There is no busy like back-to-school busy! There's no crazy like it either!! Right? I…
Monday was our first day back with the kiddos. It's been an exhausting but fun…
I'm joining Jen from Teacher on the Beach for Monday Motivation. This week it's all about…
Teaching little humans to read is often the most rewarding and challenging part of the…
Nameplate Pros and Cons I've had mixed feelings about desk nameplates for a while. CON:…
I'm linking up with Jen over at Teacher by the Beach again for Monday Motivation.…
If you've been following me for a while, you know I am ALL about keeping…
I'm linking up with Jen over at Teacher By the Beach for her Monday Motivation…
I received a few emails about the clipboards shown in my Daily Schema Review post.…
Do you ever need to fill a few minutes in class? Want those minutes filled…
Peeps! I'm so excited about my new classroom essentials resource, Vanilla Sherbet classroom decor! After…
I have a March resource round-up for you today. I cannot believe we are already…
Teaching writing is a stress inducer for a lot of teachers. Ready for Writing is here to help!…
Valentines Day cuteness and creativity in the form of Lulu the Love Bird narrative writing is joining…
Each Valentines Day I give my kiddos a homework pass along with a cute Valentine…
We have a full month celebrating American Symbols and Presidents. There's going to be a…
Wow, did January ever fly by!! I cannot believe we will already be celebrating Groundhog…
Throughout the month of December, my class studies Holiday Customs Around the World. But as…
Hi! Welcome to Dragonflies in First's new home. When I first started blogging I just…
Most teachers say that one of their greatest obstacles in their daily work life is…
We are officially back to work this coming week. What in the world happened to…
Our 2016 Teacher Meet Up in Orlando was so much fun. This was our 5th…
In LESS THAN ONE MONTH we'll be getting ready for our biggest event of the…
You work hard. Your day is composed of SO much more than teaching curriculum. Instilling…
Grading student writing can be a cumbersome process. Often the tools provided to teachers to…
Do your kids ever do this? Time and time again I find that my little…
Sometimes all we need is a little inspiration to spark a whole lot of creativity.…
I cannot believe it's time for our annual reflections linky party! I honestly cannot believe…
I have a kiddo who is really struggling to reach grade level standards. Unfortunately he…
Our first trimester of school has come to an end. That always signals the beginning…
Carson Dellosa recently sent me a couple of products to try out in my classroom.…
I love engaging my students in all aspects of reading, writing and phonics with fall literacy…
I think classroom environment is important. It's important that all that your students' environment is…
I've known and worked with a couple of the teachers that man our Kindergarten team…
I STRONGLY believe that teachers have more important things to do than worry about organizing…
Save your sanity with some simple tweaks and changes that will simplify your classroom management…
Over on Blog Hoppin', my friends and I are hosting TEACHER WEEK. Today we are…
Behavior Management systems are a touchy subject. It makes sense that they are. We all…
It's difficult for me to narrow down my favorite thing to teach in 1st grade.…
I go back this coming Wednesday. I can't even believe it. Where did the time…
Here are a few Back to School Necessities. TpT's annual BTS sale is a perfect…
I like "I Have - Who Has" games. In fact I have a free one…
Some things that define me: Organization freak. Obsessed with keeping things simple. Clutter despiser. Lover…
I was at school a few weeks ago when my assistant principal received a package…
The meet up that we held in Vegas last week was AMAZING!! There really isn't…
It's time for WISH LIST WEDNESDAY! This week I am highlighting my morning work for K-2, Morning…
It's time for WISH LIST WEDNESDAY! In case you missed last week, here's how it works:…
In a few short weeks a whole lot of teachers are going to be taking…
As I mentioned before, I am changing a few things in my room. One of…
I'm so excited to be linking up with my fabulously energetic friend Jen from Teacher…
It's almost that time again! The time that thousands of teachers and bloggers head to…
With common core in full force, we don't do as much with coins in first…
I use a LOT of business card magnets. I love them. SERIOUSLY. They are the…
