I heart QR Codes!

As I am getting in back-to-school mode and the closer and closer summer comes to it's end, I find myself wanting to do more and more with QR Codes.

I had the pleasure of meeting someone yesterday who really inspired me to start working on stuff again. I have really been in a lull lately when it comes to creating things (non-house-related at least), and this woman had an excellent idea. I'm 98% positive a little cartoon light bulb appeared over my head when she explained her idea because I thought "Why didn't I think of that?"

This morning I finally got back to a little structure - drink my coffee, watch one show, work a little, watch another show, work some more and before I knew it I had completed it all in one day! It's not much but I'm feeling pumped!

Alright, alright. I'm sure you're ready to hear what it is that's got me all excited about QR Codes, so here it goes...

This past year I changed my system half way through the year because we started using Class Dojo (if you'd like to know more about that please email me!) as our award system. The students could buy prizes with the amount of points they had earned as we kept a running total. I printed a new list out each Monday so the kids new how many points they had and they could add their current weekly total to their previous total (that way they're were held accountable to do the math too). I really liked that system and the kids did too BUT since I am now in third grade with the same kiddos and they each get an iPod touch I needed to step things up a little.

To change it up a bit - we will come up with a point system in a way that lets them earn enough points to make it to the bucket where all the QR Codes will be held. I think it's important that you do this with your kids, that way they are the ones who set the expectations too and we share the responsibility. For example, maybe it takes 20 points to pull 1 card and 30 to pull 2. A student can go as soon as they have earned 30 or maybe they can save up and pull 2 at a time. As long as you have a simple QR Code reader it's as easy as pie. The name of the prize will pop up as shown below and in case you were curious my class uses "Scan".

I plan on laminating them and reusing them because I'm all about saving ink and cardstock! I tried to make them look very similar so the kids would be surprised with what they got. I am positive they are going to LOVE this! You can click on the picture above, here or see my store on the sidebar to get to it.

Now that I am back in the swing of things - of course I would be leaving for one more vacation for a week but can't complain too much right? Michigan and Chicago here I come!

Whew! If you read all of this, the first person to comment with their email address will receive a free copy the QR prizes! Thanks and Happy Hump Day!!

Fractions of a Set AND a Whole?!

I know I've been a terrible blogger lately but a little update on things. 

• The Mr. and I are closing on our first home NEXT FRIDAY! It's all happened so fast yet all at the right time. 
• Every time I start to feel on top of things (school-wise) I get right back behind it all.
• Second grade has already hit the ground running with fractions AND multiplication.
• Spring Break is almost here!!

So here's a look into our past few weeks via pictures.

We used pattern blocks to help show improper fractions.

The kids made their own "Circles and Stars" booklets to show "Groups Of".

The students used the iPads to scan QR codes that took them to multiplication word problems.

They were SO engaged. Who knew problem solving could be so fun?

Here is an example of the work I expect them to do/how I modeled expectations.

I've just recently discovered the world of Number Fill-Ins... EXCELLENT for early finishers and high achievers. 

We also did an adorable readers theater. Wish I could show their sweet little faces :).

Also... I finally got it. My first prank.

They thought they were so clever...

So that is a just a sneak peek at how busy we've been. Can I just say that we have started our first Book Study on "Maybelle in the Soup" and it is the cuuuuuutest book ever. I read it in 20 minutes and the kids LOVE IT. We are doing 3 chapters a day and should be done with it in a week. Every chapter really leaves the kids hanging and wanting more. What more could you ask for?

On another note, here is a mini set I've put together that deals with fractions as part of a set and of a whole. I think it's really important that students see that fractions are not just "pizzas" and "candy bars" but fractions of a set are just as important. This can be anything from number of students in a classroom to cookies in a jar. Either way you can represent these numbers with fractions and this little set helps students see that. Click here or on the picture below to check out more at my TPT store.

Click on the picture to check it out in TPT.

Until next time... Thanks for stopping by! 

Valentines Day Coupons

I just love Valentines Day when it comes to little kids. My students have been so giddy for the past few weeks and it's contagious. 

I couldn't decide what I wanted to get/make for my class until the other day. Coupon Books! I used to make them all the time for my dad when I was little, and now my kids can have one too. They are gonna love some of these options. You can get some for your class too. Just click here or on the picture below. There is also a blank one in there for you to handwrite some of your own incase the ones I chose don't quite suit your class' needs. Let's face it, not every class is the same!

Enjoy and have a Happy Valentines Day on Thursday! 

Day 3 of Elves and "I Can Find"

Today was a great Monday back. My kids were rather calm .. I want to say it was the drastic weather change here in Texas. Yesterday it was high 60s and then this morning it was snowing!

