I know its been WAY TOO long since I did a CURRENTLY. I love Farley's CURRENTLY and super happy to be back for JULY! Come link up with Farley.

I love LISTENING Fight Song. It makes me bust out my Carrie Underwood dance skills and rock out in my office. You should try it! There is something magical about the smell of summer. I LOVE how it makes me want to just drink lemonade and sunbathe all day. While lovin' being on summer, I am THINKING of all the products I want to add to Ramona Recommends. The list is quiet long, but I am looking forward it! One of my favorite products I just added this past week is my Precept Writing activity. Speaking of TpT, I really NEED to order my iteachfifth button from Zazzle. Sometimes my to-do is so long that nothing gets done... does that happen to you? Lastly, I think I am an ALLSTAR because I always try to be kind. Everyone needs a kind person in their life. Ok, it's a short one for me this month. Have a lovely rest of your week. I will leave you with this...

TUESDAY RECOMMENDATION FROM RAMONA RECOMMENDS

Such a cute story to read the night before FOURTH OF JULY. Here is a printable for older kids to practice their narrative writing skills about 4th of July.

Be You Always Be Kind

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Courtney

Hi Everyone!

Today I am here to bring you my NEWEST creation for week three of the TpT Seller's Challenge.
I L.O.V.E quotes. Like for real, have you seen my classroom? Quotes are my go to. They inspire me .  Have you read WONDER? No! Get off your comptuer right now... RUN to a bookstore to grab yourself a copy. It is one of the most heartfelt book I ever read. Today during summer school, we were talking about Wonder and this little boy shared it made him cry because he never knew how anyone can be unkind. #heisasweeeetie!

I read WONDER to my 5th graders this year. We then created a few new traditions in room 20. First, we started KIND cards. Students would write RAK cards to classmates, staff members, and family. It became quite the show in Room 20. My kids really loved being KIND. It was our pact that KIND is ALWAYS.

In January, I started precept writing each Tuesday morning when the kids would come in. Read about it here. It started from this wonderful book 365 Days of Wonder

Here is my new product with all the fixings for YOU to start Precept Tuesday in your classroom. Lets teach our kids to think outside of the box. I love extending their learning. :) Interested, click here!



 Join in the fun by linking up with Peppy Zesty Teacherista, Sparkling in Second, Third in Hollywood and Teach Create Motivate!

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Courtney

Hey Everyone!

I am a little late to the week 2 party because I really wanted process what I thought were my TpT dreams. My answers are honest and from the heart.

Come link up with the girls over at TpT Sellers Challenge!

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Courtney

Hello!

Homework it is quite the topic! Some love it-some hate it. This year I had a good not great homework turn out. There were some homework procedures that I did not feel I did a good job implementing.  Of course we all have the "I never do homework" kids. But I will keep on fighting the struggle. #itspartofme

Last night, I was with a good friend of mine dancing thru Walmart when she started talking about a homework chart club. I of course asked, "oh! were you reading Lessons with Laughter? "She has a great homework chart club. Turns out she was looking at something else, but my friend and Molly inspired me to create my own.

Here is how homework works in Room 20. Students are assigned homework Monday-Thursday. When they bring it, a homework checker checks the assignments and then reports to me. Only problem, students were not highlighting their missing assignments in their planner. I tried to be stricted about it, but it just didn't happen. #thereisalwaysnextyear

This year, I am starting the BEE AWESOME and DO YOUR HOMEWORK  This will be a weekly check in. I also have Monthly homework party (I might do away with that) and Trimester 100% Homework Completion Awards. 

Here is how the BEE AWESOME and DO YOUR HOMEWORK will work. I will have my homework checkers check homework Tuesday mornings thru Friday mornings.The kids must complete all homework assignments each night for their beehive to say on the bee colony. Homework passes and/or parents notes will be credited. The kids may have ONE Honey Save per month. I understand sometimes life happens. If their beehive falls from the colony, teacher choice will be issues. I will be taking away their Fun Friday. They can read, do their makeup work or other things I have not thought of yet. #itssummer

Supplies YOU need:

Cookie Sheet (I got mine from Walmart)

My Bee Awesome Product

Laminator

Magnetic Tape

3M Hooks

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Courtney

Hi Everyone!

Today, I am blogging over at iteachfith about how I use PRECEPTS in my classroom. Come check it out!

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Courtney

A free shirt with my Blog LOGO....Yes, please! I am so thankful for the wonderful and sweet people who work for A+ Images. One of my favorite products they sell is their classroom picture shirts. I wasn't able to order one this year for my class, but I can't wait to create one next year. Interested? Click here.

I was fortunate to work with a designer from A+ images to create my blog shirt. I can't wait to wear it in VEGAS!!!! If you see a blonde gal wearing this shirt, it is 99.99999% ME! Stop by and say hello! I can't wait to meet you. 

Head over to A+ Images and ORDER YOUR BLOG SHIRT and MORE TODAY!

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Courtney

Summer is here! Monday Made-It is Here. Ramona Recommends is HAPPY! Today, I am linking up with my friend Tara from 4th Grade Frolics to bring you my typical first summer project... Calendars! Personally, I must have cute calendars it makes my busy life that much more enjoyable. Remember last years, Calendar reveal?