If you haven't made a planning decision yet for your school year, I hope these…
And just like that, summer is nearly upon us! Time absolutely flies when you are…
Our classroom has been transformed into an ocean wonderland over the past few weeks. The…
The end of the year is near peeps! We just had our Open House last…
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week teacher peeps! We're celebrating all teachers with a SALE! It's a…
School year curriculum mapping and planning for school year success is an essential part of…
Are you ready to begin year curriculum mapping and planning for next school year? Let's…
My team's year curriculum mapping and planning for next year is done! It feels fabulous…
A lot of what we do in the primary grades is repetitive. This is often…
Today we started celebrating St. Patrick's Day a little early. We'll probably "celebrate" a little…
Spring is around the corner. It was over 80 degrees here in SoCal today in…
Some of the concepts that our kiddos need to learn can be quite abstract. Understanding…
A while back I wrote about one of my favorite daily activities - MORNING WORK…
Every once in a while there are those days when everything you planned kind of…
I'm joining Jen over at Teacher by the Beach in sharing my 14 most popular…
I hope you are enjoying your break! I'm so sad that an entire week is…
2014 is already nearing its end. I cannot believe it. It has been a year…
The first week of December 2014 is nearly over. I cannot believe it. Time has…
Is your December a whirlwind? I enjoy teaching in December. It's fun and quick. But…
This week is going to be busy in my classroom. We just have this week…
Comparing the past and present is a perfect theme for the month of November. I LOVE…
I cannot believe this is the last week October. It seriously feels like it just…
I have been an absolutely horrible blogger lately! I'm so sorry. Will someone PLEASE figure…
It's hard to believe that it is already time for progress reports! This year we…
Engaging learning practices and encouraging higher levels of thinking should be at the core, the…
I'm not here today... hop on over to Blog Hoppin' to read my post for…
Another day of Meet the Teacher week.... Thursday is the day we share about schedules,…
I'm super excited about Wednesday's "Meet the Teacher Week" topic. Do you see that? It…
Whoa... two blog posts in a row! I'm on a roll. And I'm cheating. Shhh...…
This is going to be a crazy week. We officially go back to work this…
Desert 5 ways?! Yes please. Yum! Now this post is going to be a little…
I get a lot of questions about homework. My philosophy is it should be routine,…
It's August, Peeps! A U G U S T! August. I'm so sad. Summer flew…
Have you grabbed your necessities for the school year yet? Now is the time! When…
Some of you teacher peeps are already heading back to the classroom. Craaaazy! The first…
I was so happy to be part of the meet up team this year and…
I know you are all "Vegased" out - but I have to add my own…
The nod to holiday cheer continues and I'm popping in with this quick reminder about...…
I'm teaming up with my Blog Hoppin' friends for a little holiday cheer! Over the…
This giveaway comes with a theme song...We can't help ourselves. Fluttering Through First Grade's Christy…
Hey peeps! In celebration of Independence Day, I'm having a SALE!! All of my teacher resources (including…
I am SO excited to have the Morning Wake Up Kinder edition Unit 1 uploaded…
Are you enjoying your summer? Even in your "relaxing time" you are looking at blogs…
It's Mystery Box time again, peeps! I am still questioning why I joined as a…
Do you need an excuse to get away? I have a great one for you!…
Open House - CHECK Staff vs 6th Grade Softball Game - CHECK Field Day…
My Bright Idea this month is actually a re-run from a couple of years ago.It's…
Open House is a few weeks away for us. I know a lot of you…
I'm worn out. I had to work out a lot today peeps. We had several…
Happy Teacher Appreciation week peeps! I have a couple of freebies for you to start…
The end of the year is looming. Looming is probably NOT the correct verb here...…
100 products. 100 products peeps! No. 100 is a bundle of my seasonal ELA units…
I just finished my latest seasonal reading, word work, writing and craft resource. It's perfect…
Last week I shared a pic about our kinesthetic math. I said I had a…
I've embarked on a new adventure peeps! I'm now part of the Mystery Box gals. …
I know. I'm a thief. I stole that title. From a dear friend, even. Hopefully,…
