Did I Keep My Resolutions + Who Wants to be #100 and maybe a winner?

Don't hate me, but this first week (well, 3 days) back after winter break was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The anticipation of going back was way worse. So, if this is your last weekend on break, think positive thoughts and tell yourself you'll be right back in the swing of things the minute you walk through your classroom door.

Hopefully you caught my post earlier this week about my resolution to s*p*a*r*k*l*e* in 2013. If not, you can check it out here. This week's mission was to get all of my planning and prep work done before I walked out the school door on Friday afternoon. I worked super hard all week to meet this goal and using my fun rainbow checklists made it easier. They also gave me that nice feeling of satisfaction each time I checked off one of my planning chores. If you haven't downloaded your free copy yet, click here to head to a blank set and here to go to the personalized set I'm using.

So, now for the moment of suspense, did I get all my planning and prep work done? Take a look at my completed checklists below.

So, mission accomplished??? Well, the short answer is no, not quite. That pesky guided reading binder is sitting on my kidney-shaped table with only scattered plans written in it. But here's the long answer. We all know about the long answer right? Don't we all have that one student who has a long answer for everything and somehow avoids saying yes or no? I know you're probably thinking, "Just stick to the facts, ma’am.” But sorry, here's the long answer. The long answer is that I believe I would've gotten that last bit of planning done if we had a full week of school this week. Since we weren't in school on Monday or Tuesday I had to get both of those lists as well as the rest accomplished in 3 short days. So really, if I had those two extra days I'm sure I could've tackled guided reading along of everything else. Let's just say the true test will come next week, when it's a full week, with MAP testing thrown into the mix, DRA's starting, and meetings several days after school.

Even though I left school yesterday with guided reading still weighing me down as far as planning goes, I have to say it felt SO GOOD to have everything else ready for next week! Now when I walk into my classroom each day I won't feel overwhelmed with the prep work I need to do for that very day. I can breathe a little and maybe tackle some other projects.

Here's a glimpse at some of the activities we did during this short, 3-day week.

We made New Year’s resolutions with these cute craftivities.  This came from: www.justwildaboutteaching.blogspot.com

We love using our sparkly star pointers when we’re on a word hunt in our guided reading books.  I got these adorable magic wands in the party favor aisle at WalMart.

We’re also loving our Frosty Friends math centers from my TpT store.

This packet of strategy-based addition and subtraction centers is available in my TPT store.  Click the picture below to check it out:

So, I’m sitting at 99 followers and I’d love to surpass 100!  Please help me by clicking on the join this site link on the right side of my page.  Leave a comment that you are a follower, even if you’re not #100.  From all the comments, I’ll choose 1 lucky winner to receive a free copy of my Frosty Friends Math Centers.  I’ll pick a winner Monday night.

I’ll be back tomorrow with a new goal for next week and free printables to go along with it.