Hello Mrs Sykes

If you are on the path to National Board Certification , you're on a crazy journey!  I certified EMC-Literacy in 2010, and it was a huge undertaking.  Here's a bit of advice that was super helpful to me when I was working on my portfolio.   (Disclaimer:  I'm not an expert, just giving friendly advice.) Click to visit the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Set yourself a schedule.  Enlist support from family/friends to stick to that schedule.  My kids were 2 and 7 when I took NBs, and it was difficult.  One day each weekend, my kids would visit grandparents for the day or my husband would take them out and about for the day.  I spent at least one full day every weekend working on this from Jan-March.  April and May were spent studying for the Assessment Center.  I had a fabulous study group, and we would meet, have coffee, commiserate, and make flashcards together. Make sure you are collecting work samples from several children (I work with kids who mov

The title kinda says it all...  Here's a quick and fun Thanksgiving word search freebie : Click Here for TpT , Click Here for TN If you like it, feel free to share this with other teachers by leaving feedback, blogging about it, or pinning the freebie!  Thanks!!!  Want more Thanksgiving Freebies?  Visit the Linky at Tales from Outside the Classroom for others! We had a winner in the Pick Your Chevron giveaway!  Karen, check your inbox and let me know where to mail your scarf!!  :) a Rafflecopter giveaway If you're looking for some really fabulous ELA resources for grades 3-4, check out this Educents deal that I am a part of... Click here for the post I wrote about this deal , including a freebie from my CCSS RL packet for grades 3-5 (included in the bundle, and pictured below.)   There's still one more day to enter the Giveaway, too!! Have a wonderful weekend!!  Here's a little chuckle for you...

Whoo-woo!  I'm so super excited to share this with y'all - I have been bursting to tell you for weeks, but it had to be kept very hush, hush.  You know... I can keep a secret.  :)  Anywhoo... I've been working (again) on these Comprehension Strategy Sheets for Literature Standards, Grades 3-5 !  I keep coming up with more ideas that I just. have. to. add.  I began this project because it was such a challenge to find targeted informal assessments to use for remediation and enrichment options, as well as to inform parents of the standards covered in Common Core.  This pack includes graphic organizers and response sheets for all grades 3-5 RL standards. Here's a peek inside! Now more than 100 pages!! What teachers are saying: "Excellent bundle of resources, thanks!" "Great resource for literature response aligned to each standard. Thank you!" "A very practical resource that can be used to implement the common core." &qu

Follow the link below for a quick printable word search and create a word for Veteran's Day!  Enjoy, and thank a veteran for their service!  :) Download for free from TpT

For real... my kiddos need to work on fluency.  Many of my students are ELLs, and need help in understanding figurative language.  Enter the Knock, Knock jokes!  Particularly in grades 2 and 3, the ability to effectively deliver a knock knock joke (or speak up in class discussions!) is a skill to hone. Teacher Tip: You can establish an instant connection with a student usingKnock Knock jokes.  Here's a few to add to your bag of tricks: Knock, Knock! Who's there? Boo. Boo, Who? Don't cry.  It's just a joke. Knock, Knock! Who's there? Interrupting cow. Interrupt... Moo! For maximum annoying-ness with your Knock Knock jokes, which usually gets the best response from 2nd and 3rd graders, start over-explaining the answers.  (Get it!?!  Boo, Who sounds like crying.)  Then, they'll start trying to tell you jokes, which will help you smile, since it's really pretty funny when they make up their own...  Here's a freebie to help your mental health,