I'm sharing one of my FAVORITE things with you today. In my opinion, it's an…
How's your week been? I've been busy peeps! I promised I would update the Curriculum…
Meet my newest baby. I just love it. But working on it for quite some…
First and foremost, I am on spring break. Sorry to those of you who have…
One.more.week. They are ready. I am ready. We all need spring break, already. Last week…
It's a VERY warm, beautiful Sunday here in SoCal. I'm feeling pretty lucky! Speaking of…
I've had rug envy. I admit it. For years and years I had this type…
I have another easy-peasy BRIGHT IDEA for you today. I had had a love-hate relationship…
This past week we started our plant and life cycle science. The bulletin boards are…
I changed out my word work this week. My kids were so excited to see…
Ok... I promised pics from my "BIG WEEKEND" and I have some. Luckily for you…
I can't believe our So Cal conference is finally here. This weekend seemed so far…
Wow... teachers are just amazing. 3 million teachers are involved with TpT. 3 million! Wow! …
It's adorable... right? Who knew I even liked robots. Certainly not me! He's the craft…
Hey teacher peeps! Happy after the sugar-rush, full-moon riddled (WHY? just WHY?) Valentine's Day! A…
It's coming up sooooo soon! Are you registered? I'm so excited to have this wonderful…
A few days ago I received an email from a teacher peep asking about calendar…
I have some Valentine FREEBIES for you! Celebrating Presidents and American Symbols But first I…
I have an easy-peasy BRIGHT IDEA for you today. During those times when you are…
I'm having a quick, one-day-only SALE in my store Sunday! To give you some purchasing…
I am kind of in LOVE with takes and tweaks on familiar stories - like fairy…
So do you have a silent class? Do they listen the first time? Are they…
Our social studies theme for January is "Our Place in the World". It fits in…
I will be presenting at the upcoming Southern California Kindergarten Conference! {excited and NERVOUS!} I've been…
One more week of January. One more week of January? Wow. Yesterday I was prepping…
Do you love penguins? I LOVE them! They are just so adorable, quirky and different.…
I'm ready to see my kiddos. Not really ready for this wonderful break to be…
I'm working on my plans for January .... yes I've put them off. Don't judge.…
Time sure does fly when you're having fun, doesn't it? How did you celebrate the…
I'm kind of sad to see 2013 go. Not that it was over the moon…
In just a few short days, 2013 will be officially over. This is so hard…
One more week. 1 more week One more wk! just.one.more I LOVE my kiddos; but…
This week, the kiddos are going to make their parent gifts. I seriously LOVE how…
****This resource has been updated. Click here to view newest post about it!**** Over the…
I had some inquiries about my Daily Literacy Practice for 1st grade, so I thought…
Hi Ho... Hi Ho.... back to work - but only for 3 weeks. That's manageable!…
Sales abound Peeps!! Payday AND sale day? Simply Perfect! This is the fun kind of…
Recently a teacher emailed me asking a few questions about my digital plans I post…
Happy Thanksgiving Peeps! This has been a crazy busy week. I have the week off…
Hey teacher peeps... I have something very "unteachery" to share. Bare with me. Look what…
I had planned to share my field trip photos with you. But I can't I…
This week we are starting our unit on comparing the present and the past. We…
Halloween.... There was this.... That's me and my first grade team. All 2 and a…
I'm finally sharing photos of my Rainforest Habitat Bulletin Board. It's one of my favorites.…
Last week we had a fundraiser at our local McDonald's. It was CRAZY busy there.…
Last week was crazy. My kiddos worked their little tails off squeezing in a full…
Hey teacher peeps! You'd think I would have my act together by now. But nope…
WOOHOOO!!! I LOVE SALES!!! Have you heard? TpT reached 100,000 FB fans so they are throwing…
It's pretty fun to get emails from teachers from all around the planet. What an…
Totally not school related, but we went away this weekend. Because.... People go to Las…
September is a crazy busy month. Not only because it's the beginning of school. But…
A sweet teacher emailed me and asked me if I ever used journals - and,…
Writing with a Golden Ruler combines an important social studies lesson with writing. I love…
There is a bit of arguing going on in some circles about crafts in the…
I have some amazing kiddos in my class. They've really been impressing me. One of…
