Getting Posters Ready for Back to School

Wanted to help a colleague and made posters to help differentiate between the student and staff restroom outside of her classroom door. Labeling is now a passion of mine, although that may be odd!

Grab these bathroom posters by clicking {here}or the picture above.

Then I updated my reward system chart and prize coupons for the new teacher on my team. I wanted her to have everything ready to print so she can implement successful classroom management techniques in her classroom. I use ClassDojo and it is fabulous!

Check out these PBS behavior coupons and the template used to separate the rewards. I included a blank template as well, in case you want to add your own rewards.

You may also like my new Editable To Do List. It's way better than having massive piles of sticky notes all over your desk or a grocery list that you lost at the bottom of your purse.

You can open this on PowerPoint and edit it to your liking. Grab it {here} or click the picture below!

FSA Language & Editing Updates!

If you're a teacher, like me, you know the feeling that occurs when you are finishing summer break and heading back to school for pre-planning week? Well, instead of feeling stressed or overwhelmed, I was inspired! I wanted to have extra resources that worked well for my students last year to prepare for the ELA standards.

So here's to my exciting news: I added some of my teacher activities! I just finished creating a 4th set of my FSA Language & Editing Tasks. Then another teacher asked me if I had a bundle. A bundle? How perfect! So I had to do it. Yay for getting things done before the craziness begins! I'm glad other teachers find these products helpful with their students. I can't wait to see what this year holds!

Click {here} to go to my TpT Store and grab SET 3 or click on the picture:

Click {here} to go to my TpT Store and grab the newest set (SET 4) or click on the picture:

Here's the BUNDLE of 24 different practice questions (144 total)! I'm so proud that I took the time to make it easier to review. Hope you find this useful like I did. 

  

-Lindsey Stephenson
Creator of Passion For Teaching

No HW pass for the holidays!

Looking for a fun holiday gift for your students? Grab this NO HOMEWORK pass bundle for your class on TpT! They will love this and it has a variety of options.

Happy Holidays From My Team

Adding & Subtracting Fractions Task Cards {4 sets}

Click {here} for  Subtracting LIKE denominator task cards at my TPT store.
Click {here} for  Subtracting UNLIKE denominator task cards at my TPT store.

Click {here} for Adding LIKE denominator task cards at my TPT store.

Click {here} for Adding UNLIKE denominator task cards at my TPT store.

~More math activities on the way!

Lindsey Stephenson (Passion For Teaching)

Veterans Day

Want a limited time freebie? 


This is for Veterans day. It is best to use this in your classroom before Nov. 11th so the students understand the purpose of this holiday. Grab it now at my TPT store by clicking the picture or visiting my store and then downloading my featured FREEBIE! 

Thanks, 
~Passion For Teaching
(Lindsey Stephenson) 

Updated Bulletin Board

BRAVO BOARD: It just feels good to get something done that you've been wanting to do for YEARS! Now it is the eye-catching display I was hoping for. Students are excited to put their work up and track their progress. I really enjoyed making my growth mindset bulletin board behind the computers: LEARN acrostic: Reflect Solve Create Grow Think

Reading is so important to me! So I wanted to make sure there was a reading "nook" where they can read somewhere comfortable and fun! You can never have too many pillows and stuffed animals.

Great Beginning to the 2017-18 School Year!

Meet the new 5th Grade Team 

I'm so proud to be your team leader! 

Our new team is such a great fit! I'm happy to have a new teammate this year. I am ready to push my Cambridge students to their highest potential. Chuck - our school is incredibly lucky to have you and I know our students are enjoying both of our shenanigans. Thanks for being a great co-teacher and getting them excited for math. Val is sporting the pink hat and Whit is always fashionable (are you checking out those rain boots?!) Those girls are such a great inspiration and will always keep a smile on my face. Love you guys!

We are the #superfive and we will be ready to take our students to the next level. I can't wait to see how far our students go! Visit our school's Twitter Page and hit the "FOLLOW" button. Our teachers have more passion than any other school and we share innovative instructional practices. Looking forward to an amazing year!

Harry Potter - Yes please!

Every classroom needs a touch of magic - when technology isn't working the way it should!

