Stitch Fix October 2015 #12

4:13 PM Sarah Koves 10 Comments

I have now gotten 12 fixes.  I am starting to feel like a pro at this Stitch Fix thing.  I really do adore getting a box of new clothes to try on at home every month.  I would get two a month if Dear Hubby would let me.
 The opinions and words here are 100% mine!  This post contains referral links that provide a reward for me at no cost to you if you choose to shop.

What is Stitch Fix?

It is a styling service that for $20 (which gets credited towards any items you keep) you get five items hand-selected for you by a stylist.  You fill out a style profile and link a Pinterest board, so your stylists know what you like.  If you are interested in trying out this service, please use my referral link as I can get credit for sending you their way.

Brixon Ivy Fierro Elbow Patch Crew Neck Sweater $58 Daniel Rainn Rozie Button Down Top $68   Kut from the Kloth Jonathan Skinny Corduroy $68


I had some pretty specific requests this month: something plaid, colored cords or jeans, a jean jacket, and a top to match the pencil skirt from a previous fix.  I am usually not this specific, but I have some pretty specific needs.


I have to be sure to thank my youngest daughter, Shmurtz, was my photography today, so I hope you think the shots worth as the seven-year-old took them.

First out of the box was this top.  It is a plaid, tab-sleeved button down blouse.  The style card said to pair it with the brown corduroys in this fix, so I did.

Daniel Rainn Rozie Button Down Top $68   Kut from the Kloth Jonathan Skinny Corduroy $68

I was disappointed in the colors/patterns.  I am moving towards more brights in my wardrobe, and I felt that this was a step backwards.  The fabrics and fits were lovely.  I would have preferred a pretty red or blue plaid and red pants.  The pants were a wonderful fit as is my experience with Kut from the Kloth pants, but I already own two pairs of brown cords in my closet.

Daniel Rainn Rozie Button Down Top $68  RETURNED
Kut from the Kloth Jonathan Skinny Corduroy $68 RETURNED

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I saw a couple of these sweaters on Pinterest.  They looked perfect, so while I didn't pin one to my board, I am glad one arrived.  I think the length is perfect; it is super soft, and has the best detail on the elbows.

Brixon Ivy Fierro Elbow Patch Crew Neck Sweater $58

I paired it with some pink leggings from Old Navy that I don't wear all that often, but with the length of this sweater, I could certainly pull them out more often.

Brixon Ivy Fierro Elbow Patch Crew Neck Sweater $58 KEPT

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I got a jean jacket a few fixes ago, but it didn't fit right.  I don't currently own a jean jacket, and in the same way my stylists have pushed me to get a pencil skirt, I think I am ready to go jean jacket.

Liverpool Kolten Denim Jacket $98


However, this was NOT the jean jacket I was looking for.  It was super soft and stretchy, which is a must for me in any jacket, but it was too big and the wash wasn't what I wanted.  

Liverpool Kolten Denim Jacket $98 RETURNED

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Who doesn't need a new bag?

Urban Expressions Elisha Zipper Accent Structured Satchel $50

I received a bag similar to this during a summer fix that I didn't keep.  I did keep a bag from my July Fix.  I pinned this bag two weeks ago, and I got it.  I adore it, and I have only used it for one day.  It has five pockets (two outside and three inside).  My Chromebook fits in it along with everything else.

Urban Expressions Elisha Zipper Accent Structured Satchel $50 KEPT

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Urban Expressions Elisha Zipper Accent Structured Satchel $50 Brixon Ivy Fierro Elbow Patch Crew Neck Sweater $58 Daniel Rainn Rozie Button Down Top $68   Kut from the Kloth Jonathan Skinny Corduroy $68


I am challenging my stylist to look back over my requests and provide a box under $200 for those who need a less expensive option.  Here is the note I left for November:


Be sure to follow my Pinterest Stitch Fix Board:



If you are interested, please use my referral link as I get a credit for letting you know about Stitch Fix.