Have I told you lately how fabulous you are? I SO appreciate your support, sweet…
Steven Spielberg is safe. I WILL NOT be intruding on his territory. I have absolutely…
Wow! Thanks for the sweet comments about my new pack. The Extended Flash Freebie for…
I cannot believe the first day of school is only a day away. The summers…
Monday is the day. The kiddos are heading back to school. I met most of…
I go back to work on Wednesday. So you'd think I've been busy in my…
This Post has been moved. Click HERE to visit The Ultimate Weekly Planner post
A while back I wrote a post about not particularly liking things on my kids' desks. I'm…
First.... the bummer news. Rumor now has it that our class size numbers will NOT…
I totally admit that I'm obsessed with organization. It works out well that I have…
Rumor has it that my class size may go down from 30 to 24 kiddos!…
What makes our teacher jobs a tad easier? Informed and involved parents. I do all…
This is an older post. . . PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST ARTICLE ON THE…
Wow! So many of you teachers are already back to work! I'm happy I've still…
First things first....Winners Congrats to Jennifer and Michelle for winning my giveaway for $25 to…
I'm linking up with Cara for Throwback Thursday. I wrote this post in September of…
Are you BlogLovin' all the fabulous teacher blogs? I like the email BlogLovin' sends daily…
I've heard you. Honestly, I've been listening and desperately working. I don't really remember the…
Cara has PERFECT timing. Throwback Thursday is EXACTLY what I was thinking about today while…
I have missed you all. I don't have any excuse different than anyone else. You…
Wow! Sunday came around a little too fast! First things first... I had a couple…
Although it's National Teacher Appreciation week/day - in our District, teacher appreciation isn't until next…
Open house is around the corner peeps! I have so much to do. I have…
I enjoy Currently! Thanks Farley! It's hockey 100% of the evening VERY often in this…
I vividly remember laughing and shaking my head many years ago when my dad said,…
I'm here! I'm here! Thanks for all the well wishes, comments and emails. That little…
Admit it. You're jealous of my new working environment. 2 tvs ... each channeling through…
Today was my minimum day. As in the the kids leave at noon and, after…
YAY for spring break! That's about all I can say. I relaxed peeps! It was amazingly…
I went shopping recently. Online shopping. MPM School Supplies sent me $25 to spend in…
I want to share a little techy thing with you. I'm pretty excited to FINALLY…
We had another SoCal blogger meet up on Saturday. It was oodles of fun. Katie…
Hi. My name is Traci. I hate Writer's Workshop. As in loathe it...greatly...with passion. I…
Wow! Annie and I had a spectacular bloggy birthday celebration. With all of your entries,…
Time truly flies when you are having fun. I absolutely cannot believe it has been…
Complete assessments . . . check Battle horrific flu . . . check Finish report…
March is here.... come on spring! Here's my Currently contribution. History Channel is like a…
I've been thinking about how overwhelming things were my first few years of teaching. Well,…
Where in the world does the time go? It's already Sunday night?! My washer and…
Reagan posted about how little we teachers get to chat it up with a pal…
I have a lot in store for my kiddos this week as we study patriotism.…
How was your weekend? Mine was refreshing. I needed it. I mentioned in my last…
Yay! I am FINALLY linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for 5 for Friday! 1.…
I'm giving this little Valentine's Day card to my kiddos on the 14th. I think…
Whoa, it's already February! I can't wait to delve into Presidents Day and Patriotism with…
January's bulletin boards are down. We are on to February. Wow! It is going to…
Lately - and for the next several weeks - we are working on Operations and…
This is what is playing over and over again in my head: At the end…
Fluttering Through First Grade's Christy and Tammy and I should be teaching at the same…
Teaching writing can be tough. Teaching writing to kids who only know a minimal amount…
I LOVE teaching literacy. It's just so fun. Phonic rules are one of my absolute…
I love anchor charts. My students love anchor charts. With the most recent math standard…
Bulletin boards are one of those things that are both a blessing a curse. On…
THIS is a contest I seriously want to win! Click on the link below or…
Only the weekend left of my winter break. It went SO fast! I look forward…
