Take-Home Reading Libary


You might have seen my pile of books on our Instagram.  I just bought some more books for my take-home reading books library.  These books were $50 for 50 from Scholastic (they do this promotion every few months and sometimes they have 25 books for $25 when you order from Book Orders)!  That is such a great deal!  The books are perfect for my take-home reading library (they come in grade-level variations).  I bought two Kinder-2nd boxes and one grade 3-4 box.  I've also purchased books from the local thrift store and yard sales! A book is a book, people!


And then I stick them all with a label of my name on the inside and an apple on the outside.  I'll write the level on the apple. 


Ahhh... leveling.... good times. NOT.  Many of the books are leveled on Book Wizard, but some are not.  When they are not leveled on there, I must level them myself.  This takes practice (and trial and error), but I just get a book from each level out of my library and I compare it with the book I'm leveling. Clear as mud?  So back to Book Wizard... search the book (they have an App, but it sucks- plain and simple! So use the online version) and PRAY that it's in the system. This is something a parent volunteer or husband or child could do for you! If the book/reading level is in the system it is ready for your library all leveled and wonderful.  If it's not, feel free to yell curse words at your computer (after school, of course). 



 I give two books to each student (their independent level).  Their parent initials once they've read the book and answered some comprehension questions (provided on the back of their folder). In my 6 years of doing this, I've only had 3 books lost.  Parents are fined the cost of the book if it is lost. 



 When they are ready to get new books, they turn them in here and I'll switch them out during recess (or you can for sure have a parent be in charge of this if you are lucky to have volunteers). 


 Right now, this is my "book shopping" shelf that my students use during Daily 5 because we have our own grade-level take-home reading library. But before we had that luxury, I used these books as my take-home readers.  


I'm in search of new bins to hold my books. I'm not a fan of the shoe boxes anymore.  Any recommendations? 


I keep track of what book each student gets on a log. That way they don't get a book more than once.  It takes honestly 20 seconds to switch out a student's book. 




My students and parents LOVE that I send home take-home reading books. In this pack, I explain EVERYTHING you need to know about how to set up a take-home reading system in your classroom!







This pack gives you everything you need to learn how to set up a take-home reading system in your class!  Just add books!

Included in this pack:
  • Folder Front Covers (5 options and customizable)
  • Reading at Home Folder Back Cover Letter (4 options)
  • Parent Reading Log Form
  • Teacher Reading Log Form
  • We Need Your Books Back (letter)
  • Pictures of folders and examples
  • Tips and Tricks
  • How to Build up Take-Home Library



Getting Organized!


I'm SO over sticky notes!  I love this to-do list Weekly Planner to keep my brain in order.  Sometimes I can't remember what I went into the workroom for.  It's getting bad. ;)

I've attached a couple of versions of this and hopefully you can find one to use.





I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new personalized clipboard from C. Jayne Teach. It makes a to-do list look glamorous.   I'm thinking you need one as an end-of-year gift to yourself.  Maybe buy one for your teammates while you're at it. personalized goodies I got from C. Jayne TeachThese products are TOP NOTCH. 

End of Year Gift Idea {Jump Ropes}

This post contains affiliate links:

I got a head start on my end of year gifts for my students this year! I went to the Dollar Tree and bought 24 jump ropes!  Well...actually, I ordered a box online and they shipped it to my nearest store for free.  I hate going in to the Dollar Tree and they only have like 21 jump ropes and I need 24!  So you can grab them {here} online.




You can download one for your grade {here}!




And I always make Slideshow at the end of each year! It's always a big hit.  We watch it with the parents on the last day of school. 


Listen to Reading MADE EASY with FarFaria


Have you been struggling with your Listen to Reading center? I do Daily 5 and we all know Listen to Reading is a popular choice. I mean, my students love it and I love that they love it... BUT!!!  The CD Players are always broken, the CDs are scratched, and the batteries last for 34 seconds (on a good day).  I have a new solution!  Hopefully you have at least one iPad in your classroom. I have one iPad that I can let my students use during Listen to Reading and I just use a splitter to allow 3 students (not 5 like it's capable of) to listen at the same time:


What are they listening to, you ask?  


It's an amazing, simple, educational APP that allows my students to pick from a wide variety of books.  In Farfaria, they have many different islands they can go to (genres).  They can pick a book and the APP will read them the book. They can even pick based on a level of reading (although I don't have my students choose this way). 







It's VERY easy to follow along for my students. I love that they have to pay attention to the words because the APP doesn't turn the page for them.  The student turns the page after the last word has been read (it highlights the word as it reads it to the student).  Perfect for fluency!


There are over 600 books on this APP (and 5 new books added weekly)! Luckily, I tell my students that they have to pick a book within 2 minutes, so they don't waste their time just browsing books instead of listening to books.  Although the books on this APP are not your mainstream books you see in the library...there are still many fairytales, tons of non-fiction, and some great fiction stories.  



Here are the logistics:
For $3.99 per month (cancel anytime) you get-
  • Unlimited reading from our library of more than 600 stories.
  • Five new, engaging stories added every week.
  • Interactive experience is fun for kids and easy for parents
  • Every story can be read aloud with a Read-to-Me feature.
  • Reading-level badge on every story cover.
  • Offline access to read Favorite stories
  • No advertising. No hidden fees.