On to school stuff.. My kids needed to be up and moving so I was excited for them to do the Subtraction with Regrouping "I Can Find" from my 2-Digit Addition and Subtraction Regrouping Pack (you can check it out here). I hide them around the room so the kids have to get up and moving, find them and solve. I had them check their work 2 times before handing it to me! It paid off for some of my kiddos :).

 And for the Day 3 Elf...

I know I promised Math Stations last week but I realized this after my students had used it all. So this week I will take a picture of the before (how I set them up), the during (students hard at work) and the after (student work samples). For real this time.. stay tuned! 

Day 2 of Elves!

See where I hid today's elf... The kids are loving it!! The first thing they told me was "I can't wait to find the elf"(obviously breaking the first rule of the elves). I figure the excitement of the elves is all still new so after today I'll get more serious about the rule but for now.. I'll just let them be giddy. Not too late to pick up some elves to hide in your classroom too here.

Check back later today for another post on how we do our math stations!

1st Day of Elves!

Today marks the first day of my 12 Days of Christmas Elves! My students will be will be on the hunt starting today for a new hidden elf each day. The first one is ... pretty obvious. 

You can click on my store to the left or the picture below to purchase it. Today marks the first day but it's okay if you jump on the bandwagon a day late. No worries!

Not sure what they even are? A few days before school is out for the winter break can be pretty hectic, so this just adds a bit of fun for everyone. They need to find the Elf of the day that you have hidden around the room and write it down on the corresponding recording sheet. The one and only rule about the Elves though is "WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THE ELVES!". The reason is that at the end of the 12 days I like to see how many Elves they found and then put their name into a raffle that many times. Everyone gets at least 3 because I make the first, second and last one the easiest to find. Stop by the Dollar Store and grab a few nicknacks and then celebrate at your holiday party the day you get out!

Happy Thursday!

I will post tomorrow about how we do our Math Stations so check it out manana!

Polka, Plaid and Everything Mad

So I spoke too soon... After the dust has settled and the kids woke up they realized they didn't want to be back at school quite yet. All in all it was still a productive day buttttt let's just say they were a tiny bit distracted. And by tiny bit I mean ... I heard story after story about their breaks and here I am thinking "How nice they tell me all of this on Tuesday after our pleasant Monday that left me thinking it was smooth sailing for the week."

Needless to say the madness before the break has started to set in. But we will trek on learning about all sorts of things as we go. I must say, I have an AMAZING team. Every Tuesday when we meet I get so exited about the things they plan for us to do the next week. Next week we've got a whole bunch of great things going on from How-To's to U.S. Landmarks. Love those girls.

Here's a quick Freebie for what we are starting next week... Subtraction With Regrouping. It seems like terrible timing with the holidays and what not but considering we usually learn this in April my kids are doing SO SO SO good. I just can't get over it.

Click on the pic to grab it at my TPT store.

On top of that my wonderful admin has been handing out jeans passes lately so I took advantage of that opportunity and decided to wear jeans and a little mix up of some patterns (hence the Polka and Plaid title).

 

Enjoy your evening! 

My Purchases

Hope everyone had a great day back from the break! Surprisingly my kids did awesome today! I'm thinking they were either in shock or still pooped from all that turkey. Either way I took it and ran with it. They were little angels today ... at least as much as a group of 7-8 year olds could be considered angels...

Did you buy anything this Cyber Monday on TPT? (Link it up at Blog Hoppin'!)I know I sure did. I had a ton of things in my cart and then decided (like I do when I goes clothes shopping lately..) what are the things I really can't be without? So I narrowed it down to 2.

Here's what I bought! Click on the picture to check out more.

I love Amy Lemons over at Step Into Second. All of her work is fantastic and because she is also a 2nd grade teacher in the Dallas area our standards and pacing are very aligned. She made some adorable Christmassy activities that tie into literature for this upcoming month. Thanks Amy!

I had been eyeing Hope King's  Mathlete Pack for a couple months now. All of her stuff is fantastic and so creative. She is definitely someone to follow and I am so glad I finally purchased this pack to help keep my babies motivated and on the right track to learning all of their addition facts. Thanks Hope!

As for me.. I had have sold the most I've ever sold in one day today! But there's still one day left. Don't forget to enter the code at check out for even more savings: CMT12. Click on the picture to check out my store.

And if today wasn't a great day already.. I'm already inspired to work on a new pack. Be on the look out! Relax and have a great night!

O yea.. it's happening!

Liebster Award, SALE and Elves?

A few things...

I've been nominated for a Liebster Award by my sweet fellow newbie blogger, Anna Digilio, over at Simply Skilled in Second. Thanks so much Anna! You definitely inspire me :).

