Scooted for the First Time

I had my observation last Thursday.  You know, the one where the principal comes in and watches you and evaluates your teaching (only this time it wasn't the principal, it was the sort of assistant principal.)

When I was very young, I would get so, so nervous about these observations.  I would plan and prep and prepare and VISUALIZE my observation from beginning to end.  I don't stress over them quite as much as I used to -- well, honestly, not even close to how I used to stress about observations.  Now, the day before (or two before if I'm feeling really productive) I sort of scratch my head and go what should I do for my observation?

So Tuesday during my lunch break that runs into my prep, so I get an 80! minute break on Tuesday, I was scrolling through TpT trying to decide what to do to go along with my vowel patterns "ee" and "ea" make the long E sound lesson.  I had my SMARTBoard review and intro planned using the Fridge Magnets.  I had my reference chart from my shop to use as a reference.  All I needed was an activity, something fun and engaging.  I stumbled upon Rachel Lynette's Long E task cards, and they looked like they would fit the bill perfectly.  Easy clues to read, check.  Words all use ee or ea, check.  Awesome.  These will be great!  But I don't want to use them as task cards.  Hmm, I can use them as a scoot-type game.  Perfect!

I set it up, explained the rules to the kids, and we practiced how to scoot from clue to clue and find the word on the SMARTBoard to match the clue.  During my observation, the kids did a beautiful job on this game, and the sort of assistant principal was very impressed with the whole lesson.  Had my post observation conference today and she couldn't say enough about how much she liked the lesson, the activity, the scoot game, all of it.  Only commendations, no recommendations.  Yay!

So my tip is not to stress out over observations and evaluations.  All you can do is what you do.  Trust me, it's better than good enough.  What you do everyday in the classroom is AMAZING, and anyone who thinks it is not should just try it.  When in doubt, check out TpT.  There's always something there that will take your teaching to the next level.

By the way, have you heard about the big sale?  As if you haven't.

You know the drill.  Just don't forget to enter the promo code when you check out.  Click the picture above to visit my store.

Of course, my items will all be marked 20% off, and I have some great new items in my store for spring.

For Lent and Easter I have two awesome resources.

Footsteps to Jesus is a wonderful resource to use at the beginning of Lent to prepare the children for Lent

My Easter chapter book with interactive components that can be used as an interactive notebook or to make an Easter story lapbook is finished and posted.

If you're planning on any doing any Dr. Seuss activities or Read Across America Day, I've got a fun packet of Whimsical Math Centers to complement the theme of the day.

Rhyming directions on each page tell the children what they need to do to complete the centers.

Numbers and Operations in Base 10 Springy Thingies is a great way to practice number order to 120 and 1 more, 1 less, 10 more, and 10 less.

 In case you didn't know, I am developing a series of supplemental resources to go along with my reading series.  So far I have four up, and I am currently working on the next one. 

 

I also have lots of fun {spring and end-of-school activities} for you to check out, so be sure to stop by my store during the sale and add to your cart!

If you've stayed with me this long, you surely deserve a little surprise.  Click the picture below to download the Luck O' the Irish multi-use game board.  I've used this simple game board in nearly every subject, including Spanish!  It's quick, it's fun, and it gets the kids excited about reviewing subject matter.  

Look below to see the other great sellers who have an end-of-the-year tip for you and some great resources for spring.  Enjoy!

An InLinkz Link-up

Super Bowl Non-sale Sale and For-Real Sale

How's that for a title that leaves you scratching your head?

Let's take care of the Non-sale Sale first.  As you know -- or maybe you don't know -- Teachers Pay Teacher is not having a Super Bowl sale this  year.

Don't worry.  Be happy!

But don't worry, be happy!  Some bloggy friends, including myself, have banded together to bring you that Super Bowl sale experience you crave.  Everything in my store will be 20% for tomorrow only (or maybe Monday, too, because I can never get the sale set right to last only one day).  I've got some great new resources in my store that I've really loved using with my kids in both science and language arts, such as: 

If you'd like a sneak peek at the products, you can download my free "Just a Taste" product sampler by clicking the picture below.  It gives a one-page sample of each resource listed.

Now, for the For-Real Sale!  Teacher's Notebook is running a For-Real Super Bowl Sale, where you can get my resources on sale for 25% off, plus Teacher's Notebook will take an additional 10% off applied at the checkout.  I have many, but not all, of the same resources in my Teacher's Notebook store that I have at Teachers Pay Teachers.  You can visit my TN shop by clicking on the picture below.

While you are on Teacher's Notebook, you can enter my giveaway.  I'm giving away two copies of my Valentine Math Resource, Love Me True.  Click the picture below to enter.

If you want to see who else is having a sale on TPT, you can visit Fifth in the Middle's blog and view her linky party.

So that's it for this week.  I hope you have a great weekend, and may the best team win.  I'm pulling for the Steelers to win -- oh, wait, my team isn't in (again) this year.  Sigh.  Well, there's always the commercials and the half-time show.  But since it's always more interesting when you're at least cheering for someone to win, I'm going with Denver.  Who do you want to win?