The Lazy Teacher's Penne Vodka Sauce

Teaching is tough. Some days you need a stiff drink, others you need yourself some comfort food. This recipe is my go-to easy dinner when I need the sweet comforts of vodka and carbohydrates. Enjoy!

• 2 tablespoons butter 
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 
• 3/4 cup Vodka
• 28oz can tomato sauce 
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped 
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

1. Heat butter and oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until translucent.

2. Pour in vodka and cook for a few minutes (until the alcohol cooks off).

3. Add in tomato sauce and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper and saute for a few minutes.

4. Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream. Add cheese and serve over cooked pasta.

New Year's Resolution: A Beautifully Organized Classroom!

1. This  Storage Mobile Craft Cart with Dividers! 

Organize homework, folders, guided reading books, etc. The options are endless! 

2. This White Craft Table

The perfect table for your writing area or a word work station! Students have everything they need at their fingertips. Try putting supplies in clear bins!

3. Galvanized Bins for Leveled Books

Level your classroom library and keep your classroom looking fantastic!

4.  This AMAZING Rolling File Cart! 

I call this cart my "assessment cart". I keep student's file folders in the bottom, assessments that need to be graded on the top drawer and assessments that need to be files in the middle drawer. It's perfect because I can roll it around my room and use it anywhere.

5. These Over the Door Storage Organizers

Get additional storage in your classroom closet, doors, or cabinets with these fabric storage compartments! 

5. This 10-Slot White Dry Erase Marker and Eraser Holder

Never search for a dry erase marker or eraser again with this versatile rack! It even comes in 3 colors!

6. This Kate Spade Wall Calendar Decal (Clear)

 

 7. This Wall-Mounted Binder Rack

I had such issues storing my students' writing portfolios because the binders would always slide and fall. I got 4 of these and not each student has their own slot! Perfect to use year after year!

8. This Wall Hanging Storage Bag Organizer 

9. This 3-Drawer (Not Only for Make-Up) Organizer

I love using make-up organizers around the room for my supplies. I label them, plus they are clear so students are able to see which materials are available. 

10. This Echo-Friendly Staple-less Stapler 

11. This Magnetic Modular Storage Starter Kit

Use this to build a tranquil modular garden and add additional storage in your classroom! 

12. This Bamboo Charging Station for your tablets, iPods, and more! 

* This post include affiliate links that help me bring you more content like this. By using my link, there is no additional charge to you!

Using my Echo Dot to Improve Math Fluency in my First Grade Classroom

Download HERE

I got an Echo Dot recently and was so impressed at how easy it was to use I decided to get one for my classroom. I decided to make activities that allow students to set individual goals for themselves and also check their work. Here is how it works...

1) Students set a goal for how many facts they can solve. 

2) Students set a time limit.

3) Students follow the instructions on the paper and say "Alexa, set the timer for..."

4) Students begin to solve the addition/subtraction problems.

5) When the timer goes off students check their work by following the Alexa prompt, "Alexa, what is 2 + 2?

6) Students correct wrong answers and write down how many they got correct. 

Download HERE

          

CAFE: EDITABLE Rules for Daily 5

Daily 5 Rules

Establishing clear rules that everyone agrees on is an important part of implementing the Daily 5 in any classroom. This products allows you to make rules with the students and display them in a cute way. It's also nice and small so it saves precious wall space. 

Type student responses in and make the frame together. Place in a 4x6 frame.

Download this EDITABLE Product HERE

9 of the Best Things Teachers Need to Buy on Amazon Right Now (Under $30)

Teaching is tough so treat yourself, girl (or boy)!  

1. This concrete desktop planter for your desk at work.

Turn your desk into an oasis with this modern piece. Plus, succulents need very little water so maybe this plant will actually stay alive!

2. This vacation fund coin box. 

Summer vacation is only 10 not-so-short months away. Start your planning and saving with this decorative piggie bank!

3. These rose gold pens. 

For the rose gold fanatic in us all.

4. This herbal immune system buster tea.

For those days when you put your hand in something sticky... and you're pretty certain it wasn't glue. 

5. This pink clay exfoliating mask.

Every teacher deserves come papering. 

6. This sushi roll USB flash drive

Your school lunch may not be appetizing, but your thumb drive sure will! 

7. This charcoal-colored laptop sleeve.

You and your laptop will travel in style with is 13-inch felt laptop sleeve. 

8. This motivating pencil or make-up bag.

Think of your sweet pooch every time you grab a knick knack from this canvas bag,

9. This white marble rubber-coated MacBook cover.

Your laptop will have a new look with a rubber finish with this durable laptop skin. 

3 Tips to Get Your Students Signing into Chromebooks Independently

Technology in the classroom is great, but if not introduced properly, it can sometimes prove to be more of a nuisance than a valuable learning tool.  Here are a few tips for how to get your students started with the most difficult task.... signing in! 

1. Practice mouse & trackpad skills: I begin by allowing my students to sign in as a guest. I pull up some games that help teach students how to use the mouse or trackpad. This is important because many children are used to tablets and smartphones and assume all screens are touch screen. I recommend the website OWLIE BOO. 

2. Incorporate a 'Technology Coordinator' into your classroom jobs:  We all have them; students who know more about technology than even the most tech-savy teacher. Use them. I instruct students to go to these students before coming to me with technology help. 

3. Use visuals: When providing usernames and passwords, use visuals to not only show students their passwords, but where they should enter the information. I use lanyards and put their sign in cards inside the lanyard. You can get my editable Chromebook sign in cards HERE. 

       

CAFE Menu and Reading Comprehension Sticky Notes

I've blogged a lot lately about using Daily 5 in my classroom. I recently posted a Facebook Live explaining how I organize Word Work to meet each of my students' individual needs (without losing your mind). For this post I want to talk more about Read-to-Self and Read-to-Someone. 

Independent practice is important in any classroom no matter the subject. I wanted a way for my students to independently practice the comprehension strategies I teach during my read alouds. To do this I made reading comprehension sticky notes on VistaPrint. It was fairly easy and inexpensive (~2 a pack). I included the images in my Cafe Menu Poster & Comprehension Sticky Note Pack. I have more detailed directions there. 

Here's how I use them. When teaching a comprehension strategy during my mini lesson, I show the corresponding card of my CAFE Menu. After my mini lesson, each student gets a sticky note. They use this during Read-to-Self. They place the sticky note on the page where they used the strategy. They can also respond on the back of the sticky note. The picture on the sticky note helps remind students of their objective during reading and is a great informal assessment tool. 

I hope you all enjoy this pack! Happy reading! 

Download HERE