Just like me, you're probably thinking ... "What is a Liebster Award?"
Well a Liebster Award is given by other bloggers to new up and coming bloggers making their way with less than 200 followers. As you can see... I only have 8 at this point haha. It exists to help promote new bloggers and show them they are appreciated as well. There are a few things to know..

Here are the rules:

1. You must post 11 random things about yourself.

2. Answer the questions that the nominator set for you.

3. Create 11 questions for the people you nominate.

4. Choose 11 other blogs with fewer than 200 followers to nominate and link them in your post.

5. You cannot “tag back” the other blog, but leave a comment on this post with the URL of your Liebster post so I can learn more about you & see who you nominate.

So here I go..

11 Random Things About Myself

1. I have 3 cats... and people call me a crazy cat lady. I just love kittens so much :). I'm not a crazy cat lady though because I'm married and we are only outnumbered by 1.
2. I used to hate my curly hair but now I love it. It's what I'm used to, so I'd choose it over straight hair any day.
3. I am right handed but left footed.
4. I've played soccer since I was 4 (and still do).
5. My fourth grade teacher inspired me to be a teacher because of the way she read Hank the Cowdog in her crazy voices.
6. It took me 4 years to read the Twilight books but I went to the 5 in a row movie marathon. I'm a sucker for movie marathons/midnight premieres.
7. I love to bake things but don't like sweets normally. I bake things and my friends and family get to enjoy instead of me (by choice).
8. I studied abroad in Switzerland and had a mentor at an international school and LOVED it.
9. I literally fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow 6 out of 7 night of the week. I'm addicted to sleep.
10. I'm so excited to be a mommy but can and want to definitely wait a bit longer and enjoy the time when it's just my hubby and me.
11. I love clementine Izze's. 

Questions From Simply Skilled In Second

1.Car, SUV, or Mini-Van? I'd prefer SUV but I recently just went to a car.

2.  Do you have any children? Just 3 cats :).

3.  What is the craziest thing you have ever done? Went canyoning in Switzerland ... Google it.

4.  What is your favorite drink? Sweet Tea

5.  Health nut, couch potato or somewhere in between? Definitely somewhere in between. I have my days of laziness (more of those) but yet I can still get my act together.

6.  What is your favorite animal? Cats...

7.  Do you cry at movies? Always (and some commercials).

8.  Who is your favorite celebrity and why? Taylor Swift... I get a lot "You look like Taylor Swift"'s from my kids so naturally I keep up with her.

9. What is one thing you could tell us about yourself that others would be shocked to know? I didn't lost all of my baby teeth till I was a Jr in high school.

10. If you could have only 3 electrical appliances in your house, what would they be and why? TV, PS3 (for watching movies and Netflix on) and my fridge... I guess I do sound like more of a couch potato huh?).

11.  Italian food or mexican food? Mexican and boy am I missing some of that West Texas TexMex.

Blogs I am Nominating

Better With Bows

Seize the Day with Second Grade

2nd Grade Glance

Grade 2 Happenings

Now I know I am supposed to nominate 11 blogs and I've been do a lot of research but it seems like all of the ones I look at have already been nominated so I will keep searching and update when I find more :).

Questions to My New Blogger Friends

1. Favorite Burger Place (if you like burgers)?
2. What made you want to become a teacher?
3. How long have you been teaching?
4. Do you have any children?
5. If you were not a teacher what occupation would you choose?
6. Where do you see yourself in 1 year?
7. Which season do you prefer?
8. What is your favorite holiday?
9. Movies or Books?
10. If you could be a fly on the wall in any moment in history, which moment would you choose?
11. What advice would you give to a brand new teacher?

Whew... done with all of that and I still have a bit more! 

Today I've been working on a little Christmas activity pack. It's just a little something fun to do in the classroom before the break, when we all know our students are at their craziest. Click on the picture below to check it out! 

Go ahead and save things to put in your cart now for the big sale tomorrow. Here's an updated button for Cyber Monday and Tuesday courtesy of The School Supply Addict.

Click on the image to be taken to my store where starting tonight at midnight everything will be on sale! Make sure to enter the code CMT12 at checkout for addition savings. 

Thanks guys!! If you read this entire email then the first person to comment gets the 12 Day of Christmas Elves for free! Just leave your email in the comment box and I'll send it your way. 

Cyber Monday Sale!

Starting tonight at midnight I will be taking part in TeacherPayTeacher's Cyber Monday plus Tuesday sale. Everything in my store will be 20% off (that's the max amount they let you take off) and then they will take an addition amount off when you enter the code CMT12 at checkout for a total of 28%.

Just click on the ad below to take you right to my store.

 I will be working hard today to put up the 12 elves of Christmas for the holidays. It's just something fun to do the 12 school days leading up to your holiday break and I usually hold a tiny raffle at the end with $1 store prizes. The kids LOVE it. More details to come!