OR... you can download the free version and read one book a day for free.

The monthly version is great and it is WORTH it!  I looked into another popular APP that students can listen to books from and you had to pay PER book and their books were 4.99 EACH.  So, to pay $3.99 for unlimited use and over 600 book is WELL worth it.  Are you getting books from authors like Eric Carl or Audrey Wood...no... But you are getting high quality story books that my students love to read!



Click the picture to learn more!


C. Jayne Teach - Giveaway #3

Today is an exciting day! It's the day that our friend Chandra from C. Jayne Teach is releasing her new Teacher Anchor. 


First of all, can we just say how much we LOVE the C. Jayne Teach Shop?! We have gotten some goodies from her shop before and everything is always so colorful, fun, and happy! There is nothing better than opening up a package filled with beautiful new teaching supplies!

 
Look at this amazing package that showed up on Natalie's doorstep. It is filled with things that are sure to make any teacher happy!  

And this is the sweet package of goodies Rachelle received. 

 We just LOVE the personalized goodies we got from C. Jayne TeachThese products are TOP NOTCH.  I love the thickness of the notebook cover.  (Are you nodding your head?  I know you hate when you buy those cheapy notebooks and they come unraveled.  This will NOT happen with C. Jayne Teach  products.) I also love the personalized clipboard...I mean, it sure beats the brown one I've been rockin' for 6 years.  


And now... let us introduce the new TEACHER ANCHOR!! 



This beautiful planner will make all your teaching dreams come true. Not only is it pretty to look at, but it is such an amazing organizational tool. It is spiral bound and 3 whole punched to fit perfectly inside the hard binder cover (which is sure to keep your Anchor safe and protected all year long). 

Here's a peek at what's inside:
Calendars, planning pages, and yearly curriculum maps! I love that it's more than just a place to keep track of your weekly teaching plans. It has yearly and monthly planning pages too!

 
There are also a lot of "extra" pages. I love this substitute page and the birthday chart. The grading book is helpful too!



Please stop by the C. Jayne. Teach shop  << here>>  and read more about this amazing teaching tool! 

Chandra also wanted me to relay this exciting news: ALL Teacher Anchors will ship for FREE! All other domestic orders will ship for a flat rate of $5. 


Want to win your very own copy of the Teacher Anchor?! We will be giving one away to a very lucky teacher! You may enter by using the Rafflecopter below:

Last Day to Save 28%!! {TeachersPayTeachers Sale!!}


Today is the last day to save 28% at the Teacher Appreciation Sale at TeachersPayTeachers! 



Here are a few things you might want to add to your cart to help you end the school year.


Here is Rachelle's "This Year Was Out of This World" pack! It is a great resource that's full of end-of-the-year fun!  This alien/space themed packet has lots of fun activities for you and your kiddos to take a walk down memory lane and then get ready for the next year!

 Natalie's "My Memory Book" is great to use as a mini yearbook and as a way for students to reflect and remember the all the things they've done throughout the year! It is perfect for the upper elementary classroom.


 
This cute Field Trip Writing Activity (and Craftivity) is great for an end of year writing project!

Haven't figured out what to do for Mother's Day this year? This "Heart-Shaped Mothers Day Writing & Gift" project makes the perfect gift. Your students' moms will love receiving this thoughtful and heart-felt present on Mother's Day!


Also, if you have changed grade levels or are new to teaching, you will probably want to purchase your copy of our Common Core Checklists! They are a great way to stay organized and on top of the Common Core standards!


            
                           



Have fun shopping and please don't forget to use the code TPTXO at check out!


You can also find each of our stores by clicking on each of the purple buttons below:


 



Also, don't forget we have two great giveaways still going on!

Enter our Tiny Dazzles giveaway {here}:

Enter our Schoolgirl Style giveaway {here}:

Schoolgirl Style Reveal: County Fair {Giveaway #2}

Today we are thrilled to present Schoolgirl Style's brand new collection: County Fair!


This is the *perfect* 'All-American' classroom decor pack! 

I wish I had these options a few years ago when I had a Red, White, and Blue theme in my 5th grade class. I love how she has incorporated the US flag window valences. I also love the silver star accents  on the bulletin boards.





 
What the Teacher Wants is teaming up Schoolgirl Style to offer our fans an incredible giveaway!

Here is what the giveaway includes:

- The full County Fair collection

-  Pacon fadeless paper

 - Two rolls of Bordette from Pacon

- And 6 poms, daisies, or lanterns of your choice

Want to win this amazing prize pack? Enter using the Rafflecopter below:






Also, please don't forget about the HUGE Teacher Appreciation Sale over at TeachersPayTeachers! This is your last chance to save 28% off until school starts back up in August. Now is a great time to stock up on everything you need to start next year.


Use code TPTXO at check out!

Please stop by each of our stores by clicking on each of the purple buttons below:


 




And don't forget to enter our Tiny Dazzles giveaway {here}:

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