Monday Made It!

Happy Monday!

Today I'm linking up with 4th Grade Frolics for...

I just finished reading  A Teeny Tiny Teacher and can't stop laughing. Stop by for a good laugh. Yes, I'm guilty. I shop like crazy before school starts for school stuff then hide it and act like it's been in my possession forever. Oh, and let's not forget the new outfit, bag, shoes etc... that I must have before school starts. 

On a recent trip to my fave Target, I demonstrated SELF-CONTROL and did not buy the pretty aqua crates that match my room PERFECTLY. I told my friend NO, I can't do it. Well you know I went home thinking about those crates. 

I did need a storage solution for all of my TPT resources, so I made it. Yes I did and so can you. 

Super EASY Pretty, Retro, Fun, Hip Storage Boxes

I had 4 nice sturdy copy paper boxes (remember I moved classrooms this summer). 
I bought pretty aqua duct tape (2 rolls) and already had 4 rolls of beautiful aqua chevron shelf liner. Yes, I had those rolls for about 3 years. So you see Mr. Hubby I did need them and I used them. 

Here is the final product, my new storage boxes. I LOVE them.

Here are all of my TPT resources nicely organized. I now have a math, word work, themes and ESL box. I used recycled file folders for dividers  and each packet is in its own baggie. 

Freebie Friday with Teaching Blog Addict

Hey there, 

Happy Friday and the 1 week countdown begins. Here's a freebie if you are looking for visuals to help your students work independently after you have modeled an activity. 

All you need to do is print, laminate and I put magnets on the back of each card. After modeling activity I post the cards on the white board. EASY!

Visual Directions Freebie

Friday What?

I love to teach writing. During a formal observation one day a student said, " I love writing!" Unprompted of course : ) it made me feel great. Sometimes I'll take a step back and observe students writing, thinking, sharing and it just gives me goosebumps. 

See File Folders on the right in black box.

Tools, tools, tools are key to helping all students feel successful when they write. Large, primary dictionaries can be over-whelming for young students and second language learners. So I have been using my desk to desk file folder word walls for many years. Students pick them up in the writing center and use them at their desks. Each file folder is a theme: Fall, Halloween etc... They love it and it builds writing independence. 

My freebie today for my blog friends are visual direction cards. These are easy to use and make. I use them while giving directions (especially for all of those fun craftivities we make). After giving directions I hang them on the whiteboard for students to refer to during the craft. 

Visit my TPT store for this FREEBIE and file folders. Come back for more visual materials to support all students in your classroom from K-2 and second language learners. 

Happy weekend! Link Up to the Friday What Blog Hop!

Friday What Blog Hop

Thursday When? Blog Hoppin' Link Up

Our first day is coming quickly. Any one out there having nightmares. I have a friend who was chased by a lion in her dreams. None for me yet just a mile long list of to do that is giving me anxiety. I also just received my schedule (well part of it) so I can't let you peek into my day. But...

This year I needed a new book to hook my second graders into the first day and squash the end of summer blues. This book is super cute an is on its way to me now. 

We will read the book and write why they think this will be the best year. The book mentions some really silly things like I hope I remember my homework etc... 

This School Year Will Be The Best Amazon

What are you doing? Stop by tomorrow for a cool freebie. 

Thursday When Link Up

Tuesday Where? Teacher Link Up

Where Oh Where will you find Ms. Rivera this year...

2nd GRADE

Yes, I moved on up after 12 years in First grade. I'm so glad I had a chance to see my first class graduate while in this school district. But I'm so excited to get started with my new Seconds. I have been unpacking and getting ready. This is what I have done so far. 

Notice my fave, fave color is turquoise. It reminds me of the ocean I love so much. So I went with a more mature look for my 2nd graders: turquoise, white and black. We are going to be Second grade Super Sleuths and start the year as detectives to learning and exploring. 

Meeting / Mini-Lesson Area

The pretty chevron paper is drawer liner. LOVE! Great way to cover unused blackboard space.

Writing Center

In the little basket on the right you will find my portable Word Wall File Folders. 