I have technology problems frequently in my classroom. Let's face it, things happen and we just have to roll with it. Either someone accidentally unplugs something at the student computers or something goes wrong unexpectedly. Whatever the case may be... when you are in the middle of teaching a lesson or at the guided reading table, it isn't easy to stop a go help another student at the computer. So, in the event of a computer malfunction just have them put up one of these signs and it lets other students know that computer is "temporarily" not working or out of order. Then it gives everyone something fun to look at and acts as a reminder to put in a work order at your convenience! I hope this brings a smile to your face and it makes life easier.  

Enjoy this product {Click here or on the image below}

*Find more at my TpT Store 

~Lindsey Stephenson, creator of Passion For Teaching

Are you ready for back to school?

Here are a couple of new products to get ready school to start! I wanted some new Meet the Teacher pages: sign-in sheet, how do you go home form, contact information, and conference sign-up. Even a display poster for them to see as they walk in the door.

And, my school is having a superhero theme again this year... so I created a Super Goal Activity that allows my students to set goals for themselves and decorate their own superhero. I have included a bulletin board display poster to hang up with their creations. You can pick up these items at my TPT store - Passion For Teaching, just click on the links above or the images. Happy Teaching!

           

How to Zip a File - Adding multiple documents into one zipped folder!

Easy to follow steps for PC (Windows 10):

I was looking to put multiple files into one folder (it's easier to send in an email without going over the maximum GB limit)

Step 1: Open "File Explorer" and decide on the files, pictures, or folders you want to place in a compressed zip folder.

Step 2: While holding the "ctrl" control button, click on the files you want to group together. 

Step 3: (2 options) Right click on the selected files (image above) then hover over "Send to" and then find the "Compressed (zipped) folder" on the second pop up window. Then click it and continue to Step 4.

(*You may also do this same step another way if it's easier. Once you have your files selected from Step 2, find the Share tab at the top left corner of the toolbar click it and then click Zip.)

Step 4: It will ask you to rename the folder. It uses the file you used to right click on but you can change it to any title you desire. Just type in the highlighted box and hit enter. 

When you finish, double click and look inside to make sure you have selected the correct files inside your new compressed "zipped" folder. If you want to add more files, just click on them and simply drag them into your new folder! 

Done, now you're all set! Easy peasy, lemon squeezy. I hope this helps make life easier. 

Feel free to head on over to my TpT Store (click my button) for my new product:
 Ultimate Meet The Teacher Packet.

End of 2016 -2017 School Year

The end of a school year is a great time for reflection. This was my first year teaching 5th grade (after teaching 4th grade for three years) and it was incredible. I loved every moment I spent with my amazing class. I knew over 90% of the entire grade level, being a 4th grade teacher the previous year. My students were very bright and we had such a unique and powerful bond. There were zero behavior problems and everyone got along. We could start with academics right away because they picked up the procedures so quickly. I even made the moving on ceremony video for the parents to view before the students walked in as 5th graders for the last time. I wish them all the best in their future classes but they will always hold a very special place in my heart. Miss you already! 

I was proud to have a successful year with my new team as well! May next year bring more amazing memories. Summer here I come! STAY TUNED FOR NEW ITEMS ON MY TPT STORE. 

March Madness = More on TpT!

FSA is coming, so why not get your students prepared with LA practice?

Looking to organize your binders by subject?

In Collier County we use this color-subject system and it really has helped, not only me stay organized, but my students too! Every year I decide to reorganize my files. But this year, I think I've finally figured out a system that is perfect. Now if I can just find the time to implement my new system! More to come with PICTURES!!! I'm so excited to share my secrets. 

Visit my store here for many helpful products!

Keep up your stamina!

Older posts:
- How to Organize Your Students' School Supplies
- Color Code Literacy Centers and Guided Reading Groups

Drum roll please...We made it to December!

Alert: Teachers... your students desperately need you! 

