Chalk Board Headings

This year I decided to do a theme in my room. In the past it has just been tons of colors and {let's face it} kinda chaotic looking. Since I have the same kiddos this year as last, I decided to give them a grown up, sophisticated room. This summer I started obsessing over making my room perfect, and I fell in love with how clean and beautiful the chalk board theme looked. {See "Peek into my Room" tab to see the full classroom.}

I ended up buying a pack on TPT for most of my things, but some things were in the pack that I wished were...so I decided to make them myself! :)

I made focus wall headers for reading, math, science, and sight words. I also made mini-headers for things like vocabulary, objectives, spelling, and sight words. They are great to just print, cut, and laminate! The kids even complimented me on them!

Here are what they look like so far:

 

Some other headings in my pack are:

-Vocabulary

-Spelling

-Sight words

-"Our Word Wall" heading

 

What do you think?!...This year has awoken the crafter and creator in me and..not gonna lie...I am lovin' it!

 

What is your classroom theme this year?

 

Grab your copy from my TPT store HERE!

Feedback is encouraged and adored!  



Meet the Teacher Linky Party

Hi there! 
My name is Megan and I am a twenty-something teacher in Arizona. I recently moved here from a suburb outside of Chicago. I am a fur mama to Phil and a second grade teacher at a small charter in Scottsdale. I taught first grade here last year and a year in Tucson. When I am not teaching I love to do yoga or shop. I also love to lounge in my pajamas, read, and watch Netflix.. {Who doesn't?!}

I always found myself browsing and obsessively reading blogs. It inspired me to start making my own resources and join the blog universe. I have fallin' in love with it! That is how Cardigans and Caffeine {2 of my lovely obesssions} was born!

Now a little more about me... :)

 THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...

Some of my favorite things are..
Coffee. Yoga. Shopping. Naps. Reading. Harry Potter. Sephora.

 IF YOU WEREN'T A TEACHER, WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO BE?

If I wasn't a teacher, I would want to be an addiction counselor. I started to pursue it last year, but the price tag and leaving teaching didn't seem right to me. 

THREE LITTLE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU.

Loyal. Organized. Happy.
 

FINISH THE SENTENCE, "________,  SAID NO TEACHER EVER!!"

"I don't need a summer break!"
 

 Q:YOU GET TO PICK ONE SUPERPOWER. WHAT IS IT?

My super power would be to never have to touch dishes again. That is my one chore that I just can not stand to do. My boyfriend and I have played "rock,paper, scissors" numerous times to see who has to do them. I win 9 times out of 10. :) 

 

Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?

"Life is not about the destination, it is about the journey." :) 
 

Q: IF YOU HAD TO SING ONE SONG ON AMERICAN IDOL, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

Hmmm...anything by any of my favorite boy-bands of the 90's...Nsync..Backstreet..2gether {Yah..remember them?!}

 

 Q: ARE YOU A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT OWL?

I am definitely a morning person. Getting up is not my favorite, but once I get my coffee in me, I am ready to conquer the day!...ever try CoCoCafe? Coconut water with a shot of expresso...It is ahh-mazing and my secret morning weapon. ;)
 

Q: SHARE SOMETHING WE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU! 

Something you might not know about me is I have played the cello since I was in 4th grade! I love it. I was lucky enough to have a parent rent me one last year to show my class what it is and play with them. I was so grateful! 

 

I am very new to the blogging world, but I am loving every minute of it! :)

 

 ************************************************************************

Head on over to Falling Into First to meet all the other teacher bloggers!  

#glitteraddict

I love anything shiny and glittery as much as the next girl, but this year I went glitter crazy. I am not the least bit sorry about it....even though I did have to apologize to the janitor for my mess! 

My first project to glitterfy was my bathroom passes. Our school is so small that typically I don't use passes...this year I'm doing it a bit different though--super excited! 

Materials: 

Mod Podge

Big letters 

Glitter 

Sponge brushes 

I started with an even layer of Mod Podge and sprinkled with glitter. 

From there I let it dry over night. In the morning I put another layer of Mod Podge on top witha sponge brush. 

A short day later and these beautiful little gems were kid friendly! 

Now, I don't let my kids take passes to

the bathroom. Instead they place the pass of their desks. This avoids lost passes and unwashed hands touching them. I did the same routine with lady bugs last year....we named them our bathroom bugs! 

I also glittered up a frame for my birthday bulliten! By the end of the day I wanted to put glitter on everything! {and I practically did unintentionally!!} 

What have you made for your room so far?

