other LOVE LOVE LOVE is my Writer's Notebook.  My instruction was SO targeted this year and my students were SUCH great writers!  I love using this because the "Teach Me" pages make mini-lessons a breeze and then students immediately practice the skill on the "My Turn" page.

For Morning Work, we switched to "Show What You Know" daily review pages.  Students were able to complete these independently while getting a daily spiral review of math and grammar skills!  Every 3rd week there is a brief writing component, which my kiddos looked forward to!

Perhaps my FAVORITE FAVORITE thing is SNAPSHOTS.  I've blogged about these a lot because, as a departmentalized teacher, these have saved my life when it comes to grading!  So quick to give.  SO quick to grade... only a half a sheet of paper can instantly assess standards!

These are available for grades 1, 2, and 3!  Snapshots are my favorite item.  I use them every single week in my classroom!

I also have LOADS of editable buntings so you can customize your decor in your room!  And they're cheap!  There are OVER 40 different styles!

Last thing!  The newest items that I have posted... Common Core connected reading response tasks for grades 3, 4, and 5!  Check them out!

And... don't forget to leave feedback on TpT!  You earn credits that you can put towards purchases!

So... my store is 20% off and if you use the code BTS15 you get an EXTRA 10% off when you check out!

I'm off to enjoy that sale-e-oh-yo!

Three-fer Thursday... It's BACK! {Goodies to start the year!}

Woot woot!

It's a 3-fer Thursday!

Today you can snag three great products to help you start the year off right at 20% off each!

First up...

"Say it in Style" editable newsletter templates!  This pack is editable in PowerPoint and LITERALLY takes me less than 5 minutes each week to do my newsletter... which I LOVE!

#2...

"Half-sies"!  This is another editable in PowerPoint product that makes sending home quick notes a breeze!  Just add text boxes and print!  I love these for quick little reminders!

And goodie #3 is a "Homework Club"!  Increase your students' motivation to complete homework.  This pack includes a room display, monthly awards, and homework pass rewards!

Enjoy for 20% off! 

Super Hero Dialogue Game and Super Sale!

It's here!  TpT's newest sale...

We all know that WE ROCK and TpT is celebrating with a "Teachers are Heroes" sale!  My store is 20% off Wednesday AND Thursday and TpT has a promo code you can use to get an additional 10% off!

My newest product is perfectly themed for this sale... it's called "Save Us, Super Hero" and it's a dialogue game!  Students read dialogue, choose the one written correctly, and advance on a game board... or make it a hallway hunt or center!

My life is CA-RAZY right now... I'm juuuuuuust about to move to a new house!!!!!!!!!!!!!  YAY!!!!!!!!  I will pose a few pics and share my new space with you when I move... until then, thanks bloggy friends!  I miss you!

Flash Sale!

Happy 4th!  Getting Fit Friday will be back next week... for today, it's a FLASH SALE!

20% off at TpT until tomorrow!  Click the pic to grab goodies like "Show What You Know" grammar and math packs, Snapshots quick assessment kits, Interactive Writer's Notebooks for 1-2 and 3-5, and lots more!

Quick links to the goodies listed above...

Happy Monday! {Sale, Freebie Rewind!, And Other Stuff}

Yay!  Happy Monday, teacher friends!  My week has had a great start and I hope yours has too!

I have a student teacher who just started last week and, I've got to tell ya, I hit the jackpot!  She taught her first lesson today and it was so good... I don't know what more she can learn from me during her time in my room... she's already pretty darn great!

I also loved the sunshine today... it was still ridiculously cold here in Michigan, but I did managed a walk outside after I did my elliptical and it was so nice to get out in the sun!!!!!!!  I wasn't even that bundled up!  Yay!

Have you heard that TpT is having a big SALE on Thursday and Friday?  Check out this banner made by Beth at Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Designs...

My store will be 20% off and you can get an EXTRA 8% off if you use the code TPT3 when you check out.  I know my wishlist is long, so I can't wait to shop!

Be sure to check out my "Snapshots" for quick assessments, homework, morning work, etc... they'll be on sale!

FREEBIE REWIND!  Just click the pic and be sure to leave some love!

And other stuff...

I don't have much.  Just so happy to see some sun, get outside, and start off the last week of February (can you believe that?!) on such a happy note!

17 Days... and a Teacher's New Year's Resolutions... Oh, and a Sale!

Well, I haven't blogged in 17 days.  I can't believe it has been that long!

I have some "life" going on right now and just can't blog... but I wanted to pop on and say hello!  My TpT store will be on sale at 10% off starting tomorrow and ending on New Year's Eve.  My TN store is on sale TODAY until New Year's Eve!

Check out my TpT and Teacher's Notebook shops!

If you have any teacher's New Year's Resolutions... check out these products to help you stay on track!

Resolution #1- get ORGANIZED

Click the pic to check out fillable class grid "check lists".  I use mine every day to check things in and stay organized!

Resolution #2- collect more authentic, informative GRADES

Yeah, I know... who wants to collect MORE grades?!  These Snapshots make it so easy though!

Click the banner to check out "Snapshots!".  They are super quick, easy to grade and CCSS aligned to help guide and inform instruction... I give a grammar and comprehension Snapshot weekly and L-O-V-E them!  I have them available for 1st grade math and comprehension, 2nd grade math, comprehension, and grammar, and 3rd grade math, comprehension, and grammar too!

Resolution #3- do more WRITING

Click the picture to check out "The WRITE Stuff!" an easy to implement writing portfolio full of prompts for narrative, informative, and opinion writing!

Resolution #4- be more consistent with home-to-school COMMUNICATION

I do this in 2 ways... 1... super easy weekly newsletters!  Just click the picture to check them out.  They are fully customizable in Powerpoint.  It seriously takes me about 5 minutes at the end of the day each Friday to type up a newsletter for the next week.

Sometimes I copy comprehension bookmarks onto the back of the newsletters.  Then, families can read the newsletter then cut out a bookmark they can use during the week to help their child practice comprehension skills at home!  Click the pic below to check out 25 CCSS aligned reading bookmarks!

Last... Resolution #5... be more consistent and hold students accountable for HOMEWORK

We LOVE our "Homework Club" in my room.  My students work so hard to stay in the club.  I love that they are practicing skills at home and becoming self-motivated to work to achieve their goal of staying in the club.  Click the pic to learn more about it!

That's it!   I'm hoping to be able to be back in action in January!  Until then, send happy thoughts my way please!!!

MAJOR Giveaway to Celebrate My 2 Year Blog-a-Versary! MAJOR. Seriously!

I can't believe my little blog is turning TWO!  I have lined up an amazing giveaway with over 100 items donated!

You can enter any or all of the giveaways... just scroll down for the Rafflecopter widget for each one!

I am also celebrating the GRAND OPENING of my blog shop!  Now you can connect with me on TpT, Teacher's Notebook, or right here on my blog!  The link to the shop is at the top of my blog.  Right now you can get 20% off at TpT and TN until Wednesday and 20% off at my blog shop until Friday!  If you're shopping on the blog, use the code CELEBRATE when you check out to cash in on your discount!

Ok...

The first giveaway is for K-2 MATH materials...

Please check out these blogs... you can win amazing prizes from...

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Ok... next up...

...with amazing prizes from...

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Keep on going!

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Who doesn't LOVE free clipart and fonts?!

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Oh yeah!

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Just some more goodies for you!

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Ok!  That's it!  Start entering and good luck!  Can I enter my own giveaway?  These prizes are AMAZING!!!!

This giveaway runs from Monday, June 10 until Saturday, June 15.