I would love to know more about you in order to help you more: Do you Stitch Fix already?  What brought you to my post?  What kinds of pieces should I try in my wardrobe?






Trick or Treat Blog Hop

8:26 AM Sarah Koves 3 Comments




I can't even express how happy I am to be part of this blog hop and that you stopped by.


My trick of the trade for you is to use those eye-catching infographics in your classroom.  I don't know about you, but I don't have the greatest textbooks (one class doesn't have one at all), especially when it comes to informational texts.  As a result I am always looking for great supplements for my students in the area of nonfiction.

My solution: Infographics


Aren't these images always popping up on our Facebook and Pinterest feeds?  Just a quick search of Pinterest for Infographics left me with pages and pages on nonfiction texts to use in class.  There are infographics for everything from animals to psychological disorders.



As you may know if you stop by often, I have a new elective I am teaching this year: Women's Studies.  There is no book for this class, but there are tons of infographics on the topic.  We are studying human trafficking presently.



We watched a video and read a couple of articles on the topic, but I wanted more.  I printed out five infographics on the topic in color as that always seems to have biggest impact.

Students then walked the room to view and analyze each infographic to collect information on human trafficking and to analyze the arguments and biases of each infographic.

You really need to print a set of these and use them as an informational text next week.
~
You can even have students create their own infographics.  I spend the last three months working with another Michigan blogger, Jianna Taylor, to put together an hour long webinar on writing informational texts in digital spaces. 

Check out the recording and resources from our session below.

How Can Digital Spaces Change and Enhance Our Thinking about Informational Writing?Featured Speaker: Jianna Taylor, Teacher Consultant, Oakland Writing Project

Also be sure to register for the 4T Digital Conference happening in May.  This is a free online conference (yeah for free PD in PJs) focusing on Teachers Teaching Teachers about Technology.


I have two treats for you:
1) A limited-time freebie
2) A giveaway from my TPT store

My freebie is the lesson, directions, and document that I used with my students while studying arguments and infographics.


Be sure to grab this treat now because it will only be free for the duration of the hop.  Please be sure to leave some love in the form of feedback.



Thanks for stopping at my house to trick or treat!

Hop on over to the next house to trick or treat by clicking below


Fun Fall Finds Blog Hop and Giveaway

6:00 AM Sarah Koves 5 Comments



Sometimes it seems as though the elementary teachers have all the fun when it comes to celebrating holidays and seasons.  However, I know my high school students are just as excited for apple stickers, monsters, and candy as my own third grader.  Secondary teachers can join in the holiday fun too, and here are three ways to do that in your classroom.

1) Organize your texts to coincide with the seasons

Over the past six years at my current position, I have worked to make my sequence of texts in an order that works for my students and makes sense.  I now teach British Literature backwards starting with modern literature and ending with Beowulf.  Through this process I was able to arrange my texts to coincide with the seasons and holidays, so we now read Frankenstein during October.  This allows plentiful opportunities to tie our classwork into the events surrounding Halloween including Frankenstein Movies, short stories, history, and non fiction works.


In my American Literature classes I now use The Crucible as our first common text, which we work through in October.  I have created a full set of products to go along with this unit.  


Just the thought of witches and evil magic is enough to get most of my students engaged in the text.



2)  Hero Writing Assignment

When I find that I have students that are in need of some basic essay skills, I always turn to my Hero Writing Assignment.  This assignment is perfect for Halloween season because of all the super heroes that are plastered on so many items.

It also works well for Thanksgiving season because students can choose to write about a hero in their own life.  I always start with a Traits of a Hero Graphic organizer to get students started.

The essay itself can focus on any essay skill that the students need.  This year it for my students it is thesis writing and adding evidence.  Students then develop an essay in which they detail why the person or character they chose to write about is a hero.


3)  Throw a holiday event as a reward

Our school is working towards fully implementing PBIS.  One of the pieces we are still  working on is rewards for our classrooms, grade levels, and school.  One of the rewards that I am currently trying out is themed parties as a reward for completion of a unit of study.  As I said above, I plan my texts and writing assignments out to match the holidays and seasons; this allows me to tie in holiday event rewards with my texts and writing assignments.  