Great start to dictionary skills and independence. Anchor charts are laminated and ready to fill in with kiddos.

Reading and Word Wall

Loving My Cozy Listening Center Space

The rug is from Homegoods and Crates from Target.

New Math Center

My Little Workspace

Still have a few more things to do... 2 more weeks (yikes)

Your turn, show us where you are!

Tuesday Where Teacher Link Up

Back to School Teacher Week: Who

ME

Hi, I'm Evelyn and a newbie second grade teacher. I taught first grade for 12 years and kindergarten Kinder for 3. I teach in NY in a great school district that is very diverse. I have an ELL cluster and always on the lookout for great ideas to help them. Born and raised  in NYC I lived most of my life in the city but now I'm loving the quiet of the suburbs.

FAMILY

I'm also a wife to my hubby who is my HS sweetheart. He always makes me laugh and is full of energy for the two of us. Together we have two beautiful daughters. Our girls have graduated and are trying things on their own. I miss, miss, miss them. But hey that's why I teach littles.

LOVES

I love yoga and recently started running. I did my first Color Run this Spring and getting ready for Shapes Diva Dash. I love to travel and we try to getaway when ever we can. Currently writing this post from Quebec City, a beautiful city. It's Europe without jet lag. Beach vacations are my most fave along with some paddling and snorkeling. Ahhhhhhh heaven.

I love visiting farmers markets in my area and  snuggling in bed on a rainy day watching TV. On rainy days in the summer I open every window in the house to listen to the rain.

I love Levi's, bracelets... all kinds my new fave is Alex and Ani, shopping for new pens and other school gadgets. A good pen is important to us teachers. : )

My favorite movies are You've Got Mail and The Devil Wears Prada. My fave book is The Alchemist.

Thanks for stopping by. Your turn to LINK UP! Have a super year.

Teacher Week: Who Link Up

Meet the Teacher Linky

Hola! My name is Evelyn and I'm back blogging. Thanks to Becca from Jumping Jax Designs for my redesign. Loving it and I'm ready to start my dash to blogging, creating and making new teacher buds!

I taught 1st Grade for 12 years with a splash of Kindergarten. This year I'm moving up to 2nd Grade. I will be teaching in a general ed class with an ESL cluster. But I did teach Dual Language for 8 years. I love my school district where I work (talk about a diverse community). I'm a transplanted Manhattanite to the suburbs of New York. 

I'm a wife to a fabulous hubby who always keeps things interesting and a mom to two beautiful young ladies. So yes we are NEW empty nesters and enjoying each other again. 

Q. A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

I love to teach, yoga is my zen and running has become a recent passion, chatting with friends. Love to travel and finding the perfect beach is a plus! Bags, I love bags everything from Timbuk2 to pretty satchels. 


Q. IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?Something outdoors and environmental, NO OFFICE JOB EVER! I would also like to teach in another country some day. 

Q. THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.
Determined, Loyal, Organized 

Q. FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"
"YAY Vacation is OVER, said no teacher EVER!!" 

Q: IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY AND YOU CAN INVITE ANYONE {DEAD OR ALIVE} TO THE PARTY. WHO ARE YOU INVITING?
My family and friends that make me happy. 

Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?
Photographic Memory, please.

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?
“Don't give in to your fears. If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 
Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me- Elton John

Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?
Morning during the school year, Night Owl in the summer.  


Q: IF SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD BE THE TITLE?

On the M13 and Beyond. (It's the bus that basically took me to all of my schools through HS and then out of the city as I slowly made my way to the 'burbs.) 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE RESOURCE THAT YOU'VE CREATED IN YOUR TPT SHOP?
I only have a few items but I love my File Folder Themed Vocabulary Words, my students love to use these lil' dictionaries especially my ELL's and they are FREE.

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

I LOVE TV. I always have the telly on the minute I walk in the house. I guess even more so now that my house is so quiet with my girls out on their own. 

Now it's your turn to join the Linky, Have a SUPER school year.

Meet the Teacher Link