The Day Erin Condren Stepped Up My Game

So I woke up yesterday morning and just had this feeling I should stop at the mailbox before work...I am SO glad I did because I had this pretty little box waiting for me! I call it "The Day Erin Condren Stepped Up My Game".

When I first started looking at Erin Condren I thought "Holy Moly! I love to organize, but that is WAY too much to spend". Well...I quickly found a way to justify the purchase, and I am so happy I did.

From the first sight I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. The box itself was colorful and bright. Then I got to work and ripped it open... to my surprise...

even the wrapping INSIDE the box was beautiful! 

{It is just like Christmas in July :D}

I chose the colorful cover with "Miss Caraballo" and the years on the front. The cover is hard and sturdy. I am not worried at all about it getting ruined or bent in my teacher bag or purse. The spiral bounding is thick also. I highly doubt it will ruin. Overall, the front and material is a 5/5 for me. I LOVE it! The "Make Everyday a Happyday" is a removable bookmark to use! 

Along with my planner, they sent me stickers and lists with my name, as well as $10 off my next purchase. 

Here are some other of my favorite pages for you to peek at:

{Monthly Calendars---Here is where I write my personal and fitness goals. I also add my blog goals and personal reminders}

{Lesson Planner}

{Checklists or Gradebook}

In the planner there is a page for anything you can think of as a teacher. One of my favorite is the motivational quote on each page. It is great for those days that are usually healed by chocolate and coffee. 

{Example of 1 of the many quotes throughout the planner}

I was torn between the life planner or the teacher planner. I have always had a personal planner, but I am glad I went with the teacher planner. I am able to fit everything from personal life, blog life, and school life in one place. There are calendars for everything and it is brightly labled. I even have an area for personal, fitness and career goals. It is amazing what I am able to do with it! 

It is the little things in life that make me happy and organizational planners happens to be on my happy list. If you are on the fence of getting this for a planner...DO IT. It is well worth the money and I know I will be buying another next year and as Christmas Gifts. 

I hope this helps in any worries you may have in making the purchase. Over here, I am no regrets and all smiles. :) 

To Erin Condren...or not to Erin Condren

To Erin Condren...or not to Erin Condren...that seems to be my question of the week. 

I admit...I am a little OCD in the organizing and planning department. I actually enjoy color coordinating and making lists--something my other half probably will never understand. With that being said, I take my teacher planner very seriously. ;)

I have seen and read tons of things about this so-called amazing teacher planner Erin Condren has but $60! My goodness...I have a hard time buying a cardigan on clearance at Target, let alone justify this purchase! 

I need to hear more...and from teachers, like me, who want to make the jump or have made this jump. 

Is it worth the money? 

Have you tried Plum Paper Designs?

I have this beautiful design sitting in the cart waiting for me to click "submit order", but having the typical buyers remorse and guilt of splurging it getting to me! 

What do you all use for your weekly plans and organization?

Update:

I decided to give it a try. Check back soon to see my review! 

Want to order some of Erin Condren's goodies? Use the code below for $10 off your first order! {Totally wish I had this coupon when I bought one!!}

Copy and paste into your browser:  https://www.erincondren.com/referral/invite/megancaraballo0217

Blog Hoppin 2014 Scavenger Hunt

Have you heard??!! I am so excited to be a part of this amazing scavenger hunt! 

Not only do I get to have some fun at the closure of my summer, but I get to talk to and meet even more teacher bloggers! I love hearing from other teachers and bloggers. 

Interested in joining the fun? 

Head over to the Facebook page or click here to find out all of the rules for this madness. There are 200 items on the list, but you really need to peek at what you can win. Now when I saw 200 items, I thought HOLY MOLY!...but no worries, teacheristas, I believe you only need 105 to qualify. 

You can follow me on Instagram to track my fun in the scavenger hunt. My IG handle is @cardigansandcaffeine {easy-peasy to remember}. Don't forget to include your hashtag of #bloghoppin2014 and keep track of your entries! 

Here are a couple of my lovely entries so far:  {keep in mind I just started today!}

I created my own sign, but you can print one of their website. I can't wait to link up with you all to see all the fun stuff you find! I am keeping my card and camera ready for when I find a man in a dress or a pirate ;).

Shaving Cream Math

Hi there! I hope you are all enjoying your lovely summer break as much as I am. :) 

Math is one of my most favorite subjects to teach to the little ones. It is amazing how they all think and how quickly they can problem solve! One of the incentives I have in my classroom is shaving cream math. I got this idea from way back when I was in second grade. One of my teachers did it, and I just remember how excited we all were. We just thought it was the coolest thing ever! My students thought the same when we gave it a try. 