Check out how I am doing this for my Frankenstein Halloween Party



Be sure to enter our great giveaway:


Now hop over to see the other Fun Fall Finds:



Frankenstein's Monster Party

10:16 AM Sarah Koves 0 Comments


 I have received a complimentary product to review from Oriental Trading Company.
 The opinions here are 100% mine! 

Every October I teach Frankenstein in my AP Literature class.  The students always find it an eye-opening experiences.  This year, I got a request from Oriental Trading Company to do a Halloween party blog post, and I knew immediately that I had to make it a Frankenstein's Monster themed party to go along with my book.



Favors

I knew I would need favors for my students.  The little monster pails were perfect to hold goodies.



It has always amazed me how much high school students love stickers.  I use them on their papers as a reward occassionally.  Because of this, I knew the Frankie Face stickers would be perfect for our party.



These together with some M and M bags made perfect gifts to kick off our Frankenstein unit.




This Halloween candy holder was the perfect place to stash the goodie buckets for when the students came in.  He was also super-easy to put together; it took less than three minutes.



Doesn't it look super cute with the goodies?




Crafts

I had three different crafts ready for my students and each of them got to pick two of the three to create.  This really got them psyched up about the book.






Everybody needs a hug, so grab a set for your party: Monster Hug Accordion $4.98/12





Be sure to snag your own set: Monster Hanging Fan Set $4.98/12


I debated just keeping these lanterns plain and hanging them up, but I realized they are the perfect shape for a Frankenstein's Monster's head.




We cut out hair, eyes, noses, mouths, and scars for our monsters.







I'm not sure the effect is exactly what we wanted, but they were fun anyways.


Decor

Every great party needs decor, and I did not want to disappoint in this area after reading Teach Like a Pirate last summer.


I made this guy many years ago with a fabric pannel.  When I found him in my Halloween boxes as home, I knew he would be the perfect addition to our decor.



This Haunted Farmhouse Banner was my FAVORITE item for this party.  I covered my board with it right near the door, so it was the first thing the students saw when they came in.

Each student got their picture taken in front of it when they got their book.  It really was a blast.  It was the perfect addition to the room to set the mood.


Are you ready to plan your own Frankenstein book party?



Be sure enter the Spooktacular Giveaway from Oriental Trading Company as well.  Just click the image below.


**This review is based strictly on my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or  experience with the product listed above. I was provided the sample free of charge by the  company or PR agency and I provided my honest opinion. No other type of compensation  was received for this review.”

Sunday Scoop 10/4

9:28 AM Sarah Koves 4 Comments

My favorite way to get a jump on my Sunday To-Do List:   Teaching Trio for The Sunday Scoop






HAVE TO:

1) My parents gave me a huge basket of tomatoes last Sunday.  I washed them all and put them in the fridge.  Today I need to get them cleaned, in jars, and in the canner.  If I wait any longer, they won't be any good.  I will be saving a few for BLTs this week.  The girls managed to devour most of the cherry tomatoes, which makes me happy.

2) The next two weeks are going to be NUTS with conferences, professional development, and a trip to Minnesota, so I need to get two weeks of lesson plans done, so copies can be made Monday.  I WILL get ahead this week.

3) My nephews were here Friday night and yesterday was a whirlwind, so vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping have yet to happen for the weekend.  It will be done soon.  A clean floor always make me feel better.


HOPE TO:

1) I am behind and have conferences this Thursday and Friday...enough said.

2) I have a ton of techy stuff today: take one of my Google tests, plan a pd agenda to submit to the state, work on my slides for miGoogle conference in November, update PowerSchool.  I hope to get some time to work on these projects.


HAPPY TO:

1) Three of the four of us in the house have colds and it is currently 45 degrees outside.  That combined with the mass amount of tomatoes in my fridge leads me to think chili and bread are on the list for dinner tonight.  I enjoy cooking, and this will make lunch for the week easy.



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