It's Summer! And we are all home...

It's that time of year.  We slowly recover from the last month of school and begin dreaming of those things we are going to do "next year."  In our house, summer means we are ALL home.  My husband is a teacher too, and while it is an amazing gift and blessing to have time as a family...things can get a little crazy being together 24/7.  Hubby teaches middle school, and with all the challenges of those kids, sometimes our own kids are so much harder to deal with. 

The first week or two of break we always head out to our family cabin (also known as super cheap vacation spot--we are both teachers remember?)  The boys spend time running in the woods and playing at the lake while we get a chance to relax without a house full of chores to do.  It's always a great trip and we always have fun.

Then we come home....and we are all on each other's nerves.  Took me 5 years to figure this one out, but since we are on a tight budget, I put the two biggest boys in 1/2 day Lego camps on different weeks!  Then we get quality time with the other two and the big boys don't fight all day.  Success!

This summer I also got the two big boys to peruse Pinterest with me and find a schedule and some activities they liked.  We aren't home everyday, but when we are they need a routine.  When they are busy, I don't have to be the referee so much.  Here is what we came up with.

Sorry for the lousy photos, but we were making notes and I just ran with it.  Yes, I had to resist the urge to make it cute on the computer.

This was really helpful and made everyone less stressed.  It's funny how we do things in our classroom, and then don't do the same things at home.  Kids are kids, and they love structure and routine.  Mine included.  I'll leave you with a pic of the wild three. 


They are rocking the tie dye shirts their awesome Aunti made for them.  Thanks Aunti!!

~ Enjoy the sun!  Lara

It's that time of Year...

This is the time of year when I wonder if my students have forgotten everything I taught them.  It never fails that after Spring Break, all the procedures and routines seem to be forgotten.  I have found it very useful to revisit my expectations by using a "Looks Like, Sounds Like, Feels Like" Chart.

 This is a great way to make it very clear exactly how an activity should run.  I make these for different things such as group work, partner work, desk work, DEAR time, walking to the MPR, computer lab use, etc.  I use a regular sized piece of paper and pop it under the document camera.  It makes it easy to keep all the charts in a file and grab one whenever we need to review how things should be running.

Just for those reading, click the image below for a FREE editable PowerPoint to use in your class!

If you would like a PDF of the same form, click HERE.

Enjoy! ~ Lara

Favorite Freebie!

Parent's Choice Homework Pass

In thinking about the beginning of the year, I am reminded of one of my favorite things to give out....the Parent's Choice Homework Pass!  As a busy mom of three boys, I know that every once in a while life gets crazy.  All of a sudden it's 8 pm, we're just getting home, and one of my darlings pipes up, "But mom, I still have homework!"  I know how stressful this can be for my family, especially since my oldest is very much a rule follower and would be horrified at the thought of not having his homework complete.  So, I created the Parent's Choice Homework Pass to give out at Back-to-School Night.  I give my families one for each trimester, so that there is a free pass three times a year for just such a busy night.

Click to get it!

My families and students love the fact that they can save it for when they have a crisis or use it at the end of the trimester as a reward for getting through the whole 3 months without really needing it.

Of course it has a great disclaimer on it that prevents it from being used on any long term projects.  It's always good to teach kids about "the fine print" early!  Click on any of the images above to get it from my TPT store!  Enjoy!

~ Lara

Busy Year

What a busy year!  We wanted to share all the wonderful 3rd Grade things we are doing and "poof" it's already March.  I wanted to take a minute and share a few goodies from the past year.

First a tour!  This is my classroom (at the beginning of the year)...

Jobs chart, schedule, and news.

Library.  Each bin is marked with the AR level of the books, and series grouped together.

Birthday board and "we are at..." signs for the door.

Focus board on left front...usually use for anchor charts, but this is the first week of school.

Student work area and computer stations.

As you can see I love Creative Teaching Press and their Dots on Chocolate collection.  

More to come soon!

 ~ Lara

Welcome to Creative Teacher Mama!

I LOVE teaching!  Playing school was my favorite game growing up, and I love going to work each day! Educating children is my passion.  I believe that a classroom should be fair, firm, yet fun, and lessons should both challenge and motivate the students. Over the last 15 years, I’ve had the privilege to work with and learn from some amazing teachers.  I am so excited to be able to share some of these things with all of you!

I started teaching in 2000.  I’ve taught 4th and 5^th grades, and have been teaching 3^rd grade since 2006. Each year, I strive to create a true community in my classroom, a place where students can strive to do their “personal best” in a safe and caring atmosphere.   I also think that learning should be FUN!!! I love to create fun and engaging activities for my classroom and for my colleagues.

Now I have mixed my love of school and my love of being a mom!  Balancing teaching and parenting is a struggle but I love every minute of it. I have three boys, all three years apart, that keep me on my toes.  With my husband, who is also a teacher, we have a busy, frantic, loving life that we wouldn't trade for anything!!

Lara