Usually towards the final weeks of Q2, you start to see some changes in your students. They have been listening and have made some steps closer to their end goal! Either it's the "Yes, they've finally got it! The light bulb has gone off! " or the "Oh dear, what is happening? How do they not remember this! We've done this so many times before! "... Regardless, WE need to keep moving forward. And, more importantly, help our students to recognize they can keep moving forward. Through any obstacle or challenge you might face, always be there for your students. I know we always say we can do this but do we already remember to keep them motivated or celebrate their successes? It happens. We can't possibly do it all. But pick something to focus on each day that can support celebrating success. Your students may have made some teensy bit of progress in a subject area and need some encouragement. Or possibly they have finally finished an assignment in class on time. Or have remembered to write on the correct side of the paper or put their name on their homework without a reminder. Cheer for them! Praise them! Give them your support! Recognize what they've accomplished, even it is something so small that it can oftentimes go unnoticed. Always try to find a few moments in your day to recognize student achievement, and I know it is packed full! It's important and you will find this helps your connection with those students. 

Now that it's November...

Outstanding October has begun!

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  LDS on Periscope

***Updates to my TPT STORE ***

This school year I have set major goals for myself, as any passionate and dedicated teacher would. I will be creating custom categories for my products. These will be products for teacher use, printables for students, activities per subject and by grade level. Hope to keep adding to my collection. This is a busy year (being new to the fifth grade world, although it is an easier transition from fourth grade). My focus will be on literacy (both reading and writing) and maybe science as well! I love creating literacy centers and use them every day in my classroom. I have a custom template with my guided reading groups and the weekly rotation activities. I've used it for 4 years and always seem to find new ways to get the students excited about learning. (Fingers crossed I'll be able to upload the editable version soon!) Let me know in the comments below if you are in need of something for your classroom that you haven't already found elsewhere. I'd love to tackle some new projects!

***Updates on this blog***

I hope to post monthly (even if just once a month) to include my classroom pictures, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter posts, and any new product(s) I've had time to upload on TPT. Please be patient. As we are all busy! I honestly appreciate your support. Feel free to follow me on my social media platforms. I plan to be extraordinarily creative this year and share it with you all!

 

Super September

So HAPPY to have made it through the first 3 weeks of school!

Here is my latest project: Updating my beach chairs under my umbrella for silent reading. And, adding the literacy VOICES and CRAFT strategies to my cabinets. It is acting like a bulletin board for my students to refer to throughout the day. I also am using the RACE reading response strategy with them. These 5th graders are incredible and have accomplished so much already!

As promised, I will be uploading pictures of my classroom. I am in love with certain bulletin boards, reading nooks, signs, décor, and other areas of my room! I hope to continue to find my groove and improve the set-up. This year is off to a great start. I'm remembering one key thing - prioritize! Remember what is MOST important to tackle first and then add the rest to a "to-do" list. It's so helpful and keeps me sane! :)

Meet the Teacher 2016-17

New school year, new grade level, and new team!

This week is my pre-service week. It's the week before school starts for the students. Teachers are running around unpacking and setting up their classrooms, while going to meetings, putting in copies, and writing lesson plans in between. Tomorrow is meet the teacher and I wanted a new template that I could just fill in. I love that Pinterest is my go to teacher search engine. I found this beautiful FREE template (credit: At Whit's End).

Just wanted to share! Classroom pics coming :)  

 

 

Proud to announce I just finished my blue and green classroom banners! Check out the new product on my TPT Store. Click HERE for the editable PowerPoint.

Summer Read - MUST!

If you can believe it, my favorite book - HARRY POTTER - has finally produced another story!

I'm thrilled to have been a part of the HP movement. It really touches a part of me and I will always LOVE the HP adventures. I went to Barnes and Noble at midnight to purchase the new release: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts 1 & 2!

For me, the love of reading started with this series. I also liked the Twilight series, but this transported me to the most imaginative place. It made me wish to my bones magic exists and that I could be a part of the wizarding world. In my heart, magic will always be whatever you believe in. I highly recommend this book, which is a screen play, for all Harry Potter fans or those who enjoy fantastic stories. My students, and future children, will hear about all the wonders and stories these books encompass. I hope to instill a love of imagination, or love of reading, to anyone who hasn't found it yet. It was truly wonderful to see a line wrapped around the entire second floor at Barnes and Noble. People of all ages from grandmas to grandchildren, and everyone in between. These books have made a huge difference in my creative thinking and excitement for fantasy. I hope the excitement NEVER ENDS...