This is what I'll be doing on Monday. I really love it! I think my…
Happy New Year!! I am currently sipping hot chocolate, in my PJ's, hanging out with…
Merry AFTER Christmas peeps. I've been slowing things down a bit around my house. It's…
There just isn't enough room to put up 30 pieces of all of the things…
So proud to share a profession with Sandy Hook's amazing heroes! So completely heartbroken over…
We've been really busy learning about holiday customs around the world. Even though this month…
Today was a non-kid day for me. I was at a district CCSS math training.…
Here are the winners of my Past and Present unit. Excuse the not so pretty…
Monday was canceled for me today - THANK YOU VETERANS. But I forgot to tell…
My "buddy" came to visit my kiddos and I on Friday. I say "buddy" because…
I can't tell you why... but once November comes around, I start to feel super…
We have been busy with our habitat unit. Last week we finished up the savanna.…
I've been boo'd. Not in real life. That would be sad. But here in bloggy…
Our science focus this month is plants and animals and their environments and habitats and…
About a year ago I did a post about my Friday Note. It ended up…
Normally, I have some kind of complaint about Farley's "Currently"... something like.... ack! Where is…
Today was a fantastic day. Thanks to some very wonderful ladies. Although it was quite…
It's officially fall. The weather today is officially still summer-time hot. 92 degrees. Which is…
That's my individual behavior system. Little black tiles glued to magnets, pieces of red, yellow…
Week # 2 - done! Lovin' my class. (: Parent Information Night/Back-to-School - done! It went…
Here is the last post for the LOVES/NEEDS/MUSTS I have in teaching. Here are the…
As I said in my last post, there are 3 basic LOVES/NEEDS/MUSTS I have in teaching.…
Several beginning teacher friends out there asked for help. I'm happy to oblige. 😀 There…
My hat's off to all of you who posted after your first day back. You…
Many of you have been emailing me a lot of awesome questions. I hope this…
Oh my goodness time is in that full-speed-ahead mode that it goes into during the…
We haven't been able to eat at our dining room table. It has been in…
Teacher's Notebook has all sorts of good things going on. They are having a sweepstakes…
I always look forward to Farley's "Currently" - but not so much this time. August?…
Do you snicker and giggle and roll your eyes and say "oh no" in your…
I ❤ teaching children to read. Truly. It is the primary reason why I cannot imagine…
I don't particularly like desk nameplates. When the kids peel the tape and the corners,…
I've been gone for a bit. Nowhere fun. 🙁 But I'm back. And I've missed…
I had to use quotes on that title. Ya know why? Because I can no…
First of all, I am over the moon thrilled with all of the wonderful comments…
I {puffy} heart organization. I feel sooooo much better when I'm organized. I'm also kind…
I've been kinda busy lately. NOT doing school/work stuff. I know! It's amazing, huh?! I…
Happy 4th of July teachin' peeps! Are you allowed to have fireworks where you live?…
The Curriculum Planner has been updated - it now includes a year-round planner (in both…
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ You are all fabulous. Thanks for all of the amazingly wonderful comments and emails…
Today marks an anniversary for me. I've debated posting about it. But - I get…
Hey teacher peeps. I need your help. Please take a sec to answer the three…
How many of you are teaching summer school this summer? I normally steer clear of…
I'm a little late to the party. Better late than never, right? I'm so glad Farley hosts…
I've always done things like a gift certificate for a pedicure, flip flops and a…
Today was a minimum day. {short day, early release day, teachers work til 3:30 (5:30…
Not much to say today. Nothing terribly exciting happening in my neck of the woods.…
Thank you to all the brave soldiers and families for all they have done and…
Our Open House was last night. I really love Open House {and not only because…
This year our district has let us know they want all assessments finished and entered…
It's like being on a runaway train... isn't it? Powering at high speed, you can't…
First of all, how true is this?! Second... have you seen this? I want to…
Your comments are SO informative. I've read that many of you only have what we…
I did NOT burn myself today. AND I was using a hot glue gun! THAT…