 

 I purchase the Blue Sky Planners from Target and give them a little Ramona Recommends makeover.

 I also create a blogging calendar to keep straight all of my blogging fun plans. During the summer months, this calendar gets filled. I am hoping during the school year I can add to my blogging plans at Ramona Recommends. #reallyhowdotheydoitall?

 I love the Erin Condren planners. I love her and her colorful vision for the world. I really do. But, there were too many pages I did not use. I like using EVERY. SINGLE. PAGE. in my planner. It makes me feel well.....accomplished! I also felt there was something missing. The something missing was my own creativity. I wanted a planner that shined with my creativity and was filled with pencil, highlighter, and more! It needs to scream ME! I LOVE color. Color makes me smile.I created a personalized, creativity, and well COLORFUL planner that shines Miss Hinshaw.

 I found these adorable dividers at Staples that are polka-dot. They come in hot pink, blue, lime green, and black. Unfortunately, I can not find them online. I added my teacher to-do sheets inside the front pocket. I can never have enough to-do lists.  My favorite thing from my entire planner binder is my PASSWORD POST-IT NOTES. OMG... I have never had to have so many passwords until I became a teacher. I think I will remember them, but I don't. I thought I would save helpdesk and my sanity and make a list.

 I made a monthly section for important dates and trainings. My favorite part I added personal quotes that pull at my heartstrings. October, "Everyone deserves a standing ovation once in their life."-Auggie Pullman. 

 Here is my lesson planner! It is very bare right now, but come August 26th it will be full of "PENCIL only" plans for my 4th year of teaching. :)

I added a few quote pages in my planner. :) Lastly, another favorite staff meeting or team meeting note taking sheets. 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my planners! They are so me and are filled with happiness.

Interested in a simplified version? 

Come link up with Tara @4th Grade Frolics

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Courtney

Hello All. SUMMER IS FINALLY HERE! I just got out on Thursday so I am a little late to the makeover parrrrtttta. There are a few products that I have had my eye on to redo for last few months, but time has really just gotten in the way. Luckily, I spent the whole day today working on vamping up some products. I am super excited about the way they turned out. 

 {FREEBIE} I give each student one of these at the beginning of the year. It is their own personal mantra. Would like you a copy? Click HERE!

 It shocks me how many fifth graders have NO clue how to set up a letter. Technology aka email and text messages have definitely won this battle. Next year, I plan to put this poster up in my writing section. Want a copy, hope on over to Ramona Recommends and see if this is something you would like to purchase.

 My FAVORITE classroom management tool. I use these all the time in my classroom to get the kids up and moving. I especially use them after a long break to get the kids reinvested in our classroom community culture. Here are a few examples.

Interested, Click here.

Thank you to the wonderful gals of the TpT Seller Challenge. I look forward to seeing how I can grow Ramona Recommends and meet new people who love teaching and creating as much as I do.

Brought to you by...

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Courtney

I am so excited to bring you a fabulous giveaway from some of your favorite teacher bloggers. We are giving away TWO prizes! A $260 Target Gift Card and a TPT bundle valued at almost $100! Please see the rafflecopter below for how to enter. Best of luck!

Host

Teach. Inspire. Change.

Co-Hosts

Teachers With Polish / Inspired Owl's Corner / Laugh Eat Learn / Simply Special Ed / Top Dog Teaching

School and the City / Pawsitively Teaching / Kayla in the Classroom / Mrs. Black's Bees / The Brown Bag Teacher

Tried & True Teaching / Lessons with Laughter / Sailing into Second / Soaring Through Second / The Primary Gal

Talk Pray Shop / A Teachable Teacher / Joyful Rigor With Ms. Jones / Sparkling in Second / It's Elementary My Dear!

Ramona Recommends / Easy Teaching Tools / One Sharp Bunch / A Kindergarten Life for Me / EB Academic Camps

Our TPT Bundle includes the following items (all valued at almost $100!)

Research Paper Packet

Close Reading Strategies Bookmarks

Graphs Galore Bundle

Lilly's Bright Sassy Binder Covers

Comprehension for the Beginning Reader

Digital Citizenship Poster Pack with Mini Lessons

Reading Strategy Checklist

Discover America: Texas ~ An Integrated Reading, Social Studies & Geography Unit

Shape Posters

Llama Llama Craftivity

Newsletter Templates 

California Regions Photo File

Substitute Teacher Pack

Colorful Genre Posters

Awesome Array Activity to Build Multiplication Skills

Math Journal (Place Value)

Task Cards for Close Reading

Name Tags - Editable

All About Me 

Notecards for Teachers

Summer Reading Packet

Create A Class Instagram

CVC Sliders {Phoneme Segmentation} 

Old Style Word Wall

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Courtney

I am linking up with Ashley from Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd and Angie from Lucky Little Learners for another {Together, We are Better} monthly linky. This month we are talking HOME OFFICE SPACES. When I found out the topic I did quite the happy dance. I love sharing about my OPEN THE MAGIC library office space. It is where I spend most of my time when I get home from my day.
My home offices have evolved over the years....

 Want to learn more about my OPEN THE MAGIC library?

An InLinkz Link-up

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Courtney