Newest How-To Writing Bundle!

The more time we spend on Instagram, Facebook and blog stalking, the more we learn about teaching, classroom strategies and engaging center ideas. Not only are we learning about practical teaching ideas, but we are learning SO much about the simple (yet time consuming) art of: creating! (HUGE shout out to Proud to be Primary Blog for doing an AWESOME post on creating great products!)

            While our TPT store has been up now for two years and are products are purposeful/what we each use in our own classrooms, we have really taken the time these past few months to explore ways to make our products more engaging and just down right cute!

            This past week, my first graders and I began our second go around at How-To Writing. How-to writing is always so much fun for my kids AND me. The prompts are endless and this time around my students have really gotten creative with different How-To ideas! (We even wrote paragraphs on how-to add with/without regrouping during our integrated centers.. but that is a post for another day!)

            Motivated by my students and a desire to makeover my previous How-To Bundle, I created this 100+ page CCSS aligned bundle. What was important to me was to go beyond just providing graphic organizers and writing paper.  I wrote out a 14 day unit plan, a list of mentor texts, transitions poster, 6 different writing checklists and writing conference organizers as well as pre/post assessments!

             Most importantly, I took the time to explain how crucial and beneficial a pre-assessment in writing is to meet the needs of all your students. I also explained  how (and why) to formulate skill groups within your class along with sample skill group lesson ideas.

            Gone are the days of teaching a standard mini lesson and having all of the students write independently as your peer over shoulders. In my district, we are required to use data to drive our instruction: our mini lessons and small group work. And while this style of teaching was difficult to get adjusted to at first, it is absolutely BEST practice!

            At any given moment you can walk into my classroom and ask my first graders: What is your writing goal and how will you achieve this goal? They ALL know. The importance of this is immeasurable. Their ability, at the young age of 6, to work towards a specific need (with my guidance during small skill group meetings) is incredible. They have come SO far as writers this year and I attribute it to our encouragement to use pre-assessments to drive instruction. 

            If you haven’t used this “model” in your classroom yet, TRY IT. I am telling you, you will be amazed. When students are aware of their needs they can more actively take control of their learning! When a student is writing in their journal and turns to you to say, “See.. no random capitals!” or cheers when they “graduate” from their goal on to the next as the class claps along you know something is working!  Our bundle provides you this opportunity to use data to drive your instruction!

            You can check out a preview of our bundle here Ultimate How-To Bundle PREVIEW! If you like what you have read, or seen in the preview, check out our Ultimate How-To Writing Bundle! 
                   -Kerry

New design, intros and a GIVEAWAY.. oh my!

          

           Welcome to Apple Of Their Eye’s blog! A HUGE thank you to Lindsey! Be sure to follow her on IG @missjohnstonsjourney.. She is SUPER talented!! We are so excited to introduce ourselves to you and give you some background as to how we got here. Be sure to read until the end to see how you can enter our AWESOME giveaway! 

        Apple Of Their Eye all started in the summer of 2013. As young teachers, we found that life outside of the four walls of our classroom was quickly beginning to suffocate us. Our responsibilities became overwhelming as we added mortgages, weddings, a social life and future planning to our list of worries. 

         Never being the type to become complacent, we seemed to be continuously working to develop ourselves as educators, but always wondered: “How can we get ahead? How can we use our passion and drive to take our career to the next step?” 

         Our shared desires came to a head one night at our favorite All You Can Eat Sushi restaurant, of course accompanied by a bottle of wine. In between bites of our giant plate of sushi, we decided to create a TPT store. After deciding on our company name, our goal and vision for our future started off quite small. Our hopes were to create a well-rounded store to meet the needs of a variety of teachers. From there, thoughts of trainings and consulting trickled in to our company aspirations. 

           In the most recent months, Apple of Their Eye has accomplished two milestones. We completed our first professional development workshop (“How to Enhance Instruction Through the Use of Social Media”) and will be soon launching our own ETSY shop with hand designed coffee mugs!  We are working hard to expand our TPT store, continue to collaborate with the thousands of talented teachers throughout the country, train teachers throughout the state and sell mugs that will make you smile while drinking your favorite beverage!                
            This blog is our way of bringing it all together! We hope you join us on this journey that has turned out more exciting and rewarding we could have ever thought possible while polishing off our 10th TriColor roll.

                                              Meet the Girls

           Kerry is currently a first grade teacher right next door to Melissa. (and yes she is Courtney’s identical twin!) After teaching 5 years of third grade, this is her first year in first and she is loving it! She is dual certified in both general education and special education and believes her special education foundation has really allowed her to meet the needs of all of her students. She LOVES holidays, a good nap, themed parties and nachos.  Her not-so secret passion is crime T.V. and has always wanted to be a detective! This past summer, Kerry and her husband bought their first home and has loved every second of decorating it and making it their own.

           Melissa is currently a first grade teacher alongside Kerry. Teaching with a fellow Apple of Their Eye member has allowed us to collaborate and share new ideas everyday for our store and daily teaching instruction. She has taught for 5 years. This is her 4th year teaching first grade and she loves it! When she’s not teaching and lesson planning, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exercising, hiking, and spending summers at the beach.  She was just recently married in July, so along with Kerry she enjoys spending time getting settled in her new home and sharing it with her husband.  She can never say no to ice cream, anything chocolate, and binge watching tv shows!

             Courtney  is a Special Education teacher for the last 6 years. Her first two years were spent as a Resource Room teacher, doing both pull-out and  in-class support. Four years ago she got her own classroom in an LLD Moderate program and has been in love ever since. Each year the students and dynamic of the classroom force her to completely reinvent herself as a teacher, which she absolutely loves. Outside of her hectic school day, she centers her social calendar around spending time with her amazing family and friends. Her role is the “party planner” and loves planning and organizing events for her favorite people. She's also been known to binge watch her share of Netflix shows and is currently hooked on American Horror Story.

           Cassie’s work in education began as part of Teach for America as a sixth grade teacher.  She then received the opportunity to open a new school as a kindergarten teacher.  After three years of teaching, she chose to stay in the school setting, and now works as a School Counselor.  Her work is focused on providing counseling and support for students with special needs.  She loves working with teachers to ensure that students’ needs are being met within the classroom.  When not at work, Cassie’s time is spent with her family, friends, and dog, Lush.  She is extremely passionate about fitness and living a healthy lifestyle, and has her Crossfit L-1 Certification.  She loves spending time working out in her garage gym with her husband, or training clients in functional training!  

                                  ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY

Enter to win a 50 Target Gift Card, adorable Iphone 5 cover our very own “but first.. coffee” mug!! Follow the rules below! We will announce a winner on Sunday night! GOOD LUCK!

                      1. Follow us and like our picture on IG. 

                      2. Tag a friend on IG!

                      3. Follow our TPT store.

                      4. Click the link below to finish your entry!!

CLICK HERE FOR LAST STEP TO ENTER GIVEAWAY!!