I’m sitting in a Dr.’s office today. It’s actually a welcome break from the 30…
What a gorgeous weekend. I've actually stayed away from my computer! {but not my phone...…
I'm up to my eyeballs with weather writing... storms, seasons, clouds. We've become experts. Our…
I actually took pictures today. Amazing. I know. My kiddos are sweet. They just love…
Waaaaaaa.... tomorrow is Monday. My Spring Break is officially over. This spring break was a…
Oh... "Tag"... we meet again. I don't remember playing tag being this much of a…
The SoCal meet up was so wonderful. 4 hours of wonderful. Everyone... seriously everyone... was…
Today was a long day. I took down the March bulletin boards. Put up the…
Most important things first... ONLY 4 MORE WORK DAYS UNTIL SPRING BREAK!!!!! Sorry for yelling.…
I don't have anything "teachery" today. I've been working on "work stuff" all day. I…
I had a parent helper today. I don't have one every day. Usually once a…
Dual birthdays AND St. Patrick's Day... What better reason to have a giveaway? The A.MAZ.ING…
I absolutely LOVE this beanstalk bulletin board. We finished our "Me and the Beanstalk" writing…
While policing the blacktop during morning arrival recess duty today, two little boys walked up…
They brighten up the room! 🙂 I love it when we study plants. 1) The…
Did you all grab Abby's Seuss Mini-Unit? Super cute. I took the real and nonsense…
I'm partial to St. Patrick's Day. It's my birthday. I've been making a few things…
What a busy day it was today. It was a whirlwind! And my kids never.shut.up.…
Bloggy love can make you feel better. Truly. It's a nice cure {or at least…
As I've mentioned before, we do a poem each month to help with the Oral…
Don't forget to pick these bulletin board/writing activites up during the sale tomorrow! {and all…
I’m seriously longing for some sleep. I have been so busy trying to catch up…
Oh my ... where'd the time go tonight? I'm wrapping up February with assessments and…
I'm skeptical. Often. Although its serves its purpose, it's not a good trait most of…
It was the 100th day today. It was also minimum day, so we had VERY…
I'm not proud of myself. I probably shouldn't even admit it. I hit a boiling…
Seriously doing the weekend dance. What a long week this was!! I don't think I…
Last week I printed out this "pin". It's Bloom's taxonomy questions - color coded by…
Thursday is our minimum day. I used to look forward to those. Not so much…
I'm not a competitive person when it comes to games or sports. I don't mind…
The 100th day of school is coming up for us on the 9th. Jennifer over…
Congrats ladies. Thanks for the sweet comments. Today was a WAAAAYYYY better day. My sweet,…
We have the old HM reading series. There is a hermit crab story in there…
I've been knee deep in patriotism stuff lately. I recently added some clipart and backgrounds…
***WARNING*** This post is going to be pretty random. I couldn't figure out a way…
We are going to be hitting long vowels pretty hard starting next week. I made…
Lots of linky parties going on. Another example of the HUGE heart of teachers. Mrs.…
Our ELA program is outdated. Not standards driven. Spends a LOT of time/paper on things…
JUST CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT The stuff that ensures you will function, even if the caffeine…
I have no idea what it is this year... my kiddos are REALLY struggling with…
Listening and speaking are NOT the same thing. Nothing about them, really, are similar other…
I've been so good about relaxing, not fretting, not working this break. But then I…
Yay! Love joining in on linky party fun! It's always tough to narrow things down…
I've been sick. Had to leave early on my prep PLC day Thursday {prep time? what prep…
I wish I had something witty or interesting to share with you. I've been battling…
Do you have to give district assessments that require bubble in answer sheets? I'm so…
I absolutely LOVE this adorable book. Where's My Mummy? When I saw it in the…
I really LOVE teacher tipster.com. His quirkiness always has me giggling... just like my first…
Courtney over at Swimming into Second is hosting a Favorite Read Alouds linky party. But Oh…
Parent/Teacher conferences are next week at my school. Things are hectic as usual. We always…
One of my MOST favorite things to do is look at all the classroom set…
It seems I could remind my kids a thousand times a day that each sentence…
Happy Friday! Just finished the second week of school. So exhausted!!!!! I thought I'd share…
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