Five for Friday 3/20: New Design, ISNs, Friends, and Fun

Two weeks in a row with Doodlebugs Teaching for Five for Friday.  I am on a roll!!!

I stumbled upon a great post about Interactive Student Notebooks this week from A Lesson Plan for Teachers.  I am using them for the first time ever in my Civics classes.  I am having some pretty good success.   I think this time of year many of us get in a groove and loose focus.  She talks about assessing where you are with ISNs and how they shouldn't replace the hands-on, student-centered activities, but they should be a supplement in addition to this other good teaching.

The Language Arts Classroom had a great post on parents using Teachers Pay Teachers.  I loved the idea of purchasing some packets and games for the summer.  I refuse to let my girls be slugs over the summer, so they have activities and reading to do every day.  I am going to start shopping for some fun activities and packs for summer to prevent BRAIN DRAIN.

I don't know why this never occurred to be before.

I have been hard at work this week setting up three product reviews and two giveaways.  I think these partnerships are going to work out well.  I am so excited about these three opportunities with:

Be sure to check them out in anticipation of what is to come.

My new blog template went live this week.  I got this as a birthday present to myself.  Lindsey did an AMAZING job.  I adore the colors and fonts.  She really took what I asked for and made it a reality.  She appears to have a few spots left before her wedding if you are looking for an update.

What do you think of my new look?

I am participating in the March Blogger Match Up hosted by

I won my first match- up!

As part of this match up, I am giving away a copy of my new grammar unit.