The great thing with shaving cream is I can easily differentiate. I would place up to 10 problems on my board for everyone to work on. I also place challenge problems and "extra practice" problems. This allows every student to work at their own pace and gives them the opportunity to take a challenge when they are finished. 

While the students are working, I circle the room to be sure each one is being done correctly. The students know I want to check their work before they erase and go on to the next. To be sure they aren't just having fun in the cream, I check every 2 problems and then they may erase to move on. 

If I am spending extra time with some of the students, I am able to partner up the students for buddy checking. 

*Here is one of my kiddos showing me her "math lasso" with her two problems. 

I have also done this with a "fun Friday spelling test" and sight word recognition. It is a great quick check and be used in so many ways! .... plus it "cleans" some of my marked up desks. ;) 

It is a little messy, but well worth the smiles. :) 

I hope you enjoy. 

Organization and a Face Lift

No, no....not an actual face lift....

I am an avid blog follower of other teachers, fitness and foodies, and of course fashion...I visit these blogs and just love all the layouts, colors, designs, and personalities that come through the pages. I realize that I am just starting in the blog world, but I also realized I had no idea how to design my page. 

After reaching out and doing some research, I have hired a blog designer to up my esthetic game. She has been hard at work designing and making my blog what I have always dreamed. I can't wait to reveal it in August! 

Well...I am three weeks into summer and have been hard at work catching up on my favorite shows and working here and there.

One thing I promised myself was this year was going to be the year of organization for me. This started with me hard at work on my master teacher binder. This is my go-to binder for everything! I bring it to all my meetings and professional development. Last year I was working on perfecting this system, and I am hoping I nailed it this year. I used all the sheets that were the best in getting organized and created a bundle to keep handy. There are 24 pages included in the pack. The sheets range from "student list and information" to "CCSS standard" and "Professional Development Credits"...(I have a hard time keeping track of these!) 

Next on my quest to get organized is to start my first month of lesson planning. Sounds like a big task when I think about it, but right now I have nothing by time and sunshine to do it in. 

If you want to download a copy of my FREE organizational sheets, you can click here!

Let me know your thoughts! Leave a comment or feedback. I love hearing from people who successfully use my materials and getting feedback to help me professionally! 

Have a happy and sunny Monday! :) 

Notebook Guidelines and Covers

My students use their notebooks every day. They have two. One notebook is a "first grade notebook". This is where their journal prompts, notes, and practice goes daily. The second notebook is a "Center Notebook". That notebook only contains the students center work if their is no worksheet at the center. For example, at the spelling center, my students roll, write, and create sentences using their spelling or sight words. This eliminates daily grading for me because I can check the notebooks when we have our weekly teacher/student conference. Any student who has not been working during centers will know I will find out when I check their work for the week. It eliminates the social aspect of my groups and helps them stay focused.

The students and I had to learn how to use notebooks in the beginning of the year. They had to learn how and where to place the date and title and what I expected out of their notebooks. Sounds like a lot from first graders, but they LOVED these. Each student had a composition notebook. I take the cover and paste it on. On the first page, we glue the guidelines and expectations sheet. This sheet explains what I expect out of each journal entry. This is great because when a student says, "I'm done already, Ms. C!!", I can tell them to check their guidelines and make sure they have everything listed. It really showed them the importance of checking your work.

I created copies of the title page and guidelines for free on TPT. Click here to get your own copy! Let me know what you think.

How do you use notebooks in your own classroom?

Summer Bucket List

Today is the first week of summer break for me. This has been deemed by favorite week of the whole year. Now it is time to make my summer bucket list!

1. Practice yoga and make it a part of my life.
I started this week already with a couple of poses and flows. It is amazing what it has done for my happiness already!

2. Give myself a spa day.
Our boss got us all a massage at this beautiful spa in our town-Moroaccan themed relaxion. It has inspired me to take a spa day for myself and by myself to relax and clear my mind. I feel like we don't do that enough as teachers.

3. Work on decorating the apartment.
...consistant struggle...

4. Read at least 3 new books.
1 down! 2 to go! Just finished "Gone Girl"...ahhh-mazing!

5. Try new recipes.

6. See live music.

7. Tan by the pool.

8. Work on my blog.
I already started making new resources for next year. I also hired someone to glam up my blog...because lets face it...it looks drab and unprofessional...I am clueless about HTML so hopefully you will all love the new layout in August!

9. Travel..somewhere...anywhere.

10. Relax.

How do you all spend your summer break?