Monday Made It

Thank you everyone who have asked about my hubby!  He still isn't feeling better and waiting to see his specialist in the coming weeks.  I promise to keep you all posted! :)

Today I am linking up with Tara for Made It Monday!  First I must say I am a bit sad that I don't have a classroom to make stuff for anymore :(  Although, it is helping my wallet! :)

Yesterday a few of the girls from my "old" school and I got together to paint and drink wine.  I didn't drink any wine because it was 2:00 in the afternoon and I had to drive across town :)  Our painting was "Spring Trees".  This was the first time I have have gone to one of these places and I must say it was fantastic!  It was nice to hang out with the girls, relaxing to create and paint, and a great little escape from my busy schedule.

My painting is proudly hanging in our downstairs half bath.  The walls are chocolate brown so the colors really pop on the wall!

I finished up a back to school unit a few days, maybe a week ago, that I can't wait to share with you!  The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi is a great Back to School read aloud!  Here is the summary from Amazon.com

The new kid in school needs a new name! Or does she?

Being the new kid in school is hard enough, but what about when nobody can pronounce your name? Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is anxious that American kids will like her. So instead of introducing herself on the first day of school, she tells the class that she will choose a name by the following week. Her new classmates are fascinated by this no-name girl and decide to help out by filling a glass jar with names for her to pick from. But while Unhei practices being a Suzy, Laura, or Amanda, one of her classmates comes to her neighborhood and discovers her real name and its special meaning. On the day of her name choosing, the name jar has mysteriously disappeared. Encouraged by her new friends, Unhei chooses her own Korean name and helps everyone pronounce it—Yoon-Hey.

The book is also currently on sale for $3.94!

With this unit you will receive THREE DAYS of lesson plans, Comprehension Questions for when you read aloud, Vocabulary, and a Student CENTER MENU.  Each day as you read aloud students will complete a graphic organizer independently, whole class, or in pairs (your choice).  Each day students will also complete a Word Work Center, Vocabulary Center, Comprehension Center, and Independent Assignment related to the whole group skill/discussion.

These centers are designed to help you set your center expectations with students, and set the tone of your ELA block for the new school year.  This unit will also help you quickly determine who will need support during centers and review skills from the previous year.

The Name Jar is a great beginning of school book to teach summarizing, character traits, and comparing and contrasting. This sweet story focuses on the importance of identity, a fabulous topic for the beginning of the school year.