Also, I had mentioned that the hubby and I did a fall newlywed shoot with our wedding photographer. This girl is amazing. Almost a year and a half after we got married and she still worked with our crazy schedules to meet up. Love her! Here is a sneak peek of our shoot:

Like I said.. she's amazing. Check her out on Facebook Rachel Russo Photography.

Enjoy your last day of the break!

My First Pack!

I'm so pleased to say I have finally finished my first pack. I definitely underestimated the amount of time it takes to finalize a 50+ page pack.. this includes making the hubby proofread and create the preview file for it all. But thanks to my wonderful husband and days off I've I had, I finally finished it and it is live on my store's page. I am so excited to get back from the break to do more of the activities with my students. As I said previously.. They are ROCKIN' regrouping and you're kids can be too!

Just click either picture below to check out my pack.

I know I've seriously been lacking in the pictures of what I wore category but with all the hustle and bustle of the break and finishing my pack I've got one pic today and then soon I'll post pics from a shoot my hubby and I are doing with a photographer on Friday .. a Fall Newlywed Shoot. I can't wait! 

Last Wednesday it was wear blue day for Diabetes Awareness Day. I chose a monochromatic blue scheme with dark demin (TJ Maxx), a chambray (Forever 21), navy sweater (Old Navy) and camel colored boots (DSW). 

That was back when it was somewhat cold... it's 80 degrees outside right now in Texas and I am not a happy camper about it. I love layers and scarfs and can't wait for it to get cold. 

That's all I've got for now. Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy this time with your friends and family!

What I Wore and Regrouping Update

Today will be a short one because I'm trying to finish my Regrouping Pack (so be on the look out for that) but in the meantime here is quick pic of what I wore today.

Please notice my adorable cat, Buster, trying to make his debut.

• Top - H&M
• Scarf - Target
• Jeans - Old Navy
• Boots - I think Charming Charlie's

I am loving the stripes and floral mix. The stripes are a little too jailbird for me, so I'm thinking next time I'll wear this with my red and white striped shirt.

Also, I am a HUGE accessory fanatic. I always have earrings in. Usually I alternate between stacking bracelets and a statement necklace. *I did not have my jewelry on in this photo* so it doesn't quite do my outfit justice.



Let me switch topics to school real quick:
Can I just say that here I was, not looking forward to starting addition with regrouping, and come to find out only 2 days in and they are ROCKING IT! *We did the Magic Numbers activity yesterday, and then "To Regroup or Not To Regroup" (from my pack as well) today.*That just continues to encourage me to set the bar high and expect my students to get there because they will. Sometimes it's right away, other times it takes more patience. But we should always keep those expectations high to help them achieve greatness.

Off my soapbox... and on to New Girl.

Hello Blogging World!!! (Plus a Freebie!)

It's official.. I've started my own teaching blog. Many thanks to Becca at Jumping Jax Designs for designing my blog. She does excellent work!!

Now down to business...

Pretty Little Pencils is a place for me to post the day to day happenings of Mrs. Bathman's 2nd grade classroom. The countless activities, lessons and fun times we have are just too good to keep to myself!
**Can I also just say I have THE sweetest class this year.. I tell everyone "I honestly get about a million hugs a day."**

I will link things up to my Teachers Pay Teachers store for you to easily check out (or buy, cough...cough) and post as many freebies as I can. Who would want to buy something without knowing the quality of it first? I got you.. I got you...

I am also a teacher-version of a "fashionista" you could say. I don't buy anything unless I can see myself wearing it to work. I put a lot of different pieces together that most people wouldn't but somehow it all seems to mesh perfectly. So I am dedicating a whole section of my teaching blog to my outfits because a) I care that much about them and b) to shed some light and maybe inspire you to try something new with your wardrobe. I can't promise a post every day but definitely one a week of each outfit I wore.

Let's start this baby off with a freebie shall we? We are starting Addition with REGROUPING this week.. aka the week before Thanksgiving Break ... so please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. But in all seriousness, I am working on my first pack and am looking to having it posted next week (over 60 pages!!). Here is one activity we will do called Magic Numbers.. this is great way to introduce Regrouping. It helps students see that 53 is the same as 50+3 as well as 40+13. We will practice a new Magic Number a day, as well as make it one of our math stations, leading up to when we start subtraction with regrouping. This way they will definitely have a great foundation for "breaking apart" numbers or ... REGROUPING. Man I love Math :).

Click HERE to be taken to my TPT store to download for FREE.

I am so excited to begin this journey and I hope you will follow along with me every step of the way. Thanks and Gig 'Em (That's right.. I'm a proud Aggie.. Did you see them BTHO 'Bama last night?!).